New 'Lord of the Rings' edition to include Tolkien artwork

NEW YORK — An upcoming edition of J.R.R. Tolkien's “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy will include paintings, drawings and other illustrations by the British author for the first time since it was published in the mid-1950s.

© Provided by The Canadian Press

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books & Media announced Thursday that the new version will come out Oct. 19. Deb Brody, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt's vice-president and publisher, noted that Tolkien was already known for his illustrations which appeared in “The Hobbit" and that his artwork for “The Lord of the Rings” had been exhibited in 2018 in New York, Paris and in Oxford, England

‘Yet the author himself was characteristically modest, dismissive of the obvious and rare artistic talent he possessed despite having had no formal training," Brody said in a statement. “This modesty meant that relatively little else of his artwork was known of or seen during his lifetime, and generally only in scholarly books afterwards.”

“The Lord of the Rings” books, which include “The Fellowship of the Ring,” “The Two Towers” and “The Return of the King,” are among the bestselling fantasy novels in history. They were adapted into a blockbuster trilogy of films by director Peter Jackson.

The Associated Press

Winnipeg’s New Inuit Art Centre, Qaumajuq, Is Astounding And Ambitious

Siku Allooloo
CHATELAINE

3/25/2021

© Provided by Chatelaine A photo of Qaumajuq, the new Inuit art centre in Winnipeg.
(Photo: Lindsay Reid)

In my father’s community of Mittimatalik, Nunavut, spring ushers in the return of the sun after several months of darkness. It’s a fitting season for the Winnipeg Art Gallery (WAG) to debut its new Inuit art centre, Qaumajuq. Emerging from a long colonial legacy that still shadows Canada and the world, this astounding new building redefines the very function and possibilities of cultural institutions. Qaumajuq (pronounced kow-ma-yourk or sometimes heard how-ma-yourk) means “it is bright, it is lit” in Inuktitut, and it heralds an exciting new era for Indigenous art.

Since the mid-19th Century, Inuit art has been shipped thousands of kilometres away from our people and where our stories take place, to be primarily shown (and housed) in spaces that are largely inaccessible to us. This month, a big change in accessibility and relationship to community arrives with the opening of Qaumajuq, along with an array of transformative ideas several years in the making.

At 40,000 square-feet, Qaumajuq is also one of the biggest exhibition spaces for Indigenous art in North America. Architect Michael Maltzan’s design was “inspired by the landscapes, light, and peoples of the North, and reflects the forms and spirits of Inuit art.” Connected to the WAG by four glass bridges, the monumental four-storey centre houses nearly 14,000 pieces of Inuit art—the world’s largest collection.

© Provided by Chatelaine An interior photo of Qaumajuq
(Photo: Lindsay Reid)

The grandiose scale is matched in innovation. This was led by the WAG’s Indigenous Advisory Circle, which challenged the gallery to completely rethink its use of space and artistic values in 2017. Thanks to the Circle’s exceptional co-chairs, the visionary curators Heather Igloliorte and Julie Nagam, as well as the willingness of the WAG to pursue institutional change, Indigenous knowledge holders, artists, curators and linguists from across Manitoba and Inuit Nunangat were able to guide staff in the decolonization and restructuring of a prestigious 109-year-old art institution.

Collaboration like this is embarrassingly rare. Canadian institutions often pay lip service to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action, or the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, but are slow to implement structural change. For art galleries and museums, moving from exploitation to respect means shifting the focus from objects to artists, and the communities we come from. It is, as Indigenous peoples have always asserted, about centring relationships–and actions that invite good relations. This includes dedicating resources, space and opportunities to Indigenous artists, and making way for cultural innovation that generates abundance for all.

Video: World’s largest collection of contemporary Inuit art goes on display in Winnipeg (cbc.ca)

One of the Circle’s successful suggestions was permanent, free admission for Indigenous peoples. “We want to send the message that you’re important here,” says Igloliorte. Indigenous staff are also being hired at all levels of operation, from security to management. “It is exciting to witness these changes going forward even before the new building has opened.”

Last fall, the entire WAG was transformed by Indigenous naming processes led by the Circle, along with a group of elders and language keepers. Following Qaumajuq, the existing WAG building also received a new name, Biindigin Biwaasaeyaah, which means “Come on in, the dawn of light is here” in Anishnaabemowin. Gallery spaces inside both buildings were renamed in Anishnaabemowin, Nêhiyawêwin, Dakota, Sayisi Dene, Michif, and four dialects of Inuktitut—reflecting the presence of all Indigenous nations across Manitoba and Inuit Nunangat. All staff are trained in the proper pronunciation of each name, so they can guide and welcome visitors through this reimagined space, which, in effect, prioritizes land acknowledgement above wealthy donors.

© Provided by Chatelaine 

A photo of the glass exhibition vault in the entrance way of Qaumajuq.
(Photo: Lindsay Reid)

The centre of the entrance hall at Qaumajuq holds an exquisite three-storey glass vault showcasing the gallery’s entire collection of 8,000 Inuit carvings. “It’s exciting that the WAG is bringing these out of the windowless vault, and into the light!” says Igloliorte. This space is named Ilavut (“our relatives” in Inuktitut), honouring both the artworks and the artists as relatives, as well as all people whose cultural heritage is housed within Qaumajuq. Entry to Ilavut and the whole main level of the WAG is free to everyone.

This month’s opening exhibition, “INUA” is a landmark in Canadian history and an unprecedented celebration of Inuit art, led by a curatorial group representing all four regions of Inuit Nunangat. Joining Igloliorte, who is an art historian from Nunatsiavut, are Krista Ulujuk Zawadski, curator of Inuit Art for the government of Nunavut; artist and sculptor Kablusiakq (of the Inuvialuit Region); and Sobey Award-winning and multidisciplinary artist and filmmaker Asinnajaq (of Nunavik).

INUA showcases art of all media by Inuit artists from across Canada, as well as a selection of work by Indigenous artists from across the circumpolar world. I am fortunate enough to be one of the artists. To be showing my sealskin poem, Akia (2019), alongside other Inuit work in a momentous exhibition celebrating past, present and future of our art, in a space designed to uplift all peoples is a deeply wonderful reality I could not have imagined.

Qaumajuq, at long last, has arrived. Let us welcome the sun!


Virtual opening ceremony, March 25 and 26. Open to the public with limited capacity, March 27.

#STOPWOLFHUNTS

The perils of wandering wolves: M2001, a lone male from Banff, shot dead by Montana hunter

Tyler Dawson 

POSTMEDIA

3?24/2021

© Provided by National Post File photo of a grey wolf Kootenay National Park. Research indicates the mortality of wolves increases significantly once they leave the relative safety of national parks.

A grey wolf from Banff travelled around 500 kilometres, across the Alberta-British Columbia border, and into Montana — all in just five days — where it met its end at the hands of a Montana hunter, a stark reminder of the perils faced by animal populations once they leave the protective borders of national parks.

Wolf M2001, a lone male, made the journey down the spine of the Rockies, starting from Kananaskis Country, just east of Banff National Park, through Fernie, B.C., and then crossing into the United States — likely in search of a new pack or mate.

He was shot dead on March 8, Parks Canada officials confirmed, saying they tracked the wolf with a GPS collar as it made its journey.

“It is legal in Montana for landowners to remove wolves that potentially threaten livestock, domestic dogs or human safety,” said a Parks Canada statement.

Such trips are not unusual, especially for young wolves, that leave in search of new packs, hunting and living territory, most commonly when the wolves are between one-and-a-half and three-years old.

But research indicates the mortality of wolves increases significantly once they leave the relative safety of national parks, although even within park borders, they risk being hit by vehicles or trains or euthanized should they become too used to humans.

Once they cross park boundaries, however, they’re at risk of being killed by hunters and trappers, both in Canada and the United States.

Montana governor kills wolf that wandered 16 km outside protected habitat in Yellowstone

Hunters killed more than 200 grey wolves in Wisconsin, 82% more than the state's limit

A 2020 study, which tracked 72 wolves between 1987 and 2018, found that wolves that left Banff National Park were 6.7 times more likely to die. Those that left the park had a 44 per cent chance of survival, compared to 84 per cent for those who lived within the park.

“Indeed, the greatest risk factor in our study was whether wolves left the protection of the park in winter during the hunting and trapping season on adjacent provincial lands,” the study says.

Most the deaths outside the park were caused by hunting — 18 per cent — and trapping — 36 per cent. In some parts of Alberta and Saskatchewan, municipalities pay bounties on wolves, coyotes and other predators, according to a 2015 research paper.

For example, Big Lakes, Alta., a county located northwest of Edmonton, offers $250 per wolf pelt, according to the municipality website. Wildlife advocate suggest these municipal programs have paid out hundreds of thousands of tax dollars to hunters and trappers over the years. Other areas have hosted “kill contests,” where teams compete to see how many animals, often coyotes, can be killed in a period of time.

The perils for wandering wolves isn’t just a problem for the animals in Canadian parks. In February, Greg Gianforte, the Republican Governor of Montana, trapped and killed a six-year-old wolf. It had travelled more than 16 kilometres away from Yellowstone National Park, and so was fair game. Gianforte hadn’t actually done the requisite training to trap wolves, and received a written warning.

As it happens, the wolves in Yellowstone are actually wolves that were relocated from Banff and Jasper National Park in the 1990s.

The death of Wolf M2001 also comes shortly after Wisconsin hunters killed 20 per cent of the state’s wolf hunting quota in one 60-hour period at the end of February, resulting in the death of 216 wolves. This wildly exceeded the state’s quota of 119 dead wolves in a hunt that also happened during the breeding season of the grey wolf.

The cull came after the U.S. administration under former president Donald Trump removed the grey wolf from the endangered species list.

With additional reporting from the Washington Post

• Email: tdawson@postmedia.com | Twitter: tylerrdawson

After The Mass Shooting In Colorado, Advocates Ask: Will We Ever Have Gun Reform?
Sarah Midkiff 

Ten people were shot and killed on Monday when an unidentified gunman opened fire at a grocery store in Boulder, CO. According to authorities, a suspect is in custody after being injured during the shooting, but they are still unsure of what prompted the attack.

© Provided by Refinery29 BOULDER, CO – MARCH 22: Police respond at a King Sooper’s grocery store where a gunman opened fire on March 22, 2021 in Boulder, Colorado. Ten people, including a police officer, were killed in the attack. (Photo by Chet Strange/Getty Images)

Around 2:30 p.m. yesterday, shoppers and employees ran for cover and some escaped through the back of the King Soopers grocery store, which is part of a large shopping center a few miles south of the University of Colorado campus. A witness who posted a live video from the scene not long after the shooting began said he heard about a dozen shots and three people injured. Two of the people injured were in the parking lot, while one was inside the supermarket. The first officer who was on the scene was also shot and killed.

“These were people going about their day, doing their food shopping, and their lives were cut abruptly and tragically short by the shooter, who is now in custody,” Boulder County district attorney Michael Dougherty said at a news conference on Monday night.

Investigators have revealed few details about the gunman other than that they have a suspect in custody and he has been injured. Videos of the massacre show a handcuffed man being escorted from the building by police officers. His right leg appears to be covered in blood, but the nature of the suspect’s injuries was unclear.

Among those who were killed, Eric Talley, a Boulder police officer, is the only person to have been identified so far. Boulder Police Chief Maris Herold credited Talley for his bravery as the first on the scene, calling his actions “heroic” during a press conference. “My heart goes out to the victims of the incident and I’m grateful for the police officers who responded,” she said. “I am so sorry about the loss of Officer Talley.”

On Twitter, Gov. Jared Polis of Colorado said he was following the events as they unfolded. “My prayers are with our fellow Coloradans in this time of sadness and grief as we learn more about the extent of the tragedy,” Mr. Polis said before the death toll was announced.

The shooting comes less than a week after a white gunman shot and killed eight people across three different Atlanta massage parlors. And, on Sunday, another gunman opened fire at a Philadelphia “pop-up” party, killing one man and injuring five others. However, unlike the Atlanta killings — which have sparked a national call to end violence against Asian Americans — it is unclear so far if this was a racially motivated attack. Still, many advocates are calling for immediate gun reform policies as a result.

“This past weekend it was a house party in Philadelphia. And last week it was an armed attack on Asian American women in the Atlanta area,” former U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords of Arizona, who is a shooting survivor, said in a statement. “This is not normal, and it doesn’t have to be this way. It’s beyond time for our leaders to take action.”

U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colorado, also called for a national gun violence conversation and nonpartisan action. “It’s long past time for Congress to take meaningful action to keep deadly weapons out of the wrong hands,” he said.

“People in America shouldn’t have to worry about getting shot while shopping for groceries, working a job, going jogging, worshipping, driving home, watching a movie, walking to school, or sleeping,” Everytown for Gun Safety posted on Twitter Monday. “And politicians owe us #MoreThanThoughtsAndPrayers to end our gun violence crisis.”

NRA bragged about blocking AR-15 gun ban before Boulder shooting

The National Rifle Association (NRA) recently boasted about helping to block a ban on assault-style rifles in Boulder, Colo., less than two weeks before 10 people were killed in a mass shooting at a grocery store in the city.

© Chet Strange/Getty Images Healthcare workers walk out of a King Sooper's Grocery store after a gunman opened fire on March 22, 2021 in Boulder, Colorado.

One person was arrested in connection with the mass shooting in Boulder on Monday. Authorities did not immediately provide details of the weapon used, but a senior law enforcement source told CNN that it was an AR-15-style rifle.

Read more: Colorado supermarket shooting suspect charged with 10 counts of 1st degree murder

The shooting occurred days after a Colorado judge blocked Boulder from enforcing a two-year ban on assault-style rifles in the city. The judge ruled that the ban violated an older state law that prohibits municipalities from making their own firearms rules.

Video: Shoppers inside Boulder, Colorado King Soopers grocery store recall shots fired, scramble to get out

The city said at the time that it would consider appealing the ruling, according to the Denver Post, but police said they would not enforce the ban while the case remained unresolved.

Boulder City Council originally passed two ordinances banning assault weapons and large-capacity magazines in 2018. The ban was a direct response to the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., which left 17 people dead.

The NRA celebrated the ruling as victory on its website and on social media last week.

"A Colorado judge gave law-abiding gun owners something to celebrate," the NRA tweeted. "He ruled that the city of Boulder's ban on commonly-owned rifles (AR-15s) and 10+ round mags was preempted by state law and STRUCK THEM DOWN."

The Colorado shooting has sparked another wave of calls for gun control in the United States, as well as a fresh round of backlash against the NRA.

“What happened in Colorado yesterday was predictable and preventable,” Fred Guttenberg, an anti-gun activist and father of a Parkland victim, tweeted on Tuesday. “This is why we have to stop the NRA,” he wrote, along with a screenshot of the NRA’s tweet about the ban.

“Boulder shooter carried an AR-15,” actor Mia Farrow tweeted before that detail had been confirmed. “No civilian needs to own or carry such a weapon.”

Thousands joined Farrow in echoing the hashtag #GunReformNow.

Read more: National Rifle Association says it filed for bankruptcy in move to restructure

The NRA did not directly address the backlash. Instead it doubled down on its defence of the Second Amendment.

"A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed," the NRA tweeted, quoting the Second Amendment within hours of Monday's shooting.

Critics highlighted the phrase "well-regulated" in response to the tweet, and suggested that it should mean greater gun control regulations in the U.S.

In addition to the NRA backlash, police also faced criticism for their response to the mass shooter.

Many accused police of a double standard after the mass shooting suspect was arrested alive following an extended siege at the supermarket. Some compared the incident to the death of Elijah McClain, a Black man who died days after Colorado police put him in a chokehold in 2019, not far from the site of the mass shooting in Boulder. He was not accused of any crimes, but police had stopped him based on a 911 report of a "sketchy" person near a convenience store.

Read more: NRA sends Nerf guns to boy after mall Santa said no to his wish

Hundreds of police officers from the Denver area responded to Monday's incident at the King Soopers supermarket. SWAT officers and heavily-armoured vehicles were also used to end the siege and save most of the people inside the store.

The suspect faces 10 charges of first-degree murder.

— With files from The Associated Press

Anti-Asian racism in Canada: How to have open conversations with kids

Arti Patel 

3/22/2021

Following the deadly shooting in Atlanta that left eight dead, including six Asian women, Asian people across North America have been speaking up about ongoing anti-Asian racism and violence.© Getty Images Anti-Asian racism in Canada: How to have open conversations with kids

While parts of Canada saw a rise in anti-Asian racism -- earlier this year Vancouver police noted anti-Asian hate crimes were up 717 per cent in 2020 -- experts say now more than ever all Canadians should be speaking about anti-Asian racism at home.

Mom Cristina Carpio in Toronto and psychologist Gina Wong in Edmonton recently join The Morning Show to talk about having conversations about anti-Asian racism with our children.

Read more: Atlanta shootings puts spotlight back on surge in B.C. anti-Asian racism

Both experts noted racism towards Asian people in Canada isn't new and as Wong points out, has been rooted in Canadian history for decades.

"There is a long-standing history of hate and racism against Asian individuals going far back as over a century ago," she says.

"Chinese workers were brought in to U.S. and Canada to build the railway and seen as a dispensable race."

Read more: These Asian Canadians are concerned as hate crimes spike in the coronavirus pandemic

Once the railway was finished in 1885, the Canadian government enforced a "head tax" and any Chinese immigrant would have to pay a tax from $50 up to $500. This meant millions of dollars over the next few years.

"In 2006 the Canadian government issued an apology and financial reparation, but there is long-standing history of racism against Asians."

Read more: Suspect in Atlanta spa shootings that left 6 Asian women dead charged with murder

Carpio and Wong, who are both moms, added that while the history can be heavy, it's important to start having these conversations with children of all ages.

Carpio says her 16-year-old daughter is troubled by the ongoing news.

"Teens are on social media and it is very hard to shield them from what's going on and I honestly don't think we should shield them," she says, adding that children need to understand the impacts of racism.


"It is so heartbreaking for her to watch elderly Asians on video getting attacked and hearing about Asian kids like her getting discriminated and bullied."


She says parents have the responsibility to engage in these types of conversations and also find out how their children are reacting and feeling.

Wong says for any parent, Asian or non-Asian, it is important to not be complacent and acknowledge how burned out some parents are.

She adds we should spend time being positive role models to our children and teaching them when to speak up against anti-Asian racism.

Read more: Calgary seeing rise in anti-Asian hate crimes, incidents, police, community members say

She also adds as allies, education is key.

It's important to learn about sinophobia (hatred against Asians) and understanding self-worth.

"When we teach our children self-worth we are empowering them," Wong says. "They have their own sense of worthiness, they are more likely to speak out."

For the full interview, watch the video 

Anti-Asian racism rises across parts of Canada, the U.S.

Sandra Oh Delivers Powerful Speech at Stop Asian Hate Rally: “I’m Proud to Be Asian”

Ata Owaji Victor 
3/22/2021

Sandra Oh at Atlanta Rally
The rally comes a few days after a shooting in Atlanta.

This story originally appeared on ELLE UK

Sandra Oh has spoken out against hate and violence towards the Asian community.

On Saturday, the 49-year-old Killing Eve actor delivered a powerful speech at a Stop Asian Hate rally in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The rally came just days after eight people, many of whom were Asian, were killed following a shooting at three spas in Atlanta, Georgia.

The shootings further ignited intentional concerns about a spike in violent hate crimes and attacks directed at people of Asian descent, following a narrative that has put the blame on them for the spread of Covid-19 over the last year.

During the rally, Oh took to the street to deliver a powerful speech, in which she stated that she is ‘proud to be Asian’. The actor continued by addressing the crowd of supporters, noting:

“Pittsburgh, I am so happy and proud to be here with you, and thank you to all the organizers for organizing this just to give us an opportunity to be together and to stand together and to feel each other.”

“For many of us in our community, this is the first time we are even able to voice our fear and our anger, and I really am so grateful to everyone willing to listen.”

“I know many of us in our community are very scared and I understand that and one way to get through our fear is to reach out to our communities. I will challenge everyone here, if you see something will you help me?”

The Greys Anatomy alum ended her speech with the rallying cry: “I am proud to be Asian! I belong here!”

© Instagram: @serietv.and.more Sandra Oh at Atlanta Rally

The actor has joined fellow actors Gemma Chan, John Legend, Lana Condor and many others in a recent call to action to end Asian hate and xenophobia following the shooting, which took place last week.

Over the weekend, the BBC reported that a 21-year-old man named Robert Aaron Long had been charged with murder over the killing of the eight people, six of whom were women.

Many organizations are working to decrease violence and provide resources to the Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) community’s most vulnerable members, including Heart of Dinner, Stop AAPI Hate, the Asian Pacific Fund’s COVID-19 Recovery Fund, Welcome to Chinatown, and the Asian Mental Health Collectively.

Read more:

Here’s How You Can Support the Asian Community Right Now

Racism Against the Asian Community Is a Beauty Industry Problem

15 Inspirational Asian Canadians to Know

The post Sandra Oh Delivers Powerful Speech at Stop Asian Hate Rally: "I'm Proud to Be Asian" appeared first on Elle Canada.

Asian Americans seek greater political power

Duration: 01:46 

There are 160 Asian American and Pacific Islanders in 33 state legislatures, but 51 are in Hawaii alone. Out of 535 members of Congress, just 17 are of AAPI descent. Activists hope tragedy will spur a push for political activism. (March 23)

RIPPED OFF BY EMPLOYERS NOT EMPLOYEES

Tax agency lacked tools to keep wage subsidy away from ineligible employers: AG

Catharine Tunney 

© Erik White/CBC As of March 21, the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy had paid out $71.48 billion.

Canada's auditor general says the Canada Revenue Agency lacked controls and the up-to-date information it needed to properly assess applicants when the federal government launched its wage subsidy program at the start of the pandemic — putting the integrity of the program at risk.

In a new report released today, Auditor General Karen Hogan said CRA needs to bolster its tax compliance wing.

Hogan today tabled three performance reports in the House of Commons on the government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. One of those audits looked at the Canada emergency wage subsidy (CEWS) — a program that, when it was first launched a year ago, subsidized up to 75 per cent of wages for workers who were kept on their employers' payrolls.

To get the program out the door as quickly as possible, the CRA was only able to conduct limited tests before approving payments, said the audit.

"Without effective controls for validating payments, the integrity of the program is at risk and ineligible employers might receive the subsidy," said the audit report.

The AG also said CRA did not have all up‑to‑date earnings and tax data when assessing applicants.

For example, 28 per cent of applicants did not file a GST/HST return for the 2019 calendar year.

"We noted that the subsidy was paid to applicants despite their history of penalties for failure to remit and other advance indicators of potential insolvency," said the audit.

"Indeed, the agency held no legislative authority to deny access to the subsidy on the basis of an employer's history of non‑compliance with tax obligations.

© Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press Auditor General Karen Hogan holds a press conference after releasing a report in Ottawa on Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021.

"It is our view that this situation presented a risk that the subsidy program would not achieve its goal of maintaining the employee‑employer relationships needed to support economic recovery because it may have subsidized applicants that were operating non‑viable organizations."

Hogan wrote in a press statement that the sprint to get the program launched highlighted existing weaknesses within the CRA.

Her team reported that the 273 employees the CRA had enforcing GST/HST delinquent filer compliance earn about $27.7 million in total annual salary — but had a fiscal impact of $3.2 billion for the 2019–2020 fiscal year.

"These amounts represent a return on investment of more than 100 to 1," said the audit.

"The fiscal impact includes the federal tax, provincial tax, interest and penalties collected. Given the good return on investment, we encourage the agency to do more of this work."

The CRA has agreed to strengthen the unit.

Separate audit looked at CERB

The team of auditors also found the CRA didn't take steps to prevent Canadians from receiving both the wage subsidy — which as of March 21 has paid out more than $71 billion — and the Canada emergency response benefit (CERB).

"The agency decided that it would not ask employers applying for the subsidy to provide their employees' social insurance numbers, though this information could have helped the agency prevent the doubling-up of financial support," notes the audit.

In a separate audit, Hogan also looked at the CERB program, which paid $2,000 a month to millions of Canadians who were either out of work or had lost work due to the pandemic. The most recent figures show the program, which was wound down last fall, had spent about $74 billion as of 4 October 2020.

Hogan said that while the federal government will have to check up on Canadians who received emergency benefits during the COVID-19 crisis, it did well to get the money out the door and into Canadians' wallets quickly.

Federal departments relied on applicants' attestations — that they did not quit their jobs voluntarily and that they had stopped working because of the COVID-19 pandemic — when the emergency benefits were issued.

Hogan's team found that the government knew that relying on applicants' honesty and limiting the number of prepayment controls meant some payments would be issued to people who were not entitled to the benefit. She said accepting a degree of risk in order to get help to those in need was consistent with international best practices.

Employment and Social Development Canada and Canada Revenue Agency said they are working on collecting ineligible payments.

Neuroscientists discover 'zombie genes' that come to life in the human brain after death

IT'S TRUE 

JUST SHOOT THEM IN THE HEAD

Devika Desai

3/24/2021

Once a human dies so does their body, we might assume. All major systems shut down, muscles gradually atrophy and all organs, including the brain, are rendered obsolete.

© Provided by National Post A 'zombie gene' grows tentacles and busies itself with post-death clean up work in the brain tissue

Not quite so, researchers at the University of Illinois have discovered. Turns out some cells in the human brain don’t take kindly to being told their services are no longer needed and instead grow in size and ramp up their activity for hours after death.

Scientists studying samples of brain tissue collected during routine brain surgery, watched as these cells, aptly named ‘zombie genes’, sprouted tentacles and went on to clean things up in the brain for several hours post-mortem.

Only glial cells, inflammatory cells that support the neurons, were observed carrying out the post-mortem maintenance, the researchers wrote in their study.

“That glial cells enlarge after death isn’t too surprising given that they are inflammatory and their job is to clean things up after brain injuries like oxygen deprivation or stroke,” Dr. Jeffrey Loeb, a neurologist at the University of Illinois and corresponding author on the paper, said in a news release .

Most previous work on neurological gene expression and brain disorders has been done on brain tissues that have been dead for 12 hours or more.

However Loeb and his team, noticing differences between the global pattern of activity in fresh human brain tissue versus older tissue, decided to run a simulated death experiment to observe the level of activity in the brain immediately after it was declared dead to about a day post-mortem.

They used samples of recently collected brain tissues, which had been kept at room temperature to “replicate the postmortem interval.”

© Dr. Jeffrey Loeb/UIC The glial cell is observed coming back to life and growing in size hours after the human brain died.

About 80 per cent of the genes analyzed in the brain remained relatively stable for 24 hours, researchers reported, which include genes that provide the basic cellular functions of the brain. Another group of genes connected to human brain activity such as memory, thinking and seizure activity, quickly degraded after death.

However, as the neuronal genes slowed, the ‘zombie genes’ ramped up their activity, researchers found. This pattern in post-mortem changes continued for several hours, peaking at about 12 hours.

The discovery, Loeb said, could change the way research studies use postmortem brain tissues to research cures for mental illnesses such as autism, Alzheimer’s, and schizophrenia.

“Most studies assume that everything in the brain stops when the heart stops beating, but this is not so,” Loeb said. “Our findings will be needed to interpret research on human brain tissues. We just haven’t quantified these changes until now.”

“The good news from our findings is that we now know which genes and cell types are stable, which degrade, and which increase over time so that results from postmortem brain studies can be better understood,” he said.