Canada column for Sunday, Sept. 5/21
THE CANADIAN REPORT
By Jim Fox
A Toronto-area businessman and philanthropist will cover half of the estimated $1.5-million cost of resettling 50 Afghan refugees in Canada.
Jim Estill, CEO of the Danby appliance manufacturing company, did the same earlier when he helped 50 Syrian refugee families start a new life in Guelph, a city west of Toronto.
He is partnering with the Hazaras aid organization to split the cost and is looking for some assistance from the Canadian government.
His plans became known after the Taliban takeover when he started working with organizations and federal government agencies.
Marc Garneau, Minister of Foreign Affairs, said Canada is resettling 20,000 vulnerable Afghans threatened by the Taliban and forced to flee Afghanistan.
“They find safety here as the situation in Afghanistan is heartbreaking and Canada will not stand idly by,” he said.
But it is said many have been left behind among Canadian citizens, interpreters and their families.
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Growing numbers of Canadian doctors and nurses say they are frustrated with large groups of anti-vaccination protesters outside hospitals.
They say limited health-care resources are being used to save the lives of those who decided not to protect themselves against COVID-19 with a vaccine.
“I think it’s the ultimate selfishness that individuals choose not to vaccinate themselves,” said Dr. Steven Fedder of Richmond, British Columbia.
“I think they don't realize they are too arrogant to understand that we live in a society where we all have to make sacrifices,” he said.
The number is growing of businesses, universities, colleges and work places that require their workers to be vaccinated along with the provinces, now including hold-out Ontario and Quebec, launching vaccine certificates to show those who are immunized and can access non-essential businesses.
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News in brief:
- Canada’s underdog Conservatives could be headed to win the Sept. 20 election as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau falters, pollsters say. They suggest the Conservatives under leader Erin O’Toole could, however form only a minority government as the Liberals did two years ago. An Ipsos poll found 32 percent support for the Conservatives while the Liberals dropped two points to 31 percent, and the socialist New Democrats had 23 percent.
- Another poll suggests Canadians are divided on whether the reopening of in-person learning at elementary and high schools is a good idea. There was also a split on concerns they have about the pandemic’s Delta variant.
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Facts and figures:
Canada’s dollar is higher at 80 cents U.S. while the U.S. dollar returns $1.25 in Canadian funds before exchange fees.
The Bank of Canada key interest rate remains at 0.25 percent while the prime lending rate is 2.45 percent.
Canadian stock markets are higher, with the Toronto index at 20,806 points and the TSX Venture index 915 points.
The average price for gas in Canada is higher at $1.385 a liter (Canadian) or $5.26 for a U.S. gallon.
Lotto Max: (Aug. 31) 3, 11, 23, 26, 31, 42 and 50; bonus 24. (Aug. 27) 9, 10, 13, 25, 41, 47 and 49; bonus 36.
Lotto 6/49: (Sept. 1) 3, 4, 14, 18, 19 and 42; bonus 43. (Aug. 28) 6, 8, 9, 12, 19 and 26; bonus 43.
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Regional briefs:
- In his final days as Manitoba Premier, Brian Pallister said before he officially retires on Oct 31, there are two special projects to complete. Pallister, 67, will donate $260,000 personally for scholarships at Brandon University, his alma mater. As well, his Conservative government will spend $7.5 million for infrastructure upgrades at the International Peace Gardens on the border with North Dakota.
- Canada’s Atlantic provinces got another soaker with heavy rain but little major damage as the remnants of Hurricane Ida made its way over the east coast from Thursday night into the weekend. Weather forecasters said there was heavy rain of up to three inches. There were also “brisk easterly winds” and isolated thunderstorms along with some power outages.
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Jim Fox can be reached at canadareport@hotmail.com
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