ONTARIO GOVERNMENT’S 2007 BUDGET EXPANDS OPPORTUNITY
IN WATERLOO REGION

New $2.1 Billion Investment in Children and a Return to Balanced Budgets

Queen’s Park —The Ontario government’s fourth Budget expands opportunity for all Ontarians by investing in our children, continuing to strengthen education, health care and infrastructure and balancing the budget, John Milloy MPP for Kitchener Centre announced March 22, 2007.
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Liberals break promise to 75,000 residents of long term care homes

TORONTO - With virtually nothing in the provincial budget for long term care, the McGuinty government will be headed into the next election without having fulfilled its pledge to the 75,000 seniors who live in these homes.
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Ontario budget delivers $765 million bill to restaurant owners

TORONTO - The 28% increase to the minimum wage in 2007 provincial budget will cost Ontario's restaurant operators an estimated $765 million in higher wages and payroll taxes over the next three years, according to calculations by the Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association (CRFA).
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Ontario Budget Forecast for Students: Higher Tuition Fees and More Debt

TORONTO - The 2007 Ontario Budget released today offered no new funding for students, despite the McGuinty government's plans to continue dramatic tuition fees increases.
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Ontario Budget Falls Short of Expectations, Hargrove Says

TORONTO - "The Dalton McGuinty government took some steps today with its budget to help low-income Ontarians, but it hasn't gone nearly far enough to narrow the growing income gap in this province," said CAW president Buzz Hargrove.
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McGuinty's 'Don't Believe it Budget' fails working families

QUEEN'S PARK - NDP Leader Howard Hampton says Dalton McGuinty's latest budget is a "Don't Believe It Budget" that fails today's hard-working families.
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Some Municipalities to Benefit from Ontario Budget 2007

TORONTO - Ontario's pre-election Budget, if approved, will see a number of municipalities benefit from additional funding for infrastructure projects. However, it does not include structural improvements to current provincial-municipal cost-sharing arrangements.
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Ontario's families will wait for years to benefit from McGuinty's "war" on poverty.

TORONTO - From parents on social assistance to workers making minimum wage, working families are being told to wait years before they can benefit from McGuinty's provincial budget.
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Ontario budget continues to deliver for transit

TORONTO - The Canadian Urban Transit Association (CUTA) and the Ontario Community Transportation Association (OCTA) appreciate the Ontario government's ongoing commitment to public transit, as reflected in today's budget.
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Budget Funds Only 1 More Minute of Resident Care When 30 More Minutes Needed

MARKHAM - The needs of 75,000 residents and their families in some 600 long term care homes in communities across Ontario have clearly been forgotten in today's provincial budget.
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McGuinty pre-election budget misses the mark on manufacturing and job loss - Steelworkers

"As a pre-election package, this is a disgrace."

TORONTO - Thursday's Ontario budget completely fails to address the jobs crisis in the province's manufacturing and forest sectors, says United Steelworkers' (USW) Ontario/Atlantic Director Wayne Fraser.
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CIGI Builds Awareness of Global Issues among Youth

Building Blocks of Peace theme for third annual Global Youth Forum

Waterloo- On March 29, one hundred local high school students from the Region of Waterloo will attend the third annual Global Youth Forum (GYF), a one day conference held at CIGI (the Centre for International Governance Innovation), a leading Canadian research centre focused on international relations and policy.
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MFC Global Survey: 53% of Canadian Defined Benefit Plans Expect to Significantly Shift Equity Mix in Next Two Years

- Plan Sponsors to Boost Allocations to International and U.S. Equities
- Allocation to International and U.S. Fixed Income also Expected to Increase

TORONTO - With caps on foreign investment lifted for Canadian registered plans, a significant percentage of Canadian defined benefit pension plan sponsors expect to make significant shifts to the equity allocations within their portfolios over the next two years, according to a new survey by MFC Global Investment Management.
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Annual wholesale trade Strong Growth in 2005

Wholesalers recorded another year of strong growth in operating revenues in 2005, thanks in large part to substantial back-to-back gains in the petroleum sector.
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Independent Analyst Firm Cites ECM Vendor Open Text as an Industry Leader in Records Management

CHICAGO - Open Text(TM) Corporation, announced that analyst firm Forrester Research, Inc. (Nasdaq: FORR) has named Open Text a leader in The Forrester Wave(TM): Records Management, Q1 2007, published on March 14, 2007 and authored by Barry Murphy with Connie Moore.
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Ethanol's growing list of enemies
By Moira Herbst

Paul Hitch has spent his entire life raising cattle and hogs on a stretch of the Oklahoma panhandle he says is "flat as a billiard table." His great-grandfather started the ranch in 1884, before Oklahoma was a state, and now Hitch, 63, is preparing to pass the family business on to his two sons.
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Biofuels accelerate biotech growth
By Paul Elias

Biotechnology was first applied in medicine, then farming. Today, dozens of lifesaving drugs are on the market, while many crops are genetically engineered to withstand weed killers.
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Federal Budget Misses the Mark on Green House Gas Emissions By Excluding Majority of Vehicles

OTTAWA - The Automotive Industries Association of Canada, Car Care Canada, and representatives of the automotive aftermarket industry are concerned that although the environmental initiatives in the Federal Budget are a step in the right direction, they do not address a large enough segment of the vehicle fleet in Canada and will fail to reduce fuel consumption and lower emissions in the immediate and short term.
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Ontario Budget Fails Toronto Small Business

TORONTO - Lionel Miskin, TABIA Vice-President and Tax Committee Chair expressed disappointment that the Ontario Budget, once again, fails to address the dilemma of Toronto's small retailers.
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McGuinty's Budget: No relief, few results for average taxpayers

Tory says McGuinty missed an opportunity to use billions in extra money to help families

QUEEN'S PARK - Progressive Conservative Party Leader John Tory today said that despite increasing spending by over $4,500 per household, Dalton McGuinty's 2007 Budget has virtually nothing in it for an average hard-working taxpayer.
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Jillian Ritsma wins 2007 Outstanding Women of Laurier Award

WATERLOO – Jillian Ritsma has been named the 2007 Outstanding Woman of Laurier.



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Business Education Tax reduction a major victory for OCC

TORONTO - The provincial government has removed a significant barrier to economic development with 2007 announcement of the reduction in the Business Education Tax (BET) Rates by 2014.
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Tory: McGuinty weak leadership has Ontario limping along when it should be running

Dalton McGuinty spends over $22 billion more but we suffer because of weak results

QUEEN'S PARK - Progressive Conservative Party Leader John Tory today said Ontarians haven't seen the results they deserve as Dalton McGuinty's fourth and final Budget caps off four years of dramatically increased spending without significant results.
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McGuinty Recognizes Colleges' Need for Quality Improvements & Research Capabilities

TORONTO - Ontario's college and college/university students will benefit from increased quality improvements and from capital improvements in the coming year as the McGuinty government invests $140 million into Ontario's college system, says the College Student Alliance (CSA).
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Provincial budget fails to protect Ontario homeowners against massive tax hikes

TORONTO - The Coalition After Property Tax Reform, (CAPTR), says the property assessment changes introduced in the Ontario budget amount to tinkering and will not protect homeowners against massive tax hikes, which will now be phased in over four years.
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Every Little Bit Helps - 2% Increase in ODSP Shows Commitment to Improving People's Lives

TORONTO - Minister Sorbara's announcement of a 2 percent increase to the Ontario Disability Supports Program is a step in the right direction. For people with an intellectual disability breaking the cycle of poverty is a tough one.
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HRPAO comments on the Ontario Government's decision to raise minimum wage to $10.25 per hour over 3 years

TORONTO - Ontario Finance Minister Greg Sorbara announced today, as part of the provincial budget, that the minimum wage will rise from the current $8.00 per hour to $8.75 in 2008, $9.50 in 2009 and $10.25 in 2010. This is up from $6.85 per hour in 2003, when the Liberals formed the current government.
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Ontario Budget falls short on climate action

TORONTO - According to WWF-Canada, spending to address climate change got only a small boost in today's Ontario budget leaving the province far short of meeting its share of Canada's Kyoto commitment. This means there is still much to be addressed in next month's anticipated climate change plan announcement.
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McGuinty Government's Commitment to Developmental Services Encouraging

TORONTO - Community Living Ontario is pleased with today's budget announcement of $200 million over four years in the developmental services sector as well as $7 million in new capital funding for community agencies.
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Elementary Teachers Applaud Government Focus on Education

TORONTO - The Ontario budget released today confirms that the McGuinty government continues to pursue its commitment to enhance public education, says the Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario (ETFO).
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KPMG Highlights of the 2007 Ontario Budget

On March 22, Ontario Finance Minister Greg Sorbara delivered the province’s 2007 budget. This budget says the fiscal deficit has been eliminated and a surplus of $310 million is anticipated for 2006-2007. The budget does not contain any new taxes or income tax rate changes.
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Guelph Baseball Championship a finalist for a Canadian Sport Tourism PRESTIGE Award

The finalists for the Canadian Sport Tourism Alliance (CSTA) 2007 PRESTIGE Awards were announced today and the Rogers 2006 Canadian Junior Baseball Championship held in Guelph last August is one of three finalists in the Sport Event of the Year with a budget under $250,000 category.
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IFC To Invest $700 Million In China's Private Sector In 2007

“The International Finance Corp (IFC), the private investment arm of the World Bank, said Wednesday it plans to invest at least $700 million in China's private sector this year. This figure surpasses the organization's total investment of $639 million in 2006 in 24 projects in the country, the IFC said in a statement.
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Worldwide survey: Business can no longer afford to ignore Chinese market

LONDON, UK - A survey of over 700 business leaders, government officials, leading academics and futurists from across 60 countries and five continents warns that, for business to thrive in the changing global economy, China must become a key element in all future business strategies.
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Dr. Janice MacKinnon joins Canada West Foundation Board

CALGARY - Dr. Roger Gibbins, President and CEO of the Canada West Foundation, is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Janice MacKinnon, a professor of public policy at the University of Saskatchewan, to the Foundation’s Board.
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Ontario Centres of Excellence invests $200,000 in the Accelerator Centre to help drive economic prosperity in the Waterloo Region

TORONTO - At a special event today celebrating the first anniversary of the Accelerator Centre, Mark Romoff, President and CEO, Ontario Centres of Excellence, announced that OCE and the Accelerator Centre will collaborate to strengthen technology start-up companies in the Waterloo region.
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Thursday March 22, 2007

December Best Month of for Economic Growth in 2006 Business Investment growing sector

The economy grew at a steady pace in the fourth quarter, including a 0.4% burst in December in real GDP, its best month of the year. Business investment remained the fastest growing sector, notably engineering projects.
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Toronto links with international digital cities network

TORONTO - Toronto Mayor David Miller signed an agreement with San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom today that links Toronto with other international cities and regions in a global Digital City Network, which supports the commercialization of innovative digital media technologies and advancements.
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Apple TV Now Shipping

Watch Internet-Delivered Movies, Movie Trailers, TV Shows, Music, Podcasts & Photos on Your Widescreen TV

CUPERTINO, California— —Apple® is now shipping Apple TV™, an easy to use and fun way to wirelessly play all your favorite iTunes® content from your PC or Mac® on your widescreen TV, including movies, TV shows, music, photos and podcasts.
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Three year wait time too long for low-wage earners

TORONTO - Organizers of the $10 Minimum Wage campaign have responded decisively to the leaked news about government plans to raise the minimum wage over three years.
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'Green' Corn Project Receives $2.8 Million

Helping to feed more people around the world in more efficient and environmentally friendly ways is the goal of a University of Guelph project that has just received $2.8 million from the provincial government.
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Canadians ready for a mortgage makeover, says RBC survey

Homebuyers combining fixed and variable options

TORONTO - The number of Canadians considering combination mortgages - those with both fixed and variable rate segments - is on the rise, according to RBC's 14th Annual Homebuyers Survey. Over one third (38 per cent) of Canadians who are likely to purchase a home within the next two years plan to take out a combination mortgage, compared to 30 per cent in 2006.
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Survey Shows Administrative Staff Play Major Role in Executive Effectiveness

TORONTO - While administrative professionals often work behind the scenes, the significance of their contributions is front and centre for the executives they support.
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Rising sea levels threaten Indian islands
By Bappa Majumdar

MOUSHUNI ISLAND, India - Sheikh Alauddin, like hundreds of other residents living on West Bengal's Moushuni island, has never heard the term "global warming". But he is living with its consequences.
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World Bank Fully Endorses Anti-corruption Strategy

“World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz on Tuesday declared the bank's board of member countries had fully endorsed a controversial strategy for tackling corruption in developing countries…
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MG Production Intensifies Canadian Involvement with Edition Manager Software - an Internet Solution for Editing QuarkXpress Files

MONTREAL - MG Production (France) is announced the Canadian launch of its Internet editing solution, Edition Manager, through a network of official distributors.
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Hargrove: Budget Made No Real Effort to Address the Needs of First Nations

TORONTO - CAW president Buzz Hargrove has expressed his disappointment that the Harper budget makes no real effort to address the needs of First Nations peoples.
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Six top fitness and nutrition tips for spring, from the Revolution Fitness 'Six-Pack'

TORONTO - It's spring, the perfect time to begin getting in top-notch shape for those warm-weather activities to come.
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The first issue of More magazine: a huge success

MONTREAL - In Toronto, before an impressive gallery of guests, including Oscar-nominee actress Virginia Madsen, Transcontinental Media will celebrate the official launch of the first issue of the Canadian edition of More, which is already a huge success.
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New York Times Selects AOL Canada as Online Advertising Sales Representative

Deal gives advertisers access to over one million NYTimes.com Canadian visitors each month

TORONTO - The AOL Canada Media Network, Canada's leading online advertising network, today announced it has been selected by NYTimes.com as its third party online advertising sales representative in Canada.
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Tourism Toronto names International Tourism Marketer as new President and CEO

TORONTO - Tourism Toronto, the Toronto Convention and Visitor Association, announced today that David Whitaker will join the organization as President and Chief Executive Officer, effective April 30, 2007.
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Skilled workers needed: new job board for Transportation launched

VANCOUVER - With concern rising over a skilled labour shortage in the transportation sector, a major transportation association has gone on the offensive.
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Waterloo Regional Council approves 2007 Budget

Increase of 1.42 per cent for Regional Services and 1.16 per cent for Police Services will impact the average household by $33.10.

Waterloo Region – On March 20 Waterloo Region, approved the 2007 budget. A major provider of essential community services in the municiplaities of Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge and surrounding townships
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Dr. David Docherty appointed to Knowledge Ontario board

WATERLOO — Dr. David Docherty, dean of Laurier’s Faculty of Arts, has been appointed to the board of directors of Knowledge Ontario.
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Replacement worker bill defeated

MONTREAL - The House of Commons has defeated Bill C-257, a proposed amendment to the Canada Labour Code that would have prohibited the use of replacement workers in the event of a work stoppage under federal labour jurisdiction.
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Canada West Foundation survey: Environmental anxiety related to size of urban population

CALGARY - The Canada West Foundation today released public opinion data on how residents of Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Regina, Saskatoon and Winnipeg view environmental issues.
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EIB, World Bank Launch Carbon Fund

“The World Bank and the European Investment Bank joined forces on Tuesday to launch a carbon fund to help countries meet commitments under the Kyoto Protocol to cut greenhouse gas emissions.
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COM DEV Makes Management Announcement

CAMBRIDGE - COM DEV International Ltd. announced on March 21 that Chief Executive Officer John Keating is recovering from an unexpected surgical procedure.
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Budget Auto Incentives Hammers Domestic Auto Makers

TORONTO - In a letter to Prime Minister Stephen Harper, CAW president Buzz Hargrove criticizes the Harper budget's incentive for fuel efficient and alternative fuel vehicles. The incentive provides a higher incentive to an imported 4-cylinder vehicle than to leading-edge, Canadian built products.
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RedDot Launches New Versions of Web Content Management and Delivery Software - CMS 7.5 and LiveServer 3.5

Enhanced Integration Now Offered by The Open Text Web Solutions Group

CHICAGO, IL - Open Text(TM) Corporation, announced that RedDot, The Open Text Web Solutions Group, has released the next versions of its Content Management and Delivery software, RedDot CMS 7.5 and RedDot LiveServer 3.5.
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Wednesday March 23, 2007

Manufactured goods and strong consumer spending economy buoyant for February 2007

The composite index rose 0.7% in February, topping its 0.5% gain at the start of the year. Growth was led by a pickup in new orders for manufactured goods and continued strong consumer spending and financial markets. Only 1 of the 10 components fell in both January and February.
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BUCK PRODUCTIONS’ BOXING DOCUMENTARY THE ROAD TO MAKE ITS WORLD PREMIERE AT THE CANADIAN FILMMAKERS FESTIVAL

TORONTO - Buck Productions’ “The Road” will make its world premiere at the Canadian Filmmakers Festival. “The Road” is one of two documentaries taking part in this year’s Festival program and is a heartfelt look into the journey of Canadian boxing great Syd Vanderpool.
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Feld Entertainment Chooses Open Text's Artesia Digital Media Group to Streamline Global Business Processes

Artesia Digital Asset Management Solution to Manage all Workflows and Brand Assets in One, Secure Location

CHICAGO, IL - Open Text(TM) Corporation, announced that Feld Entertainment, the world's leading producer of live family entertainment, has selected Open Text's Artesia Digital Asset Management solution (Artesia DAM) to streamline business processes and manage all marketing and brand assets - such as photos, logos, posters and videos - worldwide within an intuitive Web-based system.
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Manulife Financial ranks first for Canadians' statements on universal life, segregated funds: DALBAR survey

WATERLOO - Manulife Financial is clearly a leader in providing Canadians with the best statements to help them understand their segregated fund and universal life plans, according to an industry survey by DALBAR Inc.
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The Economic Club of Toronto Presents: Redefining 'Canadian' in Today's Auto Industry

TORONTO - The automobile has evolved considerably since the first examples took to Canada's roads a century ago. So too has the global auto industry. Where once it was easy to separate vehicle into "domestic" and "foreign" simply by looking at the badges on each model, today that measure is meaningless.
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Wanted: Canada's Fastest-Growing Companies

PROFIT Magazine makes its final call for entries to the 2007 ranking of Canada's best and brightest growth stars

TORONTO - The deadline for identifying Canada's entrepreneurial superstars is fast approaching. Now in its 19th year, the PROFIT 100 ranking of Canada's Fastest-Growing Companies celebrates the entrepreneurial achievements of the country's leading growth firms.
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MoboVivo Continues to Lead in Online Distribution in Canada

MoboVivo makes TV programming from Canada, the UK, Australia, Norway, the US, Austria and other countries available for Canadians' iPods(TM) and PSPs(TM)

CALGARY - MoboVivo continues to move forward towards the official opening of the virtual doors of its webstore acquiring additional content for online distribution and making important steps towards acquiring financing and key alliances that will permit it to take its operations to a global scale.
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BUSINESSES URGED TO TACKLE TUBERCULOSIS TO AVOID DERAILING GLOBAL HIV/AIDS EFFORTS

On World TB Day this March 24, we are reminded that that 9 million people develop active TB every year and the disease causes 1.7 million deaths annually.
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Descartes Unveils New Integrated Logistics Management Solutions at User Group Conference

ORLANDO, Florida--Descartes Evolution 2007 User Group Conference--Descartes Systems Group, a global on-demand software-as-a-service (SaaS) logistics solutions provider, unveiled new solutions designed to empower customers to manage end-to-end logistics business processes.
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Rome burns biodiesel for buses

Rome has announced plans to run its public bus fleet on a fuel mix of 20 per cent biodiesel. The city council has signed an accord that would see its 2800 buses switch to the blended fuel in order to cut greenhouse gas emissions and local air pollution.
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National Casting Call for Liza Fromer's New Slice(TM) Series The List -Looking for Canadians Who Want to Do Something - Anything - Before They Die!

The List premieres on Slice(TM) in Oct. 2007

TORONTO - From running away to join the circus to singing in a superstar rock band, The List is about fulfilling life-long dreams and indulging in guilty pleasures. The producers of this new Slice(TM) series are looking for Canadians across the country who want to accomplish an item on their ultimate life to-do list on television.
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Federal Budget expands EDC Equity Program to help Canadian companies grow internationally

OTTAWA - New regulatory changes outlined in the 2007 federal budget will enhance Export Development Canada's (EDC) ability to invest in private equity and venture capital funds to help Canadian companies to expand and grow their business internationally, particularly in emerging markets.
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Budget Reflects Increased Understanding, Support for Philanthropy

Charities, Charitable Fundraisers Applaud Enhanced Incentive for Charitable Giving

OTTAWA- The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) lauded provisions set forth in the federal budget released yesterday that extend the elimination of the capital gains tax on gifts of appreciated securities to include private foundations.
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Retail trade shows stability in January 2007

Despite a downturn in sales of automobiles and gasoline in January, especially in Ontario, retail sales fell back only slightly from the previous month's high.
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VP of Guelph University Calls Federal Budget 'Promising,' Looks to Province to Act

Promising. That’s how University of Guelph officials are describing the federal budget released Monday. It contained increases in provincial transfer payments to support higher education and more money for research-granting agencies and infrastructure.
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Canada's Investment Counsellors Urge Provinces to Get Onside Federal Budget's Call for National Securities Regulator

TORONTO - Canada's investment counsellors and portfolio managers are giving the new federal budget high marks for promoting the need for a single national securities' regulator.
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Dr. John Forrest Named Deputy Chairman of the Board of OmniGlobe Networks

MONTREAL - OmniGlobe Networks-a rapidly growing provider of broadband Internet via satellite and wireless with global coverage-announces the addition of Dr. John Forrest to its Board of Directors, and his appointment as Deputy Chairman. Dr. Forrest brings to OmniGlobe a wealth of commercial experience in strategic direction and technology development and deployment, and has worked with many companies in the "high tech" sector
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Upcoming Technology Events Week 11.2007

March 28th
Techworking Breakfast
Delta Hotel, The Kitchener Suite
7:30am-9:00am
Members: No Charge
Non-Members: $40.00
Dave Bullock, co-founder and president of LiveHive leads
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Grant Thornton international welcomes further research into auditor choice

- International Corporate Governance Network (ICGN) and the six largest global accounting organisations reveal findings in survey of opinion on financial reporting and auditing
- 80% of survey respondents feel that there is insufficient choice in the audit market

TORONTO - The ICGN and the six largest global accounting organizations have revealed the findings of their jointly commissioned survey of opinion on financial reporting and auditing. Grant Thornton International, as one of the six largest accounting organizations, welcomes this initiative and looks forward to further research being carried out into the area of auditor choice and investor satisfaction.
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CAW Reaches Tentative Agreement At MTS Allstream

TORONTO - CAW Local 2000 members who work at MTS Allstream across Canada are voting on a tentative three-year agreement with the Winnipeg-based telecommunications company.
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Steelworkers and Global Union Partners Announce Unity Accord

SUDBURY - The United Steelworkers (USW) and unions from six of the world's nations announced on Tuesday a new global union accord designed to advance the interests of workers employed by the rapidly growing Companhie Vale do Rio Doce (CVRD).
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Globalive Communications announces new marketing agreement with the Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan Hotel Associations

TORONTO - Canopco, a business division of Globalive Communications Corp. and a leading provider of hospitality telecommunications services, announced a new three year marketing agreement with the Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba Hotel Associations.
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UW holds fifth annual International Celebrations Week

WATERLOO - The University of Waterloo seeking to raise awareness of diverse cultures on campus will hold the fifth annual International Celebrations Week (ICW), beginning Friday and ending March 30.
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US Investor Confidence Index Rises to 100.6 in March 2007

BOSTON - State Street Global Markets, released the results of the State Street Investor Confidence Index(R) for March 2007.
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Budget silent on physical activity and sport commitment to Canadians

OTTAWA - The Coalition for Active Living (CAL) is still waiting for Canada's new government to fulfill it's election promise to invest in a strong and better Canada by reducing chronic diseases like cancer and heart disease caused by physical inactivity.
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Growing global attention to water issues creating major business opportunities

World Water Day highlights growing public and political "will to spend" on water infrastructure

TORONTO - Growing attention to global water challenges has created a significant opportunity for water-focused businesses according to Toronto-based Criterion Investments Limited ("Criterion").
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Weston Awards honour top one per cent of Ontario's public and separate elementary schools

TORONTO - Eighty-five elementary schools from across Ontario were recognized as being among the top one per cent in the province at the annual Garfield Weston Awards for Excellence in Education dinner in Toronto Tuesday.
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Tuesday, March 20, 2007

Federal Investment Welcomed by Perimeter Institute

WATERLOO - When Canada's Budget Plan was tabled March 19 in the nation's capital, reference was made to Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics in Waterloo, Ontario, as a leading centre of scientific research and educational outreach excellence, fostered through public-private partnership.
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Budget moves in the right direction for tourism

OTTAWA - Yesterday's budget delivered some positive items for the tourism industry, including the creation of the new Foreign Convention and Tour Incentive Program, which indicates the government is hearing tourism's message and is committed to moving forward in a positive way, according to Canada's national tourism advocacy group.
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Budget Offers Wins for Older Canadians According to CARP

OTTAWA - Older Canadians can claim gains in the new federal budget, according to CARP, Canada's Association for the Fifty-Plus.
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Heritage Canada Foundation disappointed by Federal Budget

OTTAWA - The Heritage Canada Foundation (HCF) sees little of substance for historic places in the federal Budget tabled this afternoon by the Minister of Finance.
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Federal Budget Yields Good Returns for Provinces, Mixed Bag for Taxpayers, and Lacklustre Results for Business

OTTAWA - The federal budget moves in the right direction in key areas - capital gains, research and development, and IT investments - but offers little for businesses from Main Street to Bay Street, says CMA Canada Vice-Chair and federal budget analyst Michael Tinkler.
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Federal Budget Falls Short of Expectations: Ontario College Students

TORONTO - Canada's new government fails Ontario's college and college/university students again. In Budget 2007, significant increases for postsecondary education do not come until 2008-09, says the College Student Alliance (CSA).
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Border crossings into Ontario by foreigners reached a low point

Border crossings into Ontario by foreigners reached a low point in January, as heavy snowfalls, freezing rain and extreme cold advisories in Canada's most visited province likely kept United States travellers away.
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Federal budget fails to address airport rent issue

TORONTO - The Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA), today expressed disappointment that the matter of airport rent relief was not addressed in the federal budget.
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KPMG Highlights of the 2007 Federal Budget

On March 19, 2007 Finance Minister Jim Flaherty delivered the Conservative government’s second budget, projecting a surplus of $9.2 billion for 2006-07, which will be applied to pay down the national debt.
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Canadian Construction Association Welcomes New Federal Funding for Infrastructure; Disappointed in Lack of Priorities

OTTAWA - The Canadian Construction Association on March 19 stated its support for Finance Minister Jim Flaherty's focus and spending on new infrastructure in the 2007 federal Budget, but expressed its disappointment that previously announced programs such as the Highway and Border Infrastructure Fund from Budget 2006 were being shelved.
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Federal Budget 'Gutless': Friends of the Earth-Canada

Ottawa- "The Conservative federal budget is a gutless response to the leadership on climate protection that Canadians expect from their governments," said Beatrice Olivastri CEO of Friends of the Earth-Canada. "Despite their advertised family-friendly budgetary approach
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Tax cut budget out of step with Canadians' priorities

OTTAWA - Today's federal budget may be a short-term attempt to buy votes but it fails to address the long-term priorities of most Canadians, says the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives.
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Federal budget stops short of predictable funding for public transit

TORONTO - The Canadian Urban Transit Association (CUTA) is discouraged that today's budget moves away from dedicated and predictable investment in public transit.
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Retail Council of Canada's Reaction to 2007-2008 Federal Budget

TORONTO - Retail Council of Canada (RCC) is pleased with the modest tax relief measures outlined in the 2007-2008 Federal Budget, as announced by Finance Minister Jim Flaherty earlier today. As the Voice of Retail, RCC speaks for an industry that employs more than two million Canadians and contributes approximately $390 billion in annual sales to the Canadian economy.
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Federal budget earns solid "B" grade say Canada's Chartered Accountants

TORONTO - Reducing the federal debt by $9.2 billion and providing targeted tax relief to those Canadians who most need support earned the Federal Finance Minister a solid "B" grade, Canada's Chartered Accountants said March 19, 2007.
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Federal Budget Implies Status Quo For Health Care

Canadian Physiotherapy Association Advocates More Funding Toward Access

OTTAWA - The Federal budget delivers a little something for many and not a lot for health.
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Descartes Proactively Upgrading Compliance Services for Proposed U.S. "10+2" Shipment Data Collection Regulations

WATERLOO - Descartes Systems Group announced that it is upgrading its Compliance Services to proactively address new proposed U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) regulations anticipated to require importers and ocean carriers to provide CBP with additional shipment data.
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Conestoga Co-op Student Wins Provincial and National Honours

As part of National Co-op Week activities, Conestoga College will recognize the outstanding college co-op student of the year, who has earned excellence awards from provincial and national groups.
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Consumer Price Index increases by 2% in February 2007

Consumers paid 2.0% more in February for the goods and services included in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) basket than they did in February 2006. This represents a substantial acceleration over the previous month.
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Orangeville based student entrepreneur wins regional championship!

OTTAWA – Advancing Canadian Entrepreneurship (ACE), celebrating their 20th Anniversary in 2007, is proud to announce the 2007 Regional Champions of the ACE Central Canada Regional Exposition that occurred in Ottawa at the Chateau Laurier last week on March 16.
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Waterloo Region's Accelerator Centre nurtures Canada's next high-tech stars

WATERLOO - In less than a year, the Accelerator Centre at the Waterloo Research and Technology Park has laid the groundwork for some of Canada's high-tech stars of the future.
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VIA Rail covers Canada with rail-inclusive packages thoughout the country

Visit viarail.ca/packages for multi-destination getaways from coast to coast

MONTREAL - From the picturesque charm of Peggy's Cove in Nova Scotia to the awesome wilderness of the Canadian Rockies, VIA Rail offers travellers lots to choose from for this summer travel season.
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CJPME CALLS FOR CANADA TO RECOGNIZE THE NEW PALESTINIAN UNITY GOVERNMENT AND END AID EMBARGO

MONTREAL – Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) is calling the Canadian government to recognize the newly formed Palestinian “Unity Government” and mitigate the suffering of the Palestinian population by re-establishing Canadian aid programs to the Palestinian Authority (PA.)
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Mortgage and Housing Market Going Strong North of the Border announces MortgageBrokers.com
Company predicts Canadian Refinance boom for 2007-2009

RICHMOND HILL - As the U.S. housing market falters, with the demise of Subprime lenders such as Accredited home lenders and New Century Mortgage the latest figures show all aspects of the Canadian market going strong with experts predicting a refinance boom.
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Osprey Media Income Fund announces distribution payable April 13, 2007

MARKHAM - Osprey Media Income Fund announces that a regular monthly cash distribution of $0.064 per Unit will be paid on April 13, 2007 to holders of record of Units as at the close of business on March 31, 2007 in respect of the period from March 1 to March 31, 2007.
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Right Management Promotes Paul Straub To Senior Vice President, Global Finance

Philadelphia – Paul Straub has been promoted to Senior Vice President, Global Finance for Right Management, the world's leading provider of integrated consulting solutions across the employment lifecycle.
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Law School Graduates Advised to Weigh All Aspects of Job Offers

TORONTO - As law students prepare for graduation, they may be anxious for prospective employers to "show them the money." While it might be tempting to take the highest paying offer, job seekers should consider more than just salary when determining which law firm or corporation to join,
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PATIENTS FACING HEART-HEALTH DILEMMA FIND NEW TREATMENT

WINNIPEG - Patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery who received biopharmaceutical company Medicure's lead drug MC-1 in Phase II clinical trails showed a 47% decrease in post-operative hearts attacks.
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Toronto Home sales stay steady

TORONTO - The Toronto Area resale housing market maintained a solid pace through the first half of March, Toronto Real Estate Board President Dorothy Mason announced March 19, 2007.
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Canada's Polytechnics welcome Budget 2007

TORONTO - Polytechnics Canada applauds the federal government's emphasis on creating opportunities for all Canadians, spurred by increased investments in applied research and commercialization activities, as well as in skills and learning.
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CFIB response to the 2007 federal budget: big budget for small business

Canada - The federal budget provided some good news for Canada’s SMEs, announcing measures that will help them save time and invest for the future. CFIB was pleased to see government increase the lifetime capital gains exemption (LCGE) for small business from $500,000 to $750,000, give details of how they plan to reduce regulations and paper burden, make a major investment in debt reduction, and encourage new investment by enhancing capital cost allowances and other tax measures.
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Statement From Ontario Finance Minister Greg Sorbara In Response To 2007 Federal Budget

TORONTO - The federal budget appears to make some considerable progress in addressing fairness in Ontario.
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Universities applaud postsecondary education and research increases

OTTAWA - Canada's universities welcome the federal government's move to earmark more long-term and stable funding for postsecondary education through the Canada Social Transfer in today's federal budget, as well as a series of key investments in university research and graduate students.
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A Positive First Step for Post-secondary Education

OTTAWA - Canada's students are relieved that the Conservative Government finally took a first step towards improving Canada's post-secondary system.. The budget included several initiatives for post-secondary education, the highlight being an increase of $800 million in earmarked federal funding for post-secondary education.
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Conservative budget doesn't make country fairer, safer or better

OTTAWA - In spite of its claims, the latest Conservative budget is not going to make Canada better or safer, nor will it make it fairer, according to the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC).
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Ontario Chamber says "Government embarks on road to fairness"

TORONTO - The federal government has made progress towards restoring fairness in Canada in Budget 2007 by implementing a number of the recommendations of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce.
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Federal budget takes positive steps but falls short of expectations

TORONTO - The Investment Industry Association of Canada commends the federal government for introducing measures to improve the competitiveness of corporate tax rates, including higher depreciation rates and a fiscal incentive to eliminate provincial capital taxes.
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Manufacturing a Major Winner in Federal Budget: CME

OTTAWA - Manufacturers spoke. The government listened. Canada's largest business sector is a major winner in Budget 2007. "This budget is good news for Canada's manufacturers and exporters, as well as for the economy as a whole," says Perrin Beatty, President and CEO of Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters.
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Harper budget may prevent an election, but doesn't do the job for working Canadians

TORONTO - "The Stephen Harper budget appears to be a budget structured to avoid an election," said CAW president Buzz Hargrove. "The budget recognizes problems but fails to address them. There is a nod here and a wink there, but no real solutions."
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Canada's private foundations welcome tax change in Budget 2007

OTTAWA - Canada's private philanthropic community welcomed today's federal budget announcement that donations of public shares to private foundations will no longer be subject to capital gains tax.
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Federal budget fails to address chronic imbalance in post-secondary education funding

OTTAWA - March 19, 2007 budget fails to adequately address the chronic imbalance in federal funding for Canada's universities and colleges, says the Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT).
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Budget 2007: A Stronger, Safer, Better Canada

OTTAWA - Canada's New Government tabled a balanced budget March 19 that restores fiscal balance, cuts taxes for working families, invests in priorities such as health care and the environment, and reduces our national debt.
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Federal budget raises Ontario students' expectations for McGuinty's pre-election offering on Thursday

TORONTO - Federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty delivered $800 million in additional post-secondary funding for provinces and territories in today's federal budget. This investment raises Ontario students' expectations for additional post-secondary education funding in Thursday's provincial budget, according to the Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance (OUSA).
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IT capital cost allowance shaved 10 per cent
by Shane Schick

The federal budget offers a new tax rate for investments in computers, but ignores an industry-wide call for SR&ED credit reforms.
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Federal Budget Misses Investment Opportunity

No firm action on capital gains

OTTAWA - The federal government has failed to provide an opportunity for Canadians to increase their investments in real property.
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GTHA applauds tourism initiatives in federal budget

TORONTO - The Greater Toronto Hotel Association (GTHA) commended Finance Minister Jim Flaherty for measures in today's federal Budget that will help Toronto's tourism industry.
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Budget Measures will help Attract Capital Investment, Enhance Competitiveness of Canada's Manufacturing Sector and Keep Jobs in Canada, Says Forest Products Industry

OTTAWA - The Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC) today welcomed initiatives in today's Federal Budget that will enhance the competitiveness of Canada's manufacturing sector through an accelerated Capital Cost Allowance (CCA).
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Ernst & Young's federal budget analysis now online

OTTAWA - Ernst & Young's annual in-depth analysis of today's federal budget is now online. Some of the measures announced in today's budget appear to be election-year promises for Canadian taxpayers; however, other changes -
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Federal Budget Reduces Stigma of Mental Illness

OTTAWA - Mental illness has for far too long been ignored by governments in Canada even as depression has reached epidemic proportions and Canada's suicide rate has risen to among the highest in the developed world. The Mood Disorders Society of Canada (MDSC) congratulates Canada's new government on doing something about it in today's budget.
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CCPA: Budget Good for Communities Affected by Manufacturing Closures

OTTAWA - Canada's Chemical Producers praised the March 19, 2007 Federal Government for providing tax relief to the manufacturing sector in its 2007 budget, by modifying its capital cost allowance on new investments in this critical sector of the Canadian economy.
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Harper budget may prevent an election, but doesn't do the job for working Canadians

TORONTO - "The Stephen Harper budget appears to be a budget structured to avoid an election," said CAW president Buzz Hargrove. "The budget recognizes problems but fails to address them. There is a nod here and a wink there, but no real solutions."
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FEDERAL BUDGET 2007: A BUDGET FOR THE AGES

Phased retirement: the budget addresses the shortage of labour by introducing incentives for older workers to stay on the job longer. Improvements have also been proposed to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program to respond to regional labour and skills shortages.
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'Election-ready' federal budget fails to address long term

TORONTO - United Steelworkers' (USW) National Director Ken Neumann said that Monday's Conservative federal budget doesn't do enough to address the continuing drain of jobs in manufacturing and the forest industry, and fails to address the most pressing concerns of Canada's working families.
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Toyota Canada welcomes "green auto" initiatives in 2007 Federal Budget

TORONTO - Toyota Canada Inc. (TCI) today applauded the Government of Canada's budget initiatives to encourage Canadians to choose environmentally friendly vehicles.
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Canada: Cost to label genetic food is overblown
By Michelle Lalonde

Mandatory labelling of genetically modified foods would cost much less than the food industry has claimed, a new study commissioned by Quebec's Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food reveals.
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NAV CANADA reports January traffic figures

OTTAWA - NAV CANADA announced its traffic figures for January 2007, as measured in weighted charging units for en-route, terminal and oceanic air navigation services, in comparison to the same month in 2006.
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Wellness Fair Promotes Balanced, Healthy Lives

The University of Guelph’s Wellness Centre is encouraging people to “feel the energy” this week.
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ONTARIO GOVERNMENT’S EDUCATION INVESTMENTS DELIVERING BETTER RESULTS FOR STUDENTS IN WATERLOO REGION

Rising Achievement Shows Government Reaching Every Student

WATERLOO REGION— Students in Waterloo Region are set for a fourth year of rising achievement, thanks to the Ontario's government’s significant investment in our schools, John Milloy, MPP for Kitchener Centre announced March 19, 2007.
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Monday March 19, 2007

Canada's invest heavily in international securities - January 2007

Fuelled by record high investment in foreign bonds, Canadians added $7.8 billion worth of foreign securities to their holdings in January. This represented the 24th consecutive month of buying for Canadians, with investments totalling $77.9 billion in 2006.
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Environmental groups set the bar for Ontario political parties - Groups outline action priorities for the province

TORONTO - A group of leading Ontario environmental organizations released detailed policy agendas for the Ontario's up and coming political contestants, offering in seven key areas to focus:
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G8 Plus Big Five Developing Countries Wrangle Over Climate Crisis

“Ministers from 13 nations responsible for most of the world's greenhouse gas pollution were meeting near Berlin on Friday to explore common ground on tackling the crisis of global warming.
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Wholesale trade starts off January 2007 with a conscious

Following a strong end to 2006, wholesalers began the year on a subdued note, as weaker deliveries of automotive products and personal and household goods pushed overall sales lower.
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Sustainable Future Day, April 2nd, Markham, ON:

$15,000 will be awarded to Ontario students with the best sustainable future ideas for our planet
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Hammond Lecture to Focus on Business Sustainability

Teaching business to turn a profit by thinking green is the topic of the University of Guelph’s seventh annual Kenneth Hammond Lecture on Environment, Energy and Resources.
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World Brief - Posted March 19, 2007

The Ugandan government is negotiating with the World Bank on an early start of the construction of the 250 MW Bujagali hydropower project, a key step to salvage the country from the severe power shortage nationwide. [Xinhua (China)/Factiva]
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'Global' Union Meeting in Sudbury March 18-21: CVRD Workers to Arrive in Sudbury on Sunday

TORONTO and SUDBURY, - Union members representing CVRD workers in Brazil, New Caledonia, Mozambique and Canada will start arriving in Sudbury this weekend in advance of a three-day meeting to plan strategies that put the interests of CVRD workers and their communities front and centre for the growing corporation.
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Good Example of Social Entrpreneurship

What if I told you a growing number of 21st Century CEOs spend a majority of her day car-pooling, changing diapers with a little spit-up in her hair. Mom-preneurs are breaking ground with particularly innovative products for the chic and stylish mommies.
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Last Day for Civic Square Rink: Today Monday, March 19

KITCHENER - The coming of spring marks the end of the skating season for the Civic Square rink at Kitchener City Hall.
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EU may change environment requirements for farmers
By Jeremy Smith

BRUSSELS - EU regulators plan to slice through much of the red tape surrounding a series of strict environment requirements that must be met before farmers receive subsidies for growing crops, a document showed on Friday.
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Dr. Daniel Andreae receives Faculty of Social Work’s Graduate Honour Award



KITCHENER – If you are familiar with the social work profession, chances are you are familiar with Dr. Daniel Andreae. He is known to practitioners as the longest-serving president of the Ontario Association of Social Workers.
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Education sector most efficient says Consumption of Energy Survey 2005

The education sector consumed energy at a lower rate than most other businesses, institutions and organizations in 2005, according to data from the latest Commercial and Institutional Consumption of Energy Survey.
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Biofuels can be environmental boon, but gas guzzling must first end: Experts

TORONTO - In an era of soaring gas prices and surprise shortages at the pump, biofuels paint a rosy picture of the future: they're renewable, made from waste products and can significantly reduce emissions of greenhouse gases.
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THE BLIND BOYS OF ALABAMA - with special guest Bettye LaVette, soul singer Saturday, April 14 at 8 pm.

Massey Hall - Formed some six and a half decades ago, The Blind Boys of Alabama are the Iron Men of the music industry. They predate Elvis, Little Richard, and Al Green.
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Greenpeace puts Harper under house arrest for climate crimes

OTTAWA - Before the federal budget was presented to Parliament, Greenpeace activists today put Prime Minister Stephen Harper under house arrest for climate crimes.
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In-demand switchgrass costs nearly twice as much as corn
By Philip Brasher

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Some Iowa farmers already know what it takes to grow crops like switchgrass for energy, and their experience raises questions about the feasibility of turning biomass into motor fuel.
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Montenegro Seals Pact On Future EU Membership

Montenegro Seals Pact On Future EU Membership “Montenegro took its first step towards EU membership by initialing a stabilization and association agreement (SAA) on Thursday, less than a year since it became independent.
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Migrant Workers Send $62.3 Billion To Latin America, Caribbean 06 [-IDB]

“Migrant worker remittances to Latin America and the Caribbean were up 14 percent to more than $62.3 billion in 2006, The Financial Times reported Friday.