At first blush the decision by Hanover School Division to pass a policy that would see parents exercise their control over their children’s health and counselling in school, despite them being of mature minor status, seems like a positive.

It’s also being applauded by many who see any relinquishment of control of their child as a takeover by somebody else.

Unfortunately, those in favour of the decision and the trustees themselves have entirely missed the point.

Mature minor designation is commonly applied to those 16 and over and is meant to apply to someone who has the mental capacity to make their own decisions.

“Beauty is truth, truth beauty, - that is all

Ye know on earth, and all ye need to know.”

-John Keats

Have you heard the following statement? ‘All truth is God’s truth’. How about this? ‘All beauty is God’s beauty’. And finally, what about further yet the idea that ‘beauty is truth’? This concept that “beauty is truth” points out how aesthetic qualities like elegance, symmetry, and simplicity can be indicators of fundamental reality and truth. This guiding principle can be found in diverse groups like philosophy, physics, and literature. Physicists and mathematicians often argue that if a mathematical equation or physical theory is beautiful, elegant, and simple, it is likely to be true. Albert Einstein famously stated that the only physical theories he was willing to accept were the “beautiful ones”.

As has become tradition at the annual Summer in the City celebration in Steinbach, time was taken to recognize several families who had obtained their Canadian citizenship over the past year. Each had the opportunity to address those in attendance and to tell them how special it was to be a Canadian citizen, citing the opportunities and quality of life they enjoy in Canada and Manitoba specifically.

For those of us who have been fortunate enough to call Canada our home our entire lives, it is always an important reminder of just how valued our country is by many around the world. It’s easy to take many of those advantages for granted. Not that Canada is a perfect country or one without its challenges. It can easily be argued and backed up by data, that over the past many years the country has fallen behind in efficiency, affordability and economically when measured against other similar nations. This is something that all federal political parties seem to agree on, even if they differ on who should shoulder the blame.

But the fact that there are past missed opportunities or current challenges should not hide the fact that Canada still enjoys the freedoms, lifestyle and opportunities that make it a great place to live. And the reality that more can be done to enhance each of those attributes is more of a challenge than a rebuke.

Canadians largely understand this. It was only a year ago that Canadians were demonstrating a renewed patriotism in response to comments from the U.S. President that he desired to make the country the 51st state. I had the opportunity to attend Canada Day ceremonies in Ottawa last July 1 and without question patriotism was running high. And while some of the rhetoric coming from the U.S. has diminished over the past year, there remains a strong sense among the majority of Canadians that what we have in Canada is worth keeping. Even in the face of another question on provincial sovereignty (this time from Alberta not Quebec) there remains many more people who believe in a strong and united Canada than do not.

A new United Way report reveals 40 percent of Canadians say they lie awake worrying about how to stretch their paycheque to pay for food, gas and housing. The findings come as Statistics Canada reports how in the first quarter of 2026, household debt has outpaced income with Canadians now carrying approximately $1.80 in debt for every dollar of household disposable income. All of this is occurring under the leadership of Mark Carney’s Liberal government.

According to the United Way, 60 percent of Canadians feel anxious about their personal finances while 38 percent are experiencing food insecurity. One in five respondents said they had run out of food with no money left to buy more. The report also found that 34 percent know someone close to them who has experienced poverty and 22 percent have personally faced it. Furthermore, food bank usage has reached record levels, with 2.2 million Canadians having visited food banks in a single month.

While Canadians are staying awake with anxiety, the Liberal government still refuses to acknowledge they have driven Canada into the only recession in the G20.

Last week, Mr. Carney acknowledged the paradox that Canada, despite being one of the world’s largest food producers, should in theory have lower food prices. Conservatives agree. Pierre Poilievre responded directly to PM Carney’s comment on X: “Your taxes and recession gave Canada the worst food inflation in the G7. You raised the industrial carbon tax on farm equipment and fertiliser; your weak economy and our weak dollar have lowered purchasing power and raised the cost of imported food.”

Leaving an abusive situation is often one of the most dangerous and emotional stages in a survivor’s journey. While every situation is different, having a safety plan and ongoing support can make a significant difference in helping individuals move forward safely and confidently.

A safety plan is a personalized plan designed around an individual’s unique circumstances. It helps prepare someone for situations where they may need to leave quickly, protect themselves from danger, or navigate life after abuse. Safety planning can include identifying trusted supports, having emergency contacts ready, preparing a “to-go” bag, or creating a plan for where to go in an emergency. The overall goal is to reduce risk and help individuals feel more prepared and supported.

Safety planning does not only begin when someone decides to leave. It can happen at any stage of a person’s journey. Ideally, planning begins before someone leaves an abusive situation so they can better navigate possible risks and challenges that may arise during the transition.

There are many small but important steps that can increase safety. These may include: