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Business and Trade |
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Opinion/Editorial
In this issue:
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News from Connect2Canada
Canada welcomes the world to Vancouver in 100 days
The Connect2Canada Team
To kick-off the 100-day countdown to the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, the Embassy of Canada in Washington, D.C., invited the world to Vancouver. Canadian Ambassador Gary Doer unveiled a giant 100-day countdown clock outside of the Embassy on Pennsylvania Avenue. Other highlights included appearances by the three official Vancouver 2010 Olympic mascots, a draw for a trip to Canada, and a live musical performance by Canada’s own pop-rock sensation Fefe Dobson, whose song “I Want You” is currently featured on the soundtrack of the film "Whip It." View photos from the event on our Facebook page.
C2C Podcast: Border Integrity Program
The Connect2Canada Team
RCMP Chief Superintendent Joe Oliver sat down with us to discuss the Border Integrity Program and Canada–U.S. cooperation to protect against terrorism, organized crime and other border-related criminality. Listen.
Special Features
Government of Canada Celebrates 100 Days to Go Before the Start of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games
Wednesday, November 04, 2009
Canadian Heritage
The Honourable Gary Lunn, Minister of State (Sport), accompanied by the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, and the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of State (Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec), celebrated a milestone today: 100 days to go before the start of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. Celebrations took place in front of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games Countdown Clock at the National Capital Infocentre with Canadian athletes Jeff Bean, former freestyle skier; Gaétan Boucher, former speed skater; and Sue Holloway, former cross-country skier.
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PM welcomes the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall to Canada
Monday, November 02, 2009
Office of the Prime Minister
Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Mrs. Laureen Harper today welcomed Their Royal Highnesses The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall at an event held at Mile One Centre in St. John’s as they begin the first leg of an 11-day visit to Canada.
“On behalf of all Canadians, I welcome Their Royal Highnesses to Canada for what I hope will be a memorable tour of our great country,” said the Prime Minister. “Royal Visits are always a great honour for Canadians. Given our deep devotion to members of the Royal Family, and their devotion to Canada, these visits are regarded as ‘homecomings’ by Canadians.”
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Statement by the Prime Minister of Canada
Wednesday, November 04, 2009
Office of the Prime Minister
Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued the following statement after Afghanistan's Independent Election Commission proclaimed President Hamid Karzai the victor of the 2009 elections in Afghanistan: “Canada recognizes the appropriate decision made by the Afghan Independent Election Commission (IEC) to forgo a second round of voting in the 2009 Presidential Election.
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International News
Ex-Manitoba premier takes up D.C. ambassador post
Wednesday, November 04, 2009
Mitch Potter, Toronto Star
Canada's new ambassador to Washington came away from his first encounter with President Barack Obama munching a handful of M&Ms — and no surprise there, the small boxes of candy bearing the signature of the 44th president are a token gift treasured by White House visitors.
But the sweet exchange came with a business edge as Gary Doer made his first overture to Obama on the sensitive issue of Buy America protectionism.
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Doer clears final hurdle
Wednesday, November 04, 2009
Mia Rabson, Winnipeg Free Press
Canadian Ambassador Gary Doer passed his final hurdle of diplomatic initiation Wednesday when he presented his credentials to President Barack Obama at the White House.
Doer, 61, has already been in Washington for more than two weeks and his credentials were accepted by the State Department Oct. 23. But the official acceptance of his credentials by the president was the big photo-op moment that finally sealed the diplomatic deal.
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Canada named one of the most peaceful nations in the world
Sunday, November 01, 2009
The Canadian Press
Canada has been named one of the most peaceful nations in the world for its support of UN peacekeeping missions, low levels of violent crime and political stability.
The Global Symposium of Peaceful Nations named Canada as the most peaceful country in the North and Central America and Caribbean region and put it eighth place worldwide on its global peace index.
Ambassador Gary Doer accepted the award at the symposium in Washington on Sunday.
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Whistler kicks off 100-day countdown to Olympics
Wednesday, November 04, 2009
CBC News
As the countdown for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver hit the 100-day mark Wednesday, celebrations to promote the international event were set to take place everywhere from Whistler, B.C. to Washington, D.C.
The main celebrations will be in Whistler, but Vancouver will also be marking the occasion by officially handing over the $1-billion athlete's village to the Olympic organizing committee.
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But we in Canada like Obama just fine: poll
Sunday, November 01, 2009
Colin Perkel, The Record
What a difference a president makes. Well not that much actually, according to a new poll on Canadian attitudes toward Americans.
The survey to be released Monday suggests Canadians view U.S. President Barack Obama far more favourably and with considerably less contempt than they did his predecessor, George W. Bush.
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Canada, Greenland will protect polar bears
Friday, October 30, 2009
CBC News
Canada and Greenland are setting up a polar bear commission that will ensure bear populations that are shared between both nations will be protected and managed properly, Environment Minister Jim Prentice said Friday.
Speaking to reporters from Kangerlussuaq, Greenland, where he signed a memorandum of understanding with his counterparts in Greenland and Nunavut, Prentice said the joint commission will have representatives from all three governments.
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Business and Trade
'Buy America' hot topic for new U.S. envoy
Friday, October 30, 2009
Peter Goodspeed, National Post
The new U.S. ambassador to Canada has been on the job for only two weeks, but David Jacobson says he has been inundated with complaints about the Buy America provisions of Washington's recent stimulus-spending package.
After praising Canada–U. S. relations during a speech in Toronto yesterday at the Economic Club of Canada as "the richest, the broadest and the deepest that exist between any two countries on earth," Mr. Jacobson turned to irritants in the world's biggest trading relationship.
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L'optimisme des entreprises à son plus haut depuis 2007
Mercredi 04 novembre 2009
Julian Beltrame, La Presse
Après une année de découragement, les chefs d'entreprise canadiens renouent avec l'optimisme au sujet de l'économie, révèle une nouvelle étude.
Selon l'enquête automnale sur la confiance des entreprises du Conference Board du Canada, les chefs d'entreprise croient que la récession est finalement terminée et que l'économie va rebondir dans les six prochains mois.
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Canada loves the cute-ute — sales soar
Wednesday, November 04, 2009
Patricia Cancilla, Canwest News Service
Vehicle sales may still be moribund in the United States, but they are moving in the right direction in Canada. In fact, in terms of entry-level SUV sales, some automakers are enjoying their best sales ever.
That may be in part because Canadian consumers are more confident about the economy than their American cousins. Canadians also tend to buy smaller SUVs than they do south of the border, helping to boost those compact sales.
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Ford reports first North American profit in years
Monday, November 02, 2009
Financial Post
Ford Motor Company posted its first profitable quarter from its North American operations in almost five years as U.S. government incentives helped the auto giant keep from discounting its cars and trucks to the point of loss.
The company said third quarter pre-tax operating profit for the North American division was US$357-million. That helped the company report overall operating profit of US$1.1-billion after reporting a loss of almost US$3-billion in the year-earlier quarter.
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Canada warns on G20 proposal
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
Kevin Carmichael and Tara Perkins, Globe and Mail
Throughout the financial crisis, Canada's financial authorities and bankers have earned praise for their conservative approach to policy and lending. Emboldened, they are now trying to make the global regulatory system look a little more Canadian.
Bank of Nova Scotia chief executive officer Rick Waugh says the "world can learn from Canada," a forceful statement that comes a week after Bank of Canada Governor Mark Carney called on U.S. and European bankers to change an attitude he says borders on hubris.
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Energy hub could materialize even sooner
Friday, October 30, 2009
Reid Southwick, The Telegraph-Journal
The Liberal government's plans to position the province as a regional energy hub may be fast-tracked under a landmark agreement that would see NB Power sold to a Quebec utility, the energy minister says.
The proposed deal would grant Hydro-Québec direct access to New Brunswick's power grid, bringing the major utility even closer to the energy-hungry northeastern United States, Jack Keir said Thursday.
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Toronto existing home prices up 20 per cent
Wednesday, November 04, 2009
Tony Wong, Toronto Star
Existing home sales in the Toronto area soared to 8,476 in October, up 64 per cent from the same month last year.
The average price for a home in October was up 20 per cent to $423,559, the highest on record, according to figures released by the Toronto Real Estate Board today.
"After a short dip in the winter, the average home price has rebounded because sales have been high relative to listings," says Jason Mercer, TREB's senior manager of market analysis.
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Canadian News
Final phase of Vancouver Olympic ticket sales starts Saturday
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
Canwest News Service
If you haven't yet been able to acquire tickets to the 2010 Olympic Games, there's still hope the third time could be the charm this weekend.
The third and final phase of ticket sales begins Saturday at 1 p.m. ET at www.vancouver2010.com.
More than 100,000 tickets to all the events in Vancouver — including hockey, curling, the opening and closing ceremonies and the nightly victory ceremony events — will be available to the Canadian public.
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Derniers exercices de sécurité avant les J.O.
Dimanche 01 novembre 2009
La Presse
Le troisième et dernier exercice de sécurité en prévision des Jeux olympiques de Vancouver débutera lundi et se poursuivra jusqu'à vendredi.
Appelé « exercice OR », il servira à confirmer que les organisations fédérales, provinciales, régionales et municipales sont prêtes à faire face de façon coordonnée à toute situation d'urgence qui pourrait survenir au cours des Jeux d'hiver de 2010.
Le Programme intégré d'exercices en vue des Jeux olympiques de 2010 comprenait trois volets.
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Canada to unveil Olympic men's hockey roster on New Year's Eve
Wednesday, November 04, 2009
Canwest News Service
Twenty-three Canadian hockey players will be breaking open the bubbly for more than just ringing in the New Year.
The International Ice Hockey Federation announced that the Canadian roster for the Vancouver Olympic Games will be announced on Dec. 31. The roster will include 20 skaters and three goaltenders.
The United States will make its roster announcement on Jan. 1 during the Winter Classic outdoor game at Fenway Park in Boston, featuring the Philadelphia Flyers and Bruins.
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Surf's up! Olympic torch takes a ride on a surf board
Sunday, November 01, 2009
Dirk Meissner, The Canadian Press
When most Canadians envision the Olympic torch making its way through their community leading up to the 2010 Winter Games, it's safe to suggest they don't usually think "surf's up!"
But those two words were on everyone's mind Sunday night as the flaming torch took a ride on a surf board in the resort community of Tofino, B.C.
Residents turned out in droves for an impromptu beach party and didn't mind getting a bit wet as the tide rolled in, soaking those in attendance to their knees.
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James McGowan walks a fine dramatic line on The Border
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
Brendan Kelly, Canwest News Service
James McGowan has become one of the more recognizable faces on Canadian TV.
For three seasons, McGowan has played immigration and customs cop Mike Kessler in the CBC drama The Border.
Portraying the head of an immigration and border-security unit, McGowan brings the kind of tough, taciturn style that seems de rigueur for the male leads in these procedural dramas.
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Canada's Vandervoort plays an alluring alien in 'V'
Monday, November 02, 2009
The Winnipeg Sun
They’re back.
Roughly 25 years after a reptilian race landed on Earth in the ’80s television series “V,” there’s a new batch of duplicitous aliens on TV as the roster of sci-fi-tinged serial dramas continues to grow.
The revamped “V” features Elizabeth Mitchell of “Lost” as FBI agent Erica Evans, while Scott Wolf of “Party of Five” plays self-serving broadcast journalist Chad Decker. Morris Chestnut plays the enigmatic Ryan Nichols, who hides a dark past.
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Ottawa's pension reforms to give greater guarantees to workers
Wednesday, November 04, 2009
Julian Beltrame, The Canadian Press
The federal government is unveiling a major reform package for national pension plans Tuesday, including greater guarantees for pensioners.
The Canadian Press has learned that Finance Minister Jim Flaherty will his much-awaited reforms for pensions in the federal sphere prior to appearing at a House finance committee on Tuesday afternoon.
The reform package affects the 10 per cent of private sector plans that fall under federal jurisdiction, such as plans at Air Canada (TSX:AC.B) and the two major railways.
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Most Canadians learn about nutrition from food labels: Study
Friday, October 30, 2009
Linda Nguyen, Canwest News Service
The majority of Canadians stay informed about nutrition from food labels even though many may not be reading them correctly, according to a study released Friday by the Canadian Council of Food and Nutrition.
The 2009 Tracking Nutrition Trends: A 20-Year History report found in 2008 that 68 per cent of Canadians rely on product labels as their primary source for nutritional information, followed by the Internet (51 per cent), magazines, newspapers and books (46 per cent), friends and relatives (41 per cent) and doctors (40 per cent).
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Opinion/Editorial
The BlackBerry stays in the trunk
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Don Martin, National Post
The red-and-blues flashing in the rear-view mirror put a quick halt to my distracted driving. The suspicious police officer stuck her nose inside the car window, sniffing for a telltale whiff of alcohol.
“Had something to drink tonight?” she asked. “You were weaving a bit back there.”
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A-t-on encore besoin de la voiture électrique?
Mercredi 04 novembre 2009
Jacques Duval, La Presse
Impossible de mettre un terme au débat entourant les voitures hybrides. Plus on croit avoir fait le tour du sujet dans tous les sens, plus la controverse prend de l'ampleur. Ainsi, avant que l'on ferme les livres, mon article de la semaine dernière (Pour en finir avec les hybrides) relatant l'essai comparatif d'une Honda Civic ordinaire et d'une Civic hybride avait suscité pas moins de 72 commentaires, souvent assez enflammés, que ce soit «pour» ou « contre ».
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Wake up: We're still wasting daylight
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
Phil de Rosa, Ottawa Citizen
This is a wake-up call. Twice a year for 93 years, since Daylight Saving Time was introduced in April 1916, we have had to disrupt our lives because of DST's confusing and falsified clock-time. I'm tired of this merry-go-round. It's time to revert to a global time system that reunites Mother Nature and Father Time.
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