WORKING COPY February 2015:February 2015.Qxd
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
Volume XXXIII No.2 Februray 2015 Montreal, QC Canada www.filipinostar.org Irwin Cotler receives Law Society of Upper Canada’s first Human Rights Award Toronto: The Law Society of Upper Canada presented its inaugural Human Rights Award to The Honourable Irwin Cotler, PC, OC, MP, at a ceremony in Toronto on February 12, 2015. Mr. Cotler received the award in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the advancement of human rights and the promotion of the rule of law. “Mr. Cotler’s long and illustrious career as an outspoken advocate for human rights — both at home and abroad — have made him a most fitting recipient of The Law Society’s very first Human Rights Award,” said Law Society Treasurer Janet E. Minor. “He reflects the highest ideals of the profession, and his contributions to peace and human dignity are unparalleled.” The award was established in 2013 by The Law Society as part of its longstanding commitment to human rights, the rule of law, and access to Law Society of Upper Canada Treasurer Janet Minor presents inaugural Human Rights Award to Irwin Cotler (photo: LSUC ) See page 4 - Irwin Cotler MMTV Anchor voted Most Beautiful “Outstanding Graduate of the Year” By Fely Rosales Carino title by the Philippine Benevolent and Filipino-Canadian Scholarship Society of Quebec The word beautiful can be defined in (PBSSQ). In addition, he has been many different ways. It commonly recognized as one of the “Most describes those with physical outstanding Filipino-Canadians” by attributes; however, it can also the Bb. Pilipinas World Pageant for describe someone who has helping enhance a positive image for demonstrated an extraordinary Filipinos in Canada. achievement or success. The International Professional Entertain- A dynamic man, Davantes has ment Network knows how important it focused his energy on important is when somebody makes an impact in issues in different levels of human the community, or even in somebody activities, be it cultural, political, or else’s life. For this reason that the educational. He is a passionate Executive Committee of the individual committed to taking on International Professional Entertain- projects that support health, ment Network had MMTV’s anchor, innovation, and meaningful social Michael Davantes, as one of the change. He can be described as awardees for the Fifth Annual Most “multitalented” as he is not only an Beautiful Filipinos in Canada Award of excellent communicator and Recognition held in Toronto last photographer, but also an ingenious January 31st, 2015. The organization writer who can work in various fields. believes that Davantes is a beautiful He has worked as a medical lab person inside and out. technician, model trainer and agent, international pageant director, PR and Davantes is a recipient of Vanier’s “Life marketing consultant, musical theatre Award” for scholastic achievement and actor, and an environmental columnist. tremendous community service. He has also been conferred the See page 4 MMTV Anchor Michael Davantes holding his award www.filipinostar.org 2 The North American Filipino Star February 2015 Letter to the Editor we’re not collectively on track to meet them, not even close. And no wonder, Editorial Time for a Medicare when the Prime Minister refuses to meet with the Premiers to coordinate Why do snow plows bury cars on the roads? approach to climate climate policies—or anything else for that matter. There is no reprieve from the cleaned the street just did not think of change winter cold this year. It is now the how hard it would be for a car owner to That’s why a new Liberal government dig out of the packed snow. number two topic for Montrealers to talk Dear editor, would, within 90 days of the upcoming about the frigid temperatures second to I am sure that I am not the only Paris climate conference, hold a First one that has eperienced this hardship Ministers meeting to work together on a hockey games It’s been acknowledged Over the past nine years Canada’s during winter. But it seems that no one framework for combatting climate that 2015 is one of the coldest year international reputation has been ever. is doing anything about it. This has change—including the creation of national damaged and the Keystone emissions-reduction targets. A national Next to the -20 temperatures happened to countless car owners, and standard would be set in partnership with that easily go down to -35 due to the they all seem to take it in stride because XL pipeline has been stalled, all provinces and territories, who will have wind chill factor, is the problem of I have not heard anyone complain to because our federal government has the flexibility parking during successive snow the authorities about this common failed to deliver a sensible, credible to design their own polices to achieve storms. Besides having no where to practice of snow clearing crews. Why approach to the environment and the it, including carbon pricing. The federal park, a car owner’s lament is having to can they not put the snow into a truck economy. government would provide funding, dig out from the big pile of snow that instead of putting them on people’s similar to how it supports Medicare seems to be part of the daily routine of cars? At the same time, many provinces and today.In this way, we will build on snow clearing trucks. They just simply Winter in Montreal has always territorial governments have begun existing provincial initiatives, in the best find it easy to dump all the snow from been a difficult time of the year. their own initiatives because they know spirit of Canadian the middle of the street to the sides Besides the danger of falling down and that climate change is real and that our where most cars are parked. It seems breaking a leg or hip due to the slippery federalism. Through a healthy respect children’s future requires us to reduce that they are having fun doing this and streets and sidewalks, we also have to for regional differences, we will achieve carbon emissions. BC, Alberta, then seeing people shovel their cars ouf cope with the thoughtlessnes of people progress on climate change; we will Quebec and, soon, Ontario— of the plowed snow. This just who do not think of how difficult it is to begin to repair our broken jurisdictions that represent over 85% of relationships and regain public trust. the economy—have all committed, in different ways, to a price on carbon. Canada has solved bigger problems than this and we’ll solve this one too, in History has shown that Canada works the way we always have—together. best when all orders of government work together to forge Yours sincerely, solutions to complex problems. Through provincial experimentation John McKay, MP and federal leadership, Liberal Party of Canada Environment Medicare was forged and now Critic provides one common standard of 613-992-1447 public healthcare for every Canadian happened to me the other night after dig a car out of a snowbank. across in the entire country. That’s the Learn to speak French the fast working late. I could not get out of the Millions of dollars are spent on approach we need to take to reduce and easy way. Enroll at Gilmore space where I parked because the snow clearing. With such a big budget our greenhouse gas emissions. College International for which we pay high taxes, can we not As it stands, the Prime Minister has snow was packed solid on the whole Call 514-485-7861 side of my car. It took almost an hour to get at least the cooperation of crews committed Canada to targets, but shovel the snow that was piled high not to dump snow on our cars.? around my car. It was a very frustrating experience to think that the person who Zenaid Kharroubi 5320-A Queen Mary Road Tel.: 514-485-7861 Montreal, Quebec H3X 1T7 E-Mail: [email protected] Published by: Filcan Publications, Inc. Zenaida Ferry Kharroubi Chief Editor & Publisher W.G. Quiambao Community News Al Abdon Sam Kevin Fely Rosales Carino News & Layout Editor Michael Davantes Bernardo Sarmiento Columnists Bert Abiera Founder Opinion Editorial The opinions expressed by the writers and columnists do not necessarily reflect that of the management of the North American Filipino Star nor its editors. Dr. G. Santander DDS. is happy to announce her association with Dr. John Calder BSc. DDS. She has relocated her patient files to the new location at 4685 Avenue Van Horne, Montreal, Quebec, H3W 1H8. Phone numbers remain the same - 514-484-3110 or 514-737-1612. Vangie is here to serve you! [email protected] Dr, Gene Santander, DDS www.filipinostar.org Dr. John Calder, BSc., DDS FEBRUARY 2015 The North American Filipino Star 3 CPA supports the Federal not covered under public health Government’s insurance plans. When employee Manny Pacquiao in basketball role coverage does exist, the caps are often Supplementary too low and many Canadians are unable ahead of Floyd Mayweather bout Estimates: Doubling access the care that they need for a psychological services return to sustainable recovery and from $1,000 to $2,000 for productivity,” said Dr. Kerry Mothersill, President of the CPA. Federal Workers and Retirees “As much as a third of employer losses related to mental illness could be (Ottawa, Ontario) February 24, 2015. recovered if employees were given The Canadian Psychological timely access to effective psychological Association (CPA) applauds the federal services and supports. As the country’s government and Treasury Board biggest employer, the federal President, the Honourable Tony government is providing important Clement, for increasing coverage for leadership by showing all employers psychological services for federal that access to psychological services workers, their families, and retirees.