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Refining Entrepreneurship

Elite Entrepreneurs from Across Canada to Ring TSX Opening Bell

Cautious on outlook for Canadian economy; upbeat about their own growth objectives

TORONTO - Entrepreneurs from across Canada will ring the opening bell at the Toronto Stock Exchange on April 23rd to officially launch the 2008 Quantum Shift program.

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Employer Learning Programs

Ontario Employers Recognized for Providing Outstanding Experiential Learning Programs to High School Students

TORONTO - Five Ontario employers were honoured on April 8, 2008 in Toronto with the Passport to Prosperity Employer Champion Award. The award is presented to employers who offer outstanding experiential learning opportunities to high school students.

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New Payment Terminal

RDM announces RDM SYNERGY II all in one payment terminal

LAS VEGAS - RDM Corporation, announced the release of RDM SYNERGY II, the second generation of RDM's all-in-one payment terminal, now fully featured with dual sided imaging capabilities for a complete Check 21 solution.

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Financial Recommendation

C.D. Howe Institute's Monetary Policy Council Calls for Bank of Canada to Cut its Benchmark Interest Rate Target to 3.25 Percent

TORONTO - The C.D. Howe Institute's Monetary Policy Council (MPC) recommended that the Bank of Canada lower its target for the key overnight interest rate to 3.25 percent at its next announcement on April 22. The overnight rate is a very short-term money-market rate that the central bank targets for monetary policy purposes.

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Book Review - Development Tip

Recession-Proof Your Career with 8 Trust Tips from New York Times Bestselling Author Stephen M. R. Covey

NEW YORK — Avoid the many pitfalls of being laid off by becoming the indispensable employee with 8 Trust Tips to Recession-Proof Your Career from Stephen M. R. Covey, New York Times bestselling author of The Speed of Trust: The One Thing That Changes Everything.

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Media - Women and Stuff

ASKANGELA.CA LAUNCHES IN CANADA FOR WOMEN IN SEARCH OF ANSWERS
TO CAR PURCHASE, CARE, MAINTENANCE, LIFESTYLE AND SAFETY.

Toronto - Women in search of information about cars now have one key resource with the launch of AskAngela.ca, a Canadian first. AskAngela.ca is a new, made-in-Canada online resource which helps empower women to better understand the automotive industry – buying/selling cars, car care and maintenance, lifestyle considerations, and safety.

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Growing Movement

Students reject University of Ottawa code of conduct Right to dissent and freedom to organize threatened under proposed measures

OTTAWA - All across campus, University of Ottawa students are outraged by the discovery of a University of Ottawa draft policy that proposes to impose harsh academic sanctions such as suspension and revocation of financial aid for behavior not related to academics.

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CA's like Free Trade

Canada's CAs extend historic agreement with U.S. and Mexican counterparts

TORONTO - Canada's Chartered Accountants announced yesterday the extension of the historic Professional Mutual Recognition Agreement (PMRA) with their American and Mexican counterparts.

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Greener Transportation

Volkswagen "Green Guts" at epic with the launch of its 2009 TDI Clean Diesels

VANCOUVER - Volkswagen Canada is showing consumers they don't need to make compromises when choosing to buy a green car. Volkswagen's new low emission TDI Clean Diesel Jetta is high on performance, style, functionality and affordably priced.

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Check

Yak applauds CRTC decision to protect Canadians against consumer gouging

TORONTO - Yak Communications (Canada) Corp., applauded the recent CRTC ruling to order Telus to rebate consumers for a predatory fee they imposed in 2007. The ruling is a direct response to an application Yak filed in December, calling on the CRTC to remove an illegal "network access" fee that TELUS imposed on customers who did not subscribe to long distance plans.

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Year End Results

The Co-operators Announces Strong Year-End Financial Results, New Member-Owners and $1 Million Boost to Foundation

GUELPH - The Co-operators Group Ltd. announced strong financial results, the continued expansion of its co-operative ownership base and a $1 million contribution to The Co-operators Foundation as the organization wrapped up its Annual General Meeting (AGM) in its hometown of Guelph, Ontario.

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Skills to Jobs

Dollars for Skills Education-A Boon for Ontario Trades

TORONTO - Minister Dwight Duncan announced recently that he intends to allocate $1.5 billion on a Skills to Jobs Action Plan over the next three years. One of the key stated objectives of this initiative is to provide individuals with new skills for new careers.

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Tax Tips

Tax Alert: Working Away From Home?

OTTAWA - The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is reminding Canadians to properly indicate their province or territory of residence on their tax returns. This ensures that you are paying the taxes you owe, and allows the CRA to properly distribute the taxes it collects on behalf of provinces and territories.

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Environment + Economy = Ecohealth

Team of Profs Develops National Ecohealth Course

Guelph - Professors from three Canadian universities, including the University of Guelph, are teaming up to design a first-of-its-kind course in ecohealth. This emerging field of study promotes taking a more holistic approach to solving complex human, animal and environmental issues.

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Market Morphs into Library for a day

One Book One Community unveils 2008 book selection at Your Kitchener Market April 19

KITCHENER - The Kitchener Public Library (KPL) is hoping everybody in Waterloo Region will be on the same page again this year, when One Book One Community unveils its mystery book for 2008 on Saturday, April 19, at Your Kitchener Market.

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Research Conference

UW hold largest graduate student research conference of its kind in Canada

WATERLOO - The largest graduate student research conference in Canada takes place next week at the University of Waterloo, with the public welcome to learn about the latest discoveries developed by young minds.

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Consumer Price Index

Consumer prices rose 1.4% on average in the 12 months to March 2008, the fourth consecutive month in which the rate of growth has decelerated.

Statscan - This was the slowest rate of growth since January 2007.

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Tourism from other Countries

Same-day and overnight car travel from the United States fell in February 2008

Statscan - In every province except Saskatchewan recording declines in inbound border crossings by US residents travelling by car.

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Economy First Quarter 2008

Current economic conditions

Statscan - Output in January rebounded smartly from a sharp drop in December, reflecting a widespread increase in demand. This was consistent with employment, which picked up steadily through the first quarter.

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Education - Energy

U of G Hosts High School Wind Energy Competition

Guelph - It's only fitting that this year's wind energy competition at the University of Guelph will be held on April 22, national Earth Day.

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Economic Analysis Windsor

The Auto Sector Remains Crucial to Windsor Area Economy

WINDSOR, ON - An economic analysis of Windsor highlights the crucial contribution of the region's auto industry.

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A US first - Proxy Proposal

Aflac Chairman and CEO Dan Amos to Discuss the Company's Advisory Vote on Compensation on Glass Lewis Proxy Talk

SAN FRANCISCO - Glass, Lewis & Co., a leading independent research and proxy advisory firm, will host a Proxy Talk conference call today, Thursday, April 17 at 2:00 p.m. (EDT) with Daniel P. Amos, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Aflac Inc. Mr. Amos will discuss the company's advisory-vote-on-compensation proposal

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Older Boomers

Many Canadian Retirees Are Facing a Lifetime Tax Bill of Over $1 million

According to the TriDelta Estate 100, their estate value will be $1.9 million.

TORONTO - The results from over 10,000 estate reviews show that for many older Baby Boomers and retirees, they face a tax bill of more than $1 million over the rest of their lives, indicates a study paid for by TriDelta Financial Partners.

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Abuse of Dominance

Competition Authorities From Around the World Send Clear Message on Convergence

Developing Practices on the Assessment of Dominance top list of recomendations

KYOTO, JAPAN - Competition authorities from around the world agreed to further their cooperation following the International Competition Network's (ICN) 7th Annual Conference, which ended April 16, 2008.

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Global Business

When In Rome (Or Tokyo, Or Sydney, Or Munich) ...

Executives, Administrative Professionals Seek International Etiquette Training

TORONTO - Should you shake hands, give a kiss on the cheek or bow when greeting an overseas colleague? What kind of gift (if any) should you bring a business prospect from another country?

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High Tech goes Commodity

NASDAQ OMX Signs Contract With the Tokyo Commodity Exchange

First Technology Contract as Combined Company

NEW YORK - The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc. announced it has signed a contract with the Tokyo Commodity Exchange (TOCOM) and NTT Data to provide an integrated trading and clearing system for commodity derivatives.

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Economic Analysis GTA

The Auto Sector Remains Crucial to the Greater Toronto Area Economy

TORONTO - An economic analysis of the Greater Toronto area economy highlights the crucial contribution of the region's auto industry.

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Education Health Care

New Agfa Health Lab Opening at Conestoga

New directions in health care administration education the goal

Kitchener - Agfa HealthCare is a name recognized worldwide when it comes to information technology-related products and services associated with hospital environments, clinical workflow and diagnostic imaging.

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Innovation Education

Innovative Payment System Helps Educational Institutions Serve a Growing International Student Market

VICTORIA, BRITISH COLUMBIA - Educational institutions around the world can now meet the growing challenge of serving foreign students with a new International Payment solution from Custom House, a leading foreign exchange and international payments company.

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Expanding Trading

NASDAQ OMX Files FSA Application for Its Pan-European Market

LONDON - The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc. announced that it has filed its application with the UK Financial Services Authority (FSA) for the NASDAQ OMX Pan European Market to become a multilateral trading facility (MTF).

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Emerging Economy

EDUCATION IDENTIFIED AS PRIORITY FOR LATIN AMERICA INTO THE NEXT DECADE

Business, government and civil society leaders at the World Economic Forum on Latin America identified the need for skills-driven education systems as the top priority for Latin America.

Spend less on weapons and more on education, health and the environment, Costa Rica’s Arias said.

It is critical to combat terrorism to enhance security and encourage investment, said Colombia’s Uribe.

In the face of the global economic slowdown, Latin America must look for opportunities to deepen integration and increase growth with equity, said Mexican President Calderón.

The next World Economic Forum on Latin America will be held in Rio de Janeiro.

Cancún, Mexico – In the closing session of the World Economic Forum on Latin America, business, government and civil society leaders identified the need to construct values and skills-driven education systems as the top priority for Latin America to achieve sustainable development and lay the foundation for a promising decade starting in 2010.

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Spring Home Care

Home Maintenance Tips for Spring - Protect your home - and your investment!

Canada - If you're like most Canadians, your home is probably your most important investment. A regular schedule of seasonal maintenance can help you protect that investment for years to come, and help keep your home and your family healthy and safe all year round.

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Fundraiser

Catholic Schools Foundation Hosting Major Fundraiser

3rd Annual Bishop's Banquet in Honour of The Most Reverend Gerard Bergie Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Hamilton

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Economic Analysis St. Catherines

The Auto Sector Remains Crucial to the St. Catharines-Niagara Economy

ST. CATHARINES - An economic analysis of the St. Catharines-Niagara area highlights the crucial contribution of the region's auto industry and its CAW membership to maintaining and building a strong local community.

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Boardroom Battle

Lakeland Industries Calls on Seymour Holtzman to End His Proxy Contest

RONKONKOMA, NY - Lakeland Industries, Inc., a leading manufacturer of industrial protective clothing for industry, municipalities, healthcare and to first responders on the federal, state and local levels, announced April 16, 2008 that it has called upon veteran shareholder activist Seymour Holtzman to withdraw his letter of nomination and terminate his disruptive proxy

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Tourism - Tourist Train

GUELPH TO BOAST NEW PREMIER TOURIST ATTRACTION

“Destiny Tours on track to launch another milestone project”

GUELPH, ON – Destiny Tours Intl’ Inc., of Guelph, Ontario is “on track” with another milestone project. After 9 years of success with its outbound group travel business the local tour operator has turned its sights inward to help boost local tourism with the launch of a new Tourist Train.

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Morning Column

MYTHS ABOUT MULTICULTURAL CUSTOMERS…

Over one-third of all Americans today are minorities plus there are over a million people from overseas immigrating every year. The numbers of people from diverse cultures are growing so rapidly that the U.S.

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Dealmakers

Top Performing Dealmakers Honoured at Gala

TORONTO - The inaugural 2007 Canadian Dealmakers Gala was held on Tuesday evening to celebrate top performances in the "Art of the Deal." Strategists, corporate executives, investment bankers and lawyers in advisory and underwriting roles in M&A were honoured.

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Philanthropic Kick Start

Toronto’s Newest Keg Steakhouse & Bar Serves Up Donation For Canadian Youth Business Foundation

TORONTO - The newest Keg Steakhouse & Bar, located at Yonge and Eglinton in Toronto, opened its doors to the public yesterday, and its pre-opening activities have helped kick start one young entrepreneur's dream. In traditional Keg fashion, the restaurant began with fundraising activities through The Keg Spirit Foundation designed to benefit a worthy local organization - the Canadian Youth Business Foundation (CYBF).

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Product Debut

International Datacasting's 3D Digital Cinema Product With Sensio Technology a Hit at European Satexpo Event

OTTAWA, CANADA and LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - International Datacasting Corporation (TSX:IDC), a global leader in providing advanced solutions for multimedia content distribution via satellite, announced the European debut of its SuperFlex Pro Cinema 3D Live product line with embedded Sensio(R) 3-D technology at the recent SatExpo tradeshow in Rome, Italy.

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Letter from Buzz

CAW president calls for end to MDA sale talks, demands national space strategy to protect jobs

TORONTO - CAW national president Buzz Hargrove is calling on the federal government to formally end talks between MacDonald Dettwiler and Associates (MDA) and U.S.-based weapons producer Alliant Techsystems (ATK) for the sale of MDA's space and robotics division.

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European Union

PROPOSED MULTILATERAL AGREEMENT MOVING FORWARD

Business community welcomes European Union’s move to the negotiating table

Brussels, Belgium – The International Trademark Association (INTA) and The International Chamber of Commerce’s (ICC) Business Action to Stop Counterfeiting and Piracy (BASCAP) welcomed news by the Council of Ministers of the mandate authorizing the European Commission to open negotiations on the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) between the EU and key economic partners, including the United States, Japan, South Korea, Mexico and New Zealand.

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Environment - Heating

Real Wood Floors: Wood Floors Over Radiant Heat Reduce Carbon Footprint

ST. LOUIS - Looking for ways to heat your home more efficiently while reducing your carbon footprint? Look no further than your floors.

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Digital Media

Open Text's Artesia Digital Media Group Chosen by Siemens to Power Digital Media Initiative at Major UK Broadcaster

LAS VEGAS - Open Text(TM) Corporation announced that Artesia, the Open Text Digital Media Group, has been selected by Siemens IT Solutions and Services as an essential technology component of the BBC's Digital Media Initiative, DMI.

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Health Care

FUNDING BOOST FOR ONTARIO HOSPITALS

Reducing Wait Times and Improving Access to Quality Health Care for all Ontarians

KITCHENER – Patients at local hospitals in Waterloo Region will benefit from a $6.1 million investment in new hospital funding. This cash flow is part of a $667.2 million provincial increase, or 4.9 per cent, over last year.

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Business Excellence

2008 ICCT Business Excellence Award Winners Announced Five outstanding leaders honoured by the Italian-Canadian business community

TORONTO – Winners of the 6th annual Italian Chamber of Commerce of Toronto Business Excellence Awards (BEA) were announced in Toronto. The awards are presented to the most outstanding and innovative leaders from the Italian-Canadian business community each year.

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Restoring Watersheds

Heidelberg College Center receives EPA grant to protect local waterways

Chicago, Ill. - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 has given the National Center for Water Quality Research at Heidelberg College in Tiffin, Ohio, $899,938 to protect and restore the Honey Creek and Sandusky River watersheds in north central Ohio.

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Tourism

Zoom Airlines Launching Route to Rome

Zooming to Rome from Toronto and Montreal Made Easy Starting May 2008

OTTAWA - Zoom Airlines is adding to its roster of value-priced, service-oriented flights with the launch of its route to Rome, Italy from Toronto on May 3 and Montreal on May 6. With the addition of Rome, Zoom Airlines now services seven European gateways non-stop from Toronto and three from Montreal and hopes to capitalize on Italy's growing popularity by Canadian travellers.

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Innovative Reader

Sony Unveils Reader Digital Book in Canada

Features Ground-breaking Technology and Access to More Than 40,000 Book Titles

TORONTO - The wish of avid readers and technology buffs comes true this month with the debut of the Reader Digital Book from Sony in Canada.

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Economy

Canadian economy to avoid current U.S. recession, finds a new CIBC World Markets report

Boom in energy and commodities boosting economy across the country

TORONTO - The energy- and resource-rich Canadian economy will not follow the U.S. into a recession, predicts CIBC World Markets in its latest economic forecast.

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Communication

Mobile Telephony of Serbia, Alcatel-Lucent and RIM Announce the Launch of the BlackBerry Solution in Serbia

Belgrade, Serbia, Paris, France and Waterloo, ON - Mobile Telephony of Serbia (mt:s), Alcatel-Lucent and Research In Motion (RIM) announced the launch of the BlackBerry® wireless solution in Serbia.

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Air Quality - OHIO Corridor

EPA reaches agreement with American Energy on clean-air violations

Chicago, Ill. - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 has reached an agreement with American Energy Corp. on alleged clean-air violations at the company's coal preparation plant at 43521 Mayhugh Hill Road, Township Highway 88, Beallsville, Ohio.

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Morning Column

It's Not What You Make That Counts - It's What You Keep!
By Patrick Astre

"The hardest thing in the world to understand is the income tax." -Albert Einstein

There are two things in life you don't want to watch closely as they're made; the first is sausages, the second is tax laws. While death and taxes are inevitable, death doesn't worsen every time Congress meets. The constant push-pull of special interests, partisan and "pork barrel" politics left us with an income tax system that is convoluted and overly complex.

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Attracting Tourism

Ontario Government Supporting Tourism Economy With $3 Million Investment

Snowmobile Tourism Gets Boost

BARRIE - The Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs will recSeive $3 million from the provincial government to help attract more sports and adventure tourists to use the province's 40,000 kilometres of snowmobile trails.

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Biofuel - Energy

Inflation spurs biofuel backlash
by Andrew Martin

US - The idea of turning farms into fuel plants seemed, for a time, like one of the answers to high global oil prices and supply worries. That strategy reached a zenith last year when Congress mandated a five-fold increase in the use of biofuels.