Minumum Wage Stalled

Ontario's general minimum wage has been raised to $10.25 an hour on Wednesday, March 31st, 2010. This is an incredible leap from the older $6.85 minimum wage, which was frozen in place for nearly a decade. Even with this massive leap, a minimum wage job will not lift a full time worker above the poverty line. Are more increases expected? Unfortunately, last weeks provincial budget did not answer this question. Ontario cannot afford to fall behind again on minimum wages. The size and time of the next increase is something for debate. Besides a decent wage, the working poor also need full-time jobs, affordable housing, and subsidized child care. Ultimately, they need more opportunities to move beyond minimum wage jobs into employment that can support a better standard of living.

I believe that raising the minimum wage for Canadians is a good first step out of poverty. However, we cannot expect to keep raising how much people are paid if they do not work for themselves to get hired. Many people nowadays do not wish to work for payment. The rely on government funding and the charity of others to get them through the day. I believe that just as important as raising the minimum wage, the government should make getting a job seem more appealing. If the minimum wage is increased, but the eagerness to get a job is not, will this really accomplish anything? The government needs to get workers into jobs before raising how much money they earn. Only then can the poverty in Canada be dealt with.

http://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorials/article/787848--minimum-wage-stalled

Australian Internet Filter Plan Worries U.S.

The United States of America is worried about Australia's strict Internet filter that would place limitations on web content, which was put into place on Monday, March 29th. These policies have made Australia one of the strictest Internet regulators among the world's democracies. US State Department Spokesman Michael Tran says: "We have raised our concerns on this matter with Australian Officials" Internet giants Google and Yahoo have condemned the proposal as a heavy-handed measure that could restrict access to legal information. The Australian Communications Minister Stephen Conroy says the filter will be used to help the public, blocking access to child pornography sites, sexual violence sites, and sites that contain detailed instructions in crime or drug use. The new filter program will be updated constantly based on public complaints. Some critics even, have put Australia in the same censorship league as China.

I do believe that Australia's Internet filter is a little too strict on it's citizens. However, I don't think America has any business in Australia's affairs. They've raised their concerns to Australian officials and now it's time for them to back off. I believe the Australian population is the main decider in this debate. If they do not support this potential "law" then it will not be put into effect. Even if it is put into effect, the citizens can vote off the current government. Also, these websites do not pose a threat to the Australian government. Why ban something that is not a threat? This, I believe, is why some critics put Australia in the same censorship league as China. Still, the question remains: has Australia become so worried about it's citizens as to limit what they can view on the World Wide Web? This remains an unanswered question for the time being.

http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2010/03/29/tech-australia-internet-filter.html

Politicians Drop The Daycare Ball

Our municipal, provincial, and federal governments are shying away from a much-needed expansion of our child care sector. What's worse, all three levels of government wish to adopt budgets in the coming weeks that actually cut subsidized child-care spaces, lay off workers and drive up costs for full-fee parents. This would cause many parents to quit their jobs in order to find time for their children. In Toronto's proposed budget, the government strips 6 million of funding from 370 school based day cares. Experts predict that this will raise pricing for child care from an average $60 to $80. Furthermore, thousands of health care services and jobs are at risk of disappearing unless the government allocates $63.5 million for Ontario. In Ottawa, the Conservatives have shown nothing but disdain for child care and the bad effects it will have on families and the economy. However, child care delivers both social and economic benefits. Our governments need to ensure the required funding is not stripped from their budgets in a short-sighted deficit-fighting move.

I don't completely agree with this article in the sense that taxpayers should not be paying for other people's children. If one wishes to have a child, one should be emotionally and financially stable. They should not rely on other peoples labour in order to support their family. Also, the daycare system nowadays is quite impressive already. Many services don't require any money for services during the morning and afternoon. Fees are only required for extra added hours which means parents can work without fear of leaving their children at home. This, for me, introduces another problem. Parents should spend more time with their children at a younger age. They should not be sending them to day cares for 5 days of the week. Sooner or later, the child will be calling their teacher "baba" or "mama". More money towards childcare would be a leap in the wrong direction. Parents should work for their own families welfare, and have the time and decency to stay with their kids.

http://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorials/article/773064--politicians-drop-the-daycare-ball

Massive Police Budget

Harvey Simmons speaks out for the candidates of Mayor that remain silent. He notices that the candidates were afraid to mention the gross budget for the Toronto police. The Toronto police budget stands at nearly 1 billion per year. This means the police consume more of Toronto's operating budget than the fire service, Emergency Medical Service, and public health combined. What's worse, when Torontonians complain about another rise in taxes, more than 24% of that goes to the police. More than the TTC, public health, children's services, and Emergency Medical Services combined as listed above. The police enjoy enormous popularity with the public, they have powerful and combative union behind them. However, no relation between numbers of police officers, police expenditures, and crime rate. No matter what the police may say, or the public believe, studies have proven that crime rate is because of the economy, wages, and the change in the market for illegal drugs. This means that the 1 billion dollars on the police is merely a waste of the taxpayers money and an excuse for the Toronto police to live a life of luxury.

Though I do believe our "protection" as citizens is important, the gross overpayment of the Toronto police officers is unacceptable and should be changed. The police are important, but the budget should not outmatch fire services, Emergency Medical Services, public health, TTC, and children services combined. Also, the public cannot believe everything the media and police have to say. If proven statistics say that more policemen and better equipment will not reduce the crime rate in Toronto, then why continue to supply the police department with such gross over payments of funding? This wasted money on firearms and equipment could be used for better transport services, better public health care, better childcare, etc. yet the government continues to pour money into the police departments coffers. Police funding is obviously necessary, however, there is no point in supplying the police with a billion dollars if it will go to waste anyway. The money should be used on more productive elements.

http://www.thestar.com/opinion/article/771685--now-is-the-time-to-discuss-city-s-massive-police-budget

Where's The Money For Schools?

Since the Canadian government decided to kick start the economy last year with the Economic Action Plan, the federal government has committed 9 billion to funding more than 6,700 provincial, territorial, and municipal projects. In Ontario, they are funding many "worthy" projects. Toronto police division will get 17.1 million, Horse Palace will get 1.4 million, and the Royal Ontario Museum will get 5.25 million. Toronto public schools will receive nothing because school boards do not meet federal eligibility criteria. An appalling 425 million is given to colleges and universities in just Toronto. The 240,000 students in the Toronto District Board will receive nothing from KIA funding. Learning for students does not begin when they enter university or college. It begins much earlier, in the classrooms, science labs, and libraries of our public schools. Bruce Davis believes that it is time to send Canadian leaders back to school. He believes there is a lesson that they need to learn.

I believe Bruce Davis's statements are correct, however, he may be overreacting at the seriousness of this problem. Though it is true that Ontario public schools did not receive any of the 9 billion in 2009, they did receive 5 billion from the federal government in 2005. Ontario public schools do need funding, but not the the extent that everything should be renewed at a yearly basis. In fact, when it comes to math and science, Ontario's high school student rank among the best in the world, surpassed only by Finland and Singapore. I do not believe we could have achieved this with old and faulty equipment. Also, I believe universities require the government support more than public schools in Toronto. Universities are areas of higher learning. This means they require "top notch" technology and the most up to date information that is available. This will make the transfer from high school to university a much richer experience. Both Canadian high schools and universities require funding; however, there is no need to assault the government with minuscule problems that seem larger than they really are.

http://www.thestar.com/opinion/article/769795--where-s-the-money-for-schools

Toyota Saved 100M by Limiting Recall

Toyota has recalled more than 10 million vehicles worldwide and is now sending president Akio Toyoda to testify before the United States Congress. Toyota executive boasted of the company saving $100 million by negotiating a limited recall for Toyota Camry and Lexus ES cars over a problem that could cause unintended acceleration. Toyota called an equipment recall to repair an "accessory" on non important part of the vehicle. However a month after the announcement of the recall, a family of four was killed in a Lexus with it's gas pedal stuck under a floor mat. NBC News criticizes how a "win" for Toyota means reduced safety for American motorists. However, Toyota is careful to get out of any further conflict. "Our first priority is the safety of our customers and to conclude otherwise on the basis of one internal presentation is wrong. Our values have always been to put the customer first and ensure the highest levels of safety and quality." They hope that this will shield the fact they wished to secure $100 million. Other examples of missing safety procedures to save money are phasing in new safety regulations for side air bags saved the company 124 million and 50,000 man hours. Delaying tougher locks saved them 11 million. It seems Toyota is more concerned about their financial standing than the safety of it's customers.

It seems that Toyota's bragging of saving money, but reducing safety measures has gotten many professionals irritated and irate. I believe they have the full reason to feel this way. Toyota should not care more about how much money they can save if it reduces safety in their cars. Toyota believes that gaining financially is more important than public safety and well being. They procrastinated and removed many safety features in order to save money and man hours of their workers. This seems, to me, unfair and selfish of the company. It seems they care more about themselves than others, which will only ruin their reputation as the top car manufacturer in the world. Also, the many fatal errors in Toyota's manufacturing may bring up lawsuits by their customers. If great enough, the money they saved from removing safety precautions could be replaced by debt from mass lawsuits. Is saving 100 million dollars really worth possible lawsuits, the death of innocent citizens, and a debilitating reputation? I personally, believe not.

http://www.thestar.com/wheels/article/769481--toyota-saved-100m-by-limiting-recall-report

Words Matter, In English And French

Unity in diversity: isn't this what the Canadian dream is about? This reason is why many French Canadians felt sad and frustrated at the minuscule French content during the 2010 Opening Ceremony. Many French singers were rejected from the opening ceremony because of their language. In fact, many English speaking Canadians found the absence of the French language noticeable as well. Bilingualism does not mean all Canadians should speak both languages. It is a countries unique approach to diversity. No language should try and out match the other. This will only lead to conflict. This, Andre believes, is what occurred during the opening ceremonies of the Olympic Games. The English language had a much greater presence than French. Many Canadians wondered: "why spoil this moment of pride with out old quarrels?" Why? Because it is difficult for the country's 7 million francophone's to feel proud while their language is being excluded. If the French Canadians do not protest now, their language will be excluded even more in the next major event in Canada.

Canada's bilingualism was put to the test during the opening ceremonies of the 2010 Olympics. The minuscule amount of French language was clearly noticed and found disturbing by both French, and English Canadians. I believe the French expressing worry is appropriate. They are trying to protect their language and culture in a "bilingual" country. It is unfair for the government to censor the French language from the Olympic games. As Canadian citizens, the French population has the right to be treated fairly. The exclusion of their language in the 2010 Winter Games is not "fair". Also, I agree with Andre when he says "No language should try and outmatch the other" because this Opening Ceremony is a prime example of just that. The Government believed English was superior to French, thus greatly reducing the amount of French spoken in the Opening Ceremony. The French must protest now before the next major event held in Canada. The more they stay in silence about their language, the more it will be shrugged off and forgotten.

http://www.thestar.com/opinion/article/767109--words-matter-in-english-and-french