Muchmor Magazine Issue 30

muchmor Canada

issue 30 may 08

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job hunting + interview tips cost of buying & selling your home recipes book reviews real-life stories game reviews

Prince Edward County Niagara-on-the-Lake Rocky Mountaineer Review is it really worth the money?

Plus muchmor.....

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Contents 3 From the Editor.....

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Welcome to the latest issue of muchmor. This month we take a look at the Rocky Mountaineer train journey as well as a hidden treasure in Ontario, Niagara-on-the-Lake, not to be confused with its neighbour Niagara Falls.

We also look at the proposed changes to the immigration system in Canada and how it might affect newcomers with insights from “people in the know.”

Our health and wellness section covers pelvic pain which many women can relate to and in our home and garden section we take a look at condo’s and the cost associated with buying and selling property. Plus muchmor as usual….

Jane Toombes, Editor

Contents…

Discover Canada Prince Edward County Niagara-on-the-Lake The Rockies by train Lifestyle Low calorie recipes Top Canadian…

Book reviews Moving to Canada Changes to immigration system The City of Calgary Real life - Vancouver Jump into spring not into trouble

4 10 14

18 21 22

24 27 28 32

Money Oh to be a millionaire 34 Could the penny disappear? 35 Working Life Job hunting while employed 37 Unemployment rates 38 Minimum wages 38

Longer commutes Mind your interview manners

39 40

Kidzone Top kids stuff Game reviews

41 42

Health & Wellness Coping with pelvic pain Health news

44 47

Home & Garden Cost of buying and selling News House prices across Canada Making the most of a condo

48 49 49 52

4 Discover Canada

Prince Edward County, Ontario

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Discover Canada 5 8

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www.pec.on.ca 24

Lake Ontario

Prince Edward County is located in the Quinte area of Ontario to the south of Belleville and Trenton. Known to locals as simply the County it is also referred to as Quinte Isle and is one of Ontario’s oldest British settlements.

The County is an island as it is separated from the mainland by a narrow body of water called the Bay of Quinte.

However, this was not always the case.

Before 1889 the County was part of the mainland but in this year Thomas Murray decided to chop a channel through the top portion of the area known as Carrying Place to form a shipping canal. During this period the Great Lakes shipping was at its peak and the canal was used to eliminate the need for ships to transverse the entire Quinte Isle, effectively taking a short cut straight through. This is how the County became an island.

Several options are available to you to when accessing the County. The

Norris Whitney Bridge on Highway 62 connects the city of Belleville with the island and a little further east another similar bridge connects the area of Marysville with the north-eastern tip of the County. Alternatively the afore mentioned Carrying Place connects Trenton with the north-western area of the County.

The County was named Prince Edward County after Prince Edward Augustus, Duke of Kent back in 1792. He was the father of Queen Victoria and the commander-in-chief of British North America. The County originally had three townships, Ameliasburgh, Marysburgh and Sophiasburgh, all named after George III daughters, Amelia, Mary and Sophia. In 1998 all former municipalities were amalgamated to form a single-tier municipality as part of the province-wide restructuring.

According to the 2006 Census the County had an overall population of 25,496. Picton is the largest community with just under 4,000 people living there.

The County has many small communities and attractions as well as tours which we will take a look at.

Picton As we mentioned the largest community is Picton which is located on the central west side of the island.

Picton is a small agricultural town full of character and charm. The main street of the town, Loyalist Parkway has many shopping opportunities as well as accommodation and recreation. The Parkway forms the main artery through the town and this section is referred to as Main Street. You will find amenities for residents and tourist alike from supermarkets such as A&P to quaint shops offering tourists mementoes of the area. It is here you will also find the Regent Theatre which first opened its doors back in 1922 with a performance of the Canadian war comedy Mademoiselle from Armentiers. Originally owned by the Cook family it was designed by Toronto architects Warrington and Page.

6 Discover Canada

Glenora Ferry

Picton Harbour

In 1994 the Cook family sold the theatre to The Regent Theatre Foundation, a community-based, nonprofit organisation. The Foundation has since set about restoring the Regent to its former glory and it now resembles as much of its original state as possible with a few modern concessions thrown in such as comfortable seating and air conditioning.

The Regent offers not only films but live performances as well. Examples of what can be seen now and in the near future include films such as The Spiderwick Chronicles and Juno and

performances such as comedy, jazz, choirs and shows.

Picton Bay is where you will find lovely water views and quality accommodation such as the highly recommended Duck and Loon Bed and Breakfast run by Irene and Bill Dobinson as well as parks where you can sit and watch the boats come and go.

Further along, the Parkway hugs the western coast of the County offering beautiful views across the water. The Glenora ferry operates from here giving residents and tourist alike the option of taking this short-cut across to Greater Napanee on the mainland.

Picton is also home to the Crystal Palace which is a scaled Overlooking Beautiful Picton Bay down replica of King/Queens/Twins - Private Washroom - Private Ensuites Joseph Paxton’s Adults Only - Air Conditioned - Visa/MasterCard Accepted Crystal Palace 630 Highway 49, Picton built in London, 613-476-8167 England. This www.bbcanada.com/duckloon - dobinson.res@sympatico.ca version was built in

DUCK AND LOON Bed And Breakfast

1887 and is thought to be the only one left in North America.

During the summer months Picton swarms with tourist from all over the world and you are advised to book your accommodation in advance to avoid disappointment. You will find every type of accommodation here from hotels, B&B’s to camping and RV parks.

Wellington This village of around 1,700 people lies on the shores of Lake Ontario, close to Sandbanks Provincial Park which we covered in last months muchmor.

It forms the heart of Prince Edward County’s growing wine industry and many vineyards can be seen as you travel around the area.

You will find many older buildings here, including one of the oldest homes in Ontario dating back to 1786. The old Quaker Meeting House is the home of the community museum, a must see for tourists.

Discover Canada 7

Bay of Quinte

Once again Loyalist Parkway wanders through the village offering stunning views across Lake Ontario.

Wellington has its own public beach right in the heart of the village as well as docking facilities at the marina for boats.

You will find shops and accommodations along Main Street as well as galleries and studios, restaurants and spa’s.

Bloomfield Bloomfield can be summed up in one word - charming. This village can be found along Loyalist Parkway right in the centre of the County between Picton and Wellington.

Main Street running through the centre of the village is home to many small shops offering local arts and crafts as well as tourist memorabilia. This village really is the centre of arts and crafts for the area and all tourist should make a point of stopping off here to take in the local wares.

You can park along Main Street and wander from shop to shop on both sides of the street. be prepared to spend some money though, as you will find it hard to resist the treasures you will find.

Other villages Whilst in the County you should also make a point of traveling to some of the other villages such as Ameliasburgh which is home to the Harry J Smith Conservation Area.

Rednersville is named after the Redner family who for more than 180 years owned and continuously operated the oldest country store in Ontario.

Other worth while stops include Consecon, Cherry Valley, Milford and West Lake.

Wildlife There are many wildlife areas such as Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory.

There you will find many bird species, particularly in the spring and fall as this is a natural staging post for migrating birds.

Nearby you will also find Point Petre Provincial Wildlife Area which again is a great place for spotting migrating birds.

Indeed there are many wildlife areas throughout the County including Macaulay Mountain Conservation Area, Beaver Meadow Wildlife Area, Milford Mill Pond

Norris Whitney Bridge

Conservation Area, Massassauga Point and Little Bluff.

The Taste Trail Over the last few years the wine industry in Prince Edward County has really taken off. Many wine makers are now heading for the County to set up business to take advantage of the fertile land and excellent weather conditions.

This along with the excellent array of restaurants and food shops has established the area as a premier wine and culinary destination.

The Taste Trail is exactly what it says, a trail that you can take to fully enjoy and appreciate all the culinary excellence that the County offers. The route takes in wineries and restaurants across the County from Hillier to Milford. In all there are 25 suggested stops along the Taste Trail and if you have a little too much to drink or eat so much you cannot go further, you will find plenty of excellent accommodation along the way.

8 Discover Canada explore them face to face. The area is known as “The Graveyard of Lake Ontario” and you will find a number of two Being an island there are obviously and three-masted schooners, brigantines, plenty of water activities available. Not barges and steamers. only is the County surrounded by water, One spot that should be on but it also has its share of lakes and everyones list of places to visit is Lake on rivers. the Mountain Provincial Park. This lake The beaches at Sandbanks lies at one of the highest points (60 m) in Provincial Park, as we mentioned in last months muchmor are some of the best in the County and defies all known geographical and geological theory. Why? Ontario. Other beaches in the area Well, it has no visible water source. Early include North Beach and Wellington settlers believed the lake was bottomless beach.

If you prefer to be on the water rather and for years speculation was abound as to how the lake occurred and where the than gazing at it then you will appreciate water came from. It has a constant flow of the boating opportunities. Picton has its clean, fresh water and its surface level harbour and Wellington the marina but fluctuates with that of Lake Erie, over 200 there are plenty of other locations along km to the west. the shore where you can dock your boat Modern day thinking has come up or explore the waterways. All in All there with the theory that it is a collapsed are over a dozen sheltered harbours and doline, an odd feature found in areas with lots of boating facilities. There are also a number of sailing schools, so even if you limestone rock foundations. Dolines are cavities formed when limestone beneath have never been in a boat you can learn the surface dissolves. Ultimately the roof all you need to know in the County. collapses and the giant sinkhole fills with If you prefer kayaking or canoeing water. then again, you will not be disappointed.

Whatever the reality behind the lake Many locations including Sandbanks, it certainly is a place of stunning natural West Lake and East Lake offer pleasant beauty where you can relax, hike, picnic paddling for all. You can bring your own and generally chill out. equipment or hire it when you get here.

If you don’t have your own boat then Museums you can charter one from one of the many companies located here. Whether you want to relax and sunbathe on deck Because the history of Prince or prefer the sport of fishing then this is Edward County goes back to the 1700’s it the place to be. is no wonder that a number of museums Talking of fishing, the Bay of Quinte can be found at various locations. and Lake Ontario offer both the amateur Agricultural and industry history is and experienced fisherman alike depicted at the Ameliasburgh Museum. It excellent opportunities. Species found in features a restored 1910 steam engine, this area include pike, bass, walleye art gallery, tea room, native displays, bee (pickerel), trout, salmon, perch, and keeping exhibit, log cabin, black smith crappie. shop.

If you are a little more sporty then Wellington has the Heritage Museum how about windsurfing, jet skiing or even with artifacts showing the historical wakeboarding. Sandbanks offers all three heritage of the Wellington area. as do other areas.

Mariners Park Museum has a For those a little more ambitious how nautical theme which artifacts depicting about a spot of shipwreck diving? The the shipping and fishing industry. waters around Prince Edward County are Other museums of note include Rose littered with wrecks, particularly the area House Museum and the Royal Canadian between Point Petre and Duck Island.

Legion War Museum.

There are around forty wrecks within the immediate area of the County and several charters offer the opportunity to

Water activities

Lake on the Mountain

Bay of Quinte

Sandbanks

Picton

Discover Canada 9 Events Many events are held annually in the County.

Taste: This annual celebration of food and drink will take place on September 27th 2008. The event features local chefs, growers and winemakers. Visitors can taste the best wine, beer, cider and cuisine the area has to offer.

The event will take place between 11 am and 5 pm at The Crystal Palace, Picton. The entrance fee is $15.00 which includes parking, free wine glass, seminars and music. Sampling tickets can be purchased at 50 cents each and food and beverages can be sampled using between 1 and 6 tickets. No one under the age of 19 is permitted into the event, nor are pets.

Art in the County: This event will be help between June 20th and July 6th 2008 and celebrates the work of County artists and artisans. The show

takes place in Picton and is hosted by the PEC Arts Council. Admission is free.

Pumpkinfest: This annual event takes place in Wellington on October 18th 2008.

The event starts with a pancake breakfast at 8 am, followed by the parade of the Giant Pumpkin at 10.30 am. The rest of the day consists of crafts, food booths, contests, children's activities and entertainment ending around 4.30 pm.

Jazz Festival: This years Jazz Festival will take place between August 14th and 17th. Jazz stars from all around gather to entertain and be entertained. Tickets are $35.00 and the event will be held at the Regent Theatre, Picton.

Music Festival: 2008 marks the fifth anniversary of the music festival held at Church of St. Mary Magdalene in Picton.

Some of the notable performances will come from the Canadian Guitar Quartet, Penderecki String Quartet, AndrĂŠ Moisan and schools concert. Tickets range from $2 to $60.

Waterfront Festival: This annual festival, held in August takes place in

Retreat-on-Trent Relax - Recharge - Rejuvenate

Barbara & Dave Phillips 11 McGill Street, Trenton Ontario, K8V 3J1 Tel: 613 - 392 - 8310 Email: barbara@futurian.ca Just Mention "Muchmor" for discounted special rates when booking......

Overlooking the Trent River as it joins the Bay of Qunite, this 1830's character home is a unique hideaway for those times when quiet solitude and tranquilty are priceless. Lounge and enjoy the warm breeze in the private garden and fill your senses with the scent of lilacs and the surrounding vistas.

Within minutes you may participate in winery, historical, or studio tours or enjoy golfing, watersports and hiking trails in Prince Edward Country or along the Bay of Quinte. Retreat-on-Trent will rejuvenate your soul .

Wellington with live music, displays, table vendors, children’s activities and general fun for all.

Lots more events take place and you should visit this site to see the calendar of events.

Useful Resources Prince Edward County www.pec.on.ca The Taste Trail www.tastetrail.ca Economic Development www.thecounty.ca Quinte Country www.quinte.on.ca

10 Discover Canada

Niagaraon-theLake Ontario’s hidden treasure

Discover Canada 11 introduction of the railway. Unfortunately the time between World War I and world War II brought the area into depression and by the late 1940’s the town was almost a ghost town with little money and few jobs. Strangely this was to be the making of the town. With no money to revitalize the area many of the old buildings were left and remain today.

During the 1960’s tourists once again Located 20 km north of the famous started to visit the area to see the historic Niagara Falls, Niagara-on-the-Lake buildings, many of which have now been (NOTL) is a different place entirely. The restored to their former glory. town lies on the north shore of Lake Today the town occupies over 31,000 Ontario at the mouth of the Niagara River acres of land and is at the heart of the and has a population of around 14,500.

Ontario wine region, accounting for 84% Consistently voted one of the prettiest of Canada’s wine production. Agriculture, towns in Ontario, it is easy to see why as along with the tourism industry account for you wander through the flower lined the majority of the towns economy. Over streets to a time gone by. The town three million tourist visit the town every retains its 19th century character with year, far outnumbering the residents. historic buildings, beautiful parks and It was voted “Prettiest Town in charm by the bucketful.

Ontario” in 1995, “Prettiest Town in Whilst discussing the historic nature Canada” in 1996 and was declared a of the town we may as well take this National Historic Site in 2004. opportunity to look at its history. The town originally started life as a six-acre parcel Wine Country of land bought by the British Government for “300 suits of clothing” back in 1781.

As we mentioned Niagara-on-theSoon families had moved to the area and Lake is the centre of the wine industry not had extended the land to over 200 acres. only in Ontario but in Canada too. The In 1792 it was named Newark and town has its own unique micro-climate became the first capital of the colony of which makes it ideal for vineyards. The Upper Canada which later moved to York. vines benefit from the warm offshore By the late 1790’s it was the economic breezes that come across from Lake and administrative centre for the Niagara Ontario. These warm breezes prevent the Peninsular. cold air settling, extending the frost-free In 1796 residents petitioned for the periods considerably more than reinstatement of the original Niagara surrounding locations. name and this was completed the During the spring the cooler breezes following year. prevent the vine buds from developing too During the war of 1812 the Americans quickly thus protecting them from possible took over the town and a bloody battle frosts. The buds tend to open around ensued. It resulted in the town being early June and are harvested from midburned to the ground as troops withdrew August. to Fort Niagara situated across the The soil in the area also has a baring Niagara River. After being rebuilt, the town on the quality of the vines and thus the changed its name to Niagara-on-the-Lake wine produced. These are very fertile soils in the 1880’s to avoid any confusion with resulting from the glacial sediment in the Niagara Falls. earth, river and lakes.

During the 1840’s and 50’s the area Wines produced in this region are was an important ship building location, world renowned and many have won however the depression of the 1850’s and awards for their quality. Ice wine produced the building of the Welland Canal caused here is of particular notability. this to decline.

Many wineries open their doors to the During the late 1800’s the area public and offer tours and wine tasting. became a mecca for tourists with the

When one hears the word Niagara we automatically think of Niagara Falls, but there is another Niagara which is often forgotten but is a hidden gem in Ontario’s treasure trove of stunning locations, Niagara-on-the-Lake.

12 Discover Canada

Prince of Wales Hotel

The Niagara region celebrates its wine production in the form of several festivals which take place during the year.

Icewine Festival: Held during January and February each year the Icewine Festival celebrates Ontario’s icewine. During the festival the region is transformed into a winter wonderland with galas, ice bars, roasting chestnuts, exhibits, tours, wine tasting and so much more. Events take place in different locations throughout the Niagara region.

Niagara New Vintage Festival: The 13th annual event will take place this year between June 14th and 22nd. As its name suggests it gives visitors the opportunity to see and more importantly taste the latest vintages in the region. More than 30 wineries will take part in the festival along with award winning local chefs. This event takes place in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Niagara Wine Festival: This event is the largest event in the region which includes tasting, tours, events, concerts and attracts over 500,000 visitors every year. This year the event takes place between September 19th and 28th and most of the main activities take place in St Catharine's’ Historic Montebello Park.

Events There are many other festivals and events that take place in and around Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Shaw Festival: This is the only theatre in the world which specialises in the plays of Bernard Shaw and his contemporaries. Three theaters take part: Festival Theatre, Court House Theatre and the Royal George Theatre.

Plays being shown during 2008 include: An Inspector Calls, The Stepmother and The Little Foxes amongst others.

A Peach of a Celebration: This festival celebrates the annual peach harvest. This year it will take place in Queen Street in NOTL on August 9th.

Activities include: Fife and Drum Parade, live music - jazz, folkloric, honky tonk, bagpipes and more, children’s entertainment, Peach Queen competition & crowning, classic car display, plump, perfect peaches presented by local growers, peach pies, jam and other peach inspired foods, fresh steamed corn-on-thecob and sidewalk sale by local merchants.

Virgil Stampede: This fun event will be held on May 19th and May 21st (closed Sunday 20th) at the Virgil Sports Park

Grounds in NOTL. Activities will include amusement rides, nickel sale, basketball, soccer, pig races, ATV, dirt truck racing and fireworks.

The Niagara Equestrian Festival: Between July 9th and 13th you can enjoy the equestrian festival held in NOTL. Corvette and Classic Hot Rod Car Show: This annual show takes place at Reif Estate Winery with over 200 cars on show. All proceeds benefit the Niagara Peninsula Children's Foundation. As well as cars you can take part in the BBQ and prize draws. Join in the fun on July 27th from 10 am.

Attractions Most of what could be classed as attractions come by the way of the buildings. In 2004 the region was designated a national historic district by the Canadian government. The town boasts the best and largest collection of architectural types from between 1815 and 1859 anywhere in canada.

Fort George: During the early 1800’s Fort George played an important role in ongoing conflicts between Canada and the United States. Since then the fort has been restored to how it would have been

Discover Canada 13

Fort George

Shaw Cafe and Wine Bar

in 1812. Visitors are greeted by staff in authentic period costume and can tour the fort including the officer barracks and the gunpowder store. Staff also provide demonstrations and re-enactments of drills and tactics used by soldiers. Ghost tours are also available during the summer months.

Adults pay $11.70 and children $5.80 for entry. Family tickets can be purchased for $29.40. Parking costs an additional $5.90. The fort is open daily 10 am - 5 pm between May 1st and October 31st. During April and November it is open weekends only. Reservations for group tours can be arranged year round by appointment.

Niagara Historical Museum: Founded back in 1895 the museum builds a study of Canadian history and is located in the Memorial Hall, the first building in Ontario designed to be a museum. In the museum you will find one of the best collections of Canadian history in Ontario.

It is open daily and admission is $5 for adults and $1 for children.

Historical Buildings: There are many historical buildings to see in NOTL

such as St.Vincent de Paul Roman Catholic Church which dates back to 1834 and St. Mark’s Anglican Church. The Masonic Hall of 1816 which houses the first Masonic Lodge in Upper Canada.

Kerr-Wooll House, c 1815 was rebuild after the 1812 war by Dr Robert Kerr physician and surgeon to the Indian Department.

The Clock Tower-Cenotaph on Queen Street was erected as a memorial to those who fell during World War I and StewartMcLeod House was built in 1830 by Alexander Stuart, the son of a founder of the Law Society of Upper Canada.

Along Queen Street you will also find the Town Hall which started life in 1847 as a court house. During the town’s Bicentennial Project in 1981 the building was restored to its former glory.

On regent Street you will find the Angel Inn which was built on the foundations of an earlier inn which was destroyed in 1812. The Angel Inn is the oldest operating inn in Canada.

The Niagara Pumphouse was constructed in 1831 as the town’s water

Niagara River

pumping station. Since being restored in 1994 it houses the Niagara Pumphouse Visual Art Centre.

Other things to do Queen Street is the centre of the shopping district in NOTL, whether it is antiques, art galleries, tourist related items or general shopping this area has it all.

Enjoy the local parks and walks along the lakeside. Travel down the Niagara River in a boat or if you feel a little more daring in a jet boat. Join one of the many walking or cycling tours. If you like being scared then opt for one of the ghost tours that take place during the evenings.

Niagara-on-the-Lake really has something for everyone from the adventurous to the sedate. There are plenty of overnight accommodation too, so no excuse for cutting a visit short.

14 Discover Canada

The Canadian Rockies by train The Rocky Mountaineer

Discover Canada 15

Most people are aware of the Rocky Mountaineer train which takes people through some of the most stunning scenery anywhere in the world. But is the journey as good as it sounds?

The Rocky Mountaineer is a famous train trip enjoyed by thousands of people each year. People from all over the word save for years to be able to afford not only the train journey itself but the travel involved to and from it depending on where they are coming from.

The name Rocky Mountaineer is the name of the train itself, run by Rocky Mountaineer Vacations. You can combine a trip on the Rocky Mountaineer with other train journeys or even cruises as well as city stopovers. However, with all the journeys the part actually taken on the Rocky Mountaineer is a two day, one night adventure. The company also runs the Whistler Mountaineer train.

Rocky Mountaineer You can take the Rocky Mountaineer trip either eastbound or westbound with a choice of three different routes.

Kicking Horse Route: This is called the Kicking Horse Route as it takes you

from Vancouver to Banff (you can also go on to Calgary) via the Kicking Horse Pass. An overnight stay in Kamloops is included. Highlights of the trip include the Fraser Canyon, Stoney Creek Bridge, Hell’s Gate and Rogers Pass.

Yellowhead Route: The Yellowhead Route will take you from Vancouver B.C. to Jasper, Alberta along the Yellowhead Pass. As with the first route, an overnight stay in Kamloops is included. Highlights include Fraser Canyon, Mount Robson, Pyramid Falls and Jasper National Park.

Fraser Discovery Route: This trip will take you from Vancouver to Jasper via Whistler taking in Mount Robson, Tete Jaune Cache and Jasper National Park.

The journey between Vancouver and Whistler is on the Whistler Mountineer train and the overnight stop is at Quesnel.

When traveling on the Rocky Mountaineer you can choose two classes of service, the RedLeaf Service or the GoldLeaf Service.

RedLeaf Service: This is the standard service on the train and for this you get assigned seating, large picture windows and rotating, forward facing seats. Complimentary snacks are provided, along with breakfast and lunch served at your seat. Onboard attendants give commentary as you travel so you don’t miss anything.

GoldLeaf Service: As it’s name suggests this is the first class service on the train and for this you get panoramic, full-length dome windows to take in the views, assigned, reclining seating, dining room with picture windows and spiral staircase/elevator to dome level. Gourmet food is served for breakfast and lunch in the dining room with complementary snacks served to your seat. Dinner in the overnight accommodation is also included.

Whistler Mountaineer This train takes you from Vancouver to Whistler and is part of the Fraser Discovery Tour. It can also be used as an added extra to the other tours available.

Notable sights to see along the way include coastal mountains, Shannon Falls, Mount Garibaldi, Cheakamus Canyon and of course Whistler. The journey takes three hours.

There are two types of service: Coast Classic and Glacier Dome. The Classic offers large picture windows, reclining seats, access to the observation car, meals and commentary. The Glacier Dome service offers the same but with full-length windows in a dome coach with gourmet food.

16 Discover Canada Costs

RedLeaf Service

GoldLeaf Service

Rocky Mountaineer

Whistler Mountaineer

say,

“My husband and I traveled on the Rocky Mountaineer in August 2007. We The cost of the journeys vary went from Banff to Kamloops and then depending on which combination of trip from Kamloops to Vancouver on the you take and when you travel. Examples RedLeaf service. The weather was of prices are: spectacular and scenery amazing. We $799 per person for a one-way trip saw elk, bear, owls, hawks, eagles, between Vancouver and Banff or Jasper coyote,big horn sheep. using the RedLeaf service in April with “The car we were in was not filled,so standard hotels. The same journey using everyone was able to move around and GoldLeaf service is $1,399. By upgrading take pictures from both sides of the car. to deluxe hotels the prices rise to $1,239 Our attendant provided excellent narration for RedLeaf and $1,839 for GoldLeaf. as we journeyed along.

The same journey taken between The food was served chilled and was May and September will cost between ample and very satisfying. Breakfast, $1,199 and $2,139 on RedLeaf and $2,039 to $2,979 on GoldLeaf depending lunch, morning snack, afternoon snack and fresh fruit available through the day. on hotel class chosen.

Also, crackers and cheese were offered.

Prices rise to nearly $11,000 per The staff were all pleasant and we have person for some of the extended trips no complaints with the RedLeaf service such as the Northern Gold which is a ten day, nine night trip or the Rail and Cruise and are glad that we chose that.

If you are taking the train as a part of combination which could set you back a package with a cruise, we do over $12,000 per person during the recommend that you travel the train summer. first,then rest on the cruise!!!!

All aboard for a journey of a lifetime.

Pros and Cons We would love to go again! Sit back, be spoiled and soak up every minute of a So what do people who have been on fantastic adventure.” the Rocky Mountaineer have to say about Cons: “We sat for almost two hours the trip? Is it worth the expense or is your before being told the delay was caused by money better spent elsewhere? Here are the convergence of trains at the Kamloops some quotes from various travelers. station.“ said a Canadian traveler.

Pros: “The scenery was breathtaking One traveler from the UK said they with the first day spent traveling through were disappointed with the forests and snow clad mountains. The accommodation provided on the trip they second day was spent traveling through took in October 2007. desert & canyons. We saw animals that “The big problem for us was the we would not have seen by traveling any overnight stay in Kamloops. Rocky other way.” described a couple from the Mountaineer do warn you that the United Kingdom. accommodation in Kamloops is basic Another UK traveler said this was an under statement, I can only “The food was plentiful and drinks describe the Canadian Coastal Inn as a and refreshments were on tap. I would hostel, it was in the worst part of town recommend this trip to anyone.” possible, unclean and a major “We were well taken care of and disappointment. When we complained on really appreciated the scenery and return to the UK Rocky Mountaineer were ambiance. I highly recommend it.” A quote not in the least interested and stated that from an American tourist.

Kamloops is a small town with no good “If you want to relax, enjoy beautiful hotels. Again this is not the case, we scenery and enjoy the romance of the passed many hotels from some of the railway while rolling gently across Canada major 4 star chains and having paid so then this is perfect.” said an enthusiastic much money to travel GoldLeaf I feel UK traveler.

This tourist from Florida had this to

Discover Canada 17

strongly that we should not have been accommodated in such a dire hotel.”

Another traveler from Winnipeg, Manitoba had this to say, “I went on the Rocky Mountaineer's winter train in December 2007, the journey got off to an eventful start with a landslide on the Fraser Canyon which meant twice the usual rail traffic would be trying to get through the single line left open. What was scheduled to be a short day (8 hours) turned into 12 hours, much of it spent waiting for other trains. Dinner would normally be served at the Kamloops hotel, but due to our late arrival I skipped it. Who would want to eat a big meal at 9:30 pm when the train leaves at 6 am the next day? Some people did eat at the hotel despite the late arrival and said it was rather disappointing and greasy. Due to the delays about one third of the first day was in darkness. We ended off the day 3 hours late missing some of the best scenery from Field, BC to Banff, AB. I think Rocky Mountaineer is rather poorly organized, and should provide a little more considering the price of a ticket.”

Another traveler from the UK took the Rocky Mountaineer as part of their

Canadian holiday and said it was the worst part of their trip.

“At nearly £800 ($1,600 CAD) it was to be the main event of our holiday in Canada. In the event we were hugely disappointed by the quality of food, the seating and organisation of the journey.

“The brochures would have you think that you were about to receive a gourmet food experience. In fact breakfast starts with cheap concentrate derived fruit juices rather than fresh juice (or something akin to Tropicana). On the first morning it was followed by overcooked bacon and inedible stale toast. Lunch included puddings that had not defrosted. The second day’s breakfast included cold scrambled egg. As a general rule, people on second sitting got worse fare because some of the food had clearly been cooked during first sitting and then reheated.

“Shortly before leaving the UK, RM staff had woken up to the fact that there was a conference in Kamloops the night the train was due there and that there was a shortage of rooms. It says much about their planning that they had our reservation for a year and only figured this out in September.

“We were bussed to Sun Peaks, an hour’s journey in light traffic to hotel with

rooms but no dining facilities. We were invited to dine en masse at a set time in another establishment in the village. Our luggage, transported ahead of us was supposed to be in our room when we arrived. It wasn’t but someone else’s was.

“And the journey? Well the scenery out of Jasper is very good and we had excellent weather. Long before Kamloops the scenery becomes quite dull. The area around Kamloops is arid. The views from the GoldLeaf carriages are very good but you don’t gain a lot more than those from the RedLeaf coaches.

“For really outstanding views we thought that the road from Canmore to Jasper via the Icefield Parkway was much more spectacular. Overall we thought we’d wasted our money.”

Summary As you can see the reviews are very mixed, so you really need to make the decision yourself as to whether you consider the journey to be worth the expense of what is without doubt an expensive trip, but may turn out to be the journey of a lifetime. www.rockymountaineer.com/

18 Lifestyle

Shape up for spring with these low-calorie recipes Pineapple Bread Pudding Ingredients: 4 cups day-old bread, cut in cubes 3/4 cup fat free egg substitute 1/2 cup sugar 1 cup 1% low-fat milk 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 (20 ounce) can pineapple tidbits in juice 1 tablespoon butter, melted Coat a medium-size casserole dish with nonstick spray. Place the bread cubes in the casserole dish and set aside. In a medium-size bowl, mix together the egg substitute, sugar, milk, and vanilla. Add the pineapple and juice and mix thoroughly then pour mixture over the bread cubes in the casserole dish. Cover and place in refrigerator for at least two hours-or overnight. When ready to bake, preheat oven to 325 degrees. Uncover the casserole dish and pour the melted butter evenly over the top. Bake for about 50 minutes or until the top is lightly browned. Serve warm

Broccoli Casserole Ingredients 1 cup shredded reduced-fat sharp cheddar cheese (4 oz.)

1 cup cooked long-grain rice (your favorite) 1/2 cup canned mushroom (sliced and drained) 1/2 cup diced onion 1/4 cup skim milk 4 teaspoons reduced-calorie margarine 1/4 teaspoon salt 2 (10 ounce) packages frozen chopped broccoli, thawed vegetable oil cooking spray Combine the cheese, rice, mushrooms, onion, milk, margarine and salt in a medium saucepan. Cook over a low heat for 3-4 minutes until cheese melts, stirring constantly. Add broccoli and cook for a further 2 minutes. Use spray oil to coat a casserole dish. Spoon in mixture and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

Lifestyle 19

Parmesan Chicken With Tomato Cream Sauce Ingredients tomato cream sauce

parmesan chicken

1 teaspoon olive oil 3 garlic clove, minced 2 (14 ounce) cans crushed tomatoes 1 teaspoon dried basil 1 teaspoon dried oregano 1 teaspoon dried parsley 1/4 teaspoon sugar 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 cup 1% low-fat milk 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour 2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese

1/4 cup 1% low-fat milk 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard 1/2 cup fine dry breadcrumb 2 tablespoons parmesan cheese 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder 1/8 teaspoon pepper 6 skinless boneless skinless chicken breast

Tomato cream sauce: Heat oil in a non-stick saucepan over medium heat until hot. Add garlic, saute until tender.(do not brown! it makes the garlic bitter). Add cans of tomato and next 5 ingredients. Bring mixture to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered, 20 minutes stirring occasionally. Combine milk and flour in a small bowl, stirring well with a whisk. Gradually add milk mixture to tomato sauce, stirring constantly. Cook, stirring constantly for 5 minutes until slightly thickened; stir in cheese. Set lid on pot and keep warm on low.

Parmesan chicken: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine milk and mustard,stirring with a whisk. Combine breadcrumbs and next 4 ingredients in a bowl. Dip chicken in milk mixture, then dredge in bread-crumb mixture. Lightly mist a baking sheet with cooking spray and place chicken on it. Bake for 15 minutes then flip chicken and bake for another 15 on other side. With 10 minutes left for chicken to be done start cooking pasta. Place 1 cup pasta on each plate top with chicken breast. Ladle some tomato cream sauce over pasta and chicken. Sprinkle with a little extra Parmesan cheese. Serve.

Lemonade Ingredients 1 cup cold water 1/4 cup lemon juice 1 teaspoon sugar substitute 1/2 cup ice, crushed Combine all ingredients in a blender. Blend for 30-45 seconds.

Adjust sugar to your taste if needed, garnish with a wedge of lemon, lime or orange. Add additional ice if required.

20 Lifestyle

Ginger Cherry Oatmeal Cookies Ingredients 3/4 cup light butter spread (can substitute with a combination of pureed prunes and apple sauce) 1/2 cup brown sugar 3/4 cup Splenda granular, sugar substitute (1 cup Splenda = 1 cup sugar) 1 egg 1/4 cup water 1 cup wheat flour 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1 teaspoon nutmeg 2 teaspoons ginger 3 cups oats 1 cup dried cherries Mix all ingredients together in a bowl. Spoon into heaps on to an oil sprayed cookie sheet and flatten into rounds.

Bake for 10-12 minutes at 350 degrees.

Vanilla and Cinnamon Custard Ingredients 1 cup low-fat milk 2 cups water 1/4 cup cornstarch 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon 1 teaspoon vanilla essence 1 dash salt artificial sweetener mint (optional) or pandan leaf (optional) Heat milk and water in a saucepan. Combine cornstarch, cinnamon and salt. Using a little water, mix it into a paste, then add to the saucepan. Cook until it thickens slightly.

Cool, then add in the vanilla and artificial sweetener to taste.

Serve chilled.

Lifestyle 21 .

Top Canadian…

TV shows

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

American Idol (Tue) - 2.59 American Idol (Wed) - 2.31 C.S.I. New York - 2.20 Law & Order: SVU - 1.89 Survivor: Micronesia - 1.85 Dancing w/t Stars (Tue) - 1.82 Desperate Housewives - 1.75 Dancing w/t Stars (Mon) - 1.65 C.S.I. - 1.56 NCIS - 1.51

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

16.

17.

18.

19.

20.

Criminal Minds - 1.48 CTV Evening News - 1.36 ER - 1.27 Bones - 1.26 Oprah’s Big Give - 1.24 NHL Playoffs Round 1 - 1.23 Medium - 1.22 Corner Gas - 1.19 CTV Evening News (wkd) - 1.02 Jeopardy - 0.97

CD’s 1. Accelerate, R.E.M. 2. Scars and Souvenirs, Theory of a Deadman 3. Sleep Through the Static, Jack Johnson 4. Soundtrack, Hannah Montana 2: Meet Miley

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

Le Volume du Vent, Karkwa Last Night, Moby Sense of Purpose, In Flames 11, Bryan Adams Shine a Light, Rolling Stones Keep it Simple, Van Morrison

DVD’s 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Charlie Wilson's War Cloverfield Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem Resurrecting the Champ The Savages

6. In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale 7. Juno 8. There Will Be Blood 9. Lions for Lambs 10. Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story

Fiction paperbacks 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Water for Elephants, Sara Gruen Late Nights on Air, Elizabeth Hay King Leary, Paul Quarrington Simple Genius, David Baldacci The Kite Runner, Khaled Hosseini

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

Atonement, Ian McEwan The Gathering, Anne Enright My Sister's Keeper, Jodi Picoult Creation in Death, J. D. Robb The Other Boylen Girl, Phillippa

Fiction hard cover 1. Thousand Splendid Suns, Khaled Hosseini 2. Remember Me?, Sophie Kinsella 3. The Appeal, John Grisham 4. World Without End, Ken Follett 5. Late Nights on Air, Elizabeth Hay 6. Gods Behaving Badly, Marie Phillips

7. A Prisioner of Birth, Jeffrey Archer 8. Mistress of the Sun, Sandra Gulland 9. Duma Key, Stephen King 10. Honor Thyself, Danielle Steele

22 Lifestyle

Book reviews Unforgettable Canada: 100 Destinations

by George Fischer and Noel Hudson Publisher: Boston Mills Press Publishing Date: September 2007 ISBN-10: 1550464612 ISBN-13: 978-1550464610 List Price: $29.99 Book Synopsis: This beautifully photographed and engagingly written guide offers 100 of Canada’s most remarkable destinations, spread across every province and territory. Some represent dream excursions to the far reaches of the land, while others are easily accessible from major centers. Each destination offers unforgettable scenic vistas, exotic land formations or unique glimpses into Canada’s history and spirit.

Whether you're interested in climbing the world's oldest rocks or visiting a Viking encampment, Kayaking with killer whales or touring a diamond mine, there's the perfect trip for you – in fact, several of them.

From coast to coast to coast, we’ve found some of the best places to visit in a land known for its diversity and extremes.

Muchmor Review: This book contains 288 pages of pure delight. The first thing that you notice is the quality of the publication itself. Printed on good quality paper that is not too glossy, so will not glare and covered in a paperback cover that is thick and protective. Inside you will be bowled over by the presentation. As its name suggests there are 100 destinations across Canada featured. George Fischer is the editor and presents overviews of each of the destinations, but it is the photography by Noel Hudson that really makes this book worth buying, sorry George!

The book lists not only places of interest such as Quebec City, Lake Louise and Dawson City, it also features events like the Montreal Jazz Festival or the Calgary Stampede. You will also find more general activities such as iceberg watching and dogsledding in Quebec. Each location has between one and four pages dedicated to it with a textual overview and of course the photographs. Every province and territory is covered several times over. If you didn’t know about Glacier Lake in the Northwest Territories, you will after looking at this book, and you will want to go there. In fact you will want to travel to every location mentioned as it portrays them all so well. You know that both George and Noel truly love Canada and this comes across in both the text and the photography.

This is an excellent book to get an overview of Canada and whilst it will not replace a good travel book as it does not go into such detail, it is an excellent way to visually tour Canada and put ideas in your head about where to travel to next. You might want to find the places that interest you in this book and then research them further via the internet or more focused guide books.

This really is a stunning book and one we have no problem in recommending. You will not regret buying this, we promise.

Someone with an adventurous sole and perhaps quite a lot of savings could travel to every location mentioned - now wouldn’t that be a trip worth shouting about.

Lifestyle 23

Feng Shui Your Life

by Jayme Barrett Publisher: Stirling Publishing Date: May 2003 ISBN-10: 0806976292 ISBN-13: 978-0806976297 List Price: $29.95 Book Synopsis: Jayme Barrett, the feng shui consultant to the rich and powerful of Beverly Hills, has written the most comprehensive and life-changing book on the subject. Taking us on a personal tour of homes with exceptional feng shui, Ms. Barrett explains the techniques she uses to create “positive space.” Room by room, she illustrates the deeper purpose of every aspect of design; she demonstrates how the simplest adjustment – placing a plant in the right corner – can make a world of difference in your daily mood and, ultimately, your life.

Muchmor Review: There are many books in the stores offering to tell us how to feng shui our homes. Ever since home makeover programs hit our screens we have been looking for the ultimate answer in how to best dress our homes for living, selling and well-being.

Feng Shui is about correct energy flow which applies to your home, work, health and relationships, in fact every part of your life. For thousands of years the Chinese have believed that feng shui, if used correctly can bring health, wealth, harmony etc to our lives, and who doesn’t want that? Many feng shui books rely heavily on the Chinese influences of the art and you are encouraged to have statues of Buddha around your home or Chinese dragons. Whilst this is obviously okay for some, many of us perhaps do not want to have such things in the home. In this book Jayme Barrett gives us ideas for alternatives to these items that can perhaps better interact with modern day living.

The book looks at the four main areas of feng shui: personal, energetic, practical and symbolic. Jayme explains each in detail and goes on to suggest ways in which the different aspect of feng shui can incorporated into our every day lives to bring us the best possible results. Not only will you learn how to make changes to yourself in simple ways such as how you dress and how you think, you will learn the best ways to feng shui your home. The house as a whole is explained in feng shui terms such as the fact that having a mirror in your bedroom is a bad thing and it explains how you can counteract this negative energy. It also takes each room of your home one by one and explains the best layouts, colours and where to place accessories and what types to use.

Did you know that each area of our home is divided into energy centres such as wealth, fame, family, love, health, career etc.

By having certain rooms in certain sections of the house you can harness the best possible energy. An example would be to have a home office located in the career or wealth section of your home. Each individual room can also be divided into the same energy centres, so placing a sofa in the right energy centre can have a massive effect with little effort.

Although feng shui is not for everyone, if you are contemplating incorporating feng shui into your life and home then you can do little wrong by using this book. It is beautifully illustrated, well explained and gives modern answers to ancient philosophies.

It is especially useful if you are thinking of moving house and want the best possible feng shui for your new property as it gives you ideas on what you should look for such as which direction the front door faces and what types of roads and buildings are nearby that influence good and bad energy. Other than an open mind and a compass you will need nothing more to feng shui your life than this delightful book.

24 Moving to Canada

Changes to immigration system Last month we gave you details of the proposed changes to the immigration system as announced by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC).

These changes would mean that any application received on or after 27th February 2007 would be processed under the proposed new system. The new system will basically give CIC more flexibility in who they allow to immigrate and would not be required to process all applications. They will be able to process those applicants who best meet Canada’s labour market needs. CIC also believes that these changes would speed up processing times and reduce the huge backlog of over 900,000 people.

Much debate is taking place throughout Canada regarding this matter.

Many believe it is the right thing to do, whilst others vehemently oppose the changes.

Last month in the House, Liberal leader Stephan Dion asked the Prime Minister Stephen Harper “For half a century, Canada has pursued immigration goals based on fairness and objectivity.

Why is the prime minister trying to get rid of these principles of fairness and objectivity? Why does he want to replace them with abusive powers in the hands of the minister, to replace open arms with closed doors?"

Mr Harper replied "What the government is undertaking in terms of reforming immigration and ending the backlog. These measures are important to immigrants and important to our economy, which is why they are confidence measures."

Deputy Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff said in question period. "We cannot fix the immigration backlog by giving the immigration minister powers to pick her favourite immigrants. We should not fix the backlog by capping immigration levels. This is not a solution to the problem," Critics, which include Toronto Mayor David Miller, argue the proposed changes to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act will make it harder for

Quinte United Immigrant Services families to be reunited as those applying on humanitarian and compassionate grounds from outside Canada would no longer be considered.

While the government says the bill is aimed at addressing a backlog in immigration applications, critics said that makes little sense since the changes would not affect the 900,000 applications received before the Feb. 27 cut-off.

Citizenship and Immigration Minister Diane Finley said in an interview "We inherited a right royal mess of an immigration system from the previous government. If we let the status quo continue, immigrants waiting to come to Canada will be waiting 10 years," "It's not fair to the immigrants, and it's not fair to the families that they're trying to join, and it's certainly not fair to the businesses that need to hire them.

“What we are trying to do is make it possible for more immigrants to come to this country and for them to get here sooner. We need families to be reunited.

Employers need these people now," she said.

Muchmor contacted Orlando Ferro who is Executive Director of Quinte United Immigrant Services. He had this to say:

Ten reasons for not supporting the current changes on immigration legislation.

In response to public criticism and expressions of concern, Minister Diane Finely issued on April 8th a statement on the “guiding principles” that would inform the instructions the Minister would give visa officers to process (or not process) applications (see http://www.cic.gc.ca/ english/department/media/releases/ 2008/2008-04-08.asp) However there are still concerns from several immigration rights groups on a few points involving this legislation that will go for a third reading before it is approved.

And the statement does not address the unchecked, vast concentration of power the Minister will have to shape instructions to process applications.

In spite of the Minister’s statement, the wording of the proposed amendments in Bill C-50 remains unchanged. The Minister’s stated “guiding principles” are not law and are not binding – they are just a promise.

Moving to Canada 25 .

Also reference to the government’s commitment to IRPA goals and objectives fails to mention the IRPA objectives of enriching Canada’s social and cultural diversity (s. 3.1.b) and integration of immigrants (s. 3.1.e).

This all comes in light after the Conservative government inserted substantial changes to the current immigration legislation into a budget bill that was only noticed by the opposition parties in the last minute and also following the current political game was attached to a confidence vote that the Liberal Party can not afford to defeat at this point without risking to lose the actual balance of power as the opposition of a conservative minority government.

The purpose of the proposed changes by the conservative government would be to resolve the backlog of nine hundred thousand plus applications for the past ten years.

The clarification provided by the Ministers office fails to acknowledge that, given that the amendments will apply to immigration applications filed on or after 27 February 2008, the current 900,000 backlog (applications made before 27 February 2008) could not be solved by the proposed processing mechanism and It does not address the fact that, since the system will cease to hinge on formalized, objective and transparent criteria (because the instructions for processing applications will change according to the Minister’s will), the changes will result in a level of uncertainty such that potential candidates will be discouraged from applying to Canada and will feel more inclined to apply in countries where they’ll have certainty as regards the criteria for obtaining a visa.

Therefore the main concerns are: 1. Arbitrary power The amendments give too much arbitrary power to the Minister to make up the rules as she goes along.

With these amendments, the Minister can introduce “instructions”, without Parliamentary oversight or mandatory consultations. The instructions will make important changes to which immigrants are processed and accepted. Having the rules for who gets in made and changed

by ministerial fiat creates uncertainty, lacks transparency and makes the immigration vulnerable to inappropriate political pressures.

The conservative government came to power as a consequence of the scandals during their predecessors in the government.

The liberal party when in power lacked transparent processes that culminated in a public outrage, a public inquiry and their defeat in the last elections.

This proposed legislation changes will place the conservative government in a similar position of power without transparency as his predecessors.

2. Applicants’ legal right eliminated The amendments eliminate the right to permanent residence for applicants who meet the requirements of the Act. The proposed amendment in IRPA s.

11 from “the visa shall be issued” to “the visa may be issued” dramatically reduces the rights of applicants. The current wording allows an applicant to seek the intervention of the courts if Citizenship and Immigration Canada is not meeting its

responsibility to process the application.

If the amendment is adopted, the applicant will no longer have the same legal basis to demand that the processing be finalized in a timely manner. This applies to all applicants, whether in Family Class, Economic Class or Refugee Class.

This eliminates the possibility of a backlog in the court system by eliminating any rights of appeal.

3. Overseas humanitarian and compassionate applications The amendments eliminate the right to have an overseas application for humanitarian and compassionate (H&C) consideration examined. Instead, the law will permit such applications to be shredded.

Currently, H&C is the only recourse for many people with compelling reasons for seeking permanent residence in Canada. This includes cases involving family reunification for children (e.g. families separated by the “excluded family member” rule, Regulation 117(9)(d), and refugee children in Canada whose parents are overseas). The government

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26 Moving to Canada has suggested that they do not intend to use the shredding option for family-related H&C applications. However, the amendments permit the shredding of these applications, by this or a future government.

4. Intentions are not law The government has made a number of statements about how they intend or don’t intend to use the new powers that the amendments will give them.

Expressions of current intention are no protection against future uses of the powers in very different ways.

Recent experience with IRPA s. 117 shows the dangers of relying on ministerial promises. When IRPA was debated in Parliament, the Minister promised that s. 117, which criminalizes people smuggling, would never be used against humanitarians helping refugees.

Despite those promises, in 2007, a church worker, Janet Hinshaw-Thomas, was arrested and charged with people smuggling under s. 117 for accompanying refugees to the Canadian border.

5. The amendments do not belong in the budget bill IRPA amendments should not be included in the budget bill, but rather dealt with through separate legislation, studied by the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration and debated on their own merits.

6. Lack of explanatory information The government has failed to provide adequate information to explain the proposed changes, leading to widespread confusion and uncertainty. It is regrettable that the Minister, rather than providing clearer supporting materials, is attacking critics of the amendments for being misinformed.

7. Failure to produce draft instructions It is very difficult for the public to understand what the government is proposing to do given that draft instructions have not been made public.

8. Lack of consultation

Duties of this fast-growing profession The proposed amendments were Market Research include writing and editing text, creating introduced without the normal prior Orlando Ferro Is the Executive Market research ana graphics, photos and consultation with stakeholders.

ThisconvertingDirector of a drawings NGO for immigration and numbers are expected to into digital images, designing page layouts means that the proposal has not had the participates in several groups progather data on c by 2016, developing presentations. benefit of the full range ofand perspectives. immigration and policy research in analyze prices, sales, and

Canada and Internationally. marketing and distribution 9. There are other ways Data of He has a Law Degree from surveys, a Entry Clerk design compile a addressing the backlog University overseas is a and former Like administrative assistants, job anddata make recommen There is wide agreement that there is bemember the with Florida Bar Law prospects should best for of those client orOffice employer based a problem in the immigration system Economics. expertise in computer software findings. leading to backlogs, including in the By typing text, Thisentering article was applications. databased on the Economic Class. There are ways and policy research report from The intobetter a computer, performing other Paralegal of addressing the problemclerical than through Canadian Council of Refugees. duties, these workers ensure While lawyers assum the proposed amendments.

In fact, the companies keep up with information and responsibility for legal wo proposed amendments will not in any technology. much of their work to para case resolve the existing backlog, since Paralegals not only assist they only affect applications made after Insurance Underwriter for closings, hearings, tria the end of February 2008 Insurance underwriters serve as the meetings, they also perfo

main link between the insurance carrier other vital functions includ 10. The immigrationand program the insurance agent. Underwriters contracts, mortgages, sep needs to value immigrants analyze insurance applications, calculate agreements, trust instrum The proposed amendments the riskcome of lossinfrom policyholders, decide assist in preparing tax ret the context of – and contribute to –toaissue the policy and establish whether planning estates. With em disturbing shift towards the use of appropriate premium rates. costs by replacing duties immigration primarily to meet Canadian by lawyers with paralegal employers’ needs, without regard to profession is expected. broader Canadian interests. This includes the problematic increasing reliance on temporary work permits. Canada needs to consider immigrants as full participants in society, not simply as disposable Subscribe to Muchmor Magazine and units to fill not only will you be reminded when currently available jobs. This means every new issue is published but you recognizing the will also be placed into a draw to win need for effective and efficient family a $50 TimCard™ reunification policies and practices so that immigrants can be with their families.

Yet the government is not addressing read muchmor for the latest winner chronic problems that mean that and to subscribe at some children spend years separated from their parents.

readmuchmor.com

Moving to Canada 27

Join others who jumped across the pond.

Make a difference with The City of Calgary.

Calgary has long been a hot spot for British immigration. People come here to get the best of both worlds: a city that’s great for career and family.

Join The City of Calgary for a career that will work for you.

2008-0554

Visit calgary.ca Change your job – and your world – starting now.

5 Darrel Bell, manager. After retiring from the British Royal Navy, Darrel joined The City of Calgary. Now he’s a manager of building infrastructure.

Apply online at calgary.ca/careers For decades, British tourists have flocked to Calgary, Alberta, Canada, to enjoy the Calgary Stampede, the stunning Rocky Mountains and the wideopen spaces.

Today, British and other immigrants are making their stay permanent. They’re moving to work for The City of Calgary, one of the most progressive Municipal Governments in Canada.

Career opportunities are abundant and The City of Calgary is looking abroad to hire heavy vehicle mechanics, truck and transport mechanics, planners and transit operators. The Calgary Police Service has already attracted a number of English “bobbies” to its ranks.

Indeed, for professionals and experienced tradespeople alike, it’s a veritable job-hunter’s paradise. Canadian training is similar, and the skills of British workers are an almost perfect match.

What’s the appeal? The City is the second-largest employer in Calgary. It offers a competitive salary and benefits package, flexible work arrangements, corporate recognition and rewards,

learning and development, and wellness initiatives.

Known as one of the most dynamic and highly educated cities in Canada, and one of North America’s fastest growing metropolitan areas, Calgary offers the best in urban living: quick commutes, a low crime rate, and great schools.

In the city proper, there are over 40 theatre companies. A variety of entertainment companies bring big-name rock, pop and country-western musical acts to several concert locations to entertain thousands of people nightly.

As well, the city boasts professional hockey, football and lacrosse teams, and excellent family recreational facilities.

If the great Canadian outdoors is more your style, check out the Rockies.

Ski Banff and Lake Louise, trail ride in the high country, go canoeing, kayaking, or hiking. Camping and picnicking venues are everywhere and are post-card perfect!

Despite winter weather reports that sometimes make the international news,

the average low in winter is only -13C, and Calgary is the sunniest city in Canada. Besides, as a Calgary saying goes, “if you don’t like the weather, wait 15 minutes – it’ll change.”

Making the leap across the pond to Calgary requires some research. As Calgary is an emigration hot spot, places to live are at a premium, so you'll want to look into that ahead of time.

For more information, come talk face-to-face with employer representatives at The City of Calgary booth at the Opportunities Canada Expo fairs in Leeds (June 21 and 22) and London (June 28 and 29).

Pre-register and apply for positions at expo-canada.com. If you can’t make the fair, The City of Calgary is also hosting a number of information sessions during its visit to the UK. For more about these sessions, send an email to foreignrecruitment@calgary.ca To learn more about The City of Calgary as an employer, visit calgary.ca/ careers and select International Recruitment.

28 Moving to Canada

The 5,000 km dream When Debbie and Neil wanted to emigrate to Canada from the UK back in the late nineties, little did they know what a rocky road laid ahead. Debbie takes us through their ups and downs over the last few years.

I first decided that I would like to live in Canada after we spent our honeymoon in Calgary, Alberta back in 1998. We had saved up hard to be able to afford the trip and it more than exceeded any expectation we had built up before the trip. We visited the Rockies, Lake Louise, Calgary, Edmonton and many places in between in the two weeks we were there.

In the plane on the way home I was almost in tears knowing that we could not afford to return for some time to come. I told Neil I would love to live there and he

said he would too, but I think he was just saying that at the time.

During the next couple of years we went about newly married life much the same as most people. We bought a house, but only had the funds to travel within the UK, which is lovely, but not the same as Canada.

In January 2000, I was unexpectedly made redundant, but got a good severance pay from the company, and managed to get another job within a month. I used the money to buy a small car and booked another holiday to Canada. This time we wanted to explore Vancouver and Vancouver Island. So in June of 2000 we travelled to Vancouver, spending the first week there and the second in Victoria on Vancouver Island.

The Family: Neil (34), Debbie (33), Aaron (6½) and James (2½) UK Location: Peterborough Canadian Location: North Delta, Vancouver

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Moving to Canada 29 Once again we loved every minute of it.

We went to as many places as we could whilst there as once again we knew the chances of returning were slim. I totally fell in love with Victoria as it was much smaller and quainter than the bustling Vancouver. We explored quite a bit of the Island and again on the flight home I could think of nothing else other than returning.

This time Neil really fell in love with Canada too and soon he was also talking of moving there. These thoughts would remain a distant dream for a couple more years as I really did not want to leave the UK yet as my parents were in poor health and I would never have forgiven myself for putting them through the stress of us moving so far away.

In 2001 I became pregnant and later that year gave birth to Aaron our son.

Other than the fact we lived in the UK life was pretty perfect for a while. At the end of 2001, just before Christmas my mother passed away. Although it was not unexpected, it was still a huge shock, especially so soon after Aaron's birth as I was particularly emotional at the time. My father was distraught and his health, which was not good, started to go down hill too. By mid 2002, he too had passed away.

Although this was a terribly sad time for us as a family, we also realised that there was nothing now stopping us from moving to Canada, or so we thought.

I looked at the Canadian immigration website to find out what we needed to do in order to move there and found that we needed to have enough points based on education, age, experience etc. Because Neil was a University lecturer with degrees coming out of his armpits, he

Vancouver

would be our principal applicant. We found that we had enough points based on this and so began to complete all the relevant forms. This seemed to go on forever as we had to get references from all past employers, amongst a ton of other stuff. In all it took us a good three months to compile all the information and ended up with over 300 sheets of paper to send to Canada immigration. This was sent in March 2003.

About a month later we received confirmation that our application had been received and that we could be contacted again in about 15 months.

When you read the information they tell you not to put your life on hold, but this in reality is very hard. Every decision you make is based on you moving to Canada.

We even decided not to have another child until we reached Canada. This was for several reasons including having to change our application details and not having the hassle of moving far across the world with a young baby. A sensible decision, but we both wanted another child not too different in age from our first, so it was still a We can help with all aspects of your move hard decision to call Sam Clement for more infomation or make. email us at samantha@come2alberta.com We tried to carry on with life as www.come2alberta.com - Tel: (001) 403 982 9631

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normally as possible, but we were also saving all the money we could in order to have as much available to us as possible for Canada. We owned our own house, so knew we would have equity, but of course we did not know how much until nearer the time, so wanted to get as much money behind us as we could.

When we got near Christmas 2003 Neil suddenly mentioned that this could be our last in England. That was really when the reality of our situation sank in.

Suddenly I was inviting all our friends and family over just in case we never got the chance again. That Christmas and New Year was a very busy and emotional time.

Neil's sister Wendy, could not understand why we wanted to move so far away and seemed to take it as a personal insult.

This obviously upset us as we never wanted to anger or upset anyone, we wanted them to be pleased for us.

In March 2004, almost exactly a year after our application was submitted we received a letter from Canadian immigration asking us to send them some additional information. We had to send updated police reports, updated reference from Neil’s current employer and a copy of my diploma which we must have forgotten the first time round. Fortunately all this information was easily obtainable and we were able to respond really quickly. We hoped that this meant we would get our visas soon.

30 Moving to Canada

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Vancouver About six weeks later we got our medical requests meaning we had permission to take our medicals. We booked them the next day for a couple of weeks time and around the same time decided to put our house on the market to sell. Fortunately the housing market was pretty good at this time, so we knew we would be getting a healthy equity amount which would mean that we could buy a decent property in Canada.

We had decided we wanted to move to either Vancouver Island or the outskirts of Vancouver city. We wanted to be close to a main center for schools, entertainment, shopping etc but knew we could not afford to buy a property in the city. Because we did not know the area very well we decided that we would rent for six months or a year to get a feel of the place and during that time get a better idea of where we wanted to settle. With this in mind we found a realtor who dealt not only with sales but rentals as well. He started sending us details of places to rent in various areas and also gave us a lot of information about the various neighborhoods etc.

We had our medicals done, even Aaron and the doctor seemed pleased and indicate that there should not be a problem. Sure enough three weeks later we got requests to send our passports to Canada immigration to get our visas put

in. This was such an exciting Citizenship and CitoyennetÊ et Funded by: Immigration Canada Immigration Canada time, but Managed by: Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants (OCASI) also nervewracking down on our shipping costs, but opened as it was really real now. up another problem - getting rid of The same week we had our medicals everything we weren’t taking. Thank done, we got an offer on our house which goodness for Ebay where lots of our we accepted. We hoped that we could get belongings ended up being sold, along the house tied up in a few weeks and with a couple of car boot sales. move out to Canada during August 2004.

About a month later the house sale Our passports arrived back complete with was finalised and we had a closing date visas about two weeks after we sent them, on the sale of August 6th 2004. We now the clock was ticking. The house sale booked our flights for 9th August and looked as if it would go through without stayed in a local bed and breakfast for a any major hitches. A survey was done in few nights before leaving the UK. Some of which they found some loose roof tiles, but our family and friends waved us goodbye we agreed to get them fixed, so this did at the airport and a few hours later we not affect the sale process. landed in Vancouver.

We got in a local removals company Our realtor Trevor met us at the to give us a quote for shipping our stuff to airport and drove us to the rental unit he Vancouver. This was one of the biggest had found us. Although we had seen shocks as it was much more expensive pictures and had descriptions we had no than we had imagined. We then had to idea what it would be like in the flesh, but it decide if we really wanted to take was lovely. It was in the North Delta region everything, or just some personal stuff and of Vancouver and Trevor lived nearby and buy new once we got there. After a bit of thought we would love the area. It also research we decided to only take personal had good schools for Aaron to attend. stuff as we would probably end up in a We spent the first couple of months furnished rental anyway and our stuff finding our way around and getting to would be in storage for months. This cut know the local haunts such as the

final changes June 2, 2005

Moving to Canada 31 shopping areas, schools, entertainment areas as well as getting used to the local transport etc. We bought a car, got our health cards, social insurance numbers and got to know some of the neighbors.

We also enrolled Aaron in kindergarten which he absolutely loved. We had rented the house for six months which is apparently unusual as most want you to stay for a year. We hoped this would give us time to find out where we wanted to live. As it was we really liked the area the rental was in. It had everything nearby and if we wanted to go into the city it was only a short distance away, so it suited all our needs. We asked Trevor to look for suitable properties in the area and soon we were traveling around looking at lots of properties.

After we had been in Canada about three months neil was offered a teaching post nearby which although it didn’t pay as much as he was on in the UK was a respectable wage by Canadian standards.

It meant that I did not have to start work immediately and the possibility of having a second child once again became a reality.

We decided that we would find a house to buy and once settled think about that second child. The problem was the second baby decided that he wanted to arrive much quicker than that because after a week of feeling poorly I realised I was pregnant. Although the timing was not perfect, it was a good a time as any and made the need for our own property even more important.

We found a lovely four bedroom house in a nice area at a price we could afford and put in an offer which was accepted. As it was vacant and we had nothing to sell the sale went through really quickly and we were owners of our first Canadian home within six weeks.

We moved in and immediately started buying new furniture and getting the place ready for the new arrival. Aaron was very excited about having a new brother or sister but did say he would prefer a puppy which I’m afraid I could not provide.

Almost a year to the day after arriving in Vancouver our second son James was born. During the pregnancy my scans revealed that he had a cleft pallet which would need surgery but fortunately it ended up not being as bad as the doctors

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first thought. Rather than having to have a couple of surgeries the correction to his pallet and lip were done in one go.

Because he was ours, we never thought of him as deformed after birth, he was perfect. But the surgery made a huge difference and he became even more perfect.

We had a great Christmas that year as Neil’s sister Wendy, her husband and two children all came over for a visit. They stayed for ten days and had a great time and we visited a lot of places nearby that even we hadn’t got to yet. When they left the house felt almost empty and Aaron missed his cousins as baby James was not yet old enough to play with.

Well, the last two years have flown by and we are still in the same house and still loving it and the area. We would never consider moving back to England and do not miss it one bit. Obviously we miss the close proximity of family and friends, but we have made lots of new friends here.

Aaron and James both have broad Canadian accents and cannot understand why we don’t. Aaron loves school and has lots of friends and takes part in lots of sports such as hockey and snowboarding.

James is going to kindergarten and also has many friends and wants to learn how to snowboard too. Neil is teaching at a nearby university and loves his job even more than he loved his job in the UK. We

have a lot more free time together and our quality of life is so much better. And me, well I am pregnant with our third child due to be born in July this year. We have had a scan and know she is a girl, so we are very excited about having our first daughter. Aaron however has decided he doesn’t want a baby sister, so not sure what we will do about that, he still wants a puppy!

We really love Canadian life and cannot imagine living anywhere else now.

We have time to visit local areas and even enjoy the winters, although we don’t get nearly as much snow as other Canadian locations we certainly had our fair share this winter. Neil has learnt to ski, but I’m too much of a coward to try. I just know I will fall and break something important and as I consider most of me important, I will remain an observer. We were planning on going to Yellowstone National Park in the USA this summer, but because of the baby being due this will have to wait. We will probably stick to somewhere close instead.

For anyone thinking of making Canada home, I say “go for it.” You never know what is around the corner and you should take each day and year as it comes and make the most of it all. I cannot imagine still being in England thinking “if only” or “what if.”

32 Moving to Canada

Jump into Spring not into trouble

By Mark Spindloe - Exit Realty Metro, Nova Scotia

A friend told me that if you are not upset at how other people do business then you are not offering a good enough service. With that in mind when I became a Realtor® my decision was to base my business on a foundation of ethics and building on that, to give commitment of full disclosure to my clients. Notice I deliberately said clients as I only work with new people on a client basis, in order to give them peace of mind that their privacy and negotiating position would not be compromised when dealing with one of the most important and expensive transactions they will make. There are times when a customer relationship would be appropriate for me, such as, when negotiating on behalf of a business or someone experienced in real estate. For more on the distinction between the two see below. You need to know this.

When it comes to buying real estate in Canada there is a lot of misinformation and uninformed opinion to be found from forums, chat-rooms and websites.

Whether you are considering a fact finding mission or will be landing in Nova Scotia I am passionate that you be made aware of the process. Which is why we offer to call you in UK for an Info-Chat and will try to answer as many questions as you may have. Realtors® are for the most part very professional and subject to regulations in the way they conduct their business. I know, I am one. My objective is to give you enough information so that you can make

informed choices whether you use my services or not. Read on.

Buying and selling real estate in Canada is very different to the English experience. Although you will work with a Realtor® you are actually contracted to a Brokerage who acts as your agent with you as the principle. The Realtor® is in most cases a self-employed individual under contract with a Brokerage and will be your day-to-day contact.

The two main ways that a Realtor® will work for you need to be carefully understood, as they can affect the representation you receive.

You can be dealt with as a customer.

Which as it implies is how a transaction is completed when you shop in a store. The duties owed to you are limited to a duty of care and the expectation that you will be treated in an honest and accurate manner.

From a real estate perspective you can expect that your Realtor® will act as a scribe in the preparation of documents.

However the Brokerage is unable to provide any services that call for the use of

judgement or discretion. Furthermore the relationship entails no confidentiality or advocating on behalf of the customer.

Alternatively, you can choose to be treated as a client, in which case you receive all of the positive benefits listed above as well as what are known as fiduciary duties. This is where things tilt dramatically in your favour. The agent is bound to provide fiduciary duties to their client. These are. ★ Accountability. Responsible for the accurate accounting of any funds such as deposits. ★ Competence in the exercise of care and skill in performing the agents functions. ★ Confidentiality in all matters pertain to information obtained from the client. ★ Disclosure to the client of all conflicts in a timely manner and the avoidance of secret profits. ★ Obedience to follow all lawful instructions issue by the client in performance of the mandate.

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Contact us at: mark@relocationnovascotia.com Or phone (902) 446-0766

Moving to Canada 33 ★ Loyalty to the client in negotiating the most favorable terms.

The first thing I do when I sit down with someone new is to tell them not to divulge to me any of their personal circumstance until they have engaged me as their Realtor®. The reason for this is because if they decide to become a customer or not use my services then in any transaction with one of my clients I am duty bound to disclose everything I know about them to my client while owing them no confidentiality concerning what they may have told me. This could leave them vulnerable and weak in any negotiation.

The next step is to explain the differences in representation as set out above and make sure that they fully understand and can make an informed choice. Every Realtor® is not only obliged to make this explanation to a seller or a buyer but is further obligated to ensure that they comprehend. If they don't it should be a red flag to you. My professional body the NSAR, Nova Scotia Association of Realtors® produces a leaflet entitled “Working with a Realtor®” which details Client, Customer and Transactional Brokerage definitions and includes a section where the person can acknowledge that an explanation has been made and they can indicate their preference. My brokerage insist that this forms part of any contract. By insisting on this they ensure I stay honest. I love my broker.

At this point I state that it is up to them to decide if they want me to work on their behalf, otherwise they are free to engage any other Realtor®. Let's face it I don't want to work with anyone who is not comfortable with me. However, should they decide to use another Realtor® then I feel confident that they will know precisely what that person should disclose and to be wary if it is not up front.

Assuming you are sensible and engage me exclusively as your Realtor® to protect your privacy and future negotiating position this is what you can expect. As your Realtor® I act as your representative so you will not have direct contact with the seller or their agent. I will arrange the viewings with the listing agent on the properties you select and

A picture says a thousand words

accompany you on the house viewing. It is normal for the house owner to be out during the viewing. Access is by means of a lock-box system that all Realtors® have shared access. When we start looking at houses it is a leisurely process, viewing lots of different houses in order to get a feel for the various styles and areas but when you decide to make an offer things will move very quickly and this is something I prepare my clients for. We will sit down together and I draw up the offer based on your instructions as to price, closing date and conditions and explain all legal implications and obligations. I will present your offer to the listing agent who consults with the owner. From there I will advise you on negotiations and reacting to counter offers. I will deliver the deposit cheque when an offer has been accepted and can make suggestions on choices of lawyers, house inspectors, appraisers, water testers, mortgage brokers, insurers, etc. needed to make sure we meet all conditions. You are however free to engage your own professionals. I accompany you on the house inspection and any water testing and can go through the report and discuss the results and suggest actions to be taken. As a result of legal advise and inspections it may be necessary to negotiate further concessions. I will promote your interests at all times. I ensure that all conditions are met by the stated dead-lines. On the

agreed closing day I will accompany you on the final inspection, the purpose of which is to ensure that everything is still in the same condition as previously. It is not an opportunity to look for new contentious items. When satisfied you go to visit your lawyer who takes you through the documentation and you transfer the balance owing in exchange for the house keys. At this point it is traditional for you to buy me a beer. Cheers.

On becoming licensed I partnered with a mentor. I chose Donna McNeil who has the same ethical outlook to business and is experienced in assisting new emigrants through the settlement process.

When we sell on your behalf you get two for the price of one and when we represent you in buying a property you get two for free. (The vendor pays our commission) How's that for a deal! We find that our styles are complimentary and our aim is to make the process as stress free as possible and keep your spirits up.

We would be happy to contact you in the UK by phone to answer any questions regarding your visit to Nova Scotia.

Remember we are 4 hours behind the UK you need to let us know a good time slot to call you back!

Mark and June Spindloe www.relocationnovascotia.com email: mark@relocationnovascotia for any question regarding house purchases.

34 Money

Oh to be a millionaire Everyone dreams of coming into large sums of money at some time in their life, or every day for some of us! So what exactly would you do if you got a windfall such as a lottery win? Ipsos-Reid asked the people of Canada this very question and the results may surprise you (or not).

If you won $10 million what would you spend it on?

The top answer was that they would share it with family. Of those asked who were over 55 years old, 66% said they would share it whilst only 40% of 18-34 year olds would do so.

Many people (39%) said they would donate money to charity with females more likely to do so than males - shame on you men.

35% of people said they would use some of the money to travel whilst 17% said they would buy a new car, or two.

Paying off existing debt was another big draw for potential winners with 23% of those surveyed saying this is what they would do.

Only 22% said they would invest the money and 8% said they would use it for education purposes, either theirs or someone close.

Surprisingly only 10% said they would quit their job, but we are sure that many more would soon change their mind once

they had $10 million in the bank, I know I would!

Other options for spending included starting a business and of course shopping.

In Canada, there are around half a million millionaires and the majority of them earned their money rather than suddenly coming into money via wins or inheritance.

Over half of those millionaires are over 50 years of age and the majority are male. The average age of millionaires is 61.5. This is not surprising, since many of this group have amassed their portfolios over several decades of patient investing and a majority are now retired.

However, 15% of millionaires are under the age of 45 and 36% are between 45 and 64 years of age. 29% of Canadian millionaires did not attend university.

The majority of millionaires live in Ontario (38.5%) and Quebec (21%).

However, those living in British Columbia and Alberta have the fastest growing millionaires club with 16% and 14% respectively with these figures expected to grow in the coming years.

Ipsos-Reid also found that many millionaires did not have children, so perhaps this is a good way of saving money. Many are also self-employed and/or have a good education.

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Money 35

Could the penny disappear?

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Pat Martin a New Democrat MP introduced a private members bill to eliminate the penny from Canada. He says that if you take into account the cost of transferring the coins from the Mint to banks it can cost up to 4 cents to produce each coin.

Many pennies end up in jars or even thrown away as people find them a nuisance to carry around. The Mint’s recent survey suggests that 42% of consumers and 63% of retailers would be in favour of getting rid of the penny.

Some consumers however feel that if eliminated it may push up prices. Martin suggests that a rounding system be introduced whereby if a purchase cost $39.98 it would be rounded up to $40 and if a purchase was $39.96 it would be rounded down to $39.95. There are currently 20 billion pennies in circulation.

The Mint in Winnipeg would be able to take on other jobs if the penny was eliminated as currently 70% of the production is for the coin. It costs approximately $130 million each year to produce the 1.2 billion pennies required annually.

New Zealand and Australia have both eliminated their penny with no adverse effect on pricing. Indeed New Zealand also eliminated the 5c coin making the 10c its lowest denomination coin. The USA is also looking at the possibility of eliminating their penny.

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36 Money

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37 Working Life

Job hunting while employed Robert Half International It's a common dilemma: You have a job but you want a better one. Whether you've outgrown your current role, seek increased compensation or need a change of scene, you're ready to explore new employment options. But how should you go about tracking down opportunities and meeting with hiring managers without jeopardizing your current position?

Following are some do's and don'ts for conducting a job search while employed: DON'T overlook opportunities within your own company. Before updating your resume and hitting the job boards, consider employment opportunities that may be right under your nose. Many companies looking to fill vacancies give preference to internal candidates and make an effort to encourage these individual to apply for other positions within the company.

Share with your boss your interest in pursuing a new or higher-level position.

He or she may be able to help you transfer to a different department, move into a role of increased responsibility or give you a chance to work on projects that will expand your skill set and prepare you for advancement.

DO be discreet. If you want to keep your job search a secret, don't talk about it. If you tell your co-workers, you can be sure that it will get back to your boss, one way or another.

DON'T search on your employers' time. You're being paid to work for the company, so you shouldn't be surfing the Web for job openings during business hours. Any activity related to your job search, including scheduling interviews, should be completed on your own time.

DO get organized. Set aside blocks of time that you can devote to your employment search; you will be amazed by how much you can get done in just a few hours. In addition to focusing on your job hunt at night and on weekends, you

can use your lunch break to scour the want ads or review your resume. This also is a good time to return prospective employers' phone calls on your cell phone.

DON'T use company resources. No matter how convenient it may be, don't use office stationery, stamps, fax machines or copiers. It's not only an inappropriate and unethical use of company resources but also an easy way for colleagues to find out about your job search from evidence you accidentally leave behind. Along the same lines, avoid using the office's computers and phone systems to reach out to hiring managers.

Many employers monitor Internet usage and review phone call logs, making it easy for them to learn of your job hunt.

DO be careful where you post your resume. If you don't want your current firm to accidentally find your resume when searching for new hires, post on a job site where you can keep your employer and contact information confidential. For example, CareerBuilder.com offers three levels of privacy from which job seekers can choose.

DON'T make up excuses when meeting with hiring managers. Most hiring managers will understand that accommodations may have to be made for you to attend an employment interview. Try to schedule meetings for either the beginning or the end of the day, or during your lunch hour. If a prospective employer can't interview you during those times, take a personal day.

DO pay attention to how you dress. If your normal work attire consists of jeans and sneakers, showing up to the office in a business suit is likely to arouse suspicion. Avoid the attention by bringing a change of clothes.

DON'T forget to network. More jobs are obtained through word of mouth than any other method, so take every opportunity to expand your circle of contacts. In addition to getting involved in professional associations and other networking groups, focus on meeting people while doing everyday activities.

Try striking up conversations with those around you, from the coffee shop barista to the person sitting next to you at the doctor's office. These discussions can

Daily videos, microsites, workshops, marketing help from the best of the millionaire makers.

"

n elderly carpenter was ready to retire. He told his employer-contractor of his plans to leave the housebuilding business and live a more leisurely life with his wife. He would miss the paycheck, but he needed to retire. The contractor was sorry to see his good worker go and asked if he could build just one more house as a personal favor. The carpenter said yes, but in time it was easy to see that his heart was not in his work. He

resorted to shoddy workmanship and used inferior materials. It was an unfortunate way to end a dedicated career. When the carpenter finished his work, the employer came to inspect the house. He handed the front-door key to the carpenter. “This is your house�, he said, “my gift to you.� The carpenter was shocked. What a shame! If he had only known he was building his own house, he would have done it all so differently.

“As self-employed entrepreneurs, we traded company pensions and benefit packages for the Big Adventure. But as you well know, sometimes the seas get stormy and sometimes there’s no wind. It’s good to compare charts, maps, courses, experiences with your fellow entrepreneurs. Welcome aboard to our small-business-marketing membership site!�

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38 Working Life help you gain job leads or other valuable contacts.

DO register with a staffing firm.

Consider partnering with a recruiter, who can work discreetly on your behalf to distribute your resume and uncover job opportunities. These professionals also can offer guidance on enhancing your resume, improving your interview skills and increasing your chances of landing a new position.

If you want to find a new job, stick to your game plan, be persistent and, perhaps most importantly, be respectful of your current employer. Though you may be tempted to conduct a quick search between projects or work on your resume on the job, think twice before doing so.

You wouldn't want to do anything that could jeopardize your current position and future references.

Robert Half International is the world's first and largest specialized staffing firm with a global network of more than 360 offices throughout North America, South America, Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. For more information about our professional services, please visit www.rhi.com.

UNEMPLOYMENT RATES - MARCH 08 Canada

6.0%

Newfoundland and Labrador

12.6%

Prince Edward Island

10.4%

Nova Scotia

7.9%

New Brunswick

8.5%

Quebec

7.3%

Ontario

6.4%

Manitoba

4.3%

Saskatchewan

4.1%

Alberta

3.4%

British Columbia

4.3%

PROVINCE

MINIMUM WAGE

Alberta

$8.40

British Columbia

$8.00

Ontario

$8.75

Manitoba

$8.50

Saskatchewan

$8.25

Quebec

$8.00

Nova Scotia

$7.60

Newfoundland and Labrador

$8.00

New Brunswick

$7.75

Prince Edward Island

$7.50

CareerBuilderŽ is one of Canada’s top job sites allowing you to get the best and most up-to-date employment information available.

Sign up completely free to receive job recommendations or add your resume to allow employers to search for you.

Working Life 39

Longer commutes across Canada traveling 3.9 km. Of the provinces Saskatchewan at an average commute of 4.5 km was the lowest.

In 2006 nearly two million more people commute to work by car than did in 1996, that’s over 10 million people.

Many people, 7.7% of workers travel to work as a passenger in a car.

11% of workers across Canada used The latest statistics to be released public transport to get to work compared from the 2006 Census show that Canadians are traveling longer and further to 10.1% in 1996.

Nearly one million commuters walk to to and from work. In 1996 the average work.

This equates to 6.4% of workers, Canadian traveled 7 km to work and in 2006 that distance had risen to 7.6 km, an down on the figures recorded in 2001 (6.6%). increase of 8.6%.

Strangely the number of people The major employment areas of working from home has decreased over Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver saw greater numbers of workers in the last ten the years. In 1996 8.2% of people reported they worked from home, but in years with the average Torononian 2006 that figure had decreased to 7.7%. traveling 9.6 km to work and those in This drop in numbers can be attributed to Montreal traveling 8.2 km. Workers in the decrease in numbers working in the Vancouver however saw a decrease in their commutes from 7.6 km in 2001 to 7.4 agriculture industry. Nearly half of those who worked from home were in this km in 2006. industry.

Looking at the numbers from a Only 1% of workers live in one provincial point of view, workers in Ontario province and work in another. Of those and Nova Scotia commute the greatest more than a third (53,600) were people average distances of 8.7 km and 8.4 km living on the Quebec side of Ottawa respectively. The shortest commuting distances were seen in the territories with traveling to the Ontario side for work.

Another 17,000 were commuting in the Nunavut’s average of 2.1 km, Northwest opposite direction.

Territories at 2.9 km and Yukoners

How far do you travel to get to work each day? If the latest Census figures are right then it is probably further than you traveled ten years ago and it takes you longer to do it.

LOCATION

AVERAGE COMMUTE TIMES IN MINUTES

Canada

63

British Columbia

60

Ontario

68

Quebec

63

Atlantic Canada

51

Prairies

57

Major Cities Toronto

79

Montreal

76

Vancouver

67

Ottawa-Gatineau

65

Calgary

66

Edmonton

62

Many of the other people commuting between provinces did so to work in Alberta. Astonishingly 1.1% of workers who lived in Newfoundland and Labrador actually worked in Alberta, likewise 1.7% of Saskatchewan residents worked in Alberta.

Barrie,Ontario has the highest proportion of workers (35.3%) traveling 25 km or more to work. Most of these people work in Toronto. Similarly Oshawa workers travelled an average of 11 km to work in the city.

The time it takes to commute also rose over the past few years, mainly due to far more cars being on the road and more workers living in the country.

In Toronto the average commute time increased 16.2% between 1992 and 2005. Montreal saw increases of 22.6%.

40 Working Life

Mind your interview manners: say thanks and get hired The interview has ended and as you leave the room you have this gut feeling that the job has your name written all over it.

What do you do now? (a) Wait, and hope you will be called with the good news. (b) Act like the young college graduate who told me she did not bother to send a thank you note because the lady’s business card did not have her email address, or (c) Begin to formulate a thank you letter reflecting on the key points discussed in the interview, clarifying certain points and reiterating your interest in the position. The savvy candidate would select (c).

Many people believe that sending a thank you letter is tantamount to “kissing up” or asking for special favours, but most recruiters and interviewers have a positive impression of candidates who send a thank you letter. They believe it is one way of distinguishing yourself from the other qualified candidates and show the employer why you should receive serious consideration. Here are some additional reasons to send a thank you letter: 1.

It is an opportunity for you to reconnect with the interview panel and reposition yourself as the candidate they should choose.

2.

It shows professional courtesy; that you appreciate the individual’s time and the fact you were chosen from so many other candidates for the interview.

While not every thank you letter results in a hiring, if the interviewer had two equally qualified candidates and one person took the time to write a thank you letter, this person stands a better chance of being selected than someone who did not. So, before you start dreaming of that corner office, mind your interview manners by saying thanks and getting hired!

3.

It gives you another marketing opportunity; another chance to reaffirm your interest in the position and highlight other specific accomplishments as they relate to the job and were not covered in the interview.

Do not write the letter just because you hear it’s a great idea to do so.

Instead, make sure to review two or three specific points discussed during the interview, remind them of your successes in a similar role, and state what contributions you will make within the first couple of months on the job, if you are selected.

What if after the interview you realize you are no longer interested in the position? A thank you letter is just as appropriate. In this case, you will want to express your gratitude to the interviewer for giving you a chance to learn more about the company, and then state your reason for withdrawing from the process.

It could be a case where you have been offered a position with another company, or it could be that after weighing the pros and cons, you decide to remain where you are. Whatever the reason, you want to be as graceful as possible and don’t burn any bridges.

Daisy Wright is a career transition coach, professional resume writer and author of No Canadian Experience, Eh? A Career Survival Guide for New Immigrants. She can be reached by phone at (905) 840-7039, by email at daisy@thewrightcareer.com. Visit her websites: www.thewrightcareer.com and www.nocanadianexperience-eh.com.

This month’s winner of a $50 Tim Horton’s TimCard™ is….

Jane from Vancouver, British Columbia Subscribe free to Muchmor Magazine and not only will you be reminded when every issue is published but you will be entered into a draw to win a $50 TimCard™ readmuchmor.com

Kidzone 41

Top kids stuff….

Bestselling books 1. Twilight, Stephanie Mayer 2. Warrior Power Of Three #3 Outcast, Erin Hunter 3. New Moon, Stephanie Mayer 4. Love You Forever, Munsch & McGraw 5. Eclipse, Stephanie Mayer 6. Queste, Sage & Zug

7. Goodnight Moon Board, Brown, Clement & Hurd 8. Ghost Circles, Bone #7, Smith & Hamaker 9. Before Green Gables, Budge Wilson 10. Scaredy Squirrel, Melanie Watt

DVD rental 1. The Golden Compass 2. Bratz Kidz: Fairy Tales 3. Barbie: Mariposa and her Butterfly Fairy Friends 4. Go Diego Go!: Moonlight Rescue 5. Dora The Explorer: Egg Hunt 6. Barbie as the Island Princess

7. Dora the Explorer: Undercover Dora 8. Dora the Explorer: Dora Saves the Mermaids 9. Dora the Explorer: Puppy Power!

10. Go Diego Go!: Diego's Magical Missions 11. My Little Pony: A Very Pony Place

Bestselling video games 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

Play, Nintendo Wii Rock Band, Xbox 360 Guitar Hero III, Xbox 360 Turok, Xbox 360 Rock Band, PlayStation 2 Call of Duty 4, Xbox 360

7. Mario and Sonic: Olympic Games, Nintendo DS 8. Rock Band, PlayStation 3 9. Super Mario Galaxy, Nintendo Wii 10. Devil May Cry 4, PlayStation 3

Top family movies in theaters 1. Nim’s Island 2. Dr. Seuss’ Horton Hears a Who 3. College Road Trip 4. Hannah Montana & Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert Tour in Disney Digital 3-D 5. The Spiderwick Chronicles

6. Alvin and the Chipmunks 7. The Golden Compass 8. Enchanted 9. The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything: A VeggieTales Movie 10. The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep

42 Kidzone

Game reviews Video games are some of the most popular pastimes for kids these days, so we thought we would take a look at a few to see what they are all about.

Super Smash Bros. Brawl - Nintendo Wii Most of the major games websites give this game a big thumbs up. This is an action game for 1-4 players and GameZone.com give the game its Outstanding Award and GameSpot give it an Editors Choice Award, both giving it a score of 9.5 ou of 10. So what is is all about?

Brawl is the third installment in the Super Smash Bros. series published by Nintendo to be released on the Wii. Brawl, as with the other games in the series, features a diverse roster of characters from Nintendo and its second parties to fight in various kinds of matches. However, Brawl is the first Super Smash Bros. game to feature third-party characters.

Players choose one of the many characters available and attempt to knock their opponents off the screen. The game can be played using the Wii Remote on its side, the Wii Remote and Nunchuk together, the Classic Controller, or the GameCube controller, for a total of four possible control styles. Characters can use a variety of attacks to fight each other and each character has its own special moves unique to them. Throughout the game characters can use weapons and items to combat the enemy.

Multiplayer and group modes are available, but solo players can also play against randomly selected opponents.

The graphics are excellent as are the sound effects. Some stages are better than others, but overall the game is well presented. For avid gamers there are lots of unlockables throughout the game such as trophies, music, stages, characters, or stickers. For those who have played the previous editions of Super Smash Bros, this game includes some major improvements including lots of features and bonuses.

GameZone.com says: Super Smash Bros. Brawl delivers on its massive hype in almost every way. This is a game that reaches a fun factor which few games dare even dream of. It is absolutely packed to the gills with content, and features enough improvements over its predecessor to make it the best installment in the series by far.

GameSpot says: With a bigger roster than ever, online multiplayer, and the ability to share screenshots, custom levels, and game replays with friends, Super Smash Bros. has never been better.

Basically if you like any of the previous Super Smash Bros games, you will simply love this one.

Kidzone 43

Rock Band - Xbox 360, PS2, PS3, Wii As you can see this game is available on most platforms, so can be enjoyed by the majority of gamers. You can play in your own rock band, performing music from some of the world’s biggest rock stars. Members of the band can play instruments such as the drums, bass guitar, lead guitar and lead vocals.

When designing the game the developers, Harmonix made deals with some of the biggest record labels and music publishers to give the player unprecedented access to master recordings by your favorite artists.

Players can play solo along with computer generated band members, or in a group forming your own multiplayer band. Players need not be in your own room as you can form a band with players from all over the world.

Music of every type can be used from punk rock to heavy metal and from all eras such as the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, 90’s and present day.

So if you fancy being a rock star then there is no better place to start.

Ratatouille - Xbox 360, GameCube, PSP, PS3, PS2, Gameboy, DS, PC This game derives from the 2007 film of the same name and takes on the characters from the film, although you do not have to have seen the film to enjoy this game. You take on the role of Remy the rat who loves food and wants nothing more than to be a great chef. The game is based around the fact that Remy’s human friend Linguini has had his recipes stolen by his arch enemy Skinner. Remy has to find the recipes so that Linguini can open his restaurant on time.

Remy runs, climbs, jumps and swims his way around thirty 3D levels and by collecting cheeses hidden throughout he can exchange them for even more powers. The levels are varied in their content and length and consist of puzzle solving and battling with the enemy. Remy also gets advice and encouragement throughout the game from his friend Gusteau who appears at key locations.

Enemies include turtles, snakes, eels, spiders etc as well as other items which can hurt him such as rat traps, electrical cords etc. However Remy is very versatile and can climb certain items and run across thin cables or jump across expanses as well as killing his enemies. By trading in his cheeses he can upgrade his power so that he swims faster and can swim underwater, can jump further or live longer.

This game is great fun and Remy is very likable, especially for a rat.

Some gamers might find the game-play a little simple, but nonetheless entertaining. Because the levels are varied you do not get bored playing. This is an excellent game for beginners as well as more experienced games.

44 Health and Wellness

Coping with pelvic pain Many women suffer from pelvic pain, but what causes it and what can you do about it?

Health and Wellness 45 Many women experience pelvic pain at some time in their lives and for some it can be a very debilitating problem. Pelvic pain can of course be a symptom of an underlying problem or it can be a condition in its own right.

Sometimes a woman may never find out what causes the pain, so what can be done about it?

The first thing to do when experiencing pelvic pain is to try to find out the cause. If there is a specific problem found then treatment can be started, however sometimes this is easier said than done.

There are different types of pelvic pain including dull aches, intermittent pain, sharp pains or cramps, steady pains, heaviness, pressure and severe pain. In addition you may have other symptoms such as pain during intercourse or when urinating or having a bowel movement. Pain may be worse or easier when sitting or standing, laying down or curled up. If the pain is really severe it may interfere with sleep or day to day life.

Some of the most common causes of pelvic pain include:

Endometriosis When uterine lining tissues grow in places other than your uterus it is called endometriosis. These tissues or lesions can be found anywhere in the pelvic cavity including the fallopian tubes, bladder, bowel, colon, appendix, scar tissue etc.

Symptoms: Pelvic pain is the most common symptom of this condition which often correlates to a woman’s menstrual cycle. Fo some women this pain can be so severe it significantly impacts onto their daily lives. Around a third of women with endometriosis are infertile.

Other symptoms that can be experienced with this condition include diarrhea or constipation, bloating, tiredness, irregular or heavy periods.

Causes: No one knows the reason why some women suffer from this although many theories are abound.

Treatment: Because the cause is a mystery, treatment is usually for the symptoms experienced.

Painkillers are the most common treatment in association with antiinflammatory drugs. Hormone treatments also prove successful for many women including the combined pill, Mirena IUD, Danazol and Progestins. Surgery is a last resort with the removal of the lesions and cysts. Some women even decide to have an hysterectomy although endometriosis can occur even after this procedure.

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease Often referred to as PID, it is a general term used for infections of the reproductive system such as the uterus or fallopian tubes. Often transferred by sexual activity PID can be a serious condition leading to infertility, chronic pain and ectopic pregnancy if left untreated.

Symptoms: Some women with PID have no symptoms at all, whilst others may experience abdominal pain, fever, vaginal discharge, painful or irregular periods, painful intercourse or urination and unpleasant odor.

Causes: Sexually transmitted diseases (STD’s) are the most common causes of PID with gonorrhea and chlamydia being the most common.

The more sexual partners a woman has the more likely she will suffer from PID. Women who have an intrauterine device (IUD) can be at greater risk from infection as infections present can be transferred into the cervix more easily, especially during insertion. Any woman having an IUD fitted should be tested and treated for any STD before the procedure.

Treatment: Most PID’s can be treated with a course of antibiotics. Any woman being treated should also make sure her sexual partner is also treated to prevent re-infection.

Fibroids Fibroids are one of the most common conditions that women face regarding their reproductive system. Fibroids are non-cancerous tumors that grow in the

womb. They can vary in size and number and it is estimated that up to 50% of women experience them at sometime in their lives. They are most common between the ages of 30 and 50, rare in the under 20’s and post-menopausal women.

Symptoms: Many women with fibroids experience no symptoms but this depends on the size and location of the tumor. Most common symptoms include pelvic pain, pressure, heavy periods, painful intercourse, bladder or bowel irregularities and in extreme cases infertility.

Causes: Although the exact cause is not known fibroids seem to be influenced by oestrogen. Black women tend to suffer more than caucasian women and those overweight also tend to suffer more due to higher levels of oestrogen.

Treatment: Unless fibroids are causing major problems there is no need for treatment. Hormone treatments to reduce oestrogen and shrink the fibroids can be used in problem cases. As a last resort surgery to either remove individual fibroids of full hysterectomy can be performed.

Pelvic Congestion Syndrome PCS is a very common condition caused by varicose veins developing in the lower pelvis.

Symptoms: Generally women experience a dull, but constant pain in the lower pelvis accompanied by heaviness or pressure. Other symptoms may include swollen vagina, painful intercourse, backache, abdominal tenderness and painful periods.

Causes: As with other pelvic conditions the exact cause is unknown.

46 Health and Wellness Women between the ages of 20-45 seem to suffer more and those who have multiple pregnancies.

Treatment: Painkiller can be used to help the pain associated with PCS and recently new treatments including embolization can be used. This process involved plugging the blood vessels to stop them engorging with blood causing varicose veins. Surgery is only used as a last resort.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome Irritable bowel syndrome or IBS is quite common with as many as 20% of the population suffering from it. It can cause serious discomfort but does not lead to any serious conditions such as cancer.

Symptoms: The main symptoms of IBS include abdominal pain, discomfort, bloating, constipation and diarrhea. Many people alternate between constipation and diarrhea and some find their symptoms subside and return every few months.

Causes: Once again, no definitive cause has been established. One theory is that people who suffer from IBS have a colon, or large intestine, that is particularly sensitive and reactive to certain foods and stress.

Treatment: There is no cure for IBS so instead the symptoms are treated.

Depending on the symptoms being experienced different treatments will be used such as painkillers, laxatives and antispasmodics. Usually a combination of treatments will be used.

Interstitial cystitis This condition affects the bladder and causes chronic inflammation. Anyone of any age, race or sex can get IC, but women are far more susceptible.

Symptoms: The most common symptom is the urgent need to urinate frequently. Accompanying this is the feeling of pressure and spasms. Pain during sexual intercourse is also a common factor. Pain in the lower abdomen, vaginal area and in men the scrotum are also common symptoms.

this fast-growing profession Market Research Causes: The cause Duties of IC isofunknown disappear after three months further include writing and editing text, creating Market research analy and it does not respond to antibiotics as treatment may be required, with surgery graphics, converting photos and drawings numbers are expected to g common cystitis does. being the last resort. If the woman suffers into digital images, designing page layouts by 2016, gather Treatment: Certain medications are from persistent cysts the birth control pill data on co andincluding developing thought to help IC sufferers oralpresentations. may be recommended to analyze prevent prices, sales, and marketing and distribution medications that thicken the bladder lining ovulation.

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until the advanced stage of the disease.

Paralegals not only assist sometimes cause no problems, but Insurance Underwriter But if you are concerned by pain, for closings, hearings, trial occasionally flare up to cause sever bleeding, weight gain or loss, abnormal Insurance underwriters serve as the meetings, they also perfor discomfort. periods, backcarrier pain, nausea, vomiting or main link between insurance other vital functions includ Symptoms: Many women have cysts the loss of appetite, then you should seek and the insurance agent.

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Causes: During a normal menstrual cycle a woman will grow a small sac in an ovary in which an egg is held. The egg is released to travel down the fallopian tube to be fertilized (or not).

The sac then dissolves. If the egg is not released correctly and continues to grow in the ovary, or the sac does not dissolve it can fill with fluid and form a cyst.

Treatment: Most cysts only last a couple of months and dissolve of their own accord, so no treatment is required, other than pain killers. If the cyst does not

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a

Health and Wellness 47

Health News Do we get enough sleep?

Last month we looked at sleep and how important it is to get a good night’s sleep. By coincidence Statistics Canada published a report soon after giving details of sleep patterns throughout Canada.

Apparently women sleep around 11 minutes longer than men who average eight hours and seven minutes. But women have more trouble falling and staying asleep. Women who exercise sleep 19 minutes less than those who don’t.

Higher earners sleep for less than lower paid workers, in fact someone earning $20,000 a year sleeps for 40 minutes more than someone earning $60,000. People who work full-time get less sleep (24 minutes) than those who have no regular work. if you have children this can also impact on sleep levels with those who have two or more children getting 25 minutes less than those without. I guess it doesn’t take a genius or Statistics Canada to tell us that.

Hospitals plagued by superbugs According to a recent government report at least 2,300 people died in Canadian hospitals last year as a result of the superbug MRSA. A further 12,000 new patients were infected.

A national surveillance program using data from 48 hospitals in nine provinces found 5,787 new cases of infection by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus

aureus bacteria in 2006, a 2.7-per-cent increase over 2005 figures, which translates into 8.04 cases per 1,000 hospital admissions.

The antibiotic-resistant bug usually only causes mild infections and most patients recover well, however it can progress into hemorrhagic-pneumonia or flesh-eating disease in rare cases, often resulting in death.

Smog impacts on mortality A recent study in America revealed, not too surprisingly that exposure to smog, even for short periods can seriously affect mortality and overall health.

The report by a panel of the Academy's National Research Council says "studies have yielded strong evidence that short-term exposure to ozone can exacerbate lung conditions, causing illness and hospitalization and can potentially lead to death."

The Academy panel examined shortterm exposure - up to 24 hours - to high levels of ozone, but said more studies also were needed on long-term chronic exposure where the risk of premature death "may be larger than those observed in acute effects studies alone."

High summertime smog levels in Canada are typically associated with a mixture of ground-level ozone (formed in the air in the presence of sunlight through the mixing of nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds) and particulate matter (PM) (tiny liquid and solid particles that become suspended in the air).

The principle source of PM in the winter is wood heating, which is why winter smog can be a problem in both urban and rural areas. Another significant source of winter smog is vehicle exhaust.

The top five Canadian cities with the worst air pollution are: 1. Toronto and the GTA region 2. Montreal 3. Vancouver 4. Quebec City 5. Calgary

Clean Air Day and Environment Canada suggest we do the following in order to reduce smog levels.

• walk, bike or use public transportation instead of driving • use electric or manual lawn equipment rather than gas-powered • don’t let your car idle for more than 30 seconds • keep your vehicle in good working condition • drive a hybrid car • purchase Energy Star appliances • compost and reduce your garbage • use cold water in your clothes washer • let dishes air-dry rather than using the dishwasher's drying cycle • use energy-efficient lighting products such as compact fluorescent bulbs. They last 10 times longer and use 75% less energy than regular incandescent light bulbs.

Ontario to ban pesticides Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty says he hopes a new ban on the sale and use of lawn and garden pesticides will allow children to again roll around on the grass.

"Our generation has taken to the cosmetic use of pesticides and I think, perhaps unwittingly, not fully understanding the dangers it represents to ourselves and, most importantly, to our children," he told a news conference in the back yard of a mid-Toronto home.

"It's the right of kids to play in the grass .. without compromising their health."

The new law, which is expected to come into effect next spring, would prohibit 80 chemicals and 300 products that experts say pose a potential health risk. Quebec earlier enacted a similar ban and Toronto has had a ban on the use of pesticides since last September.

48 Home and Garden

Costs of buying and selling a home Buying These are some of the costs associated with buying a property which do vary depending on where in the country you are purchasing.

Land Transfer Tax: In most provinces you need to pay a Land Transfer Tax (LTT) when purchasing a property. The amount varies by province and is based on the purchase price.

In British Columbia you will pay 1% of the purchase price up to the first $200,000 and 2% for amounts above $200,000.

In Ontario the first $55,000 is subject to 0.5% LTT, amounts between $55,000 and $250,000 1%. 1.5% LTT is payable between $250,001 and $400,000 and amounts over $400,000 are subject to 2% tax.

In Nova Scotia there is a LTT of 1.5% regardless of the property price.

The LTT payable on a property purchased for $150,000 at each of the above provinces would be: British Columbia = $1,500, Ontario = $1,225 and Nova Scotia = $2,250. In Manitoba the cost would be just $900.

Legal Fees: These vary by company and you should ask what the cost will be before committing to a particular lawyer.

Make sure you know what is included in the costs too.

Disbursements: These are fees paid by your lawyer on your behalf such as registration fees etc.

Survey: The seller may provide a survey but if not you may need to get one yourself. This determines the property boundaries, measurements etc.

Title Insurance: A title insurance policy can eliminate the requirement for a new survey. Title insurance is an insured statement of the condition of title or ownership of real property, at the time the policy is issued.

Mortgage Application: You may be charged a fee to arrange your mortgage.

Mortgage Appraisal: This is a survey completed on the property to be sure it is worth the mortgaged amount.

Your mortgage provider may insist on this.

Home Inspection: Performed by a qualified inspector this will highlight any problems with the property such as structural, electrical, plumbing etc.

Statement of Adjustments: The buyer and seller will be responsible for certain charges and taxes. This document clearly shows who is responsible for each item such as property tax and fuel.

Service Charges: Costs may be associated with setting up utilities such as telephone, internet etc.

Moving Costs: Removal company costs vary, but even if you are moving your belongings yourself remember to account for fuel costs and any other associated costs i.e. pet boarding.

Appliances: Remember, if your new home does not include appliances, unless you are taking your own you may need to budget for new appliances.

Interest Adjustments: This covers any interest accrued between the closing date of the purchase and the first regular payment date of the mortgage.

Ongoing Costs: Remember to include ongoing costs into your budget.

These can be things such as utilities,

property tax, fuel, furniture, landscaping, maintenance, insurance, mortgage payments etc.

Selling There are costs associated with selling a home too and these are as follows.

Realtor fees: If you use a Realor you will pay a selling fee of around 5% of the sale price of the home. Other percentages can be negotiated, particularly if the realtor is acting as both selling and buying agent for you. Half of this amount goes to your selling agent and half to the buyers agent.

The sale of a house for $150,000 will cost you $7,500 and a sale of $250,000 will cost $12,500.

If you choose the use the sale by owner route your costs will be significantly less.

Legal Fees: You will have to pay legal fees to a lawyer including disbursements. If you are also buying, using the same lawyer for both will save on costs.

Statement of Adjustments: The buyer and seller will be responsible for certain charges and taxes. This document clearly shows who is responsible for each items such as property tax and fuel.

Home and Garden 49

Canadian Tire follows muchmor’s example by going online

Since our conception nearly three years ago, muchmor has been an online publication, eliminating the need to fell hundreds of trees just to print our magazine. Now it seems that great Canadian icon Canadian Tire is following suit.

The company will be phasing out the printed edition of their twice-yearly catalogue. The current print run of 6 million copies is mailed to households each spring and fall and available in stores.

“I'm flattered everyone thinks it's iconic, but all of our research was indicating that readership levels were decreasing and more and more people are online,” Canadian Tire spokeswoman Lisa Gibson said “So that's why we decided to let people know online and not make a big production.”

The phase-out has already won the company some kudos from ForestEthics, a 14-year-old, non-profit environmental group that says it has “protected” more than 12 million acres of endangered forest in British Columbia and Chile.

“Catalogues have a tremendous environmental impact, from forests that are clear-cut to produce them to the energy consumed during manufacturing and delivery,” the group said in a news release, adding that Canadian Tire's decision “demonstrates that dramatically reducing paper use makes good business sense.”

Customers need not worry though as all information will be available online at www.canadiantire.ca.

Average house prices across Canada LOCATION

FEBRUARY 2008

FEBRUARY 2007

British Columbia

$478,172

$412,847

Alberta

$359,953

$343,515

Saskatchewan

$209,702

$146,514

Manitoba

$173,809

$159,436

Ontario

$304,322

$292,265

Quebec

$210,826

$199,314

New Brunswick

$143,207

$132,187

Nova Scotia

$188,110

$180,822

Prince Edward Island

$131,594

$126,197

Newfoundland and Labrador

$151,244

$140,401

Yukon Territories

$267,261

$220,248

Northwest Territories

$314,550

$334,361

Source: Canadian Real Estate Association

An immigrant, helping NEW immigrants find their NEW HOME or an investment property for the past 18 years. email or call me TOLL FREE TODAY

Tel: 1-877-256-0006 email: stef@lukasgrouprealty.com

www.lukasgrouprealty.com

50 Home and Garden

MLS: Various Province: Ontario

Price: From $129,900 City: Wellington

ONLY 6 CONDOS REMAINING! # Close to all amenities # Walking distance to downtown # 2-6 unit condos # 6 appliances # Air conditioning # Private balconies

MLS: 2071638 City: Prince Edward

Price: $299,000 Bedrooms: 4

Province: Ontario Bathrooms: 1

Solid bungalow with 33 acres of good clay loam soil. Close to many wineries. 40' x 60' cement block building with 14' ceilings, 200 amp service. Deeded acess to well

MLS: 2075898 City: Prince Edward

Price: $375,900 Bedrooms: 5

Province: Ontario Bathrooms: 2

Grand Century Home situated on a 12 acre parcel of land with great Privacy! Large barn in good condition. This home boasts many original features, 9 1/2 foot ceilings, extra wide baseboards, original trim and most doors. Over 3400 sq. ft. with great potential. Spacious 4 bedrooms upstairs, original wood bannister. Large room on main floor could be master bedroom or Parlour. This all brick home is set back from Road with long driveway going into property, offers a wonderful Privacy!

MLS: 2080554 City: Prince Edward

Price: $198,000 Bedrooms: 4

Province: Ontario Bathrooms: 2

Solid Brick/Stucco Century Home - on large lot. 4 bedrooms, spacious kitchen with newer cabinetry , main floor laundry, 200 amp service. Basement has been insulated. Ultra Violet light/water filter, water softener. Single Detached garage.

www.quinteisle.com

Home and Garden 51

Helen Parnell Tel: 403-932-8888 www.moving2alberta.com MLS: C3307045 City: Cochrane

Price: $579,900 Bedrooms: 5

Province: Alberta Bathrooms: 2

BEST OF BOTH WORLDS, 2 HOMES IN ONE, RARE LEGAL SUITE. Live up and rent down. This unique walkout bunglow in a cul-de-sac location has a rare LEGAL 2 bedroom suite in the basement with own private entrance and patio. Rental income from this suite can be used as income when appying for a mortgage. The main entrance has a great slate floor and den/home office. Upstairs you have a good size kitchen with island come kitchen table. Family room has cosy fireplace already fitted with wood surround. There is also a formal dining room or this could be the home office! hardwood flooring throughout.

MLS: C3312425 City: Cochrane

Price: $589,000 Bedrooms: 3

Province: Alberta Bathrooms: 3

LOCATION, location, Location. On the banks of the Bow River in a quiet cul-de-sac. This walkout bungalow has everything for a growing family. The location is superb with a oversized, huge, south-facing yard with great views of the river with the added bonus of being in the golf community of Riverview. The main floor boasts recently tile foyer, large family room with 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. The bright county kitchen features two skylights and leads to the large covered deck (16'x20') and steps to the yard. The basement has two more bedrooms and a full bathroom, an office (which could be a 6th bedroom or den) plus family room with corner gas fireplace.

MLS: C3313479 City: Cochrane

Price: $609,900 Bedrooms: 4

Province: Alberta Bathrooms: 2

What a walkout bungalow! This house has recently been renovated with new paint throughout. Upon entering you are welcomed by a bright clean house with the MOUNTAIN view right from the new front door! The main level features the kitchen with tons of counter space, new stove, and light fittings, corner pantry, all black appliances and rounded high breakfast bar. There is also a private den/office and large mud room. The large Master Bedroom has a spacious 4-piece en suite with soaker tub and walk-in closet. The main level boasts incredible windows that allows lots of natural light.

MLS: C3315110 City: Cochrane

Price: $530,000 Bedrooms: 5

Province: Alberta Bathrooms: 3

This 5 bedroom 3 bathroom walkout bungalow in the sought after community of Riverview Circle, Cochrane is perfect for any family. Enter the main floor family room and admire the rich Brazilian Cherry hardwood floors throughout. The main floor also contains the Master bedroom with 5 piece en-suite, 2nd bedroom/ flex room, re-modeled kitchen with granite worktops and brand new appliances, mudroom and 4 piece guest bathroom. Access the deck from the privacy of the Master bedroom or the dining area. Panoramic views of the golf course can be enjoyed on those long sunny evenings whilst cooking on the gas line BBQ.

MLS: C3323063 City: Cochrane

Price: $279,900 Bedrooms: 2

Province: Alberta Bathrooms: 2

This amazing 3rd floor condo is one of the few PREMIER suites. Placed on the corner you have extra windows making it a bright spacious apartment. The kitchen has some of the many upgrades with maple cabinets and breakfast bar lighting. There are two good size bedrooms with the master having a walk though closet and 4 peice ensuite. The ensuite was upgraded with a soaker tub and tiling to the ceiling. The second bedroom is large enough for a double bed or even an office. There is a separate laundry room ensuite,plus an additional storage room.

52 Home and Garden

Making the most of a condo These days condo sales are big business. Many people are buying condominiums as a way of getting onto the property ladder, particularly in large cities and towns. Toronto especially has seen a huge increase in condo sales over the last year with people actually queueing up to buy them when they go on the market.

Although condos come in many sizes and types the most common type of condo is the apartment. This, for many people is their first home ownership experience.

By the very nature of apartment condos they are often small and compact and you really need to think long and hard about how to best utilise the space.

Even the smallest condo can be decorated and furnished to take advantage of its good points and diminish the bad.

So what can you do if you have a small apartment that you want to decorate in order to maximize the space available?

Measure: The first stage to decorating the space is to measure the rooms accurately. Do a floor plan of the space available. Some condos have just one main room which has to accommodate all living space, whereas others have separate rooms for different areas. In either case you need to know exactly the space you are dealing with, so an accurate floor plan is essential.

Requirements: The next thing you need to do is know your requirements.

List the areas you ideally need in the space. Obviously you will need a sleeping area, a living area, a kitchen, but do you also need a workspace or a dining area?

Although you might not be able to accommodate all your requirements, by

listing them you can decide which are essential, which are desirable and which you can really do without.

Allocation: Now you have a floor plan with measurements and a list of your ideal requirements regarding your living space it is time to match one against the other. This can be much easier said than done as we always need more space than is actually available.

If your condo has separate rooms, say a bedroom, bathroom, living room and a kitchen you need to decide if the rooms are adequate for your needs.

Some people prefer to remove walls to open up space into one or two larger open plan spaces. Obviously there may be building restrictions which stop you doing this, but if this is something that you want to do it is worth looking into this before committing to purchase furniture etc as this will ultimately effect the type and size of furniture you buy.

You may have a condo that is just one room that has to accommodate all the living space. In this instance you

might want to try to separate certain areas such as a bedroom if space allows.

These decisions are very much personal choice and will depend on how you want to live your life. Are you going to be happy having your bed in view if you have visitors over? If you choose to have a sofa-bed will you be happy putting it away every day and remaking it every night before you can sleep? Do you want your kitchen area as part of the living space or do you prefer a separate kitchen area?

All these things need to be thought out in advance so that the space can be allocated accordingly. It is much easier to change things at this stage than later when you have fixtures and furniture that may not easily be moved to new locations.

Furniture: Once you have decided on the areas you need it is time to start thinking about the furniture you will fill these areas with. Again this can be easier said than done as if space is restricted you may be limited in your choices.

Home and Garden 53 List each room or area and list the furniture required. Take accurate measurements of the furniture you are considering and then relate that to your floor plan. You might find it easier to cut out the shapes to the measurements (to scale obviously) and place these on your floor plan to see how they fit. Remember you will want to be able to navigate round furniture so leave enough space around beds, sofas etc.

Some condo have restricted access such as narrow or winding staircases, narrow doorways etc. Always remember to factor this in when choosing furniture as there is nothing worse than choosing your ideal sofa only to find you cannot get it into your condo.

These days there are many multipurpose furniture items about which can help in space restricted areas. You might want to consider a sofa-bed which is a sofa by day and pulls out to a bed at night, or a fold down bed which fits into the wall, sometimes called a murphy bed which then pulls down at night.

A breakfast bar rather than a dining table and chairs can be a big space saver in a limited space. You still get a good eating area but without the need to allocate space to larger furniture.

If you need a workspace you might consider a using a laptop rather than a desk top computer. A laptop can be put into a cupboard when not in use and takes up much less space, so can be used at the breakfast bar or on a dresser, rather than a specifically allocated space.

Colour: Colours can be very important when decorating small spaces.

Although you need to be careful with colour to get the most out of your space you should not be afraid of using colour.

Generally if you stick to light wall colours the rooms will appear bigger.

Dark colours tend to constrict space and will make the space appear smaller than it is. Colour choice also extends to your furniture choices. If you choose bold, dark colours for large furniture this again will make the space appear smaller. Instead of choosing a dark sofa, perhaps you might consider a lighter sofa with darker accessories such as cushions, throws etc. The same goes for bedrooms. If you choose lighter coloured bedding with

bolder accessories this will open up the space but still give you the splashes of colour you want.

If your space is open plan make sure all the colour used compliment each other. You can successfully allocate different colours to differentiate areas as long as they compliment each other.

Lighting: Lighting can be very important in any room, particularly where natural light may be restricted. Any opportunity to increase natural light should be used. This might include window coverings that do not restrict light such as blinds rather than curtains.

If you use curtains or drapes hang them so that they are not overlapping the actual window opening, allowing light into the room. Do not use heavy drapes.

Use mirrors to reflect light into the room giving the illusion of not only more light but also more space.

Add attractive lamps and lighting fixtures to create as much light as possible into each room. Wall lights are useful if floor space is restricted as are recessed lights and track lighting.

Summary: If you measure correctly and allocate your space with furniture and fixtures of the right size and versatility then you are well on your way to having the perfect condo.

Always keep the rooms tidy to minimize clutter and open up floor and wall space which will give a sense of more space. Don’t use large pieces of furniture as this will restrict the space between furniture items and make the room feel cluttered. Try to find multipurpose furniture and space-saving items and remember to keep dark and bold colours to accessories rather than large items. Light flooring and walls will also give an illusion of space.

Accentuate the good points such as views, high ceilings, picture windows etc whilst playing down the negatives such as space with clever planning.

Most of all enjoy your space and remember that by keeping to these simple tips you not only create yourself a great living space you will also be increasing the overall value of your property when it comes time to sell.

54 Home and Garden

MLS: C3301004 Province: Alberta Bedrooms: 4

Price: $679,800 City: Calgary Bathrooms: 3

Tanglewood Estates proudly presents this 2 storey, 2595.52 S.F.,4 bedroom,full Baths,Maple Floors, Granite Counters, Gas Fireplace, Oversized Double Garage, Main Floor Laundry/Mudroom,Freshly Landscaped,Mountain View. Now is the time for you to acquire your personal show home and reveal your individual style with the various accent walls, art niches, and custom built-ins incorporated throughout this sophisticated home. Huge floor to ceiling windows bring in loads of bright sunshine into the kitchen and family room. Entertaining will be a breeze in the gorgeous kitchen, boasting thick granite counters and mocha kitchen cabinets with the large island, opening into the family room. An elegant double sided fireplace keeps you warm. To the left of the home you will find the entrance to your main floor den or office, eliminating need to bring clients through the entire house. Upstairs large bedrooms and spacious walk in closets complete this beauty. Freshly lnds

MLS: C3319766 City: Calgary

Price: $398,000 Bedrooms: 3

Province: Alberta Bathrooms: 2

BRAND NEW-Carolina-Built, upgraded Robertson Floor plan to 1368 sq.ft.WALK OUT.The NEW Home Warranty Program. Main floor features foyer, living room with fireplace, spacious kitchen with cabinets upgrade finish to shaker package, black appliances, corner pantry and cnetre island, 2 pc powder room; laundry room with cabinets beside the back entrance. Upper floor offers huge master bedroom with ensuite and walk in closet, as well as two other good size bedrooms with full bathroom. There are extra windows added in this specially designed house that provide tons of natural light. The Basement is unspoiled with bathroom rough ins, plenty of room for additional bedroom and living room for this Walk Out with french door and huge window. Roof is 30 yr. Umbridge shingle. 8lbs. carpet underlay throughout the house. Close to shopping, schools, public transportation and the Cardel Center. Currently in finishing stages of completion with possession date APRIL 29. You can move in the next day!! SEEING IS BELIEVING !!!

Home and Garden 55

Donna McNeil Exit Realty Metro Tel: (01) 902-222-4937 Exit Realty Metro 2055-1658 Bedford Highway Bedford NS B4A 2X9

MLS: 41256389 City: Wellington

Price: $349,900 Province: Nova Scotia Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 3

Two storey under construction. Generous $25,000 allowance for Flooring,Cabinets and Lighting Appealing layout with large Master bedroom with walk-in closet and 5 pcs ensuite ,two more large upstairs bedrooms. Hardwood stairs and rails. Well appointed kitchen with island. Double garage and walk out basement. Seven year home warranty.

Construction picture as of 25 April.

MLS: 40867764 Price: $299,900 Province: Nova Scotia City: Hammonds Plains Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 2 Gorgous executive Rancher custom built by Whitestone Developments. A bright large foyer welcomes you to this well cared for home. The kitchen features oak cabinets,a breakfast bar and walk in Pantry. Spacious Dinning room has an attached Sun room with great views. The formal Living room features a propane fireplace. Three good sized Bedrooms, the Master has a walk-in closet and ensuite. The Basement has a walkout and partially finished and offers lots of possibilities. An attached Garage provides room for a car and lots of storage. A beautiful house to call home.

MLS: 40834608 Price: $389,900 Province: Nova Scotia City: Hammonds Plains Bedrooms: 4 Bathrooms: 3 Custom designed energy efficient , 4 bedroom home. Formal dining room , living room with fireplace , crown molding and custom millwork. Eat-in kitchen with an island and walk-out to back deck. Stainless steel appliances and lots of shaker style maple cabinets. Mud room off the garage with laundry and half bath. Upstairs master bedroom has private sitting room with fireplace , walk-in closet, ensuite with whirlpool bath. Two more large bedrooms with custom closets and a second bathroom complete the second level. The basement is completely finished with an exercise room, den/office and bright family room with a walkout to the back yard.

MLS: 41115544 City: Fall River

Price: $399,900 Province: Nova Scotia Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 2

A home with lots of bells and whistles, in-floor radiant heating on all levels, air conditioning , top of the line built-in appliances. The best of building materials used in construction with engineered hardwood floors. Three bedrooms, master ensuite with whirlpool tub. Other features include propane fireplace , bonus room over garage , home is wired for in-home entertainment system, cherry wood cabinets , interlocking cobblestone walkways and lots more.

MLS: 40696908A Price: $479,900 Province: Nova Scotia City: Stillwater Lake Bedrooms: 4 Bathrooms: 2 Large executive 2 story home on a huge lakefront lot . Four bedrooms four bathrooms finished walkout basement. Open concept main level with 9 ft. ceilings , formal dining room breakfast nook and powder room. Upper level has a spacious landing area giving access to 3 bedrooms featuring a large master with cathedral ceilings, 5 piece ensuite.

20 x 14 bonus room over double garage could serve as den or home office. Basement has 4th bedroom, utility room and a 30x14 rec. room with roughed in wet bar. 87,600 SQ. FT. Lot with 200 Ft. of lake frontage on Laziness Lake , Hammonds Plains.

www.halifaxdartmouthrealestate.com

56 Home and Garden

MLS: 2076824 City: Picton

Price: $229,000 Bedrooms: 4

Province: Ontario Bathrooms: 2

Brick century home in good area of Picton. Owners have completely renovated kitchen, 2 baths [one with clawfoot tub], newer roof, electrical upgrade including breaker panel plus gas furnace. All pine floors, 9' ceilings, 3 season sun room, back stairway, 10' x 10' deck plus insulated garage/workshop.

MLS: 2081511 City: East Lake

Price: $649,000 Bedrooms: 2

Province: Ontario Bathrooms: 2

Custom Built home on 2.73 Ac. with approximately 190' of waterfront on East Lake.

Laminate, ceramic tile and carpet floors, 11 sets of French doors plus double hung windows.

Large lliving room with propane fireplace, ensuite bathroom with heated floor, 6x8 wallk-in closet and claw foot slipper tub in main floor bath. There is also an outbuilding that has potential for a studio. Minutes to Sandbanks, wineries and local artist studios.

MLS: 2082283 City: Pleasant Bay

Price: $269,000 Bedrooms: 4

Province: Ontario Bathrooms: 4

Immaculate home on Pleasant Bay. Walkout from basement with guest suite potential.

Large insulated double garage plus workshop. Nicely landscaped with pond and several varieties of fruit trees. Southern exposure and marsh waterfront for the naturalist. All of this on 1.9 acres. Propane furnace new 2007. 24 hours notice please. All measurements to be verified by the Buyer.

MLS: 2076639 City: Picton

Price: $975,000 Bedrooms: 5

Province: Ontario Bathrooms: 4

Located on prestigious Loyalist Parkway overlooking Picton Bay stands this fifties vintage structure renovated & added to in a "Southwestern" style. Prince Edward County Glenora Road lakeside living at it's best. Beautiful sunsets, easy access to sheltered water, substantial lake activity(birds, sailing school, kayaking, world class fishing, seaplanes, power & sailing yachts), an award winning saltwater pool & hot tub & a myriad of lake facing rooms including the substantial in-law suite. The custom designed large well equipped commercial kitchen is a Chef's dream. B&B potential. DECKS: 1,200 plus square feet of Trex decking on 2 levels... extensive wood & metal railings, five gates & four sets of stairs. Screened dining tent attached to dining deck. DOCK: Permanent with electrical plugs & water tap.