International Goan Organization (IGO) Hosts Meeting on “Save Goa”. Gerson da Cunha Shares Views On How to Keep Goa Goan
Report of Meeting held on Thursday Sept 13, 2007 at the Mad Hatters Pub, Mississauga.
By Al Mathias.

Present: Zulema de Souza (President, IGO), Al Mathias (Treasurer, IGO), Eurema Colaco (representing the GOA Toronto), Wilfy and Luisa Rodrigues (from Calgary), Nick D'Mello, John J. D'Souza (Goan Voice), Tim D'Mello, Vasco D'Cunha, Edna Mathias, Kevin Saldanha, Bosco D'Mello (Goanet), Merwyn Lobo, Olinda Fernandes, Francis Rodrigues, and the Chief Guest, Gerson da Cunha

1. Al opened the meeting at 8.15 pm and, on behalf of the IGO of Ontario, welcomed everyone and thanked them for making the time and effort to come. He then gave a very brief history of the activities of the IGO and mentioned the most recent project concerning the seven issues faced by the Goan NRIs here in Toronto. Two of these have since been addressed, the remaining five are being pursued.

He then extended a very warm welcome to our guest speaker Gerson da Cunha and thanked him for making the time from his busy schedule at the Film Festival in Toronto, to meet with us and share his thoughts.

2. Gerson thanked the organizers of the meeting and also all those who were in attendance. He said how pleased he was to be with us and share his views.

a) Gerson explained the workings of the group they formed in Bombay, AGNI, how they brought organizations together and were able to achieve the election of the person the grass roots wanted. He touched on the provisions of the Right to Information Act which now requires greater disclosure by all candidates.

b) He talked about the role of the three pillars of society: 1. Political/Legislation; 2. Executive and Administrative and 3. the Judiciary; and the way the Press reported items.

c) He talked about the "Fifth Estate" concerning "grass roots" citizens coming together to talk about and tackle the issues facing them.

d) When it came to soliciting funds in India from large donors, he stated that money was easily available for causes such as HIV, education, needy children and similar ones. But asking for funds for any "political" purpose would draw a complete blank: Zero.

e) Gerson explained that with regard to the Regional Plan 2011 that was hotly debated in Goa, the Church intervened very strongly and so did other groups. All this brought down the plan.

f) He felt that Goans around the globe should find ways to make contact with each other and network about issues that faced them - issues that affected NRI interests, including governance in Goa and the degree of corruption. He talked about having a directory of Goans world wide. (John D' Souza presented Gerson with a copy of the: International Goan in the new Millennium Directory 2001 and said that a new, updated sequel to this publication entitled: Global Goan Seniors Directory would be out in 2008.)

g) Gerson felt that since Goans in Toronto are living and working here and have made their homes here, as such it would be difficult for them to get involved in the specific problems facing Goans in Goa. He recognized that the Goans outside Goa were still passionate about the motherland but felt that they should leave it up to the grass roots in Goa to carry the torch of change with support from Goans abroad. He talked about the FCRA ( Foreign Contributions Regulations Act) and the need to comply with it. He suggested that we classify this as a "Project" and John D'Souza said that the IGO was well placed to follow up on these issues and should therefore continue its efforts in this area.

h) Gerson was curious as to the objectives of the GOA and the IGO and Al explained both briefly. Tim D'Mello pointed out the existence of other Goan organizations in Toronto and stated the need for us all to work together and forget ego problems and avoid duplicating resources.

i) Gerson talked about having a "sexy" website, one that focuses on Service. Al Mathias indicated that that is exactly what the IGO has just undertaken and Tim D'Mello informed the meeting that he had in fact completed the website for IFFI (International Film Festival of India) and that he had very good experience in this matter.

j) Tim asked if Dr. Oscar Rebello would come to Canada if invited and Gerson said that he would talk to Oscar.

k) Kevin Saldanha told the meeting about his attendance at the Goan Convention in Portugal in July this year and plans to hold an International Goan Convention in Toronto next year, as a sequel to the one held 20 years ago. A point was made with regard to Hindu Goans in Toronto and the need to bring ALL Goans together - Catholic and Hindu - and from wherever they have immigrated here.

Proposed Action:

1. The IGO to undertake this "Save Goa" as a Special Project and designate work on it. Also to move as quickly as possible on the "Sexy", Service-oriented Website.

2. Gerson to contact Dr. Oscar Rebello and request him to inform the IGO about his current status, his future plans and how Goans in Toronto/Canada can help. Also enquire, if invited, would he be willing to come to Toronto? And other parts of Canada?

3. John will inform everyone when the New Goan Directory is published.

In closing, on behalf of all those attending, Al Mathias proposed a very grateful vote of thanks to Gerson for taking the time to come and meet with us and sharing his views.

Al Mathias

Brampton Received International Safe Community Designation
By City of Brampton | Published 09/24/2007

Today, Brampton became the first municipality in the Greater Toronto Area and one of only 10 in North America to be designated as a World Health Organization (WHO) International Safe Community.

The agreement was made official during Brampton Day with a ceremony at Garden Square at the Rose Theatre Brampton. The event, which included a cake cutting and WHO flag-raising, was attended by members of the community along with international, national and local dignitaries.

"The commitment of Brampton's community partners to work together to create a safer community for all of the citizens of Brampton is at the heart of the WHO's Safe Community designation," said Brampton Mayor Susan Fennell. "In Brampton, we demonstrate a proven commitment to forging and maintaining partnerships that contribute to our world-class clean, green and safe City."

Goan Soccer League Intervillage Finals
Parra Champions
Report by Daryn Fernandes

The Final for the Intervillage Championship took place on September 22, 2007 at Centennial Stadium
Results:
Parra S. C. 2 Aldona Shooting Stars 1

Parra SC – The Champions	Justin D'Silva - MVP.
( Click to view large )

The twelfth year of the League provided Parra with another chance to write history. Deprived of the chance 8 years ago, Parra had the opportunity to win the Championship for a third straight time. The Regular season was a difficult one with new players and an increasing talented League, winning the Three Peat would be a tough task. Parra finished the League in 5th place and underachieved for their expectations, but began to peak in time for the playoffs. Playing the 4th place Lotulim team that was favoured to be a finalist, Parra shocked the League with the upset.

Parra moved into the Semi-finals to face the League Champions Bogmalo, who had defeated them earlier in the year. Parra came out o meet the challenge, dominating the game. Bogmalo was able to score a late goal to lose only 3-2, but the score did not indicate how well Parra played to dominate the number one team in the season.

The finals had placed number 5 Parra against number 7 Aldona. Parra won the regular season meeting 2-0 but were careful not to be over confident over a team who beat two very good teams in the playoffs. From the opening whistle Parra displayed beautiful ball control and possession frustrating Aldona for the most part of the game. Parra scored early in the second half and seemed to settle into a defencive shell. Aldona was resilient and managed to score a goal with 8 minutes left. Parra never wavered as they continued to turn up the pressure as Forward David Desousa earned a penalty shot with four minutes left. Captain Daryn Fernandes, took the penalty and sealed the history books with the Three Peat Championship.

This year’s Championship win was one of the sweetest wins of all. With many doubters righting off Parra and some players leaving, for "better" teams, Parra was out to prove that they are still the premier team in the League. Five League Championships and Seven Playoff Championships in twelve years, Parra has written history as one of the Best teams in Goan history.

The Rich Are Getting Richer

Between 1992 and 2004, constant-dollar income for people in the top 20% of the taxfiler population rose substantially, and the gains got bigger the higher up the income distribution. However, individuals in the rest of the population generally saw little improvement in constant-dollar income.

http://www.statcan.ca/Daily/English/070924/d070924a.htm
Monday, September 24, 2007 High-income Canadians 2004

An annual income of $89,000 was enough to put an individual among the 1.2 million Canadians who made up the top 5% of the country's taxfiler population in 2004, according to a new study.

Similarly, an income of $181,000 was sufficient to put someone among the 237,000 people in the top 1% of the taxfiler population.

But to be part of the richest one-hundredth of a percent (0.01%) of taxfilers, Canadians had to have income of more than $2.8 million, the study found.

The study, released today in the September issue of Perspectives on Labour and Income, uses tax returns and survey data to explore trends in the number and characteristics of high-income Canadians, as well as their wealth and the effective income tax rates they face.

Between 1992 and 2004, constant-dollar income for people in the top 20% of the taxfiler population rose substantially, and the gains got bigger the higher up the income distribution. However, individuals in the rest of the population generally saw little improvement in constant-dollar income.

In 1992, Canadians in the top 5% of the taxfiler population accounted for about 21% of total income. By 2004, they accounted for 25% of total income.

High-income Canadians: Who they are 
Of the 1.2 million Canadians who comprised the top 5% of income recipients in 2004, three-quarters were men, even though men were a minority (48%) of individual income recipients in general.

In 1982, women accounted for one in seven of the top 5% of income earners; by 2004, they accounted for one in four. However, their share of the top 0.01% declined from 12% to 11%.

The study found that the prevalence of high income peaked in the pre-retirement years. In 2004, individuals aged 45 to 64 represented 33% of all income recipients, but they were the majority in the top 5% (54%).

In the top 0.01%, taxfilers aged 45 to 64 accounted for three out of every five individuals.

Taxfilers aged 25 to 44 were the second largest group in the top 5% of high-income recipients. However, seniors were in second place in the top 0.01%, accounting for 23%.

Over three-quarters (78%) of all high-income individuals were married, as were 83% of the top 0.01%.

High-income Canadians: Where they live
Almost half (46%) of the top 5% of the taxfiler population lived in Ontario. Quebec was a distant second, at 18%, followed by Alberta (15%) and British Columbia (13%).

Among the top 0.01% of the taxfiler population, more than one-half (51%) lived in Ontario. However, Alberta was second at 23%, while Quebec was fourth at just 10%.

Higher-income families tend to be located in the larger urban centres. Three out of 10 (31%) families with incomes of more than $250,000 lived in Toronto, followed by Montréal (11%), and Vancouver and Calgary (both 8%).

Overall, from 1992 to 2004, each demographic group experienced real increases in income. Some groups, such as individuals aged 45 to 64 and those living in Alberta, experienced much larger changes, both incurring gains of about 60%.

Overall, though, many groups experienced very little change—younger individuals (under 45), older individuals (65 and older), and those living in the smaller provinces.

High-income Canadians as a group pay higher tax rates
The study also examined effective income tax rates, an important indicator of the fairness of a tax system. The effective tax rate is the ratio of taxes paid to total income.

The study found that in line with their increasing share of total income, high-income Canadian taxfilers have been paying an increasing share of total personal income taxes. As well, effective income tax rates are clearly higher in the higher-income groups, reflecting the progressive nature of the income tax system. However, effective rates vary widely across the income distribution as well as among individuals within the highest income group.

In 2004, the top 5% of the taxfiler population received 25% of income and paid 36% of taxes. In contrast, the bottom 95% of the taxfiler population received 75% of income and paid 64% of taxes.

For high-income Canadian taxfilers, effective tax rates were about 30%, compared with roughly 12% for non-high-income filers.

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