Dec 5, 2014

 CBC News – Sean Michaels

Polytechnique massacre laid bare hidden oppression of women 

Twenty-five years later Canadians are wondering about what has changed around violence towards women.  The lament for the 14 women killed endures because of what still needs to change.  But says Sean Michaels: “As we mourn, as we stand in solidarity, we must also (and men especially) bear witness to the present world, our present selves, and the work that’s still to do. The truest way to answer a tragedy is to render it unimaginable.”   http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/polytechnique-massacre-laid-bare-hidden-oppression-of-women-1.2859299?cmp=fbtl&utm_content=buffer03bf4&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer  Related article:  MacLean’s  –   Peter Rakobowchuk, The Canadian Press   Nathalie Provost: ‘Polytechnique faded … it never disappears’  – Woman shot in 1989 Montreal Massacre remembers confronting killer    http://www.macleans.ca/news/canada/woman-shot-in-1989-montreal-massacre-remembers-confronting-killer     Related article:  Thompson Reuters Foundation –   Maria Caspani     Who can help reduce the high cost of violence against women?   http://www.trust.org/item/20141204214955-qyxa7/?source=fiOtherNews3    Related article: Toronto Star – Lisa Wright      One million Canadian workers — mostly women — sexually harassed at work in last two years, report estimates   http://www.thestar.com/business/2014/12/05/one_million_canadian_workers_mostly_women_sexually_harassed_at_work_in_last_two_years_report_estimates.html   Related article:  Toronto Star – Carol Goar    Women turn Dec. 6 into day of resilience –  To mark Dec. 6, the 25th anniversary of the Montreal Massacre, five Toronto women donated $1 million to support women escaping violence    http://www.thestar.com/opinion/commentary/2014/12/04/women_turn_dec_6_into_day_of_resilience_goar.html      Related article: Durham Region.com (ON) – Editorial    Violence against women is a crime against us all     http://www.durhamregion.com/opinion-story/5178627-violence-against-women-is-a-crime-against-us-all

 Toronto Star – Susan Delacourt

Why five is the magic number in Canadian politics 

Politicians are getting serious when they offer lists of five, choices of five and ask for $5 donations, says Delacourt.  It’s really an effort to make the party platform more consumer friendly and to get mailing and e-mail addresses.  Even the five possible choices in seeking opinions have five possible options.   http://www.thestar.com/news/insight/2014/12/05/delacourt_why_five_is_the_magic_number_in_canadian_politics.html

 Globe and Mail – Editorial (Dec. 5, 2014)

First, take away their guns: Some radical ideas for better police 

In the light of repeated killings by police in the US the editorial wonders what alternatives there are for what appears to be rash and hurried response to real, or sometimes, imagined crisis.  First Ferguson, then New York, and the latest, Rumain Brisbon, 34, in Phoenix, then a 12 year old boy in Cleveland with a toy gun, 22 year old John Crawford in Dayton bringing home a toy gun he has just bought in Walmart; in Canada Robert Dziekanski and Sammy Yatim.  The editorial recommends disarming some police, using body cameras and getting smarter on how not to use force.  http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-debate/editorials/first-take-away-their-guns-some-radical-ideas-for-better-police/article21835556   Related article: Globe and Mail     American uproar rekindled by police shooting of black man in Phoenix     http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/american-uproar-rekindled-by-police-shooting-of-black-man-in-phoenix/article21966095    Related article: Washington Post (US) – Jerry Markon and Sari Horwitz    Cleveland police tactics violated rights of citizens, Justice Department probe finds    http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/cleveland-police-tactics-violated-rights-of-citizens-justice-department-probe-finds/2014/12/04/db93f0e0-7bfd-11e4-b821-503cc7efed9e_story.html

 CAMH Survey

Over 230,000 Ontario adults seriously considered suicide in 2013, CAMH survey shows 

The study shows that 2.2% of the adult population or 230,000 – has seriously thought about suicide in the last year, making suicide prevention a major public health issue.    Self-reported poor mental health assessments went form 4.7% to 7.1% with significant increases among the 18-29 year olds – from 3% in 2009 to 12% in 2013.    http://www.camh.ca/en/hospital/about_camh/newsroom/news_releases_media_advisories_and_backgrounders/current_year/Pages/Over-230,000-Ontario-adults-seriously-considered-suicide-in-2013,-CAMH-survey-shows.aspx   Related article:   CBC News   Troubling trends in mental health  ( A 2min 37 sec video)  http://www.cbc.ca/player/News/TV%20Shows/The%20National/ID/2625951125