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Toronto thoughts – 2020

posner gerryBy GERRY POSNER I belong to a large and getting larger group of former Winnipeggers living in Toronto.

And I suggest it is fair to say that there is a general feeing in this group that life in what was once known as “ Hogtown” isn’t exactly what we hoped it would be. It is likely many of us in this group have a range of emotions with respect to living here, but for most of us, living in Toronto provides no joy in our lives. Why? you might ask.

Well, the reasons are varied and many. I attach no greater significance to the order of presentation. Firstly, there are those, me included, who long for the quiet and easy pace of Winnipeg. To say that there is a frenzy here is to understate it immensely. That I do not have to work here is a blessing, but for those that do work, the pressure in traffic, parking and time is horrible. I suggest that there is a thought process one goes through in Toronto that was absent in, and I suspect remains absent in Winnipeg – even in 2020. That is to say, in Toronto one has to think ahead as to the best time to go anywhere, the speediest route to take in order to reduce possible traffic tie-ups, and lastly to find a possible place to park. There is a great deal of planning before one puts a foot in the car. Now, I know I used to complain whenever I had to drive from the south end of the city to the north end. But, that little trip is a sneeze compared to the pneumonia in Toronto.

On that note, let me add that the Covid 19 crisis has had one salutary effect. Driving now in Toronto reminds me of Winnipeg on a crowded day in the streets. Thus, the whole issue of transportation is a huge factor in the level of dissatisfaction for all of us “Peggers.” Even the subway, my preferred mode of transport, has breakdowns frequently and there are almost always service interruptions on weekends for work to be done.

Connected to the congestion issue is the noise that comes with it and the sounds of sirens all day long. I long for the quiet and solitude of Winnipeg. The quiet is a result in part due to the easy and more relaxed attitude of the citizens of the city. Yes, there are peaceful places to wander about in Toronto, but you are rarely alone. A walk along Wellington Crescent would serve me well right now.

Another area which affects many of us is the inability to integrate into the Toronto world. There are many of us who would be interested and ready to meet new people and to form new relationships with the residents here. Alas, there is not that same level of interest from the locals. It is not that they are unfriendly; I have found them to be quite social with me in conversation. What the root of the problem is that they are quite satisfied with the friends they already have without taking that next step to include newcomers into their fold. The result is that those of us from wherever we have moved tend to cluster together with the common thread being denial into Toronto society. This is not life’s greatest defeat, but it does make it seem like I am more of a visitor than a resident.

Of course, for some of us the problem about living in Toronto as compared to Winnipeg is the ability to own a home. Give up that idea. For $1,000,000.00 you can buy a home in Toronto – just no home that you might want to live in or, if you do, the home is located in an area where you would want to avoid. Ok, I exaggerate, but you get the drift of it all. When we moved here, we sacrificed space for proximity to our children and grandchildren. I deal every day with the absence of space – not a game changer, but a difficulty nonetheless.

Lest I forget, the weather, which they ridicule Winnipeg for (and you can count on that to happen), is no piece of cake in Toronto. The winters may not be as long or quite as severe, but Toronto lacks sunshine. Also, Toronto has cold winds and high humidity. I will take the prairie sunshine and the pleasant evenings in Winnipeg anytime. Let no one fool you into believing the weather here is better.

Finally, and for me the biggest challenge about living in Canada’s largest city and one I have commented on in other articles and conversations, is that inner sense of satisfaction (for me at least), of going into a room (in the days when you could put people together as in BC, or Before Covid) and having people recognize and greet you by name. Or, you could look around the building and know the names or at least the faces of those around you. It is a comforting feeling. I miss that feeling some seven years after my move to Toronto.

Therefore, when it is all said and done, although Toronto offers a lot (and the mayor here is quick to tell us that fact if we did not know it already), there are many good reasons to say to him: Mr Mayor, it’s not your fault – but I’ll take Winnipeg, thank you.

 

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Features

Technology and innovation: how online casinos are adapting to players

There has currently been a significant increase in demand for online casinos in Canada due to the convenience and ease of access offered to players. With recurring technological advances and the constant search for innovation, online casino operators are striving to meet players’ growing expectations. Below, we’ll explore how online casinos in Canada are aligning themselves with technology and innovation, from the variety of games to attractive offers such as welcome bonuses and promotions to constantly adjusting to players’ needs.

Online gaming offers

Offering a wide range of games to suit players’ preferences is one of the main focuses of online casinos in Canada. In other words, operators are always looking to expand their collection of games to ensure a variety that caters to everyone, from the classics like backjack and roulette to slot releases and live casino games. What’s more, many online casinos are teaming up with famous game developers to offer high-quality, immersive experiences.

The commitment to providing an extensive selection of games tailored to diverse player preferences is a cornerstone of online casinos in Canada. This commitment manifests in continual efforts to expand the game library, ensuring a comprehensive assortment that appeals to a broad spectrum of players. Collaborations with renowned game developers further enhance the gaming experience, offering players access to high-quality, immersive gameplay across various genres, from classic favorites like blackjack and roulette to cutting-edge slot releases and live casino offerings.

Attractive bonuses and promotions

Online casinos in Canada often offer generous welcome bonuses to attract new players and reward existing ones. Bonuses can usually include free spins and extra cash, giving players the opportunity to explore casino games without using their own money at first. In addition, casinos can also give extra bonuses on subsequent deposits, loyalty programs and temporary promotions to keep players engaged.

A hallmark of online casinos in Canada is the generous incentives they offer to both new and existing players. Welcome bonuses, comprising complimentary spins and bonus cash, serve as enticing invitations for newcomers to explore the diverse offerings without financial risk. Moreover, ongoing bonuses on subsequent deposits, loyalty programs, and temporary promotions serve to maintain player engagement and reward loyalty within the platform’s ecosystem.

Gaming experience on mobile devices

Withthe increasing use of mobile devices, online casinos in Canada understand the importance of providing an optimized mobile gaming experience. Many operators use specific apps for iOS and Android devices, enabling players to access their favorite games anytime, anywhere. Online casinos are looking to adapt responsive designs on their websites to ensure an increasingly personalized usability experience on smartphones and tablets, without compromising the features and quality of the games.

Player security and privacy

Certainly one of the priorities for online casinos in Canada is player security and privacy. Operators implement and optimize increasingly robust security measures, such as SSL encryption and advanced firewalls, to guarantee the protection of players’ personal and financial data. Online casinos in Canada operate under regulated licenses, which guarantees compliance with the strictest security and integrity standards.

High-quality entertainment

Online casinos in Canada have often strived through the use of technology and innovation to adapt to the needs of players in a very competitive and constantly evolving market.

Providing a wide variety of games, good attractions and guaranteeing high security standards. Operators are definitely providing players with a fully personalized and immersive experience in the world of online casinos, as well as improving the experience for mobile devices and the convenience of playing at any time.

Online casinos in Canada continue to thrive and attract players looking for high-quality entertainment as well as exciting opportunities to win.

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Features

How to Protect Your Finances When Playing in Online Casinos 

Online casinos are a thrilling form of entertainment that a lot of adults enjoy in their free time. While it can be a great way to kick back and relax, it’s also important that you’re safeguarding your finances too. From the risk of gambling to cyber attacks and scams, here are some simple guidelines to follow that can help to ensure the safety of your money, so you can fully enjoy your favourite casino games. 

Choose Good Quality Casinos

This is the only way you can fully safeguard your finances. Choosing a reputable online casino that is fully licensed and regulated is crucial. Not only does this ensure that the casino is running legally and adhering to strict standards, but also the protection of your personal and financial information. Reading online reviews can be a great way to decipher the quality of a casino. Previous customers can tell you about any issues they’ve experienced, as well as providing insight into other aspects, such as customer service or the user-friendliness of the platform. 

A good quality casino will also have an impact on your experience. Be sure to look out for a wide variety of games and check out the different promotions and bonuses that a casino offers. With some bonuses, you can get spins on your favourite games. Taking advantage of bonuses and promotions can be a great way to safeguard your finances too. Instead of using your own money, you can use promotional funds to try out new games and experiment with different strategies. Just be aware that most promotions and bonuses come with wagering requirements, so make sure to read the terms and conditions before signing up. 

Protect Yourself

Another important factor of protecting your finances when playing in online casinos is learning how to protect yourself. This is essential for any online activity. When creating any online account, make sure to use strong and unique passwords. It’s also essential to never share this information with anyone else. Be aware and learn how to identify scams. Usually, if an offer is too good to be true, it usually is. In particular, be aware of phishing attempts and scams landing in your email inbox. It’s all about protecting yourself, like you would take supplements to aid your fitness, in this case, you apply yourself with knowledge to protect yourself and keep safe online. 

When depositing and withdrawing money, make sure to only use secure payment methods, this could include cryptocurrency, credit/debit cards or Apple Pay for example. You should use casinos that offer encrypted transactions. These precautions are essential when it comes to reducing the risk of your financial information falling into the wrong hands.

Gamble Responsibly

And finally, it’s not just about protecting yourself through security measures, it’s also important to be sensible with your money too. Gambling responsibly is essential when it comes to safeguarding your finances. A good way to do this is by setting limits and creating a budget for yourself. This will help to prevent you from overspending. 

Set limits for yourself in terms of how much money you are willing to spend and stick to these limits. Avoid chasing losses and never gamble with money that you can’t afford to lose. Make use of the deposit limit feature that most online casinos offer. If you ever find that you’re struggling, then it’s important to seek help and support. A lot of online casinos will be able to offer support and links to organisations that can help you. Gambling should always be a fun activity and nothing else. It’s definitely not a way to make money or solve financial problems.

In summary, these simple guidelines can help you to safeguard your finances when playing online. Remember that it’s not just about security, it’s also about being responsible with your money too. However, by choosing good quality casinos, learning how to protect yourself and gambling responsibly, you can enjoy your experience, all while ensuring your money stays safe. 

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Features

Kosher agencies make no bones about ‘flawed’ Canadian slaughter laws

oung Jewish children watch the Kaparot ceremony before Yom Kippur in September 2010 in Ashdod, Israel. Credit: ChameleonsEye/Shutterstock.

“When the Jewish community is being treated differently than other communities in Canada because of our religious beliefs, that is discrimination,” said Richard Rabkin, managing director of the Kashruth Council of Canada.

By DAVE GORDON (March 15, 2024 / JNS) Two kosher certifying agencies and two meat processors have a big beef with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, which suddenly changed the rules and made kosher slaughter a longer and more burdensome procedure.

CFIA has begun in recent months to enforce regulations it enacted in 2018 “with vigor,” Rabbi Saul Emanuel, executive director of Montreal Kosher, told JNS. It appears to be doing so “on a whim,” the rabbi said.

The government agency’s actions have already resulted in a 60% drop in domestic kosher meat production, facility closures, higher prices and larger shipments of imported meats from other countries, according to Emanuel.

An independent organization that oversees Canadian slaughter procedures, CFIA mandates that cows be shot in the head with a bolt gun, to avoid causing pain to the animal. Kashrut laws require that an animal be killed with a single, rapid motion with a sharp knife that instantly kills the animal by severing the primary blood supply to the brain. Kosher laws preclude the use of bolts, as Canadian law requires. 

CFIA requires that Jewish ritual slaughterers conduct a series of bodily checks in between each shechita to ensure that the animal is “insensible,” which means that slaughter houses must wait up to three minutes rather than 15 seconds between each slaughter. At an industrial scale, the three minutes add up.

Emanuel’s employer MK, the Kashruth Council of Canada in Toronto—known as COR—and the country’s two largest kosher meat producers, Shefa Meats and Mehadrin Meats, sued CFIA on March 8.

The plaintiffs allege that the government agency infringes on the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which guarantees freedom of religious practice, according to Richard Rabkin, managing director of the Kashruth Council.

“I don’t want to speculate about the motivations of the CFIA and we have no indications that antisemitism is at play here, but when the Jewish community is being treated differently than other communities in Canada because of our religious beliefs, that is discrimination,” Rabkin told JNS.

‘Discrimination by effect’

Rabkin told JNS that the ideal would be a negotiated solution, and the four entities opted to sue only as a last resort and because the agency is independent and unbeholden to elected officials.

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