According to Daily Hive posted on Sep 18 2023,

Canadians will get money from the government in October.

The Canadian government is providing financial relief this fall to combat the rising cost of living. Various federal benefits, credits, and rebates are available to eligible individuals.

Firstly, GST/HST Credit (Payment due on October 5) will be available.

A tax-free quarterly payment to assist low to modest-income Canadians.

Potential amounts are $496 for singles, $650 for married/common-law partners, and $171 per child under 19.

No application required; eligibility determined when filing taxes. Last year, the credit was doubled during high inflation.

Secondly, Canada Child Benefit (CCB) will be paid on October 20.

A monthly tax-free payment to support the cost of raising children.

Administered by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).

Eligibility and application details available through the CRA.

Thirdly, Canada Workers Benefit (CWB) will be received on October 12.

A refundable tax credit for low-income individuals and families.

Eligibility criteria: Over 19 or living with a spouse/common-law partner or child, Canadian residency, and earning below the net income threshold.

Eligible singles can receive up to $1,428, and families can get up to $2,461. An additional $737 is available for those eligible for the disability supplement.

You can jump into the article in the description.

https://dailyhive.com/canada/money-canadian-government-next-month?__vfz=medium%3Dstandalone_content_recirculation_with_ads

In my perspective, the Canadian government and its citizens exhibit generosity and adaptability because we occasionally receive unexpected financial support from the government, known as "rebates," with very short notice. This support is typically tied to our tax returns. When I learned that we might receive a maximum of around $500, it felt like a windfall, almost like "Tanakara botamochi," a Japanese saying for unexpected good fortune. In fact, just two months ago, I received a one-time grocery rebate of $234.

This generosity isn't impulsive; rather, it's a response to the financial challenges many of us face due to Canada's high inflation rate. I feel fortunate for this timely assistance.

What impresses me is the speed at which the Canadian government acts. When compared to the bureaucratic process often seen in Japan, where extensive debates and discussions can delay decisions, it's refreshing. In Japan, we can imagine heated arguments happening before any rebate is implemented. The government often faces criticism about its effectiveness and whether the cost is justified, among other things. What's even more challenging is that they don't dismiss these concerns; instead, they make efforts to provide reasonable explanations.

While this thoroughness is appreciated in some cases, it can also be time-consuming and lead to no tangible outcomes or changes. Both approaches have their pros and cons, depending on the situation. In Canada, we value the government's ability to act swiftly, and in Japan, we appreciate the dedication to thorough deliberation and explanation. How do you see the issue and the response to them in your country? Hope this rebate will help many Canadian people a lot.  

やっぱり言っちゃいけない言葉は覚えるのが楽しい

According to news media Daily Hive posted on  Sep 7 2023,

Nepo baby, Blursday among new words added to Dictionary.com

Dictionary.com has introduced 556 new words to its database, showcasing the ever-evolving nature of the English language. This update encompasses a variety of terms, including technical jargon, loanwords from different languages, and more. Some noteworthy additions include: Jawn, nepo baby, Blursday etc...

For example, "Jawn," a Philadelphia-origin noun used for something or someone whose specific name is unknown, popularized by the Black community in the early 2000s.

An example of a sentence jawn is used in is: “Can you hand me that jawn right there” notes dictionary.com.

Dictionary.com adds new words based on criteria such as widespread usage, consistent meaning, longevity, and usefulness for a broad audience, emphasizing the need for shared meanings in order to be included in the dictionary.

You can jump into the article in the description.

https://dailyhive.com/canada/new-words-dictionary-com

To begin with, the news attracted me as an English learner, as well as learning bad words is fascinating. Let me introduce some of the new words that I saw on the news.

Number one, "Nepo baby," referring to celebrities with famous parents, highlighting their industry connections as crucial to their success. By the way, Nepo is short for nepotism, which defines as 'The unfair use of power in order to get jobs or other benefits for your family or friends. In Japanese, it will be explained "2 sei" as the same meaning.

Number two, "Blursday," which is a word for the feeling of days blending together, reflecting the monotony of busy lives. Like, "Blursday is about to kill my time." What's interesting is, it  sounds like “Birthday”, it should be opposite to monotony, rather be something special.  There are other words that have similar terms like "Whoseday" and "Whensday" to mean the same. which also spelling not Thursday and Wednesday but, one of 5W1H also express something cynical.

Number three, "Greenwashing," is the ironic term describing the practice of promoting a brand or campaign as environmentally friendly to divert attention from anti-environmental policies. We can use this word like," It's just greenwashing, not eco-friendly."

Number four, as this is my fevorite, "Decision fatigue," the mental exhaustion resulting from excessive decision-making, particularly from numerous small decisions made throughout the day. You can say like" I feel even decision fatigue while traveling with my friends." I like this word is intriguing because we are always required to do many decision-making in business world on a daily basis.

That's all today's episode. Was there any favorite word so far?

Stay tuned for next exciting episode next week. 

パンプキンスパイスラテより、月見バーガーだべ

According to CTV News that was posted on Aug 24, 2023,

Starbucks' Pumpkin Spice Latte turns 20, beloved by millions and despised by some.

Starbucks' Pumpkin Spice Latte, a beloved seasonal beverage, is back on sale in the U.S. and Canada. This iconic autumn drink has grown into a massive industry, with pumpkin-flavored products reaching $802.5 million in U.S. sales in the year ending July 29, 2023, a 42% increase since 2019. The pumpkin spice trend has expanded beyond coffee shops and grocery stores, with various products, from Oreos to Spam, featuring pumpkin spice flavors. Even places like Great Wolf Lodge are offering Pumpkin Spice Suites for guests.

Despite some detractors and parodies, pumpkin spice remains incredibly popular. Starbucks reported a 17% increase in sales of pumpkin spice drinks in the July-September period of the previous year. A study found that only 8% of 20,000 Twitter and Instagram posts mentioning pumpkin spice were negative.

The Pumpkin Spice Latte's journey began in 2003 when Starbucks experimented to create an autumn drink that could replicate the success of its Peppermint Mocha. Starbucks incorporated real pumpkin into the recipe in 2015, solidifying its status as a seasonal sensation.

This Pumpkin Spice Latte has a dedicated fan base, with social media groups and followers eagerly awaiting its return each year. The drink is more than a flavor; it's a sensory experience that taps into people's memories and emotions associated with falls.

You can jump into the article in the description.

https://www.ctvnews.ca/lifestyle/starbucks-pumpkin-spice-latte-turns-20-beloved-by-millions-and-despised-by-some-1.6532498

Currently, in the cross-fitness class I am attending, we were asked "What are you looking for in the fall?". I saw several people answer "Pumpkin Spice Latte". It was the first time I heard the word "Pumpkin Spice Latte" and assumed this was kind of "Canadian Autumn thing". Hence, I just decided to try it sometime in September.

So yesterday was that day. The reality was that the taste was a little bit odd but not bad. Unfortunately, although I wasn't able to feel Pumpkin itself that much, I was kind of convinced there are many people who are obsessed with it.

Speaking of which, in Japan, we have manifold of Autumn things that I can come up with, and one of these is the TSUKIMI burger in MacDonald in Japan which is served limited in September and comes with a baked egg and tasty mayo besides the usual hamburger. That always reminds me of the autumn every year and never missed eating a TSUKIMI burger while I was in Japan. That's why I miss it since I came here in Vancouver.

By the way, "Tsukimi" (月見) is a term that translates to "moon viewing". It refers to the Japanese tradition of appreciating the full moon, which typically takes place during the autumn season. During Tsukimi, it often involves various customs and activities, such as setting up decorations with images of rabbits offering rice dumplings called "Tsukimi dango," and enjoying seasonal foods and drinks.

Any memories or traditions specified in Autumn in your country? I hope all of you guys will enjoy your comfortable and exciting September.

魅力度ランキングくらい失礼なランキングだよね

According to news media "Vancouver Is Awesome" posted on Aug 18, 2023,

 A survey conducted by the e-learning platform Preply in July 2023 asked 1,518 Canadian residents in 44 cities to rank rude behaviors in their communities on a scale of one to ten. Coquitlam, a mid-sized city in British Columbia, was ranked as the second-rudest city in Canada with a score of 7.85, just behind Vaughan, Ontario with a score of 8.05. This placed Coquitlam over two points above the national average of 5.41. The survey speculated that Coquitlam's reputation for damp weather and steep hills might contribute to its residents feeling moody and less inclined to be polite. The most common rude behaviours observed by Coquitlam residents included being absorbed by phones in public, not allowing merging in traffic, and not offering seats to elderly or pregnant individuals on public transport. The data also revealed that Coquitlam residents swear on average nine times a day but apologize for eight times a day, slightly below the national average. The survey noted that Canadians, overall, are relatively polite with an average rudeness score of 5.41 and a strong tendency to apologize. The top three rudest cities in Canada were Vaughan, Coquitlam, and Brampton.

you can jump into the article in the description. 

https://www.vancouverisawesome.com/highlights/is-coquitlam-one-of-the-rudest-cities-in-canada-this-survey-says-yes-7421754#:~:text=Coquitlam%20scored%207.85%2C%20making%20it,than%20the%20national%20average%2C%205.41.

Today I am truly excited to talk about this topic because it is so funny.

Have you ever thought of the rudest city in your country? or have you ever tried to rank it by yourself? I haven't but Canada has.

I love this kind of cynical and vicious topic. 

Firstly, the rudest city the survey showed was Coquitlam in B.C. I am actually perplexed with this because I have never been there. The truth of the city that was selected is marginal, but the reason for the city was selected was kind of funny. 

According to the survey, the most common rude behaviours for Coquitlam residents include:

Being absorbed by their phone in public,

Not letting people merge in traffic,

Not standing up for elderly or pregnant people on public transport.

I was surprised that the reasons for the rudeness were really reasonable and understandable. I feel like we could find common ground as a cosmopolitan. We have a quite similar measurement to acknowledge whether or not it is rude. Notwithstanding this point, it didn't mention any level of English skill. That's invaluable. To be honest, I feel the things listed were happening everywhere throughout Vancouver so I don't think this is the problem only for the ranked areas. That means, supposedly the whole area of Vancouver should be rude! 

Lastly, the city we are living in is ranked 4th. Since our town is known for top-ranked unsafe town, it might be relevant between rudeness and safety. That's a conspicuous point.

What do you think about the rudeness in your town?

What is the point you feel people are offensively impolite or ill-mannered? Let me know how you define this.

朝起きたら煙充満してて普通に近くで誰かやらかしてると思った

According to news media "Vancouver Is Awesome" posted on August 20th, 2023.

Vancouver has the worst air quality in the world due to Wildfire.

With smoke pouring out of fires in B.C.'s interior during the largest and one of the most destructive fire seasons recorded in Canada Vancouver's air has stayed relatively clear until this weekend.

However, as winds changed directions, the smoke came west to the coast and blanketed the city, triggering air quality statements for the region.

Typically Vancouver has fairly good air compared to the world's major cities, but wildfires can cause it to leap to the top of the table for worst air.

Aug. 20 is one of those days.

The smoke caused some parts of Metro Vancouver to peak at 10+ on the government's air quality health scale (which is the worst rating). At the same time, due to those winds, some places with fires nearby, like Kamloops, are relatively low (a 2 at the time of publication).

On IQAir's ranking of major cities in the world Vancouver has spent much of the day in the top 10 as far as worst air quality; currently, it's ninth. Air quality in Japan especially Osaka and Kyoto as major cities is quite very well and is ranked the fourth cleanest area in the world now. 

You can jump into the article in the description.

https://www.iqair.com/ca/world-air-quality-ranking

Since last week, in West Kelowna's fire, at least 50 structures have been lost to the McDougall Creek fire burning on both sides of Lake Okanagan. Actually, Kelowna is one of the most memorable places for me because I visited there twice for sightseeing last year. Although I seldom travel since I came to Canada, I was truly obsessed with the attractiveness of Kelowna which is famous for its plethora of high-end and beautiful wineries. I am just sorry to hear that Kelowna has wreaked havoc this week and just hope everyone there will stay safe.

Back to the story, since last weekend, the sky in metro Vancouver has been smoky and hazy, even in my area. Nevertheless, it doesn't smell burnt, obviously, the air quality gets worse. At that moment. I was worried about how to check the air condition and find out the cause but I still don't have the best way to check reliable real-time alerts or news resources regarding the disaster. For now, I am just keeping my eyes on CBC News.

By the way, while the amount of smoke in the air has created harmful conditions for people's health, it's also reducing the sun's intensity, fortunately helping the fight against wildfires across the province. Therefore I hope this weather will help them a lot.

Overall, there are now about 27,000 people in the province under an evacuation order and another 35,000 on evacuation alert. That's totally a nightmare and puts us extremely horrible situation.

I just hope everyone stays safe and will finish fighting against the wildfire as soon as possible.

夏の過ごし方も国それぞれやねえ