Making parents feel guilty about their children's eating and exercise habits isn't likely to produce healthier kids, a Queen's University researcher says.
A report by the Heart and Stroke Foundation recently released says too many of Ontario's children have poor eating habits and don't get enough exercise, but Dr. Elaine Power is concerned that reports like this one focus too heavily on the role of parents and not enough on societal factors, such as poverty, the role of schools and food marketing.
The Heart and Stroke Foundation study asked 1,189 Ontario parents of children between six and 12 years of age about their children's diet and exercise habits. The study concluded that many of the province's children are living an unhealthy childhood due to a lack of physical activity and poor eating habits.
The study found, for example, that only one in eight Ontario children (13%) eats the recommended five or more servings of fruit and vegetables each day. It found that 24%ate junk food three or more times a week.
It compared the findings to a 1998 national survey and concluded that there had been little improvement in children's eating habits since then, and even some regression.
"The report should serve as a wakeup call that the health of our children is not making the grade," said Dr. Andrew Pipe, a Queen's grad and spokesman for the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
The report warns that this generation of children will live shorter lives than their parents because they have a higher risk of developing such life-threatening illnesses as high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
A major problem is poverty, she says. Power notes that the Heart and Stroke Foundation study did a good job of pointing out that some children don't eat healthy foods because their parents can't afford them.
"Fruit and vegetables are often the first things to go," she says, "If you're looking to keep your kid from getting hungry, lettuce really doesn't cut it. Fruit and vegetables don't fill people up in the way that bread and potatoes and starches do."
If Ontarians want their children to be more healthy, the focus should be not on parents, but on what society can do to bring this about, says Power. "How, as a society, can we do a better job of producing healthier, happier kids in the future?"
"The problem is, that would cost money and some people would object on that basis. You're talking about raising taxes."
Whole Story http://www.thewhig.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1766727
For more stories go to http://welfarelegal.blogspot.com/
Ron Payne
Welfare Legal
Hamilton, Ontario
Email welfarelegal2004(at)hotmail(dot)com welfarelegal2004@hotmail.com
Blog http://welfarelegal.blogspot.com/
Friday, September 25, 2009
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Where Does All The Money GO
Township staff to DSSAB: Is that your final answer?
Answers to questions raised by Seguin Township’s representatives with the district’s social service provider have been delivered to Seguin council, and the councillors are not happy with the answers provided.
In April, council sent along questions about the Parry Sound District Social Service Administration Board’s (DSSAB) long-term financial plan after the board and the township disagreed over what should be done with provincially uploaded social service money.
Seguin’s representatives to the board, Coun. Bruce Gibbon and Coun. Susan Adams, had asked questions about the new administration building, which will hold all of the DSSAB’s operations under one roof. They wanted to know what was the approved budget for the project, and what is the current estimated cost to complete it. In response, the DSSAB did not provide specific answers, but did mention the amount of the awarded tender almost $3.5 million.
Seguin asked how is it possible that the investment budgeted for the new facility is twice that invested in public housing between 2006 and 2010, and they wanted to see a “synopsis of the rationale supporting the investment.”
In its response to Seguin, DSSAB said the business case for the $2.3 million project was done informally with the board during an in-camera session and no such case analysis was provided.
In a letter addressed to Adams and Gibbons, Patterson said the 2009 levy to District of Parry Sound municipalities incorporates the influx of provincial dollars for an overall reduction in the local cost of the Ontario Disability Support Program, as well as increases to Ontario Works, Child Care, and Social Housing programs and capital repairs.
“The board is charged with the task of adequately planning for anticipated expenditures under various provincial acts and regulations as well as responding to concerns and risks of our municipal environment,” she wrote.
http://www.parrysound.com/press/1249666693/
For more stories go to http://welfarelegal.blogspot.com/
Answers to questions raised by Seguin Township’s representatives with the district’s social service provider have been delivered to Seguin council, and the councillors are not happy with the answers provided.
In April, council sent along questions about the Parry Sound District Social Service Administration Board’s (DSSAB) long-term financial plan after the board and the township disagreed over what should be done with provincially uploaded social service money.
Seguin’s representatives to the board, Coun. Bruce Gibbon and Coun. Susan Adams, had asked questions about the new administration building, which will hold all of the DSSAB’s operations under one roof. They wanted to know what was the approved budget for the project, and what is the current estimated cost to complete it. In response, the DSSAB did not provide specific answers, but did mention the amount of the awarded tender almost $3.5 million.
Seguin asked how is it possible that the investment budgeted for the new facility is twice that invested in public housing between 2006 and 2010, and they wanted to see a “synopsis of the rationale supporting the investment.”
In its response to Seguin, DSSAB said the business case for the $2.3 million project was done informally with the board during an in-camera session and no such case analysis was provided.
In a letter addressed to Adams and Gibbons, Patterson said the 2009 levy to District of Parry Sound municipalities incorporates the influx of provincial dollars for an overall reduction in the local cost of the Ontario Disability Support Program, as well as increases to Ontario Works, Child Care, and Social Housing programs and capital repairs.
“The board is charged with the task of adequately planning for anticipated expenditures under various provincial acts and regulations as well as responding to concerns and risks of our municipal environment,” she wrote.
http://www.parrysound.com/press/1249666693/
For more stories go to http://welfarelegal.blogspot.com/
Ron Payne
Welfare Legal
Hamilton, Ontario
Email welfarelegal2004(at)hotmail(dot)com welfarelegal2004@hotmail.com
Thursday, August 20, 2009
More Worker Fraud
An Aroland First Nation resident faces numerous fraud-related charges after an extensive Nishnawbe Aski Police Service investigation into her activities as Ontario Works administrator in the community several years ago.
Carrianne Towedo, 30, was arrested May 24. Police allege more than $100,000 was taken from Ontario Works.
Towedo was scheduled to appear in Thunder Bay court May 26 to face three counts of forgery, fraud over $5,000, breach of trust and uttering forged documents.
http://www.wawataynews.ca/node/11522
For more stories go to http://welfarelegal.blogspot.com/
Ron Payne
WelfareLegal
Hamilton, Ontario
Email welfarelegal2004(at)hotmail(dot)com welfarelegal2004@hotmail.com
Blog http://welfarelegal.blogspot.com/
Carrianne Towedo, 30, was arrested May 24. Police allege more than $100,000 was taken from Ontario Works.
Towedo was scheduled to appear in Thunder Bay court May 26 to face three counts of forgery, fraud over $5,000, breach of trust and uttering forged documents.
http://www.wawataynews.ca/node/11522
For more stories go to http://welfarelegal.blogspot.com/
Ron Payne
WelfareLegal
Hamilton, Ontario
Email welfarelegal2004(at)hotmail(dot)com welfarelegal2004@hotmail.com
Blog http://welfarelegal.blogspot.com/
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Bureaucrat’s victims robbed of $1.23 million
Government worker pleads guilty to stealing from ill, homeless
TORONTO — Preadorshani Biazar was a relatively low-earning provincial bureaucrat with an unemployed husband when she was arrested in 2007 — yet she was able to travel the world, own three Toronto-area homes and drive an expensive luxury SUV.
On Tuesday, the woman’s secret source of wealth was unearthed in a Toronto courtroom, as Biazar pleaded guilty to stealing more than $1.23 million from mentally ill, homeless and even dead people whose interests she was supposed to be protecting.
They include the tale of one homeless, mentally ill man who had lived on the streets for decades when Biazar took over his case in 2007. Because the man’s government benefits went untouched, he had accrued nearly $116,000 in an account.
She drove a BMW X5, owned a $30,000 power boat and travelled to Europe, Las Vegas, Dubai and Halifax. The family took multiple ski vacations to Mont Tremblant and Collingwood and ationed at summer resorts.
See the whole story
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/Government+worker+pleads+guilty+stealing+from+homeless/1790881/story.html
For more stories go to http://welfarelegal.blogspot.com/
Ron Payne
Welfare Legal
Hamilton, Ontario
Email welfarelegal2004(at)hotmail(dot)com welfarelegal2004@hotmail.com
Blog http://welfarelegal.blogspot.com/
TORONTO — Preadorshani Biazar was a relatively low-earning provincial bureaucrat with an unemployed husband when she was arrested in 2007 — yet she was able to travel the world, own three Toronto-area homes and drive an expensive luxury SUV.
On Tuesday, the woman’s secret source of wealth was unearthed in a Toronto courtroom, as Biazar pleaded guilty to stealing more than $1.23 million from mentally ill, homeless and even dead people whose interests she was supposed to be protecting.
They include the tale of one homeless, mentally ill man who had lived on the streets for decades when Biazar took over his case in 2007. Because the man’s government benefits went untouched, he had accrued nearly $116,000 in an account.
She drove a BMW X5, owned a $30,000 power boat and travelled to Europe, Las Vegas, Dubai and Halifax. The family took multiple ski vacations to Mont Tremblant and Collingwood and ationed at summer resorts.
See the whole story
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/Government+worker+pleads+guilty+stealing+from+homeless/1790881/story.html
For more stories go to http://welfarelegal.blogspot.com/
Ron Payne
Welfare Legal
Hamilton, Ontario
Email welfarelegal2004(at)hotmail(dot)com welfarelegal2004@hotmail.com
Blog http://welfarelegal.blogspot.com/
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Welfare worker had escort licence, stole rent cheques
From the archives.
This welfare worker fraud story came to light after the BC government sold a batch of computer tapes at a government auction.
A former welfare case worker was accused of embezzling money and using her job to recruit workers for an escort service, a confidential document from computer tapes sold by the B.C. government has revealed.
She said the woman wrote cheques to herself using money that should have gone to pay for the rent of ministry clients.
The transcript is contained in a file on one of 41 computer tapes sold by the provincial government on May 17, 2005, at a public auction in Surrey. The tapes were sold for $101 in an auction lot along with other assorted computer equipment.
Among the other files on the tapes are records on thousands of people's medical status -- including a listing of some people with HIV or mental illness -- and a record of whether they are considered fit for work.
That file also contains social insurance numbers, provincial health numbers and other confidential information.
Another file on the tapes contains a listing of the names, social insurance numbers and internal government file numbers for more than 30,000 refugees.
While much of the sensitive information on those tapes deals with members of the public, there is also confidential information on government employees themselves.
http://www2.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=aebf3fbd-24ab-4225-a3bd-dd5628eb60ae&p=2
For more stories go to http://welfarelegal.blogspot.com/
Ron Payne
Welfare Legal
Hamilton, Ontario
Email welfarelegal2004(at)hotmail(dot)com welfarelegal2004@hotmail.com
Blog http://welfarelegal.blogspot.com/
This welfare worker fraud story came to light after the BC government sold a batch of computer tapes at a government auction.
A former welfare case worker was accused of embezzling money and using her job to recruit workers for an escort service, a confidential document from computer tapes sold by the B.C. government has revealed.
She said the woman wrote cheques to herself using money that should have gone to pay for the rent of ministry clients.
The transcript is contained in a file on one of 41 computer tapes sold by the provincial government on May 17, 2005, at a public auction in Surrey. The tapes were sold for $101 in an auction lot along with other assorted computer equipment.
Among the other files on the tapes are records on thousands of people's medical status -- including a listing of some people with HIV or mental illness -- and a record of whether they are considered fit for work.
That file also contains social insurance numbers, provincial health numbers and other confidential information.
Another file on the tapes contains a listing of the names, social insurance numbers and internal government file numbers for more than 30,000 refugees.
While much of the sensitive information on those tapes deals with members of the public, there is also confidential information on government employees themselves.
http://www2.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=aebf3fbd-24ab-4225-a3bd-dd5628eb60ae&p=2
For more stories go to http://welfarelegal.blogspot.com/
Ron Payne
Welfare Legal
Hamilton, Ontario
Email welfarelegal2004(at)hotmail(dot)com welfarelegal2004@hotmail.com
Blog http://welfarelegal.blogspot.com/
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Welfare Fraud Pays Well If Your A Worker At The Top
Over time Welfare Legal has been posting information regarding the corruption of Ontario Works (OW) and the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP). The one thing that stands out on this subject is the fraud that is being committed by upper management.
One of these cases has now gone through the court system and the results are shocking to say the least. It is the case of Salvatore Cuglietta who was a manager at the Ministry of Community and Social Services office in Sault Ste. Marie where he administered a number of programs, including the Ontario Disability Support Program. Cuglietta had bilked the provincial government and taxpayers of nearly $600,000.
Prosecutor Glen Wasyliniuk said the ministry was seeking restitution of the money taken from “the taxpayers, the people of Ontario.’’ As well, it wanted a further $93,000 to cover the cost of the forensic investigation, the Crown attorney said.
Both the Crown and defence called for a three-year prison term in a joint submission that was part of a plea bargain.
Well here is where it gets good, The judge sentenced Cuglietta to 3 years in jail but did not order him to pay any restitution. This guy steels $600,000 from, in essence the people that need the money the most and he doesn't have to pay one cent back. (WOW)
One could say that Cuglietta will make $200,000 a year for three years while he sits in jail. (What A Deal) The deal becomes sweeter when we will learn that he will probably be released in record breaking time on early parole. (Unheard Of)
The question now becomes why? What is it about the system that nobody wants out? Just think about all the corruption that I have produced on this blog and this is just a very small tip of the iceberg.
Those at the very top, like him, would have full knowledge of what I have been talking about. He has been paid off and paid off big time, to keep his mouth shut.
Those that live in poverty trying to survive, will sleep better at night knowing that Cuglietta will be looked after, getting 3 good meals a day, his own room with TV and playing golf, daily at Club Fed.
Link http://www.saultstar.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1577830
For more stories go to http://welfarelegal.blogspot.com/
Ron Payne
Welfare Legal
Hamilton, Ontario
Email welfarelegal2004(at)hotmail(dot)com welfarelegal2004@hotmail.com
Blog http://welfarelegal.blogspot.com/
One of these cases has now gone through the court system and the results are shocking to say the least. It is the case of Salvatore Cuglietta who was a manager at the Ministry of Community and Social Services office in Sault Ste. Marie where he administered a number of programs, including the Ontario Disability Support Program. Cuglietta had bilked the provincial government and taxpayers of nearly $600,000.
Prosecutor Glen Wasyliniuk said the ministry was seeking restitution of the money taken from “the taxpayers, the people of Ontario.’’ As well, it wanted a further $93,000 to cover the cost of the forensic investigation, the Crown attorney said.
Both the Crown and defence called for a three-year prison term in a joint submission that was part of a plea bargain.
Well here is where it gets good, The judge sentenced Cuglietta to 3 years in jail but did not order him to pay any restitution. This guy steels $600,000 from, in essence the people that need the money the most and he doesn't have to pay one cent back. (WOW)
One could say that Cuglietta will make $200,000 a year for three years while he sits in jail. (What A Deal) The deal becomes sweeter when we will learn that he will probably be released in record breaking time on early parole. (Unheard Of)
The question now becomes why? What is it about the system that nobody wants out? Just think about all the corruption that I have produced on this blog and this is just a very small tip of the iceberg.
Those at the very top, like him, would have full knowledge of what I have been talking about. He has been paid off and paid off big time, to keep his mouth shut.
Those that live in poverty trying to survive, will sleep better at night knowing that Cuglietta will be looked after, getting 3 good meals a day, his own room with TV and playing golf, daily at Club Fed.
Link http://www.saultstar.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1577830
For more stories go to http://welfarelegal.blogspot.com/
Ron Payne
Welfare Legal
Hamilton, Ontario
Email welfarelegal2004(at)hotmail(dot)com welfarelegal2004@hotmail.com
Blog http://welfarelegal.blogspot.com/
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
$600K Fraud COURT: Crown will seek penitentiary term for former Ministry of Community, Social Services manager
An anonymous letter alerted authorities to a large-scale fraud committed by a manager at the Ministry of Community and Social Services office in Sault Ste. Marie, a judge heard Tuesday.
The letter triggered an investigation that discovered Salvatore Cuglietta had bilked the provincial government of nearly $600,000 over a 12-year-period.
During that period, the accused was a manager at the local office, where he administered a number of programs, including the Ontario Disability Support Program.
Cuglietta created a false client claim under the disability program, paid out funds to the false female client and deposited the money in a bank account, Crown attorney Glen Wasyliniuk said.
The payments included $208,000 basic income, $137,000 for accommodation, $54,000 for medical supplies, $94,000 for house repairs, and $82,000 for medical transportation.
See Full Story http://www.saultstar.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1565796
For more stories go to http://welfarelegal.blogspot.com/
Ron Payne
Welfare Legal
Hamilton, Ontario
Email welfarelegal2004(at)hotmail(dot)com welfarelegal2004@hotmail.com
Blog http://welfarelegal.blogspot.com/
The letter triggered an investigation that discovered Salvatore Cuglietta had bilked the provincial government of nearly $600,000 over a 12-year-period.
During that period, the accused was a manager at the local office, where he administered a number of programs, including the Ontario Disability Support Program.
Cuglietta created a false client claim under the disability program, paid out funds to the false female client and deposited the money in a bank account, Crown attorney Glen Wasyliniuk said.
The payments included $208,000 basic income, $137,000 for accommodation, $54,000 for medical supplies, $94,000 for house repairs, and $82,000 for medical transportation.
See Full Story http://www.saultstar.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1565796
For more stories go to http://welfarelegal.blogspot.com/
Ron Payne
Welfare Legal
Hamilton, Ontario
Email welfarelegal2004(at)hotmail(dot)com welfarelegal2004@hotmail.com
Blog http://welfarelegal.blogspot.com/
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