Newsline Canada

Stats Canada 2001 Census Reveals

• The rich got richer in the '90s. Average income for the wealthiest families rose to $186,000 in, up 15% from 1990.
• Everyone else tread water. Median income for all Canadians was $55,000 in 2000 up less than 1%.
• The proportion of children living in low-income families was virtually unchanged in the decade at 18 per cent.
• Ontarians have the highest median income at $61,000. Newfoundlanders have the lowest at $41,000.
• Ottawa's median income of $69,500 is highest among cities, followed by Oshawa ($68,800) and Windsor ($65,650).
• 43% of Canadians say they are Catholic, 29% Protestant.
• The number of Canadian Muslims doubled in the decade to 579,600, surpassing the number of Canadian Jews (330,000)
• About 20,000 Canadians identified their religion as Jedi, the warrior knights made popular by the Star Wars movies.

In Canada - It is not a "bribe" - It is a "Success Fee"
A prominent lobbyist has told a judicial inquiry that he did not ask for a bribe in order to facilitate a computer leasing deal with the
city.http://www.goacom.com/news/news2003/may/msg00031.html

Jobless rate climbs in Toronto.
In Toronto, the loss of 4,000 jobs pushed the city's unemployment rate up half a point, to 7.7 per cent. The province lost 14,000 jobs in the health care and social assistance sector, and another 12,000 in the accommodation and food services sector. Statistics Canada said the entire provincial decline in the accommodation and food sectors was concentrated among Toronto's restaurant workers, due in part to the fallout from SARS.
http://www.goacom.com/news/news2003/may/msg00024.html

Canadians less satisfied with health care: Poll
Canadians with health problems are more likely than ailing residents of four other countries to say the health-care system has deteriorated and that they have had difficulty getting a doctor or a hospital bed. http://www.goacom.com/news/news2003/may/msg00022.html

Goan Overseas Association ~Toronto AGM Highlights

• President for 2001/2002, Oscar Furtado, elected unopposed for 2003/2004
• Overall membership has increased from 937 members in 2001 to 994 in 2002
• The 10 social and sports events organized by the Association were all well attended and profitable.
• The Balance Sheet for 2002 shows total a total income of $80K, and expenses of $10K, yielding a $70K excess of revenue over expenses.
• The Treasurers report that "the building continues to be a drag on our Associations financial position"
• The carrying costs for the 10 acre property at Kirby Road/Hwy 400 in the north of the GTA, are $450K for 2003
For information on the Association visit their web site at: http://www.goatoronto.com

May Queen Ball a Huge Success
Tim de Mello writes:
"An excellent fun exposure of the social side of Goan Culture was displayed in the GTA.
The date: May 03. The venue: International Banquet Hall at Kennedy/Hurontario.
Goa Amigos, a newly formed band, hosted the May Queen Ball to "celebrate women in our city and community". They more than lived up to their billing of "A wonderful evening of non-stop dancing, Buffet Dinner, Snacks & Cash Bar" with "Traditional Goan Music".
In my 28 years living in the GTA, I have to confess that this is one of the best dances I have attended." See complete article entitled "Goa Amigos and a Fun Evening" at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Goanet2003/message/2828

News Clips from Goa
by Joel D'Souza & Fred Noronha

Goa is India's best state
New Delhi, May 10 (IANS) Goa is more than just a tourist paradise. It is India's best state in every way, according to a survey of states by top economists commissioned by a newsmagazine India Today.

SUMMER CAPERS FOR "MAIACHO MHOINO":
With the heat increasing by the day in Goa, the weather is becoming very uncomfortable. Added to the plight is the question of water, which is becoming a scare commodity, and the situation appears worse that what it actually is. Of course, there are plenty of tropical fruits like mangoes, jackfruits, etc, available in plenty this year. See Full article : click here.

BULLET TRAIN COMING SOON:
The Konkan Railway Corporation's Bullet train, technically known as High Speed Train will run between Margao to Mumbai in the next one or two months, covering the two places within six hours. See Full article: click here.

O COQUEIRO'S GINES VIEGAS PASSES AWAY:
Mr Gines Viegas, owner of Goa's popular "O Coqueiro" restaurant in Porvorim, expired suddenly on May 13. See Full article: click here.

GOA ON TOP BUT.:
While Goa stands first in overall terms in the "India Today" survey on the quality of life, it ranks ninth in terms of law and order. This is down seven points from its number two position in a similar survey conducted by the magazine in 1991. In terms of agriculture, Goa has slipped to sixth position, 1 point down from 1991.

BEd STUDENTS PROTEST:
While students of both the BEd colleges in the State protested the Goa University's decision for a re-examination, the principals of both the colleges denied that they were "consulted" by the Goa University over the decision. The principal of Nirmala Institute of Education, Dr Rita Paes, refused to speak on the re-examination debacle stating that she would prefer "confidentiality" on the matter. She did express concern on the inconvenience that would cause to her students by way of re-examination. (H)

"YOUTH SHOULD TAKE TO AGRICULTURE":
Goan youth have to change their pre-conceived notion of feeling inferior in tilling one's own land and have to take to agriculture on a war footing to solve the unemployment problem, said Mr Prataprao Bhonsale, former president of Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee. Mr Bonsale, who was inaugurating a newly built public hall of Shantadurga Kunkallikarin Devastan at Fatorpa on Sunday, said that there is a misconception among the youth that only those who are uneducated should undertake agriculture and that agriculture is an unprofitable activity. (NT)

KEEP GOA CLEAN a seminar organised by Engineers, Architects, Town Planners.
http://www.goacom.com/news/news2003/may/msg00027.html

Commentary: GOA STATE OF STATES
By: Joel D'Souza
Many Goans are glad that on Goa has been bestowed the rare honour of being the Best State among the country's 19 states, evaluated on 46 parameters including prosperity, law and order, health, education, infrastructure, agriculture and investment. The survey by top economists commissioned by Delhi-based magazine "India Today" assessed the performance of the various states from 1991 to 2001, and found Goa just a single berth behind Delhi in prosperity and budget. However, Goa bagged top honours in the sphere of education, health, infrastructure and for attracting the most investment. See Full article: click here.

People Places and Things

Maria Britto named Business Person of the Year

Award Dinner - May 29 Brampton (February 2003) - Re/Max North Park Inc. Realtor, Maria Britto, a long time business person and resident of Brampton, has been selected by The Brampton Board of Trade as the 2002 Business Person of the Year. Click to read story

Health Tips: Fitness Over Fifty
Old age can be fun and happier if it is healthy, full of enthusiasm and fit. It is said that " He who has health has hope and he who has hope has everything". Therefore it is necessary that as you enter your mid-lives you learn to take extra care for your body to avoid chances of physical incapacity and take proper diet and exercise to lengthen your life and make your lives fuller, minds happier and bodies more younger. For more text click here.

Announcements

Holy Mass Celebrated on Television - Greater Toronto Area
Mass sponsored by our St. Francis Xavier Seniors Club ( Toronto ) East
Vision TV Channel 60
Date: June 13, 2002
Times: 8.00 am & 12.00 noon

Deaths

O COQUEIRO'S GINES VIEGAS PASSES AWAY: Mr Gines Viegas, owner of O Coqueiro restaurant in Porvorim, expired suddenly on May 13. Mr Viegas went to Africa in 1940 and joined the East African Airways in Tanzania. He also started a side business and commenced a driving school in Dar-e-Salaam called Viegas driving school. He also took the lead in organizing cultural activities for Goans in Tanzania. He came down to Goa in 1972 and was staying at Assagao.

He took over O Coqueiro Bar and Restaurant in October 1972. Thereafter he never looked back. An ardent football fan, Mr Viegas would never miss World Cup Football matches. He had a large circle of friends. Funeral likely on Saturday, 17th May, in Assagao. For more text click here

07 May: Nairobi, Kenya: ANA (Melita) SALDANHA, Wife of the late Caetano Jose; Mother of Leandro (wife Sheila and daughters Lisa and Leanne) of Toronto len-saldanha@excite.com ; Lucy (husband Tony Coutinho and children Suzanne and Paul) of Sydney lcoutinho@bigpond.com ; and Luis (Fr.) of Nairobi saldanha@wananchi.com

de SANTANA, Hubert _ Suddenly on Sunday, May 4, 2003 at Toronto General Hospital at the age of 60. Much beloved husband of Susan. Loving son of Angela and the late Manuel. Dear brother of Gerry, Olaf, Teresa and their families.
Hubert is the grandson of the late Dr. R. Ribeiro (benefactor of Dr. Ribeiro Goan School, Nairobi). For more text click here.