"Man acquitted of threatening ex-boss after being fired for smoking on job" -ON
by Dianne Wood Feb16, 2005 Local section Page B2
Justice Epstein agreed Andrew Palubeskie's words were threatening in nature but couldn't conclude beyond a reasonable doubt that he threaten to cause seroius bodily harm to the plant manager at UltraMetal Inc.
Palubeskie, 48, worked there for 11.5 years until he was fired for smoking in April 2003. He violated the company's no-smoking policy after being given
three warnings. He was earning $22 to $25 an hour as a machine operator.
He got another job but was laid off in June 2004 when that business closed. He was having a hard time finding a new job.
"People were telling me, it's got to be UtraMetal giving you an unfavourable reference."
An employee in the HRD of the company where he was laid off contacted his former employer and was told the he had been fired for smoking.
Several days after he learned this, Palubeskie left a series of messages on his former boss's answering machine at work.
" I figured it was dirty pool what you guys did to me, I gave 11.5 years there."
He wanted the company to stop giving him bad references and left the message" If you don't, there's gonna be big trouble and I am not kidding. I'm a bad person. Take it whichever way you like to go because my life can go either....way. You guys want to hurt me. In that case, I will hurt back".
The plant manager felt threatened by the message because of Palubeskie's tone of voice. "I don't know if there was a personal attack intent or not.
Palubeskie said that by "big trouble" he meant that he knew of some illegal activity the company was involved in that he could reveal..
The judge called the messages "certainly a failure of dipolmacy, but hardly a threat to cause seriou bodily harm. There's got to be some room to speak a
little harshly, wothout crossing the line of criminal conduct. The broad blunt axe of criminal law is, perhaps, something used to much."
A charge of criminal harassment was dismissed.
Kitchener Record
Inquiry launched over sailor's disappearance
CBC NewsLast Updated Wed, 16 Feb 2005 14:25:01 EST
HALIFAX - A military board of inquiry has been convened to investigate the disappearance last week of a sailor aboard HMCS Montreal.
The navy announced Wednesday that Cmdr. Sean Cantelon will head the inquiry to find out what happened to Leading Seaman Robert Leblanc.
Leblanc, 24, is believed to have fallen overboard and drowned during a naval exercise in the Baltic Sea on Feb. 8.
FROM FEB. 9, 2005: Search called off for missing Canadian sailor
When the sailor didn't report for his shift, the crew searched the frigate twice. Then HMCS Montreal retraced its route to scour the water off Poland for any signs of Leblanc.
The search was called off about 20 hours later, when officials decided there was no chance of finding him alive. The temperature of the water was just above freezing.
A senior navy official said Leblanc was last seen smoking a cigarette in an enclosed area of the ship. He also said crew members had been told to stay off the ship's outside decks because of ice.
The military's investigative service has been looking into the case.
If it finds there was something criminal about Leblanc's disappearance, the service will handle the investigation.
However, if the service cites accidental or natural causes, the board of inquiry will proceed.
http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2005/02/16/missing-sailor050216.html
The end of a most beautiful friendship
Meet my recently ex-friend or rather, friends, as they always travel in packs of 20
By JOHN SHEARD Wednesday, February 16, 2005 - Page A18
It was with a curious mixture of excitement and dread that I recently celebrated (if one can use that word) my 50th birthday -- the same feeling you get on the long, slow ascent of a roller coaster as you look down at the shrinking world you once knew. I had decided, some time before, that my 51st year on the planet would begin with the death of a beautiful friendship.
Let me tell you about my friend or rather, friends, as they always travel in packs of 20, neatly arranged in a pocket-sized white box adorned with the picture of a camel. For 30 years, we have been inseparable and insuperable in all the big, bright moments of life.
We've been together also in the darkest ones. Through it all I'd have to say it was a pretty fair arrangement and I had no complaints. But even the bravest of friendships sometimes ends rudely and with the reaper's scythe gleaming faintly in the distance, I knew our affair was over.
It's tough to explain a nicotine addiction to those who haven't lived it. It becomes your identity, the sine qua non of daily life. It's there at bedtime, and there still when you rise. The cigarette is that perfect, compact antidote to the circadian stress storms. It's the lifeboat that bobs along in your wake . . . unthinkable to leave it behind.
Like all smokers, I had amassed quite a cache of rationalizations for my habit. I was the man with the answer for every occasion, the bob for every weave, the parry for every thrust. And then one day I looked around to find that I was part of a very select minority; I was one of the last members of a club nobody wants to belong to any more. I had arrived at the distillate moment of truth -- and how I ever arrived at that bittersweet place will always be a marvel to me, no matter how it all turns out.
I fixed my 50th birthday as D-Day and puffed away contentedly as I waited for it to arrive.
On that brilliant autumn day, I took the long walk to the kitchen where I forced myself to crush the remaining dozen or so cigarettes in the pack and toss them into the garbage. (Well, you always hurt the ones you love.) It was almost an out-of-body experience, totally unreal, as though I were watching someone else do it. I stood there for a moment in quiet horror. No mistaking -- the deed was done and no looking back.
I suppose my arrival at those crossroads so late in life is due in equal measure to good old procrastination and the sure knowledge that I was paying no great price for my addiction. I am undeservedly fit and have often found great sport in jogging past my non-smoking friends up the trail hills and waiting patiently for them at the top, sucking on a cigarette. And really, I'd always been the picture of health -- no smoker's hack and actually quite blasé when it came to the odd five- or six-hour non-smoking flight. That said, I never met a cigarette I didn't like, nor have I ever disparaged the warm, comforting glow of a butt on a Canadian winter's night.
But of course there's a hefty cost; aside from the monetary one (about $3,000 a year by loose reckoning) there's the ignominy of being the only guest at the dinner party who skulks off like Gollum to suck away on the porch in February while the sane ones are inside, all safe and warm. But the most profound price, I'd come to face, is that which is paid by those closest to you: spouse, parents, close friends and those insufferably righteous nieces and nephews. I couldn't ask them to pay it any longer.
So it's farewell to old and fast friends -- to the coffin nails, as Bogie called them. Such a small thing really, in trade for the tears of relief cried by the near and dear.
Now I will embrace my new identity as Non-Smoker with the zeal of the recently converted. That moniker still fits me like a bad suit after only a few months but I'm getting there. In fact, the whole thing has been much easier than I expected. The hard part is really making the decision in the first place. Once you've pictured that moment, the rest is just mind over matter.
So I'll either win the war of the weed or be the Steve McQueen character in The Great Escape who gets only so far each time before being re-captured, I don't know.
I only know that I want badly to win and that must make the difference for me because I like it here in my new world. Everything's different now, you see, even the sky is different; the smells and the tastes -- all changed.
And that bobbing lifeboat falls a bit farther behind me each day.
John Sheard lives in Toronto.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/ArticleNews/TPStory/LAC/20050216/FACTS16/TPComment/Features
NHLBI Study Shows Smoking Cessation Programs Improve Survival
WASHINGTON, DC, Feb. 14 /CNW/ - New findings from the Lung Health Study (LHS) show that intensive smoking cessation programs can significantly improve long-term survival among smokers. Supported by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), LHS is a landmark study that differs from many other studies of cigarette smoking in that it was a randomized, controlled clinical trial -- considered the gold standard in determining cause and effect; furthermore, the size and duration of LHS enabled it to more accurately measure the risks associated with smoking than other clinical trials. NHLBI is part of the National Institutes of Health.
LHS followed nearly 5,900 middle-aged smokers who had mild to moderately abnormal lung function but were otherwise healthy when they enrolled in the study. Participants were assigned to either a 10-week intensive smoking cessation program or to usual care (no intervention). The intervention program included behavior modification and use of nicotine gum, with a continuing five-year maintenance program to minimize relapse. After five years, approximately 22 percent of the participants in the smoking cessation program were sustained quitters, with nearly 90 percent of them continuing their success after 11 years. About 5 percent of those who did not receive the intervention were sustained quitters after five years. After an average of 14.5 years, the death rate among those in the smoking cessation program was about 15 percent lower compared to those who received usual care. The results are published in the February 15, 2005, issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.
"This study shows the substantial impact smoking cessation programs can have on public health, even if small numbers of participants successfully quit," said Gail Weinmann, MD, director of the NHLBI Airway Biology and Disease Program.
Researchers also analyzed mortality data according to smoking habit regardless of whether participants were in the intervention or usual care groups. At the end of the study they found that sustained quitters had nearly half the overall death rate of those who continued to smoke. In particular, death rates of sustained quitters compared to smokers were nearly one-third lower for coronary heart disease and for cardiovascular disease, and less than half for lung cancer.
In an accompanying editorial, Jonathan Samet, MD, MS, of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, notes that the LHS findings prove that "smoking is causally responsible for the increased risk for death in smokers." He asserts, "No one can make a serious claim to the contrary in light of this randomized trial evidence."
Smoking is the single most avoidable cause of disease, disability, and death in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 22.5 percent of adults (46 million) and 26 percent of high school seniors smoke. Smoking contributes to more than 440,000 deaths per year.
Dr. Weinmann is available to comment on the study. To interview Dr. Weinmann, please call the NHLBI Communications Office at (301) 496-4236. To interview an expert about smoking and cancer, please contact the National
Cancer Institute Press Office at (301) 496-6641.
Clinical centers for the Lung Health Study were:
- Baltimore, Maryland: Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
- Birmingham, Alabama: University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Cleveland, Ohio: Case Western Reserve University
- Detroit, Michigan: Henry Ford Hospital
- Los Angeles, California: University of California
- Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: University at Pittsburgh
- Portland, Oregon: Oregon Health Sciences University
- Rochester, Minnesota: Mayo Clinic
- Salt Lake City, Utah: University of Utah
- Winnipeg, Manitoba: University of Manitoba
- Minneapolis, Minnesota: University of Minnesota (Data Coordinating Center)
For more information about the Lung Health Study, visit http://www.biostat.umn.edu/lhs/.
Information about chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, a condition in which the lung is damaged -- usually due to cigarette smoking -- is available at http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/Copd/Copd_WhatIs.html.
Resources to help smokers quit are available at www.smokefree.gov.
NHLBI is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Federal Government's primary agency for biomedical and behavioral research. NIH is a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Additional information about NHLBI-supported research and educational programs are
available online at the NHLBI website, www.nhlbi.nih.gov.
http://www.cnw.ca/fr/releases/archive/February2005/14/c4088.html
Peel Regional Police - Man sought for armed robberies -ON
PEEL, ON, Feb. 17 /CNW/ - The Peel Regional Police Central Robbery Bureau is asking for the public's assistance in locating a man wanted for armed robbery.
Shane Charles MACINTOSH, 24 years, of Mississauga, is sought for an armed robbery that occurred on Sunday, January 23rd, 2005, at approximately
3:30 a.m. The accused and two associates entered a convenience store, located in the Lakeshore Road and Hurontario Street area of Mississauga. Two employees were robbed of a quantity of cash and cigarettes at gunpoint.
MACINTOSH is described as male, white, 5'11" tall, 160 lbs., with brown hair. He is considered armed and dangerous. If MACINTOSH is spotted, do not approach him and call police immediately.
MACINTOSH is believed to have been involved in several other robberies in the Peel and Halton regions. Peel Regional Police Service is working with Halton Regional Police Service to locate this man.
A photograph of MACINTOSH can be viewed by clicking onhttp://files.newswire.ca/53/MACINTOSH1.jpg and http://files.newswire.ca/53/MACINTOSH2.jpg
Anyone with information is asked to call the Central Robbery Bureau at 905-453-2121, ext. 3410, or call Peel Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS/8477.
http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/February2005/17/c5583.html
Ontarians want choice when it comes to smoking in bars, restaurants and Legions
Fair Air Association of Canada calls on provincial Liberals to support DSRs
TORONTO, Feb. 16 /CNW/ - An independent study conducted for the Fair Air Association of Canada (FAAC) by Northstar Research Partners shows that 70% of Ontarians believe that bar owners who have invested in ventilated smoking areas should be allowed to maintain them.
Similar to findings in May 2004, ventilated smoking areas continue to be the preferred option of Ontarians when it comes to public smoking in age- restricted bars and pubs. When presented with realistic options - designated smoking rooms (DSRs), a complete ban or unrestricted smoking, half of Ontarians (52%) state a preference for DSRs. While this is the preferred choice of a majority of smokers, it also emerges as the preference of 44% of non-smokers.
"We continue to call on the government to recognize the obvious: banning smoking in bars, bingo halls and legions doesn't make people quit smoking. Smokers just stay home and smoke - while the hospitality industry suffers," said Karen Bodirsky, CEO of the Fair Air Association. The Ontario government is currently engaged in Second Reading Debate on Bill 164, legislation that will ban smoking in public places, including those which have invested in effective, efficient ventilation systems. FAAC calls on the government to allow Designated Smoking Rooms within the framework of the legislation.
"It's a solution that works in BC and in many other jurisdictions across Canada," said Bodirsky. "It's a solution that must be included for Ontario."
The Fair Air Association of Canada is committed to the promotion of sound ventilation science and support of the hospitality industry. Its members include bars and pubs, hotels, tobacco manufacturers, ventilation companies and engineers, bingo halls and bowling alley operators.
Study background and methodology:
All interviewing for this study was conducted between February 11th and 13th, 2005 using a telephone survey methodology. Respondents were called using a random digit dialing technique. The sample was drawn in proportion to population distribution across the province. A gender quota was also applied
to ensure equal representation of males and females in the sample. In total, 507 interviews were completed. The results of this sample size are accurate within a margin of error of plus or minus 4.4 percentage points, 19 times out of 20 (95% confidence level)
For further information: Media contact: Karen Bodirsky, CEO, FAAC (416) 214-2737, Karen@faac.ca
http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/February2005/16/c4852.html
Poll iffy
The Calgary Herald - 2.12.2005
Smoking - Re: "Albertans back smoking ban: poll," Feb. 7.
It appears that while Les Hagen's motives may be noble, his poll and resultant assessment are not. Ask yourself what the poll results might have been if the questions had been asked at bingo halls, bars and casinos, instead of malls or wherever. And if you are paying someone to conduct a poll, then what might you expect the answer to be? If you truly believe that 72 per cent of the population agrees with banning smoking, then I suggest you check the contents of your pipe.
As a former smoker, I agree we need to seek ways to help people stop smoking and to encourage non-smokers to remain that way. I don't think we've done an effective job of this yet because the percentage of people smoking has not significantly declined. New thinking is required. I don't, however, feel this is best done by polls that can be easily manipulated to serve a biased need.
Larry Yarmchuk
Calgary
http://faac.ca/content/news/2005.02.12-1.htm
Smoke-free Ontario spells doom for casino
Writing as one of the several thousand Ontarians who will be out of a job the day Ontario goes smoke-free, I have a question. The casino is hoping for millions from the government to expand in order to keep up with competition from over the river. A fourth possible Detroit-area casino would surely take another slice from an ever-shrinking pie. My question: why would the government spend a cent on Casino Windsor when the day it goes smoke-free it will lose business that it will never get back? This is not a maybe, this is a fact.
Business owners have bent over backwards to accommodate the non-smokers and make their lives as smoke-free as humanly possible -- not to mention the millions of dollars they have spent to do this.
For Windsor to go smoke-free would truly be a disaster that we won't see until it happens. Countless jobs and millions of dollars in charities would be lost very soon afterward. I'm sure that Detroit is one community that is hoping that Ontario goes smoke-free because they will be the only ones that benefit financially.
By the way, every person who applies to work at a bingo, a casino, a bar or a restaurant knows that people smoke in designated areas. They don't find out on the first day of work.
http://www.canada.com/windsor/windsorstar/news/letters/story.html?id=1e9c7b38-f04e-423f-bc9d-99e5cc6e50f8
Bowling alley owner fights ban on designated smoking rooms -ON
The Standard (St. Catharines - Niagara) - 2.7.2005
NIAGARA FALLS - Chris Biamonte wants the provincial government to butt out and he's looking to his customers for support.
As owner of Cataract Bowl of Niagara Falls, Biamonte recently spent $45,000 to install a designated smoking room in the Lundy's Lane bowling alley in anticipation of the June 1, 2004, changes to municipal smoking bylaws.
Last month, the Ontario government introduced new smoke-free legislation, the Smoke Free Ontario Act, that would essentially ban the 700 designated smoking rooms now available in bars, bingo halls and other venues across Ontario , effective May 2006.
Biamonte is circulating a petition at the bowling alley, asking customers to voice their concern over the legislation, which has been billed as one of the toughest anti-tobacco measures inNorth America .
"If you're willing to spend that kind of money to put a smoking room in, one that complies with the health department and everything else, what is the problem?" Biamonte asked.
There are currently 52 designated smoking rooms in Niagara region.
"Our smokers are happy with the room, our people who don't smoke are happy because they don't have to smell the smoke ... everybody is happy and that's what we want," Biamonte said.
Since smokers account for almost 60 per cent of his clientele, Biamonte said banning the designated smoking rooms could spell disaster for Cataract Bowl.
"We've been here 50 years. Is this going to be our last year?"
While bar patrons can choose to go outside for a cigarette, Biamonte says that option isn't available to his customers.
"You can't go outside with your bowling shoes in the winter time. You'll slip, fall down and hurt yourself."
http://faac.ca/content/news/2005.02.07-1.htm
Study links kids' cancers to moms' exposure to pollutants
By Andre Picard Jan. 18, 2005
Most childhood cancers are likely caused by pollutants expectant mothers are exposed to during pregnancy, according to a new study. Those at greatest risk live close to busy roads and industrial areas, researchers found.
In particular, they found children born of mothers living near "emission hot spots" of particular chemicals were two to four times more likely to develop leukemia and other childhood cancers before age 16.
"Most childhood cancers are probably initiated by close, perinatal encounters with one or more of these high-emission sources," said George Knox, a professor emeritus at the University of Birmingham in Birmingham, U.K.
Emissions that appear to raise cancer risk the most include carbon monoxide created by burning fossil fuels (notably gasoline used by vehicles) and 1,3-butadiene, also a by-product of internal combustion engines. Researchers also looked at the effect of various other industrial and environmental pollutants, including particulate matter, nitrogen oxides (both of which are associated with oil burning), as well as dioxins, benzene, and benz(a)pyrene. These chemicals can be found in engine exhaust, and smokestack emissions from various industrial and refinery processes.
Dr. Knox said these chemicals -- many of which have been shown to be carcinogenic in animal tests -- are likely breathed in by the mother and passed on to the baby through the placenta. But he said that "effective direct exposure in early infancy, or through breast milk, or even preconceptually, cannot be excluded."
The study is published in today's edition of the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health.
The study did not deal with how the chemicals might trigger the growth of tumours. Instead, it focused on the location of children who developed cancer. To conduct the research, Dr. Knox and his team used detailed chemical-emission maps produced by the U.K. National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory, and crossreferenced them with the home addresses of children who died of cancer.
There were a total of 22,458 childhood cancer deaths in Great Britain between 1953 and 1980. Eleven varieties of cancers were recorded, including leukemias, lymphomas, neuroblastoma and bone cancers.
Dr. Knox and his team found that the cancer deaths were concentrated near emissions "hot spots." In fact, children within a one-kilometre radius of a hot spot -- such as a large industrial plant or a major highway -- were two to four times more likely to die of cancer.
Some cancer experts, however, said the study was highly speculative and dismissed the notion that "most" childhood cancers are caused by exposure to pollutants.
Dr. Lesley Walker of Cancer Research U.K. said, for example, that there is a growing body of evidence that leukemia may be a rare response to a common infection. It is also well established that some cancers, such as neuroblastoma (a tumour that develops in the adrenal glands or certain nerves), can be caused by nutritional deficiencies, specifically a lack of folate. "This is a complex area to research -- not least because cancers in children are rare and some may have an underlying genetic basis," she said.
Almost 1,300 children are diagnosed with cancer in Canada each year, and about 230 die, according to the National Cancer Institute of Canada. Almost one-third of the cases and the deaths are due to various forms of leukemia.
The study is available on the web [click here]
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2FArticleNews%2FTPStory%2FLAC%2F20050118%2FHCANCER18%2FTPEnvironment%2F&ord=1108668563175&brand=theglobeandmail&force_login=true
OHA Appears Before Senate Committee to Help Support National Plan for Mental Health and Addiction
TORONTO, Feb. 17 /CNW/ - Ensuring a national action plan on mental health, illness and addiction is developed to help standardize care across the country is a key recommendation being made today by Ontario's hospitals at a panel discussion of the Standing Committee on Social Affairs, Science and
Technology, as Senators review responses to the issues and options presented in one of three reports recently produced by Senator Michael J. L. Kirby, and
members of the Committee.
"The OHA commends Senator Kirby and the Senate Committee for their in-depth review of mental health, mental illness and addiction, and sees it as a positive step in profiling the major issues impacting the provision of these services in Canada," said Dr. Paul Garfinkel, President and CEO of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, and Former Chair of the OHA Mental Health Working Group. "In order to truly enhance mental health and addiction treatment and care, we need to enhance health promotion, prevention and early intervention and continue to invest in community-based mental health care services.
Key issues highlighted by Dr. Garfinkel included:
- The need for a single national action plan to ensure consistency in he quality of care provided across Canada, and the sharing of best practices
- The need for increased federal funding to improve research and development into the causes of mental illness and models of care in treatment, as well as into the development of benchmarks to improve health system performance
- The need for a national information system to measure the mental health status of Canadians, evaluate policies and services, and share information
The Standing Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology is currently holding hearings to review the issues presented in the Senate Committee's report, and "to launch a public debate to enable Canadians to provide input on how the issues should be addressed."
For further information: Media Contact - OHA Public Affairs, (416) 205-1348
http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/February2005/17/c5592.html
Canadian Cancer Society Applauds Private Members' Bill for National Strategy for Cancer Research
Research Strategy Important Part of Overall Strategy to Fight Cancer
OTTAWA, Feb. 16 /CNW/ - The Canadian Cancer Society applauds today's introduction of a private members' bill in the Senate - The National Cancer
Strategy Act - calling for the creation of a national strategy for cancer research.
"Canada is a world leader in cancer research and enhanced, coordinated investment will ensure that progress in cancer research continues, which will lead to fewer Canadians being diagnosed with cancer and fewer Canadians dying from the disease," says Ken Kyle, Director, Public Issues, Canadian Cancer Society.
"A research strategy is an important part of an overall strategy to fight cancer in Canada. A Canadian Strategy for Cancer Control would also encompass prevention and improved screening, treatment, quality of life and access to services. Canada urgently needs this strategy as experts predict that new cancer cases will increase by 60 per cent over the next 20 years because of our growing and aging population."
A Canadian Strategy for Cancer Control has been developed by more than 700 cancer experts and cancer survivors. As an active participant in the development of the Strategy, the Canadian Cancer Society has been urging all levels of government to implement and fund this important initiative.
The private members' bill for a cancer research strategy was introduced by Senator J. Michael Forrestall of Nova Scotia. The bill calls on the federal Minister of Health to consult with the ministers responsible for health in each province and with charities involved in funding cancer research to develop a plan for a national cancer research strategy.
The Canadian Cancer Society is a national community-based organization of volunteers whose mission is to eradicate cancer and to enhance the quality of
life of people living with cancer. When you want to know more about cancer, visit our website at www.cancer.ca or call our toll-free, bilingual Cancer
Information Service at 1 888 939-3333.
For further information: please contact: Ken Kyle, Director, Public Issues, Canadian Cancer Society, (613) 565-2522, ext. 301; Rachel Brown, Communications, Canadian Cancer Society, (416) 934-5681
http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/February2005/16/c5127.html
MLAs get look at smoking bill -AB
CBC News Last Updated Feb 17 2005 07:57 AM MST
EDMONTON – Conservative MLAs will get their first look at proposed no-smoking legislation Thursday, which is expected to contain provisions for designated smoking rooms.
Calgary MLA Dave Rodney will introduce the private member's bill during the next session of the legislature, and has said he won't discuss its contents until his caucus colleagues have seen it.
The bill is believed to be a compromise that would ban smoking in workplaces, but make allowances for ventilated smoking rooms in some businesses, including bingo halls and casinos.
But Les Hagen, with Action on Smoking and Health, says smoking rooms don't work.
"The region of York spent $160,000 annually just to monitor and inspect their smoking rooms, and at the end of the day, they found that three-quarters of them were in non-compliance with the legislation," Hagen said. "The circulation or ventilation was either inadequate or the rooms were overcrowded, and we believe that the situation wouldn't be any better here."
Hagen and other anti-smoking advocates are calling for a complete workplace smoking ban across the province.
Health Minister Iris Evans had initially proposed a province-wide ban, but eased off after Klein made it clear he doesn't support the move. While the premier believes steps should be taken to discourage people from starting to smoke, he opposes forcing bars and casinos to ban the habit.
He says individual municipalities should make the decision about whether to permit smoking in their communities. However, the Alberta Association of Urban Municipalities has asked the province to make a rule that everyone would have to abide by
http://edmonton.cbc.ca/regional/servlet/View?filename=ed-smoking-ban20050217
MLA's anti-smoking bill jumping the gun? -AB
JERRY WARD, LEGISLATURE BUREAU
A rookie Tory MLA who wants a smoking ban in Alberta workplaces - with rules permitting designated smoking rooms - appears to have jumped the gun, critics say. Calgary Lougheed MLA Dave Rodney was before the all-Tory health policy committee yesterday explaining the ins and outs of his private member's bill, to be introduced when the legislature starts its spring session on March 1.
Rodney emerged from the two-hour closed-doors meeting saying the proposed ban is a work in progress.
"It's an evolution and we want to consult with Albertans more," Rodney said yesterday. "I don't know that my opinion matters that much. Honestly, I want to talk to my caucus more on what they think is appropriate.
"I wish I could tell you more, but there is no more to tell until I consult with my fellow colleagues."
He declined to say how his bill - and the manner in which it was floated over the weekend exclusively to a local media outlet - was received by other Tory MLAs.
"That's a confidential conversation," Rodney said.
Private member's bills are rarely proclaimed into law, even when a majority of MLAs support them. Rodney's bill is to be debated by all Conservative MLAs on Thursday.
"Perhaps there were one or two different things that could be drafted in the final (bill) and might be offered as differences when it comes forward to caucus," said Health Minister Iris Evans.
"We'll go forward to caucus and have more discussion."
Evans said she supports Rodney's proposed bill and his effort to, "build something that can be accepted by the broadest number of our MLAs."
Liberal health critic Laurie Blakeman said she thinks Rodney spoke publicly before getting the backing of the other 61 Conservatives in the legislature.
"I think a rookie MLA got out ahead of his process and now he's stuck and can't say anything more until they run it through caucus," said Blakeman, MLA for Edmonton Centre.
Evans said a government-endorsed bill on smoking in Alberta workplaces would not have been debated in the legislature this spring, so the route of using a private member's bill was seen as a quicker method to advance the debate toward a ban
http://www.canoe.ca/NewsStand/EdmontonSun/News/2005/02/15/931434-sun.html
Sister sure seaman didn't kill himself
'My brother had too much to live for'
By JEFFREY SIMPSON / Staff Reporter Friday, February 11, 2005
A relative of the sailor from Halifax who went missing from HMCS Montreal in the Baltic Sea this week says she's convinced he wouldn't have committed suicide.
Leading Seaman Robert LeBlanc wasn't depressed and had no reason to take his own life, a woman who identified herself as the man's sister told this newspaper Thursday.
"My brother had too much to live for; we'll put it this way," said the woman, who didn't want her name published.
She declined to describe the relationship her brother had with his fellow sailors or comment on whether she suspected other people might have been involved in his disappearance.
"At the present time, I cannot answer that question," she said.
The navy said Wednesday that Leading Seaman LeBlanc, 24, was last seen having a cigarette at about 11:30 p.m. Tuesday in the breezeway on the port side of the ship, an enclosed area used as a smoking area.
But his sister said that's also unlikely.
"He's never put a cigarette up to his mouth before in his life," the woman said. "He's yelled at me for smoking, for God's sakes, so he's not a smoker."
Leading Seaman LeBlanc was reported missing when he failed to show up for duty as a night steward more than 90 minutes after he was last seen. Although there are two doors from the breezeway leading outside, everyone on board had been ordered to remain off the upper deck due to the risk posed by frozen sea spray. The command was broadcast over the ship's intercom, and signs were posted on all exits, the navy said. Conditions at the time were clear and calm.
Leading Seaman LeBlanc's sister said she's concerned about the information that has been made public about her brother.
"He's being portrayed as something he's not," she said. "The image of him is being brought out . . . the wrong way, and it's not fair, and he's not alive anymore to defend himself."
The unmarried man, whose parents live in Western Canada, was an experienced sailor who joined the navy in 2000 and had served on two voyages as part of the war on terror.
"He was a good guy," his sister said. "That's all I'll say."
She said she didn't want any further information about her brother or her family made public.
"I don't need the media coming to my door," she said. "My family doesn't want anything to do with the media.
"You guys are horrible at times."
Lt.-Cmdr. Denise LaViolette, a spokeswoman for the navy, acknowledged that officials erred in saying that Leading Seaman LeBlanc was smoking.
"It's our fault," she said. "The breezeway is a smoking lounge. We automatically assumed he was having a cigarette.
"That's the only place on board a ship people are allowed to smoke. There are very few non-smokers that normally hang around there."
The sailor was a non-smoker and didn't drink either, she said.
Two military police officers from the National Investigation Service will head to Poland from Halifax on the weekend to meet HMCS Montreal when it arrives in port, she said.
The navy urges the public and military personnel to report any information that may shed some light on what happened to Leading Seaman LeBlanc, Lt.-Cmdr. LaViolette said.
"If somebody thought he was depressive, we'd like to know. If somebody thought there might be some issues with crew members, we'd like to know. If somebody saw him fall, we'd like to know."
Lt.-Cmdr. LaViolette said investigators are keen to examine any possible scenario.
She wouldn't comment on whether anyone had raised concerns about the sailor.
"Even if I knew that, I wouldn't be able to tell you," she said.
If investigators determine the sailor's disappearance was the result an accident, the matter will be handed over to a board of inquiry, Lt.-Cmdr. LaViolette said.
"If their initial findings indicate that the death is of a suspicious nature, then the investigation would remain within (the military police's) purview," she said.
Leading Seaman LeBlanc had been transferred to HMCS Montreal from HMCS Iroquois in December specifically for the current NATO operation, the navy said.
The search for him was called off Wednesday after several ships and helicopters scoured the sea about 50 kilometres off the coast of Poland.
Lt.-Cmdr. LaViolette said the ship continued operations with the NATO fleet Thursday and will arrive in Gdynia, Poland, today as originally planned. At the time the sailor vanished, the warship had been at sea for three days after stopping in Denmark.
http://www.herald.ns.ca/stories/2005/02/11/fNovaScotia148.raw.html
* The port breezeway is an enclosed passageway from the Foscle (Front of the ship) to Top Part (the Middle of the ship) with an entrance into the ship within the breezeway. It is the only location on Halifax Class Ships to have a smoke. Most people don't wear a weather jacket out there.
Details of smoking- ban bill kept under wraps-AB
JERRY WARD, LEGISLATURE BUREAU Fri, February 18, 2005
Tory MLAs were yesterday given their first glimpse of a proposed smoking ban in Alberta workplaces that is expected to contain allowances for designated smoking rooms. Calgary Conservative MLA Dave Rodney is to introduce the private member's bill in the spring session of the legislature, and says he won't discuss its contents until his caucus colleagues have vetted it.
"It'll be public when we go to the house in early March," Rodney said yesterday. "That's all I can tell you right now."
The bill is portrayed as a compromise that would ban smoking in workplaces, but makes provisions for ventilated smoking rooms.
Health Minister Iris Evans had first proposed a provincewide ban, but backed off after Premier Ralph Klein threw cold water on the idea, saying he will not pursue such a measure. He has since permitted Evans to open up the debate on the issue among Tory MLAs.
Rodney is trying to get Tory MLAs onside with a private member's bill, but those are rarely proclaimed into law even with a majority of MLAs in support.
Evans said she supports Rodney's proposed bill and his effort to "build something that can be accepted by the broadest number of our MLAs."
NDP Leader Brian Mason says he intends to put forward a motion urging all MLAs to prohibit smoking in public buildings and indoor workplaces.
http://www.canoe.ca/NewsStand/EdmontonSun/News/2005/02/18/934786-sun.html
Rookie Tory proposes smoking ban
Feb 14 2005
EDMONTON (CP) - A rookie Conservative says he will introduce a private member's bill in the Alberta legislature next month that would establish a provincewide smoking ban, despite the long-standing opposition of Premier Ralph Klein.
Dave Rodney, member of the legislature for Calgary-Lougheed, said his bill will propose an end to smoking in workplaces, but with some allowances for special smoking rooms. Rodney was to explain details of the bill today to a government's health policy committee.
''What I'm hearing constituents say is they're very much for a smoking ban, as long as it's across the board, and that there is a provision for some kind of designated smoking areas,'' Rodney said.
Klein has said he will stay out of the argument while the government reviews its health policy.
The premier will be on vacation the next two weeks as the Rodney bill begins to work its way through committee and caucus.
Last month, Klein quashed a suggestion from Health Minister Iris Evans that Alberta adopt a workplace smoking ban.
Rodney, who is also chairman of the Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission and is the only Canadian to have climbed Mount Everest twice, said he drafted the bill in close consultation with Evans.
Government insiders believe the private member's bill is a way of fast-tracking legislation, side-stepping the arduous cabinet reviews that killed past attempts at a provincewide ban.
Anti-smoking advocate Les Hagen criticized Rodney's plan, saying smoking rooms or ventilated smoking areas still pose a health threat to workers, such as waiters and waitresses who would have to serve in the haze-filled rooms.
''The end result of smoking rooms is that some employees will be forced to work in those rooms,'' Hagen said.
Liberal health critic Laurie Blakeman, who had planned to table her own private member's motion in the legislature calling for a total ban, worried her motion would be ruled irrelevant in light of Rodney's bill.
''It's not a complete ban if it's a ban with a list of exceptions,'' Blakeman said. ''What are they playing at? How serious are we going to be about this?''
But the proposal to include designated smoking areas is winning some support from bingo and restaurant associations.
''That is the sort of solution that I think the charitable gaming industry can support,'' said Ian Taylor, executive director of Alberta Satellite Bingo, which broadcasts live games to dozens of bingo halls across Alberta.
Taylor was also to speak today at the government's health and community living committee.
He said he will warn that a complete ban without smoking rooms will force a sharp drop in business and bingos and charity casinos.
http://www.reddeeradvocate.com/portals-code/list.cgi?paper=107&cat=60&id=375080&more=
Bankruptcy growth slows: The calm before the storm? -ON
KITCHENER, ON, Feb. 18 /CNW/ - In statistics just released by the Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy, consumer bankruptcies and proposals increased by a modest 1.9% in Ontario in 2004, and by only 0.3% in Canada in 2004. Despite these encouraging results, a local bankruptcy trustee warns that the number of bankruptcies may increase significantly in Canada in 2005.
"We are expecting consumer filings in Canada to increase at a rate of 5% to 8% per year over the next two years" says Douglas Hoyes, a trustee with Hoyes, Michalos & Associates Inc., one of Ontario's largest consumer bankruptcy firms. "We consider 2004 to be the calm before the storm, particularly if interest rates increase significantly".
Mr. Hoyes believes consumers benefited from improved employment performance in Canada and Ontario in 2004. "While Ontario bankruptcies increased more than the national average due to the delayed impact of events in 2003 such as SARS and a high Canadian dollar, the rate of growth slowed in the second half of the year."
Ted Michalos, a trustee with Hoyes, Michalos & Associates Inc., is concerned that although growth has slowed in 2004, increasing debt levels will eventually result in the bankruptcy rate increasing again. "Household debt grew a staggering 9.6% in the first 10 months of 2004 and the debt-to-income ratio in Canada reached a record 109% in the third quarter of 2004. Given the continued dramatic increase in consumer debt levels and anticipated rise in interest rates, consumers will find it increasingly difficult to meet their financial obligations".
Mr. Hoyes adds that "while almost one-third of our clients mention marital, family or health related problems as a primary cause of their financial troubles, a further one-third mention job loss or income reduction as a major contributor. However, the largest percentage of clients list high debt levels relative to their income as a key reason for filing a bankruptcy or proposal."
More information on consumer bankruptcy trends can be found at
www.hoyes.com.
Hoyes, Michalos & Associates Inc., one of Ontario's largest consumer bankruptcy firms, serves individuals and businesses from offices in Kitchener, Mississauga, North York, Cambridge, Guelph, Brantford, Hamilton, Leamington, Chatham and Windsor.
For further information: J. Douglas Hoyes at (519) 747-0660 or 1-800-472-7775, or by e-mail at doug@hoyes.com or on the web at
www.hoyes.com
http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/February2005/18/c6063.html
McGuinty calls March 17 byelection
John Tory to seek seat once held by Eves
Keith Leslie Canadian Press Wednesday, February 16, 2005
TORONTO -- A provincial byelection on St. Patrick's Day in the Dufferin-Peel-Wellington-Grey riding northwest of Toronto is a chance for voters to show Premier Dalton McGuinty they're angry with his Liberal government, opposition parties said Wednesday.
''I think it's a chance to send the McGuinty government a message that people are tired of broken promises,'' said NDP Leader Howard Hampton.
''And it's an opportunity for people to elect somebody who's actually going to be from the riding who'll represent them.''
Hampton was taking a thinly veiled shot at Toronto-based Conservative leader John Tory, who has been waiting for this byelection so he can seek a seat in the legislature and stop watching the proceedings from the sidelines.
Tory said the byelection would be a chance for voters to send a message to the McGuinty Liberals, adding he was pleased the vote
