Clearing The Pathways to Life We are a national, non-profit organization, committed to the treatment of patients with Chronic Cerebrospinal Venous Insufficiency (CCSVI). While governments and the MS Society dither and endlessly discuss studies of this treatment, we have decided to act on the behalf of patients. The CCSVI Foundation will raise awareness and funds, while working with patients in a partnership to obtain access to treatment. We are working in partnership with international specialists in the treatment of CCSVI with proven results to ensure the best outcome for treatments.
www.theccsvifoundation.ca Email: info@theccsvifoundation.ca
From the Editor For the last couple of months I have been speaking to many men and women across Canada who suffer from multiple sclerosis (MS). When Dr Zamboni from Italy published his findings that blocked or malformed veins (CCSVI) running from the brain could be the cause of this debilitating disease it brought hope to millions of sufferers. In this issue and the next we will be discussing MS and what it is and how it affects people’s lives. You will read about Dr Zamboni’s liberation therapy and how it might be the answer MS’ers have been hoping for for years. You will read stories from those who have suffered with MS, some of which have undergone liberation therapy and the results they have seen. The stories are truly amazing and thought-provoking. For those of us that grumble when we get a cold we should read these stories and think ourselves truly grateful that we have not had to put up with even a fraction of what MS’ers have to cope with on a daily basis. During the course of my editorial work I speak to many people about many different things, but this topic has truly touched and inspired me. My heart goes out to those still suffering and especially to the people who have had the treatment only to see it fail. But we must take hope that so many people have seen drastic improvements, some even claim to have been cured by what is essentially a very simple procedure. We must then ask ourselves why Canadians are not able to receive this treatment in their own country. Sure, there should be trials. We should know it is relatively safe before allowing people to embark on this route, but equally shouldn’t the Canadian government start looking at the hundreds of people who have already had the procedure and look at their results instead of insisting on new trials that could take years to conduct? It is true that not everyone having liberation therapy had positive results, it is also true that a couple of people have died from complications, but is that not true of all medical procedures? Even the simplest, most common procedures such as appendectomies carry risks. Surely it is better for Canadians to be in Canadian hospitals having the treatment with adequate follow-up procedures in place than travelling to places such as Costa Rica and India? So, please take a few minutes to read the stories, read the information and give your support to those with MS who are campaigning for the right to be “liberated” in their own country. Jane Toombes, Editor
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Contents
Out & About 07! 12! 14!
Snowbirds head south - part 2 Winter in Sensational Smiths Falls Can Amazon始s Kindle make travel easier for bookworms?
Health & Wellness 17! 20! 22!
Could a cure for multiple sclerosis be just around the corner? CCSVI and its relation to MS Real stories from MS sufferers
Lifestyle 39! 39! 40! 42! 43! 44! 46! 47! 48! 4
Housing: Average housing prices across Canada Housing: Housing trends for 2011 Money: A personal approach to insuring your mortgage Motoring: Texting whilst driving Motoring: The safest drivers in Ontario Motoring: 2011 Canadian Car of the Year Awards Employment: Workplace bullying Employment: Average earnings across Canada Employment: Freelance friendly jobs
Community 51 ! ! 55! 56!
Toronto is comprised of a colourful collage of neighbourhoods Live your dream in Hastings County Winter wonderland in Greater Sudbury
Immigration 61! 61! 62! 63! 63! 63! ! 64! 65! 66! !
2011 immigration plan announced Quebec protects immigrants 2009 immigration figures released Investor program now open again Crackdown on bogus marriages Should Canada restrict immigrants from certain countries? Autumn arrives in Nova Scotia Investor program in need of repair Real Story: Smiths Falls new home for immigrant from Sri Lanka
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out & about
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Following on from our snowbird feature in the last issue, we now take a look at the alternative route from Ontario to Florida. Many people miss out on the opportunity to visit and stay for awhile at the many great places en-route. Take a look at what each of these great cities has to offer and you might decide to take a more relaxed journey down south. If you live in or are visiting Ontario then make sure Smiths Falls is on your itinerary. As you will see it has plenty to offer the winter visitor. If you are travelling then why not consider replacing bulky reading and travel books with an Amazon Kindle. Read our review on page 14 and make up your own mind!
Snowbirds head south
photo by: Sascha
In the last issue we discussed the merits of checking out the places you pass through when journeying down to Florida for the winter. Because many of us spend several weeks or months in Florida as snowbirds, we tend to forget that there are many places en-route that we should explore more. We discussed the route from Buffalo to Florida before and this time we will be taking a look at the route from Michigan to Florida. This route takes slightly longer than the Buffalo route, but depending on where you live in Ontario may be better for you. It is also less scenic, but passes through several larger cities with many more close by.
Detroit, Michigan So, the first major city you will come to is Detroit, just over the border from Windsor, Ontario. In fact the photo below is taken from Canada looking across the Detroit River. In 1903 the Ford Motor Company was formed here and along with other automotive giants such as Dodge and Chrysler earned the city the nickname Motor City. In recent years this industry has been severely hit by the recession, but Detroit continues to be at the forefront of the automotive industry. The music industry also catapulted Detroit into everyone’s mind when the Motown Music Corporation was established in 1960. Although Motown Records has now moved to New York, Motown continues to be the universal nickname for Detroit. For anyone interested in cars then you must visit The Henry Ford which houses one of the largest collections of motoring memorabilia in the world. You will see attractions, museums, research centers and can even go on a factory tour.
By: Mike Russell
Detroit’s musical history is still prevalent today with lots of live music available all over the city. The DTE Energy Music Theatre is the venue of choice for larger concerts, but many smaller venues also attract both famous and not so famous acts. The theatre district in the city is the second largest in America and many Broadway performances take place there. If gambling is your thing then you might want to check out one of the three large casinos in the city. MotorCity Casino is one such casino which dominates the city’s skyline. As well as the casino it offers luxury accommodation, spa facilities, fine dining and lots of entertainment. This winter you can catch performances by acts such as Michael Bolton, George Wallace, Air Supply and Rick Springfield. The MGM Grand is another must visit casino which was built in 2007 and also offers luxury accommodation, spa facilities and live performances. The Greektown Casino is also available for you to spend your dollars and be entertained. Detroit certainly brings a little bit of Vegas closer to Canada.
Dayton, Ohio This city is the place where Wilbur and Orville Wright owned a bicycle shop and studied aviation. It was here that they built the world’s first power-driven, heavierthan-air machine capable of free, controlled, and sustained flight. They launched this craft from Kitty Hawk, North Carolina in 1905. This has led to Dayton being known as the “Birthplace of Aviation”. It is interesting to note that space pioneers John Glenn and Neil Armstrong are also Dayton natives. Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historic Park showcases the city’s aviation history. It has four sites: the Wright Cycle Company complex, the Wright Brothers Aviation Center at Dayton History at Carillon Park, the Huffman Prairie Flying Field and Interpretive Center on Wright -Patterson Air Force Base, and the Paul Laurence Dunbar House. If you are not interested in flying then perhaps some of Dayton's other attractions might appeal? The Packard Motor Car Company comes to life again in America’s Packard Museum.
Another location well worth a visit and open year round is SunWatch Indian Village & Archaeological Park. This is a 13th century American Indian Village which has been excavated over a number of years and reconstructed. SunWatch was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975 and became a National Historic Landmark in 1990.
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Cincinnati, Ohio Cincinnati has a rich European heritage because of the many German and Italian immigrants that call the city home. It is very much a multicultural city and this means that it has a lot to offer by way of culture, entertainment and festivals. In February 2011 the annual Mardi Gras will take place. This festival includes parades, parties, events, celebrations and of course lots of beads. The Mardi Gras will take place in MainStrasse Village, an historic German district which also offers lots of shopping and culinary opportunities all year round. Talking of food, Cincinnati has been named “Chili Capital of America and the World” as there are more chili restaurants per capita than any other city in the world. The city is also famous for its Goetta which is a sausage and oatmeal product fried and eaten for breakfast. Whilst in the city you might want to explore the Contemporary Arts Centre or the Cincinnati Museum, just two of the many cultural centres in the city.
Fountain Square is located in the heart of the city in the middle of downtown. This is where locals gather for events and festivities and it is dominated by the historic Tyler Davidson Fountain, dedicated in 1871 to the people of Cincinnati.
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Lexington, Kentucky Anyone with an interest in horses needs to visit the “Horse Capital of the World.” The city is located in the heart of the Bluegrass region and the famous Daniel Boone was one of the first Anglo-Saxons to explore the area. The Bluegrass region is known for its fertile soils, great pastureland as well as its horse and stock farms. Why not visit the Kentucky Horse Park where you can see many horses, go on carriage rides, visit the museum and depending on the time of your visit see shows and special events. Keenland Race Course is another must for horse lovers. You can tour the grounds year round or visit during a race meet. Many local horse farms also offer tours and information about breeding, racing etc. If you are not so big on horses there is still plenty to keep you happy here. There are many theatres and museums as well as two ballet companies and an orchestra. One must see attraction which should fit right in with your drive down to Florida is the Southern Lights Show. This is the largest show of its kind in Kentucky and takes place at Kentucky Horse Park between November 19th and December 31st. There will be elaborate light displays, Horses of Light race amongst so many other great displays. There will also be entertainment, arts and crafts, shopping and of course lots of food. Various music and movies will also be scheduled throughout the event’s duration.
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Knoxville, Tennessee Knoxville is known as the “Marble City” due to the Tennessee pink marble which was quarried there in the early 20th century. Much of this marble was transported to other locations around the United States and many buildings were constructed from it including the National Gallery of Art in Washington. Like many places in Tennessee, Knoxville is a bluegrass and country music mecca. This means that it hosts many music festivals each year, not just country but many genres including jazz, opera and folk. Many museums can be found in the city including the Knoxville Museum of Art, Knoxville Police Museum and Bleak House which was named after the Charles Dickens novel. Indeed there are many Civil War buildings still in existence and worth a visit. You might want to consider one of the city’s walking tours or even a carriage ride to fully appreciate all the city has to offer. One place you should visit and will probably be able to see from many locations around the city is the Sunsphere which was built for the World’s Fair in 1982. It dominates the skyline and is 81.07 metres or 266 feet high and is topped by a 23 m (75 ft) golden sphere. During the World’s Fair it housed an observation deck and restaurant accessed via an elevator ride costing $2. The site is now known as World’s Fair Park and is also home to the Knoxville Convention Center. Of course Knoxville is also only a short drive to the famous Great Smoky Mountains National Park where you can fish, hike, watch the wildlife or drive along one of the many picturesque roads in the area.
Atlanta, Georgia Atlanta is the home of Coca-Cola and no visit to this city would be complete without a visit to the World of CocaCola on Baker Street. The facility is open year round and the tour lasts approximately 90 minutes. Even if you are not a fan of the drinks, you will find the history of the company and the manufacturing process fascinating. If you do love the drinks then you will be pleased to know there are five tasting stations offering 60 different products for you to try.
Another great place to visit is the Georgia Aquarium located close to Coca-Cola. Opening in November 2005 it is the world’s largest aquarium and has more fish and animals than any other aquarium in the world. The Georgia Aquarium was funded by a donation of $250 million to Georgia by Bernie Marcus, co-founder of the Home Depot. There is a very active music scene within the city and venues include the Tabernacle and the Masquerade. Marching bands are also big in Atlanta and local corps are known to be some of the best in the world. As you would expect the Civil War plays a big part in the city’s history and you will find many attractions dedicated to this era. Museums such as the Civil War Museum and historic properties welcoming visitors are a plenty. The Martin Luther King Jr., National Historic Site consists of several buildings located around his boyhood home on Auburn Avenue. You can also visit Ebenezer Baptist Church where he worshipped and his Martin Luther King father was a pastor. Jr’s boyhood home
Winter in Sensational Smiths Falls
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Catch your breath and warm your heart with the beauty of winter in Sensational Smiths Falls. Traditionally, a Scots-Irish settlement in the Heart of the Ottawa valley, Smiths Falls comes alive during the winter season. The first falling snow, the crisp night air, and a bustling rural community, Smiths Falls showcases the traditions of their rural ancestors and offers a welcoming sense of togetherness for all. Strolling along the tranquility of the Rideau Canal, a UNESCO world heritage waterway, residents and visitors can cast their gaze upon the striking landscape of the evening sky. A local astronomy club offers an opportunity for that up close glimpse of each falling star. As you wander across Town you see soft lights through shop windows, street lamps, and trees, captivating the imagination of the young and old everywhere you look. A Town of athletic pride, hockey, skating and curling are a yearly tradition. Stepping inside our state of the art Memorial Community Centre arena, you immediately become engaged in cheers for the home team. But, not to be missed is the annual tradition of strapping on skates at our outdoor ice surface. Beautifully located in the Downtown corridor everyone is welcome to get active and have fun as some of our earliest settlers would have done, skating, over 200 years ago. Taking off their skates, many head further downtown for a hot cup of chocolate and soak up the atmosphere of great neighbours by a warm indoor fireplace. The Ottawa Valley is also known as a fantastic location to try your first snowmobile adventure. Smiths Falls is the starting point for several trail systems throughout the rural area and offers a great meeting place for discovering the tranquil Ontario wilderness. Just a step away from the Downtown core of Sensational Smiths Falls snowmobilers, cross country skiers and trail hikers can follow local wildlife at play. Outdoor activities are a mainstay to a small community throughout the winter months and but Smiths Falls also celebrates the season with unique events to warm up the spirit. The annual winter carnival offers an excellent opportunity for new residents and visitors to engage with traditional and fun-filled activities for a true Canadian winter experience. Friendly competitions, culinary cook-offs, prizes and more, showcase an event full of smiles and laughter. Stores are busy from shop to shop as residents stop in for the latest buy and a quick chat with their friendly neighbours. A Town of rich history, the Heritage House Museum remains open all-year round and offers visitors a chance to warm up by an 1860’s bake oven and discover the Town’s history, new events and exhibits for all ages. With many days of cold weather outside, warming up is easy in our Sensational winter Town.
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Can Amazon’s Kindle make travel easier for book worms? When we travel, be it overnight or for a couple of weeks, one of the things many people take with them is a book or two. This might be a reading book or perhaps a travel book relating to the holiday destination. Either way books can be heavy and of course take up room when packing. So is there a better option? Well, yes, an ebook reader is the ideal companion for many bookworm travellers. There are several of these on the market but we take a look at the Amazon Kindle which has repeatedly been named best ebook reader by companies such as Consumer Reports. The Kindle is now in its third generation redesign and there are three models to choose from. The first and cheapest model is the Wi-Fi version which retails at $139 USD. It has a 6 inch screen that uses E Ink Pearl to display the books. It weighs only 8.5 ounces (240 grams) and the battery lasts approximately one month (wireless off). The second model is the same as the Wi-Fi version but also includes 3G wireless coverage. It weighs a fraction more: 8.7 ounces (246 grams). It cost $189 USD. The third option is the larger Kindle DX which boasts a 9.7 inch screen and includes Wi-Fi and 3G. It weighs 18.9 ounces (535 grams) and has a battery life of approximately 2-3 weeks (wireless off). This model is by far the dearest at $379.00 USD. All models come in the new graphite finish and come with Amazon’s Whispernet technology which along with WiFi networks allows instant searching and downloading from their Kindle book store.
So, does the Kindle live up to expectation? We tested the Kindle to find out if it was really as good as everyone says it is. As an avid book reader I was very skeptical about using an ebook reader as I love the touch and feel of a book in my hands. This might sound a little odd to someone who is not a selfconfessed bookaholic, but to anyone who is they will understand what I mean. On first glance the Kindle looks very nice. The graphite finish adds a bit of class and feels good to hold. It is very light, lighter a standard paperback and
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than it feels
comfortable in the hands. There is a qwerty keyboard at the base of the device along with menu, home and back buttons. The 5-way controller allows you to navigate the screen with ease. Down the side of the screen are four large paddle-type buttons which allow you to turn pages forwards and backwards. The same buttons are on both sides to allow for right and left handed navigation. I had the Wi-Fi version and so after initial charging I was anxious to try it out. I very quickly set up the Wi-Fi connection. It found the available network without any trouble and within a couple of minutes I was set to go. My first task was to navigate to the Kindle store to search for and purchase a book. By pressing the menu button you have the option to go to the Kindle Store where you can search for books in the same way you would if accessing Amazon via the internet. The store was easy to use and I soon found a book to download. I clicked on the buy option and it instantly downloaded the book to my Kindle. (You do need to set up the 1-click ordering option on your account to allow this to work.) You can also search for and order books direct from the Amazon website. These will then download next time you switch on the Kindle if connected to Wi-Fi. It is worth mentioning at this point that Amazon allows you to download a sample of a book before you purchase. By doing this you get the first few pages of a book to read allowing you to get a feel of the writing style etc before you buy. If you like it you simply click the buy now option and it downloads to your Kindle within seconds. Reading books on the Kindle is a pleasure. The text can be changed to suite you. You can choose bigger or smaller characters, line spacing options and characters per line etc. The E-Ink screen is very clear and easy to read even in bight daylight as there are no reflections to hinder you and no LCD backlight to wash it out. On the downside because it does not have a backlight option
All photos by Amazon
By Jane Toombes
reading in low light requires additional illumination. Amazon does offer the option of cases with lights but these need to be purchased separately (approximately $60 USD). They also use the Kindle’s battery to power it and so the battery life will be reduced. As you turn the pages the screen has to refresh, but this is very quick and should not hinder your reading experience. According to other reports and reviews the Kindle does have one of the fastest page-turn speeds of all the available readers. The Kindle can store up to 3,500 books and you can set up collections (folders) to store them in. You can add the same book to several collections if you wish. You can also archive books which takes them off the device, but keeps them stored in your Amazon account so you never lose them. You can also download pdf files and read them on the Kindle. You also have the ability to add annotations and bookmarks to text. This allows you to add notes, highlight passages etc. These notes can be deleted or exported if required. One cool option is the built-in dictionary. If you come across a word or phrase you don’t understand you can access the dictionary and it will give you the definition. Also, if you don’t feel like looking at the screen or even turning pages and reading yourself, the Kindle will do it for you. It has a Read-to-me feature which when activated will read the text to you and even turn the pages making it completely hands-free. You can choose the voice it uses as well as the speed of speech. Cool eh? Another feature the Kindle has is a web browser, so you can access the internet. I personally found this strange as you will be looking at the internet in grey tones only - no colour which can be odd. However, it can be handy if you just want to quickly look something up. Navigation is not ideal as you have to use the 5-way controller but if you want a device to access the internet on a regular basis, then the Kindle is not the one for you. After all it is an ereader.
One other feature worth mentioning is the Kindle supports MP3 files so you can transfer your favourite tracks to the Kindle and listen to music whilst you read. I like to read in silence so this feature is not for me.
But is it good for travel? I would absolutely recommend the Kindle for travel of all kinds. It is so light and thin it will fit into the tightest of packing bags. If you are travelling for any length of time you can simply pack a Kindle knowing you have a whole library of books available to you at any time. You can download a travel or guide book so when you reach your destination you have all the details of the area to hand. The Kindle will fit into most women’s purses, so is handy to have for those impromptu destination checks. If you are like me, I never know what type of book I will be reading next and tend to have several in reserve for when I finish a book. This allows me to choose a new book depending on my mood at the time. With a Kindle I don’t need to have lots of books sitting on the shelf waiting for the time I am ready to read them. As soon as I finish one book I can select another and download it within seconds. The Kindle is ideal for those long car or plane journeys, or simply as I found when waiting at the garage for my vehicle to be serviced.
Results Overall I found the whole reading experience to be very good and much better than I had anticipated. I have not missed the feel of a book in my hands. This is something that has shocked me as I really thought a gadget of this type would not sway me from reading traditional books but guess what - it has! No one is more shocked about this than me. I am now on my third book on the Kindle and cannot see myself ever buying another traditional reading book again. I specify reading book, as there are other types of book I would not choose to read on the Kindle. Graphic heavy books or coffee-table type books do not work well on the Kindle as the screen only displays in 16 shades of grey, so photos lose their impact. But for ease of use, convenience and overall reading experience I cannot recommend the Kindle enough.
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health & wellness
How would you feel if you were suddenly given a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis? Would you even know what it is or how it is likely to affect your life? Until recently this disease has been considered incurable. Then Dr Zamboni from Italy presented his findings which have led to breakthroughs in the treatment of this debilitating disease. Whilst the treatment is undoubtably still in its infancy and its results not entirely proven there is no doubt that hundreds of MS patients have found a new lease in life following the procedure known as liberation therapy. Ask yourself, if you lived your life in a wheelchair, unable to do the simplest of tasks would you travel to another country to get treatment currently unavailable in Canada? Read the stories from MS sufferers and then decide whether Canada is right to deny these people the chance to get treatment in this country.
Photo by Jesse_the_K
Could a cure for multiple sclerosis be just around the corner?
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Multiple Sclerosis in Canada
Every day three more people in Canada are diagnosed with MS
It is estimated that between 55,000 and 70,000 Canadians suffer from multiple sclerosis (MS). The 2008 Atlas of Multiple Sclerosis published by World Health Organization and the Multiple Sclerosis International Foundation found that for every 100,000 people in Canada, 133 have a form of MS. This is the fifth highest rate in the world after the United States, Germany, Norway and Hungary. The prairie provinces experience the highest rates of the disease and Quebec the lowest. For some reason locations furthest away from the equator experience more occurrences of MS. It is also worth noting that MS is almost completely absent in Canada’s Inuit population of the High Arctic.
Women are three times more likely to get MS than men. People between the ages of 15 and 40 are most at risk of getting MS, but many are diagnosed later in life following years of misdiagnosis.
So what is multiple sclerosis? There are four recognized types of MS, each with its own symptoms and rate of progression. Relapsing Remitting MS (RRMS): This is the most common form of the disease. With this form of MS patients suffer attacks during which time symptoms get worse or new ones appear. These attacks are known as exacerbations and are followed by periods of remission. During remission periods some MS’ers are completely free of any MS symptoms, whilst others see partial recovery. The exacerbations can last from a few days to a few months and vary in severity. Often patients are left with residual symptoms which usually become permanent. The periods of remission can last several months or even years. Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (SPMS): As its name suggests this form of the disease is the secondstage of MS and follows RRMS. Although it can take years to get to this stage, people suffering from SPMS see no real remission periods between attacks. They may have periods of lesser symptoms, but no real recovery. Around half of all Between 55,000 RRMS sufferers will develop SPMS and 70,000 within ten years of Canadians suffer diagnosis. from MS Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (PPMS): This type of MS is characterized by slow clinical decline with no periods of remission. There can be temporary periods when symptoms level out or plateau, but the course of PPMS is of continual decline. Progressive Relapsing MS (PRMS): This is the rarest form of MS accounting for only 5% of cases. This is when the disease takes on the progressive form right from onset and there are no remission periods or plateaus.
MS Symptoms The symptoms of MS are many and varied. The symptoms can occur suddenly and disappear just as quick. Everyone with MS will experience different symptoms at different stages of their disease to varying degrees. Some symptoms may reoccur time and time again whilst another may only occur once and never be experienced by that person again. You will find a list of the most common Canada has the symptoms on fifth highest rate of page 27.
MS in the world
Advances in new treatments
Dr Zamboni gave this condition a name - Chronic Cerebrospinal Venous Insufficiency (CCSVI). It has since It has now been a year since Dr Paolo Zamboni, an become widely known as liberation therapy. Italian doctor first announced details of his study in which Since this initial study Dr Zamboni has examined over multiple sclerosis patients saw marked improvements in 500 MS patients and found that blockages exist in almost their symptoms after his team performed procedures to 100% of them. None of the healthy patients examined were improve the flow of blood in their neck veins. found to have the problem. It has long been believed that multiple sclerosis was a The majority of Canadians first became aware of this neurological disease affecting nerves in the brain and spinal treatment in November 2009 when CTV’s W5 program first cord. Dr Zamboni on the other hand suggests the disease aired a documentary about the groundbreaking new in in fact vascular and its symptoms can be lessened or procedure. even cured by a simple procedure. Since his findings became Dr Zamboni was a public knowledge MS professor at the University of patients across the world “I am confident that this could be a Farrara in Italy back in 1995 have been researching the when his own wife Elena was revolution for the research and treatment and many have diagnosed with MS. She went diagnosis of multiple sclerosis.” decided to undergo the from a person in perfect procedure. health to experiencing vertigo, However this has not been as vision loss and chronic easy as one might think. Many countries have banned fatigue, all classic signs of MS. CCSVI treatment because they believe it needs further He scoured medical literature, looked into the history of research before making it available to MS’ers. One such the disease and found references to excess iron being a country is Canada who after allowing a few procedures to possible cause. As he was a vascular surgeon this intrigued go ahead at the beginning of 2010, have since pulled all him as this was his line of work. In fact he was, at that time, backing from the procedure forcing MS’ers to seek the in the middle of a study on how excess iron in the blood treatment abroad. damages blood vessels in the leg. He wondered if similar This is a very new treatment and everyone can damage could cause the same problems in the brain. understand the need for caution. Even Dr Zamboni himself And so began his mission to find a cure for MS. He says people should air on the side of caution, but says “I decided to study the vessels going in and out of the brain am confident that this could be a revolution for the research and found that in 90% of patients with MS the veins leaving and diagnosis of multiple sclerosis.” the brain and draining blood from the brain were either Many hundreds, if not thousands of people across the blocked or malformed. He was using the latest ultrasound world have undergone the treatment over the past year. technology and found that his wife too had the same Many of those people have found their symptoms have blockages. People without MS were also tested and they either completely disappeared or lessened to the extent were found to be free of such blockages and they are no longer disabled by MS. malformations. At this early stage it is hard to prove that these result are This study led him to believe that iron was damaging the going to be long-lasting, but it does seem that as long as blood vessels and allowing heavy metal to cross into the the offending veins remain open then symptoms are brain. Because of the restrictions blocked veins create, it is reduced or disappear completely. thought that the blood refluxes or flows backwards into the Some people have experienced remarkable recovery brain. This results in toxic iron deposits in the brain. immediately following treatment but after a few months Stunned by this revelation Dr Zamboni decided to put his their symptoms return. Many attribute this to their veins theory into practice by performing a simple procedure to closing again after treatment and so want to have the unblock the veins. He did this by inserting a catheter via the treatment again, this time with stents to keep the vein open. groin into the patient. The catheter was maneuvered There are also patients who have seen no recovery at all, through the veins to the offending blockage and a balloon or indeed seen an increase in their symptoms following inflated to open up the vein. treatment. However, the most severe reaction to treatment This is a very similar procedure to angioplasty carried out is death. on heart patients to open blockages to and from the heart As with all medical procedures there are always risks and which can cause heart attacks and strokes. The procedure one risk with liberation therapy is the possibility of a blood in this type of patient is very low risk but offers great clot forming if a stent is inserted. It has recently been benefit, so Dr Zamboni hoped that this could work for MS reported that an Ontario man died of such a complication patients too. after receiving treatment in Costa Rica. CTV link. In his initial study of 65 patients with relapsing-remitting Anyone considering this treatment needs to weigh up the MS he found that 73% of them had no symptoms after two pros and cons for them. years of surgery. This study included Elena, his wife and We now talk to people who have had the treatment or she too has had no MS attacks since her treatment three are considering the treatment to get their reaction to this years ago. medical breakthrough.
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CCSVI and its relation to MS CCSVI stands for Chronic Cerebro-Spinal Venous Insufficiency. It is an old hypothesis which has been scientifically researched for 170 years. (www.ccsvialliance.org) Of late Dr. Paolo Zamboni of Italy (specifically Sardinia) has re-investigated the link between CCSVI and MS. His initial results have gained much public attention. The theory between CCSVI and MS is that an obstruction in the flow of the veins of the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) can cause a build up of pressure which can lead to damage to the small blood vessels of the brain and spinal cord. This can leak iron and other neurotoxins into the surrounding tissues. This has an effect on the tissues of the brain and spinal cord which in turn can cause many of the patient’s symptoms. By performing a procedure to rectify these obstructions, it is theorised that some of the patient’s symptoms may be alleviated. By extrapolating that theory further, finding the obstructions early enough may actually allow a reversal of most symptoms may be possible. As this is still in the realms of research, the analysis of the structure and flow dynamics of the veins of the head, neck and spine must be a) accurate b) measurable, c) reproducible and d) not use ionising radiation. The above reasons are why flow quantification MRI and trans-cranial Doppler ultrasound are used. The reason a standard Doppler ultrasound is not the optimal method is because we are looking at structures which are contained within bone. This is specifically in reference to the jugular veins as they branch from the sigmoid sinus of the brain. We are finding this is a common region for venous abnormalities. As the name describes, a trans-cranial Doppler can view through the bones of the skull. Flow quantification MRI is equally effective for this as we know that MRI imaging of the brain is the modality of choice. Both these techniques can assess a) the amount of blood flowing in the jugular veins, b) the speed in which the blood is flowing, c) the direction the blood is flowing, d) if there are regions of turbulent or reversed flow and e) the calibre of the veins. This combined data is important prior to surgery and post surgical to determine if there is an improvement in the drainage through the jugulars. Shown below is a typical example of a healthy subject with no flow abnormalities. The flow on the left (green) and right (red) are comparable. There is slightly more flow in the right, which was due to a slightly larger
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vein. This is normal.Compared to the patient above who has a stenosis on the left side (green) which exhibits noflow in the vein. Included is the MRV which shows the stenosis (arrow). Our figures at AIM Medical Imaging are showing that approximately 70% of patients with MS have these vascular abnormalities in either of their jugular veins or azygos vein. This is compared to approximately 26% of “healthy” subjects who have these abnormalities (http://liberation-treatment.com/results-ccsvi-trial-buffalo). This higher proportion of venous abnormalities in MS patients has led to many patients traveling overseas to have balloon venoplasty performed. The procedure is a minimally invasive technique which is not dissimilar to a coronary (heart) angiogram. Instead of imaging and repairing the tiny arteries of the heart, the “liberation therapy” is performing the same procedure on the jugular veins and azygos veins. To access these veins a catheter is inserted into the femoral vein in the groin. Then the catheter is advanced into the jugular veins one at a time, then the azygos. When the performing doctor (usually an interventional radiologist, vascular surgeon or neurosurgeon) finds an area of narrowing or stenosis he/she will inject x-ray dye into the vein through the catheter. This will show the exact region of the abnormality. Once the location is determined, the performing doctor is able to repair the segment immediately. Most sites are using balloon venoplasty to achieve this. This is done by inflating a small balloon inside the vein to push the walls out to open it up. Occasionally a stent is inserted to keep it open. This procedure is considered very safe when compared to an angioplasty as venous pressure is much lower than inside the arteries. Follow up results from the surgery are the most important information to our clinic, but is also the most elusive. As many patients who have undergone the treatment feel a large improvement in their health and a large reduction in their symptoms, follow-up imaging may seem like a low priority to them. This is understandable as many of these patients are able to be active again! That said we encourage all our patients to return so we can analyse their flow data after the surgery to determine if there has been a change to the draining of the venous system. This will give further medical evidence that CCSVI and MS are linked which will hopefully allow the surgery to take place in Canada in the near future.
1371 West Broadway Vancouver, BC, V6H 1G9 info@aimmedicalimaging.com 604.733.4007 1.877.482.5859 www.aimmedicalimaging.com
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Maria Dekleer was first diagnosed with MS in 1991 when she was just 29 years old, married with two young children. She is now 49 and lives in Carlsbad Springs near Ottawa, Ontario. “The first symptoms I noticed were tightness and numbness in my leg. Although this bothered me, I did not seek medical attention until that numbness and tightness reached up to my head, then progressed all over my body.” Maria went to the hospital where she underwent tests including a spinal tap and MRI which confirmed she had multiple sclerosis. “I went from being perfectly healthy to having a chronic and incurable illness in a matter of days.” she remembers. “I think to sum up how I felt would be shocked, devastated and very scared. The rest of the family felt the same but were very supportive of me.” Over the next few years Maria suffered many of the symptoms associated with MS. The list is extensive: spasticity, bladder and bowel issues, fatigue, tinnitus, pins and needles in hands, left hand not working, left leg practically “Twenty minutes after the treatment I was eating a paralyzed, left side weaker than right, left leg stone cold Snickers bar and chatting on Facebook.” she laughs. and white, hands and feet cold, could not move toes on left For two hours after treatment she had to remain still foot and had foot drop (wear a brace) cogfog, attention which she confesses was hard as she felt energetic and deficit disorder (ADD), depression, no balance, heat and warm, which was unusual for her to say the least. “I was cold intolerance, up every hour at night either from spasms suddenly able to move my left foot which was something I or bladder trouble, burning sensation in feet, ms hug, stiff had not been able to do for over ten years.” neck and shoulder, blood shot eyes and blurry vision, could During the weeks following treatment Maria did improve, not yawn, cough or take a slowly but steadily and over the proper deep breath, two last few weeks she has got seizures in the last 10 years. “Twenty minutes after the treatment better and better. She also suffered “I can now stand up straight, L'Hermittes sign which is a I was eating a Snickers bar and hug my kids and can cook electrical sensation running chatting on Facebook.” using both hands. I can use a down the back and into the knife and fork, tie my own limbs. shoelaces, ride my exercise Her symptoms were so bike, peddling with both legs and can lift weights.” debilitating she had to use a walker to get around her home Some things that the rest of us take for granted such as and a wheelchair or scooter when out and about. yawning, coughing, breathing, sleeping soundly are all new “When I first heard about CCSVI it made perfect sense experiences for Maria. to me. It was the first good news I had heard in 20 years. I “The cogfog is gone, the fatigue is gone, the depression immediately started searching on the internet for is gone, the ADD is gone and I have much better control of information and spent months researching, connecting with my bladder and bowel. The stiffness in my neck and other MSers on Facebook and other sites and researching shoulders is gone, the L'Hermittes and tinnitus is gone. doctors able to perform the treatment. Also my left side is now as strong as my right and my Maria ended up getting her CCSVI treatment in New vision is clear with no burning sensations in my eyes. My York state on July 26th 2010. “I had venogram and tolerance of heat and cold is also much better.” angioplasty and it cost me $5000 US. Fortunately I did not Maria still uses a walker, however her husband had to need stents which would have increased the cost.” buy her a new heavier model as she was too strong and The treatment lasted around 90 minutes. Maria was rough for the old one. For extended shopping trips she given a valium to relax her and a local anesthetic in her uses her scooter as it is more convenient but says of her groin area. wheelchair “Nah, that’s for sick people.” “I was alert and happy during the procedure,” says “I have energy” she says full of emotion. “I am improving Maria, “they played music and chatted with me the whole little by little and all this in just a few weeks. I am still time. There was no pain, just a little pressure when the amazed at how well I feel - I finally have my life back.” doctor ballooned the three areas.
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Steve Garvie from of his left hand. He could Barrie Ontario was also wiggle his toes and diagnosed with MS ten lift his left leg. years ago after having 27 “Within days I had no seizures over a twenty-four more fatigue, but it took a hour period. little longer for some of “I was diagnosed by the the other symptoms to head of the MS clinic at St. improve. My bladder took Micheals, Dr Paul around seven months to O'conner. My family was repair itself as did the very dismayed and did not blood flow to my left foot. know how else to react or Now I have no MS help. I was alone with this. symptoms and only have My response...wow, then a few mobility problems what do I do to make this from the CCSVI damage. I better?” walk with a cane as my Like Maria, Steve’s electric wheelchair symptoms over the years gathers dust in the corner. have been severe and “I am slowly getting debilitating. “I have stronger and have started suffered from severe physiotherapy to regain fatigue, numbness in my some of the movement left hand rendering it that CCSVI robbed me of. useless and my left leg “When I decided to have and foot have not been this treatment my aim was receiving signals from my “I cannot praise the doctors enough simply to stop the brain causing foot drop. I lost progression of MS. The fact for giving me back my dignity and control of my bladder and that my symptoms have suffered from sexual actually disappeared is truly a my life.” disfunction.” blessing and I cannot praise Steve’s symptoms became the doctors enough for giving so severe that he had to live in assisted housing funded by me back my dignity and my life.” the government. The agency behind the housing: Simcoe Steve is very angry towards the MS Society and the County Association for the Physically Disabled provide government for not allowing CCSVI treatment to be professional carers and Steve relied on them for many of performed in Canada. He says it is inhumane and his daily needs. unintelligent for them to be dragging their feet over this “They would come to my home three times a day to help issue. He has this message for them. me with breakfast and get me off to work in the morning, “Even after 40 plus years of going down the wrong path then help later in the day when my fatigue set in to help it is never too late to do the right thing. Bury your pride, with supper. In the evening they would help me shower as I greed and ego and do the right thing. Stop allowing people could not have carried out this task without falling if they to suffer and die and give them the simple angioplasty they were not around. need and desire. Discrimination is ugly in any form, when “The help they gave me was enormous and I cannot death and disability are involved it is nothing short of thank them enough. With them helping me I was able to criminal.” still go to work and support myself and retain some of the dignity that MS stole from me.” Steve is now in the process of setting up The CCSVI Steve was on many medications for his MS, but Foundation whose mandate is to help people get the fortunately his group plan covered most of the expense. He angioplasty treatment they need. Many MS patients says that without this he would have had to pay in the cannot afford the procedure or travel expenses region of $3,000 per month for his medication. associated with it. The sole purpose of the CCSVI “When I first heard of CCSVI it made sense and I wanted Foundation is to financially help those who wish to to know where I could get the treatment in Canada. I took have this treatment. It will also help those who have any the protocols to my doctor and told her I needed a doppler questions about where, who and when to go. Also any test. She booked this with Dr McDonald. information on the procedure or questions they may “On January 29th I received my CCSVI procedure at the have about anything to do with CCSVI. The web site is The Royal Victoria Hospital, Barrie. It was done by Dr www.theccsvifoundation.ca There will be very little Guest and I was the second person to receive the overhead and anyone connected with the organization procedure in Canada. The cost to me was nothing.” works on a volunteer basis. All donations will be used Steve had angioplasty which took about 45 minutes and in the pursuit of saving lives and restoring quality of life. even whilst still on the operating table he got back the use
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Michael Ivany and his wife Heidi live in Sault Ste. Marie, “It was the first thing that I had come across in my Ontario. Mike was diagnosed with MS four years ago at the research that made sense. So many questions about MS age of 34. have never really been answered and the theory proposed “My first MS symptom was optic neuritis in my left eye. I by Dr. Zamboni is compelling in that it seems to suggest went to see my regular eye doctor who told me that I would that it could connect many dots in the MS puzzle." need to see a specialist. No one would tell me what was But Mike was more skeptical, “I thought that it was happening.” says Mike. another hoax or gimmick. I didn't really believe that it was Heidi adds, “He told me that it was like looking through a true. But Heidi was hooked and started scouring the blur but that there were spots of clear in the vision of his internet for information.” Mike laughs. left eye. When he told me that they wanted him to see a Heidi continues the story, “I found a fan page on specialist, I was nervous." FaceBook that provided critical information and networking Mike goes on, “The ophthalmologist that I saw contacts. Through this fan page I registered for a search requisitioned an MRI and our family doctor told me in engine-type of web page that would send out information January of 2006 that what I had was likely MS. I didn't alerts. It was through this service that I found out about a really know what MS was and I was shocked that I had any clinic in California that was IRB approved. I started emailing sort of disease." Heidi continues "I think that I was back and forth with them and was able to supply the stunned. I didn't really have a clear idea of MS but knew required paperwork. that this was bad. I wanted to help and support him in any “In my excitement I also got Mike listed in New York and way that I could, but didn't know what to do and where to my mother-in-law had us on lists in Europe and Poland. start." We didn't really want to leave Canada, but it was starting to The biggest symptoms Mike suffered were tiredness and look as though the "political discussion" was going to be pain. He also experienced bouts of sudden and violent long and we didn't feel that we had time to wait. The whole nausea which were debilitating. process of starting to research and getting treatment “My hands and feet were chronically cold and clammy. happened within 8 months, but that could be because they I had tingles, numbness, ongoing vision problems, had just been granted IRB approval and were new on the increasing difficulty with stairs, impaired balance, profuse scene. I would expect that they are much busier now.” night sweats, sudden jolts of stabbing pain, MS hugs, Mike and Heidi had to pay $10,000 US for the treatment sensitivity to light and heat intolerance. It had gotten to a as well as additional costs for seven nights point were I could feel issues developing in my left foot accommodation and of course travel and other associated starting with my inability to wiggle my toes as quickly as costs. He received his liberation treatment 24 August 2010. those on my right. It wasn't good." Mike describes the treatment. “It was easy for me, 40 Heidi says “This was an extremely difficult time in my minutes, fully awake whilst I watched it on the monitor. It life. There are no words to describe how it feels to watch was like getting a needle where they inserted the catheter. someone that you love suffer over and over again right in After that I felt, maybe a little pressure but not even sure if I front of you and not be able to do anything about it." felt that. Initially, it was about what I didn't feel anymore, Mike has been unable to work since September 2008 the chronic pain was gone and the fatigue seemed so due to the severity of his symptoms. much less. “I had just started a new job and it got to a point were it “The plane ride there had been very difficult for me, all came crashing down. One day, my last day there, my flying seemed to really aggravate my symptoms, especially symptoms were so aggravated that I had to leave suddenly. the nausea. I was in bed for two days recovering when we I couldn't even hold my head first arrived. The flight back, up, I could barely drive my after the treatment, was so car. It was a bad time. Heidi much easier.” “There are no words to describe was pregnant, due in Heidi says, “I noticed that his how it feels to watch someone that February and this was in colour was immediately September. We owned two better, a natural flush as you love suffer over and over again houses and also have loans opposed to pallor and hectic right in front of you and not be able and regular debts like complexion. Also, his hands to do anything about it." everyone else. I had no idea were suddenly warm and dry what was going to happen" as were his feet. He had more “It was almost surreal.‘ energy and his balance was says Heidi, “I could see everything happening but felt like I better. We went to the San Diego Zoo the day after his was floating, this could have been the pregnancy but, it treatment and we walked around, up and down hills in the was hard not to feel that this was the worst time ever to be heat and this would ordinarily have done him in, but he was having a baby. But such thoughts and doubts vanished as fine (irritated with the traffic) but fine otherwise.” she we put together our plan. I really believed that Mike just laughs. needed to take time to heal and rest." So, how have the months since the procedure been? Mike took various medications but suffered severe side “He seems to have so much more energy now,” Says effects which prevented him from getting the treatment Heidi, “he can do things that he likes to do like yard work normally associated with MS. So when Heidi came across and mowing the lawn and talking long walks with our CCSVI during her research she was very optimistic.
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daughter and does not need to be resting for the balance of the day.” So what are the couple’s views on the way the Canadian government is handling the situation? “I think they are out to lunch.” Says Mike. “I don't think that they are taking a good approach to this. Some of the statements have facts that are inaccurate. It just seems like the decision makers don't have anyone close to them who suffers from this condition. Heidi has her say, “I think it's an embarrassment not to mention blatant discrimination to deny treatment of one condition because of the presence of another is the very definition of discrimination but I guess it's okay when the perpetrator is the Government. I think that whatever relationship can be proven between MS and CCSVI is completely beside the point. CCSVI is a condition in and of itself and it requires treatment. End of sentence!” And what about the MS Society?
“They no longer operate in the interests of those they purport to represent.” says Heidi, “They are not open to therapies that don't involve heavy duty drugs when no one can even say that the drugs currently used by MS patients work.” Mike goes on, “I hope they go out of business in the next little bit. Having been involved with them in the past through volunteering and fund raising, it has become clear that it is no longer about the patients anymore.” But on a happier note, we ask them about life since CCSVI treatment. “All of my symptoms seem to be - well they are gone!” says Mike, “ I seem to be getting more energy back as I go on. It's like night and day.” "He has a spark in his eye again,” says Heidi, who cannot help shedding a tear, “everyone notices. It is just so amazing.”
Meeting of MS’ers in Barrie, Ontario. Left to right back row: Steve Garvie, anonymous, Diana Gordon, Jeanine Baker, Brenda Hall, Judy Filipkowski, Yvonne Anderson, Rae MacDonald. Left to right front row: anonymous, Sarah Rainbolt and Nora Hubbard 25
Brenda Requier is now 52 years old, but was diagnosed with MS when she was 37. She comes from Fort McMurray & Edmonton, Alberta. Looking back Brenda feels that she actually suffered from MS symptoms as far back as her mid-teens. “I used to have extreme fatigue and neuropathic pain.!I would get shooting pains that felt like someone jabbing a needle under my finger nails. As I grew older and had children, I would feel healthy while I was pregnant, except that my toes would go numb, then feel horrible a month or two after I had the baby, fatigue, head aches, weakness etc.” Once her children were in school Brenda returned to university. During this time she was involved in two car accidents where someone ran into the back of her. She was suffering from neck pain and headaches which were attributed to the accidents. However after several visits to doctors and then going blind in one eye after a heavy reading course an internist finally sent her for an MRI which gave her a positive diagnosis of MS. She recalls the moment she was told the news. “While the doctor was trying to give me the news he was called out to answer phone calls twice, then just sort of blurted it out. I was shell shocked to say the least. The only person I had known with MS had died just a few years after his diagnosis. The doctor returned and said “well you have enough to deal with, so come back in 2 weeks and I'll educate you.” I've never been one to sit and wait to be educated so, I walked, in tears to the local library and took out every thing I could find on MS. I went home and spoke with a local woman who was involved with the local MS chapter. My husband was shocked, my kids were a mix of afraid and I think angry. “I went numb down different quadrants of my body in several rapid fire attacks, the use of a cane became necessary very soon thereafter.”
“My balance returned, I could wear heals for the first time in years, and comfortably.” Brenda suffered many symptoms over the years including: blindness in one eye then the other for a couple of months at a time, spasticity, MS hug, eye twitches, skin crawling like bugs were under it, drop foot, numb hands, cold intolerance, loss of balance, bowel and bladder issues, tinnitus, cognitive fog to name but a few. “I know there were times when my kids felt very cheated out of the mom they were used to.” she says. “I was supposed to be returning to university to begin a career and give my husband the option of changing his career if I could become a wage earner.!Once it was apparent that university was not an option for me, that was it.!What employer will hire someone knowing they have an illness that can impair their functioning, and perhaps cause them to be unreliable showing up for work?!Since I had been a
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Brenda’s trophy shoes, she now wears with ease and pride
stay-at-home mom and community volunteer, then a university student, I was unable to even collect disability.” Brenda had resigned herself to being an MS sufferer for the rest of her life until one day when her 84 year old neighbour came over and told her she had to watch W5 on TV that weekend. “I tried to argue that there have been many reported new treatments and by the time they made the news, they were really old news.!But, she insisted, so I watched.!My husband had to run an errand whilst the show was on and when he returned I was in tears.!He asked what was wrong, and all I could say was, "they finally got it!"” !After doing more research and contacting different locations offering the treatment Brenda finally decided to get her procedure in Poland. “I had to go to another province for testing which cost me $500 CND plus air fair, hotel and food. I then paid around $8,000 CND for the treatment itself plus air fair etc. “Once I arrived in Poland I had a doppler and MRI done. I then spoke with the neurologist and had venogram treatment. It turned out I had a malformed valve that obstructed the blood flow in my left jugular to about 80%.! “I was awake for the entire procedure, felt a little poke and some pressure and could feel when the contrast was released, but no pain at all.!They tried to balloon the valve open, but it wouldn't stay open so they asked if I would accept a stent to keep it open, and of course I said yes.!We all give this question a great deal of thought before we go for treatment, and I was feeling so ill, I knew I didn't want to go home without even trying.!I was realistic, expectations were pretty low, mostly to stop progression. My wish list was: stop progression, help with fatigue, then the rest was pretty much as a friend of mine said... gravy.” Because of the travelling involved Brenda suffered from jet lag whilst in Poland so wasn’t the first person to notice any changes. A friend noticed that although she was drinking lots of fluids she wasn’t having to use the
bathroom as much. Brenda noticed that navigating cobblestones was easier. By the time she left Poland she was feeling stronger. Over the next few days and weeks her bladder improved further, then her balance improved, the cog fog lifted and her memory was better. “The fatigue seemed to disappear and I had to learn what it felt like to be tired. Believe me, the two are not the same. About half the feeling returned to my right hand, but not to the left. My hearing returned slowly over a few days, I feel that I have about 70% hearing in my left ear that was previously completely deaf, and about 80% in my right ear. The drop foot disappeared and I stopped using my forearm crutches or even a cane. I could actually walk for long distances. “ I thought my eyes had gotten worse again since my glasses weren't working for me. But, after getting my eyes checked it turned out they were better than the last test they had on record for me which was 2006. “My balance returned, I could wear heals for the first time in years, and comfortably. Rolling over in bed no longer felt like the world had gone off it's axis. Color returned to my face and body, my friends, family and husband said my eyes are much brighter. “I do notice that I can have some small returns of symptoms if I become over tired or stressed. If I can manage 8 or 9 hours of sleep per night, the improvements seem to stay and get even better. Also, I had a horrible cold/cough which would usually send me to bed for the entire time then bring on an attack, but this time I managed it like a 'normal' person.” When asked about her feelings regarding how the government and MS Society are dealing with the issues of CCSVI Brenda is very outspoken. “For the first time in my life, I'm ashamed of Canada (the government, not citizens as most I find are very supportive of our cause) and our health care system. Universal health care is something our immigrant forefathers fought long and hard for, they would also be ashamed. There are so many countries now offering treatment, but we are forced to leave home, use our retirement money, fund raise, and deal with a lack of follow up care because of the horrifyingly slow movement towards treatment. Too many people are dying, or becoming more disabled because of this refusal to see the writing on the wall. “I am shocked and sickened by the lack of support by our government, to at least provide treatment on compassionate grounds, to those who no longer have time to wait for 'the powers that be' to reinvent the wheel. If they are oblivious to the fact that time is precious to persons with MS and their families, that improving someone's quality of life not only benefits the patient, but our country, then why can't they at least look at the fiscal benefits. “As for the MS Society, this is an organization that has shamefully fallen into a 'means and ends reversal'. They have refused to stand in support of many persons with MS, or even perform due diligence regarding past and current research on our behalf. I for one will no longer support this organization, they do not speak for me.
“I hope and pray that one day I can tell my Typical Symptoms of Multiple grandchildren, I'm a proud Canadian again.”Sclerosis Eyes: blurred vision, eye pain, blindness, loss of colour perception, pain and light flashes after sudden eye movement, jerky eye movement, light sensitivity Motor: muscle weakness, paralysis, stiffness, pain, loss of muscle tone, involuntary contraction of muscles, jerking and twitching, drop foot, muscle weakness, cramping, muscle spasms, spasticity, extreme fatigue, toe curling, inability to yawn, cough or take deep breaths. Sensory: partial or complete numbness, pain, burning sensation, electric shock sensations when moving head, facial pain, dry mouth, cold feet and hands, intense itching, intolerance to heat and cold, clammy hands, pins and needles, Balance: loss of coordination, vertigo, loss of limb control, shaking, excessive travel sickness, tremors, nausea. Cognitive: memory problems, both long and short term, forgetfulness, not being able to find the right words to say, lack of concentration. Bowel and bladder: incontinence, urinary retention, constipation, bowel urgency, diarrhea, frequent urination. Sexual: male and female impotence, inability to achieve orgasm, inability to become aroused, worsening or aggravation of menstrual cycle symptoms Other: depression, mod swings, bipolar syndrome, dementia, anxiety, night sweats,
Definitions: L’hermitte's: electric shock like sensation down the back often extending to arms and legs. Uhthoff's phenomena: Increased sensitivity to heat. Dysphagia: difficulty swallowing, resulting in choking Dysarthria: difficulty speaking - slurred, slow, delayed. MS hug: constricting of the muscles around the waist area resulting in tightness, pain and pins and needles. Drop foot: inability to lift the toes of the foot resulting in dragging and slapping of feet. Brain fog/ cog fog: inability to think clearly Tinnitus: ringing in the ears
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We, like all patients and families suffering from MS, wish to expedite research in this field here in Canada. Whilst there is no proven link between CCSVI & MS, we are dedicated to investigating this possibility with a timely regulated protocol. Chronic Cerebrospinal Venous Insufficiency (CCSVI) remains a research based cause for Multiple Sclerosis (MS). At AIM we perform a complete contrast enhanced 'traditional' MS MRI study of the brain and cervical cord in addition to CCSVI research protocol. Currently in the medical literature, the cause and effect of CCVSI and MS remains uncertain. At AIM, we use the research based Siemen's MRI protocol developed by Dr. Mark Haake to ensure consistency of MRI data analysis which includes SWI and Flow Quantification. SWI, is able to accurately determine iron or other heavy metal deposits in the brain. Researchers suspect iron build up occurs secondary to blocked or narrowed veins in the head or neck in MS patients. SWI is the only way to accurately visualize these iron deposits. CCSVI is based on the hypothesis of an outflow (venous) irregularity in the head or neck. A blockage or reversed flow in a draining vein will cause a cerebrospinal vein flow rate change. The flow of the veins within the head can only be shown with Flow Quantification MRI or with Transcranial Ultrasound. Flow Quantification MRI is able to determine which veins exhibit reduced or reversed flow. We assess the venous flow in multiple areas; including the upper and lower parts of both jugular veins, both transverse sinuses, the superior sagittal sinus and the straight sinus of the brain and/or regions demonstrating vascular narrowing. By assessing all of these structures, accurate blood flow results are obtained. Dr. Haacke recommends Flow Quantification MRI be performed as part of his imaging guidelines. There is also debate as to whether transcranial ultrasound can obtain similar results. Ultrasound is limited by being highly "user dependent" and regular ultrasound cannot "see" through bone. Flow quantification MRI does not have this problem. In fact, it is equally easy to view the veins inside or outside the skull, neck or chest with Flow Quantification MRI. Experience the AIM Difference! From the moment you arrive until you leave with your final report, you will experience personalized health care in our stateof-the-art Vancouver MRI facility. We are dedicated to providing quality medical care in a private, relaxing, safe environment. AIM Medical takes pride in the quality of health care provided to all AIM patients through practice, education and research. Having peace of mind makes all the difference especially when it involves your health. Consult with our radiologist immediately after your exam for your final results. 29
Yvonne Andersen from Truro, Nova Scotia is 52 and since being liberated herself is campaigning vigorously for the right of all Canadian MS’ers to receive the treatment here at home. We discussed her MS journey. “My first symptom started in January 2000. I had an extreme bout of vertigo that was misdiagnosed as an inner ear infection. I was dizzy for three weeks and spent my days holding walls to get around the apartment that I was living in.” she recalls, “After those 3 weeks the severity of the vertigo went away, but I always felt as though something wasn’t quite right. I felt like I was in a world where everything was moving around me and I was just there or I was stumbling to get out of the way all the time. I had days that I was okay, but when I was tired it seemed to be worse. “In June 2003 I developed a numb area on my torso. My family doctor told me that he felt that I had MS. Not knowing anything about MS, I immediately started to do the research. Eight months later, February 2004, I had an appointment with the neurologist and by that time I was very concerned. The neurologist told me that he would schedule an MRI to determine whether or not I had MS, but he also wanted to test me for other things such as Lupus, Rheumetory Arthritis and Lyme disease. “I had the MRI in February but was not scheduled to see the neurologist until August for the results. In the meantime my husband had become very ill and was diagnosed with Stage IV Melanoma. Ten weeks later on July 11, 2004 he died. Two months after that I had another attack that caused severe pain in my torso, known as the MS hug. I was given IV steroids for 5 days to reduce the inflammation that the neurologist felt was causing the pain. (Stress causes MS attacks, and my grief and the stress of losing my husband brought on this attack). “In August 2004 I went for the results of my MRI and was told that although I had previously had 2 attacks, (vertigo, MS hug), I did not have the required 9 lesions for a diagnosis of MS. I was given a prescription for pain meds and told to come back the next year for a follow up appointment. “In October 2007, I was driving home in the rain one night and my vision suddenly went blurred and doubled. I phoned my doctor the next day and he phoned my neurologist. I was again put on IV steroids, but for 3 days this time. The vision mostly cleared up and I was scheduled for another MRI. In March 2008 the results still did not give me a confirmed diagnosis because I only had 7 lesions. At this point, my neurologist was certain that I had MS and he suggested that I have a Spinal Tap which would give us conclusive results and a diagnosis. I agreed and was then diagnosed in April 2008 with Relapsing Remitting MS. “At that point my family knew that an eventual diagnosis was coming and I feel that they were fairly prepared for it. I have to mention that my family is also quite a distance away from where I live so they did not see me on a regular basis. “I had begun dating in January 2007 and was worried about the pressure that I would be putting on my now live in boyfriend when the inevitable happened and I was in a wheelchair or worse as my MS progressed. I gave him the
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choice to leave when I got the diagnosis and he asked me if I would leave him if he was ill. The answer to that question was easy for me as I realized that it was also easy for him regarding me.” Like other MS’ers Yvonne’s range of symptoms was extensive: Lack of balance, foot drop, MS hug, spasms, hearing difficulties, numbness, spasticity, cramping, weakness, cold hands and feet, intense itching, memory issues, cog fog, fatigue, tremors, blurred vision - the list goes on. “I was working as an employment counselor for persons with disabilities for 13 months and in January 2010 I had to resign from that position after realizing that I could no longer function at work without falling asleep or drinking 2-3 pots of coffee per day to function enough to make it through the day. I realized that I was not doing the clients justice and I was not able to concentrate on my job because of fatigue and pain.” During the short time between her diagnosis and her liberation Yvonne estimates that her medications have cost in the region of $46,000. “I am very fortunate in the fact that Nova Scotia will pay for the injectable medications for MS. My pain medications which I had been taking for over five years were $325.00 per month which I had to pay for myself. “When I first heard of CCSVI, the theory made sense to me. I was excited that something as simple as angioplasty could possibly help with my fatigue, my pain and my vertigo. I cried with relief that there was a possibility to help with my quality of life and to make me feel better.” Yvonne, like many others in her position then embarked on research. “I searched for the names of people who I had
heard about who had gone to Poland for the procedure and to be done. I assumed that those studies would include found a few on Facebook. I had started with just family and doing the actual procedure and following the patients for a friends on my Facebook and within 4 months I had period of time. I also assumed that the Canadian MS developed a community of MS’ers totaling over 500 who Society would “want” to help MS’ers. I also assumed that either were interested in the procedure or who had already neurologists would want to help and would jump right on had it done. I followed closely the improvements of those this to give us the very best in treatment. I was so very who had the procedure and what they were experiencing disappointed when I realized that the MS Society would and decided to have the treatment myself..” start in the foot dragging, the neurologists followed and Yvonne travelled to New York state to have her treatment then the Canadian government was right on board with at a cost of over $8,000 including air fair, hotels etc. This both of them. It makes one wonder who has a hold on cost was covered by fundraising, something she was whom? Is it the pharmaceuticals that have the biggest hold acutely aware of when embarking on this journey. on all of the above? If that is the case then who is allowing “I had many people help me that to happen? with fundraising to be able to “Are neurologists and the MS go for the procedure so my Society that far indebted to “When I realized I was able to stand the pharmaceutical anxiety level was quite high because I was nervous about companies for their enriched up in the shower to shave my legs, disappointing those people if I way of life? Shouldn’t the I was thrilled!” did not have improvements neurologists and the MS with my MS symptoms. For Society be fighting for a cure? myself I only wanted to stop Isn’t that the new slogan for the progression that I knew was happening within my body the MS Society? EndMS……… for the past year and I hoped that the pain that I “The MS Society no longer represents me and no longer experienced with my MS would diminish to a tolerable level represents the thousands of MS’ers who have gone against without the use of the pain meds that caused so many side their advice and have had this procedure done. We, the effects.” thousands who have had the procedure know that it will So what was the result of the treatment for Yvonne? give us our quality of life back. The MS Society and our “I have been totally overwhelmed with the results of the government need to find us, contact us and listen to our CCSVI treatment on my symptoms. I have seen stories. They need to hear what this procedure has given improvement in all of my symptoms with the greatest back to us in our lives. They need to listen to our family and improvement being my cognitive problems such as word friends and hear what differences they, the people who see searching, memory recall and concentration. Also in the us every day, see in us.” greatest improvement list would be the extreme fatigue that I experienced before the procedure. I had been sleeping 16 hours a day because of the fatigue and am now awake and active 16 hours a day. This has greatly improved my quality of life. My balance is much better than what it was before and my drop foot is gone. One of the symptoms that I wanted to be gone totally is not. The pain in my torso that I was experiencing before angioplasty is still there. But, the degree of that pain is so much less that I am only using Tylenol twice a day instead of the very expensive drugs Clearing The Pathways to Life given to me by my neurologist. These drugs only kept the pain at bay on the good days On the bad days they did We are a national, non-profit organization, nothing. The MS hug is also gone. committed to the treatment of patients with Yvonne continues, “I am extremely pleased that I had the Chronic Cerebrospinal Venous Insufficiency angioplasty procedure. For weeks after the procedure I was (CCSVI). so emotional as I discovered on a daily basis things that I While governments and the MS Society dither and had never thought of before that I was now able to do. endlessly discuss studies of this treatment, we When I realized I was able to stand up in the shower to have decided to act on the behalf of patients. shave my legs, I was thrilled! I am able to shoulder check The CCSVI Foundation will raise awareness and when driving without getting dizzy. I am able to walk funds, while working with patients in a partnership through a grocery store without using a shopping cart for to obtain access to treatment. balance. I can ride my bicycle which is is something I We are working in partnership with international haven’t been able to do for at least five years.” specialists in the treatment of CCSVI with proven Because yvonne is so active in campaigning for fellow results to ensure the best outcome for treatments. MS’ers we had to ask her what she felt the Canadian government and the MS Society should be doing regarding offering Canadians the opportunity to have this treatment. www.theccsvifoundation.ca “At the beginning of the CCSVI issue I understood the Email: info@theccsvifoundation.ca Canadian government being cautious and wanting studies
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A Unique Southern California Medical Team Combines Diagnostic and Therapeutic Care for CCSVI Patients Treating patients with Chronic Cerebro-Spinal Venous Insufficiency (CCSVI), Pacific Interventionalists, Inc. is comprised of physicians that are fellowship trained in image guided and endovascular procedures with board certification in General Surgery, Vascular Surgery or Phlebology. Led by Dr. Michael Arata and Dr. J. Joseph Hewett, Pacific Interventionalists has expertise with venous disorders based on more than 60 years of combined experience in the treatment of venous stenoses and other venous abnormalities. Dr. Joseph Hewett, is the only Interventionalist in the world who has personally trained with Dr. Haacke at his facilities in Detroit. This medical team is one of the few in the world to have a seamless integration of the diagnostic Haacke MRI/MRV and the intervention used to treat the disease. This can result in better care for CCSVI patients. Located in Southern California, the physicians of Pacific Interventionalists perform over 1,000 venous procedures each year, approximately 30 venous procedures a day including central venograms, central venous angioplasties, venous stent placements, and CCSVI procedures making them one of the highest volume centers in the world. Their expertise and knowledge with respect to the treatment of the venous stenoses associated with CCSVI is unmatched when compared The majority of CCSVI procedures are performed in a to other centers performing this procedure. Pacific Interventionalists brand new surgical center with amenities and medical team has understanding and experience with the venous technology that exceeds the standards of most system and related disorders making them a leader in the treatment of hospitals and other facilities. patients with CCSVI. By combining complete diagnostic and therapeutic care of patients with a diagnosis of CCSVI, Pacific Interventionalists physicians perform a full and complete Haacke protocol MRI/MRV on one of two 3 Tesla MRI's. Every patient who receives an MRI can receive a full written Haacke report as well as a diagnostic radiology interpretation by a US Board Certified Radiologist at no extra cost. The patient also receives a copy of the MRI for his or her records. Treatment of central venous disease involves a variety of techniques. In the majority of cases a large IV is placed into a larger vein in the groin area. From this location small catheters are navigated into the neck and chest veins using fluoroscopy or x-ray guidance. The catheters are used to take pictures by injecting a dye into the veins to help identify any narrowing or blockage of the veins. Sometimes these venograms do not adequately show the blockages. In these cases, the Pacific Interventionalists physicians use an ultrasound attached to the end of the small catheter to create ultrasound pictures from the inside of the veins. This technique increases the accuracy of the overall evaluation of the venous system and allows for more precise measurements of the veins themselves. If a narrowing within the vein is seen, a small balloon can be placed across the narrowing and inflated. Angioplasty of the blockage can help open the narrowing and restore normal blood flow through the vein. Sometimes balloon angioplasty does not improve the size of the vein and placement of a small stent is required. Placement of a stent can help open the vein back to its normal size. Although this is an outpatient procedure, patients are typically asked to remain in the immediate area of Southern California for their safety. The majority of CCSVI procedures are performed in a brand new surgical center with amenities and technology that exceeds the standards of most hospitals and other facilities. This surgical center is at the leading edge of patient care and safety and is being considered for an award as the best new surgical center in the United States. The expertise of the dynamic team at Pacific Interventionalists combined with state-of-the-art facilities and equipment are unmatched in the diagnosis and treatment of CCSVI. You may contact Dr. Arata, Dr. Hewett, Dr. Harris and Dr. Grewal and their dedicated staff at Pacific Interventionalists, Inc. to answer any questions you may have regarding their practice and CCSVI. Pacific Interventionalists, Inc. is comprised of physicians that are fellowship trained in image guided and endovascular procedures with board certification in General Surgery, Vascular Surgery or Phlebology.
PacificInterventional.com CCSVI@PacificInterventional.com Toll free 877.RX.CCSVI Direct 949.221.0129
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It is hard to dispute anything Yvonne says when reading the stories from people who have had CCSVI treatment. As a neutral magazine we wanted to bring the other side of CCSVI treatment: Those who had poor results or worse negative results. But we found very few people who came into this category. Even people who did not have such miraculous recoveries and perhaps just saw a few of their symptoms diminish or their symptoms stop advancing were glad they had had the treatment. Bob Duncan lives in Cut Knife, Saskatchewan and was diagnosed back in 1985 although thinks he had symptoms for a couple of years prior to this. He is now 62 years old. He remembers that the first signs that things were not quite right with him was when he experienced tingling in his jaw and numbness in his arm. He arranged to see a specialist but then his symptoms went away. However, a year or so later it came back on the bottom of his feet and he was confirmed as having MS. “For the first fifteen years I coped and led a relatively “normal” life.” he says. “I even rode horses until 2000, but then walking became more difficult and the pain in my calf muscle and feet pain got worse. “Bladder and bowel troubles followed which are terrible as they take away your self confidence and dignity.” When we asked how it affected his life his reply is “When I was young I was a farmer on a big farm, I would skate six times a week, I rode horses, raised a family and generally had a pretty good life.
“I had to retire early and move into a small town just enable me to have any sort of life.” “I went from that to having to use a walker round the house, a cane for short errands an a scooter for longer outings. I had to retire early and move into a small town just enable me to have any sort of life.” When Bob first heard about CCSVI, he was immediately on the computer searching for places that would offer him the treatment. “I ended up with four appointment dates in four different places. I was in heaven, finally I could get “fixed up”. It was amazing” After much consideration Bob flew to Costa Rica for treatment in July 2010. It cost him nearly $14,000 US for both treatment and travel expenses. “The morning after my procedure was truly amazing. I could stand up straight, my thinking was clear, my voice stronger the fatigue was gone and my pain was 95 percent gone. I felt like a new person.” This sounds like a great ending to Bob’s story but unfortunately after six weeks of feeling “fantastic.” his MS symptoms slowly returned. So, you would think that Bob would want no more to do with CCSVI treatment, but you would be wrong. He is already looking to have the procedure repeated and this time have stents inserted to help keep his veins open.
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“It seems my veins have once again collapsed so I will need stents this time. However knowing the fantastic effects I got when my veins were open, I have no hesitation in trying again. “Although I am not a political person I really feel that the Canadian government is being driven by the big drug companies. Other countries are doing this but the best Canada can offer is the promise of trials. We don’t need trials, we need treatment - now! “The money saved by provinces on drugs which will no longer be required far outweighs the cost of this simple treatment. Also there is the fact that many MS’ers cannot work, so if treated they can return to the workforce. Why can’t the government see this? “There is a true story from Winnipeg of a young girl who was confined to a wheelchair. When she had some heart problems the doctor fixed her heart but also noticed that her neck veins and arteries was blocked. He performed angioplasty and now after recovering from her heart surgery is now walking without any aids and holds down a full time teaching job. That is the kind of benefit that this simple treatment can achieve. Not everyone will be “cured” but some will and that possibility is amazing.” Mitchell Sturgeon (47) is another recipient of CCSVI who did not get the results he hoped for, but still advocates the treatment. Although Mitchell and his wife Kim are from Scarborough, Maine in the USA we felt his story would be of interest to our readers, so for this purpose he is an honorary Canadian. “How did MS start for me? In the late winter of 2000, as I was jogging on my treadmill, I noticed a barely perceptible difference between my right foot and my left foot. My right foot quietly hit on the heel, and rolled to the toe as it is supposed to do while jogging. However, my left foot didn’t. It made a flapping sound. If I really concentrated I could make my left foot quietly go from heel to toe, heel to toe, but it resisted. “It seemed that something was definitely amiss, but little did I know how my life would soon be turned upside down.” In the summer of 2000 Mitch had a physical and mentioned his foot problem. The Physician’s Assistant (PA) immediately suspected MS and sent him for an MRI. The neurologist reading the resulting MRI film said he had a lesion but nothing he would not expect in anyone's MRI, so nothing to worry about. Shortly after this the couple decided to move from rural Northern Maine, to the more populous Southern Maine. He found a new physician and mentioned his medical history. Once again the MRI was looked at but nothing untoward was found. Then a cervical spine MRI was done. “My neurologist and I viewed the MRI films together, neither of us having yet seen them.” says Mitch, “I remember it so vividly. He lifted the oversized translucent prints from the manila envelope and placed them on the backlit viewing panel with a sense of purpose. After all, he was already 45 minutes behind on his appointment schedule, and had earlier predicted that he would find nothing unusual or interesting in these films. As the first few films were quickly examined he whispered under his breath something to the effect of “nothing interesting here, nope
leaving half of my body unscathed. However, approximately two years ago I began to notice weakness in my hands. Now I have a variety of symptoms that are slowly getting worse each and every day, from head to toe. “I have primary progressive multiple sclerosis, which only about 10% of patients with MS have. Instead of enjoying periods of remission interrupted by occasional relapses, as is the case in the more common form of MS, I slowly get worse over time. The good news is that I know I'll feel pretty much the same tomorrow as I feel today. Nothing happens quickly with PPMS. The bad news is that, in the end, my level of disability will probably be higher than that of a person with relapsing remitting MS. “I can't count the number of ways that my symptoms have impacted my life. Any activities associated with walking are no longer possible. Within the next couple of years I expect the same fate for my arms. nothing here..." Then came that most fateful moment when Already, I am not capable of completely taking care of everything started to move in slow motion. The neurologist myself. My wife has become my caregiver. I rely on her for stopped in his tracks and began to study one particular film so much. in detail, with me watching over his shoulder completely “MS cost me one job. When I was diagnosed, I was oblivious to what I was looking at. project manager for an engineering firm. The job required “He grabbed the offending film and without a word took it significant travel and field work. When I became physically over to one of his associates, who I later learned was an MS unable to complete certain field assignments, the company specialist. I watched from a distance as they both pointed took the opportunity to include me in a broader workforce and nodded, quickly reaching agreement on my fate. He reduction, even though I had recently received a company came back and gave me the bad news, “I’m afraid I’ll have award for outstanding performance as a project manager. to eat my words. This looks abnormal,” pointing to what “The next job was a similar type of position, but the looked like an innocent little blurry spot on my spinal cord, company was much more willing to work with me to in the middle of my neck. “What I’m worried about is MS.” I accommodate my needs. I traveled around the country, suspect he was momentarily unconcerned about his minor often solo, using a cane, then crutches, then a scooter, and appointment scheduling problems. I had his full attention. finally my wheelchair. This worked for a while, but then it “I was purposefully stoic, as if refusing to justify this news just became too difficult. I had fought the good fight to with a response would somehow alter its impact. We went remain employed, but my back to his office to talk. No working days were coming to an doubt he thought the “you end. In fact, maybe I was have MS” speech would “I never felt any changes, for the continuing to work for the wrong blow me away. I don’t envy reasons.” better or for the worse, after the this aspect of a doctor’s job After much sole-searching Mitch procedure.” (or quite a few other aspects finally left work in May 2009 and for that matter). As he was has not worked since. trying to console me and When Mitch first heard about indicate that in this day and age many of his MS patients CCSVI his reaction was, “Here's another crazy idea like get up and go to work every day, I politely cut him off. I having your old fillings removed or bee sting therapy. But indicated that MS was mentioned to me very early on, that I over time I kept hearing more and more about it. Eventually, was familiar with the disease, and that I could deal with the CCSVI began to make sense to me.” diagnosis if that’s what it was.” Mitch was diagnosed with and treated for CCSVI in After a spinal tap, MS was finally confirmed 22 October March 2010 in Brooklyn, New York. 2001. Mitch and Kim decided to tell everyone, including his “After I was given the local anesthesia at the injection employer about the MS as keeping it secret would be too point, there was no more pain involved with this procedure. stressful. There were, however, some very odd sensations when the “For the first seven years after my diagnosis, my only catheter was moved around my venous system, when dye symptoms were leg weakness, which slowly progressed was released into my veins, and when balloons were from a slight limp to full time wheelchair use. I felt somewhat fortunate that my course of MS seemed to be
Mitch and Kim Sturgeon
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inflated. It was all good though. That was where I wanted to be, and those were the experiences I wanted to have.” Mitch was found to have stenosis in both left and right jugular which were ballooned. Both his vertebral veins were also found to have issues, but these were not able to be corrected. The couple stayed at a local hotel overnight then visited the doctor again to review the procedure the following day. They then drove home back to Maine. “I never felt any changes, for the better or for the worse, after the procedure. The very next day I felt as good (or bad) as I did before the procedure.” says Mitch. “But that didn't surprise me. I wasn't looking for improvements in my symptoms. I was only hoping that I would stop getting worse. Now that six months have passed, I can state without reservation that my MS has continued to progress at the same slow, steady rate that is has since my diagnosis nine years ago. “This is difficult for me to report, for several reasons. First, I know that my friends and loved ones hoped that this treatment would benefit me in some way. Second, I know that the larger MS community holds its breath for good news from those of us who were among the first treated, because every success story brings hope. Third, I really thought this might work, and I am deeply disappointed that it didn’t. So how does Mitch feel about CCSVI, given its failure to address his disease progression? “I am only one data pointa damned important one to me- but still only one data point. Dr. Gary Siskin, who has treated over 100 patients, recently commented that approximately 1/3 of his patients see a significant improvement, 1/3 of his patients see a modest improvement, and 1/3 of his patients see no improvement at all. I obviously fall into that last group. “Our understanding of CCSVI is only in its infancy. I remain confident that when all is said and done, CCSVI will be considered the most important discovery, ever, for the treatment of MS. And if a relatively simple procedure helps so many people, instead of pumping toxic, exorbitantly expensive drugs into our bodies day after day, year after year, so much the better. “What then, is next for me? Because there is nothing else that is at all promising for people with PPMS, and because both my mind and my gut tell me that this is a game changing idea, I still believe that CCSVI treatment is my best chance. Perhaps the impact from my treatment in March will be felt later. Perhaps, although he is an excellent physician, my doctor overlooked something during my venogram. Perhaps, as we learn more about CCSVI, new techniques will be discovered that can help people like me. I expect that I’ll undergo another venography procedure sometime
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in the not-too-distant future, just to make sure that we haven’t missed something. “I plan to remain heavily involved in the CCSVI world. I must admit though, all of the positive stories that I read about online and watch on YouTube do wear on me. I know that I should feel nothing but joy for every person who benefits from CCSVI treatment, and I do. But sometimes, overlaid with this joy, is a tiny bit of resentment because I didn't benefit myself. I’m not proud of this, but I’d rather acknowledge these feelings and deal with them than deny their existence.” Mitch concludes with this statement. “Here’s my message to the wider MS community, and my friends who are working so hard on CCSVI issues: I am sticking with you. I am advocating for you. I am celebrating your successes. In return, please continue to listen to and acknowledge the disappointment that approximately one third of us feel when CCSVI isn't the answer.” Mr. Sturgeon is on the Board of Directors for CCSVI Alliance, www.CCSVI.org. Read his personal blog here: www.enjoyingtheride.com/ Many people are still deciding on whether to have CCSVI treatment or not and others have made the decision to go ahead, they just need funding and dates. Denise Nicholls is one such person. She was first diagnosed at the age of 32 and is now 45. She lives in Belleville, Ontario with her husband Doug. Denise first noticed vision problems with her right eye and went to see her eye doctor. She was then referred to a neurologist and by this time was also experiencing numbness in her toes which moved up to her waist. “I was diagnosed after a year of seeing various doctors.” explains Denise, “I had MRI's and spinal taps done. My initial response was shock at first. I didn't know what MS was except seeing Richard Pryor and Annette Funachello. I thought I was going to be in a wheelchair. My husband said “don't worry, we will figure it out, we will are together on
Denise and Doug Nicholls
this.” My son was 7 years old and when we explained to him, once we understood the disease, he said "Are you going to die?" I said not anytime soon, he said “ok” and was fine with that answer. My daughter was quiet.” Over the years Denise has had many different MS symptoms including weak left side, balance issues, right eye cloudiness, brain fog, spams, fatigue and heat intolerance. “Sometimes if feels like someone dumped cold water down my back.” she says “Not being able to stand up from a chair because my leg has stopped working and having bladder issues are also constant problems. My life has been affected, I have to preplan anything that I do: I need to sleep if I have a function to go to, I need to make sure I am prepared. Some days I stay in bed all day. In the summer, I have to use air conditioning which costs more the summer. I could not go on school outings with my children because of the walking involved. My own mother was very supportive in that role, but I still feel I missed out on a lot with my children. My children are my world.”
“My expectations for the treatment are that I can get rid of the fatigue and get more energy.” Denise was very skeptical about CCSVI when she first heard about it, after all MS’ers are used to “miracle treatments” being found such as bee venom therapy and the like. However after talking with over 80 people either on the phone or internet and listening to their experiences she was convinced of its benefits and decided to go ahead with treatment. So far she has had Doppler done in Ontario and is now looking to fundraise to receive the treatment. “I haven’t fully decided where to have my treatment done, but I want a doctor who is experienced in this procedure, not someone who has treated only a handful of people. “My expectations for the treatment are that I can get rid of the fatigue and get more energy. Just to be better than I am now, even if it takes time will be a huge benefit.” Denise is now actively fundraising so that she can book treatment. ‘When grandchildren come along, I want to be able to hold them without fear of dropping them because of my MS.” she says, “Hopefully this treatment will give me my life back.” Husband Doug ads, “I want the vibrant, bubbly wife I married back. If this treatment can even go part way to offering that then it will have been worth every penny.” Muchmor Media contacted the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada to ask about their thoughts on CCSVI. This is the statement we received. “In November 2009, Italian researcher Dr. Paolo Zamboni, made headlines worldwide with his study of CCSVI or chronic cerebro-spinal venous insufficiency. The MS community responded – with great hope, excitement and a call for immediate action.
The MS Society of Canada is eager to participate in the preliminary work for a top quality pan-Canadian therapeutic clinical trial to test CCSVI. We share the interest that thousands of Canadians have expressed in the potential of CCSVI. Our eagerness is already reflected in our joint funding with the National MS Society (U.S.) of seven clinical diagnostic studies at a combined total of $2.4 million. The Federal Minister of Health has accepted the Canadian Institutes of Health Research’s recommendation to create an expert scientific working group to monitor the results of these studies. The experts assembled will analyze the evidence about the definition and nature of venous blockages and their relationship with MS, since this information will be central to obtaining ethical approval to enrol participants in a trial. In September 2010, the MS Society of Canada board of directors unanimously approved a motion to reserve $1 million for a chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI) and MS pan-Canadian therapeutic clinical trial. The funding will be set aside so that an immediate infusion of funding will be available when such a trial is developed and approved. The MS Society is committed to doing all that it can to ensure that an eventual trial, if proven feasible based on the best available scientific evidence, will be rigorously designed and implemented to obtain the conclusive answers that we all seek. The role of the MS Society is one of guidance and its responsibility is to provide credible, timely and accurate information. We recognize that the decision to seek any kind of treatment is personal and we respect these decisions. We recognize and celebrate that people have experienced benefits from the CCSVI procedure. The MS Society’s actions are based on the mandate of keeping all people living with MS at the centre of our work and this will continue to be what drives us as we move through this exciting new phase of MS research. For more information about CCSVI, please visit our FAQ.”
Next Issue: Next issue we will talk to more people about MS and their thoughts on CCSVI and treatment options. If anyone wants to get in touch with anyone mentioned in our feature, please contact Muchmor Media and we will pass on your details. In the next issue we will also be asking what each of the provinces and territories will be doing regarding this matter, hopefully with responses from the various health ministers. This is a fascinating subject and one which everyone should be taking an interest in whether affected by MS or not. After all it is not often we can witness the potential cure of such a debilitating illness. If this does indeed prove to be a cure for MS, either now or in the longer term when the process is better understood, then we should all be proud to have witnessed it. Contact us via editor@muchmormagazine.com.
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lifestyle
Many Canadians have mortgages, but how many of us have insurance to protect our mortgage? If you do and it is with your mortgage lender it might not be the best option for you. Read what Brian Lewington from Investors Group has to say on the matter. Are you one of the people who still uses a cellphone for texting whilst driving? If you are and you live in Canada chances are you are breaking the law, or very soon will be. A recent survey states that this activity is the number one safety concern for drivers in Canada. If you are looking to buy a car, then check out the Canadian Car of the Year results. In our employment section ďŹ nd out what jobs you can do as a freelancer. If you are employed then Audrey Prenzel’s article on workplace bullying might be of interest.
Housing
Average Price Oct 2010
Average Price Oct 2009
Average housing prices across Canada
Victoria, BC
$343,747
$481,500
Vancouver, BC
$707,207
$638,948
Edmonton, AB
$317,096
$351,768
The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) has released average sale prices across Canada for the month of October 2010.
Calgary, AB
$399,679
$393,574
Saskatoon, SK
$293,929
$274,759
Regina, SK
$257,032
$246,300
Winnipeg, MB
$229,467
$210,618
Toronto, ON
$443,633
$423,507
Ottawa, ON
$305,872
$320,561
Montreal, QC
$309,638
$285,100
Quebec City, QC
$246,918
$219,440
Fredericton, NB
$152,764
$144,030
Halifax, NS
$248,678
$235,465
Province
City
Average Price Oct 2010
Average Price Oct 2009
Canada
$343,747
$341,232
British Columbia
$521,171
$493,328
Alberta
$344,569
$351,768
Saskatchewan
$234,147
$230,958
Manitoba
$224,439
$204,606
Ontario
$347,788
$337,410
Quebec
$257,456
$239,240
New Brunswick
$152,087
$151,218
Nova Scotia
$194,578
$189,570
Prince Edward Island
$150,091
$155,028
Newfoundland & Labrador
$231,039
$196,847
Yukon
$304,800
$296,738
Northwest Territories
$352,869
$363,435
Housing trends for 2011 The Canadian Mortgage and Housing Association has said that it expects the housing market to stabilize in 2011. New housing starts are expected to be in the region of 148,000 to 202,300 units with a forecast of 174,800 units. “High employment levels and low mortgage rates will continue to support demand for new homes in 2011. Nevertheless, housing starts will decrease to levels which are more in-line with long term demographic fundamentals next year,� said Bob Dugan, Chief Economist for CMHC. The existing home market will also stabilize over the next two years. They expect these sales to range from 390,600 to 483,700 units during 2011.
Money
A personal approach to insuring your mortgage Mortgage financing is probably one of the largest financial commitments you will ever make in your life. Safeguarding that commitment from the curves life may put in your path, means having the right kind of risk protection. All too often people assume this critical protection has to come from their bank or lending institution. Before you say yes to bank/ lender provided mortgage insurance, consider the options. Protecting your mortgage with an individual insurance policy can offer you and your loved ones better guarantees, greater choice and more flexibility – and in most cases at a lower cost. The table below outlines the key differences:
Bank/Lender Insurance
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Individual/Personal Insurance
Lender is the owner and beneficiary of the policy
You own the policy and designate the beneficiary
Lender is the owner and beneficiary of the policy.
Pays benefit to your designated beneficiary
Coverage expires when mortgage is paid off
Coverage continues after mortgage is paid
Pays out only the amount owing on the mortgage at time of claim. Total value of mortgage decreases with mortgage balance
Pays the total value of insurance you purchased. Total value of coverage remains stable for the life of the plan
Premiums can be adjusted by lender at any time
Premiums are guaranteed for the life of the plan
Lender can change or cancel the policy at any time
Only you can cancel or make changes to your plan
Policy cannot be moved to a new mortgage, renewal, or new lender
Plan goes with you from one home to another – one mortgage to the next
Your premium is based on your age band and minimal health information
Your premium is based on your age, health, and smoking status
No personal consultation provided with policy
Plan designed by personal Financial Consultant offering service expertise and personalized service
The type of life insurance you need is dependent upon your unique needs, stage of life, and can change over time. There are two types of life insurance in the marketplace; term and permanent. Yet, they are very different. We will sit down with you and conduct an insurance needs analysis to help you select the right combination of insurance coverage that best fits your plan.
Term Insurance
Permanent Insurance
Coverage for a specific duration
Coverage remains for life
Lower initial cost
Higher initial cost
Your premium increases over time if you take out a new policy after the initial one expires
Your premium may be fixed with built-in flexibility
Policy has a fixed value over a limited time period: • Level or decreasing death benefit • No cash value
Policy may increase in value over your lifetime: • Level or decreasing death benefit • Provides access to the accumulated cash value
Your benefits are paid at death
Benefits during your life or at death: • Access to the cash value while living • Life insurance proceeds paid at death
Comprehensive Financial Planning Investors Group is Canada’s largest financial planning company. We take a holistic approach to financial planning and pride ourselves on being comprehensive financial planners. The authors of this article all hold the prestigious designation of Certified Financial Planner (CFP). Although we focused on insurance planning for this particular edition, there are 6 key components when examining an individual’s financial picture. They are as follows:
Retirement Planning
Education Planning
Investment Planning
Tax Planning
Risk Management/Insurance Needs
Cash Management/Debt Consolidation
As always, we look forward to hearing from all individuals. Please feel free to contact Brian Lewington at brian.lewington@investorsgroup.com or by toll free at 1-800-561-0659 x 346.
Brian Lewington, BA, CFP Senior Financial Consultant Investors Group Financial Services Inc.
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Motoring
Texting whilst driving biggest safety concern for drivers The Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) recently announced the results of a survey regarding safety concerns by Canadian drivers. A record 88% of respondents cited texting whilst driving as their number one concern. This is the first time in over ten years that drinking and driving has been knocked off the top spot. It is estimated that one in six highway fatalities involves the use of a cellphone whilst driving. Even though many provinces now have laws banning the use of texting whilst driving and indeed the use of cellphones at all, unless hands-free it is still not stopping many drivers. Many people consider texting to be far more dangerous than drink driving because the texter is forced to take their eyes off the road for many seconds at a time. A vehicle can travel many metres in just a few seconds and before the driver knows it they are involved in a collision. In Ontario cellphone usage was banned a year ago, but still many drivers continue to blatantly disobey the law. Many say they prefer to continue texting and face a $60 fine every now and then as they get caught than give it up altogether. So how do the provinces and territories react? British Columbia: Banned as of 1st January 2010. Any violation of the law will result in a $167 fine. If a driver is caught manually dialing, texting or emailing, three demerit points will also be added to their record. Drivers in the GLP will be fined $167 and receive three demerit points. Alberta: As of 1st January 2011 drivers will be banned from using hand-held electronic devices. The ban will also include activities such as reading, writing and grooming.
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Details of the ban will be published soon but it is thought that fines of $172 will be imposed. Manitoba: This province has imposed a ban on handheld devices since July 15 2010. The fine for breaking the law is $199.80. Saskatchewan: On 1st January 2010 a law was established to ban hand-held device use. The fine is $280 plus four demerit points. Quebec: Hand-held devices were banned in Quebec back in April 2008. A fine of between $115 and $154 is payable as well as three demerit points. Ontario: As of 1st February 2010 the use of hand-held devices has been banned. Drivers defying the law face fines of $155. Nova Scotia: A ban on hand-held devices has been in place since 1st April 2008. Fines are currently up to $250, however, there is currently legislation being considered which would increase the fines to $570. Prince Edward Island: A ban took effect in January 2010 with fines of between $250 and $400. Drivers also receive three demerit points. Newfoundland & Labrador: This was the first province to ban hand-held devices back in 2002. Fines of up to $400 and four demerit points are issued to violators. Yukon: New legislation will take effect as of 1st April 2011. Details still to be finalized. New Brunswick, Nunavut and Northwest Territories currently have no laws in place.
Belleville named as having safest drivers in Ontario The Ontario Safe Driving Study conducted by Allstate Insurance Company of Canada named Belleville as having the safest drivers in the province. The city had the lowest frequency of collisions in the whole of Ontario. The study ranks communities and regions based on the frequency of collisions per 100 cars between 2007 and 2010. The previous study released in 2009 looked at collisions between the years of 2006-2009. Over fifty communities were included in the study with Brampton having the highest number of collisions. Other communities at the bottom of the safety list were Ajax, Maple, Thornhill and Toronto.
Top ten communities 2010 ranking
Location
2007-2010 collision per 100 cars
Previous ranking
1
Belleville
2.8
2
2
Welland
3.1
4
3
Woodstock
3.2
n/a
4
St. Thomas
3.4
1
5
Amherstburg
3.4
7
6
Innisfill
3.4
12
7
Sault Ste.Marie
3.5
9
8
Essex
3.6
n/a
9
Chatham
3.6
3
10
St. Catharines
3.6
11
2007-2010 collision per 100 cars
Previous ranking
Bottom ten communities 2010 ranking
Location
50
Brampton
6.1
46
49
Ajax
6.0
48
48
Maple
6.0
47
47
Thornhill
5.9
49
46
Toronto
5.6
41
45
Bolton
5.6
45
44
Mississauga
5.6
42
43
Pickering
5.6
39
42
Markham
5.6
31
41
Barrie
5.5
30
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2011 Canadian Car of the Year Awards
It’s that time of year again when the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC) announce the winers of the 2011 Canadian Car of the Year. To qualify for the awards, vehicles must be all-new or substantially changed for 2011. Members of AJAC who regularly perform road tests come from across Canada for the week-long event. Vehicles are tested on public roads and closed courses, with all vehicles in each category tested back-to-back on the same day by the journalists voting on them.
Best New Family Car Under $30,000: Volkswagen Jetta TDI
And the winners are...... Best New Small Car Under $21,000: Ford Fiesta (pictured above)
Best New Small Car Over $21,000: Chevrolet Cruze
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Best New Family Car Over $30,000: Buick Regal
Best New Luxury Car Over $50,000:
Best New SUV/CUV Under $35,000:
BMW 5 Series Sedan
Hyundai Tucson
Best New SUV/CUV $35,000 to $50,000: Best New Prestige Car Over $75,000:
Ford Edge
Porsche 911 Turbo S
Best New Sports/Performance Car: Cadillac CTS-V Coupe
Best New SUV/CUV Over $50,000: Volkswagen Touareg
Best New Minivan: Toyota Sienna
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Employment
Workplace Bullying By Audrey Prenzel, BA, BEd, CARW, CEIC In an ideal work environment, everybody gets along, is supportive of each other, and is honest in all communication. Well I’m sure I don’t have to give examples of how this is not always the case. If you are new to Canada, (or just another one of the many avid readers of this magazine) this brief article will give you an informational overview of this unacceptable workplace issue. What is it? Verbal comments or physical acts that are directed towards an individual with the intent to emotionally hurt, intimidate, degrade or segregate a worker is an informal definition for workplace bullying. Some people don’t realize this but it really is a form of abuse. This can occur in a rural construction site just as easily as well as the head office of a multi-national corporation. Who does it? Interestingly enough, they are just as likely to be your peer as they are your boss. Don’t’ rule out these “meanies” lower down the corporate food chain because they show up there too. Gender is a non-issue: men and women are equally likely to bully. Why do they do it? Typically these undesirables lack social skills and what’s worse, they don’t care that they lack social skills. Although I can’t say in any official capacity, I’ll wager there are some underlying issues such as low self esteem or insecurities which bring about this harmful behaviour.
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It’s important to know the difference between workplace bullying and other negative interpersonal situations in a work setting. I sometimes hear people confuse domineering personalities or performance criticism as bullying. These are not. If somebody is loud and a bit of a steam roller, this does not necessarily mean they are bullying you. Similarly, if you receive a formal job evaluation or informal comments from a boss that are not favourable, this does not mean that you are being picked on. How do I deal workplace bullying? How do you tackle this less-than-desirable experience if it happens to you?
•
•
•
To start, I’m a strong believer in feeling good about yourself. If you are confident, others will sense your self-assuredness and will not as an easy target. A positive self-concept reduce the chances of bullying and paves the way for many more successful relations throughout the rest of your daily life. Face it. Keeping your head in the sand will not solve anything. Tell the person firmly that their words or actions (or both) are completely unacceptable. Tell them firmly to stop. It’s not funny. It’s not part of a workplace initiation. It’s not “happening everywhere”. It’s wise to have somebody with you as you say this for verification that they have been warned. Document. Keep scrupulous records to back up what you say. These records will be helpful to those who deal with this in your company. Detail the exact situation, the
•
•
incident, witnesses, and date, time and location. Hold on to any notes or emails from the bully as well. This will support your case. Formally notify the proper in-house person or division and the relevant polices and procedures working for you. If nothing exists formally, contact external help (government human rights or legal entities) and tell your boss you are doing so. You may be surprised that yours is not the first formal complaint about the same person. Remain professional. I know pay back is tempting, but tactically, you are better off taking this on via the proper corporate channels and policies. Besides, keeping a “cool head” will show how much more professional you are, and how unprofessional the bully is.
What happens if I ignore it? Just like anything nasty, if you ignore it, there will be consequence. Expect higher stress levels, poor sleep, depression, anxiousness, and reduced appetite. More conflict within the home is common and heading to work each day becomes an emotional, gutwrenching struggle. I sincerely hope you do not have to face this stressful dilemma but if you do, you at least have a starting point to successfully put an end to it. These sites provide more information, coping strategies and resources: http://safety-council.org/workplace-safety/bullying-in-theworkplace/ www.bullyonline.org www.bullyinginstitute.org
Average earnings across Canada Average earnings across Canada between August 2009 and August 2010 rose by 4.4% according to recent Statistics Canada report. All provinces saw increases with Alberta (+75%) and Newfoundland and Labrador (+6.2%) seeing the highest increases. New Brunswick saw the lowest increase at 0.6%.
Audrey Prenzel, BA, BEd, CARW, CEIC is the founder of Résumé Resources, an international career transition firm. She holds numerous roles with Career Directors International including Mentor, Canadian Advisor, Director of International Relations, Military Transition Expert Program Leader, and Aerospace / Defence Program Leader. Audrey is the author of "Military to Civvie Street: The Complete Job Transition Guide for those leaving the Canadian Air Force, Army & Navy". Visit Audrey's website www.resumeresources.ca
•
Food & Beverage Stores
390.24
416.76
Clothing Retail
392.87
407.73
Truck Transportation
808.33
865.56
Publishing
1,114.69
1,062.19
Telecommunications
1,254.41
1,264.94
Finance & Insurance
1,048.72
1,053.61
755.68
758.43
Company Management
1,153.61
1,105.24
Administrative Support
659.75
726.79
Education Services
923.90
971.83
Health Care
767.14
791.17
1,067.52
1,085.95
Accommodation Service
345.31
367.70
Professional & Scientific
1,113.77
1,170.77
Utilities (all)
1,508.52
1,478.34
Real Estate
Average Weekly Earnings ($) Industry
August 2009
August 2010
Forestry & Logging
870.57
983.14
Oil & Gas Extraction
1,914.28
2,347.56
Construction
1,020.94
1,060.46
Manufacturing (all)
905.87
966.95
Motor Vehicle Dealers
845.26
910.73
Public Administration
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10 Friendly Jobs Being your own boss is easier than you think. Top-notch entrepreneurial skills paired with the right profession can help you establish yourself as a freelancer. Of course, having a freelance career requires tremendous self-discipline (no sleeping in on workdays!) but many workers have brought in a stable income by expanding their network and landing a constant stream of assignments. Here are 10 jobs where you can comfortably navigate as a freelancer. Photographer: Many freelance photographers differentiate themselves with their work. Anyone who photographs weddings to those who travel to remote regions to pursue news stories can call themselves a freelance photographer, so it's important to really hone your craft. Fees are often paid per diem and travel is sometimes reimbursed. Writer: Writing for a variety of needs including news, ghostwriting, or even grant proposals is all part of the freelance writing umbrella. Many writers are focused on building their expertise and work hard to develop a distinct brand and voice. Assignments are given on a project basis and depend largely on previous experience and published works. Some writers are freelance journalists and must report their stories as well as write them. Graphic designer: Working in print or online, graphic designers put together drawings or layouts of the visual page. Companies often hire designers to put their words into effective visuals and further the identity of specific brands. Designers work on a company's visual materials and can design anything from simple company logos to promotional displays. Freelance designers are often paid by the hour. Interior designer: A dream job for many, some interior designers focus on commercial spaces, while
no sleeping in on workdays!
others design for private homes. Interior designers may also acquire specialized accreditation (like green living) and often find new clients through word-of-mouth referrals. Most interior designers balance designing several spaces at once and workload can be unsteady. Web developer: With a steady stream of new companies or existing firms simply wanting a new look, building websites can be a great way to get constant freelance work. Many web developers are contracted by companies to work on specific projects. IT consultant: With companies cutting down budgets, many IT specialists who once worked in-house have taken the freelance route. Most consultants work on helping firms stay ahead of current tech trends by implementing new software and IT systems like SAP and PeopleSoft. Some assignments can be for just a few months, while others can last up to a year or longer. Consultants focus on one project at a time, before jumping to the next. Recruiter: A slowly improving economy means many recruiters are taking on small consulting assignments to find valuable candidates for specific roles. Depending on the recruiter's expertise -- such as finance or engineering -companies are willing to invest in outside help in order to find the perfect candidate. Translator: As companies become more global, many work with translators on a project basis. Freelance translators need to have great language skills and turn work around quickly in order to land more opportunities. Many have full-time work experience before going out on their own. Online community manager: As companies place a greater focus on social networking, they are also looking for freelancers to direct their brand online. Community managers update accounts like Facebook or Twitter on behalf of the company, as well as browse discussion boards to help build these marketing platforms. Managing communities can be fun but requires odd hours and significant computer screen time. Copywriter: Creating powerful advertising copy takes talent and many firms give these tasks to expert copywriters who can make the company shine. Many copywriters have a marketing or journalism background and work on a consulting basis to produce web, broadcast or advertising copy. Alina Dizik for Careerbuilder
Club 32Sequoia Working Life
IF YOU DON’T LIKE
YOUR JOB
THEN MAYBE YOU SHOULD GET
ANOTHER
JOB
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community
Not only is Toronto the largest city in Canada it is also the capital of Ontario, so it goes without saying that it is very popular with tourists. Search for the best hotel prices and reviews here However, we bet there are places within this great city that you have not yet visited, so take a look at the article about all the wonderful neighbourhoods you can visit when next in the area. Another great place to visit or relocate to is Greater Sudbury. Take a look at why this winter wonderland should be on your list of “must visits� this winter. If you are looking for somewhere to relocate to then you should consider Hastings County in Ontario. Have a chat with Andrew Redden, Economic Development Manager to find out why.
Toronto is comprised of a colourful collage of neighbourhoods
www.torontotourism.com 51
Chinatown:
The Beaches:
The Chinatown is the biggest and busiest of a several in Toronto. Chinese immigrants have long settled in the area behind City Hall on Dundas West, but the Chinese district has mushroomed since 1980, when new immigrants began commercializing the area. It’s the place to go to buy medicinal herbs, cheap sunglasses, shoes, fruit and vegetables. In the summer, it teems and bustles with people. Many authentic Chinese food restaurants are open 24 hours – very handy after a night on the town. In winter the Chinatown Centre, at 222 Spadina Ave., is the place to be with all varieties of Chinese-made clothing, accessories, home decor items and toys available. While riding one of Toronto’s trademark streetcars on Spadina Avenue you can catch grand glimpses of dragons and other mythic Chinese figures mounted high atop deep red columns.
Until the 1930s, the “Beaches” neighbourhood was a summer retreat filled with cottages, lovely sand beaches, and a string of amusement parks. Today, this laid-back waterfront community on Queen Street East between Woodbine Avenue and Neville Park Road has a strong “Californian” feel. It also has funky shops, quaint antique shops, quirky stores, and a cool collection of cafes, bars and restaurants.
Kensington Market: Kensington is constantly reinventing itself. The original market dates back to British settlement in the 1790s, after which it experienced waves of immigration from many different countries. In the early 1900s, it was home to more than 80 per cent of Toronto’s Jewish community. By the 1950s, the market became more multicultural, a product of the immigrant influx after the war. Today the area represents the true meaning of the word eclectic, with people from more than 30 cultural backgrounds, including Portuguese, East Indian, Ethiopian and Caribbean. In more recent times, Kensington Market has lent its name to popular Television – everyone in Canada watched The King of Kensington. Indeed, a likeness in bronze of beloved Toronto actor, the late Al Waxman continues to watch over the neighbourhood There was even a band called Kensington Market that recorded between 1967 and 1969. Dozens of tiny shops and produce stands are hidden in the labyrinth streets just west of Chinatown. Bordered by College Street to the north and Dundas Street to the south, Kensington Market is a haven of fresh fruit, vegetables and dry goods stores. Some of the best local produce and meat shops are found on these wonderfully cramped little streets, and the seafood, dry goods and dollar stores on Spadina are just a few blocks away. Kensington Avenue itself also houses several tiny cafes and the best vintage clothing stores in the city. Like collective Kings of Kensington, the market is protected from encroachment and thoroughly embraced by a crowd with a defining creative and intellectual bent. Flourishes reminiscent of long ago’s Haight-Ashbury are always present but Saturday mornings the market shines in all its glory.
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Bloor/Yorkville: This neighbourhood is home to both wide avenue and lovely lanes as well as boutiques and restaurants contained within old Victorian houses. Yorkville proper used to be ground zero for Bohemian culture in the 60s. Really, man. Founded by entrepreneur Joseph Bloor in 1830 and originally named the Village of Yorkville, it has had many incarnations since its early days. For instance, in the 1960s, counter-culture blossomed here. Bloor-Yorkville was the nurturing ground for some of Canada’s famous musical talents like Neil Young and Joni Mitchell. Today, Bloor/Yorkville is Toronto’s most fashionable shopping district located Midtown. It’s a appealing blend of old and new. Beautifully restored Victorian houses, flower-filled courtyards, an award-winning park, sophisticated streets, and near-hidden lanes are home to 700 shops, restaurants, galleries, and museums. Such names as Prada, Versace and Channel are all found here. If you time your visit during the Toronto International Festival in September you can combine great shopping with star spotting on one particular night. Once you’ve loaded yourself down with parcels and packages from inside Holt Renfrew during the day, be sure to grab a latté at night, pick a spot near the red carpet and watch the crème of Hollywood royalty arrive at the party inside Holt Renfrew at night.
The Distillery: Historic District Formerly the Gooderham & Worts Distillery, Canada’s largest spirits manufacturer, the recent revival of this landmark site in the Parliament and Front Street area marks an intoxicating blend of old and new. The original landscape of 19th buildings and distilling operations allow visitors to experience the legacy of this landmark distillery. In 1831, James Worts invested in a piece of property along Toronto’s shoreline with the intention of establishing his own milling business. Together with his brother in law William Gooderham, what began as an elementary milling operation flourished into Canada’s landmark distillery – the Gooderham & Worts Distillery. By 1871, the Goderham & Worts distillery produced almost half of Ontario’s total spirit production and exported its whisky and spirits to Canadian markets – even New York. Production in one form or another continued until 1990. The site’s rich historical and architectural legacy has since been embraced. Today the picturesque, pedestrian-only village now houses 119 tenants, including galleries, museums, rehearsal halls, boutiques, retail shops, artist studios, restaurants, bistros and cafes. The Distillery bustles with activity day and night. You can catch live music, outdoor exhibitions, fairs and special events at the Distillery year ‘round. The Historic Distillery District continues to be the destination of choice for international filmmakers. The cobblestone paths, grid-street design and the best-preserved collection of Victorian Industrial architecture in North America have established District as a most attractive movie and television filming site.
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Queen West: For decades, Queen Street West has traditionally been home to Toronto’s artistic community. It’s the destination for the stylish and fashionable, with tons of great shops, nightclubs, restaurants and more. It is actually one of the only streets in the world where they actually made the road smaller to accommodate a wider sidewalk!! East of Spadina, one can find more mainstream outlets and chain stores, but there’s lots of brilliant independent shops as well. West of Spadina, where the rent is lower, and tenants incredibly fresh, visitors can find some great designers, used record shops, crazy junk shops and other fun stuff. Either way, you’ll find plenty to see.Gallery District Further west on Queen Street, the locals have taken to calling this section – West Queen West or Queen Street West. As mainstream shops push west past Spadina, bohemia is also forced to forge west… but this is great news for this part of town as new galleries, restaurants and shops pop up almost weekly.
Mirvish Village: One of the city’s most illustrious and respected characters is “Honest” Ed Mirvish, who started his career in the 1950s with a no-frills department store at the corner of Markham and Bloor streets (1 block west of Bathurst) – Honest Ed’s. Even blocks away, neon signs race and advertisements touting bargains hit you from every direction. His kindness and generosity are legendary – for decades people have lined up for blocks outside Honest Ed’s for their free Christmas turkeys. And for decades, his vision for Toronto has been right on mark. Always a strong supporter of culture and the arts, his other accomplishments include saving the Royal Alexandra Theatre on King Street from demolition, establishing a row of adjacent restaurants for theatre patrons (now known as the Theatre District), and developing Mirvish Village, a block-long area of art galleries, restaurants, and bookstores at Bloor and Bathurst.
Old Town Toronto: The 200-year-old St. Lawrence market, with over 50 specialty vendors, calls the neighbourhood between Front Street and Jarvis and Cherry Street home. Walking east from the St. Lawrence Market brings you to the Distillery District, Toronto’s newest centre for arts, culture and entertainment.
Gerrard Indian Bazaar: The thriving East Indian Community along Gerrard Street between Coxwell and Greenwood offers exquisite fabrics, delicious regional dishes and dazzling jewellery.
Greektown: Danforth Avenue is home not only to the over-the-top popular Tastes of the Danforth Festival every year, but with its incredibly strong culinary base has also transformed itself over the years to a popular shopping and just-stopped-for-a- drink patio destination. After all, see and be scene. Need more information? Visit www.torontotourism.com
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follow your passion, live your dream... ✓ Reaching from the Bay of Quinte to ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Algonquin Provincial Park Ontarioʼs Artisan Cheese Region Double the national average of artists & artisans One of the top 15 places visited in Ontario (Statcan) Weʼre “Rurban” - rural with an urban flair 90 minutes to Toronto, 2 hours to Ottawa
For more information about Hastings County please contact: Andrew Redden, Economic Development Manager: reddena@hastingscounty.com By Andrew Redden I am lucky! I live and work in Hastings County where I enjoy the best of both worlds. I get to enjoy a small town lifestyle while still maintaining easy access to nearby cities. I enjoy all the modern amenities such as interesting places to eat, access to high-speed Internet and good entertainment. But I can easily travel to the big city for a night out, if I wish, to see a concert or sporting event. Where is Hastings County you ask? It is nestled exactly halfway between Toronto and Ottawa, stretching from the shores of the Bay of Quinte all the way up North to Algonquin Park. It is accessible by rail, the 401 and several other provincial highways including number 7. Throughout Hastings County you can find several small towns and villages each with their own unique character and shopping district. Enjoy easy access to outdoor amenities with more than 200KM of recreational trails, more than 9,000 lakes, rivers and other bodies of water and numerous artisans have located their creativity here. Housing costs are also quite reasonable being an average of $400,000 less than what you would pay in Toronto! Traffic jams don’t exist meaning your commute to work is relaxing. Or, why not just telecommute over your high speed Internet connection? No longer do larger cities have an advantage in this regard. Send your children to one of our more than 30 elementary schools and more than 10 secondary schools. Feel secure that you, your family and employees have their health in good hands with three fully accredited hospital sites and a successful physician recruitment program through which more than 25 doctors have been attracted to our area. For more information on what it is like to live and work in Hastings County, visit investinhastings.ca Andrew Redden is the Economic Development Manager for Hastings County 55
A wintery wonderland awaits you in Greater Sudbury The City of Greater Sudbury is an urban jewel nestled amidst the natural beauty of lakes and forests in the heart of Northeastern Ontario. Offering a unique mix of urban amenities and natural surroundings, Greater Sudbury is a thriving landscape that covers an area of 3,627 square kilometres. With 330 freshwater lakes and hundreds of kilometres of trails, Greater Sudbury’s 158,000 plus residents enjoy an abundance of recreational activities, a rich colourful heritage, several business sectors, and excellent educational opportunities. Imagine a lifestyle with work-life balance, with a ten minute commute to work and a short distance to your weekend escape. Considered by many as the Regional Centre of Northeastern Ontario, Sudbury’s early roots can be traced back to 1883 and the development of the transnational railway. Its vast mineral resources have resulted in unparalleled growth. Today, Greater Sudbury is a diversified regional centre for mining, technology, education, government and health services with great connections to neighbouring communities and beyond. Greater Sudbury prides itself on a strong network of industrial, commercial, financial and government support services. The city is located 390 kilometres north of Toronto and 483 km west of Ottawa, where the Trans Canada Highway 17 and Highway 69 converge. Greater Sudbury is a city for the creative, curious and adventuresome! We encourage multicultural diversity and this if further reflected in our everyday lifestyle. Sudburians enjoy a vast array of theatre productions, concerts, film festivals including Cinéfest and the Science North IMAX Festival, events, restaurants, cultural festivals and recreational activities that change as the seasons do. A host to tourist destinations like Science North and Dynamic Earth, and shopping and dining to suit every appetite, Greater Sudbury has something for everyone!
Education Take one look at Greater Sudbury’s educational system and you’ll see that Greater Sudbury has invested heavily in its future by developing outstanding schools from Kindergarten through grade 12 and beyond. As the regional centre for learning and applied research in Northeastern Ontario, Greater Sudbury is home to four school boards, private schools and several postsecondary institutions such as the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, Laurentian University, Cambrian College, and Collège Boréal, one of only two francophone colleges in Ontario. Greater Sudbury educational opportunities offer comprehensive and challenging curriculums. Canada’s first new school of architecture in 40 years, Laurentian Architecture is expected to open in September 2011 as a downtown satellite campus of Laurentian University.
Real Estate and Housing Greater Sudbury offers a wide variety of affordable real estate options whether you want to rent or purchase a home in urban, rural and suburban settings. Greater Sudbury offers housing options to fit every budget and lifestyle. Enjoy a worklife balance with a 10 minute commute from your home to work. Take a drive through our city and you will get a glimpse of friendly neighbourhoods, thriving business sectors and a vibrant downtown filled with shops, boutiques, restaurants and entertainment. In comparison to other large communities, Greater Sudbury has the lowest average housing prices. The average sale price for a single family home in 2009 was $200,947. If renting an apartment or home, Greater Sudbury renters spend less of their income on housing than the national average.
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Bell Museum
Sudbury Symphony Orchestra
Employment
Health Care Services
Greater Sudbury’s business-friendly environment is as dynamic as it is diverse. We have a highly skilled, educated, innovative and enthusiastic workforce. Once reliant on the cycles that came with mining, Greater Sudbury has grown considerably into a diverse and dynamic centre for technology, education, mining, government, and health services. A comparison to Ontario data based on the 2001 Census reveals that Greater Sudbury’s labour force profile has diversified significantly over the last three decades. Service activities, from retail to producer services, now employ 80% of Greater Sudbury's labour force, compared to 20% in the goods-producing sector. Health care, educational services and public administration all play an important role, reflecting Greater Sudbury's position as a regional service centre for Northeastern Ontario, as well as the continued development of the health care and education infrastructure.
Greater Sudbury has become a regional resource and referral centre for residents in Northeastern Ontario. The presence of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, the Northeastern Ontario Regional Cancer Centre and the Adult Regional Cardiac Program, coupled with the pursuit of an Occupational Health & Safety Centre of Excellence, have all positioned Greater Sudbury as a regional health centre. Over 300 general practitioners and specialists contribute to the overall health and wellness of Greater Sudbury and to patients throughout the region. The Hôpital régional de Sudbury Regional Hospital (HRSRH) provides hospital-based acute, transitional, rehabilitation and continuing care. The HRSRH completed a major expansion to consolidate all hospital based services once offered across three sites. The new one site hospital allows for additional acute inpatient and intensive care beds, mental health, birthing facilities, emergency department, operating rooms and other diagnostic and support departments. With the world’s population aging, the need for long term care facilities is essential to any city. From retirement communities including St. Joseph’s Villa, the Elizabeth
Ramsey lake Skate Path 57
Centre, Pioneer Manor and Finlandia-Koti to name a few, to chronic care centres such as Extendicare, the City of Greater Sudbury is proud to offer a wide variety of healthcare accommodation options for our seniors.
Culture and Diversity A bilingual community with a rich francophone and aboriginal heritage, Greater Sudbury is a multicultural mosaic with a platform for welcoming and embracing diversity that Sudburians are proud to share with the world. Greater Sudbury’s commitment to cultural diversity is evident in all areas of the city, from restaurants, schools, places of worship, festivals and events. Our city’s cultural festivals such as the Canada Day, Italian, Greek, Aboriginal, Irish, Celtic, Finnish and Ukrainian festivals celebrate the cultural diversity of our citizens. The city’s diversity is most evident with the Bridge of Nations and its many flags. The flags on the Bridge of Nations were originally raised during a Canada Day celebration on July 1, 2007 to honour Greater Sudbury's multinational and multicultural heritage. Today, it continues to be a reflection of how much Greater Sudbury embraces multiculturalism.
Winter Climate and the Outdoors A wintery wonderland awaits you in Greater Sudbury. Our winters offer outdoor enthusiasts several fun options including cross country and downhill skiing, skating, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, winter carnivals, ice fishing and more.
Pond Hockey on the Rock brings the spirit of friendly competitive hockey to the outdoors on the frozen shores of Ramsey Lake. This fun filled family weekend features outdoor hockey rinks on the banks of the lake alongside the staking path. Greater Sudbury offers something for everyone and winters are a well celebrated season with plenty of indoor and outdoor activities for everyone. The temperature ranges from -25°C to -5°C during the months of December and January.
Key Websites To find out more about the City of Greater Sudbury visit the following websites and find out what makes Sudbury so great! www.mysudbury.ca www.immigrationsudbury.ca www.mysudbury.ca/jobboard www.greatersudbury.ca www.mysudbury.ca/Tourism www.mysudbury.ca/Invest www.sciencenorth.ca www.rainbowroutes.com www.laurentian.ca www.cambrianc.on.ca www.borealc.on.ca www.nosm.ca www.ontarioimmigration.ca
immigration
Meet Maganth (Ram) Mogandas who emigrated from Sri Lanka and has now settled in Smiths Falls, Ontario to manage a local restaurant. He tells his story on pages 66 and 67. There is quite a lot happening in the immigration world at the moment. The figures for permanent and temporary residents admitted during 2009 have been released as well as the new immigration plan for 2011. Questions are also being asked about the relaunch of the investor program and if it really addresses the needs of Canada. Other questions surround the possible restriction of certain source countries to allow for a more balanced immigrant population.
2011 Immigration Plan announced
Quebec seeks to protect immigrants
On November 1st Jason Kenney, Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister announced the Canadian immigration plans for 2011. It was thought by many that immigration numbers would be reduced in light of the recent recession and the high unemployment levels experienced across the country. However, Kenny announced that the number of permanent residents welcomed into Canada during 2011 will remain high at between 240,000 and 265,000. Of those 60% will be via the economic streams. “Canada’s post-recession economy demands a high level of legal immigration to keep our work force strong,” he said. “At the same time, we are maintaining our commitment to family reunification and refugees.” The 2011 plan includes a higher rate of admissions for spouses and children under the family class as well as a higher number of refugees. Indeed refugees are high on the list for new immigrant numbers. In 2011 an additional 1,125 refugees will settle in Canada as part of the commitment to increase total refugee resettlement by 2,500 over three years. Canada resettled more bona fide refugees than any country but the United States. Canada resettles over one in 10 of the world’s refugees. “These refugees are selected and screened by Canada, and come here legally,” noted Minister Kenney. “We look forward to giving them a safe, new beginning.” The majority of economic newcomers enter via the Federal Skilled Worker Program and the provincial programs account for the rest. Provincial programs have encouraged immigrants to settle in places other than the traditional Ontario, British Columbia and Quebec locations. In 1997 only 11% of economic immigrants settled in locations other than the big three, now the figure is closer to 25%. This allows for a more diverse spread of workers who can be selected to meet local market needs. Kenny said that with the aging population and low birth rates, Canada will not have enough people to keep the work force growing. Within the next five years all of Canada’s work force growth will come from immigration.
The Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants (CSIC) has launched an information campaign to promote the Quebec government’s positive move to protect its consumers by regulating immigration consultants. As of 4th Nov 2010, Québec’s new regulation concerning immigration consultants is in force. All immigration consultants dealing with the government of Quebec have until February 2, 2011 to register with the province and obtain certification from the Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants (CSIC); those that do not will be shut out of the Quebec immigration process by the government. “The government of Quebec is to be applauded for taking action to protect its citizens through the regulation of immigration consultants and CSIC wanted to lend its support of the regulation by creating the highest possible incidence of awareness amongst the general public,” said John Ryan, CEO, CSIC. “CSIC members are dedicated to protecting the hopes and dreams of prospective immigrants who want to make Quebec their home and we are pleased that the Quebec government has expressed their confidence in us through the implementation of their regulations.” Since its inception in 2004 CSIC has dedicated itself to establishing the credibility of the immigration consulting profession and providing much-needed consumer protection to prospective immigrants. Quebec’s decision to include CSIC members, known as Certified Canadian Immigration Consultants in the new regulations is a testament to the ongoing success of CSIC as a regulator. “The government of Quebec has gone beyond mandating CSIC membership in order to protect its consumers and our information campaign seeks to ensure that everyone is aware of the requirements being imposed by the Quebec government,” added Ryan.
2009 Immigration figures Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) have recently released the statistics for the numbers of permanent and temporary residents entering the country in 2009.
Permanent Residents In total 252,179 permanent residents settled in Canada in 2009. Of those 65,200 were in the family class, 153,498 were economic immigrants, 22,846 were refugees and other categories accounted for the remaining 10,633. The majority of the family class (43,894) were made up of spouses and partners. 17,179 were parents and grandparents. Of the economic class the majority entered under the skilled worker program (95,962). Provincial and territorial nominees accounted for 30,378. In September 2008 the Canadian Experience Class was introduced, so 2009 was the first year in which numbers were known. They show that 1,775 people entered Canada using this new system. When we take a look at where in Canada people relocated to we can see the following:
Province or Territory
# of permanent residents
32.9% of the family class speak neither English or French along with 44.4% of refugees. Next we look at the top ten source countries.
Source Country
# of permanent residents
People’s Republic of China
29,049
Philippines
27,277
India
26,122
United States
9,723
United Kingdom
9,566
France
7,300
Pakistan
6,214
Iran
6,065
Republic of Korea
5,864
Morocco
5,222
Temporary Residents Canada welcomed 382,330 new temporary residents in 2009. Nearly half of those (178,478) were foreign workers. Foreign students accounted for 85,140. When you include the number of temporary residents already in the country at this time the total is 937,284. The top ten source countries differs greatly from that of permanent residents.
Ontario
106,867
Quebec
49,493
British Columbia
41,438
Alberta
27,017
Manitoba
13,520
Saskatchewan
6,890
United States
30,240
Nova Scotia
2,424
Mexico
18,403
New Brunswick
1,913
France
15,323
Prince Edward Island
1,723
Philippines
14,484
Source Country
# of temporary residents
Newfoundland & Labrador
603
United Kingdom
10,197
Yukon
174
Australia
10,186
Northwest Territories
107
Jamaica
7,044
Nunavut
10
Germany
6,473
India
6,400
Japan
6,350
Next we can take a look at language ability of those entering the country. Within the economic immigrants only 8.3% of the principal applicants spoke neither English or French, however 33.9% of their spouses or dependents could speak neither language.
Investor program now open again In June we reported that the immigrant investor program had been suspended pending a review of the criteria requirements. The program had not been updated for many years and it was felt the investment required was too low and not in line with other similar programs around the world. As of 1st December 2010 the program will reopen with a whole new set of criteria. Under the revised program investor applicants will be required to have a personal net worth of $1.6 million and be able to make an investment of $800,000. Both figures are double that of the old program. “These changes were necessary,” said Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney. “The requirements had not been increased in more than a decade and we need to keep pace with the changing economy.” With the old criteria in place the program was receiving a high number of applicants making the wait times long, sometimes several years. Now the criteria has increased it will help reduce the number of applicants and thus the wait times. “Higher personal net worth criteria mean the program is now better positioned to attract investors with valuable business links and the resources to make secondary investments in the Canadian economy,” said Kenney. “Higher investment amounts mean provinces and territories will receive more investment capital to put toward job creation and economic development projects.” Details of the investor program will appear on the CIC website www.cic.gc.ca
Should Canada restrict immigrants from certain countries? In a recent poll Canadians were asked if immigration from certain countries should be restricted. As you can see from figures on the previous page, China, Philippines and India supply one-third of 2009’s immigrants. Across all of Canada 40% of respondents said yes there should be restrictions from these countries. By doing this it would allow Canada to have a better, more balanced mix of immigrants. Quebecers were most in favour of this move with 35% of respondents supporting the idea. In Ontario the support was 29%. Many feel that certain countries are over-represented and immigrants from other countries should be encouraged and have more access. In recent years Asia has become the top source area for immigrants with China, India, Philippines, Pakistan and Hong Kong being the top source countries. When we go back 20 years the top source countries were United Kingdom, United States, Italy, Germany and Portugal. Many Canadians feel that either a ban or heavy restriction is now required to give the country a more balanced multicultural society.
Crackdown on bogus marriages The Canadian government is trying to stop bogus marriages which are being used to enter Canada. It has been a known fact that many people enter in to a marriage of convenience simply to enter the country as a sponsored spouse. Once in Canada the “marriage” is abandoned but the person is now legally a permanent resident and can stay in the country as long as they abide by residency rules. “We’ve created a network of experts in anti-fraud, called migration integrity experts. We’ve increased the number of interviews we’re doing abroad,” Minister Kenney said. Other countries such as the United Kingdom, Australia and the United States require that a sponsored spouse has to wait three years before being granted permanent residency. It is thought that Canada may follow their lead.
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Autumn arrives in Nova Scotia’s South Shore Autumn has finally arrived in Nova Scotia and it’s a sure bet that winter isn’t far behind. Red and gold leaves crunch underfoot and the scent of wood smoke wafts through the air. There’s a definite crispness in the air. Welcome to the cooler months on Nova Scotia’s South Shore. There is a timelessness here that makes it easy to forget your cares and stresses. After a hard day at work, come dream on the coast. Stroll leisurely along the beach and watch for the ghost of a privateer schooner to sail by. Sure, the breeze is chilly, but the splendor of the North Atlantic, just moments from the hustle and bustle of everyday life is certainly worth it. Hunt for treasures in the innumerable shops and boutiques that characterize our small towns and villages. Tour our museums. Become part of our history. Immigrating to Nova Scotia means having the best of both worlds – there is space for new businesses to open and prosper and there are unspoiled spaces to lose oneself in. Our working environment is superb; our universities top-rated. Warm, welcoming people invite you into their lives and into their communities. Nova Scotia’s South Shore region was recently chosen as one the Top Ten Coastal Destinations by National Geographic magazine. Top rated destinations are designated for presenting “in excellent shape, relatively unspoiled and likely to remain so.” Come walk our sugar sand beaches. Discover a new trail. Cuddle up next to a bonfire and watch the stars. Soak in the past and enjoy the present. Take pleasure in the fall and winter splendors here on the South Shore of Nova Scotia. 64
By Guidy Mamann, J.D. Canada’s Immigrant Investor Program should be treated like the crown jewel of our annual immigration plan… but it’s not. You would think that Canadians would want at least ten or perhaps fifteen percent of Canada’s newcomers to be chosen for their ability to transfer large amounts of money here for the specific purpose of providing working capital to Canadian businesses. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Of the 252,179 immigrants Canada selected in 2009, just 2,872 (i.e. just over 1%) were selected by our federal government for this purpose. Prior to June of this year, applicants had to demonstrate a personal net worth of $800,000 and had to give$ 400,000 of it as an interest free loan to our government. Basically, our government does whatever it wants with the money and then returns it to the investor interest-free, five years later. Contrary to popular belief, these “investors” don’t actually do any investing themselves...they simply give us a five-year interest free loan and we give them permanent status here. In fact, much of this money doesn’t actually come from overseas. Our rules allow investor applicants to borrow this money from an approved Canadian financial institution (i.e. BMO, CIBC, RBC, TD, Scotiabank etc.) who will give our government the 5-year interest free loan on behalf of the investor. For their troubles, these banks...called facilitators...require the prospective immigrant to pay upfront the interest that the loan would have generated for 5 years. The applicant cuts a cheque to the lender in the non-refundable amount of about $120,000-130,000 (depending on prevailing interest rates). The facilitator gives our government the $400,000 and collects it back in 5 years. The result is that the “investor” essentially buys Canadian permanent residency status for about $120,000. In June, the Feds temporarily stopped accepting new applications in this category since they had way too many applications already pending in the pipe and because our immigration minister, Jason Kenney, felt we were shortchanging ourselves. On Wednesday, Kenney announced that, effective December 1, the stakes would be doubled. Applicants under the federal investor category will have to have a minimum net worth of $1,600,000 and give our government a five-year interest free loan of $800,000 either directly or through a facilitator. The justification behind this move is that Canada is receiving about three times more applications in this category than it is approving. Therefore, we can afford to raise the bar a bit and demand a greater financial commitment from those who can afford it and filter out those who can’t. While this approach is completely sound, it falls short. The question that needs to be asked is this: Why is a country like Canada, i.e. one of the most developed economies in the world, with vast resources and a
population of about 33 million, able to approve only 2,800 investor applications a year? Stated differently, why are only 8,500 potential investors in a global population of almost seven billion people interested in making Canada their permanent home? There are three main answers. Firstly, we have the wrong immigration mix. We need to sharply increase the number of immigrants in the investor category that we currently accept. The current number of 2,800 is far too low in real terms and as a percentage of the 250,000 immigrants we accept each year. Secondly, current processing times discourage many investors from even applying here. Government statistics show that most cases take between three to four years to process. Twenty percent of these cases take even longer to finalize. Successful businessmen and women who have made a decision to emigrate from their homeland usually want to act on those plans much more quickly than we are willing to respond to and are rarely willing to wait in our long queues. Thirdly, our selection criteria and process including i.e. the requirement for recent business experience, full disclosure of assets exceeding the minimum net worth amounts, the endless list of documents requested, and the uncertainty of the process make the process too invasive, risky, and costly without enhancing the program’s ability to attract more dollars to Canada. Compared to investors, each year Canada receives four times as many refugees, three times as many sponsored parents and grandparents, three times as many humanitarian cases , and over two times as many nannies. Our Tory government, which prides itself in making decisions that are good for our economy, needs to quickly grow and streamline this program. Guidy Mamann, J.D. practices law in Toronto at Mamann, Sandaluk and is certified by the Law Society of Upper Canada as an immigration specialist. For more information, visit www.migrationlaw.com or email metro@migrationlaw.com
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Maganth (Ram) Mogandas prepares a salad at Chuckles Jack restaurant. Moving to Smiths Falls in May to manage the new restaurant, he already considers the town his home and would recommend the community to other newcomers to Canada.
66
Maganth (Ram) Mogandas knows all too well what it is like to live in a country embroiled in ethnic conflict. He left his homeland of Sri Lanka because of the ongoing civil war between the minority Tamils – his family is of that ethnicity -- and the Sinhalese government. Even nine years after he came to Canada, Ram is still haunted by the memories of the fighting in Sri Lanka. “There was terrible fighting,” he recalls. “One of my brothers got killed from the war.” Many other relatives have also lost their lives in the conflict. “They are still suffering, some of them,” he related.
And now Ram derives satisfaction from tempting the palates of Smiths Falls and area residents with his international cuisine. He first visited the town with a friend in January 2010. During their one week stay, they were so impressed with what they saw and with the support they received afterwards from municipal staff in starting up a business that he moved here in May to become the manager of the new Chuckles Jack restaurant. At the restaurant, Ram has been able to put his culinary talents in international cuisine to work with Italian, Greek, Indian, Sri Lankan, Thai, Mexican and French dishes all being on the menu.
Smiths Falls new home for immigrant from Sri Lanka Leaving the City of Jaffna to come to Canada as a refugee in 2001 in search of a better life, Ram has found it here in eastern Ontario in the Town of Smiths Falls. He moved to the community of approximately 8,800 people, which is located less than an hour from Ottawa, the nation’s capital, in May after living initially with an uncle and other relatives in Toronto. The 31-year-old says he was attracted to Canada after doing some research on the country, from its history to political system to job opportunities to “how they (Canadians) respect new immigrants.” Being impressed with what he read, Ram decided this was a country in which he would like to live and he has not regretted his decision to move here. Upon his arrival in Canada, Ram enrolled in ESL (English as a Second Language) classes and went back to school to complete the credits needed to obtain his Grade 12 diploma. In addition, he decided to contribute to his new country by doing some volunteer work. He was a volunteer at World Youth Day 2002. This celebration of faith was started by Pope John Paul II with the 10th event in Toronto attracting an estimated 400,000 to 500,000 youth from around the world. Having long had a love of cooking, Ram has been able to turn that passion into work here in Canada. While his first job in the restaurant business was as a part-time dishwasher, over time he exchanged this role in the kitchen for preparing finger food. Eventually, he “jumped into the real cooking” like pasta and other dishes. During his time in Toronto, he had the opportunity to work in restaurants serving Greek, Thai, Italian and Mexican food. “When I cook, I have a good feeling,” he says. “I am so happy when somebody eats my food. It is 100 per cent satisfaction for me.”
While Ram has only lived in Smiths Falls six months, he already considers it his home. “I enjoy it here,” he says in praise of the town. “It is a very quiet place. The people are very friendly.” One of the things Ram likes about Smiths Falls is its natural beauty, from the many trees that line the streets and surrounding area to the historic Rideau Canal, the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Ontario. Ram is also pleased with the services available to immigrants in Smiths Falls and how people in the town make newcomers feel welcome. So much so that he would recommend the community to other immigrants to Canada and plans to apply to Citizenship and Immigration Canada to sponsor his parents to immigrate here from Sri Lanka. Anyone interested in learning more about Smiths Falls and what the town has to offer newcomers is encouraged to visit the website www.immigratetosmithsfalls.ca.
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IF YOU DON’T LIKE
YOUR JOB
THEN MAYBE YOU SHOULD GET
ANOTHER
JOB