OTTAWA — The Trudeau government plans to give about 900,000 Canadian workers more paid personal-leave days, in a proposal that seems designed to goad the Ontario government into an argument over workers’ rights in the modern economy.

The change is part of a sweeping set of proposed Canada Labour Code amendments put forward this week by the federal Liberals in their 850-page budget bill.

The federal legislation, if passed, would let workers take up to five days off each calendar year for reasons such as the care of relatives, children’s educations, or to attend their own citizenship ceremonies. Three of the days off would be with pay for workers who have had their jobs at least three straight months.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Ontario Premier Doug Ford have already battled over carbon taxes and immigration and refugee settlement programs. The new federal bill arrives while the Ontario legislature is working through a bill to repeal similar reforms brought in by the Liberals Ford defeated last spring.

Watch: Ford, Scheer to target Trudeau

Besides giving workers the right to personal days off, the federal government is also proposing that workers become eligible for general holiday pay, sick leave, maternity leave and parental leave from Day 1 on the job.

In addition, the changes would provide five days of paid leave for victims of family violence, unpaid leave for court or jury duty and a fourth week of annual vacation for employees who have at least 10 consecutive years of employment. The changes would also require an employer to provide a worker’s schedule in writing at least 96 hours before the start of the employee’s first shift on that schedule.

The federally regulated sector includes public servants and employers in major industries such as banking and railways, in which many workers already have better terms. But Ottawa hopes the full suite of labour changes will set a precedent and lead to similar amendments in the rest of the country. Most Canadian workers are under provincial, not federal, jurisdiction.

A spokeswoman for federal Labour Minister Patty Hajdu said the approach is meant to improve Canadians’ work-life balance. She also argued it’s not only good for workers’ well-being, but for their productivity and the broader economy.

‘We’re hoping we’ll set the example for provinces’

“What we’re doing, definitely, is we’re hoping we’ll set the example for provinces,” Veronique Simard said Wednesday. “Smart employers know that when you take care of your workers that it’s good for business.”

Attempts to establish national standards like these will likely be met with resistance from some premiers and business leaders.

In announcing plans to repeal the Ontario legislation, known as Bill 148, Ontario Economic Development Minister Jim Wilson said Kathleen Wynne’s Liberal government “brought in a tsunami of new burdens and regulations that have imposed significant unnecessary costs on businesses and stifled economic growth.”

The Ontario government’s labour bill, if passed, would remove a guarantee of two paid personal leave days for workers, bringing the provincial total down to eight — all of which are unpaid.

Dan Kelly, chief executive of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, opposed Bill 148. He warned the federal proposals bring back some of what he considers its worst provisions and then go even further.

“This is a really, really unhelpful series of choices and I think they’re trying to turn back the clock to the 1970s by implementing a union-boss wish list of policies,” Kelly said. “This is another giant step left for the (federal) government to try to hang on to some of Kathleen Wynne’s unfortunate legacy in labour policy.”

Kelly, who represents small- and medium-sized businesses, said the vast majority of smaller firms wouldn’t be directly affected by the federal changes. But he insisted they could suffer a big hit if unions are successful in getting provinces to adopt similar standards as those laid out in an updated Canada Labour Code.

The federal proposals also attracted support. The Canadian Labour Congress said they are “heralded by Canada’s unions as an important modernization of federal labour standards.”

“The Canada Labour Code used to be upheld as the gold standard across the country, but federal labour standards were significantly eroded over a decade by the Harper government,” the union’s president Hassan Yussuff said in a statement.

I hosted my own funeral.

It wasn’t for the reason you might think… I am not terminally ill.

As part of my local business networking group, I was asked (as I have been several times throughout my career) to show people what I do for a living. As you can imagine in my line of work, that’s no easy task.

Because I feel so honoured and rewarded to help many grieving families whose hearts are broken and forever changed, I wanted to share this experience with others and show them the human side to this business. The side filled with sharing memories, tears, laughter and joy.

I thought that after planning hundreds of funerals I should be able to orchestrate my own. I simply followed the steps I recommend to families every day. It wasn’t easy to keep it a secret, but I managed to pull it off and it was brilliant. I even wore a little black dress, had a DJ and a champagne toast!

What happened at my funeral

As the guests arrived, they were handed a custom-designed memorial card. It included the Prayer of St. Francis, which has always held deep meaning to me. There were several images: one of myself, a photo of my “strength” tattoo, a Scottish thistle and, of course, a butterfly.

Guests enjoyed a meal that included my favourite foods and desserts. While they mingled, the DJ played a custom playlist and my all-time favourite movie “Pretty Woman” was streaming on the screen in the background.

A good friend of mine was the master of ceremonies and, after a brief eulogy, we watched a video tribute. Some of the people in attendance were actually moved to tears. I was smiling the whole time as I knew the impact this experience was having on those present.

I did speak at my funeral — anyone that knows me well would agree I’ve always got something to say and love having the final word.

What the guest response was like

I explained why I hosted my own funeral and planned each and every detail the way that I did.

Although this day was about me, in essence it was for them. I had gifted them this experience just as others who plan their own funerals do. I don’t consider it to be morbid or superstitious and certainly won’t bring the end nearer, as some believe.

It had the same impact I’ve witnessed time and time again as we honour people whom we have loved and lost. “It was a great funeral” and “I forgot I was even in a funeral home” were just some of the responses I received.

There were tears, laughter, music, flowers, food and I even gave them gifts to remember me by. It was the most authentic way I have ever shared who I am and what I do for a living.

A retrospective of my life

I wish my parents had videotaped my birth. I have always felt that since I couldn’t see myself exit this world it would have been nice to see me enter it.

I am inherently drawn to creating connections with people. For as long as I can remember, family and friends have said I have a way of making others feel comfortable. Hosting my own funeral offered me a unique perspective to see the impact I’ve had on the lives of those in attendance (albeit with this audience, we had more business than personal relationships). It allowed those who didn’t know me to get a sense of who I was, beyond the girl with “the big smile who always seems happy.”

Personally, I experienced many emotions as I looked back on my life and recognized my struggles have shaped me as a person. My strength of character comes from being both resilient and transparent.

How this experience altered my viewpoint

As I’ve been working with families to plan end-of-life services for many years, I’ve developed a very different perspective on death. Though each and every service I’ve had the opportunity to be part of comes with a different set of emotions, I’ve been able to separate my feelings and offer grieving families support when they need it.

Going into my own funeral, I had assumptions that the sentiment would be similar and in many ways, it was. This experience solidified my view on the importance of human connection and the opportunity we have, even at the end of life to recognize that grief unites us. When we honour our feelings, we are opening ourselves up to growth and strengthening bonds.

Though I am not ready to leave this world, I can tell you I’ve had a glimpse of how I may be remembered. Let the band play on…

Have you been affected personally by this or another issue? Share your story on HuffPost Canada blogs. We feature the best of Canadian opinion and perspectives. Find out how to contribute here.

As I’m sure you’re all aware, exam season has commenced. I know from experience that when exam dates loom, it’s tempting to forgo sleep, and easy to forget to eat or hydrate. These are very unhealthy means of studying, and they only add to your stress.

Here are three tips to take care of your body and reduce your stress level when preparing for your upcoming exams.

Eat and drink

It’s one thing to eat and drink healthily on a regular basis, but during exam season, some students remain so focused on their studies that they forget to eat or drink something at all! Understandably, your focus is your studies, but I implore you to stay hydrated and fed.

During periods of high stress, I sometimes set hourly alarms on my phone to remind myself to drink water. This may seem silly, but it’s easy to get lost in your head, especially while studying, and ignore what your body needs.

As for what you eat, it may seem like you don’t have time to cook. You also probably don’t want to spend hundreds of dollars on take out over the next couple weeks. Still, you need to eat something.

Before exam season is in full swing, pick up a few key items at the grocery store for simple meals, like cereal, salad and sandwiches. Be sure you’re incorporating some nutritious foods, such as vegetables and protein. And always keep snacks in your bag, like apples or granola bars, in case you accidentaly skip a meal.

Exercise

I’m sure you’ve heard that exercise releases delightful hormones called endorphins, which trigger positive feelings to reduce stress and pain. Luckily, a simple 10-minute walk could be enough to produce several hours of stress relief.

If you’re an extrovert, and hours of secluded studying is worsening your stress, attend a group exercise lesson at your campus or preferred gym. Not only will you be getting exercise, but you’ll also benefit from the additional aspect of socialization, giving you a much-needed break between study sessions.

Rest

This might be the most difficult tip to follow, since it’s sort of a catch-22. Six to eight hours for a good night’s rest is a lot of time, but the longer you go without sleep in order to study, the less likely you’re to retain the information. Research shows that recalling information from one day to the next is easier after a night of sleep. However difficult it may be to rationalize, it’s important to find a balance between study time and sleep time. You don’t want all of your efforts to be wasted by falling asleep during an exam.

It’s important to remember that you’re not alone in this; all of your fellow students are going through the exact same crazy time. Reach out to your friends and help each other stay sane and healthy during this and future exam seasons. If you require more structured support, reach out to a school counsellor or your Student Assistance Program to assist you with a study plan or exam accommodations. Good luck!

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UPDATE – Sept. 28, 2018: Aurora Cannabis announced Tuesday it has not reached a deal with Coca-Cola on pot-infused drinks. The company said that, while it does engage in exploratory talks with companies from time to time, it has no agreements to announce.

Original story follows below

EDMONTON — Shares of Aurora Cannabis Inc. were up as much as 17 per cent today after a report the marijuana producer was in talks with the Coca-Cola Company to develop pot-infused drinks.

The Edmonton-based company’s stock briefly rose above the $10 mark in early trading after the report by BNN Bloomberg, citing sources.

Aurora Cannabis shares were trading at $9.90, up 16 per cent on heavy volume, by early afternoon.

Sources told BNN Bloomberg that the world’s largest beverage company is interested in developing drinks that are infused with cannabidiol, the non-psychoactive element in cannabis also known as CBD.

While CBD does not have the same psychoactive effect that THC does, it has been touted by some as having therapeutic effects, such as pain relief.

A spokeswoman for Aurora Cannabis said the licensed producer does not discuss business development initiatives until they are finalized, but notes that it has a responsibility to shareholders to give proper consideration to all relevant opportunities that are presented.

“Aurora has expressed specific interest in the infused beverage space, and we intend to enter that market. There is so much happening in this area right now and we think it has incredible potential,” said Aurora’s director of communications Heather MacGregor in an emailed statement.

Coca-Cola did not respond to questions about Aurora or any other Canadian cannabis companies.

“With many others in the beverage industry, we are closely watching the growth of non-psychoactive CBD as an ingredient in functional wellness beverages around the world,” the company said in a statement on its website on Monday. “The space is evolving quickly. No decisions have been made at this time.”

The news report comes after other major beverage companies have made forays into the cannabis space via deals with Canadian marijuana companies. Last month, the beer, wine and spirits producer Constellation Brands signed a deal to invest $5 billion into Canopy Growth Corp., increasing its stake in the cannabis producer to 38 per cent. The investment follows a deal last year in which Constellation acquired a nearly 10 per cent stake in Canopy and the two companies agreed to collaborate on the development of cannabis-based drinks.

Also last month, Molson Coors Canada entered into a joint venture with HEXO Corp. (formerly Hydropothecary Corp.) to develop non-alcoholic cannabis-infused products.

Although Canada is gearing up to legalize marijuana for recreational use on Oct. 17, beverages infused with the plant’s active ingredients won’t be legal until sometime in 2019. Still, many cannabis companies have been boosting their capabilities to produce value-added cannabis-based products, which are posed to have bigger profit margins than dried cannabis.

Verne Troyer, who rose to fame after playing Mini-Me in the blockbuster “Austin Powers” films, died on Saturday, the actor’s representatives confirmed to HuffPost.

Troyer was 49 years old.

“Verne was an extremely caring individual,” an official statement shared with HuffPost read. “He wanted to make everyone smile, be happy, and laugh. Anybody in need, he would help to any extent possible.”

Troyer’s representatives did not disclose a cause of death but said that that the actor “was a fighter when it came to his own battles.”

“Over the years he’s struggled and won, struggled and won, struggled and fought some more, but unfortunately this time was too much,” the statement read.

“Depression and Suicide are very serious issues. You never know what kind of battle someone is going through inside. Be kind to one another. And always know, it’s never too late to reach out to someone for help.”

Troyer was born with a form of dwarfism in Centreville, Michigan. He, his older brother and younger sister grew up in an Amish community, although his parents had left the religion when he was young.

“My parents taught me to be optimistic and independent,” Verne said in a 2015 interview with the Guardian.

“They made me feel that I could do anything I set my mind to, which has really helped me,” he added. “They didn’t make allowances for me because of my height.”

In a 2013 Ask Me Anything reddit forum, Troyer said his parents were his role models.

“They never treated me any different than my other average sized siblings,” he wrote. “I used to have to carry wood, feed the cows and pigs and farm animals.”

While Troyer became a pop culture icon for playing one of the most memorable villains of the late 1990s ― Mini-Me ― he has had roles in many other films, including, Percy in “Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus,” Coach Punch Cherkov in “The Love Guru” with Michael Myers, and Griphook in “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.”

Troyer got his first gig in the entertainment industry in 1993 as a baby’s stunt double for a film titled “Baby’s Day Out.” After that, he found success as a stuntman for several films, including the 1996 comedy “Jingle All The Way” with Arnold Schwarzenegger.

In his reddit AMA, Troyer suggested that he did all of his own stunts in the “Austin Powers” series.

“Nobody else can do my stunts except for a doll,” Troyer wrote. “I’m only 2 foot 8 dude!”

In recent years, the actor had launched his own YouTube series where he shared his recipes, interviewed people, reviewed products and answered questions from fans.

Troyer was hospitalized in Los Angeles for an alleged poisoning two weeks before his death. At the time, celebrity news site The Blast confirmed with the Los Angeles Police Department that Troyer was placed on an involuntary psychiatric hold.

After the hospitalization, Troyer’s representatives said he was “getting the best care possible and is resting comfortably.”

The actor has been frank with his fans about his struggle with alcohol addiction. After being hospitalized in April 2017, Troyer told his fans on Instagram that the addiction isn’t an “easy fight,” but added, “I’m willing to continue my fight day by day.”

In the same post, Troyer said he was checking into a treatment center.

Are you in a crisis? If you need help, contact your local crisis centre. If you know someone who may be having thoughts of suicide, visit suicideprevention.ca to learn how to talk about suicide with the person you’re worried about.

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — New Zealand has banned most foreigners from buying homes as it tries to tackle runaway housing prices.

Previously the housing market was open to investors worldwide, but the government on Wednesday passed legislation that allows only New Zealand residents to buy homes.

In recent years, there have been many anecdotal stories of wealthy foreigners from Silicon Valley and beyond buying ranches in picturesque rural New Zealand as a “bolt hole” or escape option from a turbulent world.

There have also been stories of wealthy Chinese buyers outbidding New Zealanders on suburban homes in the main city of Auckland.

Statistics indicate about 3 per cent of New Zealand homes are being sold to foreigners, but the amount rises to 5 per cent in the scenic Queenstown region and 22 per cent in central Auckland.

Last month, the directors of the International Monetary Fund executive board said they encouraged New Zealand to reconsider the ban, which they thought would be unlikely to improve housing affordability.

But the government says there is no doubt that foreigners are driving up prices, and the only question that remains is by how much. The new law fulfills a campaign pledge by the liberal-led government which came to power last year.

There are some exceptions. Foreigners with New Zealand residency status will still be able to buy homes, as will people from Australia and Singapore, thanks to existing free-trade agreements.

Foreigners who already own homes in New Zealand won’t be affected. And overseas buyers will still be able to make limited investments in large apartment blocks and hotels.

“We’re here today to take another step toward restoring the great New Zealand dream of home ownership,” said Associate Finance Minister David Parker.

He said it was the birthright of New Zealanders to buy homes at a fair price.

“Whether it’s a beautiful lakeside or oceanfront estate, or a modest suburban house, this law ensures that the market for our homes is set in New Zealand, not on the international market,” Parker said.

Opposition lawmaker Judith Collins said the bill was unnecessary.

“We oppose the bill because we don’t believe that it actually fixes any problem,” Collins said. “It is, in fact, nothing more than an attempt to justify some of the policies of the incoming government.”

Among the least affordable housing markets

Skyrocketing home prices in Auckland have been of particular concern to New Zealanders, although that market has cooled over the past year. Still, prices there remain among the most expensive in the world when compared with people’s incomes.

Figures released Wednesday by the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand indicate the median house price in Auckland is 835,000 New Zealand dollars (C$719,000) while the median price across the country is NZ$550,000 (C$473,000).

In June, officials decided that former “Today” show host Matt Lauer could keep a lakeside ranch near Queenstown after authorities concluded there wasn’t enough evidence he’d breached a “good character” condition.

Lauer has been accused of sexual misconduct by at least three women and was fired from NBC last November.