Canada's New Government Launches First Phase of Foreign Credentials Referral Office
Too many newcomers can't get jobs they have been trained for.

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(CCNMatthews - May 24, 2007) - The first phase of the Foreign Credentials Referral Office (FCRO) was launched today by the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration. The FCRO is designed to help internationally trained individuals who plan to work in Canada get their credentials assessed and recognized more quickly. As outlined in Budget 2007, $32.2 million has been set aside for the first five years of the FCRO's operation.

"Too many newcomers can't get jobs they have been trained for. That's a terrible waste, for them and for the country. Today, we are delivering on our commitment to do something about it," said Minister Finley. "In our first phase, the Foreign Credentials Referral Office will help newcomers access what they need to become accredited, both in Canada for those newcomers already here, and abroad for those waiting for an opportunity to come to our country."

"Canada needs immigrants, and initiatives such as the FCRO will help attract newcomers and capitalize on their skills," said Wai Young, Interim Executive Director of the Canadian Immigrant Settlement Sector Alliance which represents 450 immigrant and refugee service agencies across Canada.

The new office will help people navigate through the complex system of foreign credential recognition in Canada. The office's approach includes:

- in-person services and a dedicated phone service operated by Service Canada at 320 outlets across the country by fall 2007;

- an expanded online service that will help individuals identify occupations in Canada for which they may be qualified, provide them with detailed labour market information, and refer them to the appropriate regulatory body; and

- increasing employer awareness of the processes for, and benefits of, hiring internationally trained and educated professionals.

In addition, Canada's New Government will work directly with the provinces to speed up the entry of healthcare professionals after evaluating the success of a pilot project included in the recent Canada-Alberta immigration agreement. This project includes provisions to refer candidates with preliminary approval for permanent residence to Alberta licensing bodies to begin the process of recognizing their credentials.

The Government of Canada is also working with provincial and territorial partners to improve online services that help immigrants integrate into Canadian society. Canada is today announcing approximately $18.8 million in funding for several provinces and territories to enhance online information about settling and working across the country.

Ontario Government Making It Easier For Employers To Attract Skilled Immigrants
Provincial Nominee Program Begins On Pilot Basis
 
TORONTO, May 24 /CNW/ - Ontario businesses will now be able to attract the skilled immigrants they need thanks to a new provincial program that gets newcomers settled more quickly, Ontario Citizenship and Immigration Minister Mike Colle announced today.

"With this new program, for the first time, Ontario will be able to select immigrants whose skills match the needs of the province's labour market," said Colle. "The pilot Provincial Nominee Program is the latest step our government is taking to strengthen our economy through immigration."

Provincial Nominee Programs, which are in place across the country, allow provinces to nominate individuals for immigration based on labour needs and provincial priorities. This pilot program enables Ontario employers and multinational corporations investing in Ontario to recruit and retain internationally trained individuals, including international students enrolled in Ontario. The employer category helps employers fill labour needs in specific fields. The investor category helps companies bring in key employees who will contribute to the long-term success of the investment.

The majority of Ontario's nominees will be from the employer category for highly skilled workers such as industrial electricians, specialized professionals such as researchers, and international students. Approximately half of the nominations will be targeted to communities outside the Greater Toronto Area, to support growth in regional economies.
   
Successful nominees will receive permission to work in Ontario. They, along with their family, will be nominated by the provincial government to have their application fast-tracked by Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

Ontario will nominate 500 individuals in the first year of the pilot program. The program will be fine-tuned and adjusted to ensure it is flexible and effective in meeting employers' labour market needs.

The pilot PNP is part of the Canada-Ontario Immigration Agreement (COIA), the first-ever agreement on immigration between Ontario and the federal government. The COIA quadruples federal funding for settlement and language services in Ontario, securing an additional $920 million for the province over five years.

For more information on Ontario's pilot Provincial Nominee Program, visit the website http://www.ontarioimmigration.ca/english/pnp.asp  or call 1-866-214-6820.

Clash of the Ages
Four Generations in the Workplace Are Creating Challenges for Employees,
New Monster.ca Poll Reveals

TORONTO, May 24 /CNW/ - About nine out of 10 Canadian workplaces today employ up to four generations of workers and nearly half of the Canadians who work in a multi-generation environment admit to experiencing a clash with older or younger workers, according to a new poll by Monster Canada.

"For the first time in Canadian history, there are four generations of people in the workforce at the same time," said Gabriel Bouchard, vice president and general manager, Monster Canada. "These different generations have grown up experiencing significantly different events that have shaped their values and beliefs. As diverse generations cross paths on the job, we sometimes see a clash of attitudes, ethics, values and behaviours that can result in misunderstandings and potential conflict."

Of the 1,263 Canadians who participated in the recent online poll at Monster.ca, four out of 10 workers said that a multi-generational workplace 'adds some challenges to the job.'

At the same time, 22 per cent stated that a multi-generational workplace provides a learning opportunity for all, while 27 per cent said that people at their workplace do not even notice others' ages. Nine per cent admitted that their workplace was not multi-generational.

In a separate Monster poll of 2,182 participants, roughly 50 per cent said younger Canadians, Generation X-ers and Y-ers, have the most challenges working with Baby Boomers. Only 19 per cent said that employees of the Generation X and Y-era face challenges working together, followed by 17 per cent who said that Baby Boomers and Traditionalists have difficulties and 14 per cent who stated that Generation Y and Traditionalists have troubles working side-by-side.

While a handful of sociologists differ on the exact dates, the most popular division of the four generations is as follows:

Traditionalists- born between 1922 to 1945
Baby Boomers: born between 1946 and 1964
Generation X-ers: born between 1965 and 1980
Generation Y-ers: born between 1981 and 1999

"The chronic labour shortage and the phasing out of mandatory retirement in much of the country has many aging boomers working well into their golden years alongside recent college and university graduates," said Bouchard.

"With a multi-generational workforce a reality, employers must develop a generational strategy," said Bouchard. "This strategy involves understanding what makes their employees tick; emphasizing the importance of teamwork; effective communications; and adopting 'ageless thinking' where every employee is equal, regardless of age."

To view the results of the latest Monster polls and to read the current feature story titled, "Generation Clash!" visit www.monster.ca.

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The 55Plus Goan Association (55 PGA) celebrated Mother's day with Pizzaz, Fun and Gaiety, on Tuesday, May 15th at the Gateway Centre, in Mississauga.. The hall was packed with over 90 members attending.

The event started out with our Social Secretary, Juliet Rebello, reciting the opening prayer and welcoming each and everyone to this DELITE-FUL Mother's day special.!

It was touching indeed to see all the members, especially THE MOTHER'S, who braved the stormy weather and came out in full swing, put their best foot forward and strutted their stuff on the dance floor to a Line -dancing performance, to the ever popular "ACHY -BREAKY HEART", headed by none other than the experts, Ed & Violet Fernandes.

While some of the ladies were warming up - the others joined the enthusiastic card players to a game of trouque, which was organized by our Vice President, Paul Nazareth who is an avid player, assisted by his wife, Juliet.

We then had a sing a long session and while booklets were being handed out to the members, our 55 PGA Executives, once again, adjusted our vocal chords and took the stage to accompany the Guitarist Gasper, and Joao Pereira, lead singer, and sang a variety of numbers, which included nostalgic songs of yesteryear i.e. Konkani, & Swahili lyrics, such as "CLAUDIA", "JAMBO,JAMBO SANA", and the every popular QUE SERA SERA.!! - Many thanks to Bwana Frank for his high note & pitching in when we faltered!!

This worked up such an appetite that we were all treated to the scrumptious Wrap of Kebab with all the trimmings, served hot and delicious, followed by dessert and coffee.

The highlight of the evening was a surprise workout for all the ladies.....................by John Goes who "IGNITED" the floor by his vim and vigour and led all the ladies to a stimulating and vigorous dance workout!! --- He brought on an array from the rustic to the sublime - we danced parallel lines, which involved some tricky foot work- even though some of us may have lost our "magnetic" pull, he revived our stiff joints! He was zestful and comic- all- in- one!! -The pace was hurried with the dancers moving in circles and lots of body movements, "phew" - what a workout indeed!! We sure digested our meal - and how!!

Hats off to all the ladies for their enthusiastic participation and attendance in helping to make this day a memorable one!!

Needless to say, an event such as this, takes a lot of hard work and dedication and hence, credit goes out to our social secretary Juliet Rebello for putting on this event from start to finish, with the help of Paul Nazareth. Special thanks go out to our hard working sub-committee who are ever ready in giving their 100 percent to ensure that things run smoothly to the very end!

Many thanks also go out to the Guitarist, Gasper and Joao Pereira for their entertainment and providing their sound system. Special mention goes out to Blanche Monteiro for helping with the sale of the song books and for looking after the upcoming trips sales, To Dom DeSouza and Ruben Rebello for yet again, braving the storm to go out once more and pick up the Coffee from Tim Horton’s. To Uvy Lopes for gracing the occasion with his presence, all the way from the East end, and for taking great photo shoots! To John Goes.for helping us ladies have a night to remember....... (we are still nursing our feet!!)........ Last, but not least, to John D’Souza, for compiling the memorable songbooks, initiated by Juliet Rebello. Special thanks go out to Ed & Violet for their energetic assistance in always starting the line dancing at all times!!.

Please note, plans are already afoot for our Anniversary Dance on June 9th, 2007!! So, if you haven't already done so, please look up our website to obtain your tickets ASAP, to avoid disappointment. First come first serve basis!! - We, as always, promise our members your money's worth of lots of fun and entertainment, from our hardworking and dedicated Executive Committee.

Last but not least, our 55 Plus Goan Association has found a" home base" in Mississauga. After searching for a suitable recreation and meeting facility for almost one year, the 55 Plus Goan Association has established links with the City of Mississauga, Parks & Recreation department and will be using the Cawthra Seniors Centre for our monthly events.

The state-of-the-art facility has all the amenities seniors need, i.e. space for games, exercise, line dancing, card games, and many others.

As we have said before, we promise to give you all our best possible entertainment you have come to expect, hence, for future events for the remaining of the Calendar year, please check our website at www.goanvoice.ca 

Thank you one and all, ....and for what is yet to come after that???? Well...... I can only say......QUE SERA SERA, WHAT WILL BE - WILL BE....QUE SERA, SERA!!!

Muriel Lucas

Goan Overseas Association meets with Goan Seniors Associations to Plan United Initiatives
News Release by Glynis Viegas, VP Administration G.O.A.

The Goan Overseas Association (G.O.A.) invited members of the Executive Committees of the 55 Plus Goan Association, West GTA, Toronto East Goan Seniors Association, West End Seniors, Canorient Christian Seniors Association and the St. Francis Xavier East End Seniors Associations to meet with them, discuss and exchange ideas on how the individual associations/organizations/clubs could work together and liaise for the benefit of their members. The meeting took place on May 6, 2007 at the Eatonville Library and was well attended.

Oscar Furtado, President of the G.O.A. chaired the meeting. The main purpose of the meeting was to maintain unity and determine ways of collaborating to hold joint functions and forums that would be of benefit to the members of the individual organizations. All recognized the fact that the various associations/clubs serve the needs of the seniors within their respective areas, however, it was also noted that there was opportunity for joint efforts. All in attendance were in agreement on this point, and further discussion ensued. It was agreed that the St. Francis Xavier's Feast and a Health and Wellness Forum were events for collaborative consideration in 2007. While many more events could be hosted jointly, many of the individual associations/clubs already have their plans in place for the said events for this year and these would be discussed further and considered for 2008.

The meeting concluded with each association/club agreeing to put forward a representative who would meet and further the united initiatives.

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