Archive for November, 2008

How to cut heating and cooling costs without cutting comfort

Heating and cooling systems account for 56 percent of energy used in a typical home, making it the largest energy expense for most households, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Making smarter decisions about your heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system can help you save money on your monthly utility bills.  American Standard [...]

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Minister Kenney announces immigration levels for 2009; Issues instructions on processing federal skilled workers

Canada will stay the course on immigration in 2009, welcoming between 240,000 and 265,000 new permanent residents, Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, announced today. “While countries such as the United Kingdom and Australia are talking about taking fewer immigrants, our planned numbers for 2009 are on par with last year and are [...]

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Fast-track reforms to the immigration system

Fast-tracking the immigration process for workers in 38 high-demand occupations will dramatically reduce wait times, the federal government announced Friday amid opposition criticism that the criteria for skilled workers are “absurd.” The Conservative government’s vow to reform the immigration system has proved controversial, with some advocacy groups saying the changes would create two classes of [...]

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Nearly all Canadians have observed bad driving behaviors recently

  While a large proportion of Canadians have witnessed some form of poor driving etiquette during the last thirty days, only one-in-five would go as far as to say that most of the drivers in their municipality are bad, a new Angus Reid Strategies poll has found. Continue reading

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Manitoba moves to ban phones in cars

Manitoba’s NDP government has followed other jurisdictions by moving to ban drivers from talking on a hand-held phone while behind the wheel. The province also plans to levy fines against drivers who smoke with children under 16 in the car. “We all know how important it is to pay full attention while behind the wheel,” [...]

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StatsCan: Canadians spending less on international travel

Canada’s international travel deficit shrank this summer for the third consecutive quarter of this year, dropping below $3 billion for the first time in a year, says Statistics Canada. Less spending by Canadians travelling outside the country and higher spending by foreigners in Canada both contributed to the drop, the agency said Thursday. Overall, Canadians [...]

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