News & Features - Rights activists urged to get serious - ArcaMax Publishing: "Rights activists urged to get serious
KASARANI, Kenya (UPI) -- Social justice groups must finally learn to take themselves seriously, a delegate to the anti-globalization World Social Forum in Kenya says.
They must realize how important their role is in a world in which the rich countries are increasingly withdrawing their financial support for public services, while the public sector in poor countries often fails, Filippo Addarii, an Italian professional from London, tells the German publication Der Spiegel.
The forum challenges global policies and assumptions that it says undermine the environment, labor rights, national sovereignty, the Third World and other concerns. "
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Taxes skimmed?
Amazing!! Great integrity from the Tax collectors -at least they caught it -PR
winnipegsun.com - Winnipeg News - Taxes skimmed?: " Sun, January 28, 2007
Taxes skimmed?Winnipeg employee faces fraud charges
By KATHLEEN HARRIS, NATIONAL BUREAU
Canada Revenue Agency's Winnipeg Tax Centre. Documents reveal an employee was able to pocket fraudulent refunds. (JON SCHLEDEWITZ, SUN)
OTTAWA -- A Canada Revenue Agency employee is accused of bilking taxpayers of more than $100,000, Sun Media has learned.
Documents obtained under Access to Information refer to a 'sensitive file' involving the 'fraudulent reassessment of client tax returns' by an employee at the Winnipeg Tax Centre.
According to one 2005 memorandum to then-CRA Commissioner Michel Dorais, adjustments of 18 client accounts resulted in $131,871 in fraudulent refunds being deposited into the employee's bank account.
Another document shows affected individuals were to be advised their records were corrected and that an investigation was underway.
'They will be advised that they may be contacted by a CRA investigator, and will be asked to monitor their tax records and contact CRA if they notice anything that appears unusual,' it reads.
The documents were requested by Sun Media last fall after the federal government's Public Accounts listed a loss of $119,399 due to 'theft of taxpayer remittance.'
The records listed $27,322 as recovered in 2005-2006, and another $92,077 that was to expected to be recovered in subsequent years.
FEW AND FAR BETWEEN
Emilia Kotris, a spokesman for the Winnipeg Tax Centre, would not provide details on the case because it is before the courts. But she stressed breaches by employees are few and far between.
"It's a very rare occurrence and in no way reflects on the integrity and professionalism of the thousands of other employees we have working with us," she said.
Kotris would not say if the employee is still employed with the CRA, but offered a general comment on potential repercussions for staff who break the rules.
"All CRA employees are subject to very strict standards of conduct and conflict of interest guidelines and any employee who violates those guidelines faces severe consequences up to and including dismissal and prosecution," she said.
The federal government documents state that CRA planned to "fully examine" existing procedures, access profiles and mainframe systems to improve and augment existing safeguards.
Michelle Mariano faces 28 charges under the Income Tax Act and the Criminal Code, including breach of trust by a public officer, fraud over $5,000 and making false or deceptive statements, for alleged offences between 2002-2005.
The next court date is scheduled for March 19.
winnipegsun.com - Winnipeg News - Taxes skimmed?: " Sun, January 28, 2007
Taxes skimmed?Winnipeg employee faces fraud charges
By KATHLEEN HARRIS, NATIONAL BUREAU
Canada Revenue Agency's Winnipeg Tax Centre. Documents reveal an employee was able to pocket fraudulent refunds. (JON SCHLEDEWITZ, SUN)
OTTAWA -- A Canada Revenue Agency employee is accused of bilking taxpayers of more than $100,000, Sun Media has learned.
Documents obtained under Access to Information refer to a 'sensitive file' involving the 'fraudulent reassessment of client tax returns' by an employee at the Winnipeg Tax Centre.
According to one 2005 memorandum to then-CRA Commissioner Michel Dorais, adjustments of 18 client accounts resulted in $131,871 in fraudulent refunds being deposited into the employee's bank account.
Another document shows affected individuals were to be advised their records were corrected and that an investigation was underway.
'They will be advised that they may be contacted by a CRA investigator, and will be asked to monitor their tax records and contact CRA if they notice anything that appears unusual,' it reads.
The documents were requested by Sun Media last fall after the federal government's Public Accounts listed a loss of $119,399 due to 'theft of taxpayer remittance.'
The records listed $27,322 as recovered in 2005-2006, and another $92,077 that was to expected to be recovered in subsequent years.
FEW AND FAR BETWEEN
Emilia Kotris, a spokesman for the Winnipeg Tax Centre, would not provide details on the case because it is before the courts. But she stressed breaches by employees are few and far between.
"It's a very rare occurrence and in no way reflects on the integrity and professionalism of the thousands of other employees we have working with us," she said.
Kotris would not say if the employee is still employed with the CRA, but offered a general comment on potential repercussions for staff who break the rules.
"All CRA employees are subject to very strict standards of conduct and conflict of interest guidelines and any employee who violates those guidelines faces severe consequences up to and including dismissal and prosecution," she said.
The federal government documents state that CRA planned to "fully examine" existing procedures, access profiles and mainframe systems to improve and augment existing safeguards.
Michelle Mariano faces 28 charges under the Income Tax Act and the Criminal Code, including breach of trust by a public officer, fraud over $5,000 and making false or deceptive statements, for alleged offences between 2002-2005.
The next court date is scheduled for March 19.
Public Works launches investigations into leaks of government information - Yahoo! Canada News
Loose lips sink ships - tell that to the Gomery commission .
The public has the right to know how their money is being spent. PR
Public Works launches investigations into leaks of government information - Yahoo! Canada News: "Public Works launches investigations into leaks of government information
Sat Jan 27, 3:16 PM
By Dean Beeby
ADVERTISEMENT
OTTAWA (CP) - The Public Works Department has launched at least four 'loose lips' investigations in the last two years, as it tries to staunch leaks of government information to opposition politicians, lobby groups and journalists.
Records released under the Access to Information Act show investigators have pounced on even minor cases, mirroring the tight control of information that characterizes the current Conservative administration.
In June last year, for example, Liberal MPs Denis Coderre and Ujjal Dosanjh held a news conference complaining that the government's proposed purchase of four Boeing C-17 transport aircraft for the military would also give the maintenance contract to U.S. firms.
The two politicians released parts of a confidential April 10 briefing note, created to help ministers respond to Opposition attacks during question period in the House of Commons.
The incident triggered an internal investigation at Public Works, which determined that the document had not been previously released under the Access to Information Act and was therefore improperly leaked.
Censored records of the investigation do not indicate who made the complaint. A Public Works spokesman said only that it came from 'someone who works in the department.'
The inquiry was eventually abandoned when a senior official said the leak was 'minor' and 'mentioned that the information supplied during the news conference had been known by most members of Parliament as it was in the Conservative electoral platform.'
Considered far more serious was an anonymous fax sent to New Democrat MP Pa"
The public has the right to know how their money is being spent. PR
Public Works launches investigations into leaks of government information - Yahoo! Canada News: "Public Works launches investigations into leaks of government information
Sat Jan 27, 3:16 PM
By Dean Beeby
ADVERTISEMENT
OTTAWA (CP) - The Public Works Department has launched at least four 'loose lips' investigations in the last two years, as it tries to staunch leaks of government information to opposition politicians, lobby groups and journalists.
Records released under the Access to Information Act show investigators have pounced on even minor cases, mirroring the tight control of information that characterizes the current Conservative administration.
In June last year, for example, Liberal MPs Denis Coderre and Ujjal Dosanjh held a news conference complaining that the government's proposed purchase of four Boeing C-17 transport aircraft for the military would also give the maintenance contract to U.S. firms.
The two politicians released parts of a confidential April 10 briefing note, created to help ministers respond to Opposition attacks during question period in the House of Commons.
The incident triggered an internal investigation at Public Works, which determined that the document had not been previously released under the Access to Information Act and was therefore improperly leaked.
Censored records of the investigation do not indicate who made the complaint. A Public Works spokesman said only that it came from 'someone who works in the department.'
The inquiry was eventually abandoned when a senior official said the leak was 'minor' and 'mentioned that the information supplied during the news conference had been known by most members of Parliament as it was in the Conservative electoral platform.'
Considered far more serious was an anonymous fax sent to New Democrat MP Pa"
Nothing is free!
Buyer beware
Nothing is free!: "Nothing is free!
Investors warned about seminars
View Larger Image
If the public has any information regarding the investment scheme described in this alert, they should report or forward the information to their offices, regulators said.
Photograph by : Getty
Canadian Press
Published: Friday, January 26, 2007 Article tools
Printer friendly
E-mail
Font: * * * * VANCOUVER -- The British Columbia Securities Commission and the Alberta Securities Commission warned investors yesterday to beware of a 'suspicious' investment scheme offered at free seminars that involves moving money offshore to avoid taxes.
The regulators said they have received reports about a scheme being offered at free public seminars, in which investors are told they can participate in 'extraordinary investment returns' by joining an organization that allows them to learn about and access a system to become 'portfolio account managers' and restructure their assets.
These investors are told they can do so through a variety of methods, including investments in the precious metals industry, consumer debt or capital markets and international mutual funds, the regulators said.
If the public has any information regarding the investment scheme described in this alert, they should report or forward the information to their offices, the regulators said."
Nothing is free!: "Nothing is free!
Investors warned about seminars
View Larger Image
If the public has any information regarding the investment scheme described in this alert, they should report or forward the information to their offices, regulators said.
Photograph by : Getty
Canadian Press
Published: Friday, January 26, 2007 Article tools
Printer friendly
Font: * * * * VANCOUVER -- The British Columbia Securities Commission and the Alberta Securities Commission warned investors yesterday to beware of a 'suspicious' investment scheme offered at free seminars that involves moving money offshore to avoid taxes.
The regulators said they have received reports about a scheme being offered at free public seminars, in which investors are told they can participate in 'extraordinary investment returns' by joining an organization that allows them to learn about and access a system to become 'portfolio account managers' and restructure their assets.
These investors are told they can do so through a variety of methods, including investments in the precious metals industry, consumer debt or capital markets and international mutual funds, the regulators said.
If the public has any information regarding the investment scheme described in this alert, they should report or forward the information to their offices, the regulators said."
Thursday, January 25, 2007
You can smoke at the Casino because it is a factory
More Hypocracy and broken promises
It is interesting to note that whenever the government "take " grap or revenue is threatened "new self-serving rules' can be applied to protect their own money making monopoly. It is okay to smoke in government cash making Casinos but not private bars or places that would cater to smokers . Casinos are " legal " factories to make money for the government.
Therefore , I suggest that everyone who wants to cater to these customers declare themselves a factory and make the whole area a smoker's designated meeting place. Lets learn from the hypocrites and use their same rationale against them. Fight fire with fire. or better yet just fire them in the next election and bring back reasonable laws of conduct that apply equally to everyone - people and businesses .
It is interesting to note that whenever the government "take " grap or revenue is threatened "new self-serving rules' can be applied to protect their own money making monopoly. It is okay to smoke in government cash making Casinos but not private bars or places that would cater to smokers . Casinos are " legal " factories to make money for the government.
Therefore , I suggest that everyone who wants to cater to these customers declare themselves a factory and make the whole area a smoker's designated meeting place. Lets learn from the hypocrites and use their same rationale against them. Fight fire with fire. or better yet just fire them in the next election and bring back reasonable laws of conduct that apply equally to everyone - people and businesses .
Poker - the government rules
Osprey Media. - Brantford Expositor: "OPP warns about poker events
Local News - Thursday, January 25, 2007 Updated @ 11:10:29 AM
Thinking about holding a poker event to raise money for some worthy cause?
If so, the OPP is advising you to think again and check with legal counsel because such an event could be illegal.
Casino nights run by charitable groups with games including blackjack and Crown and Anchor are exempt with a licence for gambling issued by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO).
However, there are no such exemptions for poker-type events. Therefore, it is illegal under the Criminal Code to hold such events, the OPP said in a statement released Thursday.
Any gambling in a licensed establishment is illegal under the Liquor Licence Act of Ontario. An establishment that directly or indirectly charges a fee or is paid by players for the privilege of playing or participating in a poker game including donations, is also considered illegal under the Criminal Code of Canada. Even in the event the entry fees are returned to the players as prizes doesn’t make the event legal.
Any organization should consult with legal counsel prior to holding any poker gaming event to ensure it won’t violate the criminal code.
Licensing information can be obtained by calling 1-800-522-2876. "
Local News - Thursday, January 25, 2007 Updated @ 11:10:29 AM
Thinking about holding a poker event to raise money for some worthy cause?
If so, the OPP is advising you to think again and check with legal counsel because such an event could be illegal.
Casino nights run by charitable groups with games including blackjack and Crown and Anchor are exempt with a licence for gambling issued by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO).
However, there are no such exemptions for poker-type events. Therefore, it is illegal under the Criminal Code to hold such events, the OPP said in a statement released Thursday.
Any gambling in a licensed establishment is illegal under the Liquor Licence Act of Ontario. An establishment that directly or indirectly charges a fee or is paid by players for the privilege of playing or participating in a poker game including donations, is also considered illegal under the Criminal Code of Canada. Even in the event the entry fees are returned to the players as prizes doesn’t make the event legal.
Any organization should consult with legal counsel prior to holding any poker gaming event to ensure it won’t violate the criminal code.
Licensing information can be obtained by calling 1-800-522-2876. "
Sunday, January 14, 2007
winnipegsun.com - Editorial - Corporate welfare in the billions
winnipegsun.com - Editorial - Corporate welfare in the billions: "
Sun, January 14, 2007
Corporate welfare in the billions
The Canadian Taxpayers Federation put out a report last week that should curl the hair of any taxpayer who hates government waste.
The CTF has compiled a list of financial assistance paid out by Industry Canada to private companies covering a period from 1982 to 2005.
You may want to sit down for this:
The CTF report notes that between 1982 and 2005, 'Ottawa authorized $18.4 billion in grants and loans to various companies and organizations. Of this, only $7.1 billion is repayable. However, to date, less than $1.3 billion has been repaid to taxpayers.'
The CTF found that almost $10 billion of the $18 billion paid out was basically free money -- grants and contribution that never had to be repaid.
That's scary enough, but the report notes that 'these numbers do not include handouts and loans made through Ottawa's regional development agencies' such as Western Economic Diversification.
So the actual amount of corporate welfare in this country is even higher than $18.4 billion.
The top 50 recipients of cash from Industry Canada comprise a who's who of corporate Canada, and those companies are not only highly profitable, but they account for one-third of all assistance.
Why on Earth major major manufacturers, huge electronics firms, and giant computer companies need money from the government of Canada is beyond us. But it's all there in black and white. (For the full details, see the CTF's website: www.taxpayer.com.)
In the report, the CTF correctly identifies why corporate welfare is bad policy: market decisions end up being made by bureaucrats and politicians, not investors; the decision"
Sun, January 14, 2007
Corporate welfare in the billions
The Canadian Taxpayers Federation put out a report last week that should curl the hair of any taxpayer who hates government waste.
The CTF has compiled a list of financial assistance paid out by Industry Canada to private companies covering a period from 1982 to 2005.
You may want to sit down for this:
The CTF report notes that between 1982 and 2005, 'Ottawa authorized $18.4 billion in grants and loans to various companies and organizations. Of this, only $7.1 billion is repayable. However, to date, less than $1.3 billion has been repaid to taxpayers.'
The CTF found that almost $10 billion of the $18 billion paid out was basically free money -- grants and contribution that never had to be repaid.
That's scary enough, but the report notes that 'these numbers do not include handouts and loans made through Ottawa's regional development agencies' such as Western Economic Diversification.
So the actual amount of corporate welfare in this country is even higher than $18.4 billion.
The top 50 recipients of cash from Industry Canada comprise a who's who of corporate Canada, and those companies are not only highly profitable, but they account for one-third of all assistance.
Why on Earth major major manufacturers, huge electronics firms, and giant computer companies need money from the government of Canada is beyond us. But it's all there in black and white. (For the full details, see the CTF's website: www.taxpayer.com.)
In the report, the CTF correctly identifies why corporate welfare is bad policy: market decisions end up being made by bureaucrats and politicians, not investors; the decision"
Osprey Media. - Brantford Expositor
Osprey Media. - Brantford Expositor: "Delhi family can stay in country
By Michael-Allan Marion
Local News - Friday, January 12, 2007 Updated @ 11:40:41 PM
A Delhi family of seven won’t be deported to its native Holland after a flurry of phone calls and letters straightened out a mix-up over paperwork.
“We are very happy,” Jo Geven said Thursday, only a few hours after getting a call from an Immigration Canada official.
Geven said he was told that the paperwork surrounding his application for an extension of his work permit has been processed and the family won’t have to leave.
“He told me, ‘don’t worry',' he said. 'All the papers will be sent to their office in London and put in order.
“We had talked a lot of times on the phone over the past few days, but hearing those words was so good.”
After getting the news, the family had a party, said Geven. "
By Michael-Allan Marion
Local News - Friday, January 12, 2007 Updated @ 11:40:41 PM
A Delhi family of seven won’t be deported to its native Holland after a flurry of phone calls and letters straightened out a mix-up over paperwork.
“We are very happy,” Jo Geven said Thursday, only a few hours after getting a call from an Immigration Canada official.
Geven said he was told that the paperwork surrounding his application for an extension of his work permit has been processed and the family won’t have to leave.
“He told me, ‘don’t worry',' he said. 'All the papers will be sent to their office in London and put in order.
“We had talked a lot of times on the phone over the past few days, but hearing those words was so good.”
After getting the news, the family had a party, said Geven. "
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
It’s not just the money, it’s the way they go about it
Wouldn't it be nice if we actually got some results for what we pay for ?
OspreyBlogs » Blog Archive » It’s not just the money, it’s the way they go about it: "“Being an MP is a vast subsidized ego-trip. It’s a job that needs no qualifications, it has no compulsory hours of work, no performance standards, and provides a warm room, a telephone and subsidized meals to a bunch of self-important windbags and busybodies who suddenly find people taking them seriously because they’ve go the letters ‘MP’ after their name.”
The best comedy does strike close to home, don’t you think?
Politicians claim they deserve respect. They want us to believe they work hard and earn their money. Yet why must they pull these strokes, and always in between elections? Why must they dodge and weave and duck and fudge the truth and in some cases just outright lie? I don’t think it’s necessarily the money that voters resent (although that surely is a contentious issue for many), but the way politicians go about getting it.
They want more money? Fine. Bring it up during a campaign. Tell us what they want to do. Show us how hard they work. Justify the pay. Hold public hearings.
Let the public have input into what it will pay its representatives. Quit being so sneaky. Quit behaving like, well, like politicians.
Maybe that’s asking too much.
To see the Coulter Osborne report on MPP salaries is at http://oico.on.ca/oic/oicweb2.nsf/(CommReports)/35/$FILE/report.pdf?OpenElement"
OspreyBlogs » Blog Archive » It’s not just the money, it’s the way they go about it: "“Being an MP is a vast subsidized ego-trip. It’s a job that needs no qualifications, it has no compulsory hours of work, no performance standards, and provides a warm room, a telephone and subsidized meals to a bunch of self-important windbags and busybodies who suddenly find people taking them seriously because they’ve go the letters ‘MP’ after their name.”
The best comedy does strike close to home, don’t you think?
Politicians claim they deserve respect. They want us to believe they work hard and earn their money. Yet why must they pull these strokes, and always in between elections? Why must they dodge and weave and duck and fudge the truth and in some cases just outright lie? I don’t think it’s necessarily the money that voters resent (although that surely is a contentious issue for many), but the way politicians go about getting it.
They want more money? Fine. Bring it up during a campaign. Tell us what they want to do. Show us how hard they work. Justify the pay. Hold public hearings.
Let the public have input into what it will pay its representatives. Quit being so sneaky. Quit behaving like, well, like politicians.
Maybe that’s asking too much.
To see the Coulter Osborne report on MPP salaries is at http://oico.on.ca/oic/oicweb2.nsf/(CommReports)/35/$FILE/report.pdf?OpenElement"
Retirement Gordon Powers - Sympatico / MSN Finance - Seven tax breaks you've been missing
Retirement Gordon Powers - Sympatico / MSN Finance - Seven tax breaks you've been missing: "Seven tax breaks you've been missing By Gordon Powers December 05, 2006
Although April is traditionally when people think of taxes, there's actually very little you can do after December 31st to reduce your tax bite. Making some smart moves before the end of the year – particularly after some recent rule changes – can make a difference though." (check it out )
Although April is traditionally when people think of taxes, there's actually very little you can do after December 31st to reduce your tax bite. Making some smart moves before the end of the year – particularly after some recent rule changes – can make a difference though." (check it out )
Iraq to hang two Saddam aides Thursday - Yahoo! Canada News
Iraq to hang two Saddam aides Thursday - Yahoo! Canada News: "Saddam's half-brother and former head of intelligence, Barzan Ibrahim al-Tikriti, and Awad Ahmed al-Bandar, the former chief judge of revolutionary court, will be hanged at dawn on Thursday, the official said Wednesday."
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