Nunavut comprises a major portion of Northern Canada. The capital Iqaluit, on Baffin Island in the east, was chosen by the 1995 capital plebiscite. Nunavut also includes Ellesmere Island to the far north as well as the eastern portions of Victoria Island in the west, and all islands in Hudson, James and Ungava Bays, including Akimiski Island far to the south-east of the rest of the territory.

Dear Ric,

So, is it true that you have finally decided to overcome your fear of speed and learn driving again? That is so amazing! I know it’s been long since you’ve been on road. But it is about time that you get over that accident. When Martha told me about your decision, I was extremely happy and proud. I know you fear speed, but the idea of learning to drive will definitely change your life. It will bring back the confidence and will help you forget that dreadful event. You would surely come out stronger.

But first, you need to check whether your driving licence is valid. Since you have not been driving for so many years, I’m afraid that it might have expired and you don’t even know. You must always have a driving licence on you as with it you can get around anywhere. You can take care of routine tasks like going to the office or shopping yourself rather than relying on Martha to drop you off every time. But first you would have to appear for a test that would check your knowledge of driving and then you can have the licence. I think a two-week course will be enough to help you get on track and pass the test.

You would need to search a good driving school with good instructors. There’s one by the name of Hall Driving School in downtown. I myself have learnt driving from this school. All the instructors are well trained and experienced. They train you both in the theoretical and the practical aspects. Driving in the presence of an expert would definitely help you drive fearlessly. They will help you to learn control and the best part is that you can practice for as long as you desire. Just remember that you are doing this for yourself and all the worries will fade away. No pressure!

If I may, I would advise you engage in some meditation. This is not for driving, obviously. But, this is to fight your fear of roads and speed. You need to get your emotions in control and meditation is undoubtedly the best thing you can take up.

I hope my advice will serve the purpose. Looking forward to hearing from you. All the best!

Love,

Robert

A. Many thousands of years ago, not a single human being lived in the Americas. This only changed during the last Ice Age. It was a time when most of North America was covered with a thick sheet of ice, which made the Americas difficult to inhabit. But at some point during this time, adventurous humans started their journey into a new world. They probably came on foot from Siberia across the Bering Land Bridge, which existed between Alaska and Eurasia from the end of the last Ice Age until about 10,000 years ago. The area is now submerged by water.

B. There is still debate about when these first Americans actually arrived and where they came from. But scientists are now getting closer to uncovering the original narrative, and finding out who these first Americans really were. During the peak of the last Ice Age about 20,000 years ago, a journey from Asia into the Americas would not have been particularly desirable. North America was covered in icy permafrost and tall glaciers. But, paradoxically, the presence of so much ice meant that the journey was, in a way, easier than it would be today.

C. The abundance of ice meant that sea levels were much lower than they are now, and a stretch of land emerged between Siberia and Alaska. Humans and animals could simply walk from Asia to North America. The land bridge was called Beringia. At some point around this time – known as the Last Glacial Maximum – groups of hunter-gatherers moved east from what is now Siberia to set up camp there.

D. ’The first people who arrived in Beringia were probably small, highly mobile groups evolving in a large landscape, probably depending on the availability of seasonal resources,’ says Lauriane Bourgeon of the University of Montreal, Canada. These people did well to seek refuge there. Central Beringia was a much more desirable environment than the icy lands they had left behind. The climate was a bit damper. Vegetation, in the form of woody shrubs, would have given them access to wood that they could burn to keep warm. Beringia was also an ideal environment for large grazing mammals, giving early hunter-gathers something to hunt, says Scott Elias of Royal Holloway, University London in the UK, who reconstructs past climates.

E. Not given in any of the above paragraphs.

Councillors in Vancouver voted unanimously last month to ban the sale of dogs, cats and rabbits in city pet stores. This puts Vancouver on a short list of other municipalities in Ontario, Quebec and British Columbia that have done the same in recent years. But while adding a major city such as Vancouver to that list may appear to be a win for the animals, the extraordinary problems of inhumane breeding operations and pet overpopulation persist all across the country. As we see all too often, pet animals are forced into the common cycle of being bred, sold and abandoned, and provincial leadership must step up and commit to removing all doggies from the window, banning the retail sale of pets – all pets – nationwide.

BC SPCA’s manager of public policy and outreach, Amy Morris, applauded the move in Vancouver, saying in a statement, ’Council is standing up against the importation of puppies from mills and issues related to impulse purchases. With so many dog, cats and rabbits being abandoned and surrendered to shelters and rescues, this is the right move.’ But the issues Ms. Morris highlights are not only present in Vancouver; they exist across Canada.

Jessica Scott, an animal activist said that unregulated and uninspected commercial breeding operations (a.k.a. puppy mills) are located across the country and are notoriously inhumane, keeping animals continuously caged, forced to exist in deplorable conditions and breeding them over and over again. It is these places that are doing big business with both bricks-and-mortar pet stores, as well as via online platforms such as Kijiji and Facebook. While shelters, rescues and some reputable breeders typically require a thorough adoption process – sometimes including home checks – retail operations only desire to make a profit and so are simply always ready to make the sale.

Jack Fraser, a representative from pet store, however disagrees. He says, ’A number of pet stores across the country, including major chains such as Petland and PetSmart, voluntarily work with local rescues and shelters to adopt out homeless pets, rather than buying and selling from breeders.’

Smith a businessman from Vancouver stood opposing, ’This ban can undoubtedly hamper so many businesses in the city.’ He mentioned that retail sale helps so many people get the pets they want with an easy access. This ban is not only hindering pet businesses but also restricting the people’s accessibility to pets. Respecting and caring for pets is not possible by adoption alone.