Goan Voice, Canada : Newsletter. Issue 2006-19. September 16, 2006

Stocking up for Winter...
Polar bear & Cub with carcass of Narwhale
Photo courtesy of Maria Fraser in Repulse Bay - Nunavut

Newsline Canada

Housing Starts Decreased in August as Expected Will House Prices Decline ?
http://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/corp/nero/nere/2006/2006-09-11-0815.cfm

OTTAWA, September 11, 2006 — The seasonally adjusted annual rate1 of housing starts was 213,700 units in August, down from 236,500 units in July, according to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC).

“Housing starts decreased in August solely due to a decline in the multiple starts segment. After three consecutive months of increases, the volatile multiple starts segment dropped to its lowest level of the year in August.” said Bob Dugan, Chief Economist at CMHC’s Market Analysis Centre. “Single-detached starts moved higher from their lackluster performance in July, but not markedly so.”

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Homeless Food Program is running out of food, leaving Toronto's needy hungry
More news...

TORONTO, Sept. 13 /CNW/ - Treasure House a non-profit organization that feeds Toronto's homeless and those who are in need, is running out food. As some local shelters and missions have stopped their evening food programs, and as of yet the Out of the Cold programs have not started, many of Toronto's homeless are going hungry. The Treasure House offers a seven night a week drop in "Harvest Time Café" in the downtown area for over one hundred people, but those numbers are increasing by the day.

"We've had to turn people away over the last number of weeks because we're running out of food," says Denise Tomka, Executive Director of the Treasure House. "Some missions and shelters have ended their evening food program, even though the need is still there and people are hungry. This means the number of people we are trying to feed has almost tripled. We have never had to turn people away before. This is a desperate time for our organization, volunteers, and for the people we help."

On any given night of the week, volunteers provide, cook and serve food to over one hundred and fifty needy and homeless persons. Treasure House does not receive government funding for their "Harvest Time Café" community meal. We rely solely upon donations to purchase food and supplies.

Helping Newcomers Understand Their Rights In The Workplace
McGuinty Government Launches Outreach Program To Help Newcomers Succeed In The Workplace

TORONTO, Sept. 13 /CNW/ - The McGuinty government is reaching out to help newcomers understand their rights and responsibilities so that they can stay safe and succeed in the workplace, Labour Minister Steve Peters announced today.

"Newcomers - both as employees and employers - bring energy and dedication to the Ontario economy," said Peters. "Our government wants to help them understand their new workplace rights and responsibilities so we are going out to employer and community associations to reach them directly."

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Fish Curry Nite – Friday, September 8, 2006

Click on thumbnails to enlarge

The Toronto East Goan Seniors Association (TEGSA) never fails to amaze us with their innovative ideas and well organized activities.

The Fish Curry Nite was an exceptional event, very well managed, and entertaining. For a nominal sum, members were treated to a delicious Goan meal & provided with great entertainment

The hall was packed with members anxious to tickle their taste buds with the Fish Curry they had often dreamed about. And they were not disappointed. A plate of King Fish (Surmai) curry cooked the authentic Goan way with a large slice of spicy fried King fish and mixed vegetables was served on a bed of rice. Dessert was a delicious fruit trifle.

To top it all, entertainment was also provided. There were cultural dances – DEKHNI – LANCERS which were performed not only by our TEGSA Group but by a Young Adult group as well. There were also solo singing performances in Konkani and Portuguese and exhibition dances like the Merengue, Cha Cha Cha and Salsa. Live music by our acclaimed Goan musicians was excellent. And finally, D.J. Godfather kept us hopping on the dance floor.

What a great event. The President Al and Social Secretary Vicki D’Souza and her team of helpers are to be commended for putting on a great show. We look forward to the next TEGSA event. (See Events & Announcements section of www.goanvoice.ca for TEGSA events)

Non-Resident Goans Hold Brainstorming Workshop in Toronto
By Goan Voice Canada with files from IGO

A group of determined Goans met in Toronto on Sunday, September 10, 2006, to address the issue:
“How do we look after the interests and welfare in Goa of Non-Resident Goans from Canada”
The workshop, convened by the International Goan Organization, (IGO), was expertly conducted by management consultant, Cellie Gonsalves.

The specific objectives of the workshop were:
•To pursue the interests of Non-Resident Goans (NRGs) with the State Government in Goa, and the Central Government of India.
•To assist NRGs in protecting their rights in Goa especially in property related matters
•To provide facilities to NRGs on their visit to Goa.
•To help in investment by NRGs in Goa
•To maintain cultural and ethnic bonds of NRGs, especially the new generation with Goa.

The statement of objectives was followed by a brainstorming session and concluded with a distillation of best ideas under the heading “How Can We….”.

Cellie Gonsalves kept the flow of ideas on course, allowing all those present to freely express their views and ideas. A small bowl was on the table to collect a loonie fine for those who punctuated their comments with “YES BUT”. The meeting concluded with the bowl empty, and the IGO left with a pile of flip chart sheets full of best ideas for further consideration.
A communiqué is expected to be issued in due course.

The IGO incorporated as a non-profit organization in 1989, has an impressive list of accomplishments:
•International Goan Youth Convention – Goa, December, 1990

IGO Toronto: Accomplishments

•Academic Conference in Toronto March 1991
•Indo-Canadian Enterprise Exchange Program – Toronto, November 1993
•Health Services Project 1999, 2000

IGO contact: almathias@rogers.com

Canadian Goan Centre in Greater Toronto Area ?
An initiative for setting up a Canadian Goan Centre in the Mississauga Area is being actively investigated by a small focus group. This stems from constant search for premises to hold social events & meetings for all age groups. A seniors group in Mississauga currently holds monthly events at the Malta Band Club. The Maltese club consist of two storefronts properties joined into a 10,000 sq. ft social club which covers all the needs of their 800 paid-up members. Other cultural groups such as the Irish, and the CanOrient Community, have also taken the industrial property route and thrived.

When an adjacent 6600 sq. ft property in the same complex was for sale, a group of Goans asked "Why Not Us ?"
Then came the scurrying around to assemble like-minded persons to form a group. Many responded saying "Let's get something going at last, where Goans Groups could meet at will, and hold our heads up high !" Setbacks - an offer has already been made by others for the property. Nevertheless, all those who expressed interest in a Canadian Goan Centre are invited to a "Town Hall" meeting to discuss the issue and see a path forward. See notice in Announcements Section below.