Passion Power

You might win, but you probably, and most certainly, won’t. Even when the great one, Wayne Gretsky lies to us saying, “with the right attitude and positive outlook you can win too.” In the long run, the chances of successfully coming out ahead are really, really, pathetic. But Connor McDavid and Austin Matthews, two of the best young hockey players in the NHL today, don't mind filling their over-flowing pockets to coerce you into trying it. Pretty sad when they’re targeting younger generations. Gaming advertisements are plastered everywhere on TV, sports broadcasts, billboards, and social media. It’s a total disaster. Yet, the Attorney General of Ontario, Doug Downey, said “We are truly proud of this strong, responsible, competitive online gaming model.” The government continues to bolster this industry at the expense of the next generations well-being and prosperity.  Even my husband admits he would have been in trouble at that age. Meanwhile, Paul Burns the President a...

Politics matter because the stability of our country depends on it. Canada is changing and in an effort to remake ourselves, we want to make sure our political leaders are fighting for our rights and upholding the values we believe in. We all want a liveable world we can happily give to our children and grandchildren. In Jonathan Haidt’s book, The Righteous Mind: Why Good People are Divided by Politics and Religion, Haidt writes, we are divided politically because of our innate differences and that we all suffer from confirmation bias. He says that we make moral decisions intuitively then justify them with rational arguments. For example, I can see why I’m a right of center person politically. I come from a blue collar working middle class home. I was educated in the school of hard knocks. There was no coddling in my household and nurturing someone’s self-esteem was considered laughable. There were no freebies. If I wanted something I had to go out and earn it. My upbring...

The green rush is on while Ontario is busy reinventing the wheel. Alberta has 400 Cannabis stores while Ontario loses $42 Million setting up a website and making stickers. A short drive down the road you can purchase cannabis in creams, soaps, gels and bath balms. They sell cookies, chocolate, candy and tea. The CBD oil is priced competitively in a range of different products and strengths. You can purchase a plant if you like gardening. They have a points card. Mondays and Wednesday are senior discount days. The store collects cans of food for the community and offer discounts for donations. The store is heated with solar panels. They have fish and chips right on site with umbrella picnic tables to enjoy a nice lunch. People come from all over to explore the novelty of a pot shop while product experts happily answer questions to help you choose the right product. Customers are lined up out the door almost every day. The longer hours on Fridays and Saturdays accommodate the ...

The government is very good at sending cash to large numbers of people every single month. Perhaps they might get better at helping people integrate back into the workforce. People will try and figure out a way to increase their household income but if the government takes it back where’s the incentive for working? We’ve grappled with this dysfunctional system for decades. Where do we even begin to encourage more people to step out of these poverty traps. I see job postings everywhere. A friend of mine has a store and can’t find employees. A family member on Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) won’t work because they will deduct from his cheque. People on benefits should be motivated to work. If you are collecting benefits and would like to get yourself a part time job for some extra spending money or to save up for a larger item this initiative should be celebrated but instead the system discourages it by deducting 50% off the amount earned after the first $200. It’s a...

I love buzzing around town running errands in and out shops. What a relief. Everything is right here and only 4 minutes away. I’m grateful to live in Smiths Falls and the town just keeps delivering more grateful to me. Many people take the benefits of living in Smiths Falls for granted. Not me. I came from London Ontario where most people don't give a hoot about you or your kids. You can pretty much get a job in Smiths Falls if you want one badly enough. You aren't standing in a line up with 50 resumes for one position you're not even sure that you want. I met someone in the park that finds Smiths Falls to be a “dreary little town.” It’s funny how perspective goes. I see it as a bustling village with great potential. I didn’t come here with a chip on my shoulder. It’s not who I am as a person. I can’t waste my time on negativity. I walk to the waterfront at least once a day and see many people fishing and boating enjoying the parks and the river too. It’s a ble...