An NHL scout once told me that the biggest difference between Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin is that Crosby wins championships, while Ovechkin wins individual awards.
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POSTED-YESTERDAY
CANADA MILITARY NEWS AND STUFF: Aug21-Fairies in a jar 4 kids/ Facebook/Anonymous- HEROES 2 VICTIMS ALL OVER THE WORLD- Canada- Ranger Warriors of the North- Gamble buy take chance on potash2blackberry/Canada News/ Muises/HOMELESS HELP 4 CANADIANS/Nobody wants to serve military tired of -thankless jobs and thankless people
http://nova0000scotia.blogspot.ca/2013/08/canada-military-news-and-stuff-aug21.html
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CANADA
Doctors target hockey violence
Medical association meeting delegates say NHL owners too complacent
BILL GRAVELAND THE CANADIAN PRESS
CALGARY — Canada’s physicians have dropped the gloves with NHL owners saying the league is too accepting of hockey violence.
Two-thirds of delegates at a Canadian Medical Association meeting in Calgary on Wednesday voted to "condemn the complacency of the NHL in regards to violence in hockey."
The motion was brought forward by Dr. Pierre Harvey, a physician from Riviere-du-Loup, Qu e.
He said he was motivated by a devastating 2011 hit on Montreal Canadiens forward Max Pacioretty that sent the player to hospital with a concussion and a fractured neck. "I wanted my motion to b e specific to the NHL because that’s where it happens," said Harvey.
"If the NHL stops doing that or makes a significant move to reduce those concussion rates, I’m sure the whole hockey industry and minor league hockey will follow. We deplore it because it has a significant impact on our players health and those players are major role models for teenagers and kids," he said.
"They learn that’s the way we play hockey and I think it’s not acceptable to hit the head o f someone."
Harvey acknowledges that hockey is a rough game, but said more can be done to reduce blows to the head and hits from b ehind.
Boston Bruins defenceman Zdeno Chara was not suspended for the hit that sent Pacioretty head-first into the glass between the b enches.
The leagu e ru led the hit a "hockey play" and said it found no evidence that Chara delivered the check in any manner that could be deemed dangerous.
"When I saw that picture I thought, well, he could have been dead. He was uncons cious on the ice and I thought well naturally they will punish this guy," Harvey said, adding that Chara should have been suspended for 50 to 80 games.
"The owners have a financial interest in tolerating and promoting violence and we need to be a counterweight ," he said.
The league changed its rules in the 2010-11 season to outlaw bodychecks aimed at the head and checking from a player’s blind side.
But research released last month suggested the ru le changes, which were designed to cut down on the numb er o f concussions, haven’t made a difference.
The data showed that there was no statistical significance in the incidence o f concussions in the NHL in the 2010-11 and 2011-12 seasons compared to the 2009-10 season.
The analysis also showed that the type of hits outlawed by the NHL rule weren’t actually the major cause of concussions.
The incoming president o f the Canadian Medical Association acknowledges it’s a thorny issue.
"Any time you touch hockey in Canada you better watch every word you say because you’re going to get a lot of people really upset," said Dr. Louis Francescutti .
"I love hockey. I’ve got a hockey rink in my backyard, but there are certain rules when you get on the Francescutti rink and one of them is you don’t hit the other opponent. The kids seem to have a lot more fun playing hockey as opposed to: can the big guy cream the little guy against the boards."
It’s not the first time the medical association has taken a stand against a popular sport.
Delegates in 2010 voted in favour of a ban on mixed martial arts prize fighting matches. They called the sport "savage and brutal" with the aim to completely disable an opponent.
The association took a similar stand on b oxing more than a decade ago.
The doctors also passed a motion calling on provinces to restrict the sale o f energy drinks to children and adolescents, suggesting drinks like Red Bull should be subject to the same drinking age as alcohol.
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A coward's letter 2a Canadian Autistic boy
American offers $100 to identify author of hate-filled autism letter
American offers $100 to identify author of hate-filled autism letterTORONTO - The American father of an autistic boy is offering $100 to anyone who can positively identify the author of a hate-filled letter that sparked outrage in Canada and abroad this week.
AND...
PRIDE...TEARS... AND PRAYERS...... beautifully written- those of us with disabilities- visible-invisible..... u make us strong and proud... thank u...
MOMMA WRITES BACK-
.
An open letter to 'one pissed off mother'
By Katrina Carefoot | iVillage.ca – Tue, 20 Aug, 2013.
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/an-open-letter-to--one-pissed-off-mother--160645699.html?grcc2=20d6d3a75a88edc74bc284df903cc35e%7E1377197328799%7E494d6e560c95708877ba0eff211c02f3%7Ed51f8c99c97459257e13f1eac827edf9%7E1377196980000%7E598%7E22%7E0%7E0%7E0%7E-1%7E-1%7E-1%7E2%7E22%7E34%7EH4sIAAAAAAAAAIVQu27cMBD8legDyOObXHdBqtQH18YeuTrJkUhBZHxww28P7aQKEASLbWYGM7uztHY8XS4ReaZH5e-4lMJj2S94K-d6XzNu7FF2zOxGA6bKWjlYHFux_sAWF3oMciFM7Iz7waSzYJ31hi9t3zrzEgxYqZzzVnoHOvi-_DM0s3JQZhu1RueIYqxkYsdaKyVW5pntpS2DGTHCGesAfsco17uF0MF1AyY5sk5EsF6E4P0NBc2zkjIKNev_C3qva6Pv6SloAPdxtFTGBFCg3UvE_cD1ngfNAjgthJTOBxWEtN5CF3_m-To952GTvlwbNqqTEWG6_sz5_Q03moLwk_bcqOHrJiaV4kJ484nDkML07WtPCQIJETA4fVOQpLolqzVGb0zEaDsELjVwCYJb1-trlAyPVQhl-HGWxO_nW59xq9Q_O375qHt80CvFtpb8F9p_Ae5kJ8UNAgAA
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Peter MacKay: Yatim case raises police training issues
CP
Justice Minister Peter MacKay commented on the case of a Toronto police officer facing a murder charge in the shooting death of Sammy Yatim last month. MacKay says it raises issues about mental health and police training.
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Cops: Mentally ill need more aid
Governments must ‘step up’
THE CANADIAN PRESS
WINNIPEG — Canada’s police chiefs say governments must "step up" and provide more supp or t for the mentally ill.
The Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police, which has been meeting in Winnipeg, says lack of health-care funding is putting p eople with mental-health issu es on the streets.
Association president Jim Chu says police should not be the front line on mental-health issu es.
Chu, who is chief constable of the Vancouver Police Service, says officers spend too much time in waiting ro oms and dealing with people who don’t have adequate social and medical support.
For example, Chu says the number of people apprehended by police under the Mental Health Act has more than quadrupled since 2002 — more than 2,600 people in Vancouver so far this year.
He says the focus needs to shift from dealing with a crisis to preventing it in the first place.
"We went from the agency of last resort to the mental-health service agency of first resort," Chu said Wednesday on the last day of the meeting.
"And that’s wrong. That’s failing thos e who are mentally ill and who deserve better care." He also said it’s not right that the burden has fallen to law enforcement officers.
"Other levels of government . . . by not taking resp onsibility for helping the mentally ill (have) pushed the workload onto the front-line police officer and that’s wrong."
Chu said p olice s ervices throughout Canada are investing in education and trying to develop new models for officers who deal with the mentally ill.
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NOVA SCOTIA- NATURE AND KIDS- WE JUST LOVE U
Updated: Dolphins in Cornwallis River draw crowds, tie-up traffic
PORT WILLIAMS NOVA SCOTIA- What may be Atlantic white-sided dolphins were hanging out in the Cornwallis River near Port Williams Aug. 22
What may be Atlantic white-sided dolphins were hanging out in the Cornwallis River near Port Williams Aug. 22. Sara Ericcson
Published on August 22, 2013
Topics : Cornwallis River , Port Williams
Four marine mammals in the Cornwallis River caused traffic tie-ups in Port Williams this morning.
One biology student watching the animals said animals were Atlantic white-sided dolphins.
Peter Porskamp, an master's candidate at Acadia, said seeing the three adults and one juvenile in the tidal river was "not super unusual.
"They'll probably go out on the ebb tide when they don't have to fight with the current."
Village resident Ann Greener heard about the visitors this morning and took her children down to the animals around 9:30 a.m.
"We saw four little black animals: there were three that were altogether and one who was swimming by itself," she said. Greener said other bystanders said the animals were porpoises, but their species has not been confirmed."
"A lady while I was there called Natural Resources because they were worried about it being trapped," Greener added. Officials reportedly said the tide would come in freeing the animals, but large animal rescue team could be called if the mammals were stranded.
Is this a porpoise or a pilot whale?
Marine mammals swimming under the Gladys Porter Bridge in Port Williams this morning attracted quite a crowd.
People on the Port Williams bridge watching marine mammals in the Cornwallis River Aug. 22.
A marine mammal, possibly a porpoise, in the Cornwallis River near the Gladys Porter Bridge in Port Williams Aug. 22 was causing excitement and tying up traffic.
Close up of one of the animals in the river Aug. 22.
Close up of the animals in the Cornwallis River.
What may be Atlantic white-sided dolphins were hanging out in the Cornwallis River near Port Williams Aug. 22.
"I don’t know what a porpoise in distress looks like but they were just swimming around," Greener said. "Someone did tell me a few years ago some were stranded there."
High tide in Port Williams is at 2:33 p.m.
Greener said her children "thought it was pretty cool," but they left when the side of the road filled up with onlookers.
"It was getting quite crowded on the bridge – it’s not the safest place to stand."
"It is pretty neat. They’re cute to watch.
http://www.kingscountynews.ca/News/Local/2013-08-22/article-3359635/Updated%3A-Dolphins-in-Cornwallis-River-draw-crowds%2C-tie-up-traffic/1
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PHOTO
Kids up North love our PM Harper- hugs and smiles Aug 22 2013
VIDEO
Raw: Stephen Harper gets hugs from N.W.T. kids
Prime Minister Stephen Harper gave some schoolchildren in Hay River, N.W.T., an impromptu tour of a Hercules transport plane Monday – and received some hugs for his efforts. Harper is on his annual tour of northern Canada.
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/Stephen+Harper+gets+hugs+from+kids/8810864/story.html
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Helping Canadian Forces Families Navigate Resources within their Communities
Welcome Military Families
FamilyNavigator.ca is an online toolkit to help Canadian Forces families who are looking for resources, moving to a new community, or dealing with military lifestyle challenges.
• Relocation;
• Special Needs;
• Eldercare;
• Childcare;
• Military lifestyle challenges;
• Diagnosis of a health concern.
More information...
http://www.familynavigator.ca/
AND..
http://www.halifaxmfrc.ca/parenting/
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A First World War-era recruitment office located in the town of Wolfville. - 
Call for First World War artifacts
A First World War-era recruitment office located in the town of Wolfville. - Submitted
Published on August 4, 2013
Topics : Wolfville museum , Randall House , Wolfville , Annapolis Valley
A Wolfville museum is preparing for an exhibition to commemorate the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War and the effects the conflict had on the Annapolis Valley communities.
Randall House curator Alexandra Hernould says the project, entitled 1914: War Comes to Wolfville, will bring together artefacts, archival material and oral histories. She hopes it will explore how Wolfville and the surrounding area was shaped by WWI.
"We need help," says Hernould. "Do you know of friends or relatives who fought in WWI or participated in the war effort on the home front?"
She asking any residents of the town or surrounding area with artifacts or stories to share to contact the museum.
"We want to explore the contributions of citizens of the area, and we can’t do it without you."
She can be reached by calling 542-0307 or by email at randallhouse@live.ca
http://www.kingscountynews.ca/Living/2013-08-04/article-3337815/Call-for-First-World-War-artifacts/1
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AFGHANISTAN- Canada Desert Lions- Mentors in Afghanistan 2014 Desert-Lions-Image
Tell Me A Story Soldier . . . The Afghan Mission Film Festival
Tell Me A Story Soldier . . .
Coming to a Venue Near You!
Edmonton MFRC Afghanistan Film Festival 23 Aug 2013
Canadian Soldiers, Sailors, and Air Men and Women are ordinary people doing an extraordinary job for Canada. Trying to get them to tell their story, their boots on the ground experience from the conflict in Afghanistan, however, is difficult. Responses range from "I was just doing my job" to "I can’t talk about it".
Canada and Canadians have a historical tendency to forget their military when the crisis is past. The military can take much of the blame for this. We are not very good at telling the Canadian Forces story. The legacy album "Afghanistan: A Soldier’s Story" wants to make sure the "official" record of the Afghan Conflict includes the unofficial human stories of the men and women who served. To that end a series of films have been gathered and will be heading to communities across Canada to remind Canadians, and those who served, that the human stories of this conflict, of any conflict, must be shared. They are vital to an accurate historical representation, as well as to the cultivation of a more robust Canadian identity and consistent government support necessary to sustain a credible, responsive, military.
If you would like to have the film festival, in part or in full, and at no cost to you, come to your organization, whether you are a CF Base, a Reserve Unit, A Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion, a Canadian Military Museum, a Canadian school, or a local community or business organization prepared to help tell the story of the Canadian Military in Afghanistan, we will be taking the show on the road this summer (see tentative schedule at the bottom of this page) Send email enquiries to consult@mywrdwrx.com. Further to this, if you are aware of and have access to any additional Afghan Mission films we should include in our line up, please let us know!
Afghanistan Film Festival Poster Template
Afghanistan A Soldiers Story Films Presentation.2013
Film Graphics
Desert Lions Image Homefront Graphic Life and Death in Kandahar_title Op ApolloThe Van Doos in Afghanistan 2011
OpATHENA_02
Waging Peace Graphic cropped We-Will-RememberThem
veterans_logo
Outside the Wire
_______________________________________________________________________
We will be adding films to the series as opportunities present, and are also on the lookout for You Tube selections appropriate to telling the stories of those who served. So far 46 have been added to the list of favourites https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I20T-AkGcE4&list=FLQoVhw1IF4PmNjdeGm-OH6g but suggestions (and links) for new You Tube content are welcome.
For now our film line up includes:
Afghanistan: A Soldier’s Story – Summer Film Festival Line-up
1. Desert Lions: Canadian Forces Mentors in Kandahar
(permissions acquired)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5LUhmfSxMw
One Hour, English – Filmed in the heart of Taliban country by army reservist and former CBC reporter Mike Vernon, Desert Lions is an on-the-ground look at Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan. Stationed in Nakhonay, one of the deadliest regions in Kandahar Province, Vernon documents the daily lives of the Operational Mentor and liaison team (OMLT), which provides training and support to the afghan national army (ANA).
OMLT is more than just a team of mentors. Living in a converted school in the centre of the city, the team shares jobs, meals and even living quarters with its’ ANA counterparts. That camaraderie isn’t always easy, and Vernon captures the tension that comes from culture clashes, 40-degree heat and the constant threat of attack.
An honest, unvarnished view of military life, Desert Lions is as close as most of us will come to understanding the efforts of our dedicated soldiers abroad.
2. The Van Doos in Afghanistan http://youtu.be/AmY6INxOf3I
(permissions acquired)
French and English, 2011, 44 Minutes
Producer Anne-Marie Rocher, Director Claude Guilaim
The Van Doos in Afghanistan is a feature-length documentary that propels you directly into the heart of the action among the soldiers serving with the Royal 22e Régiment. In this clip, we meet Corporal Maxime Émond-Pépin, who suffered a serious leg injury and lost an eye on his first mission in 2009. Despite his injuries, he rejoined his battalion in Afghanistan. He talks about how important it was for him to get back to the infantry.
3. The Veterans: http://vimeo.com/channels/theveterans/videos
(permissions acquired)
52 Episodes 40 minutes each, English – The documentary series, The Veterans, illustrates the impact of Canada’s participation in foreign conflicts and crises on Canada, Canadians and the military and covers the period from the First World War up to and including Afghanistan. The Veterans consists of 52 episodes each of 40 minutes in length. The project was three years in the making, was a volunteer, not-for-profit undertaking and contains interviews with and location filming of veterans, serving men and women of the Canadian Forces (CF) in Canada and around the world, the Canadian defence and security industry, DFAIT, CIDA, CSC, RCMP, CWM, police forces, NGOs, the military colleges, military historians and a host of other Canadians.
The documentary is a gift to the Canadian people and is of particular relevance to young Canadians, tomorrow’s leaders, as it emphasizes civics, citizenship, nation building and leadership. This is a unique, historical account of Canada’s military and the impact and contributions made by our gallant veterans and military personnel. It is a tribute to them and the manifold sacrifices for which they are remembered and commemorated. Select episodes of documentary can be viewed at www.pwu.ca by clicking on the logo The Veterans. The entire documentary including the original footage will be available in the CWM’s archives and military history research department.
The production team consists of Daniel R. Rodrique (producer and director), Colonel (Ret’d) Andrew Nellestyn OStJ HCE PhD (Co-producer) and Don MacKinnon (President Power Workers Union of Ontario and principal sponsor).
4. Homefront
(permissions acquired)
One hour, English - Home front is a one-hour TV Documentary, produced by Reel Girls Media Inc. 2007, in association with Global Television, about the heroes behind the heroes. Homefront records the experience of the spouses, children, parents, and families of Canadian soldiers steadfastly waiting at home as our military engages in its most dangerous mission since the Korean War – stabilizing Afghanistan. By viewing the story of our international reconstruction effort in Afghanistan through the eyes of those Canadians who shoulder and understand the sacrifice most acutely, the documentary prompts enlightened answers to the dramatic question: why do we do this?
5. We Will Remember Them http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vi1ewr1jU4
(permissions acquired)
Two Hours, English – A CBC documentary produced by 90th Parallel Productions in 2010 goes beyond the static photographs and news headlines and gets to know the men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice. The film introduces a new generation of Canadian heroes. The film allows viewers to meet their spouses, siblings, children, and parents, reminisce with their old friends at home and re-live life in Afghanistan with their comrades in arms. The film also bears witness and explores the true human cost of war. Personal stories from friends and loved ones are enriched by comments and stories from people everywhere. This film honours the impressions our soldiers’ lives have made and explores the enduring connections and communities that surrounded them. We Will Remember Them is a tribute to the fallen – an honour roll to help make sure that the lives of these soldiers will not be forgotten.
6. Life and Death in Kandahar – Fifth Estate 2008
(permissions pending)
http://www.cbc.ca/fifth/2008-2009/life_and_death_in_kandahar/
44 Minutes, English - Life and Death in Kandahar begins with an urgent alert. Incoming wounded are on their way. Now, the questions begin: How many are there? What are the injuries? How soon will they arrive? As the medical staff gathers critical information, trauma bays are prepped and ambulances head out to meet the medevac helicopters.
In the winter of 2008, the fifth estate cameras were granted four weeks of unprecedented and exclusive access to the NATO trauma hospital at the main military base in Kandahar Province. The ‘Role 3' is one of the busiest trauma hospitals in Afghanistan and it has been under Canadian command for two years.
7. OP APOLLO (Oct. 2001– Oct. 2003)
(permissions acquired)
25 Minutes, English and French – A video following a boarding of a suspect vessel by HMCS WINNIPEG during OP APOLLO. On September 12, 2001, one day after the terrorist attacks in the U.S., NATO invoked the principle of Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty, which states that an attack against any of the NATO member countries is an attack against them all. After confirming that the terrorist acts had been conducted from abroad, the Article became fully operative on October 2, 2001, and Operation APOLLO had begun.
Operation APOLLO was Canada’s military contribution to the international campaign against terrorism from October 2001 to October 2003. This required a significant contribution of manpower that demonstrated our continuing, strong commitment to our allies, and to international security. At its peak in January 2002, the Canadian Naval Task Group included six warships and about 1,500 Navy personnel
Canada was among the first coalition nations to deploy a naval task group into the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, which stretches from the Horn of Africa to Central Asia. Between October 2001 and 2003, 18 of 20 ships deployed, including HMC Ships Toronto, Halifax, Charlottetown, Iroquois, Preserver, Vancouver, Ottawa, Algonquin, St. John’s, Protecteur, Montréal, Winnipeg, Regina, Fredericton and Calgary. While deployed, ships participated in force-protection operations, fleet-support operations, leadership interdiction operations, and maritime interdiction operations. Canadian Naval Boarding Part personnel hailed more than 10,000 ships and conducted more than 260 boardings – almost 60 percent of the entire coalition fleet’s boardings.
8. WAGING PEACE: CANADA IN AFGHANISTAN
(permissions acquired)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMyiTRMDp_c
53 Minutes, English – Follows Canadian Richard Fitoussi on a personal quest into the fiercest parts of Afghanistan’s war-torn southern frontier to learn why Canadian soldiers are dying in a mission that has sparked more controversy than any other military intervention in Canadian history.
Embedded with the Canadian military alongside established war correspondents. Fitoussi sees for himself what is at stake for the Afghan people and the Canadians who serve in our name.
As his journey unfolds, Fitoussi is faced with the realities of modern day peacekeeping, and tries to distinguish between the reality on the ground and the rhetoric of the U.S. led "war on terror". In the end he witnesses the ultimate sacrifice of young Canadians in a journey that nearly costs him his life.
9. Outside the Wire
(permissions acquired)
2010, English – Produced by Alison MacLean
Outside the Wire is a documentary which provides a current overview of Canada’s and the Coalition Forces’ work in Kandahar, Afghanistan. The changing face of war is represented, with a feature focus on women in combat. Gritty images from the Task Force Destiny Medevac Program enable the audience to truly experience everyday life and death combat situations at the forward operating bases.
10. OP ATHENA — Combat, Convince, Construct http://youtu.be/1en10QGN9go
(permissions acquired)
45 minutes – French with English subtitles
An Army News production that documents the many activities of the soldiers on Op ATHENA ROTO 3-10, the last eight month deployment of Canadian soldiers for the combat portion of the Afghan mission. From helping the civilian population with medical aid and road building, to security patrols and training Afghan soldiers, the documentary covers all the major activities of a typical Op ATHENA combat ROTO.
_______________________________________________________________________
Tentative 2013 Afghan Film Festival Itinerary
(red – confirmed, green tentative and in negotiation, black open for booking)
16 – 18 August Abbottsford BC (private – with The CAV)
21 August Kelowna BC
23 August Edmonton AB
27 August Cold Lake AB
29 August Calgary AB
3 Sep Moose Jaw Sask
5 Sep Regina Sask
9 Sep Shilo Man
10 Sep Winnipeg Man
14 Sep Thunder Bay On
19 – 21 Sep North Bay
22 Sep Petawawa On
24 Sep Barrie On
25 Sep Toronto
28 Sep Trenton On
30 Sep Kingston On
6 Oct Ottawa On
11 Oct Montreal Que
15 Oct Quebec Que
19 Oct Oromocto NB
23 Oct Moncton NB
25 Oct Halifax NS
29 Oct Charlottetown PEI
04 Nov St Johns NL
5 Nov Gander NL
6 Nov Corner Brook NL
10 Nov Ottawa On (CWM)
13 Nov Saskatoon
15 Nov Calgary
20 Nov Esquimalt
21 Nov – arrive back Vancouver
http://www.afghanistanacanadianstory.ca/whats-new/media-kits/tell-me-a-story-soldier-the-afghan-mission-film-festival/
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Welcome to "Afghanistan: A Soldier’s Story"
tan_maple_smallest. . . . an interactive web site for the development of a legacy album that tells the story of the Canadian Afghan Mission 2001 to 2014.
Canadian Afghan Veterans, Military, Police, RCMP, embedded media, and civilians who deployed in support of the mission, are cordially invited to share your stories and photos with the legacy album:
"Afghanistan: A Soldier’s Story"
Vous êtes cordialement invités à participer à la création de:
"Afghanistan : une Histoire de soldats"
Afghanistan : une Histoire de soldats requiert votre contribution pour un album souvenir qui raconte l’histoire de la mission canadienne en Afghanistan. Votre histoire.
Que vous étiez déployé comme officier, sous-officier, militaires du rang ou civil, vous avez tous une histoire, une image ou une vidéo à partager avec les canadiens. Une histoire unique à vous, que seulement vous pouvez raconter.
Ce projet, non associé au MDN, est celui de membres des Forces canadiennes en service ou à la retraite.
http://www.afghanistanacanadianstory.ca/
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TOURING CANADA...
Afghan Mission film festival highlights Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan
By Kevin Maimann, Edmonton Examiner
Wednesday, August 21, 2013 11:31:58 MDT AM
The Afghan Mission Film Festival features films made by people embedded with the Canadian Forces in Afghanistan. FILE PHOTO QMI Agency
The United States Army has an entire department, with headquarters in Los Angeles, that acts as a liaison to the entertainment industry to aid in the production of pro-military films.
While an arrangement like that can surely be problematic, Canada is on the other end of the spectrum — the average citizen barely hears about our military’s exploits abroad.
One woman is trying to change that with the Afghan Mission Film Festival. The inaugural festival, featuring films made by people embedded with Canadian troops in Afghanistan, is touring across the country and will stop at the Edmonton Garrison Military Family Resource Centre (located in Lancaster Park) Friday.
"Our military is one of the best-kept secrets in Canada," says founder Melanie Graham, who was born in Ontario and raised in Liberia and Pakistan.
"If you think about it, when do you see the military in the news? When someone’s died or when there’s been a scandal. And the military disappears as soon as the crisis of the day is over."
The festival is part of a larger project that will culminate in an extensive book with photos and stories from the Afghan war, titled Afghanistan – A Soldiers Story, set for a Nov. 11, 2014, release through Chapters/Indigo.
Graham was working with the army to create a newsletter for soldiers in Whistler and Vancouver, as a public affairs officer for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver, when the idea struck her for the book.
"Any time we went to Tim Hortons or anywhere in uniform, people were just so glad for an opportunity to actually meet someone from the CF (Canadian Forces), which told us that Canadians really don’t know the CF very well," Graham says.
She found soldiers were hesitant to share their experiences, and eventually decided the best way to get them talking was to tell them stories first. She sought out films that had already been made about the Canadian military in Afghanistan, acquired the permissions, and put the word out to legions, reserve units and bases across the country to arrange screenings in a whopping 31 locales.
"We’ve found that soldiers are very reluctant to tell their stories," Graham says.
"They look at it as doing their job. Nothing to write home about, nothing to talk about."
She’s filled 150 pages of the book so far, and hopes that with the help of the film festival, she’ll be able to fill another 56 pages and a CD with additional content from 2001 to 2013. The Department of National Defence gave the project its blessing but not financial support, and publisher John McQuarrie picked up the tab.
Among the four films screening Friday is Homefront, produced by Edmonton’s Reel Girls Media and Global TV. The hour-long documentary examines the dynamic for families of deployed soldiers, cutting back and forth from Edmonton to Afghanistan.
Other films on deck are OP Apollo, Waging Peace: Canada in Afghanistan, and Desert Lions, which was made by army reservist and former CBC journalist Mike Vernon while he was embedded in Nakhonay — one of the deadliest regions in Kandahar Province.
All films are free and open to the public.
"The intent is double. One, I’d like to share these stories with those who have never deployed, but also I would very much like to encourage those who have served to recognize the importance of their stories," Graham says.
"I’d like to tip my hat to them while I’m in a position to do so."
Friday’s film festival runs from noon to 4 p.m.
http://www.edmontonexaminer.com/2013/08/21/afghan-mission-film-festival-highlights-canadian-soldiers-in-afghanistan
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CANADA It's Afghanistanimation
MFRC brings film fest on Afghan mission
By: Scott Hayes
| Posted: Wednesday, Aug 21, 2013 06:00 am
http://www.stalbertgazette.com/article/20130821/SAG0302/308219993/-1/sag/its-afghanistanimation
There’s a new film festival coming to town and it’s going to offer the kind of insight into Canada’s military mission in Afghanistan that no private civilian has had before.
Edmonton Garrison’s Military Family Resource Centre (also known as the MFRC) is presenting its first ever Afghan Mission Film Festival on Friday. The educational event is the first stop on a cross-country tour to bring a broader awareness of our military’s involvement in the Middle East.
"Oftentimes, you just hear about it in the news and for a lot of us who aren’t in the military, it’s a distant concept to us," explained Christina Weichel, marketing and communications co-ordinator.
These films are also being used to promote a historical legacy document. Lt. (Navy) Melanie Graham is working on a project to compile personal stories on the military effort for a book. Since this is the last tour in Afghanistan (scheduled for wrap up next March), the importance of preserving these stories has never been more important.
"This fest is meant to shed light on that. What that’s doing is collecting soldiers’ stories from when they were in Afghanistan. She’s trying really hard to just get people to share those stories."
Those stories will be published in Afghanistan: A Soldier’s Story, set for release in November 2014. Graham hopes that there will be a snowball effect and that more and more people will come forward to share their stories as more awareness arises out of the project.
"It’s a classic philosophy," she began. "If you’ve ever sat around a pub table or a campfire or a dinner table, one person tells a story and suddenly everybody has a story they want to tell to. I’m asking people to share as a way of both priming the pump, and, in an act of good faith, I’m sharing stories with them that others have shared with me."
Weichel added, "These films compiled do share some of the stories that are going to be highlighted. This is just to bring people together and get them talking about the project and to inform people about what happened and what is happening in Afghanistan, just to give it a more human side to it."
The line-up has four films. Operation Apollo is a 25-minute film. "It depicts Canada’s military contribution to the international campaign against terrorism from October 2001 to 2003," Weichel said.
Homefront is a TV documentary that recorded the experiences of Canadian soldiers’ spouses, children and families as they waited at home as the military was engaged in this mission to stabilize Afghanistan.
Next up is Desert Lions: Canadian Forces Mentors in Kandahar. "That was filmed in the heart of Taliban country by army reservists and former CBC reporter Mike Vernon. This film is an on-the-ground look at Canadian soldiers stationed in Nakhonay. That’s known as one of the deadliest regions in Kandahar province."
Lastly, there will be a screening of Waging Peace: Canadian in Afghanistan. It follows Richard Fitoussi’s journey that nearly cost him his life. "He set out to learn why Canadian soldiers are dying on this mission but it has sparked more controversy than any other military intervention in Canadian history to date."
To learn more about the Afghan Mission Film Festival and the Afghanistan: A Soldier’s Story book project, visit online at: www.afghanistanacanadianstory.ca.
The centre
For 23 years, the MFRC has served the families of all military personnel by providing support, resources, programs and services to meet the unique challenges of life in military service. It offers family and parenting supports including childcare, deployment support, short term counselling, plus unique services such as a playschool and the Terrific Twos program for children. There is also a Navigator program for families with disabilities.
The facility is for its extended military family of more than 6,000 members.
To learn more about the Afghan Mission Film Festival and the Afghanistan: A Soldier’s Story book project, visit online at: www.afghanistanacanadianstory.ca.
Otherwise, please visit www.familyforce.ca/sites/edmonton for information on the MFRC and its programs.
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Honourary Ranger - BECOMES AN HONOURARY RANGER- WARRIORS OF THE NORTH
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjD33IzoonU&feature=c4-overview&list=UUd6M9-N7YFpFKhCMZ-mmceA
Harper is made an Honourary Ranger during his 8th annual Northern Tour
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Promise made, promise kept: the Canadian Rangers hit their goal of 5,000
August 21, 2013
This year’s operation NANOOK 13 marked a special milestone for our government: the expansion of the Canadian Rangers.
In 2007, PM Harper committed to expanding the Canadian Rangers from 4,000 Rangers in 165 patrols to 5,000. As of August 2013, there are more than 5,000 Rangers in 178 patrols – a 25 percent increase since 2007. In addition to the 5,000 rangers, there are also close to 4,200 Junior Canadian Rangers in 135 patrols across Canada. Much like their senior counterparts, the Junior Rangers Program helps to achieve nation-building goals and improves the quality of life of young people.
The Prime Minister’s commitment to modernize the Rangers has also been fulfilled with the advancement of their technological capabilities, including the use of electronic tracking and digital imagery equipment. Furthermore, the Rangers’ Lee Enfield Rifles will be replaced with new ruggedized 7.62mm bolt action rifle.
Our government is proud to have played an important role in the expansion and modernization of the Rangers who protect Canada’s North. Operating under the motto "Vigilans," (The Watchers), the Canadian Rangers provide self sufficient mobile forces in support of the military’s sovereignty and domestic operations in the north’s sparse and rugged terrain.
For more information on the Canadian Rangers, visit their website.
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Peter MacKay - Attorney General and Justice Minister 4 Canada
Hear what Peter MacKay has to say about his new role as Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada.
The Honourable Peter Gordon MacKay
Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
The Honourable Peter Gordon MacKay -Central Nova (Nova Scotia)
Peter MacKay was first elected to Parliament in 1997 and re-elected in 2000, 2004, 2006, 2008 and 2011.
In July 2013, Mr. MacKay was appointed Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada. Previously, he was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency in February 2006 and Minister of National Defence in August 2007.
In his first five years in the House of Commons, Mr. MacKay served as House Leader for the Progressive Conservative caucus.
On May 31, 2003, he became Leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada. In March 2004, he was named Deputy Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada and was renamed Deputy Leader following the June 2004 election.
Before entering politics, Mr. MacKay had a private law practice in New Glasgow, specializing in criminal and family law. In 1993, he accepted an appointment as Crown Attorney for the Central Region of Nova Scotia. He prosecuted cases at all levels, including youth and provincial courts as well as the Supreme Court of Canada.
Mr. MacKay has served on volunteer boards including New Leaf and Tearmann House. As well, he has been active in Big Brothers-Big Sisters, the Pictou County Senior Rugby Club and the YMCA.
After graduating from Acadia University, Mr. MacKay went on to study law at Dalhousie University. He was called to the Nova Scotia Bar in June 1991.
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Harper Promotes Canadian Militarism: Introducing University Undergraduates to a Form of Military Service on Campus
http://www.globalresearch.ca/harper-promotes-canadian-militarism-introducing-university-undergraduates-to-a-form-of-military-service-on-campus/5346493
Last month the Harper government launched a Civil Military Leadership Pilot Initiative at the University of Alberta. The program "allow[s] people to simultaneously obtain a university degree while also gaining leadership experience in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Reserves." The four-year Civil Military Leadership Pilot Initiative will be "co-directed by the University of Alberta and the CAF" and the government hopes to export this "test model" to other universities.
The program is an attempt to reestablish the Canadian Officer Training Corps, which was offered at universities from 1912 until 1968. According to Lee Windsor, deputy director of the University of New Brunswick’s Gregg Centre for the Study of War and Society, the Canadian Officers Training Corps program "introduced university undergraduates to a form of military service on campus, providing them with leadership and other military training and preparing them to join the reserve or the regular force if they wished to do so."
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AND.....PAEDOPHILE HUNTING...always paedophile hunting
MacIntosh complainant has spoken with federal Justice Minister Peter MacKay
New News Update
Published on August 22, 2013
SYDNEY — A complainant in the Ernest Fenwick MacIntosh case currently on a liquids-only diet has spoken with federal Justice Minister Peter MacKay.
Topics : Supreme Court of Canada , India , Canada , British Columbia
Weldon MacIntosh-Reynolds said he spoke with MacKay by phone Friday and said MacKay agreed to meet with him in October when Parliament is sitting. He said he was satisfied with the outcome of the conversation but still intends to remain on a hunger strike until a federal inquiry into the matter is called.
MacKay’s press secretary Paloma Aguilar confirmed that the two did speak. She did not confirm that MacKay has agreed to meet with MacIntosh-Reynolds.
"We are unable to speak to what did or did not happen when the previous Liberal government was in power," Aguilar wrote in an email. "What I can tell you is that just months after coming in office in 2006, our government requested the extradition of this individual and within a year he was back in Canada. The MacIntosh case is a long standing and complicated case that figures very prominently on Minister MacKay's agenda."
Last week, Cape Breton-Canso MP Rodger Cuzner wrote to MacKay requesting that he meet with MacIntosh-Reynolds, who is currently living in British Columbia.
MacIntosh's convictions on 17 counts of abusing boys in the Strait of Canso area in the 1970s were overturned on appeal because it took too long to take him to trial. A former Strait area businessman, MacIntosh had moved to India in 1994, a year before the initial complainant went to police saying that he had been abused by him decades earlier.
The first charge was laid in 1995. He was extradited from India in 2007 and went on trial in 2010. The Supreme Court of Canada upheld the quashing of the charges.
MacIntosh and MacIntosh-Reynolds are not related but MacIntosh was an acquaintance of MacIntosh-Reynolds' parents. MacIntosh testified that the sexual contact between the two was consensual. Some of MacIntosh's convictions that were quashed involved MacIntosh-Reynolds.
After MacKay's appointment to the justice portfolio, a spokesperson released a statement saying the MacIntosh case was the first file MacKay asked to be briefed on, noting he had previously met with some of the complainants.
http://www.capebretonpost.com/News/Local/2013-08-22/article-3359532/MacIntosh-complainant-has-spoken-with-federal-Justice-Minister-Peter-MacKay/1
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Ex-deputy warden faces sex charges
Wednesday, August 21, 2013 - 7:20pm | By THE CHRONICLE HERALD
A former deputy warden for the Municipality of East Hants faces sex charges for an alleged incident involving an underage girl. Steven James Helpard is scheduled for election and plea in Shubenacadie provincial court Sept. 30. Court documents show...
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HEADS UP NOVA SCOTIA
PAEDOPHILE Roger Ernest Joseph Roberge let loose among Nova Scotia kids 2da from New Brunswick
Public warned of inmate’s release
Police are notifying the public about the release of a former pris on inmate with a criminal record dating back to 1969.
Roger Ernest Joseph Roberge, considered a high-risk offender, was released from a federal penitentiary this year after s erving a 12-year sentence for forcible confinement and sexual assault, police said in a news release Wednesday.
Roberge, 62, has recently moved to Halifax Regional Municipality from New Brunswick.
He has been "professionally assessed as a high risk to reoffend in terms of both sexual and nonsexual violence," said the Halifax Regional Police release.
Roberge has past convictions for several violent crimes.
Police described him as white, six-foot-one and 241 pounds. He has brown hair, brown eyes and tattoos on his face and neck.
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PAEDOPHILE HUNTING/PAEDOPHILE HUNTING/PAEDOPHILE HUNTIN
March trial set for Halifax-area man charged in chained teen case
Thursday, August 22, 2013 - 10:54am | By THE CANADIAN PRESS
BRIDGEWATER — A Halifax man charged with sexual assault in the case of a teenage boy who was chained inside a Nova Scotia cabin will go to trial in March. John Leonard MacKean is scheduled for a three-day trial by judge and jury beginning...
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P-A-E-D-0-P-H-I-L-E HUNTING - AND -TEEN RAPISTS
Published on Jan 31, 2013
Anonymous - #Operation Pedophile Hunt on Social Media (Twitter
WE ARE ANONYMOUS
WE ARE LEGION
WE DO NOT FORGET
WE DO NOT FORGIVE
EXPECT US!
COMMENT:
Thank you :). See these people are trying to make a difference, make social media safe, for That we? thank you anonymous!
First settlement of Sandusky-related sex crimes reached
Sunday, August 18, 2013 - 7:40am | By MARK SCOLFORO The Associated Press
HARRISBURG, Pa. — A man who testified he was fondled by former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky is the first to settle a civil...
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N.S. child molester can earn unsupervised passes from halfway house
The Parole Board of Canada has ordered a Nova Scotia child molester to stay in a halfway home for another six months, but the senior can now earn unsupervised overnight passes. Continue reading ?
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PAEDOPHILE- ERNEST FENWICK MACINTOSH- THE $$$$$ WHO BOUGHT AND PAID HIS WAY FROM CANADA 2 INDIAN RAPING AND PILLAGING LITTLE BOYS ALONG THE WAY 4 OVER 50 YEARS
JUSTICE BETRAYED VICTIMS OF WLLIAM FENWICK MACINTOSH- all those hundreds of little boys raped and sodomized in Canada and India...
Cuzner setting up meeting for hunger striking MacIntosh complainant
Ernest Fenwick MacIntosh is seen in this file photo. The Canadian Press
Published on August 14, 2013
Nancy King RSS Feed
SYDNEY — The MP for Cape Breton-Canso says he is trying to secure a meeting between federal Justice Minister Peter MacKay and a complainant in the Ernest Fenwick MacIntosh case who is staging a hunger strike.
Topics : Supreme Court of Canada , Central Nova MP , Public Prosecution Service , India , Ottawa , British Columbia
Weldon MacIntosh-Reynolds has been on a liquids-only diet since early last month, trying to draw attention to the case in an effort to get Ottawa to call an inquiry into how the effort extradite MacIntosh from India and prosecute him went off the rails. MacIntosh-Reynolds has said he’s willing to die for the cause.
Cuzner spoke via telephone Wednesday with MacIntosh-Reynolds, who is currently living in British Columbia.
"I wouldn’t pretend to understand where he is mentally or emotionally with this thing. Just the enormity of this whole scenario, it’s had a tremendous impact I’m sure on all of the victims, but obviously he’s in a frail state of mind," Cuzner said. "He’s embarked on this hunger strike, he’s lost a great deal of weight so far."
MacIntosh's convictions on 17 counts of abusing boys in the Strait of Canso area in the 1970s were overturned on appeal because it took too long to take him to trial. A former Strait area businessman, MacIntosh had moved to India in 1994, a year before the initial complainant went to police saying that he had been abused by him decades earlier.
The first charge was laid in 1995. He was extradited from India in 2007 and went on trial in 2010. The Supreme Court of Canada upheld the quashing of the charges.
MacIntosh and MacIntosh-Reynolds are not related but MacIntosh was an acquaintance of MacIntosh-Reynolds' parents. MacIntosh testified that the sexual contact between the two was consensual. Some of MacIntosh's convictions that were quashed involved MacIntosh-Reynolds.
Cuzner said that given MacKay’s personal understanding of the MacIntosh case, he was pleased to see the Central Nova MP take over the over the justice portfolio.
After MacKay’s appointment, a spokesperson released a statement saying the MacIntosh case was the first file MacKay asked to be briefed on, noting he had previously met with some of the complainants and called it an important case that figures prominently on his agenda.
"I think that was a strong statement on his part and it just speaks to the fact that he understands the gravity of this case," Cuzner said.
Nova Scotia Justice Minister Ross Landry recently released an internal review of the Public Prosecution Service's handling of the MacIntosh matter. While that review showed that the original Crown attorney dealing with the case was overburdened with work, it also noted areas of federal jurisdiction where processes broke down, including the failure to revoke MacIntosh’s passport.
Former minister Rob Nicholson had said he wouldn't call an inquiry. Landry has apologized to the complainants and said he would like to see a review of the actions in the case by Passport Canada and Canada Customs and Immigration. A provincial inquiry would not have the authority to call representatives of federal agencies to answer to those questions, he said.
"Everybody knows that two big pieces of this travesty lie in the lap of the federal government — one being the reissuance of the passport and the second the breakdown in communications between the RCMP and the Passport Office," Cuzner said. "That’s a fairly significant component."
With the province not willing to move forward with an inquiry in a process similar to what took place in Newfoundland and Labrador in relation to the Cougar helicopter crash, Cuzner said he hopes MacKay may be willing to consider taking action.
"There’s two things at play — there’s trying to get the answers to make sure this never happens to another Canadian and where this whole issue came off the rails and try to fix the system … and the second thing is the mental state of probably one and more of the victims," he said. "I know that a minister can’t yield to the threats of an individual but this is real and if there’s a tipping point, hopefully it doesn’t come to (MacIntosh-Reynolds) following through with the promise to take his own life."
nking@cbpost.com
http://www.capebretonpost.com/News/Local/2013-08-14/article-3351071/Cuzner-setting-up-meeting-for-hunger-striking-MacIntosh-complainant/1
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Minister of Justice Participates in Charlottetown Consultation to Discuss Victims Bill of Rights
CHARLOTTETOWN, PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND--(Marketwired - Aug. 22, 2013) - The Honourable Peter MacKay, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Central Nova, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, today met with victims of crime and justice advocates in Charlottetown to discuss key priorities for the creation of a Canadian Victims Bill of Rights.
"Crime has an enormous impact on victims, their friends, families, and the community as a whole," said Minister MacKay. "Our Government wants to protect the rights of victims of crime as much as possible-in Charlottetown and across Canada-to strengthen their voice in the criminal justice process and give them a federal Victims Bill of Rights."
This consultation follows the Government's commitment in February to entrench the rights of victims of crime by bringing forward legislation to develop a Canadian Victims Bill of Rights. Views expressed by those at the Charlottetown consultation will add to information received through other consultations across the country and to the online public consultation being hosted on the Department of Justice website until September 3, 2013, at: http://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/cj-jp/victims-victimes/vrights-droitsv/. These consultations will ultimately contribute to enhancing victims' rights in Canada.
The development of a federal Victims Bill of Rights builds on the Government's record of achievements in giving victims a more effective voice in the criminal justice and corrections systems. These achievements include:
•Allocating more than $120 million since 2006, to give victims a more effective voice through initiatives delivered by the Department of Justice Canada;
•Designating $10.25 million for new or enhanced child advocacy centres to address the needs of child and youth victims of crime;
•Creating the Federal Victims Strategy in 2007 and renewing in 2011;
•Establishing the Office of the Federal Ombudsman for Victims of Crime;
•Introducing legislation to double the victims' surcharge and make it mandatory; and
•Eliminating the faint-hope clause, which allowed murderers to obtain early parole.
The Victims Bill of Rights consultations are part of the Government's Plan for Safe Streets and Communities, which is one of four priorities identified by Prime Minister Stephen Harper. This plan focuses on tackling crime, enhancing victims' rights, and ensuring a fair and efficient justice system.
Internet: http://www.justice.gc.ca (Version française disponible)
Follow us on Twitter (@JusticeCanadaEn), join us on Facebook or visit our YouTube channel.
Paloma Aguilar
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Justice
613-992-4621
Media Relations Office
Department of Justice
613-957-4207
Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/1428018#ixzz2cjQq13l3
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AFGHANISTAN
Afghan man abduct his Canadian-born children, flees to Afghanistan
By Ghanizada - Wed Aug 21, 9:46 am
In the meantime, Andrew Feldstein, the family lawyer of Zaiba said, she will face an uphill battle because Afghanistan is a country that has not signed on to the Hague Convention — an international agreement that, in part, protects children from abduction.
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CANADA
Money Mart Canada Joins Forces with The Western Union Foundation; Jointly Committing More Than US$111,000 to the Canadian Red Cross to Assist Flood Relief Efforts in Alberta
VICTORIA, British Columbia, Aug 20, 2013 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Money Mart Canada, in cooperation with The Western Union Foundation, today announced a combined commitment of US$111,032 to the Canadian Red Cross in support of flood relief efforts in Alberta.
Money Mart Canada's commitment of US$55,516 will be matched by the Western Union Foundation, under the Foundation's Agent Gift Match program. The program provides for a dollar-for-dollar match of qualifying Western Union Agent contributions to NGOs who provide disaster relief support in impacted regions around the world.
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Aboriginal woman becomes top cop in Saskatchewan as head of RCMP division
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/aboriginal-woman-becomes-top-cop-saskatchewan-head-rcmp-165956574.html
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