Want to be a stripper? Don't worry! Canada's government is looking out for you.

 

When I see a headline that says From strippers to light bulbs: 2014 brings a range of new rules of course I've got to click on that.

That's right - no more foreign stippers.

Effective Dec 31st, 2013 the Canadian government won't approve LMO applications from employers looking to hire temporary foreign workers in the sex trade industry. Employers will have to look to Canadians to fill those jobs.


I'm glad the government is protecting the dreams of little girls everywhere. Can you even imagine how it would be to have a daughter and have to squash her longstanding ambition of twirling around a pole wearing nothing but a smile and a couple of pieces of string because - I'm sorry honey, you've got to be from another country to get one of those jobs.

I'm grateful that my government is protecting my access to those rewarding exotic dancer and massage parlor jobs. I would really hate to have to work in some menial high paying job because my local stripper joint was hiring strippers from overseas. 

Now when those dirty lying politicians brag about the jobs they've created, they can include women who are being exploited by the sex trade along with the minimum wage call centre jobs they're always so proud of. 

Why the future looks more grim than Green to me.

I live and work in Southwestern Ontario. It's no big secret that our Liberal leaders Dalton McGuinty and Dwight Duncan sold our future prosperity to the wind industry. Our landscape is forever changed by behemoth turbines. Our wallets will continue to feel the pinch for many years to come as we pay for that heavily subsidized electricity.

In their race to prove themselves "Green" and line their pockets with as much of our green as they could, our politicians and the wind industry forgot one simple truth. Some of the biggest pay-offs come from the smallest changes. Easy changes that can be adopted by many so their effects are multiplied - many times over.

What if instead of forcing these monstrous turbines onto Ontarians, the government had instead focused their energies on encouraging contractors to adopt new technology. Every home in a new subdivision could be contributing to reducing our environmental footprint.

Small changes that are not terribly expensive in new construction, repeated many times over.

Things like Drain Water Heat Recovery systems that recover some of the heat rushing down the drain as you shower. Even better those systems could be coupled with Tankless Water Heaters that heat water as you need it instead of maintaining the water at a ready to use temperature 24 hours a day for the four or five hours people are actually home and using hot water.

Better insulation such as the expanding foam insulation that provides an excellent thermal barrier and vapor barrier at the same time. Even something as simple as changing roof lines to allow for future solar panel installation. Solar panels which are quiet and while they may not yet be the best solution for generating electricity, they are efficient at heating water. Water that can be used to heat your home. Something we do here for 8 months out of 12.

Any of these and other innovations could have been easily encouraged by offering incentives such as rebates or reduced development fees. Rather than driving away manufacturing jobs and leaving us with minimum wage call center jobs as a feeble replacement, the government could have encouraged growth in the construction industry - another well paying employment sector.

Instead, we've been shafted by our elected officials, and the shafts are 120 meters high.

I'm sorry, I can't sign your petition.

Today on my way home from work, I stopped at my favorite convenience store for smokes.

Yes, I know it's a disgusting habit.

This convenience store is run by a very nice husband and wife. I really like them, even if they do sell a whole lotta tacky in there too.

No really - if you're looking for a picture of a wolf laminated to particle board this is the place to go. They've also got a good selection of pipes and roach clips, mixed in with the tacky souvenir type knicky knacks. 

While I was in there the owner asked me to sign a petition. A petition to change the laws and allow corner stores to sell wine, beer and other spirits.

Here in Ontario you buy your beer at The Beer Store, and everything else including beer at the LCBO. It might seem restrictive but it's always been that way.

Also, the legal drinking age here is 19. Coincidentally the same age you must be before a store can legally sell you cigarettes.

While the owners of the store I patronize might not sell cigarettes to minors, not all convenience store owners have the same morality. I have seen kids I KNOW are not old enough walk out of some stores with smokes in hand.

This is in spite of some very hefty fines that the store could face if caught. 

I have never seen a teenager walk out of the LCBO or The Beer Store with a six pack of beer or a mickey of vodka in hand.

So even though I admire this couple and the dedication and hours they put into building their little business, I did not sign the petition.

I believe that sales of beer, wine and spirits in Ontario should stay exactly where they are - in the control of places with formalized training and policies. Places that hire people who won't knowingly sell alcohol to minors.

Let's face it, teens can find enough ways to break the rules. Rules that are put in place to protect them from their own foolishness. Why make it any easier for them. 

In two days this blog turns into a three months old. This is also my 100th* post. Thank you to everyone who drops by and reads. I love interacting with all of you.

*Technically there are about 14 additional posts but since they reference The Swinger too much, you'll have to wait until such time as they no longer constitute grounds for dismissal to read them. That or if I manage to win the lottery. Sorry.