Special Features |
International News |
Business and Trade |
Canadian News |
Opinion/Editorial
In this issue:
and much more…
News from Connect2Canada
Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics
The Connect2Canada Team
The countdown to the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver is almost over! To keep up with the action, keep an eye on the official Vancouver 2010 website (http://www.vancouver2010.com/) — featuring news, schedules, medal counts, photos, videos and more.
Special Features
Canada and United States Reach Agreement on Buy American
Friday, February 05, 2010
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
he Honourable Peter Van Loan, Minister of International Trade, today announced that Canada and the United States have reached an agreement that would allow Canadian companies to participate in U.S. infrastructure projects financed under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act).
“Preserving and creating jobs is the Canadian government’s top priority,” said Minister Van Loan. “Our government stood up for Canadian businesses and workers in resolving this issue with our U.S. partners.”
Read the full story
Financial Reform, Development, Haiti on Agenda at "Back to Basics" G7 Meeting
Friday, February 05, 2010
Government of Canada
Financial Reform, Development, Haiti on Agenda at “Back to Basics” G7 Meeting The Honourable Jim Flaherty, Minister of Finance, and Mark Carney, Governor of the Bank of Canada, today highlighted the need to focus on continuing fiscal and financial cooperation, following through on development commitments and assisting in the reconstruction of Haiti at this weekend’s meeting of G7 finance ministers and central bank governors.
“This meeting will not revolve around negotiated communiqués and scripted text—it will be a time for frank discussion and a collective determination to help put the global economy firmly on the road to recovery,” said Minister Flaherty.
Read the full story
Ministerial Statement on Haiti
Tuesday, February 09, 2010
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
The Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today made the following statement on the situation in Haiti:
“Our government continues to do everything in its power to assist Canadians affected by this disaster. Evacuation operations are ongoing, with over 4,000 Canadians evacuated to date. Most of the 43 evacuation flights have been operated by the Department of National Defence; Canadian commercial carriers have also provided pro bono flights to support our efforts.
Read the full story
International News
Haïti : les Canadiens ont donné 132 millions
Lundi 08 février 2010
La Presse
Depuis le séisme dévastateur en Haïti, les Canadiens ont donné 132 millions de dollars à des organismes caritatifs reconnus, dont 113 millions en contributions provenant de particuliers, une somme qui sera égalée par le gouvernement canadien.
« Je veux remercier les milliers de Canadiens qui ont démontré par des gestes concrets un engagement et une compassion qui ont valu au Canada la réputation internationale d'être un pays qui vient en aide rapidement aux autres en temps de crise et de besoins criants », a dit la ministre de la Coopération internationale, Bev Oda, hier, en invitant la population à un « dernier effort » dans les prochains jours.
Lire en détail
Canada set to join in major Afghan offensive
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
John Wingrove
Canadian troops are among nearly 700 soldiers who launched an attack near the southern Afghanistan town of Marjah, setting the stage for one of the West's largest offensives in the country.
About 30 Canadians are accompanying 250 Afghan National Army soldiers and a 400 American troops northeast of the town in a small-scale preparatory mission, according to reports from embedded American journalists. Such "shaping" missions are meant to support Operation Moshtarak, the looming and highly publicized Western offensive in Helmand province.
Read the full story
Washington ne peut agir seul en matière de sécurité
Mardi 09 février 2010
Malorie Beauchemin, La Presse
Les États-Unis ne peuvent agir seuls dans la promotion de la sécurité internationale, a estimé hier l'ambassadeur des États-Unis à Ottawa, David Jacobson, dans une allocution prononcée devant le Conseil international du Canada.
Dans un court plaidoyer sur la politique étrangère américaine, l'ambassadeur Jacobson a souligné l'importance des relations entre le Canada et les États-Unis, non seulement d'un point de vue économique, mais aussi dans leur engagement à l'étranger, comme en Afghanistan et en Haïti.
Lire en détail
Women's hockey team seeks 3rd straight gold
Tuesday, February 09, 2010
CBC Sports
With the anticipation building on their flight from Calgary, members of the Canadian women's hockey team got their first glimpse of a 2010 Olympic venue from the air on Sunday night.
Their flight path took the team over Cypress Mountain, just east of Vancouver, where snowboard and freestyle ski events for the Games will be held.
"I was trying not to think too much," said defenceman Tessa Bonhomme of Sudbury, Ont. "Mostly just enjoying a movie and enjoying everybody's company and trying not to stress out and let the emotions get too riled up.
Read the full story
Canadians' Haiti donations hit $113-million so far
Monday, February 08, 2010
Canadian Press
Ordinary Canadians have donated $113-million — and counting — to non-governmental agencies involved in Haitian earthquake relief.
“This amazing response reflects the true values held by Canadians,” International Co-operation Minister Bev Oda said Monday.
“I've heard it so many times over the past four weeks: It makes me proud to be a Canadian.”
Read the full story
Baird heads to Ethiopia to lobby for Canadian man's release
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Louisa Taylor, Ottawa Citizen
Federal Transport Minister John Baird is making a lightning trip to Ethiopia Wednesday to personally make the case for the release of Canadian businessman Bashir Makhtal.
Makhtal, 41, was sentenced to life in prison last year on terror charges. The former resident of Toronto has long maintained his innocence and has been supported by groups lobbying on his behalf in Ottawa, Toronto and Edmonton.
Read the full story
Canadian general is British commander’s ‘eyes and ears ‘ in Helmand
Monday, February 08, 2010
Matthew Fisher, National Post
As he sat before a table map of Helmand province in what was once a "Taliban hotel," Brig.-Gen. Craig King listened intently while British and Afghan commanders explained the lay of the land in great detail with a special emphasis on where the Taliban were and what they were up to.
The self-effacing 49-year-old Winnipegger is one of British Maj.-Gen. Nick Carter's "eyes and ears." As Maj.-Gen. Carter's director for future plans for the 40,000 NATO troops in southern Afghanistan, Brig.-Gen. King has become a frequent visitor to outposts such as this British base about 150 kilometres northwest of Kandahar City.
Read the full story
As frustrations over inaction mount, PM vows to turn screw on Iran
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Cambell Clark, The Globe and Mail
Stephen Harper says he will use the international pulpit of Canada’s G8 presidency to press tougher action to rein in Iran’s nuclear-weapons program, as Western allies signal frustration over inaction at the United Nations.
Iran’s announcement on Tuesday that it is now enriching uranium to a higher degree, decried as another step toward nuclear weapons, sparked U.S. President Barack Obama to announce new sanctions that freeze assets of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards and companies they control.
Read the full story
Business and Trade
G7 promises to keep stimulus intact, for now
Saturday, February 06, 2010
Gordon Isfeld, National Post
The world's top financial leaders promised Saturday to continue stimulus spending, even as the global economic recovery picks up, and to hold financial institutions financially responsible for any future crisis stemming from the sector.
As promised ahead of the meeting in the Nunavut capital of Iqaluit, the Group of Seven finance ministers and central bankers dispersed with the usual formality of a communique - following a casual theme their host, Finance Minister Jim Flaherty, had promoted during the Arctic gathering.
Read the full story
Buy American : un « exemple » pour les partenaires commerciaux du Canada
Vendredi 05 février 2010
Joël-Denis Bellavance, La Presse
L'entente conclue entre le Canada et les États-Unis pour exempter les entreprises canadiennes de la clause protectionniste dite Buy American du plan de relance de Barack Obama est une victoire pour le libre-échange, estime le ministre des Affaires étrangères, Lawrence Cannon.
Et cette victoire ne pouvait survenir à un meilleur moment pour le Canada qui accueillera cet été à Toronto les pays membres du G20 pour discuter de l'état de santé de l'économie de la planète et des mesures qui s'imposent pour soutenir la reprise, a ajouté le chef de la diplomatie canadienne.
Lire en détail
Google launches new Vancouver Olympics site
Tuesday, February 09, 2010
Matt Hartley, Financial Post
Google is going for gold at the Vancouver Olympics.
Today, the search engine giant took the wraps off a new Website designed to be a one stop spot for winter sports fans when the games kick off this coming weekend, complete with up to the minute medal counts, the latest news from around the Olympic village and enhanced Street View images of the Olympic venues and the slopes around Whistler.
The new site, google.com/games10, will be available in 40 languages.
Read the full story
How the torch lit the way for RBC
Tuesday, February 09, 2010
Andrew Willis, GlobeInvestor
When Royal Bank of Canada began planning the campaign that would anchor its involvement in the Vancouver Olympics, the institution faced a classic marketing conundrum.
Canadians didn't want to see a bank, or other corporate player, sully the games by using the event to shamelessly flog products. However, RBC and its shareholders were entirely justified in looking for some sort of return on a $110-million, multi-Games commitment to the Olympics. How did the bank square this circle?
Read the full story
Ottawa weighs stricter mortgage rules
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Tara Perkins and Boyd Erman, The Globe and Mail
Ottawa is considering new rules that would force banks to use tougher criteria to evaluate mortgage borrowers, a move to ensure that consumers aren't taking on more debt than they can handle when they buy a home.
The key proposal under discussion would see the creation of new conditions the banks would have to follow when determining whether a customer can afford a mortgage, according to sources. Those rules would require banks to consider whether a person who takes out a variable-rate mortgage on a home can continue to make the payments if interest rates were to go up significantly.
Read the full story
In Vestas’ world, Ontario is a ‘fantastic opportunity’
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Tyler Hamilton, Toronto Star
Build it and Vestas will come.
The world's largest maker of wind turbines made clear Wednesday that the potential for offshore wind development in the Great Lakes is enormous, and that it's eager to help pioneer projects in Ontario.
In an exclusive interview, Anders Soe-Jensen, global president of Vestas Offshore, confirmed that a company team was in Ontario last week scouting out local infrastructure and the capacity of local manufacturing.
Read the full story
GM to add second Oshawa shift early
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Greg Keenan, The Globe and Mail
General Motors of Canada Ltd. is moving up the addition of a second shift at one of its Oshawa, Ont., car plants, sources said Thursday.
The second shift will be added in November instead of in the first quarter of 2011, sources said. The move means about 700 of 1,200 workers on layoff will recalled.
The plant now produces the hot-selling Chevrolet Camaro and will add the Buick Regal.
Read the full story
Nortel retirees welcome Ontario pension rescue
Monday, February 08, 2010
Claire Sibonney, Reuters Canada
Ontario pensioners of Nortel Networks Corp said on Monday they can rest easier after the provincial government pledged to provide funds that will help top up their modest payouts from the failed telecoms equipment giant.
Ontario Finance Minister Dwight Duncan said in a television interview on Sunday that the province will put extra cash into Ontario's Pension Benefits Guarantee Fund (PBGF), an insurance net for pensioners of failed companies.
Read the full story
Canadian News
Vanoc ‘winning’ battle with snow-starved Cypress Mountain
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Vicki Hall, The Calgary Herald
With helicopters buzzing overhead, Dick Vollet proclaimed temporary victory Tuesday in the ongoing fight to make Cypress Mountain a venue fitting of the Winter Olympics.
With winter being the operative word.
“So far, we’re winning,” said Vollet, vice-president of mountain operations for the Vancouver Olympic organizing committee. “We are quite happy with where we are given that we are fighting Mother Nature, and sometimes she can be very unforgiving. I can tell you we respect the elements.”
Read the full story
Street View comes to more than 130 Canadian cities
Tuesday, February 09, 2010
Mike Barber, Canwest News Service
More than 150 Canadian cities are now fully viewable on Google Maps' Street View, as well as the Trans-Canada Highway and ski runs at Whistler, B.C., the web giant announced Tuesday.
The addition of more than 130 municipalities makes possible a visit to the streets of nearly anywhere from Comox, B.C., to Corner Brook, N.L., with little more than a computer and Internet access.
Read the full story
April Wine to join Canadian Music Hall of Fame
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Mark Medley, Canwest News Service
April Wine will be inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame during this year's Juno Awards, the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) announced on Monday.
"With the release of their debut album in 1971, April Wine kicked off a remarkable run of hit records both in Canada and around the world," said Melanie Berry, president and CEO of CARAS, in a statement. "For 40 years, the band has given music fans great songs to rock to and live shows to remember. Their induction to the Canadian Music Hall of Fame is exceptionally deserving, and highlights a long history of musical accomplishments."
Read the full story
New face of Hockey Night in Canada
Monday, February 08, 2010
Duane Watson, Canwest News Service
Chances are you've seen the Toronto Maple Leafs ad on TV, the one that features a montage of people from various age groups and socio-economic classes, passionately reliving their favourite Leafs goal of all time? It's a great spot that's well edited and engaging, but aside from the lone black face who listens intently while his colleague raves about Doug Gilmour, or the East Indian taxi driver who shrieks over Sundin, the minute-long promo is dominated by "traditional" Canadian hockey faces. Despite Toronto's cultural diversity, or the contributions of players like Grant Fuhr, Jarome Igilna and Anson Carter, the game is still as white as the ice it's played on.
Read the full story
Ian Brown wins 2010 Charles Taylor Prize for Literary Non-Fiction
Monday, February 08, 2010
Brad Frenette, National Post
Ian Brown has won The Charles Taylor Prize for Literary Non-Fiction for his book The Boy in the Moon: A Father’s Search For His Disabled Son (Random House Canada).
"For many years, I watched him go about the house, stand in a corner, playing with something or looking behind a blind or picking something up with his hands. I never knew what he was doing. Finally, it began to occur to me that what he was doing was trying to do was find this voice," he told the 200 guests gathered at the awards ceremony in Toronto. "I wanted to find his voice."
Read the full story
Curling's chic new uniforms sweep fustiness from sport
Friday, February 05, 2010
Deirdre Kelly, The Globe and Mail
Curling may have a rabid fan base in Canada, but — let's be honest — it isn't exactly the most glamorous of sports.
Its style quotient could get a major boost, however, when both the men's and women's national teams walk out onto the ice at the Vancouver Olympic Centre this month.
Designed by Mondetta Clothing of Winnipeg, the streamlined zip-front jackets and body-hugging cap-sleeve tops they'll be sporting are a far cry from the fusty uniforms of old.
Read the full story
Nelly Furtado to appear in Canada hockey drama
Friday, February 05, 2010
Reuters Canada
Pop star Nelly Furtado is to play a crazed hockey fan in “Score: A Hockey Musical,” a music-driven drama about Canada's national pastime.
Furtado, who made her acting debut on “CSI: New York” in 2007, will perform the role of a zealous hockey fan whose love for the game is dismissed by a young hockey star's parents, played by Olivia Newton-John and Marc Jordan.
Read the full story
Canada a distinct possibility for Survivor
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Ottawa Citizen
A cold, northern Survivor — Survivor: Canada, say? — is distinctly possible one day, Mark Burnett says. But Survivor's U.S. stakeholders have been slow to warm to the idea of an American Survivor set in the great white north.
CBS controls the rights to Survivor — the network owns the U.S. version of the program — and CBS network executives have been lukewarm to the idea of a Survivor set in any location that doesn't promise buff bods in bikinis.
If Burnett had his way, though, a Canadian Survivor is a no-brainer, figuratively if not literally.
Read the full story
Opinion/Editorial
These Olympic Games will be good for us
Tuesday, February 09, 2010
Shelley Fralic, National Post
For this British Columbian, mere days from the Opening Ceremony of her first Olympic Winter Games, there comes a moment of reflection, a search for clarity amid the miasma of confusion and controversy that inevitably comes when an event of such magnitude is held in one's own backyard.
Like many a taxpayer, I have a reservation or two about what it took to get us here, but it doesn't include cynicism about the Games themselves, because when the tents are folded and the VIPs and the athletes and the tourists have gone home and the postmortems begin, history will show that these Games were good for us.
Read the full story
Can Vancouver life get any better with Games?
Monday, February 08, 2010
Mary Milliken, Reuters Canada
Cities that take on the gargantuan task of hosting Olympic Games contend that the costly investment leads to a better quality of life for its denizens for years to come.
But the 2010 Winter Games host Vancouver is already ranked as one of the most livable cities in the world, leading some to wonder if the Olympics can add anything to this Canadian city on the so-called 'Left Coast'.
Read the full story
