May 04 - 17, 2011
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HARPER WINS MAJORITY A strong showing in Ontario helped propel Stephen Harper and his Conservatives toward a historic majority government Monday night. The Tories held their existing 52 seats and picked up another 20. The Conservatives finally broke through the Liberal fortress in Toronto, stealing Liberal Ken Dryden’s seat in York Centre, Martha Hall Finlay’s in Willowdale, Joe Volpe’s seat in Eglinton-Centre, and a number of others in the city’s core, and in its suburbs. The most high-profile loss for the Liberals in Ontario, however, lies with Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff. He couldn’t manage to keep his seat in Etobicoke-Lakeshore, losing it to Conservative Bernard Trottier by more than 2,000 votes. The Liberals were decimated in Ontario, dropping from 37 seats to just 12. The NDP lost only one of its 17 previous seats in the province, in Sault Ste. Marie, but gained other key seats including in Toronto, bringing its count in the province to 22 seats in total. There were 106 seats up for grabs in the province in this election and a number of tight races to be decided. The province’s strategic importance was underscored by how much time Harper, Ignatieff and Layton spent there during the fiveweek campaign. For the Conservatives to get their elusive majority, they needed to improve their fortunes in Ontario. The Liberals, meanwhile, clearly felt the need to maintain their hold on Toronto if they were to prevent that from happening, and to stop the NDP’s late-campaign surge from sweeping the province. Emphasizing Ontario’s importance, Harper began the last weekend of the campaign in Richmond Hill, north of Toronto before head-
ing to Nova Scotia, then west to wrap up the campaign in his home riding in Calgary. Layton was in Quebec for some of the weekend but also held a number of events in Ontario, and Ignatieff spent the weekend campaigning entirely in Ontario, visiting nearly a dozen communities in the southwestern part of the province and suburbs of Toronto. The NDP holds seats in Hamilton, near Toronto, but the battle for the suburbs, the “905 region” that rings Toronto, was mostly between the Liberals and the Conservatives. The Tories have been chipping away at the Liberal fortress in and around Toronto for years. They picked up Toronto-area seats in Thornhill and Vaughan in the 2008 election and a more recent byelection, and the Liberals were eager to get those back. But Julian Fantino was easily re-elected in Vaughan, and Peter Kent, the environment minister, also sailed to victory in Thornhill. As well, Finance Minister Jim Flaherty is returning to Parliament Hill to represent Whitby-Oshawa. Within the city of Toronto, the Liberals used to hold all but two seats. Those two other seats belong to Layton in Toronto-Danforth, and his wife, Olivia Chow, the NDP MP for Trinity-Spadina. The NDP was hoping that Peggy Nash could win back her seat from Liberal Gerard Kennedy in Parkdale-High Park, and she did. In northern Ontario, some NDP MPs had to fend off attacks from the Conservatives because they voted to maintain the long-gun registry in the last session of Parliament. It’s a wedge issue that the Tories tried to use to their advantage in some rural ridings.
FEDERAL ELECTION RESULTS Party Elected Vote Share % CON NDP LIB BQ GRN IND
167 102 34 4 1 0
39.62 30.62 18.91 6.05 3.91 0.43
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Ontario Government Launches Emergency Preparedness Week 2011 Ontarians Encouraged To Be Prepared Emergency Preparedness Week is the perfect opportunity for families across the province to ensure they are prepared in the event of an emergency. This year, all Ontarians are encouraged to test their knowledge of emergency preparedness by visiting www.ontario.ca/ beprepared and taking the Emergency Preparedness Challenge.
Emergency Preparedness Week takes place this year from May 1-7 across the country. It helps to increase awareness about the need for everyone to prepare themselves and their families to be self-sufficient for the first 72 hours of an emergency such as a power outage or severe weather event. QUICK FACTS • Forty per cent of Ontarians have an emergency survival
kit but only 17 per cent have a family emergency plan • The Emergency Preparedness Guide for People with Disabilities/Special Needs is available in seven languages and in Braille in both English and French. • The Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act establishes the province’s legal basis and framework for managing emergencies in Ontario.
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The Ontario government is investing in a fund to give families and businesses more control over how and when they use electricity. This fund will develop a smart grid, which among other things will allow consumers to control appliances and lights in their homes from anywhere at anytime. Smart grid technology delivers electricity from the supplier to homeowner using two-way digital communications, which helps consumers control their electricity use and costs. A smart
grid will also ensure consumers have reliable, clean power by letting utility companies pinpoint and automatically fix power outages. Building a smart grid is an important part of Ontario’s plan to bring more clean power online. It is also a key element of the McGuinty government’s LongTerm Energy Plan to revitalize Ontario’s electricity system, clean up the air we breathe by shutting down coal-fired power and keep the lights on in homes and businesses. To help Ontarians manage
the costs of turning on more clean, reliable power, the government is: • Taking 10 per cent off monthly electricity bills for families, farms and small businesses over the next five years with the Ontario Clean Energy Benefit. • Moving the Time-of-Use off-peak period for electricity from 9 p.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays starting May 1, 2011. This will provide an extra 10 hours of electricity each week at the lowest available rate.
Ontario Government Takes New Steps To Protect Youth and Help Smokers Quit
Ontario is taking new steps to stamp out illegal tobacco, help more people quit smoking, and ensure young people don’t get addicted. Building on significant progress made through its SmokeFree Ontario Strategy, the government will introduce new legislation to cut the supply of contraband tobacco - focusing on tougher controls over raw leaf products, new fines for possession, and stronger seizure powers for police. To further protect children and youth from the harmful effects of smoking, Ontario will work with educators and young people to keep schools smokefree and develop youth-led strategies focused on prevention. Smokers will also get more help to quit through a series of either new or enhanced supports:
• Smoking cessation counselling in health care settings and pharmacies; • Targeted help for smokers with chronic diseases who are in hospitals; • Cessation tools to help people in jobs where smoking increases health risks; and • Access to nicotine replacement therapies through primary care providers. This announcement is part of the McGuinty government’s ongoing commitment to curb tobacco use, protect youth and prevent people from smoking. It builds on earlier government action that includes banning the sale of flavoured cigarillos to youth, protecting kids from second-hand smoke in cars, and making enclosed environments smoke-free in Ontario. QUICK FACTS • Tobacco is the leading
cause of preventable death and disease in Ontario. It kills 13,000 people a year - three times the combined deaths caused by alcohol, drugs, suicide, homicide and car crashes. • Tobacco-related disease costs Ontario’s health care system $1.93 billion in direct health care costs and $5.8 billion in productivity losses each year. • The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health reported that, in 2009, contraband tobacco accounted for 43 per cent of all cigarettes consumed by Ontario high school students who smoked every day. • The Ministry of Revenue seized 150 million illegal cigarettes, 978,000 untaxed cigars and 47 million grams of fine cut tobacco between April 1, 2008 and March 31, 2011.
Election Sign Recycling in Peel Peel residents are advised that election signs from the May 2, 2011 federal election can be recycled at any Community Recycling Centre (CRC), free of charge. It is the responsibility of the candidate’s campaign office to remove their signs by the following times: • In Brampton signs must be removed by 8 p.m. on May 4
• In Mississauga signs must be removed by 11:59 p.m. on May 4 • In Caledon signs must be removed by 11:59 p.m. on May 7 Residents may also remove the signs from their properties and bring them to a CRC. The three main types of signs – corrugated plastic, paperboard and plastic film – can be recycled for free at CRCs as long as their
associated hardware (e.g. metal and wooden stakes and staples) is removed. These signs are not accepted in curbside or apartment recycling containers. Residents dropping off election signs at CRCs must not bring chargeable items in order for the signs to be accepted at no charge.
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NEWS
May 04 - 17, 2011
Census forms start arriving in mail Business Office # 32, 180 Wilkinson Road, Brampton, ON. L6T 4W8
Call: 905 487 1320 Fax: 905 487 0349 contact@southasianstar.com www.southasianstar.com
Publisher & Editor Manan Gupta manan@southasianstar.com (416) 451 0040 Advertising Stephen Alford
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Households across Canada are to begin receiving their yellow census packages in the mail Monday. The 2011 short-form census consists of the same basic eight questions, including gender and date of birth, that appeared on the 2006 census short-form questionnaire, with the addition of two questions on language. Under the Statistics Act, it is mandatory for Canadians to fill out the census, with the threat of fines for non-responders. If a respondent’s completed form is not received by the beginning of June, an enumerator will visit the house-
hold to get the questionnaire. This is the first time the census won’t have a mandatory long-form questionnaire. The Harper government cut the mandatory long-form census last year, and replaced it with a voluntary National Household Survey, which comes out approximately four weeks after the mandatory census. The Tories argued they were striking a balance between the need for reliable data and the right of Canadians to refuse to divulge personal information. Hundreds of organizations and municipalities, and some provinces, decried the move. A coalition of Maritime aboriginal groups argued in Federal Court in Halifax that the voluntary nature of the 2011 national household survey would
produce skewed data about offreserve populations, leaving them at a disadvantage. In January, the court dismissed the action, saying the native groups failed to establish the existence of an aboriginal right that might be adversely affected by the changes. Officials in Ottawa have tried to make filling out the census as easy as possible. It can can be completed online or on paper. It is available in English and French, as well as 20 ethnic languages, 11 aboriginal languages, Braille, audio and signed video. The data collected is used by governments, businesses, associations and community organizations to plan services such as schools, daycare, police services and fire protection. Census data is collected every five years. The results of the 2011 survey will be released next year. Reprinted with permission from CBC.ca
Environment Canada expects warmer summer FOLLOW US
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Environment Canada is predicting a warmer-than-normal summer across the country based on its forecast for May, June and July. That’s likely welcome news for most people after a soggy, cool start to spring, the agency’s senior climatologist, David Phillips, told CBC News in an interview Tuesday. “If the summer turns out well, it helps us forget we had a tough winter and a disappointing spring... It is early, but our preliminary indications are showing a warmerthan-normal summer from coast to coast to coast,” he said. “Right now as I’m talking to you, that’s what the best mod-
els suggest, but we’re not always right.” Precipitation is predicted to be above seasonal for most of the country, and below seasonal for southern B.C. and the GTA. Meanwhile, the operative word for May is patience, said Phillips. “We’re not going to be rushing to summer. It will be typically spring — the fickle, transitional season when you’re swinging back and forth from cool to warm.” Memories of last spring — the warmest and earliest spring in 63 years of record-keeping — are still fresh in people’s mind and comparisons are inevitable. In April 2010, temperatures were two to four degrees warmer
across Canada compared to this year. In weather terms, even a onedegree difference is significant, said Phillips. “When we compare that to this year, it has tended to be wetter, cooler and cloudier than normal in most areas.” Last summer was also memorable with above-average temperatures, albeit with more precipitation that normal. But even the rain was welcome because it seemed to fall at night and kept everything green, Phillips said. Reprinted with permission from CBC.ca
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NEWS
May 04 - 17, 2011
Global population to pass 10 billion by Peel Reaffirms 2100, UN projections indicate Support for
New York - The world’s population is projected to surge past 9 billion before 2050 and then reach 10.1 billion by the end of the century if current fertility rates continue at expected levels, according to United Nations figures unveiled recently. Most of the increase will come from so-called “high fertility countries,” mainly in sub-Saharan Africa but also in some nations in Asia, Oceania and Latin America, the figures reveal. The 2010 Revision of World Population Prospects, prepared by the Population Division at the UN’s Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), shows
that a small variation in fertility could lead to major long-term differences in the size of the global population. Based on the medium projection, the number of people in the world – currently close to 7 billion – should pass 8 billion in 2023, 9 billion by 2041 and then 10 billion at some point after 2081. But a small increase in fertility could mean a global population of as much as 15.8 billion by 2100, while a small decrease could result in an eventual overall decline in population to 6.2 billion by the end of the century. Hania Zlotnik, Director of the Population Division, told journal-
ists today that the populations of many countries are ageing and will continue to do so as their fertility rates decline. The population of countries classed as low-fertility or intermediate-fertility would thus peak well before the end of the century. Life expectancy is expected to rise across all categories of countries, particularly as better treatment for HIV/AIDS cuts early deaths in many sub-Saharan African countries. Global life expectancy is projected to increase from 68 years to 81 by the years 2095 to 2100.
Bulging rivers to crest in Winnipeg
The Red River is set to crest in Winnipeg over the next few days and will top-out in the city at about the same time as the Assiniboine River also crests in the Manitoba capital. Water levels were up to 19.28 feet James in Winnipeg Tuesday and were expected to crest somewhere between 19.5 and 20 feet James on Wednesday. On Monday the crest of the Red went through St. Adolphe and was heading toward the floodway intake, just south of Winnipeg on Tuesday.
Officals say the water level on the Red River this year is the sixth highest in recorded history but flood warnings were reduced last week as the high water was considered manageable. With the floodway in operation, and low-lying properties protected, properties in the city of Winnipeg are not considered to be in jeopardy. Meantime in Brandon, water levels on the Assiniboine River are the second highest in history and the crest isn’t expected there for another 10 days. But the province says the su-
per-sandbag dikes are holding in Brandon even though pumps are running to drain the seepage under the dikes. The Assiniboine will crest in Winnipeg before it does in Brandon because the river level is controlled by the Portage Diversion. Crests of both the Red and Assiniboine are expected to be prolonged over extended periods of time, officials say. Reprinted with permission from CBC.ca
211 Officially Launches in OPP announce changes to Dufferin County the vehicle tow and impoundment program
BRAMPTON – 211 phone service was officially launched in Dufferin County on April 29th, connecting residents to community and social services. “As a municipality, we strive to provide residents with efficient, timely and accurate information,” said Keith Palmer, Director of Community Services, County of Dufferin. “211 will help residents quickly connect with the appropriate service, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.” The top five calls to 211 are related to health issues, income and financial assistance, housing, community services, and legal and public safety. “211 will provide real value to all Ontario communities and the agencies that serve them through access to information and services and by identifying and documenting community needs,” said Kent Gillespie, President of Ontario 211 Services Corporation. “211 is a great example of collaboration and partnership among all orders of government and the community to improve the quality of life in Ontario.” 211 telephone service is available in several regions throughout Ontario, with the goal of providing service to every part of Ontario by the end of 2011. The Region of Peel operates this service in Peel and Dufferin.
ORILLIA - On July 1, 2011, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) will be acquiring the services of Ontario Impound Facility Operators (IFC) to provide towing services under a new Vehicle Impoundment Program (VIP) authority. The OPP will be tendering these services out through a Request for Proposal (RFP) posting on MERX in May, the exact date of which will be confirmed in the near future. For the purpose of the RFP, the OPP have divided the province into service delivery areas. Effective July 1, 2011 IFC’s that are awarded the contract through the RFP process will be utilized for vehicle tows and impoundments in their respective area. The OPP will also be hosting a Vendor Information Session by teleconference, with representatives from the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services and the Ministry of Transportation Ontario.
Fluoridation of Drinking Water
BRAMPTON – Regional Council has reaffirmed its 40-plus year commitment to the reduction of tooth decay and disease – particularly among children - by continuing to provide fluoride through municipally-provided drinking water. “Tooth decay is the most common chronic childhood disease and it’s highly preventable,” said Dr. David Mowat, Medical Officer of Health for the Region of Peel. “Fluoridated water helps reduce cavities by strengthening tooth enamel and making it more resistant to decay. It also helps stop the progression of decay in its early stages. Most importantly, it provides protection against cavities for all residents particularly those who cannot afford preventive dental care.” Water fluoridation has been well-studied to weigh both its benefits and potential health risks. Health Canada recently completed its review of any health effects associated with fluoride in drinking water and confirmed there is no link between the low-levels of fluoride in drinking water and health problems like cancer, gene mutation or reduced bone density or intelligence levels. Peel’s treated water supply is regularly monitored and meets all of the requirements of Ontario’s Safe Drinking Water Act to protect human health. Fluoride levels in Peel are maintained within the Act’s recommended standards of 0.5-0.8 mg/L, well below Health Canada’s maximum acceptable concentration of 1.5 mg/L. The Peel community is particularly vulnerable to dental disease. Compared to Ontario, Peel has a higher proportion of children and immigrants, and both of these groups have a relatively high rate of tooth decay. The cost to fluoridate Peel’s municipal water supply is $400,000 per year. In comparison, it would cost taxpayers an estimated $7.2 million to provide fluoride to the community through individual topical application. Unfortunately, this alternate approach would not provide universal access to all Peel residents in need.
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CRIME / PUBLIC SAFETY
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May 04 - 17, 2011
Improved trackside OPP wraps up annual safety creates a safer seatbelt campaign Ontario During Rail Safety Week in Canada - May 2 to May 8 - the Canadian Pacific Police Service will take its public safety message directly to the street. CALGARY - Canadian Pacific Police Service officers will conduct safety and enforcement blitzes in communities across the Province of Ontario next week during Rail Safety Week. “Ignoring signage at railway crossings and trespassing on railway property creates significant unnecessary personal risks, often resulting in fatalities and personal injuries,” said Canadian Pacific Police Service Sergeant Neil Shannon. “Awareness helps prevent tragic consequences from occurring and creates a safer situation for us all.” CPPS officers will conduct traffic enforcement blitzes at railway crossings and anti-trespassing patrols around rail operations in Toronto, Windsor, Durham, Vaughan, Hamilton, Cale-
don, Milton and Mississauga. In 2010, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada recorded 180 crossing accidents, resulting in 24 fatalities and 28 serious injuries. Crossing fatalities increased 26% across Canada last year. The TSB also recorded 81 trespasser incidents, resulting in 55 fatalities and 19 serious injuries. Trespasser fatalities increased five percent over 2009. The numbers do not include the many near collisions that take place every year. People trespassing on railway property or failing to yield the right-of-way to an approaching train at a crossing risk death or serious injury. Both actions are offences under the federal Rail Safety Act or applicable provincial legislation. Offences occurring at crossings and on railway property can be reported to the Canadian Pacific Police Service at 1-800-716-9132 or to local police.
AURORA, ON, April 26 /CNW/ - With the 2011 Spring Seatbelt Campaign coming to end, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have taken a close look at how attentive Ontario motorists are being, 35 years after seatbelt laws were introduced in Ontario. The annual campaign ran from April 13 to 23, 2011 and during that time, the OPP maintained a strong presence on roads and highways throughout the province, ensuring that motorists and vehicle occupants were properly buckled in. OPP officers paid special attention to how children were restrained, making sure that child safety/booster seats were in accordance with age, height, weight of the child and that they were properly installed. Preliminary results show that over the course of the campaign, officers checked 1,050,329 vehicles, laid a total of 5,622 charges against drivers and a further 1,791 charges against passengers who were not wearing their seatbelts. A total of 140 charges were laid against drivers for not having a properly installed/secured child restraint. Over and above the seatbelt campaign results, OPP statistics reveal that
as of March (2011), lack of restraint was a causal factor in almost 900 motor vehicle collision injuries so far this year and these numbers concern the OPP’s traffic safety provincial commander. “People continue to endanger their lives, those of their passengers and even their children by ignoring important seatbelt and child restraint laws. The motoring public should know that as part of our Provincial Traffic Safety Program, the OPP will continue to aggressively enforce traffic safety laws throughout the year, and seatbelt laws will continue to be at the forefront of our award-winning strategy.” - OPP Deputy Commissioner Larry Beechey, Provincial Commander, Traffic Safety & Operational Support. Seatbelt non-compliance remains one of the four major causes of persons killed in fatal motor vehicle collisions along with speeding, impaired driving and driving while distracted. The OPP are reminding motorists to take their responsibility as a driver seriously and ensure that everyone is buckled up every time they take to the road.
Investigators from the Peel Regional Police Fraud Bureau would like to alert residents about an ongoing scam that involves layered contests. This scam involves several interconnected companies, with each company sending out mass mailings to people – specifically the elderly. The mailings have elaborate packages in them that entice people to participate in a contest, by offering a sum of money if they win the contest. To enter the contest, recipients are required to fill out the package with their personal information, answer a simple question and then return the completed forms with an “entry fee”. The “entry fee” is usually $10.00 or $15.00. Once the entry fee is received, the company will send out another package indicating that the recipient has been successful at that level of the
contest and, to move on to the next level, another entry fee is required. This process is repeated for several levels, until an extremely difficult question is given and the person loses the contest. Residents should also be aware that once a recipient returns an entry form to any one of the companies, that company will notify all of its sister companies and the recipient will be inundated with additional similar “contests”. Fraud investigators would like to alert the public to this type of “Contest Scam”. Remember, if you are offered something that seems too good to be true, it most likely will not be true. Anyone who has experienced a fraud of this nature, or anyone with information related to this type of fraud, is asked to contact the Peel Regional Police Fraud Bureau at (905) 453-2121 extension 3335.
9 people arrested for ATM skimming Peel Police - Layered Contest Scam
WHITBY - Nine people have been arrested following a 2 month investigation into an organized crime group compromising payment cards at Automated Banking Machines (ABM) across Southern Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia and Nova Scotia. The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau (OCEB) Identity Crimes Unit (ICU), assisted by the Durham Regional Police Service (DRPS), Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS), York Regional Police Service (YRPS), Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS), OPP Highway Safety Division, Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and OCEB Assets Forfeiture Unit concluded a two month investigation into an organized crime group of Eastern European individuals who were involved in the tampering of Automated Banking Machines (ABM) in order to skim payment card data across On-
tario, Quebec, and British Columbia with some occurrences reported in Nova Scotia. These individuals attach devices to ABM’s that enable the capture of debit card data and Personal Identification Numbers (PIN) during the legitimate use of banking products by unsuspecting victims. The devices are left in place from one to two hours and then the skimmed data is encoded onto other plastic cards to be used by the perpetrators to access victims’ accounts without their knowledge. This group is responsible for over 300 tampers which have resulted in losses to victims of approximately two million dollars since September of 2010. Police caution the public to always be alert and aware when using their respective bank debit and/or credit cards and to take the time to get familiar with the appearance of the ABM they regularly use.
Peel Police - Arrests Made in Distraction Thefts Officers from 12 Division’s Criminal Investigation Bureau have arrested a man and a woman in a series of distraction thefts within the Regions of Peel, York and the City of Toronto. Suspects Jan STOJKA, a 50 year-old Brampton man, and Angelika DANISOVA, a 22 year-old Brampton woman were arrested and face a combined 57 theft and theft related charges. It is alleged that the suspects would target older victims and lone females, as they were returning to their vehicles with purchases after shopping. The suspects would watch and wait until
the victims started placing their purchases into the trunk of their vehicle. At this time, while the victims were distracted with their purchases, the suspects would attend the seating area of the vehicle and remove anything of value from within. The suspects only required a few seconds of distraction to commit these thefts. It is alleged that the suspects would steal purses, electronics, money and personal affects. Peel Regional Police would like to remind people to always be aware of your surroundings.
Some general crime prevention tips include; • Never leave valuables or identification unattended. • Always lock your vehicle if unattended. • If you must leave your valuables, place them in the trunk or cover them. • To remove theft temptation, never leave electronics in plain sight. • Where possible, mark your property so as to establish your ownership.
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New Government Must Manufacture Strategy for Sustaining Economic Growth: CME OTTAWA - A new era in Canadian politics featuring the country’s first stable majority government in seven years will boost Canada’s economic recovery, if we get down to business, according to Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME). “I congratulate Stephen Harper and his team on forming a majority government,” said Jayson Myers, CME President & CEO. “As Canada’s leading trade and industry association, we look forward to working with all members of his new government on the biggest issue facing Canada today - ensuring continued economic growth.” And these election results offer all members of the House of Commons a great opportunity to make a difference. “Policies, not politics must be the focus of the 41st Parliament. The first order of business must be to develop a long-term strategy for sustaining the economic recovery and driving investment and job creation in Canada.” CME has developed an eight-point
May 04 - 17, 2011
EVERY 3 MINUTES CANCER PICKS A FIGHT WITH ANOTHER CANADIAN
plan reflecting the priorities for the next Parliament that will ensure Canada’s economic recovery is sustained. It calls on the new government to: 1. Lower taxes on those businesses that are investing in new products, new technologies, and the skills of their employees. 2. Extend the two-year straightline depreciation for investments in manufacturing and processing machinery and equipment. 3. Encourage innovation and the commercialization of new products and technologies. 4. Help businesses develop and take advantage of international opportunities. 5. Enhance the competitiveness of North America’s integrated supply chains. 6. Improve the quality and availability of skilled workers. 7. Strengthen Canada’s energy and logistics infrastructure. 8. Improve regulatory efficiency.
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One Person One Seatbelt Every person travelling in a motor vehicle must wear a seat belt or use a child safety seat. The penalty for seat belt infractions is a fine between $60 and $500. Convicted offenders will receive two demerit points. Drivers are responsible for ensuring that passengers under 16 years of age are using the seat belt or an appropriate child car seat properly. Police officers may request that passengers who appear to be at least 16 years of age provide their name, address and date of birth. These passengers may face a fine for not using or wearing a seat belt properly.
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Seat Belts and the Law •
All Ontario motor vehicle drivers and passengers must wear a seat belt in a properly adjusted and securely fastened manner.
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A driver can be charged and face a fine of $90.00 and two demerit points (plus a $20 victim surcharge) for seat belt infractions. Demerit points remain on a driving record for two years from the date of the offence.
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All motor vehicle drivers are responsible for ensuring that all children under 16 years of age are properly secured in a seat belt or an appropriate child car seat or booster seat.
Using a seat belt is the single most effective way to reduce the chance of injury or death in a motor vehicle collision. Over 92 percent of Ontarians wear their seat belt regularly. However, those 8 percent who don’t represent over 600,000 people. It’s easy to see the difference wearing a seat belt makes — for every one percent increase in seat belt use five lives are saved. At all times, limit the number of occupants in your vehicle to the number of seat belts. Unbelted occupants can become projectiles during a collision and can seriously injure themselves, other passengers or the driver.
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HOME / FAMILY
Protect your family during an emergency
(NC)—Do you know what to do during a hurricane, a flood or another type of emergency? Emergency Preparedness Week (EP Week) is an annual weeklong event held this year from May 1–7, 2011, to educate Canadians on the importance of emergency preparedness. “Almost half of all Canadians admit they are not prepared for a potential emergency,” said Eric Michalko, spokesperson for Allstate Insurance Company of Canada. “An Allstate Canada survey showed that while 86 per cent of Canadians understand the importance of being prepared for catastrophes, 42 per cent admitted they were unprepared for one.” While you can’t control what Mother Nature has in store, you don’t have to let an emergency catch you off guard. “Emergencies are chaotic,” said Michalko. “By taking the necessary steps to be prepared, you may save your life or your family’s.” Allstate Canada asks Canadians to
take the time to follow these steps so that you and your loved ones stay safe during a catastrophic event: • Understand the Risks: Learn about the climate and weather patterns in your region and how to best prepare for those kinds of catastrophic events. • Make a Plan: Prepare an emergency plan with your family and practice it to make sure it runs smoothly. The plan should include the safe exits from your home and neighbourhood and also where to meet if you are separated from each other. • Assemble an Emergency Preparedness Kit: This kit will include everything you need to make sure you and your family are able to get through the first 72 hours of an emergency. Make sure the kit is easily accessible, easy to carry and stored in a waterproof container. You can find more information on how to get prepared, including what items to include in your emergency preparedness kit, at goodhandsadvice.ca.
Family Travel Tips: Entertaining kids in a hotel room
(NC)—After a long day of travel cooped up in a car or a plane, the last thing kids want to do is sit around bored in a hotel room. Econo Lodge hotels welcome thousands of value–conscious families each year, and they offer the following tips on how to keep the kids engaged, and the adults sane. • Pack an arts and crafts kit with paper, scissors, markers and more. Encourage the kids to make something that represents what they’ve seen that
day, or their final destination. • Before you go, buy some inexpensive little toys, books or games, and bring out a new one when boredom creeps up on the kids. • If it’s a rainy day, have an indoor picnic by buying supplies or ordering in. Watch a movie or listen to favourite music while you eat. • Challenge the kids to come up with a creative activity and promise to play along.
May 04 - 17, 2011
Beware of the “silent killer” in your home (NC)—You can’t see it smell it or taste it. It may be lurking in your home and, if not guarded against, can kill you and your loved ones while you sleep. Known as the “silent killer” carbon monoxide takes the life of hundreds of North Americans every year. It is actually the leading cause of fatal poisonings in North America. Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colourless, odourless, tasteless deadly gas that can be produced by any appliance, engine or heating device that uses combustible fuel such as gas, oil, kerosene, wood or charcoal. Carbon monoxide can leak into the home when a fuel–burning device is poorly maintained, improperly vented or breaks down. Other potential sources
include automobiles left running in attached garages, clogged or blocked chimney openings, inadequate venting, malfunctioning appliances or the operation of a barbecue in an enclosed area such as your home or garage. When inhaled it CO inhibits the blood’s capacity to transport oxygen throughout the body. It can poison the body quickly in high concentrations, or slowly over long periods of time. Exposure to CO can cause flu–like symptoms such as headaches, nausea and dizziness, burning eyes, confusion, drowsiness and even loss of consciousness. In severe cases, CO poisoning can cause brain damage and death.
The elderly, children and people with heart or respiratory conditions may be particularly sensitive to CO. According to Patrice De Luca, V.P. of Marketing and Business Development for Reliance Protectron Security Services, the best defense against carbon monoxide poisoning is detection and prevention. “The only way to detect this deadly gas is by installing carbon monoxide detectors,” De Luca explained,
recommending that detectors be installed on each level of your home. “At minimum, one should be installed outside every sleeping level.” De Luca stressed the importance of having the CO detectors linked to a monitoring centre since many of those killed or injured by carbon monoxide are asleep at the time of exposure and timing is crucial for alerting emergency help. “Protectron carbon monoxide detectors offer valuable protection by alerting you to the presence this gas and notifying the monitoring centre, which will immediately take the appropriate measures to help you,” he added. What to look for in a CO detector: • Choose one that is listed with the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) standard. The logos of the testing agency will be on the product. • If you have a battery powered unit, make sure you change the detectors battery as recommended by the manufacturer, and test the unit once a month. • Replace the unit as recommended by the manufacturer (generally between 5 and 10 years). How to prevent CO poisoning: • Have a qualified service technician check your furnace and other fuel–burning equipment at least once a year. • Have your chimneys cleaned and inspected at least once a year. • Never run vehicles, motor bikes, lawn–mowers, generators, or snow blowers in attached garages, even if the doors are open. If your carbon monoxide detector alarm sounds, De Luca advises to exit as quickly as possible and call the fire department from a neighbour’s home. More information on home security is available at www.protectron.com.
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NEWS
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Air France voice recorder found
The cockpit voice recorder from a 2009 Air France crash in the Atlantic Ocean has been found and recovered, France said Tuesday. The crash of Flight 447 from Rio de Janeiro to Paris killed all 228 people on board. The recovery of the voice recorder came just days after French air accident investigators said the jet’s flight data recorder had been found. The two recorders will be key to helping investigators try to determine what caused the Airbus 330 to crash. The aircraft plunged into the ocean after encountering a thunderstorm.
The voice recorder was found Monday by a submarine searching in about 3,900 meters of water, and was raised to the surface on Tuesday. The condition of the recorder was not immediately known. “We can’t say in advance that we’re going to be able to read it until it’s been opened,” a spokeswoman for the French air accident investigators told The Associated Press. In March, a French judge filed preliminary manslaughter charges against Air France and Airbus, a move that placed greater importance on the hunt for the recorders. Air France CEO Pierre-Henri Gourgeon said the find was a decisive step forward in a search for the cause of the crash. “It is my heartfelt hope that the data contained in these flight recorders may be used and provide answers to questions that relatives of the victims, Air France and the entire airline industry have been asking for nearly two years about why this tragic accident occurred,” he said in a statement. Reprinted with permission from CBC.ca
May 04 - 17, 2011
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Bin Laden death ends 10-year manhunt Osama bin Laden, the driving force behind the Sept. 11 attacks, is dead, ending a decade-long manhunt for the world’s most-wanted terrorist, U.S. President Barack Obama announced Sunday night. The president said that he had met repeatedly with his national security team since August and that they received information that bin Laden was hiding in a compound in Pakistan. Then last week it was determined that the U.S. had enough to take action, he said. U.S. officials said four helicopters carrying CIA paramilitaries and a Navy SEAL team attacked bin Laden’s compound; an Abbottabad resident said the raid took place at 1:30 a.m. local time. U.S. personnel took bin Laden’s remains, which were buried at sea, a U.S. official said. Finding a country willing to accept the body for burial within 24 hours, in keeping with Islamic tradition, would have been difficult, the official said. Following the attack, Pakistani television broadcast pictures of flames shooting from the roof of bin Laden’s two-storey house in the night sky. The development comes just months before the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks on the World Trade Center towers in New York and Pentagon in Washington, D.C. The four airplane hijackings orchestrated by bin Laden’s al-Qaeda organization killed more than 3,000 people. The attacks set off a chain of events that led the
U.S. into wars in Afghanistan and then Iraq, and America’s entire intelligence apparatus was overhauled to counter the threat of more terror attacks at home. New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg said bin Laden’s death will “bring some closure and comfort to all those who lost loved ones” on Sept. 11. In New York City, celebrations broke out in Times Square and people began to gather at the site where the World Trade Center towers stood. The site is now a construction zone where a memorial and new tower are being built. As news of bin Laden’s death spread, crowds also began to gather outside the White House. After Obama confirmed the death, the crowd burst into chants of “U.S.A.” In Abbotsford, B.C., Prime Minister Stephen Harper noted that 24 Canadians died in the Sept. 11 attack. He said the death of bin Laden “secures a measure of justice for those Canadians and their families.” Al-Qaeda was also blamed for the 1998 bombings of two U.S. embassies in Africa that killed 231 people and the 2000 attack on the USS Cole that killed 17 American sailors in Yemen, as well as countless other plots, some successful and some foiled. Reprinted with permission from CBC.ca
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ECONOMY
May 04 - 17, 2011
Harper win will stabilize markets: economists Economists are expecting calm in the near term as a majority win for the Conservative Party brings stability to Canada’s financial markets. “Financial markets don’t like uncertainty … with the Conservatives securing a majority, the political scene is still one with Stephen Harper as prime minister,” Paul Ferley, assistant chief economist at RBC in Toronto, said about the party’s 167-seat win. “I think markets have got a sense of what their policy agenda is, so as a result there is a diminution in terms of that uncertainty. This results in a positive tone just in the sense that the uncertainty has been lessened.” Ferley said the dollar and stock
markets should react positively to the majority government, which would give it a “greater scope” to push policy and plan over the long term. The Canadian dollar was at 1.0483, down 0.34 of a cent from Monday’s close, but that was due to unrelated U.S. dollar strength. Economists still see the loonie reacting favourably to the election news. Camilla Sutton, chief currency strategist at Scotia Capital in Toronto, said the dollar should remain strong, as the Conservative platform is “viewed as more business friendly on the international stage.” Sutton said the expectation of a corporate tax rate lower than the U.S.
rate, as well as the government’s stance on the oil sands will likely be seen as a positive. “This is probably the best-case scenario for the Canadian dollar because not only does it bring an end to the uncertainty over the election, but it also brings longer-term stability to the political scene in Canada.” The country’s stock markets are also expected to fare positively, said Ferley, as investors take comfort in the stability. However, he said other factors “could very well dominate trading.” “In terms of the election results, the reduction of uncertainty is generally a positive for the financial markets,” he said.
However, the S&P/TSX composite index was down 96.20 points, or 0.7 per cent, at 13,838.31 Tuesday as weaker commodity prices weighed on the market. The mining index, home to some of the top metals producers in the world, was off 1.1 per cent, the global gold index was down 1.5 per cent and the influential energy group was 1.4 per cent weaker. U.S. crude was off 77 cents at $112.75 and gold was down $13.20 US an ounce at $1,543.50. Reprinted with permission from CBC.ca
TD introduces next wave of mobile convenience TORONTO - As part of its ongoing commitment to providing comfortable and convenient customer experiences, TD Bank Group has announced an enhanced and expanded version of its popular mobile app. With more than one million North American downloads - the most of any Canadian bank - the latest version of the TD mobile app now offers several features unique
to any Canadian mobile banking and investing app. “We are redefining what service means in the digital age,” said Joan Dal Bianco, Vice President, Online Channel, TD Bank Group. “The latest version of our app was developed based on extensive conversations with customers and clients, and we continue to invest and innovate in order to remain
at the forefront of mobile and online convenience.” Along with several other upgrades, the TD mobile app now offers investors a first-of-its-kind service from a Canadian bank. Investors can now access their account balances and activity, view real-time market data, and track intraday price performance through customizable watchlists.
In addition, the new TD mobile app now allows personal banking customers to send, receive, decline, cancel or reclaim Interac Email Money Transfers via their mobile device. Users can continue to pay bills, check account balances, and find a nearby TD branch or ATM, plus perform all other functions that were introduced on the inaugural version of the TD mobile app.
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NEWS
May 04 - 17, 2011
Increase in India’s Tiger Population Needs to be Sustained
By Ashok Handoo
It was like a whiff of fresh air to hear about increase in endangered tiger population in India. The latest Census figures put the number at 1,706 against 1411 in the previous census undertaken in 2006- a clean increase of 295. The increase looks more impressive when we take into consideration the fact that this growth has been registered after consistent fall in tiger population. The report suggests that the Tiger population in India is stabilizing and in fact thriving in some areas. That increase may sound exaggerated if we consider that certain areas covered in the latest census- like the Sunderbans – and parts of Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and North -East were left out in the previous count. Sunderbans accounts for no less than 70 tigers, a huge number indeed, though some experts claim it to be much more, close to 150. Nonetheless, the growth figures give us a reason to cheer, that India is home to more than half of the world tiger population, gives us additional reason to feel happy about. The maximum increase of 36 percent has been recorded from Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala belt with 382 tigers estimated this time. Maharashtra, Assam and Uttrakhand too have recorded an impressive growth. But Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh have shown a decline which has affected the image of Central In-
dia as the tiger capital of the country. In Madhya Pradesh the number has declined to 213 and in Andhra to just 65. The number in Western Ghats has been estimated at 534 which works out 122 more than the previous count. So has the performance of Himalyan terai- Gangetic plains been impressive. Major tiger reserves like Rathambore in Rajasthan, Corbett National Park in Uttrakhand, Kaziranga in Assam Periyar in Kerala and Melghat in Maharashtra have recorded a big jump in tiger population. That this growth has taken place despite shrinking space for the tigers, adds a glitter to the performance. Just three years ago tigers in India had a habitat of 93, 600 sq. km which has now reduced to 72.800 sq. kms. The core tiger area has shrunk from one lakh sq. kms in the 1970’s when the project tiger was launched to just 31,207 sq. kms now. And if the space continues to squeeze further it may be a different story in the days ahead. The fact is that tiger habitats are under tremendous pressure from human and economic activities. That explains why there has been a sharp fall in tiger population over the years. Just 8 years ago in 2002 the number of tigers in India was estimated at 3700. In 1947, when the country gained independence, India had a tiger population of 49,000. If we go further backwards,
this number was one lakh at the turn of the last century. Today, an increase by just 295 makes us to rejoice. Indeed, it is a matter of satisfaction that the efforts of the government have begun to bear fruit. It has led to higher levels of awareness. The pressure from the civil society too is proving effective. The number of tiger reserves which last year was 33 has now risen to 39. Apart from the dwindling habitat the threat is as much from the poachers and the international smuggling networks. Tiger skin and other parts fetch huge money in countries like China and is thus a thriving business for poachers and the smugglers. Tiger organs are also used for medicinal purposes in China and some other Asian countries. Illegal mining is an equal cause of concern as it also leads to dwindling habitat. Development activities like irrigation, power and Highway projects also disturb the eco- system depriving tigers of a proper habitat. Indeed, a country of over a billion people cannot survive on only solar and wind energy. We do need commercial sources of energy but we also need to conserve the forests. Our wisdom lies in drawing a fair balance between the two. All these issues need to be sorted out, which obviously cannot be done overnight. This time more scientific methods
have been adopted in estimating the tiger population. Instead of counting the pugmarks, hidden cameras were used to detect the tigers. Even DNA tests were undertaken to arrive at correct estimations, making the figures more credible. What is needed now is follow up action. Programmes like The Global Tiger Recovery Programme (GTRP), a worldwide plan to bring the species back from the brink of extinction, will go a long way to deal with the issue at the global level. In India, the forests of North East have a capacity to hold many more tigers that it now has. This needs to be exploited. We may breathe easy for now and even celebrate the performance but we need to keep in mind that we have to go a long way to be genuinely proud of having a respectable tiger population in the country. The work has just begun.
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ELECTION 2011
May 04 - 17, 2011
20 11
CANADA VOTES
Tory wave sweeps 905 NDP’s Layton becomes Official Opposition leader area outside Toronto The Liberals suffered a stunning collapse in the area around the City of Toronto in Monday night’s federal election, losing all but one of their seats in the 905 region to the Conservatives. Only John McCallum, the Liberal incumbent in MarkhamUnionville, was re-elected. The Tories took all the other ridings in York Region, along with a complete sweep of Durham and Peel ridings. That included a handful of hotly contested races in Brampton and Mississauga, areas with high concentrations of voters of south- and east-Asian origin. No 905-area riding was under the spotlight during the campaign more than BramptonSpringdale, where pollsters had predicted a close battle between Liberal incumbent Ruby Dhalla and Conservative candidate Parm Gill. But Gill had a big win on election night, taking 48.3 per cent of the vote compared to Dhalla’s 27.9 per cent. “Overall I feel that — and so does the rest of the new Canadians and the immigrant community — Liberals took them for granted for far too long,” Gill said. “They were making promises, never actually really [did] anything for the ethnic communities.” Jason Kenney, who as Conservative immigration minister, spent recent years relentlessly touring the vote-rich, immigrant-dominated areas around Toronto, called the 905 wins “stunning.” “The huge breakthrough in the GTA represents a realignment of the support of new Canadians,” he said. “Our appeal to them has been honest. It’s has been to vote your values. And
new Canadians increasingly realize that their values are Conservative values.” Dhalla said the momentum was not in her party’s favour on Monday night. “We need to ensure that we reflect on what’s gone wrong and we need to talk about rebuilding and renewing and reaching out to new Canadians and connecting,” she said. In the Ajax Pickering riding at the other end of the GTA, high-profile Liberal incumbent Mark Holland was defeated by Conservative newcomer Chris Alexander. Alexander said the Conservatives won because they had a strong economic platform. “That anxiety about the recession is still there, the recovery is still fragile, and people are worried about their jobs. People are worried about making ends meet,” he said. Holland said being a Liberal MP for seven years was something most people only dream of. “I’m just so proud of the people that are around me, I’m so proud of the effort everybody made, and really grateful for the opportunity I was given,” he said. The Conservatives took 29 of the 44 seats in the Greater Toronto Area, with the NDP taking eight seats, all in Toronto. Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff lost his Toronto seat, and his party held on to only seven GTA seats, six of them in the City of Toronto. Countrywide, the Liberals won 34 seats and lost their official opposition status, the party’s worst defeat since Confederation. Reprinted with permission from CBC.ca
NDP Leader Jack Layton declared “a new chapter begins” after his party easily vaulted over the Liberals in Monday’s federal election — the first time in history the New Democrats have become Official Opposition. Layton’s campaign got off to a slow start, but it took off after the English and French debates, when polls suggested his party was gaining, especially in Quebec at the expense of the slumping Bloc Québécois. Layton was re-elected in the TorontoDanforth riding; his wife, Olivia Chow, was also re-elected in the city’s Trinity-Spadina
riding. A smiling and jubilant Layton celebrated at the NDP party in Toronto with hundreds of supporters who chanted “NDP, NDP, NDP” loudly. “You are amazing,” he told them. “Spring is here, my friends, and a new chapter begins.” The NDP went into the campaign with 37 seats, compared with 77 for the Liberals and 143 for the Conservatives. Layton’s total this time will be 102, as the Liberals and Bloc slumped badly. The NDP was looking at winning 59 ridings in Quebec alone. The Bloc was down to four seats as votes were being counted Tuesday morning. These are historic numbers for the NDP, who now have the biggest block of seats aside from the Conservatives. Harper’s party was declared majority winner of the election just before 11 p.m. ET, with more than 160 seats in the 308-seat Parliament before the official count was completed. As of Tuesday morning, the party had taken 167 seats. Layton, who had hip surgery just before the campaign, was often seen at rallies waving his cane in the air — his now-signature move — and exhorting his followers to push ahead. The NDP rallies grew bigger and bigger as the campaign went on. Reprinted with permission from CBC.ca
Duceppe quits after BQ crushed in Quebec
Bloc Québécois Leader Gilles Duceppe is quitting his position after an NDP wave swept through Quebec. Duceppe lost in his riding of LaurierSainte-Marie, falling to the NDP’s Hélène Laverdière. Duceppe told a crowd of supporters that he accepted responsibility for the dismal electoral performance. “Democracy has spoken, I respect this choice and I assume responsibility for it,” Duceppe said. “I assume responsibility on behalf of the Bloc Québécois. As a result I announce I am leaving my position.” The Bloc Québécois is suffering heavy casualties in Quebec: the party that has dominated the province for almost two decades has been reduced to a handful of seats.
The BQ is leading or elected in three of the province’s 75 seats. The party’s share of the vote is at roughly 23 per cent. The Bloc is en route to losing its official party status in the House of Commons. A party needs 12 seats to be recognized as an official party. Duceppe also pointed out that Quebec voters defeated many Liberals and Conservatives in Quebec. The BQ leader, however, said that Quebec voters wanted to “try something else.” “Many of those who voted for the NDP wanted to give a final chance to a federalist party in Quebec,” Duceppe said. At the end of his speech, Duceppe told his supporters that they needed to work to become a free country. Reprinted with permission from CBC.ca
Voter turnout inches up to 61.4%
Canada’s voter turnout rate inched up to 61.4 per cent, according to Elections Canada’s preliminary estimates. There were 14.7 million Canadians who elected a Conservative majority government on Monday night, pushing the preliminary voter turnout to 61.4 per cent up from 59.1 per cent in 2008. Prince Edward Island had the highest voter turnout in the country
as 74 per cent of registered voters cast ballots. Meanwhile, only 48.5 per cent of Nunavut voters marked ballots in the election. Canada’s two largest provinces also saw their voter turnout rates rise from 2008 levels. In Ontario, 62.2 per cent of registered voters showed up to vote in Monday’s election. The Conservatives saw
their hold on the province increase as the party won 77 of 106 seats. In 2008, the province’s voter turnout level was 59.1 per cent. Meanwhile, in Quebec, which saw the NDP win 58 of 75 seats, the preliminary voter turnout level is 62.2 per cent. Quebec’s voter turnout rate was up from the 61.1 per cent in 2008. All the figures were based on reports from 71,486 of 71,513 polls
across Canada. The total number of registered electors did not, however, include anyone who only registered on election day itself. The highest voter turnout in Canadian electoral history occurred in 1958, when 79.4 per cent of registered voters took part in the election that saw John Diefenbaker return to power with a majority government. With permission from CBC.ca
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ELECTION 2011
May 04 - 17, 2011
20 11
CANADA VOTES
Ignatieff quits as Liberal leader PROMINENT WINNERS
Michael Ignatieff is quitting as the Liberal leader after his party took an electoral drubbing on Monday night. The Liberals were reduced to 34 seats in the House of Commons down from 77 and won only 18.9 per cent of the popular vote. Not only did Ignatieff lead the party to its worst showing in its history, but he also lost his Toronto-area seat in EtobicokeLakeshore. Ignatieff told a news conference that he will “not remain leader of party” and “will arrange succession in due time.” Ignatieff said he’s asked Liberal Ralph
Goodale to call a caucus meeting next Wednesday in Ottawa. Despite his party’s disastrous showing, Ignatieff said he believes the party can return as a political force. He said the Liberals were devastated in 1958 by John Diefenbaker’s Progressive Conservatives and returned with Lester B. Pearson’s minority governments. He said the “surest guarantee” for the Liberal Party’s future is four years of Conservative government and four years of NDP opposition. During the news conference, Ignatieff said Canada needs a party of the political centre and downplayed talk of a merger with the NDP. Ignatieff said he found it difficult to recover from the “unscrupulous attacks” from the negative ads rolled out by the Conservatives prior to the election campaign. He said those attack ads made it difficult for him to connect with Canadians. The outgoing Liberal leader said he does not know what is next in his future, but he said he hopes to teach young Canadians. He said he has no offers yet. Reprinted with permission from CBC.ca
Harper ‘disappointed’ by fewer Quebec seats
Conservative Leader Stephen Harper said he is disappointed that his majority government does not have a larger foothold in Quebec. Harper held a news conference in Calgary, where he offered his views on his first majority government. Harper won 167 seats in Monday night’s
election and will form his first majority government. He won minority governments in 2006 and 2008. The Conservatives won 39.6 per cent of the vote. However, the party only won six of Quebec’s 75 seats. “I’m disappointed, but I’m not discouraged,” Harper said. The Conservative leader said he would not appoint an unelected person to his cabinet, which he did in 2006. Harper said he would build his cabinet from the six Quebec MPs who won on Monday. “We did win a number of seats for experienced MPs who will have a significant place within our government,” Harper said. “I would have hoped for more, but we do have significant representation there, and we will certainly be listening to what the people of Quebec say over the next four years.” He also said it was good to see the “shift to federalism” and how the Bloc Québécois was reduced to four seats. “Despite the fact that we did not make any gains, of course, as a Canadian and a federalist, I’m encouraged by the collapse of the Bloc,” he said. Harper said on Monday night that the majority government would “turn the page on the uncertainties and repeat elections of the past seven years.”
Bal Gosal (CONSERVATIVE) Bramalea Gore Malton
Parm Gill (CONSERVATIVE) Brampton Springdale
Devinder Shory (CONSERVATIVE) Calgary North East
Deepak Obhrai (CONSERVATIVE) Calgary East
Tim Uppal (CONSERVATIVE) Edmonton Sherwood Park
Neena Grewal (CONSERVATIVE) Fleetwood – Port Kellis
Jasbir Sandhu (NDP) Surrey North
Jinny Sims (NDP) Newton North Delta
PROMINENT LOSERS Gurbax Malhi (LIBERAL) Bramalea Gore Malton
Navdeep Bains (LIBERAL) Mississauga Brampton South
Sukh Dhaliwal (LIBERAL) Newton North Delta
Ruby Dhalla (LIBERAL) Brampton Springdale
Ujjal Dosanjh (LIBERAL) Vancouver South
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SOUTH ASIA
Inclusion of New Markets from LAC Integral to India’s Growth Strategy: Scindia
RIO DE JANEIRO - Indian Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jyotiraditya Scindia, led the discussions in the plenary session on the theme of “Achieving Inclusive Economic Growth” at World Economic Forum, Latin America in the Rio-DiJanerio on April 28th, 2011. Strongly pitching for percolation of fruits of growth to the common man, Scindia said that, “There is an urgent need to give a boost to manufacturing sector so as to increase employment opportunities for the large young population in the developing countries.” He further said, inclusion of new markets particularly from Latin American countries is integral to India’s strategy for inclusive growth. He said that the regions of Asia, Latin America and of Africa are fast
emerging as growth engines of world economy. The Minister of State is on a ten day tour to Latin American countries (LAC) as a part of India’s diversification and focus LAC scheme. Along with Brazil he will also visit Uruguay and Argentina. He will meet the senior Ministers and National Bank officials during his visit. The Minister is leading a high powered business delegation. Scindia will be addressing the joint business meetings during the visit. Latin American countries figure prominently in India’s market diversification strategy which has yielded good results during the global financial crisis and in its aftermath. The integrated programme “Focus: LAC” which was launched to leverage the potential market in the Latin American region has been extended up to March 2014. The programme focuses on deepening institutional mechanism of cooperation, improved market access and economic infrastructural facilities. India’s total export to Latin American countries is
May 04 - 17, 2011
to the tune of about 105 billion US $ for the year 2010-11 and India’s total import in the same period has been US $ 161 billion from this region. Brazil is the largest trading partner of India in Latin America. Brazil is important strategic partner for India and has been coordinating positions with India in multilateral fora like WTO. In IBSA and BRICS India-Brazil have emerged as key col-
laborators on the issues of interest for emerging economies. Our exports to Brazil were US $ 2414 million and import was US $ 3437 million in 2009-10. Principle commodities of export by India are petroleum, machinery and instruments, pharmaceuticals, garments and chemicals. India imports petroleum, sugar, iron, steel, metal scrap, organic chemicals and vegetable oils.
Corruption in Bangladesh on the wane: TI DHAKA - The rate of corruption in Bangladesh is decreasing, observed the head of anti-corruption global watchdog, Transparency International (TI), in Dhaka, asking the media, civil society, businesspeople and different institutes to help the government make further progress. “There are some progresses (in reduction of corruption in Bangladesh) and we must recognize it,” Huguette Labelle, chair of German-based TI, told journalists at Jatiya Press Club. Huguette said Bangladesh was at the bottom in terms of high rate of corruption, but things have progressed over the years, mainly due to massive attention from the free media and growing civil society. She, however, said much more could be done to improve it further. “We see some positive changes in some places and some negative developments in other areas,” added TIB executive director Dr Iftekhar, adding
that introduction of National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) was a step forward, but the crippling anti-corruption commission was stepping backward. He said Bangladesh is now at a crossroads to arresting corruption. Huguette said the anti-corruption campaign in Bangladesh could get vigor provided the government makes public its annual achievements against election pledges through internet and other mediums. The people should get information even before they need it, she said, adding internet could help ensure wider access to information, ensure wider transparency and arrest corruption. She also said the rich people and private companies must make their wealth statement public so the government and people could get an idea of their assets. The provision can also help find the development of a genuine businessperson against black money holder.
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SOUTH ASIA
May 04 - 17, 2011
India calls for a robust power grid in SAARC region Pakistan PM stresses on expanding tax net, enhanced revenue collection
DHAKA - The rate of corruption in Bangladesh is decreasing, observed the head of anti-corruption global watchdog, Transparency International (TI), in Dhaka, asking the media, civil society, businesspeople and different institutes to help the government make further progress. “There are some progresses (in reduction of corruption in Bangladesh) and we must recognize it,” Huguette Labelle, chair of German-based TI, told journalists at Jatiya Press Club. Huguette said Bangladesh was at the bottom in terms of high rate of corruption, but things have progressed over the years, mainly due to massive attention from the free media and growing civil society. She, however, said much more could be done to
improve it further. “We see some positive changes in some places and some negative developments in other areas,” added TIB executive director Dr Iftekhar, adding that introduction of National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) was a step forward, but the crippling anti-corruption commission was stepping backward. He said Bangladesh is now at a crossroads to arresting corruption. Huguette said the anti-corruption campaign in Bangladesh could get vigor provided the government makes public its annual achievements against election pledges through internet and other mediums. The people should get information even before they need it, she said, adding internet could help ensure wider access to information, ensure wider transparency and arrest corruption. She also said the rich people and private companies must make their wealth statement public so the government and people could get an idea of their assets. The provision can also help find the development of a genuine businessperson against black money holder.
MULTAN - Prime Minister of Pakistan Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has stressed on the need for expanding tax net to enhance revenue collection in the country. The prime minister said this while addressing a gathering of industrialists at Multan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI). He said that increase in revenue collection was the need of the hour. He said that the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) was not a part of any attempt to destabilize democratic government in the past nor will it ever do it now. Rather, it was the PPP that put an end to the outdated tradition of destabilizing the governments. Gilani said the government was committed to pursuing the policy of reconciliation and tolerance and added that PPP had formed coalition governments in Sindh, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan and at the centre. He said that the PPP-led government would take all steps for development of the country. The Prime Minister said he believed that Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was innocent. The reference of Bhutto case had been sent to the Supreme Court to correct the record. Gilani said that all the institutions were working within their respective constitutional domains and the situ-
ation would further improve with the passage of time. He attributed lack of investment to law and order situation, terrorism. He, however, added that the nation was committed to eliminating terrorism and for this reason it had extended full support to the law enforcement agencies. He said that government has started taking steps to overcome electricity shortage and added that 2000 megawatt of power has been added to the national grid while another 2000 megawatt would be provided shortly. Gilani said that electricity shortfall was not a new phenomenon and added that India was also facing this problem besides Nepal and others. However, these countries were dealing with the issue through load management, he added.
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May 04 - 17, 2011
Don’t complicate Sri Lanka issue – China to International Community
China believes the Sri Lanka government and its people will properly handle problems concerning the conclusion of its battle against terrorism and has urged the international community not to complicate the issue. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei made these remarks when asked to comment on the report of the Darusman Committee appointed to advise the UN Secretary General on these matters, and released by the UNSG’s Office last Monday. Hong said in a statement that China has already noticed the publication of the report. He said Sri Lanka has already set up its own institutions to investigate relevant issues, Xinhua reported. “The Chinese side is confident that the Sri Lankan government and people are able to properly address all relevant issues,” Hong said. He said China hopes that the international community could provide support and assistance to such efforts by the Sri Lankan government. “We hope that the international community could help develop a favorable external environment for the Sri Lankan government to stabilize the
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country’s internal situation and accelerate economic growth, and avoid taking measures that could further complicate the issue,” Hong said. Despite the opposition from Colombo, the Panel of Experts on appointed to advise the UNSG was published last Monday. The report says that activities by the rebel Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and the government in the final months of Sri Lanka’s military operations against terrorism might amount to war crimes. Sri Lanka’s External Affairs Ministry said Wednesday that this report on the country is fundamentally flawed in many respects and has a divisive influence on the country that has just concluded a decades-old conflict. Tens of thousands of civilians were killed in almost three decades of terrorism that erupted in 1983, led by the LTTTE against the Sri Lankan government. The LTTE carried out a separatist insurgency, leading to widespread terrorism, seeking an independent Tamil homeland in the north and east of the country, before they were defeated in 2009.
As constitutional deadline looms in Nepal, Ban urges all sides to show flexibility
New York - As Pakistan celebrates 50 years of participation in United Nations peacekeeping, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon hailed the dedication of the troops, police and civilian personnel who play a crucial role in helping people around the world recover from war. “Peacekeeping is a credit to us thanks to the fine work of our troopcontributing countries – Pakistan a leader among them,” Mr. Ban said at the opening of a photo exhibition celebrating 50 years of Pakistan’s participation in UN peacekeeping. He noted that Pakistan’s contribution has been consistent ever since the first Pakistani peacekeeper served in the Congo 50 years ago. Pakistanis have served in 38 missions worldwide. They are involved now in nine of the UN’s most dangerous operations, with large contingents in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Sudan, Côte d’Ivoire and Liberia.
“The numbers tell only part of the story. The other part is played out in the lives of people recovering from war,” Mr. Ban told the gathering, held at Pakistan’s Mission to the UN. From the women who are treated by female members of Pakistan’s medical unit to children who play football on fields constructed by Pakistani troops, the services rendered by brave Pakistani troops, police and civilian personnel deserve profound gratitude, said the Secretary-General. At the same time, “this great contribution comes at a great cost,” Mr. Ban added, noting that 122 Pakistani military, police and civilian personnel have lost their lives while serving the Organization. “They are sons and daughters of Pakistan … but they are also members of the United Nations family. We mourn their deaths. We remember their lives. And we vow to carry forward their valiant work for peace.”
HARPER WINS MAJORITY
Continued from page 1
In southern Ontario two races to watch were Kitchener Centre and Kitchener-Waterloo, where the Liberals lost by 17 and 339 votes respectively in 2008. The Conservatives kept those seats and won them by bigger margins this time. Another race that was closely watched was Simcoe-Grey, where incumbent Helena Guergis ran as an Independent Conservative after getting kicked out of the Conservative party.
She and her husband, former Conservative MP Rahim Jaffer, were the subject of much controversy last year, sparked by allegations about Jaffer’s activities and allegations he illegally lobbied his former colleagues on Parliament Hill. Guergis lost to Conservative Kellie Leitch by a wide margin. Reprinted with permission from CBC.ca
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WORLD
May 04 - 17, 2011
Sharp rise in public executions as Iran executes first juvenile offenders in 2011
Amnesty International has condemned a sharp rise in the rate of executions in public in Iran – which have included the first executions of juvenile offenders in the world this year. Since the start of 2011, up to 13 men have been hanged in public, compared to 14 such executions recorded by Amnesty International from official Iranian sources in the whole of 2010. Eight of those executions have taken place since 16 April 2011. On 20 April 2011, two juvenile offenders – identified only as “A.N” and “H.B” - were among three individuals hanged in public in Bandar Abbas, southern Iran, after being convicted over a rape and murder committed when they were only 17. A fourth man was hanged at the same time for rape. “Yet again, Iran has distinguished itself by being the only country this year to execute juvenile offenders. No more juvenile offenders must die at the
hands of the state,” said Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui, Deputy Director of Amnesty International’s Middle East and North Africa Programme “Not only were these young men executed for crimes committed when aged under 18, but their executions were carried out in public. Public executions are not only a violation of the right to life, but are a gross affront to human dignity which cannot be tolerated.” On 16 April 2011, three men were also hanged in public in Shiraz for murder, armed robbery and kidnapping. A fourth man was hanged on the same day near Kazeroun in Fars Province after being convicted of four counts of murder. Public executions in Iran are usually carried out by cranes which lift the condemned person by a noose around the neck. They are advertised in advance.
Iran is one of the only countries that still imposes the death penalty on juvenile offenders - those convicted of an alleged crime committed before they were 18 -and was the only country known to have executed a juvenile offender in 2010. Executions of juvenile offenders are strictly prohibited under international law. UN human rights experts have made it clear that executions in public serve no legitimate interest and only increase the cruel, inhuman and degrading nature of this punishment. “It is deeply disturbing that despite a moratorium on public executions ordered in 2008, the Iranian authorities are once again seeking to intimidate people by such spectacles which not only dehumanize the victim, but brutalize those who witness it,” said Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui. There was a sharp rise in the rate of executions in Iran in December 2010
and January 2011, with at least 86 people executed in January alone. The rate fell significantly in February 2011, after international condemnation of the rise, but has risen again since the end of the Iranian New Year holiday in early April. According to official sources, at least 135 people – ten in public - have been executed so far this year. Credible reports suggest over 40 others - three of which were said to have taken place in public in Salmas, north-west Iran, in February – have also taken place, which have not been acknowledged by the authorities. UN human rights bodies have also stressed the need for states which carry out executions to be transparent about their use of the death penalty. The UN General Assembly has passed three resolutions calling for a worldwide moratorium on executions.
Pregnant Canadian, husband Investing in agriculture key to ending extreme rural poverty killed in Morocco blast in South Asia – UN
A pregnant Canadian mother and her husband were among 16 people killed after a bomb packed with nails detonated inside a bustling tourist café in Morocco on Thursday. Israeli-Canadian Michal Zekry and Moroccan-born Messod Wizman died after the blast in the city of Marrakech, a close family friend told The Canadian Press. Zekry, 29, and Wizman, believed to be 31 or 32, moved to China a few months after their marriage so he could pursue a business opportunity, Stephanie Dadoun said, adding that their deaths have left family and friends in shock. “It’s hard for me to put into words everything that she was,” she said. The couple were visiting Wizman’s
parents in Casablanca and left their three-year-old son with them when they headed to Marrakech for a day trip. The Moroccan government did not release names but said that two Canadians, two French citizens, a Dutchman and two Moroccans were among the dead. As well, more than 20 people were wounded. Canada’s Department of Foreign Affairs said Friday it only had confirmation of one Canadian death. The Argana café where the attack happened is on the Djemma el-Fna square, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Reprinted with permission from CBC.ca
An annual global push by the United Nations to spotlight the role that immunization plays in saving lives, especially those of children, wrapped up on Sunday after a week of vaccination campaigns, training sessions, exhibitions and round-table discussions around the world. Immunization Week 2011 was marked in nearly 180 countries and territories across five major regions
this year, a record, according to the UN World Health Organization. Vaccinations were carried out against numerous diseases, including diphtheria, hepatitis B, influenza, measles, mumps, maternal and neonatal tetanus, polio, rubella, whooping cough and yellow fever. Outreach teams have been visiting communities with limited access to regular health services such as those
NEW YORK - South Asia continues to have the largest concentrations of poor rural populations despite the fact that the wider Asia-Pacific region has made major strides in combating poverty, a United Nations agency said, stressing that agriculture is key to poverty alleviation. The study by the UN International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), entitled Agriculture – Pathways to Prosperity in Asia and the Pacific, shows that rural poverty rates have dropped only slightly in the last decade in South Asia, which now has the largest number of poor rural people – about half a billion – of any region in the world. Four-fifths of all extremely poor people in South Asia live in rural areas. Overall, extreme poverty in rural areas of developing countries in the region dropped from 48 per cent to 34 per cent over the past decade. Commenting on the report, Thomas Elhaut, the Director of IFAD’s Asia and the Pacific Division, noted that more than 350 million people in the Asia-Pacific region had lifted themselves out of poverty over the past 10 years.
More than 680 million people in the Asia-Pacific region continue to live on less than $1.25 a day, and 70 per cent are inhabitants of Bangladesh, India, Nepal or Pakistan, according to IFAD. Across the region, 70 per cent of the poor live in rural areas and are generally landless, have large families, lack education and have limited access to markets, credit and technology. Most have a high degree of vulnerability to shocks such as severe illnesses, natural disasters and sudden food price fluctuations. The region is also highly vulnerable to variations in energy prices due to its high dependence on fossil fuels. IFAD stresses that agriculture contributes substantially to growth in gross domestic product (GDP) and poverty reduction. The IFAD study outlines policy and investment strategies aimed at helping smallholder farmers and other rural people manage the risks they face, as well as enabling them to access emerging agricultural markets and opportunities in the non-farm economy and thus improve their chances of financial success.
living in remote areas, urban fringes and internally displaced persons (IDPs) to administer vaccines. The week of events was first celebrated in the Americas in 2003 and has since spread to the European and Eastern Mediterranean regions. This year, for the first time, the weeks were observed in Africa and the Western Pacific.
In a message to mark the week, WHO Director-General Margaret Chan stressed the need to stay vigilant against the potential spread of vaccinepreventable diseases. The recent outbreaks of measles, pertussis and polio in different parts of the world have highlighted the work that remains to be done, she said.
UN spotlights role of immunization in saving lives worldwide
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HEALTH / FITNESS
May 04 - 17, 2011
Communication disorders affect millions of Canadians
(NC)—Imagine going through life not being able to understand what people are saying to you, having to constantly ask people to repeat themselves, not knowing what’s expected of you or how to behave. Imagine what it’s like when you can’t express your feelings to your family, friends or, especially, strangers. Imagine the sense of isola-
tion, frustration, anger. For millions of Canadians who live with a speech, language or hearing difficulty, these experiences can be an everyday occurrence. But it doesn’t have to be that way. The ability to hear, understand and be understood is fundamental to our development as productive citizens and when hearing and speech problems go undetected and untreated, the results can be severe. According to the Canadian Association of Speech–Language Pathologists and Audiologists (CASLPA), the organization that represents 5,700 speech, language and hearing professionals
across Canada, dealing with this crisis is an up–hill battle. One of the biggest challenges is getting referrals–being put in touch with people who need help. Often, individuals with hearing or speech disorders are labeled as having some type of behavioural problem. They’re seen as either uncooperative or withdrawn, or unpredictable and hostile. This can be especially true with children. In many cases, this kind of behaviour is often merely the symptom of a more profound hearing or speech disorder and unless these individuals are referred to a hearing or speech specialist, the problem can go undetected and untreated. Daycare workers, teachers, social workers, public health nurses and doctors need to understand that behavioural problems that appear to be purely psychological can often be traced to
a hearing or speech disorder. Call in the experts–they know what to look for–the subtle signs that are so often missed by professionals in other disciplines. CASLPA acknowledges that there are currently an insufficient number of the professionals that are needed to provide Canadians with an adequate level of service. Wait times can be long, but CASLPA has released national recommended wait times for public reference. You can find them at www. speechandhearing.ca. Primary healthcare is a team effort, and while S–LPs and audiologists are an important part of that team, they are only one player, counting on the other members of the team–doctors, nurses, educators, social workers and other rehabilitation professionals–to help them help others in need.
Swallowing Awareness Day
Tips to help save your sight
(NC)—Monday, May 9 is Swallowing Awareness Day. Feeding or swallowing disorders (also known as dysphagia) affect infants, young children, adults and the elderly in different ways and for a number of reasons (reflux, down syndrome, cleft lip and palate, prematurity, cerebral palsy, developmental delay, brain injury, stroke). Untreated feeding and swallowing disorders can lead to malnutrition, dehydration, pneumonia, delayed growth and development, social difficulties, airway obstruction or even death. You can find out more or find a professional near you online at www.speechandhearing.ca.
loss can actually be prevented or treated, whether it’s by making simple lifestyle changes to reduce the risk of eye disease or by taking safety precautions to avoid eye injuries,” says Dr. Keith Gordon, vice president of research and service quality at CNIB. Consider the following tips from CNIB on how to help save your sight: 1. Wear sunglasses year-round. Choose shades with 99 per cent ultraviolet (UV) protection from both UVA and UVB rays. 2. Get regular eye health exams. Early detection is key to ensure prompt
(NC)—Every 12 minutes, another Canadian begins to lose their sight. This can happen to anyone at any point in their lifetime, bringing challenges they might never have imagined. While some vision loss happens before birth or because of factors beyond our control, there are still many things that can be done to help prevent it. “Astonishingly, 75 per cent of vision
diagnosis of and early treatment for eye disease that can rob you of your sight later in life, so visit your eye doctor regularly. 3. Eat healthy. Fruits, vegetables and foods high in omega-3 fatty acids are great for your eyes. 4. Quit smoking. People who smoke are up to four times more likely to develop AMD, the leading cause of vision loss in people over 50 in Canada. 5. Keep drinking to a minimum. Heavy drinking of alcoholic beverages is a known risk factor for developing cataracts and other eye diseases. As part of its annual Vision Health Month campaign in May, CNIB is calling on all Canadians to take control of their eye health to help prevent future sight loss, starting with getting their eyes checked. For more information about vision health and how to support Canadians with vision loss in your community, please visit www.cnib.ca.
Stand Up for Your Health Care Rights
(NC)—The next time you access any sort of health care, remember something besides your health card or insurance forms – remember your rights. That’s the message from FHRCO, the umbrella group for Ontario’s 24 health regulatory colleges. “To ensure the best and most appropriate care and service from your provider, you need to understand what you’re entitled to as a health care consumer,” says Jo–Ann Willson, president of the Federation of Health Regulatory Colleges of Ontario. Together, these Colleges govern almost 260,000 regulated health professionals, hold them accountable for their conduct and practice, set requirements for entering the profession and standards for practicing, and adminis-
ter quality assurance programs. When dealing with any care provider, remember that you are entitled to: • Receive safe, competent and ethical care. • Have health problems and treatments explained to you clearly. • Participate in your health care decisions. • Have the chance to ask questions and express concerns. • Request a second opinion. • Give or refuse consent for any procedure, for any reason, at any time. • Find out about treatment options/ alternatives. • Be assured that your personal information is protected and remains confidential.
• Know the education/training of your care provider. • See and get a copy of your own personal health information. • Have any fees/costs explained. There are signs that Canadians are becoming more assertive regarding their health care. A survey by the consulting firm Deloitte found that we’re increasingly demanding improved service, greater access to our health records, and more education for health self–management. Deloitte’s conclusion – Canadians want to be treated more as consumers than as patients. That’s a healthy attitude, says FHRCO’s Willson: “Regulated health care professionals have the education and expertise to provide a high level of care. By being informed and involved
in your care, you can work with your health care provider to receive the care you need.” When it comes to regulated health care professionals, you also have another key right, to formally raise concerns about the care you have received. To learn about what you can expect from your regulated health professional and the process for addressing concerns, you can find links to all of Ontario’s Health Regulatory Colleges at www.regulatedhealthprofessions. on.ca. “Our main goal is protecting your right to quality health care services,” says Willson.
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FOOD & NUTRITION
May 04 - 17, 2011
Tips from a specialist to help families eat healthier
(NC)—Food choices can be confusing, so Canadian dietitian Tina Stewart recommends: 1. Read the labels. Sixty–seven per cent of Canadians are influenced by
nutritional information on packages when making a purchase. Let the ingredient list and official nutrition label be your guide. Generally it is important to know the serving size, calories, fat, salt and sugar content. 2. One of the most important first steps toward cooking healthier at home is ensuring your kitchen is well stocked with nourishing foods that can easily be turned
into healthy meals and tasty snacks. Consider high fibre or reduced fat versions of your favourite foods. After shopping, portion them out into reusable containers that can be taken to work or school. Cut up fresh fruits and vegetables so they are available to be added to cereal or served as an end of day snack while you’re making dinner. 3. Always keep in mind that many ingredients can be replaced with healthier alternatives without sacrificing taste. Greek yogurt for example is a great substitute for sour cream, mayonnaise, cream cheese or even whipped cream! A great option is the new PC Greek yogurt, a delicious, fat– free product with two times the protein of regular PC yogurt and it can be used in anything from smoothies to parfaits and even as a dessert. 4. It’s easy to add a wide variety of nutrients such as polyphenols, antioxidants from plant foods that work in the
body to enhance health, into your daily diet – just look for bright colours in the produce department. Red, blue, yellow, orange and dark green vegetables and fruits provide the most concentrated source of polyphenols. 5. To build a healthier sandwich, start with whole grain bread or a thin bagel, add a lean cut of your favourite deli meat and reduced fat cheese. Replace mayonnaise with hummus or a drizzle of salad dressing to moisten your sandwich, then load it up with fresh, crisp veggies. 6. Eating whole fruits and vegetables is the ideal way to get your 4–10 servings a day, but when you’re on the go a fruit or veggie based drink such as PC Blue Menu 3 Servings Fruit & Vegetables Drink can help boost your intake in no time. Tina Stewart is a dietitian for Loblaw Companies Limited.
Blood Pressure Management: Try Mushrooms
(NC)—Eating more foods rich in potassium, including fresh mushrooms, may help in blood pressure management According to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada, more than 40% of people with high blood pressure aren’t even aware they have it. Do you know what your blood pressure is? If the answer is no, be sure to get your blood pressure checked by a healthcare professional at least once every two
years. High blood pressure can damage the lining of arteries anywhere in the body leading to atherosclerosis or narrowing of the arteries. And that’s a real problem as it can double or even triple your risk of heart disease/ stroke and increase your risk of kidney disease. The good news is there are ways for you to control high blood pressure, and even prevent it from happening. Being at a healthy weight, cutting back on salt, and eating more foods rich in potassium, including fresh mushrooms, are three of the Heart & Stroke Foundation’s recommended lifestyle changes for controlling blood pressure. Fresh Mushrooms Can Help!Say Good–bye to Sodium
• Fresh mushrooms are very low in sodium, and because they contain Umami naturally enhance other foods – no need for salt. Use them to boost the flavor in pastas, salads, and stir– fries. • Aim for less than 2300 milligrams of sodium per day, about one teaspoon, from processed foods and salt added during food preparation and at the table. Read Nutrition Facts Labels to check how much sodium is in a food. If the % Daily Value is higher than 20, the food is considered high in sodium. Leave it on the shelf! Watch that Weight • Fresh mushrooms are a perfect choice for weight management, since they have a high water content, are low in fat and contain some fibre: three factors that will help you feel full with fewer calories. That means less room for other calorie–laden foods. Pick up more Potassium
• Fresh white button mushrooms contain 318 milligrams of potassium (9% of the Daily Value) in each ½ cup serving. Getting a little more potassium will help counteract the effects of too much sodium on blood pressure. Mushrooms Make a Difference • Add ½ cup white button mushrooms to your omelet or scrambled eggs instead of ½ cup cheddar cheese. Benefit: save 349 mg sodium and get twice the potassium (111 mg). • Mix 1 cup of diced grilled portabella mushrooms into pasta or pasta sauce instead of sausage. Benefit: save 632 mg sodium and get almost three times the potassium (630 mg). • Use ½ cup white button mushrooms with dips instead of corn chips. Benefit: save 552 mg sodium and get an extra 31 mg of potassium. For more nutritional information and delicious recipes ideas visit www. mushrooms.ca.
How to report food safety complaints (NC)—Consumers play an important role in the food safety system by reporting their concerns to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). The information helps to remove the sale of unsafe products and notifies Canadians about the recall. On average, 2,000 reports concerning food safety are received each year. In 2009–2010, the CFIA received 1916 reports. Consumer complaints span a wide variety of food safety issues, including: • undeclared allergens on food labels; • chemical residues; • extraneous material such as metal, hair or glass; • suspected presence of bacteria, parasites, or viruses; • suspected tampering; and
• other health concerns. If you suspect that there is something wrong with a specific food product, or believe that a particular product does not comply with federal regulations, contact the CFIA by: • telephone (1–800–442–2342) • email(cfiamaster@inspection. gc.ca) • web (www.inspection.gc.ca) • fax (613–228–6601) • postal mail Also contact your doctor if you think you have become sick as a result of the food. When reporting, the CFIA will ask you to provide as many details as possible about the food in question, including • the brand name, • the Universal Product Code (UPC),
• the lot code, • the best before date, and • the date and place of purchase. This information helps to determine whether a product poses a food safety risk and to identify if any follow–up action is necessary. While not all food concerns reported will result in an investigation or recall, all of this activity helps to keep Canada’s food supply safe. More information is available online at www.inspection.gc.ca.
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Moscow to hostWorld Cup 2018 final
Stay safe in the open water (NC)—There is more to boat safety than remembering to wear a life jacket. A recent report from Allstate Insurance Company of Canada shows that collisions are the leading claim for boat owners. “We’ve seen a decrease in overall boat claims over the past few years, but the number of collision claims has grown,” said Eric Michalko, spokesperson for Allstate Canada. According to Allstate Canada data, the number of collision claims is twice that of boat theft, the second most frequent claim. “The easiest way to avoid any collisions or malfunctions out on the water is to have your boat inspected at the start of the season,” said Michalko. “Make sure everything is in working order to avoid surprises before you leave the dock.” For all the recreational boaters who will head out on the open waters of Canada’s many lakes and rivers, Allstate
Canada offers these boat safety reminders: • The operator of the boat should be licensed and have proper safety training. Take a refresher course if it has been awhile since you were last trained. • Rules and regulations can vary in certain waters and waterways. Check local regulations so you are mindful of speed limits and boating restrictions. • Don’t let all the open space fool you. Just like inattention and reckless driving on the road can cause a collision, the same can happen in the water. • Under no circumstances should you operate a boat while intoxicated. You risk more accidents than just collisions when operating a boat under the influence. • Check regulations to see how much and what kind of safety gear you need to keep on board. It will differ depending on the size of your boat.
Moscow will become the venue for the final game of the FIFA World Cup 2018 as well as for the opening match and one of the semis. Russia’s sport minister Vitaly Mutko told that the FIFA headquarters and the international broadcasting center will also be situated in the Russian capital. According to the official, the second semifinal is most likely to be held in St Petersburg. Moscow and St Petersburg will also be among the cities to host the C onfederations Cup, which will bring together the champions of each of the FIFA confederation championships (UEFA, CONMEBOL, C O N C A C A F, CAF, AFC, OFC), along with the World Cup winners and the host nation.
In all, 13 cities have expressed their desire to become World Cup 2018 venues. Besides Moscow and St Petersburg, they are Kaliningrad, Yaroslavl, Nizhny Novgorod, Saransk, Samara, Volgograd, Ekaterinburg, Rostov-on-Don and Krasnodar. Russia won the right to host the 2018 FIFA World Cup in December 2010, beating England as well as two joint bids from Spain/Portugal and Belgium/Netherlands in the FIFA executive committee vote.
COLOMBO - Former Sri Lanka captain Hashan Tillakaratne said he was ready to share information on alleged match-fixing with the International Cricket Council, the game’s world governing body. Tillakaratne, now an opposition politician, said he will name those involved in match- fixing to ICC officials, after he claimed last week that Sri Lanka players had been fixing matches since 1992. “I made the statements (about match-fixing) neither to get political mileage nor to put anyone in an awkward position,” he told reporters a day after a police inquiry was ordered into his allegations. “I made the comments in good faith and I will share the in-
formation with the ICC. The exercise was meant to protect the game and the players we all love so much.” Tillakaratne, who played 83 Tests and 200 one-dayers during a 15-year career, added that he had kept quiet for so many years as he feared for his life. Tillakaratne’s allegations raised a storm, with former skipper Kumar Sangakkara challenging him to prove the claims. “It’s interesting to see what he has to say and if he has anything more than allegations,” said Sangakkara, who quit as captain after Sri Lanka’s defeat to India in the World Cup final. “It’s dangerous to throw names around.”
Tillakaratne to take fix claims to ICC
Nadal wins all Spanish final in Barcelona’s Conde Godo tournament
Rafael Nadal achieved the 501st win of his career as a professional tennis player as he defeated fellow Spaniard David Ferrer to win the Conde Godo tournament in Barcelona last week. The Mallorcan born tennis ace defeated Ferrer 6-2, 6-4 in a match in which the result was only once in doubt to win his 31st clay court tournament. Nadal struggled to hold his serve on a chilly Barcelona afternoon and saw Ferrer break his service on three occasions. After a straightforward first set, Nadal found himself trailing by 4-2 in
the second set and it looked as if the match would need a third set to decide the champion. It was then that the World number one showed his power and despite training 40-15 in the seventh game of the set, he fought back to take that game and then the next three to claim the set and the match. Nadal was always favorite to win the Conde Godo, a competition played close to where he has spent a lot of time training in the nearby village of San Cugat de Valles.
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Brampton – A Global Leader In Community Safety Brampton has been designated as an International Safe Community by the World Health Organization since 2007. We have hundreds of programs to support children’s and youth safety, fire safety, crime reduction, road and workplace safety, emergency preparedness and seniors’ safety. Our city has a growing network of citizens, schools, businesses, public agencies, service clubs, emergency services and police working together to educate and engage people of all ages in safety. We invite you to be part of this incredible community partnership. For a start, join us at our annual golf tournament, then ask us to tell you more about our programs and people, and how we can help you keep your home, your family and your business safe from crime and injury.
Thanks to our 2010 Sponsors for their generosity last year.
Wednesday,
June 1, 2011 LionHead Golf & Country Club hosted by: Gael Miles, John Sanderson and Sandra Hames
Tournament Hosts Gael Miles, Regional Councillor, Wards 7 & 8; John Sanderson, Regional Councillor, Wards 3 & 4; and, Sandra Hames, Regional Councillor, Wards 7 & 8.
From Left to Right:
In Support of Community Safety Programs bramptonsafecity.ca
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Selena Gomez to host MuchMusic Video Awards Selena Gomez is taking on a new job and that will be as the host of the MuchMusic Video Awards in Toronto. Gomez will be a first-time host for the awards show that takes place on June 19th. “Selena Gomez is a bona fide star. Her films and TV show are seen around the world and her songs are topping the charts,” Sheila Sullivan, producer for the show, commented as to why Gomez was selected for the role.
May 04 - 17, 2011
Katrina vamps it up on Vogue cover
Band Baaja Baaraat, Dabangg and Robot win IIFA Technical Awards! The International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) has announced the winners of the technical awards categories for the IIFA Awards 2011. The trophies will be presented to the winners during the Videocon IIFA Weekend in Toronto, Canada. Band Baaja Baaraat, Dabangg and Robot led the technical winners tally with three awards each. Maneesh Sharma’s Band Baaja Baaraat won the awards for Editing by Namrata Rao, Song Recording for Vijay Dayal’s ‘Ainvayi Ainvayi’ and Costume Designing by Niharika Khan. The Rajnikanth starrer Robot walked away with Best Art Director for Sabu Cyril who incidentally won the same award at IIFA 2010 as well. Robot also won the awards for Special Effects by Indian Artists and Make-up by Banu. The Salman Khan starrer, Dabangg won an award for Choreography for the hit song, ‘Munni Badnaam Hui’ choreographed by Farah Khan, and Leslie Fernandes who won for Best song recording. The film also won the award for Best Action by S. Vijayan. The award for Best Cinematographer went to Sudeep Chatterjee for Guzaarish and Shankar, Ehsaan, Loy won the award for the best background score for My Name Is Khan while Pritam Das won for Best Sound Recording for Love, Sex aur Dhoka. The IIFA Awards Voting process is a stringent and methodical procedure that is closely monitored by PriceWaterHouse Coopers (PwC), the official auditors for the event. The popular category nominations will then be available for the global audience to participate in the voting process. The final winners
of the IIFA Awards are revealed on the night of the Awards ceremony when the envelope is opened onstage, in front of the live audience. The results are surrounded by secrecy and the participation of the film industry and fans along with credibility of the voting process is one of the key parameters of this prestigious celebration. Year on year, industry stalwarts, actors, directors, producers, technicians and composers among others cast their votes, which decide the nominations for the performance categories of the awards. The numbers that come in to vote each year vary between 500 to a thousand, but the twelfth year celebrations saw an astounding 1500+ industry members participating in the IIFA Voting Weekend. The nominations for the popular categories of the IIFA Awards 2011 will open for public voting on the 10th of May. Indian Cinema fans worldwide can vast their votes for those they consider deserving. The votes from the online polling will be tallied by PWC and will only be announced on the night of the IIFA Awards 2011 at the Rogers Centre, Toronto. In its twelfth year, IIFA will make its North American debut in Toronto from the 23rd to the 25th of June, 2011. IIFA gives the Indian film fraternity an opportunity to reach audiences in international territories while promoting the same on a global platform. It is a pioneering endeavor that also establishes a symbiotic relationship between India and the host country in areas such as tourism, culture and trade.
`Sheila’ has gone from desi to grungy. Bollywood beauty Katrina Kaif sports a dark edgy look on the cover of fashion magazine Vogue`s latest issue. The actress has shed her cutesy look for the cover which sees her in an all black ensemble, a Bordelle bodice and a sheer chiffon skirt from Givenchy. Vogue India`s first makeover issue features the 26-year-old on the cover, her look complete with tousled hair and golden accesories. “Katrina best exemplifies the makeover theme. The idea for the shoot was to bring out the rawness to her sensuality. It`s a side of her that has been unseen. At the shoot, she willingly experimented and transformed into a sultry siren. We love this side of her and we love her reinvention,” said Anaita Shroff Adajania, Fashion Director of Vogue India. Marc Hom, a Danish-based photographer famous for his shoots for various campaigns like Gucci and Max Mara, flew down for the photoshoot with Katrina.
UPCOMING HOLLYWOOD MOVIES
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ENTERTAINMENT Prachi Desai won’t kiss John Abraham Bollywood actress Prachi Desai has turned down an on-screen kiss with John Abraham. John plays a casanova in Shrishti Arya’s next, which also stars Chitrangada Singh and Prachi. In keeping with the image his character demanded, John was to lock lips with Prachi. But Prachi, who has a no-kiss clause written into her film contracts, stood her ground. “Instead, a sensuous track will now be shot between John and Chitrangada. This will be the first time they will be paired together on-screen,” reveals the source. Adds the source, “She isn’t comfortable with screen kisses and conveys as much before signing a film.” The film goes on floors shortly. A source close to Prachi however maintains, “She is open to discussing her character as per the script demands. There’s no such hard-and-fast rule from her side.”
Freida Pinto Bares It All Freida Pinto will be baring it all in Tarsem Singh’s upcoming movie Immortals. The Slumdog Millionaire actress will be seen doing an intimate sex scene in the film. This would be her first makeout scene in a movie since her debut. There is already buzz surrounding the sensuous nature of Freida’s role, now that the teaser of the film is out. She not only features prominently in the promo but also shows some skin when she goes backless in a particular scene. Freida plays a priestess named Phaedra and has a romantic track opposite Henry Cavill who plays a peasant names Theseus. Immortals also stars Mickey Rourke as King Hyperion, who creates a war between humans. Tarsem Singh has reportedly told a UK tabloid that Freida was a sport and despite so many people around, she did the scenes pretty well.
Anushka asked to get in shape!
Anushka Sharma isn’t what you’d describe as chubby or even remotely curvy. But she has been asked to get leaner and toned than ever before! The reason? Yash Raj Films has asked her to shed any extra inches gained before she begins shooting for her next film Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl. The actress has had a long break after the shoot of her last project Band Baaja Baraat. The production house is very strict when it comes to the fitness of their heroines. While signing a film, their contract insists they be of a certain weight and have a specific Body Mass Index. Those who have worked with the banner insist that they are pretty weightspecific when it comes to the women.
UPCOMING BOLLYWOOD MOVIES
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Are you a newcomer? Are you an internationally trained professional? Do you need to improve your language skills?
ELT Community Policing The Halton Multicultural Council in partnership with Halton Regional Police Service offers Enhanced Language Training that provides:
5 5 5 5
250 hours of specialized language training 1:1 Mentorship with Policing Practice Police Entrance Examinations An internship with HRPS Citizens’ Police Academy
Community Policing start date: September 6, 2011 Eligibility requirements: Permanent Residents, Convention Refugees, 18 years of age or older, minimum language level (CLB 7Ͳ10) For more information or register contact: Paula Castano (905)842-2486 ext. 233 - pcastano@halton-multicultural.org
Funded by :