For a migration activist, I'm surprisingly in favour of the federal immigration minister's new promotion of Canadian Values. The review on the immigration policy is looking at improving the focus on Canadian Values to provide a basis for better integration.
While Canada prides itself on the 'cultural mosaic' that we provide for immigrants, anyone who studies any form of migration studies, and integration work in Canada, knows that we simply provide a diluted space for cultures to ignore one another. Though critics are looking at this as a push towards our neighbours "melting pot" I can honestly say that cultural barriers which provide a forum for ignorance on behalf of Canadians - old and new - could be mitigated quite successfully.
This policy change will focus on education regarding Canada's history, politics, and how laws and values came to be - such as the equality of men and women. Education - as we all know, and most accept - is the basis for acceptance.
While Jason Kenney - immigration minister - looks at this as a method by which immigrants can adopt the country's values, I see this as a great method by which to open conversation, and to provide background for many morale debates that exist currently.
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Speaking of controversial… I love risk reduction.
First needle exchanges, then providing condoms to minors (or was that first?), now, tattoo parlours for inmates.
LOVE IT.
A recent report on a program cancelled by our beloved ultra conservative government, showed extremely high levels of success in reducing cases of HIV and Hep C transferred through illicit tattooing in prisons. While many were delighted by the provisions of funding to anything that had to do with prisoners, the case was not made strongly enough - in my opinion - for the health of prison workers, and citizens who encounter prisoners outside of prison following release.
While I still believe that prisoners are human beings - even the guilty ones - if only viewing the program as a manner by which to provide safer working conditions to prison guards, social workers, and other workers in prisons, then I see no reason for the lack of support - other than the fact that Canada wants everyone BUT the government to run Canada.
The program focused on education on harm and exposure to risk from tattooing. It provided a safe place for tattooing to occur, as well as 'employment' for prisoners, and a decrease in contraband items, having been used previously to tattoo. Providing a method for post prison career training, as well as rehabilitation success was also a key factor in the report - unexpected results from the program.
Goodness knows, the federal government needed that $1 million dollars that the entire program cost (yes - $1 million. That is all) for their yearly bonuses. It's going to be a kick in the pants when the money that they spend on healthcare for the inmates who contract HIV and Hepatitis, among many other communicable diseases, and they're dying, and using our healthcare system.
Good move Harper. Once again, you've managed to shock and appall me.
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Speaking of world leaders who care about their citizens….
Obama lifted the travel ban to Cuba for family members and money transfers by Cuban workers in the US.
Freedom? For real human beings to visit family? CRAZY!
Enough said.
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Reports show that cyber bullying - including text bullying - is becoming rampant among children.
What do I say? Cowards. Bully someone to their face.
And parents - stop giving your 10 years old cell phones!!!
Ugh. I live in a world I detest sometimes.
While Canada prides itself on the 'cultural mosaic' that we provide for immigrants, anyone who studies any form of migration studies, and integration work in Canada, knows that we simply provide a diluted space for cultures to ignore one another. Though critics are looking at this as a push towards our neighbours "melting pot" I can honestly say that cultural barriers which provide a forum for ignorance on behalf of Canadians - old and new - could be mitigated quite successfully.
This policy change will focus on education regarding Canada's history, politics, and how laws and values came to be - such as the equality of men and women. Education - as we all know, and most accept - is the basis for acceptance.
While Jason Kenney - immigration minister - looks at this as a method by which immigrants can adopt the country's values, I see this as a great method by which to open conversation, and to provide background for many morale debates that exist currently.
________________________________________________________________________________
Speaking of controversial… I love risk reduction.
First needle exchanges, then providing condoms to minors (or was that first?), now, tattoo parlours for inmates.
LOVE IT.
A recent report on a program cancelled by our beloved ultra conservative government, showed extremely high levels of success in reducing cases of HIV and Hep C transferred through illicit tattooing in prisons. While many were delighted by the provisions of funding to anything that had to do with prisoners, the case was not made strongly enough - in my opinion - for the health of prison workers, and citizens who encounter prisoners outside of prison following release.
While I still believe that prisoners are human beings - even the guilty ones - if only viewing the program as a manner by which to provide safer working conditions to prison guards, social workers, and other workers in prisons, then I see no reason for the lack of support - other than the fact that Canada wants everyone BUT the government to run Canada.
The program focused on education on harm and exposure to risk from tattooing. It provided a safe place for tattooing to occur, as well as 'employment' for prisoners, and a decrease in contraband items, having been used previously to tattoo. Providing a method for post prison career training, as well as rehabilitation success was also a key factor in the report - unexpected results from the program.
Goodness knows, the federal government needed that $1 million dollars that the entire program cost (yes - $1 million. That is all) for their yearly bonuses. It's going to be a kick in the pants when the money that they spend on healthcare for the inmates who contract HIV and Hepatitis, among many other communicable diseases, and they're dying, and using our healthcare system.
Good move Harper. Once again, you've managed to shock and appall me.
_______________________________________________________________________________
Speaking of world leaders who care about their citizens….
Obama lifted the travel ban to Cuba for family members and money transfers by Cuban workers in the US.
Freedom? For real human beings to visit family? CRAZY!
Enough said.
________________________________________________________________________________
Reports show that cyber bullying - including text bullying - is becoming rampant among children.
What do I say? Cowards. Bully someone to their face.
And parents - stop giving your 10 years old cell phones!!!
Ugh. I live in a world I detest sometimes.