Sunday, February 20, 2005
Beware Internet Mistruth!!
About a month ago I received an e-mail, which many others did also, I am sure, regarding pensioners and refugees in Canada, and the monthly allowances received by each. Upon first reading the e-mail, I was stunned. I found it hard to believe, but realized that most people do believe any snippet of information they are sent if it is controversial. Therefore, I kept the e-mail, and decided I would look into it at a later date. I have done a little research, and the e-mail I received "isn't exactly the truth". Below is the e-mail I received, and after the e-mail will be a follow-up.
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'Subject: Pension Income in Canada[mind blowing] From the
hard copy of the Toronto Star, 18 April 2004. I found it
interesting that the federal government provides a
single refugee with a monthly allowance of $1,890.00 and each can also
get an additional $580.00 in social assistance for a total of
$2,470.00. This compares very well to a single pensioner who after
contributing to the growth and development of Canada for 40 to 50
years can only receive a monthly maximum of $1,012.00 in old age
pension and Guaranteed Income Supplement. Maybe our
pensioners should apply as refugees! Lets send this to all
Canadians, so we can all be pissed off
and maybe we can get the refugees cut back to $1,012.00 and the
pensioners up to $2,470.00 and enjoy some of the money we were forced
to submit to the Government over the last 40 or 50 year.'
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As you can read, the content of the e-mail would certainly set anyone's blood to boiling, if it were true. Apparently, some "facts" and "key" words were left out.
The e-mail content was copied from the Toronto Star, but it was from a "Letter To The Editor", which is the writer's opinion.
Refugees are assisted through the Resettlement Assistance Program (RAP) with income support and immediate essential services. Income for Government Assisted Refugees (GAR)s is for 12 months, but may be increased to 24 months if there are special needs, so the plan has a ceiling chronologically. Also, GARs cannot receive provincial social assistance while receiving RAP support. Resettlement income support is provided on a monthly basis and entitlement amounts are guided by provincial welfare income support rates for food and shelter. The support provided under RAP covers only the most basic needs, including necessary items such as household furnishings, utensils, linens, etc., needed to establish a household. A single GAR that settles in Ontario would receive between $520-$580 per month as RAP income support for 12 months. Usually, the first month's payment will be larger as it includes additional funds for basic household items on top of the standard income support amount. Therefore, the initial month's payment could reach $1890, but it would be for the first month only.
So, as you see, the e-mail wasn't totally factual. Canada is a compassionate country, and should be helping out refugees. This isn't to say we shouldn't have stringent requirements for a person to be considered a refugee. In these days of "global terrorism" we must remain wary and vigilant about who crosses our borders. As 9/11 showed us, even legal entrants into the country can pose a great threat, so let us make sure that any refugee applicants are valid.
In closing, access to the internet has made communicating quickly and easily a daily affair. It also has opened up a treasure trove of information that wasn't accessible previously, to anyone with a computer. Therefore, when receiving questionable material, do like I did, do a little research, and find out the truth.
COME FLY WITH US!!!!! (Free popsicles!)
The owners of Dwarf Air (pictured above) would like to invite you to come and fly with them. For all your aviation needs, see Dwarf Air. ( This is an advertisement.)
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'Subject: Pension Income in Canada[mind blowing] From the
hard copy of the Toronto Star, 18 April 2004. I found it
interesting that the federal government provides a
single refugee with a monthly allowance of $1,890.00 and each can also
get an additional $580.00 in social assistance for a total of
$2,470.00. This compares very well to a single pensioner who after
contributing to the growth and development of Canada for 40 to 50
years can only receive a monthly maximum of $1,012.00 in old age
pension and Guaranteed Income Supplement. Maybe our
pensioners should apply as refugees! Lets send this to all
Canadians, so we can all be pissed off
and maybe we can get the refugees cut back to $1,012.00 and the
pensioners up to $2,470.00 and enjoy some of the money we were forced
to submit to the Government over the last 40 or 50 year.'
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As you can read, the content of the e-mail would certainly set anyone's blood to boiling, if it were true. Apparently, some "facts" and "key" words were left out.
The e-mail content was copied from the Toronto Star, but it was from a "Letter To The Editor", which is the writer's opinion.
Refugees are assisted through the Resettlement Assistance Program (RAP) with income support and immediate essential services. Income for Government Assisted Refugees (GAR)s is for 12 months, but may be increased to 24 months if there are special needs, so the plan has a ceiling chronologically. Also, GARs cannot receive provincial social assistance while receiving RAP support. Resettlement income support is provided on a monthly basis and entitlement amounts are guided by provincial welfare income support rates for food and shelter. The support provided under RAP covers only the most basic needs, including necessary items such as household furnishings, utensils, linens, etc., needed to establish a household. A single GAR that settles in Ontario would receive between $520-$580 per month as RAP income support for 12 months. Usually, the first month's payment will be larger as it includes additional funds for basic household items on top of the standard income support amount. Therefore, the initial month's payment could reach $1890, but it would be for the first month only.
So, as you see, the e-mail wasn't totally factual. Canada is a compassionate country, and should be helping out refugees. This isn't to say we shouldn't have stringent requirements for a person to be considered a refugee. In these days of "global terrorism" we must remain wary and vigilant about who crosses our borders. As 9/11 showed us, even legal entrants into the country can pose a great threat, so let us make sure that any refugee applicants are valid.
In closing, access to the internet has made communicating quickly and easily a daily affair. It also has opened up a treasure trove of information that wasn't accessible previously, to anyone with a computer. Therefore, when receiving questionable material, do like I did, do a little research, and find out the truth.
COME FLY WITH US!!!!! (Free popsicles!)
The owners of Dwarf Air (pictured above) would like to invite you to come and fly with them. For all your aviation needs, see Dwarf Air. ( This is an advertisement.)
Comments:
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The picture you took of VQD was just a couple of days the engine finally died on me. Actually seized solid! With dwarfs also on board. 9 boy scouts. It was a good thing they were on board as we were able to paddle the aircraft to a safe location on the little lake without damaging the aircraft. It was a little windy that day and the lake had only a couple of suitable moaring places.
They did their good deed for the day.
Softjug
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They did their good deed for the day.
Softjug
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