Society

Consumer advocacy organization Tarion has condemned three homes in an apartment complex endorsed by celebrity Mike Holmes. A large excavator tears through a modern home in Meaford, Ontario, a picturesque community on Georgian Bay. The house, only two years old, has seen its once high ceilings, large windows and backyard patio reduced to broken glass and wood.

“It’s traumatizing,” said Fayard Johnson, who lives down the street. “Very surprised to see my neighbor’s house being destroyed.”

Another house owned by Fayard’s neighbor is also slated for demolition.
The demolition is the latest chapter in the saga of TerraceWood, a housing development launched in Meaford in 2015 with much pomp. “Boutique” portions of the homes were built by Third Line Homes, backed by celebrity contractor and popular TV personality Mike Holmes.

Holmes is known for rescuing homeowners from failed construction projects. He promoted TerraceWood, including on a billboard, as “Holmes Approved Homes.”

“Holmes Approved Homes are built with innovation, integrity and a commitment to doing the right thing,” Holmes said in a YouTube promotional video.
But according to Tarion, the consumer advocacy organization for Ontario’s new homes, things haven’t gone so well. As CBC News previously reported , Tarion filed an $8 million lawsuit in 2021 against parties involved in the project, claiming 14 TerraceWood homes were built with defects.

Now CBC has learned that Tarion has condemned three of those homes.

Two have already been demolished and the third is awaiting a demolition date.

“Given the nature of the defects found” in the homes, “demolition was a more reasonable option than renovation,” Tarion spokesperson Andrew Donnachie said in an email. Some defendants in the lawsuit argue that condemning all three homes was wrong.

The celebrity contractor claims his company did not have access to the homes during construction.
For the first time, Mike Holmes has spoken publicly about a lawsuit that alleges the homes in the Holmes Approved Homes complex in Meaford, Ontario, were built with defects.

The celebrity contractor and popular TV host posted the statement on his Facebook page four days after CBC News reported an update on the lawsuit . The lawsuit was filed in 2021 by Tarion, a consumer advocacy organization for new homes in Ontario.

Holmes said he was “deeply disappointed” by “news reports” about the lawsuit and that “only some” of the statements his company, Holmes Group, provided to the media “were used, and even those were taken out of context.”
Holmes stated that his company did not have access to the homes in the complex during construction, so it was unable to “assist in inspecting or identifying potential problems.”

Holmes also stated that he continues to be proud of his record and that he and his company “will not stop in our mission to help homeowners do the right thing.”
Tarion’s $8 million lawsuit is against the Holmes Group and more than a dozen other parties involved in a development called TerraceWood. The lawsuit alleges that between 2015 and 2019, 14 TerraceWood homes were built with defects, including serious structural problems.

Tarion says builder Third Line Homes failed to fix the defects, so Tarion paid for all repairs.

Tarion recently decided that demolishing three houses was a more sensible option. Two have already been demolished.

In its lawsuit, Tarion alleges that Holmes Group failed to perform additional inspections of the homes for the homeowners who ordered them and portrayed the builder, Third Line Homes, as competent.

In his post, Holmes said he and Holmes Group “do not deny that we advertised our inspection services” to homebuyers. However, he said the company did not inspect TerraceWood homes because no one bought the Holmes Approved Homes inspection package.

Holmes did not explicitly respond to details in the CBC News report about his support for Holmes Approved Homes in advertising and the involvement of two of his other companies. One of those companies bought and then sold a TerraceWood home with alleged defects, and the other lent money to Third Line Homes through a private mortgage.

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)

Ed Balls and Robert Peston switched from politics to punk as they debuted their new band, Centrist Dad, at an event in London this weekend, cheered on by former Labour leader Ed Miliband.

The broadcaster and former Labour shadow chancellor united with ITV’s political news editor to form the rock‘n’roll cover band.

On Sunday (10 September), they performed at the York Rise street party in Hampstead, treating the audience to a selection of classic songs.

Video footage shows Peston, 63, singing Sex Pistols’ famous 1973 track “Anarchy in the UK” as Balls, 56, plays drums energetically in the background.Their friends, Radio 4 host John Wilson and Chris Taylor joined the band on bass and guitar, respectively.Other songs included in Centrist Dad’s set list included “Teenage Kicks” by The Undertones and Blondie’s “One Way or Another”.

Miliband, shadow secretary for energy security and net zero, was also spotted in footage from Camden New Journal supporting the band from the crowd.

Balls appeared on ITV’s early daytime news and commentary programme Good Morning Britain on Monday (11 September) and poked fun at the concept of Peston singing the lyrics: “I am an antichrist, I am an anarchist.”

“Dads are supposed to be embarrassing,” he offered as an explanation, adding:
“Over the years, I’ve overachieved.”He went on to mention that, despite his predictions, his children weren’t completely dissatisfied with his musical display.
“Actually, their view was, it wasn’t as embarrassing as they expected. They think the name ‘Centrist Dad’ is terrible; appalling! My son said, ‘Owen Jones [the left-wing journalist] will hate it.’

”Previously, Balls explained that they chose the name because all band members are fathers with politics that fall in the “middle of the road”.
Balls has three adult children from his marriage to Labour MP Yvette Cooper: Joe, Maddy and Ellie.

For Monday’s edition of GMB, Balls and Ranvir Singh were at the helm after usual anchor Susanna Reid was forced to pull out of hosting.

Introduction: The Evolving Landscape of Volunteering

Volunteering has long been a cornerstone of societal development, providing crucial support to communities and organizations across the world. Traditionally, volunteering was often associated with charitable acts—a form of giving that was grounded in a top-down approach where those who had resources helped those who didn’t. Whether it was feeding the homeless, organizing fundraising events, or lending a hand at local shelters, volunteering in the past was seen as an act of generosity and benevolence.

However, as we move further into the 21st century, volunteering is evolving. It is no longer just about charity; it is about collaboration, empowerment, and building sustainable change. Today, volunteering has become a complex and dynamic practice that goes beyond helping the disadvantaged to include partnering with communities, empowering individuals, and addressing systemic issues through collective action. This shift represents a profound transformation in the way people perceive and engage in volunteerism.

In this article, we will explore how volunteering in the 21st century has shifted from traditional charity to a model rooted in collaboration, partnerships, and social innovation. We will examine the driving forces behind this shift, the new roles volunteers are taking on, and the global impact of this transformation.

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Youth movements have historically played a pivotal role in shaping the policies and political landscapes of nations. From the civil rights movements of the 1960s to the climate strikes of today, young people have continually shown their capacity for activism, challenging the status quo, and demanding that societal structures adapt to their vision of a better future. In modern society, the influence of youth movements has expanded significantly, driven by global connectivity, greater access to education, and an increasing sense of urgency surrounding social, environmental, and economic issues.

This article explores the evolution of youth movements, their impact on contemporary policy, and the ways in which young activists continue to influence governance, public policy, and global initiatives.

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1. The Power of Youth Movements in History

Youth activism is not a modern phenomenon. Historically, young people have been at the forefront of movements for change. From the 1960s civil rights struggles in the United States to the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa, young people have often led the charge for social justice. These movements arose in response to inequality, human rights violations, and the desire for a more equitable society.

For example, the student protests in the United States during the 1960s, led by figures such as Tom Hayden and the Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), played a crucial role in the anti-Vietnam War movement and helped push forward civil rights reforms. Similarly, youth-led protests in Eastern Europe, particularly during the fall of the Berlin Wall, played an essential role in dismantling oppressive regimes and advocating for democracy.

These historical moments highlight the power of youth movements in challenging the policies of their time. Their ability to mobilize large groups, spread their message rapidly, and advocate for change has only been amplified by the advent of social media and digital tools in the modern era.

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2. The Role of Digital Platforms in Modern Youth Movements

One of the defining features of contemporary youth activism is the rise of digital platforms. Social media networks, websites, and mobile apps have become the central tools for organizing, communicating, and spreading the word about key issues. Platforms like Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok allow activists to reach millions of people around the world instantly, bypassing traditional media channels that may be reluctant to cover certain issues.

The 2018 global youth climate strikes, led by Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, illustrate the power of social media in galvanizing a worldwide movement. Thunberg’s simple call for “Fridays for Future” strikes was amplified through digital platforms, where millions of young people around the globe could share their stories, organize events, and demand that policymakers take climate change seriously.

The ability of youth movements to coordinate across borders is unprecedented in history. Young activists are no longer confined to their local communities or countries. Instead, they can participate in global discussions, learn from one another, and build international coalitions to advance common causes.

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In the past two decades, social media has become one of the most influential forces in shaping global communication, behaviors, and cultures. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and YouTube have not only transformed how people connect with each other but have also played a significant role in shaping local cultures. With the rapid rise of viral trends, influencers, and user-generated content, social media has been both a powerful force for global cultural exchange and, in some cases, a disruptive influence on traditional cultural values and practices.

In this article, we explore the profound impact that social media trends have on local cultures, focusing on both positive and negative consequences. We will examine how these trends influence identity, communication, and social norms, and how they are both adapting to and challenging the deep-rooted traditions and customs of various societies.

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Aging is an inevitable and universal process that has long been a subject of philosophical, cultural, and social significance. In recent decades, as life expectancy has increased globally due to advancements in healthcare, nutrition, and sanitation, societies have had to adapt to the challenges and opportunities that come with an aging population. This demographic shift has led to profound questions about the role of elderly individuals in modern society, the ways in which societies provide care for older adults, and the evolving attitudes toward aging itself.

The following article explores how modern societies view elderly care, examining historical perspectives, contemporary challenges, innovations, and cultural differences in how aging is approached across the world.

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The Historical Context: The Traditional View of Aging

In many traditional societies, aging was seen as a natural progression that came with respect and reverence. Older individuals were often viewed as the keepers of wisdom, knowledge, and tradition. This status was reflected in the respect they commanded within their families and communities. Elders were considered integral to the social fabric, and their role often extended beyond that of just a caregiver, but as a guide, a mentor, and a historian of the community’s culture.

In agricultural and pre-industrial societies, older adults often remained in close-knit familial units where the primary method of elderly care was informal and family-based. The family structure was typically multi-generational, with older generations living in close proximity to their children and grandchildren, providing a support system for caregiving. At the same time, elders contributed to household chores, child-rearing, and the passing on of cultural traditions.

However, with the industrialization of society and the shift from agrarian to urban lifestyles, family structures began to change. Increased urbanization, the rise of nuclear families, and the demands of modern economic systems meant that caregiving for the elderly could no longer be handled by families alone. In many societies, the traditional notion of aging as a revered stage of life began to shift, and with it, the role of the elderly in society began to change as well.

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In the modern era, one might expect that technological advancements, particularly in the realm of digital connectivity, would lead to more connectedness and less isolation. After all, social media, instant messaging, video calls, and a range of other digital tools make it easier than ever for individuals to stay in touch, regardless of geographical distance. Yet, despite these digital conveniences, urban loneliness has emerged as a widespread issue in many modern cities, affecting people from all walks of life.

Urban loneliness is a phenomenon where individuals living in densely populated urban environments experience a sense of social isolation, despite being physically surrounded by large numbers of people. This paradox — the isolation in the midst of mass connectivity — is a growing concern that has been gaining attention from sociologists, psychologists, urban planners, and policymakers alike.

This article explores the complex relationship between the rise of urban loneliness and the advent of digital technologies. It examines the psychological, social, and cultural factors contributing to this phenomenon, the impact of urbanization, and how digital platforms, while connecting people virtually, might inadvertently exacerbate feelings of isolation. Additionally, we will explore potential solutions to combat urban loneliness and promote more meaningful human connections in the modern urban landscape.

1. The Paradox of Digital Connectivity

In the 21st century, digital connectivity has brought about remarkable changes in how we communicate, form relationships, and interact with the world. The proliferation of smartphones, social media platforms, and messaging apps means that anyone with access to the internet can maintain constant contact with others, irrespective of physical distance. These tools have facilitated global friendships, allowed people to share life experiences instantly, and even enabled real-time interactions across time zones.

However, the rise of digital communication has not come without its downsides. While it’s easier than ever to “connect” with people digitally, these virtual connections often lack the depth and intimacy of face-to-face interactions. Social media, for example, can lead to comparisons, jealousy, and insecurity, as individuals present curated, idealized versions of their lives. These platforms are often used as substitutes for more meaningful interactions, leading to a paradoxical feeling of being “alone together.”

The issue becomes even more pronounced in urban settings, where people are constantly exposed to social media updates, group chats, and notifications — yet still feel isolated. The constant stream of digital interactions creates a sense of noise and overstimulation, but with little emotional substance or personal connection. The illusion of connectedness can mask deeper feelings of loneliness and isolation, as individuals may feel that their online interactions do not translate into genuine social support or companionship.

2. Urbanization and the Breakdown of Traditional Social Structures

Urbanization — the mass migration of people to cities in search of economic opportunities, social mobility, and better living conditions — has significantly reshaped the social fabric of society. In cities, people are more likely to live in smaller apartments, often alone, and may not have the familial or community ties that were common in rural or smaller town settings. As cities grow, traditional support structures, such as close-knit communities, extended families, and local social networks, tend to weaken.

In rural areas or smaller towns, people often live in more tightly-knit communities, where interactions with neighbors, family, and friends occur regularly. These relationships, while not perfect, provide a foundation of social support that can protect against feelings of loneliness. In contrast, urban environments are often marked by high levels of transience, where people frequently move for work or education, and may not have established deep-rooted social connections.

Furthermore, in large cities, people can go about their day-to-day lives without ever truly interacting with those around them. In public spaces such as public transportation, offices, and cafes, people are often absorbed in their own worlds, connected to their devices and disconnected from the people physically present. This “social invisibility” in the midst of a bustling city can lead to feelings of alienation and loneliness, even when surrounded by large groups of people.

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