So. That was the election.
In some ways, it’s nice that we have elections that are so uneventful, and at the same time have meaning. Many people around the world only wish they could have the same.
I’ve seen some talk about how it was a waste of money, but I tend to disagree. The situation since 2019 has changed so much, it’s about time that Canadians had a chance to voice their opinion on the plans of the various parties as to how to lead us through this pandemic.
That the makeup of the government didn’t change much tells us either that Canadians are generally satisfied with how the pandemic response has been, or that, worryingly, everybody is now so set in their partisan leanings that elections really won’t change things very much. I’m hoping it’s the former.
The other thing this election has done has been to prompt a raft of promises for the future of post-secondary education. Now it’s up to us as citizens to make sure that the government follows through with it’s promises.
Going back to the post-secondary platform roundup, we see that the Liberal party pledged to permanently eliminate federal intereston Canada Student Loans, and increase both the debt relief that medical practitioners can apply for against their Canada Student Loans, as well as increase the amount that graduates can earn before they need to start repaying their student loans. Also, and this might be a valuable one for AU students, is allowing parents to pause repayment of their federal student loans until their youngest child reaches the age of five, and that program is uspposed to apply to parents who have already graduated but are still paying off their loans.
A society where new graduates aren’t burdened by massive debt as they get started will make it easier for them to jump start the rest of our economy. After all, small businesses are twice as likely to be started by post-secondary graduates, but can be held back by a lack of resources, and, let’s be honest, by the ties and encumbrances that we pick up as we age. How many of us have heard people say, “If only I was younger,” as they lament what they could have done.
I’m hopeful these changes will mean that you don’t have to have that same “If only” that so many other people do.
In the meantime, this week, we’re featuring a look at the downsides of masking. Often reports about masking contain clinical language about the problems that it brings, but student Jessica Young makes that clinical language very real as she points out how not only mask requirements, but the attitudes of those of us who are obeying the requirements, can put a burden on people with disabilities.
I think it’s a point worthy of debate, and personally, I blame those who fight masking simply because of feelings of entitlement or personal discomfort that make it harder for everyone, especially those who really do have no choice in the matter. Once again, it seems we’re why we can’t have nice things.
Also, Alek Golijanin brings us a brief look at something beyond the pandemic, because things like cancer haven’t gone away while the rest of us try to deal with contagion.
And if you’ve ever made a meal at home, you’ve probably had to deal with leftovers. This week, Chef Corey brings us some ideas on how to freshen up those leftovers and make them into brand new meals. Plus, of course, scholarships, reviews, events, advice, and more!
Enjoy the read!
