All refugees to receive Canadian health care benefits

   Canada column for Sunday, Feb. 21/16

   THE CANADIAN REPORT

   (c) By Jim Fox

   The Canadian government is restoring health care benefits to refugees, including no-cost hospital and medical treatment, examinations and vaccinations, by April 1.

   The Liberals are reversing a controversial policy by the previous Conservative government that withdrew the benefits to deter “bogus” refugees and save $20 million.

   Immigration Minister John McCallum said “all refugee claimants and refugees will now be covered” as the system became “virtually unmanageable.”

   There were concerns as health benefits are being provided to the 25,000 Syrian refugees being resettled in Canada since December.

   The Federal Court also ruled the changes were unconstitutional and ordered the government to reinstate the benefits.

   At a cost of $11.5 million annually, the government will also provide additional coverage to refugees coming to Canada including examinations, vaccinations, treatment of disease outbreaks and medical support during travel.

   Refugees needing prescription drugs, vision and urgent dental care will have coverage similar to what Canadians on social assistance receive.

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Canada to withdraw from Middle East combat

   Canada column for Sunday, Feb. 14/16

   THE CANADIAN REPORT

   (c) By Jim Fox

   Prime Minister Justin Trudeau – in the week when he marked 100 days in the job – has acted on a pledge to end Canada’s combat role in the Middle East.

   As well, he plans to increase federal spending to help the economy and will create thousands of summer jobs for students – many of whom backed his Liberal party as first-time voters.

   With polls saying most Canadians disagree with Trudeau’s military plan, the government will withdraw Canada’s six CF-18 fighter jets from the U.S.-led bombing mission against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria by Feb. 22.

   Canada will instead increase its military efforts with more special forces deployed to train Iraqi soldiers for the next two years, Trudeau said.

   Air strikes can achieve short-term military and territorial gains, he said, adding “they do not on their own achieve long-term stability for local communities.”

   On the economy, Trudeau said the setbacks of low oil prices can be offset with increased spending on growth-generating projects such as the infrastructure.

   He also announced funding to create 34,000 additional summer jobs for students, who are “not just leaders of tomorrow, but leaders today.”

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$1 billion in aid set for oil-battered Alberta from the Canadian government

   Canada column for Sunday, Feb. 7/16

   THE CANADIAN REPORT

   (c) By Jim Fox

   The Liberal government is offering $1 billion in aid to Alberta as the province faces “rapid change and significant shock” from falling oil prices, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said.

   “Alberta and Albertans have contributed tremendously to Canada’s growth – particularly over the past 10 years – and our economy right across the country has benefitted,” he added.

   “Now, Alberta is facing challenging times and quite frankly, Canadians help other Canadians when they’re facing tough times,” Trudeau while meeting with Premier Rachel Notley in Edmonton.

   The prime minister has committed to “fast track” $700 million in previously announced infrastructure money to create jobs.

   As well, the government will provide up to $250 million in fiscal stabilization funds in a program that help provinces experiencing major revenue declines.

   Finance Minister Bill Morneau said the March 29 budget will include investments in Canada’s economy that will help other provinces hit by the oil-price slump such as Saskatchewan and Newfoundland/Labrador.

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Zika virus travel warning for Canadians

   Canada column for Sunday, Jan. 31/16

   THE CANADIAN REPORT

   (c) By Jim Fox

   Canadians seeking a break from a cold winter are being advised by health authorities to “consider” postponing travel to hot climates where the mosquito-borne Zika virus is circulating.

   As well, the agency responsible for most of Canada’s blood supply will turn away donors who have traveled to countries where Zika is rampant.

   That now takes in more than 20 countries in South and Central America, the Caribbean and parts of Mexico.

   Most people infected with the virus experience no symptoms, or at the most short-lived fever, malaise, skin rash, joint pain and red eyes.

   The big worry is for pregnant women and those who plan to become pregnant as it can cause children to be born with microcephaly, a condition that causes small heads and underdeveloped brains.

   “It is recommended that pregnant women and those considering becoming pregnant discuss their travel plans with their health-care provider to assess their risk,” the Public Health Agency of Canada said.

   While the chance of Zika virus getting into the blood supply is remote, it is spreading in areas where Canadians are potentially going to be traveling, said Dr. Dana Devine of Canadian Blood Services.

   Most Canadian airlines are allowing passengers to change or cancel bookings to affected destinations.

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Drivers being "hosed" by gasoline prices in Canada, anylists say

   Canada column for Sunday, Jan. 24/16

   THE CANADIAN REPORT

   (c) By Jim Fox

   Canadian drivers are complaining they are being “hosed” or taken advantage of at the gas pump as low oil prices aren’t being reflected in the price.

   Even the central Bank of Canada in its monetary policy report pointed out that oil prices have dropped about 75 percent from their peak in 2014 but gasoline prices have not fallen “as much as the reduction in crude oil prices would suggest, based on historical experience.”

   Gas prices averaged $1.02 a liter ($3.88 Canadian for a U.S. gallon) nationally last month when crude averaged $37 U.S. a barrel.

   In 2009, when oil sold for $39, the average price for gas was 85 cents a liter.

   Gasbuddy analyst Dan McTeague said gas would cost far less if the Canadian dollar was at par with the U.S. currency, instead of at 70 cents U.S. now.

   “The weakness in the loonie (dollar) accounts for over 12 cents a liter in lost purchasing power for motorists,” he said.

   Analysts say it’s also due to higher margins by refiners along with increased taxes.

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Pepper-sprayed Syrian refugees get apology from Prime Minister

   Canada column for Sunday, Jan. 17/16

   THE CANADIAN REPORT

   (c) By Jim Fox

   Prime Minister Justin Trudeau apologized on behalf of Canadians to a group of Syrian refugees who were pepper-sprayed in Vancouver.

   Police are considering it a “hate crime” when about a dozen people were sprayed by a man on a bicycle at a Syrian welcome ceremony.

   The man rode away quickly after spraying the crowd outside the Muslim Association of Canada center and is being sought by the police.

   One of those hit in the attack was refugee Youssef Ahmad al-Suleiman who said the reaction of the prime minister and the public in condemning the incident reinforced his appreciation of Canadians and his adopted country.

   Immigration Minister John McCallum called it an “isolated” incident but suggested there’s the need to guard against an anti-refugee sentiment.

   As the government’s focus shifts to integrating the 10,000 Syrians who have arrived so far, there must be an effort to be sure the newcomers aren’t given special access over Canadian citizens to such things as social housing, he said.

   The Syrians being resettled in Canada so far have come from Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey, with about 25,000 expected to arrive by the end of next month.

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Canada will have to endure economic crisis: Bank governor

   Canada column for Sunday, Jan. 10/16

   THE CANADIAN REPORT

   (c) By Jim Fox

   Canada will have to “ride out” the economic storm that has plunged the dollar to the 70-cent US range, the central bank governor says.

   It will take time to adjust to the shock of low oil prices, said Bank of Canada Governor Stephen Poloz as it causes havoc with the economy.

   There is no simple fix but Canada’s flexible exchange rate can soften the blow for some parts of the economy, he said.

   The bank can also use “unconventional tools” to limit financial and inflationary threats including lowering the trend-setting interest rate into negative territory.

   Canada has lost more than $50 billion in national income since oil prices started their plunge in mid-2014, Poloz said.

   This has led to tens of thousands of layoffs in the oil patch, primarily in Alberta, where housing prices have fallen as well.

   The dollar’s all-time low was 61.79 cents US in January 2002.

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