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Politics

Disinformation Tops Global Risks 2024 

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  • Misinformation and disinformation are biggest short-term risks, while extreme weather and critical change to Earth systems are greatest long-term concern, according to Global Risks Report 2024.
  • Two-thirds of global experts anticipate a multipolar or fragmented order to take shape over the next decade.
  • Report warns that cooperation on urgent global issues could be in short supply, requiring new approaches and solutions.
  • Read the Global Risks Report 2024 here, discover the Global Risks Initiative, watch the press conference here, and join the conversation using #risks24.

Geneva, Switzerland, January 2024 – Drawing on nearly two decades of original risks perception data, the World Economic Forum’s Global Risks Report 2024 warns of a global risks landscape in which progress in human development is being chipped away slowly, leaving states and individuals vulnerable to new and resurgent risks. Against a backdrop of systemic shifts in global power dynamics, climate, technology and demographics, global risks are stretching the world’s adaptative capacity to its limit.

These are the findings of the Global Risks Report 2024, released today, which argues that cooperation on urgent global issues could be in increasingly short supply, requiring new approaches to addressing risks. Two-thirds of global experts anticipate a multipolar or fragmented order to take shape over the next decade, in which middle and great powers contest and set – but also enforce – new rules and norms.

The report, produced in partnership with Zurich Insurance Group and Marsh McLennan, draws on the views of over 1,400 global risks experts, policy-makers and industry leaders surveyed in September 2023. Results highlight a predominantly negative outlook for the world in the short term that is expected to worsen over the long term. While 30% of global experts expect an elevated chance of global catastrophes in the next two years, nearly two thirds expect this in the next 10 years.

“An unstable global order characterized by polarizing narratives and insecurity, the worsening impacts of extreme weather and economic uncertainty are causing accelerating risks – including misinformation and disinformation – to propagate,” said Saadia Zahidi, Managing Director, World Economic Forum. “World leaders must come together to address short-term crises as well as lay the groundwork for a more resilient, sustainable, inclusive future.” 

Rise of disinformation and conflict

Concerns over a persistent cost-of-living crisis and the intertwined risks of AI-driven misinformation and disinformation, and societal polarization dominated the risks outlook for 2024. The nexus between falsified information and societal unrest will take centre stage amid elections in several major economies that are set to take place in the next two years. Interstate armed conflict is a top five concern over the next two years. With several live conflicts under way, underlying geopolitical tensions and corroding societal resilience risk are creating conflict contagion.

Economic uncertainty and development in decline
The coming years will be marked by persistent economic uncertainty and growing economic and technological divides. Lack of economic opportunity is ranked sixth in the next two years. Over the longer term, barriers to economic mobility could build, locking out large segments of the population from economic opportunities. Conflict-prone or climate-vulnerable countries may increasingly be isolated from investment, technologies and related job creation. In the absence of pathways to safe and secure livelihoods, individuals may be more prone to crime, militarization or radicalization.

Planet in peril


Environmental risks continue to dominate the risks landscape over all timeframes. Two-thirds of global experts are worried about extreme weather events in 2024. Extreme weather, critical change to Earth systems, biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse, natural resource shortages and pollution represent five of the top 10 most severe risks perceived to be faced over the next decade. However, expert respondents disagreed on the urgency of risks posed – private sector respondents believe that most environmental risks will materialize over a longer timeframe than civil society or government, pointing to the growing risk of getting past a point of no return.

Responding to risks


The report calls on leaders to rethink action to address global risks. The report recommends focusing global cooperation on rapidly building guardrails for the most disruptive emerging risks, such as agreements addressing the integration of AI in conflict decision-making. However, the report also explores other types of action that need not be exclusively dependent on cross-border cooperation, such as shoring up individual and state resilience through digital literacy campaigns on misinformation and disinformation, or fostering greater research and development on climate modelling and technologies with the potential to speed up the energy transition, with both public and private sectors playing a role.

Carolina Klint, Chief Commercial Officer, Europe, Marsh McLennan, said: “Artificial intelligence breakthroughs will radically disrupt the risk outlook for organizations with many struggling to react to threats arising from misinformation, disintermediation and strategic miscalculation. At the same time, companies are having to negotiate supply chains made more complex by geopolitics and climate change and cyber threats from a growing number of malicious actors. It will take a relentless focus to build resilience at organizational, country and international levels – and greater cooperation between the public and private sectors – to navigate this rapidly evolving risk landscape.”

John Scott, Head of Sustainability Risk, Zurich Insurance Group, said: “The world is undergoing significant structural transformations with AI, climate change, geopolitical shifts and demographic transitions. Ninety-one per cent of risk experts surveyed express pessimism over the 10-year horizon. Known risks are intensifying and new risks are emerging – but they also provide opportunities. Collective and coordinated cross-border actions play their part, but localized strategies are critical for reducing the impact of global risks. The individual actions of citizens, countries and companies can move the needle on global risk reduction, contributing to a brighter, safer world.”

About the Global Risks Initiative


The Global Risks Report is a key pillar of the Forum’s Global Risks Initiative, which works to raise awareness and build consensus on the risks the world faces, to enable learning on risk preparedness and resilience. The Global Risks Consortium, a group of business, government and academic leaders, plays a critical role in translating risk foresight into ideas for proactive action and supporting leaders with the knowledge and tools to navigate emerging crises and shape a more stable, resilient world.

Politics

RICO EXPERT COMMENTS ON TRUMP’S RECUSAL BID 

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Los Angeles, CA … Lawyers for Donald Trump on Monday asked the federal judge presiding over his election subversion case in Washington to recuse herself, saying her past public statements about the former president and his connection to the January 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol call into question whether she can be fair. 

“Regardless of anyone’s personal opinion on the matter, Donald Trump’s motion for recusal has merit under the express provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 455, which requires a judge to recuse himself or herself in any proceeding in which [her] impartiality might reasonably be questioned. It is irrelevant whether the judge is actually biased. The U.S. Supreme Court squarely addressed this issue in Liljeberg v. Health Services Acquisition Corp., 486 U.S. 847, 860, which held that recusal is required even when a judge lacks actual knowledge of the facts indicating his interest or bias.

Judge Chutkan

Here, Judge Tanya Chutkan has made previous comments such as ‘Presidents are not kings, and Plaintiff is not a President’ and, in a December 2021 sentencing hearing, she stated, ‘the issue of who has or has not been charged is not before me. I don’t have any influence on that. I have my opinions, but they are not relevant.’ She has therefore publicly acknowledged her bias, which, at the very least, creates an appearance of partiality. This is nevertheless an uphill battle, as the motion has been submitted to Judge Chutkan, who will rule on this motion.

Having litigated this issue extensively in Angelica Limcaco v. Steve Wynn, Case No. 19-15949 (9th Cir. 2020), Donald Trump has to navigate a difficult path because the optics are problematic for him. The Justice Department will likely argue that Judge Chutkan has no financial interest, or something to that effect. Of course, if the motion is denied, the decision could result in an interlocutory appeal that may delay the case,” explained Jordan Matthews, a litigation partner at Weinberg Gonser LLP.

Politics

Burkina Faso is the world’s most neglected crisis

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For the first time, Burkina Faso tops the list of the world’s most neglected displacement crises, according to a new report from the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC). Redirection of aid and attention towards Ukraine has increased neglect of some of the world’s most vulnerable people.  

The annual list of neglected displacement crises is based on three criteria: lack of humanitarian funding, lack of media attention, and a lack of international political and diplomatic initiatives. The crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo ranks second, having appeared first or second on the list every year since its inception seven years ago. Colombia, Sudan, and Venezuela follow in this grim ranking. 

“Tell the world we have suffered. We have suffered a lot. Our neighbours have suffered. Our friends have suffered. Our relatives have suffered. We lost many. Most of them killed. I am thanking God because none of my family was left there, and we are all in safety. I do not want to return, but I am asking God for peace, for peace in this place,” says Halimata (35). Together with her family, she fled fighting in the east of Burkina Faso and sought safety in Kaya.

“Neglect is a choice – that millions of displaced people are cast aside year after year without the support and resources they so desperately need is not inevitable,” said Jan Egeland, NRC’s Secretary General. 

“The powerful response to the suffering inflicted by the war in Ukraine demonstrated what the world can deliver for people in need. Political action for Ukrainians has been impactful and swift, borders kept open, funding plenty, and media coverage extensive. Those in power need to show the same humanity towards people affected by crises in places such as Burkina Faso and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.” 

More than five times more articles were written about the Ukrainian displacement crisis last year than about all the world’s ten most neglected crises in total. For every dollar raised per person in need in Ukraine in 2022, just 25 cents were raised per person in need across the world’s ten most neglected crises.  

The Democratic Republic of Congo continued to make the list this year. Patient* 43, lives with his 6 children in the town of Bule, Djugu Territory, Ituri Province, DR Congo. ‘We fled in February 2021. We’ve moved around a lot, and now we are trying to build a new home. During the war, we’ve never had enough to eat, and we have no money to buy medicines if the children get sick. We used to live in a beautiful village, and had a big house. Now, all we have is this shelter. When it rains a lot, the water will come through the roof’. *Name changed for security reasons.

The repeated warnings of increased disparity due to the reallocation of resources to the Ukraine response have now become reality. The redirection of a large amount of aid money towards Ukraine and towards hosting refugees in donor countries means that many crises have seen a drop in assistance, despite growing needs. Total aid to Africa, where we find seven out of the ten most neglected crises, was 34 billion USD in 2022, representing a drop of 7.4 per cent compared to 2021.  

The Ukraine crisis also contributed to an increase in food insecurity in many of the countries featured in the report, worsening already dire crises, and increasing the number of people in need. 

“The world has failed to support the most vulnerable, but this can be reversed. The lives of millions of people suffering in silence can improve, if funding and resources are allocated based on need, not geopolitical interest, and media headlines of the day,” said Egeland. “Last year the gap between what was needed and what was delivered in humanitarian assistance was 22 billion USD. This is a huge sum of money, but no more than Europeans spend on ice cream a year. We need donors to increase support and new donor countries to step up to share responsibility.” 

Burkina Faso’s decline since the crisis broke out five years ago has been swift and devastating. More than 2 million people have been forced to flee their homes, and nearly a quarter of the population now requires humanitarian aid. Across the country, 800,000 people are living in areas under blockade by armed groups where they have no access to even basic services. The situation is increasingly dire with some people forced to eat leaves to survive. 

Maïga Abibou is an Internally Displaced Person (IDP) from Wapassi in the North region of Burkina Faso. Because of rampant insecurity in Wapassi, she made her first move with her family to Naoubé, a village in the Center North. A few months later, she fled again with her family to Louda, a village located a few kilometers from Kaya. There, she has been living with dozens of other families out in the open for over a month while hoping to get shelters soon before the rainy season begins in Burkina Faso. “We want the world to know about our difficulties, about what is worrying us now. We fled from far away to come here. This is our second escape. We could not bring anything with us. We moved with our carts; we were in the bush and there were no vehicles,” Abibou said.

“We must do more to end the suffering in Burkina Faso before despair becomes entrenched and it is added to the growing list of protracted crises. That this crisis is already so deeply neglected shows a failure of the international system to react to newly emerging crises, as it also fails those lost in the shadows for decades. Ultimately, greater investment in diplomatic solutions is needed if we hope to pull crises off this list,” said Egeland.  For the Silo, Jessica Wanless. Featured image: FILE – Children wait for their turn to buy water from a privately-owned water tower, amid an outbreak of the coronavirus disease, in Taabtenga district of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, April 3, 2020.

Facts and figures:   

  • Each year, the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) publishes a list of the ten most neglected displacement crises in the world. The purpose is to focus on the plight of people whose suffering rarely makes international headlines, who receive no or inadequate assistance, and who never become the centre of attention for international diplomacy efforts. The report is available here. 
  • The neglected displacement crises list for 2022 analyses 39 displacement crises based on three criteria: lack of funding, lack of media attention, and lack of international political and diplomatic initiatives. Full details on the methodology can be found in the report. 
  • The full list in order this year is: Burkina Faso, DR Congo, Colombia, Sudan, Venezuela, Burundi, Cameroon, Mali, El Salvador, Ethiopia. 
  • Burkina Faso has appeared on this list for the previous four years. It ranked second on last year’s report, seventh in 2020, and third in 2019.  
  • DR Congo is a textbook example of a neglected crisis. It has topped the list three times (2021, 2020 and 2017). It previously ranked second on the list in 2019, 2018 and 2016. 
  • Colombia and El Salvador appear in this report for the first time this year. 
  • The total funding to the Burkina Faso humanitarian response plan was 339 million USD in 2022, of the 805 million USD requested – making the response just 42 per cent funded (OCHA). 
  • In 2022, 3.5 million people were in need of humanitarian assistance in Burkina Faso – by the end of the year this has skyrocketed to 4.9 million people. This is a 40% increase and nearly equal to 1 in 4 Burkinabè (OCHA). 
  • There are almost 2 million internally displaced people in Burkina Faso (IDMC). 
  • 800,000 people are living in 23 blockaded towns and cities in Burkina Faso, unable to access aid regularly. Half of them are in the city of Djibo (Access Working Group). 
  • The average humanitarian appeal was just over half funded in 2022, while the Ukraine appeal was almost 90% funded (OCHA).  
  • The gap between the total humanitarian appeals by the UN and partners and the money actually received amounted to 22 billion USD in 2022 (OCHA). 
  • Total aid to Africa was USD 34 billion in 2022 (overseas development assistance, including development aid and humanitarian), representing a drop of 7.4% compared to 2021 (OECD).  
  • Collectively the world’s most powerful donor countries used more of their aid on the reception of refugees at home than on overseas humanitarian assistance in 2022 (OECD).  
  • The European Ice Cream Market was estimated to be valued at $21.7 Billion in 2021 (Research and Markets). 
  • 212 USD was raised per person in need inside Ukraine, while 52 USD was raised per person in need across the world’s ten most neglected crises in 2022 (OCHA). 
  • In total, 375,000 articles were written in the English media about the world’s ten most neglected displacement crises last year, according to statistics from Meltwater. In comparison, 1.98 million articles were written in English about the displacement crises in Ukraine during the same period (Meltwater).  
Politics

USA, Germany Ratings Weaker As Russia Suffers Global Rebuke

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U.S. leadership ratings retreated after the U.S. withdrew from Afghanistan, with most of the world disapproving of Russia’s leadership after its invasion of Ukraine 

Washington, D.C. — A new Gallup report based on interviews in 137 countries in 2022 shows the honeymoon is over for U.S. President Joe Biden, and Germany’s image has lost some of its clout under new Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Though global approval ratings of the U.S. and Germany dipped in 2022, both countries are still in much stronger positions than Russia — which saw its ratings plunge after its invasion of Ukraine — and China.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (L) with Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (R)

Here are some of the key findings from Gallup’s Rating World Leaders 2023 report:

  • U.S. leadership ratings around the world rebounded in 2021 in the first year of Biden’s presidency but declined in his second.
  • Ratings for the U.S. first slipped after withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021.
  • There were double-digit decreases in U.S. leadership approval in 36 countries between 2021 and 2022 — mostly in Europe and the Americas.
  • Russia’s approval ratings plunged worldwide after the invasion of Ukraine, and the majority of adults around the world now disapprove of Russia’s leadership.
  • Majorities in 81 of the 137 countries surveyed disapproved of Russian leadership.

A look back to last year’s rankings and previous years.

Implications Beyond 2023:

One of the biggest foreign policy challenges facing the U.S. and its allies in 2023 and beyond will be to ensure the transatlantic unity that was so greatly tested in 2022 does not fracture as Russia’s war against Ukraine continues.

The images of the U.S. and Germany are in slightly weaker positions than before the war started, but they are still in much stronger positions than Russia. But perhaps more importantly, the soaring disapproval of Russia’s leadership in all parts of the world shows they are not the only countries that care.

Politics

MPP Brady Intros Farmland Protection Legislation

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QUEEN’S PARK – Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Bobbi Ann Brady has introduced legislation that, if passed, will protect Ontario’s farmland.

“Land use planning affects our daily lives and Ontario’s farmland and arable land is an essential resource for the sustainability and security of our food systems, environment and local economies,” Brady said. “Farmland and arable land is productive, valuable and essential but most importantly it is finite and non-renewable, which is vital to consider in the face of increasing pressure to develop housing in the province.”

With Ontario having 52 per cent of the country’s prime arable land, and much of that being adjacent to cities, Brady said protecting these lands should be paramount. Further, according to census data, Ontario is losing 319 acres of farmland each day. Brady feels this is unsustainable. Constituents in Haldimand-Norfolk have also raised this same concern with the MPP since well before her election.

“As the government continues with its target to create 1.5 million new homes in Ontario, it is vital to put in place policies that will protect our farmers and their land, as well as the province’s food security, both now and in the future,” she said.

The bill requires the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs to develop a strategic action plan that aims to protect Ontario’s farmland and arable land from development, aggregate mining and the effects of fluctuating commodity prices and the availability of vacant land. It also stipulates a stakeholder-led Farmland and Arable Land Advisory Committee be set up to advise the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. For the Silo, Jeff Helsdon.

The bill will be back before the Legislature for second reading debate on March 8.

For more information, contact MPP Bobbi Ann Brady directly at 519-428-0446 or 905-765-8413 or [email protected] Please mention The Silo when contacting.

Politics

How to Engage In Or Avoid A Political Conversation

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So how do you respond when someone brings you into the conversation?  How do you answer when they ask you for your opinion or who you’re going to vote for?

You could always just doodle on a receipt like this one from J. Barker :)
You could always just doodle on a receipt like this one from J. Barker 🙂

Sharon Schweitzer, an international etiquette expert, author and founder of Protocol & Etiquette Worldwide, says you have options.

Has politics become a reality TV show? Tonight's debate is being called the "Lisa Simpson versus Bart Simpson" debate.
Has politics become a reality TV show? 

  1. You don’t want to respond

Keeping your opinion to yourself can be difficult; however, it is possible. Say something like, “In the midst of such a contentious political season, I feel it’s best to keep my opinion to myself. I do appreciate your interest and wish you the best in your political decisions.”

By acknowledging and thanking them for their genuine interest, you are able to get out of sticky political conversations but retain your well-mannered and ever sophisticated demeanor.

  1. If they push again

If they keep pushing for a response, you can play the undecided card and change the subject.

“I’m still evaluating the candidates and the issues and haven’t made up my mind yet.  It will be interesting to see how it plays out.”

To get them off the topic for good, ask them about something meaningful to them that they will want to talk about.  “I hear your son got accepted to Ohio State. Congratulations!”  “Great job on closing that account.  How did you do it?”  “Tell me about your trip to the mountains a few weeks ago. I hear it is beautiful this time of year.”

  1. You want to respond

If you would like to express your beliefs, the best way to do so is to cite research and concrete reasons why your views align a certain way, as this will encourage more of an intellectual conversation than a possible war of opinions.  Just as you want to express your beliefs, be courteous and let the person you are speaking to express his or her beliefs, even if you disagree.

  1. If you disagree

It’s inevitable that disagreements will arise, but when they do, handle them with grace, dignity and respect. Say something like, “That’s an interesting way to look at it and you bring up some valid points; however, I feel that…” Never raise your voice, show anger, abruptly walk away or make it personal.

  1. Either way

Whether you decide to respond or not, be tactful, polite, and remember that educated responses will help you either to cordially engage, or graciously decline whenever these inevitable conversations cross your path. For the Silo, Alex Smith.

Politics

Indy MPP Brady Frustrated With Both Parties Re Bill 28

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Brady stands up for educational workers and students

QUEEN’S PARK –   Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Bobbi Ann Brady over the past two days, stood in the House and implored the government and CUPE to tone down the rhetoric, work together through negotiations, and stop using education workers and students as political pawns.

“To this government, to CUPE, stop using some of the province’s lowest paid education workers and stop using our kids as political pawns,” MPP Brady stated in the Legislature.

The government declared Bill 28 to operate the notwithstanding clause during the dispute involving school board employees represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees.  The notwithstanding clause blocks the ability of the union employees to walk off the job and keep students from class.

As an Independent member of the Legislature, MPP Brady has the unique position of viewing legislation genuinely and providing honest feedback about how it will affect her constituents as well the rest of the province.   

Through her question and statement on Tuesday and Wednesday respectively, Brady expressed her frustration with both sides of the House. She then questioned which side actually cares about education workers and students. 

“I’m a bit cranky with what is happening here.  Who here actually cares about our education workers? Who cares about our students?”

Brady is fearful that if the lives of students are impacted, education workers will be blamed by Ontario parents who are frustrated with kids being in and out of school the past few years. 

https://bobbiannbrady.com/

In a line of questioning yesterday, MPP Brady encouraged the government to do treat educational workers fairly and do what is right for Ontario students.

For more information, contact MPP Bobbi Ann Brady at [email protected] or 519-428-0446 Please mention The Silo when contacting.

Politics

Handling of Trump Mar-a-Lago Raid Breeding Distrust in Law Enforcement: Expert

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Unless trust is restored, the FBI’s Mar-a-Lago raid may begin the “collapse” of U.S. law enforcement, according to police expert Michael Letts.

Over the past few years, the FBI has acted politically often enough that many Americans now struggle to trust it, Letts said. He runs In-Vest USA, a nonprofit that provides bulletproof vests to police departments.

Without explanations, acts such as the Mar-a-Lago raid create distrust between local and federal law enforcement, he said. They also create civilian distrust for law enforcement in general.

“Mar-a-Lago is just another nail in the coffin,” he said.

U.S. law enforcement runs on trust, according to Letts. Without trust, the system collapses into “Third-World status,” where police serve power instead of enforcing the law.

“Then, you have coup d’états, you have overthrows, riots. And then, whatever power happens to win at that particular day tries to solidify. The forces that it controls run out and eliminate everybody that’s not on their bandwagon,” he said.

Lack of Transparency in Politically Sensitive Case

The FBI made several decisions at Mar-a-Lago that could catastrophically damage trust in law enforcement, Letts said.

First, the raid itself shouldn’t have happened, he said.

Presidents often take many documents with them when they leave the White House. Often, staff accidentally pack at least a few secret documents by mistake. Most of the time, the federal government doesn’t punish this mistake, according to Letts.

Trump’s predecessor, former President Barack Obama, turned over 30 million documents to the National Archives.

“More often than not, they look at and realize [the document] no longer needs to be classified anymore,” he said.

But the FBI raided Trump’s home for the documents.

The FBI also refused to let Trump’s lawyer observe the search. Without someone else present, law enforcement could potentially plant fake evidence or steal a suspect’s property, Letts said. This has led many to now wonder whether the FBI demanded secrecy for alleged misconduct.

“They should have never provided fodder to the American people to have these kinds of questions,” he said.

Finally, FBI and DOJ leaders have failed to provide the public with a clear explanation as to why the raid had to happen.

Epoch Times Photo
In-Vest USA CEO Michael Letts. (Image courtesy of In-Vest USA)

Although the government released the warrant and receipt for property taken, these things didn’t provide enough of an answer, Letts said.

Since then, reports have been spreading about an internal FBI and Department of Homeland Security bulletin, leaked in part by CNN, NBC, and CBS, of an increase in bomb threats made online to law enforcement and officials following the Mar-a-Lago raid.

If the government truly wants to calm the situation, it needs to provide a full explanation, according to Letts.

“We need straight and direct answers,” he said. “We need congressional leadership. It needs to be a bipartisan effort.”

Trust: Cornerstone of the American System

The distrust from the FBI raid doesn’t only affect politics, Letts said. It also affects the inner workings of law enforcement.

Law enforcement agencies have to cooperate to do their work, he said. Federal and state police often join forces for investigations.

In these investigations, trust is crucial, according to Letts. If the FBI and local police don’t trust each other, they can’t cooperate.

Even law enforcement on drug dealing will fall apart if the FBI and police don’t trust each other, he said. If the FBI targets conservative politicians today, it might target anyone tomorrow.

“Is there something else behind the scenes? You’re willing to lie on FISA reports to courts. Are you willing to lie about this?” he asked.

The FBI’s Mar-a-Lago raid will also cause the public to distrust state and local police, as most of the time, the public doesn’t see the difference between local police, state police, and federal law enforcement, according to Letts.

“If anybody’s wearing a badge—sheriff, deputy, city police—they all get mixed into the same boat,” he said. “And now they all get vilified.”

In the past few years, law enforcement’s trust foundations have been weakened from a number of events, Letts said. Some media outlets have villainized them for alleged racism, which the police deny, during deaths in custody, while some city councils have cut their budgets. Officers faced immense pressure from all angles during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many police officers have resigned; few are recruited.

“They’re having to pull extra shifts. They’re at the highest stress rates. I mean, look at their divorce rates. They have some of the lowest morale we’ve ever seen in history,” he said of the police.

At some point, the “thin blue line” will snap, according to Letts.

“Who will they call when somebody is banging on their door to try to break in?” he asked.

We hope you enjoy our coverage! As you are visiting us today, we’d like to ask you one question —  How much do you think news media outlets actually impact your life? …Probably more than you realize. For the Silo/Epoch Times, Jackson Elliott.

Featured image: Protesters gather in front of the Federal Building in Los Angeles on Aug. 13, 2022, to voice anger over FBI’s Mar-a-Lago raid. (Linda Jiang/The Epoch Times)

Politics

Report: Regulations on U.S. arms exports often skirted, rarely enforced

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SOMERVILLE, Mass.—While the United States likes to claim it has the gold standard of arms export control measures, in practice the measures offer few restrictions on U.S. presidents’ ability to ship arms wherever they like, according to a new report from the World Peace Foundation (WPF) at Tufts University’s The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy.

The Arms Export Control Act (AECE) of 1976, as well as the United States’ international obligations, are meant to ensure decisions to export arms take into account the potential to escalate conflict or fall into the hands of U.S. enemies. The AECA sets up Congress as a check on presidential decisions.

“The potential for arms sales to exacerbate a conflict rarely stops a sale,” said report author Jennifer Erickson, associate professor of political science and international studies at Boston College. “When we do restrain exports, more often than not, political calculations are at work, rather than the legal checks and balances Congress put in place.”

Among the key findings of On the Front Lines: Conflict Zones and U.S. Arms Exports:

  • Conflict is not a consistent deterrent for U.S. arms exports. The United States usually prioritizes diplomatic and economic ties in export decision making—regardless of the conflict status of the recipient.
  • Presidents face few restrictions on using arms sales to meet policy goals. U.S. law sets an almost unreachable vote threshold for Congress to block or modify arms sales.
  • Even when the U.S. chooses not to supply weapons to conflict zones, it can and does use alternative means, such as common allies, to get arms to combatants.
  • There is no realistic way for the U.S. government to guarantee the weapons it sells are used only by the buyer, in ways that conform with U.S. interests. We cannot ensure weapons are only used defensively, for instance. And arms have staying power. Years after initial sales, they may be used instead for priorities the U.S. opposes.
  • Interpretation of regulations may become looser still as the U.S. enters a “New Cold War” with China or Russia.

In coming to these conclusions, the report examines U.S. arms sales, and restraint, connected to recent conflicts in Libya, Nigeria, South Sudan, Syria and Yemen. The World Peace Foundation commissioned similar studies on arms sales by the governments of the United Kingdom and France.

These studies follow earlier research by the WPF on which nations send arms into conflict zones, available on the website, Who Arms War? 

“The United States has all the regulations and policy tools it needs to ensure we do not make already dangerous places even more deadly,” said Alex de Waal, World Peace Foundation executive director and research professor at The Fletcher School. “We have mechanisms that can minimize the risk of America arming deadly actors. What we don’t seem to have is the political will to actually use those mechanisms. On numerous occasions American arms have made the world a more dangerous place, including for Americans.”

ABOUT THE WORLD PEACE FOUNDATION

Established by the publisher Edwin Ginn in 1910, the World Peace Foundation aims to “educate the people of all nations to a full knowledge of the waste and destructiveness of war and of preparation for war, its evil effects on present social conditions and on the wellbeing of future generations, and to promote international justice and the brotherhood of man, and generally by every practical means to promote peace and goodwill among all mankind.”

Politics

How Covid Affects Ontario Legislature

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The past week has been a whirlwind of activity in Ontario politics.    Some have asked about my absence from the Legislature for the vote on May 31.    

With the advent of COVID-19, all political parties decided to divide the sitting members of the Legislature into two groups with equal representation from all parties. 

Separate groups in the Legislature are an attempt to diminish the spread of COVID-19.  

The Legislature is divided into two groups or cohorts in case COVID-19 swept through the sitting members, which could result in all members being in quarantine and the Legislature grinding to a halt. Instead, with two groups, only part of the Legislature would end up in quarantine and the other half could take over.   

My group was not designated to be in the Legislature May 31. For this reason, I was not present in the House. All parties agreed to not have remote voting in the Ontario Legislature. I am presently working from home, including serving virtually on Standing Committees.    

The motion passed on Monday relates to the ability to extend and amend existing orders under the Reopening Ontario Act. Orders made under the Act’s authority have always been, and will continue to be, required to be extended in 30-day increments by Cabinet. All orders may also be amended by Cabinet at any time to loosen or tighten restrictions as necessary. These Orders have been the mechanism that we use to implement the COVID-19 response since last July, including the colour-coded framework, the shutdown, and now the roadmap to reopening.   

Please note that the declaration of emergency and Stay-at-Home orders have expired as a result of key indicators for COVID-19 trending in the right direction and significant progress being made in vaccinations.   

However, because of the new, fast-growing Indian B.1.617.2 and to allow for higher vaccination rates, our government made the difficult decision to continue with remote learning for all elementary and secondary students across the province for the remainder of this school year. This will allow the province to continue its focus on accelerating COVID-19 vaccinations to support a safe summer and return to in-person learning in September for the 2021-22 school year.   

The health and safety of Ontario students, staff, educators and families remains a top priority.  

On a personal note, my wife Cari and I both contracted COVID-19 and have completely recovered.  Cari is home from Joseph Brant Hospital and is doing very well after a week-and-a-half there, including one week in Intensive Care. We have ended our self-isolation, although we continue to follow public health guidelines.     

We can’t begin to express our appreciation for all the messages of support and concern – thank you everyone!!    

My positive test for the N501Y mutation of the UK B.1.1.7 variant was a result of picking up the virus just prior to my vaccination.

The changing face of the pandemic: New COVID-19 variants spark concern

We must also be vigilant as the new B.1.617.2 variant, which was first identified in India and entered the province through Canada’s international borders, grew in Ontario by 600 per cent from May 12 to May 19.  

The threat of new variants reinforces my belief that we all must continue to be cautious because of this highly transmissible disease.    For the Silo, Toby Barrett MPP for Haldimand-Norfolk.   

Politics

Cons: Federal Libs C-10 Bill Has Massive Potential for Abuse of Power

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Ottawa, ON – The Hon. Erin O’Toole, Leader of Canada’s Conservatives and the Leader of the Official Opposition, issued the following statement calling on Justin Trudeau to withdraw Bill C-10:
 
“In a democratic society, abuses of power and authority can and should be called out without fear of retribution. Social media has rapidly become the platform for this purpose, from cellphone videos of interactions with police to social media posts by survivors of sexual assault and harassment leading to the #MeToo movement.

“But in the midst of a pandemic, while Canadians are stuck at home and relying on social media for information, connectivity, and entertainment more than ever before, the Liberal government is quietly moving to radically change how Canadians use the internet.
 
“In a society that values freedom of speech and expression, Bill C-10 leaves the door open for a massive abuse of power on the rights of Canadians. 
 
“Canada’s Conservatives support creating a level playing field between large foreign streaming services and Canadian broadcasters, and championing Canadian arts and culture. A Conservative government would do so without compromising Canadians’ fundamental rights and freedoms.
 
“We are calling on Justin Trudeau to withdraw Bill C-10 today. If this is not done, a Conservative government will stand up for Canadians and repeal this deeply flawed legislation. While the NDP and the Bloc may look the other way on the freedom of expression, Canada’s Conservatives will not.” 
 
Le chef des conservateurs Erin O’Toole demande à Justin Trudeau d’annuler le projet de loi C-10 

 
Ottawa (Ontario) – L’honorable Erin O’Toole, chef des conservateurs du Canada et de l’Opposition officielle, a fait la présente déclaration demandant à Justin Trudeau d’annuler le projet de loi C-10 :
 
« Dans une société démocratique, les abus de pouvoir et d’autorité peuvent et doivent être dénoncés sans crainte ni représailles. Les médias sociaux sont rapidement devenus la principale plateforme à cet effet, qu’il s’agisse de vidéos d’interactions avec la police réalisées à l’aide de téléphones portables ou de messages publiés sur les médias sociaux par des victimes d’agressions et de harcèlement sexuels, qui ont donné naissance au mouvement #MeToo.
 
« Or, en pleine pandémie, alors que les Canadiens sont coincés chez eux et dépendent des médias sociaux pour obtenir de l’information, se connecter et se divertir, plus que jamais auparavant, le gouvernement libéral a discrètement tenté de changer radicalement comment les Canadiens peuvent utiliser les médias sociaux.
 
« Dans une société qui valorise la liberté de parole et d’expression, le projet de loi C-10 ouvre la porte à un abus de pouvoir et à une atteinte aux droits des Canadiens.
 
« Les conservateurs soutiennent des conditions égales entre les gros services de diffusion continue étrangers et les radiodiffuseurs canadiens, ainsi que la défense des arts et de la culture du Canada. Un gouvernement conservateur le ferait sans compromettre les droits fondamentaux et la liberté d’expression des Canadiens.

« Nous demandons à Justin Trudeau d’annuler le projet de loi C-10 aujourd’hui. Si cela n’est pas fait, un gouvernement conservateur défendra les intérêts des Canadiens et abrogera cette loi profondément défectueuse. Le NPD et le Bloc peuvent fermer les yeux sur la liberté d’expression, mais pas les conservateurs. » 
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Politics

Cost Of Marijuana In 120 Cities And How Much Tax Revenue If Legalized

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First a few quick facts….

● ‏Tokyo, Japan has the most expensive cannabis‏ ‏, at 32.66 USD per gram. ‏

● ‏Quito, Ecuador has the least expensive marijuana‏ ‏, at 1.34 USD per gram.‏

● ‏Based on the average US marijuana tax rates currently implemented, ‏ ‏New York City could generate the highest potential tax revenue by legalizing weed‏ ‏, with 156.40 million USD per year. New York City also has the highest consumption rate of cannabis, at 77.44 metric tons per year.‏

● ‏Cannabis costs ‏ ‏$7.82 per gram in Toronto, Canada‏ ‏. ‏

‏Berlin, Germany – ‏ ‏Automatic cultivator device, ‏ ‏Seedo‏ ‏, after much research and data gathering, previously released the 2018 Cannabis Price Index, detailing the cost of marijuana in 120 global cities. Seedo is one of the many new ventures embracing the newly legalized cannabis industry. Their main goal is to allow both medicinal and recreational consumers to grow their own supply, avoiding extra taxes and bypassing harmful pesticides. The aim of this study is to illustrate the continuous need for legislative reform on cannabis use around the world, and to determine if there are any lessons to be learned from those cities at the forefront of marijuana legalisation.

‏Although Seedo’s technology enables smokers to get off the grid, this study considers one of the biggest byproducts of legalising cannabis—the potential tax revenue for the local government body. For this reason, Seedo decided not only to research the cost of cannabis around the world, but also to calculate how much potential tax a city could generate if they were to legalise marijuana. ‏

‏The study began first by selecting 120 cities across the world, including locations where cannabis is currently legal, illegal and partially legal, and where marijuana consumption data is available. Then, they looked into the price of weed per gram in each city. To calculate how much potential tax a city could make by legalising weed, Seedo investigated how much tax is paid on the most popular brand of cigarettes, as this offers the closest comparison. They then looked at what percentage marijuana is currently taxed in cities where it’s already legalised in the US. ‏

‏“This study has revealed some incredible insights into the kind of tax revenue that legalising weed could generate.” says Uri Zeevi, CMO at Seedo. “Take New York City for instance, which has the highest consumption level in the study at 77.44 metric tons of cannabis per year. If they taxed marijuana at the average US cannabis tax level, the city could make $‏ ‏156.4‏ ‏ million in potential tax revenue per year. This is equivalent to providing nearly 3 months worth of free school meals to every single public school kid in New York City.” ‏

‏The table below reveals a sample of the results for ‏ ‏Toronto, Canada‏ ‏:‏

‏City‏

‏Legality‏

‏Price per gram, US$‏

‏Total possible tax collection, if taxed at cigarette level, mil US$‏

‏Total possible tax collection, if taxed at average US marijuana taxes, mil US$‏

‏Total consumption in metric tons‏

‏Toronto‏

‏Partial‏

‏7.82‏

‏124.15‏

‏33.38‏

‏22.75‏

‏The table below shows the ‏ ‏top 10 most and least expensive cities for cannabis‏ ‏:‏

‏Top 10 Most Expensive Cities‏

‏Top 10 Least Expensive Cities‏

‏#‏

‏City‏

‏Country‏

‏Legality‏

‏Price per gram, US$‏

‏#‏

‏City‏

‏Country‏

‏Legality‏

‏Price per gram, US$‏

‏1‏

‏Tokyo‏

‏Japan‏

‏Illegal‏

‏32.66‏

‏1‏

‏Quito‏

‏Ecuador‏

‏Partial‏

‏1.34‏

‏2‏

‏Seoul‏

‏South Korea‏

‏Illegal‏

‏32.44‏

‏2‏

‏Bogota‏

‏Colombia‏

‏Partial‏

‏2.20‏

‏3‏

‏Kyoto‏

‏Japan‏

‏Illegal‏

‏29.65‏

‏3‏

‏Asuncion‏

‏Paraguay‏

‏Partial‏

‏2.22‏

‏4‏

‏Hong Kong‏

‏China‏

‏Illegal‏

‏27.48‏

‏4‏

‏Jakarta‏

‏Indonesia‏

‏Illegal‏

‏3.79‏

‏5‏

‏Bangkok‏

‏Thailand‏

‏Partial‏

‏24.81‏

‏5‏

‏Panama City‏

‏Panama‏

‏Illegal‏

‏3.85‏

‏6‏

‏Dublin‏

‏Ireland‏

‏Illegal‏

‏21.63‏

‏6‏

‏Johannesburg‏

‏South Africa‏

‏Illegal‏

‏4.01‏

‏7‏

‏Tallinn‏

‏Estonia‏

‏Partial‏

‏20.98‏

‏7‏

‏Montevideo‏

‏Uruguay‏

‏Legal‏

‏4.15‏

‏8‏

‏Shanghai‏

‏China‏

‏Illegal‏

‏20.82‏

‏8‏

‏Astana‏

‏Kazakhstan‏

‏Illegal‏

‏4.22‏

‏9‏

‏Beijing‏

‏China‏

‏Illegal‏

‏20.52‏

‏9‏

‏Antwerp‏

‏Belgium‏

‏Partial‏

‏4.29‏

‏10‏

‏Oslo‏

‏Norway‏

‏Partial‏

‏19.14‏

‏10‏

‏New Delhi‏

‏India‏

‏Partial‏

‏4.38‏

‏N.B. These tables are a sample of the full results. To find the complete results for all 120 cities, please see the bottom of the press release. ‏

‏The table below shows the ‏ ‏top 10 cities who could generate the most potential tax ‏ ‏by legalising cannabis, if taxed at the same rate as the most popular cigarette brand:‏

‏#‏

‏City‏

‏Country‏

‏Legality‏

‏Price per gram, US$‏

‏% of cigarette tax‏

‏Possible tax revenue, mil US$ ‏

‏1‏

‏Cairo‏

‏Egypt‏

‏Illegal‏

‏16.15‏

‏73.13‏

‏384.87‏

‏2‏

‏New York‏

‏USA‏

‏Partial‏

‏10.76‏

‏42.54‏

‏354.48‏

‏3‏

‏London‏

‏UK‏

‏Illegal‏

‏9.20‏

‏82.16‏

‏237.35‏

‏4‏

‏Sydney‏

‏Australia‏

‏Partial‏

‏10.79‏

‏56.76‏

‏138.36‏

‏5‏

‏Karachi‏

‏Pakistan‏

‏Illegal‏

‏5.32‏

‏60.7‏

‏135.48‏

‏6‏

‏Melbourne‏

‏Australia‏

‏Partial‏

‏10.84‏

‏56.76‏

‏132.75‏

‏7‏

‏Moscow‏

‏Russia‏

‏Partial‏

‏11.84‏

‏47.63‏

‏128.97‏

‏8‏

‏Toronto‏

‏Canada‏

‏Partial‏

‏7.82‏

‏69.8‏

‏124.15‏

‏9‏

‏Chicago‏

‏USA‏

‏Partial‏

‏11.46‏

‏42.54‏

‏119.61‏

‏10‏

‏Berlin‏

‏Germany‏

‏Partial‏

‏13.53‏

‏72.9‏

‏114.77‏

‏N.B. % of cigarette tax refers to the tax percentage on the most popular brand. Possible tax revenue refers to the total possible tax collection per year, if taxed at cigarette level. For a full explanation of how the study was conducted, please see the methodology at the bottom of the press release. ‏

‏The table below shows the ‏ ‏top 10 cities who could generate the most potential tax‏ ‏ by legalising cannabis, if taxed at the average US marijuana tax rate:‏

‏#‏

‏City‏

‏Country‏

‏Legality‏

‏Price per gram, US$‏

‏Possible tax revenue, mil US$‏

‏1‏

‏New York‏

‏USA‏

‏Partial‏

‏10.76‏

‏156.4‏

‏2‏

‏Cairo‏

‏Egypt‏

‏Illegal‏

‏16.15‏

‏98.78‏

‏3‏

‏London‏

‏UK‏

‏Illegal‏

‏9.20‏

‏54.22‏

‏4‏

‏Chicago‏

‏USA‏

‏Partial‏

‏11.46‏

‏52.77‏

‏5‏

‏Moscow‏

‏Russia‏

‏Partial‏

‏11.84‏

‏50.82‏

‏6‏

‏Sydney‏

‏Australia‏

‏Partial‏

‏10.79‏

‏45.75‏

‏7‏

‏Melbourne‏

‏Australia‏

‏Partial‏

‏10.84‏

‏43.9‏

‏8‏

‏Karachi‏

‏Pakistan‏

‏Illegal‏

‏5.32‏

‏41.89‏

‏9‏

‏Houston‏

‏USA‏

‏Partial‏

‏10.03‏

‏39.32‏

‏10‏

‏Toronto‏

‏Canada‏

‏Partial‏

‏7.82‏

‏33.38‏

‏N.B. Possible tax revenue refers to the total possible tax collection per year, if taxed at average US marijuana tax rate.‏

‏The table below shows the‏ ‏ top 10 cities with the highest and lowest consumption of cannabis, ‏ ‏per year:‏

‏Highest Consumers of Cannabis‏

‏ Lowest Consumers of Cannabis‏

‏#‏

‏City‏

‏Country‏

‏Legality‏

‏Price per gram, US$‏

‏Total consumption, metric tons‏

‏#‏

‏City‏

‏Country‏

‏Legality‏

‏Price per gram, US$‏

‏Total consumption, metric tons‏

‏1‏

‏New York‏

‏USA‏

‏Partial‏

‏10.76‏

‏77.44‏

‏1‏

‏Singapore‏

‏Singapore‏

‏Illegal‏

‏14.01‏

‏0.02‏

‏2‏

‏Karachi‏

‏Pakistan‏

‏Illegal‏

‏5.32‏

‏41.95‏

‏2‏

‏Santo Domingo‏

‏Dominican Rep.‏

‏Illegal‏

‏6.93‏

‏0.16‏

‏3‏

‏New Delhi‏

‏India‏

‏Partial‏

‏4.38‏

‏38.26‏

‏3‏

‏Kyoto‏

‏Japan‏

‏Illegal‏

‏29.65‏

‏0.24‏

‏4‏

‏Los Angeles‏

‏USA‏

‏Legal‏

‏8.14‏

‏36.06‏

‏4‏

‏Thessaloniki‏

‏Greece‏

‏Partial‏

‏13.49‏

‏0.29‏

‏5‏

‏Cairo‏

‏Egypt‏

‏Illegal‏

‏16.15‏

‏32.59‏

‏5‏

‏Luxembourg City‏

‏Luxembourg‏

‏Partial‏

‏7.26‏

‏0.32‏

‏6‏

‏Mumbai‏

‏India‏

‏Partial‏

‏4.57‏

‏32.38‏

‏6‏

‏Panama City‏

‏Panama‏

‏Illegal‏

‏3.85‏

‏0.37‏

‏7‏

‏London‏

‏UK‏

‏Illegal‏

‏9.20‏

‏31.4‏

‏7‏

‏Reykjavik‏

‏Iceland‏

‏Illegal‏

‏15.92‏

‏0.44‏

‏8‏

‏Chicago‏

‏USA‏

‏Partial‏

‏11.46‏

‏24.54‏

‏8‏

‏Asuncion‏

‏Paraguay‏

‏Partial‏

‏2.22‏

‏0.46‏

‏9‏

‏Moscow‏

‏Russia‏

‏Partial‏

‏11.84‏

‏22.87‏

‏9‏

‏Colombo‏

‏Sri Lanka‏

‏Illegal‏

‏9.12‏

‏0.59‏

‏10‏

‏Toronto‏

‏Canada‏

‏Partial‏

‏7.82‏

‏22.75‏

‏10‏

‏Manila‏

‏Philippines‏

‏Illegal‏

‏5.24‏

‏0.6‏

‏N.B. Total consumption is calculated per annum. ‏

‏Additional quotes:‏

‏“The way that the legalised cannabis industry is rapidly evolving alongside new technologies shows how innovative emerging tech companies are today.” says Uri Zeevi, CMO at Seedo. “Take the way that cannabis and cryptocurrency have joined forces, with ‏ ‏examples such as HempCoin or nezly, which manage processes and payments in the new marijuana industry.‏ ‏ When you consider too the potential that these new technologies have to disrupt the cannabis industry, there’s no denying that these are very exciting times.” ‏

‏“At Seedo, we’ve built technology that helps regular smokers to grow cannabis plants of the utmost quality from the comfort of their own home, avoiding pesticides and taking ownership of their personal supply.” says Uri Zeevi, CMO at Seedo. “We believe that by understanding the cost of weed around the world, we can help to educate smokers about the potential financial benefits of hydroponic growing technology.” ‏

‏“That illegal cannabis use is so high in countries that still carry the death penalty, such as Pakistan and Egypt, those in power ought to see how desperately new legislation is needed.” comments Uri Zeevi, CMO at Seedo. “By removing the criminal element from marijuana, governments will then able to more safely regulate production, take away power from underground gangs, and as we’ve shown in this study, generate huge tax revenues.”‏

‏Further findings:‏

● ‏New York City, USA has the highest consumption rate of cannabis‏ ‏, at 77.44 metric tons per year.‏

● ‏Boston, USA has the most expensive cannabis of all the cities where it’s legal‏ ‏, at 11.01 USD, while Montevideo, Uruguay has the least expensive at 4.15 USD. ‏

● ‏While Tokyo, Japan has the most expensive cannabis of all cities where it’s illegal, at 32.66 USD, ‏ ‏Jakarta, Indonesia has the least expensive at 3.79 USD, despite being classed as a Group 1 drug with harsh sentences such as life imprisonment and the death penalty.‏ ‏ ‏

● ‏For cities where cannabis is partially legal, Bangkok, Thailand has the most expensive at 24.81 USD, while Quito, Ecuador has the least expensive at 1.34 USD. ‏

● ‏Bulgaria has the highest tax rates for the most popular brand of cigarettes, at 82.65%, while Paraguay has the lowest, with rates of 16%. ‏

● ‏Cairo, Egypt would gain the most revenue in tax if they were to legalise cannabis‏ ‏ and tax it as the same rate as cigarettes, at 384.87 million USD. Singapore, Singapore would gain the least, at 0.14 million USD, due in part to the city’s low consumption of marijuana at 0.02 metric tons per annum.‏

● ‏Based on the average US marijuana tax rates currently implemented,‏ ‏ New York City could generate the highest potential tax revenue by legalising weed, with 156.4 million USD per year‏ ‏. Singapore, Singapore would gain the least, at 0.04 million USD

‏About “Seedo”‏ ‏: Seedo is a fully automated hydroponic growing device which lets you grow your own medicinal herbs and vegetables from the comfort of your own home. Seedo controls and monitors the growing process, from seed to plant, while providing optimal lab conditions to assure premium quality produce year-round. Seedo’s goal is to simplify the growing process, making it accessible for everyone, without compromising on quality. ‏

‏The full results of the 2018 Cannabis Price Index:‏

‏#‏

‏City‏

‏Country‏

‏Legality‏

‏Price per gram, US$‏

‏Taxes of cigarettes, % of the most sold brand‏

‏Total possible tax collection, if taxed at cigarette level, mil US$‏

‏Total possible tax collection, if taxed at average US marijuana taxes, mil US$‏

‏Total Consumption in metric tons‏

‏1‏

‏Tokyo‏

‏Japan‏

‏Illegal‏

‏32.66‏

‏64.36‏

‏32.14‏

‏9.37‏

‏1.53‏

‏2‏

‏Seoul‏

‏South Korea‏

‏Illegal‏

‏32.44‏

‏61.99‏

‏31.61‏

‏9.57‏

‏1.57‏

‏3‏

‏Kyoto‏

‏Japan‏

‏Illegal‏

‏29.65‏

‏64.36‏

‏4.64‏

‏1.35‏

‏0.24‏

‏4‏

‏Hong Kong‏

‏China‏

‏Illegal‏

‏27.48‏

‏44.43‏

‏19.72‏

‏8.33‏

‏1.62‏

‏5‏

‏Bangkok‏

‏Thailand‏

‏Partial‏

‏24.81‏

‏73.13‏

‏99.11‏

‏25.44‏

‏5.46‏

‏6‏

‏Dublin‏

‏Ireland‏

‏Illegal‏

‏21.63‏

‏77.80‏

‏29.31‏

‏7.07‏

‏1.74‏

‏7‏

‏Tallinn‏

‏Estonia‏

‏Partial‏

‏20.98‏

‏77.24‏

‏22.13‏

‏5.38‏

‏1.37‏

‏8‏

‏Shanghai‏

‏China‏

‏Illegal‏

‏20.82‏

‏44.43‏

‏49.12‏

‏20.75‏

‏5.31‏

‏9‏

‏Beijing‏

‏China‏

‏Illegal‏

‏20.52‏

‏44.43‏

‏43.10‏

‏18.21‏

‏4.73‏

‏10‏

‏Oslo‏

‏Norway‏

‏Partial‏

‏19.14‏

‏68.83‏

‏19.28‏

‏5.26‏

‏1.46‏

‏11‏

‏Washington, DC‏

‏USA‏

‏Partial‏

‏18.08‏

‏42.54‏

‏47.51‏

‏20.96‏

‏6.18‏

‏12‏

‏Cairo‏

‏Egypt‏

‏Illegal‏

‏16.15‏

‏73.13‏

‏384.87‏

‏98.78‏

‏32.59‏

‏13‏

‏Reykjavik‏

‏Iceland‏

‏Illegal‏

‏15.92‏

‏56.40‏

‏3.97‏

‏1.32‏

‏0.44‏

‏14‏

‏Belfast‏

‏Ireland‏

‏Illegal‏

‏15.81‏

‏77.80‏

‏13.55‏

‏3.27‏

‏1.10‏

‏15‏

‏Minsk‏

‏Belarus‏

‏Illegal‏

‏15.80‏

‏51.15‏

‏9.08‏

‏3.33‏

‏1.12‏

‏16‏

‏Athens‏

‏Greece‏

‏Partial‏

‏14.95‏

‏79.95‏

‏7.42‏

‏1.74‏

‏0.62‏

‏17‏

‏Auckland‏

‏New Zealand‏

‏Partial‏

‏14.77‏

‏77.34‏

‏106.03‏

‏25.73‏

‏9.28‏

‏18‏

‏Munich‏

‏Germany‏

‏Partial‏

‏14.56‏

‏72.90‏

‏50.90‏

‏13.10‏

‏4.80‏

‏19‏

‏Helsinki‏

‏Finland‏

‏Partial‏

‏14.42‏

‏81.53‏

‏27.12‏

‏6.24‏

‏2.31‏

‏20‏

‏Singapore‏

‏Singapore‏

‏Illegal‏

‏14.01‏

‏66.23‏

‏0.14‏

‏0.04‏

‏0.02‏

‏21‏

‏Berlin‏

‏Germany‏

‏Partial‏

‏13.53‏

‏72.90‏

‏114.77‏

‏29.55‏

‏11.64‏

‏22‏

‏Stuttgart‏

‏Germany‏

‏Partial‏

‏13.50‏

‏72.90‏

‏20.20‏

‏5.20‏

‏2.05‏

‏23‏

‏Thessaloniki‏

‏Greece‏

‏Partial‏

‏13.49‏

‏79.95‏

‏3.17‏

‏0.75‏

‏0.29‏

‏24‏

‏Stockholm‏

‏Sweden‏

‏Illegal‏

‏13.20‏

‏68.84‏

‏15.06‏

‏4.11‏

‏1.66‏

‏25‏

‏Vienna‏

‏Austria‏

‏Partial‏

‏12.87‏

‏74.00‏

‏59.21‏

‏15.02‏

‏6.22‏

‏26‏

‏Copenhagen‏

‏Denmark‏

‏Partial‏

‏12.47‏

‏74.75‏

‏20.65‏

‏5.18‏

‏2.22‏

‏27‏

‏Moscow‏

‏Russia‏

‏Partial‏

‏11.84‏

‏47.63‏

‏128.97‏

‏50.82‏

‏22.87‏

‏28‏

‏Hamburg‏

‏Germany‏

‏Partial‏

‏11.64‏

‏72.90‏

‏50.16‏

‏12.92‏

‏5.91‏

‏29‏

‏Chicago‏

‏USA‏

‏Partial‏

‏11.46‏

‏42.54‏

‏119.61‏

‏52.77‏

‏24.54‏

‏30‏

‏Philadelphia‏

‏USA‏

‏Partial‏

‏11.30‏

‏42.54‏

‏68.37‏

‏30.16‏

‏14.22‏

‏31‏

‏Bucharest‏

‏Romania‏

‏Partial‏

‏11.18‏

‏75.41‏

‏17.23‏

‏4.29‏

‏2.04‏

‏32‏

‏Cologne‏

‏Germany‏

‏Partial‏

‏11.14‏

‏72.90‏

‏28.51‏

‏7.34‏

‏3.51‏

‏33‏

‏Geneva‏

‏Switzerland‏

‏Partial‏

‏11.12‏

‏61.20‏

‏5.90‏

‏1.81‏

‏0.87‏

‏34‏

‏Boston‏

‏USA‏

‏Legal‏

‏11.01‏

‏42.54‏

‏28.59‏

‏12.61‏

‏6.10‏

‏35‏

‏Adelaide‏

‏Australia‏

‏Partial‏

‏10.91‏

‏56.76‏

‏41.60‏

‏13.75‏

‏6.72‏

‏36‏

‏Istanbul‏

‏Turkey‏

‏Partial‏

‏10.87‏

‏82.13‏

‏21.79‏

‏4.98‏

‏2.44‏

‏37‏

‏Melbourne‏

‏Australia‏

‏Partial‏

‏10.84‏

‏56.76‏

‏132.75‏

‏43.90‏

‏21.58‏

‏38‏

‏Sydney‏

‏Australia‏

‏Partial‏

‏10.79‏

‏56.76‏

‏138.36‏

‏45.75‏

‏22.59‏

‏39‏

‏New York‏

‏USA‏

‏Partial‏

‏10.76‏

‏42.54‏

‏354.48‏

‏156.40‏

‏77.44‏

‏40‏

‏Düsseldorf‏

‏Germany‏

‏Partial‏

‏10.70‏

‏72.90‏

‏15.82‏

‏4.07‏

‏2.03‏

‏41‏

‏Brisbane‏

‏Australia‏

‏Partial‏

‏10.63‏

‏56.76‏

‏66.88‏

‏22.12‏

‏11.09‏

‏42‏

‏Hanover‏

‏Germany‏

‏Partial‏

‏10.51‏

‏72.90‏

‏13.46‏

‏3.47‏

‏1.76‏

‏43‏

‏Prague‏

‏Czech Rep.‏

‏Partial‏

‏10.47‏

‏77.42‏

‏63.95‏

‏15.50‏

‏7.89‏

‏44‏

‏Frankfurt‏

‏Germany‏

‏Partial‏

‏10.29‏

‏72.90‏

‏18.06‏

‏4.65‏

‏2.41‏

‏45‏

‏Wellington‏

‏New Zealand‏

‏Partial‏

‏10.11‏

‏77.34‏

‏19.53‏

‏4.74‏

‏2.50‏

‏46‏

‏Dallas‏

‏USA‏

‏Partial‏

‏10.03‏

‏42.54‏

‏51.01‏

‏22.50‏

‏11.95‏

‏47‏

‏Houston‏

‏USA‏

‏Partial‏

‏10.03‏

‏42.54‏

‏89.13‏

‏39.32‏

‏20.89‏

‏48‏

‏Vilnius‏

‏Lithuania‏

‏Illegal‏

‏10.00‏

‏75.76‏

‏5.20‏

‏1.29‏

‏0.69‏

‏49‏

‏Zurich‏

‏Switzerland‏

‏Partial‏

‏9.71‏

‏61.20‏

‏10.33‏

‏3.17‏

‏1.74‏

‏50‏

‏Montpellier‏

‏France‏

‏Illegal‏

‏9.70‏

‏80.30‏

‏12.21‏

‏2.85‏

‏1.57‏

‏51‏

‏Canberra‏

‏Australia‏

‏Partial‏

‏9.65‏

‏56.76‏

‏10.96‏

‏3.63‏

‏2.00‏

‏52‏

‏Zagreb‏

‏Croatia‏

‏Partial‏

‏9.43‏

‏75.26‏

‏24.35‏

‏6.07‏

‏3.43‏

‏53‏

‏Nice‏

‏France‏

‏Illegal‏

‏9.40‏

‏80.30‏

‏15.80‏

‏3.69‏

‏2.09‏

‏54‏

‏Phoenix‏

‏USA‏

‏Partial‏

‏9.35‏

‏42.54‏

‏58.26‏

‏25.71‏

‏14.65‏

‏55‏

‏Paris‏

‏France‏

‏Illegal‏

‏9.30‏

‏80.30‏

‏102.25‏

‏23.90‏

‏13.69‏

‏56‏

‏Miami‏

‏USA‏

‏Partial‏

‏9.27‏

‏42.54‏

‏16.24‏

‏7.16‏

‏4.12‏

‏57‏

‏San Francisco‏

‏USA‏

‏Legal‏

‏9.27‏

‏42.54‏

‏30.94‏

‏13.65‏

‏7.85‏

‏58‏

‏London‏

‏UK‏

‏Illegal‏

‏9.20‏

‏82.16‏

‏237.35‏

‏54.22‏

‏31.40‏

‏59‏

‏Colombo‏

‏Sri Lanka‏

‏Illegal‏

‏9.12‏

‏73.78‏

‏3.98‏

‏1.01‏

‏0.59‏

‏60‏

‏Riga‏

‏Latvia‏

‏Illegal‏

‏9.00‏

‏76.89‏

‏10.23‏

‏2.50‏

‏1.48‏

‏61‏

‏Bratislava‏

‏Slovakia‏

‏Illegal‏

‏8.92‏

‏81.54‏

‏7.24‏

‏1.67‏

‏1.00‏

‏62‏

‏Milan‏

‏Italy‏

‏Partial‏

‏8.85‏

‏75.68‏

‏46.06‏

‏11.42‏

‏6.88‏

‏63‏

‏Varna‏

‏Bulgaria‏

‏Illegal‏

‏8.83‏

‏82.65‏

‏4.84‏

‏1.10‏

‏0.66‏

‏64‏

‏Marseille‏

‏France‏

‏Illegal‏

‏8.69‏

‏80.30‏

‏36.23‏

‏8.47‏

‏5.19‏

‏65‏

‏Glasgow‏

‏UK‏

‏Illegal‏

‏8.65‏

‏82.16‏

‏15.21‏

‏3.47‏

‏2.14‏

‏66‏

‏Toulouse‏

‏France‏

‏Illegal‏

‏8.62‏

‏80.30‏

‏18.67‏

‏4.36‏

‏2.70‏

‏67‏

‏Birmingham‏

‏UK‏

‏Illegal‏

‏8.58‏

‏82.16‏

‏27.73‏

‏6.34‏

‏3.93‏

‏68‏

‏Kuala Lumpur‏

‏Malaysia‏

‏Illegal‏

‏8.54‏

‏55.36‏

‏6.61‏

‏2.24‏

‏1.40‏

‏69‏

‏Monterrey‏

‏Mexico‏

‏Partial‏

‏8.45‏

‏65.87‏

‏4.17‏

‏1.19‏

‏0.75‏

‏70‏

‏Edinburgh‏

‏UK‏

‏Illegal‏

‏8.41‏

‏82.16‏

‏12.22‏

‏2.79‏

‏1.77‏

‏71‏

‏Lisbon‏

‏Portugal‏

‏Partial‏

‏8.36‏

‏74.51‏

‏4.69‏

‏1.18‏

‏0.75‏

‏72‏

‏Strasbourg‏

‏France‏

‏Illegal‏

‏8.35‏

‏80.30‏

‏11.13‏

‏2.60‏

‏1.66‏

‏73‏

‏Warsaw‏

‏Poland‏

‏Partial‏

‏8.31‏

‏80.29‏

‏29.27‏

‏6.84‏

‏4.39‏

‏74‏

‏Lyon‏

‏France‏

‏Illegal‏

‏8.20‏

‏80.30‏

‏19.45‏

‏4.55‏

‏2.95‏

‏75‏

‏Los Angeles‏

‏USA‏

‏Legal‏

‏8.14‏

‏42.54‏

‏124.88‏

‏55.10‏

‏36.06‏

‏76‏

‏Liverpool‏

‏UK‏

‏Illegal‏

‏7.94‏

‏82.16‏

‏10.86‏

‏2.48‏

‏1.67‏

‏77‏

‏Amsterdam‏

‏Netherlands‏

‏Partial‏

‏7.89‏

‏73.40‏

‏20.94‏

‏5.35‏

‏3.61‏

‏78‏

‏Manchester‏

‏UK‏

‏Illegal‏

‏7.88‏

‏82.16‏

‏58.99‏

‏13.48‏

‏9.11‏

‏79‏

‏Rome‏

‏Italy‏

‏Partial‏

‏7.86‏

‏75.68‏

‏88.16‏

‏21.86‏

‏14.82‏

‏80‏

‏Toronto‏

‏Canada‏

‏Partial‏

‏7.82‏

‏69.80‏

‏124.15‏

‏33.38‏

‏22.75‏

‏81‏

‏Denver‏

‏USA‏

‏Legal‏

‏7.79‏

‏42.54‏

‏20.53‏

‏9.06‏

‏6.20‏

‏82‏

‏Naples‏

‏Italy‏

‏Partial‏

‏7.75‏

‏75.68‏

‏29.82‏

‏7.40‏

‏5.08‏

‏83‏

‏Leeds‏

‏UK‏

‏Illegal‏

‏7.67‏

‏82.16‏

‏16.93‏

‏3.87‏

‏2.69‏

‏84‏

‏Seattle‏

‏USA‏

‏Legal‏

‏7.58‏

‏42.54‏

‏20.59‏

‏9.08‏

‏6.39‏

‏85‏

‏Madrid‏

‏Spain‏

‏Partial‏

‏7.47‏

‏78.09‏

‏93.40‏

‏22.45‏

‏16.01‏

‏86‏

‏Calgary‏

‏Canada‏

‏Partial‏

‏7.30‏

‏69.80‏

‏52.23‏

‏14.05‏

‏10.25‏

‏87‏

‏Luxembourg City‏

‏Luxembourg‏

‏Partial‏

‏7.26‏

‏70.24‏

‏1.62‏

‏0.43‏

‏0.32‏

‏88‏

‏San Jose‏

‏Costa Rica‏

‏Partial‏

‏7.23‏

‏69.76‏

‏7.84‏

‏2.11‏

‏1.56‏

‏89‏

‏Buenos Aires‏

‏Argentina‏

‏Partial‏

‏7.13‏

‏69.84‏

‏25.32‏

‏6.81‏

‏5.09‏

‏90‏

‏Brussels‏

‏Belgium‏

‏Partial‏

‏7.09‏

‏75.92‏

‏15.50‏

‏3.83‏

‏2.88‏

‏91‏

‏Santo Domingo‏

‏Dominican Rep.‏

‏Illegal‏

‏6.93‏

‏58.87‏

‏0.67‏

‏0.21‏

‏0.16‏

‏92‏

‏Graz‏

‏Austria‏

‏Partial‏

‏6.84‏

‏74.00‏

‏4.81‏

‏1.22‏

‏0.95‏

‏93‏

‏Budapest‏

‏Hungary‏

‏Illegal‏

‏6.74‏

‏77.26‏

‏7.70‏

‏1.87‏

‏1.48‏

‏94‏

‏Sofia‏

‏Bulgaria‏

‏Illegal‏

‏6.66‏

‏82.65‏

‏12.83‏

‏2.91‏

‏2.33‏

‏95‏

‏Ottawa‏

‏Canada‏

‏Partial‏

‏6.62‏

‏69.80‏

‏35.43‏

‏9.53‏

‏7.67‏

‏96‏

‏Vancouver‏

‏Canada‏

‏Partial‏

‏6.40‏

‏69.80‏

‏23.44‏

‏6.30‏

‏5.25‏

‏97‏

‏Sao Paulo‏

‏Brazil‏

‏Partial‏

‏6.38‏

‏64.94‏

‏68.55‏

‏19.81‏

‏16.55‏

‏98‏

‏Rotterdam‏

‏Netherlands‏

‏Partial‏

‏6.33‏

‏73.40‏

‏12.75‏

‏3.26‏

‏2.74‏

‏99‏

‏Ljubljana‏

‏Slovenia‏

‏Partial‏

‏6.32‏

‏80.41‏

‏3.43‏

‏0.80‏

‏0.67‏

‏100‏

‏Barcelona‏

‏Spain‏

‏Partial‏

‏6.23‏

‏78.09‏

‏39.59‏

‏9.51‏

‏8.14‏

‏101‏

‏Montreal‏

‏Canada‏

‏Partial‏

‏6.15‏

‏69.80‏

‏60.52‏

‏16.27‏

‏14.10‏

‏102‏

‏Kiev‏

‏Ukraine‏

‏Partial‏

‏6.00‏

‏74.78‏

‏14.73‏

‏3.70‏

‏3.28‏

‏103‏

‏Abuja‏

‏Nigeria‏

‏Illegal‏

‏5.88‏

‏20.63‏

‏7.40‏

‏6.73‏

‏6.10‏

‏104‏

‏Lima‏

‏Peru‏

‏Partial‏

‏5.88‏

‏37.83‏

‏12.28‏

‏6.09‏

‏5.52‏

‏105‏

‏Mexico City‏

‏Mexico‏

‏Partial‏

‏5.87‏

‏65.87‏

‏22.58‏

‏6.43‏

‏5.84‏

‏106‏

‏Cape Town‏

‏South Africa‏

‏Illegal‏

‏5.82‏

‏48.80‏

‏2.47‏

‏0.95‏

‏0.87‏

‏107‏

‏Karachi‏

‏Pakistan‏

‏Illegal‏

‏5.32‏

‏60.70‏

‏135.48‏

‏41.89‏

‏41.95‏

‏108‏

‏Manila‏

‏Philippines‏

‏Illegal‏

‏5.24‏

‏74.27‏

‏2.32‏

‏0.59‏

‏0.60‏

‏109‏

‏Rio de Janeiro‏

‏Brazil‏

‏Partial‏

‏5.11‏

‏64.94‏

‏28.82‏

‏8.33‏

‏8.69‏

‏110‏

‏Mumbai‏

‏India‏

‏Partial‏

‏4.57‏

‏60.39‏

‏89.38‏

‏27.78‏

‏32.38‏

‏111‏

‏New Delhi‏

‏India‏

‏Partial‏

‏4.38‏

‏60.39‏

‏101.20‏

‏31.45‏

‏38.26‏

‏112‏

‏Antwerp‏

‏Belgium‏

‏Partial‏

‏4.29‏

‏75.92‏

‏4.10‏

‏1.01‏

‏1.26‏

‏113‏

‏Astana‏

‏Kazakhstan‏

‏Illegal‏

‏4.22‏

‏39.29‏

‏1.78‏

‏0.85‏

‏1.07‏

‏114‏

‏Montevideo‏

‏Uruguay‏

‏Legal‏

‏4.15‏

‏66.75‏

‏19.54‏

‏5.50‏

‏7.06‏

‏115‏

‏Johannesburg‏

‏South Africa‏

‏Illegal‏

‏4.01‏

‏48.80‏

‏3.76‏

‏1.45‏

‏1.92‏

‏116‏

‏Panama City‏

‏Panama‏

‏Illegal‏

‏3.85‏

‏56.52‏

‏0.81‏

‏0.27‏

‏0.37‏

‏117‏

‏Jakarta‏

‏Indonesia‏

‏Illegal‏

‏3.79‏

‏53.40‏

‏1.92‏

‏0.68‏

‏0.95‏

‏118‏

‏Asuncion‏

‏Paraguay‏

‏Partial‏

‏2.22‏

‏16.00‏

‏0.16‏

‏0.19‏

‏0.46‏

‏119‏

‏Bogota‏

‏Colombia‏

‏Partial‏

‏2.20‏

‏49.44‏

‏15.80‏

‏6.00‏

‏14.53‏

‏120‏

‏Quito‏

‏Ecuador‏

‏Partial‏

‏1.34‏

‏70.39‏

‏0.56‏

‏0.15‏

‏0.60‏

‏Methodology‏

‏Selection of the cities:‏

‏To select the cities for the study, Seedo first looked at the top and bottom cannabis consuming countries around the world. Then they analysed nations where marijuana is partially or completely legal, as well as illegal, and selected the final list of 120 cities in order to best offer a representative comparison of the global cannabis price. ‏

‏Data:‏

● ‏Price per gram, US$ ‏ ‏- Crowdsourced city-level surveys adjusted to World Drug Report 2017 of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.‏

● ‏Taxes on Cigarettes, % of the most sold brand‏ ‏ – Taxes as a percentage of the retail price of the most sold brand (total tax). ‏ ‏Source‏ ‏: Appendix 2 of the WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic, 2015.‏

● ‏Annual possible tax collection is calculated in the following way: ‏

● ‏Total_Possible_Tax=Population_City*Prevalence*Avg_Consumption_year_gr*price*tax_level, where:‏

● ‏Population: latest available local population data sources.‏

● ‏Annual Prevalence (percentage of population, having used weed in the year). Source: World Drug Report 2017 of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime‏

● ‏Average Consumption of weed per year in grams (people who consumed weed at least once in the previous year). ‏

● ‏Estimation, with the assumption, that one use of weed on average means one joint. ‏

● ‏One joint is assumed to have 0.66 grams of weed as in the paper of Mariani, Brooks, Haney and Levin (2010). ‏

● ‏The distribution of use during the year is assumed to be the same as in Zhao and Harris (2004), where the yearly usage varies from once or twice a year to everyday.‏

● ‏Total Consumption in Tons‏

● ‏Consumption=Population*Prevalence*Consumption_year_gr‏

● ‏Population: latest available local population data sources.‏

● ‏Annual Prevalence (percentage of population, having used weed in the year). ‏ ‏Source‏ ‏: World Drug Report 2017 of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime‏

● ‏Average Consumption of weed per year in grams (people who consumed weed at least once in the previous year).‏

● ‏Estimation, with the assumption, that one use of weed on average means one joint. ‏

● ‏One joint is assumed to have 0.66 grams of weed as in the paper of Mariani, Brooks, Haney and Levin (2010). ‏

● ‏The distribution of use during the year is assumed to be the same as in Zhao and Harris (2004), where the yearly usage varies from once or twice a year to everyday. ‏

● ‏US tax level ‏ ‏- Average tax level in the states of US where weed is legal: Alaska, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Nevada, Oregon and Washington. Includes retail sales taxes, state taxes, local taxes and excise taxes.‏

● ‏Legality‏

○ ‏Legal, if possession and selling for recreational and medical use is legal.‏

○ ‏Illegal, if possession and selling for recreational and medical use is illegal.‏

○ ‏Partial, if ‏

■ ‏Possession of small amounts is decriminalised (criminal penalties lessened, fines and regulated permits may still apply)‏

■ ‏OR medicinal use legal‏

■ ‏OR possession is legal, selling illegal‏

■ ‏OR scientific use legal‏

■ ‏OR usage allowed in restricted areas (e.g. homes or coffee shops)‏

■ ‏OR local laws may apply to legality (e.g. illegal at federal level, legal at state level)‏

‏First quote: Based on New York City Council’s free lunch initiative which began in September 2017, with 1.1 million public school children, at a cost of $1.75 per child per day.‏

Politics

Intelligence Operative- Iran Source Of Explosives Causing Beirut Nuke Like Destruction

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Beirut / Tehran – The 2,750 metric tons of ammonium nitrate which caused a massive explosion in the port of Beirut originated in Iran before being loaded onto the Russian ship MV Rhosus whose cargo ultimately ended up being unloaded in the port of Beirut.

This revelation comes from an intelligence operative within Tehran’s government who has been secretly working with pro-democracy activists. The information comes from the NGO ‘The New Iran’ which has a track record of successfully smuggling sensitive information out of Iran, including much of the video footage seem in the media of widespread protests within Iran following the Iranian military shooting down Ukraine National Airlines flight PS752. 

Intelligence Operative Connected to Pro-Democracy Movement

The intelligence operative communicated the details over a secure messaging technology The New Iran uses for coordinating with their democratic allies within the country.  

Lebanese government sources have disclosed that the ammonium nitrate was seized in 2013. This date is perhaps significant the source says because it follows shortly after the opening of an ammonium nitrate factory within Iran.  

“Our source is risking his life to bring us this information,” says Dr. Iman Foroutan, Chairman of The New Iran, “because he believes that recent developments within the government are going to make these kinds of disasters more common.”

At the end of June, the government of Iran approved an agreement for a “25-year comprehensive cooperation plan between Iran and China.”

The two countries are calling it a “strategic partnership.”

The agreement is designed to help Iran get around the punishing sanctions of the United States, which more and more is being looked at as a common enemy by both Tehran and Beijing. China will be investing $400 billion USD into Iran with an immediate payment of $320 billion USD – a substantial portion of which is going into strengthening ports and military capability.  

“The Iranian regime is the world’s leading sponsor of terrorism,” says Dr. Foroutan who along with other influential Iranians in exile are working to fully expose the danger of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s radicalism and eventually free the Iranian people. “Now with the cover of China, one of the world’s rising superpowers, Iran will be able to move more weapons and weapons components throughout the region and the world.” 

Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah has already twice threatened to blow up the port of Haifa in Israel. Hezbollah allegedly sought to acquire ammonium nitrate via Syria since 2009 and tried to infiltrate the agriculture ministry in Lebanon to do so, according to leaked diplomatic cables.  

In February 16, 2016 Nasrallah also said that ammonia is stored in Haifa and that there are 15,000 tons of gas Haifa and that explosions there might cause the deaths of tens of thousands of people. “the expert added that this is exactly like a nuclear bomb. In other words, Lebanon has a nuclear bomb. This is not an exaggeration.” Nasrallah laughs as he says this in the video. 

https://youtu.be/hp_Pdew_sG8

“With the agreement between China and Tehran allowing the regime to ship under the cover of China, potentially deadly materials like ammonia nitrate [may be] circumventing US sanctions,” says Iman Foroutan, “The next explosion may not be an accident.” For the Silo, Lance Laytner.

Politics

2019 Worldwide Threat Assessment Via US Intelligence: “World Vulnerable To Pandemic”

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Prepared by the United States Intelligence Community and Director of National Intelligence Daniel R. Coats and presented as a 2019 assessment of threats to US National Security. Presented to Chairman Burr, Vice Chairman Warner and Members of the Senate Committee. Click on 6048 link below to read the full PDF.

6048Download
Politics

Commonwealth Sec. General- Young People Need Our Support

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Our world seems to be changing faster than ever – technologically, environmentally, socially – and in so many other ways. It is hard for any of us to keep up with the astonishing pace and scale of developments, and their impact for better or for worse on our own lives and the ways in which they affect the future of our planet. 

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Yet too often it seems that those with the greatest stake in the future, are least empowered to shape it: young people. This is something the Commonwealth has for more than 50 years been working hard to change; and never more so than today.

Population growth means that there are now more young people in the Commonwealth than ever before, and this offers choices and challenges for all involved in planning and making policy, and for young people themselves. The combined population of the Commonwealth is now 2.4 billion, of which more than 60 per cent are aged 29 or under, and one in three between the ages of 15 and 29.

Through social media, young people are more connected, informed, engaged and globally-aware than ever before. Even so, their potential to drive progress and innovation is often overlooked or remains untapped, despite pioneering Commonwealth leadership over the decades on inclusiveness and intergenerational connection.

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Since the 1970s, Commonwealth cooperation has supported member states with provision of education and training for youth workers, who have a central role to play in encouraging, enabling, and empowering young people. Practitioners may be of any age, and operate in many settings: youth clubs, parks, schools, prisons, hospitals, on the streets and in rural areas.

Commonwealth approaches and engagement recognise the dynamic role youth workers can play in addressing young people’s welfare and rights, and in connecting and involving them in decision-making process at all levels. In some Commonwealth countries, youth work is a distinct profession, acknowledged in policy and legislation to deliver and certify quality of practice, including through education and training. In others it is institutionalised less formally through custom and practice. In some countries there is little or no youth work activity – formal or informal.

To advance the cause of young people, and their direct participation in nation-building and the issues affecting them, the Commonwealth Secretariat supports the governments of member countries with technical assistance relating to policy and legislation in professionalising youth work. A pioneering Commonwealth contribution is the Commonwealth Diploma in Youth Development, which has been delivered in almost 30 Commonwealth member states.

The new Commonwealth Degree and Diploma in Youth Work provides countries with a resource for developing human capital using a consortium business model that makes the training resources accessible at low cost for persons in low income contexts.

The Commonwealth also supports the global collectivisation of youth work professionals through the emerging Commonwealth Alliance of Youth Workers’ Associations (CAYWA), an international association of professional associations dedicated to advancing youth work across the Commonwealth. CAYWA facilitates the cross-pollination of ideas and collegial support among youth work practitioners, and is developing into a unified global influence providing support to governments and all stakeholders in youth work profession.

Expertise is offered by the Commonwealth Secretariat with the design of short courses and outcomes frameworks that support just-in-time and refresher training to augment diploma and degree qualifications. Guidance is also offered on establishing youth worker associations that can help towards building and sustaining professional standards, thereby safeguarding the quality of services offered to young people.

In 2019 a conference in Malta bringing together youth workers from throughout the Commonwealth continued to build recognition and professional standards of youth work in member countries. Among outcomes was the establishment of a week-long celebration of the extraordinary services of full-time practitioners and volunteers – recognized as youth workers – who support the personal development and empowerment of young people.

Youth Work Week, with the theme ‘Youth Work in Action’, was observed 4 -10 November 2019 in the 53 member states of the Commonwealth including Canada.

Looking forward to the 2020 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Rwanda next June, Youth Work Week will bring into sharper focus the challenges young people in our member countries face, and the opportunities they are offered – including through Commonwealth connection.

By recruiting and placing appropriately trained and properly supported youth workers, communities in Commonwealth countries can help young people channel their energies and talent in positive directions, especially during the transition from education into work.

Supported by positive role models and with mentors to whom they can relate, young people can be guided towards healthy and productive lives. When equipped to develop as well-rounded individuals and to contribute to the societies in which they live, young people can make immense contributions towards transforming our communities and our Commonwealth and – above all – to their own future.

For The Silo, by Patricia Scotland, Commonwealth Secretary-General

Politics

Ontario Modernizing Building Code Services

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Ontario is modernizing services related to the province’s building code to help speed up the construction of new housing and building projects. Better services, up-to-date tools and new resources will help people better understand and meet building code requirements, while maintaining the same high standards for public safety.

“This should be a good step forward towards alleviating housing shortages across our two counties,” said Toby Barrett, Haldimand-Norfolk MPP. “For many years the building sector and the public have been calling on government to do a better job of providing a range of services related to the Building Code,” said Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. “We are proposing some solutions and are launching a consultation to find out what people think.”

The government is proposing to create an administrative authority that could deliver new and enhanced services, such as:

* Developing digital tools to support municipal e-permitting and make the building code easier to use and understand;

* Providing supports to help municipal governments increase the number of building inspectors in Ontario;

* Introducing continuing professional development to make sure registered building code professionals remain up-to-date on building code requirements; and

* Providing supports to small, rural and northern municipalities to help them deliver local building services. Maintaining Ontario’s high standards for building safety is a priority, so our government is also proposing to strengthen enforcement tools to address non-compliance with the building code.

“A new administrative authority for building services in Ontario could address a range of municipal challenges. E-permitting, for example, would help streamline development. It could also help with capacity issues, training and retention of building officials, and improved enforcement of building codes,” said AMO President, Jamie McGarvey, Mayor, Town of Parry Sound. “AMO looks forward to working with the Province to ensure the initiative meets these goals. To create safe and thriving communities, we need to make sure we get this right.”

The public and building sector professionals are invited to share their thoughts on the proposed changes https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/019-0422 online. The consultation closes Nov. 25, 2019. A new innovation guide https://ontario.ca/page/add-second-unit-your-house was also released today to help people who want to add a second unit, like a basement apartment, to their home. Second units can help address the shortage of lower-cost rental housing.

They can also produce income to help with mortgage payments or provide independent living space for a senior parent or adult child. The guide is the first in a series being developed to encourage a wider range of options in housing. “This guide is a useful tool to home owners who are looking to create new rental units as well as the municipalities who approve the suites,” said Matt Farrell, President, Ontario Building Officials Association (OBOA). “It translates complex building code language into user-friendly information that will help all applicants as they move through the process of developing secondary suites. It needs to be at the front counter of every municipal office so building officials can advise residents accordingly.”

Quick Facts

* An administrative authority is a not-for-profit corporation that helps ensure Ontario’s consumer protection and public safety laws are applied and enforced.

* Ontario’s construction industry contributes an estimated $38 billion annually to the province’s economy.

* Over 131,000 building permits were issued in Ontario in 2018.

* Proposed changes to building code services respond to recommendations made by the Association of Municipalities of Ontario in their recent report, Fixing the Housing Affordability Crisis https://www.amo.on.ca/AMO-PDFs/Reports/2019/Fixing-Housing-Affordability-Crisis-2019-08-14-RPT.aspx.

Politics

Why A College Of Kinesiology For Ontario?

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FYI exercise is medicine image: www.hungry-runner.com

Toronto, Ontario  – The numbers are well-known – regular exercise can reduce the risk of heart disease by 40 per cent, lower the risk of stroke by 27 per cent, decrease the incidence of high blood pressure and diabetes by 50 per cent and lower the risk of colon cancer by 60 per cent.  Exercise has also been noted to reduce mortality and the risk of recurrent cancer by 50 per cent and to reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s by a third.

It is clear that the role of exercise and the profession of Kinesiology, as human movement professionals, will continue to grow.

“The creation of  the College of Kinesiology of Ontario set the stage for a significantly increased focus on the role of physical activity in both the prevention and a treatment of illness and chronic disease,” said Janice Ray, President of the Ontario Kinesiology Association.

But instead of being concerned with the single hour that clients and patients spend in the gym or rehab facility, many Kinesiologists are focusing on ways to help promote optimal health during the other 23 hours of the day as well.

Dr. Chris Ardern, a Kinesiology Professor at York University, and a Research Scientist at Southlake Regional Health Centre in Toronto, has spent his career focusing on obesity and physical activity and how they affect a number of other precursors to chronic disease.  Dr. Ardern has published or co-authored almost three dozen papers on obesity and physical activity.

Beyond the standard focus on leisure-time activity, says Dr. Ardern, more attention needs to be paid to curbing the sedentary time people spend at work or commuting. A focus on  daily routine from a more holistic point of view is required instead of just how much time is spent being “moderate-to-vigorously active” if we are to make a more significant impact on preventing obesity, chronic disease and other illnesses.

Like obesity, physical inactivity is now understood as a serious problem, says Dr. Ardern. He suggests that aggressive promotion of physical activity is vital to offseting the impact of obesity and chronic disease. For Kinesiologists who see the consequences of our current lifestyles every day, there is a sense of urgency to counter-act the relentless marketing surrounding foods high in fat and sugar, and the inactvie lifestyles that come from sitting in front of some kind of screen for hours on end.

“Every little bit helps,” says Ray, referring to every opportunity, nor matter how small, to get moving throughout the day.  “Modern lifestyles often don’t leave much time for dedicated physical activity, and too many if us aren’t even programmed to think about the little opportunities that can really make a difference.”

Here are some simple ideas to get you started:

·      Avoid elevators and escalators – take the stairs whenever possible (at least take them down if up is too much) ·      Park in the back corner of the shopping mall or workplace parking lot (spots are easier to find too) ·      Walk to the corner store (remember walking is a real mode of transportation) ·      You don’t have to be a smoker to get outside on your break, (go ahead, enjoy a breath of fresh air and move around) ·      Share a walk with your kids, spouse, significant other, sibblings, parents, friends etc. (it’s a great way to talk without having to look at each other, or just as good – not talk)

The important role of physical activity to reduce the risk of chronic disease are well documented.  Large and small efforts all combine to reduce the risks of many chronic diseases, and when combined with the benefits physical activity brings to the treatment and management of chronic disease and illness and the it becomes clear the Provincial Government should be including a greater focus on physical activity to improve outcomes for patients and improve the quality of life for the people of Ontario.

About Kinesiology
As authorities on movement and exercise, Kinesiologists are committed to enhancing quality of life through the promotion of physical activity and workplace safety, the prevention and management of injury and chronic disease, and the improvement of health and performance.

About the Ontario Kinesiology Association (OKA)
The Ontario Kinesiology Association (OKA) is the voice for Kinesiologists in Ontario. Actively working on behalf of its members, the OKA is dedicated to promoting Kinesiology as an integral part of Ontario’s healthcare team and raising the profile of the profession across the province. For the Silo, John Armstrong

Politics

Intelligence Squared U.S. Begins Season Debating Saudi Arabia, Iran & Turkey – In NYC & Online September 12

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Saudi Arabia and Iran are vying for regional dominance, as the latter pursues nuclear weapons. Turkey is cozying up to Russia and China. Instability, conflict, and proxy wars have engulfed Syria, Yemen, and beyond. How should the United States respond to changing power, proxy wars, terrorism, and human rights issues in the Middle East? On Thursday, September 12, America’s debate series Intelligence Squared U.S. launches their fall season with a debate not one, but three motions, all investigating 
“Shifting Power in the Middle East”:

Motion 1: Is Trump right on Saudi Arabia?
Motion 2: Is the world safer without the Iran Nuclear Deal?
Motion 3: Is Turkey an asset to NATO?

In this latest installment in Intelligence Squared U.S.’s new “Unresolved”
series, debaters must declare their “yes” or “no” stance on each separate motion, allowing for both sharp disagreements and unexpected
alliances. The debaters will be:
* Michael Doran, senior director on the National Security Council under
President Bush* Reuel Marc Gerecht, former CIA case officer* Bernard
Haykel, professor of Near Eastern Studies at Princeton* Brett McGurk, the State Department’s former Special Presidential Envoy for the Global
Coalition to Defeat ISIS* Barbara Slavin, the director of the Future of Iran Initiative

The debate will be held at NYC’s Symphony Space and stream live online, then air soon after as part of the syndicated public radio show and podcast “Intelligence Squared U.S.” On September 12, online viewers can tune in at IQ2US’s website: https://www.intelligencesquaredus.org/debates/unresolved-shifting-power-middle-east

 WHAT: Intelligence Squared U.S. Debates “Unresolved: Shifting Power in the Middle East”
WHEN: Thursday, September 12 / 7:00-8:45 PM EDT
WHERE: Peter Norton Symphony Space, 2537 Broadway, New York, NY
TICKETS: $40 ($12 for students w/ ID). To purchase, visit http://www.intelligencesquaredus.org/  

Debaters Bios: * Michael Doran, Senior Fellow, Hudson Institute
Michael Doran is a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute in Washington, D.C., where he specializes in Middle East security issues. Doran served as a senior director on the National Security Council under President Bush and was responsible for helping to devise and coordinate U.S. strategy on a variety of Middle East issues, including Arab-Israeli relations and U.S.
efforts to contain Iran and Syria. He also served in the Bush
administration as a senior adviser in the State Department and a deputy assistant secretary of defense in the Pentagon. 

* Reuel Marc Gerecht, Senior Fellow, The Foundation for Defense of
Democracies & Fmr. CIA Case OfficerReuel Marc Gerecht is a former
case officer for the CIA, where he served as a Middle Eastern targets
officer with the CIA’s directorate of operations. He is a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, a non-partisan organization
centering on national security, where he focuses on Iran, sanctions,
terrorism, and the Middle East. He is the author of “Know Thine Enemy: A Spy’s Journey into Revolutionary Iran” and “The Islamic Paradox: Shiite Clerics, Sunni Fundamentalists, and the Coming of Arab Democracy,”
among others.  

* Bernard Haykel, Professor of Near Eastern Studies, Princeton University Bernard Haykel is a professor of Near Eastern Studies and the
director of the Institute for Transregional Study of the Contemporary
Middle East, North Africa and Central Asia at Princeton University. After working as a post-doctoral research fellow at Oxford University in
Islamic Studies, he joined New York University in 1998 as associate
professor before taking up his post at Princeton. He became a
Guggenheim fellow in 2010 and is co-editor of the book, “Saudi Arabia in Transition; Insights on Social, Political, Economic and Religious Change.” 

* Brett McGurk, Fmr. Special Presidential Envoy for the Global Coalition to Defeat ISISBrett McGurk served as Special Presidential Envoy for
the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS at the U.S. Department of State, where he helped build and then lead the coalition of 75 countries and four
international organizations in the global campaign against ISIS. He served in senior positions in the Bush and Obama administrations and has led some of the most sensitive diplomatic missions in the Middle East over
the last decade. McGurk is currently the Frank E. and Arthur W. Payne
distinguished lecturer at the Freeman Spogli Institute and Center for
Security and Cooperation at Stanford University. 

* Barbara Slavin, Director, The Future of Iran Initiative, The Atlantic CouncilBarbara Slavin is the director of the Future of Iran Initiative and a nonresident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council. The author of
“Bitter Friends, Bosom Enemies: Iran, the US and the Twisted Path to
Confrontation,” she is a regular commentator on U.S. foreign policy and
Iran on NPR, PBS, and C-SPAN. Previously, Slavin served as a public policy scholar at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. Slavin
is a career journalist, and currently writes as columnist for
Al-Monitor.com, a website devoted to news from and about the Middle
East.   

ABOUT INTELLIGENCE SQUARED U.S. DEBATES (IQ2US)
A non-partisan, non-profit organization, Intelligence Squared U.S. was
founded in 2006 to address a fundamental problem in America: the
extreme polarization of our nation and our politics. Their mission is to
restore critical thinking, facts, reason, and civility to American public
discourse. The award-winning debate series reaches over 30 million
American households through multi-platform distribution, including
radio, television, live streaming, podcasts, interactive digital content, and on-demand apps on Roku and Apple TV. With over 160 debates and
counting, Intelligence Squared U.S. has encouraged the public to “think
twice” on a wide range of provocative topics. Author and ABC News
correspondent John Donvan has moderated IQ2US since 2008.
Politics

Return Of The Political Ditty We’re So Unhappy With Our USA Leaders

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With all the constant problems in our political system, Karen Sokolof Javitch has released the song ‘We’re So Unhappy with Our Leaders.’

The song talks about the constant arguments between Democrats and Republicans and pleas them to work together to fix the United States of America.

Karen has also released the song ‘Why Don’t You Run For President’ which introduces listeners to the many candidates running for the democratic nomination.

Karen’s diverse creations include songs about exercising, celebrities, holidays, political figures, babies, children, math, patriotism, love and family.

You can find her music at her website https://jmrproductions.com/ or find Karen Javitch on Youtube.

Here to talk about her music is Karen Sokolof Javitch.

  • What inspired the creation of your song We’re So Unhappy with Our Leaders? I get very tired of listening to the news and all of the fighting that takes place between the republicans and the democrats.  the democrats are moving further to the left and that is very frightening.  President Trump gets blasted for doing some of the same things that President Obama did.
  • What ways do you think our government needs to change? Congress needs to call out all of the people in congress who are anti-semitic.  They don’t seem to care about that.  Ilman Omar is on the foreign relations committee as a freshman and she seems to hate Israel and Jews and everyone on the democratic side keeps their mouths shut about that.
  • Which candidates do you think have the best chance against Donald Trump? At this point, I don’t think anyone has a good chance.  they are too far to the left.
  • Moving away from Politics, what are some other songs that you have been working on? Exercise songs – for all ages – old and young.  I just put up a video for my song – Movin’ to the Beat! where I selected old dance scenes from old movies and it turned out terrific!
  • What are some of your most popular songs? I have a musical about Princess Diana and I have sold a lot of these albums.  On youtube, one of my ‘octomom’ songs went viral and some others have thousands of hits. Again, my Princess Diana youtube videos and my exercise videos have done really well.  So have my children’s songs!

About Karen Sokolf Javitch:

Besides Karen’s 15 albums, she has co-written 4 musicals and was the creator and co-host of a popular Omaha radio show, “It’s the Beat.” Her musicals include “Princess Diana the Musical,” “From Generation to Generation,” and “Love at the Café.” These shows have been performed in many cities in the United States. In addition, Ms. Javitch has raised over $350,000USD for national and local USA charities with her original music.

Politics

Ontario’s Five Year Path To Balance The Books

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With Budget 2019, Ontario is committed to balancing the books in a responsible manner – restoring accountability, sustainability and trust. The previous government left behind a $15 billion structural deficit.

The government’s plan will prioritize investments that generate the greatest returns for people in Ontario and protect what matters most. Programs will be continually reviewed to ensure they are efficient, effective and modern, while relying on best practices from around the world.

Over the course of this five-year path to balance, total revenue is projected to grow at an average annual rate of three per cent. Comparatively, program expense over the same period is budgeted to grow at an average annual rate of one per cent.

In order to achieve a balanced budget while protecting what matters most, it is important to transform programs, not only to find efficiencies and savings, but also to make services more modern and accessible.

Several programs have been streamlined to centralize administrative functions.

Ontario is combining six existing provincial health agencies and the Local Health Integration Networks into one new agency – Ontario Health. The goal is to streamline oversight, reduce bureaucracy and reduce the silos – leading to annualized savings of more than $350 million.

An integrated supply chain is being created to consolidate procurement practices across sectors, resulting in reduced government expenditures and reduced red tape for vendors. This initiative is expected to result in annualized savings of $1 billion.

Ontario’s social assistance system will be reformed, simplifying the rate structure, reducing administration, cutting unnecessary rules, and providing greater opportunities to achieve better employment outcomes, resulting in estimated annual savings of over $1 billion at maturity.

Drug benefits under OHIP+ will be focused on those who need them the most – children and young people under the age of 25 who are not covered by private insurance plans – generating annualized savings of $250 million.

The government is restoring the Ontario Student Assistance Program to a needs-based program. OSAP will be reformed so future generations of Ontario students can access financial support for postsecondary education while providing a 10 per cent reduction in tuition for domestic students.

There are important strides toward building a modern and more efficient workforce while ensuring front-line services and workers are protected. As an example, the size of the Ontario Public Service has already been reduced by 3.5 per cent through attrition alone. Additional measures, such as voluntary exit initiatives, will bring further reductions and efficiencies.

All ministries have identified four per cent in administrative efficiencies resulting in cumulative savings of $1.7 billion by 2023-24.

By containing costs and prioritizing spending, the Ontario government is providing a projected $26 billion in much needed relief to Ontario individuals, families and businesses over six years, while continuing to eliminate the deficit. For example, the government is proposing a new refundable tax credit for child care costs.

Restraining spending and finding savings has to be responsible and pragmatic.

While balancing the budget requires difficult decisions and trade-offs, it is also an opportunity to rethink how government works and how the entire broader public sector delivers programs and services. This is why the government will continue to review programs on an ongoing basis.

We all need to feel confident that our government is a careful steward of our tax dollars.

Image result for ontario budget 2019

Toby Barrett is MPP for Haldimand-Norfolk

Politics

North Korea’s Nuclear Program- In A Defector’s Own Words ©

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According to experts, the weaponization of North Korea’s nuclear weapons program began in the early-1960s or early-1970s. 1 And yet, it was not until October 2002, during high-level meetings in Pyongyang with Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs James A. Kelly, that North Korean officials admitted they were pursuing a nuclear weapon. 2 Four years later, on October 9, 2006, North Korea became the eighth nation — or perhaps ninth 3 — to conducted a nuclear test.


To date, North Korea has conducted three underground nuclear tests. The nuclear fuel used — plutonium and perhaps highly enriched uranium (HEU) — was produced at the Yongbyon Nuclear Research Center about 55 miles north of Pyongyang, North Korea’s capital. In 2000, a female nuclear researcher who had worked at the Bungang branch of the Yongbyon Nuclear Research Center defected. And in June 2002, she was interviewed by RENK (“Rescue! The North Korean People”), a Tokyo-based Japanese civic organization supporting North Korean defectors. Using the alias Lee Mi (“beautiful plum”), Ms. Dong Chun-ok’s answers to thirteen questions were then published on RENK’s website in Japanese. 4


Although excerpts from Dong Chun-ok’s interview appeared in the South Korean press 5 and large portions were later translated into English and published in Korean Web Weekly, 6 the website of North Korean-born nuclear physicist Young Sik Kim, an English translation of Ms. Dong’s entire interview has never before appeared in print or on any website. Although some of the “facts” in the interview “are not accurate,” Dr. Kim said, “the general picture described is correct as far as I know.” 7
Born in Hamhung, North Korea in 1935, Dr. Young Sik Kim emigrated to the United States in 1955 after serving with U.N. Forces during the Korean War. He earned his B.S. in Physics at Brigham Young University and his Ph.D. in High Energy Nuclear Physics from Purdue University in 1962. Dr. Kim was an Associate Professor of Physics at Ohio State University until 1980, after which he spent considerable time as a Visiting Scientist at the Argonne National Laboratory outside of Chicago. He also conducted additional research at the Brookhaven National Laboratory (Long Island, NY), CERN (Switzerland) and at Rutherford Laboratory (England).


Dong Chun-ok’s Interview
Question #1:
State your personal identities, education, career and experiences, the names of North Koreans who are in the field of nuclear project. Under whom have you studied and who were the ones you have spent your working life together?
Answer #1:
Name: Dong Chun-ok Sex: Female DOB: August 2, 1955
Birth place: Pungseo County, Yangkang Province
Family status: Father; Dong Mun-wha died November 27, 1957.
Mother: Lee Ok-tan, worked at #66 Project Office of Atomic Science Committee, Bungang District. Retired in 1995.
Elder sister: Dong Sang-ok worked at Atomic Science Committee
Dong Sang-ok’s husband (brother-in-law): Kim Sang-beom Chief of #1 Special Team, #66 Project Office of Atomic Science Committee.
Younger sister: Dong Bun-ok Myeong-cheon County, North Hamkyung Province
Dong Bun-ok’s husband: Tae Cheol-su, Party clerk at Chilbosan Foreigners Tourist Hotel, Myung-chun County, North Hamkyung Province.
Education:
Attended Bungang People’s School (+elementary); March 1, 1962 – 1965
Bungang High School; March 1, 1965 – 1969
Pyongbuk Physics University: 1969 – 1974 Graduated
Experiences:
After my father died on January 27, 1957 in Oro-county, South Hamkyung Province (now, Yeonggwang county), my mother was secretly summoned by the Central Party in the summer of 1960 and moved into a special base of Bungang Atomic Energy and Science Committee, Yongbyon County, North Pyeongan Province. Since my graduation from the university in the summer of 1974, at #25 – Branch Office, and #304-Research Center of Atomic and Science Committee.
June 15, 1977: Married to an officer at Air Command Center and moved to Pyongyang.
April 25, 1978: My first boy was born.
Until 1980, lived as a military family at Air Command Center
Starting from the summer of 1980, worked as a planning leader of Management Department, Metropolitan Pyongyang.
Starting from 1982, worked as a booking clerk of Pyongyang City Railroad Department.
Starting from 1983, became a leader for the safety of residence registration for the Railroad Region, as recommended by the Management Department of the Railroad.
October 1990, moved to Yangkang Province as husband was discharged from the service.
June 1991, divorced husband. Lived in my mother’s house in Bungang Region, Yongbyon County, North Pyongan Province, but moved to Hyesan City, Yangkang Province due to children’s problem.
Starting from October 1995, assumed the position as Leader of Trade, Yangkang Province of People’s Military/Political Division
February 21, 1999, received order to suspend work.
September 2000; escaped to China.
Before the inspection, the chairman of the Atomic and Science Committee was Pak Gwan-oh (currently President of Kim il-sung Integrated University). After the investigation it received direct control of Kim Jong-il but after Kim Il-sung’s death in 1994, the supply and control have weakened. Currently it is being reinforced and strengthened.
Secrecy is guaranteed in the field of nuclear and the researchers were paid extra 20 to 30% for the living expense as the price for the secrecy guarantee cost.
All the research institutes are being called by secret numbers; 101-laboratory, 304, 206-laboratories, 175-business office, 66-business center, August-enterprise, February-enterprise, or using a disguised name such as, for the meaning of often utilized, “Utilization Research Laboratory” generally used in a variety of applications. Each research laboratory cannot contact others and they are under strict control and regulations.
The 304-research center where I used to work;
Chief: Do Won-son PhD, (Kidnapped from South Korea in 1950)
Head of laboratory: Kim Dol-su, PhD, (Studied at Dubna in Russia)
Party Secretary: Pak Min-jon, PhD, (Studied abroad for 15 years)
Hwang Jun-man, PhD, (Studied in Russia)
Kim Jun-bok, PhD, (Studied at Dubna)
Kim Dong-su, PhD, (Studied at Dubna)
Kim Kyong-sun, Third class researcher (Studied at Dubna)
Hyon Chul, (Studied repeatedly at Dubna)
Kim Dong-hwi (Studied in Czechoslovakia)
Kim Ok-nyo (Studied in Russia)
Responsible person of the Regional Party of Bungang Region:
Kim Yong-sik who used to work as a 304-researcher.
Pyongbuk Physics University
President: Kim Myong-hwan Teacher in charge: Kang Sin-jo
(The materials I’ve confirmed up to the year 1998)
Question #2:
Please state the functions, organizations and important personnel names of 101, 206, 304 Research Center and other facilities in Yongbyon.
Answer #2:
All the important facilities, buildings for the research laboratories, related features, and nuclear reactor were built under the supervision of Russia and by Russian materials and equipment while they were there.
After Kim Il-sung had grabbed the regime, for the purpose of developing nuclear arms, he had ordered the double-agent and republic’s spy hero Lee Hak-mun to abduct Dr. Lee Seung-ki, Dr. Do Won-sun, Do Sang-rok researcher, etc. from South Korea, and he did. After that, the Atomic and Science Committee, which was located in Hamhung, was expanded to Bungang Region in Yongbyon County, North Pyongan Province starting in late 1950. The one at Hamhung was established mainly by Dr. Lee Seung-ki as a branch institute while making Bungang Region as the home research center, for which Do Won-sun [may be read as Do Won-sop] and Kim Do-sul played as the main organizer.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiJNO3jQuZ8
Question #3:
Please state the functions, organization and facilities and the products of 175-factory, August-business and other enterprises in Yongbyon.
Answer #3:
304-research: The center is important laboratory among the laboratories in Bungang region, and it is the main research center for nuclear weapons development as well as for chemical arms development. Over 70 percent of the researchers of the group have studied overseas and restudied for the research. The emphasis is placed on the nuclear weapons development but they also participated in the chemical weapons development. Total number is about 150 persons. Every room of the researchers is guaranteed with laboratory, shower and modern facilities. Assistant is assigned to every doctorial researcher and research worker. About 70 to 80 percent of the researchers at 206-research center are professionals in the physics field. And it is the important research center for the nuclear weapons development in the Bungang region.
Yiyong research center: Although the name implies “economical utilization” it produces a variety of facilities including general weapons by locating a branch laboratory in Pakch’on. The number of personnel is about 150.
175-factory: The factory produces appliances for laboratory experiments needed at Bungang Research Center.
August-enterprise: It was newly built research center after the surveillance by United States (of 1990s’ nuclear inspection). It has installed railroad from Bungang Region which is hidden in a
forest outside the perimeter. It supplies the laboratory testing requisites after directly processing uranium supplied from Pakch’on branch laboratory.
101-research center: For the purpose as research center, it’s the same as 304 or 206. The number of personnel is about 100.
66-business office: Responsible for the construction of living quarters, and maintenance of the facilities and supply of materials in the premises. It employs about 20,000 personnel.
February-enterprise: The enterprise was newly made after the 1990’s surveillance, which holds nuclear reactor, so I heard from a research colleague with whom I’ve worked.
Export/Import Material Company: This organization supplements materials for the research center by importing them from foreign countries.
Question #4:
Please state the functions, organization, facilities and the storing capacity of underground nuclear facilities in Yaksan Dongdae and Mt. Sotaek. And, describe in details when the underground facilities were dug, constructed, and the conditions of the entrance, etc. as much accurately as you remember. It would be much helpful if you could draw sketches showing exterior of the entrance, shape and location. When and why did you visit the underground facilities?
Answer #4:
I was mobilized to a simulation exercise conducted in the summer of 1976 and I went inside of the place. The underground facilities at Yaksan Dongdae were built by 66-business center. There were many human casualties by accidents during the construction stage so that the Chairman’s fund was poured into all the material needs including cement. It was constructed after 1965 and the work was completed before 1970. I still remember that the facilities were unusually large and inside of all the caves were branched out in various shapes. The entrance to the cave was very large. The surface of the cave entrance was paved by finely finished cement and the inside was lighted.
[The use of the underground facilities]
The cave was built to accommodate all the materials and laboratory testing equipment and important systems when an emergency or surveillance is being proposed. Anticipating inspection by International Atomic Organization, all the equipment in the research centers had been relocated when the inspection was actually conducted. The news of possible inspection had been informed to all the researchers in advance and when the inspection was made, it was ready to be inspected.
[Sotaek-san]
Mt. Sotaek is located in a residential area. It is located behind a hospital and has two entrances. It’s an emergency shelter for the nuclear researchers and it was lighted. The inside is branched out to several offshoots caves. I entered there during a simulated exercise in 1976. The cave is under control after that, and couldn’t enter.
Question #5:
Please describe in details the names, location, organization and its facilities of the science university you’ve once stated.
Answer #5:
Its name is Pyongbuk Physics University. The president is Dr. Kim Myong-hwan. It is located, passing through a manned gate, at next to a hospital in residential area, and there are two high rise apartments. The university is for the education of researchers in the field of nuclear engineering who are mainly of children of nuclear professionals at Bungang. Especially brilliant persons from all over the country, if they fully understand the basics of politics, the university is accepting some in recent years. Now it’s directly controlled by the Central Party. The number of students is 300 and it’s gradually increasing. The number of teaching staff is about 50 and they are chosen from the researchers at the basic research center.
Question #6:
Are you aware of the progress of relocation of the researchers and the nuclear facilities from Yongbyon to other location? If there was relocation, please explain how researchers were reassigned and to which facilities, when, and why it’s relocated, and the name of the new location. Tell us, if the nuclear reactor was relocated from the center of Yongbyon before the International Atomic Organization conducted its inspection, why it was relocated. Where is the nuclear reactor now? Do you know if it was ready to show a part of North Korean nuclear program for inspection by the International Atomic Organization? If it was ready for the inspection, for what purpose and what kind of preparations were ready?
Answer #6:
When it foresaw the inspection while the world kicked up a fuss about North Korea’s having nuclear arm in 1990, some of the peoples in Bungang area were asked to wear military uniform, putting shoulder straps on the labor class, officer’s uniform on the executives and researchers, and together with their families they were secretly moved. New base was relocated to Pyongsan County, South Hwanghae Province (error for North Hwanghae Province), and at that time, even internally in the business region, it was kept as top secret. My elder sister’s husband was responsible person and directed the relocation and went there several times. All the materials to be sheltered were evacuated into cave when it received the inspection. Currently the nuclear reactor is located at February Enterprise of 304 Research Center.
Question #7:
How much does the personnel and scientists know about the leakage of nuclear radiation?
Answer #7:
Until presently, physical damages have shown on some of the researchers and persons who are related and unnatural babies were born. It is generally recognized as it was not a big accident.
Question #8:
If you know about compositions of the nuclear arms program of North Korea, please explain their details and from where you’ve heard. How much do you know in addition to the past efforts on the production of plutonium at Yongbyon, about the efforts put on for other fissional material? If you know please describe in detail about its essential activities, the time, and the locations. Are there any retreatment facilities for nuclear fuel besides the radiation chemical
experimental laboratory? Have the North Korean scientists ever showed interest in uranium enrichment? If so, please state it in detail.
Answer #8:
The research center at Bungang region is the research organization specialized in modernized military arms and the (illegible) produced by each laboratory at Bungang is not produced within the Bungang region. The researchers bring their own research products to the experimental factory or arsenal for its tests, and generally all of the research products are sent to section chiefs or managers who are doctoral researchers, and finally it was handled by the deliberative committee, after passing through strict seminars.
It will be actually tested only after having recognized at this committee. There is chemical factory within the arsenal for the production of important arms. Pakch’on laboratory handles all the materials of nuclear division, besides Yongbyon. It is thought that the base for the production of nuclear division and arms is hidden at Pyongsan in North Hwanghae Province which was classified before the inspection.
Question #9:
Do you know anything about travels to foreign countries or training by nuclear scientists or engineers? If you are aware of it, please describe purposes of study and travels. Do you know anything about travels or reallocation of foreign scientists or professionals in North Korea? If you know, what were the purposes of travels and relocation and the timing and what were the specialties of the foreign scientists or specialists?
Answer #9:
Bungang Nuclear Science Committee was established in late 1950s by the scientists and advisors of Russians who came to Bungang in concentration. They, with their families, built villas along the bank of Kuryong River and shuttled to and from the research center. Training studies by researchers were made mainly in Russia and China, and they were physics and chemical specialty fields of students at a various nations’ universities. And many of them went back to restudy at Dubna Science Center in Russia, when research center is built again. The scientists are prohibited to make private exist and entry within the country or from and to overseas countries and they are forbidden to meet outsiders.
Depending on the themes of the studies, and when it is decided that it’s impossible to solve the posed questions within the country, then a requisition may be filed for overseas study and gets its approval.
When many anti-national activities are exposed and when they were sent to political prisoners’ camp, after that, at some time, the overseas study had been regulated.
After the war of 1950, for the purpose of development of nuclear weapon by Kim Il-sung, Lee Hak-mun (hero of the republic’s double reconnaissance) had kidnapped from South Korea Dr. Lee Seung-gi, Do Sang-rok, Dr. Do Won-sun and so on. After the war ended in 1953, they first started to build research center in Hamhung City, and later it was developed to “Atomic Science Committee” officially, and then established “Nuclear Science Committee” in the geographically fitting basin of Bungang.
A total number of Russian advisors and foreigners are about 200. I do not know the exact figure. Before 1970, all secrete and Russian advisors’ materials were pulled out of strongbox and photo
copied, and then all the foreigners were withdrawn from the country. After having established Security Squadron and military guard posts of People’s Military Division, the country sustained itself since.
In my childhood years, my mother took me to foreigner’s resort villa, and I received some gifts and played with the children’s of foreign advisors in the perimeters. A person named Alexander of the research center especially loved me. After that, I stayed at mother’s home for 40 days in August 1998, and I saw Russians coming in and out of the restricted area.
Question #10:
Please state, if you know anything about the origin, administration, and fuel supply of the nuclear reactor for research use that was provided by Russia.
Answer #10:
The nuclear reactor located in Bungang was installed at the same time with the construction of Bungang Research Center. After that, Pakch’on branch laboratory and February Enterprise’s were built after the inspection. Fuel supply is also coming from Pakch’on branch laboratory. As I understand, all the supplies are conducted by Russia, and some are coming from China in recent several years. Each Section and by each Research center, they are classified as confidential.
Question #11:
Please state names, organizations, locations and the functions of nuclear related facilities other than Yongbyon area.
Answer #11:
Establishing Bungang nuclear base as the basis, the largest branch laboratories are Hamhung branch and Pakch’on branch. Dr. Lee Seung-ki was the principal at Hamhung branch. It trains newly growing modern researchers and basically specialize the development of chemical weapon and organisms. It has testing laboratories and so on which are needed for the incubation of bacteria, etc. At the first stage, they use rabbits or mouse and squirrels for animal tests, but for the first hand experiments, they employ prisoners or felons by using injections.
Pakch’on branch: Directly handles basic uranium
Hyewon branch: Studies basically about China and its purpose is for the researches of China’s radiation and air contamination.
Question #12:
Please describe about falsehood efforts and plots related with the North Korea’s nuclear program.
Answer #12:
After the inspection, they covered the chain of Yaksan Mountains with trees, and newly built February Enterprise and August Enterprise. In order to prevent taking high altitude photos from sky, they created many wooden houses in steps, and opened in the woods outside the perimeters. At Pakch’on branch too, they installed many woods, locating them by the foot of crag sides so
that they cannot be distinguished. By a glance it looks nothing is there, but it’s there behind the hill.
Question #13:
You said the children of Prof. Kim at work place of 304 Research Center did work for their father and they have received education at outside the country, please tell us where and the names they used to get the study. You’ve also mentioned that their children are participating with the Daepodong program, please state about the Daepodong program, the purpose of Daepodong, and the kind of relationships with the Room 304.
Answer #13:
The name of Prof. Kim’s son is Dr. Kim So-in and is about 30 years old. Prof. Kim and his wife are both nuclear specialist and his brother works as direct assistant to Dr. Kim So-in. Dr. Kim So-in was born while studying in Russia, in Dubna, and returned to Bungang when he was 3 years old (currently his birth place is listed at Chunggu region, Pyongyang City), and entered Bungang Senior Middle School when he was 7 years old but he was so genius that the teachers couldn’t teach him. As reported to Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il, he was recruited to Special and Science Colleges of Kim Il-sung Synthesis University and received private tutoring.
He met his parents when he was 13 years old and secretly sent to study at a foreign country (it was kept secret which country).
He received a semi-doctorial degree at the age of 19, and received doctor’s degree when he was 21 years old. Dr. Kim So-in was a doctor who deliberately raised by Kim Il-sung and is the successor of Dr. Lee Seung-gi of Hamhung branch.
Kim Jong-il is secretly nourishing some 20 young doctors in his hands to raise them as military specialists in the modern warfare providing with them the highest quality treatments. In the group, it includes the son-in-law of Dr. Lee Seung-ki and his grandson and the core among the researchers for the modernization of military is Dr. Kim So-in. His private and working life is kept as a top secrete and completely shut out from the outside world, and he receives orders directly from Kim Jong-il.
The word of Kim Jong-il goes: “I’ll unify the fatherland by these 20 young scientists of new generation.”
His father is at 304 research center. There is no relation with his father except he is son of nuclear specialist.
The alias of Nuclear Science Committee (Atomic Committee) is “Chosun Pyongyang #204,” and 304 Research Center is #19, 66 Enterprise is #17, and it starts with #26 for the numbers of telephone and vehicles. The Commander of Security Squadron for Social Safety Division of Bungang Nuclear Science Base is Ra Chang-sik The Nuclear Science Committee is recently being reinforced.
END OF INTERVIEW

For the Silo, by Bill Streifer and Sang S. Nam.

© [email protected]
Bill Streifer is a researcher and historian on the history of nuclear weapons and U.S. intelligence. His articles include the cover story in the OSS Society Journal, various articles for the American Intelligence Journal, DCBureau.org and others. “The Flight of the Hog Wild,” a book about the long history of nuclear activities in North Korea, co-authored with Irek Sabitov, a Russian journalist and newspaper editor, is in the works. Their website is here: http://TheFlightoftheHogWild.com

Sang S. Nam, a resident of Seoul, is a Korean-Japanese-English translator. He translated Ms. Dong Chun-ok’s interview from Japanese into English. He also drew the sketch of the Yongbyon Nuclear Research Center from public sources and from information derived from Ms. Dong’s interview and sketch such as the location of Yongbyon’s secret cave.


1 Dr. Kang Ho-je, a South Korean authority on North Korean science and technology.
2 An admission they later denied.
3 See Weiss, Leonard. “The 1979 South Atlantic Flash: The Case for an Israeli Nuclear Test,” Stanford University, July 30, 2011.
4 http://www.bekkoame.ne.jp/ro/renk (now defunct)
5 Yonhap news agency, Seoul (in English), Oct 17, 2002.
6 http://www.kimsoft.com/2002/nk-nuke4.htm (now defunct)
7 In a message from Kim Young-sik to Joseph S. Bermudez, Jr., an internationally recognized analyst, author and lecturer on North Korean defense and intelligence affairs. (Oct. 20, 2002)

Politics

Proposed Ontario Police Law To Restore Trust And Respect

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Every day our police do incredible work to keep our families safe. Often, this work is silent, preventative and unseen. Sometimes it requires police to put themselves in harm’s way and make difficult life-or-death decisions in the blink of an eye. But no matter what, we can count on our police for protection.

I’d like to take this opportunity to express my support for law enforcement as well as reinforce government’s unbending commitment to the health and well-being of our province’s first responders. There is no doubt that the incredible contributions police officers make keep our families, streets and back roads safe.

That being said, imagine being a police officer asked to work in a system that doesn’t trust you. You face automatic investigation for doing your job, including trying to save a life. Special Investigations Unit (SIU) investigations hang over you for months on end. You’re not entitled to a fair hearing when facing discipline; fairness is not even a principle of the system. The present system is opaque, convoluted and lacks transparency.

It is a system that serves no one. It makes the jobs of police officers, police chiefs and police services board more complicated. And it makes people feel less safe, less secure and further removed from their police. It drives a wedge between the police and the public.

Bill 68, titled the Comprehensive Ontario Police Services Act and also known as COPS, was introduced by the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services. It reflects our government’s unwavering commitment to restoring the confidence of the brave women and men in uniform who keep our cities, towns and rural areas safe.

This proposed legislation is based on a clear principle – our police deserve respect. We cannot continue to employ legislation that erodes trust and confidence in our officers. One of the most important improvements Bill 68 makes is to streamline and strengthen the SIU process. A concern we have heard over and over from both families and police is that the SIU wastes time and energy investigating the wrong things. These investigations take too long and drain valuable resources that could be focused on stopping actual criminal activity.

Presently, if a police officer tries to stop a suicide attempt but is unsuccessful, he or she is treated like a suspect. If an officer is on the scene when someone suffers a heart attack, they are treated like a suspect even if there was no contact between the police and the victim. If a police officer responds to a violent crime and tries to perform CPR but is unable to save the life, he or she is treated like a suspect. This is not what the SIU should be investigating.

This proposed legislation would also recognize there needs to be a clear route for filing public complaints against public law enforcement and commencing an independent investigation if necessary. The Law Enforcement Complaints Agency (LECA), continued from the existing Office of the Independent Police Review Director (OIPRD), is designed to fill this need.

From better focusing the SIU to developing legislation that bolsters accountability and trust, our government promises to keep Ontario safe. Bill 68 is designed to rebuild the confidence of citizens and improve the police oversight system that will ultimately help build safer communities on a shared foundation of restored trust and accountability. For the Silo, Toby Barrett MP Haldimand-Norfolk.

Politics

Ontario Gets Highest Grade Ever For Red Tape Reduction

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SIMCOE — Ontario received the province’s highest grade ever in an annual report card that evaluates governments across Canada based on their progress in cutting red tape.

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) gave Ontario an A- in its 2019 Red Tape Report Card. This was a dramatic increase from the C+ that the previous government received in 2018 — which was tied for Ontario’s lowest grade ever. The jump from the province’s lowest to its highest grade ever is a result of the new government’s determination to cut the cost of doing business in Ontario and make companies more competitive.

“The last thing small business needs in Ontario is continued unnecessary, bureaucratic, regulation, rules, paperwork and red tape,” said Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Toby Barrett.

“I am proud that CFIB has recognized we mean business when it comes to cutting red tape,” said Todd Smith, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, who is the lead minister on reducing red tape and regulatory burden. “Ontario businesses face the highest cost to comply with regulations in any province — about $33,000 per company — and small businesses are being hit the hardest. Lowering the cost of doing business here will make companies more competitive so they can create and keep good jobs right here in Ontario. And we won’t stop until we get the job done.”

People across the government are rolling up their sleeves to lighten the regulatory burden on businesses, and Ontario will take this work to the next level this spring. Ministries are already pitching in with ideas for new actions to help meet an aggressive target – reducing regulatory red tape affecting businesses by 25 per cent. From the Premier on down, the government is continuously looking for ways to lower business costs to help create and protect good jobs for the people of Ontario.

QUICK FACTS

  • CFIB is a non-profit organization representing and advocating for the interests and concerns of more than 110,000 Canadian owners of small and mid-sized businesses.
  • It has published an annual Red Tape Report Card since 2011. CFIB says its goal is to hold the federal, provincial and territorial governments accountable for one of the biggest headaches for small businesses — excessive regulations.

QUOTES

“We’re committed to reducing red tape and easing regulatory burden for our businesses, so they can grow, create jobs and compete on a global level,” said Ernie Hardeman, Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. “I was so pleased to see the CFIB award Ontario its highest grade on their Red Tape Report Card. We’ll continue earning top marks by further lowering the costs of doing business in our province.” – Ernie Hardeman, Oxford MPP and Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs

“Speaking to just about everyone in all sectors, red-tape is one of the single biggest hurdles community agencies and small businesses face in serving our region. It’s so great to see CFIB recognize the great work we are doing to make Ontario open for business.” – Will Bouma, Brantford-Brant

“This is great news for our province. Receiving this grade shows that our government is on the right track to creating an environment in Ontario where businesses will want to come and create jobs” – Toby Barrett, Haldimand-Norfolk MPP

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Statement by Minister Smith on the Passage of the Making Ontario Open for Business Act

Ontario’s Government for the People Cutting Red Tape to Help Create Jobs

Ontario Open for Business

Politics

Ontario PC’s Initiate Social Assistance Reforms

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A comprehensive package of reforms to encourage employment, restore people’s dignity and empower the province’s most vulnerable to break free from poverty has been rolled out by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services.

Last year, more than 450,000 people – recipients and their dependents – received assistance through Ontario Works. Delivered through municipal and First Nations governments, Ontario Works provides temporary financial assistance while helping recipients find jobs and become self-reliant.

The Auditor General of Ontario recently investigated the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services and the Ontario Works program. The findings from Auditor General Bonnie Lysyk do not paint a pretty picture:

* Since the last audit in 2009, the average monthly number of Ontario Works cases increased by almost 25 per cent from 202,000 to 250,000 by 2017/18.

*The average length of time people depended on Ontario Works doubled, going from 19 months to almost three years.

* Service managers identified 36 per cent of recipients have barriers affecting employability, such as homelessness and mental health issues.

* In each of the last five years, Ontario Works only helped 10 to 13 per cent of recipient cases to find jobs, and only one per cent re-enter the workforce in a given month.

* Costs of the Ontario Works program increased more than 55 per cent since the last audit in 2009 – an increase from $1.9 billion to almost $3 billion.

Auditor General Lysyk concluded the ministry oversight of Ontario Works and service managers is “ineffective” with much of her criticism directed at programs to find employment.  She also said the ministry is not tracking whether service providers are completing financial reassessments on time, and if they are investigating fraud tips. On average, fraud investigation is a year behind.

Designed to offer a coordinated multi-ministry approach, the government’s reforms will reduce red tape and unnecessary rules, and support individual action plans to establish self-reliance. Measured and carefully implemented changes will ensure minimal disruption for those on the system.

Several priorities will guide the reforms. One priority will be moving people to employment by reducing administration and paperwork so people receiving Ontario Works, as well as frontline staff, can focus on individual action plans that set out a path to health, wellness and preparation to return to work. Local responsiveness and flexibility will help job seekers reach their potential.

Once redesigned, The Ontario Disability Support Program will provide annualized income support with fewer reporting requirements.

A simplified system will focus on improving outcomes by reducing administration, cutting unnecessary rules and restoring service accountability.

Ontario’s social assistance system has not seen significant change in over 10 years. Change will occur gradually to update the system so it can better meet the needs of those who need it the most. As a first step, the government will work closely with municipalities to develop a plan to phase in changes, giving them flexibility to meet local needs in the context of their local economies. There will be consultation with First Nations to develop a specific approach for social assistance and employment services.

The province has also launched a web site, Ontario.ca/openforbusiness to make matching job seekers with businesses easier. For the Silo, Toby Barrett MPP for Haldimand Norfolk.

Politics

Better Colleges And Better Universities Equal Better Jobs

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"Career colleges have a strong proven track record and are among our province's most efficient paths to employment. They should be rewarded by a reduction in the costly and time-consuming regulatory burden they currently experience so they can be freed to take on students looking to gain access to the job market." Barrett image: thewordforge.com
“Career colleges have a strong proven track record and are among our province’s most efficient paths to employment. They should be rewarded by a reduction in the costly and time-consuming regulatory burden they currently experience so they can be freed to take on students looking to gain access to the job market.” Barrett Image: thewordforge.com

When I wrote this, Ontario was in the midst of an unprecedented jobs crisis and in need of sensible and affordable solutions. One avenue is to improve our colleges and universities.

Ontario’s system of higher learning must reflect the requirements of jobs in the present and the future. And it must reflect today’s economic realities.

Students recognize an academic education is often not enough – it must be coupled with employable skills. Some 80 percent of college applicants cite “career preparation” as a major reason for enrollment – something they may not have considered when they were making their post-secondary choices in high school.

The path from high school graduation to employment is often far longer and more expensive than it needs to be, thus inefficient for both the student and taxpayer.

Currently 35 percent of all new jobs in Ontario go to college graduates and apprentices, and only 26 percent go to university graduates. Many university students end up in the college system after learning how adept it is at teaching job-ready skills. To encourage more students to choose college first, we must create more options and paths for these students and improve the credit transfer system in Ontario. This would allow for part of the degree to be done at the college level and part of the education delivered through a university.

By improving the credit transfer system using online education to create bridging courses between institutions, students who take a course at one institution can be brought up to speed at another – – smoothing the move between institutions that deliver different course content. The online courses should be designed to assess whether students meet the standard at the new institution, whether they are moving from a college to a university or from a university to another university.

Language labs have shown that technology is effective for educating, distant or not. In this photo, Undergraduate Ted Glomski, a third-year Chinese student, practices writing Chinese characters on a tablet PC computer in the Learning Support Services (LSS) Language Learning Lab. For fifty years, LSS has provided technology support to language classes, evolving from the language tapes and foreign films of old to mp3s, DVDs, wikis, blogs and touchscreens. photo: Michael Forster Rothbart
Language labs have shown that technology is effective for educating, distant or not. In this photo, Undergraduate Ted Glomski, a third-year Chinese student, practices writing Chinese characters on a tablet PC computer in the Learning Support Services (LSS) Language Learning Lab. For fifty years, LSS has provided technology support to language classes, evolving from the language tapes and foreign films of old to mp3s, DVDs, wikis, blogs and touchscreens. photo: Michael Forster Rothbart

We need to be creative with programs that meet the expectations of students but also offer them at an affordable price.

In response to the growing demand for online learning, university and college programs can be taken at home using the internet. Universities and colleges do offer degree programs online that are flexible, cost effective and allow you to learn on your own time. They feature online instructors who help and provide feedback as you progress through the course.

We should encourage colleges to offer applied three-year degrees and limit the proliferation of four-year degrees in the college system. For example, a Bachelor of Applied Technology Degree is designed to teach leadership roles in the construction industry – – a program that meets a job market need, and is clearly suited to the college sector. Encouraging more three-year degrees like this one would allow colleges to cater to a student market looking for strong credentials without creeping into the degree market best served by universities.

Career colleges have a strong proven track record and are among our province’s most efficient paths to employment. They should be rewarded by a reduction in the costly and time-consuming regulatory burden they currently experience so they can be freed to take on students looking to gain access to the job market.

With these sensible and affordable solutions, improving Ontario’s colleges and universities will most certainly lead to better jobs. For the Silo, Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Toby Barrett.

Supplemental- Online learning in Ontario http://www.ontariolearn.com/en/

Politics

Why Toronto Will Have 25 City Councilors Instead Of 47

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The Province of Ontario boasts 444 municipalities, including the City of Toronto, which provide critical services for people in Ontario.

On August 14, as an elected representative, I voted in favor of Bill 5 – Better Local Government Act.  Our goal as government was clear then, and we remain committed to that same goal today: to have Toronto, which is Ontario’s largest municipality and a major economic engine for both the province and the country, move away from a dysfunctional council system, a broken system that has difficulty with decision-making, a broken system that gets very little done.

Toronto residents deserve an efficient council that gets things done on big issues like transit, infrastructure and housing.

Having 47 Toronto councilors in one room is dysfunctional. For example, after days of debate at the committee level, city council took 15 hours to pass its 2017 budget – 15 hours of going back and forth and back and forth on a document that was already nearly set in stone, 15 hours to express opinions expressed numerous times before on the record. And after all that, council passed a budget that created a $2-million budget hole that meant it had to hastily draw from a reserve fund.

Over a month ago, we passed Bill 5 as an answer to the unacceptable public policy stalemates at Toronto city hall. However, due to a ruling by a Superior Court of Justice, we made a decision to replace Bill 5 with new legislation. However, on September 19, we received news the Ontario Court of Appeal concluded, “…there is a strong likelihood that the application judge erred in law and that the attorney general’s appeal to this court will succeed.” The court of appeal’s tentative conclusion was that, “Bill 5 does not suffer from constitutional infirmity.”

Read Court Document- Ontario Appeal Court Sides With Ford Government

Our government concurs with the Stay, which goes on to recognize the change voted in by Bill 5 is undoubtedly frustrating for candidates who are campaigning in 25-ward boundaries. However, the frustration is not enough to persuade that there is substantial interference with their freedom of expression.

The inconvenience candidates will experience because of the change from 47 to 25 wards does not prevent or impede them from speaking their mind about the issues arising in the election. The Stay indicates candidates have no constitutionally guaranteed right to the 47-ward system, and Bill 5 does not deprive them of their constitutional right to speak on civic issues.

Over the summer, there has been much debate and many views expressed, including many former politicians. Christy Clark, the former Premier of British Columbia, has expressed support for our legislation. She said people all across Canada, not just in Toronto, are wondering why governments can’t move things faster.

Former Premier of Saskatchewan Brad Wall understands why we need to act and to be able to use the legal tools that are available to us.

Similarly, Former Premier of Quebec Jean Charest pointed out that the political gridlock and dysfunction at Toronto city hall is known far and wide.

With the date of the municipal election rapidly approaching, we need to take action – October 22 is just a few weeks away – to provide greater certainty for everyone and to ensure the election in Toronto proceeds. For the Silo, Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Toby Barrett.

 

Politics

Funding Announced To Help Ontarians Save Energy And Money In Homes And Businesses

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I’m sure we all read the distressing poll that about a third of Canadians still don’t believe the threat of climate change is real.  Even more illuminating: only 30 per cent even know we are taking action in Ontario to fight climate change.

This is the reason why Canada and Ontario are working together to take action on climate change and find clean solutions to help homeowners and families save money, reduce energy waste, create jobs and support healthy communities.

Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Catherine McKenna, and the Premier of Ontario, Kathleen Wynne, announced a federal investment of up to $100 million to help the people of Ontario make energy efficient retrofits to their homes – including apartments, townhouses and low-income housing – and businesses.

This funding will support the province’s GreenON Rebates program, which helps cover the cost of eco-friendly retrofits across the province. This investment is supported by the Government of Canada’s Low Carbon Economy Leadership Fund.

GreenON Rebates will assist property owners make energy efficient changes like installing better insulation, high-efficiency ventilation systems and heat pumps, and other devices to save energy and reduce costs.

This is an opportunity for us here in Haldimand-Norfolk to take action and do our part in fighting the climante change. We can take advantage of receiving some of our own tax dollars back by improving our houses and businesses while saving money in the long run at the same time.

As part of its Climate Change Action Plan (CCAP), Ontario in investing up to $1.7 billion over the coming years into GreenON to support a wide range of programs, including rebates and programs to help families, business and farmers make environmentally friendly changes. The CCAP is a five-year action plan that is making life more affordable for people across the province and making Ontario a leader in the global fight against climate change. Revenues from Ontario’s carbon market, which puts a cap on the carbon pollution businesses can emit, are funding this action plan.

The Government of Canada’s Low-Carbon Economy Leadership Fund provides $1.4 billion to provinces and territories that have adopted the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change (PCF), to deliver on commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Today’s announcement is part of the almost $420 million Ontario is receiving through the Leadership Fund.

Did you Know:

  • Through GreenON, property owners are currently eligible for rebates up to $7,200 in savings on new insulation; $5,000 in savings on replacement windows; $5,800 in savings on some air source heat pumps; and $20,000 in savings on installation of some certified ground source heat pumps.
  • In January, Ontario became part of the second-largest carbon market in the world, which forms the backbone of Ontario’s strategy to cut greenhouse gas pollution to 15 per cent below 1990 levels by 2020, 37 per cent by 2030 and 80 per cent by 2050.
  • Ontario’s carbon market has generation approximately $2.4 billion in revenue to improve schools, hospitals, transit and other projects like new bike lanes that are building a greener, more energy efficient province.
  • Ontario has committed up to $1.7 billion over three years to support a wide range of programs under the Green Ontario Fund (GreenON).

 

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Politics

Tinkering Won’t Fix Crisis In Ontario Corrections And Jails

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In December of 2015, I toured the aging Thunder Bay District Jail. The nearly century-old jail had recently been the scene of a riot that led to a correctional officer being taken hostage – 70 inmates took control of the upper floor for a period of 20 hours.

In Ontario, assaults on correctional officers and other staff have more than doubled over the past seven years.

Last year, a report by the Independent Advisor on Corrections Reform described shocking abuse and disorder in Ontario’s detention centres – centres that are overcrowded and violent.

After violent incidents, inmates are often held in solitary confinement without access to rehab programs, and lockdowns are often the only recourse because of short staffing.

Much of the violence in Ontario’s detention centres is derived from smuggled weapons and drugs – but officers are restricted in their ability to conduct searches.

Front-line officers tell us they feel they are in danger – they are outnumbered, and they have little recourse when they’re attacked.

Ontario’s probation and parole system is a joke — that’s exactly what criminals have called it. Our probation and parole officers are not to blame. In many cases, they are actively discouraged from checking up on criminals by making house visits because of insufficient resources. Offenders are often left to self-report but, obviously, very few do.

Over 45,000 former inmates are out on parole or probation being forced to self-report. And 60 per cent of these individuals are deemed medium to high risk, that’s 27,000 individuals free to roam  our province.

How can this out of touch government make the claim that our communities are safe?

Why did this current government allow this to happen? That’s the question that needs to be asked.

The present provincial government recently introduced Bill 6, to supposedly deal with the issue. But this government has a history of producing incomplete, skeletal and poorly-thought-out legislation, and Bill 6 is no exception.  The Correctional Services Transformation Act is supposed to be a thorough overhaul of a broken correctional system, but it has the same deficiencies as most other legislation of late.

Obviously, the Liberals are inclined to think more bureaucracy is a solution to every problem, but more paper-pushing isn’t going to solve that problem.

Minor tinkering isn’t going to fix the crisis in corrections. The government must take serious and thorough action.

Has this government decided that the needs and wants of incarcerated criminals are more important than the rights of correctional officers and the order and safety of our detention centres are secondary to making criminals feel comfortable. Obviously, this legislation – Bill 6 — must be compliant with the written portion of our Constitution and our common-law traditions. But it must be said corrections officers and all prison staff have rights as well.

As my colleague MPP Rick Nichols, our critic for the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services has been saying, there has been a crisis in corrections for years in the making. Now with an election looming, the Liberals want us to believe — with Bill 6 — they’re experiencing a deathbed conversion. For the Silo, Toby Barrett, MPP for Haldimand-Norfolk.