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THIS ISSUE

CONTENTS

HEALTH & WELLNESS

POLITICS

Leigh Fehr-Little, Solutions Clinical Pharmacy

Brent Dunstan, Columnist

OPINIONS

LAW

HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION & THE MARTIAN INVASION........................................5

Scott Stenback, Lawyer

VACCINATIONS AREN’T JUST FOR KIDS...............4

OBAMA 2.0 - THE NORTHERN EDITION...............13

IT’S ALL DONE....RIGHT?......................................18

Scott Cowan

FINANCE

THE FASHION FILES FEATURING: DESIGUAL................................................21

Edward Jones

Scott & Joan Bateman-Cowan (Cover Photo: Serena Bateman, Singer )

WHATS MY ‘RETIREMENT NUMBER’?....................6

WHY & WHEN OF WILLS........................................9 Dan Hein, BMO

POLITICS PC COMMITMENT TO PROPERTY RIGHTS A MILE WIDE AND AN INCH DEEP.......................................11 Drew Barnes, MLA

Crossword on page 8!

HAPPY ST. PATRICKS DAY! FROM SPOTLIGHT Disclaimer: No responsibility can be taken by Spotlight Magazine for any errors or omissions contained herein. Furthermore, responsibility for any losses, damages or distress resulting from adherence to any information made available through this magazine is not the responsibility of Spotlight Magazine. The opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of Spotlight Magazine. Comments are welcome.

VACCINATION DECISIONS AREN’T JUST FOR KIDS wo months ago, Mickey Mouse got measles in his house and vaccination is back in the spotlight or the hot seat, depending on your point of view. The topic of vaccination tends to stir strong polarized opinions. Instead of spending this time debating vaccination and drawing lines in the sand, I’d like to highlight the importance of viewing vaccination as a series of lifetime decisions. The best we can do is to make informed health decisions with the information we have at any given time. After the time when childhood immunizations are considered, there are many other times in life you will need to review your immunization status. There are annual flu immunizations to be considered, tetanus boosters every 10 years, pre-travel vaccination, and routine vaccination that becomes relevant later in life like shingles and pneumonia vaccination. Pharmacists often get asked questions about shingles vaccine because it is one of the vaccines routinely given in pharmacy. Shingles is caused by the same virus that causes chicken pox. Essentially that virus stays in your nerves and lies dormant until some time later in life when it can become active again for no

known reason. This subsequent expression of the virus is known as shingles and it presents in a different way than it did when you got chicken pox. Shingles is a painful rash that usually occurs on one side of the body or face. It is more serious when it occurs on the face and affects the eye. I’ve yet to meet anyone who enjoyed shingles. It’s an unpleasant experience and often catches people off guard as we aren’t thinking about chicken pox lying in our body waiting to make it’s come back. It is estimated that about 1 in 3 people will experience shingles in their lifetime and the risk of that occurring increases after the age of 50. It can be treated with antiviral medication both orally and topically and usually responds well if treatment is started early. The real risk with shingles comes if it isn’t caught early and or if it causes long lasting nerve pain. In some cases, the rash resolves but leaves damage in the nerves, which is known as postherpetic neuralgia. Postherpetic neuralgia can last for months or years after the rash heals and is the number one reason I encourage people to seriously consider the vaccine. Other complications of shingles include potential scarring, bacterial skin infections and in extreme cases that involve the eye or ear, hearing and vision can be affected. Who should consider vaccination? It can be considered anytime over the age of 50, however it is

usually recommended that you wait until age 60 so you have protection through the years when the incidence of shingles is greatest. That being said it is a vaccine that is not currently covered by public health, so you may not want to wait until after retirement to consider it. The shingles vaccine is approximately $200 and is one subcutaneous injection. At this time no boosters are recommended. The prescriber of your vaccine will screen you for contraindications to the vaccine which include allergies and immune status. The vaccine is generally well tolerated however localized side effects like tenderness at site of injection are common. Shingles vaccine does not have the high efficacy rate that we see with many other vaccines, and part of that may be because it is a vaccine for something you already have. Vaccination reduces the incidence of getting shingles by 51% and reduces the risk of getting postherpetic neuralgia by 66%. So here is the question I get asked a lot, “would you get it?”. The answer is yes, and I would consider getting it in my early 60’s when I will hopefully have insurance in place to help me cover the cost. It’s all about odds to me. To be honest, I’m less worried about the shingles and more worried about the nerve pain after. If I can take a vaccine that reduces my incidence of that occurring by 66%, then those are odds I want in my favor.

HUMAN RIGHT’S COMMISSIONS

& the MARTIAN INVASION

he Supreme Court of Canada in typical liberal fashion recently ruled on hate speech. They determined speech “likely to expose certain groups to hatred,” is banned. Also, the harm to vulnerable groups does not require proof of actual harm. Welcome to Orwell’s dream, Canadians now live in a world employing thought police. If anyone doesn’t like the speech you deliver, why bother engaging in debate. Just claim to be offended, and then off to the tribunal. Make sure as a defendant you bring tens of thousands in legal fees. By the way, your offended friend has no costs! So I’ll not be discussing any identifiable group.I’m offering a fictitious story about pink and green Martians (PGM’s.) Hundreds of years ago space ships arrived, carrying refugee Martians. Mars atmosphere had deteriorated to the point of no longer sustaining life. In a desperate attempt to survive, the last remaining Martians set out for Earth. After arriving, our ancestors weren’t kind to PGM’s. They were different and vulnerable. We enslaved the newcomers putting them to work in our fields. They left others in desperate conditions in far off tracks of land no one else wanted. They were dispersed across the globe. They suffered, and became addicted to the scraps offered by governments. Nobody allowed their children to marry these things considered less than people. They were pink and green for God’s sake. Eventually, good people rose up demanding government treat PGM’s with dignity. After generations passed, PGM’s were afforded the vote, and integrated into Canada. Most PGM’s became respectable members of society. Make no mistake, many Earthlings opposed Martians and discrimination existed. PGM’s formed unions and elected politicians. Soon after hundreds of years, many claimed the very people who freed them, “owed;” discrimination reparations. It mattered not the original PGM’s abused were long deceased, as were their offenders. Forget governments were still paying billions supporting PGM’s choosing to remain in land track squalor. Many PGM’s followed their Martian religion, pledging to conquer Earth by any means. PGM terrorism became rampant. People began looking differently at PGM’s,

scott-cowan@live.com

many feared them. As is human nature, some ignorant Earthlings in society began to “talk.” Keep in mind, they were pink and green and easy to profile in airports. Many Earthlings were killed by PGM’s acting as suicide bombers or high-jackers. But times had changed! These “talkers,” were hauled before Human Rights Commissions and charged with hate crimes. PGM’s were “offended,” that Earthlings dared say anything about terrorist actions. Conveniently, thousands of Earthling deaths were ignored. PGM unionists demanded equality of employee numbers and pay, for the pink / green alliance workers.

fear of the racist label, or being brought before tribunals themselves.

Scott Cowan

Sadly, PGM people who loved their new planet were at a loss to change any of the Martian extremists. Speaking out against the Pink/Green Alliance meant death for them, or family members in strict land tract communities. PGM priests proposed constitutional amendments, supported by Liberal / NDP politicians that PGM’s could not be racist, due to the hundreds of years of discrimination they had endured.

Truthfully, many PGM union members deemed their sole purpose in work places was organizing against management.

By then there were so many PGM voters “Earther laws,” were struck in favor of ever increasing PGM legislation. Select “Earther socialists” were allowed to remain in office.

They worked the bare minimum to get by, screaming discrimination if reprimanded. PGM’s learned these traits from leftist Earthlings they worked with daily. Most PGM’s secretly agreed with their bosses, but did not dare speak out in fear of retribution by rabid PGM’s. It became politically incorrect to point out the obvious where Martians were concerned.

New laws were passed making reparation payments mandatory by all “Earther businesses.” PGM union auditors determined if businesses faltering under the burden of reparation taxes appeared solvent. It was agreed the rich 1% could not be allowed to default taking the futures and pensions of PGM workers down with them.

Earth politicians wanting PGM votes catered to them, no matter the cause or the crime. Conservatives simply lacked numbers to be re-elected. Martians became embolden. They demanded ceremonial religious weapons be carried by PGM’s at all times in schools or the workplace. Guns were confiscated from all “Earthers,” excluding military and police. PGM women were not to be educated, or allowed to show any green skin; and only the barest of pink. If they were caught dating or marrying Earthlings, they were ostracized. A death curse was put on them, to be carried out by any “loyal” PGM. Martian justice was to be applied to PGM’s, superseding laws the rest of Canadians followed.

Obviously the needs of the many were greater than the failure of one rich, greedy, now unsuccessful entrepreneur. Those businesses were turned over to selected PGM’s.

PGM legislators demanded their children be allowed to pray in school, but not Earth children. It offended PGM’s to see “Earthers” pray. Christmas displays were also banned, because they excluded PGM’s. Female Martian’s were not to be given drivers licenses, or go out in public unescorted. Infractions met with beatings or ritual killings. PGM men were allowed numerous wives. It was their job to populate the Earth with good Martians. The police ignored PGM infractions in

Previous owners would be re-educated, from entry level positions in the company. They needed to accept, they didn’t build the business themselves, the employees were just as responsible for the success. Earth women it was decided, must cover their bodies. Not because of sexual exploitation, but because their sight “offended,” PGM’s. By this time, there was no credible conservative Earth vote or individuals left capable of standing against the mandates PGM’s put forward. The Pink/Green Alliance declared thank-you statues must be placed in every community, to commemorate Human Rights Commissions. This, as they were being dismantled…it was believed by PGM’s that they had successfully done their jobs. Their mandate was concluded and funding was withdrawn

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What’s My RetirementNumber”?

here’s been a lot of talk lately about how everyone needs to hit a certain “number” before they can retire comfortably — a number that is, frankly, intimidating to many Canadians. Is it true? First of all, your so-called “number” or retirement savings threshold won’t come from a simple formula. Contrary to what some may think, the same number doesn’t apply to everyone and will likely change as our lives evolve. Also, we all have different lifestyle goals for our retirement years. Some want to spend their later years travelling the world, others want to stay at home and tend the garden, and yet others plan to work at a job they love indefinitely. In each case, different savings are required and a number of variables, ranging from spousal contributions to your health status, can impact the amounts needed. Advocates of the “number” often refer to a 2010 C.D. Howe study that suggested most Canadians who want to retire at age 65 and replace 70% of their working incomes, must save 10%-21% of pre-tax earnings every year for 35 years. That can be a daunting goal for many people who find it challenging to save even 10% of their paycheque each year. As others have since pointed out, a 70% income replacement goal is a “gold standard” and many can be quite comfortable having 50%-60% of their income in retirement. That said, smart savings and investment choices today are critical to ensuring you have access to a secure post-retirement income. It is also true the longer you delay saving for retirement, the more money you will need to set aside in later years. So, how do you take the first step toward figuring out what your retirement savings goal should be?

Working with an advisor can help. Rather than worry about achieving a single large number, an advisor will take a structured approach to figuring out what you need to be comfortable at various points in your life. His or her questions will range from “How will I generate income in retirement?” to “How will inflation and taxes affect my lifestyle?” To figure out what you need to save now, an advisor will help create a customized plan to reduce your risk for the years to come. For many, the simplest step is to open an RRSP or TFSA, and apply a structured approach saving a little each month. Your advisor should also help educate you on managing money after or as you near retirement. It is important, for example, to understand the impact of inflation and identify safe withdrawal rates that account for today’s longer life-spans. As you age, your advisor should also help you avoid high risks, and keep investment costs and taxes low. To create your own investment strategy, speak with an advisor to begin taking small steps toward your future retirement or other life goals. Dodge, David A., Alexandre Laurin, and Colin Busby. “The Piggy Bank Index: Matching Canadians’ Saving Rates to Their Retirement Dreams.” C.D. Howe Institute e-brief No. 95. March 2010.

Edward Jones, Member Canadian Investor Protection Fund. Edward Jones, its employees and financial advisors cannot provide tax or legal advice. You should consult your attorney or qualified tax advisor regarding your situation.

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Answers on Pg.17

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The Why and When of Wills The Why and When of Wills

Why is it important to make a Will? It is The provincial formula for distribution on If You Have a Will, When Did You an intestacy provides for a preferential estimated that one third of Canadians Last Review It? share to a surviving spouse, and the do not have a Will. Many other Canadians Chances are that if your Will has not been balance to be divided between the have out-of-date or inadequate Wills reviewed with a professional within the because their assets or family situation has surviving spouse and children whether last five years, is time Why is it important to make a Will? It is The provincial formula for distribution on If You Have a Will, WhenitDid You for a review. they are minors or adults. Where there changed since the Will was drawn up. an intestacy provides for a preferential estimated that one third of Canadians One potential problem with an old Will is Last Review It? is no surviving spouse, no children or share to a surviving spouse, and the do not have a Will. Many Without a Will, you areother saidCanadians to die that the executor choice may no longer Chances are that if your Will has not been grandchildren, remote relatives may have out-of-date or inadequate intestate and provincial law Wills dictates whobalance to be divided between the be appropriate. A Will may also need to reviewed with a professional within the be spouse entitledand tochildren a distribution. whether If, after an because theirthe assets or family situation has surviving will receive assets of your estate. be changed to accommodate new family last five years, it is time for a review. exhaustive search,Where no surviving blood they are minors or adults. there changed since the Will was drawn up. One potential problem with an old Will is members, separation or divorce, or a If you die intestate, there is no executor is no surviving children or estate will relativesspouse, can benofound, your Without a Will, you are said to die that the executor choice may no longer significant increase or decrease in wealth grandchildren, remote relatives may to administer your estate and someone go to the government. intestate and provincial law dictates who be appropriate. A Will may also need tomade. since the old Will was be entitled to a distribution. If, after an must applythe to the court to get permission will receive assets of your estate. be changed to accommodate new family Having a Will save blood your estate money exhaustive search, nocan surviving to administer your estate. The application Wealth brings opportunities and adds members, separation or divorce, or a If you die intestate, there is no executor andcansave your family a lotwill of anguish relatives be found, your estate significant increase or decrease in wealth to is costly time The complexity to your estate. Make sure your to court administer your and estate and consuming. someone go to the andgovernment. frustration. Having a Will is the only since the old estate Will wasplan made. adequately protects person asking the court for permission permission must apply to the court to get controlmoney over who will Havingway a Willyou cancan savehave your estate estate and rights. to administer administer your estate. The(the application opportunities andbeneficiaries’ adds to your estate Applicant)and save your family a lotestate, of anguish administer your the mannerWealth in bringsyour to court is costly andatime consuming. complexity to your estate. Make sure your may have to post bond equal to The twice and frustration. Having a Will is the Contact Dan Hein if you would like a which your estate will be only distributed estate plan adequately protects person asking the estate, court foras permission the value of the security. way you can have control over who will copy of our informative brochure Wills and to whom. your estate and beneficiaries’ rights. to administer your estate (the Applicant) Distribution of your assets to your heirs administer your estate, the manner in That Work or for an introduction to an may have to post a bond equal to twice Contact Dan Hein if you would like a estate will be distributed cannot take place until court grants which your Indicators that a new will may estate planning lawyer who can assist the value of the estate, as the security. copy of our informative brochure Wills and to whom. authority All legal Distributiontoofthe yourApplicant. assets to your heirs fees in introduction preparing or updating your Will or be needed: That Work oryou for an to an will have be paid estate, cannot taketoplace until by thethe court grants leavingIndicators that a new will may with any other aspects of your personal • Marriage* or other change in estate planning lawyer who can assist authority thebeApplicant. All legal fees heirs. be needed: less fundstoto distributed to your you in preparing or updating estate plan. your Will or marital status will have to be paid by the estate, leaving with any other aspects of your personal Further delays occur if you • Marriage* or other change in less funds to be distributed to die yourintestate heirs. • Move to a new province estate plan. marital status and there are minor children or if there Further delays occur if you die intestate • toSudden wealth – i.e. lottery win • Move a new province isand a dispute among family members or Lets Connect: there are minor children or if there or inheritance others as toamong who should be appointed to • Sudden wealth – i.e. lottery win is a dispute family members or Lets Connect: or inheritance Dan Hein, BRE • Increase or decrease in wealth administer estate.beWhere there others as to your who should appointed to are Investment Advisor Dan Hein, BRE • Increase or decrease in wealth administer your estate. Where there are minor children, the provincial Children’s • Passage of time Investment AdvisorBMO Nesbitt Burns Inc. minor children, provincial Children’s Lawyer will bethe involved. Once the estate • Passage of time BMO Nesbitt Burns 606 Inc. 2nd St SE • Change in family members or will be involved. Once estatewill 606 2nd St SE Medicine Hat, AB T1A 0C9 isLawyer distributed, the share of athe minor • Changecircumstances in family members or Medicine Hat, AB T1A 0C9 is distributed, the share of a minor will be invested by the Children’s Lawyer and circumstances 403-528-6771 be invested by the Children’s Lawyer and • Sale of a business 403-528-6771 paid in full to the child when he/she • Sale of a business paid in full to the child when he/she • Retirement or severance Dan.Hein@nbpcd.com reaches theage ageofof majority whether Dan.Hein@nbpcd.com reaches the majority whether the the • Retirement or severance www.bmo.com/nesbittburns child is mature matureenough enough to manage www.bmo.com/nesbittburns child is to manage the the *Revokes*Revokes a Will in allexcept provinces except Quebec a Will in all provinces Quebec money or money ornot. not. Author: Irit LLB, Senior Manager, Trusts & Estates, Enterprise Wealth Planning Group Author: IritGertzbein, Gertzbein, LLB, Senior Manager, Trusts & Estates, Enterprise Wealth Planning Group

Note: Some terms are capitalized for purposes of greater clarity in the context of this discussion only. BMO Wealth Management is the brand name for a business group consisting of Bank of Montreal and certain of its affiliates, including BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc., in providing wealth management products and services. “BMO (M-bar Roundel symbol)” is a registered trade-mark of Bank of Montreal, used under

licence. “Nesbitt Burns” a registeredfor trade-mark of of BMO Nesbittclarity Burns Inc. BMOcontext Nesbitt Burns is a wholly-owned Note: Some terms are iscapitalized purposes greater in the of thisInc.discussion only. subsidiary of Bank of Montreal. If you are already a client of BMO Nesbitt Burns, please contact your Investment Advisor for more information. The comments included in this publication are not intended to be a definitive analysis of tax applicability or trust and estate law. The comments contained herein are general in nature and professional advice regarding an individual’s particular tax position should be obtained in respect of any person’s specific circumstances. BMO Wealth Management is the brand name for a business group consisting of Bank of Montreal and certain of its affiliates, including BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc., in providing wealth management products and services. “BMO (M-bar Roundel symbol)” is a registered trade-mark of Bank of Montreal, used under Member-Canadian Investor Protection FundBurns andInc.Member theInc.Investment Industry Organization Canada licence. “Nesbitt Burns” is a registered trade-mark of BMO Nesbitt BMO Nesbittof Burns is a wholly-owned subsidiary Regulatory of Bank of Montreal. If you are alreadyofa client of BMO Nesbitt Burns, please contact your Investment Advisor for more information. The comments included in this publication are not intended to be a definitive analysis of tax applicability or trust and estate law. The comments contained herein are general in nature and professional advice regarding an individual’s particular tax position should be obtained in respect of any person’s specific circumstances.

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PC’S COMMITMENT TO PROPERTY RIGHTS A MILE WIDE AND AN INCH DEEP “I am passionate about property rights,” declared Jim Prentice while stumping for the leadership of the Alberta PC Party. Again, in the November Speech from the Throne, the PC government reiterated that they would “rebuild relationships with property owners” and “respect the rights of Albertans.” Following that, the Solicitor General chimed in by adding that they would “reset the clock on property rights and demonstrate a renewed commitment to a culture of respect” (like the rest, tactfully avoiding an admission about why property rights had gotten to such a sorry state in the first place). It was clear that the property rights hype machine was fired up to full capacity. With so much hype and excited anticipation, we watched to see what this PC government would come up with to remedy years of flawed property rights policy and broken trust with Albertan property owners. What grand goals would be reached? What lofty plans awaited? To say that those much-anticipated, lofty plans fell with a thud would be far too generous. As it turned out, the only meaningful legislation introduced was Bill 1, just seven words long. After so much talk about restoring balance to Albertan property rights, the PC’s hallmark property rights bill – audaciously named the “Respecting Property Rights Act” - could be printed on a single page. It fell not so much with a thud as with a quiet flutter. And, after all that lip service paid to the issue, what did Bill 1 actually address? It repealed Bill 19, the Land

Assembly Project Area Act. That particular bill that had been passed by the PCs years ago, but it had never even been proclaimed, let alone used. Albertans could surely be forgiven for thinking, “Is that it?” Is this what the Premier meant by being “passionate” about property rights? Is this truly a “reset” button on years of botched property rights policy from the PC government? Despite going on at length about their commitment to property rights, the only thing they have to show for it is the repealing of an ineffective dud of a bill. Talk about underwhelming. Bill 2 stripped landowners of important rights to appeal and to be notified of approved energy developments on private property. It remains law in Alberta. In Bill 24, the government boldly declared that they own all pore space below the surface of the land. It remains law in Alberta. Bill 36, perhaps the most repugnant of the bunch, gave Cabinet sweeping powers to rescind and revoke previous land contracts, control the lawful activities of citizens on their own land, and eliminate judicial oversight and recourse for citizens. Most unfortunately, this law, too, remains law in our province. The PC government completely missed the mark and failed to listen to what Albertans were telling them loudly and clearly. Of course, it goes without saying that former Premiers, Ed Stelmach and Alison Redford, each made bold, vague claims about their commitment to property rights, as well. It would seem that the latest incarnation of the PC government is committed to

nothing but the long tradition of spilling out meaningless platitudes while do nothing to actually advance the rights of landowners. “Ultimately property rights and personal rights are the same thing,” remarked the perceptive President Calvin Coolidge many years ago. Today, too many Albertans have felt the gravity of his statement all too well. We have witnessed the results of poor public policy firsthand. We have felt the incredibly important foundation of our own democracy – a foundation built on property rights – be progressively undermined by a government that fails to take the issue seriously. The Wildrose Caucus has been committed to the core principles of property rights from day one and understands that the cause must be taken up with a renewed vigor in the face of broken promises and inaction. To that end, we introduced a motion in the Legislative Assembly that would have called on the federal government to formally enshrine property rights in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Each province has the ability to request additions to the Charter that apply uniquely to them, and this process has been used repeatedly throughout Canadian history. In our opinion, there is no truer, more lasting commitment to property rights that could possibly be made than to see it formally codified as the highest law of the land. Our motion was soundly defeated by the PC government. That won’t stop their hype machine from continuing on.

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Obama 2.0 - The Northern Edition

Columnist

Brent Dunstan

I was in Ottawa watching the Senators play the Washington Capitals, appropriately enough, the night Barack Obama was elected President. Listening to the radio on the 2 hour drive following the game, the pundits were talking about how Obama’s election was going to usher in a new era in US politics; less partisan, more bilateral; more “Yes we can”, less “No we won’t”. It appeared so full of promise - a young, photogenic, articulate leader, with an almost rock-star-like following, telling Americans he was going to do politics a new way. True to form, his speech that night was full of glittering generalities, if not any real specifics of how exactly these ideals were going to be delivered. Fast-forward through 3/4 of Barack Obama’s Presidency, and one would be hard pressed to find any of those same pundits using similarly glowing terms. To say the Obama Presidency hasn’t lived up to expectations would be putting it mildly. Washington is as partisan

as it has ever been, and voters have fled away from the Democrats, in response to a lacklustre President. Democratic candidates purposely distanced themselves from Obama in the recent mid-term election, and even that was unsuccessful. Republican majorities in both the House and Senate, unimaginable at the outset of the Obama administration, are ample evidence of a tarnished brand, and outside of a die hard core, there are many disappointed Americans. It’s hard not to notice a number of similarities between Barack Obama, circa 2007, and Federal Liberal leader Justin Trudeau. Both were enthusiastically embraced as candidate for their country’s highest political office by their party, despite limited federal political experience. Each demonstrated approachability and like-ability; winsome and charming to the point of having a certain Teflon-like quality when the inevitable gaffes failed to stick and erode his image. Both are masters in the art of promising much without revealing much. Once both reached their current offices, both have demonstrated typical liberal ideologies; tax & spend fiscal policies, if they ever articulate them, favouring big government. Both portray incumbent leadership as old and tired, but offer only the vague proposal to be “different”. Both have paid lip service to more inclusive and co-operative politics, but demonstrated otherwise; Trudeau by pledging open Liberal candidate nomination races in ridings, while red lighting multiple people, personally endorsing and campaigning for specific favoured individuals, and automatically disqualifying anyone as a Liberal candidate who holds views on specific (and deeply held) moral and

ethical social issues that are contrary to his own, as he did on the mandatory pro-choice matter. He’s hardly leading the “big tent” Liberal Party of days gone by. President Obama, despite rhetoric of co-operative politics throughout his 2 terms in the White House, has repeatedly demonstrated that he’s either been unable or unwilling to be the one moving to middle ground. Even as recently as the last State of the Union Address, he spoke of the need for both Parties to get along, yet presented a legislative agenda that he’s too smart a man to believe is remotely acceptable to Republicans in the House and Senate. An alarming characteristic both possess is a penchant for glib comments, as an apparent attempt at humour, regarding serious matters. Obama’s offhanded belittling of ISIS as being like a jayvee squad wearing Laker uniforms and trying to be Kobe, showed a stunning lack of understanding and seriousness. Similarly, Justin Trudeau’s locker room humour wise-crack about what Canada was doing with it’s F-18s betrays the lack of a serious mind, or at least the decorum befitting one aspiring to be a statesman. Along the same line of thought, each has an unsettling habit of making public statements that are, at best, puzzling, and at worst, demonstrative of extremely poor judgement. Trudeau’s “admiration” for China’s political system, despite repression on the grand scale, and chronic reliance on violating it’s citizens human rights, are haunting words that will revisit him often. The President’s statement at the UN that the future does not belong to those

who slander the Prophet of Islam, now appears ill-advised in light of recent events in Paris. Ironically, both Trudeau and Obama were conspicuous by their absence in the aftermath of the Paris attacks. As for resource development, there isn’t enough print space to chronicle the President’s dithering on Keystone XL. Suffice it to say that he’s had to resort to statements so devoid of factual content, that the Washington Post routinely awards him Pinocchio ratings based on how many things he says that simply aren’t true. Justin Trudeau’s brand of larceny on the matter is duplicitous statements. He’s supportive of the Energy East project in New Brunswick, where it would be an economic boon, and within months, against it in Quebec, obviously playing to the NIMBY hometown audience. This is characteristic of Trudeau’s behaviour in Quebec. His proclamation that the problem with the government is that it’s run by Albertans hasn’t been forgotten; it’s almost like he believes no one in the rest of Canada pays attention to him when he’s in his home province. There are, of course, differences between the two men, one of which is unsettling if we foresee Canadian voters giving the keys to the Prime Ministers Office to Justin Trudeau. President Obama’s failure to deliver upon the promise and hype that surrounded him came despite being considerably more prepared for the mantle of leadership than Mr. Trudeau. With all due respect to teachers, who do valuable and often thankless service to society, most would confirm that graduating with a B.Ed. from UBC doesn’t prepare one to lead a country to the same extent as graduating summa cum laude from Harvard Law School. (Although a couContinued on page 16...

Obama 2.0 - The Northern Edition, Continued... ple of seasons as a Snowboard Instructor might overcome the deficiency.) Barack Obama also served several years at the State Senate level before entering Federal politics; again, experience Justin Trudeau lacks. The difference in formal education is not limited to the aforementioned degrees. Before law school, the President earned a degree from Columbia in political science, with a specialization in foreign relations. Judging by the deterioration of the US global stature under Obama’s watch, how much he learned there is debatable. But this certainly eclipses Trudeau’s degree from McGill in Literature. Perhaps he can discuss what books he’s read recently with the Premier of China. As a federal election looms on the horizon in Canada, the past 6 years of Barack Obama’s Presidency could serve as something of a cautionary tale for those looking at Liberal leader Justin Trudeau as a Prime Minister in waiting. The same attractive qualities that propelled Barack Obama into the White House, became irritants. His eloquence and ease of speaking came to be perceived as vacuous and even erroneous discourse; heavy on sizzle, light on steak. Confidence became cockiness; idealistic became stubborn; resolve, inflexibility. The cliché “It’s lonely at the top” was self fulfilled as Obama alienated many, even within his own administration and party, and was mirrored by the United States under Obama’s leadership, to friend and foe alike in the global community. As Canada heads into election season, the questions begs to be asked; Are we being presented with a candidate for our highest political office who has many of the same qualities and characteristics as the current President, but even less preparation and qualifications, and yet we somehow expect better results? Are Canadians prepared to elect a Prime Minister whose only two policy platforms that are clearly stated are that the Liberal Party will vote in a pro-choice manner on abortion related matters, and marijuana should be legalized? Even advocates of these positions would agree that these are not items 1 and 1A on a prospective Prime Minister’s list of priorities right now. Would we elect a Liberal Party to Government that so far has demonstrated by their reluctance to present a platform, that it is they who have the leader with the infamous “secret agenda”? And finally, the most sobering question; would Canadians share the same fate as Americans find themselves in now, after a few years of a Justin Trudeau led Government - wondering how so many promises could be left undelivered upon?

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So after we go to Court this time it’s all done…Right?

thought I would write this month on a subject that I have had recur a few times the last weeks. That is the difference between final and interim orders. Often someone will call me with a court date lined up, asking me to handle it on their behalf. They will believe that after that court date their divorce or family law matter is completely done. Often that is not the case. Think of litigation in the Court of Queen’s Bench as a highway, say the number three from Medicine Hat to Lethbridge. At the beginning of the trip, at Medicine Hat, are what are called “pleadings”. This is the statement of claim for divorce or a claim for unjust enrichment with unmarried parties, or whatever initiating documents are necessary. The end, Lethbridge, is a trial. Now, the vast majority of cases never go all the way to trial. But, in the event there is not a settlement, it is necessary to keep moving towards trial.

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Along that main highway are several things that need to happen. After pleadings, there is a discovery process. This is oral and document discovery. This includes exchange of financial information. It also includes a process where each side’s lawyer asks the other side everything about their case. That process is recorded by a court reporter. There may be further information exchange after oral discovery. Sometimes there is a JDR, a mediation type process presided over by a judge. Then there is trial. Only after a trial, or a consent final order and binding settlement is there a final order that ends everything. In between the start, pleadings, and the end, trial, is the period lawyers call the “interim”. That is just lawyer talk for between the beginning and the end. So, in my analogy, the stretch of highway just outside of Medicine Hat city limits and Lethbridge city limits is the interim. I generally recommend moving down that highway as quickly as possible. This is because cases settle faster that way. And if they don’t, a trial can be had to deal with the matter. Now, off of the main road, there is the opportunity to take detours if one wants to. You can apply for what are called “interim” orders right when or after pleadings are issued to start the case. These orders can be for child support, spousal support, a restraining order, matrimonial home possession, custody, access, just to name a few. However, every time one of these orders is applied for, it engages a side process, which tends to slow down progress down the main highway. Affidavits are exchanged, there can be examination on affidavits, and there is a hearing. That hearing gives an order that is an “interim” order. That means it is only good until trial or settlement. It does not finally conclude anything. So, going back to our analogy, I usually recommend to try to avoid excessive interim applications. These do not give final orders, and slow down progress to ultimate resolution. I generally advise to only do it when there is something that cannot be tolerated to trial. For example, if one is not seeing their children, that needs to be dealt with. Safety issues need to be dealt with, support needs to be dealt with. In the same way, consider driving from Medicine Hat to Lethbridge. The trip is about an hour and 45 minutes. Part way into the trip you discover that you need to use the washroom. Well, you can pull off in to Bow Island to do that, but it adds time to the trip because you pull off the main highway. If you can hold it until Lethbridge, you probably want to do that. On the other hand, say that you get part way and discover you are nearly out of gas. That is a different matter, that can’t wait. A detour is required, even though it adds time to the trip. There is a balance. Necessities like gas or a flat tire have to be dealt with. On the other hand, if you pull over because you are thirsty, then because you are hungry, then because you have to go to the bathroom, then to answer the phone, then to gas up, suddenly that drive takes three hours. Often when I take a case over, and I hear that someone has spent too much money, the case has taken too long, and it is nowhere close to that final resolution, the problem is too many detours. Usually my first question then is “can you live with some of these things until a trial”. And many times, people are misinformed that their upcoming interim application is really a final solution. That would be the same as thinking that pulling over for gas in Bow Island means that you have arrived in Lethbridge. It is a stop along the way, not the final destination, and knowing the difference saves a lot of money and frustration.

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