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We were ordinary that day too. Just another family, managing the hectic jumble of kids' lessons, bills, our careers, endless streams of birthday parties, too little sleep and the occasional date night out. But it was all shattered with a single word: autism.

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The reality is, when you ask someone when they're planning to get pregnant, you have no idea what their reality is. They might be trying to no avail. They might not want kids. They might be wavering in their marriage. They might be part of the witness protection program and you've just blown their cover.

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It is important for everyone to become more savvy about abuser's excuses because many people unwittingly reinforce them in how we respond to the abuser's "explanations" for his/her violence, and to understand what taking real responsibility means.

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With more and more attention focused on global environment and climate change, stakeholders (citizenry at large) are hungry for actionable solutions and real commitments. As companies start to more and more define their supply chains with sustainability as a core value, transparency and accountability in these efforts will be increasingly critical.

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"Don't touch my free health care," is a common refrain from defenders of the status quo whenever anyone broaches the topic of reforming Canada's health-care system. While politicians and interest groups no doubt share a portion of the blame for perpetuating the myth of a $0 price tag for health care in Canada, their ability to carry public opinion with them stems from the murky manner in which health care is funded.

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Somewhere along the way, we lost track of what the feminist movement stands for and what it doesn't. Just this week, a prominent feminist media critic, Anita Sarkeesian, cancelled a speaking engagement at the University of Utah to talk about the portrayal of women in video games, under threat of a "Montreal Massacre style attack." Really ladies...are we out of the woods yet?

For some people, it would be a dream job to travel across Canada and eat in some of the country's finest restaurants. For Canadian writer and international food and wine journalist, Andrew Braithwaite, it's just another day at the office.

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So many young Canadians are looking to make their mark on the world. Some pick up a shovel to build a school or a ladle in soup kitchens to serve the homeless. A small number choose a different way, traveling to Syria to pick up an AK-47. Where does the road diverge between the youth who choose the path of helping and those on the path of harm?

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It's really important to talk to your doctor about what you're going to do. It's good to be in shape before you get pregnant. And doing some form of exercise in pregnancy and after. But enjoy your baby! I wasn't rushing back into training. It's a special moment when your baby arrives and that's your focus.

The typical young Canadian professional's engagement with the oil sands is like this: You pull your smart phone out and skim through your social media feed. But what exactly did you really accomplish?

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The thrill of hearing from a relative or friend that they received my letter--after traveling from remote corners of Vietnam to the other side of the world--is filled with a lot more happiness than a Facebook response. It also takes more effort and planning. Here are four rules I've learned to keep relationships alive on the road.

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I challenge Pierre Karl Péladeau to leave his reign at the head of Quebecor holding his head high; and to make a gesture towards the greater good and the safeguarding of our culture. If he takes the first step, the other ISPs in Quebec, in Canada and one day in the rest of the world won't have a choice but to follow.

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Whether you have already made this tough decision or you need to, please remember that guilt is not the healthiest emotion to feel and express. Although guilt is normal, do not let it consume you. Focus on all the positives. Just because your loved one is in a home, does not mean that you can no longer tend to them.

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Heralded not so long ago as economic engines through the crisis years, emerging markets' neo-slowing has been a big disappointment. Latin America is no exception; a trip there two weeks ago confirmed that sentiment has soured. What's up?

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Our phones have become our lifelines, our mode of socializing, our way of staying connected. But in fact, by using this "appliance" to stay connected, I would say we are in fact losing all of our connections. There is something to be said for distraction free living. It is no wonder that stress levels in our society are at an all-time high and use of anti-depressants have peaked.

I've always touted myself as a health conscious person with a passion for fitness, but it is only in the recent years that I realize I've been doing things and thinking about things all wrong. Here are a few of the good health habits I've adopted in my 30s.

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CBS and HBO's move to streaming highlights a new reality that's hard for many telecom execs to accept: That the one thing we don't need in television's digital future is cable TV. How the big telecoms react to the coming obsolescence of cable TV will play a large role in shaping the future of Canada's entertainment industry.

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On October 18, we shall be holding a peaceful demonstration outside the Embassy of Egypt in Ottawa to protest Egypt's degrading and dehumanizing treatment of sexual minorities. Egypt has shown a lack of compassion and respect for the basic human rights of some of its most vulnerable citizens.

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Seniors ought to age in the community along with the rest of us, enabling socialization and access to resources that keep them mentally, physically, and most importantly, socially active. Bringing up the standard of the actual facilities that already exist would be a good place to start, but a longer term vision requires new models altogether.

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For red wine, open the bottle about an hour before your guests arrive so the wine can breathe, or serve it in a decanter. Either way, you won't have to worry about opening the bottle in front of your guests or any potential spills. Stoneleigh Pinot Noir is a great option for a medium-bodied red wine that is a real crowd-pleaser and a great match for many different types of food.

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According to the most recent statistics, suicide rates outside Alaska's main cities are four times the national average and among the highest in the world. In 2010 alone, the number of suicide in Alaska's Kuskokwim prompted state and local officials to mount an emergency response.