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Mississauga’s Goan descent Ian D’Sa and his band Billy Talent honoured at Canadian Music Week!

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— Lachman Balani

On their silver anniversary, Mississauga’s powerhouse band, Billy Talent, was honoured with the coveted “Legends of Live” award at the Canadian Music Week festival on May 11, catapulting them into the ranks of former winners “Tragically Hip” and “Blue Rodeo”. The award ceremony was hosted by Canadian Paul Shaffer of David Letterman fame.

Billy Talent formed back in 1993 and have since come a long way, opening up for Guns ‘n’ Roses at their Toronto performance in 2016 and have headlined arenas like the Air Canada Centre in Toronto. They have also performed in many places in Europe. The original band members consisted of  Goan origin Ian D’sa (lyricist and producer), Ben Kowalewicz (vocalist),  Jonathan Gallant(Bassist) and Aaron Solowoniuk (drummer), who due to multiple sclerosis left a couple of years ago and was replaced by Jordan Hastings of Alexisonfire. However to his credit and despite his MS condition, Aaron showed up to accept the award and marked the occasion by delighting the attendees by performing for one of their songs, “Rusted from the Roof”. Jordan took over for the next song “Try Honesty.”

The evening was showered with performances from other bands with many more people, companies and venues being honoured adding yet another notable Peel region winner at the ceremony, the Metalworks Production Group, for best audio visual production company of the year. Metalworks is the brainchild of Gil Moore, former member of “Triumph”, one of Canada’s topmost internationally renowned bands. Continue reading “Mississauga’s Goan descent Ian D’Sa and his band Billy Talent honoured at Canadian Music Week!”

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LIONS DONATE $100,000 FOR INDIGENOUS COMMUNITY

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Toronto Netralya Lions Club (TNLC) Raises thousands of dollars for “Indigenous Eye Health” at the Lions Gala for Sight – 2018
Funds will support Eye Exam Room and Diabetes Care in new Health Centre

The Toronto Netralya Lions Club (TNLC) donated $100,000 for “Indigenous Eye Health” at a fundraiser organized at the Avani Event Centre in Vaughan. Funds raised at the Lions Gala for Sight – 2018 will support an “Eye Exam and Diabetes Care room” for a new Anishnawbe Health Centre in Toronto.

This is the first time Lions and the Indian Diaspora have created a legacy and taken the lead to raise funds for the Indigenous Community of Canada. “Our Toronto Netralya Lions Club wanted to do something to help the Indigenous people, one of the most vulnerable communities in the Greater Toronto Area,” says Lion Kanta Arora, Founding Member, Club President and Gala Chair on May 5, 2018. “The TNLC is dedicated to ending preventable blindness and to provide funding for programs that help eradicate eye disease in underprivileged communities. I’m proud that TNLC got behind this cause and we are proud to contribute to ‘Truth and Reconciliation’ for our Indigenous brothers and sisters with this donation.”

In Canada, Diabetes is a leading cause of preventable eye disease. Diabetes is the 6th leading cause of death and one in three Canadians with Diabetes will develop Retinopathy Continue reading “LIONS DONATE $100,000 FOR INDIGENOUS COMMUNITY”

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Flato Markham Theatre’s 18/19 Diamond Season: Redefining Canadian Diversity!

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18♦19 Diamond Season Line-Up Announced for Flato Markham Theatre 
Live performing artists are redefining Canadian diversity at York Region’s Premier Cultural Destination!

In harmony, movements, words, and spectacles, the 18♦19 Diamond Season of the Flato Markham Theatre is the perfect space to be inspired and entertained. This year, the theatre is redefining Canadian diversity as the wealth and depth of the various Canadian artists and their programs are unparalleled.

 “The 18♦19 Diamond Season line up promises to amaze. Flato Markham Theatre is a premier cultural destination where creativity and imagination inspire, lifting us on wondrous journey.”
– Mayor Frank Scarpitti, City of Markham
 “This year’s Canadian mosaic gives a new meaning to live performing arts, enriched by yet another impressive contingent of international artists and productions.”
– Eric Lariviere, Flato Markham Theatre General Manager

The 18♦19 season focuses around ten different entertainment series: Festival of Illusionists, Special Attractions, Comedy, Fabulous Footwork, Nostalgia, Great Canadian Performers, All That Jazz!, World Stage, Totally Classical!, and Family Fun!. Continue reading “Flato Markham Theatre’s 18/19 Diamond Season: Redefining Canadian Diversity!”

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Around the World in a Weekend!

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Carassauga Festival of Cultures, now celebrating its 33rd anniversary, is inviting everyone from Ontario and beyond to the province’s largest multicultural festival.

More than 50 countries will be represented this year in 10 venues, filling hockey arenas, sports fields, community and cultural centres to celebrate their proud heritage. Carassauga is famous for its exotic foods, breathtaking performances and vibrant costumes and this year will be no exception. Held over three days, throughout the City of Mississauga, Carassauga boosts more than 338, 700 visits and over 6,000 volunteers, chefs, artisans and entertainers(local and international) for this multi venue world tour, right in our backyard.

The Festival will take place over the weekend of Friday May 25th – Sunday, May 27th at various community and cultural centres throughout Mississauga. The Opening Ceremony will be on Friday night at 7.30 pm at the Hershey Centre on the Outdoor Stage featuring a Parade of Nations, Special Guests & Musical Performances.

Carassauga Passports are $10.00 in advance and $12.00 at the door. Children 12 and under are FREE. A Passport entitles a visitor to unlimited entry into all Pavilions during Festival hours. Passports are sold in advance at various locations throughout Mississauga including City Libraries and online through http://www.carassauga.com.

Highlights for 2018:
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Mississauga Gathers Dignitaries to Mark 90 Years of Canada-Japan Diplomatic Relations

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 The City of Mississauga hosted a reception at the Mississauga Civic Centre last week to celebrate the 90th Anniversary of Canada-Japan diplomatic relations.

The reception, hosted by Mayor Bonnie Crombie and the City’s Economic Development Office, was attended by Ms. Takako Ito, Consul General of Japan in Toronto, Members of City Council, as well as members of Mississauga’s Japanese business community.

“Mississauga shares a special, long-standing relationship with Japan that is deeply rooted in our shared values and strong economic ties. That’s why Mississauga is honoured to be hosting a reception to acknowledge 90 years of diplomatic relations between our two countries,” said Bonnie Crombie, Mayor of Mississauga.

Mississauga is home to nearly 100 globally-respected, successful and innovative Japanese companies. This number represents almost half of all Japanese companies located in Ontario and more companies than any other city within Canada. Some recent additions to the list of Japanese companies in Mississauga are Eisai Limited, MHI Canada Aerospace, KinderKids, IKO Thompson Bearings Canada and Tohmei Industries.

The City’s Economic Development Office works closely with the Japanese business community to support their growth in Canada. Japanese companies provide a major economic boost to Mississauga in the life sciences, aerospace, information and communications technology, logistics and transportation, and various advanced manufacturing sectors. In three years, Japan has moved from the third to the second highest source of foreign direct investment to Mississauga, after the United States. Continue reading “Mississauga Gathers Dignitaries to Mark 90 Years of Canada-Japan Diplomatic Relations”

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New Cultural Community Long-Term Care Home Approved in Mississauga

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On Friday, April 27th, the Honourable Charles Sousa, Minister of Finance and Member of Provincial Parliament for Mississauga South announced the Government of Ontario will award 320 new long-term care beds in Mississauga to a new partnership between Indus Community Services(Indus), Trillium Health Partners (THP) and Yee Hong Centre for Geriatric Care (Yee Hong).

“Our government is approving health care in Mississauga and throughout Ontario by increasing the number of long-term care beds in our communities. This investment will help alleviate wait times, and provide access to high-quality, culturally-appropriate professional care for seniors across the province” said the Minister.

This announcement is part of the province’s commitment to build 5,000 new long-term care beds by 2022 and more than 30,000 new beds over the next decade.

To address the region’s long-term care capacity challenges and to provide culturally appropriate care to the diverse community of Mississauga, Indus, THP and Yee Hong have come together to pursue a historic and innovative partnership to provide culturally appropriate long-term care with a specific focus on the Chinese, Asian and South Asian communities and transitional care.

“Mississauga is one of the most culturally diverse cities in the world. We are also home to an ageing population that deserves access to high-quality culturally appropriate health care. That’s why I am so pleased that the provincial government will be partnering with Indus, THP and Yee Hong to build a new long-term care facility and community hub in Mississauga that will improve the overall health and well-being of seniors in our community” , says Mayor Bonnie Crombie.

Continue reading “New Cultural Community Long-Term Care Home Approved in Mississauga”

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Mississauga Scores a Second Boxed Soccer Pitch for the Downtown Core

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The City of Mississauga is constructing a second outdoor boxed soccer pitch in the city’s downtown core — the second pitch of its kind in Canada. The new pitch will be located at Mississauga Valley Park  and will provide outdoor recreational opportunities to residents while promoting and encouraging informal soccer play.

“I’m excited for the installation of a second boxed soccer pitch for Ward 4 and our downtown,” said Ward 4 Councillor John Kovac. “Creating outdoor recreational spaces for residents, especially our youth, is important to the quality of life in densely populated areas of the city.  The new pitch, which will be just the second in Canada, arrives one year after the installation of the very first – also located here in Ward 4, in City Centre. Our second boxed soccer pitch will encourage residents to get outdoors and will help build a stronger, healthier and engaged community. For this, I am truly excited!”

City staff investigated the feasibility of installing an additional pitch at Mississauga Valley Park earlier this spring. With a high volume of park visitors, staff felt the highly-populated area with limited parkland would be the ideal location for the pitch.

“With the growing popularity of soccer in Mississauga, this second pitch is an opportunity to create a place where residents of all ages and abilities can enjoy watching or playing the game,” said Jodi Robillos, Acting Director, Parks and Forestry. “The City’s Downtown Growth Area Provision Strategy recommends the use of “pop-up” spaces to support healthy and active lifestyles.”

Under the pop-up sport concept, the pitch will not be formally programmed by the City but will continue to promote informal, drop-in soccer games. Continue reading “Mississauga Scores a Second Boxed Soccer Pitch for the Downtown Core”

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Toronto School Board declares November “Hindu Heritage Month”

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Toronto District School Board (TDSB) in Canada has resolved that month of November each year be declared as Hindu Heritage Month.

TDSB Trustees, in their April meeting, passed a motion which included: Hindu Heritage Month is an opportunity to celebrate and educate all our students and school communities about this ancient and spiritual way of life.

It also said: Canadians of Hindu faith have greatly contributed to civic life in Canada for decades, and are a vibrant part of the growth and prosperity of Toronto, Ontario and Canada.

The motion also stated: Hinduism (or Sanathana Dharma) encompasses a broad range of…contributions to learning through mathematics, astronomy and science, and well-being through health practices such as yoga, meditation and a vegetarian diet.

Hinduism is oldest and third largest religion of the world with about 1.1 billion adherents and moksh (liberation) is its ultimate goal.

TDSB serves approximately 246,000 students in nearly 600 schools, besides over 140,000 life-long learners. Over 120 languages are spoken by TDSB students and their families. Dr. John Malloy and Robin Pilkey are Director and Trustees Chair respectively. Continue reading “Toronto School Board declares November “Hindu Heritage Month””

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Province greenlights new Ryerson University campus in downtown Brampton

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Includes Sheridan College as academic partner, project to spark transformation

Political and business leaders from Brampton and around the GTHA gathered at a Brampton Board of Trade event today to celebrate the announcement of a significant education infrastructure project that will transform the city. The Honourable Mitzie Hunter, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Development, along with Harinder Malhi, MPP Brampton-Springdale and Minister of the Status of Women, announced the establishment of a new Ryerson University campus, with Sheridan College as an academic partner, in downtown Brampton.

Slated to open for classes in the Fall of 2022, the new campus will focus on providing students data-driven science and business programming paired with experiential learning. Plans include the new campus, a partnership for a National Centre for Cybersecurity, and a centre for innovation – a joint-use facility which will include public and academic libraries and an innovation zone. The new campus will be built adjacent to the downtown GO Station. The centre of innovation will be located on the land surrounding the existing Nelson Square parking garage.

“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for Brampton, and we couldn’t be more pleased to be partnering with two leading institutions – Ryerson University and Sheridan College – in bringing a new campus and centre for innovation to downtown Brampton,” said Brampton Mayor Linda Jeffrey. “Today’s exciting announcement marks the start of transformation for Brampton, and new opportunities for our residents. We are looking forward to continuing our excellent partnership with Ryerson and Sheridan to make Brampton a destination for learning and innovation.”

Bringing a new university to Brampton has been a key priority for the City. In September 2017, Brampton City Council made a historic commitment of up to $150 million for a new university and centre for innovation. Continue reading “Province greenlights new Ryerson University campus in downtown Brampton”

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The Chevrolet Bolt was named Overall Winner of the 2018 Canadian Green Car Award

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During this past weekend’s Green Living Show, The Chevrolet Bolt was  named Overall Winner of the 2018 Canadian Green Car Award.

The Chevrolet Bolt was also named Overall Winner in 2017, marking the first time in the Award’s six-year history that a vehicle has won back to back.
A panel of 12 top Canadian automotive journalists selected the Bolt, a groundbreaking electric vehicle with a 383-kilometre range, from among four category winners as the vehicle that best combines environmental benefits and mass-market appeal.

“Chevrolet is honoured to accept the Canadian Green Car Award for the third consecutive year”, said Ester Bucci, brand, product and technology communications manager at Chevrolet Canada. “This award reinforces Chevrolet’s commitment to offering an affordable, world-changing vehicle that delivers on the promise of an electric car for the masses. Chevrolet is dedicated to continued innovation in electrification, that will bring the thrill of driving an electric vehicle to many more Canadians.”

The Chevrolet Volt was named overall winner in 2016.  Other previous overall winners include the Kia Soul EV (2015), the Honda Accord Hybrid (2014) and the Ford Fusion Hybrid (2013).

For this year’s Canadian Green Car Award, the Bolt had won the Zero Emissions category, in an earlier selection round, after extensive testing and assessments by the judges.

The category winners include:

1. Zero Emission                                                           –  Chevrolet Bolt
2. Plug-in Hybrid                                                           –  Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid
3. Conventional Hybrid                                                  – Hyundai Ioniq
4. Efficient Internal Combustion                                    – Honda Civic

Continue reading “The Chevrolet Bolt was named Overall Winner of the 2018 Canadian Green Car Award”