Does the “super chronic” designation help?


With property crime rates soaring in Vancouver, police have been forced to create a new class of criminals lawbreakers that cops have dubbed “super chronic offenders.” For the past two years, the Vancouver Police Department has been trying to take a bite out of property crime by targeting the city’s worst chronic offenders. In the rest of Canada, when someone commits five or more crimes in a calendar year, they’re classified as a “chronic” offender by police. Full Story Do you think the “super chronic” designation will help police? Are tougher sentences the best way to treat “super chronic offenders?”

Confederation Bridge will improve vehicle information capacity
OTTAWA The Government of Canada today announced that Straight Crossing Development Ltd, operator of the Confederation Bridge, will improve their data collection capacity by installing a licence plate reader system.

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Is the Canadian military taking care of trainees?
Former recruit Natasha Howell says her faith in the Canadian Forces is shattered. (CBC)E Soldier recruits injured during basic training in Quebec are accusing the Canadian military of ignoring and mistreating their injuries and leaving them jobless and disabled. “I’m 30 years old and I have to learn how to walk,” said Natasha Howell. “They saw my injury. They knew it and they still didn’t do anything about it nothing.” What the doctors at the Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School (CFLRS) at Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu told Howell was a sprained ankle in September 2005, required reconstructive surgery two years later after she was discharged. Full Story Do you think the military is taking care of trainees? Should more be done to help people injured while in training? For how long should Canadian Forces be responsible for their trainees?

What do you think about the new carbon tax?
Finance Minister Carole Taylor delivers the B.C. Budget. (CBC) British Columbians refusing to change the way they live will find it costs them more and more over the next three years to heat their homes and drive their cars once the province fully implements its new carbon tax. The Liberal government’s latest budget delivered today has introduced escalating taxes on all fossil fuels. It’s meant to encourage British Columbians to do everything from walking more to weather-stripping draughty windows and doors. The tax will escalate with each year and will eventually rake in $1.85 billion, but Finance Minister Carole Taylor maintains it will be revenue neutral and the government won’t use any of it to pay for general programs. She also says that in the first year, the extra money people pay will be off-set by personal and corporate income tax cuts and a $100 rebate to every adult and child in the province. Full Story What do you think about the new carbon tax? How much do you think it will cost you — or will you come out ahead?

Appointment to the board of directors of the Royal Canadian Mint
OTTAWA Canada’s Transport Minister, John Baird, today announced the appointment of Mr. John K. Bell of Cambridge, Ontario, to the board of directors of the Royal Canadian Mint for a term of four years.

Are you worried about a missed diagnosis?
Garry Melien’s injuries were so serious he now has chronic pain and difficulty lifting his arms, he says. (CBC) A man from Surrey, B.C., is demanding that a hospital be held accountable after he was taken to emergency unconscious but uninjured and came out with broken, dislocated shoulders and a broken hip. Garry Melien, 65, is now permanently disabled and wants to know why emergency-room doctors at Surrey Memorial Hospital failed to detect and treat his injuries right away. “Even when I walk now, for heaven’s sakes, I have a limp in my right leg. It’s never going to be right again. My shoulders are never going to be right again,” Melien told CBC News. “I can’t lift my arms. I haven’t been able to drive. I can’t even play ball with my little dog.” Full Story How concerned are you about missed diagnosis or treatment in emergency rooms?

What do you think about the race for Vancouver Mayor?
Vancouver-Fairview NDP MLA Gregor Robertson said he’ll announce his political intentions on Sunday. (CBC) New Democratic MLA Gregor Robertson is expected to announce Sunday his intention to run for mayor in Vancouver’s next municipal election. Robertson’s announcement comes on the heels of incumbent Coun. Peter Ladner saying he plans to challenge current Mayor Sam Sullivan for the Non-Partisan Association’s (NPA) nomination in November’s civic election. Robertson told CBC News he will make up his mind on Friday, and then reveal his plan Sunday. Full Story What do you think about the race for Vancouver Mayor? Is the nomination system transparent enough? Who would you like to see in the race?

2009 SCL Green Supply Chain Award presented to Frito Lay Canada
OTTAWA Canada’s Transport Minister, John Baird, announced today that Frito Lay Canada is the recipient of the 2009 SCL Green Supply Chain Award. The award, which is issued by Supply Chain and Logistics Association Canada (SCL), is sponsored by Transport Canada and was presented yesterday in Vaughan, Ontario.

Government of Canada endorses life-saving technology for Canadian vehicles
OTTAWA A new safety regulation is being proposed, requiring that Electronic Stability Control (ESC) be installed as standard equipment on all light-duty vehicles for sale in Canada, beginning September 1, 2011.