The best way to summarize the latest developments in the high school scandal that was seen around the world – the story of the shop class teacher who wears jumbo-sized prosthetic breasts to class – is that the school and school board are attempting to normalize the situation.
When the videos and images posted by students in Oakville went viral it became the subject of shock and debate among parents and commentators in multiple countries. The consensus opinion seems to be that, transgender issues aside, this is just a completely inappropriate way to present yourself in a classroom and it shouldn’t be allowed to continue.
Someone would be forgiven for thinking this was something of a “caught on camera” story that, once attention was brought to it, was immediately rectified and hasn’t repeated itself.
But here’s the thing: It has continued, consistently. The Sun has learned that the teacher still shows up to teach class every day in the same or similar attire. Parents have written to express their concerns to the school and the board. Students themselves have even participated in multiple protests in front of the school.
Sunday, October 2, 2022
MULTIPLE SURVEILLANCE TOOLS USED BY RCMP
Canada’s national police force, which was heavily criticized for using Clearview AI software, has signed contracts to use multiple facial recognition tools.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) revealed these details in documents recently tabled in Parliament, though it says it has stopped using facial recognition technology pending an internal review sparked by public outcry in 2020.The RCMP has been open about wanting to resume using facial recognition, despite privacy concerns, but it has divulged little about the programs at its disposal.
“It’s not a simple matter to determine which police forces are using what surveillance tools and that’s a fundamental flaw of accountability that we keep seeing in policing,” said Brenda McPhail, director of the privacy, technology and surveillance program at the Canadian Civil Liberties Association.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) revealed these details in documents recently tabled in Parliament, though it says it has stopped using facial recognition technology pending an internal review sparked by public outcry in 2020.The RCMP has been open about wanting to resume using facial recognition, despite privacy concerns, but it has divulged little about the programs at its disposal.
“It’s not a simple matter to determine which police forces are using what surveillance tools and that’s a fundamental flaw of accountability that we keep seeing in policing,” said Brenda McPhail, director of the privacy, technology and surveillance program at the Canadian Civil Liberties Association.
INADEQUATE TRAINING & A BAD ATTITUDE
The civilian watchdog agency overseeing the RCMP routinely takes Mounties to task for bungling sexual assault investigations, despite the RCMP's promises to do better.
A spokesperson for the Civilian Review and Complaints Commission (CRCC) for the RCMP said the agency has issued 43 "adverse findings" — conclusions that were unfavourable to the RCMP — in cases involving sexual assault investigations since 2019.
The CRCC said that, since 2019, it has made 45 recommendations regarding sexual assault investigations directed at RCMP policies, procedures, protocols and training.
Those recommendations are not binding; the RCMP is free to ignore them. RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki supported 41 of those recommendations, partially supported one and did not support three of them, said Kate McDerby, spokesperson for the CRCC.
A spokesperson for the Civilian Review and Complaints Commission (CRCC) for the RCMP said the agency has issued 43 "adverse findings" — conclusions that were unfavourable to the RCMP — in cases involving sexual assault investigations since 2019.
The CRCC said that, since 2019, it has made 45 recommendations regarding sexual assault investigations directed at RCMP policies, procedures, protocols and training.
Those recommendations are not binding; the RCMP is free to ignore them. RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki supported 41 of those recommendations, partially supported one and did not support three of them, said Kate McDerby, spokesperson for the CRCC.
Saturday, October 1, 2022
THOUSANDS OF JOBS IN LNG CONSTRUCTION IN BC
Thousands of workers have flocked to the northern British Columbia community of Kitimat where LNG Canada ramps up its construction with the eventual goal of exporting natural gas by the middle of the decade.
LNG Canada Chief Executive Jason Klein called the period an “exciting time” for workers and residents.
“It’s an exciting time to be here,” said Klein.
About 70% of the project has been completed since it began construction in 2018. At its height, the pipeline will require up to 7,500 rotating workers – nearly matching Kitimat’s population of 8,500.
LNG Canada Chief Executive Jason Klein called the period an “exciting time” for workers and residents.
“It’s an exciting time to be here,” said Klein.
About 70% of the project has been completed since it began construction in 2018. At its height, the pipeline will require up to 7,500 rotating workers – nearly matching Kitimat’s population of 8,500.
LIBERALS IGNORING THREATS TO CANADIAN CITIZENS
The federal Liberals have long shied away from confrontation with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), but, as with all bullies, acquiescing to them results not in peace, but undaunted escalation.
According to a new report by human rights NGO Safeguard Defenders, China has ramped up extrajudicial intrusions on Canadian soil. Their research finds that at least three operations in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) officially registered as Fuzhou Public Security Bureau “service stations” are actually illegal police stations. Safeguard Defenders alleges China uses these outposts to monitor Chinese nationals and “persuade” Chinese citizens accused of various corruption crimes to return home.
Persuade is, of course, a euphemism for the coercion, harassment and threats reported in recent years by Chinese citizens living in Canada. These tactics have also been used against Chinese immigrants who protest or critique the CCP. Even prior to Safeguard Defenders’ police station reveal, it was widely suspected that Chinese foreign agents operate in Canada.
According to a new report by human rights NGO Safeguard Defenders, China has ramped up extrajudicial intrusions on Canadian soil. Their research finds that at least three operations in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) officially registered as Fuzhou Public Security Bureau “service stations” are actually illegal police stations. Safeguard Defenders alleges China uses these outposts to monitor Chinese nationals and “persuade” Chinese citizens accused of various corruption crimes to return home.
Persuade is, of course, a euphemism for the coercion, harassment and threats reported in recent years by Chinese citizens living in Canada. These tactics have also been used against Chinese immigrants who protest or critique the CCP. Even prior to Safeguard Defenders’ police station reveal, it was widely suspected that Chinese foreign agents operate in Canada.
PROVINCIAL OPPOSITION TO FUNDING LIBERAL GUN BUYBACK PROGRAM
OTTAWA — Two more provinces are telling Ottawa they don’t want provincial police resources to be used for a proposed gun buyback program set to collect “assault style” firearms this fall.
Saskatchewan and Manitoba have followed Alberta’s lead and informed the federal government they won’t use local resources to enforce a federal initiative they don’t support.
Christine Tell, Saskatchewan’s Minister of Corrections, Policing and Public Safety, wrote a letter to the highest-ranking RCMP officer in the province telling them not to use provincial resources for the program.
STUDENT DESIGNS LANDMINE DETECTING DRONE
Igor Klymenko is enjoying his first year at the University of Alberta. He recently moved to Edmonton from war-torn Ukraine but his journey has been filled with ups and downs.
“When I was sheltering in the basement with my family, each day could be our last day, each morning we heard sounds of planes, of rockets and missiles flying in the sky just near our house,” Klymenko said.
Stuck in a bunker for weeks, surrounded by the horrors of war, Klymenko remembered a project he started years back. The Russian invasion inspired him to finish it.
He invented a drone that uses metal detectors to locate landmines and then transmits the coordinates to the user. So far he has two prototypes and is working on a third improved version.
“When I was sheltering in the basement with my family, each day could be our last day, each morning we heard sounds of planes, of rockets and missiles flying in the sky just near our house,” Klymenko said.
Stuck in a bunker for weeks, surrounded by the horrors of war, Klymenko remembered a project he started years back. The Russian invasion inspired him to finish it.
He invented a drone that uses metal detectors to locate landmines and then transmits the coordinates to the user. So far he has two prototypes and is working on a third improved version.
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