WitW October:  condensed version! 
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Protecting The Jobless

Imagine: Your mom arrives home from work, looking worried. Her boss has just announced that the company she works for has been losing money. Thousands of jobs will have to be cut. She may soon be unemployed. But if she stops bringing home her salary, how will your family pay all the bills?

Difficult Times

That’s the situation families across the country are facing right now. Canada is in the middle of a recession. Many people are being laid off.

According to Statistics Canada, 486,000 full-time jobs have been lost since October 2008. Currently, about nine in every 100 Canadians are out of work.

Young people between the ages of 15 and 24 are the most affected. Roughly 16.3 percent of workers in this group are now unemployed. Those in manufacturing and construction are also being hit hard by job cuts.

And this situation will likely get worse before it gets better. Experts say that by the end of next year, almost 10 in 100 Canadians could be looking for a job.

The Employment Insurance Program

Fortunately, most Canadians who find themselves suddenly out of work can take advantage of Employment Insurance (EI).

EI is a program run by the federal government. It was created to support workers who have recently lost their jobs while they look for new employment.

Here’s how the program works: each month, most working Canadians pay some of their income into a fund managed by the government. Then, if someday they lose their job, they can receive some of this money back in the form of weekly EI benefits.

Canadians can also collect EI if they are sick. Pregnant women, or parents caring for a newborn or adopted child, can receive benefits as well. So can adults who must stop working for a short time to look after a family member who is seriously ill.

<>Changes Coming

How much money can Canadians collect through EI? At the moment, benefits are 55 percent of a worker’s average weekly earnings before applying for EI, up to a maximum of $447 per week. Benefits are paid out for as many as 50 weeks.

But that’s about to change. On September 18, the government brought in new legislation to improve EI. During these tough times, the Conservatives want to give laid-off workers who have been employed for at least seven out of the past ten years five to 20 extra weeks of benefits.

The government also wants to provide more money for job training. That’s because when people learn new skills, they have a better chance of finding a new job.

A Helping Hand

If passed, these changes will cost the government $935 million over two years. But they will help about 190,000 unemployed workers.

“It will help Canadians who have worked hard and paid EI premiums for many years and who now find themselves in need of a hand up,” said Human Resources Minister Diane Finley.

Did You Know...?

Roughly 18.4 million people make up Canada’s labour force.

How EI Was Born

During the 1930s, large numbers of people were unemployed. To help the jobless, Canada brought in an “unemployment insurance” act.

This law came into effect on July 1, 1941. It allowed unemployed workers to collect up to $14.40 per week from a fund that workers, employers, and the government paid into. The plan covered about 42 percent of workers.

In 1971, the government brought in reforms to EI. These changes made it easier for people to receive benefits. They also allowed people who were sick, or women who were pregnant or who had a new baby, to collect EI.

In the 1990s, the government changed the program again. This time, the reforms made it harder for people to collect EI. People had to work longer to qualify. The number of weeks that they could collect benefits for was reduced. 

benefits: payments made by an insurance company to help someone in need

<>income: amount of money earned
laid off: having lost a job

legislation: proposed law

recession: a period of slow economic growth characterized by falling business profits and reduced investment spending

salary: a fixed regular payment made by an employer to an employee

On The Lines
A. Write the letter that corresponds to the best answer on the line beside each question:

 

______  1. When was Unemployment Insurance first introduced in Canada?                                      
                         a) 1914                                                                                        b) 1941
                         c) 1967                                                                                        d) 1990

 

______  2. How many Canadians have lost their job since October 2008?                                            
                         a) 486,000                                                                                b) 920,000
                         c) 1.3 million                                                                              d) 1.6 million

                        

______  3. Which age group has experienced the most job losses?
                         a) 15 to 24-year-olds                                                                b) 25 to 34-year-olds
                         c) 35 to 44-year-olds                                                                d) 45 to 54-year-olds

 

<>______  4. What major changes to the EI program did Ottawa recently announce?
                         a) some workers will receive benefits longer                      
                        
                         b) benefits will decrease
                         c) sickness and maternity will now be covered                  

                         d) funding for training will go down                                    

 

B. Answer the following in complete sentences:

 

1. What is Employment Insurance, and how does this program work? Explain.

 

 

2. What reasons can you suggest to explain why the government has changed EI over the years?

Between The Lines
Making a prediction: What do you suppose might happen if there were no Employment Insurance? A plausible prediction is supported by evidence in the article and is consistent with known facts outside of the article.

Analyzing A Graph (please refer to paper copy)

Examine the graph Canada’s Unemployment Rate. Then, answer the following:

<>

1. What was Canada’s rate of unemployment in January 2006? In January 2007? In January 2008?

 

2. When during the past three-and-a-half years was the unemployment rate lowest? Highest?

 

3. By how much did the unemployment rate change between January and August, 2009?

 

4. Using the graph, what predictions can you make about Canada’s unemployment rate in the coming year? Give reasons to support your response.

 

The Vancouver Peace Summit

This man is highly-respected. He is a world-famous spiritual and political leader. He’s also a Nobel Peace Prize winner. And in late September he visited Canada as part of his 2009 North American tour. Can you guess who he is?

If you said the Dalai Lama, you’re right. This 74-year-old globetrotting monk was in Vancouver, British Columbia, from September 27 through 29. He was in the city to take part in the Vancouver Peace Summit.
 

Working Towards A Better World

The summit was held in several venues around the city. It had been organized by the Dalai Lama Centre for Peace and Education. The purpose of this gathering? To inspire people to work towards world peace.

Summit participants attended sessions to hear talks given by the Dalai Lama and five other Nobel Laureates. Well-known academics, politicians, and peace activists also gave speeches and took part in dialogues.

“We have a very historic gathering of very interesting people. I don’t think Canada has ever seen six Nobel Laureates together in one place,” said Victor Chan, the summit organizer.

From Me To We

A key part of the summit was We Day Vancouver. This program, hosted by the Dalai Lama Centre and Free the Children, brought 16,000 students from British Columbia schools together for a concert and rally. The aim of this event was to encourage young people to get involved in changing their world for the better.

The Main Attraction

But the star attraction of the summit was the Dalai Lama himself. A riveting public speaker, the Dalai Lama has dedicated his life to encouraging people to work together in peace, no matter what the situation.

At the summit, he shared his message of non-violence, compassion, and tolerance for others. It had a huge impact on the thousands of listeners.

“His message for humans and for peace resonates with people,” said Nima Dorjee, a founder of the Canada–Tibet Committee. “In a way, he symbolizes what we would like to be.”

Who is The Dalai Lama?

The Dalai Lama is the religious leader of Tibetan Buddhism. He is also the former ruler of Tibet, a mountain region that today is part of southern China.

The Dalai Lama is believed to be a reincarnation of the Buddha. When he dies, his soul is thought to enter the body of a newborn boy. If that baby passes certain traditional tests, he becomes the new Dalai Lama.

The 14th Dalai Lama was born in 1935. At the age of two, he was identified as the next Dalai Lama; at age four, he was taken from his parents so that he could begin learning his role.

In 1950, when the Dalai Lama was 15, China invaded Tibet and took control of this autonomous region. The Dalai Lama opposed this takeover, but was unable to stop it. And in 1959, when an uprising against Chinese control failed, he fled his homeland.

Since then, the Dalai Lama has lived in India. From there, he has continued to push for autonomy for Tibet. In 1989, he won the Nobel Peace Prize for this work. In 1996, he was given honorary Canadian citizenship. He has been given over 100 other honours and awards.

This is the Dalai Lama’s third visit to Canada in five years. After the peace summit, he was scheduled to speak in Calgary and Montreal.

About The Nobel Prizes

The Nobel Prizes are awarded every year to individuals and organizations who make important contributions in the fields of chemistry, physics, literature, peace, and physiology or medicine. Each winner receives a medal, a diploma, and a cash award.

Wealthy Swedish chemist and inventor Alfred Nobel established the Prizes through his 1895 will. Over the years, 789 individuals and 20 groups have received a Prize.

apartheid: a policy of discrimination against non-whites

autonomous: independent; existing as its own country

Buddha: founder of Buddhism; worshipped as a god

Buddhism: a religion represented by many groups (especially in Asia) that worship Buddha

peace activists: people who work energetically using non-violent methods to bring an end to war and conflict

Free the Children: a network of children helping children through education. More than one million youth in 45 countries are involved in this program, which was founded in 1995 by Canadian Craig Kielburger, who was 12 years old at the time.

laureate: winner of a prize or honour for outstanding achievement

reincarnation: the Buddhist doctrine that a person may be reborn successively
summit: talks, often between world leaders or heads of state 

On The Lines
A. Multiple Choice: Write the letter that corresponds to the best answer on the line beside each question:

______  1. Who is the Dalai Lama?                          
            a) the former ruler of Tibet                                b) the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism         
            c) a Nobel Peace Prize winner                           d) all of the above

______  2. In which country does the 14th Dalai Lama live?

            a) India                                                             b) Tibet
            c) Canada                                                         d) Britain         

______  3. What was the purpose of the Vancouver Peace Summit?
            a) to work towards world peace                         b) to introduce the Dalai Lama
            c) to celebrate the Nobel Prize                           d) to discuss the need for a free Tibet

______  4. Which Canadian organization is based on the idea of children helping children through                                   education? 
            a) Be the Children                                                         b) We the Children
            c) See the Children                                                        d) Free the Children

______  5. In which field is a Nobel Prize awarded?
            a) chemistry                                                                  b) medicine
            c) literature                                                                   d) all of the above

______  6. What is the winner of a Nobel Prize known as?
            a) a Buddhist                                                                 b) a Summit
            c) a Laureate                                                                d) a genius       

B. Answer the following:

As you see it, what was the importance of the Vancouver Peace Summit? Explain.

 

Language Corner
Consider the following quotes by the Dalai Lama:

If you can, help others; if you cannot do that, at least do not harm them.

Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.

Happiness is not something ready-made. It comes from your own actions.

Choose one quote. Then, answer the following questions:

1. What is your understanding of this quote?

2. For what reasons do you agree with this quote? For what reasons do you disagree?

3. As you see it, what is the significance of this quote? Explain.

Should a 13-year-old be allowed to sail solo around the world?

In August a Dutch court began to ponder this question in the case of Laura Dekker. Instead of going back to school this fall, the young sailor wanted to set out on a round-the-world trip in her 8.3-metre yacht, Guppy.

Born On A Boat

Laura Dekker knows sailboats. She was born on a yacht in New Zealand while her parents were circumnavigating the globe. She spent her first four years at sea. At age six, she started sailing solo. At 10 years of age, she began spending holidays sailing off the Dutch coast.

So in a way, it shouldn’t have been a surprise when she told her parents, at age 11, that she wanted to break the world record for being the youngest to sail alone around the world.  

As You Wish...

At first, Laura’s parents weren’t in favour of this plan. They were worried about their daughter’s safety. But when Laura refused to let go of her dream, they gave in.

However, Laura’s dad insisted that his daughter take safety and navigation lessons. He also told her that she would have to prove herself first by sailing alone from the Netherlands to Britain and back.

Foiled!

Laura worked hard to hold up her end of the bargain. Then, last May, she successfully made the trip to Britain on her own. But her arrival on England’s coast caught the attention of British child welfare officials. They felt she was too young to be at sea by herself.

Police in Britain called Laura’s father to accompany her home. But when he allowed his daughter to sail back by herself anyway, British officials contacted authorities in the Netherlands.

Too Young

The Dutch Council for Child Protection agreed with the British officials. Laura’s parents weren’t being responsible. Thirteen was too young to be alone on the open ocean.

“A solo voyage around the world would not be in the best interests of the child,” said the Netherland’s Junior Education Minister. 

Still Just A Child

Many experts agreed. Some said that Laura is not old enough to understand the dangers she might face on such a risky voyage. Also, two years of isolation could be damaging to her during an important period in her life.

“A 13-year-old girl is in the middle of her development, and you don’t do that alone – you need peers and adults,” said one Dutch psychologist. “Particularly the absence of parents at such a crucial time . . . the risks are serious.”

Others suggested that Laura might
want to break the world record for the wrong reason.

“Laura has divorced parents, and it’s very normal for a child of this age to be very loyal to the parent [he or she] is living with,” said a spokesman for the Dutch Council. “How much does she identify with her father, who is a good sailor?”

Two-Month Wait

On August 28, the courts granted temporary custody of Laura to the government. For the next two months, she would be allowed to continue living at home. But during this time, she would have to be assessed by a psychologist to see if she is capable of a long solo voyage.

On October 26, the court will rule on whether to extend the government’s custody over Laura, or let her parents decide what’s best for her.
 

To Live Freely . . .

The result? Instead of heading out across the Atlantic in September, Laura was back in school. She was disappointed, but said that the court-ordered delay will not scupper her plans.

“I want to do it while I’m still young, so I can break the record . . .
I simply want to learn about the world and live freely,” she stated.

circumnavigating: travelling around, either by plane or ship

custody: guardianship over; the right to house and care for and discipline a child

scupper: spoil

solo: to do something by oneself 

The Dangers Of The Sea

The youngest person ever to sail around the world is Mike Perham. The 17-year-old lives in Britain. He finished a nine-month voyage in his 15-metre boat just one day before the Dutch court made the decision that stalled Laura’s plan.          

Mike’s father sailed on a boat behind him during the journey. However, he did not assist his son. The boy had to deal with 15-metre waves, gale-force winds, and technical problems on his own. After crossing the finish line, he listed some of the skills Laura would need at sea.

“It’s whether she’s got the physical strength, the mental strength and the technical ability,” he said. “You know, can she strip an engine blindfolded? You know, can she build boats, is she an electrician, is she a mechanic as well? Because you can’t just be a sailor to do a trip like this.”

On The Lines

A. Vocabulary: Match each vocabulary term with the best definition.

a. solo     b. custody     c. circumnavigate     d. scupper

                  1. to do something by oneself

                  2. spoil

                  3. to travel completely around

                  4. guardianship over a child

B. Answer the following in complete sentences:

1. How old is Laura Dekker?

 

2. Which country does she live in?

 

3. What world record does Laura want to break? Explain.

4. Describe her qualifications and experience for this journey.

5. Why does Laura say she wants to undertake this journey?

6. What did the Dutch government do in late August to prevent Laura from setting out on her journey?

 

Literacy Corner
Good readers make connections with what they are reading. As they read, they think about what the text reminds them of. This thinking – or reminding – is called connecting. A good connection is meaningful – it helps readers to better understand their reading.

What connections can you make to the article “Is She Too Young”?

 

Nuke Shutdown Triggers Health Crisis

The nuclear reactor in Chalk River, Ontario had to be unexpectedly shut down on May 9 for repairs. Since then, hospitals across the country have been scrambling to properly diagnose and treat many of their patients.

What does a leaky, old nuclear reactor have to do with health care? As it turns out – a lot.

Nuclear Medicine

The National Research Universal (NRU) reactor is operated by Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL). It is one of only five reactors in the world that produces medical isotopes.

Isotopes are tiny, man-made radioactive particles. They play a key role in health care. Most often, they are used to diagnose diseases such as cancer. But they are also helpful in treating certain illnesses.

Important Particles

In Canada, isotopes play a role in about one million medical procedures each year. Globally, about 25 million procedures a year require isotopes.

Doctors have come to rely on these particles because in many cases they can detect disease earlier, and better, than other methods.

Huge Shortage

Before its shutdown, the NRU reactor provided more than half the isotopes used each year around the globe. That was enough to treat some 20 million people in 80 countries! Now, with the reactor offline until at least the spring of 2010, there are no longer enough isotopes to go around.

Patient Care At Risk

As a result, the price of isotopes has doubled, and even tripled. Some hospitals don’t have enough money in their budgets to cover these unplanned costs.

Even worse, many patients are now waiting longer for needed tests. Some are having to be diagnosed or treated using older, more expensive, or less efficient technology. As a result, the chance of patients being misdiagnosed, undiagnosed – or diagnosed too late – has greatly increased.

“We’re teetering on the brink of disaster,” said the president of the Ontario Association of Nuclear Medicine.

Pointing Fingers

Critics blame the government for the crisis. They say that in December 2007 when Chalk River had to be closed for maintenance, the government promised to develop a backup plan for acquiring isotopes if the reactor failed again. But it never followed through.

“The Harper government has abdicated their responsibility for safeguarding the lives of Canadians,” said Liberal MP Geoff Regan. “The failure to plan past Chalk River has left cancer and cardiac patients in the lurch.”

The Government Panel

In June, Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced that he had appointed a panel of experts to look at proposals for new isotope sources. The panel will deliver its report in November.

In the meantime, the government said, there was no reason to worry.

“Be assured, our government continues to take every step necessary to protect the health and safety of all Canadians,” stated federal Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq and federal Natural Resources Minister Lisa Raitt.