TORONTO, - "Racial profiling has no place in our society. We have to stop debating the issue and start acting on it," was the key message delivered today by Chief Commissioner Keith Norton at the release of the Ontario Human Rights Commission's report on the effects of racial profiling. Entitled, Paying the Price: The Human Cost of Racial Profiling, the Report is based on over 400 personal accounts of experiences with profiling that individuals shared with the Commission during the course of its Racial Profiling Inquiry held earlier this year. The Report looks at the human cost of racial profiling on individuals who have experienced it, their families and their communities and the detrimental impacts of this practice on society as a whole.
For more information see: http://www.goacom.com/news/news2003/dec/msg00020.html

Toronto has a new Mayor!
December 2nd, 2003
Mayor David Miller set out his vision for an open, accountable city government today in his inaugural speech.
His speech highlighted the importance of neighbourhoods, of cleaning up the city, and of opening up City Hall to encourage civic engagement. Mayor Miller challenged Toronto City Council to "move forward into the new term with respect for the people of Toronto, with confidence in ourselves, and with the resolve to leave this city better - more beautiful - than we found it."
Mayor David Miller set out his vision for an open, accountable city government today in his inaugural speech.
His speech highlighted the importance of neighbourhoods, of cleaning up the city, and of opening up City Hall to encourage civic engagement. Mayor Miller challenged Toronto City Council to "move forward into the new term with respect for the people of Toronto, with confidence in ourselves, and with the resolve to leave this city better - more beautiful - than we found it."
Excerpts....
As I have travelled the city in the days since the election, I have felt that sense of optimism. The people of Toronto are ready to re-engage in the civic process. They want to feel connected to their city government once again. There is a thirst for change and for a new direction on the streets of Toronto.
It is exhilarating.
I understand that it is my job as Mayor, and our job as a Council, to respond with equal enthusiasm and energy. It will be up to us as a Council to show that we have heard the people, that we understand they want to feel that City Hall is on their side.
Members of Council, I am honoured to be elected alongside you. I will ask you to cast your minds ahead three years. I will ask you to think about what, at the end of this term, you will want Torontonians to see that we have accomplished as a team.
What will we 45 do together to make Toronto a magnificent place to live?
What will we do together to make this a city that works again - for all its residents? To make Toronto's government a model for cities across Canada and North America and around the world?
Neighbourhoods are what make this city great. We must value what is distinct about our neighbourhoods, recognize that which has value beyond its cost. There is no reason, for instance, that we should not preserve the century-old, cast iron street lamps on Palmerston Boulevard - those lamps are about the history of this city, they are about beauty in public spaces.
The passion with which the residents of the Palmerston neighbourhood defend the original lamps is an example of the powerful, physical connection we feel to our neighbourhoods.
The quality of the politics and the policies that emerge from this building is largely dependent on our ability to tell the truth. We heard time and again throughout the election campaign that people feel City Hall has been run in the interests of only a handful of people who have special access.
We must, as a Council, commit to rid City Hall of this corrosive culture of access-brokering and deal-making.
And the City must continue to embrace newcomers who bring their talent and skills to Toronto. In the summer we introduced a mentoring programme that allows people to be matched with civil servants in areas like engineering, accounting and IT. This programme helps immigrants overcome artificial barriers like "Canadian experience" and use their relevant experience to work here. This is an area where government can lead, and we should expand it.

Great Start for New Seniors Group--East Toronto.
The meeting held on 26 November 2003, at Our Lady of the Rosary Church in Scarborough to discuss forming a seniors group was an overwhelming success. 76 people attended and registered as future members. The group, open to all those over 55, plans to serve serving the Scarborough/Pickering/Ajax/North York/Markham/Thornhill areas.
Discussions took place covered:
- the goals of the organization
- activities to be covered
- recruiting new members
- membership fees
- finding meeting rooms
- sources of financial assistance
The next meeting will take place in spring 2004, at which time office bearers are to be elected to form a committee for 2004/2005. A notice will appear on the Goan Voice Canada website (www.goanvoice.ca) regarding the date, time and location of the meeting.
In the meantime have a Merry Christmas and please pass the word around.
You can register your interest or request further information through and e-mail message to either gomes.claude@sympatico.ca or elsiehilary@rogers.com

10 Tips for Goan Tipplers

Having a party? Know what you're in for! The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) has 10 tips so that you won't be left with more than just a mess the next morning! TORONTO, Dec. 10 As the host you can be held responsible for: - injuries or damages that occur as a result of the alcohol you provide; - what happens to guests when they are in your home or on your property; - the safety and behaviour of your guests until they're sober, not just until they leave your party or function. See full article at: http://www.goacom.com/news/news2003/dec/msg00025.html