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  • The Part-Time Job Experience

    The Part-Time Job Experience

    When looking for a part-time job, you don’t have to settle for just anything. There are many jobs that are tailored specifically for students that will also help you to reach your long-term career goals or just get you the experience you need to move up the corporate ladder. With the spring season fast approaching, many retailers are looking for part-time help immediately to assist them with the rush of customers.

    Retail is the most common type of part-time job for students. This includes clothing stores, convenience stores, grocery stores and most other jobs where you are required to work hands-on with the public. With so many different types of retail opportunities to choose from, you can select something in an area that is of interest to you. Like fashion? Apply clothing stores in the local mall, who generally require more people on evenings and weekends when you are likely to have some free time. If you like beauty, you can apply to work at a make-up counter in a department store. If you like sports, you can apply at many fitness-related retailers or even to be an usher at a local sports arena.

    If you enjoy being outdoors, a plethora of part-time jobs are available to you. You can deliver newspapers/flyers a few mornings a week or be a dog-walker. You can also shovel walkways or clear driveways during the wintertime. Many people are too busy to do this during the Christmas holidays, or they will be out of town on vacations. You can advertise your services in this regard on free community message boards such as Kijiji and Craigslist.

    Another important option to not overlook is the food industry. This includes restaurants and cafes as well as fast food. Most restaurant workers will need to obtain their “Food Safe” or “Smart Serve” certificates to prove they can handle food and kitchen tools in a sanitary manner. This course is generally only one day in length and will give you access to many different jobs that others without the certificate would not be able to get. Another advantage of working in the food industry is that your wage is often supplemented by tips.

    Retail jobs, while they may seem boring, will provide you with a solid foundation in the business world. You will learn how to use cash registers (many companies have their own computerized systems), handle cash and credit card transactions, do paperwork and bank deposits and practice loss prevention strategies. Most importantly, they will give you hands-on experience in customer service – this is perhaps one of the first things you will be asked about in subsequent jobs interviews. Being able to work with the public in a friendly and helpful manner will get you far in your chosen career.

  • Volunteer Tears

    Volunteer Tears

    Second semester is creeping its way into your life, pressure from exams have fled, and you are starting as fresh as an untouched blanket of winter snow (depending on your geographic climate, substitute snow for a bed of grass). This may be an opportune time to begin those volunteer hours you have put off “for next year” since grade 9.

    So where do you start volunteering? The first place to look is within your school community. Volunteering your time to benefit the environment of your school is a great way to establish a substantial rapport with teachers and peers alike. This does not mean you should ask your automotive teacher if he needs any work done on his front lawn! Try and find things that help the community as whole, and not just individuals you know personally. For example, you can help out with school events that may include, but are not limited to: environmental/horticultural projects, school plays, events, and fundraisers. Helping out in scenarios like the ones mentioned will not only get you some community hours, but can also foster connections with people you may have never thought about talking to! There are also clubs and teams that need assistance every once in a while. The school football team will always need a field marker for their home games! However, if you can not find anything remotely close to these examples at your school, talk to you guidance counselor and they will be happy to aid you in your quest to
    support your community!

    Letʼs not forget the great world outside of your school! Helping your own neighbourhood is also a beneficial way to not only get the hours you need for that diploma, but you can also tailor your time volunteering to gain skills you can put on a resume or use in an interview. For example, if you want to become a teacher, tutoring students after school will allow you to explore some aspects of the career. If you are thinking about nursing or becoming a doctor, helping at your local hospital may give you more of an understanding and appreciation for those professions. On the other hand, it may lead you toward never wanting to catch a cold again! Nevertheless, donʼt just volunteer for the sake of getting those hours out of the way, think about what potential careers you might want to investigate and use the volunteer hours as an opportunity to explore! Also, do not be afraid to check out universities around your neighborhood to see if they want help as well. The harder you search, the more rewarding the experience will be!

  • Top 8 Canadian Employers for Youth

    Top 8 Canadian Employers for Youth

    Out of school and looking for the right job?

    Well, Jobs People Do (JPD) is excited to announce the winners of our Top 8 Employers for Youth Awards! Through a collaboration of innovation and forward-thinking JPD’s Top 8 have created work environments that attract and maintain student employees, and the winners are:

    1. YMCA of Greater Toronto
    2. Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre
    3. Saskatchewan Gaming Corporation
    4. Point2 Technologies Inc.
    5. Lush Handmade Cosmetics Ltd.
    6. Loblaw Companies Ltd.
    7. L’Oreal Canada
    8. Corus Entertainment Inc.

    Each of our award winners possess characteristics that, when combined with a young workforce, develop some of the most effective companies in the country.

    A few of the qualities JPD looked for when deciding on recipients of the award included vacation time after your first year of work, tuition subsidies, mentoring and co-op programs, employee sports teams, flexible hours and environmentally conscious initiatives.

    But why is it so important for a company to cater to their young employees?

    Besides the obvious reason; retaining up and coming talent, the satisfaction of young people in the work place is important because it is partly responsible for a company’s image as reflected in the media and popular culture.

    As pop-culture journalist Chuck Klosterman noted in his recent novel Eating the Dinosaur, “the short-hand way of saying something is culturally vital right now is to say that it is what all the kids are into”

    As companies age they need to remain connected with youth in order to keep up with new trends and ideas.  Staying current allows companies to understand a segment of the market that would otherwise be shrouded in mystery, the age group of 16-30 year olds.

    All of our Top 8 Award winners are well connected with youth as can be seen through their successful youth oriented employment strategies. These companies are in fact “what all the kids are into” and as a result they have become vital to current culture.

    For students these companies are a great career choice. Co-op programs, mentoring and career planning services help expand your resume and strengthen abilities. Great employee benefits means a more balanced work life and social life as well as less financial burdens on new recruits. For the company, investing in young employees means investing in some of the brightest leaders of the future.

    Do yourself and your career a favour by checking out our winners websites and potential careers!

     

  • I Want to be a Robot: Discovering Career Choices at an Early Age

    I Want to be a Robot: Discovering Career Choices at an Early Age

    Miss Inglis’ kindergarten class at Parliament Oak elementary school had to answer a special question this week. The question: what do you want to be when you grow up?

    The study of childhood occupation aspirations has been going on for decades and approached from many different angles. From the psychological transition of fantasy to realistic choices, to gendered influences on the traditional roles children choose.

    In a 1952 Ginzberg study, it was noted that children go through three stages in choosing occupations: “fantasy choices (before age 11); tentative choices (ages 11 to 17); and realistic choices (ages 17 to young adulthood).”

    Parliament Oak kindergartener Jack wants to be a robot. Maddie wants to be a rock star and James wants to be a spy.

    These children’s choices are fantastical. But as the workforce in Canada shifts towards the service industry and technological occupations, even a mail carrier may soon be considered a fantasy career choice.

    However, some career choices will stand the test of time. For example, kindergartener Ciaran wants to be an animal scientist, and Alexander wants to be a doctor. Career choices in science are likely to continue to be in high demand despite rapid changes in technology.

    Gender influences noted by scientists Levy, Sadovsky, Troseth, and Stroeher determined that early in life, especially from ages four to seven, young boys and girls are likely to choose traditionally male or female careers.

    This was a very common theme in Mrs. Inglis’ class; Oskar wanted to be a soccer player, Brian a policeman, Sophie a hair stylist, and Katherine a bride. However, social psychologists Garrett and Tremaine reported, “as children get older, they tend to be more flexible in choosing non-stereotyped careers”.

    An interesting aspect of these studies done in the 1970s is that boys reported to have double the amount of fantastical career choices than young girls. Garrett and Tremaine’s research noted, “girls learn early on that few adult vocations are open to them.”

    Today, we are living in the crossover effect of male/female college enrolment rates. According to the Population Reference Bureau organization, it officially occurred in 1993 and now leaves males seven percentage points behind females when it comes to college populations.  This change improves the likelihood of female success in the workplace and increases their vocational opportunities.

    Mrs. Inglis’ class did not reflect that change, with boys and girls averaging at very similar amounts of choices. The students are set to graduate this week, and it will be neat to see what they will become, and who will find success in the workforce of the future. My money is on the robot kid, but only time will tell.

  • Becoming an Architect

    Becoming an Architect

    What is Architecture all about?

    Architecture is the art, the science and the business of building.

    Architects create homes, office towers, schools and churches. They are talented people with a flair for design, an awareness of social trends, keen business sense, solid engineering skills and an understanding of the law. The word “versatile” may have been invented to describe Architects!

    Today’s Architect may practice alone or be part of a small, medium or large firm. Some Architects are self-employed. Others may be on salary, as employees of government, real estate developers or large corporations.

    “Clients” are the people who use the services of Architects. A client may be a family, a school board, a company, a housing authority, a government department or a building contractor.

    Why does Architecture matter?

    There’s no place like home

    The design or re-design of a home is one of the most fascinating and important things an Architect can do. Homes house the daily activities of families and individuals. Sometimes they offer privacy and shelter. On festive occasions, they are places of open hospitality. Rural or urban, row house or apartment, the home may be used year-round or only for vacations. Beyond our homes, the community takes shape.

    Keeping the past alive

    Old buildings add variety to city streets and remind us of our links to the past. Public interest in restoring old buildings is as strong as the economic pressure to re-use them. The result ? Architects are using modern techniques and ideas to renew historic buildings across Canada.

    Inside the home and office

    Respected Architects have designed chairs, tables, cabinets and fabrics–objects that lend comfort and pleasure to people’s homes and work spaces. When the desire to create something “organic” or whole, is strong, Architects design not only a building and the space around a building, they will also shape the space inside the building.

    Mirrors of time

    Great civilizations leave behind great architecture. Think of the pyramids of Egypt, the columns of Greece and Rome, the great Gothic cathedrals. Architecture reflects the religious, political and social values of the day. Today’s buildings express our society’s common purposes and will tell our story long after we are gone.

    Where is Architecture going?

    Big and sleek

    In giant cities, the voices of commerce, finance, business and government call out for giant buildings. Big buildings can cause big problems, such as increased traffic flow. They also create a need for parking, water, sewer and fire-fighting access. Putting large buildings into a city involves balancing the technical, planning and aesthetic problems posed by size. Architects with special design skills are needed to tackle these big jobs.

    Designing the city

    Cities are where the action is. The social and economic character of a city is often expressed in urban design. Many Architects serve on planning boards or help people who live in urban neighbourhoods shape the city around them. Sometimes Architects get involved in restoring parts of a city, developing housing projects or industrial parks, or designing shopping centres.

    What do Architects do?

    It all starts with a commission–or contract–from a client. The commission may involve the design of a single building or a group of buildings and the spaces between them. The client may be a person, a board of directors, a government department or a business.

    Usually, the Architect leads a team of specialists including structural, mechanical and electrical engineers, as well as others. The Architect must also understand and deal with building codes and bylaws set out by municipal, provincial and federal governments.

    The Architect keeps everyone on time and on budget. Technical knowledge, good people skills and no-nonsense business sense are all important to this task.

    What’s the bottom line? Architecture is a business. Being creative and designing something beautiful are only the first steps in making a vision come to life.

    What is a typical day?

    Such a thing may not exist. But on any given day, an Architect may have to:

    • Meet with clients.
    • Win contracts.
    • Solve problems.
    • Estimate costs.
    • Meet with consultants.
    • Produce drawings.
    • Present at public hearings.
    • Draw up specifications.
    • Call tenders (bids).
    • Visit construction sites.

    It can be a real challenge to juggle all the aspects of this demanding job.

    What do Architects do?

    They Draw

    Simple diagrams show the link between spaces or activities. Detailed working drawings show every last detail. Contractors and sub-contractors estimate the cost of the work based on the working drawings of an Architect. When the time to build comes, these drawings will be the building plan.

    Taking a drawing off the page and onto the computer screen through 3-D computer modeling can bring an Architect’s design to life, in living colour! Scale models or animated videos that help the viewer “see” the project from start to finish are other ways Architects present ideas to the public or clients.

    They Write

    Architects must

    • Write business letters.
    • Document all aspects of a project.
    • Develop charts and tables to analyse the project.
    • Develop specifications which define the building.
    • Prepare articles for professional journals and magazines.

    They Speak

    Being able to think on your feet and communicate clearly is a big part of being an Architect. Explaining, discussing, teaching and persuading are tools of an Architect’s trade.

    Architects are often called upon to:

    • Make presentations to clients.
    • Outline concepts, discuss options and offer creative solutions to problems.
    • Appear before public bodies as an expert.

    They Calculate

    It has to add up! Architects must be able to prepare accurate construction and office budgets. They also have to understand structural analysis, heat loads, electrical distribution and traffic flow.

    They Take Responsibility

    When an Architect “signs-off” on a certificate, it means that part of the job has been completed to the Architect’s satisfaction. Several certificates are signed-off during a contract.

    They Manage

    Architects often manage their own offices and businesses. They must also manage projects from the first spark of an idea to the ribbon cutting at a new building. During the construction phase, Architects manage contract administration, oversee drawings and specifications, handle problems that arise on the job site and monitor work in progress.

    What does it take to be an Architect?

    Ask yourself these questions:

    • Do details matter to me?
    • Do I understand and get along with people?
    • Do I truly value the things I see?
    • Can I analyze what I see?
    • Am I a creative thinker?
    • Do I think in a logical and orderly way?

    Spend some time in an Architect’s office. Ask questions. Read all you can about architecture. (Your local library can help you find books on the subject). Look at professional magazines. Visit the Schools of Architecture.

    How can I become an Architect?

    To be a licensed Architect, you will need

    • Education
    • Experience, and
    • a passing grade on an Examination.

    Education

    The vast majority of Architects complete a bachelor’s or master’s degree in architecture from a university program approved by the Canadian Architectural Certification Board (CACB).

    An alternative way to become an Architect is through the “apprenticeship” offered through the RAIC Syllabus Program.

    Experience

    To get experience, you must complete the Internship in Architecture Program. This program is offered through the associations of architects in each province. If you are accepted into the program, you will require a “Mentor” (a licensed Architect) who will guide your work over a period of time, according to the rules of the Internship in Architecture Program. Usually, interns or intern architects complete the program in about 3 years.

    Examination

    In all provinces, passing a computerized exam is one of the final steps in becoming a licensed Architect. Architects in Canada are licensed at the provincial or territorial level.

    Some provincial or territorial associations may have additional requirements before licensing or registration.

    Why must Architects be licensed?

    Architects are professionals. The public must be sure that people who call themselves Architects are qualified to practice in their field. So, all across Canada, Architects are licensed by provincial or territorial associations of architects. The goals of the associations are:

    • to encourage members to improve their skills and knowledge, and
    • to maintain high standards in the practice of architecture.

    Like other professionals, such as doctors and lawyers, Architects are legally responsible for the decisions they make. In some provinces, all licensed Architects must have professional liability insurance if they wish to practice architecture. This insurance protects both the public and the Architect. As well, each province and territory has an “Architects Act” which regulates the practice of architecture. It is against the law for anyone who is not licensed to use the title “Architect”.

    What courses should I take in high school?

    It’s hard to say which courses are best, because Schools of Architecture vary greatly in what they offer students at the university level. It is a good idea to find out now what is required for admittance to a university you would like to attend.

    Mature students (people who are not recent high school graduates) are also welcomed by most Schools of Architecture.

    As well, there is an important place in architecture for people who do not wish to pursue a university degree. You could take courses at a technical school, community college or university to become:

    • an architectural technologist,
    • an architectural technician, or
    • a draftsperson or CAD (computer assisted drafting) technician.

    What other work is available for Architects?

    Here are some job titles that tell you the kind of work Architects can do :

    • Architectural Critic
    • Graphic Designer
    • Architectural Photographer
    • Heritage Planner
    • Architectural Programmer
    • Illustrator
    • Architectural Renderer
    • Industrial Designer
    • Builder Inspector
    • Interior Designer
    • Building Envelope Scientist
    • Landscape Architect
    • CAD Coordinator
    • Market Researcher
    • Campus Planner
    • Model Maker
    • Carpenter
    • Municipal Architect
    • Cartographer
    • Museum Curator
    • Computer Presentation Designer
    • Printmaker
    • Computer Systems Analyst
    • Professor
    • Conservator
    • Property Assessor
    • Construction Inspector
    • Publisher
    • Construction Manager
    • Real Estate Agent
    • Contractor
    • Real Estate Project Manager
    • Corporate Consultant
    • Researcher
    • Design/Build Team Manager
    • Set Designer
    • Developer
    • Structural Engineer
    • Document Designer
    • Technical Writer
    • Environmental Planner
    • TV/Film Producer
    • Furniture Designer
    • Urban Planner
  • Where Are the Bees?

    Where Are the Bees?

    Pollinators

    Did you know that pollination is one of the most important ecological processes on the planet? This basic transfer of pollen from the male parts (anther) of a plant to the female parts (stigma) is vital for the reproduction of about 90 percent of the seed-producing plant species in the world. Pollination creates fertile seeds. Indeed, without pollination, many plants could not reproduce. Food webs and, therefore, entire ecosystems would collapse. We would quickly run out of food, medicine, wood products — almost everything humans and wildlife need to survive . Without it, the world as we know it, would be a different place.

    Scientists are concerned because of the vital role bees play in our food supply. About one-third of the human diet is from plants that require pollination from honeybees, which means everything from apples to zucchini. Bees have been declining over decades from various causes. “Colony collapse disorder” was blamed for large, inexplicable die-offs. The disorder, which causes adult bees to abandon their hives and fly off to die, is likely a combination of many causes, including parasites, viruses, bacteria, poor nutrition and pesticides, experts say.

    The value of these busy pollinators is immeasurable. While bees are probably the most recognized pollinators, it is important that we don’t forget about hummingbirds, butterflies, moths, bats, flies and beetles who are also important pollinators.

  • Where, When, and Which Class?: A Course Scheduling Guide

    Where, When, and Which Class?: A Course Scheduling Guide

    If you are like many first year students, you have a vague idea of what courses you want to take in college or university. If you liked biology in high school, chances are “Biology 1000” will catch your eye as you browse through the course calendar. Of course, the first thing that should guide your decisions is your interests. For example, if the thought of reading War and Peace is taxing to you, steer clear of Advanced English Lit. But besides what you do and don’t like, how do you decide what courses should fill your schedule?

    The first thing to look at when creating your schedule is your program requirements. The faculty will dictate which courses you must take in first year to be eligible to continue in your program. For some programs, you may only have one mandatory course, or you may have five. To find out what you need to take for your program, look at the academic calendar for your school, usually available both in print and online. Or, go to the faculty page on your school’s website and select your program. Failing that, you can always call in to student services, where a representative will put you in contact with someone from your faculty.

    Once you’re aware of your program requirements, you can decide what to do with your electives. These classes can be anything, and should be guided by your interests and your skills. If the number of choices seems overwhelming, or you’re just plain good at everything, try choosing electives based on their time slots. After scheduling your mandatory classes, you’ll have some space left over. You can then see what electives would fit into the time slots you have, which will help narrow down your selection.

    When it comes to scheduling, lock down your mandatory classes first. Since all the students in your program have to take them, there will likely be some variety in times and professors. Then, put electives where you see fit. If they conflict, take a mandatory class over an elective; you can take an elective any time during your schooling career, but mandatory courses are often prerequisites for upper year classes. If a course you need, or just really want, to take is eluding you, remember that you can take some classes in the summer (sometimes at a different university) or online.

    You won’t always have a say in the timing of your courses, but when you can make decisions, be honest with yourself. If you can’t wake up before noon in the summer, you will have trouble with an 8:30 AM class. With all the freedom that post-secondary classes offer, you’ll be more likely to sleep in and miss class.

    When faced with the daunting task of scheduling your own classes, its easy to lose sight of what an awesome opportunity it is. For the first time, you have complete control over your schedule. When, where, and what courses you take are entirely up to you! Keep that in mind while you choose your classes, and you’ll be sure to come out with a great semester.

     

     

  • It’s a New Year!

    It’s a New Year!

    Well, it’s time to get back to work and thinking about the exams that are coming up! There is no better time to make new year resolutions then the present.

    Stay focused, you are writing YOUR future.

    Have fun! !

  • What is a degree worth?

    What is a degree worth?

    Western’s enrolment rates are staggering. This year campus is teeming with more undergraduate students than ever seen in the university’s 133-year history. Boasting around 26,500 full-time undergraduates, Western has seen enrolment climb by 5,700 since 1996.

    Last year, Western’s full-time undergraduates paid more than $100 million in tuition. The question is — what are students getting in return?

    Politicians and policy-makers are starting to consider how rising enrolment rates are affecting the quality of education and the value of an undergraduate degree in a workforce saturated with university-educated workers.

    “The greater number of students who have an undergrad degree, the more competitive its going to be to get an entry level job, and an entry level job with the kind of pay a student is expecting,” says Meaghan Coker, vice-president university affairs for the University Students’ Council.

    “We’ve come to an understanding that a bachelor’s degree isn’t enough and that you must have a second degree to complement yourself and succeed in life.”

    In 2005, the Ontario government pledged to invest $6.2 billion by 2009 to boost enrolment rates and improve the quality of post-secondary education in the province. Western increased its enrolment by over a thousand full-time students in the last five years. Now the government projects another 50,000 undergraduate spaces will be introduced to Ontario universities by 2015.

    Students, meanwhile, are stuck in the middle, vying to become competitive in the workforce while staying out of debt.

    The value of an undergraduate degree depends on what students are looking to gain from it, says Philip Oreopoulos, a visiting professor from Harvard University specializing in the economics of education. Oreopoulous argues that while the material students learn during their undergrad might be useless to a career, the education still distinguishes a graduate from someone without a degree.

    “Post-secondary education merely differentiates between those who have it and those who don’t. If obtaining [a degree] is the only difference, it enables employers to consider degrees as equal. Even if the schooling hasn’t done anything to enrich you, it allows employers to distinguish you from those who didn’t attend university, and that is advantageous.” Oreopoulos says.

    While an undergraduate degree will differentiate a candidate from their non-degree holding counterparts, Oreopoulos questioned what skills are really being learned in today’s university classes.

    “There’s a lack of motivation and intellectual curiosity among students. University is what students make it out to be and there are plenty of opportunities that I see less and less students taking advantage of. It’s hard to say if they’re learning anything,” he says, noting if students put in minimal effort they could reap great academic rewards.

    As enrolment levels at universities continue to mushroom, the curriculum needs to be restructured, according to Coker, to better teach a growing and changing student body.

    “Although there’s been challenges in understanding what students leave [university] with, it’s clear that we need to teach students in innovative learning environments. There needs to be an investment into changing the way we teach at universities,” Coker says.

    While the value of the degree is under scrutiny, its necessity is not. According to David Molenhuis, chairperson of the Canadian Federation of Students, a rapidly changing economy makes an undergraduate degree essential to a person’s future prosperity.

    “Post-World War II, the economy had changed where more and more individuals required high school as mandatory minimum education for participating in the economy and job market,” Molenhuis notes, adding that 70 per cent of current jobs require some form of post-secondary education.

    “We’re seeing history repeating itself. The undergraduate degree is becoming the new high school diploma,” he continues.

    In an era where post-secondary education is vital to success to most careers, it’s even more imperative for graduates to differentiate themselves and find value in their degree.

    For some, added competitiveness may come from more education after their undergrad, such as a master’s degree. Since the 1996/97 school year, graduate enrolment at Western has grown by 2,400 students, now encompassing 17 per cent of all full-time enrolment at Western.

    “If everyone had a master’s it would be the same problem at a different degree,” Coker says.

    Coker suggests using extracurriculars and out-of-class experiences to differentiate yourself and add value to your bachelor’s degree.

    “Ultimately it’s beyond the classroom learning. And there is a lot of focus on classroom learning and the paper you walk away with, but students who are involved in extracurriculars know that those experiences are what really bring value to your degree,” Coker says.

    “Those experiences are invaluable towards the type of skills in leadership that you can develop, so in addition to the classroom we need to put emphasis on expanding involvement opportunities, internships, co-ops, and service learning – those types of experiences are valuable in this growing undergraduate economy.”

    While it may be difficult to judge the value of a bachelor’s degree, it is evident that an educated population has a positive effect on Canadian society and economy.

    “Individuals with a post-secondary education are in a higher tax bracket. They’re not putting as much pressure on public spending programs like public safety because they tend to commit fewer crimes. They don’t use the employment systems because their generally employable and working, and they’re generally healthier so they don’t put as much pressure on the healthcare system,” Molenhuis notes.

    That being said, perhaps the value of your bachelor’s degree lies in its ability to do greater good for society. In terms of personal value, it seems to be what you make of it.

    “We are pushing for you to get your money’s worth at university so that you feel when you’ve walked out that door you haven’t just got a piece of paper. That you’ve walked out with something that’s changed you, something that’s engaged you and something that’s set you on a path to fulfilling what you want to do,” Coker said.

     

     

     

     

  • Is that an endangered species in my backyard?

    Is that an endangered species in my backyard?

    As someone who just moved to the Big Smoke (aka Toronto), I am constantly searching for nature in the city and surrounding landscape. I am truly fascinated by the resilience of many of the creatures that manage to eke out an existence in the highly urban and fragmented landscape of southern Ontario.

    The survival of many of these species is greatly aided by the Ontario Greenbelt, which hugs the outskirts of Toronto and stretches north to the Bruce Peninsula, including the Oak Ridges Moraine, Niagara Escarpment and lush Carolinian woodlands.

    The Greenbelt is home to 78 species-at-risk — almost 40% of Ontario’s provincially listed species. The survival of these species is supported by the habitat-protecting policies of the Greenbelt. Set amidst the never-ceasing pressure to build more shopping malls and sprawling sub-divisions, these policies prohibit the paving over of the area’s remaining farmlands and woodlots.

    Many folks would likely be surprised to learn how species in the Greenbelt have adapted to being thrust into an urban lifestyle. One of the most amazing is the industrious Jefferson salamander, which has been found crawling through the basements of homes built directly in the path to its breeding grounds. Another is the snapping turtle, which roamed the earth 200 million years ago with the dinosaurs, yet has managed to outlive their prehistoric brethren by millennia.

    The future of these critters in Ontario is uncertain. Some populations of Jefferson Salamander, such as the York Region population, are deemed unlikely to survive by Ontario’s Natural Heritage Information Center. Remarkably, anyone in the province with a standard fishing licence can still hunt for snapping turtles, despite it being listed as a species at risk — something Ontario’s Environmental Commissioner highlighted in his most recent report.

    Without a doubt, the presence of the Greenbelt and its habitat protection policies are giving species at risk a leg up. But, as DSF and Ontario Nature’s recently released report Biodiversity in Ontario’s Greenbelt illustrates, the Greenbelt also faces ongoing threats to its integrity, from loopholes that allow for road development and aggregate extraction.

    The Greenbelt must be supported, and grown, and its policies must be improved to reduce ongoing threats to the habitat of species at risk.