Friday, September 14, 2018

Country Rankings

Have you wondered how your country ranks on a global scale?  US News and World Report put together a ranking of the best countries in the world to live. I am very happy where Canada is on the list for 2018. For those who want to see the entire list go here (pdf file). As you can see from the chart, the countries are ranked by various criteria, Entrepreneurship, Adventure, Cultural Influence, Citizenship, Movers, Quality of Life. The country attribute scores were equally weighted within each sub ranking.

You may not agree with the rankings or how they arrived at them, but if you go to the link above they will explain in detail, how they arrived at the categories and how they then arrived at the 10 ranking countries.

As they explain, “Best Countries is a dynamic, multimedia portal that includes rankings, video content, interactive data visualization tools, original reporting and op-eds from international thought leaders. The content leverages data derived from a proprietary survey produced in partnership with U.S. News & World Report, Y&R’s BAV Consulting and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

The 2018 Best Countries rankings include an overall list of 80 nations numerically ranked – up from 60 in the inaugural edition.

Additional “Best of” lists were produced, including the countries that are best to headquarter a corporation, raise a family, receive an education, invest in, and more. Why rank countries? The Best Countries project is designed to help citizens, business leaders and policymakers better understand how their nations are perceived on a world scale.

Now for some insights into my country as shown in this report

Canada takes up about two-fifths of the North American continent, making it the second-largest country in the world after Russia. The country is sparsely populated, with most of its residents living within 125 miles of the U.S. border. Canada’s expansive wilderness to the north plays a large role in Canadian identity, as does the country’s reputation of welcoming immigrants.

Although the Norse briefly settled in Canada during the 10th century, European exploration accelerated in the 1500s. France and Britain angled for control over the region, with the British cementing their dominance in the year 1763. The country was a collection of British colonies until it became a self-governing dominion in 1867.

Canadians pride themselves in encouraging all of their citizens to honor their own cultures. In 1971, Canada adopted a national policy of multiculturalism, which celebrates the country’s diversity. The list of accomplished Canadian writers and artists is long. CĂ©line Dion, Sarah McLachlan and Joni Mitchell are just a few of the Canadians who have made an impression on modern music.

Technically, Canada is a constitutional monarchy with the U.K. monarch as the head of state. The royal leader is represented locally by a largely ceremonial governor-general appointed by the Canadian prime minister. The government follows the British style of parliamentary democracy. The capital, Ottawa, is located in the province of Ontario.

Canada is a high-tech industrial society with a high standard of living. Trade agreements in the 1980s and 1990s dramatically bolstered trade with the U.S., and now the two counties are each other's largest trading partner. While the service sector is Canada’s biggest economic driver, the country is a significant exporter of energy, food and minerals. Canada ranks third in the world in proven oil reserves and is the world’s fifth-largest oil producer.

Canada faces national challenges related to the concerns of indigenous people and those in the predominantly French-speaking province of Quebec. While constitutional guarantees allow the province wide-ranging cultural and linguistic autonomy, movements for complete independence come in waves.

Canada is a member of the United Nations, through which it has participated in many peacekeeping missions. It is also a member of NATO and the Commonwealth of Nations.





Thursday, September 13, 2018

Have you heard or used 211?

The last 29 days of the month are the toughest!

Through 2-1-1 people connect to a wide range of services from disaster relief to utility assistance, senior citizen programs, emergency food, job counselling, youth programs and much more.  It is the one-stop-shop for services available in many communities.  
In the United States 2-1-1 was designated for nationwide use as an information and referral phone line by the Federal Communications Commission in 2000. 2-1-1 is designed to serve three major objectives: 
1. Connect people in need to health and human service assistance available through government programs and private nonprofit organizations in their communities; 
2. Provide assistance to communities in time of disaster, allowing 9-1-1 to work primarily with first responders; and 
3. Connect volunteers and donors with organizations who can leverage these resources to meet the needs of the community.  

If you live in BC you may not have heard of bc211 or the Red Book Directory, but if you need services or information they are a great resource. Other provinces Alberta, Quebec and Ontario, as well as the United Way of Pennsylvania (PA 211), have a 211 line. To check if you have such a service in your area do a google search for 211. If your area doesn't have this type of resource you should consider advocating for the creation of such a service. 

bc211.ca  is a searchable online directory of community, government, and social services in BC the directory covers all of BC.

Bc211 is a non-profit information and referral organization that has been working since 1953 to connect people with the help they need.

Where does the resource information come from?
The resource information on bc211.ca is collected directly from the organizations listed on the site  Here are some of their help lines, that anyone in BC can call:

211 – 2-1-1
211 is a confidential, multilingual telephone and texting service available in Metro Vancouver, Fraser Valley, Squamish-Lillooet and Sunshine Coast Regional Districts. 211 provides free information and referral to a full range of community, social, and government services, and operates twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.

VictimLink BC – 1-800-563-0808
VictimLink BC is a toll-free, confidential, multilingual telephone service available across BC and Yukon 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-563-0808. It provides information and referral services to all victims of crime and immediate crisis support to victims of family and sexual violence, including victims of human trafficking exploited for labour or sexual services.   www.victimlinkbc.ca

Problem Gambling Help Line – 1-888-795-6111
The Province’s Responsible Gambling Strategy exists to help reduce or prevent the harmful impacts of excessive or uncontrolled gambling. The mandate of the Strategy includes providing free support and treatment services and promoting responsible gambling practices through education and policy development. The BC Responsible Gambling Strategy involves the Province, through the Gaming Policy & Enforcement Branch and the BC Responsible & Problem Gambling Program, and the BC Lottery Corporation. www.bcresponsiblegambling.ca

Youth Against Violence Line – 1-800-680-4264
The Youth Against Violence Line is a safe, confidential and anonymous way for young people across BC to report crime or violent incidents, or to talk through any type of problem with a supportive person. We offer non-judgmental support in many languages and will provide you with options, information and referrals to services that can help. Parents, teachers, caregivers, service providers and others can also call for information about youth-related resources. www.youthagainstviolenceline.com

The Alcohol & Drug Information and Referral Service
Lower Mainland: 604-660-9382
BC: 1-800-663-1441
Worried about drug and alcohol use? Whether it’s for yourself or someone you care about, you can call for information, options and support. They can refer you to a full range of counselling and treatment services across BC. Services on the Alcohol and Drug Line are confidential, multilingual, free, and available 24/7.

The Shelter and Street Help Line – 2-1-1
The Shelter and Street Help Line is designed to assist people who are affected by homelessness in the Metro Vancouver and Fraser Valley regional districts, as well as in Greater Victoria. They understand that a wide range of circumstances can result in homelessness so we provide information on a variety of programs and services. The Shelter and Street Help Line calls Lower Mainland and Victoria shelters twice per day and publishes the Shelter List, which details available shelter beds and mats for women, men, youth and families. The Shelter List is updated twice per day at around 11:30 AM, and around 7:30 PM. Contact them to find available shelter beds and services in the Lower Mainland and Victoria: dial or text 2-1-1. 

Wednesday, September 12, 2018

Special people

Some people just have big hearts, and with this gift they're very often able to feel, offer, and show far more love than they receive from those around them. Which, at times, is a heavy load to bear. 

These are very special people, the caregivers, the friend that stands beside you, and the countless others who make our lives easier, with no thought to their own needs. These people may not think that they are appreciated, but they are, they are needed, loved and valued. On special days we show our love and gratitude to these people but why wait for a special day on the calendar. Make today their special day, just from you.

So today I'd like to remind them, and especially you, that the sun asks not that the moon and planets help brighten each day but relishes her role as a keeper of the light and a bringer of the dawn. Take the time to say thank you to that special person in your life that fills your life with goodness and love. Let them know how much you value them and their contributions to your life. Gratitude is never expected by these folks, but I bet if given, it would not be rejected and it would be valued. Life is good, show your gratitude.


Tuesday, September 11, 2018

Will you drive after 65?

Misunderstandings are always caused by the inability of appreciating one another's point of view. Boomers still drive after age 65, according to Stats Canada 79% of men and 44% of women, use their cars as their main source of transportation. Public Transportation is not an option for our age group.

A minority of us use a primary means of transportation other than a car (public transit, walking, accessible transit or taxi). According to a report by Called Profile of Seniors’ Transportation Habits by Martin Turcotte published in 2012 by Stats Canada, among men aged 65 to 74, 84% got around mainly by driving their car, and 9% by being a passenger in a car That left 4% using public transit, 3% walking or bicycling, and the rest using accessible transit or taxis.

As people get older, travelling as a passenger in a private vehicle becomes their main form of transportation; this is the case for about one-half of seniors aged 85 and over (with or without a licence). This was even more common among women of this age group, as 52% travelled primarily as passengers and had no licence while another 7% had a licence but travelled mainly as passengers.

Seniors do not use public transit more often as their main form of transportation as they get older. Nor does occasional use increase with age. Part of the decline in the use of public transit with age is due to the fact that on average, seniors go out less often than we used to go out.

Public transportation, unless you live in Metro Vancouver is relatively infrequent in low residential density neighbourhoods. In those neighbourhoods, public transit, if any, is designed primarily to meet the needs of workers (rush-hour service to key destinations such as the downtown core or main work areas).

 In addition, being unable to drive may mean being unable to use regular public transit. Some seniors with reduced mobility could use accessible transit services, but these are not available in every city or every neighbourhood.

Most people probably consider accessible transit and taxis as options of last resort, and people who depend on such forms of transportation may have reduced mobility. On the other hand, accessible transit and taxis may be very important to people who cannot drive and whose relatives do not live nearby or are not always available.

The research shows that before the age of 85, a very small minority of seniors use either of these types of transportation. The picture is different for people aged 85 and over, especially women: 9% of them used accessible transit or taxis as their primary means of transportation.

Outside census metropolitan areas, alternatives to the car are virtually non-existent as primary means of travel. Only 1% of seniors living outside census metropolitan report that their primary form of transportation was accessible transit or taxis, compared with 3% in a major metro area of Canada.

This inability to get around on one’s own makes it difficult to age at home, which is an idea supported by all levels of government, at least in theory. There is growing acceptance of the idea that leading an active life and participating in social activities promotes good health and successful ageing. Consequently, governments are encouraging such behaviours and activities, and are also developing policies to eliminate barriers to participation.

Seniors whose main form of transportation was driving their car were the most likely to have taken part in a social activity during the previous week (73%), with passengers who had a driver’s licence close behind (69%). Public transit users and seniors who walked were a little less likely to participate (61% and 66% respectively). People who were mainly passengers and did not have a licence (53%) and people who used accessible transit or taxis (46%) had the lowest participation rates.

Women, particularly those 85 and over, were much more likely to be in the last two groups. When all other factors affecting social participation were kept constant (age, health status, sex, income level, household status, mental health, type of place of residence), the conclusion was the same: seniors who travelled mostly by driving their car were more likely to participate than those who used any other form of transportation (except passengers with a licence, who were not significantly different from driver.

A majority of seniors live in areas where the car is the primary form of transportation. So, it is not surprising to find that the majority of seniors, even those of more advanced ages, travel mostly by car. I suspect that the majority of us have no intention of moving and plan to remain where we live as long as possible. The number and proportion of seniors who drive can, therefore, be expected to increase over the coming years. 

In 2009, three-quarters of all seniors had a driver’s licence. For men, being an older senior is not an obstacle to driving. In the 85-and over age group, 67% of men and 26% of women had a licence. This large gap between men and women aged 85 and over is expected to diminish in the future since almost as many women as men aged 55 to 64 had a driver’s licence.


If all levels of government are serious about helping seniors age in place, then they have to start looking at ways to improve public transit for seniors.