Newsline Canada
 

Study: Low-Income Rates Among Immigrants Entering Canada
http://www.statcan.ca/Daily/English/070130/d070130b.htm 
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
1992 to 2004

The economic situation of new immigrants to Canada showed no improvement after the turn of the millennium — despite the fact that they had much higher levels of education and many more were in the skilled immigrant class than a decade earlier, according to a new report.

The report examines the economic welfare of immigrant families, not just individuals. It assesses their economic situation since 2000, and the extent of "chronic" low income, and the impact of changes in education and skill classes on their economic well-being since 1993.

In 2002, low-income rates among immigrants during their first full year in Canada were 3.5 times higher than those of Canadian-born people. By 2004, they had edged down to 3.2 times higher.

Read more...

Commute Worse Than Once Thought For Many GTA Workers
http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_7380.aspx
Wednesday January 31, 2007

You may have your dream job but getting there every morning is a nightmare.

A study released by Transport Canada, Living Green and SuiteWorks Inc. paints a sad picture for GTA commuters: they're spending a lot of time on the road, they're constantly thinking about quitting their jobs to get work closer to home and the daily drive is having a huge impact on their bank accounts and the environment.

That trip from suburbia to the office takes between an hour and an hour-and-a-half each way and that commute is really taking a toll on thousands of people, the report suggests.

"The pain that these commuters feel was deeper and greater than we imagined it. Painful in terms of their work-life balance," George Horhota, one of the authors of the GTA Commuter Behaviour Study, said.

"(The commute is) painful for their employers as well because we found out many of them are vulnerable to leaving their jobs because of the commute. And painful on their health."

Read more...

Catholics welcome new Archbishop
Tuesday, January 30, 2007 - 12:56 PM
By: Charlene Close

http://680news.com/news/local/article.jsp?content=20070130_125635_3036

Toronto - It's a big day for the 1.6-million Catholics across the GTA.
Archbishop Thomas Collins has been installed as the 10th Archbishop of Toronto and becomes the leader of the country's largest Roman Catholic diocese.

An invitation-only crowd of about 1,000 people have welcomed Archbishop Collins at St. Michael's Cathedral in downtown Toronto. Guests include Toronto Police Chief Bill Blair and Mississauga Mayor Hazel McCallion and federal cabinet minister Jason Kenney.
Archbishop Thomas Collins
(Photo by: Noel Zinger/Toronto Archdiocese)

In his homily, the archbishop says the symphony of god's creation has been disrupted by human pride.

"As we reflect on the profound question asked my children on any long trip: Are we there yet? It is clear that the answer must be no," he said.

He's been described as a man of initiative and with great vision..and part of his vision includes focusing on social justice.
 

Prime Minister releases letter of apology to Maher Arar and his family and announces completion of mediation process
26 January 2007 Ottawa, Ontario

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today released the letter of apology he has sent to Maher Arar and his family for any role Canadian officials may have played in what happened to Mr. Arar, Monia Mazigh and their family in 2002 and 2003.

“Although the events leading up to this terrible ordeal happened under the previous government, our Government will do everything in its power to ensure that the issues raised by Commissioner O’Connor are addressed,” said the Prime Minister. “I sincerely hope that these actions will help Mr. Arar and his family begin a new and hopeful chapter in their lives.”

Canada’s New Government has accepted all 23 recommendations made in Commissioner O’Connor’s first report, and has already begun acting upon them. The Government has sent letters to both the Syrian and the U.S. governments formally objecting to the treatment of Mr. Arar. Ministers Day and MacKay have also expressed Canada’s concerns on this important issue to their American counterparts. Finally, Canada has removed Mr. Arar from Canadian lookout lists, and requested that the United States amend its own records accordingly.

The Prime Minister also announced that Canada’s New Government has successfully completed the mediation process with Mr. Arar, fulfilling another one of Commissioner O’Connor’s recommendations. This settlement, mutually agreed upon by all parties, ensures that Mr. Arar and his family will obtain fair compensation, in the amount of $10.5 million, plus legal costs, for the ordeal they have suffered.

The text of the Prime Minister’s letter to Maher Arar is attached.

Dear Mr. Arar:

On behalf of the Government of Canada, I wish to apologize to you, Monia Mazigh and your family for any role Canadian officials may have played in the terrible ordeal that all of you experienced in 2002 and 2003.

Although these events occurred under the last government, please rest assured that this government will do everything in its power to ensure that the issues raised by Commissioner O’Connor are addressed.

I trust that, having arrived at a negotiated settlement, we have ensured that fair compensation will be paid to you and your family. I sincerely hope that these words and actions will assist you and your family in your efforts to begin a new and hopeful chapter in your lives.

Yours sincerely,

News Clips from Goa
 

Goan Priests Find Many Child Abuse Cases Happen In Their Own Homes

By Bosco de Souza Eremita PANAJI, India (UCAN) -- Two Catholic priests who work with children in Goa say about 45 percent of child-abuse cases they have encountered in the western Indian state involve abuse within the child's home.

http://www.theindiancatholic.com/newsread.asp?nid=5804 January 25,2007

"Even if a girl is abused by her father, the daughter refrains from informing her mother because she is confused whether what daddy is doing is wrong," says Father Socorro Mendes, director of Goa and Daman archdiocese's Family Service Centre. "She is aware of the implications should she reveal it to her mother, so she prefers to bear it silently in order to safeguard the unity of her parents."

Salesian Father Arvind Severes, who directs Childline, a Salesian-run NGO, has found that when children are abused, often it is by someone known to them. In many cases, he says, a father begins to makes sexual advances on his daughter after his wife informs him that the girl has reached puberty.

Read more...

Major Archbishop's sudden death saddens Syro-Malankara Church

PATTOM, India (UCAN) -- The Catholic Church's youngest Oriental rite plunged into sadness after its head, Major Archbishop Cyril Baselios, died unexpectedly on Jan. 18.

http://www.theindiancatholic.com/newsread.asp?nid=5683  January 19,2007

The 72-year-old major archbishop was hospitalized the previous day following kidney-related complications, according to his secretary, Father Varghese Kalayil. He suffered a heart attack at 6:45 p.m. while taking a stroll in the hospital corridors and died immediately, the priest told UCA News.

His Church is based in Kerala state, southern India, and the major archbishop stayed in Pattom, a suburb of the state capital, Thiruvananthapuram, 2,815 kilometers south of New Delhi.

Remo honoured

MAPUSA: Goa's one and only Remo Fernandes, the 53 years young Pop Sensation in English, Hindi, Konkani and Portuguese, with a sprinkling of other languages, has been selected for the award of the Padmashree at the hands of the President of India, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. It is a great honour for him and for Goa on the 57th anniversary of Republic Day of the Indian Union. Remo has been a pillar of support for Goan causes. Whether it was the revival of the traditional Sao Joao boat races alongside Alexyz on 24 June, 1992, or the movement for the de-notification of the Regional Plan 2011 alongside Dr.Oscar Rebello and others in December, 2006, Remo was there. His songs have campaigned for responsible action against drug abuse and promiscuity leading to HIV- AIDS. His half century birthday was dedicated to creating awareness about SARS virus and bird flu. In honouring Remo, an architect turned into a singing social activist, the President of India honours all those Goans who have made Goa their home by choice....although they had other options and the wherewithal to be anywhere else in the world. [Miguel Braganza]

I am no intellectual type, says Remo

PANJIM, Jan 27: When pop star Remo Fernandes woke up on January 26, little did he realize that a pleasant surprise awaited him. It was the 25 SMSes and the 30 missed calls on his cell phone that alerted him on being selected for the coveted Padma Shri award. Says the 53-year-old singer, “I was emotional and tongue tied when I read that I had got the national honour. I feel that I am not a typical Padma Shri awardee type. I am not one of these serious intellectual guys.” [H]

Death of Goa’s last pristine frontier

CANACONA, Jan 28: Twenty-five breathtaking sand coves that go as beaches, two rivers, countless perennial natural water springs, a wild life sanctuary, a wonderful mountainside, temples, churches and two communities living in perfect harmony. Welcome to Canacona talukas – a secret enclave on the south end of Goa which spells calm. But the merging Canacona reveals a dreadful reality that is spreading its tentacles slowly but surely and bringing with it, not development and progress, but decay and despair.

Today, Canacona is indeed on the tourist map of the world, not for its natural heritage but for it star hotels and naturopathy resorts and for the sun, sand, wine, women and drugs that are a part of their hedonistic culture. Canacona is in the news for illegal land deals, conversion of arable land to non-agricultural uses, destruction of mangroves, pollution, deforestation, liquor smuggling, wood smuggling, wild life and turtle hunting, drug trafficking, prostitution, gambling, AIDS, erosion of values, sex and extra-marital affairs and unemployment. [Tony Martins, Herald]

A Passion for Languages

Goa has produced eminent sons in all the spheres of life, from scientists to men of letters and in this unending array of luminaries, Mons Rodolfo Dalgado is one of the most famous Goans. Born in the tiny village of Assagao, in Bardez, in the year 1855, Rodolfo Dalgado had the honour of having three brothers who were equally famous in their chosen fields. Gelasio and Patrocinio were doctors and Eduardo was a lawyer. After having studied French, Portuguese, Latin and Philosophy at Mapusa, Rodolfo joined the seminary of Rachol and was ordained priest in 1881, after having successfully passed this exams with flying colours and topping the merit list. He said his first mass at the chapel of Monte de Guirim in Bardez. Mons Dalgado took a keen interest in the Konkani Language, his mother tongue, during his student days and he took a lot of pains to compile a Konkani dictionary to help his colleagues…. And, wherever he went, he studied the local language. That is how he ended up studying Malayalam, Kannada, Tamil, Sinhalese, Bengali and even Sanskrit which enabled him to delve deep into his mother tongue Konkani and conclude that Konkani was a branch of Sanskrit. [Maria de Lourdes Bravo da Costa Rodrigues, WE-GT]

Parrikar urges govt to take people into confidence on multi-crore projects

PANAJI, Jan 24: Expressing concern that multi-crore projects like 6-lane expressway, monorail and others would mar Goa, the leader of the opposition, Mr Manohar Parrikar, today urged the government to take the people of Goa into confidence while finalising such projects in the state. He also urged the government to either “rescind” the Regional Plan 2011 in totality, or denotify it after effecting changes to the Town and Country Planning Act in consultation with expert legal advisors. He said projects like the 6-lane expressway and skybus are not good for Goa. [NT]

DUBAI WILL PURPLE RAIN ON 15TH FEBRUARY 2007

DUBAI: Purple Rain the top dance band from Goa will fly in Dubai to perform once again in ASTORIA HOTEL, Banquet Hall on 15th February 2007 (Thursday) to mark the double celebration of CARNIVAL DE GOA AND VALENTINE NITE 2007, which falls on the same day. Listen to the latest music of Purple Rain. Goa’s top DJ JOEL will also fly with the group with his latest Hindi and English pop music. At present Joel is full time DJ with TITOS (Mambos) in Calangute, Goa, world famous and hot Disco joint. Last year the show was fully packed with 450 crowds. The tickets were sold one week before. To avoid disappointment, the organizers, UNITED FRIENDS, request the people to book their tickets well in advance. Fancy Dress competition, Floats and the King Momo Parade will be the main attraction of the show. If you are not interested in going to Goa or Brazil to enjoy the Carnival, then be in Astoria Hotel. For more details: 050-7454708 and 050-6468266

 Obituary
 

D'ROCHA, Remedios - Passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 25, 2007. Beloved husband of the late Ursula. Loving father of Flavian and his wife Vivienne. Devoted grandfather of Jason, Nicole and her husband Jay Dehaan.. Funeral Mass held on Monday, January 29, 2007 at 10 a.m. at St. Maria Goretti. Interment at Pine Hills Cemetery.

26 Jan: Nairobi. MRS. MARGARITA REBELO. Widow of the late P.A.M. Rebelo. Mother of Aurelio, Celso, Olympia, Amata, Ivonia, Selina & Hugo. Condolence to: rebelo@iconnect.co.ke  [Info from GWS, Nairobi].
 

People Places and Things
 

Call From Skype For $35/Yr

Global Internet communications company Skype is shaking up the phone industry with a new calling plan that will allow residents of Canada and the U.S. to make calls within North America for a nominal annual fee of just CDN$35.

Users of the Skype service (www.skype.com) who opt for this package will be able to call any “regular” landline or mobile phone in North America from their Skype account, without incurring any additional fees. Called SkypeOut, this service has been free within Canada and the U.S. as a promotional offering, scheduled to cease on December 31, 2006.

The plan has just been made available, and marks the first of its kind for Skype. As a bonus, customers who sign up before January 31, 2007 will receive half off the regular rate, paying only CDN$17.50 for the year.

As always, calling from one online Skype account to another will remain free, anywhere in the world.

“The new Skype Unlimited Calling plan is an easier and cheaper way for the growing number of SkypeOut users to stay in touch with friends and family over any phone line,”

Konkani Music Online

The first and only Konkani MP3 music downloadable website dedicated to Konkani artists on the Konkani Music scene. Konkani Music Online is updated daily with Music and will provide links to Konkani music news, features, interviews and reviews from all your favorite Artists! We value the gifts of music and inspiration these artists have delivered to the Konkani Community throughout the world.

http://www.konkanimusiconline.com/kmo/catalog/index.php

Safari Sound Band
The best of Swahili Music
http://www.sternsmusic.com/disk_info/KE31001

Safari Sound enjoy the distinction of having recorded Kenya's best-selling album of all time, The Best of African Songs. When not enjoying this remarkable achievement, they work the tourist hotel...

Richard Noronha Establishes Website BetrayedByWajidKhan.ca
From Goan Voice -UK

22 Jan: Canada NewsWire. … Noronha is encouraging residents to visit his site to petition Mr. Dion to consider a resident of Mississauga-Streetsville to replace Khan. Noronha adds, “I could not in good conscience allow Mr. Khan to give the perception to Canadians that our culturally diverse riding we live in, will get up and follow Mr. Khan to the Conservatives because he's from Pakistan."
 

Click to download form to join TEGSA or renew membership for 2007
 

Announcements
 

Ex-Students of St. Thomas Boys and Girls High School, Aldona

Principal Edward J. Soares Memorial Fund:

A Memorial Fund was established to honor Principal Edward J. Soares for his dedication and love of education to the students who benefited due to his generosity. Mr. Edward J. Soares passed away in 1955.

A life size statue of the late Edward J. Soares is already erected in his honor in Aldona on December 9th, 2006 at the newly constructed Traffic Island.

The Rs. 6 lacs has been covered of the statue. The target goal would be to achieve Rs. 10 lacs. to meet the commitment towards the Scholarships for the boys and girls in Aldona and neighbouring villages who don't have the opportunity for education due to financial reasons.

If you have any questions or require further information, kindly contact Mr. Pliny Noronha, Toronto at joyceandpliny@hotmail.com

Your support would be greatly appreciated.

Please make Cheques or Drafts in favour of Principal Edward Soares Memorial Fund, Canara Bank, Aldona. SB A/c 22354

All correspondence c/o Savio Figueiredo, Rendeep Cyber Cafe, Cottarbhat, Aldona, Goa - 403508 E-mail: rendeep at sancharnet.in

 

Services for Seniors guide a-one-stop shop

(NC) One of the most challenging things about being a consumer is not knowing where to go for information, especially when it comes to government services.

The problem can be particularly frustrating for seniors. To help, the federal government has produced a helpful new guide, Services for Seniors. It lists more than 120 federal government resources for seniors and their families, including information on finances and pensions, health and wellness, housing, safety and security, veterans and Canada's military, consumer issues, travel and leisure and computers and learning.

Research conducted by Service Canada has found that Canadian seniors are not always aware of the services available to them and would appreciate being able to see all government initiatives described in one complete guide. the services for Seniors guide does just that and more, offering information on how to easily access these programs through Service Canada. There's even a helpful section on how to contact provincial or territorial government offices.

The guide is presented in a larger-than-average print size for readers whose eyesight may be a problem. It is also available in alternate formats. You can view or download the guide at servicecanada.gc.ca . you can also obtain a copy through 1-800-O-Canada (1-800-622-6232 or TTY 1-800-926-9105), by email at guide@canada.gc.ca or in person at one of the 320+Service Canada Centres nearest you.

- News Canada

March 13 SHOW , BUFFET LUNCH AND GAMBLING AT CASINO RAMA

DATE: Tuesday, March 13th, 2007

LUNCH: Complimentary Buffet Lunch valued at $15.00
at The Couchiching Court or The Willow

SHOW: The Imperial Circus of China at 3 p.m.
To be eligible to receive a complimentary ticket, you must reserve your free ticket by calling 1-800-832-7529 ASAP. If you do not book well in advance you will not be gauranteed a ticket

COST: $2 . Includes trip fare, show, lunch and gratuity.

PICK-UP; 9.00 a.m. Agincourt Mall, Scarborough ( behind Wal Mart ), 9.30 a.m. Hillcrest Mall, Richmond Hill (opposite Zellers near Yonge )

RETURN: 7.45 p.m. approx.

CONTACT PERSON:
Vivian Dias & Meldrita - 416-490-0947
( preferably after booking your ticket ).

First Come, First Served
 

Health & Wellness
 

Slightly High Blood Pressure Is Also Hazardous

High blood pressure or hypertension means high pressure in the arteries. High blood pressure (hypertension) is often called ' silent killer' because one can have it for years without knowing it. http://www.theindiancatholic.com/newsread.asp?nid=5706  January 20,2007

A person is said to have normal BP when his blood pressure reading is around 120/80. Canadians regard blood pressure with systolic reading between 130 and 139, and a diastolic reading between 85 and 89 as high-normal blood pressure.

Approx. 2.5 million Canadians have high-normal blood pressure according to the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

A recent research suggests that people with so-called "high-normal" blood pressure cannot afford to relax and must consider themselves to be at risk and seek treatment and follow certain health guidelines.

"We now have evidence that people in the high-normal upper range of blood pressure are more likely to develop hypertension," Dr. Sheldon Tobe, of the Heart and Stroke Foundation, told CTV News.

Read more...
 

A Banana A Day Keeps The Doctor Away


Never, put your banana in the refrigerator!!!
This is interesting. After reading this, you'll never look at a banana in the same way again.

Bananas contain three natural sugars - sucrose, fructose and glucose combined with fiber. A banana gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy. Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout. No wonder the banana is the number one fruit with the world's leading athletes. But energy isn't the only way a banana can help us keep fit. It can also help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions, making it a must to add to our daily diet.

Depression: According to a recent survey undertaken by MIND amongst people suffering from depression, many felt much better after eating a banana. This is because bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier.

Read more...
 

Time to bridge the gender gap, says the Heart and Stroke Foundation
http://ww2.heartandstroke.ca/Page.asp?PageID=24

When it comes to heart disease and stroke, Canadian women’s progress has not kept pace with men’s, according to the 2007 Heart and Stroke Foundation Annual Report on Canadians’ Health. Research shows that, compared to a man, a woman’s risk of dying following a cardiovascular event such as a heart attack or stroke is higher, women are less likely to be treated by a specialist, are less likely to be transferred to another facility for treatment, and less likely to undergo cardiac catheterization or revascularization.

“It’s a real concern that women’s heart health has not kept pace with men’s,” says Dr. Beth Abramson, cardiologist and spokesperson for the Heart and Stroke Foundation. “There has been some progress in closing the gender gap, but when it comes to Canada’s leading cause of death, there are women who may be under-served on the front lines compared to men.”

For years, it was assumed that care differences occurred because women tended to be older and sicker at the point they were hospitalized. But recent analysis shows that even when you control for age and other health conditions, a women’s risk of dying within the first 30 days is 16% higher for heart attack, and 11% higher for stroke, than a man’s[1]. The reasons for this are unclear - contributing factors may be systemic, social, and biological – but answers need to be found.

Further, the Heart and Stroke Foundation reveals that for the first time in 30 years, women have caught up to men when it comes to the number of deaths from cardiovascular disease.

Read the full report, learn about women’s unique risk factors, and find out how these women survived a heart attack. Are you at risk? Take the assessment now.

Goan Voice designed and compiled by Demerg Systems India for Silverline Technologies Ltd.
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Tel: +91 832 2420797 Email: info@goanvoice.ca