Canadian Singles Gripped by 'First-Move' Paralysis
New Harlequin Survey Reveals 75% of Canadian Singles Afraid to Make First
Move

TORONTO, Jan. 25 /CNW/ - Hate making the first move? Apparently so does everyone else - which might explain why so many singles will remain single this Valentine's Day. According to a new survey from Harlequin Enterprises Ltd., a whopping 75% of unattached Canadians admitted they have met someone they were interested in but were too afraid to make a move. More than 2,000 men and women from across Canada and the U.S. participated in the survey as part of the Harlequin Romance Report 2006, The Encounter.(1) Respondents in 14 other countries were also polled on select questions.While more than 85% of Canadian men and women surveyed said they have no trouble meeting new people, most admitted that a fear of rejection is what prevents them from turning a first meeting into a first date.

"Meeting new people isn't the hard part," said Katherine Orr, Vice President, Harlequin Enterprises Ltd, one of the world's leading publishers of women's fiction. "Everyday we see people who catch our eye but rather than make conversation, most of us grab a book or newspaper, play with our cell phone, or look away - all reactions that dramatically reduce the chance for interaction with new people."

Not surprisingly, the survey results reveal that most Canadians prefer to be set-up rather than approach someone on their own. Seventy-three per cent of Canadians believe the best way to meet new people is through friends, proving that networking doesn't just apply to business anymore. One in three Canadian women (36%) met their current or last significant other through a friend.

Despite the fact that less than one percent of Canadians surveyed think the workplace is a good place to meet someone, in truth, 20% actually met their significant other while on the job.

The survey also revealed that although Canadians shy away from approaching strangers, 40% of men and women polled still believe the best way to meet someone is by chance. But be wary of chance encounters - according to the survey results one in five Canadians admitted to fabricating an encounter so they could "bump" into someone they were interested in and make it look like a chance encounter.
 

 Two Toronto hospitals use language interpreter device in pilot project

TORONTO : Emergency departments of two hospitals have launched mobile translation device that can speak 15 languages, to help limited- or non-English speaking patients who visit the hospital.

The gadget can interpret a few South Asian languages including Bengali, Hindi, Punjabi, and Tamil.

Toronto General Hospital and Toronto Western Hospital are running a pilot project using the machine - MedBridge - with a small touch screen on a wheeled stand, created by MedBridge Systems to interpret the city's increasingly diverse patient population.

A software-based technology used by the machine enables regular health care staff to communicate directly with patients having limited English proficiency and hearing-impaired patients, according to a press release.

According to the creators, the machine will not "compromise accuracy or confidentiality," at the same time will prevent delay in initial assessment and patient care.

This is how the gadget works: As the health professional interacts with MedBridge in one of the 15 languages, the gadget would speak and displays the questions or comments in the patient's language. Similarly, the patient can respond by selecting choices present in his or her language. In the case of the hearing impaired, the screen simultaneously displays translation in both American Sign Language and in text.

Currently the gadget's context modules include emergency, triage, labor and delivery, and bedside.

 City of Toronto launches Apartment Standards website
http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/January2006/30/c1787.html?view=print

TORONTO, Jan. 30 /CNW/ - The City of Toronto launched an Apartment Standards website today to enhance public access to information about rental apartment buildings in the city. The new site (www.toronto.ca/apartmentstandards) posts details about compliance orders
issued, their status, information about inspections, and other bylaw information.

The Apartment Standards website tracks multi-residential buildings containing four or more self-contained rental units. The site does not have information about properties that are rooming houses, rental condominium units, co-operative housing, row housing or bachelorettes.

"Property owners are responsible for complying with basic apartment standards, and tenants have a right to decent living conditions," said Mayor David Miller. "The new Apartment Standards website provides residents with access to information about buildings that have failed to comply with City bylaws, and allows tenants to register and track complaints."

The site contains information about multi-residential apartment buildings with a history of bylaw violations during the past two years. Personal information is not disclosed, such as the property owner's name or address, or the complainant's personal information.

"The new Apartment Standards website is an excellent source of information for tenants and prospective tenants," said Bill Blakes, Acting Director of Investigations, Municipal Licensing and Standards. "In addition to being able to search the history of a particular building, including details about bylaw violations and the status of an investigation, individuals will also have access to information about property standards bylaws, tenant
protocol, frequently asked questions and how to file a complaint, 24 hours a day, seven days a week."

The Apartment Standards website also contains useful information about the responsibilities of property owners, tenants, and Municipal Standards Officers. It also includes contact information for Municipal Licensing and Standards District Offices.
 

Chew on this... four legged pals need dental check ups too 
- Brush up on dental care during National Pet Dental Health Month -

 TORONTO, Jan. 30 /CNW/ - Pet oral health is a leading issue among Canadian pets. In fact, 80 per cent of dogs and 70 per cent of cats over age three will require dental care during their lifetime.

This February brush up on pet oral care during National Pet Dental Health Month (NPDHM). For the past 12 years, the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA), in partnership with Hill's Pet Nutrition Canada, have supported this program to ensure pet owners understand that cats and dogs need proper, regular dental care - both at home and by a professional veterinarian.

"Proper oral care is extremely important to the overall well-being of dogs and cats. For over a decade, we've partnered with Hill's Pet Nutrition to inform Canadians about the importance of providing thorough animal oral care, with the hope of preventing the onset of dental disease," says Dr. Troye

McPherson, CVMA.

Many pet owners do not understand the possible implications of poor oral health for their pet, and NPDHM is the perfect time to ask your veterinarian the right questions. With support from Hill's Pet Nutrition, vet clinics across the country are prepared to run an effective in-clinic oral care program, and guide their clients to improve dental care for their pets.