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Also in Canada……. Inquiry says former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney acted inappropriately http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20100531/wl_canada_nm/canada_us_mulroney By Allan Dowd | Mon May 31, 6:04 pm ET VANCOUVER (Reuters) – Former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney had inappropriate business dealings with German-Canadian arms dealer Karlheinz Schreiber that included secret cash payments, a inquiry reported on Monday. The two men tried to hide their business relationship by having Schreiber pay Mulroney in cash, leaving no paper trail, according to the inquiry, which was launched by the Conservative federal government in 2007. Mulroney told the inquiry last year there was nothing illegal about the secret cash payments. "I find, applying Mr. Mulroney's own test, that his business dealings with Mr. Schreiber were not appropriate," Inquiry Commissioner Jeffrey Oliphant, a former judge, said in his report. Oliphant told an Ottawa news conference that he did not accept Mulroney's claims that his decision to accept cash from Schreiber at hotels in Montreal and New York was simply "an error in judgment". "In my view, an error in judgment cannot excuse conduct that can reasonably be described as questionable if that conduct, as is the case here, occurred on three distinct occasions," Oliphant said. The business relationship began after Mulroney stepped down as prime minister in 1993, but while he was still in Parliament, which would violate government ethics rules, Oliphant said. Schreiber said he paid Mulroney C$300,000, but Mulroney said it was C$225,000. Oliphant could not determine which man was telling the truth. Mulroney said he was paid to lobby world leaders on behalf of German firm Thyssen AG's light armored vehicles, but Oliphant said it unclear if he actually did that.

Ontario's racialized gap persists: Study Race, gender a barrier in the workforce TORONTO, June 3 /CNW/ - Ontarians from racialized backgrounds are far more likely to live in poverty, face barriers to finding a job, and receive less pay for work, says a study of Census data by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA). Sexism and racial discrimination pack a double wallop, hampering racialized women's earning power, says economist Sheila Block, CCPA Research Associate. "The Census data reveals that in 2005, at the height of pre-recession economic prosperity, women from racialized backgrounds working in Ontario faced real barriers to success," says Block. "They earned about half as much as non-racialized men." Among the study's findings: Racialized workers face higher unemployment in Ontario: In 2005 the unemployment rate was 8.7 per cent for racialized workers compared to 5.8 per cent for the rest of Ontarians. They got paid less: Racialized women earned 53.4 cents for every dollar non-racialized men got; 83.7 cents for every dollar non- racialized women got. Gap exists despite education: First-generation racialized Ontarians aged 25-44 who have a university education still get paid less than non-racialized immigrants. For instance, racialized women make only 47 cents for every dollar male, non-racialized immigrants make. Poverty gap: Racialized families are three times more likely to live in poverty. "The findings in this study point to the overwhelming need for governments to step in with policies to help break down racial and gender barriers," says Block. Ontario's Growing Gap: The Role of Race and Gender is available at www.growinggap.ca

Canada's population estimated at 33,930,800 http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/100526/dq100526b-eng.htm Canada's population was estimated at 33,930,800 as of January 1, 2010, an increase of 57,500 or 0.17% from the level at October 1, 2009. Population growth remains fastest in Western Canada, with all provinces in the region recording percentage increases above the national level. All growth scenarios considered, Canada's population could exceed 40 million by 2036. The ageing of the population is projected to accelerate rapidly, as the entire baby boom generation turns 65 during this period. The number of senior citizens could more than double, outnumbering children for the first time. From 2009 to 2036, Canada's population could grow from 33.7 million to between 40.1 million under the low growth scenario and 47.7 million under the high growth scenario. Results at the provincial and territorial levels vary according to the scenario considered, mainly due to differences in interprovincial migration patterns. Overall, regardless of the scenario, growth would be higher than the national average in Ontario and British Columbia. The population of every province and territory would increase during this time, except in some scenarios in the case of Newfoundland and Labrador. Canada's population would age rapidly until 2031, by which time the entire baby boom generation would have turned 65. It would continue ageing after 2031, but at a less rapid pace. By 2036, the number of seniors is projected to reach between 9.9 million and 10.9 million, more than double the level of 4.7 million in 2009. They would surpass the number of children aged 14 or under for the first time ever between 2015 and 2021, depending on the scenario. By 2036, the median age of the population would range between 42 and 45 years, compared with the current median of 39.5. Contributors to demographic growth Canada's population growth depends on two factors: natural increase (births minus deaths), and net international migration (immigrants minus emigrants). The number of deaths is projected to increase during the entire period between 2009 and 2036, as the baby boom generation gets older. Under the medium-growth scenario, natural increase would remain positive until 2036, although the levels of births and deaths would get closer over time.

Toronto ranks 16th on world's most-livable cities http://www.metronews.ca/toronto/local/toronto-ranks-16th-on-world-s-most-livable-cities 27 May 2010 05:44 Toronto is among four Canadian cities that made the top 25 in the world for quality of living. Vancouver shared the fourth spot with Auckland, New Zealand. Ottawa ranked 14th, Toronto placed 16th and Montreal came in at No. 21. The Mercer Quality of Living survey looked at 221 cities and compared them on factors such as crime, health, education, transportation, recreation, housing and environment. The list is often used by multinational companies to determine appropriate compensation for executives asked to relocate. Coun. Kyle Rae was dumbfounded that Ottawa beat out Toronto. “Is it a bureaucrat that’s writing this thing?” said Rae, chair of council’s economic development committee. “Everyone knows Ottawa is a small town that has unparalleled sameness.” Last month, Mayor David Miller took a shot at Ottawa, where he attended high school, after the capital was ranked the most livable city in Canada by a national business magazine. Told about the magazine survey, which ranked cities on factors such as house prices and unemployment, Miller asked a reporter: “Do you want to live in Ottawa?” In a blow to Toronto’s aspirations of being an environmental leader, the city ranked only 39th on Mercer’s new list of “eco-cities” worldwide, while Calgary — capital of the Oil Patch — ranked No. 1 and Ottawa No. 3. The eco-ranking is based on factors such as water availability and drinkability, waste removal, quality of sewage systems, air pollution and traffic congestion, as well as a city’s commitment to using renewable energy and minimizing pollution Not so surprisingly, Baghdad remains at the bottom of the quality of life list, at No. 221. Torstar News Service

10 persons of Indian Origin Among 25 Top immigrants of 2010 http://www.southasianfocus.ca/printArticle/89287 see also http://www.canadianimmigrant.ca/top25 Wednesday May 26 2010: A gold-medal sprinter, an award-winning reporter and the chief organizer of the 2010 Winter Olympics are among the winners of the second annual Top 25 Canadian Immigrant awards presented by Canadian Immigrant Magazine and sponsored by RBC. This national people's choice program celebrates the achievements of outstanding Canadian immigrants. More than 20,000 Canadians voted online for their top choices. The award recipients were honoured at ceremonies held this week in Toronto and Vancouver. The awards program was also sponsored by Rogers. "The 75 semi-finalists are immigrants who have all contributed to this country in a big way," said Nick Noorani, founder/publisher, Canadian Immigrant Magazine. "Our winners come from six provinces which shows how much immigrants love every corner of Canada and its people! "I am particularly thrilled that we have winners this year from Saskatchewan, Quebec, Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick, attesting to the true national stature of these awards." The Top 25 winners will receive a commemorative certificate, a lapel pin as well as a $500 donation towards an authorized Canadian charity of their choice. Winners are being featured on www.canadianimmigrant.ca/top25  and in the June 2010 edition of Canadian Immigrant Magazine. "Everyone who was nominated truly had a noteworthy story and RBC is extremely pleased to recognize and celebrate some of Canada's most outstanding individuals," said Camon Mak, director, Multicultural Markets, RBC. "We hope each winner's story will inspire others to achieve their respective goals." This year's awards program received hundreds of submissions over a two-month period, from which 75 semi-finalists were shortlisted by a panel of Canadian Immigrant Magazine judges. The awards program was also supported by Toronto Star, Metro, Sing Tao, Omni and RJ1200. Among the winners of this distinguished award, 10 come from the South Asian community. They include: Vasdev Chanchlani (India / Mississauga, Ontario) Charan Gill (India / Surrey, BC) Aditya Jha (India / Mississauga, Ontario) Vinod Karna (India / Markham, Ontario) Dr Lalita Malhotra (India / Prince Albert, Saskatchewan) Sumith Kahanda Rathmalapage (Sri Lanka / Saskatoon, Saskatchewan) Balwant Sanghera (India / Richmond, BC) Vijay Sappani (India / Toronto) Dr Asha Seth (India / Toronto) Parag Tandon (India / Toronto) Other winners include: Vivienne Poy (Hong Kong / Toronto) David Lin (Taiwan / Toronto) Dr Joyce Madigane (Zimbabwe / Charlottetown) Hadi Mahabadi (Iran / Mississauga) Dr Jagessar Das (Guyana / Surrey) Rafael Fabregas (Philippines / Toronto) John Furlong (Ireland / Vancouver) Donovan Bailey (Jamaica / Toronto) Raffi Cavoukian (Egypt / Salt Spring Island Ian Hanomansing (Trinidad and Tobago / Vancouver/Toronto) Maggie Ip (Hong Kong / Vancouver) Sultan Jessa (Tanzania / Kirkland) Fulvia Fadigas de Souza (Brazil / Vancouver) Yasuko Tanaka (Japan / Saint John) Suchart Yodkerepauprai (Thailand / Toronto)

Hindu Sabha Mandir rift breaks out into full public view http://www.southasianfocus.ca/community/article/89293 Wednesday May 26 2010 | By SUNIL RAO If sections of the Sikh community were at daggers - or kirpans - drawn just a few weeks ago, can their Hindu brethren be far behind? Passions at Brampton's Hindu Sabha Mandir, the largest in the region and reputedly the oldest in Canada, spilled over once again last weekend, with security personnel patrolling the premises 24 hours a day. A very public rift within the incumbent management now has at least four factions vying for control of the temple. The dispute is, as ever, over control of the money the temple commands from a faithful congregation. Temple insiders say the lure of lucre plays only one part; the other is personal ego. "All want to do God's work. But the prevailing feeling by all is: 'This is God's work I'm doing. But let's do it my way - else it's the highway!'" is the other factor at play, as one observer put it. Visits by Peel Regional Police have become a regular occurrence. "Your visit is now the 55th by police," was the ironical greeting with which a police patrol called to the temple was met with this Sunday, just after the aarti. Peel Police itself is at its wits end about the long-pending dispute. "You know, I'm sick and tired of it - when are you going to stop all this," one exasperated officer was heard by Focus yelling in the temple's very public foyer at a board member, even as curious members of the congregation filed past to take their tirtha from a temple priest alongside. Asked by Focus if there is indeed nothing the police can do, an officer responded: "It's really a private matter for the congregation or the temple management to decide. We're only here to preserve law and order, any further dispute has to be settled by themselves. We can do nothing about such issues." Or it's for the courts to decide - a route that continues to be taken till today, prompting one presiding judge to vent his frustration at the ongoing disputes, as one issue leads to another, and another, and yet another and for another judge, a Caucasian non-Hindu, to observe in an aside he's becoming something of an expert on Hindu temple affairs. While issues have been on an ill-tempered slow boil for several weeks now, the latest dispute appeared to have been precipitated last week by the temple's board of trustees effectively firing the president of the board of directors over charges of financial irregularity and, for good measure, one of their own fellow trustees as well. Simultaneously, the trustees brought in private security guards to guard the entrance to the main administrative office from the main entrance foyer. Since then, until as at the time of going to press, the guards have continue to patrol the temple 24 hours a day. "This is unfortunate, and it isn't personal," Prabhat Kapur, chairman of the board of trustees, told Focus. "But as trustees we have a moral obligation, particularly when things are not going the way they should and procedures are not being followed. "As per our constitution there's a disciplinary procedure, which we're following," Kapur added, while indicating the trustees are waiting to hear from the suspended president. 'Judge, jury and executioner' Mahendra Gupta, the 'suspended' board president, begged to differ. "They're trying to be judge, jury and executioner but actually it is as per the court order of Hon Justice Lemon that I am the elected president and member of the Hindu Sabha board," he said. Gupta was referring to the latest court order that mandates the current board manage the temple's affairs until a further court decision is taken on the matter. He has also already responded to the allegations in a letter, circulated among the congregation publicly on Sunday. In the letter, he rejects the allegations as "simply baseless and unfounded," while responding to the four allegations made originally. In it, the finger of blame regarding financial impropriety appears to point directly at the trustees themselves. It also alleges: "In fact treasurer Purshottam Dhupar, secretary Bipen Kakkar, vice president Parveen Sharma and you together with S. Kumar Agarwal and Sat Malik have been violating the constitution many a times." The allegations and counter-allegations could not obviously be verified by Focus. But it is perhaps pertinent to note that Gupta's car was torched on his driveway one night not so long ago, even as the family slept within. The incident, which happened in March 2009, is still under investigation by Peel police. In his letter Gupta adds: "Until the court order changes it is my duty to take care of the temple affairs. Do not attempt to participate directly or indirectly ie changing locks, etc." But Focus has learnt the doors to the administrative office today bear the locks of both the board and the trustees. Effectively, neither group can now enter, deepening the impasse. The 24-hour security also continues. Gupta contends this alone will cost the temple at least $2,500 per day. He last week sought to take his appeal directly to the congregation, to present his side of the story. Interestingly, as he was making his pitch, the microphone went silent. Someone had obviously pulled the plug. The plug is being pulled on other counts as well, as the deadlock has meant the temple's affairs are grinding to a halt. For instance, the congregation's offerings in the donation box have yet to be counted this week, as per information as at the time of going to press. Only on one count have things moved. Ajit Pahwa, the trustee who was fired along with Gupta, has since been reinstated as a trustee. "They (the trustees) found it was unconstitutional to do so," was one explanation put forward by a board member. The statement could not be independently verified. Meanwhile the two other factions are awaiting developments with interest even as their own cases grind on in the courts. The ongoing dispute continues to embarrass the wider Hindu community. Lamented the congregation member of another Peel area temple: "As usual, the actions of a small minority will determine the way we're viewed by mainstream Canada."