CANADA: One In Nine Seniors Will Experience Serious Vision Loss
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The Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) calls upon Ontarians to take an active role in maintaining their vision health to avoid preventable vision loss. CNIB's state-of-the-art Ontario Medical Mobile Eye Care Unit, also known as the CNIB Eye Van, is at the Ontario Legislature today to help shine light on the important issue of vision health."Our population is aging, and the incidence of age-related vision loss is on the rise due to the higher prevalence of eye disease in the senior population,"says Dr. Steve Arshinoff, Medical Director, CNIB Eye Van.

"People need to act now to protect their vision health. Regular eye examinations by a qualified
eye-care professional are key to the early detection and treatment of eye conditions that can lead to vision loss." Seniors will make up 21 per cent of the population by 2026, as compared to 13 per cent in 2000.(i) In Canada, one in nine people over age 65 will experience irreversible, serious loss of vision; this number climbs to one in four over age 80.(ii) Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of vision loss in people over age 50 and the incidence of other age-related eye conditions, such as glaucoma, cataracts, and diabetic retinopathy, is also soaring.(iii).

Hbc and Ontario's Ministry of Health Offer Free Flu Shots

TORONTO, Nov. 8 /CNW/ - Throughout the month of November, Hudson's Bay Company (Hbc) will work with Ontario's Ministry of Health and Seiden Health Management to provide influenza immunization shots at select Zellers pharmacies across the province, as well as at the Bay, Queen Street in Toronto and the Bay, Rideau Centre in Ottawa. A complete list of participating stores and clinic hours is attached.

"We're proud to work with the Government of Ontario in keeping Ontarians healthy this season," said Diane Gordon, Director of Heritage and Community Investment, Hbc. "We encourage everyone to take advantage of the free flu shot clinics at our Zellers pharmacies and select Bay stores, and help fight the flu."

Health Canada suggests that individuals in the below groups need to be more diligent in preventing the flu:

- Infants;

- Adults 65 and older;

- People with chronic heart and lung disease, as well as other chronic
conditions like kidney disease, diabetes, anemia, cancer or HIV;

- Those living in chronic care facilities; and

- Health care workers.

Influenza, or the flu as it is more commonly called, is an infection caused by viruses of the influenza family. Millions of Canadians become ill during the influenza infection period from November through to the end of April. Most people who become infected have symptoms similar to a bad cold,but in some cases, influenza can be very serious, and even deadly.

For more information on Ontario's new universal flu campaign, please call
1-866-FLU-'N YOU or 1-866-358-6968. In Toronto, call 416-327-0427,
(TTY: 1-800-387-5559). Contact your local Public Health Unit or visit
HealthyOntario.com for information on a wide variety of consumer health
topics.

To view the Flu Clinic Schedule :
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Ontario Government To Increase Protection For Homebuyers And Sellers
Changes To Real Estate And Business Brokers Act Provide New Safeguards for Consumers

TORONTO, Nov. 8 /CNW/ - Homebuyers and sellers will be better protected under new changes to the Real Estate and Business Brokers Act, Minister of Government Services Gerry Phillips said today.

 "We know that buying and selling a house are some of the most important decisions people make in their lifetimes," said Phillips. "These changes to the industry will significantly improve protections for consumers."

The act will better protect consumers by:

 - Strengthening provisions dealing with false or misleading advertising

- the Real Estate Council of Ontario can order advertisement withdrawals, corrective orders or   Registrar approvals. False advertising will be considered a prosecutable offence

- Clarifying disclosure rules regarding the deposit of trust monies - interest on deposits remains with the deposit unless otherwise agreed to in the contract

- Increasing maximum fines and penalties for any violation of the act - increases of $25,000 to $50,000 for individuals and $100,000 to $250,000 for corporations

- Instituting a Code of Ethics, requiring approval by the Ministry of Government Services. All registered agents will be bound by the code

- Modernizing requirements regarding the ownership of real estate brokerages - under the new act, brokerage companies are required to be managed by a licensed broker, providing stronger accountability under the law.

 Phillips and Real Estate Council of Ontario president and CEO Tom Wright jointly announced the changes at a press conference today as part of Consumer Awareness Week.

 "The new act is fair and responsive to the needs of consumers and real estate practitioners," said Wright.

The passing of the regulations for the Real Estate and Business Brokers Act allows the Real Estate Council of Ontario and real estate agents or operators five months to review the act and prepare for the new provisions that will come into force in March, 2006.

  The second annual Consumer Awareness Week (Nov. 7-13) focuses public attention on consumer issues such as buying a home, planning a trip, online purchases, auto repairs, gym memberships and timeshares.

 Government partners in the province-wide consumer protection campaign include the Ontario Real Estate Association, Travel Industry Council of Ontario, Real Estate Council of Ontario, Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council, Bank of Canada, Canada Revenue Agency, Equifax Canada, Investment Dealers Association of Canada, Investor Education Fund, Interac Association, Retail Council of Canada and the Centre for the Financial Services Ombudsnetwork.

For more information on Consumer Awareness Week in Ontario, visit www.mgs.gov.on.ca or call the ministry's Consumer Services Bureau at 416-326-8800 or 1-800-889-9768.