Despite the stereotypical image of nonchalant, lounging teenagers, many teens carry a heavier load than people give them credit for, according to a new study.

In fact, compared with nine other countries (with time-use surveys) from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, Canadian teens ranked first in terms of average hours spent on unpaid and paid labour during the school week.

Furthermore, averaged over the week, including school and non-school days, teens did an average of 7.1 hours of unpaid and paid labour per day in 2005. This 50-hour workweek was virtually the same as that of adult Canadians aged 20 to 64 doing the same activities.

The study, published today in the online edition of Perspectives on Labour and Income, is based on time use data from the 2005 General Social Survey. The data allowed a detailed examination of one 24-hour day.

The study found that the vast majority of teens aged 15 to 19 living at home with their parents attend school. In 2005, these teenagers did an average of 9.2 hours of school work, homework, paid work and housework on school days and 3.5 hours on weekends.

The time teens spent on these skill-enhancing activities is arguably a positive investment in their long-term personal and economic well-being. However, not surprisingly, the relatively high workloads involved do result in some stress.

For example, 16% considered themselves workaholics, 39% felt under constant pressure to accomplish more than they could handle, and nearly two-thirds (64%) cut back on sleep to get things done.

Also, only 45% of teens with high stress reported being very happy and/or very satisfied with life, significantly lower than that of teens with little or no stress (around 72%).

After school attendance, homework was the most time-consuming unpaid activity for teens, with 60% doing an average of 2 hours and 20 minutes every day.

Family environment is a strong predictor of this activity. Teens were significantly more likely to do homework and more of it if both parents had a university education, if they lived in a two-parent intact family (where a divorce has not taken place), and if their parents were foreign-born.

Interestingly, boys with Canadian-born parents did significantly less homework than girls in similar families, and less than either girls or boys with immigrant parents. Also important, teens with demanding paid jobs (20 hours or more per week) did significantly less homework than those not employed.

Age and type of day (school versus non-school) were strongly significant predictors of teens being involved in daily paid work. Paid work was the only productive activity that increased over time.

Although some studies have shown part-time student employment to be positively linked with personal responsibility, dependability and future productivity, an excess of it can interfere with school. Furthermore, this study shows that teenagers with long paid workweeks reported higher levels of personal stress.

Nearly 4 in 10 teens did some housework daily, averaging about one hour. Although overall gender differences have narrowed over the past 20 years, in 2005, girls with immigrant parents did significantly more housework than boys in such families.

Time spent on housework was also higher in rural areas and in two-parent blended families.

Men and women whose marriage has broken up have a higher risk of being depressed than people who remained with their spouse, according to a new study. However, men appear to take the separation harder.

The study, based on longitudinal data from the National Population Health Survey (NPHS), examined the association between marital dissolution and subsequent depression.

Both men and women had higher odds of having an episode of depression in the two years following the end of a marriage or common-law relationship, compared with people who stayed with their spouse.

The study determined that men who experienced a break-up were more at risk of depression than were women.

It also found that marital break-up was independently associated with depression. That is, while other factors that often accompany a break-up were associated with an increased risk of depression, they did not completely account for it.

These other factors included a change in household income, in social support, or in the number of children in the household. The association between marital break and depression persisted even when these events were taken into account.

The study found that most people who experienced depression in the post-relationship period were no longer depressed four years after the break-up. But for a sizeable minority, depression remained a problem.

Marital dissolution and depression

The NPHS, which began in 1994/1995, collects information about the health of Canadians every two years.

Since 1994/1995, an average of just over 4% of people aged 20 to 64 who had been married or living with a common-law partner at the time of their first interview were no longer in a relationship when they were re-interviewed two years later.

The survey found that 12% of people whose relationship had ended reported a new episode of depression. This compared with 3% among people who remained in a relationship.

Men aged 20 to 64 who had divorced or separated were six times more likely to report an episode of depression than were men who remained married.

Women who had undergone a marital break-up were 3.5 times more likely to have had a bout of depression than were their counterparts who were still in a relationship.

Life changes disruptive

The end of a relationship brings other disruptive life changes, which, in themselves, might increase the risk of depression.

For example, financial difficulties often follow marital dissolution, particularly for women. In fact, 43% of women who went through a break-up had a substantial drop in their household income, compared with 15% of men.

Men and women who divorced or separated were more likely than those who remained in a relationship to report a decline in social support. Whereas 19% of men and 15% of women who were no longer with their spouse reported a drop in social support, the figures were 6% and 5% respectively for those who remained with a partner.

Research has suggested that for men the loss of custody or a change in parental responsibilities is one of the most stressful aspects of a break-up. According to the analysis of NPHS data, 34% of men, compared with 3% of women, whose relationship ended experienced the departure of children from their household.

Marital breakdown independently associated with depression

However, even when taking these other factors into account, the end of a relationship was independently associated with the risk of depression among both sexes.

The odds of subsequent depression for men whose relationship ended were still 3.3 times higher than those of men who remained with their spouse. Among women, the odds of depression after a break-up were about 2.4 times higher.

However, despite the criticisms, many governors praised the EBRD’s

investment record, including its recent expansion from the advanced states

of central Europe into riskier countries in the former Soviet Union and

South-East Europe. Meanwhile the bank reported the economies of Eastern

Europe and the former Soviet Union were growing even faster than expected.

...However, the EBRD warns that in several new EU countries ‘buoyant

demand and credit markets have created inflationary pressures, not least

on asset prices, and led to growing external deficits.”

[The Financial Times (UK, 05/20)]

Boomer attitude is "go big or stay home"

MISSISSAUGA, ON- Luxury recreational property sales are set to soar in coming months as affluent baby boomers drive demand for upscale product from coast-to-coast, according to a report released by RE/MAX.

The 2007 RE/MAX Recreational Property Report found the top-end of the market stands to gain most from the aging baby boom demographic, as many prepare for their retirement years. Teardowns, custom-builds, and renovation continue unabated as a result, changing the shoreline of lakes and rivers in 34 of the 39 markets surveyed from Newfoundland/Labrador to British Columbia. Upper-end sales have also affected recreational property values across the board, placing upward pressure on prices, particularly in Western Canada. Starting prices have topped $500,000 in 31 per cent of recreational property markets. Only seven offer waterfront properties under the $250,000 price point.

"It's been said that money made in stocks and bonds typically works its way into real estate," says Michael Polzler, Executive Vice President and Regional Director, RE/MAX Ontario-Atlantic Canada. "This year is a prime example, as economic performance and stock market profits have propped up activity in most Canadian markets. The boomer attitude is go big or stay home."

Boomers - born between 1946 and 1965 - currently represent about one-third of Canada's population and control approximately 45 per cent of its wealth. They own $230 billion in real estate assets and have a net worth of $530 billion. While many boomers have retirement in mind, others are looking for a second home where they can spend quality time with their families and friends. Although the investment aspect is secondary, it still plays an important role in the decision to purchase a recreational property, be it a lakefront cottage, a hobby farm with acreage, or an oceanfront condominium.

"Baby boomers are investing in the future - from both a lifestyle perspective and an economic standpoint," says Elton Ash, Regional Director, RE/MAX of Western Canada. "Tremendous equity gains have been realized in recent years as demand for recreational properties across the country swells. Given the aging of the population, this trend is expected to continue for at least the next five to 10 years as baby boomers move through the cycle."

While building the dream clearly appeals to a broad range of purchasers, realizing ownership is becoming increasingly difficult. Affordability is top-of-mind in many markets. Purchasers without the financial wherewithal to ante up are considering smaller lakes and riverfront properties, as well as timeshares and fractional ownership. Even land-leased properties are garnering attention.

Atlantic Canada continues to offer up the best bang for the buck, with the Eastern Coastline, NL at $75,000, Greater Moncton Area, NB at $80,000, and South Shore, Lunenburg County, NS at $225,000. In Ontario, Parry Sound, Elliot Lake, and Combermere attract price-conscious buyers staring from $200,000, $150,000 and $190,000 respectively. In the West, great value can be found at Lake Winnipeg, MB from $200,000 as well as the Central South Cariboo in BC from $275,000. The most expensive markets in the country, located in British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario, are as follows: Invermere starting at $2.5 million; Kelowna at $2 million; Salt Spring Island at $1.5 million; Whistler at $1.1 million; Sylvan Lake and Penticton at $1 million; North Okanagan/Shuswap at $900,000; Comox Valley - Mt. Washington and Fraser Valley (Cultus Lake, Harrison Lake) at $800,000; Wasaga Beachfront at $700,000; Midland at $550,000; Bala, Port Carling at $500,000 to $550,000; and Honey Harbour/ Port Severn, Orillia/Lake Couchiching and Port Elgin/Kincardine/Goderich at $400,000.

"Limited inventory levels have contributed to the upswing in starting prices in 54 per cent of recreational property markets this year," says Ash. "Despite upward pressure, purchasers remain grounded when it comes to buying recreational properties. Very few purchasers are willing to spend more than fair market value."

Forty-six per cent of markets have seen exponential growth in recent years, thanks to an influx of purchasers from other parts of the country, as well as the U.S., Europe, and Australia. Canadian recreational property markets are considered undervalued and world-class - and as such, represent an incredible opportunity for international investors.

"Compared to similar properties in the U.S. and overseas, we are extremely competitive," says Polzler. "In coveted recreational property areas throughout the U.S., waterfront prices in the double-digit million-dollar range are quite commonplace."

Cambridge Landfill, end of Savage Drive

Waterloo Landfill, 925 Erb Street West

Compost is a rich organic soil amendment produced from leaves and yard waste collected in the region. Compost is tested to meet Provincial regulations, and is screened of debris.

Regional residents can receive up to five bushels of compost per household, while quantities last. Residents must bring their own shovels and containers.

Both locations will feature a food drive hosted by the Food Bank of Waterloo Region and the Cambridge Self-Help Food Bank. Residents are invited to contribute non-perishable food items or cash donations.

No backyard composters, vermicomposters or rain barrels will be distributed at this compost giveaway.

The trail represents a significant part of Kitchener-Waterloo’s heritage and reflects the close-knit fabric of the two cities. Running some 5.5 kilometres between Ottawa Street in Kitchener and Erb Street West in Waterloo, the Iron Horse Trail not only connects Downtown Kitchener to Uptown Waterloo, it links Victoria Park to Waterloo Park. Flat and easy to access and with a smooth asphalt surface, the Iron Horse Trail is a popular path way for rollerbladers, cyclists, walkers, and runners. There are lots of interesting stops and sights along the way, too, for those just out for a leisurely stroll with nothing more pressing to do than find a cozy café or nook for reading and people-watching.

The trail was officially opened back in October of 1997, as a joint effort between the Cities of Kitchener and Waterloo. Formerly a railway corridor, the trail became a reality when the Cities of Kitchener and Waterloo formed a partnership to jointly purchase the abandoned rail line to preserve the corridor as an important part of the two cities’ heritage and for use as a recreation and transportation trail linking the two cities.

“To have a slice of the Trans Canada Trail in our own backyard and to have this trail connect these two great cities is an amazing accomplishment and something I’m proud of as a citizen of Waterloo,” says Mayor Halloran.

Adds, Kitchener Mayor, Carl Zehr, “The Iron Horse Trail is being used even more than we dreamed it would be when it was first established 10 years ago. What a great way to encourage a healthy lifestyle.”

The Trans Canada trail, when completed, will span close to 18,000 kilometres from one end of Canada to the other and will be the longest trail of its kind in the world. To learn more about the Iron Horse Trail, and its part in the making and completing of the Trans Canada Trail, you need look no further than the various interpretative stations placed throughout the two cities.

Wilfrid Laurier University has a great Summer Sports Camp for children aged 6-11years now operating in its 16th year. The Golden Hawk Sports Camp has seven one-week sessions offering instruction in a wide variety of sports including basketball, soccer, football, archery and many more. The campers will participate in a daily swim at the Laurier pool, located on main campus. The camp also features theme days, tournaments and cooperative games, as well as a camp T-shirt. Each week the campers will go on a day trip. What a GREAT way for the kids to spend the week! Experienced Laurier students, many of whom are senior kinesiology students, will provide quality instruction and the campers will enjoy individual attention.

Boys basketball camp

Male basketball players aged 8-15 years from the Kitchener-Waterloo, Cambridge & Guelph areas are invited to participate in five action packed days of basketball drills and competitions. This provides young athletes with the chance to improve their skills in a fun and challenging atmosphere.

Female hockey school

Participants will be divided into two groups according to age and further divided by ability. This will allow the coaches to provide more personal instruction by working with small groups, with player-instructor ratios at 7:1

Girls basketball camp

Female basketball players aged 8-15 years from the Kitchener-Waterloo, Cambridge and Guelph areas are invited to participate in four action packed days of basketball drills and competitions. This provides young athletes with the chance to improve their skills in a fun and challenging atmosphere.

Hockey school and sports camp

Participants will be divided into three groups according to age and further divided by ability. This will allow the coaches to provide more personal instruction by working with small groups.The daily schedule will run from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m., Monday to Friday. There will be over two and a half hours of ice time divided into two sessions each day. A session will include power skating, teaching individual skills as well as individual and team tactics.

Soccer school and sports camp

Participants will be divided into three groups according to age and further divided by ability. This will allow the coaches to provide more personal instruction by working with small groups. The on-field content will be heavily focused on technical skill development in a positive, non threatening environment. The concentration will be on skill drills leading to small sided games. We are looking to provide a very positive experience for all of the players

Top 60 basketball

Top 60 basketball gives top high school female basketball players the opportunity to "show their stuff" to Canadian university and college coaches. Players will get the chance to compete with other skilled players from different high school programs and learn a great deal from guest sessions presented by outstanding coaches and players.

Laurier Brantford

Camp Summer FUN 101

Laurier Brantford acknowledges the importance of creating opportunities on campus for the community, in particular the children of Brantford and Brant County. For the summer of 2007, a summer camp program for children aged 6-11 years old will be operating out of the newly completed recreation complex; Wilkes House Recreation Centre.

Similar to the many successful Golden Hawk Camps at the Waterloo location, Camp Summer FUN 101 has six one-week sessions offering instruction in a wide variety of educational and sport activities including basketball, arts and dance, soccer, and many, many more.

Total industry operating revenue was split almost equally between the two sectors, with the for-profit sector representing slightly more, at 52%.

Performing arts companies in Ontario and Quebec combined continued to generate over three-quarters of total industry revenues. However, revenue growth varied widely across Canada, with the highest recorded by companies in Quebec (+16%), and the largest decline by companies in Ontario (-10%).

Year-to-year fluctuations in public and private sector funding can influence overall revenue growth, as can tourism demand, general consumer preferences, and the lifespan of performances.

Within the performing arts industry, theatre companies and music groups (everything from orchestras to rock groups) each accounted for 28% of total operating revenue in 2005. The remaining 44% was split among musical theatre including opera companies, dance companies, and a miscellaneous category that includes circuses and ice skating shows.

Theatre companies comprised the largest segment of the not-for-profit sector, accounting for 48% of revenues. But they represented the smallest industry in the for-profit sector, accounting for only 10% of total revenue.

Conversely, the largest group in the for-profit sector included multi-disciplinary and other performing arts such as circuses, variety shows, ice skating shows and magic shows. They generated 42% of total revenues.

While there was an overall increase in operating revenues for the industry as a whole, operating expenses grew at a slightly higher rate, resulting in an operating profit margin of 4.3%. For-profit companies in all disciplines recorded a profit margin of 8.6% overall in 2005, down slightly from 9.9% a year earlier.

On the other hand, not-for-profit companies recorded zero profits or deficits. Nevertheless, their shortfalls generally improved from an overall loss of 1.0% in 2004 to a loss of 0.4% in 2005.

A significant portion of expenditures by for-profit and not-for-profit performing arts companies is on the salaries, wages and benefits they pay to employees. In 2005, such payments represented almost 30% of industry operating expenses.

Not included in this figure are the additional expenditures that are made on sub-contracted performing and creative artists and other personnel. As well, unpaid volunteers are an integral component of the performing arts work force.

Results from the 2005 Survey of Service Industries: Performing Arts are now available. These data provide information on the industry's operating revenues, operating expenses, salaries and wages and operating profit margin.

The Canadian Consumer Tax Index, 2007, shows that even though the income of the average Canadian family has increased significantly since 1961, their total tax bill has increased at a much higher rate.

- In 1961, the average Canadian family earned an income of $5,000 and paid $1,675 in total taxes -- 33.5 per cent of its income.

- In 2006, the average Canadian family earned an income of $63,001 and paid total taxes equaling $28,311 -- 44.9 per cent of its income.

"The tax burden we face is made up of much more than just income tax. When you add up all the taxes we have to pay to all levels of government, the average Canadian family is paying more of its income to governments in the form of taxes than they spend feeding, clothing and housing themselves," said Niels Veldhuis, the study's co-author and Director of the Centre for Tax Studies with the Fraser Institute.

The Canadian Consumer Tax Index calculates the total tax bill of the average Canadian family by adding up the various taxes that the family pays to federal, provincial, and local governments. These include direct taxes such as income taxes, sales taxes, Employment Insurance and Canadian Pension Plan contributions, and "hidden" taxes such as import duties, excise taxes on tobacco and alcohol, amusement taxes, and gas taxes.

"As Canadians grapple with the stress and anxiety of completing their income tax returns, any discussion of taxes naturally tends to focus on income taxes. But personal income taxes account for only 32 per cent of the total taxes the average Canadian family paid in 2006," Veldhuis added.

The Canadian Consumer Tax Index attempts to answer the question: How has the tax burden of the average family changed since 1961?

The study found the increase in the total tax bill means the average family now pays more money to various levels of government for taxes than it spends on food, clothing and housing combined.

In 1961, the average family had to spend 56.5 per cent of their cash income to obtain food, clothing and housing. In the same year, 33.5 per cent of the family's income went to governments as tax.

By 1981, the situation had been reversed; governments took 40.8 per cent of the income in the form of taxes, while the family used 40.5 per cent to buy food, clothing and housing.

By 2006, the average family was giving 44.9 per cent of its income to governments for taxes while using 35.6 per cent of its income to buy the necessities of life - food, clothing and housing.

Since 1961, the total tax bill for the average Canadian family has increased 1,590 per cent. By comparison, the cost of housing has increased 1,019 per cent, the cost of food 487 per cent and the cost of clothing has increased 447 per cent since 1961.

"Over the past 45 years, taxes have become the single largest expenditure in an average Canadian family's budget with the total tax bill for a typical family increasing by 1,590 per cent since 1961," Veldhuis said.

Saving lives and reducing suffering is the No. 1 priority of emergency workers following a hurricane, tsunami or flu outbreak. But what if those lives come wrapped in fur or feathers?

An international symposium being held at the University of Guelph April 29 to May 1 will examine how pandemics and natural disasters affect animals and their caregivers, and how to raise awareness and consider animal welfare during such crises.

The "Caring During Crisis: Animal Welfare During Pandemics and Natural Disasters" conference will feature top international experts speaking on a range of topics. It’s expected to draw about 200 delegates from Canada and abroad.

There will be internationally-recognized speakers from Canada, the United States and Europe. They will discuss lessons learned following hurricane Katrina in 2005 and hurricane Floyd in 1999, the 2004 avian flu outbreak in British Columbia, and the 2001 outbreak of foot- and-mouth disease in the United Kingdom.

“These events caused a lot of human suffering, but a lot of animal suffering as well," said symposium committee chair Prof. Suzanne Millman of the Department of Population Medicine.

She added that failing to consider animal welfare may actually hinder human rescue and relief efforts. “After hurricane Katrina, people were reluctant to leave their homes because they had to leave their pets behind.”

Emergency workers must address people's needs first, Millman said, "but you can't consider humans completely independently from animals."

The April 29 opening session will feature talks by Michael Appleby, welfare policy adviser for the World Society for the Protection of Animals in London, and James Young, special adviser to Canada’s minister for public safety and emergency preparedness.

Appleby will discuss “Why Should We Care About Animals During Times of Crisis?” and Young will speak on “Weighing in Public Health and Safety Factors for Humans During Times of Crisis.” Their talks will begin at 3 p.m. in Rozanski Hall.

Sunday’s sessions are free and open to the general public. Monday and Tuesday’s sessions are open to conference registrants only, and information about registration is available online.

On April 30 and May 1, panel discussions will cover a range of topics. Monday’s speakers include William Stokes of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, who co-ordinated shelter and veterinary care for thousands of companion animals rescued from New Orleans after hurricane Katrina in 2005, and Sebastian Heath of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Department of Homeland Security.

Among the speakers for Tuesday are Carin Wittnich of the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association, who is a professor in the departments of surgery and physiology at the University of Toronto and director of U of T's cardiovascular sciences collaborative program. She is also a 1976 graduate of the Ontario Veterinary College and the OVC Alumni Association's 2005 Distinguished Alumna. Among others, she will be joined on the panel by Brian Evans, chief veterinary officer for the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

Conference organizers hope policy-makers and stakeholders will develop ideas to address animal welfare in emergency response plans at local, national and international levels. The proceedings will be published later this year as a special issue of the Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science.

The "Caring During Crisis” conference is sponsored by the Ontario Veterinary College, the Ontario Agricultural College and the Colonel K.L. Campbell Centre for the Study of Animal Welfare at U of G, with associate sponsorship by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.

Ontario Government Presents Inaugural Leading Girls, Building Communities Award

QUEEN'S PARK - Three exceptional Ontario girls who have made a marked difference in their communities are the first recipients of the provincial government's "Leading Girls, Building Communities award," Minister Responsible for Women's Issues Sandra Pupatello announced.

"These extraordinary young women deserve to be celebrated. And that's why the McGuinty government is making them the first-ever winners of this award," said Pupatello at today's awards ceremony. "Our government is pleased to honour their outstanding achievements and to support their leadership and encourage it into adulthood."

Pupatello was joined by Tonika Morgan, founder of the Medina Collective and winner of the 2005 YWCA Toronto Young Woman of Distinction. "Part of creating a world of equality for girls and women is documenting and honouring their achievements. I am pleased that the Government of Ontario is furthering women's equality by holding these awards and I am honoured that they have asked to me to participate," said Ms. Morgan.

<< The award recipients are:

- Sarah Dell from Toronto receives the award for her volunteer efforts, which include co-host and co-creator of the Easter Seals Scholarship Program and Provincial Ambassador for Easter Seals, and her involvement in the Communications Association for Riding for the Disabled;

- Nicole Turner from London receives the award for her work as a peer facilitator at the Centre for Research and Education on Violence Against Women and Children, where she advocates on behalf of girls with physical disabilities;

- Jenna Lambert from Harrowsmith, who is the first female with a physical disability to swim across Lake Ontario, receives the award for raising over $170,000 to build a swimming pool for kids with disabilities at the Kingston Family YMCA. >>

The "Leading Girls, Buildings Communities" award was launched on March 2, 2007 to recognize young women, aged 18 years and under, who demonstrate exceptional leadership to improve the lives of others and champion issues that lead to positive social change in their schools, communities or province. Today's recipients, the first to receive this award, were presented with a framed certificate recognizing their contributions to their communities.

Other government initiatives that recognize and empower Ontario girls and women include: <<

- Equality Rules public education campaign, which teaches youth ages eight to 14 about healthy, equal and respectful relationships to help break the cycle of violence before it starts. For more info, visit www.equalityrules.ca

- the Women in Skilled Trades program, which has provided $4.6 million since 2003, helps hundreds of low-income women develop new skills in the skilled trades, find employment and achieve economic independence

- the Information Technology Training for Women program, which has invested $2.7 million over two years to provide information technology training for low-income women

- Sport and Empowerment of Females provincial conference, which brought together leaders from all parts of the community to share ideas on how to engage and empower women and girls through sport

- Leading Women, Building Communities awards to honour women for exceptional community leadership, and whose contribution improves the lives of women and girls in Ontario. >>

"These young women are making a difference in their communities," said Pupatello. "My congratulations to today's recipients for the leadership they have shown in making positive changes for the people and places around them."

Caviro recognized globally for innovation in quality wines - first in the world to produce wines in Tetra-style packaging over 20 years ago

Diamond Estates Wines & Spirits Ltd. to handle marketing and sales of Vinissimo in Ontario

TORONTO - Italy's largest wine producer, Caviro, will introduce Vinissimo, a stylish new wine in Tetra Prisma(R) packaging, to the Ontario marketplace in April, announced Elisabeth Muir, National Marketing Manager - Wines, Diamond Estates Wines & Spirits Ltd.

Vinissimo will offer two red wines in one-litre Tetra Prisma(R) Paks, a 2005 Sangiovese and a 2005 Primitivo. Both will retail at a suggested price of $12.95 plus deposit at LCBO stores across the province.

"By launching Vinissimo in Ontario, Caviro is investing in our wine marketplace as a thriving hot spot for lifestyle-driven quality wines in convenience packaging," said Muir.

Diamond Estates Wines & Spirits, the award-wining Toronto-based sales and marketing agency, will be responsible for the brand in Ontario.

Vinissimo Sangiovese is produced in the hills of central Italy on the border between Tuscany and Romagna. Sangiovese is considered Italy's most important and widely planted grape variety and is known for producing some of the most celebrated Italian red wines. Vinissimo Sangiovese is a well-balanced, fresh-tasting red that is full of berry flavours. It pairs well with meat dishes, and of course with Italian food.

Vinissimo Primitivo, the other varietal landing on LCBO shelves, is produced in the Salento area of Puglia, where the hot, dry climate makes for full-bodied reds with bold flavours. Vinissimo Primitivo is rich and velvety, with prominent cherry notes. It is an excellent partner to roasted or grilled meats, ripe cheeses and pasta Bolognese.

Caviro is a cooperative with over 20,000 members working some 44,600 hectares of vineyards, and is Italy's largest producer of wine. It was the first wine company in the world to introduce wines in alternative packaging such as Tetra Paks, over 20 years ago. Caviro's strong points are quality control, innovation and research. The company works closely with individual growers throughout Italy to source premium grapes and craft premium bottled table wines alongside quality wines in alternative packaging.

Caviro has had extraordinary success as a forerunner in brand building, having focused on investing in new, non-traditional wine brands since the 1980s.

"Vinissimo wines have great taste, appeal and versatility, and they reflect a very modern sense of Italian style. This is a brand that offers Italian wine at a very accessible price point. An added benefit is the convenient, environmentally friendly packaging," said Muir.

Along with Vinissimo, Diamond Estates Wines & Spirits Ltd. serves as the sales and marketing agency for domestic wines from Lakeview Cellars, EastDell Estates, Birchwood Estate and Thomas & Vaughan as well as compelling international wine and spirits brands from premium regions around the world.

TORONTO - Canadian baby boomers are feeling the squeeze of being "the Sandwich Generation," and for many, it's beginning to compromise their lives.

According to a recent survey of 2,195 Canadians between the ages of 45 and 60 conducted for BMO Financial Group by Ipsos Reid, of the one-third (34 per cent) of boomers who currently assist aging relatives:

- 66 per cent say it has had some negative impact on their lives
- 31 per cent say they have less time for themselves
- 20 per cent have had to take time off work
- 19 per cent say that they have been impacted financially.

Adding to the pressure, 44 per cent of these boomers also financially support their children. Yet, despite the challenges, more than half (59 per cent) of caregivers say assisting aging family members has strengthened their relationships.

"This research corroborates other studies we have conducted over the past two years that paint a picture of a generation juggling the needs of parents and children, along with their own priorities," said Kris Vikmanis, Head of Retirement Market, BMO Financial Group. "As Canadians live longer, this trend will continue to grow, so it's important for boomers who are currently providing care for aging relatives or expecting to do so in the future, to start planning for the impact this can have on their finances and lifestyle."

Yet fewer than one in 10 (7 per cent) have asked for financial advice about budgeting and planning for the assistance they provide to their family members. According to the survey, boomers who are not currently assisting aging family members, but who expect they will at some point, are not planning either.

"Boomers tell us that they recognize retirement planning is important, however our research has indicated, time and again, that many aren't taking the necessary steps to plan for their future. The notion of factoring in costs for a family member's care or their own care is not necessarily top of mind, but it should be," said Vikmanis.

Boomers not planning ahead for caring for relatives or themselves

- More than one-third (36 per cent) of boomers who are not currently caring for relatives, expect to in the future
- Yet only one in four (26 per cent) are planning financially to provide this care
- Despite these family pressures, only 26 per cent of boomers have a plan in the event they personally need assistance when they get older.

"Canadians are facing competing priorities and concerns. We want to assist them with identifying and addressing their key issues to help them appropriately plan for and manage them," added Vikmanis.

n.
<<
Additional Survey Highlights

Differences between the sexes
- More women than men (31% vs. 23%) said they provide emotional support
to an aging relative
- More men than women (22% vs. 16%) said they have been financially
impacted as a result of caring for aging family members
- Almost twice as many women than men (18% vs. 10%) responded that
caring for older relatives has had a negative impact on their health
- Women were twice as likely (12% vs. 6%) to respond that assisting an
aging relative has impacted the job or career path they have chosen.


Regional differences

Respondents were asked: Which of the following statements apply when it
comes to assisting aging family members?


-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Activity Average BC AB SK/MB ON QC ATL
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
You provide emotional support 27% 29% 29% 36% 29% 19% 26%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
You provide transportation 18 16 15 22 21 13 19
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
You do errands 18 16 19 22 19 15 17
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
You manage their finances 10 11 9 12 11 8 13
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
You prepare meals 6 6 5 8 6 5 5
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Family member is living with you 5 5 4 6 5 5 6
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

How has helping your aging family member(s) impacted your life?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Impact Average BC AB SK/MB ON QC ATL
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strengthened relationship 59% 59% 60% 66% 59% 51% 71%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less time for yourself 31 34 34 31 32 28 29
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Taken time off work 20 22 31 21 22 11 18
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Financial impact 19 17 25 26 17 22 13
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Impacted your health 14 14 9 12 18 11 14
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Impacted your career 9 8 6 7 11 7 11
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

The three most populous provinces accounted for four-fifths of the industry's revenues: Ontario (38%), Quebec (30%) and British Columbia (15%).

However, revenue growth varied widely across Canada, from over 10% for institutions in Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Quebec, to moderate growth or declines elsewhere. Year-to-year fluctuations in public sector funding for not-for-profit institutions can influence overall revenue growth, as can tourism demand.

History and science museums, exhibition centres, planetariums, and observatories, combined, generated 44% of the total industry's operating revenues.

Non-commercial art museums and galleries generated 24%, as did botanical gardens, conservatories, aquariums and zoos. The remainder came from historic sites, buildings and communities.

Heritage institutions overall saw a marginal 1.3% increase in operating profit margin in 2005, compared with a 0.5% loss the previous year.

While not-for profit institutions broke even, this was nonetheless an improvement from the 2.0% loss in 2004. Much of the increment was due to the strong performance of botanical gardens, conservatories, aquariums and zoos, which had a combined operating profit margin of 8.2%.

Total operating expenses edged down 0.8% from the previous year.

However, salaries, wages and benefits paid out by heritage institutions to their employees rose