RCMP HAVING DISCIPLINARY PROBLEMS

Last Saturday'S Waterloo Region Record carrys this story "High number of disciplined RCMP a sign of wider policing problem". The Professional Integrity Officer for the Mounties has released a new report indicating that a record 104 new formal discipline cases were brought forward in 2012-2013. "...the higher numbers are likely the result of a new effort by RCMP Commissioner Bob Paulson - armed with a stronger government mandate- to crack down on problem officers.". A criminologist Prof. Darryl Davies has suggested the root of the problem infecting police across Canada is "...inadequate training, lack of accountability, and a culture of impunity among officers protected by powerful, "militant" unions.". Two solutions proposed are "A more rigorous approach is needed to restore faith in the RCMP and in police in general..." and "...deprogramming of a subculture in which officers place loyalty to one another above public duty.".

HYDRO ONE BILLING = LACK OF DEMOCRACY

Today's Waterloo Region Record carrys this story "Hydro One billing "hopeless": Marin". To date there have been over 8,000 complaints by Ontario residents concerning their nonsensical and out of control Hydro bills. The Ombudsman Andre Marin has been investigating and he does not mince words regarding Hydro One's idiotic billing practices. What is ironic is that I have just read an Editorial in the Woolwich Observer written by Steve Kannon titled "Without electoral reform expect more of the same poor quality". Steve draws upon the expertise of Duff Conacher of Democracy Watch. This group have some solid suggestions for reengaging Ontario's electorate but it will require significant electoral reform. I would suggest that these two stories are intrinsically linked. How else can you explain the abject failure of a government Crown Corporation being so widely known yet the longtime government in charge just receiving a majority government from the electorate. Steve Kannon's article goes a long way to explaining that. the bottom line is that the government of the day does not need to be responsive or accountable and still get reelected thanks to the first past the post system. In essence less than 20% of the eligible voters wanted a Liberal government badly enough to go out and vote for them.

FEDERAL CONSERVATIVES BEFORE THE COURTS AGAIN

When are people going to understand exactly how pathetic the federal Conservative Party really is? Today's Waterloo Region Record carrys this story "Citizenship law faces legal challenges". The story deals with the Tories wish to be able to revoke Canadian citizenship for dual nationals convicted of espionage, treason or terrorism. There are other grounds for which our super Canucks in power feel that they should be able to kick people out of the country, above and beyond whatever punishment our courts might to decide to impose upon criminal conviction. Groups in Canada have suggested that this law would create two classes of citizenship and indeed they are correct. The best quote of the article is from Opposition leader Tom Mulcair namely "The Conservatives are at war with a court system that keeps turning back their bizarre legislation that fails to respect Canadians' rights". Well said.

TEMPORARY FOREIGN WORKERS PROGRAM IS STILL A CROCK

Yesterday's Waterloo Region Record carrys this opinion piece by Thomas Walkom titled "Foreign worker reforms don't solve problem". He states that the two main problems still haven't been addressed namely that this program creates two different classes of newcomers. One has a shot at Canadian citizenship and the other does not. The other major problem is that it simply allows Canadian employers to avoid paying higher wages when what they are offerring is ridiculously low. As Thomas Walkom states the real unemployment rate in Canada is much higher than the Stats Canada artificially dampened figures would suggest. hence there are lots of Canadians ready and willing to work at low-skilled jobs. The problem arises when the working conditions and wages are both extremely low. "The market solution would be to offer higher wages and better conditions in the hope of attracting workers.". The recently announced reforms are full of loopholes and exceptions. Still even after an outcry the Conservatives need to deceive as they sell Canadian workers down the river.

GENDER DISCRIMINATION JUST ANOTHER DAY AT THE OFFICE

In this case however the female sales executive discriminated against spoke up. She was fired; afterall what kind of a team player doesn't go along with the program as outlined clearly by her male bosses. There were a few minor mitigating circumstances but they were pretty inconsequential in relation to the whole very bad idea. Today's Waterloo Region Record carrys this story "Firm's men-only ski day ruled discriminatory to female sales executive". Hard to believe that with a title like that (ie. men-only ski day) that anyone would take offense but there it is. I would humblu suggest that this made the news not because it's unusual behaviour in business or industry but rather that the discriminated individual stood up for themselves, said to hell with the consequences and went to the Human rights commission. There are lots of other idiot employers out there to do exactly the same thing next year although rest assurred they will rationalize it to themselves and others, somehow.

FATALLY STUPID DRIVING

It happens every day on the roads and it's nothing but luck that more people don't die as a result. Last Saturday's Waterloo Region Record carrys this story "Driver who stopped for ducklings found guilty". This incident occurred in Quebec close to where my sister lived decades ago. Inexperience, immaturity and just plain stupidity caught up to this young woman who didn't have the common sense not to stop in the fast lane of a multilane highway to try and save some ducklings who had wandered onto the roadway. Accounts differ as to whether she had her fourway flashers on but it really makes no difference. Other stupid drivers think that four way flashers are just dandy. Well they are for literally the first car immediately behind. But when that car veers off into another lane the next car is way too close to have time to avoid crashing into the rearend while driving at highway speeds. The possible penalties include fourteen years for dangerous driving causing death or even a life sentence for criminal negligence. These penalties quite frankly are almost as stupid as the driver herself. They won't make her any smarter or bring back the two people she killed. A more legitimate penalty would be a lifetime driving ban. That would denounce her negligence and stupidity and make the driving public safer. It's just a shame that more drivers can't be removed permanently from our roads before they kill someone.

SEPARATE & PUBLIC BOARDS TO SHARE A SCHOOL?

Wow talk about the thin edge of the wedge. I understand that I've misunderstood the situation here in Ontario around having a searate system for Catholic students. Last Tuesday in the Waterloo Region Record, Luisa D'Amato wrote an Opinion piece titled "A shared school for public and Catholic students is long overdue". Luisa states that " although Catholic education is constitutionally guaranteed, it has evolved into an indefensible situation in multicultural Ontario.". Apparently parents have come up with an idea to avoid their students being scattered to St. Clements, New Hamburg and Waterloo if the St. Agatha separate school closes. They would like to see a new school in fast growing Baden be opened that could be shared between the two Boards. It has been done sucessfully in other Ontario communities so why not here?