Truth and power

I’m sceptical about any politician that says they will lower grocery prices by instituting tax cuts or providing rebates to consumers who will just spend that money on inflated grocery prices. Solutions need to be structural. Public grocery stores might be part of that solution, however.

I had no idea about US energy markets and the role that meteorology plays in them. Today Mark Ingalls lifts the lid on all of that a bit.

Chief Laurie Carr expresses an eloquent calling to account for Prime Minster Carney, using his Davos speech to hold him to a high standard of integrity at home.

Prime Minister, this is precisely what Canada demands of First Nations, participation without power, consultation without influence, reconciliation without restitution. We are asked to stand politely at the edge of the room while decisions are made and then told we were included. 

You called for “naming reality.” 

So let us name it. Canada speaks the language of values abroad while practicing expediency at home. It champions a rules-based order internationally while treating First Nations rights domestically as obstacles to be managed, delayed or overridden. 

For many of us, as important as Carney’s speech was, and as truthful as it was, it was also clearly at odds with how his government has pursued their domestic policy over the past year. The excuse of “we need to move fast because the world is facing a crisis” cannot be a rationale for us to move unjustly. Both can be true if both speed and justice are principles that limit and drive your action.

Loneliness at work, at home, in community. It’s pervasive. Some research is reporting on interventions.

Research points to several evidence-based approaches that can reduce loneliness when implemented thoughtfully. First, providing social support is one of the most reliable ways to reduce loneliness, particularly for people already at higher risk. Peer mentoring, group-based support and structured opportunities for connection are especially effective because they create safe environments where relationships can develop.

Building social skills also helps. Loneliness is not always about a lack of opportunity; it can also reflect difficulty initiating or sustaining social connections. Interventions that strengthen interpersonal skills, such as communication and relationship-building, can reduce loneliness by helping people feel more confident and about social interactions at work.

Volunteering reduces isolation. Volunteering has emerged as a particularly promising strategy for reducing loneliness. Engaging in meaningful, pro-social activities outside one’s core role can strengthen social bonds and increase feelings of connection, making it a valuable component of broader organizational strategies.

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