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Immigration Issues in Canadian Election

Stephen Harper courted the immigrant vote on Wednesday, promising to cut the immigration landing fee, and work to have foreign credentials recognized in Canada. The Conservatives would cut the $975 landing fee in half immediately, and work to reduce it over time to $100, Harper said at a news conference in Mississauga, Ont. "Immigrants and their families should be allowed to keep more of their own money in their pockets to start a new life in Canada," Harper said.

Western cities enjoy fastest growing economies

OTTAWA, December 19 - Western Canadian cities will top the list of the fastest growing metropolitan economies in Canada next year, just as they did in 2005, according to the Conference Board's Metropolitan Outlook - Winter 2006.

"In 2005, western Canada boasted eight of the nine fastest-growing metropolitan economies, led by Edmonton. In 2006, four of the top five are expected to be in the west," said Mario Lefebvre, Director, Metropolitan Outlook Service.

Thanks to Olympic-related activity, another year of exceptional growth is expected in the construction sector in 2006, paving the way for Vancouver to have the fastest growing economy in Canada next year. Almost 31,000 new jobs are expected to be created in Vancouver in 2006, and real gross domestic product (GDP) is forecast to grow by four per cent.

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Long Term Care Home For Seniors

A group in Toronto, is looking into the choices facing Seniors looking for long term care. Members of the group include Dr. Terry D'Silva, Debbie Araujo, Cellie Gonsalves, Margaret D'Souza, Zulema de Souza, Eric de Souza,Al Mathias, and several others.They have realized that the most important aspect seniors face is loneliness. Even though they may be placed in a home which has good care,services and facilities, if it does not have other like-minded, culturally compatible seniors with whom they can converse, meet, get together, pray or have companionship and fun, they will tend to feel very lonely. With this in mind they have have taken the initiative and invite all those interested to attend a meeting on February 19, 2006 at a long term care facility. Please see our events section for the details. Al Mathias' letter and is shown in the Health and Welfare section of this issue.

McGuinty must ask for Takhar's resignation

QUEEN'S PARK, ON, Jan. 4 /CNW/ - Progressive Conservative Party Leader John Tory today called on Dalton McGuinty to live up to his promised standards for cabinet ministers and ask Transportation Minister Harinder Takhar to resign. "It is clear that Minister Takhar has breached the Members Integrity Act and Dalton McGuinty should ask him to resign," said Tory. "Today, for the first time in Ontario's history, our province's Integrity Commissioner has formally reprimanded a sitting member of Cabinet. He has found that the Minister of Transportation has breached the rules governing the behaviour of elected members."
Tory commended Integrity Commissioner Coulter Osbourne on his extensive seven-month investigation into the matter and his candor. Tory originally asked the Integrity Commission to look into Minister Takhar's conduct on June 15, 2005.

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Iran committed to India gas deal Iran says it remains committed to a gas pipeline project with India and Pakistan, despite US disapproval.

Deputy oil minister MH Nejad-Hosseinian said after two days of talks in Delhi that he expected Iran to begin oil deliveries to India by 2011. The $6bn project is seen as crucial for India which relies heavily on fuel imports for its fast-growing economy. India, Pakistan and Iran say they plan to finalise the deal in June next year and to start building in 2007. The 2,600km (1,620-mile) pipeline would cross Pakistan to reach India and is expected to earn Pakistan millions of dollars in transit fees. The US, which accuses Iran of seeking nuclear arms, objects to the project, which will benefit Iran financially. Mr Nejad-Hosseinian said: "I do not think Pakistan and India will yield to pressure from the United States. This pipeline will bring peace to the region." Indian petroleum secretary SC Tripathi said India wanted "a world-class project and gas availability... at affordable prices". But he said differences still had to be resolved over the pricing of the gas. Further talks between the three countries are scheduled for March 2006, when a draft agreement on the structure of the project, pricing formula and other areas is expected to be agreed upon.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/south_asia/4567150.stm
Published: 2005/12/29 17:05:29 GMT
© BBC MMV

China's growth looks set to continue - Analysis
By Will Smale
BBC News business reporter

To appreciate just how quickly China's economy grew in 2005, you only have to witness the constant lines of giant cargo ships and oil tankers steaming in and out of its ports as fast as they can be handled.
Alternatively, visit Beijing, Shanghai or one of the other big Chinese cities to see ongoing construction projects on a huge scale. Closer to home for most of us, simply look at the back of your newest piece of electronic equipment and it will more often than not say "Made in China". Or ask a stressed US or European trade official what they think of 2005's surge in Chinese clothing and textile exports. Whichever way you choose to look at it, China's growing economic might was one of the main economic stories of 2005.The question now is whether this can continue at the same pace in 2006, or whether a number of contributing factors could throw the giant Chinese economy off-course.

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