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Business, Economics, Education, Entrepreneurs,
Environment, Science and Technology
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Week 10 /
March 3, 2008 - March 7, 2008 |
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Friday, March 07, 2008
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Environment Earth Hour
Nelly Furtado Headlines Earth Hour
Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto is centre stage as world goes dark
TORONTO - The partners of Toronto's Earth Hour - WWF-Canada, the City of Toronto, The Toronto Star and Virgin Mobile - announced February 6 that multi-platinum Grammy and Juno Award-winner, and Canada's own, Nelly Furtado will join Earth Hour as the first Canadian Earth Hour Ambassador. She will also perform a free concert at Nathan Phillips Square on March 29 to celebrate Earth Hour.
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Global Economics
Institutional Investor Magazine Announces Results of Semiannual Country Credit Survey
Economic Slowdown Takes Toll On Country Credit Ratings
Switzerland Tops List; U.S. Slips Canada plaes 9th
New York, NY - The semi-annual Institutional Investor Country Credit survey shows a slippage in the all-important U.S. credit rating, and with it those of many other industrial and developing economies. Over the past six months, the U.S. rating falls by 0.3 point, to 93.8, on the scale of zero to 100. The U.S. also drops one notch in the 174-country ranking, to No. 13.
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Study Employed Mothers
Study: Employment growth among lone mothers in Canada and the United States 1980 to 2000
Statscan - Employment rates and earnings among lone mothers rose by virtually identical magnitudes in Canada and the United States between 1980 and 2000, but for different reasons, according to a new study.
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Quarterly Results
COM DEV Announces First Quarter FY2008 Results
CAMBRIDGE - COM DEV International Ltd. announced its first quarter financial results for the three-month period ended January 31, 2008. All amounts are stated in Canadian dollars unless otherwise noted.
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Investment News
IDA suspends Gerald Danny Stefaniuk indefinitely
VANCOUVER - The Investment Dealers Association of Canada (IDA) announced that following an expedited hearing held pursuant to By-law 20.41, 20.43 (1) (d) and Rule 16, a Hearing Panel made an Order pursuant to By-law 20.45 suspending approval for registration in any capacity indefinitely. The Panel also ordered that Mr. Gerald Danny Stefaniuk immediately cease dealing with the public.
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Media News
Newspaper Redesign and Launch of Globe Life Contribute to Weekday
Readership Increase of 4 Per Cent
TORONTO - The 2007 newspaper readership data just released by NADbank shows The Globe and Mail average weekday readership went up 3.9 per cent to 911,600* and Saturday readership held steady (up 0.1 per cent) to 1,032,600. This data reflects the impact of product enhancements including the redesign of the newspaper and the launch of the new weekday Globe Life section in April of last year.
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Government Appointment
Sue Fawcett Appointed to the Board of Directors of the Business Development Bank of Canada
OTTAWA - The Honourable Jim Prentice, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC), announced the appointment of Sue Fawcett to the Board of Directors of the BDC.
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Emerging Markets
World Bank Says Emerging Markets Insulated From Credit Crisis
By Laura Cochrane and Oliver Biggadike
Bloomberg - India, China and other emerging markets are insulated from rising global credit costs because of surging prices for commodities they produce and the growth of domestic funding sources, a World Bank official said.
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Carbon Capture
Towards carbon-negative bioenergy: Scientists develop low-cost material for capturing carbon dioxide from smokestacks
Biopact - Scientists and engineers from the Georgia Institute of Technology and the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) are reporting development of a new, low-cost material for capturing carbon dioxide from the smokestacks of electric power plants and other industrial sources before the notorious greenhouse gas enters the atmosphere.
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Innovative Student
Ryerson University students awarded $20,000 grand prize in RBC's Next Great Innovator Challenge
Finalists from Rotman, York University and Ryerson University
TORONTO - RBC announced Ted Rogers School of Management at Ryerson University graduate students Kent Chin, Stephen Kershaw, Maggie Yang and Gavin Yeung as the national winners of the 2008 RBC Next Great Innovator Challenge.
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Business Quarterly Results
SNC-Lavalin announces fourth quarter and year-end results for 2007
Highlights -
Fourth Quarter
MONTREAL - SNC-Lavalin Group Inc. announced results for the
fourth quarter and the year ended December 31, 2007.
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Consumer News
Consumer sentiment continues downward trend, driven by steep decline in future expectations, according to RBC Cash Index
NEW YORK - Confronted with falling housing values, rising foreclosures and oil prices spiking above $100 a barrel, the mood of the U.S. consumer darkened considerably this month, according to the most recent results of the RBC CASH (Consumer Attitudes and Spending by Household) Index.
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Labour Force Survey
Canada's employment rate hits record high
Statscan - Employment growth continued in February with gains estimated at 43,000, pushing Canada's employment rate to a new record high (63.9%).
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Financing Innovation
Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers Launches $100 Million iFund for iPhone Application Developers
MENLO PARK, California – Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers (KPCB) announced March 6, 2008 the launch of the iFund with $100 million in venture capital to invest in companies developing applications and services for Apple's innovative iPhone and iPod touch.
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Manufacturing Mini-Wheats
Kellogg Chooses Ontario
Ontario Government Invests In New Manufacturing Plant That Will Create Jobs In Belleville
TORONTO - Kellogg is opening its first new North American manufacturing plant in more than 20 years with the help of the Ontario government.
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Environmental News
Researchers: corporate Voluntary Environmental Programs don't perform well
Biopact - There's a race on to find the best methods and models for countries, citizens and companies to protect the environment. Regional, national or international agreements (such as the Kyoto Protocol) that impose binding rules and targets contrast with 'voluntary' schemes, which are often found in the United States.
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Union Outrage
The Teamsters Union is Outraged by the Salary Paid Out to the President of Nortel
MONTREAL - On March 2, the media reported that Mike Zafirovski, CEO of Nortel, earned a total remuneration up by 22% over the previous year-despite the turmoil and layoffs afflicting the corporation.
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Business In Europe
International Datacasting Corporation Showcasing IPTV Solutions at IPTV World Forum in London, England
OTTAWA - International Datacasting Corporation announced that the company will be exhibiting its products at the IPTV World Forum in London, England, March 12 to 14. In addition to exhibiting at the event, Ron Clifton, President and CEO, will be a featured speaker during the event.
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Retirement News
SunWise Elite Plus from Sun Life Financial and CI Investments to offer guaranteed income for life
TORONTO - For Canadians looking for help in meeting their retirement income needs, Sun Life Financial and CI Investments Inc. announced plans to introduce a lifetime withdrawal option on the SunWise Elite Plus segregated funds rider. Currently expected to be available on March 24, 2008, the enhancement builds on the existing SunWise Elite Plus Guaranteed Minimum Withdrawal Benefit (GMWB) by providing guaranteed income for life.
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Environment Ontario's Green Belt
Green group works with doctors to promote health benefits of the Greenbelt
Booklet series describes how Greenbelt cleans our air and water and provides activities to keep active
Toronto - Doctors' offices across the GTA and Niagara have another tool to help inform Ontarians on how to stay healthy in their daily lives.
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Education on Fraud
Atlantic Canadians Tell Scammers to Fraud Off! Mayor Declares March as Fraud Prevention Month
HALIFAX - Fraud Prevention Forum members from Atlantic Canada and the Halifax Partners Against Fraud will participate in Fraud Off!, an education and awareness event for youth, hosted by the Bank of Canada, at Dalhousie University.
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Innovative News
Innovative Cereal Wins Business-Pitching Competition
Guelph - A super-quick and portable cereal served up by a team of three students captured top prize at the University of Guelph's first-ever business-pitching competition.
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Education Research
Ontario will invest $5 million to upgrade science research facilities at Carleton University
OTTAWA - Carleton will use these funds to renovate the 42-year-old chemistry building, modernize laboratories and bring equipment up to current safety standards. This renovated facility will also accommodate a new food science and nutrition program. Carleton is also receiving $7.3 million under campus renewal to improve energy efficiency and campus safety.
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Media News
Corus Entertainment to acquire CLT from CTVglobemedia
TORONTO - Corus Entertainment Inc. announced that they have reached an agreement to purchase the analog specialty television service CLT (Canadian Learning Television) from CTVglobemedia. The transaction is subject to approval by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC).
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2008 Building Permits
Municipalities issued $5.9 billion worth of building permits, down 2.9% from the December 2007
A record high was reached in the value of non-residential permits in Ontario
Statscan - The value of building permits in January fell below the $6-billion mark for the first time since April 2007. An increase in the non-residential sector was insufficient to compensate for fewer construction intentions in the residential area.
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Identifying Unknown Craft
COM DEV Successfully Completes Airborne AIS Trials
CAMBRIDGE, ON, March 5 - COM DEV International Ltd. (TSX:CDV) today announced that it has successfully completed the airborne validation trials of its advanced Automatic Identification System (AIS) receiver solution.
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Education - University Bound
UW holds March break open house event for applicants next week
WATERLOO - The University of Waterloo will welcome thousands of students and their parents to an annual March break open house next week.
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Appointment
Thomas Weisel Partners Group, Inc. Announces Appointment of President, Lionel F. Conacher, as COO and Resignation of David Baylor as COO & CFO
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - Thomas Weisel Partners Group, Inc. announced that Lionel F. Conacher is being appointed Chief Operating Officer in addition to his current role as company President.
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2009 Models Already Here
The 2009 Volkswagen Jetta Wagon has arrived
AJAX - Volkswagen announced that the new 2009 Jetta Wagon has arrived at dealerships, with a base price of $23,475.
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Charity Status Revoked
CRA Revokes Charitable Status of the Francis Jude Wilson Foundation
OTTAWA - The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has revoked the registered charity status of the Francis Jude Wilson Foundation, a Montreal-area charity.
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English as a Second Language
English Language Consultants (ELC) Offers Ontario Businesses a Practical Resource for Business English as a Second Language Training
Guelph - According to Statistics Canada, 70 percent of new immigrants arriving in Canada come with limited English language skills that negatively affect their ability to communicate successfully on the job.
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2008 Hiring Forcast
CIOs forecast technology hiring in second-quarter
TORONTO - Fourteen per cent of chief information officers (CIOs) plan to add information technology (IT) staff and three per cent anticipate personnel reductions in the second-quarter of 2008, according to the latest Robert Half Technology IT Hiring Index and Skills Report.
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Human Resources
More Job Seekers Recognize Value of Researching Potential Employers, Survey Shows
TORONTO - Prepping for the job interview is much more common today than a decade ago, a new survey shows. Seventy-nine per cent of executives polled said candidates they meet with display at least some knowledge of the company or its industry, up from 59 per cent in a 1997 survey on the topic.
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Biofuels - Brazil
Petrobras creates biofuels subsidiary; to invest $1.5 billion
Brazil - Brazil's state-run oil firm Petroleo Brasileiro SA (PBR), or Petrobras, announced it will create a wholly-owned subsidiary to concentrate its biofuel activities. These activities are currently spread among several company divisions and subsidiaries, rendering management more difficult. The company estimates to invest $1.5 billion in biofuel activities by 2012.
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Science and Art
Calling all artistic scientists or scientific artists
CALGARY - Genome Alberta, Genome Canada, and the 2008 International GE(3)LS Symposium have launched a digital art contest with a first prize of $1,000.
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2007 Year end Results
GTAA reports 2007 results - passengers up 1.7%, loss of $44.0 million but better than 2006
Highest expenses occurred in final Quarter
TORONTO - The Greater Toronto Airports Authority (the "GTAA") reported its financial and operating results for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2007 today. A total of 31.5 million passengers were processed at Toronto Pearson International Airport in 2007, a 1.7% increase over 2006.
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Education New Programs
Conestoga Adding New Trades Programs at Guelph, Waterloo Campuses
Waterloo/Wellington - There is no substitute for practical education when it comes to developing and implementing the skills responsible for economic growth and prosperity. Conestoga takes this responsibility seriously and has built an enviable reputation for educational excellence in technical trades.
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2008 Year End Results
Descartes Reports Fiscal 2008 Fourth Quarter and Year End Financial Results
18 Percent Increase in Quarterly Revenues Over Last Year
Drives Strong Operational Performance and Record Net Income
WATERLOO - Descartes Systems Group, announced financial results for its fiscal 2008 fourth quarter (Q4FY08) and year (FY08) ended January 31, 2008.
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False Health Claims
U.S. EPA fines Southern California technology company $208,000 for “nano coating” pesticide claims on computer peripherals
IOGEAR made unverified claims that coating on keyboard and mouse accessories would eliminate pathogens and kill bacteria
SAN FRANCISCO – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has settled with ATEN Technology, Inc., of Irvine, Calif., acting for its subsidiary IOGEAR, for selling unregistered pesticides and making unproven claims about their effectiveness.
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2008 Federal Budget
CFIB Members Make a Difference!
Toronto - CFIB Members who responded to CFIB's recent survey on the automobile expense deduction, provided invaluable information about the difficulties involved in claiming the deduction.
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Airline Reporting Streamlined
Clarity Systems' airline vertical market takes off
Five leading airlines recently select Clarity Systems software to improve
corporate performance management
TORONTO - Clarity Systems announce that its airline industry performance management focus has recently secured five leading airlines as customers.
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Education - Engineering
Top engineering students compete at university of Waterloo this Weekend
Waterloo - Canada’s “most innovative and creative” engineering students will be at UW this weekend, say organizers of the 24th annual Canadian Engineering Competition, which involves competitions Friday and Saturday.
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Biofuels
Pacific Gas & Electric Company to research large-scale biomethane resources for its customers
California - Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), one of the largest combination natural gas and electric utilities in the United States, announced that it has issued a Request for Information (RFI) to identify partners for a potential project to demonstrate technologies that could cost-effectively produce significant quantities of biomethane - pipeline-quality, renewable natural gas.
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University Spending
Professors Decry Wasteful Spending by University Administrators
TORONTO - "At a time when universities are critically short of resources, we have two stark examples of poor use of scarce public money," said Professor Brian E. Brown, President of the Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations (OCUFA), referring to the newspaper advertisements recently purchased by Ryerson University and the University of Toronto.
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Grand Prix Toronto Stalls Engine
Toronto loses its popular open-wheel race for 2008; organizers cannot guarantee future of event
TORONTO - While the majority of motorsports enthusiasts continue to celebrate the unification of North American open-wheel racing under the Indy Racing League (IRL) banner, Toronto fans and businesses have much less to cheer about.
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Media - Readership
National Post builds readership in key markets
Online readership soars by almost 50% in Toronto, 37% across key
markets(*)
TORONTO - The National Post continues to build on the impressive gains it has made over the past two years while targeting readership in major markets across Canada, according to an independent study conducted by the Newspaper Audience Databank Inc. (NADbank) in 2007.
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Environment - Action Plan
City of Kitchener Committee approves LEAF criteria, operating principles
KITCHENER - Keeping the public's environmental priorities in mind, earlier today the city's development and technical services committee supported a set of operating guidelines for the Local Environmental Action Fund (LEAF).
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Philanthropy
PwC donates $15,000 to support the professional development of charity leaders across Southwestern Ontario
LONDON/WINDSOR/KITCHENER-WATERLOO — Seven charity leaders in Southwestern Ontario have received up to $2,500 each as part of the PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) Leadership Grants program. As part of the PwC Canada Foundation, the program supports the leadership and professional development of existing and emerging charity leaders, which is an acutely under -funded area for non-profits.
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Media Distribution
National Film Board of Canada extends DVD distribution deal with Koch Canada
TORONTO - The National Film Board of Canada has announced that it is extending its DVD distribution agreement with Koch Entertainment Canada for another two years. Koch Entertainment Canada is a wholly owned division of publicly traded global independent entertainment content ownership and distribution company Entertainment One Ltd. The NFB is currently in the third year of the deal, signed in March 2006.
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Worlds Largest Theme Park
Tatweer and Six Flags Announce Strategic Alliance to Develop Thrill Theme Parks in the Arab World and Beyond
- Dubailand(R) to Host First Six Flags Theme Park Outside of North
America
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates - Tatweer, a member of Dubai Holding, announced today a strategic alliance with US-based Six Flags Inc., the world's largest theme park company, to develop thrill-driven theme parks across the Arab world.
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Tax Tip: Authorize a Representative
Did you know...
OTTAWA - That you can authorize your representative online if they have registered with our Represent a client service?
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Energy Research and Development
USDA, DOE to Invest up to $18.4 million for Biomass Research, Development and Demonstration Projects
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Ed Schafer and U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Samuel Bodman today announced that combined, USDA and DOE will invest up to $18.4 million, over three years, for 21 biomass research and development (R&D), and demonstration projects.
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Media TV Results
CRTC reveals financial results for conventional television in Canada
OTTAWA and GATINEAU, QC - The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) today released its statistical and financial summaries for private conventional television, which provides information on the sector's revenues, expenditures and profitability from 2003 to 2007.
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Manufacturing Program Results
Corporate Visitation Program results released on local manufacturing sector
KITCHENER - According to the results of the City of Kitchener's 2007 Corporate Visitation Program, many local manufacturers say they are facing challenges, but many of them are still optimistic about the future.
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Risk Management
Congratulations to the 2008 RBC Centre for Risk Management Winners!
Laurier takes 2nd place at the 2008 Credit Risk Case Competition
Halifax - The 2008 Credit Risk Case Competition took place from February 28 to March 1, with the main event on Saturday, March 1.
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2008 Housing Sales
Kitchener-Waterloo Real Estate Board Results for February 2008
Sales statistics for the month of February 2008 as recorded on the MLS® system of the Kitchener-Waterloo Real Estate Board, Inc.
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Entrepreneur Award
Jodi Sinden is Honoured with Prestigious 2008 Best Business Award
TORONTO — The Canadian Youth Business Foundation has unveiled this year’s winner of the Ontario Best Business Award. Entrepreneur Jodi Sinden has been chosen for her innovative work in creating the Homebox, TM an original organizing system that stands out for its functionality and usefulness.
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New Research Centre
Fraser Institute Launches New Research Centre for Mining
TORONTO - The Fraser Institute today announced the creation of its new Global Centre for Mining Studies to conduct research into public policy and the economic, environmental and social impacts of mining.
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Environment Carbon Footprint
Zero footprint Carbon calculator is launched
by Andrew Smith, faculty of environmental studies UW
Waterloo - The faculties of Applied Health Sciences and Environmental Studies are competing for bragging rights using a new university-wide tool for calculating carbon footprints.
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Biofuel Critic
Dutch think-tank criticises EU biofuel plan
The Dutch environmental advisory body MNP warned the European parliament on Tuesday that EU plans to cut greenhouse gas emissions using biofuels will increase food prices and threaten biodiversity.
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Mining Consolidation
Where have all the miners gone?
TORONTO - Global mining capital markets are being reshaped thanks to the rapid pace of industry consolidation, says a new report from Ernst & Young. In 2005, for example, the London Stock Exchange (LSE) and the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) had roughly the same market capitalization. Since then, however, the mining market cap of the LSE has benefited from more than US$70 billion of acquired market capitalization while the TSX has lost US$129.3 billion in market cap due to takeovers.
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Tuesday March 4, 2008
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US Economy
US Online Job Ads Continued Slowdown in February 2008
February 2008 showed 3 percent growth over February 2007, smallest annual growth rate since this series began in May 2005 ..
Slower online ad growth stretches throughout United States
USA - Online posted job vacancies in February 2008 grew only 3 percent from the February 2007 level, according to The Conference Board Help-Wanted OnLine Data Series™ released March 3, 2008.
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Housing Survey
Survey finds homebuying intentions slipping in Ontario
TORONTO - According to RBC Royal Bank's 15th Annual Homeownership Survey, homebuying intentions in Ontario appear to be cooling. The poll found that seven per cent of Ontarians said they are "very likely" to buy a home, down two per cent from 2007; while those who said they are "somewhat likely" to buy fell from 21 per cent to 14 per cent.
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Recreational Vehicles
Waterloo explores new by-law to manage parking of recreational vehicles on residential properties
Waterloo - Waterloo’s City Council recently directed staff to research the feasibility and appropriateness of creating a new zoning by-law addressing the storage of recreational vehicles (boats, trailers, snowmobiles, etc.) on residential property.
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Quarterly Report
MKS Declares Quarterly Dividend
Waterloo – MKS Inc. announced yesterday that its Board of Directors has declared a quarterly cash dividend of US $0.02 per share on the Company's outstanding common shares in accordance with its dividend policy.
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Family Business Spring Events
CFFB Spring 2008 Family Business Events:
March 28th Breakfast Seminar: The Value Driven Workplace: Increase Productivity and Harmony
April 25th Breakfast Seminar: Communication in Conflict (or not)
May 7th Skill Worksop: Coaching for Success: Build Relationships to Improve Performance
May 29th Gala Awards Night: Celebrate and Honour Family Businesses for their Success!
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Representation Vote Results
CAW Wins 750 new members at GTAA in Toronto
TORONTO - The CAW welcomed 750 new members from the Greater Toronto Airport Authority (GTAA) following a week-long representation vote that affected maintenance, skilled trades, baggage handling, operations, office and technical administration employees in Terminal 3 at Toronto's Lester B. Pearson International Airport.
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Fraud Prevention
Competition Bureau Announces Launch of Fifth Annual Fraud Prevention Month
OTTAWA - "Statistics showing one million adult Canadians have fallen victim to mass marketing fraud highlight the need for more consumer education and vigilance," Sheridan Scott, Commissioner of Competition, said at the launch of Fraud Prevention Month.
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Environment - Technology
Green technology: Makers hedge bets on alternative vehicles
By John Reed
As improved hybrid, clean-diesel, electric and other green powertrain technologies proliferate, manufacturers are investing in the next-generation cars we will drive in five, 10 or 15 years’ time.
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2008 February Auto Sales
Audi Canada announces best February sales ever
TORONTO - Audi Canada announced that sales in February were up by 20.8% over those of the same month last year with 580 new Audi vehicles sold. This result marks a new all-time February sales record for the Audi brand in Canada.
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2008 February Auto Sales
Honda Canada breaks February sales record with 50% increase
Record Civic sales up 91% in February; Honda truck sales increase 31% with record Ridgeline, CR-V and Pilot sales; Acura RDX and MDX set monthly sales records
TORONTO - Honda Canada Inc. reported combined record February sales of 12,069 units by its Honda and Acura divisions, a 50% increase over last year, and up 18% over the previous February sales record of 10,186 units in 2003.
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Compensation Disclosure
Canada's CAs help directors prepare for new compensation disclosure rules
TORONTO - Canada's Chartered Accountants (CAs) are taking action to help corporate board directors prepare for upcoming changes relating to executive compensation disclosure.
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2008 February Auto Sales
Mercedes-Benz reports best February ever
Combined Mercedes-Benz and smart sales up by 28.9%
TORONTO - Mercedes-Benz Canada reported today that a record-breaking total of 1,390 units were registered for the month of February. On the Mercedes-Benz side, a monthly record of 1,196 units were delivered, representing a gain of 212 units or a 21.5% increase compared to February 2007 while we saw a year-to-date growth of 23%.
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Innovation Recognized
Toronto-Based Executive Recruiting Firm Named National Winner of Rogers Innovations At Work Award
- IQ PARTNERS Inc. to be recognized for success attracting, developing
and retaining top employee talent at March 28th leadership luncheon -
TORONTO - Rogers today announced that Toronto-based executive search and recruiting firm IQ PARTNERS Inc. has won one of two inaugural Rogers Innovations At Work Awards. Launched nationwide last fall, the Rogers Innovations At Work Award program recognizes small businesses with fewer than 20 employees whose innovative products, creative marketing initiatives or unique human resources practices contribute to their success.
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RRSP Poll
Poll by Canadian Chartered Financial Analysts reveals current investor attitudes towards their RRSP holdings.
TORONTO - In a poll prepared on behalf of BNN, 65% of Canadian Chartered Financial Analysts (CFA) described investor sentiment as decidedly bearish. Another 32% thought investor sentiment was flat. Only 3% reported their clients were bullish on RRSP investments.
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Telecommunications Services
CRTC announces new rules for wholesale telecommunications services
OTTAWA and GATINEAU, QC - The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) today established a new framework for wholesale services that will promote competition in wholesale and retail telecommunications markets based on sound economic principles.
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Smart Management
Decrease in residential natural-gas rates supported by city committee
KITCHENER - During their meeting earlier Monday March 3, 2008, the city's finance and corporate services committee endorsed the municipally-owned Kitchener Utilities' proposal to decrease its 2008 residential natural-gas rates by 5.3 per cent, effective April 1, 2008.
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International Womens Day
Kitchener’s International Women’s Day Breakfast on Rogers this Weekend
Waterloo Region - Rogers Television presents an exclusive broadcast of Kitchener’s Women's International Day Breakfast. The sold out forum, held at Kitchener’s City Hall Rotunda, airs Friday, March 7 at 8 am, Saturday, March 8 at 1 pm and 10 pm on Cable 20 in Waterloo Region.
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World Travel & Tourism
WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM’S TRAVEL & TOURISM REPORT HIGHLIGHTS THE IMPORTANCE OF ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
Switzerland, Austria and Germany still top the rankings. Australia, Spain, the United Kingdom, the United States, Sweden, Canada and France complete the top-10 list.
Geneva, Switzerland – Switzerland, Austria and Germany have the most attractive environments for developing the travel and tourism industry, according to the second annual Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Report 2008, released by the World Economic Forum.
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Change in Management
NASDAQ OMX Group Announces Executive Management Team
NEW YORK - The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc. announced the global executive management team of the newly combined company.
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Tourism Appointment
Industry Canada: J. Stephens Allan Appointed to the Board of Directors of the Canadian Tourism Commission
OTTAWA - The Honourable Jim Prentice, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for the Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC), announced the appointment of J. Stephens Allan as Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the CTC.
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2008 February Auto Sales
Volkswagen Canada February 2008 sales results
AJAX, ON - Volkswagen Canada has announced that its sales totalled 2,311 new units for February 2008 representing a 3.1% increase compared to February 2007. City Jetta and City Golf sales were strong, with an increase of 101.8% and 72.2%, respectively.
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2008 February Auto Sales
GM Reports 270,423 Deliveries in February - decreases year to year by 13%
- Car Retail Sales Driven By Malibu Up 62 Percent; CTS Up 71 Percent;
Cobalt Up 24 Percent; Aura Up 21 Percent; and G6 Up 6 Percent
- Cadillac Car Sales Up 24 Percent; Chevrolet Cars Up 3 percent
- Enclave, Acadia and Outlook Drive Mid-Utility Crossover Segment Up 15 Percent
DETROIT - GM dealers in the United States delivered 270,423 vehicles in February, a decrease of 13 percent compared with an unusually strong February last year.
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2008 February Auto Sales
Toyota Canada Inc. enjoys record-setting February
Best February ever for 7 Toyota, 5 Lexus models
TORONTO - Toyota Canada Inc. (TCI) announced it set a new record for February vehicle sales in both the Toyota and Lexus divisions. TCI sold 13,598 Toyota and Lexus vehicles in February, up 26.2 per cent compared to the same month last year.
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Social Computing
Open Text Introduces Solution to Accelerate Social Computing and Collaboration in Organizations
New Livelink ECM - Extended Collaboration Connects People, Processes and Content in Real-Time
AIIM Conf. & Expo 2008, BOSTON and CeBIT 2008, HANNOVER - Open Text(TM) Corporation, a global leader in enterprise content management (ECM), announced a major new collaboration offering that will help organizations extend the power of Web 2.0 to the promise of Enterprise 2.0: Livelink ECM - Extended Collaboration, which will give customers a powerful set of communities, social computing and real-time collaboration tools in Livelink ECM.
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Pollination Park
Conference Looks at Turning Landfill Into World's First Pollination Park
Guelph - Turning a garbage dump into a bloom-filled haven for birds, butterflies and other pollinating insects is the vision the Guelph Pollination Initiative has for a local landfill site.
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Long Term Poverty Reduction
Modest-Income Families Burdened by High Effective Tax Rates: C.D. Howe Institute
TORONTO - While recent tax relief initiatives on the part of the federal and some provincial governments have been beneficial for Canada overall, they were accompanied by measures that had a perverse effect for many families - raising rather than lowering the effective tax rate on their incremental income, says a study by the C.D. Howe Institute.
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Consumer Confidence
Consumer Confidence Slips, Not Crashes
WINNIPEG - The latest Harris Decima Investors Group measure of Canadian Consumer Confidence reveals that the economic turmoil of recent months has taken a toll on consumer confidence. However, a majority of Canadians continue to have confidence in the economy in the medium and longer term.
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Education York University
Former Ontario chief justice and attorney general to become York University’s next chancellor
TORONTO - The Board of Governors of York University is pleased to announce the appointment of the Hon. Roy McMurtry, former Ontario chief justice and attorney general and Canadian high commissioner to United Kingdom, as 12th chancellor of York University. He will be installed as Chancellor on May 23, 2008.
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Monday March 3, 2008
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Education - Collaboration
Southwest Ontario Agreement for research
by Sheldon Smart, C4
Hamilton - Sharing secrets, without invoking pinkie pledges or spit shakes, is now a lot easier for universities in Southwest Ontario, including UW. Members of C4, a technology transfer consortium that links several universities, have released a jointly developed Non-Disclosure Agreement. The new NDA will be used at McMaster, Guelph, Western, Windsor, and Wilfrid Laurier as well as Waterloo.
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Education - Corporate Support
Electronic Craftsmen Equipment Donation Aids Conestoga
Waterloo - Electronic Craftsman Corporation of Waterloo has shown its support for excellence and progress in skills education by donating two ATS Series 1000 spindle winding machines to Conestoga College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning, for use in a number of technical programs of instruction. The two machines are valued at $956,000.
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Residential Construction
Value Increase of 8.5% for 2007
Statscan - The total value of residential construction investment for 2007 reached $88.7 billion, an increase of 8.5% compared with 2006. All components of residential construction (new housing, renovation and acquisition costs) and all provinces and territories saw gains.
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Education - Culture
Laurier joins K-W Symphony Youth Orchestra for first joint performance
WATERLOO — The Laurier Symphony Orchestra and the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony Youth Orchestra (KWSYO) will join forces for the first time in a concert at Kitchener’s Centre in the Square on March 8.
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Aquisition
Guertin Coatings of Winnipegb Sold to BC Company
WINNIPEG - Mr. Phil Guertin, President of Guertin Coatings, Sealants and Polymers Ltd., announced the sale of the Company to Cloverdale Paint Inc. of Surrey, British Columbia, effective February 29.
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Education - New Facility
Sod Turning Signals Start of New Project, Era at OVC
Guelph - The University of Guelph held a sod-turning ceremony today to mark both the start of a major new construction project and a new era at the Ontario Veterinary College (OVC).
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Environment - Earth Hour
Earth Hour - Waterloo Joins Challenge
The City of Waterloo, known for its Environment First Policy, is joining major cities and businesses throughout the world to participate in Earth Hour on March 29th, 2008 from 8 – 9 p.m.
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Economy - Radical Stimulant
India cancels small farmers' debt
All farmers with land of less than two hectares will be able to apply
India - The Indian government is to cancel the entire debt of the country's small farmers in a giant scheme that will cost 600bn rupees ($15bn; £7.6bn).
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Transportation - Transit
Ontario Government Provides $1.7 Million To Upgrade Guelph Transit Service
GUELPH – Ontario is granting $1,769,816 to help improve public transit in Guelph, Liz Sandals, MPP, announced on behalf of Transportation Minister Jim Bradley.
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Canadian Appointment
Callon Appointed to the Position of Superintendent of Bankruptcy
OTTAWA - The Honourable Jim Prentice, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for the Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy of Canada, announced the appointment of Mr. James Callon as Superintendent of Bankruptcy.
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Visitor.on.ca - Lifestyle & Culture
Museum and King Street Theatre Centre announce co-production
Children’s play based on Robert Munsch and Michael Kusugak story
Kitchener, ON – The King Street Theatre Centre and Children’s Museum are pleased to present a children’s theatre production based on a story of the Canadian Arctic.
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Environment - Air
EPA reaches agreement with Dow Corning on clean-air violations
CHICAGO - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 has reached an agreement with Dow Corning Corp. on alleged clean-air violations at two of its production processes at 3901 S. Saginaw Road, Midland, Mich.
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Canadian economic accounts
Fourth quarter 2007, December 2007 and annual 2007
Statscan - Economic growth slowed considerably in the fourth quarter as real gross domestic product (GDP) grew 0.2%, down from 0.7% in the third quarter. Economic output contracted 0.7% in December.
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Education - Cash Donation
UOIT announces $125,000 donation from HSBC Bank Canada
Gift will establish endowment to support students in financial need
OSHAWA – HSBC Bank Canada officials joined students, faculty and staff from the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) at the Oshawa campus Februaury 29 to officially announce a $125,000 donation from HSBC Bank Canada that will provide significant financial aid to students for years to come.
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Transportation - Corporate Flight
Sales of New HondaJet Expanded To Include Canadian Market
Direct sales and service support plan announced for Canada
GREENSBORO, NC - Honda Aircraft Company, Inc., announced the expansion of sales of its advanced HondaJet throughout North America with a direct sales and service support plan for the Canadian market.
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Sudbury Strike Still On
CIBC Workers reject latest offer by 94 per cent
SUDBURY - Striking CIBC employees in Sudbury, members of United Steelworkers' (USW) Local 2020, have rejected the latest offer from the bank by 94 per cent.
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Municipality - Permits
BizPaL Launched in Toronto
TORONTO — Starting and running a business in the City of Toronto just became easier thanks to BizPaL, a new online business permit and licence service that saves time spent on paperwork and helps entrepreneurs start up faster.
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Energy - Ontario Year End
Ontario Power Generation reports 2007 financial results
TORONTO - Ontario Power Generation Inc. ("OPG" or the "Company") reported its financial and operating results for the year ended December 31, 2007. Net income for the year was $528 million compared to net income of $490 million for the year ended December 31, 2006.
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Energy - Bio Fuels
Chevron and Weyerhaeuser Form Biofuels Joint Venture
SAN RAMON, CALIF., AND FEDERAL WAY, WASH., — Chevron Corporation and Weyerhaeuser Company announced February 29, 2008 the creation of a 50-50 joint venture company focused on developing the next generation of renewable transportation fuels from nonfood sources.
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Energy - Biofuel Adoption
U.S. must move carefully on biofuels policy
USA - The world has embraced biofuels as a form of clean energy that could sharply reduce global warming. Look no further than the 2007 energy bill that mandates a big increase in coming years in nationwide use of renewable fuels, such as ethanol.
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Economy - Urban Prosperity
Urban Expert to speak on Toronto's "Agenda for Prosperity": Will it work?
TORONTO - The president of Chicago-based "CEOs for Cities" will bring her unique perspective to a discussion of Toronto's future on Wednesday, March 5th at a meeting sponsored by the Toronto District Council of the Urban Land Institute.
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Transportation - Infrastructure
Quebec Tolls Pondered
MONTREAL - Electronic tolls on all of Quebec's main highways would bring in up to $1.6 billion per year. An Economic Note published by the Montreal Economic Institute examines four scenarios for instituting charges of this type.
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