#Abortion is a Drastic Act of Self-Defence

I am not against abortion that is safe, legal, and considered. Abortion the sacrifice of the existence of one human entity for the existence of another, like being forced to choose which child to save in a burning house.

The moment the father and mother combine genetic material they create a unique living, developing, entity with a human genome. It is not replicating single-celled organism, a cluster of cancerous cells, an organ, or an invasive organism, but the natural result of the choice to engage in intercourse, whether willing or coerced, a unique individual who will develop in complexity until stopped by death. This is regardless of whether it is called a human life, a fetus, a baby, a legal person, a moral responsibility, or an inconvenient problem.

The developing entity has the same, or more, human potential as the mother and it up to her to weigh that in her decision, a decision that only she is qualified to make. She has to live with it either way.

I defend a woman's right to choose as part of my defence of freewill, I just want it to be certain that the drastic severity of that choice is clear and not dismissed either way by minimizing the humanity of the two unique individual entities involved.

That's all I shall say. I will never have to personally face that terrible choice .

Thankfully.

Everything is always in process.

Only compassion defeats dehumanization

Fundamentalism is the True Satanic Religion

 Liberty Magazine

Fundamentalist fanatics all follow the same satanic region.

Standard religions are centred around teachings about the responsible exercise of freewill.  The prime idea in Christian is that god gave us freewill and that we are each responsible for working on our own salvation, not that of other people. God doesn't force us to be good, he holds our freewill inviolate thus allowing s to choose to inflict evil. Fundamentalism is about suppressing the freewill of others in order to preserve your own or force theirs. This is against the intent of god and by definition Satanic.

Christ said that we were to forgive and love everyone, to worry about our own sins before theirs, not to judge others, and openly condemned religious hypocrites and child abusers. Muhammad decalred that killing one person was like killing all people. Buddha said that we must give up selfish personal desires and respect all life. Fundamentalist Vatican bureaucrats and priests protect child abusers and authorized the systematically abuse of indigenous people for their salvation. Evangelicals feel quite free to judge and condemn the choices of others without considering the beams in their own eyes, some believing that Christ promoted wealth as a sign of goodness in direct contradiction to the parable of the Needle's Eye. Fundamentalist Muslims are eager to kill and make choices for other for their own salvation. Fundamentalist Buddhists struggle violently for political power. 

Satanism is the backwards reading of the Bible and upside-down crosses, it's the Inquisition, the protection of pedophiles, the suppression of same sex relationships. the pursuit of "holy" lucre,  the enslavement of women, and the belief that martyrs are guerrilla suicide soldiers instead of exemplars murdered for their beliefs. 

Fear is the tool of Satan, compassion the salve of Christ. Fear is the mind-killer, as said in Dune. Ignorance is its food, intolerance its water. Religious bigotry is based in ignorance and xenophobia as is the concept of race. Racism treats ethnicity, culture, and tiny regional genetic differences as defining separate species of humans as if we were races of angels. It is the de facto religion of hate that supports all fundamentalism. It is the Satanic root of all Evil.

#Wasted #Talent, Wasted #Lives: #unlocking the full #potential of an #underemployed #work #force

If their credentials were recognized, they could, as a group, earn $13.4 to $17 billion more annually, according to the report, Brain Gain 2015: The State of Canada's Learning Recognition System.

Beyond language, one of the biggest problems with immigration and accepting refugees is the refusal to accept credentials or a lack of accreditation evidence. This could be easily fixed with a little upfront investment. 

If someone has the skills and knowledge, they should be able to challenge the accreditation process and exams and gain accepted credentials. If they have gaps, they should be given grants or student loans to fill these gaps and get accredited. At the same time, intense language training can be provided, focused on the basics and their profession at first and then expanded.  

Then we would end of up with skilled workers instead of highly educated janitors. This would help the economy grow faster while reducing the drain on healthcare, social services, and the legal system caused by poverty. It would transform an immense waste into a vast, renewable resource, an investment in the full potential of our people and country that would profit us all tenfold.

Canadians would earn $17B more annually if their credentials were recognized, study says

Report finds 844,000 Canadians are unemployed or underemployed because their skills are not recognized

By B.C. Almanac, CBC News Posted: Jan 27, 2016 12:32 PM PT Last Updated: Jan 28, 2016 4:24 PM PT

Not recognizing immigrants' skills and credentials — as well as those with out-of-province credentials and experiential learning — is costing the economy up to $17 billion a year, says a new report by the Conference Board of Canada. (Credit: Andrew Vaughan/THE CANADIAN PRESS)

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External Links

• Conference Board of Canada report
• Prepare for Canada organization

(Note: CBC does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of external links.)

Nearly 850,000 Canadians are unemployed or underemployed,  more than 60 per cent of whom are immigrants, because their credentials are not being fully recognized, according to a new report from the Conference Board of Canada.

If their credentials were recognized, they could, as a group, earn $13.4 to $17 billion more annually, according to the report, Brain Gain 2015: The State of Canada's Learning Recognition System.

"We estimate that over 844,000 Canadian adults now face learning recognition challenges, including over 524,000 with international credentials, almost 200,000 with out-of-province credentials and 120,000 with experiential learning not recognized in a credential," the report states.

Up to $17B in lost earnings

The $17 billion in potential earnings is a dramatic increase from a previous study the board did in 2001, which estimated Canadians could earn $4.1 to $5.9 billion more if their credentials were recognized.

"The challenge has risen faster than the rate of change," said Michael Bloom, vice president of industry and strategy for the board.

"Even if you discount things like inflation, growing population, you still end up with a bigger problem than ever before."

The report suggests that improving how credentials are recognized could potentially increase the annual incomes of those affected by an average of $15,000 to $20,000 per person.

"The big driver here is the fact that there are more high-skilled jobs that ever before and fewer low-skill jobs," Bloom told B.C. Almanac host Gloria Macarenko.

"So the more we depend on skill and knowledge in our economy, the more we need our credentials recognized, and that means every time someone isn't recognized it costs them more, and ultimately it costs all of us more."

The recommendations in the report include modifying the immigrant selection process so that learning credentials are recognized and exporting Canadian post-secondary education curriculum and programs into other countries.

Labour market information

Nick Noorani, the founder of Canadian Immigrant Magazine, said it is just as important for immigrants to have access to comprehensive labour market information as having their credentials recognized.

Noorani, who is also a managing partner of Prepare for Canada, said this information would help, for example, immigrants who are doctors realize the steps they have to go through to practice medicine in Canada, and what demands different regions have for doctors.

"When immigrants arrive there's insufficient emphasis on follow up, how they can enhance their soft skills, what are alternative careers," Noorani said.

---

To hear the full story listen to the audio labelled: New study finds that Canada has much to gain by recognizing immigrants' learning credentials

Corrections

• An earlier version of this story said immigrants could earn $17 billion more annually if their credentials were recognized, but that figure also includes those with out-of-province credentials and experiential learning.
  Jan 28, 2016 4:23 PM PT

Some advice from someone with experience: 

Pro Post: Are You an Underemployed Skilled Immigrant? You Have Options

Are you a skilled immigrant looking for work in Canada? Experience requirements can be challenging hurdles – but you do have options. Pro poster Pracheer Saran shares the top resources for career-bridging programs and educational services for newcomers.

Pursuing the Canadian Dream

When Gihan Weerasinghe moved from Sri Lanka to Canada as a landed immigrant, he thought his good days had begun. Armed with experience as a chartered accountant, and considering the high demand for accounting professionals worldwide, he thought landing a job would be a cakewalk.

He was instead in for a rude surprise when he found his exprtise counted for little and that he lacked so-called “Canadian” experience. To support his family, including three children between seven and 12 years of age, both Gihan and his wife did odd jobs in call centres and retail stores.

Three and a half months after moving to Canada and with no real job in hand, the Weerasinghes were debating whether to move back to Sri Lanka when a ray of hope emerged. In one of the government-provided classes Gihan took for immigrants looking for jobs in their field, an employment counselor suggested he take bridging courses provided by several universities and colleges in Canada.

However, pursuing the courses would be a monetary challenge; a large chunk of the family’s savings was already going toward accommodation. and providing for a family of five.

After consulting with his education counselor and doing his own research, Gihgan considered applying for the Ontario Student Association Program (OSAP), but knew he could be waiting a long time before receiving funds. And it wasn’t just the money – Gihan felt short on time, and wanted to see the other options available to new immigrants. Going to a traditional bank wasn’t an option, as interest rates were high, and his credit history was lacking.

Micro-Loan Options

He stumbled upon a second option while searching the internet: the Immigrant Access Fund (IAF), which runs programs operated by non-profit societies for skilled immigrants.

They provide micro loans to people like Gihan who, because of a lack of collateral, employment and credit history, could not access mainstream credit. These short-term loans (two years or less) can be used for studying or supporting oneself while attending school for the occupation you had worked in your home country.

Gihan fulfilled the eligibility criteria, which required applicants be a permanent resident, a Canadian citizen, a protected person, or a provincial nominee living in a territory or a province other than Quebec and British Columbia. The company provides loans of up to $10,000 with an interest rate of 4.5 per cent annually (Bank of Canada Prime rate plus 1.5 per cent, set quarterly). Their offices are located in Calgary, Edmonton, Saskatoon and Regina. For other cities, they use Skype, Face Time, and or phone to reach out to their clients.

Bridging Programs and Work Resources For Immigrants

There are several similar programs designed to aid immigrants looking for work across Canada. For example, if you live in Winnipeg (or plan to move there as a skilled immigrant), you may qualify for Recognition Counts, a two-year program providing micro loans of up to $10,000 to low income group individuals and skilled immigrants who were dentists, engineers or other skilled workers in their home countries. The program also includes career and financial counselling and guidance for re-accreditation and training requirements. There is no loan fee, a fixed interest rate of prime plus 2 per cent, and can be paid back over five years, with repayment and interest kicking in within six months of finishing the program, or 90 days after acquiring a job in their chosen field – whichever comes first.

In addition, there are several scholarships, internships and apprenticeship grants for Canadians, which though competitive, are still out there and can be availed. The government also has a Resettlement Assistance Program and an Immigration Loan Program for people seeking refugee or asylum status in Canada.
These are just some of the provisions available to new skilled immigrants stuck in underemployment. They just require a little research and determination. If Gihan did it – so can you!

About the Author: Pracheer Saran

I am a travel enthusiast and a freelance writer who loves to write about my escapades, from travel to beer – but when it comes to finances, I still had a lot to learn. I first moved to Canada five years ago, and as a new immigrant, getting a credit card to building a credit history was a mammoth task for me. I mostly learned from trial and error – and am still learning!

There is some homework a new immigrant can start a few months before moving to Canada to ensure a smoother settlement. So fasten your seat belts and join me for an informative ride as I share the challenges of managing my daily finances, hunting for my first job, battling high car insurance rates, buying my first house and securing a mortgage.

The Reason Exploitative Precarious Work is Growing

 

Precarious work is not the new normal; it’s the old normal that we fought to end coming back, the self-imposed slavery of fear.  It has been normalized by neoliberal political and economic theory and a lack of Employment Standard moderation and protection, particularly in Alberta. Cut taxes, deregulate, serve the investment interests of business over society, and de-fund public services, institutions, infrastructure, and resources in order to privatize for profit, that’s neoliberalism. They don’t believe in society, so why invest in it?

The following are from the Alberta Labour website.

Employment Standards

To ensure Alberta work sites are fair and equitable, most employers and employees are protected by and must comply with employment standards laws.

Rules and regulations

The minimum standards of employment for employers and employees in Alberta workplaces.

In Alberta, employment standards are contained in the Employment Standards Code and Regulation.

Hours of Work, Rest Periods and Days of Rest

“Hours of work” is the period of time during which an employee works for an employer. It includes time off with pay instead of overtime pay provided by an employer and taken by an employee. An employee may work a maximum of 12 hours in a day unless an unforeseeable or unpreventable emergency occurs, or the Director of Employment Standards issues a permit authorizing extended hours of work beyond 12 hours.

An employee is entitled to at least 30 minutes of rest (break) in each shift longer than five consecutive hours of work. Likewise, employees are entitled to certain minimum days of rest as follows:

• one day of rest each work week, or
• two consecutive days of rest in each period of two consecutive work weeks, or
• three consecutive days of rest in each period of three consecutive work weeks, or
• four consecutive days of rest in each period of four consecutive work weeks, or
• at least four consecutive days of rest after 24 consecutive work days.

To learn more, see the Hours of Work, Rest Periods and Days of Rest Fact Sheet.

Created: 2004-07-19
Modified: 2011-03-21
PID: 1031

In case you think these lax rules are there to enable essential or unusual industries requiring long time commitments in camps and on farms:

Occupations exempt from hours of work and rest periods

·        Managers, supervisors and those employed in a confidential capacity;

·        Farm workers;

·        Professionals, including agrologists, architects, certified or chartered accountants, chiropractors, dentists, denturists, engineers, information systems professionals, lawyers, optometrists, podiatrists, psychologists and veterinarians;

·        Salespersons of automobiles, trucks, buses, farm machinery, road construction

·        equipment, heavy duty equipment, manufactured homes or residential homes;

·        Salespersons who solicit orders, principally outside of the employer’s place of business, who are fully or partly paid by commission (this does not apply to route salespersons);

·        Licensed salespersons of real estate and securities;

·        Licensed insurance salespersons who are paid entirely by commission income;

·        Salespersons who are at least 16 years old and are engaged in direct selling for licensed direct sellers;

·        Licensed land agents;

·        Extras in a film or video production;

·        Counselors or instructors at an educational or recreational camp that is operated on a charitable or not-for-profit basis for children, persons with disabilities, or religious purposes;

·        Residential and homecare caregivers (employees are exempt only from section 16 of the Code concerning hours of work, but not from rest periods). Please see the “Caregivers” Fact Sheet at http://work.alberta.ca/esfactsheets;

·        Domestic employees (these employees are exempt only from sections 16 and 17 of the Code concerning hours of work and notice of work times, but not from rest periods).

The Employment Standards make no distinction between full-time and part-time work. They ignore the existence of part-time entirely. Most people think that part-time means 32 hours per week or less but it only means a lack of commitment and repsonib8ility on the part of the employer. A part-time employee may be worked up to 12 hours per day for 24 days straight as long as they get 4 days off at the end before being forced to do so again. This is part-time. Why hire full-time?

This is why precarious jobs are exploding in number.  You get a full-time employee with having to provide full-time benefits, wages, or security, thus enslaving the employee to fear of hour-loss and wage loss due to illness, willing to put up with any abuse or exploitation.  These are standards that offer protection, their rules for exploitation.  Precarious employment isn’t normal, inevitable, or irresistible, just another attempt to make workers disposable for profit. 

Businesses get governments to pay for training and abandoned employees, enabling them to misuse their workers while getting tax breaks and subsidies for it.  They have no incentive to invest in the growth and health of the economy or society, because society and the economy serve their growth. How does business suggest we fix this? More tax cuts, more government investment in training their employees and taking care of their disposed-of employees, and of course, less regulation.  I guess they think 4 days off in 28 is too generous. 

Civilization serves the economy, right? 

It does according to these standards, which haven’t been updated in decades.  They need to be.

Now.

A precarious workforce creates a precarious economy, a precarious society, and precarious democracy. Self-imposed slavery through fear creates the inevitable angry defensive backlash resulting in populist revolt.  Fear turns us on ourselves instead of the problem.

“The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”

“Fear is the mind-killer.”

The self-slavery of precarious employment must end.

Employment standards need to actually ensure work sites are fair and equitable, most employers and employees are protected by and must comply with employment standards laws.  Equitable, secure employment is the enemy of inequality.

Neoliberal thinking has replaced civil engaged citizens with tax-avoiding consumers sacrificing all for competitive advantage. Bullies inherently exploit any competitive advantage, usual those of size, wealth, and number. The defence has always been for the bullied to unite and fight back, to unionize. Margret Thatcher's war on unions crippled collective bargaining and trampled workers' rights. Governments defeated workers, dissolved defences against foreign exploitation, and then empowered business and the financial industry, putting the forces of inequality on steroids.