37,15 by Spotlight Magazine

THIS ISSUES

CONTENTS

EDITOR

05 Law Shared Parenting, Where are we at?

ART DIRECTOR

Scott Steinbeck

07 Golf

Making Putts & Why do I top the ball?

Columnist Donald Crawley.

09 EDITORIAL Proclaiming “Merry Christmas” Scott Cowan

SCOTT COWAN (403) 504-7092

JOAN BATEMAN joan@gainsboro.ca GRAPHICS DIRECTOR

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PHOTOGRAPHY

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10 Brent Dunstan High Expectations PHONE Columnist

Published and Printed by Spotlight Magazine

(403) 526-3054

The Fashion Files

Gainsboro Spotlight

15 Mayor Op-Ed: Restrained Spending is Responsible Government Drew Barns

17 FINANCE Insurance in Retirement

BMO consultant - Dan Hein,

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.

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Shared Parenting, Where are we at?

Scott Steinbeck (866) 783 6232 Columnist

It’s very common when someone makes appointments regarding parenting arrangements after separation, to ask, “I want to do a week on, a week off.” Unfortunately, it’s not always that simple. In my experience, shared parenting was extended much more frequently by the Courts in contested proceedings fifteen years ago. Depending on who you ask, you’ll hear two differing opinions on what’s in a child’s best interests. I have heard some say very passionately, that the research indicates children need “stability.” That is best achieved by having one place as the primary household. The other parent having access. There’s other research, however, indicating it’s in children’s best interests to have as much contact with both parents as possible. While “stability,” is important the stability that’s critical is not a physical stability, in terms of where a child goes after school every day. But actually an emotional and psychological stability, by having as full a relationship with each parent as possible. Subject to that not being the case if one parent is abusive or unable to parent well. The latter view is espoused by prominent researchers such as Dr. Warren Farrell. He’s reviewed 30 years of data from separated families to find out whats led to raising the healthiest adult children of divorce. Unfortunately, while having as much time with both parents is possibly best for children, there are the mechanics of dealing with it in the court process. The vast majority of people sharing equal parenting time with their children, are the ones that settle their separation or divorce without ever going to court. Usually once court documents are filed, that means there’s some degree of conflict. Shared parenting doesn’t work particularly well when there is conflict. The caveat being it’s best for children to see both parents as much as possible, if they

the are not exposed to conflict in so doing. The Courts have this recognition, and are today loath to award shared parenting where there is such tension. Experience has shown that they’re back to court every three to six months. Regarding matters that they can’t settle amongst themselves. Such as extra-curricular activities or holidays. The Court solves that problem by just giving one parent day to day parenting. Sadly, if parents can’t see eye to eye, the Court won’t award shared parenting. That puts the parties in a situation where it is an “all or nothing.” One or the other is going to get day to day care and the other access. While in the past this primary parent was almost always mom, as time goes on progressive judges look at each situation on its own merits. Courts award day to day parenting on the basis of what is best for the child. Not on any preconceived gender bias. Added into the mix in all of the above is child support. Shared parenting usually means a child support reduction or “set-off,” type arrangement. Sadly, I see a lot of family law litigation that probably has at its root in a desire to minimize or maximize support. Rather than what is best for the kids. One of the factors in shared parenting is the involvement of each parent with the children prior to the separation. Where both parents have been involved with the children while they were still together. Shared parenting is often in the children’s best interests. But where one parent has been absent for most of the children’s lives and only upon separation wants to have parenting half the time, is unlikely. Most judges are pretty quick to recognize it as an attempt to reduce child support. So what do you do if you want to do shared parenting? Well, I’d say the first thing would be to try to avoid court. When matters are concluded and an agreement reached, the arrangements can be finalized by an uncontested appearance. The only caveat to that would be that occasionally one runs into a judge that has a very strong negative opinion as to shared parenting. It can be difficult to get such an order entered, even by consent. This isn’t frequent, most are aware that it’s in the best interests of the children if there is no parental conflict. Likely as time goes by and there is more

awareness of the actual research and benefits to children, this will change. Judges are human beings, and cannot be blamed for importing their personal background and experiences. A judge doesn’t often see many parents who happily and successfully have shared parenting. Those cases don’t come to court. Someone can only sit on the bench for so many years hearing failed applications of attempted shared parenting. It starts to make sense to just deny it altogether. That being said, however, if two parents have worked by consent in a shared parenting arrangement for a year or so after separation, with no court applications or difficulties, and they want to confirm it in an order. A decision by a Judge to refuse to do that is probably readily and easily appeal-able. So, what if both parents do not consent or don’t get along? Then it probably isn’t going to happen. One thing the research is fairly definitive on is that separation or divorce itself is not actually that bad for kids. It’s the conflict that is the problem. If sharing parenting is going to lead to more conflict than the children just having a primary residence with one parent, a judge isn’t going to force children to live in a war zone. Often I’ll have someone approach me saying they want to do a “week on, week off.” But the only way they can stand to communicate with the other parent is via text or email. They can’t even sit together at an event for the child, or there have been three interim applications to set Christmas holidays, to decide whether the child does hockey or judo, and to decide where the child goes to school. That is not a shared parenting situation. However, for parties that think it is a good idea to be difficult with the other parent so that shared parenting won’t occur, I would say beware. I have seen more than one parent surprised as they leave the court room to find that they are not going to be, or are no longer, the day to day care parent. The Court will look at who is creating conflict versus who is acting in the best interests of the child. As well as who is likely to facilitate the relationship with the other parent if they have day to day care, and as time goes on, judges are realizing more and more that gender is not a predictor of who is the best parent. While conflict may take shared parenting off the table, it puts the matter into an all or nothing situation. It’s a huge

Continued on page 23

Making Putts We all want to make putts, a bunch of them. The only way that is possible is if the club face is square to the line, and traveling down the line at impact. Are you spending some practice time aiming the putter face square? A lot of people work on grip and stroke. They are important, but the aim of the putter face is critical on every putt, short, medium or long. That is why you see the pro’s on TV take their time to line up the ball. This doesn’t work for everyone but it may help you to line up the name on the ball, perpendicular to the chosen target line. You can draw a straight line on your ball with a sharpie. That line is giving you an added visual as to what straight is. Be sure to aim the ball line down the chosen line, not necessarily the hole, unless the putt is dead straight.

Donald Crawley

Columnist Donald.crawley@theboulders.com 480-488-9028

Once the ball is lined up, the next step is the one most important. Aim your putter face perpendicular, at right angles, to the line on the ball. If you have a line on your putter, use that as another added visual line. Pointing in the same direction as to the line on the ball. Look at your putter face and track it through the line and toward the target. So now you are lined up straight. Seeing the face square to the line at address is essential, and will help you line up your stance square, parallel to the target line. Of course, the grip, arm and body alignment have to be correct also. But if you can see that the face is square and aimed correctly, it breeds more confidence that you can swing the putter head on line. Let the putter head swing along the target line at impact, with a square face, and your ball will roll straight. Your short game will improve exponentially. Your inner pro will be making those long putts!

Why do I top the ball? Topping the ball is caused when the club makes contact with the upper portion of the ball rather than the bottom. Sounds obvious but a lot of golfers miss the simple points. If you want to stop “topping,”you need to strike the “bottom,” of the ball. Can you take a swing and brush the grass under the ball? If not, try this drill. Push a tee into the ground, leaving only the tee head above the ground to grass level. Practice swing until you can consistently hit the tee and some grass out of the ground. That is what the bottom of the ball sits on. Until you can brush the grass and hit a tee out on a consistent basis, you will not stop topping the ball. Level two of this drill is to hit the tee then the turf, (called the tee/turf drill) This will teach you to hit a divot after the ball not before! Don’t tell me your practice swings are ‘always good’! Practice swing with a purpose and hit a specific point on the ground. That ‘point’ will be the bottom of your swing and hopefully the bottom of the ball, stopping you from topping. Some insights to help you achieve this goal, is to: Check your posture. Keep your chin up, spine tipped at the hips, arms hanging freely. Check your grip. Hold the club lightly but in your fingers. Both V’s point to your rear shoulder. Don’t try to hit ‘under the ball’, try to strike the bottom of the ball. See me at “The Boulders,” for a private lesson. The weather this time of year is much better than in Canada.

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T HRO UGH SPECIAL ARRANGEMEN T WI T H T H EAT R I C AL R I G H T S WO R LD W I D E

Scott Cowan

Proclaiming "Merry Christmas."

Our cover this month proudly proclaims, "Merry Christmas." We didn't say happy holidays, or season's greetings. I don't care whose "offended," by our politically incorrect salutation. In fact I'm offended that I even have to discuss the issue. Christmas is the most sacred event of the year, rich with tradition, and meaning for the overwhelming majority of our citizens. How dare people who have fled war torn nations show disapproval that we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. They presume to redefine our culture, while insisting we emulate the broken system they have just escaped. Politicians think it's fair, to increase taxes to sustain ungrateful newcomers. A demographic of individuals who statistically and historically remain on social assistance in the high 80 percentile numbers. They demand we be multi cultural, and accepting of their beliefs, to the degree of sacrificing our own on the altar of tolerance.

left in the world that could take us! If there were, we believe in things like freedom, equality, work, fairness. There is no moral equivalence in comparison between our people or cultures. These "refugees," think nothing of gang raping young girls, then having them stoned for the crime of being immoral. They horribly execute gays. They calmly tell you to convert or die. People talk about praying for France after the terrorist attack. I say you it's redundant to pray without first identifying the evil. But a few tweets, and Face book messages, and we'll all feel like we've done enough. We all know some wonderful Muslim people. Many are law abiding and are seeking better lives in Canada. Few of our Muslim neighbors want these fast tracked undocumented ISIS immigrants allowed entry. They know the dangers. Liberals rush headstrong making the same mistakes as Germany, Sweden, France, and Britain. All these countries who allowed an avalanche of male refugees between 18 and 40 years of age. Where are the elderly, women, and children? You see hundreds of thousands of men pouring through European borders. Even the most liberal admit 2% (many claim high as 20%) are enemy soldiers. Germany has accepted over one million persons claiming to have fled war torn Syria. Using the most liberal 2% estimate, means 20,000 terrorist soldiers are now embedded inside German borders. Why is it that no Arab

countries will accept any refugees? I'm offended that our Liberal politicians think it will be any different in Canada. We are importing the same people Europe has welcomed, and is now regretting. They can't be "properly vetted," Syria has no data base to access. We have no records on foreign nationals. Trudeau is throwing the dice, allowing battle hardened, determined soldiers into our cities. Islam is a politic fueled by religion. A religion that dictates total worldwide submission or death. Syria or Canada is just geography to them. Radical Islam isn't new, it's risen and fallen unchanged for thousands of years, always brutal, inhumane, never satiated. I'm perplexed, why do NDP /Liberals cause thousands of Alberta oil workers to lose jobs, then buy oil from Saudi Arabia? The same country who will accept no refugees. Not to mention their Keystone pipeline failure, citing pollution and global warming dangers. Then the same politicians pump eight billion liters of raw sewage into the St. Lawrence River. This is the equivalent of the volume of water passing over Niagara Falls for almost an hour. I am amazed if someone so much as tears a page from the Koran there's rioting in the streets. Yet these same people can burn a bible, our flag, and traditions with impunity. Then go pick up their welfare cheques.

I'm especially disappointed that politicians practice such rampant reverse discrimination. They steadfastly refuse Christian refugees who are being be-headed, raped, and stoned, in a methodical systematic agenda of mass genocide. Favoring the demographic who commit those very crimes. Accepting a Trojan horse called immigration. Socialist politicians have forsaken the concept of allowing entry to our country of only the best, and brightest. In favor of the illiterate and undocumented. It is all about good intentions and optics and votes. Wouldn't you want another country to take us if the roles were reversed, they ask? WAKE UP!!! There are no other countries

Continued on page 19

"High" Expectations If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve popped in to 7-11 to pick up a pack of joints, and found that the new Liberal Government hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t yet delivered on itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s high profile promise to legalize Marijuana, be prepared for a bit of a wait.

Brent Dunstan Columnist

There is a bit of irony that one of the first things we knew about Justin Trudeau the Liberal Leader's platform, is likely going to fall deeply and rapidly down the list of promises and priorities Justin Trudeau the Prime Minister will deliver on. Whether you are for or against, don't expect to see hippie lettuce for sale alongside Player's Light anytime in the near future. This is an idea that will quite quickly be determined to be firmly in the Fun & Games Department, and therefore low priority, as the business of governing the country becomes more clear to the Trudeau Government. It will be put on the back burner, with more pressing and immediate problems getting much more attention, and for a number of reasons. I won't be at all surprised if Mary Jane is still on the naughty list when next we cast our ballots in a federal election. The complexity alone will likely be enough to delay freeing the weed. It's not as simple as taking a black Sharpie and striking lines through the laws in the criminal code. There will be studies commissioned of places like Colorado and the Netherlands, to see how the matter is addressed there. These will take time and money. Once completed, reports will be made to various Parliamentary Committees for review. More time and money. Once they have sufficiently dissected the information given

them, lawyers from the various affected governmental departments will begin crafting the language for bills to put before Parliament. Time and money. These bills will be presented to Parliament. After each of the first two of three readings of these bills in both the House and Senate, amendments can be proposed (and you can bet on there being amendments proposed on this issue), sending the bills back to the appropriate committees for potential revision. After third and final readings in both Chambers, the amended bills are voted on for passage. Time and money. Meanwhile, there will be the inevitable jurisdictional fight with the provinces, since it's intended that pot be regulated and taxed similarly to alcohol and tobacco, which falls into the purview of provincial oversight and regulation. (Insert sound of car screeching to a halt here.) The not small matter of the legal age being inconsistent from province to province alone makes the task of enacting a broadly applied federal law problematic. This isn't even considering the fact that the Provinces will want in on the action revenue -wise. Consider that legalization will impact provincial and federal departments of justice, finance, health, and quite likely dramatically add to the work done by the various provinces' liquor and gaming commissions, there is both a lot of negotiation and preparation to be done. Time and money.

Speaking of regulation and taxation, each requires administration, which requires organization and oversight, which requires bureaucracy, which requires staff, offices, etc., which requires, wait for it, time and money; money presumably generated NEED A MORTGAGE? by said taxation. It's presumed that the If you own a home and were turned down by the money taken in Banks, exceeds the money If you have bad credit ? Lost hope? spent on regulation, taxation, administration, and You need enforcement. If not, it will be Scott Cowan, interesting to see the Liberal Government Dominion Lending (Mortgage Agent) explain this 403 504 7092 department running

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a deficit. That may not occur in the first year or two, but don't be surprised to see it happen. Other jurisdictions have seen what were expected to be windfall revenues drop dramatically after a couple of years. As the cultural stigma disappeared along with the legal restrictions, home grown has inevitably cut into taxable sales, much like wine kits and home brewing would impact liquor tax revenues; perhaps more so in this case. Part of the regulations that will accompany legalization will be control of production, distribution, and sales. As of now, absolutely none of that structure is in place, and it's not like this is a product that one can simply hire consultants with experience "in the field" to assist with the formation of a plan. Questions will outnumber answers for a considerable amount of time as to where the necessary quantity of legal pot will come from, along with a body to determine and enforce quality control. Time and money. It must be established as to how it will be distributed, and who will sell it and where. Expect significant opposition from special interest groups, and not just the MADDs of the world. Those currently providing happy herb services won't be going away quietly. As a colleague said to me, "Just because alcohol is legal, that doesn't mean selling moonshine is." All of this will require study, analysis, planning, and administration before it can see implementation. Time and money. Other new laws, regulations, and enforcement procedures will have to accompany freely available pot. Driving under the influence laws, with the necessary roadside detection technology, will have to be enacted. An approved screening device will have to be sufficiently developed, tested, and (here's where it gets even more fun) it's results deemed admissible in court, via the inevitable legal challenges. Time and money. Laws relating to illegal marijuana sales will have to be re-written to reflect the new circumstances. One can't expect illicit sales of the drug to simply disappear overnight. Sales and/or distribution to minors laws have to be passed. This has been one of PM Trudeau's arguments for legalization; that government oversight and regulation will help keep pot out of

Continued on page 23

One of the hottest tickets for New York Fashion Week is The Dennis Basso show. Numerous celebrities covet seats to be first to see some of the most stylish evening gown and cocktail ensembles of the season. This collection featured fur and ready to wear selections that were absolutely stunning. The cameras throughout the audience quickly appeared as each model wore an ever more breathtaking garment. Personally I wait for the invitation to his show with great anticipation. No other collection compares with the absolute originality and appeal of Dennis Basso. Women all over the world have his creations in their closets. Celebrities the likes of Ivana Trump, Eva Longoria, Brooke Shields, Nicole Kidman, Penelope Cruz, to name only a few. Dennis Contributes graciously and generously to numerous charitable causes.

Op-Ed: Restrained spending is Responsible government With the release of Alberta’s budget on October 27, I can’t help but hear Calvin Coolidge’s words of nearly a century ago echoing through history: “Industry, thrift, and self-control are not sought because they create wealth, but because they create character.” When thinking of the provincial character of Alberta, I think of industrious people, willing to work for the betterment of their families and communities. I think of people who are mindful of their own finances and future. I think of people proud of their province and economic freedom. The “Alberta Advantage” wasn’t just a political catchphrase or a set of government policies. It was an expression of our character. I don’t believe that the budget presented by NDP government reflects this character. Just a decade after we famously had our debt declared “paid in full”, we are now borrowing money at an incredible rate. Most alarmingly, we are now borrowing just to pay for operational spending – the spending that keeps the lights on day-to-day. In fairness, the rampant spending that has returned us to the path of massive debt – a projected $47 billion by 2020 – is not new. There’s an old joke I’d heard in the midst of the PC dynasty: “The NDP can’t beat the PCs because they can never figure out how to promise to outspend them.” And there was some truth to that joke. In years gone by, the government has squandered our resource wealth with rampant spending. But, now, we find ourselves in the unsustainable and unpleasant position of squandering the next generation’s wealth. While the government cannot control the price of oil or the actions of the past, they can control their actions today and show

restraint. The government can do its part to encourage the industrious spirit and self-control that has defined Alberta. They must look beyond the mistakes of the past and find solutions to our ballooning expenses in the present and future. The simple fact of the matter is that wasteful, inefficient, and excessive spending helps no one. It does not help our core services when funding that should be for the front lines instead goes to bureaucracy and construction cost over-runs. It does not help taxpayers when more of their hard earned dollars must be given to pay the costs. And it certainly doesn’t help the next generation when they will eventually have to pick up the tab.

The way forward involves returning to the roots of our character. In Alberta, we understand the nature of a cyclical economy and, yes, we can makes sacrifices to pull through difficult times. Give us economic freedom, and we have proven we will use it to create an innovative, thriving economy. Alberta is great because of who we are. We only require that the government hold up its end of the bargain and get its own fiscal house in order.

Nobody is well served in a future where interest payments become one of the largest line items in the budget. When every dollar borrowed must inevitably be repaid with interest using money taxed from the productive sector, we set our public services up for failure. Blinded by the appeal of cheap and easy borrowing, the NDP might not be feeling that pinch right now, but the consequences of their decisions will certainly remain.

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Insurance in Retirement

Way back in 1979, Life Expectancy for a 65 year old female was 84, and 80 for a male. As of 2012, life expectancy had increased to 87 for women and 84 for men. This is great if our health is on track and our retirement plan is “longevity-proof” – but unexpected healthcare costs can bring tremendous financial strain. More people tend to get approved for longterm care than critical illness, because the underwriting is less stringent. Statistics Canada says that in 2007 people aged 45-64 paid for 75% of elder care. Younger generations may be called upon to fund long term care of their elders. Increasingly, adult children are encouraging their parents to seek more comprehensive coverage. In some situations where we can manage the premiums for our parent’s long term care insurance, we can dramatically reduce the impact of future costs. For example, a 65 year old male paying under $300 a month makes a claim for care at age 80, he will have paid just over $50,000 in premiums. Without the policy, $50,000 would cover barely 17 months of care at $3,000 per month. With the policy, $3000 will be provided monthly for the rest of his life. Assuming the man lives longer than 1.5 years the policy was worth it. The peace of mind is priceless. If he just reaches life expectancy – 84 - costs would triple to nearly $150,000 - meaningful direct savings and immeasurable peace-ofmind benefit.

Critical Illness (CI) Insurance Due to advances in medical science, we are surviving illnesses that previously ended our lives. While we may survive a health crisis, will our finances sustain us? A critical illness such as cancer, heart attack or stroke can deal a devastating blow to our financial well-being. You may be unable to work and medical bills not covered by government and company

health plans can mount quickly. There are often unexpected expenses incurred throughout illness and recovery that traditional health plans don’t cover. Once diagnosed with a critical illness, our “CI” policy pays tax-free cash, typically 30 days after diagnosis, assuming we survive. We can use this cash any way we like - take a sabbatical and recuperate; clear the mortgage; renovate our home or modify our vehicle to accommodate special needs; inject money into our business to keep it going while we recovering; even pursue private medical treatment outside Canada. How we use the money is entirely up to us. We can even invest it to generate monthly income.

Long-term Care (LTC) Insurance Long-Term Care Insurance can be purchased on its own, or as a complement to CI coverage. LTC helps us maintain our independence by providing the financial resources we need to control how and where we choose to live. While Critical Illness insurance helps to alleviate financial worries during recovery, Long-Term Care insurance provides ongoing financial support enabling us to live life on our own terms. Long-term care insurance provides a daily tax-free benefit to cover the costs of a nursing home or professional in-home care. This begins as soon as we are unable to perform two or more Activities of Daily Living (ADLs). Common ADLs are bathing, eating, dressing, toileting or transferring. An example of transferring would be rising from a chair unassisted. Exploring how these important types of insurance can protect and benefit you and your family.

ment health benefits? Many people have none. Many provinces have generous drug plans for seniors, but many other health care needs (and costs) become the retiree’s responsibility. Vision and Dental are often forgotten when planning retirement. Some people plan to spend $5,000 a year on out of pocket healthcare costs, but those costs can rise very quickly. A short ambulance trip costs over $1,000 in many provinces. What if we break a hip and need to rent a wheelchair? Extended care facilities cost $3,000 per month and rise from there to $7,000 or $10,000 a month. A good friend of mine has parents who don’t want to leave their farm and are paying $30,000 a month for around-the-clock, in-home care. This buys them peace of mind and they want this, but for many of us this would be unsustainable. Talk to your trusted advisor and plan preemptively for health insurance needs right away – the longer we delay, the higher go the premiums, and the risk of coverage limitations grows. Women generally pay more for health insurance simply because women statistically live longer than men. All this needs to be considered.

Lets Connect: Dan Hein, BRE Investment Advisor BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc. 606 2nd St SE Medicine Hat, AB T1A 0C9

Retirement’s often forgotten responsibilities: Many of us have not factored healthcare costs into our retirement. What are my post-retire-

403-528-6771 Dan.Hein@nbpcd.com www.danhein.ca

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” is a registered trade-mark of BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc. BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc. is a wholly-owned 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 Nesbitt Burns Inc. is a Member – Canadian Investor Protection Fund. Member of the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada.

Proclaiming "Merry Christmas." Continued from page 09

Liberal politicians say they stand for gay rights, women's rights, and equality. Yet work to implement Sharia Law in Canada. A system dictating by religious mandate and culture, the ownership of women. The right to beat, and rape women. The genital mutilation of women, honor killings, and stoning of gay persons. Muslims are irreversibly tied to their belief that Islam should dominate any culture or country in which it is introduced. They work feverishly toward that goal. Liberal politicians are facilitating that very reality. Approximately 10% of Germans in 1940 were Nazi. Look how that turned out. I am incensed that Liberals condone blatant importing of new voters. Say 3000 immigrants in each Conservative riding, and magically it goes Liberal next election. People who will always be loyal to those who will sustain, and increase their social welfare benefits. People who don't work, scream if discussing lowered benefits. But it's okay to take from those who do work to fund their cheque. Money used to support people whose stated goal is the over throw of our culture and system of government. There are 1.2 billion Muslims in the world. If only 2% are radicalized terrorists, we have 24,000,000 people ready to kill you when reading these pages. In comparison the USA military has about 1,370,000 in their combined forces. Canada's force boasts almost 100,000 persons. All of them are not combat ready. Canada's lack of military preparedness should shock the most Liberal among us, and doesn't. What terrorists don't have is C-130 aircraft, ship transports, tanks, or jets. So our pacifist politically correct politicians spend tax dollars transporting enemy soldiers via Air Canada too our cities. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m appalled by religious leaders who claim saying "Merry Christmas," is a sin greater than murder. In fact those who utter this blasphemy should be killed. These are teachings emanating from Canadian mosques. Muslims want or will have one set of laws for their community, and Canadians another deemed less valid. Our school system now caters to a foreign religion excluding our own. Yet prohibits saying, Merry Christmas in fear of offending. Health care will be burdened with claimants who've never paid a dime to fund that care. The new redefinition for "white privilege," should reflect the designation of the top marginal tax bracket. What really offends me is that my 82 year old taxpaying mother's pension equals less than half the benefits lavished on immigrants. Also, since jihadist Muslims commonly practice polygamy, we'll be paying welfare cheques over multiple families, one father collecting it all. I'm genuinely offended some will pontificate that this article is offensive... When defending Canada is purely patriotic. Truth... to a socialist always sounds racist. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

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• 1 in 4 women over the age of 50

• 80% of hip fractures are osteoporosis related

• At least 1 in 8 men over 50

• At least 80% of fractures in people 60+ are osteoporosis related

• The disease can strike at any age

• The lifetime risk of hip fracture is greater (1 in 6) than the (1 in 9) of developing breast cancer

“OsteoStrength Clinic regenerated my bone density and freed me from pain”

“I don’t really think there’s a fountain of youth . . . but in working with this program . . . I have the body that I had when I was in my twenties and so in a way I’ve kind of reversed time . . . “

Eve, 61

"High" Expectations Continued from page 10

the hands of minors. As anyone who has ever attended high school can attest, the success of government regulation keeping booze and cigarettes away from minors is .... well, perhaps success isn't the right word to use. It might be better to avoid this argument if you favour legalization. But to be sure, a whole new set of laws have to be in place prior to herbal "free trade". Time and money. What may be one of the highest hurdles letting the bud loose will face, is one almost no one is talking about. The States of Colorado, Washington, Oregon, and Alaska not withstanding, marijuana is still very illegal in the United States federally. (See previous references to jurisdictional issues between levels and types of government.) How does this affect the Liberal Government's quest to put a giggle stick in the hands of any consenting adult who may want one? The U.S. is our closest neighbour, with whom we share the longest border between two countries, and it is our biggest trading partner. The efficient passage of goods into the U.S. Is vital to our economy. If you think that the U.S. Customs Service is not going to be diligent in ensuring that Canada's newly legal artificial joy isn't migrating southward, you've never seen them at their best. Having spent 45 minutes discussing the contents of my vehicle and luggage with a very earnest and serious U.S. Customs Officer at the Mexico/California border, I can assure you they will take as long as they need to be satisfied there is nothing going into America that shouldn't be. At that rate, line-ups to cross into the U.S. at Windsor will start at the Yonge St. on ramps to the 401. (For those of you not familiar, that's in Toronto.) Good luck getting Canadian goods to U.S. markets in a timely manner, when American border guards are on permanent pot patrol. If the Prime Minister isn't considering this facet of the issue, he's not seeing the big picture. U.S. Customs will undoubtedly get search and seizure happy as a matter of principle.

“A dream doesn’t come to reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination and hard work.” Colin Powell

Shared Parenting, Where are we at? Continued from page 05

risk to have the potential of being marginalized to a weekend parenting roll for a parent whose previously been very involved with the children.

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I also advise people to be realistic and consider the logistics. Equal time with both parents is a worthy and noble goal. It’s probably the best for the kids to ask if the parties live close enough to allow such an arrangement. Does each parent have space for the children for a protracted period of care, beyond just access visits? Does each parent have the ability to actually be with the children for most of the time that they’re in their care? Do you want kids in daycare the week that one parent has access? While the other parent has the flexibility to actually be with them during that time. It probably doesn’t make sense. Can the children remain in the same extra-curricular activities in each parent’s care? Is there consistency in school work and homework at each home? If they’re older, as peer group become more important, can they associate with their friends in each place? Do the parents really communicate well enough to make it happen? In a lot of shared parenting arrangements, the parents talk every day. So I suppose in sum, shared parenting is still around, and not uncommon. But there’s more to it than just swapping the kids every Sunday evening at 6:00. It takes a lot of work by both parents. It’s something that should be carefully considered. But if parents can make it work without conflict, subject to getting the courts ok, it’s probably something that your children will thank you for in the years to come.

So, don't take a deep drag, and hold your breath, expecting Dave to be legal by the time you exhale. As you can see, government moves with glacier-like quickness, especially when it come to any new regulation and bureaucracy. One can almost hear the words, "It's complicated man!" in the unmistakable voice of Canadian Tommy Chong. It's going to take time and money. Sorry to kill your buzz. Brent Dunstan

Inside this Month’s Issue “Dennis Basso” 24