Government Expands Temporary Foreign Worker Services in Ontario and Atlantic Canada to Help Employers Meet Labour Market Needs

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Feb. 11, 2008) - The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, today announced an expansion of services to help employers in Ontario and Atlantic Canada meet their labour market needs with temporary foreign workers.

Two units are being established in Toronto and Moncton to serve as main points of contact for companies wishing to hire foreign workers in the two regions. These are in addition to three already established in Vancouver, Calgary and Montreal.

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Canada Not Affected By US Sub-Prime Mortgage Crisis
However, Housing Starts To Cool In 2008: CMHC
CBC News
http://www.cbc.ca/consumer/story/2008/02/04/real-estate.html  

Excerpts
Housing starts nationwide are expected to dip to 211,700 units in 2008, owing to high mortgage carrying costs, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. said Monday.

In 2007, housing starts reached 228,343 units, an increase of 0.4 per cent over the previous year, the federal agency said.

Ontario had 68,123 starts in 2007 with 69,150 forecasted for 2007 and 67,150 for 2009

"Despite some global financial instability with regards to the U.S. housing market, Canada continues to experience robust employment levels, ongoing income gains and low mortgage rates," said Bob Dugan, chief economist for the CMHC, in a release.

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Calgary Will Need Almost A Quarter Million New Workers In Next Decade: Forecast
Bill Graveland, THE CANADIAN PRESS
Published Tuesday January 29th, 2008

http://www.canadaeast.com/news/article/197080

Excerpts
CALGARY - Alberta's booming economy and a continuing shortage of skilled workers across the country will strain the existing workforce and increase the reliance on foreign workers, according to a 10-year job forecast released by Calgary Economic Development on Tuesday.

The study found the areas of professional services, health care, retail and construction need the most attention.

The Calgary region will require an additional 244,000 skilled workers over the next decade. Included on the list of jobs in demand are retail salespeople, nurses, financial auditors, petroleum engineers, carpenters, electricians, teachers and computer programmers.

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Canada Top Retirement Destination For British: Survey
CBC News
http://www.cbc.ca/consumer/story/2008/02/01/canada-retirement.html

British citizens have selected Canada — ahead of New Zealand and Portugal — as the top country in which to retire, according to a survey measuring perceptions of quality of life.

The survey of British expatriates living around the globe was commissioned by NatWest International Personal Banking. Respondents gave Canada a mean score of 63.95 out of 80, with high marks given for housing, natural environment and availability of consumer goods.

"There are a number of different reasons why people relocate abroad, to be nearer to family and friends, to start a new job, or as the study demonstrates, to increase their quality of life," said David Isley, head of NatWest International Personal Banking, in a release issued Friday.

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Rich-Poor "Digital Divide" Still Broad, Says UNCTAD
Wed Feb 6, 2008 2:10pm EST

LONDON (Reuters) - The digital divide between rich and poor countries is narrowing as mobile phones and Internet use become more available, but the developing world still lags far behind, a United Nations report said on Wednesday.

The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) said mobile phone subscribers have almost tripled in developing countries over the last five years, and now make up some 58 percent of mobile subscribers worldwide.

"In Africa, where the increase in terms of the number of mobile phone subscribers and penetration has been greatest, this technology can improve the economic life of the population as a whole," it said.

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Vatican Cardinal Defends Jewish Conversion Prayer
http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSL0788456120080207?sp=true
By Philip Pullella

Excerpt
VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - The top Vatican cardinal in charge of relations with Jews on Thursday denied a new prayer for their conversion was offensive and said Catholics had the right to pray as they wished. Cardinal Walter Kasper spoke in an interview in a leading Italian newspaper a day after world Jewish leaders said the new prayer could set back inter-religious dialogue by decades.

"I must say that I don't understand why Jews cannot accept that we can make use of our freedom to formulate our prayers," Kasper, a German, told the Corriere della Sera. The Vatican on Tuesday revised a contested Latin prayer used by a traditionalist minority on Good Friday, removing a reference to Jewish "blindness" over Christ and deleting a phrase asking God to "remove the veil from their hearts".

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Sharia Law In Britain Unavoidable: Archbishop
By Paul Majendie

LONDON (Reuters) - Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, spiritual leader of the world's Anglicans, said on Thursday the introduction of some aspects of Islamic Sharia law in Britain was unavoidable.

Other religions enjoyed tolerance of their laws in Britain, he said, and he called for a "constructive accommodation" with Muslim practice in areas such as marital disputes. Asked in a BBC interview if the adoption of Sharia law was necessary for community cohesion, Williams said: "It seems unavoidable.

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Catholic Bishops Inaugurate Lenten Website.
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
http://www.speroforum.com/site

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has announced that it is offering Catholics a variety of resources for Lenten reflection and spiritual growth.

The resource website, located at www.usccb.org/lent , includes several versions of the Stations of the Cross, including an audio version, and a new series of “radio retreats” led by bishops in English and Spanish.

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Lent Is Time Of Conversion, Return To God
By CAROL GLATZ
Catholic News Service Vatican City
http://www.wcr.ab.ca/news/2008/0211/benedict021108.shtml

Lent is a time to return to God’s loving embrace and to remember that true happiness can only come from being a friend of Jesus, Pope Benedict said. The Lenten journey is a time of conversion which means “letting oneself be overcome by Jesus and with him return to the Father,” the pope said during his weekly general audience Feb. 6, Ash Wednesday.

“When modern man declares his total independence from God, he becomes a slave to himself, and often he finds himself inconsolably lonely,” Benedict said. “Striving for success, yearning for prestige and the quest for comfort — when these completely absorb one’s life” to the point of neglecting God, happiness does not ensue.

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Australian Prime Minister Makes Formal Apology To Indigenous Australians
Feb 13, 2008 11:18 AM
http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/425822/1580830 

Text of the formal apology to Indigenous Australians made in federal parliament by Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd:

Today we honour the Indigenous peoples of this land, the oldest continuing cultures in human history.

We reflect on their past mistreatment.

We reflect in particular on the mistreatment of those who were stolen generations - this blemished chapter in our nation's history. The time has now come for the nation to turn a new page in Australia's history by righting the wrongs of the past and so moving forward with confidence to the future. We apologise for the laws and policies of successive Parliaments and governments that have inflicted profound grief, suffering and loss on these our fellow Australians.

We apologise especially for the removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families, their communities and their country. For the pain, suffering and hurt of these stolen generations, their descendants and for their families left behind, we say sorry.

To the mothers and the fathers, the brothers and the sisters, for the breaking up of families and communities, we say sorry. And for the indignity and degradation thus inflicted on a proud people and a proud culture, we say sorry.

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Terror! For now, fear not: Kamat
PANJIM: Chief Minister Digambar Kamat yesterday tried to convey 'all is well' message even as he played down the terror threat supposedly hovering over the state.
Answering a host of question posed by media persons at his official residence, Kamat said he was awaiting details from SP Neeraj Thakur in this matter. The state, he said, has taken all precautions in this connection.
Asked whether hotels are meticulously following the guidelines over registration of guests in accordance with the instructions and regulations issued to reduce the terror threat, Kamat replied, "Whoever does not follow the regulations,t he District Magistrate has enough power to terminate their licence." [GT]

Jose Feliciano Was Here Last Night!
PANJIM: The singer with the fruity voice and acoustic guitar was here last night. And he rocked. Jose Feliciano first hit the English music scene in the US with his rendition of the Doors' "Light my fire" And when he played it at the Kala Academy last night, it had the same dist8inct freshness about it. It is difficult to imagine the Latino star without his trademark acoustic guitar. When he belted out Eric Clapton's "Lay downSally" the sound was electric and the crowd mesmerised. Rock and roll came as easily to the nimble-fingered guitar player. [Derek Almeida, GT]

Book Release
PANJIM, Feb 12: "Passionate and Unrestrained," a book containing articles written by one of Goa's foremost freedom fighters Jose Inacio Candido de Loyola, translated of Alexandre Moniz Barbosa, was released at Fundacao Oriente, Fontainhas, this evening. Barbosa, who is also the Asst Editor of English monthly "Goa Today" is seen addressing the audience

Rave parties, loud music rock Anjuna once again
PANJIM: The ghost of rave parties and loud music has come to haunt the coastal belt of Anjuna-Vagator and Morjim with three cases booked against noise pollution in both these areas. [GT]

St Thomas HSS educating heart, mind and disciplining bodies
ALDONA: St Thomas Higher Secondary School set up on the hillock of Santerxette, Aldona, very elegantly radiates its personality all over the village and neighbouring areas. Today 15 years gone, the light has not burnt itself out. St Thomas HSSC stands at par with the leading High Secondary Schools of Goa. The success story has been made possible by the efficient Missionaries of St Francis de Sales management, dedicated staff and very important the confidence and support of villagers. [GT]

Global seminar on tourism at International Centre
PANJIM, Feb 9: The School of Business Studies and Management of St Xavier's College, Mapusa, in association with the Directorate of Tourism, Travel and Tourism Association and International Centre, will organise a two-day international seminar on the theme, "Natural Area Tourism: Impacts, Planning and Management" on February 14 and 15 at the international Centre, Dona Paula. The seminar will be inaugurated by Tourism Minister Mickky pacheco, principal of St Xavier's College Newman Fernandes told presspersons. [H]

Agriculture's green beret
Neatly structured furrows are beginning to sprout green, some canopied under mulching plastic covers, while black rubber pipes, fitted with sprinklers run the length and breadth of this 1.2 hectare farm known as Reira Eco Farms along the Saligao-Mapusa road. Still in its nascent stage, the farm is a hotbed of a working paradox, reflective of its conceptualiser and entrepreneur, Darryl Pereira. Reira Eco Farms is a practical example that gives hope to reviving agriculture in Goa. While Darryl combines tired-and-tested farming methods growing sweet corn, onions, garlic, turnips, brinjals, chillies, lady fingers and sunflowers, he pursues experimentation with exotic vegetables like red and white beans which he attests to having a "75 per cent success rate". In his presentation to the Task Force for RP2011, Darryl made his point proving that his farming methods are reaping a rich crop. [Cordelia B Francis, GT]

Goan Youth Prefer To Work Abroad
by Erwin Fonseca
http://www.navhindtimes.com/articles.php?Story_ID=020712

The recent controversy regarding special economic zones may have died out for the time being with the government deciding to denotify all the proposed special economic zones. The opposition to SEZs was on the grounds that this would give an unprecedented rise in migrant population in Goa. The reasons for opposing SEZs may be genuine, the larger question that still remains: do Goan youth have enough employment opportunities in the state?

Goa being a tourist destination, there has been a tendency among Goan youth to opt for tourism related jobs like working in hotels here or abroad, setting up hotels or going on cruise liners. Goan youth also look at this tourism related jobs as ones that can fetch them good money in a relatively shorter duration.

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'Private Schools Can Never Fulfill Demand For Quality Education'
NT Staff Reporter
http://www.navhindtimes.com/articles.php?Story_ID=02087

Panaji, Feb 7 Renowned trade union leader and mathematical physicist, Dr Vivek Monteiro today said that the private schools can never fulfill the demand for quality education and equality as could be achieved through the government schools, especially following the fundamental duties enshrined in the Constitution including developing the scientific temper, humanism and spirit of inquiry and reform.Dr Monteiro, a Goan, who is also devoted to universalising elementary science and mathematical education, further said that today a number of schools and madarsas are run by religious trusts which disseminate communal teachings, further questioning whether science can be systematically and scientifically used to undermine this influence.

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D.D. Kosambi Festival Of Ideas

Struggle for peace must be a quest for equality: Vice-President Mohammed Hamid Ansari
A global society based on justice has no place for war

Excerpt from:http://www.thehindu.com/2008/02/06/stories/2008020659291300.htm 

D.D. Kosambi was an active fighter for peace: Ansari
"Kosambi a renaissance man"

PANAJI: Asserting that the struggle for world peace must be a quest for equality, justice and democracy, Vice-President Mohammed Hamid Ansari has said the modalities of furthering it will inevitably be conditioned by public awareness and public action. He was delivering the first lecture at the four-day "D.D. Kosambi festival of ideas" organised by the Goa government here on Monday. Earlier, Mr. Ansari inaugurated the lecture series in the presence of Governor S.C. Jamir, Chief Minister Digambar Kamat, sociologist and D.D. Kosambi's daughter Meera Kosambi.

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The Colonisation Of Goa
Daily News & Analysis
Wendell is holding forth on the Delhi invasionof Goa.
"I welcome them if they buy old houses and restore them with their money," he says. ...
http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=T&ct=us/6-0&fd=R&url

Excerpt…
It’s a lazy Sunday afternoon in Ucassaim. We are sitting in the garden with our friends, Wendell and Jerome. It is surprisingly cool and a gentle breeze is swaying the coconut palms; another bucolic day in our charming little village.

Wendell is holding forth on the Delhi invasion of Goa. “I welcome them if they buy old houses and restore them with their money,” he says. “But I draw the line when they make marble and granite palaces in the garish style of Greater Kailash (a South Delhi suburb known for its kitschy homes).” More and more people in this idyllic state are beginning to feel like Wendell.

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India Inc Turns Its Back On Goa, Blames Instability
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/msid-2777731,prtpage-1.cms
13 Feb, 2008, 0014 hrs IST,Smitha Venkateswaran, TNN

PANAJI: Goa’s contribution towards central excise revenue is on a downward slope. The state will collect Rs 20 crore less this year, thanks to a flight of capital. The excise duty is charged on finished goods. Any fall therein indicates a slowdown in industrial output. Last year, central excise revenue collection from this coastal state dropped by more than 12% to Rs 725 crore against over Rs 820 crore collected in 2005-06. The numbers are expected to fall further this year.

“This has been the trend for the past few years. It indicates that companies are not interested to come here. I don’t see any initiative being taken either by the state or industries to improve the situation,” Rakesh Sharma, chief commissioner of Customs and Central Excise, Pune, says, with a rather rare candidness.

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High incidence of breast cancer in Goa worries medicos

Panaji (PTI): Medicos in Goa have expressed the need to commission a study on high incidence of breast cancer in the state and work out a strategy to curb the disease.

"Inspite of available data and information, no definite attempts are made to find out the root cause and take preventive steps," Dr Shekhar Salkar, General Secretary Indian Medical Association (Goa) told PTI.

The coastal state, known for high literacy and per capita income has literally turned into the capital for breast cancer in the country, recording highest number of cases.

"Goa has an average of 1000 cancer patients every year, and 70 cases per lakh population, which is much higher than the national average of 50 cases per lakh," official records said. Meanwhile, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has said it is high time for the state government to commission a statewide pilot study to evaluate and ascertain the reasons behind this high incidence.

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Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) Gallery A South Asian Treasure Trove

From:
http://toronto.cityguide.ca/new-south-asian-gallery-in-the-rom-017235.php and other sources.

Images from: http://www.rom.on.ca/exhibitions/wculture/southasia.php

On February 16th, the Sir Christopher Ondaatje South Asian Gallery at the ROM begins to showcase the traditions of South Asia. Spanning over 5,000 years, each artifact showcases elements of South Asian history. Nine exhibited areas present South Asian sculpture, religious objects, decorative arts, arms and armour, miniature paintings and textiles. The artifacts span from countries such as Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Tibet. At 4,000 square feet, the Ondaatje Gallery is house over 35 artifact from the diverse blend of South Asian traditions.

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TEGSA’s VALENTINE DAY
“ MESSAGE of LOVE”

Valentine’s Day is a special day for sweet hearts and TEGSA celebrated this special day on February 8th, 2008 with its message of love.

The bad weather we have been having did little to deter the large attendance. The hall was aglow with red decorations, most everyone had something red on --- red dresses, shirts, skirts, ties, shoes and even red heart shaped decals displayed on their faces. Yes, members came prepared to have a good time.

Dinner was a sumptuous plate of King Fish curry and rice, fish cutlets, green beans and home made vegetable pickle cooked in true goan style. It was delicious. For dessert we had fruit salad with tea and coffee.

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+ Fernandes, Alexandrina (Drina)

+ Fernandes, Alexandrina (Drina) Peacefully at the nursing home Toronto, Canada. on Sunday February 17th, 2008 - ex Siolim / Nairobi - in her 100th year. Beloved wife of the late Peter Fernandes (Barclays Bank, Nairobi). Loving mother of Bella (Benny), Danny - Goa (Clara) and Stella(Gerry). Drina will be greatly missed by her grandchildren Brian, Bevan, Clayton (Cheryl), Donovan, Shelley and Wesley. Proud great grandmother of Vanessa. Fondly remembered by her many nieces and nephews.

Viewing Information:
Chapel: Turner & Porter Butler Chapel
Address: 4933 Dundas St., W. Etobicoke (between Islington & Kipling Avenue)
Date: Thursday February 21st, 2008
Time: 2-4pm and 7-9pm

Funeral Information:
Church: Nativity of Our Lord Church
Address: 480 Rathburn Road, Etobicoke
Date: Friday February 22nd, 2008
Time: 10:30am
Interment Assumption Cemetery, Mississauga.

+ Antonio B.V. L. Fernandez

26 Jan: Highbury, London, UK. Antonio Benidicto Valentino Lulu Fernandez, (aged 81 yrs; ex-Nairobi, Survey of Kenya, and Navelim, Goa). Father of Jennifer (Canada) and Louise (Leicester). Brother of the late Sabino Fernandes and brother-in-law to Rosy Fernandes (Leicester). Funeral Service held on Fri 8 Feb. at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 25 Mere Road, Leicester, followed by burial service at Gilroes Cemetery, Leicester.

Lino Leitao-A flower of passion from the garden of Indo/Canadian writing has disappeared
By Editor: Dr. Stephen Gill Sunday, February 10, 2008
Printed from: http://canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/1801

On the 25th of January, I thought of phoning Lino Leitao to pass on a piece of information that I had received from Dr. Rollason Christopher, a professor of literature and a writer from France. In his newsletter, Dr. Christopher wrote about the latest issue of Pegasus that carried an article by Lino about my poetry. I wanted to pass on this information to him.

Instead, I received an email from Olga, Lino’s wife, to give me the sad news about this flower of passion. On February 2nd, I was at his memorial service at St. Veronica’s Church in Dorval, Quebec, Canada, to present a eulogy.

Lino told me a few months ago that he was going for an operation. I considered that operation to be serious. But in the tone, words and the way Lino discussed some books with me and that operation, I detected no fear, or anxiety. Therefore I did not take his ailment and operation seriously. Apparently, he took his condition philosophically.

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