Abstract This paper examines the Kyoto Accord, an international treaty among signatory countries to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases emitted by their industries if their neighboring countries do likewise. In particular, it looks at how, in 1997, the federal government of Canada signed the Kyoto Accord, which committed it to cutting emissions of greenhouse gases to six percent by 2012 and how the province of Alberta, which produces the majority of Canada's oil and gas, opposed the Treaty, as it would significantly cripple its energy industry and deprive it of billions of dollars.
From the Paper "Global warming has disturbed nature at an alarming rate and ways. It has already reduced the depth of winter polar ice cap since the 1970s by 40% (Green), which threatens to render polar bears to become extinct if the condition continues. Almost all glaciers are fast retreating, and this accelerates the heating effect. With more heat, there is more energy in the atmosphere, and, therefore, more bad weather. More heat will also redistribute rains. There have been many disasters throughout the world due to inclement weather. Droughts are another consequence of disturbed weather, and droughts have occurred in Canada. Monsoon rains, on which depends Asian agriculture, no longer come regularly because of this imbalance."
Abstract This paper discusses emerging fault lines, specifically the effects of the uneven population growth in Alberta. According to this paper, the provincial government needs to address the problem through subsidizing local governments public services. In fact, the Canadian Health Services Transfer (CHST) is the largest federal transfer program to the provinces and territories. Payments are made under the authority of the Fiscal Arrangements Act and target specific areas: health care, post-secondary education, early childhood development and social assistance and social services.
From the Paper "The Marxist model of development makes the assumption that every nation "would progress through a sequence of modes of production, with some countries in the lead and others bringing up the rear" (Mitchell). However, what Karl Marx did not anticipate is globalization and its effect on contemporary economic systems, specifically the potential for uneven population growth. When it comes to political agenda in Canada in the 21st century, both federal and provincial governments are paying closer attention to the needs and wants of Canada's major cities."
Abstract This paper discusses the issue of immigration in Canada and attempts to show that there are differences between the immigration policies of the federal government and the provincial government of Alberta, but that they concur in one important aspect: both place emphasis on the need to attract skilled workers to Canada. The paper continues and relates that both allocate funds in order to attract workers. The paper also highlights the fact that skilled immigrants who come to Canada are unable to find work in their chosen professions, which points out the serious disconnection between the intent of immigration policies at both federal and provincial level. The paper agrees that this is not good for the immigrants nor good for Canada's economy and suggests methods of addressing this disconnection.
From the Paper "The federal government appears to be trying to find ways to resolve the disconnections. For example, the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, announced the launch of a Foreign Credentials Referral Office on 24th May 2007. In announcing this, Finley noted that she had often heard stories of "the newcomer to Canada, who came with skills and credentials ... and who has had to struggle ever since to get a job in his or her chosen field" (www.cic.gc.ca). Yet at the same time, she notes that "We need skilled newcomers and we need skilled newcomers to work in their chosen field" Hence, the new Foreign Credentials Referral Office will attempt to facilitate the accreditation of these immigrants, so as to resolve the futile disconnection of a country that needs skilled immigrants, on the one hand, and on the other hand, skilled immigrants who are prevented from working just because they cannot get their foreign credentials recognized in Canada."
Abstract This paper presents the arguments for and against the use of Eugenics in a Canadian context, which was first used at the start of the 20th Century, to "improve" the population. The history of the use of this concept and practice is traced to modern day science and how it relates to the Human Genome Project.
Table of Contents
Abstract
Introduction
Perceived Need for Eugenics in Canada
Justification of Eugenics
Methods of Implementation
Sexual Sterilization Laws in Canada
Alberta Sexual Sterilization Act, 1928
Death of Eugenics in Canada
Eugenics in Canada Today
Future of Eugenics
Conclusion
References
From the Paper "Sir Francis Galton first coined the term "eugenics" in 1883 when he defined it as "the study of the agencies under social control that may improve or impair the racial qualities of future generations, either physically or mentally" (Galton, 1907.) Eugenics can be divided into two categories, Negative and Positive Eugenics. Negative Eugenics acts to eliminate undesirable traits from the gene pool, and to ultimately increase the number of desirable individuals in the population by decreasing the rate of propagation of those individuals deemed to be inferior. Positive Eugenics aims to decrease the number of individuals deemed inferior by encouraging propagation of individuals possessing desirable traits (Law Reform Commission of Canada (LRCC), 1979.)"
Abstract This paper offers an all-encompassing study on sexual assault. It defines sexual assault and its far reaching effects. The author continues to discuss methods in which sexual abuse can be effectively treated and reduced. The paper analyzes existing sexual assault centers, mainly in Alberta, and how reform needs to be made with continued research and changes to the justice system in the hope of improving the overall health and well being of individuals. Also included are flow charts and matrix to support and quantify the authors opinions.
PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION
Prevalence
Effects of Sexual Assault
OBJECTIVES: WHAT CAN BE DONE?
Reduce the Occurrence of Sexual Assault
Improve Survivors Recovery Process
ALTERNATIVES
Current System: Independent Sexual Assault Centers with Private Funding
Independent Sexual Assault Centers with Government funding
Amalgamation of Sexual Assault Center Services with Other Services
STAKEHOLDERS
Survivors
Supporters
Service Providers (Crisis Centres)
General Population
Government
Funders
CRITERIA
Prevention
Efficacy
Cost Effectiveness
Efficiency
Access
Choice
Equity
Safety
MULTI-CRITERIA MATRIX EVALUATION
Criteria by Alternatives
Alternative 1: Independent Sexual Assault Centers with private funding
Alternative 2: Independent Sexual Assault Centers with Government funding
Alternative 3: Amalgamation of Sexual Assault Center Services with Other Services
Criteria by Stakeholders
Survivors
Supports
Service Providers
General Population
Government
Funders
Objectives by Stakeholders
Objectives by Alternatives
Objectives by Criteria
Stakeholders by Alternatives
CONCLUSION
Appendix A
Policy: Sexual Assault Multi-
Sexual Assault Policy Multi - Criteria Matrix
References
From the Paper "Sexual assault and sexual abuse, though often not acknowledged, are very prevalent in our Western society. A Statistics Canada survey conducted in 1993 found that 39% of adult women in Canada have experienced at least one incident of sexual assault, as defined by the Criminal Code of Canada, since the age of sixteen (Statistics Canada, 1993). FBI annual statistics have estimated lifetime prevalence rates of one in four women and one in eight men who will be sexually assaulted (Rennison, 1999). These findings are concurrent with other studies that have been conducted by various researchers in both Canada and the United States (Koss, 1993; LoVerso, 2001; Bagley, 1984; DeKeserdy et al, 1993). Given the taboo around sexual assault and sexual abuse along with fears of not being believed and feeling somehow responsible for the assault, it is likely that these prevalence rates are underestimates of the true prevalence rates because of underreporting (Kahn and Andreoli, 2000)."
This paper analyzes Philip Hayes Dean's play, "The Sty of the Blind Pig" (1971), which is about an African-American family transplanted to Chicago in the 1950s as the civil rights movement was beginning in the South.
1,085 words (approx. 4.3 pages), 0 sources, 2004, $ 37.95
Abstract This paper explains that, although the audience is cognizant that social change is on the horizon, the characters themselves, at first ,are only concerned with their immediate, personal changes and struggles. The author points out that the antagonist of the play is the character's collective lack of movement and motion: Jordan is "stuck" in his own way, in a quest for a woman long lost; Weedy and Alberta are "stuck" in their apartment; and Uncle Doc is mired in a life of gambling. The paper determines that the three main members of the family all represent different, but ineffective, pre-civil rights ways of black Americans to cope with societal and institutionalized racism: religion in the form of Weedy; self-sacrifice and self-denial in the form of Alberta; and a recourse to get-rich-quick schemes and the drug of gambling in the form of Uncle Doc.
From the Paper "Weedy's brother, Alberta's Uncle Doc, often visits both women. Doc is a gambler and a bad one at that, but his humor and animation seem to bring life to the room, even though he walks in a shuffling, difficult fashion. He seems to fill the room even though the audience knows his designs upon the two women are usually purely financial in nature, in a valiant and quixotic attempt, as amongst all down-on-his-luck gamblers, to get more money to waste in dubious ventures."
Abstract This paper looks at the privatization of healthcare in Canada. Under the NAFTA, health care in Canada cannot be preserved if there is private operation. Once a province has decided to allow the operation of private health care and HMO?s, then under the NAFTA every province in Canada is obliged to do the same. This is irreversible since by allowing the change toward privatization an alteration has been made to a NAFTA reservation.
From the Paper "One of Canada's greatest legacies can be considered to be its socially funded Medicare system, founded by Saskatchewan Premier T.C.Douglas in 1947. Ongoing conflict in 1984 between the federal and provincial governments over health care expenditures eventually led to the passing of a new legislation identifying the five basic principles of the Canadian public health care system. This legislation was the Canadian Health Act of 1984, and it was strongly lobbied for by the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA). "The federal government took the position that extra-billing and user fees were eroding Medicare, and further that if those practices were allowed to continue and increase, a two tiered system of health care would develop, one for the rich, and another for the poor"(Kerr, J.R., & MacPhail, J., 1996)."
Abstract This paper provides a general history of mental illness and treatment thereof and then focuses on the treatment of mental patients in Western Canada in 1812-1914. It explains that one of the main sources for this information was from The Alberta Heritage Digitization Project which is a website documenting Canada's history. It examines the efficiency of such a source and the accuracy of the information.
From the Paper "Mental illness can be defined as "a disease of the mind which incorporates any illness, disorder or abnormal condition which impairs the human mind and its functioning, excluding however self-induced states of alcohol or drugs as well as transitory mental states such as hysteria or concussion" (Saunders, 1996). Mentally handicapped people and the challenges that they experience can be found under section 16 of the Criminal Code. One can see that the definition makes it clear that for an accused to be mentally challenged he/she must not be able to think clearly at the time of the offense and so had no idea about the nature of the act that he/she was committing. This explanation can be extended to other walks of life where mentally handicapped people often carry out tasks that are deemed unsuitable by the society but they have no idea about the inappropriate nature of those acts. In Canada the law requires that the accused persons should have fully knowledge of the act and that what they did was inherently against the law. It has often been assumed that those people suffering from a mental disorder usually turn out to be criminals."
Abstract The essay focuses on governmental representation of women in British Columbia. The central question is "What accounts for the dramatic increase of women in the legislature and, further, has that increase any short-term implications for the broader representation of women's interests?" The paper uses articles and texts by experts on the subject such as Linda Erickson (her article, "Parties, Ideology, and Feminist Action: Women and Political Representation in British Columbia Politics") and Jill Vickers' book, "Reinventing Political Science: a Feminist Approach".
From the Paper "Erickson identifies a "rapidly developing society, a changing population base, and an economy driven by ? industries and their exports" (108) as the driving forces behind the increased participation of women in the public sphere. BC's population increased and changed and due to migration, it became "ethnically and racially diverse" (Erikson 108). Erickson states that those changes have led to a less traditional BC community. She then specifies reasons leading to the raised presence of women in provincial politics; equal proportion of women to men, dominance of the service sector, urbanization, low birth rate, more women in higher education and higher incomes, (Erikson 108)."
Abstract This paper introduces the Kyoto Accord as supported by Canada from its 1997 inception. A second section addresses a variety of Canadian essays on the economy in relation to the 21st century challenge of globalization. Special note is made of opposition to Kyoto terms in Canada as voiced in Ontario and Alberta. The third section reviews the approach of Greenpeace Canada, a public interest group that strongly supports the Kyoto agreement in Canada.
Abstract This paper presents a case study of Leilani Muir who learned during her twenties that she could never have children. She was unable to have children because six years earlier, in 1959, she had been sterilized under an Alberta government Act that qualified her for sterilization when she was admitted to a provincial training school for mental defectives. The paper explains that at the same time that Muir was sterilized, other mentally disabled women and men also endured other research procedures concerned with reproduction. The paper then goes on to argue that the sterilization and confinement that Muir suffered is clearly immoral and were an infringement of her civil rights.
Abstract This paper examines the monetary policy of the Bank of Canada (BoC), explaining that it clearly believes in the importance of integrating and managing the Canadian economy vis-a-vis its integrated relationship with the global economic framework. The paper explains that the BoC's policy towards economic and currency management is centered on balancing its internal economic attributes; i.e. inflation, with those of its externally related economic functions; i.e. its exchange rate. The BoC has identified energy, and specifically petroleum, as central to both internal and external economic health and discusses its role in this regard at length.
Abstract This paper discusses the Softwood Lumbar Agreement between Canada and the United States. It describes the different interests of the federal and the provincial governments in the Agreement and the implication of the Agreement for the federal government of Canada. The paper discusses Canada's objectives in entering into the Free Trade Agreements with the United States. It argues that Canadian interests are not being served by the free trade agreements. Finally, the paper looks at the the Alberta Softwood Lumber Trade Council and its representation on Canadian interests.
From the Paper "Clearly, the diverse range of the ASLTC's disagreements with the proposed agreement do not offer much room for compromise. In order to address these problems, it would seem that the entire agreement would have to be opened up and the U.S. government "forced" to accept a much longer term agreement (unlikely); that the rest of Canada should recognize Alberta's particular circumstances with a pest (unlikely); and that someone should refund the Alberta industry its $100 million in legal fees (unlikely). Clearly, this interest group reflect the general intransigence of single-issue interest groups. Moreover, the fact that it is not bothering to advocate directly to the federal government, but is instead using its influence on the provincial government of Alberta to get the province to lobby the federal government for changes reflects its narrow basis of support in one province and in one sector of a provincial industry (ASLTC)."
Analyzes 3 articles on social assistance: "Slouching toward the Bottom? Provincial Social Assistance Provision in Canada", "Alberta: One-Party
"Dominance and Neo-Liberalism", & "Aroused like One from Sleep: From NewPoor Law to Contractual Workfare".
Abstract In this article, the writer notes how neo-liberal policy has its roots in nineteenth century conceptions about the unemployed - and how this mind-set has crept back into the provincial policy-making of modern-day Canada. While discussing the three articles, the writer suggests that the climate of entitlement which characterized the period from 1945 to at least the middle 1970s in much of the western world has given way to a neo-liberal ethic that actually hearkens back to an earlier time wherein obligations on the part of those who found themselves under-employed were considered at least as important as the rights those individuals had to secure shelter and some form of income. The writer concludes that social policy is cyclical, and that the articles appear to capture that trend.
From the Paper "Before bringing this paper to a close, a few final points are in order. Clearly, there can be little question that all of the articles touch upon the new-found popularity of neo-liberal policies in an age of globalization and in an age of governmental retreat brought about by the new fluidity of capital, people, information and resources - a fluidity which has dramatically curtailed the power of government to execute labor policy as it once did. Beyond that, it may be said that these articles craft a compelling picture of the ideological and political reasons why governmental actors did not strive harder, when it became clear that the easy affluence and low unemployment of the immediate post-War period was no longer guaranteed, to protect the entitlements and generous provisions to which many Canadians had become accustomed after 1945. Ultimately, economic pressures provided a welcome excuse for neo-conservative statesmen to pursue reformist measures that would have been unthinkable a generation earlier."
Abstract The paper provides an overview of the main arguments for and against the Canadian Wheat Board (CWB) and its efficiency. The paper relates that although the CWB's costs are subject to dispute, there are very few strong comprehensive arguments for the benefits of the CWB. The paper reveals that with pressure from Alberta to start a pilot voluntary participation program, it would seem the CWB is on its way out as the sole marketer of Western Canadian wheat and barley.
From the Paper "The CWB, originally founded in 1919 to market post-war government grain reserves, has been under the magnifying glass in recent years. While it can be said that in the past its development and operation benefited society, it is not so clear today.
"In 1935, during the depression, the CWB helped to protect and guarantee investments, and later during World War II it became a mandatory membership body in order to control inflation. In the middle of the century it did have some success, but today many if not all of its policies are seen as outdated bureaucracy by many."
