Hand Knit posted:

The "no real army" thing is funny, because I remember it being taught back in grades 7, 8, and 10 that having its own army (so as to more readily respond to invasions from America or Ireland) was a central motivation for confederation. But I guess both consensus history and political rhetoric deviate from the facts of the matter in their own regular ways.

zapplez posted:

I'm more concerned by this AARC organization that doesn't do vulnerable sector checks on its workers. That is hosed. Especially considering they have been accused of sexual assault before.

CBC posted:

Three families are suing a private youth treatment centre in Kelowna claiming their children were mistreated and bullied before being abruptly removed from the home by the provincial government.

The NeurVana Recovery and Wellness Centre advertises the use of advanced neuro-technology to "harmonize the brains" of the youths it treats.

The province says the facility was operating without a license.

Documents filed by the families in B.C. Supreme Court allege owners David and Susan Kenney told them NeurVana was a licensed and qualified residential care facility for teenagers struggling with diagnosed psychological conditions, including depression and drug addiction.

Sandra Colquhoun of Burnaby, one of the plaintiffs in the lawsuit, says she hoped NeurVana could help her 16-year-old son overcome his marijuana addiction. She says she was told it could also help him with a wide range of psychological issues.

"You know if he had any other anxiety issues or self-esteem issues, they said they most definitely could help with them."

Her family paid $20,000 for a three-week stay.

Two weeks later government officials told her to come pick up her son. NeurVana was being closed for not having a license.

"I was really concerned about my son and from there I found out what happened to him, what he had been through and he was very traumatized."

Colquhoun says her son lost 20 pounds while at NeurVana and was threatened and ridiculed.

Another family, who paid $25,000 for their daughter's care, allege in court documents their daughter felt as if she was in a prison, and was not allowed to access her belongings or phone home.

A third family says they also paid $25,000 only to have their daughter suffer a panic attack after she was bullied and denied her prescription medication for depression.

A former patient who became a counsellor at NeurVana has also come forward to share her story. Danielle Downs spent nearly four weeks at the Kelowna youth treatment centre two years ago.

During that time Downs says she found the owners David and Susan Kenney manipulative and verbally abusive. She says she left when David Kenney said insulting things about her parents and accused her of inappropriate relations with another counsellor.

"I originally thought I trusted them. That's why I agreed to go. I felt used and I was really hurt. They are just...I've never seen anything like that and it took a while to recover as you can see."

David Kenney, is the brother of federal Employment Minister Jason Kenney.

Toronto Sun posted:

NeurVana Innovative Recovery and Wellness in Kelowna, B.C., run by David Kenney and his wife Susan, purports to help kids with drug addiction, depression and psychological issues. It bills itself online as being "officially recognized by the province of British Columbia."

Not so, says the provincial government, which closed the centre in December for operating without a license. Government officials informed parents their kids would have to go home.
[...]
A Burnaby, B.C., family, who paid NeurVana $18,300, said their son lost 20 pounds in three weeks because he was relentlessly mocked, threatened and forbidden from contacting his family.

A Glenn Williams, Ont., family, who paid $25,280, said their daughter was bullied, forbidden from calling home and was once locked outside in sub-zero temperatures.

"She was prevented access to the residence despite stating five or six times that she was extremely cold, she had no socks, and her feet were wet and freezing," the lawsuit reads.

"When refusing her entry to the residence, one of the defendants threatened to take her to a psychiatric ward."

A Maple Ridge, B.C., family, who paid $25,280, said their daughter "felt as if she was in a prison" and was denied her prescription anti-depressants.
[...]
NeurVana says it uses a technique called "Brainwave Optimization" which it says can cure "addiction, depression, anxiety, PTSD, ADHD, self-destructive behaviour, rage and anger, eating disorders, and more."

"High-tech EEG sensors are used to read brain activity. Stereo headphones then feed the brain’s wave patterns back in the form of gentle sounds," the site reads. "As the brain picks up on the sounds that are transmitted to it, changes in the neural network begin to occur."

infernal machines posted:

Well, if he's allowed out on probation presumably the courts feel he has sufficiently paid his debt/reformed such that he can again enter society. I mean, you can disagree with the court's findings, but I think that's the assumption.

Chillyrabbit posted:

But looking at his sentence from the news article I'm surprised he got parole after 7 years, when murder usually has an ineligibility period of 10+

Pinterest Mom posted:

That’s not my read! She’s probably the source on the G&M story, has decided not to run again, and is keeping mum to keep the story alive longer and to prevent JT from firing her without looking like an rear end in a top hat.

Chillyrabbit posted:

I guess what needs clarification for most people is that even if you are out of prison you are still paying your debt while on probation. Because you can be yanked back in if you do any dumb stuff or violate your parole conditions.

Plus it is typical of most people's sentences to be 2/3rds served in prison and the last 1/3rd served on parole.

But looking at his sentence from the news article I'm surprised he got parole after 7 years, when murder usually has an ineligibility period of 10+

Arabian Jesus posted:

My man

The Cheshire Cat posted:

it kind of sends the signal that murder isn't as bad if the victim is a minority/sex worker.

DynamicSloth posted:

What are the chances the NDP or Greens adopt Green New Deal before the Election? Who would be likely to mean it more?

DynamicSloth posted:

What are the chances the NDP or Greens adopt Green New Deal before the Election? Who would be likely to mean it more?

Helsing posted:

I was robo-polled by Ekos today. They asked me about who I voted for and who I might vote for next time etc., then get to the real questions. How do I feel about the direction of the country? What economic class do I identify with? How do I feel about inequality? Do I think serious inequality in Canada could lead to violent class conflict in the future? Is the rise of populism mostly motivated by inequality, xenophobia, or both?

Always interesting to see what the pollsters are asking.

vyelkin posted:

Big Changus owns.

Helsing posted:

I was robo-polled by Ekos today. They asked me about who I voted for and who I might vote for next time etc., then get to the real questions. How do I feel about the direction of the country? What economic class do I identify with? How do I feel about inequality? Do I think serious inequality in Canada could lead to violent class conflict in the future? Is the rise of populism mostly motivated by inequality, xenophobia, or both?

Always interesting to see what the pollsters are asking.

Kraftwerk posted:

Man I’ve spent the last 2 weeks in Europe and I have no idea why I even bother living in Canada anymore.

We work long hours for a pittance so we can live in shoebox apartments, eat crappy tasteless food that is also very expensive and we pay extortionate prices for the privilege. For what? So we can run a hamster wheel for our entire lives and never actually enjoy them? So we can live 8 months of the year indoors in total darkness because the weather is loving garbage?

First chance I get I’m putting in for a transfer to my company’s Spanish offices.
Just the difference in cost of living alone would let me live like a king on my salary. It’s loving ridiculous how cheap (and higher quality) the food is here. And prices haven’t risen for like 5 years.

I could rent a luxury apartment for like half the price mine costs in the middle of nowhere in Etobicoke.

Despite the availability of significantly cheaper alcohol (2.50 euro for a bottle of wine anyone?) I’ve only had maybe 2 drinks in 16 days. I haven’t been that dry on alcohol since I was a teenager.

Seriously gently caress Toronto. The entire city is a scam.

quote:

I have reviewed the concerns expressed about Andy Evans speaking at the Calgary City Teachers’ Convention and last night I contacted the convention organizers and we agreed to cancel the session.

I want to reiterate what we have said all along: Mr Evans committed a violent and heinous act and we do not condone his actions in any way. We also continue to express sincere condolences to the family and friends of Nicole Parisien.

To the family of Nicole: We are sorry for the additional hurt this story has caused.

I also want to express sincere regret for the impacts this story has had on survivors of sexual violence and on the family and loved ones of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls.

We became aware late last week that the session being offered by the Alberta Adolescent Recovery Centre included a speaker that had been convicted of murder. The Association has long supported mental health initiatives in the school and community and recognizes the devastating impact that addiction has on the lives of so many Albertans. The decision was made to continue with the session in hopes that by sharing the story, future tragedies could be prevented. That decision was wrong.

The message sent over the past few days does not align with the Association’s values. Alberta’s teachers are allies in supporting survivors and combating sexual violence. We are committed to reconciliation, learning from and supporting Indigenous peoples across this land. We want justice for missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. I am sorry for this mistake. We are committed to reviewing practices so this does not happen again. We will do better.

In recognition of this commitment, we will be making a $5,000 donation to the Stardale Women's Group in honour of Nicole Parisien.

- Greg Jeffery, President

Vintersorg posted:

There's a ton of loving things you can do in the winter instead of moping in your dumb gently caress apartment.

Learn to skate.

Go see shows.

Get some decent food over warm drinks.

Buy a cheap toboggan and go hit up a hill.

Dress warm and go for a goddamn walk.

Yeah, it feels GREAT to be on vacation. I was in Dominican in November doing gently caress all for a week but I would NOT give it up for living here. Is this your first vacation ever? Get back to reality because Europeans aren't in some goddamn utopia. You're a freakin tourist.

Vintersorg posted:

Seriously if you stay inside all winter after work - that's your own drat fault. Stop whining like a loving pissbaby.

Kraftwerk posted:

PT6A posted:

A Normal Person: Hey, I'm visiting [Place] and it's pretty nice!

Joyless Canpol Goons: gently caress YOU!!! [Place] has problems too, how dare you like it?!

Vintersorg posted:

Bullshit and you know it.

flakeloaf posted:

shh nobody mention catalonia

Vintersorg posted:

Bullshit and you know it.

I see this all the time from people on vacation.

Yeah, life would be loving awesome when you have money and no work, where you can just lounge at the beach all day in sunny weather.

I am sure the people serving your stale bread are LOVING LIFE.

Vintersorg posted:

Bullshit and you know it.

I see this all the time from people on vacation.

Yeah, life would be loving awesome when you have money and no work, where you can just lounge at the beach all day in sunny weather.

I am sure the people serving your stale bread are LOVING LIFE.

Vintersorg posted:

Bullshit and you know it.

I see this all the time from people on vacation.

Yeah, life would be loving awesome when you have money and no work, where you can just lounge at the beach all day in sunny weather.

I am sure the people serving your stale bread are LOVING LIFE.