editor, Author at Monitor Telegram

Cyber threats outpacing abilities of governments, companies according to the World Economic Forum

January 17, 2018

As cases of data breach and online frauds fox the authorities in India and abroad, the World Economic Forum (WEF) has warned that cybersecurity threats are outpacing the abilities of the governments and companies to overpower them unless all stakeholders cooperate.

In a new report to be discussed in detail at its annual meeting in Swiss ski resort town of Davos by over 3,000 world leaders including from India, the Geneva-based WEF said working collaboratively in the cybersecurity space is difficult and there is no “simple policy solution or silver bullet here”.

Professor put on leave after allegedly mocking U of G student with ‘severe anxiety’

January 17, 2018

A professor at the University of Guelph in Ontario has been put on a leave of absence following allegations he referred to a student’s aid worker as his “handler” who “needed to control” the student in a class Monday night.

The substitute teacher is the subject of allegations by other students.

Halifax Regional Police have charged former Nova Scotia PC candidate with fraud

January 16, 2018

A former Nova Scotia Progressive Conservative candidate is facing two criminal charges related to the 2016 deposit of a $90,000 cheque in his bank account.

Halifax Regional Police have charged Paul Edward Beasant, 49, with one count each of fraud over $5,000 and uttering a forged document.

According to police, Beasant attempted to deposit the cheque into his bank account at the Royal Bank at 1597 Bedford Highway.

Breaking court decision: Abid Okadia, 63, of OK Tax Services, in Toronto found Liable for Fraud

January 15, 2018

On November 25, 2016, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice found Abid Okadia, born July 8, 1954, the owner and operator of OK Tax Services in Toronto, liable for defrauding a Scarborough couple out of for $90,200.

Mr. Okadia was also ordered to pay punitive damages of $5,000, and the victim’s legal expenses in the amount of $18,500. In addition to this debt of $113,700.00, Mr. Okadia was ordered to account for what he did with the victim’s money.

92% of families face tax hike of over $2,200 beginning in 2019: Fraser Institute

January 11, 2018

A new Fraser Institute report — The Effect of Canadian Families of Changes to Federal Income Tax and CPP Payroll Tax — says more than 90% of Canadian families will pay higher taxes once the Canada Pension Plan tax increases are fully implemented by 2025. The first of seven increases to CPP tax — which all workers much pay — begins January 2019. The study’s co-author, Charles Lammam, talks about the impact on middle-class families.

Prescription drugs will become less safe if Health Canada has its way

January 10, 2018

In a little-noticed announcement in October 2017, Health Canada signalled its intention to raise the fees that drug makers will have to pay when they want to get a new medication on the market.

These user fees currently fund about 50 per cent of Health Canada’s operating budget for regulating prescription drugs. Health Canada wants to increase that to 90 per cent. In addition, it will rebate 25 per cent of that fee if it fails to review new drug applications within an established period of time.

$500M recouped worldwide from tax cheats due to Panama Papers — but none of it in Canada

January 9, 2018

A dozen governments around the world say they’ve recovered a combined $500 million in unpaid taxes so far thanks to the Panama Papers leak of tax-haven financial records in 2016.

But not a penny of that is destined for Canadian government coffers. The Canada Revenue Agency maintains it will be at least another 2½ years before it will have an idea of how much it might recoup.

Ontario premier calls cutbacks to health benefits for Tim Hortons staff ‘bullying’

January 4, 2018

TORONTO — The premier of Ontario accused the children of Tim Hortons’ billionaire co-founders Thursday of bullying their employees by reducing their benefits in response to the province’s increased minimum wage.

In a letter dated December 2017, Ron Joyce Jr., son of company co-founder Ron Joyce, and his wife, Jeri Horton-Joyce, who is Tim Hortons’ daughter, told employees at two Tim Hortons restaurants they own in Cobourg, Ont., that as of Jan. 1, they would no longer be entitled to paid breaks, and would have to pay at least half of the cost of their dental and health benefits.

Ontario police officer quits force after three year suspension that cost taxpayers $400K

January 4, 2018

CHATHAM — Paid to do nothing, a senior Chatham-Kent police officer has quit the force after costing taxpayers nearly $400,000 in pay for the more than three years that he was suspended from the job.

The departure of Sgt. Robert Mugridge, announced Wednesday, comes days before the 29-year veteran of the force is to face the sentencing music in court for fraud and is certain to renew calls for Ontario to hurry up legislation ending its distinction as the only province where officers facing serious charges cannot be suspended without pay. It also comes ahead of a disciplinary hearing where Mugridge faced almost certain termination from the Chatham-Kent force.

Are Canadian Pharmacies the Solution to America’s High Prescription Drug Prices?

January 3, 2018

Every day for the last three years, I’ve started my morning with four prescription pills that cost roughly $11 each. I say “roughly” because the price fluctuates. The last time I filled a 90-day prescription, the full cost was $4,037. Sometimes, a 90-day refill costs hundreds of dollars less. But it’s always expensive enough for one of the pharmacy techs at my local Rite Aid to let out a whistle when I tell them what I need to pick up.

About a year ago, someone I suggested I check out the prices for this drug in Canada. My medicine, which is called Lialda, turns out to cost thousands of dollars less just 500 miles north of D.C. Global Care RX, a Canadian online pharmacy, sells a 90-day supply of Lialda for $710, while Canadian Pharmacy King sells it for $734.