http://www.muchmormagazine.com/index.htmlMuchmor Magazine the free monthly Canadian lifestyle publication and social networkenmuchmor magazineCopyright 2007 muchmor media2008-05-17T06:30:41-04:00 hourly 1 2000-01-01T12:00+00:00 Fri, 16 May 2008 21:50:12 -0400muchmor magazineMisc2008-05-17T06:30:41-04:00http://www.muchmormagazine.com/blogsection/files/1c40f6c6d9aca49e52fded3325c7439b-211.html#unique-entry-id-211http://www.muchmormagazine.com/blogsection/files/1c40f6c6d9aca49e52fded3325c7439b-211.html#unique-entry-id-211
So far, he hasn't seen a decline in reservations — "not at this stage."

Holroyd says that most restaurants, whether they be part of a chain or a big or small operation, have in the past locked into contracts with their suppliers, and once those come up for negotiation, the price increases will be passed along.

"At some point, menu prices will have to go up to reflect those higher input costs," she says. "When that happens … varies by type of restaurant, their location and the kind of increases they're seeing in their menu mix."

Among the driving forces of higher commodity prices are fuel costs, which increase the cost of everything from fertilizers to transport to food processing. Rising demand for meat and dairy in rapidly developing countries such as India and China is sending up the cost of grain, used for cattle feed, as is the demand for raw materials to make biofuels.

Holroyd says this is a difficult time for restaurant owners to raise menu prices "because consumers are seeing more and more of their disposable income being eaten up by the rising cost of food, not to mention gas prices."

"So that leaves them with less disposable income to spend eating out and more sensitive to price increases at restaurants."

Andrew Wong is extremely concerned about the jump in rice prices to use in dishes he and his partner Tom Poirier serve at Wild Rice, their Chinese restaurant in downtown Vancouver.

"All of our suppliers have told us to prepare for price increases starting any time in the next four weeks," says Wong. "The gentleman who brings us our rice noodles says he will have to raise the price June 1."

And although there has not been a drop in the number of customers at the popular eatery, which he describes as serving modern Chinese cuisine, "it's going to make it trickier to stay in business during this period," he said.

Holroyd says that the association hasn't had much reaction from their members "because there are global forces at work here, and they are focused on reducing waste and maybe modifying their menus to make it more cost-effective for them."

"It's inevitable because they are operating on such thin margins. The average profit margin is only 4.3 per cent of revenue."

One bright spot has been the lower cost of fresh imported produce, Holroyd says.

"This has been beneficial to the industry," she says.]]>muchmor magazineNews2008-05-17T06:24:23-04:00http://www.muchmormagazine.com/blogsection/files/3e1cda7340951bd66f49564331435da6-210.html#unique-entry-id-210http://www.muchmormagazine.com/blogsection/files/3e1cda7340951bd66f49564331435da6-210.html#unique-entry-id-210
The service is available for items up to five kilograms that fit inside the box, which measures 28 by 21.5 by 14 centimetres.

Shipping costs depend on the destination: $9.99 for regional shipping, $12.99 for national and $17.99 for shipments to the United States.

Sellers will also be able to print shipping labels, making it easier for them to drop their packages in any street letterbox or post office.]]>muchmor magazineCanada2008-05-17T06:21:50-04:00http://www.muchmormagazine.com/blogsection/files/b8336a4f1e1f0b40c79c1edd6e02fe80-209.html#unique-entry-id-209http://www.muchmormagazine.com/blogsection/files/b8336a4f1e1f0b40c79c1edd6e02fe80-209.html#unique-entry-id-209
Some people have already taken advantage of the new flight service, with one couple, Robert and Catherine Charman, considering immigrating to the area. Mr Charman said: "The people are friendly and welcoming and Fredericton is only a few hours from London. We want to live to work and not have to work to live."]]>muchmor magazineCanada2008-05-17T06:18:04-04:00http://www.muchmormagazine.com/blogsection/files/3a2eb7138c4170dbb672abfb8fc2cc54-208.html#unique-entry-id-208http://www.muchmormagazine.com/blogsection/files/3a2eb7138c4170dbb672abfb8fc2cc54-208.html#unique-entry-id-208muchmor magazineCanada2008-05-17T06:17:59-04:00http://www.muchmormagazine.com/blogsection/files/b85af96987ffe3b4a1e53e57ad4f9bf9-207.html#unique-entry-id-207http://www.muchmormagazine.com/blogsection/files/b85af96987ffe3b4a1e53e57ad4f9bf9-207.html#unique-entry-id-207
Chettleburgh said organized crime is using young people to sell drugs on the streets to insulate themselves from police.

Overall crime rate

Overall, the crime rate among young people climbed three per cent between 2005 and 2006.

In total, nearly 180,000 young people were implicated in some violation of the Criminal Code in 2006, excluding traffic offences.

The figures translate to a youth crime rate of 6,885 accused for every 100,000 young people in the 12-17 age group.

"I think we need to keep the numbers in perspective and understand that relative to the peak of youth crime back in 1991, youth crime is down about 25 per cent," said Chettleburgh.

Still, the 2006 data showed violent crime rates -- including homicides -- increased 12 per cent between 1996 and 2006 and 30 per cent since 1991.

Youths accused of homicides in 2006 reached their highest point since data was first collected in 1961.

However, given the relatively small number of youth committing homicide, rates can fluctuate substantially from year to year.

Property crime rates declined between 1996 and 2006 but they still accounted for about four in 10 of all youth crimes.

The figures, based on information gathered by Canadian police services, also showed an increase in "other" Criminal Code offences such as mischief and disturbing the peace.

The youth crime rate is calculated based on the number of youth, aged 12 to 17, who have been accused of a criminal offence and formally charged, recommended to the Crown for charging by police or cleared by means other than the laying of a charge.

The Youth Criminal Justice Act, which came into force on April 1, 2003, requires police to consider the use of non-court measures for youths who have committed less serious offences.]]>muchmor magazineHealth2008-05-17T06:16:01-04:00http://www.muchmormagazine.com/blogsection/files/0218678a795bdfc97c92ccef9fd8874a-206.html#unique-entry-id-206http://www.muchmormagazine.com/blogsection/files/0218678a795bdfc97c92ccef9fd8874a-206.html#unique-entry-id-206
He says all patients deserve speedy access to medical care, not just those in areas identified by the government as a priority.]]>muchmor magazineCanada2008-05-16T06:30:43-04:00http://www.muchmormagazine.com/blogsection/files/8e7aff642c95ea1d41598e92aa075cfd-205.html#unique-entry-id-205http://www.muchmormagazine.com/blogsection/files/8e7aff642c95ea1d41598e92aa075cfd-205.html#unique-entry-id-205
"What's important about this study is now we can distinguish between a group of siblings with autism from a group with no autism — at nine months and at 12 months," said Rutherford, in a release. "I can do this in 10 minutes, and it is objective, meaning that the only measure is eye direction; it's not influenced by a clinician's report or intuition."

"Nobody's been able to distinguish between these groups at so early an age."

The study's participants are siblings of children with autism, who are considered at high risk of developing the condition. They are tested four times in their first year—at three, six, nine and 12 months of age. The findings are compared to a low-risk control group of infants and toddlers.

During the testing, infants watch images on a computer screen. The directness of their gaze, its duration and the movements of their faces are tracked. When they are two years old, the children return for an outcome measures test to compare with the earlier findings.

Many health experts feel that early diagnosis is critical in treating children with autism. "Developing a tool for the early detection of autism would have profound effects on people with autism, their parents, family members and future generations of those at risk of developing autism," said Rutherford.]]>muchmor magazineRealty2008-05-16T06:27:52-04:00http://www.muchmormagazine.com/blogsection/files/be8700e1c7927138004075230d9fc4b1-204.html#unique-entry-id-204http://www.muchmormagazine.com/blogsection/files/be8700e1c7927138004075230d9fc4b1-204.html#unique-entry-id-204

• Home sales are falling nationally.
• Demand for residential building permits has plunged.
• Average annual price increases are steadily easing back from the 10 per cent increases that marked the boom years of 2002 to 2007.
• Inventories of unsold new homes are trending higher.

But Warren does not see the same kind of price drops that followed the last two housing booms. In those booms, peak-to-trough selling prices plunged by 24 per cent and 15 per cent.

"However, we believe the current cycle has less downside risk, as it appears to be built on a stronger economic foundation than those of the 1970s and 1980s," she says.

Warren lists five main reasons why this time should be different:

• Home prices in Canada are not overvalued.
• There's little evidence of widespread speculation.
• Canada's housing market is not overbuilt.
• Households are not over-leveraged, noting that mortgage carrying costs as a share of disposable income are historically low.
• Overall mortgage quality is still sound, as Canadian lending standards are tighter than those in the U.S.

Warren predicts a "soft landing" for the Canadian housing market, with "a period of relatively flat inflation-adjusted home prices."

She acknowledges that there are risks to her forecast if the U.S. economic slump turns out to be deeper or longer-lasting than currently predicted.

"Tighter credit conditions and heightened global financial market volatility in the wake of the U.S. sub-prime mess pose additional downside risks to the sector’s overall performance."

The Scotia report came a day after the Canadian Real Estate Association released figures that showed the number of resales in Canada's major markets fell 6.1 per cent from a year earlier. Average selling prices were up by 3.2 per cent year-over-year — the slowest pace of increase in more than six years.

The number of new listings was also at a record high.]]>muchmor magazineCanada2008-05-16T06:25:17-04:00http://www.muchmormagazine.com/blogsection/files/8f9ab837c42f9bb47a58392c263e63ce-203.html#unique-entry-id-203http://www.muchmormagazine.com/blogsection/files/8f9ab837c42f9bb47a58392c263e63ce-203.html#unique-entry-id-203
Colbourne started bringing over workers from the Philippines two years ago with the help of the federal Temporary Foreign Workers program.

Under the program, a worker can only stay in the country for up to two years. While they are here they can only work for the employer who initially sponsored them.

Canada Border Services says if the missing workers are still in Canada they face prosecution, criminal charges and possible deportation. Employers who hire these workers illegally could also be charged up to $50,000 in fines and/or spend up to two years in prison.

Despite the setbacks, Colbourne is currently applying to bring 15 more workers to the country.

"I can't give up. This is my livelihood," he said.

The Temporary Foreign Workers program is increasing in popularity, especially in Alberta where a surge of new construction projects has left business owners scrambling to fill the labour shortage.

There were 15,172 temporary foreign workers in Alberta in 2006, almost 46 per cent more than the previous year, according to Citizenship and Immigration Canada. A total of 112,658 were working in Canada in 2006.]]>muchmor magazineNews2008-05-16T06:17:16-04:00http://www.muchmormagazine.com/blogsection/files/765115973a316e9804e0c719c57b61bc-202.html#unique-entry-id-202http://www.muchmormagazine.com/blogsection/files/765115973a316e9804e0c719c57b61bc-202.html#unique-entry-id-202
Alberta ($74,825), Newfoundland and Labrador and Saskatchewan ($51,327) were the only three provinces where GDP per capita was above average in 2007.

Higher crude-oil prices have been driving the boom in Newfoundland and Labrador and Saskatchewan -- the top producers of crude petroleum in Canada after Alberta.

Newfoundland and Labrador's international exports soared 20 per cent the most rapid growth of any province. Between 2002 and 2007, exports doubled to $12 billion as prices rose for energy products and metals.

Saskatchewan exported $21 billion to other countries in 2007, a 13 per cent increase over 2006. This placed Saskatchewan behind only Newfoundland and Labrador for the title of fastest growing provincial exports. In addition to crude oil, agricultural products, potash, and uranium have made major gains since 2005.

The study says both Newfoundland and Labrador and Saskatchewan have reversed their long-term trend of a declining population. In the last two quarters of 2007, the number of people moving into Newfoundland and Labrador was the highest that it had been in 30 years. At the same time, out-migration slowed, resulting in the population increasing for the first time in 15 years.

Saskatchewan's population grew 0.8 per cent in 2007, its first increase in over a decade, as the population once again topped a million.

As incomes have risen and population growth has resumed, Newfoundland and Labrador and Saskatchewan consumers have gone on a buying binge, leading provincial growth in retail, housing and auto sales.]]>muchmor magazineNews2008-05-16T06:16:55-04:00http://www.muchmormagazine.com/blogsection/files/0d0c65bec1b074183c5e148a9f1810be-201.html#unique-entry-id-201http://www.muchmormagazine.com/blogsection/files/0d0c65bec1b074183c5e148a9f1810be-201.html#unique-entry-id-201
The rise in thefts and losses coincides with a jump in the number of passports processed annually.

"During 2005-06, Passport Canada processed an unprecedented three million passports,'' said a recent auditor general's report.

"In comparison, it processed about 2.7 million passports in 2004-05 and 1.7 million in 2001-02.''

But security experts warned Wednesday that increased security features and better communication between government departments may not be enough to stay ahead of organized criminal groups, who make big money on stolen passports.

Some countries fare worse than others.

For example, in Spain, reported thefts have doubled since 2003, meaning more Canadian passports go missing in that country than anywhere else in the world, according to Andre Lemay, a spokesman from Passport Canada.

"That's not surprising,'' said Benjamin Perrin, an assistant law professor at the University of British Columbia who specializes in international law and human trafficking.

Spain has been identified as a major entry point for illegal immigration from Africa and South America.

"They need to be able to move and move with impunity,'' he said of many criminals, who often can't cross borders under their own names.

"Plugging the hole in Spain and finding the reasons for it should be a priority for the Canadian government,'' said Perrin.

Perrin added that an auditor general's report in 2005 found it took much too long -- 35 days -- for law enforcement officials to share information about stolen passports, meaning a possible month-long free pass for criminals looking to travel between borders.

Along with drug trafficking, Perrin added that dealing in stolen and faked passports is now a major source of revenue for criminal groups.

Chris Mathers, a security expert and former RCMP agent, agreed.

"People will buy them off you, and Canadian passports are of great value,'' he said, adding that even old or cancelled passports can be resold.

"If you've got a legitimate passport, it's a lot easier task to phoney up one, because you've got the actual materials,'' he said.

"They're still a commodity that criminals will pay quite a bit for.''

While the government has only recently issued warnings about thefts in Spain, the travel industry has long been aware of the problem, said Association of Canadian Travel Agencies president Christiane Theberge.

Theberge said last year, 182,000 Canadians travelled to Spain, making it the 11th most popular destination for Canadian travellers.

Lemay said 496 Canadian passports were stolen in Spain last year, compared to 4,746 stolen worldwide.

Theberge said ACTA often issues reminders to ensure travellers know the threat in Spain and other countries.

"Just be very cautious, be sure your passport is secure,'' she said.]]>muchmor magazineTravel2008-05-15T06:26:54-04:00http://www.muchmormagazine.com/blogsection/files/def492c64c85416d2822e696277ddf69-200.html#unique-entry-id-200http://www.muchmormagazine.com/blogsection/files/def492c64c85416d2822e696277ddf69-200.html#unique-entry-id-200
"I think it's safe to say we'll see a lot more business travel from not just salespeople and consultants, but other people within organizations as well."

Even with rising fuel costs, business travelling does not appear to be slowing down, the poll shows.

As the demand for business travel increases, maintaining a healthy work/life balance has become a challenge, with 28 per cent of people saying they have felt a negative impact on their home life.

To help maintain a better balance, some companies have offered employees more flexible work hours and job sharing options to help alleviate the strain.]]>muchmor magazineRealty2008-05-15T06:25:23-04:00http://www.muchmormagazine.com/blogsection/files/5bf2a9208088941187a730c5dea112bb-199.html#unique-entry-id-199http://www.muchmormagazine.com/blogsection/files/5bf2a9208088941187a730c5dea112bb-199.html#unique-entry-id-199
More listings means more choice for buyers and more pressure on sellers to lower prices. So it comes as no surprise that price gains are cooling off nationally.

Price gains moderating

The April MLS figures show that the average home selling price last month was $334,293 — up 3.2 per cent from April of 2007. That's the smallest year-over-year price increase in over six years, the association said.

Average prices in formerly red-hot Calgary and Edmonton fell from March levels and are now down slightly from last year. Year-over-year prices were also down by less than one per cent in St. Catharines and Windsor, both in Ontario.

Saskatchewan's two big cities again captured the title of hottest real estate markets in the country. Regina's average price of $248,039 was up almost 65 per cent over last year. The gain in Saskatoon was a more modest 31 per cent to $289,773, even though new listings were more than double what they were in April 2007.

Vancouver's average price of $615,304 was again good enough for top spot in the country. That's a nine per cent increase in a year.

Prices in Toronto were up 5.2 per cent to an average $398,687. New listings jumped by more than 18 per cent.]]>muchmor magazineMotoring2008-05-15T06:18:32-04:00http://www.muchmormagazine.com/blogsection/files/712187c36448baa10d69bf94b1df03eb-198.html#unique-entry-id-198http://www.muchmormagazine.com/blogsection/files/712187c36448baa10d69bf94b1df03eb-198.html#unique-entry-id-198
Ford says there have been 11 minor accidents and no injuries tied to the issue.

Dealers will replace the hose at no charge to consumers - owners are expected to be notified in late June, and the recall is expected to begin in July.]]>muchmor magazineNews2008-05-15T06:16:12-04:00http://www.muchmormagazine.com/blogsection/files/5d37b441c59c71beab4105f271309233-197.html#unique-entry-id-197http://www.muchmormagazine.com/blogsection/files/5d37b441c59c71beab4105f271309233-197.html#unique-entry-id-197
Prentice has not revealed what his bill will contain, saying it is still -- five months later -- a work in progress.

"Striking an appropriate balance in respect to copyright as between consumers and industry is an important part of the equation,'' he said.

"Once we have that balance right, a bill will be introduced.''

Exactly where that balance will end up could affect everything from how Canadians use their televisions to whether authorities will be able to snoop on what people download through their Internet connection.

The video game industry wants the law strengthened to allow Internet service providers to monitor high-speed downloads and shutdown transfers containing unauthorized copies of games and other files.

"It's clear the ISP's have this capacity,'' said Jason Kee, director of policy with the Entertainment Software Association of Canada.

"Similarly, they actually do have the capacity of basically disrupting particular communications, and that's essentially the kind of activity we'd be seeking.''

The government has also been lobbied by American industry groups to follow the U.S. government's lead and restrict people from making backup copies of compact discs and DVD's which they have purchased legally.

Canada's current copyright law was drawn up long before personal computers and iPods were in every home. As a result of outdated wording and a few court cases, the existing law is a confusing stew of rules that most people are not aware of.

The music industry says Canadians continue to make unauthorized music downloads because the law does not clearly make it illegal. The industry lost a court battle in 2005 when it tried to force Internet service providers to provide the names of downloaders.

Other everyday acts, such as recording a TV show or taking music from a compact disc and putting it on an MP3 player are illegal but are never enforced, says a technology law expert. The new law may add enforcement tools such as fines.

"In Canada even today, taping a television program is an act of infringement, making a backup copy of a DVD ... that's an act of infringement,'' said Michael Geist, who teaches Internet and technology law at the University of Ottawa.

The U.S. copyright law also restricts some people from changing cellphone service providers, by forbidding people from bypassing technological locks embedded in some phones that marry the device to a specific provider.

Instead of following the U.S. model, Canada should look at recent laws in Israel and New Zealand that give consumers some flexibility to use items they have paid for, Geist said.

Prentice says he's looking at a number of countries.

"We can look at what's happened in other countries -- New Zealand, Australia, France, the United States -- to try to search out best practices, and that's part of the analysis we're going through.'']]>muchmor magazineRealty2008-05-15T06:15:19-04:00http://www.muchmormagazine.com/blogsection/files/71d39859cf44a3522732a4440aa42260-196.html#unique-entry-id-196http://www.muchmormagazine.com/blogsection/files/71d39859cf44a3522732a4440aa42260-196.html#unique-entry-id-196
Listings in Saskatoon rose by 121 per cent compared with the year before, and by 18 per cent in the country's largest housing market, Toronto, which makes up about 18 per cent of all resale housing activity on the Multiple Listing Service.

CREA's data came on the same day as a survey suggesting two-thirds of Canadians are either negative or neutral about the prospect of buying a home right now. The other third said that now is a good time to buy a home.

The results are similar to a study last fall, and this consistency suggests Canadians haven't been too shaken by the U.S. subprime mortgage crisis, said Will Dunning, chief economist at the Canadian Association of Accredited Mortgage Professionals (CAAMP) and author of a report released Wednesday that included the housing survey.

Canada's strong economy, primarily the high rate of employment, is helping maintain confidence in the housing market, Mr. Dunning said.

However in regions where prices escalate quickly, sticker shock can trump economic fundamentals in the short term, he added.

This was demonstrated by CAAMP's survey, in which residents of Saskatchewan were the most leery about buying a home, with 70 per cent saying it is not a good time. Home prices rose 32 per cent in the province last year and are expected to rise by 19.5 per cent in 2008, compared with the forecasted 5.3-per-cent national average, according to CREA.

Despite the glut in supply, there have been no economic reports forecasting a drop in home prices this year, merely a cool-down from the double-digit gains of the past.

So far the data bear this out, with none of the cities included in CREA's report showing a year-over-year price decline in the first four months of 2008.

Prices are very “sticky,” they are one of the last things to adjust when the market cools and it takes a great deal to drive them down, Mr. Porter said.

Perhaps one of the biggest signs that sellers may have to lower their expectations can be found in CREA's press release referring to the data.

“This means buyers face less competition in their search for a home. It also means more competition among home sellers, so presentation factors such as prudent pricing are necessary for faster sale,” said Calvin Lindberg, president of CREA.

This, Mr. Porter said, is “a polite way of saying: ‘If you're looking for double-digit [annual] price gains, dream on.'”

A return to balance in the market has been a welcome relief for Jim Sparrow, a real estate agent with Calgary-based Keller Williams Platinum Realty. He remembers the peak of the market last year as an agonizing time for some of his clients, who were making and losing hundreds of offers as they desperately tried to crack the Calgary housing market.

Perhaps the craziest situation he witnessed was the bidding for a small, no-frills condo unit which just months earlier would have sold in the $90,000-range. With an unconditional, cash offer at $30,000 over asking price, Mr. Sparrow's client figured she'd finally put up enough to break a string of lost bidding wars. She lost the 21-buyer race to someone willing to pay nearly $200,000 for the tiny unit.

A year and a half later you won't find situations like that in Calgary any more, Mr. Sparrow said.

“We've been in a buyers' market for the last three or four months here. What's unfortunate is that a lot of sellers don't realize that yet,” he said.]]>muchmor magazineTravel2008-05-14T06:18:26-04:00http://www.muchmormagazine.com/blogsection/files/3ac461b1035c8bda4eb69ea0ce75eaa1-195.html#unique-entry-id-195http://www.muchmormagazine.com/blogsection/files/3ac461b1035c8bda4eb69ea0ce75eaa1-195.html#unique-entry-id-195
Then there's the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, which at a recent performance of A Night at the Opera added the oomph back classical music, as well as a growing number of artists who will challenge how you look at their canvas.

Take a look at Firehall Glassworks Studio and Gallery, where glass is transformed into eye-catching artistic statements. Located closer to Calgary's southern edge -- on St. Mary's University Campus -- Firehall is where you'll find the father and son team of Brian and Cody Kelk turning molten glass into unique collectible art pieces.

At first glance, Brian, a former city of Calgary heavy equipment operator, appears out of place here. But talk to the man and you'll find imagination, artistic skill and someone who loves -- and is very good at -- what he does.

Known for their signature Fish in the Bag, Brian and Cody make solid glass look like there's real water -- and a colourful life-like fish -- in a see-through glass bag. Cody's younger leanings result in the creation of some interesting aliens moulded-out glass, while you'll also find glass inuksuks and other items lining the shelves of this combination workshop/gift shop.

Art, meanwhile, gets a modern twist from Katrina Olson, an up-and-coming artist who mixes photography and computer skills to fuse new interpretations of architecture and landscapes, while giving the traditional portrait a new look.

Even though she has also tried her hand at an oil pastel and acrylic on canvas -- a stunning, oversize portrait of a Japanese girl (with similarities to Yoko Ono) wearing 3-D glasses -- for Olson it's primarily about painting from photographs, painting on photographs and fusing collages of photographs into her paintings.

Her first solo exhibition was recently held at Artpoint Gallery & Studios Society, an interesting spot founded and run by artists to promote visual arts and arts education. Wander by -- but do ask for directions, this is not the easiest place to find and be sure to check operating hours at the same time -- and you'll find 23 studios and three galleries featuring works by more than 45 members and visiting artists.

On site, artists are hard at work, open to discussion about their work, and have a wide range of artistic styles. Better yet, admission is free.
Prefer a different type of cultural selection? How about a stop at the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, which celebrated its 50th anniversary three years ago, and is showing no signs of growing old.

In fact, the zip in a recent performance -- the aforementioned A Night at the Opera with selections from Bizet, Puccini and Verdi -- added what could almost be described as an exhilarating, upbeat tempo to these classics.

Looking for something a little bit more theatrical? Then you're in good company in Calgary with troupes such as Alberta Theatre Projects -- also a national centre for the development of new Canadian plays -- Ground Zero (the theatrical voice of Generation X); One Yellow Rabbit (creating new, original theatrical works for its local audience each year); Theatre Calgary (in its 40th season) and Vertigo Theatre (producing Canada's only professional series of mystery-based plays). And if that's not enough to whet your whistle, there's Theatre Junction at the restored Grand Theatre, described as Calgary's culture house for contemporary live arts, or a host of others to choose from.

Meanwhile, over at the Glenbow, this museum is much more than the one-million-plus artifacts and nearly 30,000 works of art that it has on hand. In addition to permanent displays, the Glenbow is currently showcasing Honouring Tradition: Reframing Native Art, an exhibit that challenges the view which defines historical art pieces as separate from contemporary aboriginal art. With a wide ranging array of art and artifacts that offer different perspectives on native art, it is insightful, different and awe-inspiring when you look at the intricacy of some of the ancient native works.

But for this visitor, the highlight was Mavericks: An Incorrigible History of Alberta. What makes this exhibit stand out -- and it's sure to make anyone rethink the conventional stereotype that museums present plain, boring displays of art or history -- is the way the material is packaged. Divided into a series of mini-galleries, each is a beauty to behold and an amazing way to make history relevant to modern audiences: picture a theme-park-like experience but with a historical twist.

Perhaps one of the best examples of this is the Railways section of Mavericks. Instead of walking into a standard museum-type room with pictures and information mounted like art on a wall, imagine walking into section shaped like a series of rail cars. Then, as you continue through, the information is incorporated into the rail-car recreations themselves.

Add subtle rail car sounds, giving you the impression that this stationary exhibit is actually a train on the move, and not only do you learn in a hands-on environment, you're ready to see what is next, such as segments on Oil and Gas or War and the Homefront. Put another way, Mavericks is not your father's or grandfather's museum exhibit, it's how smart museums transform history into a must-see attraction.

And with that sampling -- there's much more than one article can cover -- you'll have an idea of how this city is a hot spot, if culture is the focus of your vacation plans.

CULTIVATING CULTURE

The Calgary Stampede may well be the greatest outdoor show on Earth but there's a lot more to this city's appetite for creative fun. Did you know that:

- Calgary has an estimated 260 venues for the performance and display of art, representing 193 art galleries, 49 performing art venues and 18 museums.

- The EPCOR Centre for the Performing Arts attracts nearly 300,000 patrons and more than 1,700 performances and events annually. This 400,000-square- foot performing arts complex is one of the largest of its kind in Canada.

- The Glenbow Museum boasts more than a million artifacts, a library and archives under one roof. Its archives are Canada's largest non-governmental archival repository, with its records taking up five kilometres of shelf space.

- Major cultural events draw more than three million in attendance to downtown Calgary festivals annually.

Source: Calgary Economic Development Creative Industries Sector Profile]]>muchmor magazineMoney2008-05-14T06:16:02-04:00http://www.muchmormagazine.com/blogsection/files/72f6d7c8a3c4e3d545b12b4358cc5963-194.html#unique-entry-id-194http://www.muchmormagazine.com/blogsection/files/72f6d7c8a3c4e3d545b12b4358cc5963-194.html#unique-entry-id-194
Up to 80,000 Canadians could be eligible for the refund, according Montreal lawyer Philippe Trudel, who represented Lenzi. That would bring Apple's total payout to $3.6 million.

Owners who qualify for the settlement will have to spend their refund through Apple Canada's online store, but will not be able to use it on iTunes content.

'Fair, reasonable, appropriate'

Apple, in its settlement offer, said the lawyers representing the plaintiffs believe the offer is "fair, reasonable, appropriate and in their best interests."

"We encourage people to claim this credit," Trudel told the Montreal Gazette.

Lenzi had originally asked for $137.77 for a replacement battery, plus shipping and handling, $50 for inconvenience and $400 in exemplary damages. The Toronto class-action was seeking $11 million in damages, plus legal costs.

Apple settled a similar class-action lawsuit in the United States in 2005, which had an estimated payout of $15 million U.S.

The company is still facing another lawsuit in Canada regarding iPods, filed by Montreal student David Bitton last year, over the device's memory. Bitton said his iPod Nano has only 7.45 gigabytes of memory, rather than eight GB, as advertised by Apple. His lawyer is seeking class-action status and is asking for a full refund, or a 7.5-per-cent refund of the device's $220 purchase price and $75 in damages.]]>muchmor magazineMoney2008-05-14T06:13:31-04:00http://www.muchmormagazine.com/blogsection/files/28bc3406ca297aa4c07aa7c5a98b4d3a-193.html#unique-entry-id-193http://www.muchmormagazine.com/blogsection/files/28bc3406ca297aa4c07aa7c5a98b4d3a-193.html#unique-entry-id-193
For the owner of a typical single-family home, the tax increase will amount to approximately $40 a year for the city portion.

The increase will be slightly less than $69 when tax increases for libraries and schools are added.

Although the city portion of the mill rate is going up by 2.84 per cent, owners of single family homes and condos will be hit harder because of a city program to shift the tax burden away from apartments. The idea is to equalize mill rates for property classes over five years. For the average homeowner, the tax increase will be 3.68 per cent.]]>muchmor magazineMotoring2008-05-14T06:09:35-04:00http://www.muchmormagazine.com/blogsection/files/06521d3a57b3669569102a571e42d820-192.html#unique-entry-id-192http://www.muchmormagazine.com/blogsection/files/06521d3a57b3669569102a571e42d820-192.html#unique-entry-id-192
The idea was first put forward five years ago by the Canadian Association of Retired People and recently endorsed by Mark Yakabuski, the head of the Insurance Bureau of Canada.

"In 20 years' time, we will have almost 10 million Canadians 65 years of age and older," said Yakabuski. "We're going to take the licences away from these people?"

CARP vice-president Susan Eng is worried, however, that the insurance companies will raise rates for seniors.

"The right to keep driving is crucial to the independence and mobility of people especially as they age and hence an important element of their quality of life. CARP would support bona fide regulation or restrictions based on competency but not blanket restrictions or increased insurance costs based purely on the driver's age" said Eng in a recent news release.

The organization says overall it is happy the change is being discussed.]]>muchmor magazineEmployment2008-05-13T06:18:54-04:00http://www.muchmormagazine.com/blogsection/files/a606d2eb0897208038ee2c210bc39d50-191.html#unique-entry-id-191http://www.muchmormagazine.com/blogsection/files/a606d2eb0897208038ee2c210bc39d50-191.html#unique-entry-id-191
Hargrove also said the effects of the closure would ripple far beyond the 1,400 who work at the Windsor plant as support industries lose work. He said some jobs will likely be lost at GM facilities in St. Catharines, Ont., because of their dependence on Windsor.

GM and CAW in talks

The CAW has been in national contract talks with GM since last Thursday as the union tries to work out a new master agreement. Hargrove said GM told the union on Friday about its plans for the Windsor plant.

The union went into the talks seeking commitments from GM for new work and investment at the company's Ontario facilities.

"We could end up setting aside bargaining Wednesday," Hargrove said. "We may have to strike over getting a close-out agreement, not product."

The closure of the transmission plant will leave Windsor with no GM plant for the first time in 45 years.

This closure announcement is the second major GM cutback affecting Canada in the last two weeks. Late last month, the company said it would cut one of the two shifts at its Oshawa, Ont., pickup plant, citing slower sales in the U.S. Almost 1,000 workers were affected by that announcement. The Oshawa cuts take effect in September.

The Big Three automakers have cuts tens of thousands of jobs in the last few years as they struggle to turn around their struggling operations amid market gains by their Asian-based rivals.

North American automakers were slower to adjust their product lineups to include more smaller vehicles and fewer gas-guzzling SUVs.]]>muchmor magazineRealty2008-05-13T06:16:03-04:00http://www.muchmormagazine.com/blogsection/files/b9db9c6c68f2cda304c6dd8b054d170e-190.html#unique-entry-id-190http://www.muchmormagazine.com/blogsection/files/b9db9c6c68f2cda304c6dd8b054d170e-190.html#unique-entry-id-190
The 12-month growth rate in Edmonton registered 13.5 per cent in March, while the monthly rate fell 1.1 per cent, with Alberta builders describing a cooling housing market. Calgary recorded an annual growth rate of 5.3 per cent between March 2007 and March 2008.

Meanwhile, new home prices in Halifax increased at an annual rate of 12.8 per cent and 12.0 per cent in St. John's, owing to a fortifying economy coupled with rising labour and materials costs.

In Ontario, annual growth rate prices increased 4.5 per cent in Toronto and 3.1 per cent in Ottawa. Year-over-year prices also increased 4.5 per cent in Montreal and 6.1 per cent in Vancouver.

In Québec, prices increased 3.9 per cent from the same month a year earlier. In Montréal, the 12-month growth rate slowed to 4.5 per cent. Prices edged down 0.1 per cent from February to March in Montréal, where increases resulting from higher labour costs were offset by competition among builders in the market.

Prices in Windsor — which have continued to decline for 18 months — continued to drop, falling 0.6 per cent from March 2007.]]>muchmor magazineNews2008-05-13T06:15:33-04:00http://www.muchmormagazine.com/blogsection/files/4337cf44c6c7d6ccfbde9796171671be-189.html#unique-entry-id-189http://www.muchmormagazine.com/blogsection/files/4337cf44c6c7d6ccfbde9796171671be-189.html#unique-entry-id-189
The soaring loonie has had made importing cheaper but has also hurt Canadian manufacturers exporting goods, especially to the U.S.

Ontario has suffered major setbacks from slowing exports, and appears positioned to shift to a "have-not'' province as Newfoundland and Labrador prepares to stop receiving federal equalization payments.

The finance minister has been outspoken on the province's troubled economy, and has rejected Ontario's claims that it's the equalization funding formula that's flawed and not the province's corporate tax policies.

"We want Ontario to remain a key engine of the Canadian economy. It's not in anyone's interest to see the country's most populous province slip into have-not status,'' Flaherty said.

Flaherty also spoke positively about the latest jobs numbers, released last Friday, calling them "promising.''

Canada's employment grew once again in April with the addition of 19,200 jobs, while the trade surplus jumped to $5.5 billion in March, the highest in almost a year.

"There's good reason for all Canadians to be confident. Our economy continues to grow in all regions of Canada,'' Flaherty said.]]>muchmor magazineNews2008-05-12T06:36:13-04:00http://www.muchmormagazine.com/blogsection/files/f031538f5f9048bd6cb287c09816a1a6-187.html#unique-entry-id-187http://www.muchmormagazine.com/blogsection/files/f031538f5f9048bd6cb287c09816a1a6-187.html#unique-entry-id-187
And prominent figures such as former New Brunswick Premier Frank McKenna have also been championing the need to slash corporate and capital taxes to help the region compete in the global market.

In a recent speech in Halifax, McKenna argued that lower business taxes in particular, would stimulate enough economic activity to make up for any lost revenues to government.

New Brunswick is also in the process of conducting a taxation review, which Finance Minister Victor Boudreau hopes will provide recommendations that can be implemented in next year's provincial budget.

However, the 2008-09 Nova Scotia budget tabled late last month, contained only a smattering of minor tax decreases including tax credits for public transit users and for seniors who participate in recreational activities.

Meanwhile, the bulk of its projected $105 million in savings to taxpayers were to come from gradual decreases to corporate and personal taxes announced in 2006.

Baker warned ahead of time that the stay-the-course budget would reflect growing concerns over a potential downturn in the Canadian economy and hits to the province's exports because of a stronger dollar and shrinking U.S. market.

In light of those concerns, Baker was asked whether it was a bad time to look at revamping the province's tax system.

"I don't know if there's ever a good time to embark on a major review of this kind,'' said Baker.

But he said the idea was to look at an "overall tax neutral approach'' which could see taxes go down gradually over time, while balancing off the need for taxation so that government can provide necessary programs and services.

Meanwhile, he wasn't ready to say whether Nova Scotians should be prepared for more tweaking or a major overhaul of the tax system.

"I guess I'm going to wait for the recommendations,'' said Baker.]]>muchmor magazineNews2008-05-12T06:35:22-04:00http://www.muchmormagazine.com/blogsection/files/6bebb21282d1cb1b64023298bc8622ca-188.html#unique-entry-id-188http://www.muchmormagazine.com/blogsection/files/6bebb21282d1cb1b64023298bc8622ca-188.html#unique-entry-id-188
Under the changes, individuals 55 years and older with holdings of up to $22,450 in federally regulated locked-in funds will be able to wind up their accounts or convert to a tax-deferred savings vehicle.

As well, Canadians 55 years and older will be able to convert on a one-time basis 50 per cent of their life income funds into a tax-deferred savings account with no maximum limit.

And all individuals facing financial hardship will be entitled to withdraw up to $22, 450 this year, with the maximum increasing in the future based on the average industrial wage.

Canadians moving savings from a locked-in to an unlocked savings vehicle would not be subject to taxes. But funds withdrawn from the savings vehicle would be subject to federal income tax.

The department release lists hardship as individuals with low income, with a high disability or facing medical costs.

But officials said there would be no hard-and-fast financial test to determine hardship, although individuals under 55 seeking to qualify under the hardship rule would need to complete a self-assessment form.

Although he had not seen the specific changes, C.D. Howe economist William Robson said that in general he was in favour of more flexibility in the way people save and their ability to access those funds.

"There are specific rules in locked-in RRSP plans that if you have financial hardship you can get at the money," he said.

"But the rules are complicated and it takes time...those locked-in plans can really cause a lot of grief. People could be in hardship, but filling out the forms and dealing with the bureaucracy and waiting could mean that the solution isn't all that great."

The rule changes have little tax implications for the government, although the department estimated the indirect costs to the government would be about $5 million.]]>muchmor magazineHome2008-05-12T06:30:53-04:00http://www.muchmormagazine.com/blogsection/files/430b240022dc4545c214c63d2bee09b0-186.html#unique-entry-id-186http://www.muchmormagazine.com/blogsection/files/430b240022dc4545c214c63d2bee09b0-186.html#unique-entry-id-186
Why buy?

Less maintenance than a house was a key factor for 34 per cent of respondents, while 23 per cent said a cheaper price would be the main reason.

Energy efficiency is also a growing attraction for condo buyers, 96 per cent of whom said it would be a top amenity they seek, equalled in popularity by only good building security.

Low condo fees were another top priority for 94 per cent of those polled. Almost half of respondents said they were willing to pay no more than $400 a month in fees and 36 per cent said they would pay no more than $200.

Nationally, 52 per cent said they want to spend less than $400,000 to buy a two-bedroom condo, and 28 per cent said they want to spend less than $200,000.

All of which reveals a large gap between people's expectations and the prices they'll encounter when they go shopping.

"There are still locations where you can a $150,000 condo," Dal Bianco contends, while adding such properties may be older buildings that lack amenities.

She concedes that "in the large major cities, in particular Calgary, Toronto and Vancouver chances of finding something under $200,000 are probably pretty slim."

Nevertheless, she said, "With economists predicting improved affordability in Canadian housing markets this year and next, and with continuing low interest rates and flexible mortgages, condos will continue to be an attractive choice for buyers."

In Vancouver, Toronto and Calgary, interest in purchasing a condo solely as an investment was almost as strong as for principal residences. Nationally, however, only seven per cent said they currently own a condo as an investment.

In Montreal, price mattered more than most other factors, with almost six in 10 saying they won't pay more than $200,000 for a two-bedroom unit. Just as many said they wouldn't pay more than $200 a month in condo fees.

In Ottawa, only 16 per cent cited price as a key reason to buy, compared with 39 per cent who were drawn by less maintenance. Yet more than a third said they would pay no more than $200,000 for a two-bedroom condo.

Buying a new condo is not top of mind for those polled. Fully 45 per cent said it was the least it was the least important amenity they sought.]]>muchmor magazineNews2008-05-11T07:00:49-04:00http://www.muchmormagazine.com/blogsection/files/81ce52e997296df6807b910ca6c0613e-185.html#unique-entry-id-185http://www.muchmormagazine.com/blogsection/files/81ce52e997296df6807b910ca6c0613e-185.html#unique-entry-id-185The poll says that even though seven in 10 Canadians describe the economy as good, the percentage who fear a recession has grown nine points since February to 22 per cent. Residents of Ontario and Quebec were more likely to say Canada was recession bound than their counterparts elsewhere in the country. Albertans were the least likely to see a recession coming.

More than four in 10 Canadians, or 43 per cent, gave the Harper Tories the nod as the best economic managers, compared with only 25 per cent who picked Mr. Dion and the Liberals and 16 per cent who went for Jack Layton and the New Democratic Party. Sixteen per cent were undecided.

The poll of 1,000 adults, conducted exclusively for Canwest News Service and Global National, is considered accurate within 3.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.]]>muchmor magazineNews2008-05-11T06:54:58-04:00http://www.muchmormagazine.com/blogsection/files/832631b7f763bb527708d111ee55b675-184.html#unique-entry-id-184http://www.muchmormagazine.com/blogsection/files/832631b7f763bb527708d111ee55b675-184.html#unique-entry-id-184
"The jobs created last month are mostly of the kind that generally offer less attractive working conditions and less job security," said Sylvain Shetagne, a Canadian Labour Congress senior economist.

Another 16,000 jobs were added in the construction sector. But with clear signs that the housing sector is cooling, that kind of healthy job growth is not expected to continue. "Employment is a lagging, not leading indicator, and much of the growth we have seen so far this year is likely due to past and not future economic strength," said TD economist James Marple.

Still, others noted that Canada's economy hasn't caved in to the weakness south of the border.

"While the latest climb in Canadian employment sports the odd blemish — a higher jobless rate, weakness in private-sector jobs — the main point is that job growth continues to churn ahead even in the face of a U.S. 'recessionette,'" said Doug Porter, an economist with BMO Capital Markets.

Loonie gains

The Canadian dollar gained 1.12 cents to close at 99.44 cents US, as better-than-expected job growth led some traders to believe that the Bank of Canada may pull back from making any aggressive interest rate cuts.

But many analysts say the central bank is still likely to trim interest rates again.

"We expect the Bank of Canada to remain wary of any indications that the underpinnings supporting Canada’s robust domestic economy are being shaken by the weakness emanating from the United States," said Dawn Desjardins, an RBC Financial Group economist who forecasts a further quarter-percentage-point cut coming later in the year.

Small employment increases were seen across most of the country, with eight of the 10 provinces adding jobs.

Ontario gained 12,000 jobs overall, despite losing factory jobs. Manitoba added 9,000 jobs, pushing the province's unemployment rate down half a percentage point to 3.8 per cent.

Quebec was the only province to experience net job losses for the month.

The province lost an estimated 19,800 jobs in April, mostly among young people. That pushed its unemployment rate up 0.3 percentage points to 7.6 per cent. Statistics Canada called it the first significant employment decline in two years in the province.

Average hourly wages rose at an annual rate of 4.3 per cent in April. While that's a drop from the 4.7 per cent rate in March, it's still well above the inflation rate.

Unemployment rates by province

Province April 2008 March 2008 Change

N.L. 13.2% 12.6% +0.6%
P.E.I. 11.2% 10.4% +0.8%
Nova Scotia 7.8% 7.9% -0.1%
New Brunswick 8.3% 8.5% -0.2%
Quebec 7.6% 7.3% +0.3%
Ontario 6.3% 6.4% -0.1%
Manitoba 3.8% 4.3% -0.5%
Sask. 4.3% 4.1% +0.2%
Alberta 3.3% 3.4% -0.1%
B.C. 4.3% 4.3% 0.0%

Source: Statistics Canada]]>muchmor magazineHealth2008-05-11T06:51:30-04:00http://www.muchmormagazine.com/blogsection/files/e86444d3a787c1e77e643d34e60d5735-183.html#unique-entry-id-183http://www.muchmormagazine.com/blogsection/files/e86444d3a787c1e77e643d34e60d5735-183.html#unique-entry-id-183
Cost 'causes concern,' minister says

Kennedy said that the inquiry has already cost $750,000 in fees paid to lawyers who have standing at the inquiry, and could cost significantly more.

"It causes concern," Kennedy said of the mounting costs.

When it was appointed last year to study flawed hormone receptor tests given to hundreds of breast cancer patients, the inquiry was given a mandate to complete its work by July 30, 2008.

Kennedy said Cameron has asked for an extension until Feb. 28, 2009, and added that cabinet has not yet made a decision on whether to grant the extension.

VOCM host Bill Rowe, though, pointed out that the inquiry's start was delayed by about two months because Eastern Health tried — and failed — in Newfoundland Supreme Court to block the public release of external reviews of the pathology lab that found significant troubles with how they operated.

As well, testimony at the inquiry, which eventually began hearing evidence in March, was delayed by almost a week when government officials realized in April that dozens of e-mails and other documents had not been turned over to the inquiry.

Rowe, a St. John's lawyer who is also a former Liberal party leader and a former provincial cabinet minister, challenged Kennedy over why a sitting justice minister would criticize an ongoing inquiry.

Kennedy maintained that he had the highest respect for Cameron, who sits on the Newfoundland Supreme Court of Appeal, but said the inquiry is taking too long to do its work.

Kennedy also said that the inquiry should abide by its terms of reference, but rejected Rowe's suggestion that Kennedy was implying that Cameron was ignoring those instructions.

Cameron and counsel for her inquiry declined comment Friday.

NDP attacks 'political interference'

New Democratic Party Leader Lorraine Michael said she is disturbed by what she sees as "political interference" from Williams and Kennedy.

"I'm quite shocked by a statement like that from Mr. Kennedy," Michael told CBC News.

"Both the premier and Mr. Kennedy know that a commission of inquiry has its own life once it's set up, and no matter what they're dealing with, they have to go to the depths of the issue that they're making inquiries about," she said.

"I've never heard of government interfering in an inquiry once it's gotten started."

Judicial inquiries often take longer than expected. With the Lamer inquiry into the criminal justice system, for instance, three years and three months passed between its appointment to the release of its final report, in June 2006.

As well, judicial inquiries often come at significant cost. The Lamer inquiry cost about $7 million, while an inquiry into the 1982 sinking of the Ocean Ranger offshore oil drilling rig cost $14 million.

'If they step on people's toes, so be it'

Cancer survivor Lorraine Hudson, who is following the Cameron inquiry closely, said government leaders should step back and let the inquiry do its work as it sees fit.

"They have to ask questions, and if they step on people's toes, so be it," she said.

"These questions have to be answered. We have to get to the bottom of this so that something like this never, ever happens to anybody else."

The premier, meanwhile, made his "witch hunt" comments about the inquiry Thursday evening, minutes after leaving a meeting with pathologists, oncologists and other health professionals. During that meeting, Williams and other government officials committed to improve pay and working conditions for the specialists, and to improve retention and recruitment problems.

Rowe said Williams may have made his comments to help medical professionals who feel they are under siege, but the tactic backfired.

"What he did in effect was not pass an olive branch to the doctors and the specialists, but undermine the credibility of his own public inquiry," Rowe said in an interview.

"[This] is the most bizarre thing I've seen," said Rowe, whose political career began in the 1960s.

Kennedy criticizes length of witness testimony

Meanwhile, Kennedy, a former defence lawyer in St. John's who had standing at the Lamer inquiry on the criminal justice system, said it's taking too long for evidence to be collected at the Cameron inquiry.

"The spectre of a witness being on the stand for four days is simply unheard of," Kennedy told Rowe's program, referring to lengthy examinations of such witnesses as former deputy health minister John Abbott, and George Tilley, the former chief executive officer of Eastern Health.

However, the final report of the Hughes inquiry — which heard evidence in 1989 and in 1990 on complaints of sexual abuse at the former Mount Cashel Orphanage and a subsequent quashed police investigation — shows that no less than 10 witnesses at the inquiry testified for at least four days. Four of them, including a former director of child welfare and a high-ranking member of the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary, were on the stand for six days each.]]>muchmor magazineFeatures2008-05-11T06:44:51-04:00http://www.muchmormagazine.com/blogsection/files/18b6c275df5672aa4763379c9391a50e-182.html#unique-entry-id-182http://www.muchmormagazine.com/blogsection/files/18b6c275df5672aa4763379c9391a50e-182.html#unique-entry-id-182
"Absolutely not. It's your right as a customer to get good service," says Bianca Meijer, a server at Forest Hill's Sotto in the Village.

Then why impose a minimum gratuity, usually 15 per cent, on large groups?

As it turns out, getting good service and recognizing it are two different things, especially when the alcohol is flowing.

"Seemingly they're having the time of their lives but then they leave an insult tip of 5 per cent," says Zoltan Szabo, a sommelier and restaurant consultant.

Yet servers often don't levy the group service charge because they're holding out for a better tip.

"My service, hopefully, has been satisfying enough that they would want to tip me maybe even 20 per cent," explains Brette Gabel, a server at Fresh on Bloor who views service charges as "rude."

Another myth is that women don't tip well and "women over 50 are demanding hags," in the words of one server. Not according to Armando Ferreira of Acqua, who has been a fine-dining waiter in Toronto since 1972.

"It used to be like that, in the early '70s. But women have climbed in the corporate world and are very considerate tippers. I no longer give the cheque to the gentleman but leave it in the middle of the table. Often, it's the woman paying."

Then who are the bad tippers? One server, who used to wait tables in Saskatchewan, said "farmers." Others point to twice-a-year diners unschooled in restaurant etiquette.

"Just tell me when you sit down that you're only going to tip me 5 per cent. Then the expectation is clarified," one veteran says of his cheapskate customers.

But for sheer cluelessness, look no farther than tourists, especially Europeans accustomed to service compris. (It's inexcusable to be ignorant of local customs but, before we get complacent about our generosity abroad, remember the joke: What's the difference between a canoe and a Canadian? Canoes occasionally tip.)

Studies have shown little things help boost tips. Cornell University's hotel and restaurant school found that a brief touch on the shoulder added as much as 5 per cent to a server's income. Diners also leave a couple of extra dollars to waiters who introduce themselves, make eye contact and write "thank you" on the bill.

Then there's the perverse matter of attitude. A radio documentary, This American Life, showed that a superfriendly waitress lost $50 a shift compared to her aloof colleagues.

The idea, said staff at Chicago's Lula Café, was to be efficient. And limit smiles.

"If (diners) already think you're having a good time...why are they going to tip you for having fun?" explained one.

Still, there will always be lavish tippers. One Toronto server remembers the $10,000 tip from a high roller celebrating his birthday with $60,000 worth of vintage French wines.

As for those times when service is a disaster, front-of-house workers say, let the tip reflect that. Leave nothing and talk to the manager.

"You are not obliged to tip at all if you don't receive the service you expect," Szabo says.

Rather than take it personally, the Toronto servers polled expect the odd bad night to balance out the good ones.

"When we're working the floor and see the kitchen's backed up and our table is waiting 47 minutes for their appetizers, we must take that with grace," Szabo says.

Back to the initial question: How much to tip?

The 15 per cent guideline, including alcohol and tax, is fair.]]>muchmor magazineLifestyle2008-05-10T06:41:46-04:00http://www.muchmormagazine.com/blogsection/files/8343a25dda789c1d6e97d5ada1350f58-181.html#unique-entry-id-181http://www.muchmormagazine.com/blogsection/files/8343a25dda789c1d6e97d5ada1350f58-181.html#unique-entry-id-181
Another member of the group, Carmela Valles, said the new scheme would make immigration "a two-way process".

Canada's prime minister recently said that the lack of skilled workers was the number one economic problem in the country. The group will be formed of 25 representatives from the city, development agencies, education, industry and law enforcement.]]>muchmor magazineHealth2008-05-10T06:39:30-04:00http://www.muchmormagazine.com/blogsection/files/dc11d5c8a4baab838e3c09dd85d565c0-180.html#unique-entry-id-180http://www.muchmormagazine.com/blogsection/files/dc11d5c8a4baab838e3c09dd85d565c0-180.html#unique-entry-id-180
They also argue that the government could designate any natural health product a prescription drug, making it available by prescription only. They say these types of provisions will force small companies out of the market.

In a speech last month at the Emerging Issues in Customs conference in Mississauga, Ont., federal Health Minister Tony Clement defended the bill, saying that it would allow the federal government to be able to continuously monitor the safety of products even after they have been approved.

"We propose maintaining a rigorous assessment of health products prior to making them available," he said. "On top of that, Bill C-51 would provide the authority we now lack to make a recall as soon as we know there's a problem.

"We're seeking to gain the new authority to reassure the public that the government can, and will, act to protect health and safety as early as possible," he said.]]>muchmor magazineNews2008-05-10T06:37:20-04:00http://www.muchmormagazine.com/blogsection/files/4300def07ed006c8b62c7020fedfed29-179.html#unique-entry-id-179http://www.muchmormagazine.com/blogsection/files/4300def07ed006c8b62c7020fedfed29-179.html#unique-entry-id-179
But in May 2007, an Occupational Health and Safety report said that to continue to deal with such issues in the parks, officers would need firearms. Following the report, wardens were relieved of law enforcement duties.

According to the Environment Ministry's statement, Parks Canada enforcement officers will be responsible for enforcing the federal conservation laws that apply to national parks and marine conservation areas, but police will still take care of Criminal Code violations.

There are 42 national parks in Canada, and Parks Canada employs about 425 park wardens.]]>muchmor magazineMisc2008-05-10T06:34:01-04:00http://www.muchmormagazine.com/blogsection/files/dc13dfb28474111e4ac35fcb830e54b6-178.html#unique-entry-id-178http://www.muchmormagazine.com/blogsection/files/dc13dfb28474111e4ac35fcb830e54b6-178.html#unique-entry-id-178
Samantha Russell, a stay-at-home mom in New Hampshire, said the survey shed light on the important roles mothers play.

"I think a lot of people think we sit and home and have a lot of fun and don't do a lot of work," said Russell, a former pastry chef and mother of two boys.

"But they should try cleaning their house with little kids running around and messing it up right after them."

The salary calculation for mothers also took into account the roles they fulfill as laundry machine operators, computer operators, facilities managers, van drivers and janitors. With overtime work averaging about 54.4 hours a week, stay-at-home mothers worked a hefty 94.4 hour workweek.

Meanwhile, moms who worked outside the home worked an average of 54.6 hours in addition to their regular jobs.

The company surveyed 18,000 mothers about their roles and responsibilities and cross-referenced these activities with job descriptions and salary scales.

Source: CBC News]]>muchmor magazineMotoring2008-05-10T06:29:19-04:00http://www.muchmormagazine.com/blogsection/files/8acfe633db857ed3c8cda0cbfd4487cd-177.html#unique-entry-id-177http://www.muchmormagazine.com/blogsection/files/8acfe633db857ed3c8cda0cbfd4487cd-177.html#unique-entry-id-177
In fact, small cars that deliver a lot for the money were among the bright spots for auto sales in April. Sales of the Toyota Yaris surged 45.9% over the same month the previous year; the Nissan Versa jumped 26.4%, and the Nissan Sentra climbed 25.5%. All of these vehicles and the Mazda3 made our list of best small cars for the buck--inexpensive, fuel-efficient and reliable cars that have low maintenance and repair costs but are richly equipped with comfort and conveniences often found on big, gas-guzzling vehicles.

Rising popularity

By and large, since 2006, smaller vehicles have become more popular--not just small cars, but also compact SUVs and crossover vehicles, says Tom Libby, senior director at J.D. Power and Associates. "There has been an ongoing shift toward smaller vehicles; it's been gradual and under the radar."

Year-to-date sales of small vehicles comprise 35% of all new vehicle sales, up from 31% over the same period a year ago. Libby says that 42% of all vehicles sold in April were equipped with four-cylinder engines, compared with 38% for six-cylinder engines.

That's because these small cars are so unlike the bland economy boxes of the 1970s, the only alternatives available to motorists during the gas crunch of that era. Creature comforts in those cars included an AM/FM radio, power steering and automatic transmission--and that was it.

"Consumers want to make the least compromise in terms of size and amenities," says Gabe Shenhar, program manager at Consumer Reports. "The small cars today are better on several levels."

The vehicles of today are also quieter with nicer interior, auto analysts say, noting that dials and knobs are less likely to fall off when used. And these cars aren't short on amenities. At the top of our list is the Honda Civic. It has a combined EPA rating of 29 mpg and base MSRP of $15,810. Drivers can position their seat at the right height, adjust the head restraints to a comfortable spot and listen to their favorite tunes through a six-speaker audio system that has MP3 capability.

Completing the top 10 list are the Chevrolet Aveo, Chevrolet Cobalt, Honda Fit, Volkswagen Jetta and Volkswagen Rabbit. All of these cars are 2008 models even though some, like the Honda Fit, have been redesigned for 2009, but complete testing by consumer-advocate entities such as Consumer Reports has not been done for all models.

By The Numbers

Several measures were used to pull together our list of best cars for the buck. Various government agencies, auto analysts and auto Web sites use unique formulas to define the small-car category.

For fuel efficiency, we used the ratings from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's market class category. The Toyota Yaris is the most fuel-efficient of the group, with a combined EPA rating of 31 mpg.

For price, we looked at the base MSRP provided by the manufacturer for the automatic-transmission four-door trim. Overall, sales of two-door coupes and vehicles with manual transmissions are "a very small percentage of vehicle sales," says Libby. The cheapest car on the list is the Chevrolet Aveo, which has a base MSRP of $10,235 (though that number rises considerably when you add options such as a navigation system, heated seats and premium sound system).

Since consumers often equate low price with "unreliable," all vehicles on this list score at least "good" in Consumer Reports' Predicted Reliability Ratings. The best rating, "excellent," was awarded to the Honda Civic, Honda Fit and Mazda3.

Along these lines we also looked at auto-industry analyst Vincentric's estimated five-year repair costs, which take into account warranties that cover most repairs in the first three years of ownership (but not the last two years), as well as maintenance costs like oil changes and windshield-wiper blade replacements. The vehicles with the highest five-year repair costs at $770 are the Mazda3 and Volkswagen Jetta. This is the area where the otherwise wallet-friendly Chevrolet Aero runs into a little bit of trouble: That car has the highest maintenance cost for the same period, at $3,496, just over one-third of the base MSRP sticker price.

Sacrificing Safety

All the vehicles on our list had to have at least side-impact airbags or curtains, head restraints or electronic stability control, which aid in averting or preventing a crash from occurring.
Unfortunately, only two vehicles that made our list earned triple "good" ratings (front, side and rear impact) from the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS), which conducts crash tests to measure safety: the Honda Civic and Nissan Versa.

"Small cars tend not to do as well in crash tests," says Russ Rader, IIHS spokesman. "If you are trying to save pennies at the pump, then there is a safety trade-off. Small cars are much safer than they were 10 years ago, but they cannot be as safe as bigger vehicles because of the laws of physics."

Just as higher gas prices seem to be a new economic fixture, so are small cars, says Shenhar. "[Small cars] have been with us since the 1960s, so they aren't going away. They just keep getting better, more economical and safer."

Source: Forbes.com - All prices quotes in U.S. Dollars]]>muchmor magazineNews2008-05-10T06:23:36-04:00http://www.muchmormagazine.com/blogsection/files/eee2c6344076e9d5785ca36800321f69-176.html#unique-entry-id-176http://www.muchmormagazine.com/blogsection/files/eee2c6344076e9d5785ca36800321f69-176.html#unique-entry-id-176
StatsCan said that employment in construction and finance declined in the U.S., while these industries, particularly construction, added employment over the past year in Canada.

But the manufacturing sector continued to hurt in both countries, as Canada lost 14,900 jobs in the sector in April, bringing the 12-month total to 111,500.

Most of the factory jobs were lost in Ontario -- about 50,000 over the past 12 months. British Columbia lost 29,000, Quebec 13,000 and even the mighty Albertan economy shed 11,000 jobs in the sector.

In April, 16,000 new construction jobs were created and in the hospitality sector, another 22,000.

The strong labour market pushed hourly wages up 4.3 per cent in April at an annualized rate that is more than double inflation. The strongest wage growth came in Newfoundland and Labrador, Saskatchewan and Alberta.

Employment rose in every province, except Quebec, which had a net loss of 22,000 jobs.

Manitoba had the strongest April, with an additional 9,000 jobs created -- reducing its unemployment rate to 3.8 per cent, second-lowest in Canada, next to Alberta.

Women aged 25 and over were the only demographic to have employment growth in April with a net gain of 17,000 jobs.]]>muchmor magazineTravel2008-05-09T06:23:54-04:00http://www.muchmormagazine.com/blogsection/files/cff6c53ed898839f3ce9303f38758511-175.html#unique-entry-id-175http://www.muchmormagazine.com/blogsection/files/cff6c53ed898839f3ce9303f38758511-175.html#unique-entry-id-175
Don't forget your beach ball for a day on one of the wide sandy beaches at Aspen Beach, Alberta's first provincial park. Within driving distance of Edmonton and Calgary (west of Lacombe), arrive early and go waterskiing on Gull Lake surrounded by the beauty of Alberta's natural landscape. Play on the beach from sunrise to sunset and stay overnight at the park campground. (gateway.cd.gov.ab.ca)

Escape the city without leaving it on Centre Island Beach in the heart of Toronto Island.

A ferry ride from Toronto's Mainland Ferry Terminal will have you stretching out on your beach towel in 20 minutes tops.

Recently this long, sandy strip received a "blue flag" award for being an eco-friendly and safe swimming area. A great place to take the family for a swim, and there's a lifeguard on duty throughout the day. (torontobeach.ca)

Less than a half-hour drive from the bustle of Halifax, you can breathe in the healing saltwater air from the Atlantic while strolling on the boardwalk at Lawrencetown Beach. Don't be surprised to see surfers ripping it up if the waves are high. Lifeguard supervision. (novascotian.com/en/ home)

L'Ile Notre-Dame Beach in Montreal may be fake, but you wouldn't know it. Built on an artificial island in the middle of the St. Lawrence River, this sandy beach is a metro stop away in Jean Drapeau Park.

Although you don't get the fresh saltwater air, it's beach swimming at its cleanest in filtered river water. Activities include beach volleyball and boat rentals. Lifeguard supervision. Beach fee $7.50 (ville.montreal.qc. ca/parcs-nature)

Or, throw Frisbees and build sand castles on one of the beaches sprinkled along the shores of Meech Lake in Gatineau Park, a 10-minute drive from downtown Ottawa. Drive to Chelsea, Que. and follow the signs.]]>muchmor magazineMoney2008-05-09T06:19:31-04:00http://www.muchmormagazine.com/blogsection/files/0718c4815a78560d50fef33126834cdd-174.html#unique-entry-id-174http://www.muchmormagazine.com/blogsection/files/0718c4815a78560d50fef33126834cdd-174.html#unique-entry-id-174
The last time it happened was on February 18, Family Day and before that, last Labour Day, Young said, adding Ontario's "never seen this much on one day."

"What we had was a surplus generation and low demand for electricity," he explained, adding consumption tends to be lower on Sundays and early mornings. That's also true of the so-called shoulder season, when people have their heat off and aren't yet using air conditioners.

"Sometimes when you have more power you can also export it and we probably weren't exporting a lot of it at that hour as well."

Noting the province's supply has "improved significantly" in the last few years, Young said provincial plans to add another 5,000 megawatts of supply to the grid in the coming 18 months could mean more negative pricing in the future.

"You could see that," he said. "At this point it's hard to predict. It just depends on what generation is available, but there's no question we are in a better supply picture than we were, and the supply picture is improving, and the supply picture does play a factor with the price."

Because most residential consumers pay regulated prices for power, Sunday's cost savings is averaged out over a period of time and won't likely be noticeable to the average customer.

"Those who would benefit last Sunday would be those who are really the larger customers. The industries, the manufacturers, the businesses that might have been operating at that time," he said.

What it does show is just how much people with smart meters, which track when electricity is consumed, can save if they pay attention to when they're using electricity, he said.

"You have the ability to benefit if you run your laundry on the weekend or run your dishwasher at night," he said.

"Electricity costs less at different times and I think last weekend you saw just how much less it can cost."]]>muchmor magazineHome2008-05-09T06:15:18-04:00http://www.muchmormagazine.com/blogsection/files/bf8455d9b86f4cd6bf88c7d654002976-173.html#unique-entry-id-173http://www.muchmormagazine.com/blogsection/files/bf8455d9b86f4cd6bf88c7d654002976-173.html#unique-entry-id-173
Urban multiples dropped from 141,000 in March to 113,900 in April while singles declined 11.3 per cent to 71,500 units.

British Columbia was the sole region to record an uptick in urban starts, increasing 17.1 per cent to 34,900 units in April. By comparison, seasonally adjusted urban starts dropped 7,500 units in Atlantic Canada, 37,600 units in Quebec, 73,000 units in Ontario and 32,400 units in the Prairies. Quebec was the only region to register an increase in single urban starts, increasing 9.3 per cent to 12,900 units.]]>muchmor magazineBusiness2008-05-09T06:12:33-04:00http://www.muchmormagazine.com/blogsection/files/f901f9c3e2a8d39a8df674f1bf0f5864-172.html#unique-entry-id-172http://www.muchmormagazine.com/blogsection/files/f901f9c3e2a8d39a8df674f1bf0f5864-172.html#unique-entry-id-172
"Our revenue model delivered solid unit revenue growth, and contributed to a 4.8 per cent improvement in our unit costs in the quarter, excluding fuel,'' stated Air Canada CEO Montie Brewer.

"During the quarter, we successfully introduced a number of fare increases which the market has absorbed,'' he added.

"Advance bookings remain strong, reflecting the growing Canadian economy and strong currency. However, the increase in fuel prices over the past several months has been unprecedented and the acceleration of these increases combined with price volatility presents an increasingly difficult challenge.''

The cargo-investigation provision arises from probes by competition authorities in the United States, Canada and Europe into alleged anti-competitive pricing by a number of airlines and cargo carriers. Air Canada has also been named in U.S. and Canadian class action lawsuits. The $125-million provision "does not address the proceedings in all jurisdictions, but only where there is sufficient information to do so,'' the airline said.

On a per-share basis, the quarterly net loss was 62 cents, compared with 57 cents a year ago.]]>muchmor magazineHealth2008-05-08T06:31:53-04:00http://www.muchmormagazine.com/blogsection/files/c93f70afab250ab2be934597240f40f8-171.html#unique-entry-id-171http://www.muchmormagazine.com/blogsection/files/c93f70afab250ab2be934597240f40f8-171.html#unique-entry-id-171
The Health Career Centres are located at the Directions for Internationally Educated Health Professional – Bow Valley College in Calgary and the Bredin Institute Centre for Skilled and Internationally Trained Professionals in Edmonton.

There is no cost for these services, which include:

• advice and support through the registration and licensing processes;
• one-on-one employment and career coaching;
• occupation-specific health care seminars;
• study groups to help internationally educated health professionals prepare for licensing and accreditation exams;
• practice exams;
• referrals to bridging and language-training programs;
• support during employment.

The Government of Alberta is providing $1.4 million over three years to support Health Career Centre services.

Source: Government of Alberta]]>muchmor magazineTravel2008-05-08T06:30:04-04:00http://www.muchmormagazine.com/blogsection/files/acf6392b72e7932aefe069b3d8a04d55-170.html#unique-entry-id-170http://www.muchmormagazine.com/blogsection/files/acf6392b72e7932aefe069b3d8a04d55-170.html#unique-entry-id-170
To respect the Nisga1a Treaty and Nisga'a Lisims Government, the Nisga'a Commercial Group has been working with their Lands and Resources Department to obtain permits and approvals related to the tours and their impact on land use.

The three tours being offered this year include: a mushroom, herb and botanicals tour that highlights the Nisga'a harvest of the area's rich forest resources and that teaches visitors to identify and use these products; the Nisga'a fish wheel tour that introduces visitors to the gentle capture of Nisga'a Pacific salmon, considered to be some of the best on the market today; and, finally, a Nisga'a Memorial Lava Bed cone tour that will take people through the Memorial Lava Beds up to the cone of a volcanic mountain while telling the history of the Nisga1a people who died in the eruption and who are forever a part of the Lava beds.

"Opening the Nass to more tourism activities can only be viewed as a good thing," Blonde said.

These activities this year will create 25 to 35 seasonal positions.

Working with Wilp Wilxo'oskwhl Nisga'a (WWN), the local college/university, the Nisga'a Commercial Group has created an extensive training plan for all tour operation employees. This training is anticipated to lead to a 10-course certificate in tourist services that is in the process of being developed in partnership with WWN and Northwest Community College in Terrace. Negotiations are also underway to develop additional tours and excursions with other tourist service providers in the Nass.

Source: The Vancouver Sun]]>muchmor magazineCanada2008-05-08T06:29:25-04:00http://www.muchmormagazine.com/blogsection/files/e0de64eab867b67044a1402e8bd96229-169.html#unique-entry-id-169http://www.muchmormagazine.com/blogsection/files/e0de64eab867b67044a1402e8bd96229-169.html#unique-entry-id-169
The top two nations were Brazil and India, while the U.S. was dead last, just behind Canada.

"The Greendex gives us an unprecedented, meaningful look at how consumers across the globe are behaving," said Terry Garcia, National Geographic's executive vice president of Mission Programs, in a news release.

"It will allow us over time to assess the progress that people are making to conserve, minimize waste and protect natural resources for the future.

Here are the results, ranked from best to worst in terms of environmental impact:

• Brazil: 60 points
• India: 60 points
• China: 56.1
• Mexico: 54.3
• Hungary: 53.2
• Russia: 52.4
• United Kingdom: 50.2
• Germany: 50.2
• Australia: 50.2
• Spain: 50.0
• Japan: 49.1
• France: 48.7
• Canada: 48.5
• U.S.: 44.9

"We wanted to give people a better idea of how consumers in different countries are doing in taking action to preserve our planet by tracking, reporting, and promoting environmentally sustainable consumption and citizen behavior," the report states.

The report is different from others that grade countries according to the environmental track record of their governments, companies and industry practices, because it focuses on the habits of individual consumers.

All of the questions fell under the following four categories: energy, transportation, travel and consumer goods.

Consumers could earn points if they made choices to repair rather than replace items, if they chose green products over environmentally unfriendly items, or if they used cold water to wash their laundry and used a clothesline rather than a dryer.

The study also took into account choices that are controlled more by the circumstances and environment of individuals, such as the climate where they live, the availability of green products and public transportation options.

Perhaps surprisingly, the study found that consumers in developing nations actually feel more responsible for environmental problems than those in developed countries.

Six of 10 people in developing nations report experiencing negative health effects directly related to environmental issues. In developed countries, only three in 10 reported health effects due to environmental issues.

Those in developing nations also felt most strongly that global warming will harm their way of life during their lifetime -- and they want to do something about it.

The study found those consumers were most likely to feel guilty about the state of the environment, and were more willing to take action to do something to minimize their environmental footprint.

"By contrast, consumers in developed countries, who have more environmentally friendly options to choose from, often don't make those choices," the report states, pointing out the following about people in developed nations:

They have larger homes and are more likely to have air-conditioning.
They generally own more cars, drive alone most frequently and use public transport infrequently.
They are least likely to buy environmentally friendly products and to avoid environmentally unfriendly products.
The U.S. had the poorest results in all those areas, among both developed and developing nations.

"They are by far the least likely to use public transportation, to walk or bike to their destinations or to eat locally grown foods. They have among the largest average residence size in the survey. Only 15 per cent say they minimize their use of fresh water," the report states.

Canadians, however, aren't much better.

In total, 29 per cent of Canadians have nine or more rooms in their homes, use insulation and heat their homes -- and rarely choose environmentally friendly heating options.

Source: CTV]]>muchmor magazineRealty2008-05-07T06:23:15-04:00http://www.muchmormagazine.com/blogsection/files/f3ff99f97c44724b174b9f22d920bb46-168.html#unique-entry-id-168http://www.muchmormagazine.com/blogsection/files/f3ff99f97c44724b174b9f22d920bb46-168.html#unique-entry-id-168
The case involves the interpretation of Ontario's Road Access Act, originally passed in 1978 to resolve disputes that occur when the property of one neighbour is landlocked, and the only vehicle access to it is over a road on property owned by another neighbour.

The act provides that the owner of the access road generally cannot close it without a court order. By implication, the act allows the owner to close the road without a court order if there is "alternate road access."

The court in this case had to decide whether the cottagers had "alternate road access" under the act.

The trial took place in June, 2005 before Justice Peter Howden. The native band argued that it was entitled to close its access road without a court order because the cottagers had two alternatives: They could travel over the existing road on payment of the $2,000 user fee, or they could use a municipally-regulated unopened road allowance.

Under the legislation, an access road is a road on private land that serves as the only motor vehicle access route to one or more parcels of land. An unopened road allowance is a strip of Crown land reserved for the purpose of making a road sometime in the future, but it does not actually exist on the ground. In this case, the unopened road allowance was not useable.

Justice Howden ruled in favour of the cottagers. The roadway was an access road within the meaning of the legislation, and could not be closed or blockaded without a court order.

The cottagers were granted an injunction preventing the land owner from blocking the road, subject to payment of a yearly fee of $500 by each cottager to the landowner. The fee had to be based on the actual maintenance and repair costs of the existing gravel road.

The cottagers were awarded $57,000 plus GST in court costs against the First Nation corporation.

The band appealed and the matter reached the Court of Appeal last summer. Writing for a three-judge panel, Justice John Laskin upheld the trial decision, dismissed the appeal and ordered costs of $8,000 against the First Nation corporation.

He warned the cottagers that although they won the case, they would have no defence to an application by the First Nation corporation to close the access road if the township granted approval to open the unopened allowance. In that event, the cottagers would have to pay an estimated $450,000 in construction costs for the new road.

Road access is perhaps the most critical aspect of buying a cottage. This even applies to island cottages, where access to a place to park a car and launch a boat is vitally important. A cottage is of no value if there's no legal way to get there.

Source: Toronto Star]]>muchmor magazineNews2008-05-07T06:17:30-04:00http://www.muchmormagazine.com/blogsection/files/ce8a44060a7aded90d267255826150a5-166.html#unique-entry-id-166http://www.muchmormagazine.com/blogsection/files/ce8a44060a7aded90d267255826150a5-166.html#unique-entry-id-166
Looking at the major centres:

• Toronto's average fuel price was down 0.1 cents to $1.221 a litre;
• Montreal was down 0.4 cents to $1.285; Vancouver was up 0.2 cents to $1.286;
• Victoria was down 0.2 cents to $1.297; Calgary was even at $1.23; Edmonton was up 1.8 cents at $1.227;
• Regina and Saskatoon were unchanged at $1.279; Winnipeg was even at $1.227;
• Ottawa was down 0.4 cents at $1.218;
• Windsor, Ont., was down 0.4 cents to $1.206.

]]>muchmor magazineCanada2008-05-07T06:15:17-04:00http://www.muchmormagazine.com/blogsection/files/fff7e447d58922ba34f750d9d7066b90-165.html#unique-entry-id-165http://www.muchmormagazine.com/blogsection/files/fff7e447d58922ba34f750d9d7066b90-165.html#unique-entry-id-165
A recent initiative was announced to fast-track the Canadian visa applications of some workers in order to solve some of these shortages, but with 325,000 new jobs being created in the country over the last 12 months many more applicants are needed.]]>muchmor magazineCanada2008-05-07T06:11:57-04:00http://www.muchmormagazine.com/blogsection/files/e8637ff363b823d31e963047d4e5d552-164.html#unique-entry-id-164http://www.muchmormagazine.com/blogsection/files/e8637ff363b823d31e963047d4e5d552-164.html#unique-entry-id-164
Hours after Fraser released her report, Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day announced that CBSA had arrested 45 people who allegedly entered Canada illegally.

However, he did not say specify the date of the arrests.

A spokesperson for the Customs Excise Union says he agrees with Fraser's findings. Ron Moran told CTV Newsnet Tuesday afternoon that tracking people facing deportation is not given a high enough priority.

"The figure was startling," he said, noting, "(that) happens when you don't have enough resources."

Moran says Ottawa needs to invest in new technologies to help border agents. He said he knows of a case where one person was kicked out of Canada eight times, only to return with faked documents. Moran said new equipment such as face recognition technology is needed to help customs staff.

Fraser also criticized the agency for poorly managed holding centres for illegal immigrants facing deportation.

In Toronto, the holding centre is so overcrowded some detainees have to use sleeping bags placed on the floor.

"In another region, holding cells for individuals awaiting hearings, which are designed for three people, had been used to hold 10, without enough space for some to sit," Fraser said.

Fraser's report also addressed several other issues including issues surrounding:

• Native children in foster care
• The need for $10 million in repairs to 24 Sussex Drive, which would take 12-15 months to complete and require the prime minister and his family to move out
• Slow reporting of the spread of infectious diseases to the World Health Organization by Canada's Public Health Agency

On the issue of native children in foster care, Fraser's report noted that native kids are more likely to wind up in unevenly funded and poorly tracked foster care. The report also said that little is known about the quality of services they are given, and the formula used to provide those services goes back to 1988. That formula is too rigid, according to the auditor general. Fraser said it needs to be changed to reflect the current realities of aboriginal communities.

"Children are among the most vulnerable people in society," Fraser said. "Some of the most vulnerable children in Canada are First Nations children."

In question period Tuesday, Prime Minister Stephen Harper said that he is aware of some of the "challenges" in services for aboriginal people. Responding to a question about Fraser's report by NDP leader Jack Layton, Harper said his government has invested more than $490 million in the last two years to fix some of the problems.

Harper also noted that the prime minister's residence is adequate for now, and he has no plans to move out before the next election.]]>muchmor magazineBusiness2008-05-06T06:30:41-04:00http://www.muchmormagazine.com/blogsection/files/27f43217e5a9d811504670aaac90eed8-163.html#unique-entry-id-163http://www.muchmormagazine.com/blogsection/files/27f43217e5a9d811504670aaac90eed8-163.html#unique-entry-id-163
Toronto will receive the most money -- $407 million.

"It's very substantial for Toronto and the projects they have going there," Flaherty said. "It will help the funding of the subway extension up to York University and into York Region."

Here's a look at how much other municipalities will receive:

• Peel Region will get nearly $162 million
• York Region's portion will total $118 million
• Durham Region will get more than $82 million
• Halton Region will receive nearly $61 million
• The extension will apply to municipalities across Canada, he said.

During this year's federal budget, the Conservatives also announced it would be investing $500 million into public transit.

The money will help reestablish a rail service between Peterborough and Toronto.

Source: CTV]]>muchmor magazineRealty2008-05-06T06:26:18-04:00http://www.muchmormagazine.com/blogsection/files/986fbd22580bac1cc133bff58ce159d8-162.html#unique-entry-id-162http://www.muchmormagazine.com/blogsection/files/986fbd22580bac1cc133bff58ce159d8-162.html#unique-entry-id-162
The average price of a condo in April - $256,947 - also dropped by 2.3 per cent from last month.

Duplexes and townhouses sold last month bucked the trend, selling for 2.3 per cent higher than last month, at average price of $316,065.

April sales of all types of homes through the Multiple Listing Service was 1,823 transactions - down about 25 per cent from the same month last year. But April sales were still higher than the more typical years of 2004 and 2005, the association said.

The days a residential listing stayed on the market in April was 52, more than double the same month last year when it was 22.

Source: Edmonton Journal]]>muchmor magazineNews2008-05-06T06:19:06-04:00http://www.muchmormagazine.com/blogsection/files/db3ef996e3e59e3ba05a8ca75805c53c-161.html#unique-entry-id-161http://www.muchmormagazine.com/blogsection/files/db3ef996e3e59e3ba05a8ca75805c53c-161.html#unique-entry-id-161
Senior families, where the main income earner was at least 65 years old, had a median after-tax income of $42,400 in 2006, up 2.9 per cent from the previous year. Working-aged families had a median of $62,000, a 1.8 per cent gain.

Data released last week from the 2006 census showed an 11.1 per cent increase in median pre-tax family income between 1980 and 2005.

Median after-tax family income — 2006

Province Income

Newfoundland & Labrador $45,800
Prince Edward Island $50,000
Nova Scotia $51,600
New Brunswick $47,600
Quebec $51,500
Ontario $62,400
Manitoba $53,900
Saskatchewan $55,900
Alberta $70,500
British Columbia $60,300

Source: Statistics Canada]]>muchmor magazineNews2008-05-06T06:16:15-04:00http://www.muchmormagazine.com/blogsection/files/5da5c47aef668091bb14a8512a8266ad-160.html#unique-entry-id-160http://www.muchmormagazine.com/blogsection/files/5da5c47aef668091bb14a8512a8266ad-160.html#unique-entry-id-160
Bulut says his brewery experiments with different varieties of hops and malts in small quantities. He says his company doesn't enjoy the same benefits as larger breweries that have long-term contracts — which cushion price hikes — with suppliers.

"Most brewers don't like to raise the price in the summer because that's their busiest time and they don't want to appear like they're gouging the consumer, but I think this year we won't have a choice," he said. "I think it's going to end up being in about a month — less than two months I would say."

Similarly, Greg Nash, the brewmaster for Moncton's Pumphouse Brewery, says the beer drinkers should brace themselves for higher bar tabs.

"[The high malt prices have been] quite a hit for us, but it is what it is. We have to keep making beer," he said.

"Sooner or later, [it's] going to catch up to us and I think it's going to happen with all the breweries locally. All the beer prices on the shelf I think are going to go up across the board — it's sort of surprising to me that we haven't seen it already somewhat."

Meanwhile, Toronto-based Steamwhistle Brewery expects prices to hold steady until next year.

"If things continue the way they're going now, probably in the new year in 2009 we may have to look at increasing prices a bit," he said.

In April, the Prince Edward Island Liquor Control Commission announced plans to raise the price of beer as of May 1, citing increasing costs for malt, glass, water, fuel and electricity. The new retail price for domestic beer is $20.25 a dozen, up 54 cents.]]>muchmor magazineRealty2008-05-05T06:57:35-04:00http://www.muchmormagazine.com/blogsection/files/da19da356201d4a10f7ca6092a2158b8-159.html#unique-entry-id-159http://www.muchmormagazine.com/blogsection/files/da19da356201d4a10f7ca6092a2158b8-159.html#unique-entry-id-159
There is also water quantity and quality certifications, local improvements and land transfer taxes, he said.

The total cost of all the fees really depends on the price of the property and where it is located.

"You could be into $5,000 to $10,000 on the average property" on top of the $350,000 to $500,000 you may have to pay for the whole package, Wiggins said.

But has this dampened interest in buying vacation properties?

Not at all, said Wiggins: "Interest in buying is fairly high."

The price of waterfront properties has gone up so much over the last four to five years, however, "that your average person is not in the cottage market."

"For something half decent you're looking at anywhere from $350,000 to $500,000 for a property," he said.

A study done last year by Royal LePage Canada showed that nationally, the average price of a standard waterfront property reachable by land had hit $427,589, a 13 per cent annual increase.

Sandy Cardy, vice-president of tax and estate planning services at Mackenzie Financial, said that figure still made sense.

"There are certain places in Ontario where it would be higher or in British Columbia where it would be higher than that," she said.

"On average, though, I would say that's about right."

Wiggins recommends several steps when setting out to buy a cottage.

He says people should get pre-approved for a mortgage before looking for a property, since that will give potential purchasers "complete peace of mind." Mortgage brokers can obtain written pre-approval at no cost and no obligation.

Buyers also should pre-assess what monthly dollar amount they feel comfortable committing to before getting pre-approval for a mortgage.

It is also best, said Wiggins, to go over what your economic prospects are before committing to buying a cottage - like how long you plan to own the property, whether interest rates going up or down, and any changes your income that might change the amount of money available to pay off the mortgage.

Buyers should also check out the municipal tax situation in the area where they're planning to buy a vacation property, said Wiggins. Local property taxes have risen quite substantially in the past few years as provincial governments have transferred many services to municipalities in order to balance their books.

Greg Mulligan, a real estate lawyer with Bourne, Jenkins and Mulligan in Orillia, Ont., recommends using a lawyer in the area where you plan to buy a cottage.

They will be "familiar with properties in that area and cottage property ... and local issues like native (aboriginal) concerns," bylaws, taxes, fees, he said.

Della Dwyer, a mortgage broker in Barrie, Ont., says prospective buyers should also check on the accessibility of the properties they are looking at buying.

"Accessibility is one of the main pet peeves that lenders have," she said. "There's a few lenders out there who will do lending on an island."

"But when somebody has to depend on a boat or ski-do in order to get to an island, the first thing lenders will look at is - 'what if there's a fire?"'

Wiggins said potential buyers should also keep in mind the turbulence rocking stock markets and the rapid rise in fuel prices.

If "you were coming up from Toronto last year ... (for) $50 for a tank of gas ... you're now going to be looking at $75 to $100."

Add all this together and a permanent move to paradise will cost you, said Wiggins.

"If you want to put a 1,000 square foot cottage on a 100 foot waterfront lot, you're into a $450,000 to $500,000 investment."]]>muchmor magazineMoney2008-05-05T06:54:59-04:00http://www.muchmormagazine.com/blogsection/files/135703cf162839d351b7a6800c45ba40-158.html#unique-entry-id-158http://www.muchmormagazine.com/blogsection/files/135703cf162839d351b7a6800c45ba40-158.html#unique-entry-id-158