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Air India report urges sweeping security changes "the worst mass-murder in Canadian history." June 17, 2010 | By CBC News http://www.cbc.ca/canada/montreal/story/2010/06/17/air-india017.html Read report at: http://www.majorcomm.ca/en/reports/finalreport/ Canada's air security needs sweeping changes, says the report of the inquiry into the 1985 Air India bombings.. Canada's air security system needs sweeping changes to ensure the safety of travellers, says the report of the inquiry into the 1985 Air India bombings, released Thursday in Ottawa. Former Supreme Court of Canada justice John Major's report calls for ramped-up powers for a new national security adviser to oversee communication between agencies and settle disputes. In a nine-page summary of findings, Major blasts government security agencies for their handling of information leading up to the bombings. The report says that the RCMP and CSIS were in possession of significant pieces of information "that, taken together, would have led a competent analyst to conclude that Flight 182 was at high risk of being bombed by known Sikh terrorists in June 1985." Major called the arrangements and practices of information-gathering agencies "wholly deficient" in their sharing of information both internally and externally, as well as their analysis of that information. Major said the failure of the agencies to co-operate in the lead-up to the bombings resulted in "the worst mass-murder in Canadian history." Air India Flight 182 went down in the Atlantic Ocean near Ireland on June 23, 1985, killing all 329 people aboard, 280 of them Canadians. A separate luggage bomb destined for a second Air India flight killed two Japanese baggage handlers at Tokyo's Narita airport the same day. The inquiry into the bombing - how it occurred, why the authorities failed to find those responsible, and whether it could happen again - began on June 21, 2006. Major called the blunders committed by security agencies in the handling of threats against Air India "inexcusable." He also made recommendations to improve security monitoring, including more checks on cargo, ground crew, baggage handlers and mechanics.

Ontario Government Helping Newcomers Succeed, Supporting Economic Development "Immigration is Ontario's lifeblood. We need the skills and talents of internationally-trained engineers to build a strong and vibrant economy. These steps will help them contribute to an Open Ontario where the economy and our communities can thrive." – Dr. Eric Hoskins Minister of Citizenship and Immigration As part of Open Ontario, the province intends to make it easier for internationally-trained engineers to be licensed in Ontario. Proposed amendments to the Professional Engineers Act would allow qualified foreign-trained engineers to be licensed to work in Ontario without being a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. These amendments are part of the proposed Open for Business Act introduced on Monday. Currently, a person must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident before they can get an Ontario license. Eliminating this requirement would help attract more highly-skilled workers to the province and strengthen Ontario's economy. The proposed Open for Business Act is part of Ontario's ambitious three-year initiative to create faster, smarter and streamlined government-to-business services that make the province more attractive for business development while protecting the public interest. Click here to read more...

Ontario's economy regains momentum: RBC Economics Province expected to post fastest annual growth in a decade TORONTO, June 10 /CNW/ - Ontario's economic recovery has gained strength with growth expected to reach 3.8 per cent in 2010, which would be the fastest annual increase in the province in a decade, according to a new report by RBC Economics. "Economic activity in Ontario picked up considerably with real GDP surging by 6.3 per cent in the fourth quarter of last year, as higher exports, residential investment, consumer spending and government stimulus took effect," said Craig Wright, senior vice-president and chief economist, RBC. "This strong pace is being sustained by improving U.S. demand and stimulus from fiscal and monetary policies." According to the report, economic growth this year will be supported by an increase in demand for provincial exports as the U.S. economy recovers, boosting motor vehicle production. On the domestic side, government spending will fuel non-residential construction, as infrastructure projects reach their peak before the deadline in March of 2011 for Canada's Action Plan. "The recovery in Ontario has yet to be felt broadly, as activity in key sectors is still well off pre-recession levels," added Wright. "Sustained growth should soon take effect and is projected to continue into 2011, with an expected rise of 3.5 per cent, down just slightly from this year's pace." The report noted that household spending is expected to rise as consumer confidence strengthens, although the introduction of the HST may have a temporary impact on service spending with many services taxed at the provincial level for the first time. The overall benefits of moving to this value-added tax structure will be seen over the longer term. The RBC Economics Provincial Outlook assesses the provinces according to economic growth, employment growth, unemployment rates, retail sales, housing starts and consumer price indexes. The full report and provincial details are available online as of 8 a.m. EDT today www.rbc.com/economics/market/pdf/provfcst.pdf. For further information: Craig Wright, RBC Economics Research, (416) 974-7457; Robert Hogue, RBC Economics Research, (416) 974-6192; Matt Gierasimczuk, RBC Media Relations, (416) 974-2124

Canada to toughen penalties for immigration fraud http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5i01mVFk42GHFyS8zqMZ9ZEQ (AFP) – 3 hours ago OTTAWA - Citizenship fraud in Canada may soon carry a penalty of up to five years in prison and a fine of 100,000 dollars (97,000 US), Immigration Minister Jason Kenney announced Thursday. Under proposed legislation, people applying for citizenship would also be required to be physically present in Canada for three of the four previous years to qualify for citizenship. The measures are part of sweeping immigration reforms being undertaken to bolster immigration while keeping out undesirables, such as "violent criminals." "Canadian citizenship is more than a legal status, more than a passport," Kenney said. "We expect citizens to have an ongoing commitment, connection and loyalty to Canada." Earlier in the week, Kenney unveiled legislation to crack down on corrupt immigration consultants who exploit prospective immigrants. The proposed bill aimed to strengthen rules governing those who charge a fee for immigration advice, close loopholes exploited by fraudulent consultants and set up a regulatory authority. The act would also make it a crime for anyone except certified consultants, lawyers or notaries to provide immigration advice for a fee or charge a fee. Like in most Western nations, Canada's birthrate has slowed in recent decades and massive immigration is needed to keep its numbers up, in order to keep the economy growing. But in some cases, newcomers have complained they were duped into paying thousands of dollars to consultants who did nothing to help them obtain citizenship. As well, some migrants were accused of lying in their citizenship application -- for example, about their past involvement in war crimes. The last census in 2006 found that one in five Canadians (19.8 percent) was foreign-born, the highest proportion of foreign-born Canadians in 75 years, and second only to Australia (22.2 percent). Most recent immigrants (58.3 percent) now herald from Asia and the Middle East. European migrants, who once accounted for the bulk of newcomers, are now the second-largest group, at 16.1 percent. China, India, the Philippines, Pakistan, the United States, South Korea, Romania, Iran, Britain and Colombia, in this order, topped the countries of birth for immigrants from 1981 to 2006. Last year, a total of 252,124 immigrants came to Canada. More than half were economic migrants, more than one-quarter were family members joining a spouse, parent or child living in Canada, and about 10 percent were refugees.

Group of Twenty (G20) Summit -Toronto welcomes the world http://www.toronto.ca/G20/ Canada has chosen Toronto to host the Group of Twenty (G20) Summit on Saturday and Sunday, June 26 and 27, 2010. The city’s demographic, economic, and cultural attributes, its modern transportation and telecommunications infrastructures and well-developed tourism sector make it ideally suited to host an international diplomatic event as large and important as the G20. Toronto first hosted a G8 Summit in 1988. The Summit and its thousands of visitors will generate economic and tourism benefits for the businesses and residents of Toronto. It will also showcase environmental programs and green initiatives developed to reduce the environmental impact of such a large international event. Leaders, delegates, media, non-governmental organizations, and civil society groups from around the world will be pouring into Toronto hotels, restaurants, and shops. The Summits Management Office of Canada’s Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade is the organizer and coordinator of the G20 Summit in Toronto. Summit staff are on the ground and in contact with the City and its many communities – corporate, commercial, residential, government, cultural, civil society and media – to provide timely and accurate information about the organization of the G20 Summit. The G20 is the premier forum for international economic cooperation. World leaders gathering at this Summit will focus on building a healthier, stronger and more sustainable global economy. Canada’s global leadership on these issues is evident in its strong economic track record, vibrant banking system and stable political and social conditions. The article 'What to expect during the G20' in this issue has a map and more details. G20.gc.ca , G202010@international.gc.ca  G20 update for residents and businesses Find out more about what affected residents and businesses inside the security zone need to know. http://www.toronto.ca/G20/assets/pdf/g20_flyer.pdf

G20 Summit will affect, but not close, Toronto parishes http://www.catholicregister.org/toronto-gta/g20-summit-will-affect-but-not-close-parishes Written by Sheila Dabu, The Catholic Register Friday, 04 June 2010 11:24 Share TORONTO - Catholic parishes in the downtown core plan to keep their doors open during the upcoming G20 summit in Toronto on June 26 and 27. “We do not anticipate having to cancel any spiritual services," said John McGrath, the archdiocese's chancellor of temporal affairs, in a June 1 letter to all Toronto parishes. "It is important for those parishes in areas impacted by the summit to communicate effectively with parishioners that may be inconvenienced ie. weddings, funerals, etc. held on the weekend of the summit. Reminding all involved to leave ample time for travel, anticipate delays, etc. is an important part of our ongoing communication.” The letter noted the heavy security planned for the days before and after the formal meetings, and the numerous street closures that could impact operations for some organizations, especially in the downtown core. A small number of parishes may be affected by the summit due to security requirements. The letter also suggested that pastors work with staff on potential travel challenges and to consider tele-commuting, flexible hours or other options. A discussion of local safety procedures for parishes and review safety protocol would also be helpful, the letter said. Archdiocesan spokesperson Neil McCarthy noted that the vast majority of the archdiocese's parishes will not be affected by the increased security plans which are concentrated in the downtown core. Toronto Police and the RCMP have recently announced some security details, including the establishment of a security perimeter in an area bound by Yonge Street, Spadina Avenue, Queens Quay and King Street. There will also be a security fence surrounding the area around the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, the site of the G20 meeting, starting June 7. There are no Catholic churches within the security area. St. Stephen's Chapel, which is located on Bay Street and outside the security perimeter, plans to remain open, as will St. Michael's Cathedral located at Church and Shuter Streets, and St. Basil's Church, located just east of the designated protest zone at Queen's Park North. This protest zone has led the University of Toronto's downtown campus to shut down for four days during the summit. This will affect University of St. Michael's College arts and science students attending classes at the downtown campus. There could be arrangements made to relocate residents to satellite residences and campuses in Scarborough and Missisauga. Meanwhile, the Newman Centre at the University of Toronto plans to keep its doors open. Other Catholic organizations, such as St. Joseph's Healthcare on the Queensway, will remain open for patients.

Vatican charges international community ignores plight of Christians in the Middle East Menelaos Hadjicostis,Victor L. Simpson, The Associated Press | 06 June 2010 01:07 NICOSIA, Cyprus - The Vatican said Sunday that the international community is ignoring the plight of Christians in the Middle East, and that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the war in Iraq and political instability in Lebanon have forced thousands to flee the region. A working paper released during Pope Benedict XVI's pilgrimage to Cyprus to prepare for a crisis summit of Middle East bishops in Rome in October also cites the "extremist current" unleashed by the rise of "political Islam" as a threat to Christians. In his final Mass in Cyprus on Sunday, Benedict said he was praying that the October meeting will focus the attention of the international community "on the plight of those Christians in the Middle East who suffer for their beliefs." He appealed for an "urgent and concerted international effort to resolve the ongoing tensions in the Middle East, especially in the Holy Land, before such conflicts lead to greater bloodshed." The Vatican considers mostly Greek Orthodox Cyprus as a bridge between Europe and the Middle East and invited bishops to come to the Mediterranean island to receive the working paper. The pope said Cyprus can "play a particular role in promoting dialogue and co-operation" in the region. A meeting between the pope and a Muslim leader was scrapped after the Turkish Cypriot official was delayed crossing the United Nations-controlled buffer zone that divides the island between ethnic Turks and Greeks, the Vatican said. Yusuf Suicmez, the head of Turkish Cypriots' religious affairs department, said he had hoped to pray with the pope for peace and brotherhood. Benedict briefly met with another Turkish Cypriot Muslim leader on Saturday as part of efforts to talk to both sides of the island's decades-old conflict and help foster reconciliation. Cyprus was ethnically split in 1974 when Turkey invaded after a coup by supporters of union with Greece. Turkish Cypriots declared an independent republic in the north in 1983, but only Turkey recognizes it, and it maintains 35,000 troops there. The island's Greek Cypriot President Dimitris Christofias and newly-elected Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu resumed long-running reunification talks in May after a two-month pause for the poll. The talks have yielded only limited progress so far. Benedict has tread a careful diplomatic path since arriving Friday on the island, but he made a poignant appeal for peace before leaving. The pope said he saw for himself the "sad division of the island" and that he was "deeply moved" by the pleas of Cypriots who wished to return to homes in the north that were lost during the war. "Let me encourage you and your fellow citizens to work patiently and steadfastly with your neighbours to build a better and more certain future for all your children," the pope said. A group of around 100 Orthodox Christian demonstrators earlier staged a peaceful protest against Benedict's visit outside the Nicosia sports stadium where the pope presided over Mass, holding aloft banners calling the pope "a heretic." The Vatican estimates there are about 17 million Christians from Iran to Egypt, and that while many Christians have fled, new Catholic immigrants - mostly from the Philippines, India and Pakistan - have arrived in recent years in Arab countries to work as domestic or manual labourers. The 46-page document said input from clerics in the region blamed the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories for inhibiting freedom of movement, the economy and religious life, alleging that access to holy places is dependent on military permission that is sometimes denied on security grounds. It also complained that some Christian fundamentalists use biblical texts to justify Israel's occupation "making the position of Christian Arabs an even more sensitive issue." It said the rise of "political Islam" in Arab, Turkish and Iranian societies and its extremist currents are "clearly a threat to everyone, Christians and Muslims alike." It complained that a blurring of the line between religion and politics in Muslim countries is often "relegating Christians to the precarious position of being considered non-citizens, despite the fact that they were citizens of their countries long before the rise of Islam." The Vatican expects about 150 bishops to attend the Oct. 10-24 meeting in Rome.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Geithner, says China could become largest foreign market for US exports MARTIN CRUTSINGER, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS June 10, 2010 | http://www.metronews.ca/toronto/ WASHINGTON - Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said China has the potential of becoming the largest foreign market for U.S. exports, but he said the country must do more to dismantle unfair trade barriers. He told Congress on Thursday that the Obama administration is committed to engaging forcefully with China to make sure that American workers are competing on a level playing field with Chinese workers. "We want future growth in China to result in more exports from the United States and more jobs in the United States," Geithner said. "We want China to change those policies that disadvantage American companies." Geithner said that distortions in China's currency policy are spreading far beyond China's borders and that reform in this area was critically important for the United States and the global economy. "China is fast on its way to becoming the world's second largest economy and could potentially become the largest foreign market for U.S. exports of goods and services," Geithner said in testimony before the Senate Finance Committee. Geithner said that as the United States emerges from the worst recession in decades, its exports to China have rebounded much more rapidly than exports to other parts of the world and are now running 20 per cent above the pre-crisis levels. But he said that U.S. exports were still being held back by a number of Chinese trade practices including its currency system.