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Business, Economics, Education, Entrepreneurs,
Environment, Science and Technology
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Week 4 /
January 21, 2008 - January 25, 2008 |
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Friday, January 25, 2008
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CO2 Capturing
Aker Kvaerner on track to build world's first carbon-negative power plant
Norway - Aker Kvaerner announces it is transferring its 'Just Catch' amine absorption technology for post-combustion CO2 capture to the company Aker Clean Carbon, which will focus on developing CO2 capture projects.
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Poverty and Disease
BILL GATES: "CREATIVE CAPITALISM" AGAINST POVERTY AND DISEASE
Davos, Switzerland - Microsoft chairman and co-founder Bill Gates has called for "creative capitalism"’ as a new approach for businesses to help stamp out global poverty and diseases.
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Environment - Emissions
Study: emissions from road transport to make up 75% of all man-made traffic emissions over the next century
According to researchers from the Oslo-based Center for International Climate and Environmental Research (CICERO), road traffic is by large the transport sector that contributes most to global warming.
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Rising Cost of Education
Costs outstrip fee hikes, says provost
Waterloo - UW’s provost says he will ask the board of governors to raise student fees by between 3.9 per cent and 8 per cent for the coming year, but warns that the resulting boost in UW’s income won’t keep pace with the rising cost of living.
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Cross Border
Cross-Border Traveling Employees: Are You Aware of the Tax Consequences?
by Jim Yager
Canadian businesses and the users of their financial statements are well acquainted with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). GAAP has been based on recording transactions and the related balances at their historic cost, with no subsequent recognition of changes in value.
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Workplace Ranking
HERMAN MILLER RANKED AS ONE OF FORTUNE MAGAZINE'S "100 BEST COMPANIES TO WORK FOR"
Waterloo - "Herman Miller recieves Top Ranking", wrote Peter Boak, of Prestige Business Interiors this morning after visiting FORTUNE'S Web site, and seen that Herman Miller was ranked as one of FORTUNE'S "100 Best Companies to Work For".
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World Markets
GROWTH OF SOVEREIGN WEALTH FUNDS SEEN AS POSITIVE DEVELOPMENT
Davos, Switzerland – The growing financial clout of sovereign wealth funds (SWFs) – government-controlled vehicles created to invest the foreign currency reserves of many major oil producers and other exporters – should be welcomed, not opposed, by global policy-makers, panellists at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2008 agreed today.
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Tourism Florida Keys
SCUBA-EQUIPPED EASTER BUNNY TO HOST EGG HUNT MARCH 23 IN KEY LARGO
KEY LARGO, Florida Keys -- Instead of bright flower gardens and green grass, the Easter egg hunt off Key Largo is to be staged near coral heads teaming with colorful tropical fish or a bed of sea grass in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.
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Upcoming CIGI Events
CIGI Public Events for February 2008
CIGI’s lectures have been selling out in 2008. Just a reminder to RSVP for an event to guarantee a seat.
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Global Headlines
* Zoellick Calls For Fight Against Hunger To Be Global Priority
* World Bank To Beef Up Anti-Corruption Unit
* Global Unemployment Rate To Climb In 2008 - ILO
* Davos Provides Special Opportunity To Discuss Mideast, Climate Change: Blair
* African Bank Chief Warns On Internal Strife
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Story Telling Recognition
Guelph Museums Receives Grant for Storytelling Event
Guelph - Guelph Museums has received a $1,000 grant from Fresh Start!, a funding program of CCI, which is an arts service organization in Ontario. Its mission is to provide live performance for every person in Ontario.
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Stretching the Limits of Innovation
Pink BlackBerry Pearl Coming To Verizon Wireless
Basking Ridge, N.J., and Waterloo, ON - Verizon Wireless, the company with the nation’s most reliable wireless voice and data network, and Research In Motion (RIM), a global leader in wireless innovation, announced the availability of the BlackBerry® Pearl™ 8130 smartphone in pink.
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A Price for Going Green
EU: Going green costs money
By Aoife White
BRUSSELS, Belgium - EU Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso says a new package of measures to fight global warming would cost just the equivalent of 3 euros ($4.35) per week per EU citizen.
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Ontario Water
Barrie benefits from increased investment in water project
BARRIE - Residents of Barrie will benefit from cleaner, safer drinking water through an increased investment under the Canada-Ontario Infrastructure Program.
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Waterloo Childrens Museum
Jane Goodall's Work With Chimpanzees Profiled
Waterloo's Children's Museum Introduces New Generation To World-Renowned Work
WATERLOO - A new exhibit on chimpanzees is introducing a new generation of children to the groundbreaking work of primatologist Dr. Jane Goodall.
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CEO Confidence 2008
Canadian CEOs lose confidence in short term growth Key concern is availability and access to talent
TORONTO – CEOs' confidence about prospects for short-term business growth dropped by almost half since last year and fears of a global recession is a major threat according to the PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) 11th Annual Global CEO Survey.
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Financial Merger
YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD CREDIT UNION AND MITCHELL & DISTRICT CREDIT UNION TO MERGE MARCH 1, 2008
Mitchell and Waterloo - The Boards of Directors of Your Neighbourhood Credit Union and Mitchell & District Credit Union today announced that their respective memberships have voted overwhelmingly in support of a merger of the two financial institutions.
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World Forum
IS "BRAND USA" SUFFERING? PERHAPS NOT
Davos, Switzerland - "The US brand still has significant leadership, but there has been a significant decline in the perception of the brand over the past few years," Sir Martin Sorrell, Group Chief Executive, WPP, United Kingdom, told the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2008 at a session entitled "Rebuilding Brand America: Five Suggestions for the Future President".
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On the Edge
The 2008 Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race-25 Years & Running!
WHITEHORSE, YUKON TERRITORIES and FAIRBANKS, ALASKA-- Reigning Champion Lance Mackey was only 12 years old when Sonny Lindner won the first 1,000-mile Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race in 1984.
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World Peace
NEXT 10 MONTHS CRUCIAL TO MIDDLE EAST PEACE
Davos, Switzerland - Hope for peace in the Middle East has a greater chance than ever before, Shimon Peres, President of Israel, told the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2008 here.
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Aquisition
Dancap Productions Inc.: Key Brand Entertainment, Inc. Acquires Live Nation's North American Theatrical Company
Transaction, Which Includes Broadway Across America and Eight North American Theatre Venues, Will Provide Significant Opportunity to Expand Key Brand's Reach and Offerings Going Forward
TORONTO - Key Brand Entertainment, Inc., a private investment company dedicated exclusively to the development, production and distribution of live theatre, announced that it has acquired Live Nation, Inc.'s North American Theatrical Company.
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Environment
WATER AS CRITICAL AS CLIMATE CHANGE
Davos, Switzerland – Global crises from escalating demand for fresh water and inadequate supply are as urgent as efforts to tackle climate change – yet are more vexing and complicated, the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2008 heard January 23, 2008.
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Environment - Energy
UW competes to build solar house
Waterloo - A team led by students from the UW school of architecture is among 20 finalists in the Solar Decathlon, a competition sponsored by the United States government “to design, build and operate the most attractive and energy efficient entirely solar powered home”. Competitors in the 2009 Decathlon were announced in Washington this week.
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Environment
WATERLOO REGION GOES GREEN WITH LOW SALT DIET
REGION RINGS IN 2008 WITH GROUNDBREAKING PLAN TO REDUCE ROCK SALT USE IN LOTS AND ON SIDEWALKS
REGION OF WATERLOO - The Region of Waterloo launched Canada’s first comprehensive winter salt management program, Smart About Salt, designed to reduce rock salt use in parking lots and on sidewalks.
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Feeding the Grid
Philips patents TU Eindhoven's energy return system to feed solar and wind power into the grid
An increasing number of private individuals supply excess electricity from bioenergy. Think of farmers who produce biogas from organic waste and use it in combined heat and power plants. They feed excess energy into the grid and take electricity back only when they need it.
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Ontario Education
Ontario Invests In New Student Learning Centre At Ryerson
Ontario Government Supports Students And A Strong Economy
TORONTO - Ontario is investing in a new library and student centre at Ryerson University.
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Biofuel - Diesel
Chemical process of making bio-diesel
Harare - Although "bio-diesel" has "diesel" as part of its name, pure bio-diesel doesn't contain any petroleum-based diesel. Instead, bio-diesel is created from organic matter.
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Exporting
Exporter confidence plummets amid high dollar and U.S. economic slowdown, says EDC survey
OTTAWA - Confidence levels among Canadian exporters have declined dramatically as the full weight of a significantly higher Canadian dollar and a slowing U.S. economy hit home, according to the semi-annual Trade Confidence Index (TCI) survey from Export Development Canada (EDC).
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Thursday January 24, 2008
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Merit Award
Mary Bales receives REALTOR® Merit Award
Kitchener - The Kitchener-Waterloo Real Estate Board's REALTOR® Merit Award recognizes commitment and dedication to the industry and to organized real estate, co-operation and support to others similarly employed, personal and professional integrity, and contribution to the community.
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University of Waterloo Pending Vote
President writes to staff about pending union vote
UW President David Johnston states ... "My clear preference is for the University of Waterloo Staff Group to remain union free. . . . The adversarial process is not appropriate here.”
Waterloo - Times and places were announced for UW staff members to vote on a proposal to unionize through the Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation.
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Union Vote
No quick answer after University of Waterloo union voting
Waterloo - It could be next month — or later — before results are known from January 24, 2008 vote on whether the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation will become the union for about 1,000 UW staff members.
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Ontario Real Estate
Ontario on the brink of affordability improvements, says Economic Report
TORONTO - Since the pace of price gains and construction activity topped out five years ago, Ontario's housing markets have been experiencing a soft landing relative to the rest of the country and this will be reinforced by expected improvements to housing affordability in 2008, according to a new housing report issued today by RBC Economics.
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Pending Train Derailment
Canadian Pacific Railway/Local 101 Strike Deadline Looms
TORONTO - As the strike deadline looms between the CAW Local 101 and Canadian Pacific Railway, a number of complex issues have yet to be resolved, including in the area of Skilled Trades reductions across the country. The strike deadline is set for January 29 at 12:01am.
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Education - Raising Funds
Mexican Night at Wilf's to raise funds for 'alternative reading week'
Waterloo — It has all the elements of a successful reading week trip: an exotic location, sunshine, warm temperatures, and a great gang of people.
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Leading the Pack
Independent Analyst Firm's Report Cites Open Text's Artesia Software As Only Leader In Marketing Asset Management
"Open Text's Artesia DAM established early MAM leadership thanks to its
enterprise capabilities and marketing data management focus"
Waterloo- Open Text(TM) Corporation, announced that its Artesia Digital Asset Management (DAM) solution has been cited as the standalone leader in marketing asset management software in a report by independent analyst firm Forrester Research, Inc..
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Human Resources
Recruiting, Interviewing and Hiring - The Ultimate Game of 'Survivor'
By Bob Schultz, MIRM, CSP
The two most important things any owner or senior management person can be doing on any given day are to increase revenue and decrease cost without sacrificing quality.
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Ratified Agreement
Steelworkers ratify three-year agreement with Kubota Metal Corporation
ORILLIA - United Steelworkers' (USW) Ontario/Atlantic Director Wayne Fraser announced Wednesday that members of USW 9393 have voted to accept a new, three-year collective agreement with Kubota Metal Corporation.
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New Venture
Squeegee Kids of a Different Kind
Waterloo - Armed with a squeegee in hand Janet Allishaw makes a smooth and precise path across an ink-filled silk screen. She then lays her squeegee aside and lifts up the frame to inspect the electronic component she has just printed.
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Guest Speaker
Manulife Mutual Funds to host Steve Forbes in national presentation on today's global markets
TORONTO - Manulife Mutual Funds will host a national event January 31 for its advisors across Canada to hear expert commentary on how investors can manoeuvre in today's global markets.
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Appointment
NASDAQ Appoints Jameel Aalim-Johnson as Associate Vice President of Government Relations
NEW YORK - The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. announced the appointment of Jameel Aalim-Johnson as Associate Vice President of NASDAQ Government Relations. In this position, Mr. Johnson will represent the views and policies of NASDAQ to federal, state, and local policymakers.
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World Economy
RICE DEFENDS US IDEALS AT WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM
Davos, Switzerland – US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice told the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting that American foreign policy must be driven by a combination of ideals and optimism because international problems may be managed but never resolved without them.
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Global Headlines
* Palestinians' Donors Conference Calls For "Further Efforts"
* Poor Countries Must Be Proactive In Cutting Child Deaths: UNICEF
* Banks Raise Alarm over Kenya
* Cambodian Bourse Planned For 2009
* Commentary: Davos And The Power Of Collaborative Innovation
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Center in the Square
Anastasia - a brand new ballet by Ballet Jörgen Canada
Kitchener - Ballet Jörgen Canada, Canada’s Local Ballet Company is thrilled to announce the Kitchener-Waterloo premiere of a brand new ballet, Anastasia. The fate of the youngest daughter of the last Czar of Russia is a tale shrouded in mystery.
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World Workplace Healthcare
REPORT LAUNCHED TODAY SHOWS THAT BUSINESS COALITIONS ARE HELPING ONE MILLION COMPANIES TACKLE AIDS IN THE WORKPLACE
Davos, Switzerland – The Global Health Initiative (GHI) of the World Economic Forum today releases the first global report on Business Coalitions – Business Coalitions Tackling AIDS: A Worldwide Review – and the role they play in supporting the private sector to tackle AIDS around the world.
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Union Says "I told you so"
"Good decision to end Hamilton home care bidding," CUPE - Now it's time to end bidding province-wide
HAMILTON - It is positive that the Ontario health minister has told vulnerable people receiving home care here that he is on their side and that a contract change is dead, says Sid Ryan, the Ontario president of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE).
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Media - International
CBC receives Board approval for international sales deal
TORONTO - CBC/Radio-Canada has received Board approval to proceed with the sale of international distribution rights and assets currently managed by CBC's international sales division to Fireworks International, President and CEO Hubert T. Lacroix announced.
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Environment - Biofuels
Biofuels may threaten environment, U.N. warns
BANGKOK, Thailand - The world's rush to embrace biofuels is causing a spike in the price of corn and other crops and could worsen water shortages and force poor communities off their land, a U.N. official said Wednesday.
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Alberta's Economy
Alberta's housing market ripe for a slowdown in 2008
CALGARY -Alberta's housing market is signaling a significant slowdown which should improve affordability in 2008, according to a new housing report issued today by RBC Economics.
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2007 Year End Economic Conditions
Canadian Economy Performed Well in 2007
January 2008 another matter
Statscan - The initial performance of the economy in the fourth quarter of 2007 was positive, with an exchange rate above parity with the US dollar. Output growth was steady in October, while employment rose 0.8% in the fourth quarter despite a softening in December.
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A Night With Lennox Lewis
CHAMPIONSHIP AUCTION & GALA
Places 2 Play Live Auction Spotlight…
Kitchener - Imagine a Private FLIGHTEXEC Jet for 4 from Waterloo International Airport to New York City. Now you're dining with former Heavyweight World Champion LENNOX LEWIS.
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Association Award
Chief Information Officer Receives Ontario Library Association Award
Guelph - Chief information officer Mike Ridley has been honoured with the Ontario Library Association's (OLA) Larry Moore Distinguished Service Award for his visionary work in establishing the digital library, Knowledge Ontario.
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Expanding Services
The Co-operators Expands its Membership
Guelph - The Co-operators, a leading co-operative provider of insurance and financial services, has expanded its membership, welcoming two new members. The Canadian Worker Co-operative Federation, and Fédération des coopératives québécoises en milieu scolaire/COOPSCO bring to 39 the number of co-operatives, credit unions and like-minded organizations that comprise the ownership group of The Co-operators Group Ltd.
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Canadian Confidence
Canadians start year in downward funk: survey Recessionary talk in U.S. driving confidence down
TORONTO - Canadians are much less enthusiastic about the state of the economy than they were several months ago, suggest the January findings from TNS Canadian Facts' Consumer Confidence Index.
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Environment Carbon Sink
Commission supports carbon capture & storage - negative emissions from bioenergy on the horizon
Europe - As part of its ambitious climate and renewables policy, the European Commission supports the development of carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies and says it will take them up in the European Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS).
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Daily Habits
Survey shows nearly four out of five Canadians depend on to-do lists to get them through the day
Eight-country study ranks Canada first for to-do list use, but last for efficiently completing daily tasks
MISSISSAUGA - A new survey reveals people around the world are dependent on to-do lists to get them through their day, with Canadians the most prevalent users of this organizational method.
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Forest Sector
Auditor general report helps expose regulatory, company failures in the forest sector - Steelworkers
BURNABY, BC - Wednesday's report by BC's auditor general is a condemnation of the BC forest industry and the provincial government's lack of action on forest-worker safety, says the United Steelworkers (USW).
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Media Marketing
HIT N’ RUN ENTERTAINMENT LAUNCHES INNOVATIVE PROMOTIONAL MEDIUM THE INTERACTIVE MEDIA TRUCK (IMT)
Toronto, ON – Hit N’ Run Entertainment continues to be a pioneer in street level marketing, expanding the scope of their innovative promotional tools with the introduction of the Interactive Media Truck (IMT). The revolutionary video screens, built into the exterior walls of the vehicle, are visible in direct sunlight allowing for vast diversity in the scope and reach of the campaigns (both by day and night).
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Public Invitation
Health and Wellness Fair
Waterloo - The public are invited to attend a keynote address by Mr. Chris Crowley, author of the New York Times Best Seller, “Younger Next Year”, at Columbia Lake Health Club on Saturday, March 1st, 2008 at 12 pm.
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Government Warning - Tax
Canada Revenue Agency: Tax Cheating is a Crime
OTTAWA - Gordon O'Connor, Minister of National Revenue, reminds Canadians that not complying with the tax laws will result in serious consequences.
Bioeconomy - Fibres
The bioeconomy at work: new technique developed for modifying natural fibre products
Finland - The VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland has developed a method that opens up new opportunities for the use of lignin-containing wood fibres and other natural fibres as well as fibre products.
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Real Estate Investment
Canadian residential real estate future is solid
OTTAWA - The Canadian housing market in 2007 set a number of MLS(R) sales records, and the re-sale housing market is expected to remain at near record sales levels in 2008, according to The Canadian Real Estate Association.
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Sustainable Environment
Plant Trees to Fight Climate Change
Fergus tree planting workshop to help local residents reduce property taxes and help fight climate change
Fergus - Trees Ontario and its partners, the Ontario Forestry Association (OFA), Grand River Conservation Authority, Wellington County Stewardship Council, Green Legacy Tree Nursery, and Wellington County Museum and Archives, will host a free workshop focused on incentive programs for planting trees, tree planting techniques and the Managed Forest Tax Incentive Program (MFTIP) which can reduce property taxes by up to 75%. The workshop will be held at Aboyne Hall on Thursday, January 31, from 7 - 9 p.m.
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Morning Column
Why You Should Procrastinate …
By Kerul Kassel
Kelly Higgins had a wonderful idea for a new business initiative - one that was nicely aligned with her current business model and values: A membership continuity program to give her consulting clients more support and value while increasing her visibility and enhancing her "expert" status.
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World Economy
WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM ANNUAL MEETING 2008 OPENS WITH CALLS FOR COLLABORATIVE INNOVATION
Co-Chairs of the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2008 open the five-day meeting
Davos, Switzerland – The World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2008 has opened with calls from the Co-Chairs to exercise “The Power of Collaborative Innovation” to meet the top challenges of economic instability, climate change and equitable growth.
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Morning Column
Increase Employee Retention: Give Them a Dose of Nurses' Medicine
By LeAnn Thieman
With increased workloads, demanding staff ratios and challenging work conditions, many employees are feeling burned out - not just those in the healthcare industry, but across all industries. Today's workers are not signing on and staying on just for the money.
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Wednesday January 23, 2008
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World Economy
Fear of Recession is Dominant Concern Among Global CEOs; CEOs in Emerging Economies More Confident Than in Developed Countries
Availability of Talent, Over-Regulation Also Among Chief
Concerns
DAVOS, Switzerland - CEOs' confidence about prospects for business declined for the first time since the 2003 survey and fear of a global recession emerged as the major threat to growth in PricewaterhouseCoopers 11th Annual Global CEO Survey.
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Leading indicators December 2007
Composite leading index dipped 0.1% in December after two months of no growth.
This was the most protracted period of weakness in the composite index since early 2001, when it fell marginally in five out of six months. The Canadian economy subsequently slowed in 2001, but avoided the recession that gripped the United States.
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New President
Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA) Names New President and CEO
OTTAWA - The Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA) announced today that Byron G. Holland has been named its new President and CEO. CIRA is the not-for-profit organization responsible for operating Canada's dot-ca (.ca) Internet domain name registry.
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Tax Tips
Did you know...
That February 29, 2008, is the deadline for making a contribution to a registered retirement savings plan (RRSP) for the 2007 tax year? With RRSPs, you can start saving now for your retirement, education, or the purchase of a home.
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Morning Column
HOW TO AVOID THE 5 ‘LAWS OF DEFEAT’ IN BUSINESS LEADERSHIP
Even the most successful leaders make mistakes, sometimes minor missteps, other times poor judgment which sends a business reeling and forced to play catch-up to recover. Organizational strategist and leading business consultant Steven Feinberg, who has helped major companies such as Wells Fargo, Visa and Sun Microsystems, says mistakes don’t ‘just happen,’ but are the direct result of poor timing, interaction errors, perceptual problems, and organizational deficiencies.
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End Violence Against Women
Governor General Michaëlle Jean and other Prominent Women to Speak at Provincial Conference on Communities Working Together to End Violence Against Women
Kitchener - National and global experts will be gathering in Kitchener-Waterloo to share their experiences and knowledge in the field of domestic violence at a provincial conference to be held from February 25 – 27, 2008. This conference for leaders and professionals from community services, health, education and justice sectors, will provide the opportunity to explore leading edge approaches to prevent and eliminate violence against women.
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Want to Buy A Business?
How to Successfully Start or Buy a Business in 2008
25 Strategies for Maximizing Your Opportunities
A Special Report with Predictions and Trends for the Year Ahead
by Rubin Ferziger, Esq.
New business trends make 2008 a year of great opportunity. If you want to start or buy a company, there are many advantages to moving forward now. The key to success is setting up your enterprise using proven business success principles. You’ll find many of them listed in this report.
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Conestoga College
Network 2008: Construction Students and Employers Meet
Architecture-Construction Students, Employers Showcase Careers and Projects January 29
Waterloo Wellington - One of the great strengths of a Conestoga education is the strong link between program curriculum and the related working environment, which establishes relevance to current and future career realities in many sectors of the economy.
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Renewable Energy
Florida companies to share $25M in grants to spur renewable energy industry
By George McGinn
Tallahassee, FL - Twelve Florida companies received $25 million in renewal-energy grants for projects that develop renewable energy.
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2008 Broadcasting History
History Makers 2008 Summit wraps in New York City
TORONTO - Last week's History Makers 2008 Summit, was the place to be for anyone interested in rubbing shoulders with the who's who of the history and current affairs broadcasting and production communities.
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Correction Strategy
Bank of Canada lowers overnight rate target by 1/4 percentage point to 4 per cent
OTTAWA - The Bank of Canada announced yesterday that it is lowering its target for the overnight rate by one-quarter of one percentage point to 4 per cent. The operating band for the overnight rate is correspondingly lowered, and the Bank Rate is now 4 1/4 per cent.
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2008 Trends
Top technology, media and telecommunications trends for 2008 showcase society’s struggle with the “double-edged sword” of progress
2008 anticipated to be “the best of times and the worst of times” as Canadians begin to understand that change comes at a price
Toronto – According to a Deloitte study released today, few new technology breakthroughs are expected this year.
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Telecom Company Forsale
Toronto Hydro Corporation to Sell Telecom Divsion
TORONTO - Toronto Hydro Corporation announced that it intends to solicit expressions of interest from third parties with respect to a possible sale by Toronto Hydro Corporation of its wholly-owned subsidiary Toronto Hydro Telecom Inc.
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Top of the Game
Balgord Software Solutions selected as a Top 100 Solution Provider - 2nd year in row
Oakville - Balgord Software Solutions, a software consulting firm specializing in implementing business management solutions for nonprofit organizations, is recognized as a Pacesetter for the second consecutive year by Source Media Publications in their annual Select 100 Pacesetters supplement.
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Global Headlines
IMF Head Says World Economic Situation 'Serious'
* Carbon Revenues Can Aid Climate Fight-Barroso
* FAO Sees Record World Food Prices Staying
* Japan Should Focus More Aid On Africa: Expert Panel
* Commentary: A Pandemic That Wasn't But Might Be
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World Economy
RIM Previews BlackBerry Client for IBM Lotus Connections at Lotusphere 2008
Brings the mobile power of the BlackBerry platform to social software for business
Orlando, FL- Research In Motion (RIM) will preview BlackBerry® Client for IBM® Lotus® Connections today -- a new software application that runs natively on BlackBerry smartphones to provide mobile users with access to Lotus Connections social software for business.
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Biofuel
British campaign against EU biofuels fails
EU - Today, the European Commission will unveil its proposals setting out how the EU will meet targets on energy and climate. In the run up to this event, a British campaign against liquid biofuels was launched with the aim of influencing the decision making process.
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Workplace Study
When it comes to red tape, many Canadian employers might just need to cut it
TORONTO - Red tape, time constraints and office politics top the list of employed Canadians as the biggest detractors from work, and according to a new workplace study from RBC may be far greater barriers to productivity than they were 10 years ago.
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Appointment
Kevin Warren Named as President of Coca-Cola Bottling Company
TORONTO - Coca-Cola Bottling Company announced that Kevin Warren has been named President and General Manager, effective immediately. Mr. Warren will report to Terry Marks, President, North American Business Unit, Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc.
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50 Years
Schenker Celebrates 50 Years of Growth in Canada
Supply Chain Services Provider started with only three employees in the early 1950's
MISSISSAUGA - From modest beginnings in the early 1950's, 2008 marks the 50th Anniversary of Schenker's success in Canada. In 1953, Dieter Moeller, a delegate from Schenker in Hamburg, came to Canada to set up an export business and help bring German products into Canada.
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Quarterly Results
Apple Reports First Quarter Results - Best Quarterly Revenue & Earnings in Apple History
Mac, iPod & iPhone Sales Break Previous Records
CUPERTINO, California —Apple® announced financial results for its fiscal 2008 first quarter ended December 29, 2007. The Company posted revenue of $9.6 billion and net quarterly profit of $1.58 billion, or $1.76 per diluted share.
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2008 TSX
Bumpy ride ahead for TSX will level out by year end: CIBC World Markets
TORONTO - Sustained selling pressure over the next six months will erase two years of gains on the TSX before the index comes back to finish the year at the 13,000 mark, notes a new CIBC World Markets report.
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Customer Service
Manulife Investments awarded certification for excellence in customer service from National Quality Institute
TORONTO - Manulife Financial's Canadian Individual Wealth Management Operations, which serves Manulife Investments and Manulife Securities International businesses, has been recognized for excellence in leadership, people, customer service and processes with a Level Three Certification under the National Quality Institute Progressive Excellence Program (NQI PEP(R)).
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Prestigious Naming
Laurier economics professor named to C.D. Howe’s monetary policy council
Waterloo – Dr. Pierre Siklos, a professor in Laurier’s Economics Department and director of Laurier’s Viessmann European Research Centre, has been named to the C.D. Howe Institute’s prestigious Monetary Policy Council (MPC).
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Montreal Closure
Closure of Cari-All in the east end of Montreal - "The Caisse de dep?t et de placement is taking our jobs away" -United Steelworkers local 7625
MONTREAL - This afternoon, the President and CEO of Cari-All in the east end of Montreal announced the closing of his two plants. "400 unionized workers have just lost their jobs.
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Tuesday, January 22, 2008
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Investment Group
Spirited Investors closes first round of investment
Waterloo Area investment group confirms “go-ahead” position
Waterloo – Spirited Investors Corporation announced that it has closed its first private investment offering. With the necessary funds in place, the company has started commercial operations and is actively searching for companies in which to invest both time and money.
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Transportation Enhancement
Descartes Enhances Routing Solutions With Advanced Mapping Capabilities
Waterloo - Descartes Systems Group, a global on-demand software-as-a-service (SaaS) logistics solutions provider, announced the launch of its enhanced route management solutions with extensive location-based service (LBS) capabilities.
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Seating Certification
Krug Receives GREENGUARD Certification for Jordan Recliner,Glider & Patient Bariatric
Kitchener – Krug is excited to announce that the new Jordan Healthcare Seating products – Jordan Recliner, Glider and Patient Bariatric - are now GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality Certified® by the GREENGUARD Environmental Institute (GEI).
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Cognitive Dissonance
The Canada Revenue Agency Is Making a Difference for Canadians
OTTAWA - The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) launched it's the latest edition of Making a Difference for Canadians. The publication is a reflection of the CRA's multi-faceted operations and approaches to tax administration, and it tells the story of how the CRA touches the daily lives of all Canadians.
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Union Vote
OSSTF applies to unionize some staff
A vote is expected this week on whether a large group of UW staff will form a union.
Waterloo - A memo from the university’s administration Friday morning broke the news. “UW received notification today,” wrote associate provost Catharine Scott, “that the Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation has applied to the Ontario Labour Relations Board for a secret ballot vote to determine whether employees in USG Grades 8 and under, only, wish to become part of the Teachers' Federation union.
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2008 Nomination Call
2008 Women of Distinction Awards
Guelph - Nominations can be made in one of eight categories and are being accepted now until January 31st at 11:00 PM at the Guelph.
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One of 50 Best
Home Instead Senior Care honoured as one of the best 50 Plus employers in Canada
Excellent practices in caregiver training recognized
TORONTO - Home Instead Senior Care was honoured by The Workplace Institute as a recipient of the Best Employers Awards for 50 Plus Canadians. Home Instead Senior Care, which has 21 locations in Canada, was one of nine organizations duly recognized when the awards were announced at the 3rd Annual Summit for the Mature Workforce at the Sheraton Centre in Toronto.
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Lotusphere 2008
RIM Showcases BlackBerry Platform Enhancements at Lotusphere 2008
Orlando, FL, Lotusphere 2008 - Research In Motion (RIM) announced a series of updates for its market-leading BlackBerry® platform that include enhanced messaging and collaboration, simpler management, enhanced security and expanded application development support.
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Patent by the Numbers
Biofuel patents are booming
By Ronald Kamis and Mandar Joshi
Patents in the biofuel sector dominated renewable energy in 2007, and there are more on the way.
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Retail Trade November 2007
Retail Sales Pushed Up By 0.7% in November 2007
Statscan - Strong gasoline station sales and a recovery in general merchandise store sales helped to an estimated $34.8 billion. This marked the third increase in retail sales in four months.
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2008 Travel Trends
Travel Forecast Poll reveals 2008 travel plans
Health and exercise top of mind for Canadians planning vacations this
year
TORONTO - 'Tis the season for making New Year's resolutions, the most popular of all being to lose weight. So, how does a health conscious Canadian keep from falling off the wagon when on the road?
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Food Service Industry
Labour Crunch, Economic Storm Clouds and Shifting Consumer Loyalty Make for Dynamic Market for Canada's Foodservice Industry
TORONTO - Leaders from Canada's manufacturing and foodservice operators are meeting to map the future of this country's foodservice industry.
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Fastest Growing Cities
Western cities still on top in 2008
Kitchener and Ottawa-Gatineau are forecast to grow by 2.7 per cent in 2008. Kitchener's fairly diverse economy has withstood the manufacturing slump better than Ontario as a whole
OTTAWA - The east-west economic disparity will only narrow slightly in 2008, as the five fastest-growing cities in Canada will still be west of Ontario, according to the Conference Board's Metropolitan Outlook for 27 Canadian census metropolitan areas (CMAs).
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Strike Vote
Grand River Transit drivers and service personnel vote to strike
Kitchener - CAW workers at Grand River Transit in the Regional Municipality of Waterloo have voted overwhelmingly in favour of going on strike if necessary, in order to reach a settlement with Waterloo Region.
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World Economy
Global Financial Update
Tortola, British Virgin Islands - After the slow down in the global stock market most of the investors rallied towards the US dollar letting the dollar rise to a high level.
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Education Expansion
UW proposes actuarial degree in India
by Michael Strickland
UW is hoping the very best students of actuarial science in India will embrace a new international program proposed by the faculty of mathematics.
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Driving Forward
Golf Town Launches Aggressive Expansion Plan in the Quebec Market
New store openings expected in Quebec within the next twelve months
TORONTO - As the new year begins, so too does Golf Town's aggressive new plan for serving the important Quebec golf market. Golf Town, Canada's leading golf retailer, has already been well established in the province since early 2002 and currently operates eight retail stores across Quebec.
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R&D
Photon Brings Temperature Sensing to a New Level
BURNABY, BC - Photon Control Inc. ("Photon") amounced that its R&D division has completed development of a new series of fiber optic temperature sensors which are capable of accurate temperature measurement up to 450(degrees)C.
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Posty Expansion
Canada Post Selects PostNet
PostNet becomes Canada Post authorized business centre
TORONTO - Canada Post and PostNet announce their channel partnership to provide better service to the Canadian small business market. Effective January 21, 2008 authorized business centres will be established in PostNet stores offering a complete selection of Canada Post's shipping services.
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Morning Column
Build Your Way to the Right Sale
By Dave Mattson
How often do you talk prospects into buying things they don’t want? Probably not very often. How often do you talk prospects out of buying things they do want? Probably more often than you realize!
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The Educators
University of Waterloo People Profile: Research Chair Daniel Scott - Environmental Studies
Waterloo - When Daniel Scott began his research career in the late 1990s, he examined the impact of climate change on the tourism industry: how ski hills would survive with less snow, for example.
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Methane Storage
New methane storage technology exceeds DOE goals - important breakthrough for biomethane as transport fuel
In a major advance in alternative fuel technology, researchers report the development of a sponge-like material with the highest methane storage capacity ever measured.
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Standards Driving Development
US Energy Bill Drive Investment
Some $170 billion in new technology development projects, infrastructure equipment and construction, and biofuel refineries will result from the ethanol production standards contained the new U.S. Energy Bill, says BIO, the global Biotechnology Industry Organization.
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Monday January 21, 2008
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Waterloo Regions History Museum
Architects Chosen to Design the Region of Waterloo History Museum
Moriyama + Teshima Architects of Toronto in association with The Walter Fedy Partnership of Kitchener to design the new Region of Waterloo History Museum
Kitchener — The Region of Waterloo History Museum, to be built at Doon Heritage Crossroads, will be “an architectural statement integrated with the landscape” and “symbolic of the ethics and vision of our time,” according to the team hired by the Region to design the new museum and Visitor Orientation Centre.
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Wholesale Trade November 2007
Pickup in Automotive Sales Largely Offset By Declines In Other Sectors
Wholesale sales increased 0.3% to $43.9 billion in November, similar to the 0.4% rise registered in October.
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Canadian Healthcare
Canada at the bottom in 30 country health-care survey
OTTAWA - In terms of value for money, Canada ranks at the absolute bottom in a health-care comparison of 30 countries, according to a new report from the Stockholm/Brussels-based Health Consumer Powerhouse (HCP) and the Frontier Centre for Public Policy, released today.
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City of Waterloo Public Meeting
Exemption of the Core Area from Development Charges
Waterloo - On Tuesday January 22, 2008 The City of Waterloo will hold a public meeting to present and obtain public input on the City’s Exemption of the Core Area from Development Charges as part of the City's Development Charges Review process.
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Canadian Travel to USA
Canadian travel abroad increased across the board in November 2007
Lead by significant gains in overnight car travel to the United States.
Canadian residents made a record 2.4 million overnight trips outside the country in November, up 7.6% from the previous high recorded in October. (Unless otherwise specified, monthly data are seasonally adjusted.)
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Education Appointment
University of Waterloo Faulty of Engineering appoints local author as new Executive Officer
Waterloo - Linda Kenyon, author, has been appointed Executive Officer in UW's faculty of engineering — a successor to long-time executive assistant Bill Pudifin, who will be retiring at the end of March.
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Innovation Management
Launch of the Schulich Centre of Excellence in Innovation Management
Schulich Executive Education Centre Launches North America’s First
Centre of Excellence in Innovation Management
Toronto - Today 76% of Canadians work in the service industry and yet Canada is lagging behind the rest of the world in service innovation. One of the main reasons is the lack of available resources and learning programs with practical tools to implement service innovation.
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Environmental Trade Fair
GLOBE TRADE FAIR TO SHOWCASE TOP INTERNATIONAL ENVIRO-TECH COMPANIES
Vancouver B.C. – Since 1990, the GLOBE Series has been internationally regarded as the premier business-of-the-environment event of its kind, bringing together thousands of business leaders and showcasing Canada’s environmental business, stewardship, and leading edge technologies to the world.
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Morning Post Column
Bridging the Employment Gap
By Tamara Vaughn
For many people, having a voluntary gap in employment is inevitable. With
more and more employees opting to temporarily leave their job to take care
of an elderly parent, raise children or even pursue social or missionary
work, hiring managers are noticing an increase in employment gaps.
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Tourism - Facilities
City of Guelph puts the Rzone into practice at City facilities
Encouraging safety through respect and responsibility
Guelph - The City of Guelph introduces the Rzone, an established operating procedure for a code of conduct, encouraging respect and responsibility, in time for winter recreation and leisure programs.
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Economy US Slowdown
World Bank Zoellick: US Slowdown Will Impact Emerging Markets
Globe - “World Bank President Robert Zoellick downplayed Thursday the prospect that emerging markets are ‘decoupling’ from the US, predicting that the slowdown in the world's largest economy will eventually have an impact worldwide.
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Genetics
New method for genetic engineering is simple, inexpensive and portable
Europe - According to some scientists, genetically engineered products have become indispensable. For example, genetically modified bacteria produce human insulin.
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Biotech - Investment
Roche invests 430 million Swiss francs at sites in Germany and Switzerland
Centres for the research, development, production and filling of innovative biopharmaceuticals to be expanded
BASEL, Switzerland - Roche has approved extensive investment plans for its Penzberg, Mannheim and Kaiseraugst sites. Around 280 million Swiss francs will be invested in expanding biotech drug research and development activities at Penzberg.
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Survey of Manufacturing
Manufacturing Sales Increased by 1.1% in November 2007
After holding steady in October, manufacturing sales increased by 1.1% in November. Sales improved by $573 million to $50.6 billion. Almost all of the increase in manufacturing was the result of a surge in petroleum and coal product sales during the month, which benefited from sharply rising prices.
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Kitchener Announcement
City of Kitchener names new director of building and chief building official
Kitchener - On Friday, the city of Kitchener announced that longtime employee Mike Seiling has taken over as the corporation's new director of building and chief building official.
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Education - 2008 Applications
UW remains among most popular choice of students selecting a university
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Philanthropy - Environment
Google Philanthropy Targets Global Warming, Poverty, And Disease
Waterloo - The University of Waterloo is again proving to be one of the most popular choices of Ontario high school students selecting a university.
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New Technology
Samsung JACK offers the ultimate public display of connection
Samsung Electronics Canada and Rogers Wireless Launch Smartphone Solution
MISSISSAUGA - Canadians looking for a superior, all-in-one wireless device can take solace in Samsung Electronics Canada's first smartphone. The Samsung i616, also known as the Samsung JACK, is available exclusively from Rogers Wireless and is packed full with power and functionality for all things business while laced with rich entertainment features for media junkies.
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CAW and Federal Liberals
CAW President Applauds Liberal Promise of Manufacturing Fund
TORONTO - CAW President Buzz Hargrove applauded an announcement by federal Liberal opposition leader Stephane Dion to create a $1 billion fund to support manufacturing and promote green production if his party is elected to government.
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Economic Societies
WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM REPORT RANKS ISLAM AND WEST RELATIONS
Geneva, Switzerland – The World Economic Forum, in collaboration with Georgetown University, launched the Islam and the West: Annual Report on the State of Dialogue.
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Cambridge 2008 Budget
City of Cambridge Ontario Budget Highlights
Wi-Fi Utilization Part of the City’s Future
Cambridge - The City of Cambridge kicked off the process to present the framework for the proposed 2008 Capital and Operating budgets for the Corporation.
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Japanese Economy
Forex - Yen weak on Japan stock
British Virgin Islands - The JPY stocks have been on the deteriorating trend on account of weak US economic data which has also affected the other trades, which the market had been experiencing from the last few weeks.
Press Clippings - “Google's philanthropic arm on Thursday said it is taking aim at global warming, poverty, and pandemics with millions in cash and the Internet giant's global resources.
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Biotech - New Office
Quintiles to open clinical research office in Wilmington, NC
Growth driving second new office opening in North Carolina in last 12 months
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. – Quintiles Transnational Corp. announced that the global leader in pharmaceutical services will open an office in Wilmington, N.C. The new office is an expansion of Quintiles' clinical research in pharmaceutical and biotechnology development.
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Tourism - Climbing Okanagan
Permanent access to B.C. climbing area finally secured Effort begun by MEC two years ago ends with land purchase
VANCOUVER - Two years after Mountain Equipment Co-op(TM) (MEC) initiated activities to secure permanent public access to a premiere climbing destination in British Columbia's South-Okanagan Similkameen, the outdoor retailer's efforts have met with success.
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Centre in the Square
Gordon Lighfoot Returns to Centre In The Square
Kitchener – A modern day troubadour, Gordon Lightfoot’s time-defying style and legendary hits have made him one of Canada’s most anticipated live performers. His concerts the world-over continually fill to capacity with legions of fans eager to experience Lightfoot’s melodic, soulful voice and unmistakable sound.
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© Copyright 2008/Exchange Morning Post/Exchange Business Communications Inc.
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