Basement culture in Canada

 In Canada, basements are very important. Most home buyers decide on a house depending on the basement. They rent out their basement, and the income they receive is used to pay their mortgage, bills, and other expenses if possible.

When I rented a whole house, I couldn't use the basement to live there because it was very cold. That cold actually made the whole house colder. Then rats came. When my landlord brought a pest controller, they told us the basement had lots of big holes or gaps through which the rats were getting inside. I also understood that that's why the basement, and consequently the whole house, became very cold.

Some basement floors stay cold like ice. They also get mold. The landlord needed to fix their floor due to the cold and mold.

But mostly, people don't want to invest in fixing it; they just make it look decent so they can secure a good amount of rent.

People who live in basements have no choice. Nobody lives there by choice. Just to save some money, people tolerate all kinds of problems, including bug infestations. They can't complain because the landlord might tell them, "If you don't like it, you can leave." 

Some basement kitchens don't have windows to let the cooking smells outside; this causes the whole apartment to smell like cooked food. Even the clothes become stinky. If the exhaust fan doesn't work properly, that causes another kind of problem.

Some basements don't have proper windows to open. If there is a fire and the only stairs catch fire, they have no way to rescue themselves.

I think the city should randomly inspect the basements of houses and warn landlords to fix issues within a given timeframe.

Tea bags

 Trying to buy everything made in Canada and also affordable. You know how difficult it is to shop with both of these criteria at the same time.

I was searching for tea bags and found Black Tea from the No Name brand. I doubted its taste, but since it was made in Canada and was the cheapest option, I decided to buy it.

I didn't have any high expectations for these tea bags. As long as I can drink it, I'm fine with it. Without sugar, tea isn't tasty to me.

I made my tea with these new tea bags. It tastes strong and gives the water less colour. I can handle it. It's not bad.

Citizen of two countries.

 It's a great feeling when you become a citizen of a new country, Canada. I now hold dual citizenship in Bangladesh and Canada.

Cityzenship Certificate

Oath of Citizenship

A letter from the former Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau

Canadian Trains

  I think people can make the journey (including everyday travelling) with less pollution to the world by train. Canadian trains are good, especially in the travel areas. Seating arrangements are also good. The best part is their windows. They are wide and large. People can easily look outside and enjoy the view. The food is delicious, and there is a variety of options to choose from, including tea and coffee. Clean washrooms and well-behaved crews.

However, there are many areas for improvement. First, the fare price. It's too high. The lower it is, the more people will consider using the train regularly instead of their cars. The windows should be cleaned regularly. I couldn't take pictures on the way to Ottawa because of dirty windows. They didn't become dirty while running; they were dirty from the journey's beginning. I booked the seat, which should have a table in the middle. But the table wasn't there. The service woman said she also noticed that she searched for a table but couldn't find any.

These are not impossible improvement suggestions. Gradually, more routes can be added to connect residential and commercial areas.

Biography 254: All benefits should go automatically to the needed person

 In Bangla, a proverb says, "Even a mother doesn't give food if the child doesn't cry." I feel that this proverb is true in Canada. You may have laws, rights and many benefits. But you won't get anything if you don't know about it; apply, fight, and if rejected again, fight. Life is always tough. I felt that in Canada, it's unnecessarily tough.

If a person is a fraud, that person will do anything to make it look right. So, when the government has information that this person requires this benefit, I believe the government should give it to the person before asking. If you want to be sure, you can ask if they want it or not.

But keep every service hidden, and only those who know can ask for it, and only those who have enough energy to keep asking for it, will receive it. It is not a good government service or benefit at all.

Biography 248: The coolest day that I ever had.

 I was living in Saskatoon. On those days, almost every day for months, the temperature was -40c. One day, it was going to break its record. It went -65c. At that moment, I got ready to go out to work. So, take a picture of it, just to remember there is no bad weather in Canada, only bad clothes. That means you won't feel bad if you wear proper clothes that match the weather.

Biography 244: Bedbugs

 I was born and raised in Bangladesh. I have heard about bedbugs and read about them in novels, but I have never encountered them. The first time I realized what bedbugs are was in Malaysia. 

I visited there as a tourist. On Langkawi Island, I stayed in a motel. At night I felt my neck and hand are etching and something is bitting me. I didn't know what it was, but I couldn't stay on my bed. I went outside, and I lay on a wooden chair the whole night beside the sea. It was a horrific situation. I had marks on my body for a long time.

Next, I heard about bed bugs in Canada. May Allah save us. This is a very common scenario over here. People move houses one after another only to get rid of them.

Canadian Politics Today

 Based on Canada’s Political Development and Challenges (JANINE BRODIE AND ALEXA DEGAGNE): 

In the year 2022, Canada faced many big troubles. Like the COVID-19 attack, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and political disturbance in many countries. In 2022, Canada took many strict restrictions and methods to get control of Covid-19, such as mandatory vaccines and masks, maintaining distance, and fewer people in indoor facilities. That gave an excellent result. However, we also found how the pandemic mainly affected the elderly, blacks, Indigenous and women. There was a significant impact on Canadian life during the War in Ukraine. Oil supply changed the world’s economic scenario. Prices increased in every sector. Core Political Concepts: Politics are everywhere. Power is the key feature of politics. State and government: Legally, the head of Canada is the King, but Canada is an independent state. It can make decisions independently, including all military, federal, provincial, etc., decisions. Authority and legitimacy: Authority means the right to practice power. Legitimacy is the people’s acceptance of those people who have the authority. The legitimacy will be compromised if there is no voting power. People can challenge the state’s legitimacy if they feel the power is forcing them. The government can make policies and influence society through advertisements and media. Democracy: According to ancient Greek, democracy means rule by the people. Representative Democracy: People do not make decisions; they choose their representatives to make decisions. There are also Liberal, Plebiscitary, Deliberative, and Social Democracies. Diversity: It means accepting different cultures in the state. In Canada, like Quebec. Good Government: Because of competitive power, a government tries to act in a way the public may like. They are looking for popularity. Not to fix any social issues. Analyzing Politics: To explore politics, we can check who is getting benefited, when, and how. We can also look at Ideas, Identities, Institutions, External Influences

Biography 233: Student life after a long time.

 After a big gap, I joined college once again, this time to get a Diploma. I thought I would be the oldest student. People may think I am the teacher or something like that.

But later I learned that 75% of the students of the college is mature student. In my class there might be 2/3 students who might older than me.

I thought that after a long gap, I may face terrible problems with studying. But I realized that anybody can study anytime, especially in Canada. Most of the time, the teacher will make the topic clear. In this internet era, you can learn almost anything from the web.

Though your mindset needed to be focused and you have work to success in the class.\

I felt student life is almost the same that I felt in Bangladesh. Strees of homework, concentration in class, eating food, try to travel nearby places.

One thing I enjoyed that in Canada, the class is full with multicultured people. When the professor discuss with the students you will learn from different perspective, different culture, different view. In many cases you will know, your presumptions were wrong. You will learn the reality from a representative of that race.

The Canadian Parliament

 Based on Canada’s Political Development and Challenges (JANINE BRODIE AND ALEXA DEGAGNE): Chapter 14: The Parliament

Parliament scrutinizes the Government Emergency declaration: Canada’s parliament ensures Canadians have good governance.

The General Functions of Parliament: Canadian parliament is like Britain’s Parliament. Its sub-categories of functions are Policy-making (parliament members support its government’s law-making policies), Representational (Government members make decisions on behalf of Canadians), and System maintenance activities (Follow the parliament systems).

Canadian Parliament: is made of three elements, the Crown (the King), the Senate, and the House of Commons. It’s a bicameral Legislator, which means it has two chambers. British root: As the Canadian Parliament follows like British Parliament, it differs from American Parliament. The evolution of Parliament in Canada: In 1940, the Act of Union first established that there would be an elective Legislative in the United Province of Canada. The Constitution Act was created in 1967.

The House of Commons: terms as Lower House. It is more critical than the Upper House. The House of Commons determined the life of the government. That’s why the Lower House is called the “confidence chamber.” Styles of Representation:

Representation in the House of Commons: Each province has some seats in the House of Commons proportioned by the population. Styles of Representation: Members represent their area’s population. Opposite members put questions on policies. In the close door meeting (Caucus), all representatives inform their interests and concerns. Party Discipline: It’s strictly followed in the House of Commons that all members will support their party’s decision. Diversity of Representations: Canada lacks diversity in choosing the representative in the House of Commons. Minority and Majority government: If a political party can hold the majority of parliament seats, they can create a Majority government. Otherwise, they have to make a Minority government with help of other supporting political parties. The Officers of the House of Commons: Members and officers who keep the House of Commons working. The Parliamentary Schedule: A parliament’s life stays in between two elections. The Passage of Bills: House of Commons’ primary duty is to consider the bills (Proposed Laws). Public Bills: for the whole society. Private Member’s Bill: These are also Public Bills put on by members who are not cabinet ministers. Private Bills: These concerns only limited populations. The Time Management of Debates on Bills: The process of bill passing is a time-consuming process. Omnibus Bills: It takes more time. The Opposition and Holding the Government to Account: Though the government wants to pass a bill fast, the opposition party tries to hold the time to debate more. House of Commons Committee: There are five different committees; the Standing Committee, the Legislative Committee, the Special Committee, the Committee of Whole, and the Joint Committee. House of Commons Effectiveness: the power growth is in the Prime Minister’s hand, and less energy is in the legislature. Standing Committee Independence: Indipendent, and can start the investigation independently. Economic and Fiscal Overview: Important to questions on government work. Committee Scrutiny and Appointments: The SO in the House of Commons need to appoint an Order of Councils. Increasing the Number of Officers of the Legislature and Their Structural Independence: Recently done. Recognition of Parties in the Parliament: Reduced the effectiveness of these powers.

The Senate: There are questions about its necessity.

Reasons for Establishment: To keep a sober second thought. Appointments to the Senate: Governor General appoints the Senate with the recommendation of the Prime Minister. The Significance of the Senate: The Legislative power is almost the same as the House of Commons. Senate Reform: Some want to obliterate it. Regional and Provincial Representation: Because of the growth f the West new seats were allocated. Legislative Review: The Senate doesn’t challenge the policies but tries to improve them. Inter-Governmental Relations: It could be a medium to reduce conflicts between the federal and provincial governments. Representative of Minorities: doesn’t recognize the minority. Protection of Democracy and Representativeness: The Senate could check the Prime Minister's power. Attempts to Reform the Senate: The debate is going on to reform the Senate more democratically.

Wildfire in Canada

 Wildfire is one of the significant natural disasters in Canada. Canadians deal with it every year. The indigenous people know successful traditional ways to control fire, like controlling fire with fire. They put fire in a way that they would like to take the fire on if it can't stop.

Because of the climate crisis, this natural disaster has become huge not only in Canada but all over the world. People from all countries are helping each other manage wildfires. No technique can actually successfully stop the wildfires unless nature stops them by itself, by rainwater or some other way.

It is causing a large amount of economic loss, trouble to the climate, and suffering mostly those who live in or near the forest.

However, in Canada, we need some sort of wildfire to balance the ecosystem. We need controlled wildfires.

That is why I believe we need a good research institution that will research to control wildfires to save humans, animals, and the climate. They will also provide training volunteers and firefighters to work with the wildfire. This institute may provide its service globally.

The Canadian Economy, Inequality, and the Environment

 COVID-19 and the Canadian Economy: The devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Canadian economy cannot be overstated. With two million people losing their jobs, half of which were in $15-per-hour jobs, predominantly in the hospitality and retail sectors, and numerous small businesses forced to close, the economic landscape has been significantly altered. In response, the government has injected billions of dollars into the economy, with initiatives such as CERB providing $500 per week to those in need.

The Canadian Economy: - Outline the basic feature of the Canadian economy: The Canadian Economy is a free market economy. Most of the companies are private. Though, all levels of government play a good role in the economy. The Role of Government: Some businesses in Canada are government-owned. They called Crown Corporation, such as Air Canada, Rail, etc. In some provinces, Hydro and other facilities are. The government doesn’t involve too much in private corporations. Economic Development: European settlers were interested in Canada because of its rich natural resources, like Cod, wheat, oil, timber, wheat, etc. Now a day, Canada exports Oil, minerals, etc. Canadians don’t have stable labour jobs. New industries developed in Canada in the twentieth century.

Canada’s Trade and Foreign Investment Agreements: - Canada is one of the founding countries of GATT. In 1995, it converted to the World Trade Organization (WTO), which controls rules for 164 countries’ trade flow. There was a controversial agreement to give subsidies to the agricultural farmers of the rich country, which has been omitted.

Canada’s North American Free Trade Agreement: Canada is practicing a free trade agreement. Free trade Agreement doesn’t put tariffs on any product or service; it creates rules to protect labour rights and other elements of the trade.

The North American Free Trade Agreement, 1992: Canadian economics feared Canada would become a satellite of the USA. After World War 2, Canada and the USA traded mainly free of tariff. 1988, the Canadian election results were directly reflected in the trade agreement with the USA. After the election, the conservative party won and signed a 1989 free trade agreement with the USA. In 1992, Mexico joined Canada and the USA in the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Though this trade agreement didn’t stop the USA campaign “Buy America.” Here, mostly Canadian steel factories are affected.

The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, 2018 (USMCA): President Trump was against NAFTA; he made this new agreement to replace NAFTA and threatened Canada that if Canada disagreed with it, he would push out Canada from the agreement. He made a new policy to give more access to US dairy products in Canada and put tariffs on Canadian products, like Aluminium. Which continued till May 2019.

The European Union-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) removed almost all tariffs between Canada and the European Union trades. Foreign Investment: During 1960, 50% of foreign investment companies were from the USA. In 2018, Canada made an agreement with China for foreign investment.

Government and the Economy: Canadian Government plays a significant role in the economy. From the beginning, the government created and regulated rail and air transport. It helped by creating rules and regulations to run the private companies well. The government also invests money to educate people about business.

Economic Inequality: Canada’s economic inequality has grown more in recent decades.

The Economy and the Environment: Canadian government took the environmental issues seriously and took many internal and international policies and actions to work on it.

Different government systems in Canada

 Some countries in South Asia and other parts of the world are ruled by one governing body. So, for everything, one governing body is responsible.

The Canadian government system is a little different from this. Here, we have municipal government (police, traffic, city constructions, etc, are their responsibility). Then we have the premier and the provincial government (their duty is healthcare, education, etc.). Finally, we have the federal government (their duty is the security of the country, the budget for all provinces, etc.).

In Ontario, different governments are ruled by various parties. The city is run by an NDP supporter mayor, the Provincial government is run by the PC/Conservative party, and the Federal is run by the Liberals.

Now you know in which situation which party is to blame or support.

In Search of a Perfect World - CBC Documentary

1.      Guatemala and Canada

 

A.     Based on the documentary, explain what is happening in Guatemala and how Canada is involved.

 

Guatemala’s government is taking land for mining from the Indigenous people, and most of the mining companies are Canadian. These mining companies had made deals with the Guatemalan government and gave them benefits, but the Indigenous people didn’t get anything, not even a notification.

 

B.     What can the Canadian government do to uphold Human Rights in Guatemala?

 

The Canadian government can ask the Guatemalan government to ensure that the compensation and agreement with the Indigenous people have been made; then, the work will start.

 

C.     Do you see any similarities between Indigenous Peoples in Guatemala and Canada? What are they?

 

Yes, there are similarities between the Indigenous people in Guatemala and Canada. In both countries, the land has been taken without the landowner’s Indigenous people’s permission, communication or even with any compensation.

 

D.     Are Indigenous Peoples “Equal Before the Law” in Guatemala? In Canada? Explain your answer.

 

Indigenous people are not getting “Equal Before the law” in Guatemala or Canada. In both countries, Indigenous people are losing their land without notice, communication, permission, or compensation, which they have owned for centuries. According to the United Nation’s declaration, they have equal rights as country inhabitants. But nowhere are they getting that right. If anyone asked for the right, they were stopped violently forever.

 

In Canada, it is a law that Indigenous people from Guatemala can sue a Canadian company for violating their human rights. Because Canadian companies operate from Canada, their work is accountable in Canada.

 

But the Canadian Indigenous people don’t have the same rights. They can’t sue any company that has taken their land.

 

2.      Refuges and Migrants

 

A.     Why do people flee?

There is a Myth that people flee for better living or to live in the first better country. But the reality is that people fly or migrants to save their lives; there is no option. If they return to their country, their lives will be in danger. They might get killed.

 

 

B.     What are the two types of rights that the documentary mentions in relation to Refugees and Migrants? Are they being respected? Why/Why Not?

 

Article 25 of the declaration: everyone’s entitled to a decent standard of living, and mothers and children need special care.  

 

Article 14 of the declaration: the right to asylum.

 

None of them are respected, not even in the refugee camps regulated by the UN. The UN doesn’t provide enough funding or help to fulfil the requirements of the camp workers or volunteers.

           

Many political leaders wanted to keep the refugee camp as poor as possible. Because they think that the refugees will be discouraged from coming to the refugee camp.

 

Though, that is not working. To stop refugees, world leaders need to prevent violence in the countries. Because fleeing from any country isn’t any luxury, people do this because they don’t have any other option to survive.

 

3.      Using the Case of Turkey in the Film, answer the question, “Why is Freedom of Speech and Media” important?

 

 

Freedom of Speech and Media are essential because they tell the facts and truth about what is happening worldwide. The people in power, those who discriminate against others to achieve their own goals, don’t like that.

 

4.      What is your biggest takeaway on the Promise of Human Rights? How can we (as Community Workers) work to uphold Human Rights? Back up your assertions.

 

 

Human rights are not maintained for the Indigenous people not only in Canada but in other countries, too. The most significant takeaway from this video is that some greedy Canadians also discriminate against Indigenous people in other countries. People from different countries, Indigenous people, and Canadian Indigenous people should have the right to sue companies that take resources from the Indigenous land.

As a community worker, I can work with them and empower them. My first step would be to make more people aware of Indigenous people’s rights. I can share my knowledge with my family, friends, colleagues, classmates, etc. The more people are aware, the more chances the government will be pushed to work for Indigenous people. Because the government needs votes to win the election of power, they will care what the majority demands.

Who brought Universal Healthcare to Canada.

 

The world is travelling to you

 In Canada, you don't need to travel the world to interact with people who may seem different; The world is travelling to you.

These words go with the city of Toronto mostly. People from around the world are coming to live in Canada. The majority of them are choosing Toronto to live with. This city became very diverse because of the multicultural people worldwide. You will see every country's people and restaurants in this city. If you just walk, you can never understand which country you are in. All blended into one nation, Canada.

In work, college or any leisure centre, you will meet and interact with people with different cultural backgrounds, education, experience, etc. It's a fantastic place.

Every good thing has some side effect. Sometimes people make a wrong impression by watching someone who is doing wrong. People will think that country people are evil. Actually, it's that person's personal behaviour. Here you represent yourself, your country, your culture, and even your religion. So, be friendly like a Canadian and be humble with everyone. And watch the world's culture in your neighbour.

Husband, a showpiece?

 In Canada, I have seen a huge number of Bangladeshi families. Among them, a significant number of families are running like this:

Both males and females are working. Females earn much more than males. And she is working outside and inside the house and caring for the kids. Men enjoy their work and relax time. No or very less contribution to the family. Very little help in the household work and taking care of the family.

Those men feel proud of that; they made their wives like that. Who earns for them and takes care of their kids as well.

Why are women tolerating this? First, traditional thinking was in mind to save the marriage, to have someone whom kids can call father, and surprisingly I found another reason. They keep them as a showpiece. Non-married women can face lots of different kinds of trouble from other males. Yes, in Canada too. If society knows the woman is married, she will face fewer problems. So, just to keep life hazard free, just like a marriage certificate, some women kept that showpiece in their life.

This condition is happening in other communities too.

Lights on the road

 In Canada, I have lived in both Saskatchewan and Ontario Provinces. Everywhere one thing really surprises me; the road lights. It feels like that at night, we are playing hide and seek games with the cars. By looking at any moving shadow, drivers assume something is there. Because of lights, many accidents happen; they hit pedestrians or any light poles, etc.

On the other side, if you look at the markets, even apartment buildings everything are decorated with lights. Unnecessary lights. If you can afford it, it's OK. Looks really beautiful. Then what happens when it comes to the roads? The street lights are not bright enough to see the streets clearly, and the gap between each light pole creates darkness on the road. It is difficult to determine whether humans or animals are on the road.

Car lights don't give light on the road enough to correctly see any road damage. It is just for the other cars and people to notice something is running on the road.

In winter, most people wear black or dark winter jackets. It's not just people's choice; most of the winter dresses in the shopping malls are black. There should be a law to mark winter jackets with a reflecting colour, which will be very helpful for pedestrians and cars.

If you come to Bangladesh, you will see that the road lights are so bright that people can study beside the roads. I have noticed that the road lights are perfect in Malaysia, UAE, Saudi Arabia, etc.

Lake Ontario

Lake Ontario

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I have born in Bangladesh. I have big rivers and small lakes. For me, Lake means some big water tub on the earth. Though we have a big lake in Kaptai, Chittogram. It's beautiful, big like a river and man-made. When anything is man-made, it must have a sad side of history. Because of this big beautiful lake, some tribe's land, including their king's palace, has gone underwater.

I have seen Lake Ontario on the map. But didn't have any idea how beautiful and big it could be unless I saw it. It looks like a calm ocean. I have seen big ships and boats on the lake. People go fishing, and many birds live beside the lake. I assume the weather in Toronto is the best in Canada only because of the lakes. And it is natural.

Biography 152: Very similar road

 In Bangladesh, Baily road is famous for its cultural activities. In the beginning, the roadside shops were Sharees and books. Then it started changing to food courts. The last time I saw it, there was only one bookstore left. The road begins from the Shantinagar four roads node. In the end, it has two prominent colleges and schools. One is Viqarunnina noon college, and another is Siddeshshory girls college. Both are girls' colleges. They called these institutions high schools in Canada until grade 12. After that, we have a Drama theatre.

I found a similar road when I started living in Saskatoon, Canada. It's called Broadway. It started from the 8th Street and Broadway intersection and finished at an overbridge on the river. The road is decorated with beautiful lights. Most of the city's cultural activities happen here by closing the road. In the end, they have a school. Then a Theater. Sometimes, many organizations rent this to show many functions. I have been there to see movies, circuses, school functions, etc.

Sometimes, by mistake, I used to call Broadway road; Baily road.