This is an excellent expose of what afflicts the public in Ontario. Let all parties make visibilty and accountablity of our public institutions a priority platform PR
Osprey Media. - Brantford Expositor: "Public routinely kept in dark, Osprey survey shows
James Wallace
Queens Park - Thursday, March 08, 2007
Osprey News Network
Secrecy, stone-walling, manipulation and ignorance within Ontario institutions is undermining fundamental public rights to hold government accountable, a four-month survey by Osprey Media newspapers has found.
In many cases, municipalities, police forces, hospitals, universities and provincial bodies supported by taxpayer dollars routinely deny, reject, delay or challenge requests for information that should be public and easily accessible.
For example, police in Cornwall refused to identify a high school that had been vandalized by two teens on the grounds the school was “like a victim” and police are not required to identify victims of crime.
Such concerns are familiar to Brian Beamish, Assistant Commissioner Access at Ontario’s Office of Information and Privacy.
Beamish said the findings of the Osprey survey come as no surprise to him and called on public institutions across the province to “embrace the spirit of openness” contained within Ontario’s Freedom of Information Act.
“There are definitely situations described (in the Osprey survey) where out expectation would be that information would be disclosed even without the need for a formal FOI request,” Beamish said.
“They seem quite clear these are situations where information should be made freely available to the public as a matter of course,” he said.
Premier Dalton McGuinty also expressed concern at the failure of some public institutions to readily release in"
Thursday, March 08, 2007
Monday, March 05, 2007
winnipegsun.com - Editorial - Hey Dion: It's not the East versus West
What a concept -no more divide and conquer- how refreshing ! PR
winnipegsun.com - Editorial - Hey Dion: It's not the East versus West: "Mon, March 5, 2007
Hey Dion: It's not the East versus West
No part of Canada should ever be baited by politicians for short-term, partisan gain.
It was wrong when the old Reform party used to do it to Quebec. And it's wrong now that the same old Liberal party is doing it to Alberta -- again.
What else are Canadians to think when Liberal Leader Stephane Dion takes a trip out West and blames oilsands workers for 'living too fast for the easy money' and being bad for our economy?
Honest work is bad for our economy?
Perhaps Prof. Dion should spend a few weeks getting his hands dirty in the oilfields before lecturing Canadians on how 'easy' it is.
Then there's Liberal Natural Resources critic Mark Holland, who seems to imagine himself a right little terror of a fellow.
This for lecturing Alberta about how it must reduce oilsands production, now that the Liberals have rediscovered global warming after signing the Kyoto accord in 1998 then forgetting about it for eight years, until they were tossed out of office.
If Holland, who's from Ontario, really wants to make himself useful, let him explain to Ontario auto workers how many thousands of their jobs the Liberals are prepared to forfeit as part of their new-found zeal for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, after falling 35 per cent behind their own targets while in power.
Why isn't Holland, or, more important, Dion, holding daily news conferences demanding their Liberal cousin in Ontario -- Premier Dalton McGuinty -- shut down Canada's single largest greenhouse gas emitter, the Nanticoke coal-fired electricity generating station?
That, along with three other greenhouse gas-emitting, coal-fired energy plan"
winnipegsun.com - Editorial - Hey Dion: It's not the East versus West: "Mon, March 5, 2007
Hey Dion: It's not the East versus West
No part of Canada should ever be baited by politicians for short-term, partisan gain.
It was wrong when the old Reform party used to do it to Quebec. And it's wrong now that the same old Liberal party is doing it to Alberta -- again.
What else are Canadians to think when Liberal Leader Stephane Dion takes a trip out West and blames oilsands workers for 'living too fast for the easy money' and being bad for our economy?
Honest work is bad for our economy?
Perhaps Prof. Dion should spend a few weeks getting his hands dirty in the oilfields before lecturing Canadians on how 'easy' it is.
Then there's Liberal Natural Resources critic Mark Holland, who seems to imagine himself a right little terror of a fellow.
This for lecturing Alberta about how it must reduce oilsands production, now that the Liberals have rediscovered global warming after signing the Kyoto accord in 1998 then forgetting about it for eight years, until they were tossed out of office.
If Holland, who's from Ontario, really wants to make himself useful, let him explain to Ontario auto workers how many thousands of their jobs the Liberals are prepared to forfeit as part of their new-found zeal for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, after falling 35 per cent behind their own targets while in power.
Why isn't Holland, or, more important, Dion, holding daily news conferences demanding their Liberal cousin in Ontario -- Premier Dalton McGuinty -- shut down Canada's single largest greenhouse gas emitter, the Nanticoke coal-fired electricity generating station?
That, along with three other greenhouse gas-emitting, coal-fired energy plan"
Osprey Media. - Brantford Expositor
Another affront to human dignity and the concept of natural justice
Osprey Media. - Brantford Expositor: "Man can't afford to fight extradition order
By Susan Gamble
Local News - Monday, March 05, 2007 Updated @ 11:08:07 PM
Carrying no more than they could shove in a few suitcases and cram in backpacks, Mohammed Naim, his wife Ilona and their four children fled from a frightening, corrupt world in Budapest.
They came to Canada in 1997, settling in the Paris area, far from the extortion, threats and killings that marked their lives in Hungary.
The most important thing, the Naims reminded each other, was that they were safe and together.
Now that’s no longer true.
Mohammed Naim, 49, turned himself in to Brantford police Wednesday evening to face extradition to Hungary.
He’s panicked at the idea of leaving his family, but the Naims simply can’t afford to continue to pay their Toronto immigration lawyer any more money to fight the order.
Hungary has 40 days to send for Naim. Meanwhile, he languishes in the Brantford jail where, he told his family, he is mocked and spit upon by other prisoners.
How did a once-wealthy businessman come to such an ignoble position?
Naim’s wife and eldest daughter sat down with The Expositor on Saturday to explain their tale. "
Osprey Media. - Brantford Expositor: "Man can't afford to fight extradition order
By Susan Gamble
Local News - Monday, March 05, 2007 Updated @ 11:08:07 PM
Carrying no more than they could shove in a few suitcases and cram in backpacks, Mohammed Naim, his wife Ilona and their four children fled from a frightening, corrupt world in Budapest.
They came to Canada in 1997, settling in the Paris area, far from the extortion, threats and killings that marked their lives in Hungary.
The most important thing, the Naims reminded each other, was that they were safe and together.
Now that’s no longer true.
Mohammed Naim, 49, turned himself in to Brantford police Wednesday evening to face extradition to Hungary.
He’s panicked at the idea of leaving his family, but the Naims simply can’t afford to continue to pay their Toronto immigration lawyer any more money to fight the order.
Hungary has 40 days to send for Naim. Meanwhile, he languishes in the Brantford jail where, he told his family, he is mocked and spit upon by other prisoners.
How did a once-wealthy businessman come to such an ignoble position?
Naim’s wife and eldest daughter sat down with The Expositor on Saturday to explain their tale. "
Sunday, March 04, 2007
winnipegsun.com - Editorial - PM should relax, enjoy view from top
winnipegsun.com - Editorial - PM should relax, enjoy view from top: "PM should relax, enjoy view from top
By Licia Corbella
Two polls in two days. Both are favourable to the governing federal Tories. Both show the numbers for the federal Liberals, under the inept leadership of the flip-flopping Stephane Dion, freefalling.
As a result, many Parliament Hill pundits and opposition politicians are predicting that Stephen Harper and his Conservative Party will 'force' an election sooner rather than later. "
By Licia Corbella
Two polls in two days. Both are favourable to the governing federal Tories. Both show the numbers for the federal Liberals, under the inept leadership of the flip-flopping Stephane Dion, freefalling.
As a result, many Parliament Hill pundits and opposition politicians are predicting that Stephen Harper and his Conservative Party will 'force' an election sooner rather than later. "
Friday, March 02, 2007
"Breaking the Link Between Poverty MSN Hotmail - Message
"Breaking the Link Between Poverty
and Obesity
It's not easy being healthy and fit in America, and for those in lower income groups, staying fit is a huge challenge. Research shows that in the United States, minorities and the poor have higher rates of obesity and type 2 diabetes. Among women, higher obesity rates tend to be associated with both low income and lower education. (The relationship between obesity and income is a little murkier with men for no known reason.) A casual observer could be forgiven for reaching the conclusion that poverty causes obesity. But the truth is a lot more complicated. There are some good reasons why the link between poverty and obesity is so strong -- not the least of which is the fact that poverty is also generally accompanied by the low cost of high-calorie foods containing high amounts of fat and sugar.
'Obesity is a political and social problem,' says Mark Hyman, MD. 'There's a medical-industrial complex designed to keep people sick and fat,' Dr. Hyman told me. 'We're spending billions of dollars a year subsidizing soybean and corn production, some of which winds up in our food supply as high-fructose corn syrup and hydrogenated soybean oil.' High fructose corn syrup is a main sweetener in many foods and is found in high-caloric processed foods and sweetened beverages... hydrogenated soybean oil is a source of trans-fats. Both are among the cheapest source of calories on earth.
Indeed, research presented at the Institute of Food and"
and Obesity
It's not easy being healthy and fit in America, and for those in lower income groups, staying fit is a huge challenge. Research shows that in the United States, minorities and the poor have higher rates of obesity and type 2 diabetes. Among women, higher obesity rates tend to be associated with both low income and lower education. (The relationship between obesity and income is a little murkier with men for no known reason.) A casual observer could be forgiven for reaching the conclusion that poverty causes obesity. But the truth is a lot more complicated. There are some good reasons why the link between poverty and obesity is so strong -- not the least of which is the fact that poverty is also generally accompanied by the low cost of high-calorie foods containing high amounts of fat and sugar.
'Obesity is a political and social problem,' says Mark Hyman, MD. 'There's a medical-industrial complex designed to keep people sick and fat,' Dr. Hyman told me. 'We're spending billions of dollars a year subsidizing soybean and corn production, some of which winds up in our food supply as high-fructose corn syrup and hydrogenated soybean oil.' High fructose corn syrup is a main sweetener in many foods and is found in high-caloric processed foods and sweetened beverages... hydrogenated soybean oil is a source of trans-fats. Both are among the cheapest source of calories on earth.
Indeed, research presented at the Institute of Food and"
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
yes
We live in a period of improbable technologies such as self-cooled beer, artificial retinas of the eye, full automated factories. All these open new methods of preservation and transfering of energy.
AC Energy Introduction to Technology
Wednesday February 28, 6:02 am ET
GARDNERVILLE, NV--Feb 28, 2007 -- AC Energy (ACEN P K - News) is committed to leading the world in research and development of TOP quality alternative power sources for cell phones and other small and large electronics.
Our target is to revolutionize the battery industry by providing consumers with products of unparalleled convenience and efficiency.
Through the establishment of select strategic partnerships, AC Energy will maximize its market reach, penetrating every
sector of the cell phone and electronics power source industry.
Using their advanced battery technology, a phone could operate for its entire
life without ever needing to be plugged into an outlet or cigarette lighter -- it could actually charge itself. Imagine,
a cell phone that never needs charging!
Furthermore, their product will have the capability to meet the energy needs of the entire small and large electronics market, with minimal
adaptations to the original technology.
AC Energy's Technology "The battery that never needs to be charged" could work in cell phones, laptops, music players or any other portable device.
It will be a self-contained unit that will replace the original battery of the device. It can be made to work with any existing product.
It's not some kind of story or something like this, we provide you with 100% information.
Energy is our future, don't waste time.
Conversation problems
In 21st century
energy supply problems are standing for every man.
Prices for oil, gas, coal are rising higher and higher.
The governments of many countries discuss using of the renewed kinds of energy such as biofuel, energy of the sun and so on. But the issue of saving energy also is of great importance. Because of it energy conservations is needed vitaly. One of perspective directions is the technology hydrogen. But Proton Exchange Membrane is required in order to modernize this technology. It's developing now by the following company.
AC Energy, Inc is an electrochemical power company pioneering strategic energy
pathways in the milliwatts to kilowatts range. AC Energy is creating
energy solutions designed for all spheres of modern life.
The fuel cell technology, Proton Exchange Membrane ("PEM") is
touted as the "Catalyst for the Hydrogen Age".
PEM, declared as the major candidate to replace the internal
combustion engine, has created investor interest. Famous developers, knowledgeable in commercialization issues, possess the expertise to capitalize on new concepts.
The strategies of AC Energy have an excellent understanding of these
issues and elive that because the Company has right team that certain market niches can be dominated by it.
Read more about Proton exchange membrane at wikipedia.
AC Energy symbol is ACEN
Watch, trade, invest, buy it today on Feb 28 2007 for tomorrow and beyond tomorrow.
Friday, February 23, 2007
Osprey Media. - Brantford Expositor
Osprey Media. - Brantford Expositor: "Finally, it's a deal
City, county ink tentative pact on boundaries
By Michael-Allan Marion
Local News - Friday, February 23, 2007 Updated @ 10:45:16 PM
At long last, Brantford and Brant County have an agreement in principle on boundary changes and long-term growth that will change the future of more than 4,000 acres of rural land.
Negotiating teams for the two councils, aided by a provincial facilitator, Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing officials and staff from both municipalities, spent Thursday morning at the Best Western Brant Park Inn haggling over the final wording to resolve their remaining differences.
Then, after the negotiating team members finished nodding their heads through one final reading of the text, Brantford Mayor Mike Hancock and Brant Mayor Ron Eddy pulled out their pens.
They signed an agreement in principle that, if approved, would transfer more than 3,000 acres of county land to the north and east of Brantford into the city effective Jan. 1, 2008. That would handle the city's industrial and residential development needs for the next 30 years.
The vast majority of what has long been mostly agricultural land is now in the hands of development companies that have bought major tracts, particularly over the past four years, in anticipation of the deal.
The tentative pact also would allow the county to create new industrial and urban settlement in two areas of about 1,000 acres in its jurisdiction-- a parcel south of Paris and an expanded one in Cainsville -- which now is excluded from development.
And the pact gives the county a special deal under which the city would supply more water to Cainsville a"
City, county ink tentative pact on boundaries
By Michael-Allan Marion
Local News - Friday, February 23, 2007 Updated @ 10:45:16 PM
At long last, Brantford and Brant County have an agreement in principle on boundary changes and long-term growth that will change the future of more than 4,000 acres of rural land.
Negotiating teams for the two councils, aided by a provincial facilitator, Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing officials and staff from both municipalities, spent Thursday morning at the Best Western Brant Park Inn haggling over the final wording to resolve their remaining differences.
Then, after the negotiating team members finished nodding their heads through one final reading of the text, Brantford Mayor Mike Hancock and Brant Mayor Ron Eddy pulled out their pens.
They signed an agreement in principle that, if approved, would transfer more than 3,000 acres of county land to the north and east of Brantford into the city effective Jan. 1, 2008. That would handle the city's industrial and residential development needs for the next 30 years.
The vast majority of what has long been mostly agricultural land is now in the hands of development companies that have bought major tracts, particularly over the past four years, in anticipation of the deal.
The tentative pact also would allow the county to create new industrial and urban settlement in two areas of about 1,000 acres in its jurisdiction-- a parcel south of Paris and an expanded one in Cainsville -- which now is excluded from development.
And the pact gives the county a special deal under which the city would supply more water to Cainsville a"
general motors investor warning
"As I've written in The Digest, the daily e-letter I send to subscribers, GM is already bankrupt. Over the last 10 years, General Motors has been unable to make a profit selling cars. Its gross profits have declined by 46%, from $40 billion in 1996 to only $22 billion in 2005. It hasn't been earning enough money to pay for its overhead, capital expenses (upkeep of factories), or dividend payments. The result? An exploding debt level. In 10 years, the company's total liabilities have grown from $199 billion to more than $450 billion.
GM has been burning the family furniture to keep the furnace running. It has gone past the point of no return. General Motors will never earn enough money selling cars to repay these debts. In fact, the company cannot make enough money to merely service these debts. The final nail in the coffin came in 2005, when GM's credit rating was first downgraded to 'junk' status. Since then, as its obligations have come due, the company has had to refinance at steadily increasing rates of interest. Its financing costs have soared. Over the last three years, GM's annual interest expense grew by 77%, from $9 billion to $16 billion.
GM can downsize, it can close factories, it can lay off union workers and renegotiate pensions. But its debts cannot be downsized. And its bondholders aren't going to settle for less than the full amount they are owed. GM cannot pay. Its shareholders will be wiped out, and its bondholders will end up owning the company. GM will be bankrupt within three years – or perhaps sooner if the economy slows.
GM has been burning the family furniture to keep the furnace running. It has gone past the point of no return. General Motors will never earn enough money selling cars to repay these debts. In fact, the company cannot make enough money to merely service these debts. The final nail in the coffin came in 2005, when GM's credit rating was first downgraded to 'junk' status. Since then, as its obligations have come due, the company has had to refinance at steadily increasing rates of interest. Its financing costs have soared. Over the last three years, GM's annual interest expense grew by 77%, from $9 billion to $16 billion.
GM can downsize, it can close factories, it can lay off union workers and renegotiate pensions. But its debts cannot be downsized. And its bondholders aren't going to settle for less than the full amount they are owed. GM cannot pay. Its shareholders will be wiped out, and its bondholders will end up owning the company. GM will be bankrupt within three years – or perhaps sooner if the economy slows.
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Inquiry in Major need of all the facts
What infomation are they hiding and why ? So much for an open and visible government responsive to the people . PR
winnipegsun.com - Editorial - Inquiry in Major need of all the facts: "Federal bureaucrats are insisting that if 'secret' documents are made public at the ongoing Air India inquiry, it could compromise Canada's security.
Surely the greater concern is that if civil servants are allowed to keep too many documents secret using the excuse of 'national security,' the inquiry will never get to the bottom of how Canada's intelligence agencies botched their investigation of the 1985 Air India bombings.
The point of Prime Minister Stephen Harper calling this inquiry was to ensure such blunders as the erasing of key evidence and damaging turf wars between CSIS and the RCMP never happen again.
John Major, a retired Supreme Court of Canada judge who heads the inquiry, has privately seen the disputed documents and does not believe all of them need to be secret. Based on his mandate, which is to oversee a public inquiry into the Air India disaster, Major has given the federal government until March 5 to address this issue, or he will shut down his probe. "
winnipegsun.com - Editorial - Inquiry in Major need of all the facts: "Federal bureaucrats are insisting that if 'secret' documents are made public at the ongoing Air India inquiry, it could compromise Canada's security.
Surely the greater concern is that if civil servants are allowed to keep too many documents secret using the excuse of 'national security,' the inquiry will never get to the bottom of how Canada's intelligence agencies botched their investigation of the 1985 Air India bombings.
The point of Prime Minister Stephen Harper calling this inquiry was to ensure such blunders as the erasing of key evidence and damaging turf wars between CSIS and the RCMP never happen again.
John Major, a retired Supreme Court of Canada judge who heads the inquiry, has privately seen the disputed documents and does not believe all of them need to be secret. Based on his mandate, which is to oversee a public inquiry into the Air India disaster, Major has given the federal government until March 5 to address this issue, or he will shut down his probe. "
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Q-jumpers
Q-jumpers: "Lessons or the Moral of the story as we see it:
You are in charge of your health, vitality and life
o Be proactive and eventually you will succeed
o We have all experienced the new words in action.
This is particularly true if you need services or work in a government environment
o Have some fun- use the new words to make others accountable to you -point out 404 errors. Make the Adminisphere accountable and get rid of the seagulls through cropdusting. Reduce or avoid blamestorming before it gets started
Back to Eden-New Beginnings (Ridgetown) 23 Richards Street 519-674-3434
We are a community of like minded peers, with an environment that is cozy, caring and comfortable. We are not GENERICA. We are special designed community just for you . We are not institutional.
Community Updates:
1. We endorse the Carp position on No More waiting on Health Care. Be heard join the better health crusade. "
You are in charge of your health, vitality and life
o Be proactive and eventually you will succeed
o We have all experienced the new words in action.
This is particularly true if you need services or work in a government environment
o Have some fun- use the new words to make others accountable to you -point out 404 errors. Make the Adminisphere accountable and get rid of the seagulls through cropdusting. Reduce or avoid blamestorming before it gets started
Back to Eden-New Beginnings (Ridgetown) 23 Richards Street 519-674-3434
We are a community of like minded peers, with an environment that is cozy, caring and comfortable. We are not GENERICA. We are special designed community just for you . We are not institutional.
Community Updates:
1. We endorse the Carp position on No More waiting on Health Care. Be heard join the better health crusade. "
The liberal credibility gap or hole widens
The Ontario Liberal Education minister excuses her dismal performance by blaming the deep hole of poor educational quality that was "of course " created by the conservatives in 2003. After filling in the "hole" with $2.75 billion dollars of our money, the results are marginal at best . In fact-only 18% of us according to the SES eductional poll-think that the level of Education has improved.
It seems to me that the liberals or performance Fiberals who are so very liberal with our money have a 82% credibility gap or performance hole of their own making to overcome in the upcomming election. A real Accounting is comming from the old school-those who are tired of the empty promises,high public cost and lack of performance of the existing hole fillers.
It seems to me that the liberals or performance Fiberals who are so very liberal with our money have a 82% credibility gap or performance hole of their own making to overcome in the upcomming election. A real Accounting is comming from the old school-those who are tired of the empty promises,high public cost and lack of performance of the existing hole fillers.
Sunday, February 18, 2007
'Your future is in your hand,' says talking urinal | The Register
And this is what happens to your money when the P----S are in charge PR
'Your future is in your hand,' says talking urinal | The Register: "future is in your hand,' says talking urinal
Well, quite
By Lester Haines → More by this authorPublished Wednesday 14th February 2007 11:55 GMTInterested in this story? Receive others like it on your desktop as they break. Back in July last year, we reported on the latest innovation in urinal technology: the 'Wizmark Urinal Communicator', designed to give forth whenever some unsuspecting bar customer points his pecker at the porcelain.
Specifically, the Wizmark is a 'waterproof, disposable drain cover embedded with electronics that senses a visitor and then relays an audio message'. It boasts a proximity sensor which detects someone approaching 'within about 30 to 60 centimetres'. After a suitable pause to allow the customer to position himself, the Communicator gives forth with a 'pre-recorded audio announcement'.
It also comes complete with 'nine-centimetre diameter display area containing a lenticular screen that features multiple images or text that, and as the person moves toward the urinal, they appear to change from one graphic to the other'.
Safety officials in Nassau County, New York, were suitably impressed and acquired 100 examples. They must have worked, because New Mexico has now ordered 500 at $21 a pop, due for deployment across the state.
According to Newmexican.com, the initiative is part of a local Department of Transportation drive (slogan 'You drink, you drive, you lose') to tackle drunk driving. TV ads and 'printed material' are to be backed by the vociferous bog cake in bars from Albuquerque to Santa Fe.
How, though, does the Wizmark discourage sozzled boozers from getting behind the wheel? Well, it's rather inspired, as you can find out here:
In case you di"
'Your future is in your hand,' says talking urinal | The Register: "future is in your hand,' says talking urinal
Well, quite
By Lester Haines → More by this authorPublished Wednesday 14th February 2007 11:55 GMTInterested in this story? Receive others like it on your desktop as they break. Back in July last year, we reported on the latest innovation in urinal technology: the 'Wizmark Urinal Communicator', designed to give forth whenever some unsuspecting bar customer points his pecker at the porcelain.
Specifically, the Wizmark is a 'waterproof, disposable drain cover embedded with electronics that senses a visitor and then relays an audio message'. It boasts a proximity sensor which detects someone approaching 'within about 30 to 60 centimetres'. After a suitable pause to allow the customer to position himself, the Communicator gives forth with a 'pre-recorded audio announcement'.
It also comes complete with 'nine-centimetre diameter display area containing a lenticular screen that features multiple images or text that, and as the person moves toward the urinal, they appear to change from one graphic to the other'.
Safety officials in Nassau County, New York, were suitably impressed and acquired 100 examples. They must have worked, because New Mexico has now ordered 500 at $21 a pop, due for deployment across the state.
According to Newmexican.com, the initiative is part of a local Department of Transportation drive (slogan 'You drink, you drive, you lose') to tackle drunk driving. TV ads and 'printed material' are to be backed by the vociferous bog cake in bars from Albuquerque to Santa Fe.
How, though, does the Wizmark discourage sozzled boozers from getting behind the wheel? Well, it's rather inspired, as you can find out here:
In case you di"
Monday, February 12, 2007
Widows of soldiers killed in Afghanistan face fight with banks over mortgages - Yahoo! Canada News
And the point is that by speaking up and making this visible -the banks and insurance ompanies changed their minds PR
Widows of soldiers killed in Afghanistan face fight with banks over mortgages - Yahoo! Canada News: "Widows of soldiers killed in Afghanistan face fight with banks over mortgages Sun Feb 11, 6:04 PM
By Alison Auld
HALIFAX (CP) - Widows of Canadian soldiers killed in Afghanistan are tied up in a confusing fight of their own with banks that have delayed payment of their mortgages or claim they're not covered by insurance at all because their husbands died in combat.
Several women say they've been told by their financial institutions the mortgage insurance they've spent years paying into does not apply because their spouses died while at war. "
Widows of soldiers killed in Afghanistan face fight with banks over mortgages - Yahoo! Canada News: "Widows of soldiers killed in Afghanistan face fight with banks over mortgages Sun Feb 11, 6:04 PM
By Alison Auld
HALIFAX (CP) - Widows of Canadian soldiers killed in Afghanistan are tied up in a confusing fight of their own with banks that have delayed payment of their mortgages or claim they're not covered by insurance at all because their husbands died in combat.
Several women say they've been told by their financial institutions the mortgage insurance they've spent years paying into does not apply because their spouses died while at war. "
Saturday, February 10, 2007
Travellers face 2-month wait for passports - Yahoo! Canada News
Travellers face 2-month wait for passports - Yahoo! Canada News: "Travellers face 2-month wait for passports
Fri Feb 9, 11:53 PM
Canadians scrambling to obtain passports before a March break holiday may be out of luck, with waiting times now stretching to 60 days, Passport Canada says.
ADVERTISEMENT
Passport Canada spokeswoman Francine Charbonneau said the agency is receiving high volumes of applications, averaging about 21,000 a day. On a busy day last year, the office would have received about 13,000 applications
'At this point your only chance if you want to travel for March break is to apply in person and even that's not a guarantee because of these backlogs,' she said.
If an application has recently been submitted by mail, people can call a 1-800 number to have their passport application returned to them.
In the case of an emergency such as a death in the family, illness or a last-minute business trip, passport officers can fast-track applications.
'It's up to the discretion of the passport officer,' Charbonneau said, noting that a last-minute flight to Florida would not qualify as an urgent situation.
Print centres running round-the-clock
While the office hired 200 new officers in November to help with the deluge, they're still having trouble meeting the demand.
'We're doing everything we can,' she said, noting that the office's print centres in Mississauga, Ont., and Gatineau, Que., have boosted their production.
'We are running our print centres on 24-hour clocks, which is something that's never been done before,' Charbonneau said.
A U.S. law that took effect on Jan. 23, 2007, requires that all Canadians flying to the U.S. have a valid passport."
Fri Feb 9, 11:53 PM
Canadians scrambling to obtain passports before a March break holiday may be out of luck, with waiting times now stretching to 60 days, Passport Canada says.
ADVERTISEMENT
Passport Canada spokeswoman Francine Charbonneau said the agency is receiving high volumes of applications, averaging about 21,000 a day. On a busy day last year, the office would have received about 13,000 applications
'At this point your only chance if you want to travel for March break is to apply in person and even that's not a guarantee because of these backlogs,' she said.
If an application has recently been submitted by mail, people can call a 1-800 number to have their passport application returned to them.
In the case of an emergency such as a death in the family, illness or a last-minute business trip, passport officers can fast-track applications.
'It's up to the discretion of the passport officer,' Charbonneau said, noting that a last-minute flight to Florida would not qualify as an urgent situation.
Print centres running round-the-clock
While the office hired 200 new officers in November to help with the deluge, they're still having trouble meeting the demand.
'We're doing everything we can,' she said, noting that the office's print centres in Mississauga, Ont., and Gatineau, Que., have boosted their production.
'We are running our print centres on 24-hour clocks, which is something that's never been done before,' Charbonneau said.
A U.S. law that took effect on Jan. 23, 2007, requires that all Canadians flying to the U.S. have a valid passport."
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
Osprey Media. - Brantford Expositor
Amazing - so why not hire more Justice of the Peaces or lay less frivolous or vexatious charges or reduce the number of laws which serve no purpose other then gouging more money from the victims who are trapped in the speedy justice system . PR
Osprey Media. - Brantford Expositor: "Justice of the peace shortage causing backlog in Norfolk court
Local News - Wednesday, February 07, 2007 Updated @ 9:25:12 AM
A provincewide shortage of justices of the peace is creating a backlog of cases in Norfolk's provincial offences court and costing the county money.
Council learned Tuesday that the local POA court is only staffed by justices of the peace once a week, on Thursday. When the responsibility for POA courts was first transferred from the province in 2001, justices of the peace were provided on other days when a lengthy or multi-day trial was scheduled.
But that changed in 2006 because there weren't enough JPs to go around. As a result, these matters were added to the schedule of regular trial matters, which has overloaded the docket.
Frank Gelinas, the county's general manager of corporate services, said some trial matters - including serious highway traffic offences - may have to be adjourned or withdrawn if the county can't schedule a trial within a reasonable time frame. 'Norfolk County loses its ability to administer justice in a fair and equitable manner and loses revenue as a result,' he said in his report to council. "
Osprey Media. - Brantford Expositor: "Justice of the peace shortage causing backlog in Norfolk court
Local News - Wednesday, February 07, 2007 Updated @ 9:25:12 AM
A provincewide shortage of justices of the peace is creating a backlog of cases in Norfolk's provincial offences court and costing the county money.
Council learned Tuesday that the local POA court is only staffed by justices of the peace once a week, on Thursday. When the responsibility for POA courts was first transferred from the province in 2001, justices of the peace were provided on other days when a lengthy or multi-day trial was scheduled.
But that changed in 2006 because there weren't enough JPs to go around. As a result, these matters were added to the schedule of regular trial matters, which has overloaded the docket.
Frank Gelinas, the county's general manager of corporate services, said some trial matters - including serious highway traffic offences - may have to be adjourned or withdrawn if the county can't schedule a trial within a reasonable time frame. 'Norfolk County loses its ability to administer justice in a fair and equitable manner and loses revenue as a result,' he said in his report to council. "
Osprey Media. - Brantford Expositor
Disaster strikes again - more for less - why not get rid of the redundant staff PR
Osprey Media. - Brantford Expositor: "Brant homeowners face 3.2 per cent tax increase
By John Paul Zronik
Local News - Wednesday, February 07, 2007 Updated @ 11:43:50 PM
Brant County homeowners will receive a 3.2 per cent tax increase this year, about $75 on a home assessed at $211,000.
Politicians passed the county’s 2007 budget during a meeting in Paris on Tuesday. Councillors approved an operating budget of about $48 million for 2007. Almost $29.5 million of that money will be raised through taxes, the rest through grants and other sources of revenue. "
Osprey Media. - Brantford Expositor: "Brant homeowners face 3.2 per cent tax increase
By John Paul Zronik
Local News - Wednesday, February 07, 2007 Updated @ 11:43:50 PM
Brant County homeowners will receive a 3.2 per cent tax increase this year, about $75 on a home assessed at $211,000.
Politicians passed the county’s 2007 budget during a meeting in Paris on Tuesday. Councillors approved an operating budget of about $48 million for 2007. Almost $29.5 million of that money will be raised through taxes, the rest through grants and other sources of revenue. "
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
News & Features - Rights activists urged to get serious - ArcaMax Publishing
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. "
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. "
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"
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