text:
* Bankrupt city forced to hike salaries because of old charter
* Mayor decries "autopilot" wage increases during bankruptcy
* City due in federal court on Thursday
By Tim Reid
LOS ANGELES, March 19 (Reuters) - The bankrupt city of San Bernardino, California, approved over $1 million in pay increases for police and firefighters despite claims it can barely make payroll, let alone afford the salary hikes.
Monday night's pay increases, for a city that appears before a federal judge again this week to plead for bankruptcy protection, are a result of its charter. It mandates that pay for safety workers must be tied to salary levels for 10 similar- sized California cities, all of which are wealthier than San Bernardino.
The bankruptcy of the city 65 miles east of Los Angeles is a national test case on whether the pensions of government workers take precedence over other payments in a municipal bankruptcy. It is a high-stakes issue for pension plans and their beneficiaries, and for Wall Street bondholders who lend money to governments.
Moves to have the city charter overturned, so the city can set its own pay levels, have failed to get the majority needed on the city council in the past year.
Council members opposing a charter change have received campaign contributions from police and fire unions in past elections. They argue that police and firefighters would leave San Bernardino if they were not paid wages similar to other cities.
In a largely symbolic vote because of the charter mandate, the council voted on Monday night to approve $156,841 in compensation for a few police and fire managers.
That followed a vote last week in which nearly $965,000 in pay increases for rank-and-file police and firefighters - again because salary levels for safety workers are set by a formula calculated on wage levels set by 10 other cities.
Most of those cities have tax bases and property values significantly higher than San Bernardino's - and none are in bankruptcy. Average home values in other California cities considered by the charter, such as Irvine or Pasadena, are three times San Bernardino's.
Most California cities also have the power to set salary levels for their own workers. Another California city currently in bankruptcy - Stockton - has the power to set wage levels for its safety workers.
San Bernardino filed for bankruptcy on August 1, citing a $46 million deficit for the current fiscal year and little leeway to meet day-to-day expenses, including payroll.
Fred Shorett, one of two council members to cast a symbolic "no" vote on the pay increases as a way to protest the city charter, said it was madness for the city to have wage levels tied to wealthier cities.
"This ties our hands during these very difficult times," Shorett said.
Pat Morris, San Bernardino's mayor, said during last week's vote that during the city's bankruptcy, it was "remarkably unwise" to be "on autopilot on our most expensive single item" - that is, police and firefighter pay.
A federal bankruptcy judge has yet to rule on the city's eligibility for bankruptcy protection.
The bankruptcy court proceedings are still in an early stage, with the city and its creditors - notably Calpers, the public employee retirement system and America's biggest pension fund - wrangling over the production of financial records. The next hearing is set for Thursday.
San Bernardino halted its twice-monthly pension payments to Calpers in August, an unprecedented step for a city. Calpers argues that it has primacy over other creditors in the bankruptcy, a claim Wall Street bondholders dispute.


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subset: commoncrawl


text:
Dry rot or termites?
By Dan Gould, Networx
Observing any kind of anomaly within the structure of wood in your house may automatically prompt a bout of paranoia. "Is that board deteriorating because of dry rot, or the dreaded termite?"
Put your mind at ease with the explanation of one key difference that will tell you if the holes in the wood are due to the pesky insects or not.
If termites are guilty, you will see traces of mud within the "tunnels" that they travel along while eating the cellulose in the wood. If it's dry rot (a type of fungal infestation), the wood will take on a spongy consistency as opposed to the stringy texture created by termites.
Source: http://www.networx.com/blog/pest-control-tip-dry-rot-or-termites


text:
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Fax: 915-852-4084
See map: Google Maps
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text:
|It was on the first day of Hari Raya Puasa, 19 August 2012, Jimmy Chow organised an event to ride to Ampang Town for the famous Yong Tau Foo.
|I was early that morning and decided to start my ride from RSC Jalan Raja.
|The city was quiet on the first day of Raya and I slowly rode towards Pudu to meet the group.
|Before that I stopped by at this coffee shop in front of Plaza Pudu for a bowl of hot porridge.
|Just a few hundred metres away from my breakfast was the meeting point.
|All were cheerful and colourful too.
|And we were ready and eager to go.
|It is a good idea to take a photo of the group for remembrance.
|And off we went......with Jimmy the organiser leading the way while Khaw Lye Hock sweeping behind.
|From Pudu to Jalan Tun Razak.
|Into Jalan Ampang and this is after Ampang point.
|Still at Jalan Ampang but we could already smell the Yong Tau Foo.
|Here we were at the famous Yong Tau Foo shop. Restoran Foong Foong.
A rare trade seen in front of the shop, Ding Ding Candy and the Ding Ding man.
|One of the characteristics of this eating shop is the microphone, orders can be heard loud and clear by everyone.
|With a friendly Bak Chang (glutinous rice dumpling) lady.
|All ready to take photos of the food and savour the marvel of Yong Tau Foo.
|Deep fried Sui Kau with crispy skin and streaming hot stuffed ingredients in inside. Truly yummy leh.
|The famous Ampang Yong Tau Foo.
|That's Jimmy Chow on the right.
|Business is always overwhelming while the neighbouring shops are enjoying the spillover business.
|Bike Friday tandem bike was part of the ride.
|I found out by accident that this is the boss of the shop...don't know why he wasn't looking happy business soooo... good.
The preparation place is big and this is the Bitter Gourd Corner.
FOONG FOONG RESTAURANT (non-Halal)
621-A, Jalan Besar Ampang,
68000 Ampang, Kuala Lumpur
Business hours : 9am – 4pm
Closed on Tuesdays.
|All stomachs fully satisfied and time to take conquer of another ground.
|Turning off Jalan Ampang for Jalan Taman Putra
|Then turn left into Jalan Hulu Langat for some tedious climbs.
|Some have to push but no shame, it's already an achievement to be able to reach here.
|A couple of stops was necessary to rest our leg muscles.
|David was unlucky to encounter a puncture but he recovered it competently within minutes.
|One for the album before Pekan Batu 14 Hulu Langat.
Another break in a kopitiam, the kopi "o" here was lovely.
The coffee shop for once it looks as if it was a bicycle shop
|After having a cup of good local coffee we proceeded with our ride.
Getting out of the town and heading towards Jalan Cheras.
|Jimmy taking a stop under neath a fly over and ensuring everything is alright.
|It was nice to see motor lane and tunnel but it's only for a very short run. We hope more of such provision will be made available in the near future.
|It's Raya there is a lot of vehicles at Jalan Cheras.It was a bit tricky here.
What a relief....Jalan Cheras is not cycling friendly for sure and requires full concentration while on this stretch. Thank goodness it's over.
|At the traffic light of Pudu road and Sg. Besi Road and with another hundreds of metres away we were done.
|The Raya Ride adventure has finally completed with full marks and full satisfaction.
Some stayed back for a delicious meal of roast goose & etc but I had to move on to beat the possible rain. But it did not rain I should have stayed back for the lunch...... :C
|It was 3.40pm back to where I started, the total distance covered on this ride was 40km. See you again for another ride.


text:
I declare the motion carried on division.
(Motion agreed to, bill read the third time and passed)
House of Commons Hansard #233 of the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was cannabis.
Yukon Environmental and Socio-Economic Assessment ActGovernment Orders
11:15 a.m.
The Assistant Deputy Speaker NDP Carol Hughes
I declare the motion carried on division.
(Motion agreed to, bill read the third time and passed)
The House resumed from November 1 consideration of Bill C-45, An Act respecting cannabis and to amend the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, the Criminal Code and other Acts, as reported (with amendment) from the committee, and of the motions in Group No. 1.
Cannabis ActGovernment Orders
11:20 a.m.
Ron McKinnon Liberal Coquitlam—Port Coquitlam, BC
Madam Speaker, I am pleased to rise today to speak in support of Bill C-45, an act respecting cannabis and to amend the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, the Criminal Code and other Acts.
I think all members will agree that protecting the health and safety of Canadians is a key priority for all orders of government in Canada. With this in mind, on April 13, Bill C-45 was introduced in the House. Its goal is the creation of a strict national framework for controlling the production, distribution, sale, and possession of cannabis in Canada. The bill would provide for legal access to cannabis where adults could obtain it through an appropriate legal framework, sourced from a strictly regulated industry or by growing it safely and in limited amounts at home.
The bill would also establish safeguards to protect youth, including prohibiting the sale or distribution of cannabis to anyone under 18 and restricting marketing and advertising activities geared towards youth.
Growers and manufacturers of cannabis would require a federal licence and be subject to a strict oversight regime intended to control product safety and quality, and to prevent diversion to the illegal market. Effective oversight and control of cannabis cannot be achieved by working in isolation from our partners in the provinces, territories, and municipalities.
From the outset, our government has been clear that the control and regulation of cannabis requires a pan-Canadian approach, involving all orders of government, at all stages of development and implementation. This reality is reflected in the important role that our provincial and territorial partners played in the work of the task force on cannabis legalization and regulation.
The task force was established in June 2016 with a mandate to provide advice to the federal government on how to legalize, strictly regulate, and restrict access to cannabis. Input from the provinces and territories, as well as from indigenous communities, was essential to the successful work of the task force.
The provinces and territories nominated experts to serve on the task force, and made suggestions as to who should be consulted. These individuals met with the task force, and shared their views on cannabis legalization and regulation and on how best to achieve our shared objectives of better protecting public health and safety.
It should come as no surprise that the input from the provinces and territories was instrumental in shaping many important provisions of Bill C-45.
Consistent with the task force report, Bill C-45 proposes a shared framework for the control and regulation of cannabis that would require ongoing federal, provincial, and territorial collaboration. The bill sets out clear controls and standards around cannabis, and provides flexibility for each government to work within their own jurisdictional authority and experience. Those who are best placed to implement each aspect of the framework would do so.
At this time, I would like to explain how the various roles and responsibilities would be shared between our governments, beginning with the federal role. Bill C-45 proposes that the federal government would be responsible for establishing and maintaining a national framework for regulating the production of cannabis, setting standards for health and safety, and establishing criminal prohibitions.
This would include establishing restrictions on adult access to cannabis and serious criminal penalties for those operating outside the legal system; creating rules to limit how cannabis or cannabis accessories could be promoted, packaged, labelled, and displayed, in line with the rules in place for tobacco products; instituting a federal licensing regime for cannabis production that would draw on lessons learned from the current system for access to cannabis for medical purposes; establishing industry-wide rules and standards, for example, serving sizes or potency limits, as well as a tracking of cannabis to prevent diversion to the illegal market; creating minimum federal conditions to provide a national framework to protect public health and public safety; and enforcing cannabis importation and exportation prohibitions at the border, except when legally authorized.
At the same time, Bill C-45 recognizes that provinces and territories and municipalities have a key role to play in the new system.
The legislation would respect that provinces and territories, together with municipalities, have the authority to tailor certain rules in their own jurisdictions and enforce them through a range of tools, including administrative sanctions. Consistent with the recommendations from the task force, the provinces and territories, working with municipalities, would be able to establish rules with respect to where cannabis-based businesses could be located within a community, and also where cannabis could be consumed in public.
Provinces and territories could also set additional requirements to address issues of local concern. For example, provincial and territorial legislatures would have the authority to set a higher minimum age for cannabis possession. Provinces and territories could also set more restrictive limits on possession or personal cultivation, including lowering the number of plants or restricting where they may be cultivated.
Thus, Bill C-45 is drafted in such a way as to provide the provinces and territories with the ability to establish stricter rules under their own authorities.
We are pleased to see that the provinces and territories are already taking action to prepare for the legalization and regulation of cannabis. From coast to coast to coast, provinces and territories are continuing the conversation with Canadians about how best to regulate the sale and distribution of cannabis in their towns, cities, and communities.
While provinces and territories will decide on a system that responds to their particular circumstances, it is clear that all jurisdictions share our government's responsibilities to keep cannabis out of the hands of youth, to shut out organized crime, and to protect public health and safety. This is true for all orders of government.
Cannabis ActGovernment Orders
11:25 a.m.
Ted Falk Conservative Provencher, MB
Madam Speaker, having served with my colleague across the way from Coquitlam—Port Coquitlam on the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights, and being the only two non-lawyers on the committee, I know that he is a very common-sense and practical kind of person. Therefore, my question to him is this. Does the legislation really meet the objectives that the Liberals have stated, that is, to minimize the access that youth would have to cannabis? Does he believe that allowing every household in Canada to have four mature marijuana plants would minimize the exposure and access that youth would have to cannabis?
Cannabis ActGovernment Orders
11:25 a.m.
Ron McKinnon Liberal Coquitlam—Port Coquitlam, BC
Madam Speaker, I also appreciate serving on the justice and human rights committee with the hon. member for Provencher.
In answer to his question as to whether the legislation would serve to protect Canadians and youth, absolutely. It also recognizes the role of parental responsibility in households in the same way that parents and adults in a household now protect their children from access to alcohol that may be widely present in the home. If there is cannabis present or being grown in the home, it would still be part of that parental responsibility to maintain control in a responsible way, just as parents do when looking after their children, and as they will do throughout their lives.
Cannabis ActGovernment Orders
11:30 a.m.
Wayne Stetski NDP Kootenay—Columbia, BC
Madam Speaker, I lived in Lincoln Park in Port Coquitlam for 10 years, and I still have friends who live there. I know how important this issue is to the people of Port Coquitlam.
In my own riding, I held a town hall about a year ago where 3,300 people stayed on the phone for an hour to learn about this initiative, and of course to express some of their concerns.
About a year ago, I met with the Canadian Nurses Association. I asked one of the nurses there what she thought about the legalization of marijuana, and some of the concerns. I appreciate that the member talked first and foremost about safety. She said that she has a friend who works in emergency rooms in Colorado, where marijuana has now been legal for a number of years, and that this friend had said that the number one thing that was now bringing people through the doors of emergency rooms in Colorado was related to marijuana, either because of impaired accidents, both automobile and otherwise, and paranoia from combining mental health prescription drugs with marijuana.
Therefore, I would like to ask the member this. Do you feel comfortable that the proposal you have brought forward will actually keep Canadians safe?
Cannabis ActGovernment Orders
11:30 a.m.
The Assistant Deputy Speaker NDP Carol Hughes
I just want to remind the member that he is to address the question to the Chair, and not to the individual member.
The hon. member for Coquitlam—Port Coquitlam.
Cannabis ActGovernment Orders
11:30 a.m.
Ron McKinnon Liberal Coquitlam—Port Coquitlam, BC
Madam Speaker, the legislation will keep Canadians safe in many ways. For example, marijuana is currently very widely used among our youth. Canada has one of the highest per capita rates of marijuana use among youth in any developed country. The problem is the marijuana they are getting is from an unknown source, of unknown potency, and unknown quality. It also puts them into contact with the black market, which is a gateway to many other serious drugs and substances.
Providing a controlled source of marijuana of a known provenance, with a known potency and purity, would help that situation. It would also provide a way for people to buy and sell it legally, controlled in a similar way to tobacco.
The biggest effort to keep children away from using marijuana is going to be around education, not by prohibition, and not by threatening them with some sort of criminal prohibition. It devolves upon all the adults in the equation to look after the children, to keep them educated, and to advise them of the danger of this substance.
Cannabis ActGovernment Orders
11:30 a.m.
The Assistant Deputy Speaker NDP Carol Hughes
Unfortunately, your time is up.
Resuming debate, the hon. member for Mégantic—L'Érable.
Cannabis ActGovernment Orders
11:30 a.m.
Luc Berthold Conservative Mégantic—L'Érable, QC
Madam Speaker, I do not detect much enthusiasm when my colleagues on the government side are talking about Bill C-45, the marijuana legalization bill. Many of them simply read out prepared speeches and do not really believe everything they are saying.
Since I live in a rural area, in a community that is very worried about what is happening in Canada for the first time in its history, I cannot honestly imagine that, deep down, the members opposite are happy about moving forward with Bill C-45. I am not the only one who thinks so. There is very strong opposition in my riding, of course. Police bodies, municipalities, and provincial governments are also opposed to having this kind of legislation imposed on them and especially object to the government's utterly irrational agenda with regard to Bill C-45. Doctors, psychiatrists, scientists, and leaders everywhere are speaking out.
Just before coming here to give this speech, I asked some of my constituents about their thoughts on Bill C-45. Here are some of the comments I received:
I no longer live in the area, but I am still 200% against it. People are not allowed to smoke anywhere, but soon people are really going to start complaining when they realize just how much pot stinks. Legalizing the drug is a really stupid idea.
Here is another comment:
We have enough trouble dealing with drunk driving, and now they want to add another driving problem with this legislation. The accident rate went up in countries where they legalized cannabis, and we will be no exception.
I am not the one who is saying this. Here is another quotation:
I am 100% against. I have seen the havoc drugs have wreaked on the lives of users and their loved ones, and it really is not pretty. We cannot forget that this "soft" drug is a stepping stone to other hard drugs. Therefore, people will be saying that it is no big deal because it is legal. This is very dangerous, especially for our youth.
That is not all. Here is another one:
It seems that politicians have not consulted, or have not consulted enough, with experts on the subject.
Here is one final comment:
They are already having a hard time providing mental health care, so how are they going to deal with growing demand because statistics show that marijuana use often leads to problems like that and makes a lot of people depressed. This makes me worry about the future.
If the proper process had been followed, these people would not be so worried. If this bill were addressing an actual need, these people would already have answers to their questions. They would not be so worried about how marijuana legalization will affect our roads and our young people, the very young people the government claims it is helping by legalizing marijuana.
I recently read a comment about how this legislation will normalize marijuana to the point that young people may be even more interested in using it. I am trying to keep my feelings out of this, but I must admit I am having a hard time.
July 1, 2018, is nine months from now. In September, the Ontario Provincial Police Deputy Commissioner told the Standing Committee on Health that more time and more resources are needed to train police officers. Those two elements are lacking here. This is how the Deputy Commissioner described the likelihood that police officers will be ready by July 1, 2018:
...it's impossible. The damage that can be done between the time of new legislation and police officers being ready to enforce the law...can make it very hard for us to ever regain that foothold.
We heard the same message from Mario Harel, the president of the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police, when he appeared before the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights:
...are we delivering on the public safety objectives Canadians would expect of us? We are 10 months away, so allow me to put this into perspective.
We have 65,000 police officers in Canada who require training to understand the new legislation once it is passed into law....Provincial governments for the most part are still developing regulatory and delivery schemes, which directly impact law enforcement.
Quite frankly, the capacity currently is not there to deliver the amount of training required.
The police themselves are the ones saying this.
Why are the Liberals so determined to rush Bill C-45 through? What are they hiding? What is the hurry? Who do they have to answer to, if not Canadians, police chiefs, doctors, and psychiatrists? Who is the government trying to pander to by rushing to legalize marijuana?
This will have a serious impact on young people. We know this. I have heard from many people who are saying the same thing. What the government is claiming is totally false.
If young people under 25 are allowed to use cannabis, this will have a serious impact. It has been proven that this can have a permanent and possibly very serious effect on their mental health and brain development. I will not start quoting scientists and all the studies that have been done on that, for there are too many to name.
All I know is that if the government goes ahead with this on July 1, 2018, Canada will not be the same, Canadian society will not be the same. The Liberal government and every Liberal member will be to blame. The hon. member for Compton—Stanstead, the hon. member for Shefford, the hon. member for Saint-Maurice—Champlain, the hon. member for Québec, the hon. member for Lac-Saint-Jean, the hon. member for Argenteuil—La Petite-Nation, the hon. member for Gaspésie—Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine, the hon. member for Chicoutimi—Le Fjord, the hon. member for Louis-Hébert, the hon. member for Avignon—La Mitis—Matane—Matapédia, the hon. member for Brome—Missisquoi, and the hon. member for Saint-Jean and all the others will be to blame for everything that happens after July 1, 2018.
They still have a chance to get this right, but, if they continue to impose Bill C-45 on Canadians, after July 1, 2018 it will be too late.
Police chiefs have said that they are not ready. The damage will be done and we will never be able to go back. This is where this government is taking us. This is where this government is taking our society. This is where this government is taking Canada after July 1, 2018.
History will be defined by what came before July 1, 2018, and what came after July 1, 2018.
Those are the facts and that is what we are up against. I hope that the members I named and all the others, such as the hon. member for Pontiac, the hon. member for Thérèse-De Blainville, the hon. member for Pierrefonds—Dollard, the hon. member for Dorval—Lachine—LaSalle, the hon. member for Bourassa, and the hon. member for Laval—Les Îles will understand this before the damage is done.
We are at a point where individual members of the Liberal government must assume their responsibilities towards their constituents, the youth in their ridings, and Canada.
I regularly see the member for Scarborough Southwest defend this irresponsible date of July 1, 2018. I invite him to come and tour our regions and to speak with our mayors and police chiefs so that he will understand once and for all that the date of July 1, 2018 is premature. Canada is not ready to deal with these changes.
Personally, I prefer the Canada as it exists now prior to July 1, 2018, to the Liberals' Canada after July 1, 2018.
Cannabis ActGovernment Orders
11:40 a.m.
Scarborough Southwest Ontario
Bill Blair LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and to the Minister of Health
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for his invitation to go to his riding to give his constituents information, not to cause fear but to help them be better informed.
I find the member's comment that he prefers the situation as it currently exists intriguing. Let us be clear what that situation is. Today we have the highest rate of cannabis use among children of any country in the world. The member apparently prefers that. The current supply of cannabis being sold to our children comes from organized crime. They make billions of dollars from that. The member prefers that.
I am just curious. Does the member not see that with the imposition of a strict regulatory regime for the production and distribution of cannabis we would have an opportunity to do a better job of protecting our kids and a better job of making our communities safe, displacing organized crime from this business?
I find the current situation unacceptable, but the member opposite laments its passing. I would like him to explain why the current situation is his preferred environment.
Cannabis ActGovernment Orders
11:45 a.m.
Luc Berthold Conservative Mégantic—L'Érable, QC
Madam Speaker, we are looking to the facts.
With respect to Colorado, consumption of marijuana rose after legalization. That is why I prefer the Canada as it exists now to the one that will take shape after July 2018.
I will remind the member for Scarborough Southwest, who was a respected police chief, what his colleagues say when asked if it is possible for the police to be ready for July 1, 2018.
"Impossible. Senior police officials tell MPs they won't be ready for legal cannabis."
That is the reality, and these are the facts. I am tired of hearing them insist otherwise.
In my riding's high schools, it is not true that most students consume cannabis. It is simply not true. The students who consume cannabis are far outnumbered by those who do not. Unfortunately, once marijuana is legalized and normalized, the scales could tip the other way, with consumption becoming more common among youth than not. That is what will happen.
Cannabis ActGovernment Orders
11:45 a.m.
Robert Aubin NDP Trois-Rivières, QC
Madam Speaker, I want to thank my colleague, the member for Mégantic—L'Érable, for his remarks. I thought one thing he said was particularly interesting, namely that he holds the Liberal members to blame.
I was under the impression that every member of this Parliament was elected to be a lawmaker. We did not choose this poorly crafted bill, evidently. However, I have trouble understanding how my colleague, as a Conservative, would bear some of the blame, given that his party proposed no amendments or changes, not even to postpone the coming into force of what I must say is a rather poorly crafted bill.
Listening to his speech, I shared some of the concerns expressed by the people of his riding, because we hear these concerns in many ridings.
Why are the Conservatives not proposing any amendments to this deeply flawed bill?
Cannabis ActGovernment Orders
11:45 a.m.
Luc Berthold Conservative Mégantic—L'Érable, QC
Madam Speaker, when an apple is rotten, we do not cut it up to try to salvage what we can from it. We throw it out. That is what we should have done with Bill C-45.
Cannabis ActGovernment Orders
11:45 a.m.
Marilyn Gladu Conservative Sarnia—Lambton, ON
Madam Speaker, the government is continually saying that this legislation would keep cannabis out of the hands of our children, but that is not true. The provinces disagree. The New Brunswick health minister just came out with some added provisions to try to protect children from homegrown cannabis. I see that Saskatchewan advocates are looking for more things.
Subclause 8(c) of the bill would allow children aged 12 to 17 to have up to five grams.
Could the member share what they think in Quebec about those provisions?
Cannabis ActGovernment Orders
11:45 a.m.
Luc Berthold Conservative Mégantic—L'Érable, QC
Madam Speaker, everyone agrees that it makes no sense for children between the ages of 12 to 17 to be in possession of marijuana.
Unfortunately, that is probably what is going to happen, particularly since this bill will allow people to grow marijuana at home. Who is going to start counting the leaves on their pot plants to make sure that three or four of them have not been stolen by children between the ages of 12 to 17? That does not make any sense. This measure is irresponsible and disrespectful toward Canadian youth.
Cannabis ActGovernment Orders
11:45 a.m.
Winnipeg North Manitoba
Kevin Lamoureux LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
Madam Speaker, it is a pleasure to rise to share a bit of information that will hopefully be of benefit to members and will get Conservative members to rethink some of the spin they are hearing from their Conservative colleagues, or possibly their research team. I do not know exactly where they are getting their facts. On the last question, about the five grams, it would be illegal under this legislation to have five grams in one's possession. Less than that would be under provincial jurisdiction.
Let me start by commenting that I was really touched by the comments made earlier today by representatives of all political parties. As someone who has served in the Canadian Forces, I have had the opportunity to participate in many marches in remembrance. I would like to briefly provide a comment of respect for those war veterans I marched with back in the early 1980s. I applaud and recognize their ultimate sacrifice to make Canada what it is today.
I understand that the New Democrats and the Green Party will be supporting this legislation. Canadians need not be surprised. Liberals talked about this in the last federal election. It was in our election platform that this was what we would do. At the end of the day, there has been a great deal of support for what the government is moving forward with. I am surprised at the degree to which the Conservative Party seems to want to fight this issue. What surprises me most is the fact that it does not have any problem using misinformation.
In Canada today we have the highest consumption rate in terms of young people engaged in using cannabis. That means that there are more young people per capita in Canada who have tried or used cannabis than in countries like the United States, the U.K., and Australia. We already know that our system is not working, and we need to address the issue. It might affect some ridings more than others, but at the end of the day, it is a national issue.
There are already too many young people being encouraged to use cannabis. There is a criminal element out there that wants young people to use it. They sell it to young people, because they have a vested financial interest in getting young kids to use cannabis. This legislation, in good part, would deal with that.
The Conservatives seem to have no problem with people going into our schools and telling children to buy bags of cannabis. Those students are going to be experimenting with who knows what, because criminal elements are trying to get our kids to smoke marijuana. We do not know what is in the bags being circulated in our schools, or in the cigarettes, or tokes, or whatever they are called. Excuse me for not knowing the word. We have no idea what the drugs are being laced with or what is sold to children in our schools. What we know for a fact is that there are too many young people in Canada who are being enticed to participate in the consumption of cannabis.
We finally have a government that is saying that it is going to strictly regulate, legalize, and restrict access to cannabis. In the area I represent, I believe that is good news. Every year we get gangs or that criminal element making hundreds of millions of dollars. A major amount of that money comes through selling cannabis to young people. I am talking about 11 to 13-year-olds.
When people talk about the impact on the brain and on a young person's growth, there is no question that we need to be concerned about this. However, if members are really concerned about this and they want to do something about it, they might want to consider voting in favour of the legislation. If they are really sincere in their comments about about young people, they will vote in favour of this.
I am concerned about the young people whom I represent in Winnipeg North. I want to see less money going to the criminal element there. I want to see fewer 11-year-olds consuming cannabis. This legislation is a giant step in the right direction to allow that to happen. The Conservatives seem to believe that if the legislation passes, people who have consumed cannabis will be driving around on streets all over Canada. I have news for them. That happens today.
When it came to training our police or our law enforcement agencies, the Conservatives committed $2 million. This government is committing $161 million for training of law enforcement officers and providing the type of equipment that is going to be necessary. Therefore, not only are we doing the right thing by bringing forward the legislation, we are also providing the financial means necessary to assist our law enforcement agencies. I do not share the opinions of Conservative members who seem to think that our law enforcement agencies will not be ready in time. The resources and the sense of commitment we see day in and day out from law enforcement officers will ensure we are in a ready position to deal with this good, sound legislation.
A great deal of effort has been put into this legislation. I made reference to the fact that we had an election platform. Canadians have been consulted extensively on this issue. We have had a task force on it. We have standing committees that have dealt with it, either directly or indirectly. A great deal of debate has taken place, not only in Ottawa but in our constituencies. We now have before us legislation that would make a positive difference.
I want to bring it down to the real grassroots communities we represent. Today, far too many dollars flow to the criminal elements in our communities. Cannabis is one of those things that contributes hundreds of millions of dollars every year to that. This legislation would help to get rid of that. By doing that, we will see fewer young people using cannabis because we will be taking the profit away from the criminal element, which has a financial interest in getting our young people on cannabis or at least trying it. That is one of the reasons why more young people in Canada use cannabis than in any other country in the world.
Cannabis ActGovernment Orders
11:55 a.m.
Robert Aubin NDP Trois-Rivières, QC
Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague for his speech.
There are 338 members of the House of Commons. The government has a slight majority, which means that it is in charge of planning our country's legislative agenda. That brings us to the bill proposed by the Liberal government. The 338 MPs are the ears and the voice of the people we represent. The members on this side of the House are not all complete idiots who do not care about what our constituents say.
How is it then that not one of the 38 amendments proposed by the NDP to try to strengthen this bill was accepted? One has to wonder.
How is it that the Liberals always seem to have all the answers?
Cannabis ActGovernment Orders
Kevin Lamoureux Liberal Winnipeg North, MB
Madam Speaker, whether with this legislation or other legislation, we have seen a change in attitude at the standing committees. I am very familiar with the amendments and the process in which amendments are brought forward. The standing committees control the committee, what is debated, the votes, and so forth. We have had standing committees in which amendments have been brought forward and have passed. Opposition amendments have passed, many in fact, on a wide variety of legislation. We can contrast that to the former government. I could not name one amendment that ever passed during the years of the Conservative majority government.
Our government listens. It is very responsible with all ideas brought forward. I do not want to comment specifically on the amendments the member across the way might have brought forward, but our government gives consideration to all amendments.
Cannabis ActGovernment Orders
Bernard Généreux Conservative Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC
Madam Speaker, I listened to my colleague defend this bill with great passion, but I do not know where this passion is coming from.
The Liberals want to usher in the type of world where, starting July 1, 2018, a 12-year-old will be able to legally access marijuana. I have children and grandchildren. In all honesty, I cannot believe that, in a developed country like ours, we are going to be sending a message to kids that it is perfectly acceptable and easy to do drugs whenever they want.
Does my colleague have any grandchildren? Does he think that the day when they can easily buy drugs on a street corner will be a good day for his grandchildren?
Cannabis ActGovernment Orders
Kevin Lamoureux Liberal Winnipeg North, MB
Madam Speaker, I have grandchildren. Like the member across the way, I do not want my grandchildren to go in a direction that is unhealthy for them. That is one of the reasons why I think this is good legislation. I do not want some 22-year-old individual trying to sell my grandchild marijuana. If he sells him that little bag of marijuana, he will make money that will go into criminal activities. Millions of dollars go into criminal activities, and that happens today. It is out of concern for my grandchildren and other children that we need this legislation passed.
Cannabis ActGovernment Orders
Joël Godin Conservative Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC
Madam Speaker, first of all, I want to congratulate the member for Winnipeg North on being nominated for hardest-working MP. Well done, dear colleague.
I have tremendous respect for my colleague, but I would add the caveat that just because a person is hard-working does not mean everything they do is right.
I also want to take this opportunity to remind members that November 5 was municipal elections day in Quebec. The 28 municipalities in the beautiful riding of Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier voted in a mix of new officials and re-elected incumbents. The day after the elections, I wasted no time in congratulating the mayors and councillors. However, a warning was in order as well. In eight months' time, these municipal councillors and mayors will have a problem to deal with. These elected officials will be responsible for making sure life goes on in their municipalities after July 1, 2018. They will have decisions to make. They will have to keep an eye on their parks. What will be happening around schools?
My colleague said earlier that 12-year-olds could be walking around with drugs in their pockets. We must not forget that children are more impressionable than adults. I am deeply troubled.
Municipal elected officials will also have to look at what this means for highway safety codes. Those are under provincial jurisdiction, but municipalities do have local responsibilities. Recently, the Government of Quebec enacted legislation giving municipalities additional responsibilities, including speed limits in residential areas. Municipalities handle that. What a gift for our newly elected officials.
I take no pleasure in rising in the House today to speak to a Liberal bill that will destroy our youth, theact respecting cannabis and to amend the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, the Criminal Code and other acts.
I was talking about municipalities. We also have to talk about the other level of government, the provincial government, which will have to deal with all these problems in return for a portion of the federal government's revenues from legalizing this product.
Many studies have made it abundantly clear that using marijuana affects people's health, especially the health of our young people. We must not forget that health is under provincial jurisdiction.
We also have to talk about road safety. We have no idea how our hard-working police officers are going to enforce that. There has been talk of training and investment, even of sending people to the United States for training. Nobody is ready for this. We should be taking our time.
As for personnel management, the Quebec minister of labour does not know what to do about the problem. People will be going to work after using drugs. It is a lot harder to verify people's state after they use drugs than after they drink. This is just one more thing being downloaded onto the provinces.
A university president from the Quebec City area asked how they are supposed to deal with this and manage it on campus. A myriad questions remain unanswered, and yet the government is fixated on one thing: July 1, 2018. Why is there such a rush to get this bill into law?
I recognize that drug use exists and that we need to do something. However, just because the government cannot control an existing problem does not mean that we should trivialize and legalize it. We should be taking more responsible steps and taking the time to come up with better solutions. I do not think this is the right way to tackle the problem.
We need to work on prevention. We need to encourage our youth to play sports and get involved in the arts and in their community. Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier has 500 organizations. Their problem right now is that they cannot renew their membership lists or find new volunteers.
Why has the federal government not developed a program to encourage our youth to get involved in their community? When they are involved in sports, dancing, singing, or arts and crafts, whatever the activity, that is all they think about. They do not have time for mischief or smoking marijuana.
The government opposite outlined specific purposes in the legislation. They are:
a) protect the health of young persons by restricting their access to cannabis;
However, it will be sold everywhere. Furthermore, people will have easy access from home since they will be allowed to grow their own pot plants. I will continue:
b) protect young persons and others from inducements to use cannabis;
Once again, it will be available everywhere. Here is the the third purpose:
c) provide for the licit production of cannabis to reduce illicit activities in relation to cannabis;
In other words, the government is saying that it will kill organized crime, but the Canadian Police Association said that it was naive to believe that organized crime activity could be restrained, reduced, or influenced. That is the word the Canadian Police Association used to describe this government. Then, the bill goes on:
(d) deter illicit activities in relation to cannabis through appropriate sanctions and enforcement measures;
Young people from 12 to 17 will apparently be able to go around with 5 grams of marijuana, which is the equivalent of 10 to 15 joints depending on their size. I will keep reading:
(e) reduce the burden on the criminal justice system in relation to cannabis;
Yes, we agree on decriminalization, but let us make the distinction between decriminalization and legalization. All 338 members of Parliament probably made some mistakes in their youth. It is certainly better to pay a fine, as we do for speeding, than it is to have a criminal record. The bill goes on:
(f) provide access to a quality-controlled supply of cannabis; and
(g) enhance public awareness of the health risks associated with cannabis use.
The government is saying that marijuana is not good for people's health, but it is going to legalize it. The government is saying that people should not use it, but it is going to put measures in place that will make it more accessible to our young people. I rise in the House today to protect our young people. That is important for any self-respecting society. It is naive to think that this is going to get rid of organized crime.
My goal is to protect young people under 25. All studies show that the brain development is complete by age 25. Why put young people between the ages of 18 and 25 at risk? The government is treating our young people like lab rats. We are the first G20 country that wants to legalize this drug. Why? We will become a testing ground and that is unacceptable. We are sacrificing a generation. That shows a lack of respect for our young people and makes it seem the government does not believe in the future of our country.
This government is here for the wrong reasons. It is spending money hand over fist and now has backed itself into a corner, so it is looking for a way to make some fast cash. First, that is an irresponsible way for a government to behave, because it has no vision. Second, it is using our young people to fill its coffers. The government has failed to mention what the cost of the consequences will be. We need to take the time to find a more respectful solution.
Even the tax is set out in budget 2017. We are wasting our time here today. The Liberals want this measure to take effect on July 1, 2018, and they did not agree to any of the amendments proposed by the NPD. They are looking forward to July 1, when they can raise some money for the friends of Pierre Elliott Trudeau's heir, our famous Prime Minister.
It does not take a genius to understand that this government is implementing measures that will take money out of the pockets of Canadians and harm our young people. That is unacceptable. This government needs to listen to reason. I am calling on the government to take more time before implementing this legislation, to be serious, and to show some respect for our young people. I am rising today on behalf of our youth.
Cannabis ActGovernment Orders
12:10 p.m.
Scarborough Southwest Ontario
Bill Blair LiberalParliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and to the Minister of Health
Mr. Speaker, first of all, I would like to begin by simply advising the member that I spent most of my adult life fighting crime, and crime and violence can be reduced in our society, but not through tough talk, through smart action.
I also wanted to clarify something. The member opposite said that he supports decriminalization. I suggest to him that we have recognized the harm that can be visited on young people from being criminalized by getting a criminal record. That is why we have set limits. For example, if a young person under the age of 18 has more than five grams of marijuana, that would be a criminal offence. However, below that, we have worked with the provinces and territories so they could enact provincial legislation that would enforce an absolute prohibition on the possession, purchase, and consumption of cannabis. In every province, a provincial offence would prohibit a person under the age of majority in that province from possessing cannabis. It would give the police the authority to seize that cannabis and ticket for that offence. What it would not do is give that kid a criminal record.
I have spoken to people on both sides of this House, and we all care about our kids. We care about their health, their safety, and their outcomes. One of the greatest impediments to their outcomes is that criminal record. This government has listened to that, and have done exactly what the member wants us to do. We have removed the threat of a criminal sanction from those kids, but we have enforced the prohibition through smart provincial regulation, exactly as we do for alcohol, by the way.
If we look at those provincial regulations coming forward, we see that we would be getting exactly what the member thinks is the right thing to do. Does it ease the member's concern knowing that is happening? Does it ease his concern with respect to young people having prohibited access to this drug?
Cannabis ActGovernment Orders
12:15 p.m.
Joël Godin Conservative Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC
Mr. Speaker, first, I am aware of my colleague's past, and I am surprised and disappointed with his position.
He is saying that, because the penalties imposed on young people in the past had no effect, we should give up. That means that we are unable to curb the distribution and sale of drugs.
Mr. Speaker, correct me if I should not be saying this, but that is a cowardly approach. It is unacceptable, because it means shirking our responsibilities. Instead of dealing with the problem, we are legalizing marijuana because we are unable to take control of the situation. That means that, if there are other problems in society, we will simply say that, because we are unable to take control, because we cannot find a solution, we will give up and open the door wide. It is irresponsible.
Unfortunately, I did not really understand the question, because it was too long, but I hope I answered it to my colleague's satisfaction.
Cannabis ActGovernment Orders
12:15 p.m.
Anne Minh-Thu Quach NDP Salaberry—Suroît, QC
Mr. Speaker, I will return to what my colleague has just said about criminalization. All the studies show that criminalization and the longer minimum sentences implemented by the Conservatives for cannabis-related offences have not worked. They have not reduced drug use in young people, and they have not reduced the involvement of organized crime in the sale of cannabis.
On the contrary, according to the statistics on drug-related offences reported by the police in 2014, one year after the Conservatives' repressive laws were passed, cases of methamphetamine possession rose by 38% and trafficking by 17%, while cases of heroine possession rose by 34% and trafficking by 12%. The minimum sentences did not work, the war on drugs was unsuccessful. Why do the Conservatives not want us to adopt and implement a new strategy, an approach based on public health? Right now, the number one drug, the most commonly used drug in Canada and throughout the world, is cannabis. The people who use cannabis the most are young people between the ages of 12 and 25. We need a new strategy to continue to work with young people and improve prevention. Obviously, there are shortcomings in the bill we are debating, but we can work on these shortcomings and make improvements.


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All SA members that are attending the 2013 Steelers Fan Fest, are invited to our tailgate. So, bring some Hot Dogs or Hamburgers, or bring a steak, we can grill them there. BYOB. Tailgate starts at 9am in Gold Lot 1. Look for a White GMC Sierra Truck. If yas get lost call me on my cell phone: 724-651-9626. Let's get together, and talk about our draft thus far, and whether you are liking it or hating it. Hope to see yas there!
Don't miss the fun at the 2013 Steelers Fan Blitz presented by Xfinity on Saturday, April 27 at Heinz Field from 11:00 am 5:00 pm. Tickets go on sale Friday March 15 at http://www.ticketmaster.com and all Steelers Sideline stores. For more information, please call 412-697-7713.


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Group Gifting is a great way for you, your friends and family to all contribute to that special occasion. Do you really want that tablet for your birthday, or why not set up group gifting for a "Friend's Birthday" or a "Thank You Teacher" for others to contribute to?
Simply set up your account, create your customisable page with information about the occasion, your intended target and even a photo to capture the moment! You will then be ready to tell your friends and family where and how they can contribute be it via email, social media, or even speaking to them! They can then contribute online or in the centre at their convenience.
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Pits and pieces from the local sports scene.
Library to display exhibition of baseball memorabilia: The Baseball Reliquary presents "Bad Moon Rising: Baseball and the Summer of '68," an exhibition chronicling the extraordinary baseball season of 1968, which began today and runs through Sept, 27 at the Burbank Central Library (110 N. Glenoaks Blvd.).
The display is played out against the backdrop of one of the most divisive and turbulent years in American history, marked by national tragedy and sweeping change. The exhibition is based on Tim Wendel's book, "Summer of '68: The Season That Changed Baseball — and America — Forever," published earlier this year by Da Capo Press.
The exhibition utilizes photographs, artifacts and documents to illustrate key elements of Wendel's research. Much of the signage, including captions for photographs, is excerpted from the book.
In the preface to "Summer of '68: The Season That Changed Baseball — and America — Forever," Wendel writes: "In 1968, the gods were angry. It's been called 'the year that rocked the world,' and it rarely showed any mercy. How else to describe a single year in which Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was killed by an assassin's bullet and weeks later Robert Kennedy met the same fate? In which riots broke out in the streets in cities across the country, and millions gathered to protest the issues surrounding the Vietnam War and civil rights, often to be met with resistance and in some cases brutality. In which everything boiled over late that summer in the streets of Chicago. Thanks to television, our world in 1968 was shrink-wrapped forever. We were able to view all this on a nightly basis, with much of it cued up for instant replay. Seemingly overnight we had become Marshall McLuhan's 'global village,' and what we saw was that things everywhere were unraveling, being pulled apart at the seams, often with unbearable force."
Among the topics examined in the displays are the record-setting achievements of pitchers such as Bob Gibson, Denny McLain and Don Drysdale, which resulted in the 1968 season being hailed as the "Year of the Pitcher."
It also delves into baseball's reaction to the assassinations of King and Kennedy, and the refusal of some players to take the field when baseball Commissioner William Eckert decided not to postpone all games during the national day of mourning for Kennedy.
Also covered is the classic World Series matchup between the St. Louis Cardinals and Detroit Tigers, and the importance of Detroit's championship season in helping pull the city from the ashes of one of the worst riots in U.S. history, as well as the story behind Puerto Rican singer Jose Feliciano's controversial rendition of the national anthem during the World Series.
The 18th and final major league season for Yankees slugger Mickey Mantle, and the gift that was given him by one of his biggest fans, Tigers' pitcher McLain, is also touched upon, as well as the emergence of football as the most popular game in America, symbolized by the public reaction to the "Heidi Game" and sealed by quarterback Joe Namath leading the New York Jets to a stunning upset in Super Bowl III.
Even political activist Tom Hayden, one of the infamous Chicago Seven charged with conspiracy and inciting to riot at the 1968 Democratic National Convention, is featured in the exhibition for his unique connection to the Detroit Tigers and for his love of baseball. Hayden, now 72, still plays hardball every Sunday in Los Angeles, competing against players half his age.
In conjunction with the exhibition, "Bad Moon Rising: Baseball and the Summer of '68," the Baseball Reliquary and he Burbank Public Library will present a discussion and book signing with Tim Wendel. Wendel will also narrate a PowerPoint presentation of images from the book.
Tim Wendel is the author of nine books, including "High Heat," "Far From Home," "Red Rain" and "Castro's Curveball." A founding editor of USA Today Baseball Weekly, he has written for Esquire, GQ and Washingtonian magazines. He teaches writing at Johns Hopkins University and recently served as an exhibit advisor to the National Baseball Hall of Fame. He lives in Vienna, Virginia.
The program and exhibition are both free.
Tubert earns academic accolade: Burroughs High graduate Emily Tubert, along with University of Arkansas women's golf teammates Emily Podzielinski, and Victoria Vela, have been selected to the National Golf Coaches Assn. All-American Scholar Team.
It is Tubert's second selection to the coaches association team. The criteria for selection to the academic team is among the most challenging in college athletics, and includes a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 3.50.
"I'm a firm believer that academic success is an indicator of athletic success in golf and these three young women are perfect examples of that," Arkansas head Coach Shauna Estes-Taylor said on the university's website. "Pods, Emily and Vicky are committed to everything we do at Arkansas, and that includes a strong emphasis on taking care of business in the classroom and I'm so proud of them for their selection to the coaches association all-scholar team."
Tubert, who wrapped her sophomore season in the spring, a campaign that included her second All-America and Southeastern Conference First-Team honors, as well as being selected to the United States Spirit International and Curtis Cup teams.
The team leader with a 72.50 stroke average, Tubert played in 10 tournaments with a low round of 68 and 14 rounds of par or better last season. The former Leader All-Area Female Athlete of the Year and two-time All-Area Girls' Golfer of the Year is a broadcast journalism major.
Jeff Tully


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Hair and your Health
Hair is a complex and delicate part of your body. Keeping it healthy and beautiful is a challenge. Here's a guide that will help you do just that
Hair is cylinder of dead tissue. Damaged hair can never be fully restored to its original condition. The main factor in growth of the hair is the kind of cells that exit in the hair follicles from which the hair grows in the individual person. Each individual hair is also different in one individual .Hair- care products are intended to promote certain favorable conditions of hair and to reduce of eliminate properties of hair, which are regarded as undesirable.
Causes and symptoms:
Reasons for Hair Loss
Both men and women lose hair for similar reasons. Hair loss in men is often more dramatic, and follows a specific pattern of loss which has been termed "Male Pattern Baldness". This loss is caused by dihydrotestosterone (DHT).
Factors for male hair loss include: heredity, hormones, and aging. This may also apply to women but to a lesser degree. Women may experience loss of hair after menopause and 2-3 months after having a baby. Other contributing factors include: poor diet, poor circulation, acute illness, radiation, chemotherapy, high stress, thyroid imbalance, certain drugs, coming off the contraceptive pill, diabetes, high doses of vitamin A (more than 100,000 IU), sudden weight loss, high fever, iron deficiency, ringworm, some fungal infections, chemicals and hair dyes, vitamin deficiencies, and lack of proper nutrition
Drastic or premature hair loss may be caused by:
1. Stress and bodily weakness from overwork.
2. Dietary imbalances or nutritional deficiency.
3. Using abrasive shampoos, hair lacquers, dyes and bleaching, etc.
4. Endocrine disorder.
5. Genetic factors.
6. Infectious diseases.
7. Hormonal metabolic changes in lactating women.
8. Nutrient and protein deficiencies in the hair cells.
The normal life span for each hair is from three to six years. Each hair grows in a hair cycle that can be divided into three stages: the growing stage (Anacin) lasting from two to six years, the partial degeneration stage (Catalan) lasting between 10 and 14 days, and finally the resting phase (Telogen) during which time the hair is shed and there is an involution of the hair follicles lasting about one hundred days.
Routine care of scalp and Hair:
It is very important to have day to day care given to hair and scalp to maintain its health and to increase its beauty. This routine includes brushing, combing, cutting, shampooing, massaging and application of hair dressing/lotion.
Brushing & Combing:
Importance of brushing and combing
Many sebaceous glands are distributed over the scalp. When the hair is brushed, sedum secreted from these glands spreads over the surface of the hair and makes it glossy and supple.
Brushing and combing temporarily affects the blood circulation of the scalp.
Care in selection and use of brush and comb
Well spaced bristles.
Easy Cleaning
Individual use to avoid spread of disease.
For long hairs brushing should begin at near the bottom of each strand and slowly reaching the top and then beginning from scalp and sweep down the entire strand of hair without encountering any tangle. Careful treatment of this nature excludes the breaking and tearing of hair.
When the hair is weakened and its attachment is less the normal, frequent and vigorous brushing may increase hair fall resulting in further damage. Under such condition gentle massage of the scalp could be done and daily vigorous brushing should be avoided.
Massage with Hair oil:
Hair oils especially those containing herbs are one of very important in hair care. They should be used once every week and left overnight.
Oils penetrate into the surface of the scalp with nutrients. Any oil soluble active substances then get dissolved in fatty covering on the scalp skin when gently massaged. This also helps in increasing the blood circulation. These nutrients along with various vitamins are then transported into the deeper layers. From the blood capillaries are then transported into the deeper layers. From the blood capillaries are then transported to the cells involved in the syntheses of keratin (hair protein) and thus increasing the hair growth.
Primary objective is to clean hair and scalp of all foreign matters. The ideal shampoo should clean the scalp without producing irritation or causing excessive reduction of the natural oils, they should have pH less then 7(acidic)
Importance of pH for hair shampoos:
Dry hair has no pH. Only when the hairs are wet and in water they have acidic pH (between 4.5 to 5.5). Acidic products give astringent effect on the hair outer layer-cuticle.
Decreasing the evaporation of moisture and dissolution of proteins.
Imparts natural shine to the hair.
Increases elasticity.
Decreases tangling.
After shampooing proper drying is necessary since the tensile strength of hair is at its lowest when it is wet. Brisk rubbing should be avoided. Idealy hair should be exposed to low heat such as sun or mild heat of drier.
After shampoo appropriate hair dressing lotion should be used to put the hair bark into condition with regards to manageability and luster.
After shampoo hair preparations(Hair dressing / Hair lotion)
A good antiseptic, conditioning and stimulating hair product is helpful in the maintenance of healthy scalp. The use of such preparation with ordinary scalp hygiene may help to clean the hair and scalp as bacteria free as possible and improves the appearance of hair.
Modern Day problems Associated with Hair and Scalp:
For most hair related problems, internal medicine plays important role then external application. In recent times hair & scalp have become target of many ailments. There are many problems that can be associated with hair & scalp due to:
1. Air and water pollution.
2. Use of shampoos and conditioners containing harsh chemical.
3. Use of common combs and brushes in establishment such as
barbershops and beauty saloons. Problem associated with scalp arise
due to lowering of the resistance may be because, frequent washing
with the strong soaps and shampoos, excessive secretion of oil and
sweat glands, over exposure to sunlight. There are three common
diseases associated with scalp. 4. Seborrhea
5. Dandruff
6. Hair loss
It is an excessive secretion of sebaceous glands giving hair oily looks. This condition may also be related to the hormonal secretion of an individual. It is excellent medium for bacteria to grow the causing pathological conditions leading to dandruff and hair fall. The most important treat is the removal of excess fat and maintenance of clean scalp.
Cause of dandruff is still debatable. It may be due to :
Excessive sebum secretion (this leads to the growth of micro-organism irritating the scalp causing itching)
Physiological error in the shedding of the dead cells, which are then stick together and fall off in the form of flakes. Control of dandruff equires unique combination of different mode of action such as:
Effective removal of existing dandruff from the hair by use of good shampoo .
Inhibition of excessive production of new cells in the uppermost layer of the scalp.
Control of excessive sedum production .
Use of hair products with microbial, anti- inflammatory and soothing action.
Hair loss:
Hair loss can be repaid or gradual. With the healthy scalp loss of 50-100 hairs is normal. It is concern when it exceeds more than 100 hairs per day or hair no longer grows back on any part of the scalp. Loss of hair may be due to various causes.
Natural symptoms of aging.
1. Inherited baldness
2. Following infectious diseases.
3. Accompanying of following skin infections.
4. Following disturbance in the diet, digestion or metabolism.
5. As long as the roots of the hair remain healthy, there is chance of
6. Taking constant care can control hair fall
7. Determining the actual cause of hair loss.
8. Regular massage of the scalp using herbal hair oil.
9. Use the mild shampoo without harmful chemicals
10. Use of astringent scalp conditioner.
11. Application of hair packs with herbs providing nutrition, stimulation,
disinfecting etc.
When people reach there thirties, regardless of their gender, signs of aging begin to show on their scalp, with receding hairline, thinning hair, and especially in the crawl area. From the first hint of hair loss to complete baldness can take a long time, but it can also happen in just a few years.
How to achieve and maintain a healthy head of beautiful hair.
Three main things are needed for a good-looking head of hair -- good health, the right attention to cleanliness, and caution when using cosmetic treatments.
1. Adequate Diet
Hair growth depends on an adequate diet. A widespread diet problem, which causes loss of hair, is iron deficiency Anemia. The cause is too little iron in blood, brought on by a diet containing too little meat, eggs, cereals or peas and beans. Fresh fruits and vegetables are also needed to provide vitamin C, which enables the body to absorb iron.
2. Cutting the hair
Although cutting the hair is not essential to its well being, it is easier to keep the scalp clean if the hair is kept reasonably short. Regular cutting does not make the hair grow strong or faster.
3. How hair can be damaged
Although scalp hair is hardy, and can withstand a lot of abuse, it can be damaged by too much or inexpertly applied perming, dyeing, bleaching and massage. The amount of beautying the hair can take varies from person to person. Occasionally the scalp is allergic to the dye and becomes inflamed and swollen. To prevent this occurring, applying it to a small area on the arm should test the dye. If a patch of inflammation has developed, the dye must not be used on the hair.
Most people who bleach their hair do so with hydrogen peroxide. If the peroxide is repeatedly applied, it may make the hair brittle. If this happens the hair may turn rough, develop split ends, or become thinned or shortened.
How To Deal With Dandruff
Some are of the opinion that at the early stages of hair loss, dandruff begins to increase. However, an increase in the amount of dandruff does not necessarily mean that there is a "cause-effect" relationship resulting in the thinning of hair.
You should think of excessive dandruff as a warning sign as far as the health of the hair is concerned.
Dandruff is made up of bits of dead skin that peel away from the scalp as a result of the effects of metabolism. Normally, dandruff, in its early stages of growth, is not visible to the naked eye. It becomes visible only after enlarging into pieces of dead skin (what we normally call "dandruff") as a result of the propagation of bacteria and/or problems with seborrhea scalp conditions.
Persons suffering from prolonged dandruff are said to have a dandruff ailment. This type of ailment, accompanied by itchiness, can lead to eczema if it worsens. Suppressing the propagation of bacteria is one means of dealing with fatty dandruff. This is because bacteria are one of the causes of this condition.
If possible, try to shampoo on a daily basis to prevent bacterial propagation. One effective means of dealing with dandruff is to disinfect the scalp area with commercially available medicated shampoos specifically designed for dandruff removal. However, daily shampooing can lead to eczema for persons who suffer from dry scalps. Shampooing once every three days may be ideal for such persons.
Persons who suffer from persistent, hard-to-cure dandruff are urged to consult a skin specialist.
Life style:
·The foremost consideration in the treatment of this disorder is to keep the hair and scalp clean so as to minimise the accumulation of dead cells.
·The hair should be brushed daily to improve the circulation and remove any flakiness.
·The most effective way to brush the hair is to bend forward from the waist with the head down towards the ground and brush from the nape of the neck towards the top of the head.
Ayurvedic supplements:
Yoga to cure Hair Loss:
Dev from Kolkata
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If you fancy an outstandingly beautiful yet very practical house with lots of living space then look no further!
What immediately captures your attention when you arrive at the property at Pinefield Manor in Falkirk's Lionthorn estate is the impressive front garden and huge driveway; something you would be looking for if you're willing to spend £425,000.
As you step inside, you will by impressed by the many attractive features it has to offer.
Not only does it boast five bedrooms to offer – two with an en-suite – it also has a drawing room, study, TV room and a large dining room connected to the kitchen.
Space is something the house has in abundance but, if your are looking for more, there is a large accessible loft with plenty of head room. It is mainly floored and has additional built-in storage platforms – perfect for a family with lots of stuff!
The large feature staircase leads you to the upper level of the house where the luxurious master bedroom can be found. Not only sdoes it feature an en suite shower room but it also has its own dressing room.
From the majority of the bedrooms, you have a view into the rear garden and the barbecue patio which is situated around the side of the house.
The garden of the house is something you can only dream of. Not only does is have a patio and grass areas, it features a large and beautiful pond.
This house at Strathyre Place, Pinefield Manor, Lionthorn, Falkirk, is on the market with Northwood at offers over £425,000.


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Miniature profile rail guides
Technical features
- Wide and long carriage system available
- Optimized geometry in the ball recirculation area
- Four-point contact of running elements with the raceways
- All steel parts made from corrosion-resistant steel
- Factory pre-lubrication
- Both sides of the rail can be used as reference surface
Functional benefits
- Use one rail instead of two standard rails, higher transfer torque moments possible; higher longitudinal torque moments possible even on a standard rail
- Low friction, no stick-slip effect, high accuracy, smooth running
- High system rigidity, high torque moment acceptance, high load carrying capacity; top load capacities in all 4 main load directions
- High resistance against humidity
- Optimal greased system, good running performance, low friction
- Facilitates mounting process
Return to lab automation solutionsReturn to lab automation applications
Other lab automation solutions
Ball screw
Reduces the size, extend the speed, the smoothness, the reliability and life of the system.
Linear ball bearings
Compact design, robust, they can operate at high speeds with low friction.
Miniature bearings
Capable of handling light to moderate radial and thrust loads, they can operate at high speeds.