Canadian Federal Election 44 - Sep 2021

[Edward Campbell]

I thought this already existed; I know of a few people that ended up on a PCAT but stayed in uniform at a terminal rank and finished out their careers.

Needs some common sense to prevent MIR warriors clogging up the system, shifting the burden onto healthy people and burning them out, but for a fully trade qualified, experienced person that doesn't meet UoS as a direct result of injuries sustained in the CAF seems like a no brainer.

Wasn't there a few fairly public PA announcements on this with folks rehabing after IED related injuries continuing to work as instructors? The one that comes to mind was someone that had lost a leg, but don't recall the details.

I agree with you, Max. I was one of them. Back in the mid 1980s I suffered from a fairly serious neurological problem ~ quite painful, suicide was a common outcome (Cluster Headache Variant). The Surgeon General wanted to PCAT me and release me; my boss (someone who, fortunately for me, had considerably more influence in high places than did the Surgeon General) and one quite senior Medical Officer disagreed. I was given a TCAT ~ I had it for over 10 years ~ and was "restricted" to Ottawa, although I spent long periods on duty all over the world because of my job, which I held for over eight straight years (that may have been a record for a uniformed officer to be a director in NDHQ, anyway, so someone said when I finally retired). The point was that I was responding to treatment, some of it was unorthodox but it was working and was, slowly but surely learning how to manage my ailment. (Treatment regimes are much different and much better 30 years later.) I was, by the UoS rules, unfit for service but I was, also, that "experienced person" who, the high-priced-help concluded, was needed for one specific job. Additionally, I was, emotionally, tied to the idea of being a productive member of the CF, of being able to do soothing useful. That senior MO and the CF neurologist and civilian specialists agreed that my "tie" to the military (dependence on it for my own sanity?) was an important factor in not giving up, in not sinking into deep, often fatal, depression.

(Anyway, the good news is that when I retired my CF neurologist (who is still a friend 30+ years later) recommended a treatment that the Surgeon General of the day refused to allow and within 18 months I was about 99% "cured.")

I support the idea of Universality of Service, but I agree, 100% with Max that in a small force like the CF we need to exercise a little personalized common sense to make sure that the needs of the individual and the military are well served.

 

[MilEME09]

What about treating UoS similar to how we do a retirement extension? Say if you are unfit via UoS but can still serve and no one can take your position due to lack of trained personal, etc we keep you until the another can be found to take the position. At such time we give you generous notification of say 6 months and begin the transition process.

 

[daftandbarmy]

We haven't hoisted in the reality of the impacts of an aging workforce on the CAF. As a result of our inflexible workforce participation policies, we'll likely doom ourselves to a continued 'running up the sandy hill' effect as we waste valuable resources.

For example, I'm 60 years old with over 40 years experience as an Infantry Officer (including a Masters Degree and several operational deployments) and have recently CRA'd. I can cover 30kms, and climb 7000 vertical feet, with a ruck on. I know that because I did it just last week during a solo mountaineering trip. However, I still don't 'make the grade', anywhere in the CAF due to my age.

An interesting article on the aging workforce thing:

Promoting the labour force participation of older Canadians​

Like that of most industrialized countries, Canada's population is aging due to lower fertility rates and longer life expectancy. The combined effect of living longer and having fewer children is transforming population structures in Canada, although not all provinces are equally affected by population aging; it is more rapid in Eastern Canada.

With proportionally fewer young people moving into the workforce to replace the increasing number of older individuals retiring, population aging has had and will have direct implications on Canada's economy and labour market. And while widespread labour shortages are not expected over the next five to 10 years, skill shortages are expected to increase in certain occupations, sectors and regions. Consequently, there is a need to increase the labour force participation of older individuals, and of other groups of Canadians, to support businesses, economic growth and continued improvement in Canada's standard of living.

Overall, older Canadians fare relatively well in the labour market, with record-high labour force participation rates and a clear upward trend in retirement ages. However, there is still room for improvement, as Canada's participation rate of older individuals lags behind other countries. There are also many older adults who struggle when trying to stay in the labour market or re-enter the workforce because they face particular challenges, including:

• ageism;
• lack of education and access to training;
• difficulty in finding and applying for jobs;
• health issues, work-life balance issues and lack of workplace accommodations; and
• disincentives or lack of incentives to work in the retirement income system.

Based on an extensive pan-Canadian and international scan, eight broad categories of initiatives that seek to promote labour force participation of older individuals have been identified (see Chapter 2 for more details): awareness initiatives; financial incentives; health and safety; employment legislation; the retirement income system; skills development; workplace accommodations; and employment services.

To address the specific workforce challenges facing many older Canadians and to promote their labour force participation, this report highlights the most promising initiatives; these include a multifaceted awareness campaign to address ageism while promoting the benefits of hiring older individuals, funding for targeted training for older individuals, and supporting initiatives that would lead to more flexible work (see Chapter 3 for the complete list). The initiatives, either in combination with one another or on their own, can have diverse impacts on the labour force participation of older people.

Promoting the labour force participation of older Canadians - Canada.ca

This page presents the challenges and the possibilities of an aging population et how can promote the labour force participation of older Canadians.

www.canada.ca

 

[Jarnhamar]

Good article in the National Post.

Rupa Subramanya: Diehard Justin Trudeau supporters will ignore any sin, however disgraceful​

Link


Despite being a "feminist" and talking about our "feminist government"
Despite his "believe victims" speech and virtue signalling.
Despite Liberal party rules about candidates " should not be involved in a “dispute of any sort which is liable to bring controversy or disrepute” either upon themselves or the party."
Despite publicly stating he would absolutely do the same as the conservatives if one of their members faced sexual misconduct allegations (a day prior)

Trudeau chose to keep and support a candidate accused of sexual misconduct by multiple young women. One of which allegedly attempted to commit suicide in Subramanya's office.

Why would Trudeau do that? Because at the end of the day he cares more about winning a seat than all of his virtue signalling, feminist, woke, believe victims bullshit.

Anyone who votes Liberal owns a piece of that non-integrity pie.

 

[Navy_Pete]

Thanks for sharing E.R.; that sounds awful, glad you came out the other end.

I guess one big unanswered question as well is what do we do with people that got COVID and have lingering symptoms. I got sick last year and had issues with breathing and other follow on problems that only recently got cleared up. Fortunately no permanent damage, but I couldn't pass a FORCE test right now as my conditioning is shot. Figure I'm pretty lucky, and can't believe how big of a relief it was to be able to jog a few kilometers again, but honestly delayed seeing the doc because I was worried about UoS when I was struggling to walk up the stairs without being badly out of breath and had to crash every few hours because of massive fatigue. In retrospect that was stupid, but wasn't necessarily thinking about it rationally.

Was still able to do my job, but if it wasn't for the work from home arrangements and some flexible schedule, I probably would have been off for 3-4 months, and figure it will take another year or so to get back into reasonable shape.

The funny thing about that is if I was to get released for not meeting UoS, there'd be a fairly specialized hole with a lot of things on the go and no one else qualified to fill the job, and could probably walk into a higher paying role as a contractor to do the exact same thing. Sure there are all kinds of similar situations across the CAF, and with the general retention issues we have, think it just makes sense to consider the general context on a case by case basis whether or not a medical release makes sense.

 

[Remius]

Good article in the National Post.

Rupa Subramanya: Diehard Justin Trudeau supporters will ignore any sin, however disgraceful​

Link


Despite being a "feminist" and talking about our "feminist government"
Despite his "believe victims" speech and virtue signalling.
Despite Liberal party rules about candidates " should not be involved in a “dispute of any sort which is liable to bring controversy or disrepute” either upon themselves or the party."
Despite publicly stating he would absolutely do the same as the conservatives if one of their members faced sexual misconduct allegations (a day prior)

Trudeau chose to keep and support a candidate accused of sexual misconduct by multiple young women. One of which allegedly attempted to commit suicide in Subramanya's office.

Why would Trudeau do that? Because at the end of the day he cares more about winning a seat than all of his virtue signalling, feminist, woke, believe victims bullshit.

Anyone who votes Liberal owns a piece of that non-integrity pie.

I mentioned a story not long ago when speaking to a very anti trump friend of mine. I mentioned that it was weird that someone should vote for someone accused of groping women, multiple possible illegal ethical violations, firing members of his team for being ethical and not doing what he wanted, his family profiting from his position, displaying racist actions etc etc. She agreed until I said I was talking about Trudeau. It got awkward at that point.

the reverse can be said for anyone that forgives one for the same actions but only forgives because of what side they are on.

 

[dapaterson]

What about treating UoS similar to how we do a retirement extension? Say if you are unfit via UoS but can still serve and no one can take your position due to lack of trained personal, etc we keep you until the another can be found to take the position. At such time we give you generous notification of say 6 months and begin the transition process.

We can give up to three years retention in advance of release. Despite that, some folks refuse to prepare despite encouragement, support, and orders; then, a few days out, panic and start complaining.

Temporary medical conditions do not trigger UoS concerns. Even certain conditions that preclude FORCE testing can permit alternative fitness evaluation.

 

[mariomike]

She agreed until I said I was talking about Trudeau.

According to Angus Reid - for those who trust polls - he may not be as popular with the ladies as he once was.

30 Aug., 2021

Trudeau’s Troubles: Loss of traditional support among women boosts O’Toole; CPC lead Liberals in vote intent -

Trudeau now the most unfavourably viewed major party leader in the country August 30, 2021 – Are Justin Trudeau’s days of enjoying unmatched political rock god status well and truly over? The party leader whose personal appeal and political momentum spurred a third-place-to-majority victory for...

angusreid.org

While the Liberals still enjoy a plurality of support from women 35 and over, the gap between Trudeau’s party and the CPC for women over the age of 55 — the country’s largest and most consistent voting bloc — is just six points. Meanwhile, among the second largest voting bloc, men over the age of 55, O’Toole and the CPC enjoy an 18-point lead

the reverse can be said for anyone that forgives one for the same actions but only forgives because of what side they are on.

 

[The Bread Guy]

Buh-bye..... #SpendMoreTimeWithFamily

Raj Saini, the Liberal candidate for the Kitchener Centre MP race, has ended his campaign, citing the health and safety of those around him following “false allegations” as the reason for his decision. Saini, who is the incumbent Member of Parliament for the area, made the announcement via statement on Twitter Saturday afternoon. In the statement, he continues to deny allegations that he engaged in inappropriate behaviour with female staff ...

 

[The Bread Guy]

Its A Bold Strategy Cotton, Lets See If It Pays Off For Em ...

Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole is the latest federal party leader to promise a national system for proving residents have been vaccinated against COVID-19. The move was among a number of pandemic-related campaign pledges O'Toole unveiled today during a stop in Coquitlam, B.C. O'Toole says he would work with provinces to devise a national proof-of-vaccination system, adding such a setup would help Canadians during international travel. NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh has called for a national system and criticized Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau for not implementing one sooner ...

 

[Remius]

Its A Bold Strategy Cotton, Lets See If It Pays Off For Em ...

So all major parties are for a vaccine passport. Takes that out of the equation unless one wants to vote for mad max.

 

[PuckChaser]

So all major parties are for a vaccine passport. Takes that out of the equation unless one wants to vote for mad max.

Considering most countries are requiring vaccine passport for entry, it's only prudent to have a national system for them. Using them for domestic travel and services is a whole other ball of wax.

 

[Remius]

Considering most countries are requiring vaccine passport for entry, it's only prudent to have a national system for them. Using them for domestic travel and services is a whole other ball of wax.

Sure but that’s at the provincial level. Ford, Legault etc.

 

[dapaterson]

And the feds need provincial data, each from different computer systems, to build a federal one.

 

[Oldgateboatdriver]

Buh-bye..... #SpendMoreTimeWithFamily

So, that's one seat lost for the Libs, because we are now past the point where they are allowed to replace candidates ... so vacant riding for the Libs. on the voting bulletin.

 

[dapaterson]

Can he actually withdraw, or will he appear on the ballot regardless?

Not sure of the rules...

 

[Jarnhamar]

Buh-bye..... #SpendMoreTimeWithFamily

View attachment 66331

Hilarious hashtag. I was happy to see he's stepping down. I've read that there was barely a blip on the support radar when this story broke, constituents didn't seem too bothered by a little sexual misconduct.

If his name remains on the ballot because the deadline to withdraw has gone by is it possible he can still get voted in?

 

[PuckChaser]

If his name remains on the ballot because the deadline to withdraw has one by is it possible he can still get voted in?

Knowing Liberal partisans? Yes. If so he'd likely just announce he's not taking the seat and they'd have to run another By-Election in the new year.

 

[GK .Dundas]

Knowing Liberal partisans? Yes. If so he'd likely just announce he's not taking the seat and they'd have to run another By-Election in the new year.

I seem to recall a story many years ago that one fellow died and somehow managed to still win the election. Can you imagine being any of the other candidates?

 

[Fishbone Jones]

So, that's one seat lost for the Libs, because we are now past the point where they are allowed to replace candidates ... so vacant riding for the Libs. on the voting bulletin.

Monsef has totally tanked in Peterborough also. The CPC candidate is miles ahead.