GTA News
 

Toronto Gears Up for International Goan Convention in July 2008 From: http://members.nowpublic.com/azzayindia/ http://www.nowpublic.com/culture/toronto-gears-international-goan-convention-july-2008 Toronto will host Historic 2008 Goan International Convention at the lovely Mississauga University Of Toronto(UTM), from 23-27 July 2008. For the first time Goa opens its doors to International visitors,scholars and groups as Goa stands at this critical crossroads to re-examine its identity. It will be supported by performers from the homeland. A Progressive Rock band Kixmet from Goa is slated to perform in the convention. http://www.kixmet.com Objective of the convention is to serve as historic instrument of change for the motherland, particularly in the areas of environment, good Governance, critical economy and perseverance of the heritage. The 2500 strong Goan Diaspora of Mississauga is elated at the announcement. It will also be ideal opportunity for all present to intermingle and share the views for Goa’s Upliftment. The dynamic layout for this historic Convention consists of workshops, seminars, exhibitions, presentations, discussions, debates and forceful action-plans on all facets of classic Goan heritage, the emergence of a new Goan identity, plotting future collectively  To finally tackle and eradicate perennial problems at home by the marshalling of the Diaspora abroad. These will include the environment, economy, arts, civil rights, tourism, education, technology and the urgent need for good governance to safeguard our great heritage. Whilst Goa has returned today to the fold of the Hindu frame from whence we transited five centuries ago, we welcome for the first time a closer examination of our Latin heritage from the Portuguese occupation, by international scholars from around the world. It will be great opportunity for all Goans to unite and showcase beautiful Goa in their different ways. The convention is organized by Kevin Saldhana-Convention Director and the members of the committee. For Details go to http://www.2008goanconvention.com/index.php

Taj Centre Brampton - New Indoor Shopping Centre http://tajcentre.com/ From: South Asian Focus http://www.southasianfocus.ca/community/article/50233 $70M S. Asian mall project launched Thursday June 5 2008 By Sunil Rao, Staff Writer Artist Rendering of Taj Centre in Brampton What is being dubbed as one of North America’s largest South Asian mixed use shopping complexes will shortly adorn Brampton’s rapidly expanding east end, if Louis Fernandes has his way. “The Taj Centre, estimated at $70 million, will come up atop a sprawling 14 acres,” Fernandes told South Asian Focus. “The project has been conceptualized and created by Mudra Concepts Inc. for the South Asian community in Canada,” he added. Fernandes is Mudra’s president, with the project being essentially his brainchild. Trimax Realty Inc. has been appointed as the exclusive brokerage, with the developer being Penequity Realty Corp. He explained the Taj Lifestyle Retail and Cultural centre will be an indoor shopping centre spread over 220,000 square feet, designed on the traditional architectural heritage of South Asia, balanced with a modern and contemporary design, he said. The sizeable complex is expected to include more than 200 retail outlets, a multi-cuisine food court, movie theatres featuring Bollywood films, a spacious atrium for stage shows and contests, and a 20,000 square foot multi-use banquet hall and business convention centre. It will have parking for more than 1,100 vehicles. A transit hub is also understood to have been requested at the site. “The complex, which will be one of the largest South Asian lifestyle retail shopping and cultural centres in North America, will come up off Highway 7, in the area between Airport Road and Goreway Drive,” Fernandes added. “The project is currently with the city for final approvals. “Construction will begin in 2009. It is scheduled for completion and opening by Diwali, in the fourth quarter of 2011,” he said. Fernandes noted project marketing has also started. “The Taj Centre will create affordable investment opportunities at $150,000 a unit, affording an avenue to entrepreneurs seeking to serve the needs of the growing South Asian community,” he said. Depending on individual needs, units can also be purchased in multiples and joined together to make larger units. The food court units are 350 square feet each. “If you are an individual or organization looking for a business opportunity. The Taj Centre offers potential in a rapidly expanding target market,” Fernandes noted.

Experts to Examine Impact of Fewer Students Ontario Government Supporting Boards with Shrinking Student Numbers TORONTO, May 30 /CNW/ - The province is establishing a Declining Enrolment Working Group to provide advice and recommendations to the Minister of Education on strategies to advance the province's priority goals for student achievement while addressing the impact of declining enrolment. The group, led by co-chairs Brant MPP Dave Levac (http://www.davelevac.on.ca) and Eleanor Newman, Director of Education at Renfrew County District School Board, will begin work in June. A final report with recommendations will be submitted to the Minister of Education by the end of the year. In particular, the group will: Examine how impacts of declining enrolment vary across school boards and schools of different size, geography and language of instruction Recommend strategies to improve the alignment of school board cost structures with reduced enrolment Recommend strategies and best practices that will help boards and schools deliver effective education programs while adjusting to lower enrolment QUOTES "In the face of declining enrolment, we're helping boards make adjustments to ensure our students get the support they need. We've made great progress already, and this report is the first step in the broader funding formula review in 2010," said Education Minister Kathleen Wynne. (http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/general/biography/edu_minister.html) "We're confident the findings will help boards across Ontario better respond to declining enrolment," said co-chairs Dave Levac and Eleanor Newman. QUICK FACTS In 2008-09, 60 out of 72 Ontario school boards are projected to have declining enrolment. The McGuinty government has reformed the funding formula to make it less sensitive to enrolment and has introduced specific measures that help boards adjust to declining enrolment. Without these reforms, funding to boards would have been reduced by about $650 million. Instead, changes to the formula and additional investments have increased funding to boards by $4 billion.

Catholic education makes religion fourth ‘R’ in local classrooms The Brampton Guardian By Roger Belgrave, Staff Writer Excerpts: BRAMPTON - Rajavi Shah was nervous about the first day of high school. Grade 9 is an especially big step for a teenager new to the country, but she was also a Hindu headed to Catholic school. Despite the family's Hindu beliefs, Shah's parents viewed the Catholic school board as an ideal way to ensure their daughter's public education contained some proper discipline and appropriate moral guidance. The 16-year-old, now in Grade 11 at St. Marguerite d'Youville Secondary School, has never felt unwelcome or ostracized in the Catholic school setting. She manages to be an active part of the school community as a member of the Spirit Council, still attends temple and maintains her Hindu beliefs. Studying the Catholic faith has helped build a stronger connection with her faith, the teenager confessed. "I felt really good learning about another religion other than mine," she revealed. "It helped me and my relationship with God." The trustees and school board administrators view local Catholic education in much the same way painters and sculptors have depicted Christ. Catholic schools beckon to the community with open arms, eager to embrace families with a holistic approach to teaching. Catholicism is unique in its desire to nourish mind, body and spirit, according Toronto Archbishop Thomas Collins as school boards celebrate Catholic Education Week this week. "What we want to do is infuse the schools with the Gospels of Jesus Christ," Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board Chair Bruno Iannicca explained. "We want to ensure that all of our students have a full academic, spiritual, emotional, physical (education) to reach their potential." Curriculum, such as the board's recently introduced Virtues education initiative, is character-based lessons focused on encouraging moral excellence. Last fall, the board embarked on a public relations campaign to attract and retain more students. The comprehensive communications strategy was, in part, launched to counter declining enrolment. Much of the initiative is designed to promote Catholic education among ratepayers and newcomers in Dufferin-Peel. "It's an ongoing process and it's not an easy one," Campbell added. "Obviously the major challenge we have is in elementary schools you must be Catholic to attend. The challenge is the changing demographic and immigration patterns." The latest census data shows almost half of Brampton's residents are immigrants, a predominant proportion from South Asia. In 2001, the last time religion was a part of national census data, Sikh, Hindu and Muslims accounted for more than 63,000 Bramptonians. Catholics represented about 114,000 residents. News of the publicity campaign prompted one Peel District School Board trustee to request an administrative staff report on the impact this recruitment drive might have on enrolment in public high schools.

New Poll Says Almost A Quarter Of Canadians Don't Believe In Any God http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/080531/national/god_poll Sat May 31, 12:49 PM By Timothy Avery, The Canadian Press TORONTO - Fewer than three-quarters of Canadians believe in a god, suggests a new Canadian Press Harris-Decima survey. "Religion in Canada today is not a particularly divisive subject and tolerance levels for different beliefs are high," said Harris-Decima president Bruce Anderson. "This is evident in the fact that one in four people feel comfortable saying they do not believe in a god." The poll found 72 per cent of respondents said they believed in a god, while 23 per cent said they did not believe in any god. Six per cent did not offer an opinion. Results may not total 100 per cent because of rounding. Polls have told a different story in the United States. "Canada's secularism stands in clearer distinction, when compared to the cultural and political influences of religion in the United States," said Anderson. "In one Harris Interactive study in the United States, conducted in 2007, the number who said they were non-believers was only eight per cent." Keith Howard, a United church minister and executive director of the church's Emerging Spirit program, said the results of the new survey do not represent a dramatic change from previous polls about Canadians' beliefs. "We are past the time of people trashing God," he said. "They are now trying to find a safe place where they can nurture that spirituality." He said a poll done for the church last year indicated Canada is a nation of believers, not belongers.