In addition to a panel discussion involving Canadian experts in the field with local decision-makers and key stakeholders, there will be an opportunity for residents to share ideas and ask questions.

The session is intended to promote understanding and integration of quality design in city building.

Among the topics to be discussed will be the role and value of urban design in the decision-making process and the challenges in impending urban design initiatives.

The panel includes several experts in the urban design profession, including Larry Beasley, a nationally recognized urban planner and designer from the City of Vancouver, Anne McIlroy, a Toronto urban design consultant and Chair of the OPPI Urban Design Working Group, Rob Horne, Commissioner of Planning Housing and Community Services for the Region of Waterloo, Rod Regier, the Executive Director of Economic Development for the City of Kitchener, Glenn Scheels, a local consultant providing planning, urban design and landscape architecture services, and Christina Weylie, the City of Kitchener councilor for the West Victoria Park Ward and Chair of the Development and Technical Services Department Committee.

A growing number of cities, like Kitchener, are moving toward a design-based approach to city planning and are integrating urban design initiatives into the decision making process to improve the quality of life for citizens. Similarly, the Region of Waterloo supports and encourages good design through its Regional Growth Management Strategy.

As this event is proving to be very popular, please register for Friday’s discussion by sending an email to Hanna Domagala at dhanna@region.waterloo.on.ca.

KITCHENER— Waterloo Region will receive an additional $6.17 million to help meet its transportation funding needs under the second year of the McGuinty government’s gas tax funding program, John Milloy, MPP for Kitchener Centre announced today on behalf of the Minister of Transportation, the Honourable Harinder Takhar.

Last year, Waterloo Region received $4.05 million in provincial gas tax funding bringing the two year total to over $10 million. The allocation contributed towards the new express route, iXpress, which connects the cities of Waterloo, Kitchener and Cambridge.

“We are delivering on our commitment to pump a share of the provincial gas tax into public transit in Waterloo Region,” Milloy said. “The gas tax is paying off for our community because it provides long-term, stable funding, allowing Grand River Transit to plan significant transit improvements at the local level,” said Milloy.

"The Region's share of the Provincial Gas Tax allocation to municipalities has had a very positive impact on Grand River Transit," said Ken Seiling, Regional Chair. "We have been able to continue to expand our services and this has translated into significant ridership growth. Since 2000, GRT ridership has grown by almost 35% system-wide, with more than 80% ridership growth in the Cambridge area alone."

Across Ontario, the gas tax funding program has increased ridership by 3.4 per cent. Greater use of local transit reduces traffic congestion, commute times and smog. Transit riders benefit from more convenient and efficient transit systems.

In 2004/05, Ontario started sharing one cent a litre of the gas tax with municipalities across Ontario, resulting in $156 million for local transit funding. In the second year of the program municipalities will receive one-and-a-half cents a litre, totalling $232 million. The investment will grow to two cents a litre by October 2006.

Funding from the gas tax program is in addition to the government’s other commitments to strengthen Ontario’s public transit. By 2009, the government will invest more than $1 billion in gas tax funding on public transit.

Public opinion shifts may be blamed on the questions, but the real issues have not been addressed.

Angus Reid Global Scan - Wilson Lam – James Carville, who was an advisor to Bill Clinton during his presidential campaigns, is fond of saying that any message can gain currency so long as its broadcast adheres to the mantra of relevance, simplicity, and repetition. United States president George W. Bush and his administration, it has become clear, have learnt at least the latter two-thirds of the lesson by rote.

The administration has in recent weeks begun a concerted effort to recast its domestic spying program as unequivocally legal and necessary. When the program’s three-year existence was first uncovered by the New York Times late last year, it provoked a public outcry against both its intrinsic legitimacy and the broader implications of its creation with regard to the constitutional prerogative of the office of the president.

The administration appears to believe that Americans are fairly divided over its warrantless wiretap program and that opinions can be swayed in its favour if only the debate were framed in the language of the "war on terror." The polls seem to support this line of reasoning.

In one survey conducted by Rasmussen Reports on Jan. 2 and Jan. 3, an overwhelming plurality of respondents (50 per cent) did not think that "U.S. president George W. Bush [broke] the law by authorizing the National Security Agency [NSA] to intercept telephone conversations between terrorism suspects in other countries and people living in the United States." The same survey found that 33 per cent of respondents believed Bush did break the law.

By comparison, the findings are noticeably different when the question is asked as follows: "[s]hould the Bush administration be required to get a warrant from a judge before monitoring phone and internet communications between American citizens in the United States and suspected terrorists, or should the government be allowed to monitor such communications without a warrant?" A majority of respondents to this enquiry, 56 per cent, believed that a warrant should be required while 42 per cent opined that the Bush administration "[s]hould be allowed to monitor without a warrant." This poll was conducted by Ipsos-Public Affairs for the Associated Press between Jan. 3 and Jan. 5.

The most salient difference between the two questions above is that the latter explicitly mentions "American citizens" while the former does not. Furthermore, the first is couched in the dichotomy of legality—i.e. did "Bush break the law"—while the second asks merely of the necessity for warrants. Respondents, it appears, were unwilling to ascribe legal sanction to the president, particularly not when the notion American citizenship and all its component rights seem uninvolved.

Taking this logic further, it is almost unsurprising to find that fully 68 per cent of respondents were "not willing," when asked: "In order to reduce the threat of terrorism, would you be willing or not willing to allow government agencies to monitor the telephone calls and e-mails of ordinary Americans on a regular basis?" The idea of infringing upon "ordinary Americans" seems to trump even the spectre of "the threat of terrorism" when the elements of legality and of the president are not mentioned. Conducted by CBS News between Jan. 4 and Jan. 8, the poll found 28 per cent of respondents answered in the affirmative to the same question.

Perhaps it is with these findings in mind that Karl Rove, a senior advisor to Bush, said in an address to the Republican National Committee, "Let me be as clear as I can be. President Bush believes if al-Qaeda is calling somebody in America, it is in our national security interests to know who they are calling and why."

Rove’s premise was repeated publicly last week not only by senior administration officials including attorney general Alberto Gonzales and former head of the NSA, Michael Hayden, but by Bush himself in a speech at NSA headquarters. All the speeches resounded less for their thematic focus—national security, the imperative for speed, "war on terror," etc.—than for what they did not address. There was no mention that there are procedures already in place to conduct such surveillance but with judicial oversight; no discussion that the three-year-old program’s scope includes American citizens; and certainly nothing with regard to the president’s role as preserver, protector, and defender of the entire constitution, including the first ten amendments.

A book co-authored by a University of Guelph political scientist that looks at public opinion of government scandal, corruption and ethics has been reissued to coincide with the upcoming federal election.

The second edition of A Question of Ethics: Canadians Speak Out, which includes new text and analysis about the Gomery report on the sponsorship scandal written by Guelph’s Prof. Maureen Mancuso, provost and vice-president (academic), was released by Oxford Press this month.

First published in 1998 to wide acclaim, the book addresses conflict of interest, patronage, lying, gifts and gains. It’s based on a poll of more than 1,400 Canadians that remains to date the only study of what citizens think about the behaviour of their elected representatives.

Mancuso was the principal investigator for a team of five political scientists who conducted those first nationwide surveys of politicians, journalists and the general public. “This information remains especially relevant today,” she said.

“Our data represent a snapshot of the ethical views of Canadians at the very time the sponsorship program started down the path toward scandal. It was those attitudes and expectations that were ignored and violated by the officials who turned the program into a morass of abuse and mismanagement. Did they misunderstand their responsibilities and the expectation of the public, or did they simply ignore them?”

Some findings include:

• 68 per cent would prefer that politicians tell the truth about an issue rather than avoid discussing it.

• 60 per cent believe ministers should not accept campaign donations if there is an apparent conflict of interest.

• 57 per cent feel MPs should have higher ethical standards than the average person.

“The sponsorship scandal was an almost ‘perfect storm’ in that it encompassed all four of the main types of unethical behaviour: gifts, gain, lying and conflict of interest,” Mancuso said. “It’s also a potentially defining moment in the history of how we react to and deal with official misbehaviour. Elected leaders need to know that the public is paying attention and that they continue to speak out about ethics. The public can have a long memory; even after apparent abuses are corrected, they are remembered for a long time.”

Mancuso, who chaired U of G’s Department of Political Science from 1996 to 2000, has served as a consultant to the Canadian House of Commons on legislative codes of conduct and conflict-of-interest legislation, testifying before committees considering new laws. Most recently, she organized a symposium that brought together leading scholars, writers and leaders in ethics and democracy to discuss the nation’s state of public affairs and public perceptions.

“As an academic, you always welcome the chance to influence public policy by putting forward your point of view and research and showing how it has practical applications,” she said.

Mancuso earned her BA at McMaster University, her MA at Carleton and a D.Phil. in politics from Nuffield College at the University of Oxford. She was a parliamentary intern in the House of Commons in 1984. She was appointed associate vice-president (academic) in 2000 and to her current position in 2004.

TORONTO- YWCA Canada joins the Coalition for Women's
Equality (CWE) to produce a federal election voter's tool called Still in
Shock.
    Providing Canadians with information on 14 areas of concern to women,
Still in Shock succinctly outlines the urgent political actions needed to
advance women's equality in Canada. Each topic is accompanied by specific,
hard-hitting questions voters can ask their candidates.
    Universal quality child care, adequate permanent housing, equitable
employment, social support and personal safety are fundamental rights that are
currently denied Canadian women. Lack of progress on these issues deeply
affects the quality of life for women in Canada; and political ambivalence
concerning them is the true barrier to realizing change for women.
    "Simply put," says Holly Nimmons, Interim CEO YWCA Canada, "ignoring
these issues jeopardizes women's lives".
    Still in Shock is accompanied by the CWE's election website,
www.canadaelection.net. Over the coming weeks posting to the site will provide
analysis on how the various party platforms are measuring up to the needs of
Canadian women. The website received close to half a million hits during the
last federal election campaign, and the CWE expects that number to rise this
time around.
    "Tools like these allow us to share our expertise with Canadians; giving
them the information to assess their candidate's commitment to equality for
women and to vote accordingly. Women in Canada need real choices; not vague
ambivalent rhetoric... women know the difference," concludes Nimmons.

OTTAWA- A coalition of 10 national women's organizations
yesterday launched the 2006 edition of Still in Shock, a practical voter's tool
highlighting key women's issues and questions for Canadians to ask politicians
in the critical final stretch of the election campaign.
    Still in Shock 2006 is an updated version of the highly successful Pink
Paper, a women's lobbying and mobilization resource produced by the Coalition
for Women's Equality (CWE) during the last federal election. Distressingly,
the new edition reveals that little progress has been made since 2004.
    From child care, to poverty, violence against women, health and pay
equity, the Pink Paper succinctly outlines 14 areas in which urgent political
action is needed to advance women's equality in Canada. Each topic is
accompanied by specific, hard-hitting questions voters can ask their
candidates.
    The Pink Paper will be accompanied by the CWE's Election website,
providing up to the minute analysis on how the various parties' platforms and
pitches measure up against women's needs throughout the election. The website
received close to half a million hits during the last campaign, and the
Coalition expects that number to rise this year.
    "Women will be voting for parties and candidates who support equality,"
says Bonnie Diamond, Executive Director of the National Association of Women
and the Law.
    "The materials in this paper and on the CWE Election Website will empower
women to make better informed choices."
    The Pink Paper is now available for download at www.canadaelection.net
and can be obtained in hard copy format in communities across Canada.

Consumers should be aware that there are a number of fuel saving devices on the market that claim to lower fuel consumption and reduce emissions. Consumers should exercise caution and be skeptical if manufacturers cannot provide proof about the performance claims of their products.

Africa - Canada will go to the polls for a snap general election after opposition parties on Monday used a no-confidence vote to oust Prime Minister Paul Martin's scandal-hit government.

The country's three opposition parties, which control a majority of seats in Parliament, called for the vote last week, claiming that Martin's Liberal party lacked the moral authority to lead the nation.

His government's 17 months in power were overshadowed by corruption that began in February last year when it emerged that C$100-million in government advertising and sponsorship contracts had been funnelled to Liberal-friendly firms for little or no work.

Although an initial investigation absolved Martin of wrongdoing, it accused senior Liberal members of taking kickbacks and wasting tens of millions of dollars in public funds. In the past few weeks, the government has unveiled spending initiatives worth several billion dollars and promised a wide range of tax cuts, prompting the opposition to accuse Martin of seeking to bribe voters.

Hours before Monday's vote, Peter MacKay, the Conservative leader in Parliament, asked: "Does the prime minister really believe that rushing money out the door on the eve of an election will distract Canadians away from his Liberal government's sordid record of waste, mismanagement and corruption?"

Opposition politicians cheered as it emerged that the government had lost the vote by 171 votes to 133. The loss means an election for all 308 seats in the lower House of Commons, which is likely to be held on January 23. The prime minister is expected to dissolve the House on Tuesday, although his government will lead until the country goes to the polls.

Martin's troubles worsened when the Conservative party, led by Stephen Harper, joined the New Democratic and Bloc Quebecois parties to bring down the government. Recent polls have given the Liberals an edge on the Conservatives, with the New Democrats in third place.

Grace Skogstad, a professor of politics at the University of Toronto, said the opposition parties are unlikely to incur the wrath of voters for precipitating Canada's first Christmas campaign for 26 years.

"It's going to be those last three weeks after January 1 that are going to matter," said Skogstad, who predicted the Liberals would win another minority government. -- Guardian Unlimited © Guardian Newspapers Limited 2005

OTTAWA, Xinhuanet - Canadians are facing the first winter federal election in 26 years after Prime Minister Paul Martin's Liberal minority government was toppled in a non-confidence motion Monday by united efforts from three opposition parties.

The Conservatives, the New Democratic Party (NDP) and the Bloc Quebecois banded together in forcing the Liberals down, claiming that it has lost the moral authority to rule after being proven of misusing millions of dollars in an advertising campaign during former Prime Minister Jean Chretien's rule.

Martin, who first assumed power in December 2003, has come through a tough time marked by several motions of non-confidence which he survived, sometimes narrowly, and a snap election in June 2004, which saw him out to become a minority government leader from a majority one.

At the center of all these political upheavals is the federal sponsorship scandal, which came out in early 2004 and sparked widespread discontent towards the Liberal government, whose supporting rate once dropped to the lowest point in the last decade.

In February 2004, Auditor General Sheila Fraser released her audit of the federal sponsorship program, asserting that about 100 million Canadian dollars (85 million US dollars) appropriated in 1993 for a national unity program in the French speaking province of Quebec were misused, with the sum going to Liberal-connected companies for little or no work.

Martin, who ordered an extensive investigation into the case, has repeatedly promised to call an election 30 days after the second report comes out in February next year.

::::: Canadians head for winter election as govt falls

:::::: Paul Martin to call for new election Tuesday

:::::: Canadian govt defeated in non-confidence vote

Although the first report, unveiled earlier this month, put most blame on Chretien and exonerated Martin of any wrongdoing, the opposition has decided to grasp this opportunity to bring the government down.

Conservative Party Leader Stephen Harper tabled the non-confidence motion following Martin's refusal to the opposition demands to dissolve the 38th parliament in January and hold election in mid-February.

The Liberals have lost their moral authority to lead the nation,and the house has lost confidence in the government, claimed the Conservatives, who got support from the Bloc Quebecois and the NDP.

The NDP's backing helped Martin survive a non-confidence motionby a single vote in May, but the party withdrew that support earlier this month.

The motion was approved by a vote of 171 to 133. The Liberals now hold 133 of the 308 seats in the House of Commons. The Conservatives have 98, the Bloc Quebecois, 53, and the New Democrats, 18.

There are four independent legislators and two vacant seats in the House of Commons.

On Tuesday, Martin is expected to ask Governor General Michaelle Jean to dismiss the parliament and call an election, which may be set on Jan. 16 or 23.

Although Canadians are hoping for a more stable majority government, recent polls show that most of them expect a minority one, with Liberals having a better chance to win.

A Pollara poll released on Monday showed public support for the Liberals at 36 percent, compared with 31 percent for the Conservatives. Parties typically need to win more than 40 percent of the vote to gain majorities in parliament.

Because Canadian parties do not form coalitions, minority administrations need opposition backing for passage of laws. Another informal alliance between the Liberals and the NDP may be the most likely outcome in the January vote, observers said.

Minority governments have lasted an average 16 months in Canada.Concerned about the adverse effects of a shaky minority government, observers pointed out that a future Liberal prime minister's ability may be impaired to pass corporate tax cuts, open up regulated industries to foreign ownership or allow lenders such as Royal Bank of Canada to merge.

"There are never any fiscal merits to a minority government," said Michael Behiels, a historian and constitutional expert of the University of Ottawa. "Minority governments tend to spend, spend, spend."

Martin's government was forced to raise spending and shelve corporate tax cuts to win the NDP's backing to stay in power.

In 2004, Martin raised spending by 15 percent, the largest increase in 20 years, and repealed a tax-cut package for corporations that had initially been included in this year's budget.

Bloomberg -- Paul Martin, the first Canadian prime minister ousted by parliament in 26 years, will seek re- election by stressing his record of economic growth and job creation as he tries to deflect voter anger over corruption allegations.

Opposition lawmakers defeated Martin's government by a vote of 171 to 133 in the House of Commons last night in Ottawa. Martin will meet with Governor-General Michaelle Jean this morning to set a date for the election, probably in January.

Martin has countered the allegations with more than C$40 billion ($34 billion) in pledges this month for new spending and tax cuts, funded by soaring natural gas and oil prices and record corporate profits. Canada is alone among the Group of Seven economies with a balanced budget, and the jobless rate has fallen to a 30-year low.

``An economy that's strong almost always helps the incumbent,'' said Donna Dasko, a pollster with Environics in Toronto. ``At the same time, they have this scandal around their necks that's been devastating to their support.''

Martin, 67, took over leadership of the Liberals in December 2003 from former Prime Minister Jean Chretien, following a report by the Auditor General that the government paid C$100 million in commissions to advertising companies that did little or no work between 1997 and 2001.

Lost Majority

The Liberals lost their majority in elections six months later, leaving Martin with 133 seats in the 308-member House of Commons. The scandal has dogged Martin's government ever since.

Polls taken over the past month show Martin may fail to win a majority, leading to the first back-to-back minority governments since the 1960s.

The Liberals have about 36 percent support of decided voters, compared with 27 percent for the Conservatives, 16 percent for the New Democratic Party and 13 percent for the Bloc Quebecois, according to an Ipsos Reid poll published on Nov. 17. The survey of 1,000 people has a margin of error of 3.1 percentage points.

The Conservative Party, the largest opposition group, and the separatist Bloc Quebecois have sought to bring down the government since April, after an advertising executive testified at a public inquiry that he paid kickbacks to Liberal fundraisers. Martin, who was finance minister at the time, has said he wasn't aware of the payments.

Control

The New Democrats joined forces earlier this month with the Conservatives and Bloc, isolating Martin in parliament. The three opposition parties control the House of Commons and yesterday voted in favor of a motion that states parliament has lost confidence in the government. Traditionally, a government must resign or seek the dissolution of parliament after losing a vote of no-confidence.

Liberal corruption will be a key issue in the campaign, said William Stairs, director of communications for the Conservative Party.

``Obviously, accountability and cleaning up government will be a major theme for us,'' Stairs said in a telephone interview.

Conservative Party Leader Stephen Harper said in parliament last week that organized crime was involved in the kickback scheme, prompting Martin to call for a retraction.

In a fund-raising letter, the Liberals said they expect a ``nasty campaign'' that will require them to promote ``our record of achievement.''

Jobless

That includes a jobless rate that has fallen to a 30-year low of 6.6 percent and a growth rate that will accelerate to 3.2 percent in 2006, second only to the U.S. among Group of Seven nations, according to International Monetary Fund estimates. Martin talked about his economic record in his first speech to party members after the vote last night.

Finance Minister Ralph Goodale announced two weeks ago he will use more than half of the C$97 billion in projected budget surpluses over the next six years to cut taxes and increase funding of social programs. Some of the measures take effect immediately, including C$5.1 billion in tax cuts for low-income earners.

Some investors said the Liberals will boost spending further to stay in power, threatening their string of nine straight budget surpluses.

``Another minority government may make so many promises that to pay for them gets us into a deficit -- and that's a negative for stocks,'' said Stephen Gauthier, a partner at Gauthier & Cie. in Montreal.

Dollar

The Canadian dollar rose for a sixth day yesterday to 85.65 U.S. cents, as the government's defeat was expected by investors, said Shaun Osborne, currency strategist at Scotia Capital in Toronto.

The Liberals will seek to paint Harper, 46, as a conservative with a hidden agenda to reverse gay-marriage and abortion laws. Harper has said he won't change laws allowing women the right to abortions.

``Mr. Harper has a choice to make: He can level with Canadians about a rigidly consistent right-wing ideology he's espoused over the course of his career or he can try to hide that,'' said Steven MacKinnon, national director for the Liberals.

A negative campaign in winter conditions may keep voters from turning out on election day, benefiting the party that can best galvanize its supporters, said Robin Sears, a former campaign chairman for the New Democratic Party. After 13 years out of power, the Conservatives may be in the best position to benefit.

The Conservatives ``have a tremendous sense of grievance which is good for any political organization trying to motivate its people,'' he said.

WHITEHORSE, Yukon, November 28, 2005 -- The Honourable Larry Bagnell, Member of Parliament for Yukon and Parliamentary Secretary for Natural Resources, on behalf of the Honourable David L. Emerson, Minister of Industry, today announced the launch of BizPaL, an innovative pilot project designed to help Canadian businesses save time when accessing licensing and permit information from multiple levels of government.

The multi-jurisdictional online service provides business with a customized list of the municipal, provincial, territorial, and federal licences and permits they require. The list includes basic information about the licences and permits, as well as links to partner websites where they can find out more or begin the application process.

The first of three pilot sites for BizPaL will be launched in Whitehorse, Yukon, later this week. It was developed by Industry Canada in partnership with the City of Whitehorse and the Government of Yukon. Yukon has been one of the early adopters and has provided invaluable insight on multi-jurisdictional service delivery.

"BizPaL is the next wave in providing business information services," said Mr. Bagnell. "I am very proud that Yukon is on the cutting edge of this technology and is leading the nation not only on high-speed access, but also in online programs and services for businesses and entrepreneurs."

BizPaL is also an important part of the Government of Canada's Smart Regulation initiative, helping to eliminate duplication, simplify compliance and reduce costs to clients. The pilot will stimulate further economic growth and prosperity to improve the quality of life for Yukoners and all Canadians.

Two more pilot sites in Kamloops and the Halton Region will be launched early in 2006, thanks to partnerships with the Government of British Columbia and the City of Kamloops, and the Government of Ontario and the Regional Municipality of Halton, respectively.

The BizPaL initiative arose from the need to ease the regulatory burden placed on small businesses and a desire to make government services more client-focused. The pilot project is the result of several years of consultation and collaboration with both public and private sector stakeholders.

• 52 units for lower-income families and single persons at 301 Spadina Road East, sponsored by Cook Homes Ltd.;

• 32 units for lower-income seniors at 239 Franklin Avenue, sponsored by the Region of Waterloo

• 87 units for lower-income families and single persons at 695 Strasburg Road, sponsored by
Cypriot Homes Association;

• 16 units for lower-income families at 220-234 Village Road, sponsored by Menno Homes Inc.; and

• 35 units for lower-income families and single persons at 144 Highland Road West, sponsored by Old Firehall Apartments Ltd.

“The McGuinty government understands that one of our basic responsibilities is to help provide affordable housing for people in this province who need it,” said Milloy. “These six projects will provide much-needed new and affordable housing for people with lower-incomes here in Kitchener. They are tangible proof of Ontario’s commitment to affordable housing.”

This funding is part of a $9-million investment in five universities across the country announced by the Honourable Eleni Bakopanos, Member of Parliament for Ahuntsic and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Social Development with special emphasis on Social Economy, on behalf of the Honourable David L. Emerson, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for SSHRC. The funding will support research networks studying how community groups, the volunteer sector and co-operatives have created and continue to contribute to the social economy.

"Social economy organizations make an essential -- but often unrecognized -- contribution to our economy and to the health and well-being of all Canadians," said Ms. Bakopanos. "This research will help prepare future generations to meet the challenges facing them in building a productive economy and sustainable communities."

Atlantic Canada was a leader in the flourishing Canadian co-operative movement of the 1920s and 30s and still has a significant co-operative and credit union sector today. Atlantic Canadians have also created thousands of non-profit organizations. Informal economic relations, including bartering, hunting and child-minding, have been essential to sustaining livelihoods and the quality of life in many rural communities. The social economy also continues to express First Nations identities and reflect the region's diverse linguistic and ethnic ancestries. Dr. Leslie Brown of Mount Saint Vincent University will lead research on Atlantic Canada's social economy. She will study the unique challenges faced by this region's not-for-profit sector, including an aging population, youth unemployment and First Nations issues.

"Atlantic Canadians have long recognized the value of helping others in their community," said Minister Regan. "Today's funding will fuel innovative thinking about real life issues, such as health care, job creation, addiction, neighbourhood development and Aboriginal rights. It will also ensure that a strong social economy continues to be an important part of life in Atlantic Canada."

SSHRC is an independent federal government agency that funds university-based research and graduate training through national peer-review competitions. SSHRC also partners with public and private sector organizations to focus research and help develop better policies and practices in key areas of Canada's social, cultural and economic life.

Note to editors: SSHRC is an independent federal government agency that funds university-based research and graduate training through national peer-reviewed competitions. SSHRC also partners with public and private sector organizations to focus research and aid the development of better policies and practices in key areas of Canada's social, cultural and economic life.

Ontario’s economy bleeding manufacturing jobs at alarming rate, says MPP Arnott  Government should have listened six months ago

Citing major losses of manufacturing jobs in Ontario, Waterloo-Wellington MPP Ted Arnott is continuing to criticize the McGuinty Liberal Government for ignoring the problem. Speaking in the Ontario Legislature on November 23^rd, he said the Government has done little of substance to protect jobs for the past six months.

Last May, Mr. Arnott brought forward a Private Member’s Resolution recommending the development of a jobs plan for Ontario. His resolution called for immediate action through the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs.

“My goal was to support the protection of the manufacturing jobs that we must have in Ontario, and the new ones we will need if we are to enhance our quality of life and our competitive advantage worldwide,” he informed the House.

“Immediate action was needed last spring, and business leaders agreed. My resolution was supported by the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters, Canada’s Chemical Producers, the Canadian Council of Chief Executives, the CD Howe Institute, the Employers’ Advocacy Council, and the Ontario Real Estate Association,” he added.

“In response to my resolution, the Government did nothing. And here we are six months later, Canada’s industrial engine - the Province of Ontario - continues to bleed manufacturing jobs at an alarming rate,” Mr. Arnott continued.

Mr. Arnott then cited an example of job losses in Waterloo-Wellington.

“Glenoit Corporation, formerly known as Borg Textiles, based in Elmira, will be closing its doors just before Christmas resulting in the loss of 77 good jobs. And this week’s announcement by General Motors is a crushing body blow to the GM workers and Ontario’s economy. Plants in Waterloo-Wellington, like Budd Automotive, Lear Seating and Kuntz Electroplating all sell to Big Three auto-makers, and we know that parts suppliers will be affected by any major restructuring of the automotive industry,” he said.

“The Government should have listened six months ago, and better start listening now,” Mr. Arnott warned the Government.

On October 26^th 2005, Mr. Arnott again tabled his Private Member’s resolution in the House. It states: That in the opinion of this House, the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs should immediately begin an investigation into Ontario’s industrial and economic competitiveness, to develop an action plan to maintain and expand our domestic and international markets in the coming years.

“These new officers will patrol our streets, help prevent crime and help make our community safer,” Milloy said. “The 1,000 new police officers being hired across the province are a concrete illustration of our commitment to the safety of Ontario’s communities.”

The Safer Communities – 1,000 Officers Partnership program is a key part of the government’s plan to foster safer and stronger communities in Ontario. Half of the new officers will be assigned to community policing duties such as street patrols, improved traffic enforcement and school visits.

The program will also allocate 500 officers to six priority areas identified by the government in its fight against crime in Ontario:

guns and gangs;

youth crime;

organized crime, especially marijuana grow operations;

dangerous offenders;

domestic violence; and,

protecting children from Internet luring and child pornography.

“Ontarians deserve to feel safe and be safe. That’s why we are taking action to put 1,000 more police officers on the streets of our communities,” said Monte Kwinter, Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services. “Waterloo Region continues to benefit from the McGuinty government’s partnership with the community and the local police service to help improve the safety of Ontarians.”

The Safer Communities – 1,000 Officers Partnership program used an equitable allocation formula that takes into account factors such as the population, the size of the police service and the number of requests received from municipalities and police services. Every eligible police service that applied to the program is receiving funding.

Guelph, On November 24, 2005, the Province of Ontario released for public comment Places to Grow, a thirty year high level growth strategy for the Greater Golden Horseshoe Area which includes the City of Guelph. This is the first growth plan released by the Province under the Places to Grow Act, enacted by the Province in June 2005. The Plan can be viewed on Ontario’s Ministry of Public Infrastructure Renewal website at www.placestogrow.pir.gov.on.ca. Written comments on the proposed plan are due to the Province by January 27, 2006. The City is currently reviewing the document to formulate a response. A formal city response is scheduled for Council consideration on January 23, 2006.

“I look forward to continuing to plan our City with local stakeholders, neighbouring municipalities and the Province so that we can coordinate our investments and approaches to manage growth”, says Mayor Quarrie.

The Provincial Places to Grow Plan provides an overview of where and how to grow so that urban boundary expansions are minimized, strategic infrastructure investments are made, and cultural and natural resources are protected. The release of Places to Grow helps us complete our work knowing what plans the Province has for the Greater Golden Horseshoe Area. The end result is to grow smarter by working together. The City of Guelph has carefully followed the development of the Provincial Growth Plan over the last two years.

The City has already begun much of the background work needed to develop its local growth strategy. Through its approval of the Terms of Reference for a Local Growth Management Plan, Council has taken action on the Places to Grow initiative. A community vision and principles have been adopted, Transportation and Water Supply Master Plans are underway and Community Improvement Plans are being developed for inner city neighbourhoods to help determine appropriate intensification levels and infrastructure needs. The next step is for the City to build upon these initiatives to create a longer term local growth strategy beyond the scope of our existing Official Plan. It is imperative that Guelph plans its growth recognizing its connections with our neighbouring municipalities but not lose our own unique identity.

“I commend the Province for working with municipalities in the Greater Golden Horseshoe Area to develop a growth strategy we can use as a basis for the development of our community’s future. Key to that future is protecting the City’s ability to balance its own growth, protect its neighbourhoods, improve infrastructure, enhance its culture and heritage and create a strong economy”, is CAO Larry Kotseff’s response. He echoes Mayor Quarrie’s invitation to work with the Province and local stakeholders to coordinate our growth plans.

The City has scheduled a public meeting for January 10, 2006 at 6:30 p.m. in Council Chambers to hear more from the Province about its growth strategy. An alternative date has been set for January 17, 2006, if necessitated due to weather at the same time and location. The City’s response to the document is scheduled for an upcoming Planning, Environment and Transportation Committee meeting in January 2006 and then will be considered by Council on January 23, 2006. Comments submitted to the City by January 13, 2006 will be summarized in our response to the Province. The City’s previous responses to Provincial growth directions along with updates on the City’s local growth strategy and proposed Provincial growth plan can be viewed on the City’s website at guelph.ca (quick link “growth management”).

The Places to Grow initiative ties very closely with the City’s Local Growth Management Study process which encourages widespread public consultation and communication in the new year. Jim Riddell, Director of Planning and Building Services, states that “we look forward to hearing from the community when preparing our response to the Province on this very important planning initiative.”

The Framework was developed through close collaboration between stakeholders
across the federal community, and in consultation with industry leaders through
the Canadian Aerospace Partnership, whose membership includes senior executives
from aerospace and defence (A&D) companies, labour groups and academia, as well
as five provincial governments. The Strategic Framework endorses the vision,
and reflects the key success factors, presented by CAP members.

"The Government's support to the aerospace industry is not about picking

winners," said Minister Lapierre. "Canada is fortunate to have an industry that

makes real and lasting contributions to communities and regions across the

country. The Government of Canada has played a key role in developing our

industry into a world leader, and through the Framework, we will continue to

work with aerospace and defence industry stakeholders towards improved global

competitiveness."

This effort represents a comprehensive framework of programs and policies, as

well as new measures, to support the growth of Canada's A&D industry from coast

to coast and build on our strong competitive position. Aerospace is an

important and highly competitive global industry, and the Framework presents

shared priorities, and outlines collaborative action to address the challenges

of global competition, and capitalize on the opportunities presented by

Canada's solid aerospace and defence fundamentals.

As a key pillar of the Framework, the Government of Canada will create an A&D

technology development program. Through this program, the Government will

continue its substantial contributions to the costs of industry-led R&D

projects, and its support for the development and application of the

technologies that will define the growth of Canada's A&D sector.

"The National Aerospace and Defence Strategic Framework is a milestone for the

Canadian aerospace and defence industry from coast to coast, presenting a path

forward for the continued competitiveness of this important sector," said

Minister Emerson. "Collaborative effort, with investment and dedication on the

part of both industry and government, will help Canada address the critical

factors for the future growth of the industry. The Strategic Framework

represents a coordinated approach, marshalling policies, programs and resources

from across the federal government, and drawing upon private sector dynamism,

in pursuit of shared objectives."

The Framework builds on the Government of Canada's long history of

collaboration in the development of our world-leading A&D industry, and focuses

on seven priority areas that will be the critical enablers of the industry's

future success:

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- Strategic initiatives and major platforms;

- Technology development and commercialization;

- Human resources and skills development;

- Trade development and market access;

- Sales financing;

- Security and the environment, and;

- Public procurement.

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"This announcement means that the Canadian aerospace industry will be able to

maintain its global leadership. This strategic framework will create a

favourable environment for continued research, discovery and innovation," said

Alain M. Bellemare, President of Pratt & Whitney Canada, and co-chair of the

Canadian Aerospace Partnership. "Today, our industry enables tens of thousands

of Canadians to leverage their ideas, talent and skills in the world

marketplace. Now, tens of thousands of others will be doing the same in 10 or

20 years."

"The Framework represents a fundamental change in the Government of Canada's

approach to stewardship of the strategically important aerospace and defence

sector in this country," said David Caddey, Executive Vice President of MDA

Corporation, and co-chair of the Canadian Aerospace Partnership. "The

comprehensive and revitalized relationship between government and industry

outlined in the Framework reflects the intensive consultations CAP has

undertaken over more than six months, and will be fundamental to the continued

growth of the sector, and its contribution to the quality of life in Canada."

The Framework is a long-term strategy, and evidence of the Government of

Canada's commitment to the success of the A&D industry. Specific elements and

funding will be defined as collaborative work continues.

For more information, please see the backgrounder: The National Aerospace and

Defence Strategic Framework.

The complete Framework is available at:

http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/aerostrategicframework

BACKGROUNDER

The National Aerospace and Defence Strategic Framework

The National Aerospace and Defence Strategic Framework (the Framework) is a

comprehensive framework of programs and policies, as well as new measures, to

support the growth of Canada's aerospace and defence (A&D) industry from coast

to coast and build on its strong competitive position globally. The Framework

recognizes that both industry and government must identify priorities, and

develop a framework for collaboration.

The Framework is national in scope and represents a collaborative way forward,

drawing upon private sector dynamism and public sector commitment. It looks

out over a 20-year time horizon and endorses the vision developed by

stakeholders across the industry through the Canadian Aerospace Partnership:

Canada will be home to a growing, innovative and diversified

industry, recognized as a leader in serving global A&D markets

and a preferred location for investment.

To this end, the Framework calls upon all stakeholders to focus effort and

investment on seven strategic areas that will enable the industry's future

success:

Strategic initiatives and major platforms

Large, multi-year international projects in the aerospace, defence and space

sectors represent some of the best long-term growth opportunities for the

Canadian industry. Beyond the business benefits of participation, major

platforms represent opportunity for technology access and development, as well

as the establishment of long-term relationships. This access is critical as our

industry competes for future business from around the world.

The Framework will support Canada's participation in strategic projects, both

in Canada and abroad, consistent with Canada's international trade obligations.

A successful example in this regard is the Joint Strike Fighter program whereby

Canada as a nation chose to participate, enabling small and large companies

from across our industry to now make important contributions to this

international endeavour, and Canadians to enjoy the industrial and economic

benefits.

Technology development and commercialization

The fundamental driver of the aerospace and defence industry has always been

research and development (R&D), and the industry is founded upon products that

have the highest level of technology. Growth of the most successful aerospace

and defence firms is directly linked to the investments in R&D that lead to

successful product commercialization. For the industry to remain successful,

there will need to be sustained investment in product and process innovation at

all points in the supply chain, from companies and governments alike.

For that reason, the Framework creates an A&D technology development program.

The program will contribute to the costs of industry-led R&D projects,

supporting the development and application of the technologies that will define

the growth of Canada's A&D sector. The A&D technology development program will

invest in long-term strategic initiatives, support collaborative projects

between two or more partners, invest in demonstration projects that enable

Canadian firms to prove their capabilities for providing more enhanced, and

more complex inputs, and support the development of small- and medium-sized

enterprises across the entire A&D supply chain. Specific funding levels for the

program will be confirmed in the forthcoming budget cycle.

Human resources and skills development.

A labour force that is well trained, adaptable, and up to date in its skills

underpins strong R&D performance as well as the world-class manufacturing and

business processes that are key to high productivity. Canada's A&D workforce

has proven its quality, and the evidence is our enviable world ranking in terms

of aerospace industry performance. However Canada faces challenges in

maintaining our position, not least owing to demographic shifts, and the

Framework takes as a key goal the continued development of our skilled

workforce.

The Government will support innovative skills development projects in the A&D

sector through existing and upcoming programs at Human Resources and Skills

Development Canada, such as the recently announced Workplace Skills Strategy.

The Government will also encourage partnerships among universities, industry,

government and not-for-profit organizations which will provide stimulating

training environments and employment opportunities for students.

Trade development and market access.

Canadian A&D products and services are world class, and industry requires the

promotion of, and access to, an equitable international marketplace. SMEs in

particular require support when venturing in the export market.

Consistent with the CAN-Trade initiative led by International Trade Canada, the

Framework includes the development of a comprehensive A&D investment and trade

strategy, focusing on foreign direct investment and promoting Canadian

capabilities abroad. The Government of Canada will also continue to participate

aggressively in international A&D events to disseminate market information and

intelligence about international business opportunities to Canadian A&D firms.

The Government will also pro-actively seek global opportunities to increase

industry participation on major A&D platforms and defence procurements.

Sales financing.

Government sales financing support complements that provided by commercial

lenders, and the Government of Canada's support in this area has played a

crucial role in developing the Canadian industry, and allowing Canadian firms

to compete with foreign companies supported by their national governments. The

Government will establish an Aircraft Sales Financing Framework to provide

competitive and defensible sales financing in a fiscally prudent manner, and

consistent with Canada's international trade obligations. This Aircraft Sales

Financing Framework will support the sales of Canadian manufactured aircraft.

The Government also commits Canada to active participation in the current

Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development discussions on the

Aircraft Sector Understanding.

Security and the environment.

The A&D industry plays a key role in helping the Government protect Canadians,

and helps ensure that our interests and laws are being respected and enforced.

Through space projects, it also provides invaluable support to Canadian efforts

to monitor and protect our environment. The Framework underscores the

importance of Canada participating in those major international security,

defence and space programs that support Canada's interests, as well as the

importance of working with international partners on space exploration and

defence and security research.

Public procurement.

Given Canada's relatively small domestic defence requirements, a government

procurement environment is needed that better leverages public procurement as

an instrument to promote industrial development, innovation and

commercialization by Canadian firms. The Framework commits to the development

of a framework designed to better leverage industrial development from

procurement, including the consideration of policy options that would make the

Industrial and Regional Benefits Policy more focussed on the A&D sector and the

technologies of importance to its future.