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Prisons need professionals

Canada’s federal prisons are experiencing a shortage of mentalhealth professionals, CBC News reported Nov. 9. Fewer health professionals means initiatives that are important, but not urgent—like rehabilitation programs—tend to be overlooked at the expense of more pressing problems like suicide attempts.

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A score for social studies

The Ontario Ministry of Education will introduce five new social sciences and humanities courses into the high school curriculum starting September 2011. The courses include gender studies, world cultures, human dynamics, and separate equity studies classes for the college/university and workplace tracks.

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Of fans and friends

It’s an exciting time for football fans. No doubt you’ve already heard by now that the Gaels beat the McMaster Marauders in the OUA semifinals and will be competing against Western for the Yates Cup this Saturday. If waves of Facebook events ranging from pre-game drinking parties to T-shirt sales are any indication, this weekend is going to be wild.

Previously in Editorials

November 10, 2009

Absence or obsolescence

The Vancouver 2010 Olympics will be missing Canada’s head of state, the Toronto Star reported Nov. 8. Queen Elizabeth II declined the Government of Canada’s invitation to open the Olympic ceremonies this winter. Governor General Michäelle Jean will do the honours instead.

November 10, 2009

U of T blind to benefits

Students at the University of Toronto may lose a favourite professor and a valuable course, the Toronto Star reported Nov. 5. Rod Michalko, a professor of Disability Studies who is also blind, may not have his contract renewed next year due to budget constraints, despite the fact his classes all have waiting lists.

November 10, 2009

Lessons from Ms. Frizzle

As today is the 40th anniversary of Sesame Street, I can’t help but remember everything the likes of Big Bird and company taught me in my early childhood years. I really learned a lot from the folks on Sesame Street. After all, it was the Cookie Monster who taught me that the word “cookie” does indeed start with the letter C.

November 6, 2009

Dialogue promotes dignity

The Quebec College of Physicians has formally endorsed euthanasia “in certain exceptional situations,” the Toronto Star reported Nov. 3. A poll of 2,000 medical specialists in Quebec indicated 75 per cent support euthanasia, while 81 per cent of the doctors had witnessed euthanasia being practiced in the province.

November 6, 2009

Immigration policy is ailing

Auditor-General Sheila Fraser’s report on immigration in Canada has exposed some flaws in the system, the Globe and Mail reported Nov. 3. Fraser said responsibility for immigration decisions is being increasingly handed over to the provinces and employers, rather than being federally regulated.