Ontario Court gives child three parents

TORONTO, Jan. 3 /CNW/ - In an upsetting reversal of a 2003 lower court decision, the Ontario Court of Appeal has ruled that a five year old boy now legally has two mothers and one father. In his decision against this case in 2003 in the lower court, Mr. Justice David Aston had ruled that the relevant legislation only contemplated a child having one mother and one father. He expressed very astutely that allowing more than two parents "might open the
floodgates to similar claims from step-parents or members of the child's extended family." "If a child can have three parents," he asked, "why not four or six or a dozen? What about all the adults in a commune or a religious organization or sect? Quite apart from social policy implications, the potential to create or exacerbate custody and access litigation should not be ignored."

"This ruling clearly shows the extent to which the homosexual activists will pursue their agenda regardless of the welfare of children," said Jim Hughes, National President of Campaign Life Coalition (CLC). "If there was any doubt as to where the marriage ruling was heading, we now see the future, where children will become pawns, as homosexuals pursue their agenda in all aspects of family life."

"The courts must not continue to acquiesce to the homosexual agenda, but rather, must consider the fact that a child deserves a father and a mother in a stable relationship for the child's nurturing," said Mary Ellen Douglas, National Organizer of Campaign Life Coalition. "Attacks on the family unit will ultimately lead to the destruction of our society," she said. "Where will the line be drawn on such multiple parent rulings, and what is the future environment for our children?"

Ontario Government raises minimum wage

TORONTO, Jan. 3 /CNW/ -The Ontario government is raising the minimum wage on February 1, 2007, for the fourth time since taking office, Labour Minister Steve Peters announced today.

"We are providing Ontario's lowest-paid and most vulnerable workers with the fourth increase in the minimum wage in four years," said Peters. "It is to Ontario's economic advantage to see that our workers are paid a fair wage."

The general minimum wage will be raised to $8.00 per hour on February 1, 2007. This is the final increase in a four-year initiative that began February 1, 2004, at which time the government undertook to raise the minimum wage for the first time since 1995. It was phased in over a four-year period to allow Ontario business time to adjust and remain competitive.

Other minimum wage rates will also increase on February 1, 2007.

 The minimum wage for:

PREMIER TO PROMOTE ONTARIO IN INDIA AND PAKISTAN
Premier’s First Visit To Region Will Focus On Strengthening Relationships, Increasing Trade

QUEEN'S PARK -- Premier Dalton McGuinty will visit India and Pakistan to boost trade and investment and build opportunity for Ontario businesses, organizations and families.

"Ontario's diversity is one of our province's greatest strengths -- we speak every language and
understand every market," said Premier McGuinty. "These business missions to India and Pakistan will help us build relationships with our international friends and partners to build a stronger, more prosperous Ontario."

The Premier's mission to India will take place January 14-21, 2007 with stops in Punjab, Delhi, Bangalore and Mumbai.

The Canada-Pakistan Business Council is collaborating on a mission to Pakistan that will focus on the information and communications technologies sector. It will begin in Karachi, with the Premier and his delegation joining the mission January 22-26, 2007 with stops in Lahore and Islamabad.

Economic Development and Trade Minister Joseph Cordiano and Small Business and Entrepreneurship Minister Harinder Takhar will join Premier McGuinty on the missions, along with senior representatives of Ontario companies and organizations.

Ontario's two-way goods trade with India and Pakistan has nearly doubled over the past five years, reaching a combined $1.2 billion in 2005.

"This is an opportunity to build on our already strong relationships with India and Pakistan," said Cordiano. "By helping Ontario businesses and organizations gain access to these important markets, we can strengthen our economy and make sure all Ontarians prosper."
"Entrepreneurs and small businesses in Ontario have what it takes to compete with the best in the world," said Takhar. "Through these missions, we can connect them to the exciting opportunities in India and Pakistan."

Building partnerships with investors around the world is just one way the McGuinty government is working on the side of businesses and families to strengthen the economy.

Other initiatives include:
•  Encouraging strong job creation, with almost 288,000 net new jobs since taking office
• Helping to generate almost $7 billion in automotive investments that retain and create thousands of high-value jobs
• Launching a $500-million Advanced Manufacturing Investment Strategy to help manufacturers develop cutting-edge technologies
• Investing $34 million in bridge-training projects to link internationally trained professionals with opportunities.

"We want to showcase Ontario's highly skilled workers and innovative companies to business leaders in India and Pakistan," said Premier McGuinty. "It's all part of our plan to attract high-quality jobs and investment so Ontario families can find success."

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