HAMILTON/ST. CATHARINES/GUELPH, ON - Guelph Hydro Electric Systems Inc. and Horizon Utilities Corporation, two leading electricity distribution companies in Ontario, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to develop a business case for a strategic partnership.
more...

Excellent severance package does not replace lost jobs: Steelworkers

KITCHENER, ON - United Steelworkers' Ontario/Atlantic Director Wayne Fraser said Thursday that the union has bargained a severance agreement with Nordia Inc. that will maintain employees' benefits for up to five months...
more...

WYE MARSH LEADS ONTARIO IN ENVIRONMENTAL TOURISM

Tay Township, Midland Ontario - Ontario’s Wye Marsh is leading the way in developing interactive environmental activities appealing to the increased tourist demand for ecological friendly experiences. “Behind The Scenes” programs range from a behind the scenes look at the Trumpeter Swans, Birds of Prey to a canoe eco-tour deep into the Wye Valley wetlands.
more...

Bruce Power, Babcock & Wilcox Canada sign contract for eight replacement steam generators

TIVERTON, ON – Bruce Power and Babcock & Wilcox (B&W) Canada are pleased to announce they have signed a contract at a value in excess of $90 million to manufacture eight replacement steam generators for Unit 3 at the Bruce A generating station.
more...

Honda Civic Tops in Dependability Survey for Compact Cars

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, CA - Honda Civic, Canada's best-selling passenger car for the past nine consecutive years, ranked highest for compact cars in the J.D. Power and Associates 2007 Vehicle Dependability Study(TM).
more...

Cineplex Entertainment Expands Cinema Advertising Coverage and Pre-Show Program Coast to Coast

TORONTO, ONTARIO - Cineplex Entertainment announced it has signed an agreement with Empire Theatres Limited, effective September 1, to add the representation of on-screen 35MM full motion, digital pre-show and backlit posters of Empire's 25 Atlantic region theatres to the balance of Empire's 27 theatres located in Ontario through British Columbia which are already represented by Cineplex Media.
more...

MORE SPACES MEAN MORE CHOICE FOR RETIREES

TORONTO – The number of spaces in Ontario’s retirement homes is growing according to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s 2007 Ontario Retirement Homes Report.
more...

SSHA, Hydro One Telecom and Ontera Join to Implement Innovative Health Care Network in Northern Ontario

TORONTO - Northern Ontario residents will soon benefit from improved access to health care as a result of the recent collaboration of Smart Systems for Health Agency (SSHA), Hydro One Telecom (HOT) and Ontera, a division of Ontario Northland.
more...

Labour Force Survey - July 2007

Employment was little changed in July, leaving growth so far in 2007 at 1.3%, similar to the growth rate in the first seven months of 2006. The unemployment rate edged down 0.1 percentage points to 6.0%, the lowest since 1974.
more...

Non-residential Building Construction Price Index - Second quarter 2007

The composite price index for non-residential building construction increased 3.3% from the previous quarter to 157.4 (1997=100) in the second quarter.
more...

Residents and local businesses encouraged to participate in Voluntary Blackout Day

Kitchener Waterloo - The Cities of Kitchener and Waterloo, in partnership with Waterloo North Hydro and Kitchener-Wilmot Hydro, are asking residents and businesses to make an extra effort to conserve electricity as part of a Voluntary Blackout Day.
more...

Community urged to power down on August 14
Mayors of Guelph, Woodstock face off for Blackout Challenge

The City of Guelph, in co-operation with Guelph Hydro Electric Systems Inc (GHESI) is asking all residents and businesses in Guelph to join forces to help Guelph win the Voluntary Blackout Day challenge, taking place across the province, next Tuesday, August 14.
more...

Canada injects C$825 million to lower rates

OTTAWA - The Bank of Canada, which has been acting with other central banks to calm global liquidity fears, injected C$825 million ($786 million) into the markets on Friday to try to lower the overnight rate to its 4.5 percent target.
more...

Cellpoint Acquires Gennum's Bluetooth Headset Group

TORONTO - CellPoint, the manufacturer of the award winning Flamingo Bluetooth headset, has announced that it has acquired the Canadian company Gennum Corporation's headset group.
more...

Jeff M. Parent appointed Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Nissan Canada Inc.

MISSISSAUGA, ON - Mark Grimm, President, Nissan Canada Inc., is pleased to announce the appointment of Jeff M. Parent to the position of Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Nissan Canada Inc., replacing Simon Thomas, who left the position earlier this year.
more...

Canadian buses should transport Canadian troops, CAW President

ST. JOHN'S - The recent decision of the Canadian government to award a Canadian military contract to a German bus manufacturer demonstrates a clear disregard for Canadian workers and the businesses that employ them, according to CAW President Buzz Hargrove.
more...

Foresters to acquire Unity Life of Canada

TORONTO - Foresters(TM) and Unity Life of Canada today announced that they have entered into an agreement under which Foresters will acquire Unity Life and Unity Life will represent Foresters in the Canadian market as a member of the Foresters group of companies.
more...

World News - Briefly Noted...

• The World Bank has agreed to offer $561,000 to finance 600 Angolan demobilized soldiers and 100 widows in Angola's eastern province of Moxico before the end of this year.
more...

Domestic sales of refined petroleum products - June 2007 (preliminary)

Domestic sales of refined petroleum products totalled 8 691 300 cubic metres in June, up 2.0% from June 2006.
more...

TORONTO - Manulife Financial Corporation today reported record shareholders' net income of $1,102 million, an increase of 15 per cent over the second quarter of last year. Fully diluted earnings per share were $0.71, up 18 per cent from one year ago.
more...

USA.NET deploys abrideanProvisor to manage thousands of Hosted BlackBerry users

Abridean's partnership with RIM gives service provider the provisioning edge

HALIFAX - Abridean Inc., leaders in the development of hosted application and provisioning solutions, announced today that top-rated USA.NET(R), The Global eMessaging Service Provider(R) has deployed abridean's Provisor for BlackBerry(R) Enterprise Server solution to manage thousands of USA.NET Hosted BlackBerry users.
more...

Canadian distributors can’t rely on trade-marks to stop ‘grey marketing’ by competitors

GUELPH - In a recent decision released by the Supreme Court, Kraft Canada Inc. lost in its attempt to stop a competitor from importing chocolate bars into Canada on the grounds that the wrappers infringed its exclusive copyright license.
more...

Magna announces second quarter and year to date results

AURORA, ON - Magna International Inc. reported financial results for the second quarter and six months ended June 30, 2007.
more...

UW researchers receive CFI support for wide-ranging projects

WATERLOO, Ont. - University of Waterloo researchers have received funding from the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) to perform work in such wide-ranging areas as ecosystem restoration, snow and ice hydrology of cold regions, and quantum information processing.
more...

Almost Nine out of 10 Workers Surveyed Think Their Bosses Have a Good Sense of Humour

TORONTO - According to a new survey, the workplace loves a leader who can laugh, and most bosses seem ready to deliver the punch line. Ninety-seven per cent of professionals polled feel it is important for managers to have a sense of humour.
more...

Leading Brands, Inc. Announces Significant Developments With Its Branded Beverages

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Leading Brands, Inc., North America's only fully integrated healthy beverage company, is pleased to announce several significant developments with its branded beverage business.
more...

ONTARIO CALLS ON U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY TO PROTECT AIR QUALITY

TORONTO – Ontario Environment Minister Laurel Broten and Attorney General Michael Bryant today filed comments with the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) detailing the Ontario government’s concerns with the U.S. government agency’s proposed supplemental rule that would allow for higher emissions from large coal-fired power plants.
more...

ATS strengthens leadership of automation business with two key executive appointments

CAMBRIDGE, ON - ATS Automation Tooling Systems Inc. today announced the appointment of two experienced senior executives to lead the Company's automation systems operations, its core business.
more...

CAW/FFAW to host Council in St. John's for the first time ever

ST. JOHN'S, NL - Nearly a thousand CAW delegates members will converge for the first time in St. John's, Newfoundland this weekend for the union's Joint Council, host to provincial and national politicians and international labour leaders.
more...

Asian Development Bank: Asia's Rich-Poor Gap Growing

"The gap between rich and poor in China and other Asian countries is growing, hurting anti-poverty efforts and possibly fueling unrest, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) said in [the Key Indicators 2007: Inequality in Asia] report.
more...

Canadian Red Cross: Floods Wreak Havoc Worldwide
Red Cross Movement responding since June

OTTAWA, ONTARIO - Since the start of Asia's monsoon and typhoon season in June, heavy rains, flash floods, storms and landslides have caused widespread devastation in many countries. Afghanistan, Bangladesh, China, India and Pakistan have all been hit by major floods, displacing more than 235 million people.
more...

ONTARIO STARTS EDGE HIGHER IN JULY

Toronto - Ontario home starts moved higher in July. The Seasonally Adjusted Annual Rate (SAAR) of urban* starts rose to 59,100 units, up from 56,500 unit starts registered in June.
more...

KITCHENER NEW CONSTRUCTION NUMBERS STRONGER IN JULY

TORONTO - The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) released Kitchener’s preliminary housing starts data for the month of July. Construction began on 425 homes in the Kitchener Census Metropolitan Area (CMA), a decrease of four per cent from the 441 units started in the same month last year.
more...

New Housing Price Index - June 2007

For the eighth straight month, the increase in new housing prices continued to slow, with contractors' selling prices increasing 7.8% from June 2006.
more...

NCR's Patented Printing Technology Cuts Paper Use by up to 45 Percent

DAYTON, OHIO - Home Hardware Stores Limited, Canada's largest independent hardware, lumber and building materials and furniture retailer, is the first Canadian retailer to deploy two-sided thermal receipt printing (2ST) from NCR Corporation.
more...

WestJet shares top 10 summer travel tips

Waterloo Region – Passenger traffic is on the rise at the Region of Waterloo International Airport (YKF) thanks to WestJet’s daily non-stop service to Calgary. In true WestJet spirit, the airline is sharing a list of Top 10 Summer Travel Tips to help make travel in the busy summer season a hassle-free experience.
more...

Tirecraft Auto Centers Rank Highest in Overall Customer Satisfaction with Auto Service in Canada

Dealerships Gain Larger Share of Off-Warranty Vehicle Service Customers

TORONTO - Tirecraft Auto Centers rank highest amongst vehicle service providers in Canada, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2007 Canadian Customer Commitment Index Study(SM) released today.
more...

CAW members ratify new agreement with Central Care Corporation

TORONTO - CAW members representing 14 long-term care facilities in Ontario have overwhelmingly ratified a new collective agreement with their employer, Central Care Corporation, following a series of ratification meetings that took place from July 31 to August 7.
more...

Toyota donates hybrid SUV to support campus safety at Laurier

WATERLOO — Wilfrid Laurier University’s Community Safety & Security department is the proud owner of a new 2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid, thanks to a donation from Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada (TMMC) in Cambridge.
more...

New Fresh Start Literacy Program Begins in August

KITCHENER - Just as knowledge can be a bridge to success, literacy can be a fresh start in the right direction.
more...

Markets set to open higher as earnings flood in

Global indicators were positive for North American stock markets early Wednesday as corporate earnings reports flooded in.
more...

Drama Prof Wins Esteemed Arts Prize

GUELPH - University of Guelph drama professor Judith Thompson has won the prestigious 2007 Walter Carsen Prize for Excellence in the Performing Arts. The $50,000 award is administered and presented by the Canada Council for the Arts.
more...

Volkswagen Canada achieves 29.2% sales increase for July 2007

AJAX, ON - Volkswagen Canada is pleased to announce that its sales totalled 3,442 new units for July 2007, compared with 3,347 new units in July 2006, a jump of 2.8%.
more...

Prof Develops Guide to Help Reduce Water Problems

GUELPH - With cottage season in full swing, farmers, landowners and vacationers alike continue to have concerns about water quality along the Great Lakes.
more..

ISC World Fastball Tournament and ISC II Tournament of Champions

Fastball Fever. Catch it at the Worlds!!

KITCHENER - 67 men's teams competing for 2 championship titles in 171 fastball games. Players will travel from Canada, the United States, Mexico, Central America, Australia and New Zealand. This is the best of the best in World Elite player fastball action.
more...

John A. MacNaughton Appointed Chair of the Board of Directors of the Business Development Bank of Canada

OTTAWA - The Honourable Maxime Bernier, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC), announced the appointment of Mr. John MacNaughton as Chair of the Board of Directors of BDC.
more...

Large Companies Getting Better at Managing Risks According to New Risk Barometer

Nearly half of companies rate themselves "not very effective," not using risk management best practices

TORONTO - Large companies have improved their ability to identify and manage potentially critical business risks, according to the 2007 U.S. Risk Barometer study released today by Protiviti Inc.
more...

Student Research to Be Celebrated

GUELPH - "How did you spend your summer vacation?" is a typical question asked of returning University of Guelph students. This year, at least 90 undergraduates will have similar responses: "I was conducting research!"
more...

Apple Unveils New iMac

CUPERTINO, California - Apple® today unveiled an all new all-in-one iMac® line featuring gorgeous 20- and 24-inch widescreen displays encased in elegant and professional aluminum and glass enclosures.
more...

KITCHENER, ON – Sales of condominiums are driving the residential real estate market in Kitchener-Waterloo and area because of the value they represent to first-time buyers and empty nesters.
more...

Mitsubishi Raises Benchmark for Automotive Website Experiences

MISSISSAUGA, ON - Mitsubishi Motor Sales Of Canada Inc. will expand its marketing arsenal for the all new 2008 Lancer compact sports sedan, to include a technologically advanced Lancer specific website www.lancerearth.ca designed to take consumers across five different countries and fifteen different topics.
more...

Voice on the Go(R) a "Road Warrior's Dream!"

TORONTO - Voice on the Go Inc., provider of mobile voice solutions, announced the publication of a comprehensive professional review.
more...

COM DEV Announces Return Of CEO John Keating

CAMBRIDGE, ON - COM DEV International Ltd., a leading manufacturer of space hardware subsystems, announced that John Keating has resumed his duties as Chief Executive Officer of the Company.
more...

Canadian Financing Bulletin (CFB) Releases Second Quarter 2007 Sector Review

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -
Highlights include: $6.4 billion was raised by mining companies, with gold and copper juniors leading the sector.
more...

Bell welcomes deregulation of local phone service

OTTAWA, Ontario - Welcoming deregulation of prices for local phone service as the start of a new era that benefits Canadians, Bell said it now has greater freedom to compete more effectively and develop new offers for consumers in dozens of communities across Ontario and Quebec.
more...

Quebecor Media completes friendly takeover of Osprey Media in $414 deal

MONTREAL - Publishing giant Quebecor Media Inc. has completed its friendly takeover of Osprey Media Income Fund in a deal worth $414 million, the companies announced.
more...

CAW President Says Labour Concessions Won't Save the Big Three

TORONTO and DETROIT - The outspoken Canadian labour leader, Canadian Auto Workers President Buzz Hargrove told a group of automotive investors this morning that the current focus by the Big Three on labour concessions is futile and won't help the overall picture of the North American producers.
more...

The New Chrysler Moves Forward as Independent Company

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. and STUTTGART, Germany - Chrysler announced that the sale of the majority interest in the Chrysler Group to an affiliate of Cerberus Capital Management, L.P. was completed, creating Chrysler LLC, or "The New Chrysler" - the first major North American automotive manufacturer in more than a half century to be privately owned.
more...

US House Shifts $16 Billion Toward Renewable Energy

"The US House of Representatives on Saturday passed a Democratic rewrite of US energy policy that strips $16 billion in tax incentives away from Big Oil and puts it toward renewable energy sources like wind and solar power.
more...

World News

Briefly Noted...Sierra Leone's economic growth should quicken to an inflation-adjusted rate of 9 percent this year from 7.5 percent in 2006 as the country recovers from civil war, Central Bank chief James Rogers said.
more...

U.S. judge overturns $1.5B ruling against Microsoft

SEATTLE, Washington - A U.S. judge on Monday threw out a record $1.5 billion verdict against Microsoft, ruling the world's largest software had not infringed on audio technology patents held by France's Alcatel-Lucent.
more...

Gates deposed as world's richest

MEXICO CITY, Mexico - Mexican telecom billionaire Carlos Slim has overtaken Microsoft founder Bill Gates as the world's wealthiest man with riches of $59 billion, according to Fortune magazine.
more...