Friday November 5, 2010

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Ted Talks

Gero Miesenboeck reengineers a brain

In the quest to map the brain, many scientists have attempted the incredibly daunting task of recording the activity of each neuron. Gero Miesenboeck works backward -- manipulating specific neurons to figure out exactly what they do, through a series of stunning experiments that reengineer the way fruit flies percieve light.

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Change Agent

Sign'em up! Sun Life to make group retirement enrolment easy through BlackBerry PlayBook

Sun Life to launch industry-first wireless enrolment for group retirement plans in Canada

TORONTO - One of the greatest challenges for employers who offer group retirement plans is getting their employees to take action. Sun Life Financial is developing an easy and immediate solution - wireless enrolment using the new BlackBerry(R) PlayBook(TM).

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R&D

PhD graduate awarded for microsystems research

Hamilton - Adam Kinsman, a recent electrical and computer engineering PhD graduate, is the recipient of the 2010 Douglas R. Colton Medal for Research Excellence awarded by CMC Microsystems.

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Recognition

Don Smith Honored as CEO of the Year by the Ottawa Business Journal

OTTAWA - Mitel announced that Don Smith, Chief Executive Officer, has been named the CEO of the Year by the Ottawa Business Journal (OBJ).

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Quarterly Report

Manulife Financial Corporation Reports Third Quarter Net Loss of $947 million

Strong underlying earnings more than offset by $2 billion reserve strengthening and $1 billion in goodwill impairment

TORONTO - Manulife Financial Corporation ("MFC") today reported a net loss attributed to shareholders of $947 million for the third quarter ended September 30, 2010, equating to a fully diluted loss per share of $0.55. For the third quarter of 2009, MFC reported a net loss of $172 million or $0.12 per share.

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Quarterly Results

MAGNA ANNOUNCES THIRD QUARTER RESULTS, STOCK SPLIT AND OTHER MATTERS

AURORA - Magna International Inc. reported financial results for the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2010.

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Labour

October, Employment Remained Virtually Unchanged For the Second Consecutive Month

Statscan - In October, employment remained virtually unchanged for the second consecutive month, as full-time gains offset part-time losses.The unemployment rate edged down to 7.9% and has been around 8% for the past seven months.

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Enviroment

Cows' Greenhouse Gas Emissions Measured Inaccurately, Study Finds

Cows may be getting a bum rap over their greenhouse gas emissions - or not.

Guelph - Mathematical equations used in predicting cows' methane emissions are inaccurate and need improvement to help dairy farmers mitigate greenhouse gas releases, says a new study by a research team including scientists from the University of Guelph.

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Titans

Open Text and Oracle Expand Relationship

Open Text to Embed Oracle Technology for Enterprise Content Management; Signs Technology and Distribution Agreement

Waterloo and Redwood Shores – To help organizations meet expanding requirements for archiving, eDiscovery and regulatory compliance, Open Text will embed Oracle technology to deliver a new set of enterprise content solutions.

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Book Launch

Christie Blatchford gives Waterloo talk on her new book about Caledonia land dispute

WATERLOO - An award-winning Canadian journalist and author, Christie Blatchford, will discuss her new book on the Caledonia land dispute at an event hosted by the University of Waterloo bookstore today.

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Heritage

Cambridge Heritage Master Plan on the National Radar

Cambridge - The Canadian Association of Heritage Professionals (CAHP) based in the nation’s capital has selected the Heritage Master Plan for the City of Cambridge for the 2010 Heritage Planning award.

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Recognition

Conestoga College Alumni of Distinction Awards

Kitchener - On Tuesday, November 2, 2010, Conestoga hosted its annual "Alumni of Distinction" Reception, held to recognize past graduates and their outstanding achievements.

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Climate Change

First of its kind in Canada - Queen's Great Climate Debate

Kingston - Some of the country’s leading experts on climate change and one of Canada’s highest-profile climate change skeptics are set to take part in a debate about the science behind climate change and how Canada should respond.

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Innovation

Economic Action Plan invests in growth through research and development at Centennial College

TORONTO - Centennial College is receiving $525,000 from the federal government to conduct research and development, new-technology assessments and product testing jointly with small- and medium-sized businesses.

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Spa Special

Receive a FREE Manicure when you purchase a Pino's Exclusive Pedicure!

Kitchener - Get pampered with this luxurious, 75-minute pedicure! Includes cuticle cleaning, buffing and shaping, removal of callus, exfoliation, moisturizing massage, paraffin wrap and a beautiful polish application.

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Sustainability

Green Report Card shows Laurier making strides in sustainability

Waterloo - Wilfrid Laurier University has received its first grade from the College Sustainability Report Card, an annual evaluation of North American colleges and universities committed to improving sustainability on campus.

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Fraud Prevention

Be “increasingly vigilant” as International Fraud Awareness Week Approaches

As International Fraud Awareness Week approaches (November 7 -13), experts are warning businesses of the need to protect themselves from the growing threat of employee fraud.

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Philanthropic Celebration

Oktoberfest Lion’s Club Celebrates 40th Anniversary Local Charities Receive additional Funding

Kitchener - 40 years of community service, and still going strong, the Oktoberfest Lions is pleased to announce multiple donations during the 40th Anniversary Wine and Cheese Reception on Monday November 8th, 7 pm.

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Global Change

Financially Battered Countries Continue To Make Changes:

World Bank - "Countries battered by the financial crisis continued to make market-oriented changes in their business regulation, said the World Bank's International Finance Corporation (IFC) Doing Business 2011 report, which also named Kazakhstan as the nation that had most improved its business rules....

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Union Barrage

United Steelworkers to Step Up its Sears Boycott

VAUGHAN - The United Steelworkers is ramping up its campaign in support of workers locked out by Sears at its warehouse in Vaughan, Ontario.

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Media

Brand expert shares social media insights at Laurier Toronto speaker series

TORONTO – Mike Leon, Laurier alumnus and award-winning marketing and branding consultant, will present “Social Media for the SME” as part of a speaker series at the Laurier Toronto office, 130 King St. W., Wednesday, Nov. 10 at noon.

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Health & Safety

Bill 168, Occupational Health and Safety Amendment Act 2009

Violence and Harassment in the Workplace

As a result of the passage of Bill 168, the new Occupational Health and Safety Act ("OHSA") scheme aimed at preventing workplace violence and harassment came into force on June 15, 2010.