Katherine DeClerq, Author at Womens Post

#TOpoli December 10, 2015

Is SmartTrack a quick solution to a long-term problem?

The plan for SmartTrack tackles the need for a fast track solution to congestion in Toronto. The goal is to provide a quick solution for the hundreds of thousands of people trying to get across the city on a daily basis.

The key to SmartTrack is that is uses existing Regional Express Rail (RER) lines to provide service within Toronto, from Stouffville to the Airport Corporate Centre. Currently, the plan includes 22 new stations and is projected to be ready within seven years. The line will take over two existing GO routes and 90 per cent of its track will be on existing GO transit lines primarily the Kitchener and Stouffville Go lines.

SmartTrack is actively being pursued by the City of Toronto to help with congestion on the Yonge line by providing alternative options. Jennifer Keesmaat, chief planner and executive director for the City of Toronto, says in video for the relief line campaign: “In order for the network to be effective, we need to increase choice.” The Toronto Transit Commission currently has 535 million customers annually and this number is steadily growing. The hope is that by re-purposing exiting GO express lines SmartTrack will provide relief for the over-capacity issue on the Yonge line and relocate 35 per cent of streetcar customers, clearing the way for a smoother commute.

But SmartTrack is still in the planning stages. Access to the airport corporate centre is essential for Torontonians who utilize transit, yet the cost of accessibility to this area could run extremely high. There is limited space for a transit station at the airport centre and steps are being taken to ensure the best plan is developed for this specific location. Metrolinx has approved a plan to extend the Eglinton Crosstown LRT from Mount Dennis to the centre. The City of Toronto has yet to approve this plan.

The city is conducting a feasibility review of the Eglinton Avenue West Corridor and waiting for the results of ridership modelling to further aide the analysis. The modelling is being conducted by the University of Toronto. The city has also met with Metrolinx over the last week to discuss the new stations across the RER network.

SmartTrack provides Torontonians with choice. Is it the right choice? Mayor Tory , the city of Toronto and Metrolinx are waiting for the results of these studies. With all wanting to deliver the right transit, not only for Toronto but for the entire region.

Living December 1, 2015

10 creative DIY advent calendars for the family

Kids — and let’s be honest, a few adults to — look forward to December 1st. Not only is it finally socially acceptable to play Christmas music in public, but it’s also the first day of the “Christmas countdown.” I’m talking about the advent calendar.

Personally, I love the chocolate advent calendars. My Christmas is not complete without one. However, there are quite a few creative options for those who want to think outside the box. Here are a few do-it-yourself calendars for those who want to make their countdown a bit more personal:

The clothespin advent calendar: This is an absolutely adorable way to count down the days to Christmas. Attach a small wrapped bag to a clothespin and let it hang using ribbon or colourful string. Not only is it visually appealing as a Christmas decoration, it’s also quite functional.

The surprise-in-a-box advent calendar: For those who don’t want to have 24 small bags lining their wall, this is another option. Wrap a few special prizes in paper and put it in a decorative box. Each day, your child can open the box and dig for their daily surprise.

The decorative advent calendar: It’s not always about the gifts. In this advent calendar, each day reveals a tree ornament that the family can then place on the tree. This particular one is made of felt, but it can be done using any material on hand.

The toilet roll advent calendar: Why waste some perfectly reusable toilet rolls? All you need for this DIY project is a glue gun and some extra cardboard for the roof. If you want to make this more interactive, make a box to slide the toilet rolls into, and then hang it up. You can even fill the toilet roll with a little surprise or note for your kids, and they can pull it out each day.

The card-stock advent calendar: Not every advent calendar has to be big and loud. This version is simple, understated, and beautiful. Write some specialized messages for your family and put them in a sleek envelope.

The towering advent calendar: This one is not for the faint of heart—expert crafters are required. This involves making small, but highly decorated, cardboard boxes and placing them strategically in a tree shape. I think it is absolutely gorgeous; but I’m not sure if I have the skills or patience to put it together.

The mason jar advent calendar: This one is more my craft-level. It’s brilliant in its simplicity. Wrap a few candies, stickers, and notes. Give them each a number. Stuff them all into a decorated mason jar. Done!

The good-things-come-in-small-packages advent calendar: This advent calendar is all about the decoration. Wrap 24 items in equal size boxes or bags, and then stick them onto a board using double sided tape. Make sure the treats aren’t heavy.

The ornament advent calendar: Do you have a small plant just sitting in the corner of your living room? Turn it into an advent tree by attaching small numbered bags to the branches or stems.

The “for the adults” advent calendar: This one is a party! Wrap 24 small bottles of alcohol in Christmas colours, making sure to label them clearly so there isn’t any confusion. Remember, you can only have one a day!

Note: If partaking in number 10, remember to advent responsibly!

Featured November 30, 2015

Woman of the Week: Anne Golden

Sitting in a Starbucks drinking a decaf flat white, Anne Golden recalls how she was “in the vanguard of women going on to have professional careers.”

Golden is an academic down to the bone. “I can’t just dive into a subject without understanding context,” she explained to Women’s Post in an interview. Her background is in American history, a subject she studied at the University of Toronto for both her BA and PhD.

Her own history is a bit of a roller-coaster, and Golden tells it with a hint of dry humour, almost as if she herself can’t believe how much she has done in her lifetime. She is now a distinguished visiting scholar and special advisor at Ryerson University, where she teaches a class on successful cities in the 21st century. She also holds a position on the board of Metrolinx and participates in a number of panels and task forces relating to issues of city building and transit.

Her career had a rocky start. First, she was discouraged from pursuing a career in law after one of the only women in the field told her she would never be allowed to work on any real cases. Then, she was convinced to give up a promotion in the department of history because she was married to a dentist and didn’t need the money.

“The interesting part was I said I understood. I didn’t say ‘injustice’,” Golden said. “I wasn’t bitter or angry. I just said [the other candidate] just got married and needs the job, and I was married to someone who was already a professional and I would survive. I mean, today, that would be cause for protest, but it wasn’t for me.”

From there, Golden took every opportunity she could get her hands on. She was always interested in politics, so when David Crombie ran for mayor in 1972, she was one of the first people to call and volunteer. Golden eventually coordinated the campaign that led to Crombie’s victory.

“New progressive ideas were coming on stream. There was an understanding that there was a new vision for cities beyond expressways, beyond sprawl, beyond imitating the American example.”

The jump from history major to politician, philanthropist, city builder, and transit aficionado was a relatively easy one for Golden. She describes it as “a result of very good luck,” but, in truth, she is an avid learner, ready to jump into any position that was offered to her.

As a board member at Metrolinx, Golden reads about 500-1,000 pages worth of contracts and files before every meeting. She also reads a daily roundup called a “Media Analysis Report”, which includes every single article or radio report published in Canada that relates to transit. Board members then go back and forth, discussing the issues and trying to find solutions to various problems. “I always felt that if the public saw how hard we worked they would be less cynical,” she said.

Some may argue that this cynicism comes from years of failed transit promises and miscommunications between politicians and transit agencies. According to Golden, the main reason for this lack of collaboration is that each institution is protective of its own turf.

“Where you stand is dictated by where you sit,” she said frankly. “If you are sitting in the [Toronto Transit Commission] building at Yonge and Davisville, you may see things differently than if you are sitting in Metrolinx on Front St. having to look at the whole region.”

In addition to city council, the TTC, and Metrolinx, there are about 160 organizations in the Greater Toronto Area dedicated to city issues, including transit. With so much competition, Golden says it is important to stress what makes each group unique. If an organization fails to do so, it may lose its voice and therefore its chance at being part of the formal discussion. She also suggests merging smaller organizations to gain legitimacy.

Despite the many interests of each decision-making power in Toronto, Golden acknowledges that there are good people running each of them, and that a lot of collaboration is happening to ensure the city gets the best possible transit system.

Golden is currently reading Margaret MacMillan’s History People and The Legacy of Grazia dei Rossi by Jacqueline Park.

Politics November 27, 2015

INFOGRAPHIC: less than 10% of sexual assaults are actually reported

It seems that every morning, as I turn on the radio to listen to the news, there is someone who has been a victim of a crime. Whether it is a violent crime like physical or sexual assault, or something a little more tame like petty theft, it’s sad to hear it happening all the time. But, how many of these crimes are not reported?

Statistics Canada keeps track of how many Canadians report violent crimes, and the latest update came earlier this week on Nov. 23. It showed a startling difference between crimes reported in 1999 and in 2014. Here is a breakdown of what these numbers mean:

The original Statistics Canada report can be found here and here.

Health & Fitness November 25, 2015

Yoga class suspended at University of Ottawa due to “cultural issues”

In September, the Student Federation of the University of Ottawa (SFUO) suspended a free yoga class offered at the university’s Centre for Students with Disabilities, citing “cultural issues” as the reason.

The instructor who taught the course went back to the SFUO and asked for further explanation. She was told that the student government wanted to be mindful of cultures that have “experienced oppression, cultural genocide and diasporas due to colonialism and western supremacy.” Essentially, the SFUO has suspended the class due to cultural appropriation, a concept where the use of elements from one culture (typically non-Western) by a different culture (typically Western) is viewed as a negative phenomenon.

The news about the suspended yoga class has gone global, with articles popping up in the Washington Post and the Daily Mail. New York Times technology reporter Farhad Manjoo retweeted a story about the incident from the Ottawa Sun and The Atlantic senior editor David Frum laughed at the decision on social media, sharing an article in the Yoga Journal that outlined European influence on modern yoga in India.

It’s true that the practice of yoga was influenced by the Sanskrit, India’s ancient religious texts, but it has since grown into its own entity. While it is true that some yoga practices include a spiritual undertone, most focus on the movements and the concept of self-acceptance.

As a former student at the University of Ottawa, the SFUO’s decision does not surprise me. The student politicians on campus were always, what I would call, Liberal radicals. They can get so obsessed with the idea of inclusivity and tolerance that they end up pushing away a large part of the student population. For example, the student newspaper I worked for was once accused of being racist for not covering a black history month event on campus. This accusation was made despite our explanation that the event itself was reported on every year and didn’t warrant a follow-up.

It’s also important to note that our Arts and Culture Editor, who was the person who made the editorial decision, was black.

As a student who actively took advantage of the free yoga classes offered by the university, I can say that I never felt like the instruction was religious or spiritual. None of the instructors claimed to be knowledgeable of that aspect of the craft. The goal of the session was to make peace with yourself and be mindful of your body. I would enter that room stressed about work or my studies, and I would leave feeling refreshed and calm.

Should we alway strive to be politically correct? Where is the line? Personally, I think that line is drawn when there is no intention of negative consequences. A class that helps students with disabilities stretch and relax, a class that doesn’t pretend to be affiliated with any political or religious belief, should not be the object of cultural appropriation.

Thankfully, the university itself agrees and has promised to continue offering yoga classes to students who want to participate in the practice. It’s just unfortunate there won’t be any classes directed at students with disabilities—and we can thank the student union for that.

uOttawa is not ending free yoga. While the @SFUO_FEUO has cancelled one class, #uOttawa continues to host yoga : https://t.co/imoaVXrMiq

— uOttawa (@uOttawa) November 23, 2015

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Health & Fitness November 20, 2015

Five ways to spot nutritional misinformation

Last year, I bought a Paleo cookbook.

It all started when I went out to dinner with my mother and we chose a restaurant in Newmarket called Rawlicious. It served raw and vegan food. I was skeptical, but I rather enjoyed my meal and, after reading up on the “Paleo Diet”, I decided to buy the restaurant’s cookbook. Eating raw must be good for me, right?! There were all these advertisements and articles in the newspaper about how cavepeople ate simpler, and therefore healthier, meals. They had less transfats, less processed foods, and less sugars. This diet was sure to make a difference, I thought.

This, I would soon learn, is not essentially true.

Paleo. Gluten-Free. These “diet” terms are everywhere. They pop up every few years and we automatically flock towards them, trusting that the “experts” claiming there are health benefits to each fad. Why are we continually taken in by these crazes? According to Kate Comeau, dietician and spokesperson for Dieticians Canada, it’s a “desire to try something new and try something that will work.”

In this digital age, it’s easy to be consumed by the immense amount of information found on the Internet. There are, quite literally, thousands of blogs dedicated to weight loss and nutrition.

“Something comes up and you look to google, it is second nature. We are advocates of our own health,” Comeau says. “Because of the amount of information, it can lead to more confusion. We want to equip people with smart searching. Bring that information to your health care provider and get them to help you sort through it.”

But, how do we know what advice to trust? Which fads should we follow? Here are five ways to spot misinformation on the web and to make the right choice with your nutritional advice:

The Quick Fix: Losing weight is not a sprint, it is a marathon. It’s also a rather personal journey. There is no miracle-working pill, smoothie, or nutritional regime that will work for everyone. The only way to maintain a healthy lifestyle is to eat well and exercise regularly. Everything else is a false promise that may hinder your weight-loss journey.

The Product Sell: Do you need to buy a pill, a fibre supplement, or an entire week-worth of meals? These special food diets don’t encourage healthy eating habits, and instead make you dependent on the product themselves. There may also be financial gains for the person providing the nutritional advice.

The Personal Story: It’s great that Sally, age 45 with two kids at home, lost 30 pounds eating nothing but fruit for a week, but that doesn’t mean it’s healthy. It is encouraging to see the results of a successful weight-loss journey, but its not proof that it will work for you. It may not even be true. “It can be quite compelling, especially if they are in an influential position. But just because it works for someone, doesn’t mean it’s science-based or that it would work for you,” Comeau says.

The Study: We hear the words often—”studies show” this [insert diet name here] will make you feel more awake and energized, while still allowing you to lose those extra pounds. But, what study? Were the subjects of the study following the same lifestyle as you? Are they the same age or gender? And is there more than one study to confirm the results? The more scientific evidence available, the more legitimate the advice.

The Qualifications: Celebrity-supported cookbooks are becoming increasingly popular, but I’m not sure when we decided they were the health experts. Look for the initials “RD or PDt” to ensure the person giving you the advice is a registered dietitian. They are the only people who should be giving nutritional advice.

Instead of buying into the latest diet fad or cleanse, Comeau suggests what seems like the simplest solution: eat better and exercise regularly. “I sound like a broken record,” Comeau says. “Eat more vegetables and focus on making food from basic ingredients from home.”

If you, like me, enjoy reading about nutrition and health on the web, try following @DCmemberblogs on Twitter. It is hosted by Dieticians Canada and links to credible, evidence-based blogs about nutrition. Information comes from 40 different member blogs, and there promises to be some amazing recipes in the mix.

For those who want more, Comeau suggests cochrane.org, a website dedicated to evidence-based analysis of health issues.

As for my “Paleo diet”, lets just say I never got that far. Turns out, it is harder to adopt that lifestyle than I thought (and I lot more expensive). I still make some of the recipes, but I don’t claim to do anything more than live by the Canadian Food Guide.

News November 18, 2015

Time is our biggest ally, Paris a week later

It’s been almost a week since news broke of the shooting and suicide bombing in Paris: 129 dead.

That Friday night, I got home from walking my dog and sat down in front of the television. It was cold outside, and my plan was to snuggle under a blanket and watch something trashy until my family got home. I turned on the television, which automatically tunes in to CP24, and heard the following words: “We still don’t know the condition of the 100 hostages, but our latest report has 30 people dead following the restaurant shooting in Paris. It is still unknown whether the disturbance at the soccer stadium is related.”

I ended up spending the entire night glued to CBC News. My computer was running a live-blog hosted by the Guardian, and my Twitter feed on my phone was lit up in #PrayForParis hashtags.

Simply put: since then, I’ve tried to avoid writing an article about the attack.

I was lost for words, but I also didn’t want to make the same mistakes as some media publications and members of the Twitterverse. I didn’t want to jump to conclusions.

Paris at night. Photo taken by Katherine DeClerq

It was only two months ago that I was in Paris, joyfully wandering the streets in the City of Lights, breathing in the Parisian lifestyle. It was an amazing experience. I wandered the twisted roads filled with shops and restaurants, drank wine, ate baguettes, visited museums, and saw the Eiffel tower. I got lost a few times, but luckily the people of Paris were nice enough to point me in the right direction. It’s important to know that when I say “people of Paris,” I mean people of every ethnicity. The kindest of them all was a Muslim man who showed us a short cut to the Eiffel tower.

My heart breaks when I hear about the racism and bigotry people are facing because of these terrorist attacks in Paris, Beirut, and Baghdad. Politicians are screaming at each other for considering allowing refugees—people fleeing the very violence we just experienced—to enter their country. A mother was attacked when picking up her child from school, simply because she wore a hijab; a mosque in Peterborough was set ablaze with a molotov cocktail; and men and women are receiving letters in the mail from neighbours saying, “Canada is no place for immigrants. Go home.” The American media has been particular nasty to the Muslim community, asking them to “take responsibility” for the actions of a few extremists with ties to ISIS.

How is this Canada? How is this France, England, Germany, or the United States?

After a tragic event such as this one, time is our biggest ally. We may live in a 24-hour news cycle world, but that doesn’t mean we should rush to conclusions and continue to spread unfounded fear. Every time a mother is attacked, a mosque destroyed, or a man is falsely accused of being a terrorist, we add fuel to the fire. The people who killed 129 Parisians last Friday want us to turn on one another. They want Muslims to see the rest of the world as racist and islamophobic.

Let’s take some time. Sit back, breathe, and really think about what happened in Paris. Think of your neighbours and friends, some who may not be native to this country. In a world with a population of over 7 billion, there will be bad people. But, let’s not throw everyone with the same religion, skin colour, or beliefs into that categorization. Let’s not turn away those fleeing from violence, just because we are afraid. Chances are, in this political climate, they are more afraid than we are.

After taking a week to figure out how I feel following these tragic events, I’ve decided that I’m not going to #PrayForParis. Instead, I’m going to #PrayForTheWorld: Pray for a world of tolerance and acceptance, where no one feels afraid and everyone knows what it means to be loved. Lets not lose who we are and blindly follow the war cries.

Lets prove that we are better than that.

Living November 17, 2015

Hatsavaganza: Five unique styles worth the hat head

Are your ears burning yet? Mine were this morning, and it was all because I haven’t accepted that the temperature is dropping. The sun is still shinning and there isn’t a hint of snow in the air. But, it’s getting a bit cold. Maybe it’s time to admit it’s hat season.

I used to live in Ottawa, and it was there I discovered how amazing hats were. While some of the other girls would run around with their hands covering their ears, looking like they were in immense physical pain, I embraced the winter hat. It kept me warm and, I would like to think, stylish on those walks along the canal.

For those who need a bit of convincing, here are five styles that will make you forget about that hat head:

The hand-made wool toque: Sometimes, a thick-knit, itchy, wool hat just won’t cut it. This particularly two-toned toque is hand-made in Collingwood, Ontario using merino wool for both the exterior and interior lining, ensuring it is toasty as well as chic.

The slouchy beret: This type of hat is perfect for a casual outing with friends. The best part is that the hat can be worn with a slouch, or it can be adjusted with a cuff to form a shorter and more form-fitting toque.

The knitted headband: If you are looking for something a little more chic, try a knitted headband. They come in various styles (bows, knots, buttons), and are thick enough to cover your forehead and your ears, the two most vulnerable areas for the cold.

The Canada-Goose Aviator Hat: This extra warm, and fuzzy, hat is a staple for any Canadian winter. And, before you scoff and move on to the next option, know that this fur-covered hat makes the perfect accessory for a cold night out. The fur contours the face nicely, and provides the ultimate protection against wind and snow.

The all-Canadian: Need something to go with those Canada-proof winter boots? Try the ultimate patriotic toque, proudly showcasing our nations colours of red, black, and white. These hats are made of double-layer knit, so they are sure to keep you warm in those cold Canadian temperatures. The extra large pom-pom is an added bonus.

What does your favourite winter hat look like? Describe it in the comments below.

Politics November 13, 2015

Wish the Minister of Status of Women good luck. She may need it!

In an act that is sure to have journalists abuzz with excitement, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau released his Minister Mandate Letters to the public.

Today I’m sharing my ministers’ mandate letters with you so you can measure us against our promises. Read them here https://t.co/8OWkdT1zX9.

— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) November 13, 2015

Mandate letters are meant to outline the Prime Minister’s expectations and priorities. They have always been private documents, but today, Canadians were treated to an inside look at the Liberal party’s platform.

“Today we are demonstrating that real change in government is possible. For the first time in our country’s history, we are making these letters public, so Canadians can hold us accountable to deliver on our commitments. We are ushering in a new era of openness and transparency in Canada,” Trudeau said in a statement.

The general theme, which was expressed regardless of position, is the need for openness and transparency. The letters almost read like a message from a teacher—lets all get along, listen to each other, and respect each other’s opinions. It was a fascinating read.

The Minister I was most interested in was the Minister of Status of Women. Below are a few highlights from her mandate letter, and I have to say I don’t envy the amount of work she has on her plate:

As Minister of Status of Women, your overarching goal will be to ensure government policy, legislation, and regulations are sensitive to the different impacts that decisions can have on men and women. During our time in government, I expect to make meaningful progress on reducing the wage gap between men and women and to encourage an increase in the number of women in senior decision-making positions and on boards in Canada, as well as make progress towards better representation of women where they have traditionally been under-represented, such as in the skilled trades.

In particular, I will expect you to work with your colleagues and through established legislative, regulatory, and Cabinet processes to deliver on your top priorities:

Work with experts and advocates to develop and implement a comprehensive federal gender violence strategy and action plan, aligned with existing provincial strategies. You will be supported by the Minister of Justice to make any necessary criminal code changes and by the President of the Treasury Board who will develop strategies to combat sexual harassment in federal public institutions.

Work with the Privy Council Office to ensure that a gender-based analysis is applied to proposals before they arrive at Cabinet for decision-making.

Support the Privy Council Office as it develops monitoring and reporting processes to ensure that the government’s senior appointments are merit-based and demonstrate gender parity.

Support the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities and the Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs in ensuring that no one fleeing domestic violence is left without a place to turn by growing and maintaining Canada’s network of shelters and transition houses.

Support the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness in reviewing current gender- and culturally-sensitive training policies for federal front-line law enforcement officers to ensure that they are strong and effective.

Support the Minister of Employment, Workplace Development and Labour and work with your ministerial colleagues in taking action to ensure that Parliament and federal institutions are workplaces free from harassment and sexual violence.

Support the Minister of Justice and the Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs to develop a process and mandate for an inquiry into murdered and missing Indigenous women and girls in Canada.

Read the full letter at http://pm.gc.ca/eng/minister-status-women-mandate-letter#sthash.bcj6CS09.dpuf

Let’s just hope this new transparent government hasn’t bit off more than they can chew.

Is there anything in this mandate that you feel was looked over? Let us know in the comments below!

Recipe November 12, 2015

“To-die-for” Newfoundland fish chowder

In Toronto, it’s cloudy, rainy, and cold. It’s the type of weather that makes you hide under the blankets and dream of summer. The cure? A warm bowl of fish chowder.

Newfoundlanders are used to this type of weather. In fact, they probably make fun of the rest of the country when we complain about a drizzle or a light snowfall. What’s even more amazing is that the government itself provided the recipe below. They understand that even the most native Newfoundlander craves the warmth of this dish. It’s everything you could want in a single bowl: seafood, cream, and wine. The perfect combination of comfort foods.

Enjoy and stay warm!

Serves 6 – 8

2 oz. butter
1 medium carrot
1 onion, finely diced
1 stick celery, finely diced
12 mussels
12 oysters
8 oz. white fish
8 oz. shrimp
2 tbsp. (30 ml) brandy

SAUCE:

4 oz. butter
½ cup (125 ml) flour
1 tsp. (5 ml) salt
4 cups (1 L) milk
¼ cup (60 ml) tomato puree
½ cup (125 ml) white wine
1 tsp. (5 ml) prepared mustard
9 oz. cream
¼ cup (60 ml) chopped parsley
Cayenne pepper to taste
Lemon juice to taste

Melt butter in a deep pan. Add vegetables and brown. Chop seafood and add to pan. Add brandy and flambé. Make white sauce by melting the butter in a saucepan on low heat, stirring in the flour and salt and gradually whisking in the milk. Add the tomato puree, wine, mustard and white sauce to the seafood and vegetables. Bring to a boil. Add cream and parsley, garnish with a sprinkle of cayenne. Salt, pepper and lemon juice may be added to taste.

Repost from Tourism New Brunswick: http://www.tourismnewbrunswick.ca/See/FoodAndDrink/Recipes/To-Die-ForFishChowder.aspx?utm_source=pinterest&utm_medium=owned&utm_campaign=tnb%20social