Canadian relocation from a child's viewpoint

My name is Julie and I am 15 years old and I live in Brandon, Manitoba. I was born in Vancouver, British Columbia where my parents come from and I have a younger sister, Mary who is 11 years old.

We moved to Brandon about eighteen months ago because my dad was offered a job here. He said the offer was too good to turn down so we all moved.

When he first made this decision my mum was not very happy, as she liked Vancouver and had always lived there. She cried quite a lot back then, but we had only just lost my grandma, her mum, so the timing was not good for her.

Dad did ask us what we thought of the move and I said that I didn’t want to move because of missing all my friends and changing schools. Mary didn’t really want to move either but didn’t say that to dad.

In the end, us kids didn’t really have much choice as mum and dad had already decided that we were going to move and that was it. This is why I wanted to tell my story, so that other kids in our situation can see what we went through and learn by it.

From the time that dad announced we were moving to when we actually did was about three months. It all happened really quickly and we were so busy we really didn’t have too much time to think about it all. Our house in Vancouver had been sold and we were going to be renting in Brandon until mum and dad could find a house to buy.

We moved during the summer break so that Mary and me could start new schools in September. I remember having a really hard time saying goodbye to all my friends and telling them they could all visit and that I would visit them not realising how far away we would actually be. I have never been so unhappy in all my life, or scared.

On the day we finally left Vancouver we said goodbye to a few last friends and family. Saying goodbye to my grandpa was the worst thing as he was now all on his own. Mum was very upset and cried most of the way to the airport.

On the flight we were all very quiet and dad tried his best to cheer us up, but it didn’t really work. We landed in Winnipeg and had to drive for a couple of hours to reach Brandon. We didn’t have much stuff with us because all lour furniture and big items were in storage until we could find a house.

When we arrived at our rented house we were quite surprised as it was actually quite nice. In Vancouver we lived in an apartment, which was really nice, but to have a whole house to ourselves was awesome. It was in a cul-d-sac, which meant that it was safe for us to play outside. When we arrived there was a few other kids playing basketball, they looked younger than me but similar age to Mary.

The first few days were spent getting to know the house and where everything was. My bedroom was bigger than my old room, which was good, but Mary’s was a bit smaller and she was not so happy. Mum had cheered up a bit as she really liked the house and also she was really busy so it kept her mind off everything.

Dad had to start work the week after we moved, so it was up to mum and us to sort everything else out. Mum took us to see our new school, we couldn’t go in but it looked ok from the outside. It was much smaller than our old school, but a lot newer.

The next few weeks were busy with dad working; mum making friends with the neighbours and me and Mary trying to make new friends. I met a girl who lived a few houses down and because we were the same age and would be going to the same school we seemed to get along well. Mary had made several friends, as most of the kids in our street were closer to her age than mine.

In September we started school and mum was more upset than we were. I think she was worried about suddenly being on her own most of the day. I was not looking forward to school, but my new mate Becky from down the road assured me it was a good school and that I would like it. She was right as I really enjoyed my first few days. I was a bit of celebrity as I came from Vancouver and lots of people wanted to talk to me about coming from a big city. I even had to do a presentation to the rest of the class about my old life and how we came to move to Brandon.

When we had been here about two months, mum and dad started to look for a house to buy. Dad was getting on well in his job, we kids liked our school and had made friends and mum was feeling more settled. We all wanted to stay in the same area so we could keep our friends and stay at the same school.

One evening mum and dad said they had found a house they wanted us to see. It turned out to be in the cul-d-sac, which backed onto ours, so the location was great. When we went to see it, it was very similar to the house we were renting but had four bedrooms instead of three and best of all had a swimming pool in the garden. We had never had a swimming pool, so Mary and I were really keen to move to this house. After a few days mum told us we would be moving to the new house but that by the time we did it would be too cold to use the pool but that we could look forward to using it the following year.

We moved into the new house about three weeks before Christmas and all our furniture from Vancouver arrived. This was nice as it really felt like home with our own beds and sofa etc. Dad went out and got an enormous Christmas tree and we spent a couple of evenings decorating the house inside and out. Grandpa came to stay with us over Christmas and New Year and we all had a really great time, although mum and grandpa were sad sometimes when they remembered grandma. I also felt sad when I got a present from my best friend in Vancouver. It was a DVD of all my old friends sending me messages and I have to admit it made me remember how much I missed them all.

The winter weather was much colder and snowier than we had in Vancouver. We were used to snow because we did get it in Vancouver and we used to go skiing and skating in the winter, but we usually had to travel to see large amounts of it. In Manitoba we had it on our doorstep, literally. The cold was also a shock as we had rarely experienced really low temperatures and some days it was -20C and lower. Mary really hated it and sometimes refused to go outside although I cannot blame her. By the spring the weather was much warmer and more like our old winters in B.C.

The spring and summer have been pretty uneventful. We all seem to have settled in pretty well and Grandpa has visited a few times. In June we had a huge storm that was really exciting but also very scary. We are used to rain in Vancouver, but this was really, really heavy. We also had huge hailstones, which reportedly damaged property and peoples cars. The rain also meant that a lot of the city was flooded and some of the streets looked more like rivers.

In July we all went to Yellowstone National Park for a holiday. We drove to the park, or rather dad did as he said it would be more interesting than flying. As it was the land we drove through was quite boring, at least Mary and I thought so, but it was worth it. It took two days to drive there and we stopped off half way in a hotel, which was quite exciting for Mary and me as we had our own room. Dad told us off though for using the drinks from the room fridge. He said it would have been a lot cheaper from the vending machine in the hallway.

We had great weather and the sights at Yellowstone are stunning. We saw lots of geysers erupting including the famous Old Faithful. One area we went to was really smelly from the sulphur and it made it hard to breath. I had always wanted to see the pool called Morning Glory after seeing a picture of it, but it was much smaller than I thought it would be although it was still very beautiful.

We also saw lots of animals such as deer, which were really tame and came really close to us. Dad said he saw a bear, but no one else did so we don’t believe him. We did all see lots of bison either wandering around or laying close to the geysers. When we got back from Yellowstone we had two more weeks left of summer before we had to go back to school.

It was the day before school when Mary fell over on the deck round our pool and broke her arm. She was outside with some friends and they were running around which mum had always warned us not to do when she slipped and fell. Mum was a few doors away chatting to a neighbour, so I ran round to fetch her. She nearly fainted when she saw Mary’s arm as it was a funny shape where the bone had broken. The neighbour that mum had been with took us all to the local hospital and after being seen by a doctor Mary had x-rays done. Fortunately they said it was a clean break and would mend without any surgery or pins etc. She had to have her arm put in plaster which after she got over all the initial shock and pain she thought rather cool.

We went back to school a couple of weeks ago and after the first day the plaster cast Mary had was full of drawings and messages. She says she wants to keep it when it is removed, which should be in a few weeks time.

When I was first told about moving to Manitoba I was really worried and really did not want to go. I think if it had been up to us girls and mum we would never have left Vancouver. However, now I am glad we are here as I have just as many friends, I love school and I love the after schools activities. The weather has more extremes, as it is a lot colder in the winter and a lot hotter in the summer.

Our house is bigger than the apartment we had before and we have a garden, with a pool, which is excellent. Mum and dad are thinking of making our basement into a separate living area for grandpa. He is getting old now and cannot get about like he used to and of course he is on his own, so this might be a good idea.

Looking back, the move had been good and I don’t really regret it. I do still miss some of my old friends and I know mum misses some of hers, but she has new ones here just like I do. Dad seems to be enjoying his job and has been promoted so is earning more money. Mum is going to start looking for a part-time job to give her something to do in the day whilst we are all out.

This coming Christmas we are going to stay back in Vancouver so we are close to Grandpa, unless he is living with us by then. It will be nice to visit the old places again and possibly escape some of the harsher Brandon weather.

For other young people who are worried about moving I would say try not to worry too much. It is stressful and you will miss people, but it is also a big adventure. Also, if you are lucky like me you might also gain a swimming pool.

Professor of Oncology

The choice was fairly easy for Ranjan and his wife when a professional offer came in to move to Canada in 2001.

“We were both settled very well in our respective medical professions in South Africa, but we had not moved our daughter there from India because we were concerned about safety,” says Ranjan. “We knew in Canada we could pursue our specialties and make a good life as a family.”

Ranjan is a world leader in high-dose brachytherapy – a form of cancer treatment. He was recruited as a Professor of Oncology to lead a program in brachytherapy at the Juravinski Cancer Centre in Hamilton affiliated to McMaster University. His wife Monalisa is an Associate Professor of Anatomical Pathology at the Henderson Hospital in the same University and their daughter, now 14, happily settled in Canada with the normal teenager’s life centered on school and friends. “We became citizens in 2006 and happily made the commitment to Canada,” says Ranjan. “It was an easy decision. The big difference in living here, for us, is security for our family, not to mention the opportunities in life that our daughter will get when she grows up.”

At the time Ranjan and Monalisa came to Canada there was a shortage of Radiation Oncologists and Anatomical Pathologists. Ranjan’s expertise in brachytherapy involves directly penetrating a tumour with small, radioactive seeds that are inserted using a catheter. The treatment was typically used in treating prostate and cervical cancer, but Ranjan explored the technique for treating tumours in the lung, esophagus and bile duct while in South Africa.

When the couple moved to Canada, they quickly settled into careers that have helped make a difference in the delivery of services to Canadian cancer patients. Ranjan is a great example of an internationally trained worker who has successfully integrated into the Canadian labour market.  He is now one of the few Oncologists in Canada with brachytherapy expertise. In fact, Ranjan’s work in Hamilton has placed the cancer centre ahead of others in exploratory use of the treatment.

While other professional opportunities present themselves from time to time, Ranjan and Monalisa are happily settled and pleased to be together with their daughter as a family.

“I doubt our daughter would ever consider moving, even to another place in Canada,” says an amused Ranjan. “She is happy, we have our family together and good professional lives…it was an easy decision to become citizens here and commit to the country that has given us this life.”

Come and join us on Facebook

As many of you already know we now have a Facebook page which we set up a few days ago. I’m sure many of you already use FaceBook so it was a natural move for us to use this fantastic social tool to stay in touch with you our readers. But it’s not just a one-way street for us to push out more information we really want you to engage with our other readers as well as comment on what we’re doing here at Muchmor Magazine.

So what do we want from you? Well for starters Canada is a massive place which makes it hard for us to keep tabs on everything Canadian, so why not tell us what’s going on in your community. Share your stories about life in Canada. What’s good, what’s bad. Where’s are the places to be seen, or not to be seen. What good deeds and exciting things are happening in your community. Are you a newcomer? How long have you been in Canada? Do you still think life in Canada lives up to your expectations?

Have you just started a small business or run a unique and interesting company our readers would like to hear about? Why not join us on Facebook and give your small business a bit of free PR. You never know you just might find a few new customers as well as making some great new friends on Facebook.

Whether you’re Canadian, a newcomer or just dreaming about life in Canada we want to hear about it so pop over and join us on Facebook and post your story. All the best ones will be published in the magazine as well as feature on the Muchmor Magazine website.

Just join here and introduce yourself. We look forward to meeting you all.

Canadian athletes offer tips for everyday success

We all have dreams, no matter how big or small. However, trying to achieve them can sometimes feel like an overwhelming task. That’s why it’s important to prepare in advance and set goals. Canadian Olympic athletes know first-hand that dreams are not achieved overnight. With years of training, sacrifice and trying to beat the odds, these athletes have learned how to turn dreams into a reality. Five Canadian Olympic hopefuls share what they consider the key ingredients to success:

There is no “I” in team. Skeleton athlete, Sarah Reid, knows all about the importance of team work. “Although skeleton is an individual sport, success is never found without the help of a team. Two heads are better than one, and three heads are better than two. My teammates and I are all working towards the same goal, and each one of us brings something unique to the sport and the team. Similarly, loved ones can also be a part of your own personal ‘team’, and can provide a unique support. Family and friends can be there for an outside perspective or to offer insight or advice. Don’t be afraid to acknowledge your weaknesses and ask for help! Your weakness may be another person’s strength!”

Have a support system. Biathlon athlete, Megan Imrie, and bobsledder, Jenny Ciochetti, know the importance of a good support system. “A strong support system helps keep you grounded and reminds you that you’re loved no matter what you are doing or whether or not you’re successful,” says Ciochetti. “Competing at the 2010 Winter Games on Canadian soil would be an exciting accomplishment but could also be unnerving ,” says Imrie. “Thanks to the Petro-Canada Canadian Athlete Family Program, which will host approximately 500 immediate family members of Canadian athletes competing in Vancouver, my family will have the opportunity to cheer me on. My family will be completely taken care of — everything from accommodations, meals, transportation and even event tickets. There is nothing better than knowing my family will be there.”

Use your imagination. Warren Shouldice, a freestyle aerialist, often visualizes himself achieving his dream — winning gold for Canada. “Before any big competition, I imagine myself executing a perfect jump and then standing on the podium in first place. I focus on the positives and all the hard work that has prepared me to be the best I can be. I find that using my mental fitness this way allows me to overcome whatever challenges I face. No matter what your goal is in life, visualize yourself crossing the finish line and what it will take to get there.”

Believe in yourself. Sometimes it takes a few attempts to accomplish a goal. Along the way, there may be disappointments as well as successes, but most importantly you need to believe in yourself. Curler, Brent Laing, knows what it feels like to experience a set-back. “As an athlete, you may experience hurdles that can affect the outcome you’re hoping to achieve. Determined not to let these types of challenges hold me back, I continue to believe in myself and keep working towards achieving my goals. Hard work and perseverance can help you reach your dreams.”

www.newscanada.com

When he left Russia, Guennadi left his entire collection of artwork behind

Artists find inspiration in many different sources. For a Russian immigrant named Guennadi, it is the Canadian landscape that provides inspiration for his art.

It was an educational opportunity for their daughter that brought Guennadi and his wife here in May of 2003, helping her to fulfill a dream of studying abroad. They settled in the Niagara Escarpment town of Dundas, Ontario, and Guennadi opened a studio in Greensville near Dundas.

“We wanted to be with our daughter, who has found great success as a student at McMaster University in Hamilton,” says Guennadi. “She has become a teaching assistant and works part-time — we are so pleased with her happiness. It was easier for her as a young person, but we both have found new lives here too.”

When he left Russia, Guennadi left his entire collection of artwork behind. Donating it to museums, galleries and friends, Guennadi arrived in Canada with only his talent and experience as a teacher, designer and restorer.

Since arriving in Canada, Guennadi has been busy establishing himself as an artist through design and restoration work, as well as teaching a restoration master class at McMaster. One would think this leaves little time for creating his own art, but Guennadi has been able to build an impressive body of work.

“Canada has beautiful landscapes, and the rich beauty of nature in the Escarpment never fails to inspire me,” he says. “I do not think others around the world have a full appreciation of the natural beauty here. I hope my art will help them understand Canada is a special place.”

Recently his paintings have begun to sell, and he’s found support from the Immigrant Culture and Art Association of Hamilton and a local art show that featured immigrant artists.

“My wife was the biggest support of all,” he says. “It was her job that helped us get going until I could make a new name for myself. When people tell me it is hard to be an artist in Canada, I tell them it is harder elsewhere. We are lucky to be here.”

When it comes to Guennadi’s art, inspiration is a two-way street. The beauty of the country inspires his art, and he reflects that inspiration in his enthusiasm for his new country. Through his GK Studio and restoration work, Guennadi hopes to continue his recent success.

I do think of myself as a Canadian said Anna

Canada may have the world’s second-largest land mass, but for a graduate student named Anna, who has lived in Canada since she was 11 years old, the immense size of the country she now calls home is just another part of living here.

“I remember coming here and being amazed at how big Canada is,” says Anna. “In Europe, traveling two hours gets you into a whole other country. In Canada, it’s a quick trip in the same province, sometimes just to the town next door.”

Upon arrival, learning English was a priority for Anna, who spent six months in language instruction before launching an accomplished academic career.

As a student in the University of Victoria’s microbiology program, Anna graduated with a nearly perfect average. Her hard work has paid off, gaining her the University of Victoria Jubilee Medal for Science, the National Research Council Women in Science and Engineering Award, and a National Millennium Excellence Award. She was also shortlisted for a Rhodes Scholarship.

A devoted volleyball player who has competed internationally, Anna is also a committed volunteer. In addition to her experience coaching and refereeing volleyball, she has volunteered in a hospital emergency room and with a clinical geneticist, and has tutored at the University of Victoria.

“I’m the kind of person who reads medical journals for fun,” jokes Anna. “But I truly enjoy everything Canada has brought me—opportunity, sports and study.”

Anna still remembers the citizenship ceremony, where she joined her parents in becoming Canadian, and has fond memories of her parents studying diligently for the test.

“I do think of myself as a Canadian while always remembering my Slovakian roots. Becoming a citizen seemed a natural step after our move here, and while I was only a teenager, I remember it as a solemn occasion.”

With a Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council Postgraduate Scholarship, Anna plans to study medical genetics at the University of Calgary on her way to a professional career in the life sciences. She has certainly carved out her place in Canada.

Visit TeenConnector.ca

When she started treatment for cancer, Lauren Donnelly went from being an active teen taking part in soccer and dance to completely bedridden.

Donnelly was diagnosed in September 2005 with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, the most common form of childhood cancer. Therapy left her so weakened at times that walking upstairs to bed was an obstacle.

Despite going into remission a month into her treatment, she still had to complete the full 30 months of the protocol, forcing her to drop out of school and spend a total of six months in hospital.

Donnelly had frequent bone marrow aspirates and spinal taps, underwent chemotherapy and had cranial radiation, a preventive therapy for relapse.

The side effects of steroid therapy caused her hips to collapse, leaving her with limited mobility. She also had to be in isolation at times when her immune system was affected by treatments.

“I was 15 when I was diagnosed and that’s the stage where teenagers are starting to gain their independence and they’re coming into their own. For me, it was the opposite experience,” Donnelly said from her home in Georgetown, Ont., west of Toronto.

“I became completely reliant on my parents. I couldn’t go out and socialize and start to do my own thing. I experienced a lot of isolation, and (for) teenagers, it’s difficult for them for them to wrap their heads around going through a life-threatening illness.”

At the time, Donnelly didn’t meet many other teens in the same boat. But now, the 19-year-old is hoping other young people living with the disease don’t have to face their journey alone.

Donnelly is among the mentors at a new social networking site specifically created for teens with cancer. Teen Connector, developed by the Childhood Cancer Foundation, is designed for those aged 12 to 19.

The website has many features of a traditional social networking site where individuals have profiles and can upload photos but it’s geared to teens in hospital going through cancer treatment, with discussion forums and an events section. There’s even a games section for those who may not be in the mood to chat.

All the mentors have visible profiles of the type of cancer they have and treatments they went through so teens can seek out those who have had similar experiences.

The idea is to be different from traditional support groups, and allow teens to reach out from their homes or hospital rooms, Donnelly said.

“Teenagers are at that awkward social stage where they’ve lost their hair, they’re struggling with their body image issues, and meeting face-to-face in a support group is something that’s not always comfortable,” she said. “They want to ask candid questions and embarrassing questions, so support groups are not always the most comfortable setting for that.”

Mary Lye said she’ll never forget the moment when she picked up the phone several years ago in her daughter Harriet’s hospital room and heard the voice of a young woman named Sarah.

Lye’s husband had seen a notice posted at Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children appealing to those with teens experiencing cancer to contact the foundation’s teen connection program.

Harriet was matched with Sarah, who also had experienced acute myelogenous leukemia.

The two spoke, and Sarah even travelled from Kingston, Ont., to visit with Harriet, and they continue to stay in touch.

“For us as parents it was the light at the end of a tunnel that we saw and heard in Sarah, and hope for our daughter too that she could go on to live a normal healthy life like Sarah was,” said Lye, who went on to become director of marketing and communications for Childhood Cancer Foundation. “That’s how that image of connecting teenagers happened in our lives and I always held that to me.”

Wendy Shama, a social worker in the leukemia and lymphoma program at the Hospital for Sick Children, and her colleague, Sonia Lucchetta, published a paper on the psychosocial issues of teens diagnosed with cancer and the development of a program to support their needs.

Shama said it’s important to help them maintain their connection to the community and to encourage them to connect with others going through similar treatment.

They run two events a year – Funky Young Women, a spa day for girls – and Boys Night Out – to see a Toronto Maple Leafs home game – aimed at helping to reduce isolation and to facilitate the introduction to others in treatment.

They also encourage kids to exchange emails and MSN Messenger information and have a number of teens who chat and connect to one another.

In recent years, online networking such as instant messaging has made it easier for kids to stay in touch, she said.

“If they’re feeling not well enough to get up or get out of their room, they can still be connecting to other teens on the computer,” Shama said.

Donnelly hopes to eventually go to university to study journalism. But in the short term, she is still working to recover from the many setbacks from her treatment. She’s had both her hips replaced and will have to have her shoulders done as well.

Teen Connector may be specifically designed to support those going through treatment, but Donnelly said it will also be therapeutic for the mentors who are still going through things themselves. She said she feels blessed to have the chance to give back.

“It’s something I would have loved when I was going through my treatment.”

Russell & Rita Hall

Russell and Rita Hall of Norwich couldn’t be more excited after collecting a $7.1 MILLION LOTTO 6/49 jackpot from the January 9, 2010draw. “After an unlucky streak, we decided to buy a 649 ticket to test our luck.” Russell said. “We never expected to win this much… this is a once in a life time experience,” Rita added.

“My wife called to me and handed me a ticket. She excitedly said sign this now! After reading all six numbers out loud, I said I think I have to sit down,” Russell explained to Toronto Prize Staff. “Not only did we check for the winning numbers online, we also called in twice to the OLG toll free number. We even picked up a print off of the winning numbers at our local retailer, and finally had the ticket checked at the Brantford Casino. Even though we knew we had won it took a while to sink in. The experience is completely overwhelming.” Rita went on to say. “We decided to wait a few days for a calmer time to share the news with family and start the celebration,” Russell added.

Russell, 87, and Rita, 66 are both retired. The couple plans to have Christmas in February, with a cheque for all 6 children, 9 grandchildren, and 1 great-grand child. They also plan to make home renovations, including a new kitchen, and to splurge on new items for their wardrobe.

The winning ticket was purchased at Brantford Charity Casino on Icomm Drive in Brantford.

OLG is a provincial agency responsible for province-wide lottery games and gaming facilities. Since 1975, OLG lotteries, casinos, slots, and resort casinos have generated more than $28 billion for the benefit of the Province of Ontario. Gaming proceeds support Ontario’s hospitals, amateur sport, recreational and cultural activities, communities, provincial priority programs such as health care and education, and local and provincial charities and non-profit organizations through the Ontario Trillium Foundation.

David Barlagne emigrated from France in 2005 with his wife, Sophie, and his daughters

A French family who immigrated to Montreal is fighting to stay in the country after Canadian authorities threatened to deport them because their daughter has cerebral palsy. David Barlagne emigrated from France in 2005 with his wife, Sophie, and his daughters, Lara and Rachel.

Seven-year-old Rachel suffers from cerebral palsy, a congenital disorder that causes motor dysfunction in the body. Before deciding to leave France, Barlagne asked a Canadian Embassy official in Paris if his daughter’s condition might cause a problem.

“That was my first question. He told me not to tell anybody about this, just come and that it would be just a simple task to have my permanent residency,” he explained.

Two years after relocating, Citizenship and Immigration Canada rejected the family’s application for permanent residency, due to his daughter’s health.

“Canadian immigration told us that our daughter would be a burden for medical and social services in the country, so we have to go back where we’re coming from,” Barlagne said.

With the advice of a lawyer, the family is seeking a federal court review of the decision. The hearing is scheduled for Feb. 23. If they win, their file will be reconsidered.

A spokesperson for Immigration Canada said she couldn’t speak specifically about Barlagne’s case, but added that in these kinds of cases, the department is torn between allowing people to enter the country, and having to respect its mandate to protect the healthcare system.

Barlagne said he never would have uprooted his family if he knew they might have to return to France.

“If they have to move, that would be very painful for them,” he said of his daughters. “I think it’s really hard to restart a new life somewhere else.”

Companies are encouraging young users to become more involved in their toys and gameplay. Where this used to mean special membership cards and fan magazines, today young Canadians are being encouraged to visit dedicated product sites, sign up for mobile applications and even join social networks with other fans.

“Not long ago, a phone was just a phone and a stuffed toy was something to cuddle with. Now many mobile devices are telephones, computers and cameras, all in one. And many stuffed animals come with codes that allow kids to register them online, so that they can play games, feed and care for them, and even chat and play with other kids,” says Ms. Stoddart. “And while such toys and gadgets can be fun, we want people to enjoy them without putting their privacy and personal information at risk.”

The issue is more important than ever with the growing prevalence of instant messaging, social networking and the uploading of content such as photos and videos.

Ms. Stoddart’s Office has come up with tips to help Canadians enjoy their new toys, while also protecting their personal information.

Protecting your privacy as you enjoy your new gadgets and toys. For parents, specifically:

Understand new toys and their capabilities – It is important to understand the capabilities of new toys and how your children will use them. Speak with your children about how they will use the toy and, where appropriate, agree on guidelines and limits.

Pay attention to privacy settings and parental controls – Privacy settings on social networking sites control what people see about you. Only allow friends to see your page, your posts, your photos and your applications. Parents, if you depend on parental control software that is installed on your desktop, remember that those controls won’t be in place on new mobile devices.

Remember, with Wi-Fi, children can access the Internet from anywhere in the house – And if their new toy/gadget has wifi capabilities they can also use it to access the Internet from locations and networks outside your supervision and control.

Protecting your privacy as you enjoy your new gadgets and toys. For everyone:

Think before you click – The Internet is a public arena, and photos and comments you post are permanent. Even if you delete them from a web page, they could continue to exist in archived pages, in your computer’s cache or on the computers of other Internet users who may have copied them. If you don’t want certain people to see something, now or in future, don’t post it!

Pick and protect the perfect password – Your information is only as safe as your passwords. Use different passwords for different systems; make sure they are strong (eight characters or more and a variety of letters and numbers); never share them with anybody, and change them regularly.

Know your friends – Online, you can’t be 100 percent sure to whom you’re talking. Don’t accept friend requests from people you don’t know in real life.

Protect your identity – Fraud and identity theft is a growing problem and the Internet is the least private of spaces. Don’t post or e-mail personal details such as your social insurance number, phone number, home address or birth date.

Be wary of e-mail or instant messages from unknown people – Don’t open online messages that seem odd or are from someone you don’t know. They could contain a virus or let a hacker gain access to your computer.

For more information visit www.priv.gc.ca and youthprivacy.ca

The statement of claim alleges King, who ran a limousine and chauffeur business in the U.K., applied unsuccessfully for a number of jobs with mentor companies approved by the province until June 2006, when he accepted a position in Kelowna, B.C.

The provincial government has refunded immigrants who met certain requirements, including those who lived in Nova Scotia for 12 consecutive months. But King didn’t meet the criteria.

His lawyer, Peter Driscoll, said the requirements for the refund were unfair.

“What the province says is: ‘Oh no, you’ve left the province because we couldn’t provide you with a suitable employer and now we get to keep your money,”‘ said Driscoll, who’s based in Halifax.

The suit alleges the province breached its contract with King by failing to provide suitable employers and management positions. It also alleges the province misappropriated trust moneys and breached King’s rights under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, including his mobility rights.

The allegations in the statement of claim have not been proven in court.

Seeking $100,000

Of the $130,500 in fees King shelled out to participate in the program, $100,000 was paid to the province in trust. That money was to be paid to the mentor company, which would then give some of it back to King as part of his salary.

King is seeking the $100,000 plus interest paid in trust and unspecified damages.

Nova Scotia Immigration Minister Ramona Jennex said provincial lawyers were reviewing legal documents and declined to comment further on the case.

The nominee program started in 2003 under the former Progressive Conservative government and was operated by Cornwallis Financial Corp., a private Halifax firm.

The Tories assumed responsibility in 2006 and stopped accepting applications for the program’s economic stream after problems started to emerge.

Some of the 800 immigrants who paid into the program in exchange for middle-management job placements complained they didn’t get the training they were promised.

No plans to change eligibility

Len Goucher, the former Tory immigration minister, defended the residency requirement for refunds last year, saying the government was trying to “level the playing field” for those who “stuck it out” in Nova Scotia.

NDP member Leonard Preyra, who was opposition immigration critic at the time, urged the province to consider refunds on a case-by-case basis for those who came to Nova Scotia in good faith but had to leave to find work.

The refund program has since ended.

Jennex said the NDP government doesn’t plan to revisit the refund program’s eligibility.

“The eligibility criteria was put forth and has not changed and we will not be changing it,” she said. “The mandate has passed for that.”

Driscoll estimates there could be as many as 200 others who would be eligible to take part in a class-action.

In a 32-page report tabled in October 2008, the province’s auditor general found a series of problems with the nominee program, including examples of “inappropriate payments” and allegations that a lawyer took fees from immigrants without their knowledge and without providing a service.

“The main issue is all about consent,” spokesman Mark Fernandes said in a recent interview with TV News.

“Some of the scams are just a bit of misleading advertising. A lot of the time, the consumer’s credit card information is going from one company that they know they’re doing business with to another third-party firm that they don’t have a relationship with. So it’s not one transaction but two.”

It’s a classic bait-and-switch operation now making the rounds on the internet. Customers think they’re buying one product but end up with another. And worse, they’re being billed monthly at a much higher rate, he said.

The products can range from tooth whiteners to premium text messenging services to offers of access to government grants. Different products, same modus operandi, he said.

According to the bureau, web marketers are savvy about consumers who click first and ask questions later. They profit from it, while consumers lose.

The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, known as Phonebusters, recorded nearly 200,000 complaints this year. And according to the federal Competition Bureau, internet scams went from being the fourth most common scam complaint in 2007 to the top complaint in 2008 and continuing into 2009.

The Better Business Bureau released this list of top scams, not in order of severity:

1. Health claim scams: A bogus product makes a “breakthrough” health claim on the internet or promises cures. These have flourished during the swine flu crisis.

2. Not-so-free trials: An online ad invites you to try a new diet product or teeth whitener, but many websites don’t disclose the billing terms and conditions, or list them on another page, where consumers rarely look.

3. ID theft: Online scammers send emails that look legitimate, requesting that your “account information needs to be updated.” Another tactic called “scareware” has a pop-up message showing that your computer is infected with a virus and you need to visit a website to purchase and download anti-virus software that would fix the problem.

4. Home repair ripoffs: In this more old-fashioned scam, homeowners are told they need an immediate furnace replacement because of a crack in their heat exchanger, or the “contractor” has a gas-sniffer device that shows high carbon monoxide levels.

5. Small business loan and supply scams: Companies call businesses, pretending to be a regular supplier looking to confirm an address in a directory. Once bills arrive for unwanted advertising or overpriced supplies, aggressive “collection” agents call with threats of legal action.

6. Free government money schemes: Companies offer “free” advice on obtaining government grants. Often social networking sites and online ads will point to blogs that appear to be written by everyday people who are sharing the secret of how they received thousands of dollars in grants from the government to pay off their debt.

7. Business opportunities: Often, they are illegal pyramid schemes, where new capital brought on by new investors is keeping this imaginary investment afloat.

8. Cashback fraud: A buyer agrees to pay your asking price of something you’re selling online, but sends you a cheque or banker’s draft for a larger sum. You’re asked to cash the cheque and send a money transfer for the difference. Sure enough, the cheque bounces a few days after your money transfer has left your account.

9. Hidden cellphone charges: People who sign up to play online games or take IQ tests find themselves also signed up for expensive premium text services for their cellphone through third-party companies.

10. Mystery jobs scams: Mystery shopper ads in newspapers or online are in most cases bogus services requiring you to pay money upfront.

Started in 1979, The Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo kicks off July 1 every year in Halifax at the city’s main indoor venue, the Halifax Metro Centre.  This event features various types of performers from Canada and around the globe, and is the largest indoor show in the world.

The performance is rooted strongly in the rich military histories of the City of Halifax, the Province of Nova Scotia, the rest of Canada, and those of the many countries participating in the show.

I felt as if I had been formally introduced to the world in a way that I’d never appreciated in all my years of world travel.  The colours, the pride and the lightning both on the floor and in the eyes of all those around me just lit me up with all the power of a storm to come!  
Next to me sat a woman who told me she’d attended every Tattoo from the very beginning and travelled across this beautiful country every year to experience it again and again.  I was both amazed and yet humbled that my experiences so far were nothing compared to those who have supported the various troops stationed throughout the world.  Canada’s troops — Canada’s men and women, both fighting for peace and justice in far away places, sacrificing home and family for causes they believe in.

I felt the overwhelming sense of pride swell up from around the arena as the salute to fallen soldiers and those still hard at work so far away from home.  Then suddenly I saw that a marching band from my home country, the Middlesex County Volunteers Fifes & Drums from Massachusetts, and could only be dazzled that they were here again with all that is going on in the world — my other country making its first appearance in at least ten years.  How does it feel to be an immigrant and see both your home country and your chosen residence to stand side by side again, saluting each others sacrifices to give us, the residents and citizens of such a great country, the comforts we surround ourselves with?

As I watched the Tattoo through the lens of my camera, I could have fallen to my knees time and time again at the beauty and pageantry that was all around me.  I laughed, I cried, I prayed and I stood up with the crowd at the end — desperate for my shouts of praise to sing as high as my voice could carry them.  I look forward to the next Tattoo and all those that follow — someday proudly telling a young woman next to me:  “I’ve seen every Tattoo since I immigrated here.”

In “The Garden That Grew Her,” Leslie Bradford offers two stories. The first, her personal account of how to find peace amidst the chaos of an ordinary housewife’s career/kid juggling existence. “The cure for domesticide,” she explains.

“Then, there is a book within the book – a collection of the rowdy wit and wisdom of my fellow barefoot Gardeners. Ordinary people, like me, who are escaping domesticide and extinguishing the erroneous “Happily Ever After” myth.

In fact, so inspired was long-time writing teacher, Marilee Pallant – a/k/a the Garden Ya Ya and among the earliest followers of Bradford’s initial thread – that she has contributed a series of poems and lyrics that grace the end of each of Bradford’s 11 chapters in the book.

The impetus for that fateful post came after Bradford, a divorced mother of two daughters who worked in the automobile dealership industry as a finance manager, went online to share her experience after viewing a web cast and reading the bestselling book by a renowned teacher of spirituality. Dismayed at the volume of polarizing and ego-driven comments on the board, Bradford quickly composed her online story, the humorous seeds of the virtual garden metaphor.

In just one week, there were 1,750 hits. Eight days later, there were 14,000. In four months, after an unfortunate interruption that necessitated rejuvenating the thread, there were more than 143,000 followers, five times the number who had tracked Bradford’s initial story.

Bradford also picked up an award for Best Screenplay at the Moondance International Film Festival. “It was my first writing endeavor. I wrote the entire screenplay on Post-it-Notes while waiting around for customers on the used car lot. Bradford sold cars before being promoted to position as finance manager. “After tucking my girls into bed, I’d transfer the notes into script form using an old broken laptop.” The screenplay was also a finalist for the prestigious Praxis Fellowship at Simon Fraser University in BC and led to her write an animated film for children suffering from cancer. Nevaeh Can’t wait received a Kids First Coalition for Children’s Media official recommendation and is currently in production with Imaginethis Media Studios, a Chatham, Ontario company.

The daughter of a convicted criminal, Bradford dropped out of high school in grade ten, frustrated from a life-long struggle with undiagnosed learning disabilities. “It’s never too late to make a U-turn and jump back onto the path of your true desire. I’ve longed to write since I was eight years-old. It just took forty-four years of learning curve to get there.”

Bradford’s website and book trailer can be found at the thegardenthatgrewher.com

“Given the increase in serious head injuries resulting from skiing and snowboarding activities, we felt it was time to ask Canadians to come together and show their support for protecting children from these preventable injuries,” says Pamela Fuselli, executive director, Safe Kids Canada. “We want children to take part in sporting and recreational activities and to be active and healthy, while at the same time being safe by wearing a helmet.”

In an international review that includes Canadian data, while head injuries have been shown to comprise three to 15 per cent of all injuries suffered by skiers and snowboarders, a large percentage of skiing and snowboarding deaths, 87.5 per cent, have been caused by a head injury. More specifically, traumatic brain injury has been reported to account for 67 per cent of skier deaths in children. Research has shown that ski and snowboard helmets are effective at preventing head injuries. It is estimated that for every 10 people who wear a helmet, up to six may avoid head injuries.

The aim of the charter is to promote a common goal among Canadians of creating a safe, healthy and active sporting and recreational culture for skiing and snowboarding activities. The Vancouver Charter is officially endorsed by Dr. Perry Kendall, Provincial Health Officer, Ministry of Healthy Living and Sport for British Columbia; Dr. Patricia Daly, Chief Medical Health Officer, Vancouver Coastal Health; and Dr. Jack Taunton, Chief Medical Officer, Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“Disability and death due to traumatic head injuries is an important population and public health issue that results in an extensive financial and social burden on our society,” says B.C. Provincial Health Officer Dr. Perry Kendall. “The Vancouver Charter provides a common ground for government and stakeholders involved in winter ski sports to collaborate in developing and implementing sound, evidence-based safety standards and policies on helmet use in recreational winter sport activities.”

Other organizations that have endorsed the charter include: American Academy of Pediatrics; Atlantic Network for Injury Prevention; Brain Injury Association of Canada; British Columbia Injury Research and Prevention Unit; Canadian Academy of Sport Medicine; Canadian Collaborative Centres for Injury Prevention and Control; Canadian Institute of Child Health; Canadian Paediatric Society; Canadian Public Health Association; Canadian Snowboard Federation; Canadian Standards Association; City of Vancouver; Coaches Association of British Columbia; Dave Irwin Foundation for Brain Injury; EuroSafe; Institut national de la santé publique du Québec; Insurance Bureau of Canada; Ontario Neurotrauma Foundation; ParticipACTION; The Canadian Red Cross; Safe Communities Canada; Saskatchewan Prevention Institute; SMARTRISK; The Community Against Preventable Injuries; ThinkFirst Canada; Vancouver Coastal Health and Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The Vancouver Charter on Skiing Safety is the successor to the Turin Charter on Skiing Safety, which was originally created during the 2006 Turin Winter Olympic Games. It was prepared by a panel of experts from European governments who worked under the coordination of the Turin Organizing Committee, BE.PRA.S.A. (a project co-financed by the European Commission and the health authority of the Italian region of Veneto) and the Italian National Health Institute. Following the Turin Winter Olympic Games, Italy passed legislation at the national level that now makes it mandatory for all children under the age of 14 to wear a helmet while skiing or snowboarding.