CBC Nir Feb 09.Indd

News in Review Resource Guide

February 2009 Credits Resource Guide Writers: Jill Colyer, Sean Dolan, Peter Flaherty, Jim L’Abbé Copy Editor and Desktop Publisher: Susan Rosenthal Resource Guide Graphics: Laraine Bone Production Assistant: Carolyn McCarthy Resource Guide Editor: Don Quinlan Supervising Manager: Karen Bower Host: Carla Robinson Senior Producer: Nigel Gibson Producer: Lou Kovacs Video Writers: Nigel Gibson, Mark Harrison, Jennifer Harwood Director: Ian Cooper Graphic Artist: Mark W. Harvey Editor: David Smith

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News in Review, February 2009 1. The Conservatives and the Coalition (Length: 14:46) 2. Canadians, Credit Cards, and Debt (Length: 14:47) 3. The Terrorist Attack on Mumbai (Length: 16:35) 4. When It’s Cool to Be Kind (Length: 16:31) Contents In This Issue ...... 4

THE CONSERVATIVES AND THE COALITION ...... 6 Introduction ...... 6 Video Review ...... 8 Seeds of the Crisis ...... 11 The Coalition Document ...... 13 Proﬁle: Michael Ignatieff ...... 16 Activity: To Prorogue or Not? ...... 17

CANADIANS, CREDIT CARDS, AND DEBT ...... 18 Introduction ...... 18 Video Review ...... 20 Credit and Canadians ...... 22 Credit Cards ...... 24 Getting Out of Debt ...... 26 Declaring Bankruptcy ...... 28 Activity: Dangerous Debt ...... 30

THE TERRORIST ATTACK ON MUMBAI ...... 31 Introduction ...... 31 Video Review ...... 33 The Attack ...... 35 Eyewitness Accounts of the Attack ...... 38 Three Perspectives on the Attack ...... 41 Activity: The Canadian Response to the Attack ...... 45

WHEN IT’S COOL TO BE KIND ...... 46 Introduction ...... 46 Video Review ...... 47 Proﬁles ...... 49 Fact Sheet: It’s healthy to be kind ...... 52 Altruism vs. Egoism ...... 53 A Human Nature Thought Experiment ...... 54 Kindness Quotes ...... 56 Activity: Taking Stock ...... 57

News in Review Index ...... 58

CBC News in Review • February 2009 • Page 3 In This Issue . . .

THE CONSERVATIVES AND THE COALITION (Length: 14:46) NiR Study In early December, Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s Conservative government Modules Using print and video found itself ﬁghting for its political life. Three opposition parties formed a coalition material from archival and announced that they were ready to topple the Conservatives and form a new issues of News in government. To avoid being defeated, the Prime Minister asked the Governor General Review, teachers and to shut down Parliament until late January. In this News in Review story we’ll look at students can create how the crisis developed and at what could happen next. thematic modules for independent NiR Study Modules assignments, and small Canadians to Vote in a Federal Election Winter Vote: The 2006 Federal Election group study. October 2008 February 2006 Dodging a Spring Election, April 2008 Canada Votes: A Liberal Minority Harper’s Throne Speech Challenge September 2004 Related CBC Videos December 2007 The Conservative Party Chooses a Leader Other videos available The Budget: Countdown to an Election? April 2004 from CBC Learning; April 2007 Uniting the Right: Federal Politics see the back cover for The Liberals Choose a New Leader contact details. Transformed, November 2003 December 2006 Steven Harper: Leading the Alliance Taking Over: Canada’s New Government May 2002 June 2006 Related CBC Videos Stephen Harper: The Path to Power Breaking Point March 2006 The Making of a Political Animal

CANADIANS, CREDIT CARDS, AND DEBT (Length: 14:47) For years many Canadians have been on a credit card binge. Now, as the economic crisis deepens, a lot of them ﬁnd themselves struggling with high levels of personal debt. In this News in Review story we’ll look at why so many Canadian households are overextended. We’ll also examine why it’s so easy to fall into the credit trap and what can be done to get out of it. NiR Study Modules Related CBC Videos Boom Times in Saskatchewan Can You Hack It? The Hack on Your September 2008 Personal Info Taking Off: Canada’s Soaring Dollar Debt Nation: Personal Finances in Crisis November 2007 Emperors of Avarice: Corporate Greed Boom Times: Alberta’s Red-hot Economy In Hard Times May 2006 Metal Mania: Canada’s Mining Boom April 2006 Oil and the Dollar: The Canadian Crunch December 2005 Energy Shock: The Rising Price of Oil November 2004 Rising Oil Prices: The New Energy Crisis April 2000

CBC News in Review • February 2009 • Page 4 THE TERRORIST ATTACK ON MUMBAI (Length: 16:35) In late November, a group of gunmen launched a terrorist assault on the Indian city of Mumbai. The gunmen ﬁred indiscriminately into crowds and seized several buildings and luxury hotels. By the time a furious four-day battle with police and soldiers ended, at least 170 people had been killed. In this News in Review story we’ll look at Mumbai’s days of terror and at the political repercussions in the region. NiR Study Modules Related CBC Videos The Assassination of Benazir Bhutto Afghanistan: Between Hope and Fear February 2008 Air India 182 State of Emergency in Pakistan Secret History of 9/11 December 2007 Secret Killer: Smallpox as a Weapon Kashmir Quake: Disaster in South Asia Security Threat: The World Order November 2005 Trail of a Terrorist: The Millennium Bomb Bitter End: The Air India Trial Verdict May 2005 The Indian Subcontinent: Turning 50 October 1997

WHEN IT’S COOL TO BE KIND (Length: 16:31) Every year an army of volunteers contributes time, effort, and money to try to make Canada a better place to live in. They organize all kinds of events to raise money for charity and help less fortunate Canadians like poor children and the homeless. In this News in Review story we’ll look at some of those volunteers and what they are doing to try to make a difference.

NiR Study Modules Related CBC Videos Helping the Mentally Ill Homeless A Ray of Light November 2007 How to Be Happy Living as a Homeless Person, May 2007 Volunteerism in Canada: Random Acts of Saving the Native Children, February 2003 Kindness Homeless in Canada, November 2002 Homelessness: Canada’s Mean Streets December 1998

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CBC News in Review • February 2009 • Page 5 THE CONSERVATIVES AND THE COALITION Introduction

In the midst of the economic crisis situation in the government’s next Focus that began in earnest in the late fall of budget, scheduled for February or March In this News in Review story we’ll look at 2008, Canada was also plunged into 2009. the political crisis a political crisis. In some ways, the The opposition parties felt the that gripped Canada political crisis was a surprise. After all, Conservatives were not doing enough to through the winter the federal election that had re-elected govern the country through the economic of 2008-09. Shortly Stephen Harper’s Conservative Party of crisis and said that Prime Minister after the Conservative Canada had just occurred, on October Harper had lost the confidence of the Party was re-elected 14, 2008. Although the Conservatives House. They signed an agreement to in the October 2008 federal election, the had been able to win only enough seats form a coalition government to replace opposition parties to form a minority government—as was the Conservative Party. In response, formed a coalition the case in the previous election—most the Prime Minister asked Governor to oust the minority Canadians considered the matter closed. General Michaëlle Jean to prorogue—or government of Canadians had become used to minority temporarily discontinue—Parliament Stephen Harper. To governments, and they had become used so that the coalition could not force the avoid being defeated, to Prime Minister Harper. government out of office. She agreed, the Prime Minister asked the Governor On the other hand, Harper’s previous and Harper had six weeks to catch General to shut down term had been a contentious one within his breath and try to appease angry Parliament until late the House of Commons itself. The Prime Canadians and opposition leaders. January. Canadians Minister had a reputation for doing MPs returned to the House of shook their heads at what he wanted without consulting Commons on Monday, January 26, this fight among their other members of government. He did 2009, and the government presented political leaders while the country was in not even allow the members of his own its budget on Tuesday, January 27. To the middle of a global party to disagree with him or his policies avoid a defeat in the House, the Harper economic crisis. in public. And, as Judith Maxwell, government presented a budget that tried former head of the Economic Council to make everyone happy. New money of Canada, said, when it came to the was promised for infrastructure (roads Definition relationship between the federal and and sewers), for social housing and home Coalition government provincial governments, “No attempt renovations, for skills training for laid- is a government that is formed by the was made at problem solving” (The off workers, and for the auto industry. temporary alliance Globe and Mail, November 3, 2008). The budget also outlined income tax of separate political So there was a history of mistrust, and cuts and business tax cuts. When all the parties. While Canada a lack of respect, among the political projected spending and cuts were added does not have a long leaders and their party members when up, the government predicted that by the tradition of coalition they returned to the House of Commons spring of 2013, the country would have governments, it is widespread in other following the election. Within six weeks an $85-billion deficit. nations. there was a full-blown crisis at hand. The The NDP and Bloc quickly criticized Conservatives introduced an economic the budget and announced that they update in November that did not offer would vote against it. NDP leader Jack a stimulus program to jumpstart the Layton said that the budget reflected the weakening Canadian economy. In fact, Conservatives’ concern for big business the Conservatives said they would wait over Canadians, stating that $60-billion and see what the U.S. government did was allocated for corporate tax cuts, in response to the economic crisis, and while only $1.5-billion was directed at then they would address the Canadian the unemployed. The Liberals did not

CBC News in Review • February 2009 • Page 6 immediately state whether they would March, June, and December 2009 to Quote support the budget or vote against it and demonstrate where money had been “The federal government may have bring the government down. But new spent. Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff a Conservative engine Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff did say said that his government was putting the driving it. Yesterday, that he believed the threat of a coalition Conservatives “on probation” and that at least, (Michael) government had been effective because they could withdraw their support of the Ignatieff had his the Conservatives had responded to budget at any point if they determined hands on the steering many of the concerns of the opposition that the Conservatives were not doing wheel.” — Editorial, parties in the new budget. as they had promised. Prime Minister The Record, Thursday, January 29, 2009 In the end, the Liberals decided Harper accepted the Liberal amendment, to support the budget, with one and at least for the time being, his party amendment: the Conservatives was able to stay in power. would have to report to the House in To Consider 1. Do you feel the opposition parties were correct to be upset by the Conservatives’ economic update of November 2008? Do you believe they responded correctly to the update? Explain your answer.

2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of a parliamentary system that allows for the possibility of a coalition government? Does it put pressure on the governing party to listen to others? Does it make the country more unstable?

3. What advice would you give Prime Minister Harper as he gets ready to govern the country in 2009?

CBC News in Review • February 2009 • Page 7 THE CONSERVATIVES AND THE COALITION Video Review

Further Research Preparing for the Video To stay informed This News in Review story contains information about politics and the operation about the fortunes of government. It also contains the names of many politicians and government and policies of officials. Before watching the video, take a moment to become familiar with Canada’s major these terms and names. political parties, consider a visit to their Term Definition official Web sites: Minority government • The party that wins the most seats in a general Conservative – www. election forms the government. conservative.ca, Green • A minority government occurs when the elected – www.greenparty.ca, government does not have enough seats in the House Liberal – www.liberal. of Commons to pass legislation without the support ca, NDP – www.ndp. of one of the other parties. ca, Bloc Québécois Coalition government • A coalition government is formed when several – www.blocquebecois. political parties agree to work together to pass org. legislation. • The usual reason for a coalition is that the elected minority government has lost the confidence of the House. • A coalition government can only occur when the elected government wins only a minority of seats in the House. Non-confidence motion • If the elected government tries to pass a tax or spending bill in the House of Commons, and that bill is defeated, then the elected government has “lost the confidence” of the House. • When a non-confidence motion occurs, the government must either resign or ask the governor general to dissolve Parliament and call an election. Prorogue • To discontinue Parliament for a period of time • Had only been done once before in Canadian history

Person Position/Role Stephen Harper Prime Minister of Canada Leader of the Conservative Party Jim Flaherty Minister of Finance (Conservative Party) Stéphane Dion Former leader of the Liberal Party Jack Layton Leader of the New Democratic Party Gilles Duceppe Leader of the Bloc Québécois Michaëlle Jean Canada’s Governor General Ed Broadbent Former leader of the New Democratic Party Bob Rae Former leader of the Ontario New Democratic Party Currently a Member of Parliament for the Liberal Party Michael Ignatieff Current Leader of the Liberal Party

CBC News in Review • February 2009 • Page 8 Did you know . . . The Video A January poll showed Respond to the following questions as you watch the video. that in Quebec, 62 1. What were Canadians expecting from the economic update that was per cent wanted the coalition government delivered shortly after the federal election? to have a chance to govern. In Western Canada, 65 per cent of Canadians wanted an election to be 2. What did they receive in the economic update? held, and only 29 per cent favoured an opposition coalition.

3. Why were many Canadians, and the opposition parties, angered by the economic update?

4. What changes did the Conservative government make to the economic update in response to the anger of the opposition parties?

5. How did the Conservative government ﬁght back against the news that the opposition parties were forming a coalition?

6. How did Canadian citizens react to the news of a possible coalition government? (a) In Western Canada ______

(b) In Quebec ______

7. Why did Prime Minister Harper ask the Governor General to prorogue Parliament?

CBC News in Review • February 2009 • Page 9 8. What is your personal view of the idea of a coalition government for Canada? Explain fully.

Analysis With a partner, discuss and respond to the following questions.

1. Prime Minister Harper is from Alberta. How might this affect the way that Westerners took the news of the possible coalition government?

2. (a) Why did Prime Minister Harper spend so much time talking about the fact that “separatists” would be running the country if a coalition government was formed?

(b) Do you believe this was a good strategy for the Prime Minister to use or do you think it was not necessary for him to cause division within the country? Explain.

3. What are the advantages and disadvantages of having a coalition government run the country?

CBC News in Review • February 2009 • Page 10 THE CONSERVATIVES AND THE COALITION Seeds of the Crisis

The political crisis that gripped Canadians effective or successful manner. An election Quote over the winter months of late 2008 and date was set for October 14, 2008. “I do think it’s fair to say that in the past early 2009 had been brewing for some few months, and time. Prime Minister Harper and the Another Minority Government particularly over the Conservative Party were first elected in Harper was hoping that his Conservative summer, we have 2006. At that time, they won only enough government would be able to win seen increasing signs seats to form a minority government. enough seats in the October election that that this Parliament This meant they needed the support of the they would be able to form a majority is really not working opposition parties to pass legislation. government. This would mean that he very well anymore, it’s becoming increasingly For two years, the Conservative would not have to rely on the opposition dysfunctional. We government of Stephen Harper governed parties to pass legislation. But that was have important the country with the often-reluctant not the case. Although they won the legislation that is support of the opposition parties. If election, once again the Conservatives stalled in the Senate the opposition failed to support the secured only enough seats to form a by the Liberal Party, government, they risked a non-confidence minority government. The election results we have other vote and the defeat of the government. legislation that is were as follows: Conservatives: 143 seats; obstructed in the No one really wanted to have to face the Liberals: 77 seats; NDP: 37 seats; Bloc House of Commons, expense and disruption of another federal Québécois: 49 seats; Independents: 2 seats principally by Dion. election. As well, if the opposition did We have a committee plunge the country into another election, Chronology of a Political Crisis system that is there was no way of knowing how Thursday, November 27, 2008 increasingly in chaos Canadians would vote. • Six weeks after the Conservative Party and we have Mr. Dion was re-elected, Finance Minister Jim regularly threatening to force an election.” A Period of Discord Flaherty introduced an economic update — Prime Minister During the first two years that Harper in the House. The country was in the Harper, August 14, governed, there was much discord within middle of an economic slowdown and a 2008 the House of Commons. Harper rarely global economic crisis. Canadians were consulted the opposition parties on policy expecting to hear how the government decisions, which is generally required would help to stimulate the economy Further Research and protect jobs and assets. In particular, You can find detailed when a minority government is in place. election results, Harper has a reputation of being rude and thousands of people were waiting to hear including the results abrupt to those who try to give him advice whether or not the government was going for your own riding by or to influence his policies, and as a result, to bail out the ailing automotive industry. visiting the Elections there was much bickering in the House. • Canadians were surprised, and angered, Canada Web site at The opposition leaders often threatened when the government did not introduce http://enr.elections.ca. to withhold their support of the PM’s any stimulus measures. Furthermore, legislation and bring the government down. Prime Minister Harper had chosen that However, they never did decide to vote time to introduce a proposal to end against the government. It was Harper public subsidies for political parties and himself who brought the 39th session of to ban strikes by public-sector workers. Parliament to a halt. On September 7, This proposal would hurt the opposition 2008, the Prime Minister declared that parties, quite possibly bankrupting the Parliament had become dysfunctional— Liberal Party, which had gone into that it had become very difficult for the considerable debt during the last federal government to conduct its business in an election. Events moved quickly after that.

CBC News in Review • February 2009 • Page 11 Friday, November 28 Thursday, December 4 Quote • Secret meetings were held to discuss the • Prime Minister Harper met with “The opposition has been working on a possibility of a Liberal-NDP coalition. Governor General Michaëlle Jean and backroom deal to • The Liberals announced that the asked her to prorogue Parliament. overturn the results Conservative government had lost the • She agreed, and Parliament was of the last election conﬁdence of the House. prorogued until January 26, 2009— without seeking the • Prime Minister Harper delayed the possibly delaying the defeat of the consent of voters. chance of his government being government. They want to steal defeated by postponing the scheduled power, not earn it.” Tuesday, December 9 — Stephen Harper vote on the economic update from (Toronto Star, December 1 to December 8. • The unpopular Stéphane Dion resigned November 30, 2008) as Liberal Leader to make way for Saturday, November 29 either Bob Rae or Michael Ignatieff. • The government realized they had Did you know . . . made a mistake and withdrew the plan Wednesday, December 10 When the Liberals to cancel political subsidies. • Michael Ignatieff was declared the new agreed to support the Leader of the Liberal Party. budget, Jack Layton • One Conservative secretly recorded an declared that there NDP strategy session. was a “new coalition” Tuesday, January 27, 2009 in Canada—a Liberal- Sunday, November 30 • The government presented its new Conservative coalition. • Finance Minister Flaherty announced a budget in the House. New money was Of course, in a new budget date of January 27, 2009, a handed out in many areas in an attempt minority government, month earlier than scheduled. to appease the outrage generated by the every piece of • The Conservative government economic update. legislation depends on • The NDP and the Bloc immediately a temporary coalition withdrew their plan to ban strikes by of parties in order to public-sector workers. rejected the budget, saying it did not do be passed. • The Conservatives released the audio enough to help Canadians without jobs. recording of the NDP strategy session. Neither party trusted Harper to actually The session contained information follow through on these proposals. that NDP Leader Jack Layton and • The Liberals decided to reﬂect on Gilles Duceppe, Leader of the Bloc the budget, and possibly suggest Québécois, had planned to bring down amendments to it, but did not state the government weeks earlier. whether they would vote in favour of or against the budget. Monday, December 1 • The Liberals, the NDP, and the Bloc Wednesday, January 28 agreed to form a coalition. • The Liberals announced that they • The coalition leaders sent a letter to would support the budget if the the Governor General asking her to Conservatives provided progress allow the coalition to form a new reports to the House in March, June, government. and December 2009. • The Conservative government accepted this amendment; the threat of defeat was averted.

Follow-up Review the information in this section and write a short summary statement, titled “Lessons learned from the political crisis.” Include at least three lessons you believe politicians should consider as a result of the crisis. How do you personally feel about the resolution of this crisis?

CBC News in Review • February 2009 • Page 12 THE CONSERVATIVES AND THE COALITION The Coalition Document

On December 1, the leaders of the form a coalition government. Read the Did you know . . . Liberal, New Democratic, and Bloc following letter and the responses to the The proposed coalition would have given the Québécois parties announced to the letter carefully, and then complete the full powers of the Canadian people that they intended to questions and activities that follow. prime minister to the Leader of the Liberal To our fellow citizens, Party. The minister of finance would have Canada is facing a global economic crisis. Since the recent federal election, been a Liberal. The it has become clear that the government headed by Stephen Harper has no cabinet would have plan, no competence, and no will to effectively address this crisis. Therefore, had 24 ministers, and six of those would the majority of Parliament has lost confidence in Mr. Harper’s government, have been appointed and believes that the formation of a new government that will effectively, from the NDP caucus. prudently, promptly, and competently address these critical economic times is The accord was to necessary. expire on June 30, 2011. The contrast between the inaction of Mr. Harper’s government and the common action taken by all other Western democracies is striking. We cannot accept this. Did you know . . . During the First A majority of Canadians and Quebecers voted for our parties on October World War, Canada 14, 2008. Our Members of Parliament make up 55 per cent of the House of had a coalition Commons. government— called the Union In light of the critical situation facing our citizens, and the Harper Government—that government’s unwillingness and inability to address the crisis, we are resolved governed from 1917- to support a new government that will address the interests of the people. 1920. Today we respectfully inform the Governor General that, as soon as the appropriate opportunity arises, she should call on the Leader of the Official Opposition to form a new government, supported as set out in the accompanying accords by all three of our parties. Respectfully, Hon. Stéphane Dion, Leader, the Liberal Party of Canada Hon. Jack Layton, Leader, the New Democratic Party of Canada Hon. Gilles Duceppe, Leader, the Bloc Québécois

Some Responses to the Proposed A December 2, 2008, editorial in the Coalition Toronto Star described the reaction of There were a wide variety of responses the Prime Minister: “His voice dripping to the proposed coalition across the with scorn, Prime Minister Stephen country. Not surprisingly, Prime Harper yesterday accused Liberal Minister Harper and the Conservative Leader Stéphane Dion of playing ‘the Party were quick to attack the proposed biggest political game in Canadian coalition and went to great lengths to try history’ and of relying on ‘socialists’ to turn public opinion in their favour. (New Democrats) and ‘separatists’

CBC News in Review • February 2009 • Page 13 (Bloc Québécois) to vault himself agreed to support the coalition. Canada Quote into power. Harper’s ministers and has a history of conflict between English “I’ve given my life for the unity of this MPs used language like ‘deal with the and French Canada, and although there country, for my love devil’ and ‘secret cabal’ to describe the was no conflict over national unity at this of Canada. With arrangement.” time, Harper was quick to play on this this agreement, the But many Canadians supported the unresolved conflict. Bloc accepted to idea of a coalition. And they were The Conservatives misled Canadians, have 18 months of quick to point out that the Conservative however, by claiming that the political stability in claim that the coalition was illegal was Bloc would be part of the coalition Canada. That’s what Canada got out of not true. According to the rules of our government. Under the agreement, the this accord.” — Prime Parliamentary system, the opposition Bloc would not have any of its members Minister Stephen leaders have the right to form a coalition. in cabinet, nor would they have a veto Harper (Toronto Star, It is unusual, but it is not illegal. over government decisions. The Bloc December 3, 2008) Some people also disagreed with had only agreed to support the Liberals the Conservatives attempt to fan the and NDP when they passed legislation. flames of disunity by claiming that the Those in the West, where Harper Did you know . . . country would be run by separatists. comes from, and where support for the In 2000, the Canadian A Conservative radio ad claimed that Conservative Party is the highest, were Alliance—the political party that morphed if the coalition succeeded, the balance the most upset by the proposal. Although into the Conservative of power in the country would be in many disagreed with the way Harper Party—contemplated the hands of the separatist Bloc. And handled the economic update, they felt a formal coalition with John Baird, the Conservative Transport the Prime Minister and his government the Bloc Québécois in Minister, said in a radio interview that should be given a chance to fix the an attempt to remove the Bloc Leader would be calling the problems and address the concerns of the Liberal Party from tune each and every day (Toronto Star, the opposition, rather than being thrown office. December 3, 2008). This comment was from office. in reference to the fact that the Bloc had Analysis 1. Record the reasons the coalition leaders gave in their letter for wanting to take over the government. Which of these reasons seems the most important and credible to you? Which reason do you feel is the weakest? Why?

2. The three opposition parties have a total of 163 seats in the House of Commons. The Conservative Party has 143. When you consider these numbers, why do you think some people feel that the opposition coalition does not have the support of the Canadian people?

CBC News in Review • February 2009 • Page 14 3. As part of the coalition agreement, the Bloc Québécois agreed not to defeat the coalition government. Why did Prime Minister Harper claim that separatists would be running the country if the coalition succeeded? Is this a fair claim to make?

4. How do you feel about the political process after learning about the proposed coalition? Do you agree that it is good that the Canadian system allows for a coalition if the elected government has lost the conﬁdence of the House? Or do you feel that this is not in the best interests of the country? Explain your answer.

5. Rick Mercer, a Canadian comedian and television star, had this to say about the Canadian coalition: “The drama that played out this week was many things: unimaginable, embarrassing, and yes, it made our parliamentary system look like a laughingstock. However, this situation was not, as Mr. Harper insisted, undemocratic, illegal, or unCanadian. The facts are clear. He has a minority in the Commons—something he has never accepted. So he loves daring the opposition to defeat him, and prides himself on shaming them at every opportunity” (The Globe and Mail, December 6, 2008).

(a) How much impact do you think the words of entertainers have during a political dispute like this one?

(b) Do they reach a wider audience than politicians themselves?

(c) Some countries do not have laws to protect freedom of speech, and comments like this one by Mercer could land people in jail. Pretend that someone has just told you they think that public comments criticizing the government should be banned and, in your notebook, prepare a short written response that captures your feelings about free speech.

CBC News in Review • February 2009 • Page 15 THE CONSERVATIVES AND THE COALITION Proﬁle: Michael Ignatieff

In December 10, 2008, Michael Ignatieff country was plunged into a political crisis Quote became the new Leader of the Liberal in late 2008, the party decided to replace “He has the fewest Canadian scars by Party of Canada. Many observers believe Dion before the scheduled convention. virtue of having that Prime Minister Harper has “met his Ignatieff is an academic and scholar. fought the fewest match” in Ignatieff, because both men are He has a PhD from Harvard University battles in his own intelligent, focused, and very tough. and has taught at Oxford University, country, a fact that, in Ignatieff is a relative newcomer to the London School of Economics, and other countries, would politics. He lived outside Canada for Harvard University. Before he returned almost automatically about 35 years of his adult life, returning to Canada in 2005 he was Director of the disqualify anyone from serious leadership to Canada in 2005 to teach at the Carr Center for Human Rights Policy at ambitions but that, in University of Toronto, and soon after, to Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of this country, at least run for Parliament. Government. inside the weakened Ignatieff was first elected to the House Ignatieff is well-known around the Liberal Party, has of Commons in 2006 in the Toronto riding world. He won the non-fiction Governor apparently become an of Etobicoke-Lakeshore. He ran for the General’s Award for The Russian Album, advantage.” — Jeffrey leadership of the Liberal Party in 2006. a family memoir he wrote in 1987. He Simpson, columnist for the The Globe Although he was the front-runner going was short-listed for the prestigious Booker and Mail, writing into the race, he lost to Stéphane Dion. Prize and the Whitbread Novel Award for of Ignatieff’s initial Ignatieff was re-elected in Etobicoke- his 1993 novel Scar Tissue. He has written leadership bid (as Lakeshore in 2008. numerous non-fiction books, exploring quoted on cbc.ca News In December 2008, he was appointed by themes of nationalism, modern warfare, on December 9, 2008) the caucus of the Liberal Party to become and human rights. the new leader. Stéphane Dion had resigned Ignatieff is fluent in English, French, and as leader and was to be replaced at a Liberal Russian. He is married and has two grown Quote convention in May 2009. But after the children. “I’m prepared to vote non-confidence in this government if (it) does Follow-up not present a budget 1. Some critics have argued that Ignatieff does not have enough political that is in the national experience to be either the leader of a party or the prime minister. Do you interest.” — Michael think political experience is crucial to these roles? Is there other experience Ignatieff (Toronto Star, that is just as important, or not? Explain. December 11, 2008)

2. Ignatieff originally supported U.S. President George W. Bush’s invasion of Iraq because Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein was torturing and killing his own citizens. He has been criticized for his support of the U.S. invasion although he has since indicated that he was wrong. This was an invasion that Canada chose not to join. How do you feel about his position on the Iraq invasion? Does his position make him unsuitable to lead his party or the country? Explain your answer.

CBC News in Review • February 2009 • Page 16 THE CONSERVATIVES AND THE COALITION Activity: To Prorogue or Not?

Prime Minister Harper took a relatively Arthur Meighen was asked to form Definition unprecedented step when he asked a government without an election. To prorogue is to put a halt to a session Governor General Michaëlle Jean to The Conservatives governed for three th of Parliament for prorogue the 39 session of Parliament. months before being defeated. a specific period of And Governor General Jean took a Despite the fact that unelected time. In this instance, somewhat unprecedented step when governments have governed before, Parliament was she granted his request. But there have many Canadians were shocked by the suspended for about been other occasions when elected possibility that the elected Conservative six weeks. governments have been replaced by government could be replaced by a unelected ones. And there have been other coalition. As you know, Prime Minister Definition occasions when leaders have asked for a Harper, refused to go down without a Censure is a procedure session of Parliament to be prorogued. fight, and he was able to get Governor by which the House General Michaëlle Jean to prorogue of Commons or the Unelected Governments in Parliament. Senate can rebuke the Canada actions or conduct of • In 1876, Sir John A. Macdonald The Governor General’s Options an individual. Censure When Harper asked the Governor is not equivalent resigned after being censured in the to a vote of non- House of Commons in relation to General to prorogue Parliament, she had confidence, and a charges of bribery and corruption. two options: prime minister can Liberal leader Alexander Mackenzie • Decide that the Prime Minister’s continue in office. was asked to form a government request was illegitimate because the However, previous without an election. He governed for House had been sitting for only two prime ministers have three months before calling an election. weeks since the election. This would accepted motions of censure as questions • In 1926, Prime Minister William Lyon force Harper to resign, and she would of confidence and Mackenzie King knew that his minority have to ask the coalition to form a resigned. government was about to be defeated government. on a non-confidence motion and asked • Decide that the request was legitimate the Governor General, Lord Byng, to because he was asking for an dissolve Parliament and call a new adjournment of only a few weeks. This election. Byng refused the request, and would force Harper to face the House King resigned. Conservative leader and a possible vote of non-confidence.

Your Task In a small group, consider all that you have learned in this News in Review story and decide what you would have done if you were the Governor General. You will have to provide at least three solid reasons for your choice. You will be sharing your group’s decision with the rest of your classmates.

Extension You may wish to forward your ideas to Governor General Michaëlle Jean directly. She can be reached by e-mail at: [email protected]. You can also reach her ofﬁce by phone at (613) 993-8200 or toll-free in Canada and the United States at 1-800-465-6890; by fax at (613) 998-8760; or by mail at Rideau Hall,1 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, ON K1A 0A1.

CBC News in Review • February 2009 • Page 17 CANADIANS, CREDIT CARDS, AND DEBT Introduction

This is a story about something point, take out a student loan to further Focus important to all of us: money. your education. We borrow money and In a troubled economy, Canadians are facing In some ways it is more about the idea pay interest on these items because it a credit crunch, of money than about money itself. Few would, quite frankly, take much too where less money is people really handle cash much anymore. long to save up to pay for them outright. available to borrow Most daily transactions involving money Fortunately, we can usually negotiate at a time when many are now made with debit cards and credit with our financial system’s lenders for of us are already in cards. And in the case of credit cards, reasonable rates of interest and carry considerable debt. In many of those transactions are made these debts with minimal difficulty. this News in Review story we examine without money on hand to back them up. A problem with debt arises when Canadian personal There was a time when people saved we decide we have to have more than debt—what we owe, up for major purchases. For example, we can afford. An entire industry— why we owe so much, this writer can remember his parents advertising—is dedicated to making us and the ways in which setting aside an amount from their weekly want all kinds of things. It has succeeded we can get out of paycheques for several months in order to admirably, and we have become a nation debt. We pay special purchase the family’s first television. He of spenders. Most of what we buy we attention to credit cards. We admire their can also remember an instrument called buy on credit. A lot of what we buy on usefulness but point the Christmas Club. One could establish a credit is also bought on impulse. And out the many ways special bank account with that name and much advertising is directed at young they can make us owe set aside an amount of money every week people. more than we can that would be returned in early December, There are currently twice as many really afford. with interest, to be used for Christmas VISA and MasterCard cards in gifts and expenses. circulation in Canada—64 million—as there are Canadians. About another 10 Credit million specialty cards—department These practices, common less than a store, Canadian Tire, gas cards—are also half-century ago, seem very quaint today. in use. Some major Canadian banks now Today, VISA and MasterCard reign make more money from credit cards than supreme. We see it, we want it, and we they do from other kinds of loans. buy it. “No money, no problem.” Credit card companies and the For those who use credit wisely, banks that provide them charge fees to there really is no problem—only real retailers who accept the cards; but the convenience. It’s a pleasure not to have bulk of their money comes from loans to carry much cash, to be able to pay at extremely high rates of interest. As for one’s purchases with one monthly those who overuse their cards discover cheque (or, better still, electronic very quickly, paying back a loan with transfer), and to benefit from the rewards an interest rate of 19.5 per cent is not a provided by many cards (air miles or pleasant experience. cash bonuses). Canadians and Debt Debt, Good and Bad A credit card can be a great asset if you The dark side of credit, however, is pay off the balance every month. But it debt. For most people, some debt is can be a real problem if you fail to do unavoidable, such as a home mortgage so, especially if your balance continues or a car loan. Many of you will, at some to rise. The banks are happy when this

CBC News in Review • February 2009 • Page 18 happens; in fact, until recently, they Some of these Canadians will be able would usually automatically increase to budget their way out of debt. Others your credit limit as your balance reached will require outside help (and there is its maximum. They even reduced the plenty of good help available) to work minimum monthly payment required their way out of a crisis. Some will never so that you could carry more interest- succeed without declaring personal bearing debt from month to month. bankruptcy. The available options will be Canadians obliged. There is now discussed later in this guide. more than $50-billion of credit card debt Staying completely out of debt may be sitting and bearing interest. And, since impossible for most of us. Using credit over 60 per cent of Canadians pay off wisely, however, is something that we all their cards every month, less than 40 per can and should learn to do. Young people cent of VISA and MasterCard holders are in particular need to be wary of too much responsible for that $50-billion. debt. For Discussion 1. Whom should we blame when we get into serious debt difﬁculties?

Is it strictly our fault, or are there others to share the blame—advertisers, lenders, even governments?

2, How do you and your friends handle money? Do you ever get into debt? How much? For what reasons?

CBC News in Review • February 2009 • Page 19 CANADIANS, CREDIT CARDS, AND DEBT Video Review

Quote Part I “Youth is in danger Answer the questions in the spaces provided. until it learns to look upon debts as furies.” 1. According to Roger Sauvé, what is the total amount of Canadian consumer — Edward George debt? ______Bulwer-Lytton (www. quotationpark.com) 2. What is the average debt load per Canadian household? ______3. By what percentage has average household income risen since 1990? _____

4. By what percentage has average household spending risen since 1990? _____

5. In 1990, savings were what percentage of disposable income? ______

In 2008? ______

6. By what percentage has household debt per household risen since 1990? ___ 7. What percentage of Credit Canada’s (www.creditcanada.com ) clients are

under 30 years old? ______8. According to Duff Conacher, what responsibility do governments have to ensure people use credit cards wisely? Do you agree or disagree? Why?

9. How many Canadian consumers declared personal bankruptcy in 2008? _____ 10. According to Statistics Canada (www.statcan.gc.ca), how much debt does the average Canadian household have for every dollar of disposable income?

11. How much of your existing debt will a credit counsellor expect you to pay

back if he or she puts you on a debt management program? ______12. How long did it take Tina Boudreau and Neil Bigelow to pay off their debts

under a debt management program? ______

CBC News in Review • February 2009 • Page 20 Part II During the video, participants make several suggestions for staying out of debt and for getting out of debt. During a second viewing of the video, make a list of those suggestions under the headings in the spaces provided. Compare your list with those made by your classmates. Are there any suggestions that you would add to either list? Circle those that you believe are most important

Staying out of Debt Getting out of Debt

CBC News in Review • February 2009 • Page 21 CANADIANS, CREDIT CARDS, AND DEBT Credit and Canadians

With $1.3-trillion in outstanding present the card to make a purchase. Just Did you know . . . Canadian consumer debt (including give a number and expiration date to a The per-capita debt of Canadians has risen mortgages) it seems safe to say that company with an online store, and that 5.2 times over the last Canadians are enthusiastic users of book or vacuum or camera is on its way 25 years, from $5 470 available credit. Whether or not they are to your home. in 1980 to $28 390 in wise users of credit is another question It’s no small wonder that Canadians 2005. For Americans, altogether. have 74 million of these cards. It it jumped 7.5 times, In itself, debt is not an evil thing. probably should also be no surprise from CAD$6 510 to Few Canadians would be able to afford that we have managed to pile up about $48 700 (Statistics Canada, January 2007). a home if they were not carrying a $50-billion in consumer debt charged to mortgage. And major purchases like them. What is surprising is the number of automobiles are usually financed by people who carry a balance from month Further Research loans from banks or finance companies. to month, unruffled by an interest rate in For additional The sheer financial size of these the range of 20 per cent. information on student loans and investments means that few people student debt, see would have the cash on hand to pay for Student Debt the CBC Web site them in full at the time of purchase. So Canadians who plan to attend college or at www.cbc.ca/ they borrow the money and agree to university have a special debt challenge: news/background/ pay it back over a certain period, with the student loan. Over the past several higher-education/ a reasonable amount of interest. Home years, government funding of post- studentdebt.html and www.cbc.ca/ buyers and loan seekers also usually secondary education has decreased news/background/ shop around to find the lowest rates of relative to costs. More students have personalfinance/ interest on their loans and mortgages. found it necessary to take out larger studentdebt2.html. And then there are credit cards. Even loans. in times of fiscal uncertainty, banks and In 2004, Statistics Canada determined credit card companies make it very easy that 45 per cent of graduating students for individuals to get a major credit with bachelor’s degrees leave school card. For many young people it is their owing money to student loan programs. first introduction to credit. Credit card The average amount was just under companies sign up first-year students at $20 000. university and college initiation weeks. Most students see this as a necessary Companies mail out thousands of and positive investment in their invitations to recent graduates to register futures—and it probably is a textbook for cards. example of a “good” debt. But it does As will be seen in the section of this mean that their careers start with a large guide titled “Credit Cards,” not all cards amount of money that has to be paid off. are alike. But they do share one very Other purchases and expenses, such as a important characteristic: they make it new car or larger apartment, will have to extremely easy to spend money one be delayed. doesn’t have and to get into debt. They can be very convenient. Credit cards The Lending Umpires can now be used to purchase almost How individuals handle their various anything—from groceries to televisions, debts and sources of credit helps prescription drugs to beer and liquor. determine the relative ease with which Best of all, one doesn’t even have to they can obtain more credit in the future.

CBC News in Review • February 2009 • Page 22 As credit tightens up in the current They include information on payment Further Research economic slowdown, borrowing money history, bounced cheques, and collection For information on credit reports, will be more of a challenge for many agency referrals. If the subject of the including instructions Canadians. Who is allowed personal report has declared bankruptcy during on how to obtain credit—and how much he or she is the previous seven years, this will also one’s own credit allowed—is largely in the hands of appear in the report. report, see the three Canadian companies: Equifax, Credit-reporting agencies also assign Financial Consumer TransUnion, and Northern Credit a credit score to each individual. The Agency of Canada bureaus. These companies maintain score is the agency’s evaluation of your Web site at www. fcac-acfc.gc.ca/ files on the credit history of millions of financial health at the point in time eng/publications/ Canadians. when the request for a report is made. CreditReportScore/ These files contain information The better the score, the less risk there CreditReportScore that can only be revealed to others if is to the institution considering lending TOC-eng.asp. Other the subject of the report gives his or money. excellent information her permission. If you sign a loan or A good credit report is critical to on credit reports is credit card application, you are almost anyone wishing to borrow money for any available from the CBC at www.cbc. certainly giving the financial institution worthwhile purpose. An individual may ca/news/background/ permission to make an inquiry. obtain a free copy of his or her credit identity-theft/credit- Landlords, public utilities, and potential report by writing to each of the three rating.html, www.cbc. employers may also request permission agencies. Many financial authorities ca/consumers/market/ to obtain a credit report. recommend that Canadians check their tips/creditrating. Reports contain both personal (name, reports for accuracy at least once a year html, and www.cbc. ca/consumers/market/ date of birth) and financial (loans, and immediately request any necessary files/money/credit/ mortgages, bank accounts) information. changes or corrections. score.html. To Consider 1. Offer an example of “good” debt and an example of “bad” debt.

2. What are some of the powers of credit-reporting agencies?

CBC News in Review • February 2009 • Page 23 CANADIANS, CREDIT CARDS, AND DEBT Credit Cards

As reported by the CBC (www.cbc. is—and it’s accumulating interest. Did you know… ca/news/interactives/map-credit-card- They’ve joined the nearly 40 per cent The highest legal rate of interest in Canada bill/), there are 64 million VISA and of Canadian cardholders carrying about is 60 per cent per MasterCard cards currently in use in $50-billion in debt on their cards. annum. Canada—two cards for every Canadian. Many of them are carrying that debt Millions of other cards from a variety at high rates of interest. The majority of of retail operations, such as gasoline VISA and MasterCard products carry companies and department stores, are interest rates on overdue balances in the also in use. In 2007, Canadians charged range of 18-19.5 per cent. Department $275-billion to VISA and MasterCard store cards are even higher, usually 24- alone. The average purchase on these 28 per cent. The average bank loan, on cards was $111.09. the other hand, would likely be no more than one-third that rate. The Good VISA and MasterCard will also Credit cards—especially VISA and advance cash to their cardholders. MasterCard—are very convenient. Over These advances are loans that begin 650 000 locations in Canada alone accept charging interest the moment the cash is them; indeed, it’s almost shocking to be advanced—at the card’s regular rate. in an establishment where credit cards Needless to say, the banks sponsoring are not accepted. the various cards make a great deal of Credit cards make carrying cash money from them. In fact, according to almost unnecessary. A shopping trip the CBC (www.cbc.ca/news/interactives/ no longer requires a visit to a bank. map-credit-card-bill/), the Canadian Amazing bargains can be snapped up on Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC) the spot. Credit cards have also opened “now takes in more annual revenue up the Web to serious commercial from its credit card operations than from activity. mortgages and personal lending.” Many cards provide their users with One way in which credit card significant bonuses. These range from companies encourage consumers to a one or two per cent cash refund on carry a monthly balance is by requiring purchases to travel rewards. Some that only small monthly payments be provide perks like free purchase or made—three per cent or less of the travel insurance. For about 60 per cent outstanding balance. In 2004, Tom of Canadians, credit cards cost them McFeat (www.cbc.ca/news/background/ nothing in interest fees. They pay the full personalfinance/creditcards.html) balance on the card every month. analyzed the real cost of carrying a significant balance on the average credit The Bad card. He wrote: The cards can, however, have their “Let’s assume you owe $10 000 on a drawbacks. For many Canadians they credit card that carries an 18-per-cent lead to impulse buying. They may not interest rate. Let’s also assume you have the money in hand for that new want to take them up on their minimum big-screen TV, but they have their credit monthly payment terms of three per cards. At the end of month the money cent of the outstanding balance (or still isn’t on hand, but the debt certainly $10, whichever is greater). Enter the

CBC News in Review • February 2009 • Page 24 variables and you’ll see that simply but provide air miles or dividend points paying the minimum will mean that it (good for those who pay off their will take you 272 months to pay off the balance every month). Some cards debt (that’s almost 23 YEARS). You’ll charge an annual fee but offer even also pay almost $9 800 in interest, more bonuses to their users. almost as much as you charged. And To help Canadians understand this assumes you charge nothing how credit cards work, the Financial more on that card during that 23-year Consumer Agency of Canada maintains period.” a guide to credit cards at their Web site Most credit counsellors in Canada (www.fcac-acfc.gc.ca/eng/consumers/ identify credit cards as the number-one CreditLoanDebt/CreditChargeCards/ cause of consumer debt difficulty. CreditChargeCards-eng.asp). The site also provides an interactive Choosing a Credit Card tool that consumers may use to choose For most Canadians, the advantages the credit card that best suits their needs of carrying a major credit card (www.fcac-acfc.gc.ca/eng/consumers/ will outweigh the disadvantages. ITools/CreditCards/default.asp). Knowledgeable Canadians will ignore Students can especially benefit from the standard offers that flood the consulting the table on student credit mails and make a choice of card after cards. This can be found by going to comparing the features available. Some www.fcac-acfc.gc.ca/eng/publications/ cards have few bells and whistles but CreditCardsYou/CreditCardComparison offer a low rate of interest (good for Tables-eng.asp and clicking on “Student those who carry a monthly balance). Credit Cards.” The range of costs and Others carry a higher rate of interest options is extensive. Activity: Choose a Card 1. As a student, what would you consider the most important features of a credit card: annual fees, interest rates, credit limits, payment requirements? Be prepared to defend you choices.

2. Using the comparison table at www.fcac-acfc.gc.ca/eng/publications/ CreditCardsYou/CreditCardComparisonTables-eng.asp, choose the card you feel would best suit your needs. Be prepared to justify your choice to the class, and compare it with those of your classmates.

CBC News in Review • February 2009 • Page 25 CANADIANS, CREDIT CARDS, AND DEBT Getting Out of Debt

Owing money is one thing; being in a budget is often enough to solve their Quote serious debt is something altogether problems, especially if this is combined Dickens said it best: “Annual income different. with a debt-consolidation loan. A debt- twenty pounds, annual Most Canadians live with ongoing consolidation loan combines debts from expenditure nineteen debt: a mortgage on the family home, a variety of sources—several credit six, result happiness. an automobile leased or purchased cards, for example—as one single debt, Annual income twenty with regular payments, a bank loan for usually at a much lower rate of interest. pounds, annual a major home improvement—and, in As a result, the outstanding amount expenditure twenty addition, regular monthly expenses for can be paid off at a much quicker rate. pound ought and six, result misery” utilities, food, entertainment, and more. Banks are often pleased to provide these (David Copperfield). As long as the debt is manageable, and loans—especially if they are the provider What do you think is one’s income can meet the payments and of one of the credit cards you’re having the meaning of this reduce the principal, all is well. trouble paying off. quotation? But when debt takes on a life of its own a real problem has developed. Credit Counselling More and more money goes into interest Not-for-profit credit counselling is payments. Amounts owing rise, rather readily available across Canada for than decrease. You live literally from pay those having difficulty meeting their cheque to pay cheque, and some months bill payments. First contact with you barely make it. credit counselling services is often Eventually, you don’t make it. via the Web. Two of these counselling Payments are missed, and collection services—Toronto-based Credit Canada agencies start to call. You know how you (www.creditcanada.com) and Credit got into this mess, but how do you get Counselling Services of Atlantic out of it? Canada (www.solveyourdebts.com/en/ The first thing you need to realize index_en.php) were represented in the is that you are not alone. There are a video presentation. Other provinces variety of services—many of them with similar societies include British free—to help Canadians manage and Columbia (www.nomoredebts.org), get out of debt. Relief can be as close as Alberta (www.moneymentors.ca), the nearest computer connected to the Saskatchewan (www.justice.gov.sk.ca/pr Internet. ovincialmediationboard), Prince Edward Island (www.familyservice.pe.ca/credit. Moneyproblems.ca htm), and Newfoundland and Labrador A valuable resource for anyone worried (www.creditanddebtsolutions.ca). Many about personal debt in Canada is individual communities also have their Moneyproblems.ca. It offers a free e- own credit counselling services. book titled Solve Your Money Problems: Credit counselling services can A Canadian Guide, which presents a do far more than offer advice. They series of suggestions to help you deal can develop budgets, negotiate with with debt. These range from budgeting, creditors, arrange repayment plans, through debt counselling, to the ultimate and set up a trust account to handle all step, declaring personal bankruptcy. monthly payments for the debtor. As Moneyproblems.ca points out, for Credit counsellors often develop a many people, developing and sticking to debt-management plan, making a deal

CBC News in Review • February 2009 • Page 26 with the debtor’s creditors to arrange consumer proposal. The document is an the payback of all his or her debts over offer to creditors to pay back a certain a set period of time. Often they will percentage of what the debtor owes. To negotiate a reduced rate of interest (or work, it must be accepted by 50 per cent the elimination of interest altogether) to plus one of the creditors. help accelerate paying off the debt. The Unlike a debt-management plan, the debtor gives a set amount of money to consumer proposal is a legal document the credit counsellor each month; the of some complexity, and the rules for counsellor, in turn, dispenses this to the filing are very detailed (interested various creditors. Credit counselling and students can read more at www. debt-management plans have helped moneyproblems.ca/solve-your-money- thousands of Canadians avoid personal problems.pdf, pages 21-31). Although bankruptcy. not a bankruptcy declaration, the proposal must be prepared and filed by a Consumer Proposals trustee in bankruptcy acting as proposal A last-ditch effort for avoiding personal administrator. bankruptcy is the consumer proposal. If none of the above steps work for a Only those who are legally insolvent given debtor, then he or she will need to (have more debts than assets) can file a file for personal bankruptcy.

Inquiry 1. What sources of support are available to Canadians plagued by too much debt?

2. Do you know anyone carrying too much debt? What advice might you offer them?

CBC News in Review • February 2009 • Page 27 CANADIANS, CREDIT CARDS, AND DEBT Declaring Bankruptcy

For most people, declaring bankruptcy is or suddenly start to pull in higher income Further Research a devastating experience. Bankruptcy has from your job or business. Bankruptcy Canada, one of the best sources an odour of failure to it. Popular opinion But there are debts from which of bankruptcy advice sees all bankrupts as failures. The term bankruptcy cannot protect you. These for Canadians, is bankrupt is often used to describe include: available on the Web someone or something deficient in some • Alimony and child support payments at www.bankruptcy- way (“The government has demonstrated • Student loans if you are still in school canada.ca. that it is morally bankrupt.”). or have been out of school for less than Bankruptcy is, in fact, a legal seven years determination that one is insolvent—that • Debts arising from fraud Definition is, unable to pay his or her debts. You • Court awards for damages The Official Receiver cannot declare bankruptcy unless you • Court fines is an officer of the Insolvency Service and are insolvent, and this requires satisfying As Tom McFeat of the CBC points Bankruptcy Court who three criteria (www.cbc.ca/consumer/ out (www.cbc.ca/news/background/ supervises bankruptcy story/2008/09/05/f-bankruptcy.html): personalfinance/credithelp.html), filing procedures. 1. You are not already bankrupt. for bankruptcy brings some particular 2. You owe at least $1 000 and are responsibilities. “During the time unable to meet payments as they come someone is an undischarged bankrupt due. (which is a minimum of nine months), 3. You would be unable to pay your debts they must abide by a long list of even if you sold all your assets. requirements governing their financial affairs. For one thing, they must inform anyone they do business with that they Filing for Bankruptcy are bankrupt. They must also attend at Should you choose to file for bankruptcy, least two counselling sessions. They the process will not be free. You will must turn over all their credit cards have to hire a trustee in bankruptcy. to the bankruptcy trustee. They must He or she will prepare the necessary disclose all of their assets. Failure to do documents. Among the documents filed any of those things is a crime.” by the trustee with the Official Receiver will be those giving the trustee the power Bankruptcy Exemptions to sell off all your assets in order to settle Bankruptcy exemptions are personal your debts. assets that may not be seized for sale by the bankruptcy trustee. These Dealing with Debts include limited amounts of things like Once the forms are filed you are food, heating fuels, clothing, furniture, officially declared bankrupt. While and the tools of one’s trade. In some bankrupt, you will no longer have to circumstances it might include a car make payments to your creditors; the or a house. (For more information on trustee is selling your assets to do just bankruptcy exemptions, see www. that. The only exception would arise bankruptcy-canada.ca/what-i-keep-or- should you suddenly come into money— lose-in-bankruptcy-in-canada/what-can- win the lottery, receive a major tax i-keep.htm.) refund, inherit from a wealthy relative,

CBC News in Review • February 2009 • Page 28 Discharge from Bankruptcy Filing for bankruptcy is a decision that In Canada, it is usual for first-time should not be taken lightly. Nevertheless, bankrupts to be discharged from it is one that many Canadians are bankruptcy nine months after filing. A making. Personal bankruptcies rose bankrupt is now free to control his or her nearly 30 per cent from August to financial affairs in normal fashion. There September 2008 and are expected to is one requirement: future potential increase even further as the economy creditors must be informed of the worsens in 2009. bankruptcy. It is important to remember that other In fact, the bankruptcy will appear options do exist (see “Getting Out of on your credit report for seven years Debt” on page 26). Using one of those (a second bankruptcy is kept on the options may make it far easier to obtain report for 14 years). If you apply for a credit in the future. job for which you need to be bonded, bankruptcy will likely mean that you are unable to qualify. Analysis Why is declaring bankruptcy such a serious decision?

CBC News in Review • February 2009 • Page 29 CANADIANS, CREDIT CARDS, AND DEBT Activity: Dangerous Debt

Like most young Canadians, you and your fellow students will soon be asked to take on some debt—if you haven’t been already. This could come in the form of a credit card or perhaps a student loan.

We know that credit is usually a good thing, but that debt can be very dangerous. How can we get the word out to young people?

For this activity, the method and the content are largely up to you. How would you tell your fellow students about the dangers of debt? Would you use a television commercial, a podcast, a radio advertisement, or something more low- tech, like a poster campaign?

The Task In groups (of no more than four students), plan a campaign to inform your fellow students of the dangers of debt. Material for your campaign is readily available in this News in Review guide, and there is lots more out there; just try Googling “dangers of debt.” Prepare a short presentation —a commercial, newspaper advertisement, for example—that you can share with the class.

You should also include information on contacting an agency or counselling service that can assist with debt problems. Check your Yellow Pages; you may discover that there is one in your local community.

Extension You may wish to consider sharing this information with some adults who may be facing serious debt problems.

Notes:

CBC News in Review • February 2009 • Page 30 THE TERRORIST ATTACK ON MUMBAI Introduction

On Wednesday, November 28, 2008, a the group responsible for the carnage Focus small group of heavily armed terrorists had links to Islamic militants fighting This News in Review story focuses on the staged a remarkably well-co-ordinated against Indian control of the disputed terrorist attack on the series of attack on various locations in northern border region of Kashmir. And Indian city of Mumbai Mumbai, India’s largest city and main in every instance, these acts of violence in late November cultural and commercial centre. The had served to inflame the sometimes 2008. We examine this gunmen had carefully selected their tense and hostile relationship between dramatic event in the prime targets: two luxury hotels, the the majority Hindu and minority Muslim context of the strained main train station, a popular downtown population of Mumbai. relations between India and Pakistan, café, and a local Jewish community Ever since India and its neighbour religious tension centre. They killed as many innocent Pakistan gained independence from the between Indian people as they could with high-powered United Kingdom in 1947 and underwent Hindus and Muslims, AK-47 assault rifles and grenades. a painful process of partition, Kashmir and implications for Many of the victims were foreigners, has been a major bone of contention peace and stability in including two Canadians who were between the two countries. The group a troubled part of the visiting Mumbai (once known as initially held responsible for the most world. Bombay), one of India’s most popular recent Mumbai attack was a previously tourist destinations. After over 60 hours unknown organization called the Deccan Further Research of close-quarter fighting between elite Mujahideen, or holy warriors of the To stay informed Indian Army commando units and the Deccan region of southern India. But it about the views of determined terrorists holed up in hotel soon became apparent that the faction India and Pakistan on rooms and other locations, much of that had masterminded the whole this issue, consider a visit to their official downtown Mumbai resembled a war operation and trained those responsible government Web zone. The century-old Taj Mahal Palace for carrying it out was none other than sites at goidirectory. Hotel, one of the city’s most famous Lashkar-e-Taiba (LET), an Islamic nic.in (Government landmarks, was badly damaged by fire. fundamentalist guerrilla group dedicated of India directory) At least 173 people were dead, with to ousting Indian forces from Kashmir. and www.pak.gov. hundreds more wounded. All but one of Although officially banned in Pakistan, pk Government of ( the terrorist gunmen had also been killed. where it maintains its base of operations, Pakistan). The surviving member of the group lay LET has been one of the jihadi groups wounded and under heavy guard at a of extremist Muslim holy warriors Mumbai hospital. that various elements in Pakistan’s The sheer scope and violence of this government and military have covertly terrorist attack brought back memories of encouraged in their operations against the September 11, 2001, events in New India in Kashmir since the late 1980s. York City and Washington; many Indians In the immediate aftermath of the referred to the incident as their country’s carnage in Mumbai, many in India called version of 9/11. But this was not the on their government to account for its first time Mumbai had been the scene of failure to respond quickly and effectively terrorist violence. A series of bombings to the attack. The navy had not been able on the city’s subway system in 2006 and to foresee or prevent the terrorists from an even more serious wave of attacks attacking the city from the sea, and the in 1993 had also resulted in the loss of military units called in from New Delhi, hundreds of lives. In the 2006 attack, the country’s capital, had been very slow

CBC News in Review • February 2009 • Page 31 to arrive and take up their positions. For attack, and the mutual ﬁnger-pointing Did you know . . . the Indian government of Prime Minister of blame resulting from it, signiﬁed just Asif Ali Zardari is the widower of the Mahmohan Singh, dedicated to pursuing the latest in a series of crises that have recently assassinated more peaceful relations with Pakistan, brought the two countries to all-out war Benazir Bhutto. the attack could not have come at a on three occasions since independence. worse time. Singh called on his Pakistani With Pakistan facing serious internal counterpart, Prime Minister Asif Ali problems, and the ongoing war in Zardari, to mount a full investigation Afghanistan becoming a major foreign- to determine who was responsible for policy issue for U.S. President Barack ordering the attack and hand the culprits Obama, the fallout from the Mumbai over to Indian authorities. For his part, bombings could result in a deterioration Zardari claimed that his government was of the already precarious and unstable doing all it could to control groups such situation in this troubled region of the as LET, which were allied to the Taliban world. For Canada, which faces the very insurgents operating in Afghanistan real possibility of U.S. pressure to extend against NATO forces, including its troop mission in Afghanistan, and Canadian troops. as the new homeland of many people Both India and Pakistan are nuclear of South Asian origin, both Indians and powers that, over the past decades, have Pakistanis alike, the Mumbai tragedy and found themselves on the brink of war its possibly dangerous consequences are on numerous occasions. The Mumbai matters of considerable concern.

To Consider 1. Why was the terrorist attack on Mumbai so terrifying and unexpected?

2. In what ways was this attack similar to the events of September 11, 2001, in the United States?

3. What terrorist group was believed to be responsible for the attack? What is its main objective?

4. How did the Indian and Pakistani governments respond to the attack?

5. What are some of the possible consequences of the Mumbai attack for relations between India and Pakistan, and for the war in Afghanistan?

6. Why did the Mumbai attack resonate so strongly with South Asian Canadians?

CBC News in Review • February 2009 • Page 32 THE TERRORIST ATTACK ON MUMBAI Video Review

Watch the video and answer the following questions. Further Research To learn more about 1. Why is Mumbai such an important and popular city in India? India, visit CBC News In Depth: India at www.cbc.ca/news/ 2. What were the main targets of the terrorist attack on the city on background/india/ November 26, 2008? economic-miracle. html.

3. How were Canadians visiting Mumbai and their friends and relatives in Canada affected by the attack?

4. What was the reaction of Prime Minister Stephen Harper to the attack?

5. How many Canadians were in Mumbai at the time of the attack? How many were killed? ______6. How long did it take the Indian army to crush the terrorists responsible for the attack? ______7. What is the name of the group believed to be responsible for the attack? What is its main objective? Where is its base of operations located? With what other terrorist groups does it have connections?

8. What demand has the U.S. government made to Pakistan in order to deal with the group believed responsible for the attack on Mumbai?

9. Why will the investigation into the attack be difﬁcult, given the state of relations between India and Pakistan?

CBC News in Review • February 2009 • Page 33 Assigning Responsibility With your classmates, discuss the following issues arising from the material contained in the video:

• Who was responsible for the Mumbai attack? • What were their motives? • How should the leaders of India and Pakistan respond to and deal with the crisis that these events have caused in relations between the two countries? • How is the attack related to the conﬂict between India and Pakistan over the disputed Kashmir region? • How does the tension arising from this attack impact on the war in Afghanistan and Canada’s role in it?

Notes:

CBC News in Review • February 2009 • Page 34 THE TERRORIST ATTACK ON MUMBAI The Attack

Mumbai, once known as Bombay, is population is around 18 million, making India’s largest city, main commercial it one of the most populous cities in the centre, and home to the world-renowned world. It is a city with glaring income “Bollywood” film industry. It is a disparities between the super-rich Indian cosmopolitan, sophisticated city with upper class that has benefited from the many famous landmarks, including the country’s recent economic boom and the Gate of India and the Taj Mahal Palace millions of impoverished slum residents Hotel. The city attracts visitors from who can barely eke out a living in the all over the world. In addition, many city’s crowded streets and back alleys. Indians from poorer parts of the country The fast pace of life, occasional violence, move to Mumbai to seek a better life. Its and sheer excitement of Mumbai has been the subject of many Bollywood movies, along with international film hits such as Salaam Bombay and Slumdog Millionaire. The terrorist attack that struck Mumbai in late November 2008 was only the most recent in a series of violent events that have occurred in the city over the past few decades. In 1993, a series of bombs were detonated around the city by an extremist Muslim group angry over the destruction of an ancient mosque by Hindu radicals. Similar incidents took place in 2002 and 2003, when tensions between India and Pakistan were at the breaking point over the disputed region of Kashmir. The most serious attack prior to 2008 occurred in July 2006 when 209 people were killed after the city’s suburban railway network was the target of bombs. In every case, Indian police attributed the various attacks to two groups: the Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI), an Islamic fundamentalist organization, and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LET), a movement based in Pakistan and dedicated to ending Indian control in Kashmir The attack that began on the evening of November 26, 2008, was quite India and Pakistan are nuclear-armed neighbours that have had different from the previous bombing several conflicts in the past. The region of Kashmir is one major source of dispute. Both governments have attempted to reduce incidents that had struck the city in the tension; however, extremist elements, particularly in Pakistan past. This time, the attackers arrived by continue to incite violence. sea from Pakistan. Then they boarded

CBC News in Review • February 2009 • Page 35 speed boats to enter the harbour in this was the prime target of the group, Did you know . . . Colaba, one of Mumbai’s most populated despite the fact that Jews compose a tiny There were about 60 railway police in the districts in the southern part of the city. fraction of Mumbai’s mostly Hindu and Chhatrapati Shiva Local fishermen told police that 10 Urdu- Muslim population. It is believed that the station, but most speaking men landed around 8 p.m., told terrorists wanted to strike at this centre to were equipped with them to “mind their own business,” and show their opposition to Israel’s actions batons or First World then separated into two groups, heading against the Palestinians in the Middle War-era weapons. for various points in the city. East. Before the siege at Nariman House They were no match Two of the terrorists, including the sole was over, the rabbi and his pregnant for the heavily armed terrorists. surviving member of the group, Ajmal wife were both dead, along with other Amir Kasab, struck the Chhatrapati hostages. Shiva Terminus, once known as Victoria Another pair of terrorists moved Terminus, the city’s main railway station, into the Café Leopold, a bar popular at 9:30 p.m. Armed with AK-47 assault with locals and foreigners alike, and weapons, they entered the main hall began shooting randomly at waiters and and opened fire, throwing grenades. At customers. They killed at least eight least 10 people were killed instantly. people. By the morning of November Meanwhile, two of Mumbai’s most 27, Indian military units and police luxurious hotels, the Taj Mahal Palace had secured most of the locations the and Tower and the Oberoi Trident terrorists had targeted, but fighting was were also struck. Two terrorists seized still raging inside the Taj Mahal Hotel, 15 hostages, including seven foreign where a fire was burning out of control tourists in the Taj Mahal. At the Oberoi, on the first floor. It was not until two 40 people were held as hostages. The days later that the last three terrorists terrorists specifically targeted Americans holed up inside the Taj had been killed and Britons as potential hostages by and the remaining hostages freed. In all, demanding to see their passports. Indian security forces had rescued 250 Meanwhile, people eating dinner at people from the Oberoi, 300 from the the hotels’ upscale restaurants were Taj, and 60 of various nationalities from shot dead, as were others attempting to Nariman House. In total, 173 people flee the scene. Grenade blasts started had been killed in the attack—including a serious fire in both hotels, severely nine of the 10 terrorists—and 308 had damaging the century-old Taj. Indian been wounded. The dead included a Rapid Action Force commandos number of foreign tourists, including totaling 200 in number were dispatched two Canadians. However, the vast from New Delhi to take control of the majority of the victims were Indians, situation and free the hostages. Many many of them poor people who lost their prominent people, including a delegation lives in the indiscriminate shooting at of representatives from the European the railway station and other locations Parliament, were staying at the two in the city. Some of the bodies that hotels when they came under attack. the Indian military retrieved from the Some of them were wounded, but none scene revealed signs of torture and were killed. disfigurement. Another target of the terrorists was the The brazen and brutal strikes on so Nariman House, a Chabad Lubavitch many locations in the busy downtown (www.chabad.org) Orthodox Jewish area of Mumbai showed all the hallmarks community centre not far from the of a well-planned operation. Operating hotels. According to some accounts, openly in crowded locations, the

CBC News in Review • February 2009 • Page 36 terrorists knew the city well enough to appeared to be enjoying the mayhem vanish and then reappear after security and slaughter they were perpetrating. forces had left the scene. It was reported Autopsies on the bodies of the dead that members of the group were terrorists indicated they had consumed receiving live television feeds inside the quantities of LSD and cocaine prior to hotels where they had set up their bases, the attack in order to stay awake and indicating to them what the security maintain their energy for the operation. forces outside were planning to do to Source: “2008 Mumbai attack,” http:// remove them. Eyewitnesses reported en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mumbai_attack that the attackers were young men who

Analysis 1. In what ways did the terrorist attack on Mumbai in November 2009 resemble and differ from previous violent incidents occurring in the city in the past?

2. What evidence is there that the attack was an extremely well-planned, co- ordinated operation?

3. Why were foreigners visiting Mumbai and the Jewish community centre viewed as prime targets?

4. Why did it take so long for Indian security forces to eliminate the terrorists and end the violence?

CBC News in Review • February 2009 • Page 37 THE TERRORIST ATTACK ON MUMBAI Eyewitness Accounts of the Attack

Here is a summary of eyewitness accounts Jehani is determined to reopen the Café Further Research of the attacks from survivors who Leopold as soon as possible. He is proud of The Taj Hotel is part of a luxury chain of witnessed the horrific events at close range his establishment and wants his customers, hotels. To view the and lived to tell about them. Why do you both locals and foreign visitors alike, to Taj Hotel before the think eyewitness reports are considered feel at home there once again, despite the attack, visit www. important in understanding a story? What tragedy that occurred in late November tajhotels.com/cities/ drawbacks do eyewitness comments 2008. However, he will have to reopen Mumbai/ and take present in understanding events? without extra security, since he cannot a virtual tour of this Fahrang Farzad Jehani is the owner of afford it. The way he sees it, “life has to go sumptuous location. the Café Leopold, a popular 130-year- on.” old bar and restaurant that is a Mumbai Shi Xi Lin is a chef in the Golden institution with a large foreign clientele. Dragon Chinese Restaurant, one of the The café employs 60 people and is open eating places located in the Taj Mahal seven days a week, from breakfast time to Palace Hotel in Mumbai. Shi was born in the wee hours of the morning. Like many Beijing, China, and has worked at the hotel Indians, Jehani is an avid cricket fan, and for 11 years. His daughter, Shi Jingwei, on the night of the attack, he was engrossed lives with him in the hotel and attends a in a match he was watching on television local college nearby. in the upstairs bar. Suddenly he heard a Shi and his daughter were in their room loud blast from the street below, which when the shooting started. When the sounded to him like grenades exploding. electricity went off he lit a candle for some Looking down, he saw two young men light. Looking outside into the hallway, outside the café, firing automatic weapons he heard shots ring out and realized that at random. something terrible was taking place. He The firing continued for a few moments, quickly shut the door. Soon after that the while Jehani dove for cover on the floor. At telephone rang. Someone shouted over that time, he thought that a gang war had the phone, telling him and his daughter to broken out. Mumbai has frequently been take cover under the bed. However, the the scene of such eruptions of localized space between the bed and the floor was violence between rival gangs of Hindus too small for them to hide in. Instead, they and Muslims competing for the city’s took refuge in the bathroom, where they lucrative drug trade. He then saw two of clung to each other for an excruciatingly the shooters heading off in the direction of long hour and a half, not knowing what the nearby Taj Mahal Palace Hotel. By the would happen to them next. After what time the shooting stopped and he thought seemed like an eternity Shi heard someone it was safe he descended to the restaurant knocking on the door, shouting to Shi and level of the café. There he was shocked his daughter to follow him. As they left— to discover the dead bodies of two of his in a hurry—they noticed bullet cartridges employees and six customers, including and shattered glass on the floor. They were three foreigners. When he looked outside taken down to the main lobby of the hotel on to the street, he saw more bodies lying where they were evacuated. there. After about 20 minutes, the police Shi has lived in Mumbai through some arrived and left after briefly surveying the other violent episodes in the city’s recent scene of carnage. In his view, they seemed history, and has seen car bombs explode to be clueless. on the street outside the Taj Mahal Hotel.

CBC News in Review • February 2009 • Page 38 But this was the most frightening, up-close The evening of the attacks, Mishra was Did you know . . . experience of terrorism he has yet lived on the upstairs level serving his customers Hundreds of lives were spared by the actions through, one he hopes never to have to face when he noticed two well-dressed young of waiters, chefs, again. men enter the waiting hall in front of the and kitchen staff in Madhu Kapoor was enjoying a quiet restaurant. They placed two knapsacks on the hotels that were dinner with her husband, Ashok, and the floor. One of them took out a gun, and attacked. They risked another couple in the Kandahar Restaurant, the other proceeded to load a magazine their lives to protect which speclializes in Afghan food, in the with bullets. They then started shooting their guests and guide luxurious Oberoi Trident Hotel the night indiscriminately into the crowded area. them to safety. the attacks began. In the middle of their One of the shooters wheeled around meal, they heard shots that they took and began shooting in another direction. for fireworks. In India, many religious Bullets hit the glass windows of Mishra’s holidays, birthdays, and other celebrations restaurant, hitting one of his employees, are marked by the lighting of fireworks, who is now on life-support in a Mumbai so this sound is not unusual in Mumbai. hospital. The restaurant was crowded at the time, Mishra saw one shooter walk up to with over 100 people having dinner. the railway platform, firing all the while. Suddenly the staff asked everyone to leave. People were falling left and right, while As Kapoor was exiting the dining room the shooters calmly picked them off at toward the lobby, she heard a voice call out random. To him, they seemed to have no “wait!” fear of any resistance from the unarmed, Looking back, she saw a young man horrified victims all around them. Hiding with a gun firing at an old man who had in fear with his customers, Mishra realized just left the restaurant. When she saw the he could not turn out the lights or lock the victim fall down, she ran for her life. In glass doors to keep the shooters out. He the ensuing panic, she lost track of her realized that they were “sitting ducks,” husband, who she assumed had been left but somehow they survived. Instead behind. When she reached the hotel lobby of entering the restaurant, the gunmen she found it in flames. She waited for hours continued walking down the platform, after escaping for news of her husband, shooting anyone they spotted. only to find out the next day that he had After about 10 terrifying minutes, the been killed in the attack on the hotel. floor of the waiting hall was strewn with Pappu Mishra owns and operates one of bodies and covered with blood. Mishra and busiest and most popular fast-food eateries others helped carry those who were still in Mumbai’s ornate, Victorian-style train living to ambulances and cars outside so station, built by the British in the 19th that they could be rushed to hospital. After century. Once known as Victoria Terminus, about an hour and a half, the police finally its name was changed by the Hindu arrived on the scene, made perfunctory nationalist city government in the 1990s inquiries, and then left. To Mishra, the to Chhatrapati Shivaji station, in honour police’s tardy response is typical of how of a 17th-century Maratha warlord who violence is dealt with in Mumbai. In his fought against the Islamic Mughal rulers opinion, there is no security or value placed dominating India at that time. Viewers of on human life in his country. the recent film Slumdog Millionaire will Source: “Eyewitness: Mumbai survivors,” recognize the station as one of its most BBC News Online, http://newsvote.bbc. important locations. co.uk/mpapps/pagetools.print/news.bbc. co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/775661

CBC News in Review • February 2009 • Page 39 Inquiry 1. What are the main similarities and differences that you note in these eyewitness accounts of survivors of the Mumbai terrorist attacks?

2. What factors do you think can account for the survival of these people when so many others lost their lives?

3. From reading the accounts, what is your view of the response of Indian police and military security units to the terrorist attack?

CBC News in Review • February 2009 • Page 40 THE TERRORIST ATTACK ON MUMBAI Three Perspectives on the Attack

1. “Celebrity Terrorism” and (Interservice Intelligence), the country’s Quote military intelligence unit notorious for “There were bodies Mumbai everywhere. I felt like Paul Cornish is the Chairman of Chatham its sponsorship of such organizations in I was in a movie.” House’s International Security Program Kashmir and Afghanistan. But he also — Andreina Varagona (www.chathamhouse.org.uk) in London, thinks that the young men who so eagerly at the Oberoi Hotel England, a leading counter-terrorism think made themselves into killers and martyrs (Toronto Star, tank. In his view, the main motive of the before the eyes of the world’s media November 30, 2008) group of young terrorists who staged the may have been motivated by more than daring and bloody attack on Mumbai was religious or political fanaticism. Like lone to achieve an exaggerated reaction to their killers such as the individuals responsible deed from governments, the media, and for mass shootings at Columbine High public opinion. In his view the intensive School in 1999 or Virginia Tech in 2007, world-wide television and online these terrorists likely craved a brief coverage that the Mumbai atrocities moment of fame, which they instantly attracted was exactly what the terrorists achieved in late November 2008. As were looking for, and is in some respects Cornish concludes: “Welcome to the age more significant than the event itself. As of celebrity terrorism. The invitation to he notes, “how the attack is carried out, the world’s D-list of malcontents reads and what is done to whom, matters no as follows: No matter how corrupt your more—and often rather less—than the moral sense, how contorted your view of way the attack is received, and the impact the world, how vapid and inarticulate your accorded to it.” ideas, how talentless you are, and how Cornish states that the group initially exaggerated your grievances, an obsessive held responsible for the carnage in audience will watch your every move and Mumbai—the Deccan Mujahideen—was turn you into what you most want to be, previously unknown even to respected just before your death.” terrorism experts like him. He thinks Source: “The age of celebrity terrorism,” that this may be because it never actually BBC News Online, http://newsvote. existed at all. Responding to those who co.uk/mpapps/pagetools.orint.news.bbc. regarded the attack as a well-planned co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/775568 and thoroughly executed operation, he counters that such an undertaking may 2. Why do they hate Mumbai? not be that difficult to mount, if those Suketu Mehta is a professor of journalism determined to cause so much mayhem at New York University and an award- are prepared to lose their lives while winning author. His book Maximum City: carrying it out. In his words, “small arms Bombay Lost and Found is a fascinating, and grenades are not hard to find, boats in-depth look at the city where he are scarcely specialized equipment, and spent his childhood and later returned Mumbai is a vast, open city with more to live with his family in the 1990s. than enough soft targets.” In his view, Mumbai’s sophisticated, Cornish has few doubts about the cosmopolitan, business-like, and secular fact that the Mumbai terrorists were character is guaranteed to enrage and an extremist Islamic jihadi group frustrate religious and political extremists with probable links to Pakistan’s ISI of all stripes. To Mehta, the average

CBC News in Review • February 2009 • Page 41 Mumbaiker, or Mumbai resident, is driven in 1993, burning alive many innocent by dhandha, or the desire to succeed in Muslims. Now the terrorists attacking business transactions. From the wealthy the city kill foreigners for the “crime” of business executive or Bollywood movie visiting the city. Whether it is a wealthy star to the very poor street-vendor, people businessman enjoying dinner with his are drawn to Mumbai in order to get wife at an upscale restaurant in the Taj ahead and make money, in much the same Mahal Palace, or a young backpacker way that Americans feel the attraction of sipping a beer with his friends at the New York City. Mehta once asked a poor Café Leopold, such people are the sworn Muslim man living in a shack without enemies of the terrorists. The message indoor plumbing why he chose to stay they want to send to the world is, “Stay in the city. He answered, “Mumbai is a away from Mumbai if you value your golden songbird.” life.” India leads the world in the production But Mehta hopes that visitors will not of feature films, and “Bollywood” is be frightened away from this beautiful and the nickname for the huge cinematic fascinating, if at times exasperating, city. industry based in Mumbai. Many of the He writes, “If the rest of the world wants most popular films actually use familiar to help, it should fly to Mumbai and spend Mumbai landmarks—such as the opulent money.” As for him, “I’m booking a Taj Mahal Palace Hotel and the Gate of flight to Mumbai. I’m going to get a beer India, built on the harbour in Colaba to at the Leopold, stroll over to the Taj for commemorate the visit of King George samosas at the Sea Lounge, and watch a V to India—as background settings. To Bollywood movie at the Metro. Stimulus Mehta, the fact that the terrorists chose doesn’t have to be just economic.” to stage their operation on such well- Source: “What they hate about known sites indicates that they were Mumbai,” New York Times, www. copying the decision of Al Qaeda to drive nytimes.com/2008/opinion/29mehta.html hijacked airplanes into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York 3. Mumbai and Kashmir on September 11, 2001. In both cases, William Dalrymple is the Scottish-born the terrorists were deliberately targeting author of many books about Indian symbols of a world they hated and wanted history and culture, the most recent of to destroy. which is The Last Mughal: The Fall of When Mehta was a young boy growing a Dynasty. Now living in New Delhi, he up in Mumbai, or Bombay, as he still is a frequent commentator on Indian and prefers to call it, one’s religious affiliation Pakistani political issues. On a recent visit was not that important. But since the to the disputed border region of Kashmir 1990s, the city has been torn by religious he talked to a young Muslim surgeon who tension between the majority Hindu and told him a horrific story of how Indian minority Muslim population. An extremist army units had stormed the hospital Hindu political party has held power at where he was trying to save the lives of the municipal and state levels and has unarmed protestors who had clashed with occasionally fanned the flames of hatred police earlier that day. Despite the fact against Muslim Mumbaikers. In response, that this doctor had no hatred of Hindus, extremist Islamic groups have set off the experience had embittered him against bombs in the city, killing many innocent India and made him support the cause of people. For example, Hindu mobs Kashmiri independence. rampaged through the streets of Mumbai Dalrymple recalled this conversation

CBC News in Review • February 2009 • Page 42 after the Mumbai attacks, where a real hatred of the United States, Britain, fanatical, extremist Islamic group had also Israel, and India for what is happening in attacked the city’s hospitals in addition Iraq, Afghanistan, Palestine, and Kashmir. to the hotels, train station, and Jewish Many South Asian Muslims, whether or centre. In his view, the terrorism that not they support the violent deeds of the struck Mumbai has to be viewed within terrorists, see a direct parallel between the the broader context of the ongoing dispute brutal Israeli occupation of Palestinian between India and Pakistan over Kashmir. territory and the mistreatment of Muslims But at an even broader level, Dalrymple by the Indian army in Kashmir. Although feels that what happened in Mumbai is a Kashmir by rights should have been part direct response to what he regards as the of Pakistan at the time of partition in total failure of Western and particularly 1947, given that it had a majority Muslim United States foreign policy in the region population, the pro-Hindu maharajah since September 11, 2001. He believes handed it over to India instead. At first, that the actions of former U.S. president Kashmiri Muslims staged a peaceful George W. Bush after the terrorist attack movement to regain their autonomy, but of that day have driven thousands of this was stymied by the rigged elections disaffected young Muslims into the of 1987. Since then, the anti-Indian waiting arms of terrorist groups eager protests have turned more violent, with to recruit them into the cause of “global radical groups conducting military actions jihad” against the West. against occupying Indian forces, who in Dalrymple points to some alarming turn have responded with heavy-handed developments, such as the resurgence repression. India and Pakistan have fought of the Taliban resistance to occupying three wars over Kashmir and nearly came NATO forces, including Canadians, in to a full-scale nuclear conflict over the Afghanistan, and the collapse of the region in 1999. In the meantime, over Pakistan government’s control over the 70 000 Kashmiris have lost their lives. rebellious Northwest Frontier Province Dalrymple holds the governments of (NWFP) bordering Afghanistan. This both India and Pakistan responsible for lawless and troublesome region is the crisis and the terrorist violence it believed to harbour many of the terrorist has triggered. He believes that Pakistan groups responsible for violence in both must do much more to rein in the jihadis, Afghanistan and Kashmir, and may be but that India must show more restraint where Osama bin Laden, the leader of against Muslims in Kashmir. In the long Al Qaeda, has found sanctuary. What term, he believes that peace between has happened is that these jihadi groups, the two rivals and greater stability in once armed, trained, and encouraged by the whole region of South Asia will not the mysterious Interservice Intelligence come until the issue of Kashmir is finally (ISI)—the Pakistani security service— resolved to the satisfaction of all parties. have taken on a life of their own and can Until then, he fears that there may be even no longer be controlled. more atrocities like the Mumbai attack. The jihadis who staged the attack Source: “Mumbai atrocities highlight on Mumbai were apparently not poor, need for solution in Kashmir,” The uneducated Pakistani youths from the Guardian, www.guardian.co.uk/ country brainwashed in Islamic schools, commentisfree/2008/nov/30/mumbai- but relatively well-educated, middle-class terror-attack-india1/print adolescents from the cities. They have a

CBC News in Review • February 2009 • Page 43 Activity 1. Read the three passages on the previous pages and for each of them state the main point or thesis that the author is arguing.

2. Form groups with your classmates to discuss one of the passages. Summarize the main points the author is making about the Mumbai terrorist attack and indicate whether or not you agree with his ideas and why. Explain how you believe reading this passage helped you to understand the Mumbai attack more fully. Share your analysis with the other groups in your class.

Notes:

CBC News in Review • February 2009 • Page 44 THE TERRORIST ATTACK ON MUMBAI Activity: The Canadian Response to the Attack

Form groups with your classmates to discuss the Mumbai terrorist attacks and their broader consequences for peace and stability in the region of South Asia, including India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. Discuss how you think Canada should respond to the attack and the tensions it is likely to provoke in the region. Focus on Canada’s ongoing participation in the NATO-led military operation against the Taliban in Afghanistan.

When you have ﬁnished your discussion, prepare a statement on how you think Canada should respond to this crisis and send it to:

Hon. Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Foreign Affairs House of Commons Ottawa ON K1A0A6

E-mail: [email protected] Fax: 613-992-6802

Note that letters sent to Members of Parliament do not require a postage stamp.

Notes:

CBC News in Review • February 2009 • Page 45 WHEN IT’S COOL TO BE KIND Introduction

They do it because they care. Day in and In Ontario alone, 45 000 non-profit Focus day out, from coast to coast to coast, scores organizations provide 800 million hours of Every year an army of volunteers gives of Canadians give society something for unpaid labour for charitable organizations. Canadian society nothing. They do this out of an innate sense Half of those organizations are run entirely something for of compassion and concern for the wellbeing by volunteers (Toronto Star, May 5, 2008). nothing. What of others. They are Canada’s volunteers. Schools and businesses place motivates people According to Volunteer Canada (www. volunteering high on their agendas. In to act with such volunteer.ca), 12 million Canadians all of Canada’s provinces and territories, generosity? This volunteer for some time over the course of elementary and secondary students are News in Review story examines the a year. That’s 30 per cent of the population! encouraged to volunteer. In Ontario, role of volunteering The more avid volunteers give over 150 graduation from secondary school is in Canada and the hours of their time per year. They work in contingent on completing 40 hours of reasons why it’s cool soup kitchens and food banks. They coach volunteer work. Companies are also to be kind. soccer and baseball. They raise money joining the volunteer parade. Over 55 per for the arthritis society and the cancer cent of companies now offer paid leave Did you know . . . society. They work in animal shelters for volunteering. For example, Microsoft Guelph is the and community centres. They do these provides 40 hours of paid volunteer time volunteer capital things out of the goodness of their heart. per year for their employees. There are of Canada, with Essentially their efforts transform our scores of other companies doing the same 70 per cent of its nation into a hub of kindness. thing. Finally, in a survey of 18- to 26- citizens participating Volunteering is the benevolent year-olds, 62 per cent said they wanted to in volunteer work; underground economy of our society. work for companies that allowed them to Kingston is second at 62 per cent (Guelph Volunteers provide millions of hours of pursue volunteer opportunities as part of Mercury, August 29, unpaid labour for Canadian charitable their employment (Toronto Star, March 13, 2008). and humanitarian organizations. 2008). Clearly, volunteerism is valued and Without the fine work of these people embraced in Canada. the disenfranchised would be virtually Volunteer Canada defines volunteering forgotten, the sick would feel abandoned, as “the most fundamental act of citizenship and recreational activities would be and philanthropy in our society. It is the practically non-existent. Canadians simply offering of time, energy, and skills of one’s take for granted the fact that volunteer own free will” (www.volunteer.ca). In other organizations exist. Maybe it’s time to words, volunteering is a gift, freely and take stock of how critical a role volunteers willingly given, with the goal of making play in making Canada one of the kindest, our society better for everyone. This gift most compassionate nations in the world. comes with no strings attached.

Questions 1. How many Canadians per year participate in volunteer work? 2. What kind of work do volunteers do? 3. Explain the expression “volunteering is the benevolent underground economy of Canadian society.” 4. What would society be like without volunteers? 5. What role does volunteering play in schools and in the business world? 6. Why is volunteering considered to be a gift? 7. Describe any volunteer work that you do or have done.

CBC News in Review • February 2009 • Page 46 WHEN IT’S COOL TO BE KIND Video Review

Watch the video and answer the following questions. Further Research To discover more 1. What does “Dans la rue” mean? stories about being cool to be kind, visit the cbc.ca Web site at www.cbc.ca/national/ 2. Who is Pops? ______blog/special_feature/ cool_to_be_kind/. 3. What event led to the founding of Dans la rue?

4. How successful has Dans la rue been over its 20-year history? Provide examples.

5. What is Marc Surprenant’s dream job? How has Dans la rue helped him move toward his dream?

6. How old is Jenny Flett? ______7. What service did Flett provide for the community of Fort Chipewyan?

8. How many babies has Jenny Flett delivered over the years? ______9. Why was the service she provided so important to her community?

10. How busy was Flett at her volunteer job?

11. Describe Flett’s last delivery. How old was she when she delivered the baby? How much did the baby weigh?

12. Who is Harold Jacobs?

CBC News in Review • February 2009 • Page 47 13. Why did the community feel the need to step in and help Jacobs and his parents?

14. What role did Bill Foley play in helping Jacobs and his parents?

15. Describe how the community chipped in to make sure that Jacobs’ van worked properly.

16. What is the nickname for Jacobs’ van?

17. Describe how Jacobs’ mother feels about the gift from the community.

CBC News in Review • February 2009 • Page 48 WHEN IT’S COOL TO BE KIND Proﬁles

When the producers of CBC’s The Harold Jacobs – Badger, NL Did you know… National put out a request for stories about The people of Badger, Newfoundland, c2bk is a popular short form for the cool-to- people who are exceedingly generous in found themselves in a bit of a quandary. be-kind movement. their communities, they were flooded with Harold Jacobs, a 44-year-old man with e-mails, letters, and phone calls. Once they cerebral palsy, had suddenly stopped sifted through the plethora of candidates, coming out to local events. People knew they decided to focus on a few key that the wheelchair-bound Jacobs had to individuals and groups. The profiles listed be transported in his parents’ car wherever below are based on The National’s series he went. What they didn’t know was how “Cool to be Kind.” difficult it had become for Jacobs’ mom and dad, Velma and Dave, to get him to Fr. Emmett Johns – Montreal, QC outings around town. Velma had to have After experiencing what many Christians hip replacement surgery, and Dave had would call a “dark night of the soul,” suffered four heart attacks over the years. Fr. Emmett Johns had an epiphany that They just couldn’t get their son in and out would change his life and the lives of of the car anymore without putting their Montreal’s street youth. The epiphany own health at risk. So Jacobs was stuck was the light that pulled Johns out of at home, sitting in front of the television. depression. It was an inner call to provide When Badger’s mayor, Bill Foley, learned “help without judgment” for wayward of the Jacobs’ predicament, he turned to youth living on the streets of Montreal. the community for support. First he was In 1988, Johns took out a personal loan able to find an old van. Next he was able for $10 000, bought a van, and began to get local mechanics to fix the vehicle cruising the downtown core looking for and make it wheelchair accessible. The youth in need of direction. He would community chipped in with donations offer those he encountered hot dogs and and, within a relatively short period, a drink. More importantly he would offer Jacobs was on the road in what the locals them a compassionate interaction that started calling Harold’s Hummer. The let them know they were valued. Soon people of Badger spared Jacobs the pain the youth began referring to the priest as of isolation and welcomed him back into Pops, and Dans la rue (www.danslarue. the community through their generosity. com) was born. Within five years, Pops opened a 20-bed emergency shelter called Helen Anderson – Dartmouth, NS the Bunker for youth between the ages of For over 20 years, Helen Anderson has 12 and 19. Four years after that he opened been organizing dances for people with the Chez Pops Day Centre, a multifaceted mental and physical disabilities. Working facility that offers high school credits, through over 40 group homes and psychological counselling, employment, many individual families, Anderson has and recreational activities to young provided a dance a month for almost 200 people. Today Dans la rue has an annual people from September to May. Social budget of $3-million and provides support workers and group home administrators for an estimated 50 000 street youth see the dances as an essential service. The each year. Pops, who turned 80 in 2008, mentally and physically challenged of has created an enduring testament to the Dartmouth have very few opportunities power of compassion. to socialize; this makes the dances the

CBC News in Review • February 2009 • Page 49 highlight of the social calendar for she did all this without collecting a penny many. Anderson leads a small group of from anyone. She did it because she loved volunteers who do everything they can to the work and the people she worked for. make the dances go off without a hitch— Typically she would spend up to 10 days sometimes even paying for supplies out with the mothers and their babies after the of their own pockets. Anderson says that birth. It was a labour of love from which her priority, and the priority of all the she never profited. In December 2008, volunteers, is to ensure that the people over 300 guests gathered for a party in coming to the dances have an opportunity Fort McMurray to celebrate Jenny Flett’s to feel appreciated and cared for in a 100th birthday. Among the guests were dignified and energized social setting. entire families who came into the world under the watchful eyes of the woman Abbas Jahangiri – Toronto, ON they call the mother of Fort Chipewyan. They say that everyone living on the streets of downtown Toronto knows Abbas CIBC Wood Gundy – Vancouver, BC Jahangiri, the owner of the famous El The Caring for Kids (www.caringforkids. Mocambo night club. Jahangiri, a wealthy org) program has been providing breakfast 39-year-old businessman, made himself for grade-school kids at five inner city known to the homeless of the city after Vancouver schools for over a decade. a woman changed his life. That woman What makes this program unique is the was Mother Teresa—a Catholic nun fact that the program didn’t emerge from revered around the world for her works of a school board meeting or from a coalition compassion and mercy with the poor of of religious organizations. Instead it was Calcutta, India. After amassing wealth in born in the Vancouver Bentall offices real estate, Jahangiri learned the story of of CIBC Wood Gundy when a group Mother Teresa—and everything changed. of brokers started looking for ways to His yellow Hummer changed from a help kids in their community. When they status icon to a vehicle of compassion. learned that some children were going to Every night at 2 a.m., Jahangiri leaves the school hungry every day, they put their El Mocambo and cruises the downtown efforts into founding a breakfast program. streets, visiting homeless people and Every December, as part of the CIBC’s offering them tea and sandwiches. Miracle Day, the brokers contribute one More than anything, he offers them day’s salary to Caring for Kids. CIBC companionship and an escape from the matches their donations and, over the loneliness of a homeless life. According to past five years, raised $1.2-million for Jahangiri, he has embraced the teachings the program. The catalysts behind the of Mother Teresa—including a vow of program have been brokers Tom Porteous poverty. He says that all the proceeds of and Jeff Watchorn. Both men have his businesses go to helping the poor. dedicated a generous amount of their time and their money to the project since Jenny Flett – Fort Chipewyan, AB its inception. Drawing on the success of For over 60 years, Jenny Flett served as Caring for Kids, the two men and their the midwife for the community of Fort colleagues have started an after-school Chipewyan. She delivered 487 babies. program called Kids Safe that gives No babies or mothers died under Flett’s children a safe place to play and take part watch—a relative miracle given that in activities once the school day is done. some of the babies were born in remote What started as a conversation among a locations in extreme weather conditions group of brokers has turned into a very in homes that didn’t have electricity. And real example of generosity and kindness.

CBC News in Review • February 2009 • Page 50 Activity Complete this organizer for the stories you have just read.

The hero or heroes of the story The person or people who Major accomplishments of the beneﬁt hero or heroes

CBC News in Review • February 2009 • Page 51 WHEN IT’S COOL TO BE KIND Fact Sheet: It’s healthy to be kind

What scholars and health officials say: bodily stress, poor breathing, high • A British study surveyed over 100 blood pressure, over-consumption of communities and found that those with food or drinks, and ulcers. the best quality of life have a high • From an emotional standpoint, level of volunteerism. The people in volunteering and acting with kindness the “best” category experienced better increase a person’s sense of self-worth health, less crime, and were more and confidence. They encourage satisfied with their lives. an optimistic outlook on life with a • The Red Cross says volunteering corresponding increase in altruistic releases endorphins—a naturally (unselfish or charitable) behaviour. occurring chemical that the body Kind people tend to be happier. generates to alleviate pain and stress. • A 1999 University of Michigan study Some medical professionals even claims that volunteering may help point to something called the “helpers’ people to live a longer life. high”—a combination of endorphin- induced euphoria followed by a period In general, volunteering: of satisfying calm. The release of • builds skills that may come in handy endorphins also makes the person when seeking employment practising kindness less aware of • acts as an expression of things that are physical pain. valuable and meaningful to us • The Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care claims that The numbers: acting kindly through volunteering • Over 30 per cent of Canadians strengthens the immune system. Blood participate in some kind of volunteer pressure is better as is one’s overall work through charitable and non-profit physical health. organizations. • Acts of kindness significantly reduce • Most volunteers give over 150 hours of feelings of depression, improve social their time per year to the organizations relationships, decrease feelings of with which they are affiliated. anger and hostility, and help people to feel connected with others. Depression, Sources: www.actsofkindness.org; Alliston Herald, March 28, 2008 anger, and isolation all carry with them physical side effects like increased Activity Use the information from the fact sheet and write a newspaper article about the health benefits of being kind.

Length of article: 300-500 words

CBC News in Review • February 2009 • Page 52 WHEN IT’S COOL TO BE KIND Altruism vs. Egoism

For millennia philosophers have Altruism wondered if people are naturally inclined On the other hand, the school of altruism to act out of selfish-interest or out of a contends that humans are naturally sense of concern for the wellbeing of inclined to do what’s best for self and others. This study of human nature has others. In Fifteen Sermons Preached at involved many philosophers, from the Rolls Chapel, Joseph Butler responds ancient to the modern era. This debate to the argument put forward by Hobbes heated up in a profound way in the 17th in Leviathan. While Butler agrees that and 18th centuries when philosophers humans do act out of self-interest, they Thomas Hobbes and Joseph Butler also act out of a sense of benevolence weighed in on the topic. and compassion. According to Butler, human nature can be seen in terms Egoism of a hierarchy, with conscience at the On the one hand, the school of egoism top and selfishness at the bottom. A contends that human beings are naturally person’s conscience guides them to inclined to act out of their own self- consider the wellbeing of others as part interest. In other words, if it is good for of the way they encounter the world. me, I’m going to do it, regardless of its Conscience is the conduit to which the impact on others. In his landmark book, true experience of real human nature Leviathan, Thomas Hobbes claimed can occur. He claims that doing a that humans are naturally inclined to good deed is naturally motivated and aggression. The human goal is to rule originates in the conscience. People over others; to reach the summit of the simply want to help others, not for their social hierarchy through competition, own sake, but for the sake of building greed, and, where necessary, anti-social the relationships that bring so much behaviour. According to Hobbes, life meaning and purpose to human life. In is a “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and other words, by striving to help others, short” affair that requires individuals to you are building relationships and, in be always on guard for what is best for building relationships, you are ascending them. Even when people seemingly co- the hierarchy via your conscience. operate with others they are still acting out of self-interest. Acts of kindness are Source: Flaherty, Peter, et al. Philosophy: framed as being altruistic to soothe the Questions and Theories. Toronto: psyche of the individual—which still McGraw-Hill Ryerson, 2003. amounts to selfishness.

Questions 1. Describe Thomas Hobbes’ perspective.

2, Describe Joseph Butler’s perspective.

3. What do you think? Are people more prone to egoism or altruism? Defend your position with examples.

4. Are you yourself more prone to egoism or altruism? Why?

CBC News in Review • February 2009 • Page 53 WHEN IT’S COOL TO BE KIND A Human Nature Thought Experiment

The Prisoner’s Dilemma the police have you and your friend in In 1950, Merrill Flood and Melvin custody. Your friend is in a different Dresher were asked to lead a study interrogation room, and the police officer looking into game theory (the analysis interrogating you is looking for answers. of a situation where there are conflicting Because this scenario isn’t real, we can interests among those involved). The share a few other details with you by overall hope of the researchers, and way of reviewing your choices: their employer, the Rand Corporation, • You can tell the police officer was to devise strategies to deal with everything. If your friend stays silent, the threat of global nuclear war. If you’ll go free and your friend will go to the study could deliver a strategy, jail for a year. Rand could sell their work to the U.S. • You can tell the police everything government. Game theory can be very and your friend can tell the police complex, but Rand researcher Albert everything. In this case you will both Tucker was able to make the theory go to jail for six months. a little more understandable when he • You can stay silent and hope your created “The Prisoner’s Dilemma” for friend stays silent. If this happens, you a lecture he gave to a group of Stanford both stand to be sentenced to three University psychologists. The dilemma months in prison for the one robbery goes something like this: Imagine that got you arrested in the first place. you and a friend have been up to no good. You have taken part in a string Source: Stanford Encyclopedia of of neighbourhood robberies, and now Philosophy (http://plato.standford.edu)

Activity In a group of four, review “The Prisoner’s Dilemma” and answer the following questions:

• Which option would you choose? Explain your answer to the group. • What motivated you to make that choice? • “The Prisoner’s Dilemma” is designed to reveal something about human nature. Do the answers given by your group show that you are more naturally inclined to do what’s best for yourself or what’s best for your friend in the interrogation room down the hall? Discuss this question with your fellow group members.

An Altruistic Variation on “The that the families at the shelter are in Prisoner’s Dilemma” desperate need of winter clothing and You and a friend are watching television. non-perishable food items. You and your The station you are watching goes to a friend both come from families that have news item that shows a family shelter plenty of winter clothing and lots of that is housing people who have lost excess canned food. What will you do? their homes due to a downturn in the Let’s review your choices: economy. The news anchor points out • You can mobilize your family and

CBC News in Review • February 2009 • Page 54 gather up a pile of winter clothing and up clothes and food. In this case, your non-perishable food items while your friend’s family will help two families friend does nothing. In this case, you stay warm in the winter and feed four will outﬁt two families with winter families for a week. You will have to clothing and provide enough food to live with the fact that you did nothing. four families for a week. Your friend • You can both mobilize your families. In will have to live with the fact that he/ this case, four families will be outﬁtted she did nothing. in winter clothing and eight families • You can do nothing and your friend will have enough food two weeks. can mobilize his/her family to gather

Activity In the same groups that you formed earlier, answer the following questions:

• What is the difference between this scenario and the previous one? How do the differences affect your decisions? • Which option would you choose? Explain your answer to the group. • What motivated you to do what you decided to do? • What do the answers given by your group say about human nature?

Reﬂection In your experience are people generally motivated by self-interest or compassion?

Answer this question in a reﬂection paragraph (150-250 words).

CBC News in Review • February 2009 • Page 55 WHEN IT’S COOL TO BE KIND Kindness Quotes

Read the following quotes and complete the activity that follows.

If you haven’t any charity in your heart, The best portion of a good man’s life: you have the worst kind of heart trouble. his little, nameless, unremembered — Bob Hope acts of kindness and love. — William Wordsworth Never look down on anybody unless you’re helping him up. — Jesse Jackson You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too It’s nice to be important, but it’s more late. — Ralph Waldo Emerson important to be nice. — Author unknown Be kind, for everyone you meet is If you want others to be happy, practise ﬁghting a hard battle. — Plato compassion. If you want to be happy, practise compassion. — Dalai Lama The kindest word in all the world is the unkind word, unsaid. — Author Never miss an opportunity to make unknown others happy, even if you have to leave them alone in order to do it. — Author One can pay back the loan of gold, but unknown one dies forever in debt to those who are kind. — Malayan proverb Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see. — Mark The best way to knock the chip off your Twain neighbor’s shoulder is to pat him on the back. — Author unknown Wherever there is a human being, there is an opportunity for a kindness. Kindness is the greatest wisdom. — — Seneca Author unknown When I was young, I admired clever Love someone who doesn’t deserve people. Now that I am old, I admire kind it. — Author unknown people. — Abraham Joshua Heschel The more sympathy you give, the less You can’t live a perfect day without you need. — Malcolm S. Forbes doing something for someone who will The greatest good you can do for another never be able to repay you. — John is not just to share your riches but to Wooden reveal to him his own. — Benjamin Kindness, like a boomerang, always Disraeli returns. — Author unknown If you step on people in this life, you’re going to come back as a cockroach. — Willie Davis

Activity 1. Circle three quotes that you most agree with.

2. Pick 10 quotes and create a kindness quote collage. Put the word kindness in the centre of the page and then surround the word with your 10 favourite quotes. Be prepared to explain your choices.

CBC News in Review • February 2009 • Page 56 WHEN IT’S COOL TO BE KIND Activity: Taking Stock

One of the highest levels of volunteerism and pure philanthropy in our society occurs in our schools. Did you know that all those clubs, sports, and events that happen at your school are organized by volunteers? Those volunteers are you and your teachers. Seriously! Teachers are generally only responsible for teaching; anything they do beyond the classroom is volunteer work. No other profession is as volunteer focused. Essentially, schools are structured in such a way that the volunteer work of teachers is as valued as what they do in the classroom.

How is your school doing?

• Form a group of three or four.

• Make a list of clubs, sports, and events that take place at your school.

• Next to each item indicate the names of the students and teachers who make the club, sport, or event possible.

• As a group, rank the items from most philanthropic to least philanthropic. Philanthropy is the act of donating time, effort, money, and/or goods to a charitable or needy cause. Everything that goes on at your school is philanthropic in some respect; sports teams improve school spirit and improve people’s sense of teamwork, food drives help the needy in the community, and dances help bring people in the school community together.

• Write your top 10 philanthropic items on a piece of chart paper or on the board. Defend your list in front of the class. Keep it friendly though— remember that we’re dealing with philanthropy here!

Extension Activity Consider visiting the Volunteer Canada Web site (http://volunteer.ca/en/en- home) and adding photos and videos of volunteer activities in your school or community.

Reﬂection What can I do to get more involved at school or in my community?

Speciﬁcally identify two or three volunteer opportunities that you think you would like to pursue. Explain why these volunteer opportunities appeal to you.

Length of reﬂection: 150-200 words

CBC News in Review • February 2009 • Page 57 News in Review Index A list of the stories covered last season and to date in the current season is provided below.

The complete chronological index for all 18 seasons of News in Review, and a subject-oriented index listing News in Review stories appropriate for various subject areas can be accessed through our Web site at http://newsinreview.cbclearning.ca. Hard copies of these indexes can also be obtained by contacting CBC Learning. SEPTEMBER 2007 SEPTEMBER 2008 The Trial of Conrad Black Putting a Tax on Carbon The Seven Wonders of Canada China and the Olympic Games Tony Blair’s Ten Years in Power Canada’s Residential School Apology Omar Khadr: Canadian in Guantanamo Boom Times in Saskatchewan OCTOBER 2007 OCTOBER 2008 The Van Doos Head for Afghanistan Canadians to Vote in a Federal Election The Trials of Stephen Truscott Deadly Bacteria Strike Canadians The Act that Made Us Canadian The Dangerous Crisis in Georgia Going Green to Fight Global Warming Commuters, Cars, and Bicycles NOVEMBER 2007 NOVEMBER 2008 Taking Off: Canada’s Soaring Dollar Canada and the Economic Meltdown Defending Our Sovereignty in the Arctic Americans Choose a New President Selling Canada’s Military to Canadians A Community Fights Gangs and Guns Helping The Mentally Ill Homeless The Push to Grow More Food in Canada DECEMBER 2007 DECEMBER 2008 Harper’s Throne Speech Challenge Canada Faces a Recession State of Emergency in Pakistan Cell Phones and Drivers Quebec’s Big Accommodation Debate Humanitarian Crisis in Afghanistan Lake Superior: Where Did the Water Go? Electronic Waste and China FEBRUARY 2008 The Assassination of Benazir Bhutto Cracking Down on Tasers The Oil Sands and the Environment The Hidden Wounds of War MARCH 2008 The Manley Report on Afghanistan Restarting the Chalk River Reactor The Campaign for the White House Cyber Thieves and Identity Theft APRIL 2008 Dodging a Spring Election Kosovo Declares Independence Restoring Peace to Kenya Coming Home to Newfoundland

MAY 2008 CBC Learning Rising Food Prices Threaten Millions P.O. Box 500, Station A Changing Canada’s Immigration Rules Toronto, Ontario, Canada Tibet, China, and the Olympics M5W 1E6 Making Money by Going Green Tel: (416) 205-6384 Fax: (416) 205-2376 E-mail: [email protected]

CBC News in Review • February 2009 • Page 58