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The Speech From the Throne provides Government's view of the state of the province and sets out its legislative plans for the session. It is delivered by the Lieutenant Governor at the opening of a legislative session.
The text of the most recent Speech from the Throne is provided below; previous speeches can be found under Related Links.
Speech from the Throne - Second Session, 66th General Assembly
Delivered by the Honourable Antoinette Perry, Lieutenant Governor of Prince Edward Island, on February 25, 2021.
Mr. Speaker, Members of the Legislative Assembly, invited guests and guests joining us virtually; welcome to the Second Session of the Sixty-sixth General Assembly of the Prince Edward Island Legislature. It is my great pleasure to share with you the policy and program initiatives my government has chosen to pursue on behalf of the people of Prince Edward Island over the tenure of the next Session of this Assembly.
Much has changed since last I had the opportunity to address this Chamber. One member has chosen to retire after having devoted many years as a representative of the people. I'm sure all members join me in wishing him the best in his retirement from this assembly.
Two new members have joined our number, and I extend a warm welcome to the members for districts 9 and 10. Both members have already had the benefit of witnessing the operations of the legislature: the cut and thrust of political debate, the careful consideration of legislative proposals, the thoughtful allocation of the province's financial resources, and of course the holding to account of the Executive Branch of government.
I want to take this opportunity to remind all members of the Legislature of the gravitas of your responsibilities. In doing so, I ask you to regularly recall the oath that you swore upon your admission to this chamber; to represent and advance the greater public good. I pray that consideration of, and adherence to, this principle will guide your deliberations and debates over this and coming sessions of the assembly.
The Disruption of the COVID-19 Pandemic
The greatest changes since last I was here, of course, are those imposed by the current global pandemic. This year marks the 170th anniversary of responsible government in this province. I follow in the footsteps of many representatives of the Crown, both Governors and Lieutenant Governors, who have had the privilege of summoning the Assembly. But I can say with some confidence, that I am the first of Her Majesty's representatives to wear a mask into the chamber.
We are fortunate, on Prince Edward Island, to be able to gather in this Assembly. Other of our sister provinces are not so fortunate or, at least, not to the extent we are able. But I hasten to add that our good fortune is not a function of luck. Since the COVID-19 outbreak was first declared a pandemic, we have been under the professional and thoughtful guidance of the Chief Public Health Officer, Dr. Heather Morrison, and our dedicated team who has worked tirelessly to keep us safe.
On behalf of all Islanders, I want to thank Dr. Morrison and all the frontline workers who have kept us fed, comforted, and safe during this unsettling time. We owe a debt of gratitude to those who put themselves in danger to accommodate our needs: the doctors, nurses, long term care attendants, first responders, early childhood educators, truck drivers, farmers and fishers, store clerks and service workers, police officers, public servants, teachers, bus drivers and so many others.
These and many others have done their part to ensure the rest of us are able to maintain some degree of normalcy in our lives. Because of them, and because of the faithful adherence to public health protocols on the part of all Islanders, we are in an enviable position to make a speedy recovery from this pandemic.
Our province has been well supported through our partnership with the federal government with historic contributions to Island families and businesses during a time when they were most needed. We will continue to collaborate closely with our federal partner in the health and economic recovery from the pandemic.
Growing, Adapting, and Moving Forward
In anticipation of that recovery process, my government some months ago, created the Premier's Council for Recovery and Growth. The Council's mandate was to solicit the input of community leaders and citizens and to recommend to government, measures to facilitate a timely economic and social recovery.
The Council's report will be tabled in this session of the Legislature. Indeed, many of the initiatives outlined in this Speech from the Throne, are inspired by the recommendations of the Council and the many Islanders who submitted their ideas and suggestions.
I want to thank the members of the Council for their dedication to the betterment of our province and for their commitment to grass-roots democracy and representation.
As the security and confidence assured by our vaccine regimens take root and grow, we must turn our attention to our recovery, to assessing lessons learned, and to minimizing the risk of similar disruptions in the future.
To that end, my government outlines today, the broad elements of a plan for sustainability, inclusivity, and innovation. The initiatives underlined are the result of broad consultations with Islanders, business and community leaders, as well as members of this Legislative Assembly on all sides of the House.
A Sustainable, Inclusive, and Innovative Health Care System
The events of this past year have underlined for each of us the vital importance of health. Without personal health and well-being, all our other efforts and achievements stand for naught. And while this is the case for each of us individually, so too is it the case for us collectively. No public policy issue is more critical to our community than a robust and responsive health care system. In this chamber, issues related to health care dominate our thoughts, our debates, and our budgets.
But despite its predominance in our personal and public lives, and despite the efforts and intentions of our health care professionals, many of us remain frustrated with our health care system. From the perspective of patients, accessing the system for certain services is seen as complex and time consuming. From the perspective of practitioners, too many resources appear to be spent on acute care and illness treatment rather than wellness and illness prevention.
My government has adopted a model of health care which will move the primary focus of care from acute and long-term care toward community-based care. The new model will enable the delivery of health services to be more efficient and closer to home through medical homes and medical neighborhoods.
Change will not happen overnight. The process is designed to be evolutionary rather than revolutionary.
The first step in the evolutionary process will see the creation of three new primary care homes. Islanders assigned to primary care homes will have quicker access to the appropriate health professional. The primary care home approach will foster greater communication between patient and medical provider, and between the medical professionals who make up the teams. It will also serve to enhance collaborative case management, particularly for patients with complex needs.
Our experience over the past year has proven the usefulness of remote and virtual options in health care delivery. Accordingly, the new model will employ more virtual care options in circumstances where a physical visit may be unnecessary. During the pandemic we learned, for example, that a virtual visit with a doctor or nurse practitioner is often a more timely and effective form of assessment following hospitalization or other forms of medical intervention.
Much of the transition to the new model of care will be accommodated by a secure and integrated electronic medical records management system. This has been an initiative of successive governments; and my government has already begun the implementation of the system. This will greatly enhance the ability of the medical community to respond in a holistic and timely manner to Islanders' health care needs.
Another lesson from our experience with the pandemic is our new awareness and appreciation for companionship and community. We are not meant to be isolated with our thoughts or our worries. This recognition is not an admission of weakness, but rather an affirmation of the complexity of the human condition. And, in many cases our mental health – which is such a vital part of our overall health – gets adversely affected.
In recognition of this, my government will introduce a five-year, $10 million dollar Community Mental Health and Addictions Fund. This new spending is intended to help community partners deliver new mental health and addictions services in PEI.
My government will also introduce a single point of access for mental health and addictions services. Islanders will have access to a 24/7 service to help navigate the system and ensure the person is receiving appropriate and timely attention.
In addition to these major initiatives in health care, my government will continue its investment in developing the next stage of the new Mental Health Campus and the implementation of the Mobile Mental Health Units.
And to ensure that attention to our mental health has parity with our physical health, my government will establish the PEI Centre for Mental Well-being made up of representation from the many community partners engaged in the delivery of mental health services. The Centre will provide government the essential feedback and guidance to ensure our mental health services are responsive to the needs of the community.
Health human resources are critical in the delivery of quality health care services in our province. Prince Edward Island has a long history of providing education and training for the health care professionals that we rely on. The Charlottetown Hospital, the Prince Edward Island Hospital, the PEI School of Nursing, Holland College, Collège de l'Île, and the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI), all provided a local option for quality education for a wide range of health care providers.
Today, Holland College and UPEI provide high standards of education and practical training for our nursing professionals. But even with programs at capacity, we continue to experience problems in recruiting health professionals.
My government announces three initiatives to address this issue. First, it will establish a working group made up of representatives from Holland College, UPEI, Health PEI and nursing professionals. The working group will collaborate to expand the Registered Nursing program at UPEI and the Licensed Practical Nurse program at Holland College for Island students wishing to pursue a career in health care on Prince Edward Island.
Secondly, my government will immediately establish a $5 million dollar fund for the recruitment of nurses and nurse practitioners over the next five years. The fund will provide student debt forgiveness for Registered Nurses and Nurse Practitioners while they live and work in PEI.
Thirdly, my government will establish a $2.5 million dollar Retention, Mentorship and Training Fund for Registered Nurses and Nurse Practitioners currently working on Prince Edward Island.
In addition, my government will embark on a process to redevelop the nursing strategy that will strengthen our system to be more resilient in this highly competitive environment for health human resources. Government will also develop an evidence-based proactive forecasting model for the health system that will enable leadership to identify and anticipate human resource and clinical service needs required to best serve Islanders in the future.
During the pandemic we witnessed the devastation that the virus can wreak on vulnerable communities, particularly the elderly. And while our seniors have been spared from the most dire ravages of the virus, we nonetheless, must take action to improving health services for seniors so as to be prepared for future viral threats.
During this session of the House, my government will present for your consideration, the elements of a comprehensive Seniors Health Strategy, embracing existing and new programs designed to ensure the safety and well-being of our senior citizens. The strategy will focus on safe care at home and closer to home. The objective is to prevent hospital admissions whenever possible, and to enable earlier discharges in those circumstances where hospitalization is required.
Implementation of this strategy will encompass several new programs, as well as the expansion and enhancement of many programs already serving our elder citizens.
Expansions and enhancements will be made to our Care at Home Program which enables virtual long-term care. Programs such as Mobile Integrated Health, Caring for Older Adults in Community and at Home, and our Restorative Care Program will all be expanded and enhanced. These programs are designed to assist our seniors with the transition from acute care to home. My government will also be developing and piloting two new programs: An At-Home Respite Program, and a Multidisciplinary Dementia Team.
We are blessed, here on Prince Edward Island, to have both public and private long-term care facilities that provide comfort, care and dignity to our seniors in their final years of life. But conversations and consultations with residents, family members, and staff, have identified areas where services and programming can be improved.
My government will introduce nurse practitioners into the care teams for private long-term care facilities. Further, in response to concerns expressed by residents, family and staff, my government will be adjusting staffing assignments at our public long-term care facilities to achieve a better balance between day and night-time shifts. This will ensure residents' medical and comfort needs can be promptly attended, regardless of the time of day.
A Commitment to our Children and Families
We have learned a great deal from our experiences of the past year. Many of the initiatives outlined in this address are a direct response to those lessons learned.
We have learned that we must do better for our children and families. We saw that women were disproportionately impacted by the shuttering of the economy. Women are heavily employed in the service sector, tourism industry, and front-line services. These are all areas of our economy most impacted by the shutdown.
Women often carry the responsibilities of caring for children and family members. During this pandemic, many women who were employed had to consider the issue of childcare, with some making the difficult decision to leave their jobs in order to care for their children. Others were forced to manage the complexities of remote-working while caring for their children, and still others had to balance working (often at reduced hours), against the cost of childcare.
As Islanders, we are proud of our early learning and childcare system. Indeed, we are known nationally as leaders in this field. And, as leaders, we now recognize there is still room for improvements and these improvements must be accelerated.
To that end, this Government will enter negotiations with our federal government to make significant provincial and joint federal/provincial investment as we aggressively rollout an expansion plan for early years education in 2021.
Prince Edward Island is co-chairing the work on a national early learning and childcare system that will benefit our children, their families, the early childhood sector, and our labour force.
My government's objective is to increase access to childcare by adding an additional 300 childcare spaces this year. This measure will constitute the first steps toward a universal model with a fixed rate for early childhood centres, with the objective to provide our children a strong and healthy start to their educational path in a consistent, caring, and safe learning environment.
An important part of the success of this plan will be the availability of qualified and credentialed staff. As part of the budgetary process, you will be asked to approve additional allocations for the continued professional development of our early childhood educators, as well as measures to improve their wages, in parallel with their enhanced training and credentialing
The improvements in early childcare that have been outlined will also allow us to move forward with our universal Pre-K Program in the fall of 2021.
Taken together, our efforts at improving early childcare and our universal Pre-K program will provide a seamless introduction to our children's educational journey. It will launch our children into the school system with the best chance of success in meeting both health and educational goals. We can proudly say that Prince Edward Island will continue to reap the benefits of these investments for generations to come.
In addition to these measures in the early years, my government will continue to invest in the public school system to create learning environments in which our children feel safe and supported. Additional investments have been made and will continue to be made to add more front-line resources such as school counsellors, student well-being teams, and autism consultants to support the unique needs of children and their families.
The new School Food Program has proven to be widely successful and popular with students, parents, and educators. Providing access to healthy, locally sourced, locally prepared and affordable meals for students ensures they have the nutrition needed to learn and helps them to develop life-long healthy eating habits.
Over the past year, students at all Island schools have had access to healthy, nutritious lunch options, and we are committed to continuing these efforts by formally establishing a non-profit organization to make further progress with this program.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, my government worked hard to continue to deliver healthy meals to students who needed them the most while they were at home. This summer, my government will partner with community organizations to continue this initiative in an effort to reduce food insecurity in our province.
In addition to raising our children to be good citizens and leaders of tomorrow, our education system is also charged with providing employable and marketable skills in a rapidly changing world.
We want to ensure our high school and post-secondary students are better supported and prepared for employment opportunities and success upon leaving school.
Working with our public school system, post-secondary institutions, community, and industry, we will ensure greater awareness in schools of non-traditional paths, trades, educational opportunities, and labour market needs.
The Province of Prince Edward Island will create a School-to-Workforce Transition Team and establish a permanent framework to support our student's early work success and contribute to a more highly skilled and sustainable workforce for our province.
As part of this initiative, my government will build on the success of the Science and Heritage Fair concept to introduce a new initiative for Junior and Senior schools. The Clean Tech Science Fair will encourage our youngest minds to tackle the challenges of climate change, energy use, robotics, and artificial intelligence.
As a further incentive to engage young Islanders and harness their ideas, my government will introduce a UPEI & Holland College challenge fund that provides seed money to help develop enterprise solutions, and the creation of new clean technologies.
Coordinating our efforts in workforce preparedness and transition will be the role of the new Agency for Workforce Development. At the core of the Agency and dictating much of its programming profile will be a labour market information unit that will closely track PEI's labour market needs and trends. This unit will give employers and potential employees access to a timely and accurate snapshot of labour market job market opportunities specific to Prince Edward Island. Our current reliance on national data fails to recognize issues unique to the Island such as scale, seasonality, and geography.
The Agency will work in tandem with our post-secondary institutions on the education and training development of workers, including increasing co-op and workplace training initiatives to allow for a better integration of training and work. Identifying those sectors with existing labour pressures and potential opportunities, the Agency will work with employers and labour groups to create immediate and unique solutions in specific sectors.
This initiative will result in more and enhanced opportunities for Island workers, through education, training and jobs which will allow everyone more opportunities for advancement in work and life.
Investing in Clean Technology
The people of Prince Edward Island recognize the importance of our environment. With challenging coastal considerations, extreme weather events, and with natural resources that are both complex and fragile, Islanders are very much attuned to the impacts of climate change.
Prince Edward Island has an established reputation in renewable energy and climate action. Our leadership in wind energy has been forged over decades, and we continue to build our capacity across the province in this valuable sector.
Energy from waste and bio-fuel provides heating to more than 150 public buildings throughout PEI, including our hospitals and many of our schools. Since 2018, Efficiency PEI has supported the installation of more than 13,000 new heat pumps, and now 98% of new homes built in PEI are using clean energy. It is through these innovations that Prince Edward Island has been able to see its per capita carbon emissions decline by 27.5 % since 2005. This kind of climate action is essential to protecting our province's environment for generations to come.
But we all know that even more innovation is needed. Tackling climate change now and in the future will require our best ideas, ingenuity and enterprise. We need viable, long-term solutions in areas such as transportation and agriculture to meet our target as the first province in Canada to reach net zero.
In order to advance this objective, my government will embark on a strategy to build PEI's Clean Tech sector, supporting PEI-based companies to develop and deploy competitive, clean technology solutions. Our aim is to encourage leading-edge development that will help solve some of our most pressing environmental challenges: climate change, clean air, clean water, and clean soil.
Features of the strategy include the creation of a specific loan portfolio valued at $50 million dollars to assist new businesses and existing businesses adopt and develop clean technology solutions.
The strategy will also establish three tax-free development zones that will provide opportunities for Clean Tech businesses to cluster and take advantage of common services and supports so that they can accelerate their work.
My government will use its tax system to advance clean tech business interests by establishing an equity investment grant that will provide a rebate to anyone investing in an approved PEI Clean Tech firm.
Becoming a leader in clean technology requires investment in research and development. To that end, my government announces two new initiatives.
The first is the introduction of a $10 million dollar fund over the next 5 years specifically earmarked for research and development projects in the Clean Tech Sector.
The second initiative is the establishment of the PEI Energy Academy and Eco-Innovation Park.
Working in partnership with Holland College and the UPEI Canadian Centre for Climate Change and Adaptation, these two facilities will seek to grow our expertise and demonstrate ecological and economical practices as a baseline for sustainable futures.
The PEI Energy Academy will extend applied training, research, and early-stage development in energy innovation. The Eco-Innovation Park will be connected to local and regional industry, education, and culture. Together, these two initiatives will foster a community dedicated to innovation and collaboration by accommodating a range of education and enterprises in eco-centered research, development, and manufacturing.
This is a bold step for Prince Edward Island. It challenges us to be world leaders. But that is not new territory for us. In the 1980's, the Institute of Man and Resources placed Prince Edward Island on the leading edge of research and development in the alternative energy field. My government is confident that, with this initiative, Prince Edward Island will once again show the rest of the world that "small is possible."
A Safe Place to Live, Work and Raise a Family
Throughout the pandemic we have learned that people's sense of security and safety increases with public confidence. When Islanders feel safe, there is a greater confidence and purpose in how we go about our daily lives. PEI continues to be regarded as a safe place to live, work, and raise a family. We know that families come in all shapes and sizes and we recognize that grandparents in particular can play a larger role in raising our children and we will work to support that.
We can always do better. My government will introduce measures for harm reduction for those who are in a challenging time in their lives. Working with the Chief Public Health Office, we will introduce new initiatives and programs to help those most vulnerable Islanders.
Every Islander deserves to live their life free of violence and physical or mental abuse. However, we know that isn't always the case and far too many of our children, family members, friends and neighbours continue to live in fear. My government commits to working across political parties and departments and with the Child and Youth Advocate in the development of strategies to combat gender-based violence, family violence, sexual violence and harassment.
In addition, government will explore new therapeutic justice options for those in conflict with the law. These initiatives will ensure that individuals have the proper supports for representation, treatment and rehabilitation.
A More Equitable and Inclusive Island
This past year, events that happened far beyond our borders, and right here in Prince Edward Island, reminded us of glaring social justice imbalances, and the need for meaningful cultural change.
Thousands of Islanders demonstrated their support and commitment for equality at Black Lives Matter, the largest march that has ever occurred in this province. It was a show of force and a sign of solidarity. It was a statement that change is needed, that we must do better as a province and a community of people.
Government has listened. And will continue to listen. And we will act. There is work to be done for those whose voices are still not being heard. Our Island truly thrives when everyone is treated equitably.
In partnership with the PEI Council for People with Disabilities, my government will support taxi, cabs and rideshare operators to retrofit their vehicles to ensure adequate fare-based travel options are available for those with a physical disability.
We must continue to apply gender – and diversity – based analysis to policy and key decisions within government to ensure that a gender bias is not inherent in content, access or delivery.
Further, starting immediately, new programs will be launched to provide under-represented populations with the recognition and support they deserve.
A micro-loan program for under-represented populations will be established to provide Islanders who identify as BIPOC, indigenous, women, 2SLBGTQIA+and youth, the necessary assistance to start their own business and chart their own course in life.
My government is working in partnership with Pride PEI and PEERS Alliance to assist in making our province a leader in celebrating and supporting the diversity of gender identity, sexual orientation, and gender expression.
We will also establish a partnership with vocational schools such as the Atlantic Police Academy to fund seats for under-represented groups and visible minorities. It is essential that our institutions and agencies reflect the diversity of our community. We must ensure that our policing agencies are reflective of the society they service and are community focused. We will evaluate our policing model in this province to ensure it is reflective of the people and addresses the concerns of the community. Government will work with our police agencies to focus on crime prevention measures and programs, and to explore alternative approaches to punishment and rehabilitation.
My government continues to strengthen its relationship with First Nations. We will work with First Nations leadership to celebrate and preserve the native language, to ensure our first peoples have a voice in significant issues, and to commit resources to create wealth and independence in our Mi'kmaq communities.
As an Islander of Acadian descent, I took great pride in participating in the 2019 Congrès Mondial. The Congrès was a great success and a credit to the Acadian and Francophone community of the province.
My government continues to invest in programs and services to further preserve and enhance the French language, culture, and education across the province. In this regard, the Commission scolaire de langue française is a vital partner. The significance of its role will be reflected in government's budgetary commitment, and evident in measures like the building of a new school for the Evangeline area.
As our population diversifies, our culture also diversifies and evolves. Prince Edward Island has always been open and welcoming to those who, for economic, religious, political, or personal reasons choose to leave their homeland in search of a new life. Today's immigrants, like my ancestors and yours, seek merely to improve their condition and build new lives. This province must always be a warm and loving place - a home - for every person who chooses to be here.
Enhancing our Community
I have already referred to the Premier's Council for Recovery and Growth. More than 1,100 ideas were shared with the Council by Islanders from across the province.
Chief among the concerns raised and the suggestions made was the desire to mitigate poverty. Many groups and individuals cited the desire for some form of basic income support. My government will continue to work collaboratively with our federal partners to explore this and other options to eliminate systemic poverty in our province.
We know that housing costs constitute a large part of household expense, and any effort to address poverty must strongly factor the cost and appropriateness of our housing options. My government continues to make investments in expanding and improving our social housing options, in both public and private domains. Our vacancy rate across PEI has gone from less than 1% to almost 3%, but we know that much of this is due to the pandemic. Fewer students and tourists have reduced the pressure on housing in the province.
We must use this temporary reprieve from a chronic housing shortage to work with private developers, communities, non-profits, and entrepreneurs, to continue to build our housing supply, while reducing barriers to home ownership for Islanders.
My government is also committed to expanding our knowledge of societal well-being in our province. Central to this, is the development of a broad set of PEI Well-being Indicators. Government has partnered with UPEI through the Institute of Island Studies, to undertake a multi-year research project of this nature. This work aims to assess what is truly important to Islanders in relation to their overall well-being.
A Cleaner Environment
Of equal prominence in the input from Islanders shared with the Council, were concerns about our natural environment. In response to these concerns, Members of the Legislature will, this session, be asked to consider policy, program and budgetary proposals related to:
Encouraging a greater use of electric vehicles;
Expanding our energy efficiency programs with a particular focus on assisting low-income islanders;
Assisting municipalities in becoming more sustainable;
Implementing a food waste reduction strategy;
Introducing measures to reduce single use plastics;
Implementing an Island-wide public transit system and increasing our commitment to active transportation;
Implementing a soil health strategy;
Introducing free energy audits for farmers to assist in reducing energy consumption; and
Increasing our level of protected land to reach our goal of 7%, with full intention of moving to 10%.
In addition, my government will have an open call for communities and non-profit organizations to submit infrastructure projects that include an applied net zero and climate change lens, to the Infrastructure Secretariat.
In this year, we will make further adjustments in carbon pricing in keeping with the federal Pan-Canadian Framework. Our commitment is to return every dollar collected through a price on carbon, back to Islanders, and to support Island families and businesses to become more efficient in their energy use.
These and other measures which my government has already implemented will move us closer to our net zero goal.
A More Resilient Economy
The COVID-19 pandemic has presented the greatest disruption to the global economy since the Second World War. Fractured supply chains, interrupted production cycles, lost employment opportunities, and shattered consumer confidence will all take time to heal. And like our recovery after the war, our recovery from this devastation will require the intervention of government.
The work of the Premier's Council for Growth and Recovery made clear two areas of our economy which deserve special consideration. The first area demanding our immediate attention is the tourism sector and its related businesses such as accommodations, conventions, food and beverage services, and cultural events.
We all recognize that 2021 will be a stabilizing year for our tourism industry. Government will be there to support the sector and help steady the ship. We will focus on a local campaign, working to re-open the Atlantic Bubble, and, as our vaccine programs result in immunity over time, opening to travelers from the rest of Canada.
In order to assist our tourism operators to prepare for the 2021 season my government will introduce a special Activation Fund designed to assist operators with the up-front capital costs of re-opening for the season.
Government will also be supporting a Dine-In incentive intended to assist local restaurants, particularly in those days of the week when traffic is slower and the cost of operation is higher. In partnership with the industry, Government will also enhance and expand the Canada Food Island Gift card program.
My government is also working with the federal government and the Charlottetown Airport Authority to develop a recovery strategy for air travel to our province. During debate on the budget you will be asked to approve a $1 Million Dollar Fund from the province to jump-start this recovery process.
The second area on which we must focus our efforts is on employment, in particular the need to transition people from emergency supports back to meaningful employment.
My government is committed to working with our post-secondary institutions, sector councils, employers and labour groups to support training for employment in areas of our economy, such as construction and food processing, which were able to survive or even thrive during the pandemic.
This will entail the revamping of our current Skills PEI and Innovation PEI programming to be more responsive to the needs of industry, employers and potential employees.
Agriculture has long been a key economic driver and an industry that is part of our Island identity. Climate change is impacting our farming industry, and while my government has an aggressive climate action plan – we must not sit idle while this important sector is at a critical point. My government will not turn its back on farmers, instead we will work with them, side-by-side, in establishing sustainable measures that include soil health, access to water, expanding buffer zones to protect our waterways, and reviewing land requirements and crop rotations. New programs will be launched to support these initiatives focused on agricultural greenhouse gas mitigation, merit-based erosion control, reforestation, and buffer zone buyback and restoration as a start.
For decades, people in PEI have raised questions and increasing concern about land use policy. Land has always been one of the most precious resources that we have in our province. My government has initiated a complete review of land use and land protection. In this session an interim report from the Land Matters Advisory Committee will be tabled as we together consider the future path for sustainable land use in our province. We are expecting the full proposed amendments to the Lands Protection Act and The Planning Act to be tabled in the fall 2021 sitting.
The seafood industry in PEI has shown tremendous resiliency over the last year. My government will continue to support the seafood and aquaculture industry to ensure that when the demand for world class seafood around the world soars, we are able to respond accordingly and meet that demand.
In addition to the many measures just outlined, Members of the Assembly will be called upon to consider an ambitious legislative agenda, with both government-sponsored and private member proposals. Members will consider:
Government Reorganization Act;
An Act to Amend the Architects Act;
An Act to Amend the Engineering Profession Act;
An Act to Amend the Insurance Act;
An Act to Amend the Designation of Beneficiaries Act;
An Act to Amend the Jury Act;
An Act to Amend the Planning Act;
An Act to Amend the Marriage Act;
An Act to Amend the Real Property Assessment Act;
An Act to Amend the Regulated Health Professions Act;
Missing Persons Act;
An Act to Amend the Change of Name Act;
An Act to Repeal the Blind Workers' Compensation Act;
An Act to Amend the Liquor Control Act
Temporary Foreign Workers Protection Act;
Interpretation Act;
Gunshot and Stab Wound Reporting Act; and
Provincial Court Act
Members will also be asked to assess several options for the implementation of School Board Elections, to ensure greater transparency and greater community and parental oversight of our public education system. At the same time, government will also embark on renewing the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act to provide greater public confidence and more accountability for government.
My government has laid out an ambitious program of innovation and progress. It is a program designed to pursue the objectives and aspirations of sustainability, inclusivity, and innovation.
We are coming through a difficult time. But we are fortunate in that we are emerging with our spirit and our determination undiminished. In the example of those who came before us, we have and we will continue to persevere. We have faced comparable upheavals before, and together we survived, just as together we will survive our current challenge.
As is tradition, I leave you with this prayer: May Divine Providence guide your deliberations, and may you be imbued with a spirit of gratitude and thankfulness for the privilege of living in, and providing direction to, this beautiful and generous land we call home.
The Speech from the Throne is delivered by the Lieutenant Governor at the opening of a legislative session. The speech provides Government's view of the state of the province and sets out its legislative plans for the session.
2021 Speech from the Throne (PDF)
Previous Speeches from the Throne


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Home » News » Opinion » Secular conference created a sense of imminent and momentous change – and women will be the driving force
Secular conference created a sense of imminent and momentous change – and women will be the driving force
Posted: Wed, 15 Oct 2014 by Terry Sanderson
The passion of feminist secular activists from around the world at a recent conference has inspired Terry Sanderson, who chaired a panel on religion's role in the state, law and politics.
Last weekend's conference organised in London by Maryam Namazie and her colleagues wasn't like any other conference on secularism I've ever been to. It was a truly international event that made everyone there feel that they were engaged in a momentous worldwide call for change. It was just a start, but the passion generated was the kind that can move mountains.
To start with, there was a majority of women among the 250 delegates. They had come from all over the world, bringing with them some horrific stories of suffering at the hands of religion.
Many speakers from Muslim backgrounds told of the persecution and discrimination and the sometimes heroic resistance to it. Wherever there is theocracy it seems there is also resistance. Individuals and groups, very often women, very often religious themselves, who are seeking to create a secular space where they and their communities can be free to make their own choices and exercise their own beliefs.
It was right that women were the dominant presence at this conference, for it is women who are the most numerous victims of theocratic regimes.
As was pointed out over and over by one speaker after another it is women who are enslaved and made subservient in these societies, women who are made to don restrictive clothing, women whose freedom of movement is most curtailed, women who must suffer the violence and intolerance of arrogant clergy.
And here we were surrounded by extraordinarily courageous women who were prepared to stand up and protest, and sometimes put themselves at risk of imprisonment or worse for their efforts.
At times over the weekend I feared what the consequence of their dissent might be. In some of these fascistic religious countries human life seems cheap. Those who dare to defy the authorities are disposed of as if they were nothing.
One speaker, told us she experienced some nerves before her speech – on women, religion and the religious-right. The last time Magdulien Abaida spoke at a conference in Benghazi it was interrupted by members of Islamist militia group who subsequently abducted her from her hotel room.
We were told of the people who had been murdered, tortured, silenced and had their rights removed just to enable religious hegemony to continue.
Some women recounted the way that men, in the name of their faith, sought to control every moment of female lives – what women eat, when they eat, what they wear, who they can love, how they can love them – even how they go to the toilet.
With this level of control, women cease to be functioning human beings and become little more than sex slaves and baby-making machines.
The conference confronted us with these horrors, not just as statistics, but as human faces – real women with real tears, but also with real courage and a determination to bring change.
Over and over the point was made the secularism could mitigate some of this suffering. Human Rights could replace oppression and fear.
But none of these ideals could be achieved without democracy, without the will of the people to effect that change.
When someone asked me how many truly secular countries there were in the world, I struggled to get beyond single figures. And I made the point that secularism should not be regarded as a cure-all. It will not stop sectarianism, it cannot dissuade theocrats from seeking power (and using force to gain it, if necessary).
Secularism has to be freely and willingly embraced by the people and that can only be done in a framework of true democracy.
Our job is to persuade people of the value and brilliance of secularism so that they will embrace it when they are asked.
This is a massive job that will have no end, but we should promote the adoption of secularism wherever we can. Whether that is in our national governments, our local authorities or our shared institutions.
Religious leaders will never give up their power willingly. The people have to politely show them the door and tell them to return to their churches and mosques and temples and to stay there.
Only then will the terrible suffering that women have to endure under religious rule be alleviated. At some time in the future all women will be able to participate in the world on an equal basis as men, and secularism is what will make that happen.
Terry Sanderson is the President of the National Secular Society. The views expressed in this article are those of the speaker and do not necessarily represent those of the NSS.
Book your tickets to the follow up 2017 Conference.
Terry Sanderson
Terry Sanderson is the former president of the National Secular Society. The views expressed in our blogs are those of the author and may not necessarily represent the views of the NSS. You can follow Terry on Twitter @TerrySanderson4
Tags: Ex-Muslim, Gender Equality, Secularism
Resources for schools and students to understand and explore secularist topics.
Posted: Wed, 20 Mar 2019
NSS launches new range of school resources: Exploring Secularism
The NSS has launched a new range of resources for secondary schools related to secularism and religion's role in society.
NSS calls on equality body to promote inclusive education
The NSS has called on the Equality and Human Rights Commission to back a secular education system in response to a new strategic plan.
Kavanaugh vote puts US church-state separation 'in the balance'
Secularists in the US have said church-state separation "hangs in the balance" after Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation to the Supreme Court....
Posted: Mon, 20 Aug 2018
NSS unveils blue plaque commemorating Holyoake
The NSS has unveiled a plaque commemorating the British secularist George Jacob Holyoake, who coined the term 'secularism', in London.
Posted: Thu, 05 Jul 2018
Talk to honour NSS's longest-serving president in Leicester
The NSS and Leicester Secular Society will hold a talk on the longest-serving president of the NSS, Chapman Cohen, in September.
Keith Porteous Wood reflects on the achievements of Lord Lester, who died earlier this month, and the enduring relevance of his work.
Anthony Lester's legacy for human rights and secularism
Tags: Human rights, Secularism
Posted: Thu, 27 Aug 2020
Most NSS supporters will now be confined to their homes over the coming weeks. But there's still plenty you can do to learn about secularism and promote our campaign for secular democracy.
Stuck at home? Here's how you can learn about and support secularism
Tags: Secularism
Posted: Fri, 27 Mar 2020
Ahead of the FiLiA 2019 conference this weekend, Megan Manson argues that secularism is a crucial ingredient in campaigns for women's equality.
Secularism is a feminist issue
Tags: Gender Equality
Posted: Mon, 14 Oct 2019
Former NSS president Barbara Smoker's book My Godforsaken Life: Memoir of a Maverick reminds us of the value of ordinary people's principled activism and provides a link to secularists of the past, says...
Barbara Smoker's remarkable life should inspire us all
Tags: History, Reviews, Secularism
The film Peterloo is a reminder of the close links between the campaign for church-state separation and the push for a truly democratic society in the 19th century and beyond, writes Bob Forder.
Mike Leigh's...
Peterloo's heroes represented the finest traditions of secular democracy
Tags: Democracy, History, Secularism

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


ANAHEIM – At least the Devils are out of denial. They admit that being 0-for-4 in the second game of back-to-back pairs is a problem, and that they must change.
They face another of those second straight nights this evening, when they visit the Coyotes in Phoenix, facing off only 19 hours after finishing up with the Ducks here last night, barely time to fly to Arizona, sleep and shake out the cobwebs.
After transcontinental travel, this will be their toughest second game yet, but they'll still have 14 more this season. At least they are thinking about what they must do differently.
"You have to make the easier plays, and make even better decisions, so that even if you're not at full adrenaline and energy, you're effective," McKay said.
The Devils brought a 2-5-1 road record onto this trip, and four of those road losses came in the second game of back-to-backs. The plus-minus of Scott Stevens, in particular, had suffered in the second games. Stevens was plus-11 in 15 games when he had not played the night before, and minus-5 in the four games when he had played the previous evening – a considerable swing.
But Stevens was also looking at the positive side of the Devils' first serious road trip of the year, the first real chance for the players to pack and pal around..
Robbie Ftorek was hoping for his players to become closer-knit.
Ftorek was also hoping that the road trip would snap Bobby Holik's 13-game goal-scoring drought. When Holik stops scoring goals, the Devils are in trouble. He was blanked in each of their last two playoff series, and out they went.
Holik opened the season on fire, scoring his six goals in the first six games. before stopping. The arrival of Claude Lemieux may have changed his mission, but the Devils still need him putting pucks in the net, besides setting up McKay and Lemieux.
Denis Pederson was told by specialist Dr. Craig Smith here that there is no muscle tear involved in his groin injury, and was instructed to rest for 7-10 days before resuming training. Pederson is on IR … Devils beat Ducks 3-2 at the Meadowlands Oct. 13 … Devils were seeking to score their first road PPG of the season and were facing the worst penalty-killing team in the league. Ducks had allowed 17 PPGs in 63 times short, a 73-percent kill rate. Devils had allowed only seven PPGs in 62 times short (88.7 percent) … Anaheim was 7-2-1 at home … Trip concludes Sunday night in San Jose.


Hiago Gama is a Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt under Alexandre (Gigi) Paiva, and member of the Alliance academy for whom Hiago conquered numerous titles, while competing in the rooster-weight (57,50 kg / 127.0 lbs) category of the sport. Regarded as one of the top prospects in jiu jitsu since his IBJJF Grand Slam victory as a blue belt (2013), when he won the World, Pan American, Brasileiro and European Open titles, Hiago Gama continued to cement that claim with world titles on every coloured belt, being mentioned by BJJ Heroes as one of the 'Most Likely to Succeed' roosters in BJJ (2017).
Hiago Gama was born on May 13, 1992 in Vitória da Conquista, a city inside the Brazilian state of Bahia, where Gama grew up. Hiago's first steps into the world of martial arts and combat sports were taken through judo, a sport he initiated at the age of 5 and where Gama remained up to purple belt.
In 2008 Hiago was invited by a friend (Daniel Ferraz) to visit his jiu jitsu academy. Gama thoroughly enjoyed the class and decided to sign a membership, this way giving a start to his BJJ career. Even though his family had strong ties to judo, particularly through his aunts Cátia and Cácia Gama (both former Brazilian national medallists in the sport), Hiago slowly grew disconnected with judo and started focussing more of his efforts towards jiu jitsu.
Hiago Gama's first jiu jitsu instructor was Gleison Oliveira, with whom he trained up to blue belt. In 2012 Alexandre Paiva, leader of the Alliance Leblon academy, started a project with the intent of finding some of the most talented athletes in the coloured belts competitive scene and foster their careers, helping these athletes reach their full potential. Gama was one of the very first to sign on to this program, moving to Rio de Janeiro for that purpose that same year.
During his first year at Alliance Leblon, Hiago Gama conquered the IBJJF Grand Slam by winning Brazilian National, European Open, Pans and World titles, proving the success of Paiva's program.
Going through the purple and brown belt stages, Hiago showed continuous growth and the highest standard of jiu jitsu by winning world titles and ultimately being promoted to black belt on June, 2017 – while still on the podium of the IBJJF World Championship, a tournament he had just won.


A mobile multi functional cooking preparation island that integrates into any residential interior featuring a solid butchers block, rubbish and recycle storage with integrated knife block.
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SOURCE: I have LG BD370, purchased. Get a Wireless Access Point ($30-$50 average). A wire from WAP to the Blu-Ray player should work like a charm.
27/05/2017 · Hello, I have an LG smart TV, the model is 65LM6200 but from internet searches it seems several LG TVs have the same issue. The TV has built in wireless.


Wolbachia is the most widespread genus of endosymbiotic bacteria in the animal world, infecting a diverse range of arthropods and nematodes. A broad spectrum of associations from parasitism to mutualism occur, with a tendency to drive reproductive manipulation or influence host fecundity to spread infection through host populations. These varied effects of Wolbachia are exploited for public health benefits. Notably, the protection of insect hosts from viruses is being tested as a potential control strategy for human arboviruses, and the mutualistic relationship with filarial nematodes makes Wolbachia a target for antibiotic therapy of human and veterinary nematode diseases.


Home #SampleSunday books Romance teaser #SampleSunday: First Look at Book 3 in the McAllister Security Series!
#SampleSunday: First Look at Book 3 in the McAllister Security Series!
Been a long time since I shared a Sample Sunday. I'm currently working on book 3 of the McAllister Security series.
No release date yet, but it's coming out this fall! Hope you all enjoy this first look.
Boomer Thompson adjusted the mask on his face as he strolled the outer perimeter of the ballroom where the Mayor's Masquerade Gala was being held. Officially he was only there as a guest. Unofficially he, along with Silas Stone, were there on behalf of McAllister Security, as their branch of the business was the hired protection for the evening's events.
They had men scattered all throughout the room, blending in as if they were guests, but ready in case anything went down. Boomer didn't foresee anything bad happening, but with so many prominent figures in one room, he wasn't about to let his guard down.
Well...almost anything, he thought to himself as he froze.
It didn't matter that she was wearing an intricate mask, he'd recognized her instantly as she entered the room, on the arm of a man who was wearing a tux that was obviously a rental.
He took his time openly taking her in from head to toe. Her hair was up high, showing of her neck – one of his favorite body parts on her. She looked amazing in the cream, strapless gown that hugged her waist before flaring out all around her. Looking at her in that dress...he couldn't help but imagine what it would have been like to see her walking down the aisle...towards him.
"You good, man?" he heard Silas ask him.
"Never better," Boomer replied, watching her date hold her chair out for her.
"Don't do anything stupid, Boom," Silas warned.
Boomer gave Silas a smirk as he finished off the drink in his tumbler. Since he wasn't technically on the clock tonight, he definitely wasn't about to turn down a perfectly good glass of bourbon. He placed his glass on the tray of a passing waiter and weaved his way through the crowd.
It had been years since Boomer had seen her in person, but dammit if that woman didn't still make his heart skip a beat whenever he was in her presence. He probably should just leave her alone, especially since she wasn't alone, but he couldn't seem to stop his feet from making their way over to her table, where she'd just settled down into her seat.
"District Attorney Barnes," he said, and her head whipped around at the sound of his voice. He watched as those beautiful brown eyes of hers grew wide with shock as her gaze quickly sweeping over him.
Not many people called him by his first name, but she'd always insisted on it. And it always sounded good rolling off her lips.
"Been a long time, Trish," he said.
"It has," she replied, her eyes still locked with his.
The sound of the man sitting next to her clearing his throat finally made him look away.
His eyebrow raised out how she intended on finishing that phrase.
"Dear old friend," she finally said.
"Nice to meet you," Connor said, holding his out out to Boomer. He took Connor's hand and firmly gripped it.
And then he turned and walked off.
He made his way back to the bar and ordered another drink. He turned and found her eyes on him. She quickly looked away, trying to focus on whatever it was her date was talking about.
He grinned as he picked up his drink, nodding his thanks to the bartender.
Tonight was going to be more fun than he'd anticipated.
She'd felt his eyes on her all night.
She'd be lying if she said she didn't steal of few glances of her own. Why did he have to look so damn good, she wondered as she took another sip of her wine.
Connor didn't seem to notice any difference; of course he'd been spending most of the evening droning on about the surgery that had forced him to cancel their dinner plans several nights ago.
He was a nice enough guy, but sometimes Connor seemed a little self-absorbed.
She'd actually been glad when a phone called pulled him away and she'd taken the opportunity to go to the ladies room.
Upon returning to the ballroom and realizing that Connor was still preoccupied on the phone, Trish decided to circulate and speak to a few familiar faces, including the mayor.
The mayor's eyes lit up and the hairs on the back of Trish's neck suddenly stood up.
"Mr. Thompson!" the mayor exclaimed.
"Thank you, Mr. Thompson," the mayor responded. Was she blushing?! Trish refrained from rolling her eyes. The man was too charismatic for his own good.
Trish turned and looked up at Boomer, who had his hand outstretched towards her.
Trish swallowed hard and then took a step forward, placing her hand in his.
Heat shot through every cell in her body; and when he pulled her flush against her body and placed his hand dangerously low on her back, she couldn't fight the tremor that raced down her spine.
They danced for a few minutes in silence before he spoke.
She should have known he wasn't going to just let that slide.
His eyes shot up to the ceiling in thought and she couldn't help but study his face. The mask he was wearing did nothing to hide his strong jawline. She'd always been mesmerized by his eyes. And his lips.
Lips that used to do wickedly wonderful things to her body.
Trish couldn't stop the laugh the escaped her lips.
"That's really none of your business," she snapped. It wasn't his comment that had irritated her so much, but the way her body was responding to the gentle way his fingers were circling her back did.
His words sent warmth through her body. He'd always been supportive of her dreams and goals. She licked her lips and she felt his hold tighten.
"Don't do that, Bee," he growled.
She drew in a sharp breath at the nickname she hadn't heard in years. His honey bee is what he used to call her. Because even though she was tough as hell and her words could sting like an aggravated bee, she also had a sweet side, like honey.
"Dre," she sighed, squeezing her eyes shut for a moment before opening them again, only to find him staring at her heatedly.
She looked over her shoulder and saw Connor standing there.
"Not at all," Boomer said.
She shouldn't have been as disappointed as she was when Boomer released his arm from around her waist, and she hoped it didn't show on her face.
"Thank you for the dance, DA Barnes," Boomer said, lifting her hand up to his mouth and placing a kiss there, never breaking eye contact.
Before he released her hand, she felt him discreetly run his thumb over the bracelet she almost never took off, and he gave her a knowing grin.
She watched as he disappeared into the crowd and nearly jumped out of her skin when she felt Connor's hand on her shoulder.
She plastered a smile on and moved into Connor's arms, not feeling an ounce of spark like what she'd felt the moment she'd touched Boomer's hand.


Brothers and Sisters, I wanna see a sea of hands out there. Let me see a sea of hands. I want everybody to kick up some noise. I wanna hear some revolution out there, brothers. I wanna hear a little revolution.
La grande nevicata prenatalizia che ha immobilizzato Milano non ha portato solo danni.


text:
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module.exports = Rabbit;

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


Pepperl+Fuchs has developed an incremental encoder which uses a rugged metal disk instead of the usual glass disk. This results in a low-cost sensor which is more resistant to shock and vibration than standard encoders.
The RV150 encoder also uses a new optical chip which reduces the number of components and has allowed P+F to produce a device which is 10mm shorter than its earlier RV150 incremental encoders.
The new encoders are designed for speeds up to 6,000 rpm and a resolution of up to 1,024 pulses per revolution. They have a modular construction, allowing them to be supplied with either radial or axial cable outlets. The encoders are housed in 50mm-diameter metal casings, protected to IP40.


text:
US Presidential election: Statements by F. Fillon, Prime Minister
Communiqué from François Fillon, Prime Minister, to President-elect Senator Barack Obama and Vice President-elect Senator Joseph Biden.
Paris, November 5, 2008
Mr. President-elect, Dear Senator Obama,
Allow me to extend to you, on behalf of the French Government, my deepest congratulations on your election to the Presidency of the United States of America. Your impressive victory is truly historic.
It illustrates the vitality and maturity of American democracy. It is the culmination of your exceptional path, which constitutes a brilliant symbol of renewal and of coming together.
Your success is a sign that the American dream continues to inspire your people. And today this dream transcends your borders. Your victory sends the world a message of hope and openness.
Your election celebrates the strength of American ideals. It entrusts you with very lofty responsibilities. As you face the challenges of our time—whether it be the financial crisis, climate change or peace in the Middle East—I want to assure you of the importance my government attaches to transatlantic relations. France will stand by your side to meet these challenges, as it has always done throughout the long history that fraternally unites our two countries.
Please accept, Mr. President-elect, Dear Senator Obama, the expression of my very highest consideration.
[handwritten]: Cordially,
His Excellency
Mr. Barack Obama
President-elect of the United States of America
Communiqué from Prime Minister François Fillon to Vice president-elect, Senator Joseph Biden
Mr. Vice President-elect, Dear Senator Biden,
On behalf of the French Government and on my own personal behalf, I would like to express my deepest congratulations on your election to the Vice Presidency, alongside President-elect Barack Obama. This victory is the culmination of a remarkable career in the service of the American people.
Throughout the campaign, American citizens demonstrated their attachment to freedom of expression and to the discussion of ideas, offering the world an outstanding lesson in democracy.
I must tell you how strongly my country admires this democratic vitality and the message of openness that has been a key theme of this election.
I would also like to assure you of my government's full support for the Presidency that begins on January 20. France will stand by your side to meet the challenges of our time, in keeping with the long history that unites our two countries.
Please accept, Mr. Vice President-elect, Dear Senator Biden, the expression of my very highest consideration.
Mr. Joseph Biden
Vice President-elect of the United States of America


2 Find the path to the NEKOPARA folder ( Steam\steamapps\common\NEKOPARA Vol.1 ) And paste the full path into the installer. Check the patch author URL for a video.
Comments: Please visit the Patch author URL for the latest version.


text:
The Future Is Faction
Steven M. Teles & Robert P. Saldin
As the parties have been increasingly captured by their ideological extremes in recent decades, the space for cross-party coalition building has shrunk. Some reformers argue that only third parties can help, but this solution has never been realistic in our system. A more practical way forward would require would-be coalition-builders to participate more vigorously in party politics, getting their hands dirty in organized faction-building.
Conservatives and Criminal Justice
Steven M. Teles & David Dagan
The last few years have witnessed extraordinary bipartisan agreement on the need to reform our criminal-justice system and reduce our prison populations. This has not been the work of moderates, but of a coalition of ideological diehards from both sides, who worked for years against near-hopeless odds before their labors bore fruit. This story offers lessons about what agreement across party lines might look like in our polarized age.
The Scourge of Upward Redistribution
Critics of inequality usually see it as an inherent consequence of capitalism and look to government action to remedy it. But inequality is often also driven by government itself — and especially by the use of public power to further enrich and empower the already rich and powerful. Such cronyism, or regressive rent-seeking, is endemic in America today, and combatting it is a cause that should unite liberals and conservatives.
Kludgeocracy in America
It is often not so much the size as the complexity and incoherence of our government that makes it seem out of control. Because our constitutional system requires the cooperation of numerous players with conflicting interests, politicians often resort to small fixes — kludges — to patch over differences rather than enacting coherent policies. The resulting government is at once bigger than we think and less effective than we want, and so leaves both conservatives and liberals frustrated.
The Eternal Return of Compassionate Conservatism
Compassionate conservatism is often treated like an alien contagion allowed into Republican politics by George W. Bush or the Christian right. But in fact, it emerged from a long-term project of the conservative intellectual and political elite, and the needs it sought to address have not gone away.
Findings & Media
The Future of Our Political Parties with Steven Teles
Steven M. Teles & Daniel Kane
The National Affairs Podcast, Episode 20: A conversation about what America's next political coalitions might look like.


text:
About NPM
25 Years of NPM
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Angie DiDomenico
Manager of Legal Administration
Neubert, Pepe & Monteith, P.C.
195 Church Street, 13th Floor
Neubert, Pepe & Monteith, P.C. seeks the most talented professionals for every position. We strive to provide our attorneys and staff with a well-balanced and rewarding experience. It is through the combined efforts of our talented and dedicated team that we are better able to serve our clients.
Neubert, Pepe & Monteith, P.C. prides itself on selecting highly qualified attorneys eager to take an active role in the firm's practice. Associates are trained in a smaller, more personal setting than that of larger firms. Further, they are engaged within one or more of the various practice groups of the firm.
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The firm invests significant time in the training and development of its employees. While associates work hard, the firm also recognizes that attorneys maintain their interest and enthusiasm when they also have a high quality of life outside the office.
Trusts & Estates Attorney
Neubert, Pepe & Monteith, P.C., a full-service mid-sized law firm with offices in New Haven, Hartford, and Fairfield, Connecticut is seeking an experienced T&E attorney with a minimum of 5 years' experience for expanding T&E practice. The position offers an opportunity to take on significant responsibilities in complex cases. It requires a hardworking, confident individual capable of working independently and as part of a team.
Please provide CV and cover letter indicating interest, experience and salary requirements to:
Angie DiDomenico, Manager of Legal Administration, Neubert, Pepe & Monteith, P.C., 195 Church Street, 13th Floor, New Haven, CT 06510 or to add@npmlaw.com.
Neubert, Pepe & Monteith's commitment to community involvement and service is a key part of the firm's culture. Our attorneys and staff donate hundreds of volunteer hours and significant financial support annually. The firm supports the arts, health, family, and community wellness organizations. Attorneys are encouraged to get involved in the community. Given that, attorneys receive support and assistance from the firm in these efforts.
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It is Neubert, Pepe & Monteith's policy to provide equal opportunity in employment to qualified individuals regardless of race, color, religion, age, sex, marital status, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, veteran status or any other legally protected class in accordance with all applicable laws.
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Hook up with the buyer, maybe he will lend it to you.
for me please the levers spring and one knob.
Levers and small parts are still available.
Last edited by Octsoc on Sat Sep 10, 2011 5:42 am, edited 1 time in total.
the levers are now still available.
If the person who ended up with the bearing cap tool wouldn't mind lending it out for a week I would be forever grateful. I have a set of Avid Arch Supremes in dire need of bearing service and I would really like to use the special tool rather than bung up the soft aluminum. PM me if you're open to the idea.
I know it's long ago. But are there any spare parts left? Springs perhaps?
I know it's late... I need the plastic spring stops, if still available!
Just wondering if you might by some miracle still have some of the spring retainer caps that screw on the levers? One of mine broke and I'm in a pickle trying to find a replacement!


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Last updated: Tuesday, 14 September 2021
A table with a snake beneath it, chaise longues, rugs and the scariest part – a dramatic chandelier – forms part of renowned fashion designer Rich Mnisi's first solo exhibition of collectible furniture. This beautiful nightmare of an exhibition is on at Southern Guild, arguably Africa's most notable design gallery, from 2 October 2021 to 4 February 2022.
The designer, who made the classic polo neck popular and whose garments are seen on Vogue and a slew of celebs like Beyonce and Bonang Matheba and Naomi, also won Emerging Designer of the Year at the Essence Best in Black Fashion Awards, in New York.
Rich Mnisi relaxes on one of his creations. Image: Southern Guild / Ricardo Simal.
SNAP UP A COLLECTIBLE
His current solo exhibition, titled Nyoka (from Xitsonga, meaning snake), draws inspiration from pop culture, as well as his VaTsonga heritage and the mythology passed down through his family's generations.
Rich Mnisi pictured here with his dramatic snake design. Image: Southern Guild / Ricardo Simal.
Rich ventured into furniture design in 2018, when Southern Guild featured two of his furniture pieces, Nwa-Mulamula's Chaise and Nwa-Mulamula's Tears.
Rich Mnisi's Nwa-Mulamula pieces for the 2018 exhibition, Extra Ordinary. Image: Southern Guild / Hayden Phipps.
They were a continuation of his Nwa-Mulamula fashion collection, a tribute to his late great-grandmother, who passed down teachings through the generations of his family.
In 2019, Southern Guild commissioned a second collection from him, which he titled Alkebulan. Nyoka is Rich's first solo exhibition, where you can even snap up a collectible.
Rich Mnisi's 2019 collection Alkbelulan. Image: Southern Guild / Hayden Phipps.
"THIS STARTED WITH A NIGHTMARE"
The strong snake theme in his designs was inspired by his mother's dream about a green serpent, which was both beautiful and frightening, he says. "My entire family is terrified of snakes," he said in an interview in GRAY Magazine.
Snakes are a strong theme in Rich Mnisi's work, and there's a family connection. Image: Southern Guild / Ricardo Simal.
Speaking to Southern Guild, he said the pieces are working with the idea of duality and "beauty distilled from darkness". "To live is to embrace this duality. To accept that joy and tragedy, light and darkness, dreams and nightmares are connected, orbiting and defining each other."
HE CHALLENGES THE STATUS QUO
"The chandelier was the scariest part for me!" Rich says in Gray Magazine. He used a combination of glass and bronze to create this intricate and amazing piece. And yet, he continues, "this collection feels like the most important thing I've ever done".
Rich Mnisi is seen here with Monkeybiz artisans, with whom he collaborated on this collection. Image: Southern Guild / Bruce Buttery & Panga Films
Rich Mnisi's Nyoka exhibition is open for free at the Southern Guild, from Mondays to Saturdays from the 2nd October 2021 to 4th February 2022.
Date: Monday - Friday, 9am - 6pm; Saturdays, 10am - 2pm
By Jessie Leverzencie
Take advantage of everything taking place this weekend in Cape Town
Get more of what local design has to offer at The Local Designers in Woodstock
Unique art galleries in Cape Town, Stellenbosch, Franschhoekand the Cape Peninsula
Here's a list of local designers and creatives you can shop from
For things to do have a look at the events taking place in Cape Town and surrounding areas
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Venue: Southern Guild Gallery
Location: V&A Waterfront
Price: Free entry
Phone: +27(0) 21 461 2856
Email: southernguild@theguildgroup.co.za
Website: https://southernguild.co.za/


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Win VIP tickets to see the Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour in Birmingham on Saturday
Here's your chance for you and up to 13 friends to see the Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour from your own private box - with a private bar, Champagne reception and buffet dinner
Fionnuala BourkeCommercial Editor
The female celebrities and professional dancers dazzle as they line up at Arena Birmingham for the Strictly Come Dancing Live Arena Tour 2020 (Image: Birmingham Mail)
The latest on shopping, restaurant news and more
Hey there Strictly fans!
Here's the ultimate prize for you and up to 13 friends to enjoy an ultimate trip to the popular Live Tour at Arena Birmingham this Saturday (January 18).
One lucky winner will receive up to 14 tickets to the show for them and their guests to sit in their very one private box (or Show Cubes as the Arena prefers to call them!).
And that's not all.
The winner and their guests will also have access to their own private bar and balcony seating, enjoy a Champagne reception and a delicious two course buffet dinner.
The full line-up for the Strictly Come Dancing Live Arena Tour 2020
This fabulous prize is being offered by The Ticket Factory to celebrate Arena Birmingham being renamed Utilita Arena Birmingham from April 15 2020.
To be in with a chance of winning simply click on this link before Saturday January and fill out your details.
The Ticket Factory will contact the winner on Saturday at midday.
Please note that this competition is being run by The Ticket Factory and BirminghamLive does not collect any data from this competition.
This year's sparkling line up of couples performing is: Saffron Barker and AJ Pritchard, Emma Barton and Graziano Di Prima, Mike Bushell and Katya Jones, Kelvin Fletcher and Janette Manrara, Alex Scott and Neil Jones, Catherine Tyldesley and Johannes Radebe, and Karim Zeroual and Amy Dowden.
Tour host will be reigning Strictly champion Stacey Dooley, with a judging panel of judges Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood (who also directs the tour) and Bruno Tonioli.
Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour 2020 - tickets, times, parking for Birmingham shows
In addition, professional dancers Luba Mushtuk, Karen Hauer, Dianne Buswell, Joshua Keefe, Jake Leigh and Robbie Kmetoni will also be performing in this dance spectacular.
Audiences are invited to decide who wins the Glitterball Trophy at the end of each show. The tour judges will, as always, provide feedback and scores after each performance - but the audience can vote via text for their favourite couple, and it is ultimately their votes that will decide who wins.
Arena Birmingham to be renamed Utilita Arena Birmingham in new powerful partnership
Arena Birmingham is to be renamed Utilita Arena Birmingham from April 15.
The re-naming of the iconic city centre venue is part of major new partnership with Utilita - Britain's leading Smart Pay As You Go (PAYG) Energy provider.
Utilita has a growing presence in the UK live events industry, having partnered with a number of major music festivals in recent years including Parklife, TRNSMT, Creamfields, V Festival, Bestival andCamp Bestival – as well as Newcastle Arena (now Utilita Arena Newcastle).
Utilita's customers are set to receive exclusive access to pre-sale tickets at the 15,800-capacity venue, which has recently hosted the likes of Ariana Grande, Jack Whitehall and Take That, as well as VIP experiences and exclusive ticket offers.
The energy supplier – which has more than quadrupled in size since 2015 from 180,000 to 780,000 households and businesses across the UK – will also use the Arena's pre-show entertainment areas to get audiences thinking about their energy usage as part of its new #EnergyHigh5 campaign.
This pioneering initiative is designed to get 5m UK households to reduce their energy consumption by a minimum of £163* per year.
As part of the new deal, Utilita will also become a Partner of the NEC Group's other flagship arena, Resorts World Arena, one of the world's top entertainment arenas situated on the NEC campus just outside Birmingham City Centre.
Utilita Founder and CEO, Bill Bullen, said: "We are thrilled and honoured to have our name above the door of such an exciting and well-known venue."
*Source: Energy Saving Trust / National Energy Action
Don't miss out on the ultimate Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour experience. Enter before the closing date on Saturday January 18 . The Ticket Factory will contact the winner at midday.
The Ticket Factory


Savvy Spending: Jimmy John's: Get a Sub for $1 on 5/2!!
Jimmy John's: Get a Sub for $1 on 5/2!!
Jimmy John's will be celebrating their Customer Appreciation Day on Tuesday, May 2 from 4-8 pm! You can stop by your participating Jimmy John's location to get a Sub for $1!!!
There is a limit of 1 per person... but you are able to get back in line again as many times as you want! :) I always pick up extra to use for lunch the next day! YUM!
Be sure to call your local store before making a trip; it's up to each franchise whether or not they participate!


Artificial Intelligence (AI) has now been around for several decades and promises to change the way you live your life. In fact, most technology you use every day already operates using AI concepts like machine learning and natural language processing. Although we're quite far from a universal AI machine that can learn and understand as arbitrarily as humans do, an increased availability of computing resources and advanced algorithms facilitate the use of AI concepts in data analysis and insight identification. A recent IBM-sponsored Harvard Business Review report outlines the trend of many organizations towards an increasingly data-driven decision making process using both internal and external data and advanced analytics to compete in an "insight economy".
Pattern recognition is the main objective of most machine learning applications. Analyzing the relationship between observed inputs and outputs (i.e. pricing and sales, shipping strategy and inventory, intelligence and lead conversion), leads to an objective prediction of what outputs you should expect if you tweak those same inputs. For example, let's say you want to analyze your pricing models over time to determine what model works best. Sure, this is something that has been done for years by pulling up Excel and manually going through and analyzing the data, but this requires human judgement that introduces an extra source of uncertainty and subjectivity. Additionally, if you didn't happen to land upon the ideal pricing model in practice, there may be a better undiscovered model that will remain hidden if you simply look at sales vs pricing. Machine learning and pattern recognition offers an alternative objective resource that uses your past pricing strategies and resulting sales to predict what model should be used moving forward, even if your data doesn't explicitly show it.
Computers are certainly not perfect. Algorithms can provide false insights. This is clear if you consider the simple obvious fact that computers and algorithms are designed by imperfect humans who can inject their own biases. We believe the union of computers (first) and humans (second) is the ideal sweet spot of impact and efficiency. Most people (us included) certainly don't aim to replace human decision with computers, but it's naive to ignore their value by not exploiting the emerging cognitive and predictive power of modern computing capabilities.
At this point it's old news that intelligently designed algorithms with massive computing power can beat some of the best humans at intellectual competitions. Deep Blue beat the chess Grandmaster Garry Kasparov, Watson defeated the Jeopardy! champion Ken Jennings, and last week Google's DeepMind AlphaGo took down the world champion Go player Lee Sedol. As the tasks become increasingly difficult due to both scale and nuance, experts in the AI community step up to the plate and devise new approaches that combine existing ideology with the cutting edge to solve both real-world and academic exercises.
Go has approximately 50 orders of magnitude more possible board configurations than Chess! That's 1050 more moves which is conveniently the square root of a googol (1 googol = 10100 = Google's namesake).
As a point of reference, Go has approximately 10170 total possible board configurations which is between a googol and googol2 which is more than (the number of atoms in the universe)2. We recognize that these numbers may be inconsequentially impressive and arbitrary, but the key consequence is that when a computer plays a human in a Go match, it can't simply search the space of possible moves and choose the best one. There are too many! If this were possible, many things about the way we model physical phenomena would be different including better weather predictions and more accurate modeling of complex biological systems. This is the critical differentiator between this task and previous machine learning accomplishments.
As described in Google's blog, the technique used to teach a computer how to play Go is to do just the opposite. Their strategy is to let the computer learn how to play the game by trial and error. After each round of practice, the AI machine learns how to play the game better. Using what's known as unsupervised learning, it intrinsically learns when a move contributed to its ultimate success or failure. As a result, AlphaGo developed the equivalence of nuanced planning and strategy. This is similar to how a human learns, except in the case of modern machine learning with massive computing power, computers are often more effective learners.
For comparison, so-called supervised machine learning tasks start with a set of known inputs and outputs. In the case of chess, the set of inputs is a sequence of chess moves in response to an opponent's. The set of outputs could be the evolving probability of victory as moves are made. The goal is to use this measured input-output relationship to predict future outputs based on yet to be seen inputs in order to maximize the overall probability of victory. For smaller tractable problems where the space of possible choices is "manageable" like Chess or Jeopardy!, a brute force solution can be achieved where the machine learning algorithm allows the computer to choose the best solution from a library of choices since all of the possibilities are known. However, in the case of Go, the space of possibilities is far too large to choose the optimal one out of a library of moves. The machine learning algorithm is trained to act in a more intuitive way mimicking how the best humans play the game with intuition and short to long-term planning. It's notable that the best Go players in the world were both baffled and impressed by AlphaGo's strategy because it was so far outside the traditional framework. The algorithm found new ways to solve a problem that were not obvious to those that designed and inspired it because of its optimized and objective learning process.
Despite the excitement around AlphaGo, it's been noted by several experts that the field is still quite far from a universal AI machine as it's traditionally defined. A universal AI machine may never be achieved, and in practice this is likely a matter of semantics. It's possible that the specific approach used for AlphaGo is particularly well-suited for some tasks but poorly suited for others. However, this doesn't detract from it being another significant step in an exciting direction of digital cognitive function, and it offers motivation for the rest of us to evaluate all the available technologies that can improve how we tackle our every day tasks in life and business.
So how about something useful?
Yet another computer beating a human at a seemingly trivial competition may be newsworthy the first or second time, but it certainly leads us to wonder where/if these technologies are used. Practicality should always trump novelty when setting priorities, but for demonstrating a principle, fanfare and hoopla are easily justified. The short answer is that real-world applications have already arrived (i.e. the emergence of driverless cars, image recognition, Amazon product shipment strategies, language processing). However, AlphaGo's achievement deserves extra attention due to the subtleties of the task that it solved and the way that it solved it in comparison with the current industrial state of the art.
Although there are several areas using advanced machine learning approaches to the point that it's now ubiquitous in many software and hardware applications, there are still areas and industries relying on technology that have yet to benefit from these advancements. For example, there's a myriad of intelligence-related applications that require human judgement. Whether it's deciding what product to buy, which pricing model to use, or how to control your inventory, the influx of new machine learning approaches that are helping business leaders make more informed decisions is remarkable. It's becoming more clear as time passes that we should optimize how lessons are learned and allow an objective agent to modify the way decisions are made. Instead of relying solely on our inferences and assumptions to determine how we operate, we should leverage information from our previous success and failure to allow the data to speak for itself.
A significant challenge of introducing an automated decision maker to help your enterprise is identifying where improvement is needed and what types of data are available. We can segment data into two categories that have the principal difference of ownership. You have your internal data including sales, operational models, metrics of effort, wins and losses, etc. There is a second critical category including data disseminated out in the world for anyone to acquire and analyze. This is data ranging from documented conversations, reviews, pricing trends, hiring trends, discrete events, and other movements at both the organizational and individual levels. The value derived from combining your internal data with external indicators will put you in a position to devise a powerful system of inputs and outputs necessary to achieve a reliable prediction model and to understand where your company fits with competitors and the market at large. Machine learning applications like AlphaGo have the ability to spot trends and identify paths that the human element may miss. From a business and marketing intelligence perspective, a holistic understanding of hundreds of data sources ranging from internal activities to external market movements is a daunting manual task as the volume and variety of data continues to increase as time passes.
It seems like the age of machine learning and automated pattern recognition in marketing and business intelligence will continue to be a cornerstone of extracting insights from big data resources to compete in an "insight economy".