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th ei fp .c a Th e IF P -H al to n H ill s | T hu rs da y, N ov em be r 28 ,2 01 9 | 6 ABOUT US This newspaper, published every Thursday, is a division of the Metroland Media Group Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Torstar Corporation. The Metroland family of newspapers is comprised of more than 80 community publications across Ontario. This newspaper is a member of the National NewsMedia Council. Complainants are urged to bring their concerns to the attention of the news- paper and, if not satisfied, write The National NewsMedia Council, Suite 200, 890 Yonge St., Toronto, ON M4W 2H2. Phone: 416-340-1981 Web: www.mediacouncil.ca newsroom@theifp.ca IndependentAndFreePress @IFP_11 WHO WE ARE Publisher Kelly Montague Regional General Manager Steve Foreman Regional Managing Editor Catherine O'Hara Managing Editor Karen Miceli Distribution Representative Iouliana Polar Real Estate Kristie Pells Regional Production Manager Manuel Garcia Production Shelli Harrison Halton Media General Manager Vicki Dillane CONTACT US The Independent & Free Press 280 Guelph Street, Unit 77 Georgetown, ON L7G 4B1 Phone: 905-873-0301 Classifieds: 1-800-263-6480 Fax: 905-873-0398 Letters to the editor All letters must be fewer than 320 words and include your name and telephone number for verification purposes. We reserve the right to edit, condense or reject letters. Published letters will appear in print and/or online at theifp.ca Delivery For all delivery inquiries, please e-mail lpolar@miltoncanadianchampion.com or call 905-234-1019. OPINION TO LEARN HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR OWN CONTENT VISIT THEIFP.CA EDITORIAL Right now Canadians are judging Justin Trudeau's new federal cabinet by who got in and who was left out- .But two or three years from now, Canadians will judge the prime minister and his Liberal power circle by how they've risen to meet the most urgent challenges facing this country. Here's our list of issues that should keep them all awake at night. Climate change: Most voters in last month's federal election backed parties committed to preventing global warming from becoming a global catastrophe. As a re- sult of action taken in Trudeau's first term, carbon pric- ing in some form or another is now in effect across the country. These and other measures mean Canada is more than halfway to meeting its Paris Agreement pledge to reduce emissions by 30 per cent by 2030. But there's still a long, arduous journey ahead. While Canada is responsible for only a small fraction of the world's carbon emissions, it can and should play a leader- ship role in pioneering the kind of low-carbon economy other countries could embrace. For this to happen, the federal government has to persuade Canadians to accept major lifestyle changes, including far higher carbon taxes. National unity: The premiers of Alberta and Sas- katchewan - provinces without a single Liberal MP - have taken a page from Quebec's playbook. Raising the spectre of Western separatism, they're pushing for more provincial autonomy in ways that could weaken the federation. The return of the Bloc Québécois as a power- ful but parochial force in Parliament will further fray the national ties that bind. It's already led to a battle of words between Prairie and Quebec leaders. Not only does Trudeau need to find answers to west- ern grievances, he should act as an impartial conciliator between the provinces. In addition, his government must continue working for reconciliation with Canada's Indigenous Peoples. There can be no unified Canadian nation without the participation of its First Nations. Recession risks: Recently, the Parliamentary Budget Officer reported that federal deficits will be much high- er than the government had planned. But that's without including the tens of billions of dollars in new spending and tax cuts the Liberals promised in October's election. The global economy is sputtering. Unresolved trade conflicts between the United States and China are only increasing the risk of a widespread recession in the next few years. Preparing Canada for that likelihood while delivering the new cash they've promised will force the Liberals to make tough decisions. They can't do it all. Pharmacare: Nowhere will wise budgeting decisions be in greater demand than when it comes to keeping the Liberal promise to move forward with some kind of na- tional program to provide greater public access to pre- scription drugs. The New Democrats have announced that their support for keeping the minority Liberals in power is contingent upon the fast establishment of a universal pharmacare program. Yes, the Liberals should find ways to fill the yawning gaps in our public health-care system. But economic realities won't let them ignore costs. The storms in this globalized world won't disappear. They will only become harder to navigate through. Let's hope Trudeau is putting the right crew in place to do it. FIVE CHALLENGES FOR A NEW FEDERAL CABINET It's time to put on snow tires. Right? What if I told you it was also the time to switch to your winter hik- ing boots? Winter hiking boots? What are winter hiking boots and why would I need them? You may wonder. BOOTS I spoke with Gerry Johnson, the hiking boot guy at Hiker's Haven. He said there are three main differences between sum- mer and winter hiking boots: 1. Winter boots are insu- lated. They are rated from -20 to -40 C. 2. They are usually higher cut to keep snow out of your boots. 3. Most importantly, they have a sole made of rubber that, like snow tires, stays soft and pliable when cold. This means that winter hiking boots keep your feet warm and dry, and give you great traction in snowy conditions and superior traction on ice. ICERS If the trails are icy, you can add icers, whether they are winter or summer boots. Slipping icers onto your boots is akin to put- ting chains on your snow tires. They come in various degrees of "aggressive- ness," with Yaktrax being about a four on a scale of one to 10. Gerry likes ICEtrekkers with a diamond pattern be- cause they are more ag- gressive than Yaktrax and don't slip sideways. You can leave them on for sections of the trail that are clear of snow or ice. Kahtoola MICROspikes are more aggressive yet but won't stand up to walking across hard roads or along clear sections of trails. SOCKS In the sock department, Gerry turns to merino wool. "Even thin merino wools socks are warm," he says. "So there is no need to use thicker socks, which might not fit well, especial- ly if you are (don't tell Ger- ry!) using your summer hiking boots." POLES They aren't footwear, but using hiking poles is a great idea. Make sure the metal tips are exposed. Gerry says that from early fall until late spring he has his icers on is boots or in his pack - just in case. From Loops & Lattes Hiking Guides' author and avid hiker Nicola Ross. Visit nicolaross.ca for more information or reach her at nross@woodrising.com. WINTER HIKING: IT'S ALL ABOUT FOOTWEAR IT'S TIME TO MAKE THE SWITCH TO WINTER HIKING BOOTS, SAYS NICOLA ROSS NICOLA ROSS Column