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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.
The announcement comes a day after Liberal Leader Paul Martin said he would eliminate the landing fee, which he himself introduced in 1995.Harper accused the Liberals of making up policy on the fly, and said Martin is now running against his own record. Saying immigrants deserve better than the treatment they have received in recent years, Harper promised the Conservatives would reduce barriers to immigrants trying to build a better life for themselves. "The biggest barrier to new Canadians is the frequent failure of Canada to recognize legitimate foreign credentials," he said. "Wherever this happens, not only are the dreams of individuals and families shattered, but Canada as a whole is deprived of all they have to offer." Harper said his government would create a new agency for the assessment and recognition of foreign credentials, working eventually to have those credentials recognized even before the immigrants arrive in Canada.

Martin to scrap immigration fee
CBC News
Liberal Leader Paul Martin will pledge to kill a costly immigration landing fee in an effort to lock in the traditional support of new Canadians. Martin announced during a campaign stop in B.C. Tuesday that he will roll back the $975 fee if he is re-elected in the Jan. 23 election.
"For many Canadian families with immediate relatives overseas, one of the challenges that they have faced is the $975 right of permanent residence fee," he said. In 2000, refugee claimants were exempted as well. The government had claimed the fee was imposed to cover costs associated with processing applications. Yet opponents criticized the fee, saying it was a money grab.
Martin made the announcement in an area where large blocs of Asian-Canadian voters could make the difference in several key ridings in the Jan. 23 election. The landing fee will be phased out over the next three years. The fee will drop immediately to $600, then to $300 after 12 months, and finally to zero within the next two budgets. The fee was introduced by the Liberal government in 1995 and applied to adult immigrants. But children and orphaned relatives applying for immigration were exempt from paying the fee.

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.

Calgary's real GDP is expected to grow by 3.8 per cent in 2006, a slightly slower pace of activity than in 2005. Strong non-residential construction and services sector activity will support employment growth and, in turn, domestic demand.

After a relatively modest performance in 2005, real GDP in the Toronto Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) is forecast to expand by a robust 3.7 percent in 2006, its fastest growth rate in four years. Manufacturing activity is expected to pick up, as the sector completes its adjustment to the stronger dollar. Between 2007 and 2010, economic growth in Toronto is
expected to surpass, on average, that of all other Canadian cities.

The economy of Abbotsford, B.C., is expected to expand by 3.1 per cent, its third consecutive year of sound growth. Continued strong population growth is supporting robust activity in the CMA's services sector.

With real GDP growth of 5.2 per cent, Edmonton led all metropolitan economies in 2005. Growth will moderate to a still healthy three per cent in 2006, as energy-related investment remains strong and employment rebounds from a one-year pause in 2005.

A recovery in the goods sector in 2006, particularly in manufacturing and construction, will boost Halifax's real GDP growth to 2.9 per cent.

After underperforming for three straight years, Ottawa-Gatineau's economy is expected to grow by 2.9 per cent next year. Leading the way will be very healthy non-residential construction activity, with the recovering high-tech sector providing support.

Saskatoon's economy, which posted a 4.5 per cent gain in 2005, will expand by a further 2.9 per cent in 2006. This economy, a model of consistency over the past few years, will record a softer pace of job growth in 2006.

After posting real GDP growth greater than three per cent in 2005, the economies of Regina, Winnipeg and Victoria will slow down somewhat, each recording increases slightly over two per cent in 2006. Winnipeg and Regina will enjoy solid non-residential construction activity and healthier employment gains, while output growth in the services sector of both cities
will slow. In Victoria, growth will decelerate in both the goods and services sectors.

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.

Statement From The Honourable Harinder Takhar
TORONTO, Jan. 4 /CNW/ - I would like to thank the Integrity Commissioner, the Honourable Coulter Osborne, for his thorough review delivered today. I accept the reprimand he has issued.I have always strived to conduct myself with the best of intentions and utmost integrity, but it is clear from this Report that I displayed an error in judgment and for that I sincerely apologize. This afternoon, I spoke to the Integrity Commissioner to immediately
comply with his ruling to appoint a new trustee. The past two years in public life have been a tremendous privilege for me and I look forward to continuing to serve the people of Mississauga Centre and the people of Ontario as Minister of Transportation. However, I have learned a very important and valuable lesson from this experience and will ensure it always guides my conduct.

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.

Overtaking UK
According to revised official figures from China's National Bureau of Statistics, Chinese GDP reached almost 16 trillion yuan ($2 trillion; £1.1 trillion) in 2004, making it the world's sixth largest economy, overtaking Italy. With the Chinese economy expected to have grown by a further 9.3% across 2005, most economists now predict that China will rise still further in 2006 to fourth place in the global GDP list, easily passing both the UK and France in the process. "For sure by 2006 China will become number four and by 2010 it will be more than Germany," says Chen Xingdong, an economist at BNP Paribas in Beijing. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) estimates that the Chinese economy will continue to grow strongly in 2006, with the growth rate rising slightly to 9.4%, and then again to 9.5% in 2007. Chinese officials have said they broadly agree with this figures, but at the same time, they have recognised a number of potential difficulties, both domestically and internationally.

Country-city divide
Internally, the Chinese government faces an ever-widening economic divide between the richer cities and the poorer countryside, where unemployment is growing. This has led to a number of protests in rural areas. Yet Beijing realises this is a problem and in an autumn 2005 report acknowledged that Chinese farmers' incomes are not growing fast enough.
The government is now aiming to improve both social provision and economic circumstances in the countryside to try and reduce the wealth imbalance and any political instability it may bring. However what is most pressing for the Chinese, is the need to increase general domestic consumption, something the International Monetary Fund has touched upon.
For while China's economy has enjoyed unprecedented growth, the great majority of this has been export-based, with domestic consumers lagging far behind. The elite in Beijing and Shanghai may have money to spend freely on luxury goods, but China needs to extend this to lower social groups - at the same time as not risking inflationary pressures.

Trade disputes
Domestically, China is also carrying out measures to try and reduce its over-heating steel production. Its own National Development Reform Commission estimates that excess steel production will top 100 million tons in 2005, and that internal demand will only rise marginally in 2006. Economists say it is this excess capacity, both in steel and consumer goods, that is fuelling China's continuing over-reliance upon exports, a factor that is increasingly antagonising both the US and the European Union. "We're concerned that domestic demand is not sufficient to absorb all this production," says Rob Subbaraman, an economist with Lehman Brothers in Tokyo. "We worry about an emerging oversupply problem in China, and from a broad macroeconomic perspective, this helps explain why China has a record trade surplus and low inflation." This trade surplus was $90.8bn for the first 11 months of 2005, three times the level of 2004, boosted by a huge increase in exports of Chinese clothing and textiles products since the end of a long-running global fabrics quotas at the start of the year. This led to both the US and EU bringing in new temporary quotas under World Trade Organization rules. Yet the overall Chinese trade surplus is expected to continue at broadly the same rate in 2006.
The US, whose trade deficit with China hit a record $20.5bn in October 2005, says Chinese exports are unfairly boosted by Beijing's policy of keeping the yuan artificially low. China, which maintains the currency at a fixed rate against the dollar, counters that it increased the value of the yuan by 2.3%in July 2005, and aims to do so again. Yet Beijing insists it will not be rushed, and that it will only slowly increase the value of the yuan to avoid any destabilizing effect.

Black gold
The other main international factor for China is oil. It is today the world's second largest consumer of oil behind the US, and despite the large rises in prices throughout 2005, it continues to import oil with a tremendous thirst. To ensure sufficient supply and protect it from price fluctuations, China is working hard to both increase and diversify its supplies. It recently started work on a 1,000km (620-mile) pipeline from neighboring Kazakhstan, and has increased investments across Africa. Energy analysts say China will only increase such efforts in 2006. China's fast-paced economic growth will undoubtedly continue in 2006, despite the many factors that could conspire to throw it off course. Beijing is well aware of potential difficulties, and appears confidently able to continue to steer the economy's ongoing upward trajectory. China is a newly formed economic powerhouse that is here to stay. .