Seeing as we'll be having a provincial election this year, I think this thread will have no problem standing on its own and separate from the Canadian Politics thread.  Throw your civic/municipal stuff in here as well.

30 minutes ago, Tracker said:

This will inevitably fail when the validity is challenged in the courts as a violation of the Canadian Bill of Rights. This will give Ms. Smith another issue to wail over as an invasion of provincial authority. And she will spend millions appealing it- it's not her money after all, so why not? Only 10-15% of addicted people wind up on the street and the rest are driving trucks, enforcing laws, and providing health care, to name but a few professions. 

Wow to your last sentence.

On 2023-06-02 at 2:12 PM, Wideleft said:

It cannot be lost that the "wanting to be helped" is part of the process in regards to breaking addiction.  Hardly anyone is successful quitting anything cold turkey.  When you allow resources to build relationships with addicts, only then can the addict understand how to ask for and get help.

Yes from my understanding if a person doesn't want help, you are wasting your time as they will likely relapse quickly. I watch intervention regularly or did and a friend of mine works with addicted individuals  and it definitely shows you that the addict needs to want help. They need a strong support system regardless of even wanting to get clean or not for that matter. If no support they will fail. Since this is related to our downtown issues, I'm not sure most those people have any sort of support at all from family or friends and there lies a bit of a problem. They would require that support from ppl like my friend and not family or ppl they know.  It's a tough situation with some of them down there as they literally have nobody but themselves 

Edited June 4, 20232 yr by Goalie

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/browaty-winnipeg-drug-council-1.6865068

Quote

A Winnipeg city councillor has apologized for a remark he made about people living with addiction after criticism from community organizations working in harm reduction said his comments reflect misinformed thinking.

(His comments on Facebook) didn't sit well with Arlene Last-Kolb, co-founder of Overdose Awareness Manitoba, whose 24-year-old son Jessie died from a fentanyl poisoning in July 2014.

"We know how important language is," Last-Kolb said. "And of course, you know, you can't call people zombies.

"Things like that are damaging. Personally, for myself, it's upsetting. It's disrespectful."

Last-Kolb is among 36 people and organizations who signed a statement denouncing Browaty's comments.

"Before he judges, he should show a little more compassion," Last-Kolb said. 

The statement calls out Browaty for his language and his views on public policy, community well-being and fiscal responsibility.

"The people who Coun. Browaty repeatedly uses as political fodder have already experienced massive inequity in access to publicly funded supports, including health and mental health supports, and have experienced systemic violence that is well documented. We know that our systems need to change," a portion of the statement says.

Last-Kolb is among 36 people and organizations who signed a statement denouncing Browaty's comments.

"Before he judges, he should show a little more compassion," Last-Kolb said. 

The statement calls out Browaty for his language and his views on public policy, community well-being and fiscal responsibility.

"The people who Coun. Browaty repeatedly uses as political fodder have already experienced massive inequity in access to publicly funded supports, including health and mental health supports, and have experienced systemic violence that is well documented. We know that our systems need to change," a portion of the statement says.

"I apologize," Browaty said. "I realize all these people experiencing mental and physical distress on our streets are somebody's kids or parents and they are human beings at the end of the day. They are Winnipeggers."

30 minutes ago, blue_gold_84 said:

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/browaty-winnipeg-drug-council-1.6865068

You're entitled to your opinions inside your own head. But if you choose to express them out in the world, it's your responsibility to: (1) Ground them in logic and facts (2) Explain your reasoning to others (3) Change them when better evidence emerges.

Adam Grant

5 minutes ago, HardCoreBlue said:

You're entitled to your opinions inside your own head. But if you choose to express them out in the world, it's your responsibility to: (1) Ground them in logic and facts (2) Explain your reasoning to others (3) Change them when better evidence emerges.

Adam Grant

And, if you're a politician, you have a larger responsibility not to be a POS. That's tough for Browaty. 

1 minute ago, JCon said:

And, if you're a politician, you have a larger responsibility not to be a POS. That's tough for Browaty. 

Adam Grant was also the guy to say if you think you need to be an ******* to get ahead, you might be an *******.

2 hours ago, HardCoreBlue said:

You're entitled to your opinions inside your own head. But if you choose to express them out in the world, it's your responsibility to: (1) Ground them in logic and facts (2) Explain your reasoning to others (3) Change them when better evidence emerges.

Adam Grant

You have just undermined the entire Cons strategy.

Had my first candidate at my door talking about the fall election yesterday, a rather humble affable gentleman. I wished him good luck as despite popular opinion I have some concerns about my neighbours. Hopefully realignment has worked in his favour. 

Has anyone received or know someone who has received these disgusting spam texts?

How is this garbage allowed?

I got one

It's not. It's spam and it's not legal. Report those frauds. 

It's a disgusting cult. 

8 minutes ago, JCon said:

It's not. It's spam and it's not legal. Report those frauds. 

It's a disgusting cult. 

Speaking of disgusting cults (give or swap an "L").....

Trustee makes anti-trans remarks on social media
By: Maggie MacintoshPosted: 6:00 AM CDT Tuesday, Jun. 6, 2023Last Modified: 9:18 AM CDT Tuesday, Jun. 6, 2023

 

A St. Boniface school trustee is facing backlash for a series of anti-LGBTTQ+ social media posts published in the days leading up to Pride month.

Francine Champagne, a rookie board member in Winnipeg’s Louis Riel School Division, has taken to her personal Facebook page to share conspiracy theories and sensationalistic content about the trans community.

“The sexualization of our children in schools is all part of the agenda (insert angry face emoji),” the Ward 1 representative wrote in a May 25 post that links to stopworldcontrol.com — a website filled with false information that is self-described as being dedicated to “the worldwide mission for freedom.”

The site makes outrageous claims, including the World Health Organization is planning to create ongoing pandemics to control humanity. It also falsely suggests both the United Nations and WHO have said “children must have sexual partners.”

On May 13, Champagne published an image with text that reads: “To identify as = To live a lie.”

The elected official also recently shared another user’s post that states: “Make men masculine again. Make women feminine again. Make children innocent again.”

“These kinds of comments are so hurtful to those who are on their gender identity journey… Making people feel like they are unwanted or a mistake, and trying to police their bodies and health care is abuse, plain and simple,” said Larissa Sotas, a mother of a transgender student in LRSD.

Champagne did not respond to requests for comment Monday.

Board chairwoman Sandy Nemeth confirmed she was aware of the posts. Nemeth noted this is a personnel matter and referred a reporter to LRSD’s code of conduct for trustees.

Each board member must sign a document pledging to prevent any real or perceived conflicts of interest and adhere to all internal policies at the start of their term. LRSD’s respect for human diversity documents state everyone is welcome into its facilities and a person’s self-identification is the sole measure of their gender.

“All individuals have the right to be addressed by a name and pronoun that corresponds to their gender identity or expression,” per internal protocols.

If a trustee breaches division policies, they may be subject to public censure, among other disciplinary measures.

Both Sotas and Thomas Linner, a father who lives in Ward 1, want officials to take corrective action to address Champagne’s actions.

Hateful attacks against trans and ***** youth take a severe toll on student mental health and contribute to disproportionately high suicide rates among these marginalized groups, said Linner, provincial director of the Manitoba Health Coalition.

“The problem here is not that we have one individual school trustee who believes in these conspiracy theories. The problem is that we are facing a movement, fuelled by these reactionary beliefs,” he added.

LRSD issued a statement touting the importance of diverse library collections amid recent discussions about LGBTTQ+ books in Brandon schools.

The president of the Manitoba Teachers’ Society said the Winnipeg trustee’s posts are not unrelated to a recent incident during which a group of rural residents decried the availability of books with ***** characters.

“What happened in Brandon sent a clear message,” said union leader Nathan Martindale, noting the mobilization of hundreds of community members in support of the LGBTTQ+ community.

https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/2023/06/06/trustee-makes-anti-trans-remarks-on-social-media

32 minutes ago, Wideleft said:

Speaking of disgusting cults (give or swap an "L").....

Trustee makes anti-trans remarks on social media
By: Maggie MacintoshPosted: 6:00 AM CDT Tuesday, Jun. 6, 2023Last Modified: 9:18 AM CDT Tuesday, Jun. 6, 2023

 

A St. Boniface school trustee is facing backlash for a series of anti-LGBTTQ+ social media posts published in the days leading up to Pride month.

Francine Champagne, a rookie board member in Winnipeg’s Louis Riel School Division, has taken to her personal Facebook page to share conspiracy theories and sensationalistic content about the trans community.

“The sexualization of our children in schools is all part of the agenda (insert angry face emoji),” the Ward 1 representative wrote in a May 25 post that links to stopworldcontrol.com — a website filled with false information that is self-described as being dedicated to “the worldwide mission for freedom.”

The site makes outrageous claims, including the World Health Organization is planning to create ongoing pandemics to control humanity. It also falsely suggests both the United Nations and WHO have said “children must have sexual partners.”

On May 13, Champagne published an image with text that reads: “To identify as = To live a lie.”

The elected official also recently shared another user’s post that states: “Make men masculine again. Make women feminine again. Make children innocent again.”

“These kinds of comments are so hurtful to those who are on their gender identity journey… Making people feel like they are unwanted or a mistake, and trying to police their bodies and health care is abuse, plain and simple,” said Larissa Sotas, a mother of a transgender student in LRSD.

Champagne did not respond to requests for comment Monday.

Board chairwoman Sandy Nemeth confirmed she was aware of the posts. Nemeth noted this is a personnel matter and referred a reporter to LRSD’s code of conduct for trustees.

Each board member must sign a document pledging to prevent any real or perceived conflicts of interest and adhere to all internal policies at the start of their term. LRSD’s respect for human diversity documents state everyone is welcome into its facilities and a person’s self-identification is the sole measure of their gender.

“All individuals have the right to be addressed by a name and pronoun that corresponds to their gender identity or expression,” per internal protocols.

If a trustee breaches division policies, they may be subject to public censure, among other disciplinary measures.

Both Sotas and Thomas Linner, a father who lives in Ward 1, want officials to take corrective action to address Champagne’s actions.

Hateful attacks against trans and ***** youth take a severe toll on student mental health and contribute to disproportionately high suicide rates among these marginalized groups, said Linner, provincial director of the Manitoba Health Coalition.

“The problem here is not that we have one individual school trustee who believes in these conspiracy theories. The problem is that we are facing a movement, fuelled by these reactionary beliefs,” he added.

LRSD issued a statement touting the importance of diverse library collections amid recent discussions about LGBTTQ+ books in Brandon schools.

The president of the Manitoba Teachers’ Society said the Winnipeg trustee’s posts are not unrelated to a recent incident during which a group of rural residents decried the availability of books with ***** characters.

“What happened in Brandon sent a clear message,” said union leader Nathan Martindale, noting the mobilization of hundreds of community members in support of the LGBTTQ+ community.

https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/2023/06/06/trustee-makes-anti-trans-remarks-on-social-media

This is typical of the fear and smear tactics that right-wingers use when it becomes apparent that they have screwed up so badly that they have no chance of winning the election. Those who claim that the left is as guilty as the right, need to just look around.

5 hours ago, blue_gold_84 said:

Has anyone received or know someone who has received these disgusting spam texts?

How is this garbage allowed?

It's politics created for the dumb, by the dumb.  Honestly the level of intelligence presented in these documents is around a 4th grade level.

33 minutes ago, Fatty Liver said:

It's politics created for the dumb, by the dumb.  Honestly the level of intelligence presented in these documents is around a 4th grade level.

You insult grade four.

7 hours ago, JCon said:

It's not. It's spam and it's not legal. Report those frauds. 

It's a disgusting cult. 

When I had worked in private enterprise (10 years ago) we looked into targetted marketing and for a price you can get home and phone information and then pay to have direct ads to specific people.   It wasn't cheap but it was 100% available and legal.  Same goes with e-mail / personal info online.   

Similar to telemarketers or flyers in the mail it is legal for them to send out.   You can request to be removed from the list.   I can't remember the prices but it wasn't cheap that's for sure and it really makes me skeptical when United Way or other charity organizations send these out because the costs are large.  

As for that message above.  It is in extremely bad taste ,  yes.  Unfortunately not against the law.   

1 hour ago, Brandon said:

When I had worked in private enterprise (10 years ago) we looked into targetted marketing and for a price you can get home and phone information and then pay to have direct ads to specific people.   It wasn't cheap but it was 100% available and legal.  Same goes with e-mail / personal info online.   

Similar to telemarketers or flyers in the mail it is legal for them to send out.   You can request to be removed from the list.   I can't remember the prices but it wasn't cheap that's for sure and it really makes me skeptical when United Way or other charity organizations send these out because the costs are large.  

As for that message above.  It is in extremely bad taste ,  yes.  Unfortunately not against the law.   

Strange that it doesn't specify who to vote for if not Wab, is there a reason it doesn't identify itself as a Conservative document?

2 hours ago, Fatty Liver said:

Strange that it doesn't specify who to vote for if not Wab, is there a reason it doesn't identify itself as a Conservative document?

The thing says don't vote for Liberal or NDP ... I highly doubt it was sent out by the Green party    

 

17 hours ago, JCon said:

It's not. It's spam and it's not legal. Report those frauds. 

It's a disgusting cult. 

Please report it. Also, report all the exact same ads targeting the PCs put out by all the unions. They, too, are absolutely garbage and should be illegal as well.

maybe we should keep a close eye on the numbers on our phones so we'll know which to not answer....if there are those that still use land lines, thankfully my phone can detect spam artists

52 minutes ago, GCn20 said:

Please report it. Also, report all the exact same ads targeting the PCs put out by all the unions. They, too, are absolutely garbage and should be illegal as well.

False equivalence.  The unions are up front about who they are and represent.  WTF is the Canada Growth Council, who runs it and who funds it?

4 minutes ago, Wideleft said:

False equivalence.  The unions are up front about who they are and represent.  WTF is the Canada Growth Council, who runs it and who funds it?

More on the CGC: https://pressprogress.ca/tag/canada-growth-council/

And directly from the CGC website:

Quote

The Canada Strong and Free Network (formerly the Manning Centre) was founded in 2005 to support Canada’s conservative movement by networking best practices and ideas pertaining to limited government, free enterprise, individual responsibility and a more robust civil society.

The Canada Strong and Free Network was founded in 2005 as the Manning Centre for Building Democracy to support Canada’s conservative movement by networking best practices and ideas pertaining to limited government, free enterprise, individual responsibility and a more robust civil society. The name change took place at the request of the organization’s founder Preston Manning in 2020.  

Disgusting *****.

Edited June 7, 20232 yr by blue_gold_84

14 hours ago, Fatty Liver said:

Strange that it doesn't specify who to vote for if not Wab, is there a reason it doesn't identify itself as a Conservative document?

Because Cons have smeared excrement all over themselves to the extent where they are ashamed to be identified as such. No credibility, so they try to make it look like an independent third party is raising concerns. 

Edited June 7, 20232 yr by Tracker

4 hours ago, blue_gold_84 said:

More on the CGC: https://pressprogress.ca/tag/canada-growth-council/

And directly from the CGC website:

Disgusting *****.

The mere mention of that man's name triggers me.

For 478 patients...

Taxpayers paid $24M for out-of-province surgeries

By: Danielle Da SilvaPosted: 6:39 PM CDT Monday, Jun. 12, 2023

Out-of-province surgeries contracted by Manitoba’s COVID-19 pandemic backlog task force have devoured about 18 per cent of its multimillion-dollar budget but account for less than one per cent of the procedures funded by the group.

Diagnostic and surgical recovery task force chairman Dr. Peter MacDonald has pulled back the curtain on the cost to send patients to hospitals in northwestern Ontario, North Dakota, Ohio, and other Canadian and U.S. destinations.

Approximately 18 per cent of the task force budget paid for contracts inked with surgical centres outside of Manitoba and to cover eligible travel expenses incurred by patients, he said.

It had a $40-million budget in 2021-22, and a $110-million budget in 2022-23.

The orthopedic surgeon was unable to provide the exact amount spent when asked by the Free Press.

“We are seeing that patients have had a very high satisfaction rate — and just to reiterate that this is a short-term measure until we build in-province capacity,” MacDonald said June 7, after announcing a $1.8-million, two-year agreement with the Sleep Disorder Centre at Misericorida Health Centre in Winnipeg.

“So, we don’t expect this out-of-province care to be a long-term solution to our backlogs.”

The province and task force have emphasized the relatively small number of patients receiving surgery out-of-province in comparison to tens of thousands of procedures completed in Manitoba and paid for by the task force.

It has paid for more than 72,300 procedures since it was struck in December 2021, including 43,600 in the public health system, the province said.

Just 478 surgeries were performed on Manitobans willing to travel outside the province— or less than 0.01 per cent of all task force funded procedures — as of early June.

Manitoba Health Coalition director Thomas Linner said the cost to send people away is a “staggeringly expensive and wildly inefficient use of taxpayer dollars,” at the same time, proposals by local physicians and health-care leaders languish without funding.

“This needs to be a wake-up call for the government, for the task force and for Manitobans about what is being done on this issue and how much time, quite frankly, has been wasted on these efforts which should have been conducted within the public system,” Linner said.

The coalition — which is chaired by Manitoba Nurses Union president Darlene Jackson and has board members from various labour groups — bills itself as a non-partisan advocacy organization.

It has been highly critical of the task force’s use of private, for-profit medical organizations in its efforts to eliminate pandemic backlogs, claiming the province has prioritized private corporations over the public system.

The government has argued out-of-province surgery provides an option to Manitobans in need of spine, hip, knee, foot, ankle and shoulder procedures to access care faster and improve quality of life.

The need for such agreements was identified by doctors to address backlogs, the government has said.

Linner called the program a distraction.

“Individual success stories simply cannot make up for the loss of time, the loss of money and the loss of attention to the kind of capacity that’s necessary within Manitoba,” he said.

Prior to Friday, the Progressive Conservative government had refused to say how much the out-of-province surgery program has cost taxpayers.

However, in response to a request for comment from Health Minister Audrey Gordon, the government changed its stance and revealed less than $24 million had been spent on out-of-province surgeries.

The tab includes more than $440,000 for patients’ travel and accommodation expenses.

The task force is tracking expenses and final audited numbers will be posted as part of regular Manitoba Health financial reporting, the spokesperson said.

The value of contracts with hospitals in the United States — most of which were untendered — and the average cost per procedure remain unknown.

Contracts with stateside hospitals are not included on the province’s proactive disclosure portal, which reports information on contracts valued at $10,000 or more. Agreements with private surgical centres located in Manitoba are disclosed.

The task force has, however, acknowledged the surgeries would be more expensive than if they’d been done in Manitoba, but assured the public the province received a good deal.

“The total cost of agreements with out-of-province partners… could only be reported retrospectively as we are billed for care provided to each patient,” the spokesperson said.

Doctors Manitoba past-president Dr. Candace Bradshaw said out-of-province surgeries are an acceptable option only as long as they are short term and there is significant public demand and limited capacity.

“This approach is not new, and was used in the early 2000s to address a short-term need for radiation therapy,” Bradshaw said in a statement.

However, doctors want the primary focus to be on building surgical and diagnostic capacity in Manitoba, she said. “We continue to look for opportunities for physicians to work with the health system and the task force to develop local solutions to unreasonably long patient wait lists.”

NDP health critic Uzoma Asagwara said the approximately $24 million spent to deliver care to 478 people is an exorbitant expense.

“If those dollars had been invested in improving health-care access here in Manitoba, far more Manitobans would have gotten the surgeries they need at a fraction of the cost,” the Union Station MLA said.

“We’re spending more money than what is necessary and we’re not helping as many people as we should be because of the PCs’ approach.”

https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-life/life/health/2023/06/12/taxpayers-paid-24m-for-out-of-province-surgeries