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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News Record, 2016-01-06, Page 3Wednesday, January 6, 2016 • News Record 3 Food Insecurity in Canada Dieticians of Canada Special to Clinton News Record What causes food insecurity? Financial constraints. When income is too low or unsteady, there is not enough money left to pay for sufficient healthy food after paying for housing, utilities, transportation and health expenses. How serious is food insecurity? One in eight households experience food insecurity - that's over 4 million adults and children. The highest rates of food insecurity are in the Territo- ries, especially in Nunavut (45%). Households are more likely to experience food insecurity if they: receive their income from minimum wages, part time jobs, work- ers compensation, employ- ment insurance or social assistance; are First Nation, Metis or Inuit; have children (especially with a lone mother); are homeless; are new immigrants; have chronic health problems. Food insecurity and health issues go together Living with food insecurity doubles the risk of poorer health and health care costs. Rates of chronic disease, depression and suicidal thoughts are higher among children and adults living in food insecure households. The solution to food insecurity: enough money to buy food Canada needs a compre- hensive, integrated strategy to reduce food insecurity, ensuring sufficient incomes and benefits, so that all Canadian households can pay for basic needs, includ- ing food. Elements of a national strategy to address food insecurity should include: Government policies and programs that tackle the problems of material depri- vation. For example, food insecurity rates have dropped: among citizens of Newfoundland and Labra- dor whose income was from social assistance or low pay- ing jobs, following improved financial interventions; when Canadian seniors turn 65 and receive Old Age Secu- rity and the Guaranteed Income Supplement; as more affordable housing options are available. Addressing the unique challenges of food insecurity among Aboriginal peoples, especially in northern/ remote communities. Nuna- vut has by far the highest rate of food insecurity in Canada - a solution is urgently needed. A commitment to regular monitoring of food insecu- rity rates in all provinces and territories. Household food insecurity is much more than a food problem While emergency food ini- tiatives in communities may provide some food relief, food insecurity is reduced by addressing the underlying problems of poverty or mate- rial deprivation. All Canadians pay the price of health and social problems related to food insecurity. Second annual Employerone survey Four County Labour Market Planning Board Special to Clinton News Record It's time for employers in Bruce, Grey, Huron and Perth counties to share their work- force needs in the second annual EmployerOne Survey. The survey is open between January 1 to 31, 2016. The 2105 EmployerOne Survey gave the Four County Labour Market Planning Board (Planning Board) a better understanding of current work- force orkforce issues. Key information obtained in the survey showed businesses found the availabil- ity of qualified workers was fair or poor and that soft skills (including motivation, attitude and interpersonal abilities) are a major concern across all occupations. "We need to continue to form a tactical response to workforce needs with a sense of urgency to survive the coming years," said Gemma Mendez -Smith, Executive Director of the Planning Board. "We need to make better use of labour market trends, address the immediate skills needs of our employers and support a culture of learning in the workplace to ensure our workforce remains resilient to diverse economic realities." By participating in the sur- vey, employers can help the Planning Board determine, develop and implement pro- cesses and strategies to address their labour market needs. In addition to using the information to create individ- ual Local Lens reports for the counties of Bruce, Grey, Huron and Perth, the infor- mation is also used to create Local Lens summaries for the agriculture, construction, manufacturing and retail trade sectors. These Local Lens and the survey observa- tions can be found at www. planningboard.ca. Jamming through the holidays if it's local, it's here Valerie Gillies Postmedia Network The musicians of the Goderich area were happy to have the Goderich Legion gener- ously host the regular Wednesday night jam through the holiday season. The day before Christ- mas Eve and also the day before New Years Eve were well attended with a full circle of musicians and many listeners who often took to the dance floor in appreciation of the variety of tunes. The December 23 jam featured seasonal favourites as musicians took the opportunity to play songs they don't get to perform the rest of the year. This made for a nice change of pace Valerie Gillies Postmedia Network Local musicians take part in the Wednesday jam at the Goderich Legion on December 30. from the regular fare. In comparison, the December 30 jam offered much more of a rock mood, mixed in with the country standards. The local musicians would like to express their appreciation of the use of the Goderich Legion to be able to gather with fellow play- ers and share their love of music with each other and those who gather to listen throughout the holiday season and the rest of the year. It is obvi- ous that this is a venue that is enjoyed by those who join in the fun and will most certainly con- tinue into 2016. The survey findings will be presented to local stakeholders and will help the FCLMPB in its yearly local labour market plan so as to best address local ser- vice and training gaps. Employers can complete the survey during the period Janu- ary 1-31, 2016 byvisiting www. planningboard.ca/survey. For further information on the sur- vey please call the FCLMPB at 519-881-2725 or email info@ planningboard.ca. clintonnewsrecord.com OFFICE HOURS The Office Hours for The Clinton News Record are as follows ondays - 9am - 5pm Tuesdays - CLOSED Wednesdays - 9am - 5pm Thursdays - 9am - 5pm Fridays - 9am - 5pm News B000r 53 Albert St., Clinton, ON PH: 519-482-3443 • www.clintonnewsrecord.com POSTMEDIA