What does it mean to be progressive now?

I'm old, my twenty year old thinks I fart dust.  I used to view myself as a progressive, I still do but I don't know whether my views match up with the broader culture now.

I tend to view the political realm as being a circle, and the centre of that circle represents the ideal, something we'll likely never reach but something that we strive for.  No matter where we are on the line of the circle, there's an angle and distance we must progress to reach that ideal.  As a society we can be off by a few degrees, but we can still be moving in the right direction and can come close to that ideal.  But if we keep moving in the same direction after coming close to that wonderful spot, then we'll move further and further away from that perfect point. 

After JK Rowlings twitter musings on "people who menstruate" I was scratching my head.  I'm old, for me menstruation is not a word that comes up in normal conversation, and certainly has never been used to identify people.  Recently there was a Meghan Murphy's talk at a Toronto public library, and the protests that ensued.  I didn't even know what TERF meant.  

It struck me how human rights really is a zero sum game, that extending rights to one group means taking them away from another.  When women were granted the right to vote it cost men the weight of their franchise.  When slavery was abolished in the United States it removed the rights of slave owners.  Both these are positives, women make up roughly 50% of the population, and nobody should have the right to own another human being.

But what do you do when it's the rights of some women to feel safe, versus the rights of transgender people to use the change rooms and facilities that line up with the gender they identify with?  Grant rights to those who are transgender and you take away the rights of women who don't feel safe.  This is all about feelings isn't it?  As I understand the whole transgender issue is that there are people who don't identify with their biological sex, there are men who don't feel they are men, and women who don't feel they are men.  

To my way of thinking this doesn't compare with issue like abolition or the suffrage movement, not even close.  I don't wish to be unkind to anyone who is transgender, and I must admit I don't know anyone, although I have in the past, but not well.  

It's been said that the adage:  "May you live in interesting times" is a curse, and it seems to me that as I travel down the backside of the hill of middle age towards senility and everything that goes with it, that these are indeed interesting times.  

Calling Bell Canada, 310 Bell...and reaching the Philippines

Its been months since I've written anything here, but today I feel the need to get my rant on.  

I am a Bell Canada (or is it Bell Philippines) customer for both satellite television and wireless internet.  Until September I was only subscribed to the satellite TV service, but then added internet.  I called, got the "bundled" package, and instructed them to continue billing me as they had been previously, pre-authorized to my credit card.

Pretty simple right?  Wrong.

Today I received a collections call from Bell because my Bell Internet account was in arrears.  I live in Quebec, so the call was in French, but the script is the same.  "Make a payment now".  I'm a suspicious type so I told them I'd call THEM back.  Instead of calling the 1-800 number I was provided, I called 310 BELL instead and I proceeded to rip into the very pleasant young lady on the other end of the line....Christina I believe was the name.

A little history.

It turns out my "bundle" wasn't a bundle.  Shortly after signing up for the internet service I received what looked like a suspicious email claiming to be from Bell asking me to arrange pre-authorized payments on my account.  "I've already done that", I said to myself, sensing a scam.  I called 310 BELL and was told that yes my account was already pre-authorized and that they'd received a lot of calls about this email.  I was told to delete it and not to click on anything, which I did.  

Well it seems that Bells TV Satellite service and their Wireless Internet service, it doesn't seem they talk to each other.  I was continuing to be billed for Television, but they didn't include the internet portion on my bill.  Yes I should have checked my credit card statement more carefully, but I saw that Bell was indeed billing me each month so I figured all was as it should be.  

They never sent a paper bill for the internet service.  

Anyway....to make this long story just a bit longer, I was told by the CSR that the issue could be resolved and that the billing could indeed be bundled and paid by a single pre-authorized debit to my credit card, but first I needed to bring the internet account current.

Ugh....okay.  But I didn't have my wallet with me, it was locked in the car.  The nice CSR said no problem, she could wait.  While fetching my wallet it occurred to me that this young lady on the other end of the line, that it isn't her fault that she works for such a messed up company.  And I have worked in similar roles before myself and I know the stress that can come from dealing with outraged customers.

When I came back on the phone I apologized for being so surly (how very Canadian of me eh) and that I wasn't mad at her, I was mad at her employer.  I told her professional and courteous phone manner was appreciated.  I'd also noticed that she spoke with accented English and asked her what her native language was.  She told me it was Filipino.  "Really", I said...."Well I guess I should say como esta mar-ay".  That's a general greeting to a female in Tagalog (which is the native language in the Philippines.  

Christina (if I recall correctly) was quite taken back.  I told her I also knew como-esta par-ay (greeting to a guy) and salama (thank you).  She said it was great to talk to someone from Canada who speaks "my language".  

That struck me as odd.  Speaking to someone from Canada???   Isn't she in Canada???  Nope.  She told me that she worked in the Philippines.  

I realize the chances of this coming to light through mainstream media is pretty small given the amount of advertising Bell does and the fact that they own CTV among numerous other broadcast properties.

It looks like Bell will be losing a customer however.  Any suggestions.  I want to engage the services of a company that will employ people here in Canada and not ship jobs overseas.  

Can this advert make people drive slower?

Ever speed while driving?  I'm guilty, and I bet the vast majority of us are.  I don't speed often now, with age comes patience sometimes.  And after watching this PSA out of New Zealand I will make a conscious effort to keep an eye on how fast I'm driving.  

Nobody is perfect, we've all made mistakes behind the wheel.  I'll bet everyone has pulled into a lane they thought was clear, only to have someone come roaring along 30/40 km faster than the posted speed limit...if not more.

Anyway, if you haven't seen it, watch the ad.

No statue for victims of Canadian Capitalism in Bangladesh?

Our federal government, suddenly flush with cash it seems, has earmarked $1.5 million for a group called Tribute to Liberty so they can build a statue to honour victims of communism.  (Story Here)

As mentioned in the linked article, a twitter row ensued between the Green Party's Elizabeth May and Conservative cabinet minister Jason Kenney.  May wanted to know if there were plans to build a statue to honour victims of capitalism.  Kenney responded by saying that "Perhaps that's because no one was shot in the back while risking their lives to flee eastward over the Iron Curtain ".

No, perhaps not, but more than 1,100 people (including children) died six months ago when the factory they worked in for slave labour wages collapsed on them in Bangladesh.  The factory was making clothing for, among other companies, Canada's own Loblaws.  You can read about the tragedy HERE.  

Why are people...again, including children, working in conditions like this for wages equivalent to roughly $2 per day or less?  Well, that's unabashed capitalism for you.  The market is a competitive place, and a store that's able to sell things like t-shirts at a better price than its competitors is going to be rewarded with a higher market share and a better bottom line.  Consumers like it, shareholders like it and so we're all in some way responsible.  

So why are we spending money to build a statue for victims of a system Canadians didn't create while ignoring victims of a system we actually endorse?  Simple, its all about optics and feeling good about ourselves.  Its kind of like the millions being wasted on the Economic Action Plan ads, they don't do anything other than boost our self image. 

There have been victims of communism and victims of capitalism. But you don't get a statue if your cause makes people think and reflect, at least not in today's Canada it seems.     

Are public sector unions a fair target?

I have no issue with workers organizing collectively to increase their bargaining power in an effort to maximize what they receive in pay and benefits.  

That's capitalism. Business seeks to maximize its return, so why shouldn't workers?

And if unions are perhaps too successful, and the wages and benefits being paid are more than the employer can bear, then everyone loses.  Mutual survival is a strong incentive at the negotiating table.  Ask for more than what the marketplace can support, and instead of standing on a picket line you'll be lined up for unemployment benefits.

But that\s the private sector.  What about the public sector?  

A different ball of wax entirely, the dynamics aren't the same. Unions aren't negotiating with a business that has to earn a profit when dealing with government.  Instead its taxpayer money and deficit financing that governments must rely on.  

Here in Quebec City the current mayor is running for re-election and is expending enormous political capital in taking on unionized municipal workers, seeking a mandate to negotiate major concessions in the area of pension benefits.  The point is made that with the current funding deficits, taxpayers with no pensions will be seeing their tax bills increase to pay the pensions of retired civil servants.  

There are no easy answers to this question.  Nobody likes to see gains made over the course of years lost, whether its in the public or private sector.  Private sector employees, many unionized, have seen their pay and benefits frozen, eroded, or even lost completely.

Everyone should share in the good times, but likewise when resources are limited no single group should be completely immune to economic reality. 

Can the French language survive in Québec?

Bonjour mes chers lecteurs, greetings dear readers.  This blog posting comes to you from a Tim Hortons in the north end of Quebec City, one with wifi access.  I ordered myself a grande café with un crème and un edulcorant, I also had a beigne.  For those scratching their heads, that's a large coffee with one cream and one sweetener, and a doughnut.

French in this part of Quebec is very much la langue de la rue, the language of the street.  Oh I still would have gotten my coffee and doughnut if I'd ordered them in English, but it would have been difficult, and I probably would have sugar instead of a substitute in my coffee, but I'm not diabetic so it wouldn't threaten my health.  

For the here and now, the French language is a alive and well in Quebec.  But will it last?

You may have come across recent news about Québec's PQ government looking to strip some municipalities of their bilingual status.  Having that status allows local governments to provide services and things like newsletters in both English and French. Removal of bilingual status would leave uni-lingual anglophones constantly in consultation with their French - English dictionaries.

Is this needed?  As with many things, it depends on your perspective.

French has been spoken in Québec for over 400 years, although I doubt Samuel de Champlain would recognize the variety I hear on a daily basis.  Comment vas-tu 'la' Sam?  French has evolved and adapted to our changing world, as it must.  But as we travel further and further into the hyper connected information age I can't help but thinking that the French language is doomed in North America.  I'm not talking in my lifetime, or even the in the lifetimes of my children,  but maybe in another one hundred or so years.

I don't think it can be stopped, but it can be slowed.  Initiatives like the removal of bilingual status from some jurisdictions, or limiting access to English schools, that will slow the erosion of the French language certainly.  But stop it?  I don't think that's possible.

The Québecois of today are different from their ancestors. Quebecers aren't satisfied with being citizens of Québec, they aspire to be citizens of the world.  And given the provinces geographic position on the planet, its a 'nation' surrounded by the English language, and people are adapting.  

I've spoken to many parents who are worried about being able to enroll their children in an English school.  Like parents everywhere Quebecers want to give their children all the advantages possible in our increasingly competitive world.  And with the planet shrinking every day, parents realize that the door to opportunity opens easier with the language of Shakespeare than with that of Voltaire.

A candidate who speaks, reads and writes English perfectly will have a decided advantage over his French only competitor, although right now French is still essential in most of Quebec outside of Montreal.  

That's not to say that there isn't a value to bilingualism, it is a huge benefit.  Especially considering that French is going to be a fact in Quebec and in Canada for many years to come.

In this blogger's opinion the PQ is fighting the good fight, but its a battle ultimately doomed to failure.   

A final word on internet dating

Its been a long time since I've written anything about dating in general or internet dating in particular.  There's a reason for that, on September 22nd of this year I took the plunge and am now happily married to a wonderful woman.

While I didn't meet my resident love goddess via The Internet , I know several couples who have formed lasting relationships after meeting through a dating site, some of whom have gone on to get married.  And let's face it, Internet dating is here to stay.  While there might have been some stigma attached to it in the early days, now that social networking has become such an integral part of everyday life, using an on-line introduction service is becoming the norm.

Recently I was asked my opinion on Lifemates Canada, given my experience with on-line dating, and I must say I like their approach.  Unlike many sites Lifemates does not come across as being all about numbers, getting as many registered users as possible.  Rather they seem far more interested in engaging their customers through innovative and thoughtful offers.  For example they partner with restaurants so that their members get special treatment.  

Another positive aspect is that they actually invite complaints on their review and complaint pages.  Now that's being proactive.  By encouraging their customers to list their issues it enables staff to address and rectify problems and make improvements.  Getting out in front of challenges is the best way to handle them and goes a long way in satisfying customers.

Speaking as a newlywed who's thrilled to be in a committed relationship, and as an individual who had his share of being single, I would encourage anyone sitting on the fence to get out there.  There is plenty of competition among various sites offering introductions to prospective partners.  Find a site that meets your needs and expectations, you've got nothing to lose, the love of your life might be waiting for you.  

Here's one last link for those looking for an independent site that reviews different introduction services:  Genka Dating Reviews

Get out there and start enjoying life.  

What are you thankful for? Justin Trudeau doesn't count....

I have a lot to be thankful for, oh I have minor complaints like everyone, but focusing on all the good things in my life does wonders for my outlook and my health.

Fall has long been my favourite time of year, I'm not sure exactly why, it heralds the coming of winter, my least favourite season.  But I love the fall the colours, and living as I do in the shadow of the Laurentian mountains here north of Quebec City, they are spectacular.  Maybe I love the fall because its a time of harvest, a season to look back and enjoy before the cold sets in.  

This year I am particularly thankful for my wife.  Oh, I haven't told you yet dear readers, I got married to a wonderful woman on September 22nd of this year.  The resident love goddess is a fantastic person with infinite patience, and she is saving another woman somewhere on this planet a lot of grief.  

Back in 2009 I wrote a Thanksgiving post of which I'm somewhat proud. Here it is again with some editing:

The harvest is in, the food stored up for the approaching cold, and so we reflect and give thanks. Thanks for the bounty we've enjoyed, and thanks for that which has been put aside to sustain us through the coming winter.

I've often thought that an essential part of the Canadian character is our propensity to complain. We complain about the weather, about our governments, about our hockey teams…especially those of us who cheer for the Maple Leafs

We have so much to be thankful for, both individually and as a society. But perhaps it is our vast wealth that spoils us. Having so much we crave even more.

Those of us with strong family ties sometimes forget the countless people on this planet whose families have been torn apart by famine, disease, conflict and poverty. We moan about the coming onslaught of winter, forgetting that the change of seasons gives us brilliant fall colours, the sweet smells of spring and the languid days of summer. 

We have lots to be thankful for.

I’m thankful for my children, a son and a daughter who brighten my days. For a father who has always been there for me. For my mother no longer here in body but very alive in spirit  the memory of her has sustained me through many a dark hour. I’m thankful for my sister and brother and their spouses and their children, my nieces and my nephews. I’m thankful for my family, a circle that grows stronger as it expands.

I’m thankful for my friends. We live in a busy world, and often there isn’t as much time as we’d like to have together. But the time we do have is cherished, and for that I am grateful.

I’m thankful for all that has kept me going, and all that has been stocked up for the journey ahead.

Enjoy the feast, enjoy your family and enjoy your friends. And when gathered together, if conversation turns toward some complaint or minor grievance, don’t forget to also give thanks.

Happy Thanksgiving all.

Justin,its thanks to your Dad that I speak French

In my lifetime Canada has had Liberal and Conservative governments.  But really, how much difference does it really make in an individual's life whether its a Tory or a Grit occupying the Prime Minister's office?  We still go to work and school, still pay our taxes and live our lives in relative peace and security no matter who's living at 24 Sussex Drive.

I can't help but thinking, though, that it is thanks to governments led by Pierre Trudeau that I am capable of  speaking and understanding the French language.  Prime Minister Trudeau made official bilingualism the law of the land back in 1968, at which time I was only 2 years old and living in New York.

Needless to say I wasn't aware at that early stage of my development what an impact it would have on my life.

Fast forward to 1978.  My father had moved our family back to Canada permanently and I, although born in Ontario, had gone through most of my schooling in the United States, with zero instruction in the French language.

I was going into grade seven and for the first time French was a required class.  Ugh, I don't know how well I did, but I'm pretty sure I failed, if not I scraped by with a bare pass.  The same thing happened in grade eight, either failing or barely passing.

Thankfully I was heading to grade nine, and in my era Ontario didn't not require students to take French in high school.  Thank God!!!   I filled out my electives, leaving French off the list and handed it to my father to sign.  One problem, French wasn't on it and he refused to endorse my selections. 

I had to take French.  Canada is a bilingual country, I was told, with two official languages and my father wanted me to have at least one French credit in high school.

Ugh.  I was only fourteen, so what could I do.  I changed the form and was back learning French again in September, and doing miserably.  However in February my teacher left to go on maternity leave, and was replaced by a new teacher only just graduated from teachers college a year or two before.  

I realize this might come across as somewhat sexist, but she was gorgeous with a propensity for wearing skirts which showed off the legs of a tennis player.  I wasn't in love, but I was definitely infatuated, and my French mark rose accordingly, settling at 68% by the end of the year if memory serves.

I found out I liked learning French, and continued with it throughout high school, having some excellent teachers along the way.

After grade twelve I applied for and received a bursary to attend a 6 week French Immersion program offered through the federal government, (merci Pierre) and spent a good chunk of that summer in a French community improving my French to the point where holding down conversations was possible.

Obviously it took more than that to improve my French.  I had gotten it to a level strong enough that a few years later I was able to get a job in customer service and sales using French on a daily basis.

And now I'm living in Québec City, and while my language skills still aren't perfect, I have zero difficulty in navigating my way through any conversation.

Would I have learned la langue française if Canada hadn't made bilingualism an official policy?  Might I still have picked up enough without the aid of a government sponsored program?  I highly doubt it.

Pierre Trudeau was in many ways a polarizing figure, some loved him and some loathed him.  I don't think he did everything right or everything wrong.  But I do think he wanted to create a more unified country, and programs that helped bridge the language divide were very beneficial in that regard.

Government can have a major impact on the direction in which it moves a society.  Many cynics think it doesn't matter, that they're all a bunch of crooks who will lie and flip flop, doing anything they can to win power.  Maybe so, but politics does matter because it sets out a direction and strong leaders can inspire people to make Canada a better country.

Je sais bien qu'il y avait des benifices surement dans ma vie, et je suis égalment certain, dans les vies d'autres aussi.  

Soapbox Mail: French Immersion is not for every child

This blog is nearing three years old, and on a fairly regular basis I receive email from people commenting on, or asking questions about, something I've written.  I've had a few questions from people thinking about joining  the military later in life, and I've answered them directly.  

One came in very recently from a Toronto woman about her daughter, who is enrolled in French Immersion.  Rather than summarize I will share it with you:

We read your article posted last year regarding you enrolled your two little ones to French Immersion. In the article, you stated the benefits of staying in FI.

Our six-year-old daughter, ######, is now in Grade 1 in FI program in Toronto as we took the opportunity to put her in. My husband is a strong supporter of FI, but unfortunately we are not agree with each other. He refers your article to show me the benefit of staying in FI. I read it and very glad that your two sons are success in FI program. However, on the other hand, I don’t know how to reconcile your situation with ours.  Here is our background: We immigrated to Canada from China in 2005, and my daughter born in Canada in 2006, she didn't learn any English till Junior Kindergarten as our parents took care of her at home. She speaks Chinese very well but not good in English. Till now, her oral English skill is still at beginning level. She transferred to FI School at Senior Kindergarten, and she learned some basic French like numbers, colors, some name of objects. Now she is in Grade 1, the teacher requires her to read a French book each day which we have to ask our neighbor’s daughter for help as both of us don’t know any French. Also, she has weekly assignment. Also, her ability to communication with her peers is not good, plus she is not that open. I worry about it will affect her interaction with her peers. The last concern I have is still around her English skills as we live in an English society, so English is a must. I think that focus on English in Elementary school is very important for her. If she conquered English, French can be learned in Grade 4 in Extended French Immersion Program. 

In opposite, my husband believes she will excel in English, French, and Chinese but he can't provide enough evidence to convince me. He also states that the qualities of average student in FI are better than ones in English Program and it is hard to get a spot in FI program.

Now, I am really struggling and frustrated. I don’t know if I can get some advices from you? Also, may I ask if you have same background with us, will you keep her in FI?

Thank you very much and very appreciate your help!

The bottom line question...given the circumstances these parents are in, would I keep my child in French Immersion.  Probably not.  I sent a reply to this woman's husband and this is what I wrote.

Dear Sir,

With the greatest respect, I think it is fantastic that you want your daughter to be able to speak both of Canada's official languages as well as your mother tongue Chinese. You obviously place a great value on education, and for that you are to be highly commended.

I gather from your wife's email to me that your child's situation is somewhat unique.  She is already somewhat bilingual, speaking Chinese very well thanks to the time she spends with her grandparents.

It seems from what I have been told that ######'s English is not as strong as her Chinese.  Living as you do in Toronto, obviously you are aware of how important a strong foundation in the English language is.  Most of her interactions in Toronto will be with people who speak English only, and many people will judge an individual by how well or how poorly they speak and write in English.

When I wrote my article on the benefits of French Immersion, it was written with the thought that people reading it would be parents of children who already have a strong foundation in the English langauge.

In my view sir, the greatest gift and biggest advantage you can give your daughter is to ensure she has a strong and solid foundation in the primary language of the place where she is living and where she will grow up.  In Toronto obviously that is English.

I don't want to discourage you about French, and I should tell you that I now live in Quebec and am fluently bilingual although I didn't start learning French until I was in grade 7, at 12 years of age.

I know its a difficult decision and that you are very interested in giving your child all the advantages possible so that she can succeed in life.  In my opinion the most important thing for her is to establish a strong foundation in English, and after that is firmly in place I have little doubt she would excel in learning French or any 

other language.

No matter what decision you make I wish you much luck.  Your daughter is very lucky to have parents like you and your wife.

Kindest Regards,

I don't know what this couple's ultimate decision will be, but I hope things work out regardless of whether their daughter stays in FI or not.  Given her parents commitment to education I think she already has a lot going for her.

Spoiled Ontario teachers don't like the taste of their own medicine

I had some sympathy for Ontario's teachers, after all I have two siblings and a best friend all employed in that profession in Canada's most populous province.

Note, I said 'had' and not have.  My sympathy is gone because of what the Ontario Teachers Pension fund did to Cadillac Fairview workers a few years back.

The fund, commonly known as 'Teachers', wholly owns Cadillac Fairview Corporation.  But when CF was locking out and then terminating unionized employees back in 2009 nothing was said.

Ontario teachers are moaning and looking for public support right now because of the manner in which they're being treated by the McGuinty government.  

Suck it up whiners, you weren't there when a company your pension owns was locking out and then terminating skilled union workers, including those on sick leave and permanent disability.  

I've done my homework, here are the references, first from Cadillac Fairview's own web site:

Cadillac Fairview is wholly-owned by the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan, which invests to secure the retirement income of 300,000 active and retired teachers in Ontario. 

That's right purchased back in 1999, you can look that one up yourselves seeing as you have the time after cancelling everything from clubs to sports that make education enjoyable for many students...remember them.

And here's the news about their treatment of skilled unionized workers back in July of 2009.  At least you guys still have your jobs, and are being very well paid while you bitch and moan:

Cadillac Fairview Corporation locked out the maintenance and skilled
trades employees in two bargaining units after tabling a "final offer" that
proposed to eliminate employees, force workers to re-apply for their jobs,
restrict union representation and undermine bargaining rights.
After four weeks of a lockout, the company this week sent a letter to all
locked out employees stating that it is pleased with the contractor hired to
do the union members' work and is therefore terminating all 61 employees, including those on sick leave and long term disability. 

Bottom line, Ontario teachers should be ashamed.

.

Memories of 9/11 the day three WTC buildings collapsed

Like everyone who was alive and of a certain age on September 11, 2001 I have vivid memories of that day.

I was at my office in downtown Toronto when I first heard of a plane hitting the north WTC tower.  I remember President George W. Bush saying that after seeing the first plane crash into the tower, that he thought it was a horrible accident.  I myself didn't see the first plane hit until much later, but regardless I too thought it was an accident.  And so I went to attend a meeting I had scheduled down in the financial district for around 10 am.  

Upon leaving the meeting I heard more of the news, the south tower had also been hit and flights were being grounded everywhere.  The reporting was a hodgepodge of news and conjecture and was very confusing.  Processing all the information was too much, I returned to my office and checked out for the day. I caught an early train out to the burbs where I lived and picked my son up from his day care centre.

Like many I was glued to the TV set, watching news of the crashed plane in Pennsylvania leaving a giant hole in the ground with nothing left bigger than a phone book according to first responders on the scene.  And of course the news about the Pentagon being hit by still another plane.  

It was a lot of news in such a short time.  The President of the United States sitting in a Florida classroom, the wreckage in Pennsylvania, the Pentagon with a huge hole in it.  Two planes crashing into the World Trade Centre's north and south towers with both collapsing along with building number seven later.

Often times when recounting events of that day I find a lot of people don't remember anything about the 47 story building number seven in the World Trade Center complex.  Its understandable I guess because of everything else that happened that day, and given the fact that it wasn't hit by an airplane.

Reports said it collapsed in on itself because of massive damage resulting from the attacks.

Here's how Fox news reported it at the time:

The lease holder of the WTC buildings in a later interview said that building seven was pulled.

Is Canada's left on the rise?

Discerning trends and making forecasts on limited data is not always the best recipe for making accurate forecasts, just look at pollsters.  They take small snapshots of voter intentions based on some simple questions and then use the data to try and predict the results.  

As we've seen in Alberta and more recently in Québec, the results don't always line up with the data.  If it did we would have a Wildrose government in Alberta, and the PQ with either a majority or a very strong minority in Quebec.

Recent results, (not polls) from the bi-elections in Ontario and the provincial election in Quebec could easily lead one to surmise that the Canadian left is not only alive and well, but perhaps even on the rise.

Quebec voters opted for the left wing PQ (albeit with a bare minority), and Kitchener Waterloo just elected an NDP member to Queen's Park despite its reputation as a Conservative stronghold.

Are Canadians beginning to realize that the trickle down, supply side economic model espoused by the right is really just hammering the bejeebers out of wage earners?  Will our union movement, so long in decline, start to gain favour as people start to realize that when union membership grows so does the backbone of our economy, the middle class?

Too early to tell, but one can certainly hope.

Choosing where to invest and with whom - Its about rapport

Yesterday I wrote about Garth Turner and his website Greater Fool. I told you about his current Canada wide tour where he's hosting seminars and (no doubt) giving lots of advice about where people should be investing their money. Given the cost of the seminar, (free) I have little doubt that there will be lots of brochures and pamphlets on chairs and tables, all flogging a variety of investment products. And likely salespeople waiting nearby.

In my opinion, probably not the best way to be making important financial decisions.

In a previous life I worked in the financial industry, so obviously I have some opinions on this subject. But don't expect me to be touting one investment over another. I'm not going to suggest that segregated funds beat mutual funds, that term insurance is better value than universal or whole life...or the reverse, that's not what I'm writing about.

Suffice to say with financial planning and investments there isn't one size fits all.

So what is important? 

Things like tolerance for risk and time horizon. What are your financial plans and goals? A 60 year old couple looking to retire in the next few years will have different needs as compared to twenty somethings with a child on the way and looking to buy their first home.

At the end of the day its about relationships in my opinion. Its about finding and working with an individual in whom you have confidence, trust, and rapport.

So then, what company?

There are more choices now than there ever have been. Years ago the answer was simple, go to the bank. For some that may still be the preferred option. Personally I think at least equal consideration should be given to the individual you're dealing with, there are lots of reputable companies offering investment and financial products. And with the banks, its rare that a representative will meet you at your home, at your convenience. Further bank employees might get promoted or moved, while individual consultants representing many established companies operate as their own proper businesses.  

And with many companies you can bundle numerous products together, which often leads to significant savings. We've all heard the ads about bundling car and home insurance to save on premiums. Well now there are strong companies that will bundle more than just home/auto insurance. You can now get mortgages, life insurance, RRSPs, RESPs, TFSAs, GICs and more...all from the same firm providing insurance for your residence and vehicles.

And as with the banks, your money is insured.  

I'm now living in Québec, and when I was out shopping for a new car La Capitale was recommended to me for auto insurance. They're a perfect example about what I'm talking about in terms of offering a whole suite of financial products and services.

I will reiterate the point I consider most important in all this. Its all about confidence, trust and rapport.

I will add one more, accessibility. Financial markets can be volatile, and so can people's lives. Whether its a change in your personal circumstances or a major event in the markets, I strongly suggest working with a representative or consultant who makes time for their clients.

After the fourth call Rogers fixes the problem....

Last week I wrote about how my cell phone was being inundated with blank text messages from the same London area cell number. After three calls to customer support I thought a better name would be Rogers Customer rape.  I was told that to block messages from a specific number that I would have to pay an additional $5.00 per month for a call management subscription.

I refused and found I could at least temporarily stop the messages by dialing the 519 number and, I guess, otherwise engage that phone.  But then a new number, this time in the 613 area code, started doing the same thing...blank message after blank message.

So I took a deep breath, and called Rogers again.

This time I was speaking to Theresa, (she gave me permission to use her name) in Ottawa.  And she was able to fix the problem, in fact any one of the previous CSRs with whom I spoke should have been able to as well.  I simply had to log onto 'my account' from the phone itself and choose the 'extreme texting' option at which point I was able to register the two offending numbers and lo and behold, no more annoying blank texts.

I lambasted Rogers in my last post, so to be fair I should express my gratitude.  I won't go that far however, not with Rogers the company.  Theresa on the other hand was outstanding, extremely professional and even credited my account with 50 free long distance minutes over the next couple of months as her way of apologising for my earlier troubles.

I probably won't be renewing my contract with Rogers when it comes due.  But the only reason the possibility has been upgraded from never to remote is because of this one CSR.  

Having an issue with my Rogers cell phone. They'll fix it...For a fee!!!

What a great day I had today, let me tell you about it.

My cell phone basically shut down this morning, sometime before it was to sound the alarm I have set for 6 AM.  The reason? Hundreds of text messages were inundating my inbox from a number somewhere in southwestern Ontario.  When I woke and got the phone working I had over 100 messages that were unread and my memory was maxed out.  

The 100 plus messages were all blank and all from the same phone number.  Naturally I deleted them, which freed up my memory....to receive even more blank messages from this same number.  

Bah da ding ding ding.  That's the tone I have set for incoming messages on my phone. 

Bah da ding ding ding, bah da ding ding ding, bah da ding ding ding, bah da ding ding ding, bah da ding ding ding, bah da ding ding ding, bah da ding ding ding, bah da ding ding ding, bah da ding ding ding.

Hustling to get out the door I switched the phone to vibrate and shoved it into my pocket.  The tingling sensation in my pants was the only joy I would have today.

Having shut off the phone I called Rogers' customer service from work, and they actually fixed the problem...for a few hours.  The messages don't seem to be coming from a company or business, rather from someone in the area of London Ontario with a Bell Mobility account.  

The representative called the number sending the messages and that seemed to resolve the problem.  And so I thought that was the end of this little adventure.  But the messages restarted  later in the day around 3PM, so I called customer service again.  They told me they couldn't block the number for some reason, and as the work day was over I called the London number myself using my calling card, and I came home.

I hadn't even parked my car when the messages started coming yet again, bah da ding ding ding, bah da ding ding ding, bah da ding ding ding...I had taken the phone off vibrate.

Thankfully one of my neighbours was on her back porch and I was able to use her phone to call the London number and stop them once more.  Seven rings or so then the standard voice mail greeting with a male identifying himself. Then I called Rogers once more to get this problem solved.

And that's when the fun started.

The gentleman with whom I spoke had exceedingly good customer service skills, unfortunately he is employed by a company that seems to only believe in servicing its customers if they're willing to pony up some more cash.

All I wanted Rogers to do was block this one particular phone number from sending me messages, that's it.  If it meant that calls from that number wouldn't be received either, hey...that would be fine.

It was politely explained to me that in order to block messages from that one number, I would have to subscribe to a call management service at a cost of $5.00 per month.  If I wanted the CSR said he could block ALL my messages for free, which would mean the package I have which includes unlimited messaging would be basically a waste.  

I have two phones with Rogers, my own and one for my son and my bills are around $100 per month, often more.  Apparently that's not enough.

Rogers has the ability to fix the problem, but only if I pay them extra to do it, which is a joke in my opinion.  And as a result, they'll be losing out on about $1500 a year in revenue all because of an idiotic $5 monthly fee.

The contract on my phone is up come October of next year, I wish it was sooner of course.  As soon as I'm able I'll be disconnecting from Rogers and switching to a company that has no contracts and one that knows how to provide customer service without charging extra fees to fix simple technical issues like this one.

The thought occoured to me that I hear complaints similar to this one all the time from many people, but strangely I never see or hear anything about it from mainstream media outlets.  But then of course Rogers is a huge advertiser and itself a media company, and journalists don't bite the hands that feed them.  Even if an intrepid reporter wanted to do a story like this I have no doubt it would be spiked.

Hopefully some people will be reading this via an internet connection provided by Rogers, I love irony.  

Shaving doesn't have to cost a fortune - The 2 buck solution

Guys, if you shave then you've been there.  You head to the drug store or supermarket because you're out of blades for that incredibly fancy razor, you know the one...it looks like a piece of equipment that came off the space shuttle.  A cartridge of four or five blades runs somewhere around $20 if not more, all just to scrape the hair off your face.

Maybe you decide the blades are too expensive, so you buy an even newer and even fancier razor, one that runs on batteries. What the hell, the newer model is on sale because they're promoting it and you can get the razor and 2 blades for maybe $10, thus saving yourself a whopping ten bucks.

Well it doesn't have to be this way.  How does one or two bucks sound?

Here it is, courtesy of discount retailer Dollarama:

Now, I'm all for supporting the local economy and all that, but sometimes enough is enough.  All those advertising campaigns about how much innovation and research went into the newest razor, how it will give you the closest shave ever.  Yeah...even closer than last year's model that was supposed to be the ultimate in razor technology.  I bet they spend more money developing and marketing new razors than the some countries spend on food.  

Razor technology?!?!  Its a piece of plastic that has metal blades in it to scrape unwanted hair off your face, that's it.  Guys, its shaving not cancer treatment, shaving doesn't have to cost and arm and a leg.

And thanks to these razors which I've been using for almost a year now, it doesn't.  Now, the blades don't last as long as the name brands, about a week.   But I'm getting five blades for less than two bucks so I don't care.  

I will concede that the incredibly fancy razors with fifteen blades and razor handles that look like a precision surgical device...they do a little better job.  Sometimes I need to go over an area a second time, big deal.  I'll take the extra minute and keep the $$$ in my wallet.

By the way, if anyone is looking for an old razor handle, I've got them all...the single blade, the double, the triple, and yes even the new 5 blade handle.  I'll trade anyone my old razors for a pack of cheap and effective Dollarama bargains.  

Looking for a job in Québec - Use every tool available and stay positive

One of the great things about publishing a blog is that you get to share personal experience about some of life's stressing moments, and perhaps give some perspective to those who might be going through similar challenges.

Living in Quebec and being exposed to the media here I've noticed that there have been a lot of business and industry lay offs and outright shut downs, leaving many people out of work.  Post Media, owners of the Montreal Gazette have recently announced job cuts.  Then there's White Birch Paper Co, Rio Tinto Alcan, home appliance maker Mabe, Electrolux, Reebok...there are plenty of stories out there.

According to Montreal's Board of Trade, unemployment is running higher than the national average, with Canada's rate hovering just over 7% compared to rates of 9.2 and 8.1 for Montreal and Quebec respectively.

Of course you can flip those numbers around and say the employment rate is over 90% in Montreal and Quebec.  And in my experience, during times of unemployment, its important to maintain a positive outlook...very important.

It doesn't matter if you're looking for Montreal jobs or employment anywhere in Canada, there are things you can do to help create that positive outlook you'll need to attract employers.  And one of the first things you can do is to be active.

Let people know you're involved in a job search, register on the sites of employment agencies, take part-time or volunteer positions to add to your experience.  My father is one of the smartest people I know, and fortunately for him and my family when we were young, he didn't have much experience in looking for a job.  But there was a stretch of almost one full year when he was out of work.  When I had a period of unemployment he told me, "looking for a job is a job".  

And from my perspective, I'm going to borrow a line from my experience in stage acting and modify it to real life.  In the theatre it is said:  There are no small roles, only small actors.  Well, in this economy, there are no small jobs, only small people.  

Pride as they say 'cometh before a fall'.

I'll relate an anecdote from my own life experience.  Back in the nineties I took a job at a call centre, a job that was offered through an employment agency.  I worked my way up and was eventually managing programs both inbound and outbound.  One such program was a direct response advertising campaign where telemarketers answered calls generated from a television ad.

A gentleman I'll call Bob was one of the people who was hired for that program.  Bob was in his forties and had been working in finance as a bookkeeper.  Some might suggest Bob took a job that was beneath him, the thought crossed my mind.  He was working a part time job that involved working mostly evenings and weekends, not an ideal schedule for a married guy with kids.  But Bob was always positive and saw the glass half full.

After the direct ad program ended he was able to get hours here and there working on other programs until eventually an internal job posting went up for two positions in the accounting department.  Bob was hired and last I heard was doing very well, working in his chosen field.

If you're in Quebec and lack facility in the French language there are government programs available to improve your fluency, like Francisation.  Quebec is a wonderful place to live, Montreal is an incredible city.  Job loss doesn't mean you have to move to Toronto or Calgary necessarily, even though some are of the opinion that recent changes to federal employment programs might have that in mind.  

Get busy, get working, and above all...keep a positive mind set.

Summertime in Québec City - Encroyable!!!

Bonjour everybody.

I am having an absolutely magnificent summer residing in Québec's capital city.  No I haven't taken a position with the local tourist board here, however it will probably seem like it.  My kids stayed with me for ten days during my vacation, then after returning to work my father came and spent a week.  

It was a very busy, but worth every minute.  I just wish there was more time.  

I'd been to Québec many times before, but this is the first time I've actually lived here, and there's a lot more to do and see than many have probably realized.  I'm sure most visitors to Québec go and take in the old city, behind the walls.  

Here's a picture taken from the Citadel of the Chateau Frontenac, they're replacing the copper roof.

But that's just the beginning.  For those that are into a bit of thrill seeking and adventure there's going tree to tree north of city, or if you prefer 'arbre en arbre'.  Zip lining, rope bridges and Tarzan ropes take you over miles of forest up around the Laurentian mountains, with some spectacular views.  The journey ends with very sore arms and a zip line covering 1,000 feet.

If you're a baseball fan needing a fix, Québec's Capitales have you covered.  They play in the independent Can-Am league, which is mostly populated with has beens and never weres.  Its good baseball that's probably at about the AA professional level, maybe even AAA.  

And the atmosphere is electric.  If you've gone to a Jays' game at the Sky-Dome (yeah I know that isn't the name but I don't care) and thought you accidentally wandered into the library, then you're in for a shock.  The fans are loud and they're having fun, with lots of yelling...in English.  Whenever the fans aren't happy with a call the stands resound with a cry of, "Come On Ref"!!!  I was thinking of correcting some leather lunged patrons near me, but I figured they didn't care...ump, ref, c'est toujours la meme chose.

The ball yard is classic, probably seating around 5,000 I would guess, with bullpens down the right and left field lines and a terrace or patio area in the left field corner.

I can go on and on and on and on.  I'll let the pictures do the talking now though.  Here's some shots of Mount Morency falls just east of the downtown, another smaller water fall on the Wendat Mohawk reserve, and then the water park at Valcartier Vacation Village.

There's still lots of summer left, so if you're trying to think of where to spend a week or just a few days, give Québec some thought.  

And don't worry if you don't speak French, there are lots of bilingual people here, especially in tourist places.  Better still, dust off your old high school French and give it a shot, it might not be perfect or even close, but Québecers really appreciate the effort.

Christian crackpot radio and useless Bible prophecy

I've been doing a fair bit of driving lately, often between the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and Québec City.  Entertainment while behind the wheel is typically my car stereo as my vehicle is over 15 years old and doesn't have a CD player.  Anyone remember cassettes?

I make good use of the seek button and often find myself tuning into American stations which are dedicated to spreading God's word, or the narrow fundamentalist Christian take on it.

Such was the case this past week as I found myself listening to some yahoo expound on Biblical prophecy and specifically what it says about the nation of Israel.  You know the story in all likelihood, God's chosen, a master race if I dare invoke that term. 

Interesting stuff, and certainly good for a chuckle.  You see God, in his infinite wisdom, decided he'd give the Hebrew people the land of Canaan, a nice little present.  If you have trouble wrapping your head around the concept of God worrying about who lives where on this planet, try thinking of him as a Re-Max agent.

But what is Canaan?  Well, God is pretty specific on that point. In Genesis God promises Abraham and all his descendants certain boundaries, lands occupied by certain peoples.  In chapter 15 it says: 

To your descendants I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates the land of the Kenites, Kenizzites, Kadmonites, Hittites, Perizzites, Rephaites, Amorites, Canaanites, Girgashites and Jebusites

It probably would have been nice if God, being all powerful and everything, if he had let all those people know he was taking their land from them.  Then again, it looks like God overstepped himself given that the Jewish or Hebrew people have never occupied all the land that is supposedly their's by divine authority.  Don't you hate it when divine beings don't stick to their word?

If God had kept his promise Israel would have included a massive chunk of what we currently call the Middle East.  But then the God of the Old Testament could be pretty erratic.  God had no problem with Moses ordering the killing of women and children, or with the keeping of slaves, or with taking conquered virgins as sex toys....or if you prefer the more polite term...concubines.

So why do I listen to this garbage when I don't believe a word of it?

Well, it does provide a decent window into the minds of many of today's ultra right wing neo-conservatives. 

And it also helps explain why some Conservative bright bulbs, like failed GOP presidential candidate Rick Santorum, have such a hate on for higher education.  Going to schools of higher learning that teach students the art of critical thought flies directly in the face of the blind obedience that so many fundamentalist Nimrods, (a little Biblical nod for those who get it) demand.

God and his prophets say and advocate many things which civilized people would never tolerate.  Stoning disobedient children is one good example, condoning the seduction of a friend's wife and then murdering that friend to hide the infidelity is probably an even better one...An eye for an eye?  Uhm, only some of the time. 

Any rational thinking person would take these writings for what the truly are, and would dismiss the God crap as leaders seeking justification for the atrocities they've committed. 

Its okay, God says we're cool, kill 'em all...the land is ours.

Fundamentalist, evangelical Bible beating holy rollers used to cast their franchise in the United States mostly with the Democrats.  Not hard to understand, it was because of Jesus' teachings about compassion and being your brother's keeper.  At least that was the case until senior American evangelicals were seduced into putting their pulpits to work for the Republican  party.  And we're seeing the same thing take place north  of the border in the last 10 years or so with our Conservative party.