Reach

Former Alberta politician Thomas Lukaszuk is a man on a not-so-lonely mission to keep Canada from splitting.

"This has become a full-time job. I'm very passionate about this," the former Progressive Conservative deputy premier said in Edmonton last week.

As people trickled in and out of a local legion, a table full of volunteers helped them officially put their name to Lukaszuk's cause.

"When we get to 300,000 signatures, believe it or not, this will be the biggest petition in the history of Canada," said Lukaszuk.

Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canada could deploy military troops to Ukraine as part of an eventual security guarantee against Russia.

Carney made the remarks at a joint news conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy after a meeting between the two.leaders in Kyiv, where the prime minister made an unannounced stop Sunday.

When asked what kind of security guarantees Canada could provide to Ukraine, Carney said Ukraine's own military must be supported but that more than that will be required.

"I would not exclude the presence of troops," he said.

Employees at the Canada Border Services Agency and the Canadian Security Intelligence Service are the least likely to recommend their office as a great place to work, a survey of federal public servants suggests.

The 2024 Public Service Employee Survey asked federal government employees a range of questions about their satisfaction with their workplace, including about their leadership, well-being and compensation.

One question asked public servants if they would recommend their department or agency as a "great place to work."

Alberta's wasteful purchase of children's pain and fever medicine three years ago helped inform the province's decision to charge some people $100 for a COVID-19 vaccine shot this fall, Premier Danielle Smith said Saturday.

Trials come in various forms. 

The word various comes from an interesting Greek term, poikolos, which means "variegated" or "many coloured." We also get the term "polka dot" from it. 

Trials come in a variety of forms and colours. They are different, just as we are different. Something that would hardly affect you might knock the slats out from under me—and vice versa. But God offers special grace to match every shade of sorrow....

Psalm 119:165

Great peace have those who love your law,
    and nothing can make them stumble.

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Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Following the will of God requires faith and action, which in turn call for risk and release. This is where things get very personal. 

This is where we persevere and flesh out the will of God.

I have come to this conclusion: Doing the will of God is rarely easy and uncomplicated. Instead, it is often difficult and convoluted. Or...mysterious. 

Psalm 116:1-2

 I love the Lord, for he heard my voice;
    he heard my cry for mercy.
 Because he turned his ear to me,
    I will call on him as long as I live.

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Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Can't seem to get where you want to go fast enough? Leave it to God.

Worried about your kids? Leave it to God.

Living in a place you'd rather not be? Leave it to God.

Looks like you won't graduate with honours? Leave it to God.

Found a lump and you see the doctor tomorrow? Leave it to God.

A mid-career change seems scary? Leave it to God.

You did the job but someone else got the credit? Leave it to God.

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Psalm 94:18-19

When I said, “My foot is slipping,”
 your unfailing love, Lord, supported me.
 When anxiety was great within me,
 your consolation brought me joy.

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Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.