Gifts for the Strike Captain who has everything

Music thing came across THE perfect gift for that special Strike Captain on your gift list. Make your message heard, keep those unruly picketers inline, get your picture on the front page of the local papers with a Megaphone Helmet.

Don't help New Democrats, CAW tells members

-- Stung by the expulsion of its leader from the New Democratic Party, the Canadian Auto Workers union has retaliated by formally asking its members to pull their support from the NDP.

"We are asking elected CAW leaders and CAW staff ... to end their involvement in the party," the union's national executive board said in a statement posted Friday on its website. --

Full Story @ CBC News from March 24, 2006

see also: CAW

How to spot a baby conservative

-- Remember the whiny, insecure kid in nursery school, the one who always thought everyone was out to get him, and was always running to the teacher with complaints? Chances are he grew up to be a conservative.

At least, he did if he was one of 95 kids from the Berkeley area that social scientists have been tracking for the last 20 years. The confident, resilient, self-reliant kids mostly grew up to be liberals. --

Full Story @ Toronto Star from March 19, 2006

Court to scabs: pay up

-- The union is making sure that it doesn't pay to be a scab. Four members who failed to respect co-worker's picket lines in the 2004 strike were taken to court in Ontario by the PSAC. The judge ruled that the four have to pay up. --

Full Story @ CEIU from March 07, 2006

Pill-popping society fouling our water, official says (Make Mine Bottled Please)

-- Birth control pills, cancer drugs and a host of other pharmaceuticals that people flush down the drain every day are showing up in our drinking water, says Gord Miller, Ontario's environmental commissioner.

"We need to do a better job of keeping drugs out of lakes, rivers and drinking water," Miller told the Kitchener-Waterloo Record on Wednesday. --

Full Story @ CBC News from March 23, 2006

Ontario offers to buy homemade electricity (It's About Time)

-- Ontario is offering to subsidize homeowners and businesses that switch to renewable power sources like solar panels or wind turbines.

It's the first program of its type in the country and Premier Dalton McGuinty says he hopes the plan will see a quarter of a million homes powered by renewable energy within a decade. --

Full Story @ CBC News from March 21, 2006

see also: CNW Group // Toronto Star // Premier of Ontario

McGuinty Government Helping People Break Free Of Substance And Welfare Dependencies

-- The McGuinty government is helping social assistance recipients with substance abuse problems to tackle their addictions head-on, announced Sandra Pupatello, Minister of Community and Social Services.

The Addiction Services Initiative is one of a number of employment assistance activities available to Ontario Works recipients. It is designed to help people whose substance abuse makes it difficult for them to stay employed. The program recognizes that people need individualized support and a range of different services in order to manage their addictions, so they can find and keep a job.

Because of the program's success, the government is now introducing the Addiction Services Initiative into five additional communities: Peel, London, Ottawa, Wellington-Dufferin and Chatham-Kent. --

Full Press Release @ CNW Group from March 21, 2006

Soaps, Talk Shows May Dull Aging Brains (I Knew It!)

-- Could Oprah and General Hospital be bad for your brain?

New research suggests that elderly women who watch daytime soap operas and talk shows are more likely to suffer from cognitive impairment than women who abstain from such fare.

Researchers stress that it's not clear if watching these TV shows leads to weaker brainpower, or vice-versa. And they say it's possible that another explanation might be at work. --


Full Story @ Yahoo! Health News from HealthDay from March 20, 2006

Tory child care strategy takes women out of workforce, critics say

-- Fewer Canadian women will be able to contribute to the national economy if the federal Conservative government scraps a national child-care program set up by their Liberal predecessors, women's advocates said Monday.

A report prepared for YWCA Canada says more women will have to stay home without the increased day care spots made available under the five-year Liberal program introduced last year, which the Conservatives have promised to cancel after this year. --


Full Story @ Canada.com from March 20, 2006

Child-care debate hits close to home for Finley

-- The debate over the best way the government can aid parents needing child care hits close to home for Minister of Human Resources and Social Development Diane Finley.
The Member of Parliament for Haldimand-Norfolk is heading up the introduction of the Conservative’s new child-care program. The gist of the program is to provide parents a direct subsidy of $1,200 a year per child under six and spend $125 million to create more child-care spaces. The new program replaces the former Liberal government’s plan for a national day-care registry.

But the head of the agency that oversees licensed day care in Finely’s riding disagrees with the direction the Conservative government is headed. --


Full Story @ Tillsonburg News from March 20, 2006

Shred, don't pitch, papers

-- Calling all shred heads.

In an effort to combat identity theft, the Canadian government has announced nationwide events, including one in London, allowing anyone to shred such sensitive personal papers as tax returns and bank records. --

Full Story @ London Free Press from March 17, 2006

Coast-to-coast flights set

-- London travellers can now fly coast-to-coast, on a brand new airline.

Sunwing Airlines will offer direct flights to Halifax and Vancouver from London International Airport, the airport announced yesterday. --


Full Story @ London Free Press from March 18, 2006

Tilbury couple roll up a SUV win

-- A Tilbury couple will be rolling down the road in a new Toyota after rolling up a winner on a cup of coffee purchased from a Tim Hortons outlet in nearby Chatham. --


Full Story @ London Free Press from March 17, 2006

Pension shortfall deepens for Ontario teachers' fund

-- The Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan reported a 17.1 per cent return for 2005 on Thursday, even as it acknowledged that it is slipping even further behind in its ability to make payments to future retirees.

The fund, which has more than $96 billion in assets, said it made $14.1 billion from investments in 2005. The 17.1 per cent return is solidly above the 12.7 per cent increase in the benchmark indexes the fund tracks for comparison purposes.

Yet despite its enviable returns for last year, Teachers' continues to fall behind in its future ability to pay pensions to its members. --


Full Story @ CBC News from March 16, 2006

U.S. puts machine-guns on Great Lakes coast guard vessels (al-Qa'ida Has A Navy?)

-- For the first time since 1817, U.S. Coast Guard vessels on the Great Lakes are being outfitted with weapons – machine-guns capable of firing 600 bullets a minute.

Until now, coast guard officers have been armed with handguns and rifles, but the vessels themselves haven't been equipped with weapons. --


Full Story @ CBC News from March 15, 2006

Not all rims rrroll up equally (Say It Ain't So!)

-- The odds of winning a big prize when you roll up the rim on a cup of Tim Hortons coffee depend on where you live, CBC News Online has learned.

Canada's biggest fast-food chain is running its annual spring promotion that offers customers a chance to win prizes ranging from a cup of coffee to a $33,000 sport utility vehicle.

Albertans and Atlantic Canadians have nearly twice the opportunity of driving off in one of the 30 SUVs as people in Toronto or southwestern Ontario. --


Full Story @ CBC News from March 15, 2006

see also: Hamilton Spectator // Tim Hortons

Important Changes to the Public Service Health Care Plan

-- The National Joint Council is pleased to announce that an agreement on the Public Service Health Care Plan (PSHCP) has been reached between representatives of the bargaining agents of the National Joint Council, the Federal Superannuates National Association and the Treasury Board Secretariat. The Public Service Health Care Plan is an important program providing health care benefits and services to over 500,000 members and their dependants.

The agreement is the product of a collaborative process that began in 2004. The terms of the new five-year agreement will improve benefits and ensure that the PSHCP continues on a sound financial foundation for the future. The new terms of the PSHCP will come into effect April 1, 2006 and will mark the first major changes in benefits under the Plan in over a decade. --


Full Story @ PSAC from March 13, 2006

see also:NJC // TBS

Information Lines Help the 50plus find services and programs

-- A vital role for government is to provide easy access to information on programs and services. This is particularly important for seniors.

So CARP has urged federal, provincial, territorial and municipal governments to fund and market efficient telephone inquiry capabilities. The need for this access is taking on a new urgency as the population ages and government programs change.

And although Internet use among seniors is growing exponentially, the vast majority rely on the telephone. --


Full Story @ CARP

State Pension Age To Rise To 68 (UK Proposal)

-- A gradual rise in the state pension age to 68 has been put forward as part of a major proposed shake-up of UK pensions.

In return, the basic state pension would be increased and rise in line with earnings rather than inflation.

In its report the Pensions Commission also proposes a National Pension Savings Scheme, which many workers would be automatically enrolled into. --


Full Story @ BBC News from November 30, 2005

'Plan' of attack

-- They say the main issue in Alberta heading through the Conservative leadership campaign to the next election will be medicare.

That's what the media think, anyway -- but I don't.

I predict the main issue of the leadership and the next election will be the creation of an Alberta Pension Plan to replace the Canada Pension Plan in our province --


Full Story @ Calgary Sun from March 10, 2006

T4155 - Old Age Security Return of Income Guide for Non-Residents 2005

-- This guide is for you if you are a non-resident of Canada and you are receiving Old Age Security (OAS) payments. This guide will help you complete your 2005 Old Age Security Return of Income --


Full Story @ Canada Revenue Agency

Former HRDC employee charged with making fraudulent EI claims

-- Nearly all of the over $51,000 paid out in fraudulent Employment Insurance (EI) claims has been recovered and a former employee of the federal department responsible for the program is facing charges, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Greater Toronto Area Commercial Crime Section announced today --

Full Story @ RCMP from March 8, 2006

Airport whistleblower has security clearance revoked

-- A man who worked at the Ottawa International Airport and who called security at the facility an "illusion" and "customer-service based" on CBC's The Fifth Estate has been stripped of his security clearance, a move that could cost him his job. --

Full Story @ CBC News from March 10, 2006

Ottawa ordered to reinstate sovereigntist leader

-- The Department of Canadian Heritage has been ordered to reinstate a former employee who was fired because she belonged to a sovereigntist organization. --

Full Story @ CBC News from March 10, 2006

FBI computer project up to $500 million (Deja Vu All Over Again)

-- The FBI plans to spend up to $500 million building the final piece of its delayed, troubled technology upgrade, yet risks a repeat of earlier missteps that led to excessive costs, according to a government report released Monday. --

Full Story @ CNN from March 13, 2006

Older, single women cast off cat-food cliche

-- Single women in their 60s want to set a few things straight. They're not rocking in chairs. They're not eating cat food. They may be alone, but they're not lonely. In fact, you poor working stiffs, retirement rocks.

"This idea that we're all sitting around in damp basements and starving to death, deciding between cat food and medication is rubbish," says Ruth Goldsmith, 76. "It's about time we took the fear away. People are afraid of getting old." --

Full Story @ Toronto Star from March 11, 2006

Sunny news about pensions

-- QI am planning on moving to Kenya sometime in the future and need some advice.

I am retired and receive my Canada and old age security pensions now. Should I move to Kenya, will I be able to receive both these pensions there, and if so, what steps are necessary to ensure this? Where do I apply in Canada? I called the Kenyan Consulate twice, was put on hold for a length of time and then told to write in or come in personally. They are in Ottawa and I live in Toronto. --

Full Story @ Toronto Star from March 04, 2006

Ottawa's automated system leaves much lost in translation

-- Looking for a job? Willing to work in Rivet the South? How about Rivets the North?

No, they aren't new Quebec towns. They are the bizarre English translations of South Shore and North Shore - Rive Sud and Rive Nord - courtesy of an automated translation system used by a federal government online job bank. --

Full Story @ Montreal Gazette from March 03, 2006

Pieces Of Hard Plastic In 39 G Cadbury Caramilk, Caramilk Maple And Caramilk Café Chocolate Eggs

-- The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Cadbury Adams Canada Inc., are warning the public not to consume 39 g Cadbury Caramilk, Caramilk Maple and Caramilk Café chocolate eggs described below because these may contain pieces of hard plastic. --

Full Story @ CFIA from March 01, 2006

Interruptions eat up a quarter of the workday

-- You sit down at your computer to get some work done.

But there's an e-mail that just came in. Should you check it? Really quick?

Then the phone rings. After a few minutes, you try to refocus. But the person in the cubicle nearby is talking -- loudly -- about the weekend. Then somebody stops by your desk ''to ask a quick question."

Sound familiar? --

Full Story @ Boston Globe on February 26, 2006

CUPE President blasts Finley, supports child care workers at vigil

-- Social Development Minister Diane Finley’s comments yesterday signal a mindset that reflects “a prehistoric view of working women,” said Paul Moist, national president of the Canadian Union of Public Employees.

“The minister’s statements reflect a view that child care is a social evil that lures parents back to work when they should be staying at home to raise their children,” Moist said. “This is akin to people saying the earth is flat. The fact is working men and women need high quality, affordable and accessible child care, delivered by trained staff, so they can build their families’ future.” --

Full Story @ CUPE on February 24, 2006

I'm not dead, far from it

-- Lloyd MacEachern, 78, was shocked when he found out his monthly pension and Old Age Security cheques weren't in his bank account because he'd (gulp) died --

Full Story @ Hamilton Spectator on February 28, 2006

Canadian seniors must apply to receive benefits

-- Seniors may be missing out on government benefits to which they are entitled. Even more unfortunate is that once they realize they are entitled to the benefits, the law often operates to prevent them from collecting the full amount if they wait too long to apply. --

Full Story @ Brandon Sun on February 25, 2006

More Changes to HRSDC and SDC

-- Shortly after the Liberal government had restructured the Department of Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC) into two distinct departments to form the Human Resources and Skills Development and the Department of Social Development, the new Conservative government has just tabled an order to merge the Department of Social Development and the Department of Human Resources and Skills Development, under the Authority of the Minister and the Deputy Minister. As a result, it changes the name of the department yet again. The Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) and the Department of Social Development (SDC) will now be known as the Department of Human Resources and Social Development (HRSD) --

Full Story @ HRinfodesk on February 2006

Canada and Japan sign Social Security Agreement

-- The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, announced today the signing of an international Social Security Agreement with Japan. The agreement was signed in Tokyo, Japan by His Excellency, Joseph Caron, Canada's Ambassador to Japan, on behalf of the Government of Canada. --

Full Story @ Canada NewsWire Group on February 15, 2006

Social policy in hands of novice

-- Seldom are political commentators, social activists and child-care advocates reduced to baffled silence.

But the appointment of Diane Finley as Canada's new minister of human resources and social development is such a puzzle that no one knows what to say. --

Full Story @ Toronto Star on February 13, 2006

Bank of Canada - Unclaimed Balances

-- An "unclaimed balance" is a Canadian-dollar deposit or negotiable instrument, issued or held by a federally regulated bank or trust company. It can be in the form of a deposit account, bank draft, certified cheque, deposit receipt, money order, GIC, term deposit, credit card balance, or traveller's cheque.

When there has been no owner activity in relation to the balance for a period of 10 years, and the owner cannot be contacted by the institution holding it, the balance is turned over to the Bank of Canada, which acts as custodian on behalf of the owner. --

Full Story

Free Hepatitis A Vaccine for Chatham-Kent Residents

-- The Public Health Unit is offering the first dose of the Hepatitis A vaccine free-of-charge to individuals over the age of two in February and March 2006. The vaccine will provide protection against Hepatitis A, a serious liver disease. Two doses are needed to obtain long-lasting protection and those wanting to receive the vaccine will be given the opportunity to schedule a follow-up appointment and purchase the second dose. --

Full Story

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