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Yes, social media and the web have allowed us to too-conveniently block any news or facts we disagree with, while also flooding us with enough of the opposite. But here's the thing... we've always had this ability. We've always been tricked and pulled and tweezed like this.

Rabbi Idan Scher

Last Thursday I arrived at my synagogue to find it vandalized. It was heartbreaking to see blatant anti-Semitism and racism displayed in our nation's capital. But after a difficult week, far more than a silver lining has emerged. Ottawa has united to send a clear message to anyone who would target communities based on their faith, race, or other characteristic.

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The whole speech was an hymn for democracy, aiming to remind us that after all this time, since democracy was first born here in Greece, its flame still fuels the progress of our society. He reminded us that democracy is neither perfect, nor complete.

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For travellers, Canada has a new entry requirement now in effect where visa-exempt foreign nationals who enter Canada by plane now require an Electronic Travel Authorization ("eTA").

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Eliminating violence against women and girls requires the implementation of laws, services and access to justice for women and girls that experience violence, and raising awareness among influential actors and everyday people. Transforming what is "normal" in society -- expected, naturalized, unsaid -- is the critical piece of the puzzle, and one that we can all help put in place.

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Two decades of studies have failed to produce any smoking guns. It's now time that we all accept the scientific consensus -- GM foods are probably as safe to eat as non-GMO. But that doesn't lessen my opposition to genetic modification one bit.

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Too often, the elderly live forgotten in depressing conditions. The mind of a five-year-old might be exactly what elder care needs. What about a facility designed by Disney? It's just one of the creative solutions popping up around the world, proving that engaging, personalized environments improve quality of life, health and longevity for seniors.

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One month until Christmas -- and the countdown begins! November 25 is when I typically shift into full tinsel mode. But here's the twist. We've been asked to reign in the gift-giving this Christmas. Can I really do like the people in the movies, and remember the meaning of Christmas without gift-giving?

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This country's narrative concerning peacekeeping is about to change, as the Trudeau government will soon announce where the deployment of some 600 military personnel will be based for a three-year period. The plan will also include air transport, training, medical, and engineering components.

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Building a high performance, low carbon economy is a major economic opportunity and a vital environmental responsibility for Canada. As a diverse group of leaders from different sectors and regions across the country, we applaud your initiative in developing the Pan-Canadian Framework for Clean Growth and Climate Change.

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The coats, snowsuits, boots and hats of an entire family can take up a lot of space, especially if you have an entryway that is on the small side. I recently had a reader send in some pictures if her organizing dilemma. She has a small vestibule, the closet feels messy and disorganized and the bench she designated as a place for people to sit and put on their shoes always has stuff piled on top and below. Here are the organizing tricks she gave me to get through the winter.

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A self-described socialist almost won the nomination for president of the United States, and probably would have won if the party he ran under did not work tirelessly against him. So the prospect of a true left-leaning politician inspiring voters from various sub-political persuasions no longer seems so far fetched.

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There should be public outcry for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to end these expensive traditions. It is due time the Canadian taxpayer stops paying for the Royal Family's expensive vacations. We are an independent sovereign nation, and it is time our politicians to stop wasting money.

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There's a culture in the United States of America of telling people how to react to pain we see as unjustified.

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As the Canadian government prepares to introduce legislation next spring to legalize marijuana for recreational use, there are some useful lessons to be drawn from the experiments that have been taking place south of the border since 2012.

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Most people agree that there is a clear connection between tackling sustainable development and tackling climate change. We know that we will not solve climate change without addressing the key contributing issues of energy, food security, water, and poverty. We also know that the impacts of climate change could wipe away any progress toward achieving gains in those same areas. So how do we as British Columbians tackle all of these issues in a meaningful and timely way?

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The recognition of housing as a human right by Minister Duclos' office could be the turning point -- not just for how we view housing, but for poverty and other economic rights violations as well. To see housing as a right looks beyond the physical structure of a shelter to a number of other factors: access to sanitation, location, and access to services or employment, community, security of tenure, and cultural adequacy, as well as other rights such as health, life and dignity.

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On our first day of dance classes, my husband and I found ourselves in a large high school gymnasium with about 50 other couples. The teacher demonstrated something and instructed us to repeat. It seemed simple enough so we followed the instructions and immediately started blaming each other for our failure to look like Fred and Ginger. We tried again and failed again.

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There are plenty of write-ups on life hacks out there, and just as many on baking hacks. The difference is that these ones actually work. So for all of you Martha Stewart wannabes, dorm room dwellers who get the hankering for something freshly baked or busy parents that survive on hacks because life is busy, this is for you.

Eric Vidal / Reuters

The federal government is ramming ratification of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) through Parliament in a process as undemocratic as the deal itself. Bill C-30 to implement the trade deal with Europe was brought before Parliament for second reading this week, and is expected to pass by today. As Angella MacEwen, chief economist for the Canadian Labour Congress said, "This is hardly a shining example of how to govern inclusively, transparently, or progressively."

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In an age of digital media and streaming video, there is some evidence that film festivals generally may be in decline. U.K.-based film festival expert Stephen Follows, who has conducted extensive research on the subject, says that the number of festival worldwide peaked in 2009.