Tag Archives: ontario

A Healthy Attitude Towards Sex Education Must Include Realism

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By Jay Menard,

It’s out there. And burying my head — or any other protruding body part — in the sand isn’t going to make it go away. So instead of arguing against the proposed Liberal Health and Physical Education curriculum, perhaps we should spend more time thinking about how we, as parents, should support and reinforce it.

We can all say it’s a parent’s responsibility to educate his or her children about these issues — and I don’t disagree. Of course, not all parents are going to. And not all parents are able to. Continue reading →

Heritage Should be More than a Location, it Should be a Celebration

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By Jason Menard

A creative solution to save a piece of our history; a small group of dedicated activists rallying the greater community to act — the survival of the African Methodist Episcopal Church is a feel-good story for the ages, right?

Yes and no.

A feel-good story it may be, but it’s one that masks years of neglect and apathy. Continue reading →

World Figure Skating Championship’s Legacy of Opportunity, Learning

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By Jason Menard

Amidst the lament of shopkeeps in the downtown area and discussions of empty seats at early events, some are question what the World Figure Skating Championships mean to London, Ontario.

The simple answer? Potential. Hope. A future.

And, most importantly, opportunity — to both build upon the foundation set by successfully staging a global event and to learn from our mistakes. Continue reading →

Go Go Go Joe? That’s Not So Black and White

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By Jason Menard

Right and wrong are supposed to be easy concepts. There’s supposed to be a clear definition of the two, but as has been illustrated by the allegations — and now charges — against London’s mayor Joe Fontana, various shades only serve to cloud our perceptions.

One would think that there are only two sides to this story: one side thinks that Fontana should temporarily step away from his position until the charges have been dealt with; the other side — including the mayor himself — feels that he’s been given a mandate and should continue in that role while the legal proceedings progress. Continue reading →

Knights to Remember

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By Jason Menard

While London, Ontario has received a black eye thanks to a thrown banana, it’s important to not let the negative obscure the positive that this city – and its hockey fans – have to offer.

Nothing’s ever perfect and beyond the moronic actions of one banana-throwing idiot, there are certain negative things that London is known for. The market is somewhat fair weather, failing to sell out the John Labatt Centre unless the team is amongst the upper echelon. There’s always at least one moron who disrespects the national anthem to shout “Go Knights Go!” before the song is finished. Games are filled with, uhm, “plentiful and opportunistic” advertising. And let’s not even talk about the music – I’m all in favour of a permanent ban of “Cotton-Eyed Joe” in any arena.  Continue reading →