Newsline Canada

It's All Happening in Toronto
The arrival of Spring has resurrected the Goan Community with a full programme of social and cultural events taking place over the next few months.
Here are a few:-
April 17 - Easter Dance organized by the Friends Club in Mississauga with dancing to the sounds of PAVE CONNECTION & DJ FATZ
April 23 - A new Seniors Group (55+) serving the East Toronto area will be holding their first meeting for enrolment of members and election of an executive committee. This will be the first of many events planned for 2004. A similar group will soon be formed in the West Toronto area covering Mississauga and Brampton, the fastest growing suburbs in Canada.
April 24 - "THAT'S WHAT FRIENDS ARE FOR" will be holding a fund raising dinner-dance for Alison De Silva (now in recovery from a rare medical disorder) to help in much-needed equipment and home care.Alison herself will be attending the event in the Brampton area which will feature a band, DJ, and live entertainment.
April 25- G.O.A. AGM . Usually a "Ho Hum" event, but this year expect high praise for the executive for paring down "the property debt" to less than $100K. The unspoken issue - "to sell, or not to sell, the property" will receive the fale, fale, treatment, with attention turning to the 34th Anniversary Dance on May 1st where members will pay half the going rate for a sit-down dinner/dance.
May 22 - Make no mistake, Konkani Tiatr is still around. The entire cast of "Chukh" popular Konkanni drama staged thrice to rave reviews in London, England, will be flying in to perform at the Stephen Leacock Collegiate Institute in Scarborough. Producer is Francis D'Costa with MC Jr. Menezes.
The usual Village Feasts - Margao –Saligao - Aldona - Siolim will continue to be celebrated.
For details of these and the above events visit: www.goanvoice.ca
To list your event send plain text e-mal (no fliers) to info@goanvoice.ca

New Canadians realize their dream of home ownership sooner
- Immigrants are more likely to be planning to move or purchase a new home in the next year than their Canadian-born counterparts -
Excerpts: TORONTO, April 14 /CNW/ - Immigrants who came to Canada after 1980 are able to purchase their first home here faster than their predecessors could, according to a recent CIBC telephone poll conducted by Decima Research. For full text click here.

Recognition of foreign credentials given a boost
TORONTO, April 13, 2004 -- An important step was taken today to improve the recognition of foreign credentials in Canada. The Honourable Jean Augustine, Minister of State (Multiculturalism and Status of Women), announced Government of Canada funding of $977,876 for two projects that will help immigrants to Canada, and Canadians trained abroad, find work in their field of expertise.
"Canada is one of the most diverse countries in the world. We need to take full advantage of the skills and knowledge that immigrants and foreign-trained Canadians bring to the table," said Minister of State Augustine."This is not just an issue for immigrants or foreign-trained Canadians; it affects all Canadians. Our entire country suffers when skilled people are prevented from working and participating in our economy and our society."
For further information see: http://www.canadianheritage.gc.ca/newsroom/news_e.cfm

Canadians found work faster than most other countries in 2003
Job search will take longer in 2004
TORONTO, April 8 /CNW/ - A new global study says unemployed workers in Canada found new employment faster than in most other countries during 2003.
The study's authors warn it will take Canadians longer to find a new job this year as the pace of job creation slows. For full text click here.

Canada and British Columbia Sign New Immigration Agreement
VANCOUVER, April 5 /CNW/ - Judy Sgro, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, and Murray Coell, Minister of Community, Aboriginal and Women's Services for British Columbia, signed a new immigration agreement today.
The agreement establishes a framework for the governments of Canada and British Columbia to develop new initiatives to meet regional immigration needs, improve the integration of immigrants, encourage foreign students to choose British Columbia and address barriers to the recognition of foreign credentials. Key elements of the original agreement signed in 1998 remain, including a commitment by British Columbia to design and deliver settlement services and participate in the Provincial Nominee Program, which gives provinces and territories the authority to identify and nominate immigrants to fill their specific regional and local needs.

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

Anjuna cliff crumbling into the sea
	Nature has marked out a slice of the magnificent cliff at the Anjuna coast, with a commanding view of the sea, for erosion this monsoon. The process which began half-a-dozen years ago, is progressing gradually at the St Anthony Praias Vaddo, just a few metres away from Menino Fernandes’ Victor Guest House at St Anthony Praias Vaddo, which overlooks the cliff. For full text click here.

Tiatr needs further improvement
The president of the Goa Konkani Akademi, Mr Pundalik Naik, while addressing the participants of one-day workshop on ‘Tiatr Script Writing’ said that while tiatr is the most popular dramatic form of Goa and has developed tremendously in its 112-year history, it still needs to improve to come on par with other stages of the country. “In order to achieve this, the tiatr artistes have to first improve the standard of tiatr scripts, “Mr Naik said. According to a press note, the “Tiatr Script Writing” workshop was organised by Kala Mogi of Candolim, as part of its Silver Jubilee celebrations in collaboration with Kala Academy, recently.

“Down To Earth Jazz Festival”
To commemorate World Earth Day, at three-day “Down to Earth Jazz Festival”, with an intriguing mix of food, art and opinion thrown in, is to take place from April 22 to 24 at Campal, Panjim. Think Geek brings Jazz music to Goa and the event is being co-ordinated by journalist Ethel da Costa.

Cong flays Naidu's church outburst
The President of Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC), Luizinho Faleiro, has strongly condemned the outburst of Venkaiah Naidu, National President of BJP, against the Goa Church for urging people to vote for secular parties. Addressing a press conference on Thursday here, Mr. Faleiro said, “I can understand such an outburst in other parts of India, because that is BJP’s culture’’. But perhaps Naidu, he said, has forgotten that he was on Goan soil where communal and religious harmony and friendship is hallmark of Goa.

Parrikar awarded 13th rank by top CEO’s
Notwithstanding the relentless criticism he is subjected to from certain quarters back home in Goa, Manohar Parrikar has done Goa proud. In a survey carried out by research firm TNS India for the daily ‘Economic Times’ which polled 100 CEO’s from the top ET-500 list of India’s largest companies, Goa Chief Minister scored 13th rank and has joined the ranks with such politicians like Chief Ministers Chandrababu Naidu of Andhra Pradesh, SM Krishna of Karnataka and Sheila Dixit of Delhi, who are ranked 9th in the list.

Events
For listing of events in 2004 please click here

Friday April 23rd 2004 (note change in date)
Event:	Meeting for Enrolment of Members & Election of Executive Committee
Organised by	NEW 55+SENIORS GROUP FOR GREATER TORONTO AREA -EAST
Venue	Our Lady of the Rosary Church (parish hall) 2950 Midland Ave,Scarborough (just south of Finch Ave)
The inaugural meeting was held on Wednesday November 26,2003, to form a seniors group (55+) serving the Scarborough/Pickering/Ajax/Markham/Thornhill/North York /Richmond Hill and York Region The Steering Committee resulting from the meeting will be holding an enrolment/election meeting on April, 23rd, 2004 @ 7.30 p.m for the following: to enroll members to review and comment on the constitution of the organization to elect the first Executive Committee to plan activities and events. Potential members have to pay a fee to be eligible to vote. The figure decided was $10 per person as an entrance fee and it will be non-refundable. A membership fee will also be charged and the membership year for 2004 will be from the Spring meeting to December. Enrolment forms can be downloaded by clicking the Forms image below or go to http://www.goanvoice.ca/2004/issue6/fiftyfive_plus.doc Please bring the completed enrolment form and the $10 enrolment fee to the meeting to be eligible for participating in the election of the new executive. Those who are unable to attend can send the completed form and cash with a friend or relative to the meeting, while others, who cannot access a computer, can fill the form at the meeting.
For more information please call any of the following: Enrolment Form Cecil D’Cruz  416 431 9549 Romero Dias,  905-884-9688 Elsie Fernandes,  416 286 8337 Claude Gomes,  416 299 0492 Or go to http://www.goanvoice.ca/2004/issue6/fiftyfive_plus.doc (Click to view the form)

Sunday June 13rd, 2004
Event:	The Feast of St. Thomas 29th Annual Aldona Social
Claireport Place Banquet & Convention Centre65 Claireport Crescent, Etobicoke, OntarioMass: 12:00 p.m. sharpDance to the music of DJ Fatz
Tickets: (Purchased before May 27)   Adults: $27.00 Children: (ages 4 -12) $10.00 (3 and under free ) Tickets: (Purchased after May 28)   Adults: $37.00 Children: (ages 4 -12) $15.00
Menu
Appetizers Onion Bhajias/ Pakoras Lunch Caldo Verde SoupVeal ParmagianShrimp MasalaHot & Spicy Chili Chicken Singapore Style NoodlesVegetable Fried RicePlain RiceEggplant Curry Tossed SaladRoast PotatoesItalian Mixed VegetablesVegetable TrayDinner rolls Desserts Assorted Fruit Platter Caramel Pudding Pineapple Pluf Assorted Cakes Jello Coffee & Tea
Children's menu Ticket Order For further information contact: Fiona Pinto-De Souza - President 905-278-1403 Trevor De Souza - Treasurer 416-497-4386   Click to download & print ticket order form.

People Places and Things

Nairobi Institute Centenary Website From http://www.goanvoice.org.uk/
	The Nairobi Institute Centenary Website, www.nicentenary.com has been launched to provide you with all the necessary information for June 11, 2005. The site will be updated on a weekly basis. Please forward the details to as many interested parties as you know.

GOAN WELFARE SOCIETY Newsletter
http://www.goacom.com/news/getStory.php?ID=516
Excerpt:
"The Goan Community in Kenya continues to shrink and it is estimated that the Kenyan Goan population is approximately 1000 persons. It is therefore important we share closer links within our community in Kenya and also work with other members of other communities to optimize living in Kenya."

Obituary

08 Apr 2004, Margao. MARIA JOSEFINA AUGUSTA FERNANDES. Wife of late Jose,mother of Agnelo/Neeta, Maria Treza/Augustine, Martha/Percevino.
Grandmother of Allan (USA), Alisha, Lawry/Joanita (Canada), John, Aurville/Trisca, Marvin (USA), Sharon/Dr Edgar, Dr Otilia/Tony
Great-grandmother of Logan, Sasha, Lauryn, Jason, cousin of H.T Goes and Rosemarie.

08 Apr 2004, Pomburpa. JOAO PAULO RODRIGUES. Beloved husband of Luciana, father of Margaret/Charles (Canada), Clothilda/Jacinto (Canada), Jessie/Urbano(Mapusa, Bernadette/ Benny, and Cruz (Canada).

5th April. Eltham, London, England. ERMILA FERNANDES (ex-Nairobi)- born 23 May 1923. Wife of late Robert Fernandes ( Head teacher of Parklands/Goan School, Nairobi, Kenya).
Mother of Luke/Yolanda, Ollie/Perla, Vasco/Roseanne, Esther/Matthew. Grandmother of Annette, Carl, Elroy, Clare and Mark.
She is sadly missed by her beloved sons, daughter and other members of the family
Announcement regarding funeral arrangements will follow.Condolence messages by email to: ehuntbach_8@hotmail.com or fernandes@totalise.co.uk. 

Announcements

Church Summer Fest
St Michaels Church Anjuna Goa will be holding their annual two days Fest to be know as " Parish Summer Fest", and invite all of you to the event, so anyone being present in Goa on this two days that is on the 1st and the 2nd of May please do make it a point to spend sometime with the parishioners, take part in the dance, various food stall, local stage programs, bingo etc. You will also be helping in our fund raising campaign to help our Sacred Heart school which is in urgent need to replace the asbestos sheets which is a definite health hazard to the students and staff of the school, and other renovation works.
Those not being able to attend it would be most welcome gesture if you could make a cheque or draft favouring St Michael Church of any amount that your generous heart speaks to you. The address is as below
St Michaels Church
Anjuna 403 509
Bardez - Goa
India
e-mail :- archangel_anj@hotmail.com
Tel :- 0832 2274358

Health & Wellness

"Youth Employment shrinks .... Young people are also leaving the work force in large numbers,"
OTTAWA, April 8 /CNW/ - The distress of young workers is the most striking feature of this month's Labour Force Survey from Statistics Canada. "It's not just the fact that jobs for youth are down 1.6% from a year ago or that youth employment shrunk in the first three months of 2004 (workers aged 15 to 24 lost 36,000 jobs), it is mostly the realization that young people are also leaving the work force in large numbers," says Ken Georgetti, president of the Canadian Labour Congress, inviting policy makers to add to the unemployment numbers the 38,000 young workers who gave up on the job market this year. For full text click here.

Knowing When It's Time to Give up Your Job Search - When to Say "When"
TORONTO, April 5 /CNW/ - For those who have been unemployed for a long time, there inevitably comes a point when one wonders if they should just give up, stop looking and pursue an entirely different career path.
"It's devastating to be out of work for any length of time, but it's even more stressful when a job seeker realizes that he/she may never find a comparable position in his/her chosen field," said Jerry Weinger, Chairman of Bernard Haldane Associates, the international career management firm. For full text click here.