Ford Called Out! MPP Randy Hillier questions Premier Ford, and his contradictory COVID-19 Laws
BY SIMONE J. SMITH
“Come and get me Doug! He didn’t come. He won’t have his prescribed laws tested in the courts.”
I have never seen someone speak out against the government as much as the man I had the pleasure of interviewing last week.
As a representative of the Lenark – Frotenac and Kingston regions, he has questioned the Premier about his approach to handling the current pandemic.
He has long been a thorn in the PC Government’s side because he continues to question their decision-making, and how it benefits the people of Ontario. Since May, he has opposed many of the contradictory COVID-19 laws, and last week Friday, I had the pleasure of speaking to MPP Randy Hillier. This article is a preview of a very powerful interview, that I think will add to the eye-opening interviews that I have had in the last couple weeks.
There has been a lot said about MPP Randy Hillier, and of course not all of it is good. There are reports of him being racist because of a Tweet that was posted questioning Federal Families, Children, and Social Development Minister Ahmed Hussen, after he spoke about being racially profiled.
Of course, this tweet happened to only be seen by the likes of CTV Ottawa News anchor Graham Richardson and Kayley Kennedy, the Federal Liberals’ candidate in Lanark – Frontenac – Kingston in last fall’s election. The PC Government sent a clear message to him that if he was not a team player, then he would not be working with them.
I always find it interesting when the race card is thrown out, and the context that it is brought up in. In any political battle, the opposition will do their best to make themselves look better, and the other guy looks bad. I would ask the Liberal Government to take a look at their Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who not too long ago felt that black face was okay. He is all forgiving right? Yeah, interesting!
I say that to say this; my job is not to condemn the actions of others. My job is to present information to my community and hold the government accountable for all of their actions, especially actions that are disproportionately going to affect us.
The battle right now is about the stringent laws that continue to deplete us of our God given rights. During our discussion, Randy and I went over:
· The PCR screening tests
· Bill 218
· The fact that 99% of people are not at risk of catching Covid-19
· The many Covid-19 contradictions
· Isolation camps
· The devastating lockdowns
· How this pandemic has isolated people from their families and friends
I am going to only touch on a couple of these topics in this article, but I implore you to look past the distractions, and take hold of information that could very well save your life.
Reliability of PCR Tests for COVID-19
Testing, testing, and more testing. Tests have detected more than 14 million cases of COVID-19. It is simple right; you take the test, it shows up positive, and this means that you have the disease. Unfortunately, it is not that simple. When virus levels in a population are very low, the chances of a test accurately detecting COVID-19 is less than 50%. Testing is an important issue to look into, especially since the new round of testing has brought on lockdowns in regions across Ontario.
Since May, the Public Health Agency of Canada as well as virologists and other doctors around the world have been warning of problems with PCR testing.
Let’s take a look at how the PCR test works. PCR stands for polymerase chain reaction. This is a technique used in molecular biology that amplifies a DNA template to produce specific DNA fragments.
Amplification cycles are used to amplify a sample to make it easier to find the RNA that identifies COVID in a person; the threshold, or maximum amplification cycle, known as ‘CT’, should not exceed 25, yet Ontario labs are testing at between 38 and 45 cycles. This simple increase in amplification causes false positives because of improper manipulation of the sample.
Interestingly enough, our government knows that the test is faulty. Minister Elliott (Deputy Premier of Ontario and Ontario Minister of Health) has not reported when the government became aware of this problem and why nothing has yet been done to address it.
Instead of committing to fixing the problem with PCR testing procedures, the Health Minister deflected by talking about other testing possibilities, many of which are not yet approved by Health Canada, or not widely available yet.
Randy mentioned Dr Mike Yeadon, former Vice President and Chief Science Officer for Pfizer. Dr Yeadon argues that half, or even “almost all” of test for COVID-19 are false positives. He believes that the government is basing policies and creating lockdown, mask wearing, and social distancing laws based on what may well be completely fake data.
Bill 218
This is a Bill that MPP Randy Hillier is openly speaking out against, and for good reason. Bill 218 prevents the public from suing our government institutions for their liability during COVID. It undermines ministerial responsibility and subverts common law. It almost seems like the government is attempting to conceal their actions, responsibility, and culpability for the harm they have caused in their response to COVID. Below is a brief look at the Supporting Ontario’s Recovery Act, 2020. You can find the full Bill by visiting (https://www.ola.org/en/legislative-business/bills/parliament-42/session-1/bill-218).
Section 2 of the Act provides that no cause of action arises against any person as a direct or indirect result of an individual being or potentially being infected with or exposed to coronavirus (COVID-19) on or after March 17th, 2020 as a direct or indirect result of an act or omission of the person if,
(a) at the relevant time, the person acted or made a good faith effort to act in accordance with,
(i) public health guidance relating to coronavirus (COVID-19) that applied to the person, and
(ii) any federal, provincial or municipal law relating to coronavirus (COVID-19) that applied to the person; and
(b) the act or omission of the person does not constitute gross negligence.
Proceedings directly or indirectly based on or related to any such matter may not be brought, and any that exist when the Act comes into force are deemed to have been dismissed without costs. The terms “good faith effort”, “law”, “public health guidance”, and “person” are defined and clarified in section 1 of the Act.
So, we as the community have to leave trust in the government that they are acting in our “Good Faith.” Good faith is an abstract and comprehensive term that encompasses a sincere belief or motive without any malice or the desire to defraud others. Basically, we have to trust a government that has failed the African- Caribbean community in the past.
This bill has a familiar tone to it. Our neighbours in the U.S. have U.S Code § 300aa–22.Standards of responsibility, which states that no vaccine manufacturer shall be liable in a civil action for damages arising from a vaccine-related injury or death associated with the administration of a vaccine after October 1st, 1988, if the injury or death resulted from side effects that were unavoidable even though the vaccine was properly prepared and was accompanied by proper directions and warnings.
I will be honest; I am a little weary of any Bill that will allow someone to distance themselves from an outcome that they are responsible for. Something to ponder.
Isolation/Quarantine Facilities
This last point is of some concern. In parliament, Randy asked the Ford government if they knew how many of the isolation camps would be built and how many people the government expects to detain.
If you have not heard the Government of Canada is currently soliciting feedback and information from industry service providers for additional Federal Quarantine/Isolation sites. If built, the worry is that these sites could be used for other requirements, and not only for COVID-19 imposed quarantines.
If you are interested, you can find the solicitation for feedback on the Government of Canada’s Buyandsell.gc.ca website as a tender notice Letter of Interest, and Request for Information for Federal Quarantine/Isolation sites.
Randy forwards that the government must be in negotiations and aware of these plans to potentially detain and isolate citizens and residents of our country and our province. When he began his line of questioning concerning the camps in parliament, his mike was turned off.
Since then, the Premier has been actively dodging questions about the Isolation camps. The question that we need to ask our government is why? Why are they not talking about this?
The Public Health Agency of Canada is currently managing eleven quarantine isolation sites across Canada. These include sites in: Calgary, Vancouver, Kelowna, Winnipeg, Regina, Toronto, Montreal, Halifax, Fredericton, St. John’s (Newfoundland), and Whitehorse. Each site is set up to detain up to 1,600 travellers for up to fourteen days at a time. The sites can be temporarily discontinued until needed again by the Government of Canada. The facilities may be used for “other requirements” for the next two years, as deemed necessary to safeguard the public health.
Let us take a look at a live example; Dr Jacques Girard, leader of the Quebec City public health authority, stated during a press conference that a number of customers who were supposed to wait for COVID-19 test results left, and that is why they were taken forcibly and place into isolation by the state.
Why is this scary? Well, let’s take a look at the history of concentration camps. They were established on February 28th, 1933 under the “Protective Custody.” This law allowed the police to make arrests based on the suspicion of criminal activity and interred without a trial or legal representation.
Not sure what to say Toronto. It looks like we are heading down a scary path, and all I can hope is that more of us wake up and start standing up for our human rights. For now, all we can do is do the work. This means being diligent media consumers and doing our research.
BY RUSHANE FERRON
The Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) has received an unprecedented number of submissions for this year’s FiWi Short Film Competition. Launched earlier this year, the competition drew an impressive 47 entries. Currently, 17 shortlisted films are available for public viewing on the JCDC’s YouTube channel, with winners set to be announced on October 24th.
Executive Director of the JCDC, Mr. Lenford Salmon, expressed pride in the competition’s growing success, stating, “This record number of entries reflects how Jamaicans are embracing the programmes offered by the JCDC. While the Commission is well known for preserving and showcasing our culture, we also recognize the importance of using technology to engage, particularly with our youth. The FiWi Short Film Competition is a perfect example of how we can bring our culture to life in the digital age. The fact that it’s four years old and already experiencing this level of growth is a promising sign for the future.”
Drama and Theatre Arts Development Specialist at the JCDC, Mr. Shaun Drysdale, attributes this year’s spike in entries to the increasing interest in filmmaking, fueled by the proliferation of social media platforms that support storytelling through visuals.
“We are living in a digital age. Filmmaking is now in the hands of the average person on the street via his, or her cell phone. Add to that the inherent creativity of Jamaicans and you are left with a potent combination, which when given the correct environment, can reap tangible rewards. That is what we are experiencing at this time,” Mr. Drysdale said.
The JCDC FiWi Short Film Competition seeks to promote Jamaican culture through the production of films ranging from 3-5 minutes in duration. The films must be based on set criteria, and primarily centred around a Jamaican proverb.
This year’s proverbs are: “Sweet mout fly follow coffin go a hole”; “Puss nuh hab han, but him tek him foot wipe him face”; “Keep clear a ole house, les dem fall dung pon you”; “Rockstone a riber bottom nuh feel sun hot”; and “Finger tink, yuh cyan cut eh trow ‘wey”.
In addition to the proverbs, participants were also given two special themes around which to build the treatment of their films, based on concepts provided by two sponsors. These are: “SEAS IN FOCUS: Uniting for marine managed areas”- National Conservation Trust Fund of Jamaica (NCTFJ) and “Need a passport quick, Get it with just a click”- Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA).
Mr. Drysdale further noted that this year’s shortlisted films represent a variety of the possible genres with eleven dramatic works, two animation films, one comedy, one documentary and two science fiction films. Three of the participants are from the youth category, which is for filmmakers between 12-18 years old and the remaining 14 from adult category.
In addition to viewing the short films online, the public will have an opportunity to view at a special screening to be held on National Heroes’ Day, Monday, October 21st, 2024, as a feature of JCDC National Heritage Fest and Family Fun Day being held on the south lawn at Devon House in St Andrew.
The FiWi Short Film Competition was started by the JCDC in 2021 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The competition is the brainchild of the JCDC’s Drama and Theatre Arts Unit and encourages Jamaican amateur filmmakers to examine selected Jamaican proverbs and based on their interpretation create the treatment for a short film.
BY PAUL JUNOR
The Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO), which administers the Grade 3, 6 and 9 assessments across Ontario and the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT), recently released the 2024 results. For many schools across the province, EQAO results are a snapshot of how students are doing compared to their peers in other schools at the same grade level.
The York Catholic District School Board (YCDSB) has maintained a high level of consistency with respect to the outstanding performance of its students on the Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) and the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT). In a media release on Wednesday, October 9th, 2024, details were revealed about the positive achievements and exemplary accomplishments of its students.
EQAO results were released on September 26th, 2024. The focus was, “Mathematics Achievement Remains an Area of Focus but Sees Gradual Growth Over Time with Some School Boards Showing Significant Increases; Literacy Achievement Remains High but Shows Some Decline.” The data was based on the 2023-2024 school year during which over 570,000 students wrote the EQAO assessments at the elementary and secondary levels on the English and French-language school systems.
For students who wrote the Grade 3 Assessment of Reading, Writing and Mathematics:
- 71% met the provincial standard in reading compared to 73% in 2022-2023, and 73% in 2021-2022.
- 64% of Grade 3 students met the provincial standard in writing, compared to 65% in 2022-2023 and 65% in 2021-2022.
- 61% of Grade 3 students met the provincial standard in mathematics, compared to 60% in 2022-2023 and 59% in 2021-2022.
For students who wrote the Grade 6 Assessment of Reading, Writing and Mathematics:
- 82% met the provincial standard in reading, compared to 84% in 2022-2023 and 85% in 2021-2022.
- 80% met the provincial standard in writing, compared to 84% in 2022-2023, and 84% in 2021-2022.
- 50% met the provincial standard in mathematics, compared to 50% in 2022-2023 and 47 % in 2021-2022.
For students who wrote the Grade 9 Assessment in Mathematics:
- 54% met the provincial standard, compared to 54% in 2022-2023 and 52% in 2021-2022.
For students who wrote the Grade 10 Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT):
- 85% of first-time eligible students were successful, compared to 85% in 2022-23 and 82% in 2021-2022.
- 52% of previously eligible students were successful in 2023-2024, compared to 63% in 2022-2023 and 85% in 2021-2022.
John De Faveri, Interim Director of Education of the YCDSB writes, “We are always looking for ways to provide a better school experience, but today is a time to celebrate our students and staff for their excellent academic achievement. I want to particularly highlight the incredible work that is being done in mathematics, which we see in these results. Mathematical literacy is such an important life skill and we are happy to share a love of numbers with our students.”
Results from the Grade 3, 6 and 9 EQAO Mathematics results show improvement in Mathematics compared to 2023. In addition, with respect to reading and writing results for Grade 6 there has been a consistent steady upward rise in the performance of students as 89% and 90% of students met or exceeded provincial standards when compared to the province’s average of 82% and 89%.
Elizabeth Crowe, Chair of the Board of Trustees for YCDSB states, “EQAO results are just one of the ways we see how York Catholic is leading the province in educational achievement. As a Catholic learning community, we want to see every child succeed and EQAO results help us measure our progress toward that noble goal.”
Overall, the percentage of students who participated from YCDSB in Grade 3 and 6 EQAO were 97% and 98%, respectively. For Grade 9 Math assessment there were 93% of eligible students and 97% in the OSSLT.
Any parents or guardians interested in learning about the 2024 EQAO and OSSLT results and individual school results for their children can check the EQAO’s website: https://www.eqao.com/results/.
BY PAUL JUNOR
There is: planning, preparation, and organization that parents, guardians and caregivers must make in York Region as they prepare their children for high school. For those who chose to send them to a high school at the Catholic board, there are open houses planned to make this process easier to navigate.
In a press release on Thursday, October 10th, 2024, details were revealed about these open houses. It notes, “The open houses will highlight key aspects of each school, including administration, programs, graduation requirements, uniforms, school structure, student opportunities and more. In addition, information about the registration process, including registration dates, deadlines and documents needed to enroll, will be discussed.
The media release mentioned the seven regional programs, and ten Specialist High Skills Majors (SHSM) programs. They include:
Advanced Placement
Programs with an extended and enriched curriculum allow students to earn credits or advanced standing at most universities.
English as a Second Language
(ESL) and English Literacy Development (ELD)
English as a Second Language and English Literacy Development programs assist English language learners from diverse linguistic and education backgrounds in attaining English language proficiency.
French Immersion (FI)
Students who completed the Elementary French Immersion programs, or equivalent can continue with the immersion program to earn a French immersion certificate upon graduation.
High Performer Athlete (HPA)
An academic-based program for student-athletes participating in competitive-level athletics. Students benefit from a flexible timetable to help balance their academic and athletic commitments and earn high school credits for the work they put into their training.
International Baccalaureate (IB)
A rigorous and intellectually challenging pre-university course of study that allows students to earn an IB Diploma upon graduation, recognized in Canada and abroad.
Regional Arts (RAP)/Integrated Regional Arts Program(iRAP)
Students specialize in drama, dance, visual arts, digital media arts, instrumental music, or vocal music- while obtaining their high school diploma. In the iRAP, students experience their learning through an integrated model where the curriculum is explored in relation to the interconnectedness of the individual, the community, and the world.
STREAM Program
Students explore real-world challenges and use the design thinking process to develop critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and communication skills, guided by the traditional Catholic social teachings. This academic program uses an interdisciplinary approach to inquiry and problem-based learning.
Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM)
Students can obtain a diploma with a specialist in either: Arts and Culture; Aviation and Aerospace; Business; Health and Wellness; Hospitality and Tourism; Information and Communication Technology; Justice, Community Safety and Emergency Services, Manufacturing; or Non-Profit. Every YCDSB school offers a SHSM program.
Parents or guardians who live in York Region and are interested in any programs can check: Website: www.ycdsb.ca
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York Catholic is leading the province in educational achievement
York Catholic District School Board plans open house for future high school students
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Joe Simone
November 12, 2020 at 1:29 pm
I would tell each and everyone to Contact each and every MP, MPP, and Fords office either by email or phone asking what is going on here!…camps, fake PCR testing, etc…whats next someone comes in the night and takes your love ones and more lock downs!.