Nov. 10, 2014
Straight.com – Travis Lupick
Girlfriend of soldier killed in Ottawa shooting calls for a conversation on mental-health care
Andrea Polko was the girl friend of Corporal Nathan Cirillo. She thinks that we need to realize that what happened should never happen again for want of mental health treatment. Says Polko in a November 4 Facebook message: “WAKE UP CANADA. What we SHOULD be talking about is the dismal state of mental healthcare in our country. What that deeply disturbed man killing my boyfriend SHOULD make Canadians focus on is how we can PREVENT another event like this through more accessible and effective mental health treatment programs that target the REAL source of this tragedy.” (Full text of the message at link) http://www.straight.com/news/764866/girlfriend-soldier-killed-ottawa-shooting-calls-conversation-mental-health-care
Hills Times-on-line – Abbas Rana, Rachel Aiello, Mark Burgess
Sexual harassment dialogue reveals cultural, systemic problems on Hill
The stirrings around sexual harassment and sexual assault within the working confines of the Canadian Parliament appear both cultural and systemic but even as more revelations and allegations arrive, what to do about the incidents seems elusive. http://www.hilltimes.com/news/news/2014/11/10/sexual-harassment-dialogue-reveals-cultural-systemic-problems-on-hill/40212 Related article: Hill Times-on-line – Shelia Copps – ‘I was sexually assaulted when I was an MPP, and I’ve been raped’: Copps http://www.hilltimes.com/copps-corner/2014/11/10/i-was-sexually-assaulted-when-i-was-an-mpp-and-ive-been-raped-copps/40214
National Newswatch – Pundits Guide – Alice Funke
UPDATED: 2015 Federal: The Not-Running and the Not-Sure
As federal elections get close, are you starting to wonder who of the incumbents is withdrawing and who is staying for 2015? Here is an updated list of those known to date, their ridings and party affiliations, including some comments about those not committed yet. http://www.punditsguide.ca/2014/11/2015-federal-the-not-running-and-the-not-sure Related article: National Post John Ivison Parties mark ground they want to fight on in next federal election http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2014/11/09/john-ivison-parties-mark-ground-they-want-to-fight-on-in-next-federal-election Related article: Toronto Star – R. Michael Warren Why Stephen Harper will call an early election http://www.thestar.com/opinion/commentary/2014/11/09/why_stephen_harper_will_call_an_early_election.html Related article: Chronicle Herald (Halifax) – Dan Leger Information, ignorance and the politics of perception http://thechronicleherald.ca/opinion/1249648-leger-information-ignorance-and-the-politics-of-perception
Toronto Star – Jessica McDiarmid
Prison bus offers lifeline for inmates and families to stay connected
Most week-ends Derek Reid and his daughter Jessica are on the road – to prisons. They called themselves F.E.A.T. and offer a bus service for the Toronto families of the incarcerated. Maintaining family connections is a well accepted way of helping in the rehabilitation process. The service fund raises and scrapes pennies together and while en route to various prisons Derek explains to first timers what to expect. http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2014/11/09/prison_bus_offers_lifeline_for_inmates_and_families_to_stay_connected.html
Wall Street Cheat Sheet (US) – Sarah Schweppe
Why Income Inequality Is a Growing Threat
According to the World Economic Forum, income inequality is the top global economic threat in 2015. The International Monetary Fund agrees but points out that the problem is not new, simply increasing at alarming rates. According to the Pew Research Center which surveyed 28 countries, 60% have identified income disparity as “a very big problem” in their country. http://wallstcheatsheet.com/politics/why-income-inequality-is-a-growing-threat.html/?a=viewall
New American – Bob Adelmann
Gallup Poll: Homes Are Safer if Guns Are Present
A Gallup poll for the first time is suggesting that a majority of Americans – now at 63%, double the number from 2000 – think they are safer if they have a gun in the house. The results appear to be sustained across political and geographic lines. Experts think the results of this survey will make harder any federal or state efforts to limit access to guns. http://www.thenewamerican.com/usnews/crime/item/19492-gallup-poll-homes-are-safer-if-guns-are-present