Government of Canada to Introduce New Measures to Simplify the Passport Process

GATINEAU, QC, June 8 /CNW Telbec/ - The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Atlantic Opportunities Agency, announced today new measures to simplify the passport issuance system, improve satisfaction among Canadians, and allow Passport Canada to cope with increased demand.

"Canada's New Government has been working to improve Canada's passport services and make the system more convenient for Canadians," said the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of Foreign Affairs. "Over the summer and fall, we will begin implementing a series of initiatives to simplify and improve the passport application and issuing process while ensuring the security and integrity of the Canadian passport."

The new measures include;
- A Simplified Passport Renewal Program allowing Canadians who currently hold a valid passport, and who meet eligibility criteria, to be able to renew it without submitting proof of citizenship or a guarantor declaration.
- A Simplified Guarantor Policy which will allow most Canadian adult passport holders to act as guarantors for first-time applicants. - A Series of Passport Clinics across the country with a special focus on border areas and areas far from large urban centres. Passport officers will be on site to answer questions from the public about applying for a passport, review passport applications to ensure they are complete, and will accept completed passport applications for processing.

Ontario-India Agreement Helps Students Study Abroad(Including Goa !)
http://www.yorku.ca/mediar/archive/Release.asp
Article sent courtesy of Antoinette.Messner@ontario.ca

TORONTO, May 30, 2007 -- York University is playing a lead role in a new international exchange program between Ontario and two states in India - Maharashtra and Goa – which will allow 50 students to participate thanks to funding from the Ontario government.
"York University is proud of to see the Ontario-Maharashtra-Goa Student Exchange Agreement come to fruition," said Sheila Embleton, vice-president academic for York University. "This partnership is another example of the many important advances that have taken place in the internationalization of Ontario's postsecondary education in the past couple of years. We appreciate the direct support and involvement of the Ontario government in making this type of program a reality."

At an event celebrating international education at York University, Ontario’s Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities, Chris Bentley announced $600,000 over three years to support the new program. The agreement was signed between York University, on behalf of several Ontario institutions, and the University of Pune in India during the Premier's Ontario Business Mission to India in January. Since then, the Ontario-Maharashtra-Goa Student Exchange Agreement has expanded to include 15 Ontario universities and up to 10 Indian institutions.

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Even Non-White Men And Women Born Here Are Paid Less Than White Canadians, Study Finds
June 02, 2007
From : http://www.thestar.com/printArticle/220597
Toronto Star Petti Fong Western Canada Bureau Chief

VANCOUVER - If you're a Canadian-born and educated member of a visible minority and you want to be paid the same as your non-visible minority co-worker, head west.
A new study conducted by researchers at Simon Fraser University in Burnaby and the University of Ottawa has found that despite being born and educated in Canada, members of visible minorities still earn less than white Canadians.
In Canada's largest cities, the wage disparities were highest in Montreal and Halifax. Visible minority men in Halifax earned 24 per cent less than white Canadians and in Montreal, they earned 21 per cent less. For women in Toronto, visible minorities earned 12 per cent less and men 17 per cent less than their white counterparts.
Sociologist Ravi Pendakur says regional differences may have to do with the composition of different ethnic groups. Ottawa was the exception, but that may have to do with the federal government being such a large employer in the region.
The disparities shrink in Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver.
Vancouver does better than other cities when it comes to paying its visible minorities. In fact, visible minority women in Vancouver are paid 10 per cent more than non-visible minorities. Men, however, still do worse.

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CANADA LAUNCHES NO-FLY LIST
From:TheStar.com - News –
Tonda Maccharles- Ottawa Bureau
http://www.thestar.com/printArticle/213185

OTTAWA - A Canadian "no-fly" list of people to be barred from boarding domestic and international airline flights is set to take effect June 18, just as the busy summer flying season gets underway.
The move, nearly six years after the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the United States, amounts to a flight blacklist of people "reasonably suspected" by federal officials as immediate threats to the safety of commercial aircraft, passengers or crew.
Under the rules, as passengers check in for flights, whether at kiosks or counters, their names will be automatically screened against the government's list, known as the "Passenger Protect" program.
The no-fly list will be drawn up by Transport Canada, with input from the RCMP and CSIS.
If a name is red-flagged as a possible match with a name on the no-fly list, the traveller will be directed to a flight agent, who will contact Transport Canada for a decision on whether to allow boarding. Airlines are responsible for protecting the passenger's confidentiality.

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BRINGING SKILLED IMMIGRANTS TO ONTARIO:
ABOUT ONTARIO’S PILOT PROVINCIAL NOMINEE PROGRAM
http://www.ontarioimmigration.ca/english/PNPabout.asp

Ontario recognizes that employers play a critical role in our economic success. For many employers, newcomers to Ontario are a valuable source of skilled workers and professionals. Multinational firms establishing or expanding their businesses in Ontario may also want to bring key executives, managers or employees to work in their Ontario operations.
In most cases, to work legally in Canada, individuals who are not Canadian citizens must either be permanent residents of Canada, or have a work permit. Permanent resident visas and work permits are issued by the federal government of Canada.
To help employers and multinational investors succeed, the government of Ontario has established the Ontario Pilot Provincial Nominee Program (Pilot PNP).

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Violence flares after Kenya's Mungiki gang kill police
05 Jun 2007 11:25:07 GMT
Source: Reuters
By Wangui Kanina

NAIROBI, June 5 (Reuters) - Kenyan police cordoned off a Nairobi slum on Tuesday to hunt suspected members of Kenya's Mungiki gang who gunned down two officers.
Police with dogs and assault rifles stormed Nairobi's Mathare slum, a stronghold of the outlawed gang behind a series of killings and beheadings of ordinary citizens, and increasingly government officials.
Police spokesman Eric Kiraithe said the Mathare operation, which began on Monday night, had captured seven prime suspects, but he declined to comment on local media reports saying as many as 22 people were killed in the sweep.
"We are purging the place," Kiraithe said. "There are some people who have resisted the police cordon and search operation. ... I cannot confirm any casualties. We do not comment on ongoing operations."

Read More...

Gang a Threat to Investors, Say Kenyans Abroad

East African Standard (Nairobi)
NEWS4 June 2007
Posted to the web 4 June 2007

By Chris Wamalwa in Delaware, US- Nairobi
Kenyans in the Diaspora are worried that the killings attributed to Mungiki sect would undermine the recent political and economic gains.

In a statement released in Washington, DC, the Kenyan Community Abroad (KCA) president, Ms Mkawasi Mcharo, said insecurity reduces the confidence of local and foreign investors. "When a country's security appears compromised, and a series of reckless killings by organised criminal gangs continue to rise unabated as we are experiencing in Kenya, it undermines the country's standing on human rights and in the global market," she said.

KCA said "petty warlords" should not be allowed to undermine the country's progress. Mcharo said Kenya is expected to be an example of democratisation of politics in Africa.

Read More...

Ontario Premier Lauds Ethnic Business Organizations

In the case of Ontario's various ethnic communities, it is essential for those who have found success to help pave the way for others by giving back, and by acting as role models.

Excerpts: From Brampton Guardian
Saturday May 19 2007 PETER CRISCIONE, Staff Writer

Emerging ethnic business organizations are helping this province strengthen its economic advantage over the competition, Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty told the local Caribbean business community Thursday.
"By pulling together members of the Caribbean diasporas, you are helping to strengthen the economic advantage provided by our diversity," McGuinty told members of the Canada Caribbean Business Council at a dinner held at the Holiday Inn Select on Peel Centre Drive in Brampton. "By working with other people and organizations the CCBC is doing much to build opportunities for your community and indeed for all Ontarians. And that means you are positioning Ontario to build stronger ties including a stronger relationship with the Caribbean."
In his address, McGuinty said it is vital for governments and business leaders work together in order to generate success.
In the case of Ontario's various ethnic communities, it is essential for those who have found success to help pave the way for others by giving back, and by acting as role models.
"As business leaders you can show our young people the way as role models because when young people see someone who looks like them in a position like yours, they can start to see themselves there too," McGuinty said. "All of us who come here are obligated to bring honesty and a solid work ethic. And all of us who are already here are obligated to build opportunity for those who are arriving. That's the deal."
The CCBC was launched nearly a year ago with the intension of acting as a venue where business people of Caribbean origin can network and find support.
The aim of the group is also to spearhead change within their own community, in part by providing a means by which young people and women can find employment and gain business experience.
"Tonight you all have the opportunity to form pathways and make connections that will help you help each other and grow together," McGuinty added. "And I wish you every success because your success is Ontario's success.

What is the Goan Community Doing ?
See Announcements Section: G.O.A. Vision Survey

GOA ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS RESULTS, CONG-NCP LEADING

ELECTED:
CONG-NCP: Vasco-NCP, Velim-Cong (Felipe Neri Rodrigues), Poriem-Cong (Pratapsing Rane), Ponda-Cong (Ravi Naik), Curchorem-Cong, Tivim-NCP, Calangute-Cong (Agnelo Fernandes), Loutulim-Cong (Aleixo Sequeira), Margao-Cong (Digambar Kamat), St Andre (Francis Silveira), Benaulim (NCP), Cortalim (Mauvin Godinho), Cuncolim-Cong (Joaquim Alemao), Curchorem-Cong, Saligao-NCP leads, Sanguem-Cong leads, Fatorda-Cong leads

BJP
Panjim-BJP (Manohar Parrikar), Mormugao-BJP, Mandrem-BJP, Canacona-BJP, Bicholim-BJP, Poinguinim-BJP, Pernem-BJP, Mapusa-BJP leads, Shiroda-BJP leads

SGF: Curtorim, Navelim

UGDP: Taleigao-UGDP leaders

INDEPENDENTS: Sanvordem-Ind

MAG: Marcaim, Priol

Goa U-14 Football Team For Lanka, Portugal Tours
HERALD SPORTS DESK

PANJIM, JUNE 3 – As part of its on-going youth development programme, the Goa Football Association is sending an Under-14 team on a tour of Sri Lanka and Portugal.

The Goa Football Association (GFA) for the first time will depute its U-14 team for an international football tournament in Portugal in June. The 17-day visit will include one match in Colombo, a training camp in Guimaraes and participation in a tournament in Pontinha.The team will leave on June 4 to Colombo where it will play an exhibition match on June 6 before leaving for Portugal where the team will be involved in two international tournaments.The team is due to play two tournaments with reputed clubs in Portugal under the MoU between the two nations (Goa) as the tour is primarily aimed at providing wholesome exposure to the age group footballers in the State.During their stay in Portugal the team will also play against the corresponding youth teams of leading professional clubs like Vitoria de Guimaraes Sports Club and Boavista Football Club.The 19-member squad will represent the Goa Under-14 football team for the Mariano Barreto tournament to be held in Lisbon later this month.

The team is being captained by top-notch midfielder Jesvil D’Souza of Pilar while 25-year-old Margao-based Francisco Bruto da Costa, will be the coach.The squad presents a balanced look with the cream of Goan Under-14 football talent making it to the final selection of 19 from a pool of 22 youth footballers chosen over various selection trials and training camps under the eye of Da Costa, assisted by Portugal returned Lino Pereira, Soccoro Vaz and goal-keeping coach Virender Singh

Ami Goenkar - Happy Forever

A Goenkar is a distinct personality commanding high respect and admiration from people all over the world. He is a mixture of many virtues and just a few vices. He is a shining example of service to mankind, religious tolerance, frankness and open-heartedness, a picture of helpfulness and co-operation, love and caring, for others to emulate. He is unpredictable but dependable and will keep his word. Goenkars were correctly analysed by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru when he remarked, "Wonderful are the people of Goa"... The concept of 'Goenkarpan' has undergone a change after the liberation of Goa. [Prof Govind Usno Bhobe, Panorama-NT]

Well Cleaning

WELL CLEANING: Cleaning the well (baim uspovp) is a traditionally annual chore carried out in Goa's villages just before the monsoons. Here's one of the last of the wells being drained and cleaned, with the monsoon already looming large on the horizon. [Joel]

Devyani: Polar Woman of Goa

"I am the first polar woman from Goa," proudly says Dr Devyani Borole, 55, who recently returned to India after spending 15 months in the Antarctica where she had gone on a scientific expedition organised by the Department of Ocean Development, Government of India. As part of the contingent, Borole studied whether the Antarctica - with 90 per cent sweet water - could be inhabitable in the distant future. During her stay, Borole also monitored the health of her team, attended to minor injuries brought on by frostbite and assisted in a difficult medical procedure. [Lionel Messias, Panorama-NT]

Margao stinks!

MARGAO: Accumulated overflowing garbage and its pervading stink greets a visitor to the Margao city with the Margao Municipal Council chairperson Johnson Fernandes proceeding on leave and handing over the charge to his deputy, Narayan Fondekar. [GT]

TEGSA’s 3rd ANNIVERSARY
A MEMORABLE OCCASION

It was celebration time again. Time to celebrate yet another milestone - TEGSA’s  Third Anniversary. The venue – The Princess Banquet Hall. Soft strains of music and the inviting ambiance in the hall with attractive centerpieces on each table greeted the members to a setting of a memorable evening. The cocktail hour which included unlimited exotic fruit drinks and also individual plates of Thai hors d’oeuvres, was a welcome beginning.
After the grace led by Bernadette Colaco, the evening began with a scrumptious buffet dinner  Members were escorted to a dining room which displayed a lavish spread of a fusion of exquisite food from East to West. The meal, which was meticulously presented in beautiful copper chaffing dishes, added to the luster of the occasion. The unlimited supply of ‘masala shrimp’ was obviously the favourite dish of the day, even though there was a special treat for every palate. Members were delighted to be treated to a bottle of white and red wine on each table, generously donated by the Royal Bank of Canada.

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A car that runs on air, in India soon
March 21, 2007
http://www.rediff.com/money/2007/mar/21car.htm

A car that runs on air could soon be a reality for Indians.

Tata Motors has signed an agreement with Moteur Development International of France to develop a car that runs on compressed air, thus making it very economical to run and be almost totally pollution free.

Although there is no official word on when the car will be commercially manufactured for India, reports say that it will be sooner than later.

The car -- MiniCAT -- could cost around Rs 350,000 in India and would have a range of around 300 km between refuels. The cost of a refill would be about Rs 90.

Read More...

General Inquiries
Muriel Lucas,
Hon. General Secretary
100 City Centre Drive,
P O Box 2097
Mississauga, ON L5B 3C6

Events
Juliet Rebello
Social Secretary
Email: jjfrebello@yahoo.ca
Ph: 905 276 7890

Trip Coordinator,
Vivien Fernandes
4260 Lastrada Heights.
Mississauga, ON.L5C 3W3
Email: fernav@sympatico.ca
Ph: 905 896 3172

Learn to Dance
Line Dancing, Ballroom Dancing etc.
Join us for a fun evening and learn from each other to do some line dancing, swing, jives, fox trot  etc, etc, etc…. TEGSA is looking for dance teachers….
Bingo to follow.
Cost: $10.00 (Members)
         $12.00 (Guests)
Dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m.
Dancing starts at 7:30 p.m.
To register, please call:
Vicki D’Souza:           (416) 497-5111
Charles Fernances:     (416) 286-8970
Joan Menezes:            (416) 927-0895
Gerry DaSilva:            (416) 297-7218

Click for Flyer

Friday, June 22, 2007 - FEW SEATS LEFT
A Tribute to Patsy Cline, Jim Reeves, Engelbert on Jumbo Screen
Followed by – Elvis ’68 Comeback Special
A Legendary Performance
As a prelude to the show, Uvy Lopes will project a brief interlude of TEGSA’s recent highlights.
Bingo will follow.
Cost: $6.00 (Members)
$8.00 (Guests)
A Snack Plate will be served
To register, please call:
Vicki D’Souza: (416) 497-5111
Charles Fernandes: (416) 286-8970
Joan Menezes: (416) 927-0895
Gerry DaSilva: (416) 297-7218

Summer Picnic in the Park
TEGSA meets West (55PGA) Picnic.
Erindale Park., at Dundas and Mississauga Road.

Click for Flyer

Shrimp Curry Nite
Live Entertainment
MUSIC – SONG – DANCE
Cost: $10.00 (Members)
$12.00 (Guests)
Dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m.
Dancing starts at 7:30 p.m.
To register, please call:
Vicki D’Souza: (416) 497-5111
Charles Fernandes: (416) 286-8970
Joan Menezes: (416) 927-0895
Gerry DaSilva: (416) 297-7218

Your association is undertaking a special project of collecting used Eye Glasses which will in turn be sent to the third world countries, through the Lions Club. Please bring your “discards” to this event.
Leo Braganza will co-ordinate this project

Games Nite
Bridge – Scrabble – Rummy – Carrom
Co-ordinators to form organized groups for various games required.
Cost: $6.00 (Members)
$8.00 (Guests)
A Snack plate will be served
Time: 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
To register, please call:
Vicki D’Souza: (416) 497-5111
Charles Fernandes: (416) 286-8970
Joan Menezes: (416) 927-0895
Gerry DaSilva: (416) 297-7218

LADAINHA
Commander Park Hall

Click for Flyer

TEGSA INVITES YOU TO
ATLANTIC CITY 3DAYS/2NIGHTS
 

Click for Flyer

Surprise Performance
To be announced

Mass for the Deceased Members and their Families.

on November 2nd, 2007 - 6:30 pm sharp at
Commander Park Hall, Scarborough

Click for Flyer

Click for Flyer

Whist Drive
A Snack plate will be served
Cost: $6.00 (Members)
$8.00 (Guests)
Time: 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.

To register, please call:
Vicki D’Souza: (416) 497-5111
Charles Fernandes: (416) 286-8970
Joan Menezes: (416) 927-0895
Gerry DaSilva: (416) 297-7218

Yuletide Festivities – Choral Group in Attendance
Live Music – X’mas Bazaar
Authentic Goan Food and Sweets
Cost: $10.00 (Members)
$12.00 (Guests)
Dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m.

Your Executive invites you to do yet another good deed for the less fortunate. Please donate at least one food can of your choice, which will collectively be donated to the FOOD BANK, during the festive season.

Christmas Dance
St. Clement of Ohrid Banquet Hall
76 Overlea Boulevard
Cost: $40.00 (Members)
$45.00 (Guests)
Cocktails and Appertizers at 6:30 p.m.
Sit-down dinner at 7:30 p.m.

To register, please call:
Vicki D’Souza: (416) 497-5111
Charles Fernandes: (416) 286-8970
Joan Menezes: (416) 927-0895
Gerry DaSilva: (416) 297-7218

Special Invitation - You Can Build the Future of the Goan Overseas Association
(Open to members and non-members alike)

The Goan Overseas Association invites you to share your ideas for a new vision for the Association. Now is your chance to let us know how you think the G.O.A. should adapt to better serve the needs of the Goan community. Please complete the anonymous on-line survey at http://www.goatoronto.com/ vision It takes just a few minutes to complete.

What do you want the G.O.A. to do for you? Provide a place to be with your friends, meet new people, make connections, learn how to cook your favourite Goan dish? Let us know what you think. We invite you to participate in a special workshop (see attached flyer) to brainstorm ideas for the future.

Sunday July 8th at 1:00 pm (Valhalla Inn - 1 Valhalla Rd. - Toronto)
R.S.V.P. today to Michelle Pereira at mpereira@goatoronto.com

We value your input and ideas and hope that you will take this opportunity to participate.

Complete on-line G.O.A. Vision Survey - http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=179663550842

Important Notice from Transport Canada
FOR ALL PERSONS WHO APPEAR TO BE 12 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER

Starting June 18, 2007
To board a commercial flight In Canada you must:

1. Have valid ID.
• One piece of valid photo ID issued by the federal government or your province or territory that has your name, date of birth and gender.
OR
• Two pieces of valid ID issued by the federal government or your province or territory including at least one that has your name, date of birth and gender.

2. Buy your ticket using the same name as appears on your ID.
• If the name on your boarding pass does not match your ID, you will not be allowed to board.
These rules are part of the Government of Canada’s new Identity Screening Regulations for air travel.
All rules for flights to the United States and other international travel continue to apply.

Date

Event

Details

Global Drive to Change Diabetes Rolls into Toronto
Novo Nordisk's Changing Diabetes Bus travels the world raising awareness about diabetes -

TORONTO, June 4 /CNW/ - More than 230 million people have diabetes worldwide - and this number is rising at an alarming rate.(1) As part of a global drive for change, the Changing Diabetes Bus is travelling around the world to raise awareness about diabetes and encouraging people to take action on their own behalf to halt the dramatic rise of this disease. The Bus will reach more than one billion people globally on its 18-month tour, including physicians, politicians and the public.

The Changing Diabetes Bus has rolled into Canada and will be travelling across the country during May and June. Today, the Bus rolls into Queen's Park in Toronto where it will be open from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Tomorrow, the Bus will be at Yorkdale Mall from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m  Diabetes is a leading cause of heart disease, kidney failure, amputation and blindness, and kills more than 40,000 people a year.(2) Canadian adults with diabetes are twice as likely to die prematurely, compared to persons without diabetes.(3) There is a need to diagnose diabetes early and take the necessary steps to prevent or delay diabetes complications  Diabetes can affect anyone at any time and healthy lifestyle choices play an important role in the prevention of the disease.

Gang a Threat to Investors, Say Kenyans Abroad

East African Standard (Nairobi)
NEWS4 June 2007
Posted to the web 4 June 2007

By Chris Wamalwa in Delaware, US- Nairobi
Kenyans in the Diaspora are worried that the killings attributed to Mungiki sect would undermine the recent political and economic gains.

In a statement released in Washington, DC, the Kenyan Community Abroad (KCA) president, Ms Mkawasi Mcharo, said insecurity reduces the confidence of local and foreign investors. "When a country's security appears compromised, and a series of reckless killings by organised criminal gangs continue to rise unabated as we are experiencing in Kenya, it undermines the country's standing on human rights and in the global market," she said.

KCA said "petty warlords" should not be allowed to undermine the country's progress. Mcharo said Kenya is expected to be an example of democratisation of politics in Africa.

Read More...

Students and Seniors Continue to Get More from Scotiabank

TORONTO, June 4 /CNW/ - Following the widespread success of SCENE(TM), the first entertainment rewards program in Canada, Scotiabank has changed its account packages for senior customers and students to give them access to unlimited self-service or teller-assisted debit transactions through their existing eligible accounts.

"Customers who conduct many transactions during the month will see immediate benefits," said Gillian Riley, Managing Director, Retail Deposits, Scotiabank. "Unlimited transactions on these accounts give our senior and student customers greater value and convenience at no additional charge." Effective immediately, new and existing customers who are enrolled in the Scotia Plus(R) program for seniors or the Student Banking Advantage(R) Plan will be able to conduct unlimited debit transactions on eligible accounts at no extra charge. These transactions include cash withdrawals, bill payments, chequing, funds transfers, pre-authorized payments and direct payment purchases. Transactions can be conducted with the help of a teller in a Scotiabank branch, through ScotiaOnLine(R) Internet banking, using TeleScotia(R) telephone banking or at a Scotiabank automated banking machine (ABM) in Canada.

Customers looking for more information about these, or any other banking packages, can visit their local branch, go to www.scotiabank.com , or call 1-800-4-SCOTIA (1-800-472-6842).