International Migration Fueled Two-Thirds Of Canada's Population Growth



2006 Census

Today, Statistics Canada begins to paint a statistical portrait of Canadians with the release of the first data from the 2006 Census, covering population and dwelling counts. A detailed analysis of growth rates, demographic trends and geographic distribution of the population is available in the report Portrait of the Canadian Population in 2006.

Between 2001 and 2006, Canada's population increased 5.4%, the first time since 1991 that the census-to-census growth rate has accelerated. This acceleration during the past five years was due to higher levels of immigration.

Canada had a faster rate of growth than any other member of the G8 group of industrialized nations between 2001 and 2006. The United States was in second place with a population growth of 5.0% during the same period.

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Term 'visible minorities' may be discriminatory, UN body warns Canada
From www.cbc.ca

Canada should reconsider using the term "visible minorities" to define people facing discrimination, a United Nations anti-racism watchdog reports, suggesting the phrase itself is discriminatory.

The Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination released a report Wednesday on how Canada is living up to an international treaty aimed at eliminating racism. While Ottawa is praised for some initiatives - including the establishment of a number of committees to fight discrimination and the toughening up of legislation against hate crimes - a number of concerns are raised relating to other issues.

Among those is the use of the term "visible minorities," which the committee says "may not be in accordance with the aims and objectives of the convention." The convention is the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, which says distinction based on race, colour, descent, or national or ethnic origin is discriminatory. It calls on Canada to "reflect further" on the use of the term visible minorities.

The 16-member group also expresses concerns over the heightened risks of discrimination resulting from increased national security measures, including the Anti-terrorism Act and the use of security certificates. Canada should continue to review its national security measures, the report says, and undertake "sensitization campaigns" to protect people from being labelled as terrorists.

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IGO of Ontario Takes Action to help Pakistan-born Canadian Goans

“If I apply for a Visa, the Indian Consulate in Toronto requires a 6 month waiting period…I am one of those Goans who was born 60 years ago, in British India that 59 years ago became Pakistan”. This sentiment captured one of seven major issues identified during workshops held in Fall 2006 in Toronto, by The International Goan Organization (IGO) of Ontario Canada.

Ms. Zulema de Souza, President of IGO of Ontario wrote to the High Commissioner for India in Ottawa in November 2006 requesting that the visa process for Canadian citizens who are Pakistan-born Goans be expedited. The IGO delegate at the Global Goans Convention held in Goa on January 3-5 2007, Ms. Cellie Gonsalves, held meetings in Goa with Mr. R. R. Dash, Joint Secretary Head of Division (CPV) & Chief Passport Officer and Mr. Santosh Jha, Director America Division of the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. She presented the plight of Pakistan-born Canadian Goans being harassed by Indian officials in Canada when applying for visas to visit Goa and requested that the existing discriminatory policy be terminated. She also provided copies of Ms. de Souza’s letter to them for their follow-up and action.

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BUILD A NEW HUMANISM BASED ON FAITH AND REASON
http://212.77.1.245/news_services/press/vis/dinamiche/a3_en.htm

VATICAN CITY, MAR 10, 2007 (VIS) - A prayer vigil was held in the Paul VI Hall at 4 p.m. today for the occasion of the fifth European Day for Universities. The initiative has been being promoted by the Council of European Episcopal Conferences (CCEE) and the vicariate of Rome's office for pastoral care in universities on the theme: "Intellectual charity, the way to renewed cooperation between Europe and Asia."

During the gathering there were satellite linkups with university students in the cities of Turin, Bologna, Manchester, Coimbra, Krakow, Prague, Tirana, Hong Kong, Calcutta, Manila and Islamabad.

At 5 p.m. the Holy Father arrived to pray the Rosary. He then extended greetings in various languages, both to the young people present in the Paul VI Hall and to those following events from the European and Asian cities.

"Intellectual charity," said Pope Benedict, "can unite the existential journeys of young people who, though they live at great distances from one another, nonetheless feel linked by their interior quest and the witness they bear." Briefly abandoning his prepared text, he then added: "perhaps I should write a new chapter of my Encyclical 'Deus caritas est' on the subject of intellectual charity."

The Pope called upon the university students to make an "original and creative" contribution to "building a new humanism, based on fruitful dialogue between faith and reason."

"The mystery of the Cross is not removed from the theme of intellectual charity, on the contrary, it illuminates it," he said. "Christian wisdom is the wisdom of the Cross. Christian students and, even more so, Christian teachers, interpret all reality in the light of the mystery of God's love, which has in the Cross its highest and most complete revelation.

"Dear young people," he added, "I entrust you once again to the Cross of Christ: accept it, embrace it, follow it. It is the tree of life! At its foot you will always find Mary, Mother of Jesus. With her, throne of wisdom, turn your gaze upon Him Who was pierced for us, contemplate the infinite fountain of love and truth, and you too will become joyful disciples and witnesses. This is my hope for each of you."

AC/EUROPEAN UNIVERSITY DAY/...VIS 070312 (380)

INDIA , CHINA AND BRAZIL HAVE CAPACITY TO BECOME GLOBAL POWERS: EDUARDO

March 13: Eduardo Faleiro, former Union Minister for External Affairs and presently the Commissioner for NRI Affairs, has said that after the collapse of the Soviet Union, some Western policy makers and ideologues have called for a “new imperialism”. They have argued that powerful nations like India, China and Brazil have the capacity to become global powers and destabilize the present World Order and should therefore be kept in a state of permanent instability and dependence. Mr. Faleiro said that the war against Iraq is an assertion of America’s “vital interest” in controlling the oil reservoirs in that country, which are the second largest in the world and account for eleven per cent of the global oil reserves. Mr. Faleiro was speaking as the Chief Guest at the two-day National Seminar on “The Struggle for Assertion, Civil Liberties, integration, Liberation and Rights in Goa through the Ages” at CES College of Arts and Commerce at Cuncolim today. Indian Council for Historical Research New Delhi has sponsored the seminar.

Speaking further Mr. Faleiro said, whilst we must be aware of global and other threats to our freedom, we should also recognize that the road to liberty and prosperity lies first and foremost in our own commitment to the values and attitudes that shape a forward moving and progressive societies. Identifying ten such values Mr. Faleiro said they offer an insight as to why some countries as well as high achieving ethnic and religious groups such as the Mormons, Sikhs, Basques, Jews and East Asian emigrants fare better than others not just in economic terms but also with regard to consolidation of democratic institutions and social justice. [DI/NB/MP/SM/JA]

What Colour are Mermaid’s Nipples?
Dated 2007-03-11

An easily excitable female friend phoned me up last week in quite an agitated mood. "Have you seen what they have done to the mermaid?" she screeched, "And specially her nipples?! She's now a pink skinned European with the dark brown nipples of an Indian!" Having seen the mermaid in question myself recently, I quite understood my friend's distress. A bit of historical background first. In the late 1930s the Director of Health Services in Goa was Dr. Froliano D'Mello, acknowledged as a truly great Goan. Dr. Froliano was also a Member of the Portuguese Parliament and had attended a conference in Lourenço Marques (now called Maputo), the capital of Mozambique. He was so entranced by the beautiful city that on his return to Goa he wrote two articles in a local newspaper Herald (not O Heraldo) about how Panjim city should also be similarly beautified. The Portuguese Governor (128th to be precise) at the time, Jose Ricardo Pereira Cabral, read these articles, summoned Dr. Froliano and appointed him the President of the Panjim Municipality. "You want Panjim to be beautiful then make it beautiful yourself!" Armed with authority and resources Dr. Floriano went on a beautification spree.

Fr Freddy Award for D’Pietro

ANJUNA, Mar 13: The Dalgado Konknni Akademi will confer the Fr Freddy J da Costa Award on veteran musician and popular Konkani novelist Bonaventure D’Pietro, hailing from Anjuna, at the Cecilia Gama Pinto Memorial Hall (church hall) here on March 17 at 5 pm. The chief guest on the occasion will be Prof Newman Fernandes, Principal of St Xavier’s College, guest of honour will be renowned Konkani writer Prabhakar Tendulkar and chairperson will be Tomazinho Cardozo, ex-Speaker and president of Dalgado Konknni Akademi. [GoaNewsClips]

LAUGHTER & TEARS
Alexyz's Cartoon & Caricatures

Goa's newest art space - Gallery Attic - in Panjim, will host an exhibition of Alexyz's rib-tickling cartoons, caricatures and scultpures - "Laughter & Tears" - from March 17 to April 5. "Laughter & Tears", which depicts the chaos wrought in the name of development in Goa, will be inaugurated by environmental activist Patricia Pinto on March 17 at 7 pm at Gallery Attic, set up by Daniel Ferrao at Alfran Plaza, Near Don Bosco High School, Panjim. [GoaNewsClips]

Navelim: road to progress

The Navelim village in Salcete talukas has always been the cradle of intelligentsia. It has produced great luminaries like Dr Francisco Luis Gomes, Cardinal Valerian gracias and many others including the present legislator, Mr Luizinho Faleiro, who went on to occupy the position of the chief minister of the state. As of today, the village is ideally developed. As a matter of fact, it had no basic infrastructure until 1980, when a young and educated lad of the villager, Mr Luizinho Faleiro, became the legislator, who provided basic infrastructure to the village like roads and water supply. [Minoo Fernandes, NT]

Procession of Saints on March 26

PANJIM: The procession of saints will be celebrated on March 26 at St Andrew’s Church, Goa Velha, with mass at 4 pm, followed by sermon and processions. As the images of the saints are brought out from the church, there will be a commentary on each saint. [H]

THIRD KAIGA UNIT GOES CRITICAL

KARWAR, Feb 26: Noted nuclear scientist and Chairman of Atomic Energy Commission Dr Anil Kakodkar on Monday said that India would consider exporting nuclear energy plants to foreign countries. He was addressing a gathering after the 220 MWe Kaiga Atomic Power Plant’s third unit – the 17th nuclear power unit in the country – went critical. Power generated at this unit will be provided to the Southern Grid, which covers, Goa, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala. Speaking to reporters, Dr Kakodkar claimed that Goa had not shown any interest in a nuclear project. [H]

Winter Special

They say time goes fast when you are having fun….and TEGSA made it even easier to wipe out those winter blues by having a WINTER SPECIAL on February 23, 2007.

This event featured a jazz group led by legendary singer and recording artist JAKE HIEBERT. The group consisted of a saxophone player, a guitarist, a bass player and of course JAKE, the lead singer.

These talented musicians performed many well known hit songs and swing tunes such as “Give me a kiss to build on”, “Sunny side of the Street, “Ain’t she sweet”, “All of me”, “Georgia on my mind”. Some of us jazz enthusiasts were ecstatic as we swayed and sang along with them. Many others took to the dance floor and danced away prompting JAKE to say that we were too young to be a seniors group.

Dinner was a substantial and tasty Indian meal. Two rounds of Bingo followed the performance.

This was an enjoyable evening --- different but fun. We are thankful that TEGSA introduces us to various types of entertainment.

Wireless Number Portability Begins Today

OTTAWA and GATINEAU, March 14 /CNW Telbec/ - Beginning today, consumers in most of Canada will be able to keep the same telephone number when changing cellphone service providers. This follows a decision issued in 2005 by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) requiring Canadian cellphone service providers to implement wireless number portability (WNP) by March 14, 2007. Earlier in 2005, the Government of Canada had requested that the Commission move expeditiously to implement WNP.

"The arrival of WNP in the Canadian market provides users of telecommunications services with greater convenience and flexibility," said Richard French, Vice-Chairman, Telecommunications, of the CRTC. "The Commission would like to acknowledge the industry's commitment of time and effort to successfully meet the March 14 implementation date."

Consumers who live in areas where local number portability is currently available will now be able to transfer their phone numbers between cellphone service providers, as well as between wireline and cellphone service providers.

The CRTC reminds consumers that handsets may not function on another cellphone carrier's network due to different network technologies. Furthermore, bundles and service offerings vary between service providers. It is also important that consumers who wish to change providers before the end of their service contract verify the terms and conditions, as they may be subject to early termination fees.

Goan Cusine a hit in Mombasa
From: Coast Week Magazine

Nairobi, Mar 10: If you are a person who loves satisfying the demands of your taste buds, then you should visit - Nyali Beach Holiday Resorts - specially for their Sunday Luncheon Buffets. Theme's, quality - it's there for real and on 11th March - The Theme selected is The Golden Coast of India - Goa, so its your chance to taste authentic Goan Cuisine, this Sunday 11th March for luncheon buffet at Nyali Beach Holiday Resorts.

Chef Kalicharan of Nyali Resorts, speaking more about Goan cuisine said, "The cuisine of Goa has an interesting mix of influences from all the cultures that it has contact with. A typical Goan meal would have a lot of coconut, being on the coast means that the Goan cuisine shares the spices grown in the region with the other coast like Maharastra and Kerala. It has also drawn a lot of influence from the various communities that has inhabited Goa from time to time.

As legend goes the Goan cuisine is responsible for introducing the quite essential Portuguese delicacy "chicken cafreal (chicken marinated in a mildly spiced green coconut masala), to the people world over. Some of the lesser-known but which has influenced Goan cuisine are the Kashmiri, Muslim and Portuguese and the tribals who lived in the dense, rain-drenched forests of ancient Goa.
       
Vinegar, kokum and tamarind adds up along with red chillies and coconut as the main ingredient in Goan cooking. The northerners of Goa grind their coconut and masala individually while the Southern Goans like to grind them together and then pass it through a muslin cloth to retain the goodness. Goan cuisine is a result of this beautiful harmony and its cooking has a strong and lasting influence on its overall culture".

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“At The Hop” Dinner Theatre
  Friday, March 9, 2007

Back by popular demand, “SMILE THEATRE” again entertained TEGSA members to a fun filled hour long performance of their hit show “At the Hop”. Actually this show out- did the “Popcorn Princess” which was presented last year.


Besides the play, it was the music that kept our feet tapping. Rock n’ Roll songs like “Rock around the Clock”, “Wake up little Suzie”, “Great Balls of Fire”, and unforgettable oldies like “Que Sera, Sera” and “Lipstick on your Collar”. The Hand Jive kept us in awe as we reminisced about the 50’s.




This performance was sponsored by the Wishing Wells Lions Club and in appreciation, TEGSA presented their representative, Pelagio D’Souza, with a donation for the work that the Lions Club is doing in East Africa, building and furnishing hospitals and schools.
A delicious fish curry dinner preceded the performance.
Bingo followed and everyone went home happy. 

 TORONTO EAST GOAN SENIORS ASSOCIATION (T E G S A) - 2007 Events
 

Please mark you calendars for the following exciting events:
All events will be held at Commander Hall Arena, unless otherwise advised.

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

55 PLUS GOAN ASSOCIATION – West GTA

Join 55 PGA to Niagara Falls on
    June 2, 2007 to see OH
         CANADA EH?

 Sept 01 Sat - Sept 03 
 Mon 2007 (Labour Day
 Long Weekend)

• The Annual General Meeting : March 22, 2007, @ 7.00 p.m.
  at St. Martin of Tours Parish Hall, 1290 McBride Avenue, Mississauga.
  (nearest intersection Burnhamthorpe Road & Erindale Station Road)
  Members can receive ‘Notice of Meeting & 2006 Report’ by sending E-mail to 55PGA@goanseniors.net
   
• Our Second Anniversary Dance: Saturday, June 09, 2007, @ 6.30 p.m.
  at the Renaissance Convention Centre. Details to follow.
  You can reserve your table by sending E-mail to 55PGA@goanseniors.net
   
• Summer Picnic in the Park - Sunday July 15, 2007
  East (TEGSA) meets West (55PGA) Picnic.
  Erindale Park., at Dundas and Mississauga Road.
  Picnic Coordinator: Juliet Rebello 55PGA@goanseniors.net
   
• Our Popular Christmas Dance. Once again a sit-down dinner dance at the Oasis Convention Centre. Details to follow.
  
  Our Monthly Socials will take place every 3rd Tuesday per month.
   
•  We have a new venue for our monthly socials !!
  The Gateway Centre for New Canadians,
  3450 Wolfdale Road, Mississauga, ON L5C 2V6
  (Just south of Burnhamthorpe Rd)
  See location and directions at: http://www.gcnc.ca/index.php?page=contact
  The first event “Getting To Know You “
  will take place on April 17, 2006 @ 6.30 p.m.
  This include a “Rice & Curry” Dinner – Tickets $10.00
  Members Only – Send request for reservation to 55PGA@goanseniros.net
   
• Further Events will take place – same venue – same time May 15, 2007 & June 19, 2007.
  
  Details to follow.

55 PLUS GOAN ASSOCIATION – West GTA
Registered in the Province of Ontario – Ontario Corporation # 1696509
Notice of Annual General Meeting

Toronto East Goan Seniors Association

Pursuant to the TEGSA Constitution, members are hereby notified that the Annual General Meeting of the Toronto East Goan Seniors Association, will be held on Sunday, March 25, 2007, @ 1:30 p.m. at Commander Hall, 140 Commander Blvd. Scarborough .

AGENDA

1. President's Opening Address
2. To confirm minutes of the last Annual General Body Meeting held on March 26th 2006.
3. Matters arising therefrom.
4. To adopt the Executive Committee's Annual Report for 2006.
5. To adopt the Statement of Accounts for the year 2006.
6. Any other business, provided notice is given in writing addressedto the General Secretary at
    e-mail address tutsdsouza@yahoo.ca  no later than March 11, 2007.

Carmelita D’Souza
General Secretary

Goa Sudharop: April 8 - Attention Goan businesses

From <georgejpinto@yahoo.com>  

Goa Sudharop is pleased to encourage Goan businesses and Goan entrepreneurs. At our April 8th event (see below), we invite you to display information on your business, including selling product. You will be provided space at a table at no cost. However, you will need to buy a ticket to attend the event (see below). To book your free table space, please email Melanie Moniz at melanie.m.moniz@mercer.com  and let her know by April 1, 2007.

For those Goan businesses who are outside the San Francisco Bay Area and anywhere in the world, if you would like to have your flyers/brochures distributed at the event, please mail no more than 25 flyers/brochures by April 1, 2007 to Melanie Moniz, 557 Banyan Circle, Walnut Creek, California, USA, 94598.

Tickets are now on sale for Goa Sudharop's exciting Easter Sunday event in the San Francisco Bay Area. Net proceeds from the event to benefit environmental issues in Goa.

Ages 17+: Only $25 per person which includes a Buffet lunch, entertainment, dancing to popular DJ music. Kids 16 and under are free! Please include their names even though they are free so we have a headcount for catering purposes.

Make your check payable to "Goa Sudharop" and mail asap to:
Robert Dias
2855 Rathmann Drive
San Jose, California, 95148, USA
Phone: 1-408-532-0571
Email: robert.dias@sbcglobal.net 

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Avoid Vacation Ripoffs With Travel Tips From Ontario Government
Advice Can Help Travellers Avoid Getting Tripped Up On Vacation

QUEEN'S PARK, ON, March 12 /CNW/ - At the peak of the winter vacation season, the Ontario government is helping consumers avoid being taken for a ride by providing important information and timely travel advice, said Government Services Minister Gerry Phillips today.

"Vacations should be lifelong memories in the making, not headaches and disappointment," said Phillips. "Being a smart consumer and asking the right questions can make all the difference between relaxation and regret." Ontarians spend more than $7 billion on services with registered travel agents each year. These easy-to-follow tips can help consumers avoid a wide range of problems:

1. Shop smart: Book with a registered Ontario travel agent. Travel agents and wholesalers in Ontario must be registered with the Travel Industry Council of Ontario (TICO) and follow strict rules.

2. Be prepared: Always verify the travel documents you will need, take only what's necessary and keep them safe. Travellers flying into the United States now need a valid passport.

3. Protect your identity: Make two copies of all travel and identity documents in case they are lost or stolen. Take one with you and leave one in a secure location at home. Remember to destroy the copies when you return home.

4. Be aware: Make sure you understand what's being offered. Take into account prices as well as the terms and conditions of your reservation, including refund policies and any penalties. Some travel agents charge a non-refundable travel-counselling fee. Find out if your travel agent does.

5. Get it in writing: Before you buy, always get a written confirmation with all the details of your trip.

6. Take precautions: Always consider buying cancellation and out-of-province health insurance. Ask your registered travel agent for details.

7. Avoid ripoffs: If travelling by car, have it tuned up before you go. If your car needs repairs, get a written estimate before you authorize the work to be done. If you're renting a car, check the details of the rental agreement before you sign a contract.

8. Timeshare beware: Be careful of timeshare offers - if the deal is "good today only," walk away.

9. Emergency know-how: Keep on hand the telephone numbers for police, medical services and embassies or consulates in areas you're going to be visiting.

10. Vacationing at home: Check out Ontario Tourism at www.ontariotravel.net  for great ideas on stay-at-home vacations.

McGuinty Government Encourages Kids To Get Active In The Kitchen During Nutrition Month
Cooking Healthy Meals Together Is A Recipe For Fun

OTTAWA, March 12 /CNW/ - Health Promotion Minister Jim Watson is encouraging parents and caregivers to spend time in the kitchen preparing healthy meals with their kids during March Break and throughout Nutrition Month.
"Nutrition Month is a great opportunity to involve children in both the planning and preparation of healthy meals," said Watson. "It's important that we encourage the development of healthy eating habits in our youngsters, so they continue to make healthy choices as they get older."

 Minister Watson and Registered Dietitian Anne Lim prepared a healthy lunch for clients at an Ontario Early Years Centre using a recipe from the new Dietitians of Canada cookbook entitled Simply Great Food. "With more than 250 recipes that are nutritionally balanced and simply delicious, this book is a great way to involve children, under supervision of course, in the preparation of healthy meals that can be used for both dinners and lunches," said Anne Lim.

BusyBodies, a new resource guide funded by the Ministry of Health Promotion and produced by the Nutrition Resource Centre (NRC) was also unveiled at today's event.

 "Our new BusyBodies features a colourful series of cards with helpful tips for parents and caregivers to support their efforts to encourage their children to make healthy choices and be active everyday, said Mary Ellen Prange, Registered Dietitian with the Nutrition Resource Centre. "In early April both English and French versions will be available at all 103 Early Years Centre locations throughout Ontario."

To reach a variety of communities, the Nutrition Resources Centre has adapted healthy eating guides in Chinese, Vietnamese and Punjabi that assist families and caregivers to support healthy eating in the early years. The Ministry of Health Promotion was established to improve and deliver programs that contribute to healthy living and wellness in this province. Key priority areas include Ontario's Smoke-Free Strategy, healthy eating, active living, sport and recreation, injury prevention and mental health promotion.