Category: Nation

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Is Toronto a liveable city?

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 Talks exploring our changing city kick off AGO spring/summer programming season

Inspired by the portraits of a city undergoing immense change on view now in Impressionism in the Age of Industry, the AGO today announces an upcoming season of public programming as dynamic and compelling as Toronto, including talks, poetry, dance and public exhibition openings.

Drawing on its reputation as a unique performance venue and a hotbed for emerging artists, the AGO launches AGO Live, a dedicated series of performance events designed to reimagine the limits of what art can be within the museum. From marquee presentations to intimate moments and special commissions, the series is intentionally experimental and its formula flexible, highlighting local and international artists’ creative journeys in music, dance and visual art.

“Toronto is a rapidly changing city, and our programs reflect the urgency, challenges and excitement surrounding us,” said Devyani Saltzman, Director of Public Programming at the AGO. “By offering everything from talks to performances and film screenings, we’re welcoming art in all its forms, strengthening the AGO’s reputation as the imaginative centre of our city.”

Toronto the Liveable City? Talk Series
In partnership with the Toronto Star and the Toronto Public Library, the AGO hosts a series of four free conversations about the liveability of Toronto now and in the future. Continue reading “Is Toronto a liveable city?”

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Toronto Zoo Celebrates International Polar Bear Day!

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Toronto Zoo is proud to be a leader in polar bear conservation and a champion for Canada’s vulnerable majestic species. The Zoo is involved in collaborative research projects with multiple accredited zoos and organizations to help better understand polar bear reproductive biology, nutrition and behaviour studies.  This  scientific research then provides valuable information to support polar bear education, research and conservation efforts both at the Zoo and in the wild. Some of these organizations include Polar Bears International (PBI), Parks Canada, the North American Polar Bear Species Survival Plan (SSP), and Acres for the Atmosphere.

Polar bear keepers are very passionate about working with this iconic Canadian species and behavioural training with the polar bears is an important component of their daily routine. Training exercises a variety of husbandry behaviours that allow Keepers to give the best possible care for the five polar bears at the Toronto Zoo. The Toronto Zoo polar bears are also trained to allow voluntary injections for vaccines and blood draws. These behaviours not only keep the polar bears physically healthy, but mentally stimulated and engaged.

Toronto Zoo biologists and researchers work closely with their wildlife biologist counterparts in the field with valuable learning and studies that can be applied to polar bear conservation in the wild. The knowledge gained through polar bears in our care provide invaluable information that is shared internationally and is essential for the survival of this vulnerable species. This is very important as biologists estimate there are only approximately 20,000 to 25,000 polar bears in the wild with approximately 60% of those living in Canada. Continue reading “Toronto Zoo Celebrates International Polar Bear Day!”

Health, Lifestyle, NationLeave a comment

Healthy eating is more than the foods you eat

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Ms. Ruby Sahota, Member of Parliament for Brampton North recognizes that the Food Guide that many of us grew up with focused on food choices. But we now know that our eating habits are just as important to our health as the foods we choose. Busy Canadians want simple guidance that they can trust to help them make healthy food choices for themselves and their families.

In launching the new Canada’s Food Guide, the Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of
Health, emphasized that healthy eating is about more than the foods Canadians eat. The new
Food Guide is an online suite of resources that better meets the needs of different users, including the general public, policy makers and health professionals. This includes mobilefriendly web content to encourage Canadians to eat healthy whenever and wherever they go.

Canada’s new dietary guidance includes concrete advice for Canadians on healthy food choices
and healthy eating habits. This advice includes:

• eating plenty of vegetables and fruits,
• eating protein foods,
• choosing whole grain foods, and
• making water your drink of choice.

Healthy eating is more than the foods you eat. The Food Guide encourages Canadians to:

• cook more often,
• enjoy food,
• be mindful of eating habits, and
• eat meals with others.

Canada’s Food Guide is intended for all Canadians. Health Canada is working to ensure that the revised Food Guide is inclusive of Indigenous Peoples, reflecting social, cultural and historical context. Continue reading “Healthy eating is more than the foods you eat”

Community, India, NationLeave a comment

Consul General organizes a Welcome Ceremony for International Students from India

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Consulate General of India, Toronto in association with International Education Centre, Centennial College, today organised a Welcome Ceremony for the international students from India at the Progress Campus of the College. This is the fourth such event in the series of Welcome Ceremonies that the Consulate plans to organize. The Ceremony witnessed an attendance of about 1000 Indian students, 550 present & 450 on live-stream.

Virginia Macchiavello, AVP, International Education Centre and Business Development, Centennial College welcomed the students to Canada and briefed them about the various settlement services that the college has for them. Mr. Jagmohan Nanda, Founding Principal, Nanda & Associate Lawyers and Mr. Vasim Sheikh, Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant, Nanda & Associate Lawyers took the students through the immigration laws in Canada and their journey through this entire process, right from student permit to permanent residence and eventually Canadian citizenship.

Consul General Mr. Dinesh Bhatia in his address while interacting with the students    emphasized on the most important fact of being an ‘Indian’, which will always remain with them. The students were informed about Canada, its legal system, presence of strong Indian community in Canada, culture and weather of the country, important do’s like registering on the MADAD portal of Government of India and don’ts like not being on the wrong side of the law, how to deal with stressful situations, what to do in emergency situations and introducing all the services of the Consulate General, which the students could make use of. Emphasizing the mantra given by External Affairs Minister of India, Smt. Shushma Swaraj, that Indian Mission is home away from home, he concluded by telling the students that the Consulate is just like their home away from home and they can feel free to contact the officials in any sort of emergency situation.  Continue reading “Consul General organizes a Welcome Ceremony for International Students from India”

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Mississauga Library Receives Generous Donation for Homeless Outreach Initiative

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The Mississauga Library received a generous donation from the P. and L. Odette Charitable Foundation for $390,000 in support of its homelessness initiative the Open Window Hub. The pilot project helps homeless, at-risk individuals and vulnerable youth and adults in Mississauga. The program connects them with resources, outreach programs and better access to services to help raise their quality of life. Over the span of three years, the Library will receive $130,000 per year to support the program.

“We are really grateful to be the recipient of this very generous donation from the P. and L. Odette Charitable Foundation who has a history supporting homelessness prevention initiatives in the Greater Toronto Area,” said Mayor Crombie. “We remain committed to doing everything we can to elevate the quality of life for our most vulnerable citizens. This past week, during our budget deliberations, our City Council agreed to allocate additional Library funding that would transition the Open Window Hub from a pilot program to a permanent community service allowing us to continue to assist at-risk and homeless individuals rebuild their lives.”

The Foundation chose the Open Window Hub for its donation after learning about the work of the initiative from the City’s Homelessness Prevention Outreach Worker, Kevin Berry.

“Open Window Hub addresses the growing needs of individuals experiencing homelessness, or at risk of homelessness, in Mississauga. There has been an increase in individuals connecting with services, so we know there is a direct need for it,” said Lori Kelly, Director, Library Services.“ Continue reading “Mississauga Library Receives Generous Donation for Homeless Outreach Initiative”

Business, Global, NationLeave a comment

Canadian International AutoShow Introduces Inaugural Luxury & Supercar Forum

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Toronto is a North American leader in sales of luxury and supercars, and the Canadian International AutoShow helps drive that reputation forward with one of the most comprehensive showcases of exotic vehicles on the auto show circuit.

Two days before the 2019 AutoShow opens to the public, it will play host to the inaugural Luxury and Supercar Forum, featuring luxury and supercar designers from McLaren, Rolls-Royce and Devel Sixteen. This exclusive event will not only provide an early look at some of the most exotic cars appearing at the AutoShow, but will also provide a unique insight into how the designers of the most exclusive cars in the world see the super car genre evolving.

“Toronto has quickly become a super car mecca,” says Jason Campbell, General Manager of the AutoShow. “We are a continental leader in sales of luxury cars. Pfaff McLaren is one of the world’s largest McLaren dealers, and Grand Touring Automobiles is one of the North America’s largest retailers of Rolls-Royce, Lamborghinis and other super premium luxury products. The strength of this marketplace is well known within the luxury and exotic brands, and those that want to get a foothold in this space.”

Two years ago, Aston Martin picked Toronto for the global auto show debut of its AM-RB 001 — the hypercar it developed in partnership with Red Bull and since re-named the Valkyrie. Last year, Swedish luxury car maker Koenigsegg brought its record-setting Agera RS to open the AutoShow — the world’s fastest production car that can reach speeds approaching 450 kilometres per hour. Continue reading “Canadian International AutoShow Introduces Inaugural Luxury & Supercar Forum”

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RIU Hotels & Resorts is coming to Canada

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RIU Hotels & Resorts has announced the construction of a hotel in its Riu Plaza urban line, in Toronto, the largest city in Canada and the cultural, business and financial centre of the country. The Spanish company intends to invest around 100 million dollars in the project, that will establish the first RIU hotel in Canada and will add continuity to the hotel company’s plan to expand into the world’s great cities.

The project, designed in a sophisticated avant-garde style, as a part of the Riu Plaza line, is now near the end of the design phase and is set to open in 2021. The building, a newly-built modern tower block, will be located in the city’s financial district and is mixed use. RIU’s investment in the part intended for the hotel will have 350 rooms, meeting rooms, a gym, bar and restaurant; while the upper floors will be for residential use.

Luis Riu, CEO of RIU Hotels & Resorts, has made it clear that the opening of the first hotel in Toronto “is a big step forward in our commitment to expanding the Riu Plaza hotel line in the world’s key cities, establishing the RIU brand beyond more traditional vacation destinations. We hope this hotel attracts RIU customers around the world to discover the city of Toronto with us, and also hope that the loyal customers we have in Canada decide to discover our urban product. This project means a new drive to raise awareness of our brand within and beyond the country.” Continue reading “RIU Hotels & Resorts is coming to Canada”

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Federal Tax Changes coming into effect in the New Year

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Ms. Ruby Sahota, Member of Parliament for Brampton North, wants to share information about new tax  changes at the federal level that will positively affect our
middle class and those working hard to join it. These changes include:

-Decreasing the Small Business Tax rate from 10% to 9% which will provide up to $7500 in
savings for small business owners a year. When we formed government the small business tax was
11.5%; now it is one of the lowest small business tax rates in the world. Small businesses make up
98% of all Canadian businesses and employ 8 million hard working Canadians.

-Changing the Canada Pension Plan premium from 4.95% to 5.1% on earning between $3,500 and
$57,400. These enhancements will increase the maximum CPP retirement benefit by about 50%
for those who make enhanced contributions for 40 years, supporting Canadians as the cost of
living increases.

-Decreasing Employment Insurance premiums from $1.66 to $1.62 per $100 of insurable earnings.
-Increasing the Canada Workers Benefit for lower income workers, which helps low income
earners stay employed as experts say that more than half of all Canadians who live in poverty are
working. Continue reading “Federal Tax Changes coming into effect in the New Year”

Community, Global, NationLeave a comment

“This season is about bringing light to the people around us”-P.M. Justin Trudeau

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The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on Christmas:

“Merry Christmas, Canada!

“Today, our family joins Christians across the country and around the world to celebrate the birth of Christ.

“It’s a time to spread joy and cheer, appreciate our blessings, and honour traditions – whether that’s opening presents, decorating the Christmas tree, sharing a meal together, or setting aside a couple of cookies for Santa.

“We’re also well into winter, from coast to coast to coast – and here in Canada, we’ve always known how to smile through the cold days and long nights. This time of year, that Canadian spirit shines through most – because this season is about bringing light to the people around us.

“We also know this is a difficult time for some families. For Canadian Armed Forces members who are far from home, it’s just one example of the many sacrifices you and your families make. We’re thinking of you, and we’re grateful for everything you do for Canadians.

“And we’re thinking too of hardworking Canadian families who might be struggling to make ends meet this Christmas. Our government is working hard to make things a little easier for you  Continue reading ““This season is about bringing light to the people around us”-P.M. Justin Trudeau”

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Mississauga Joins Global Network of Data-Driven Cities

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The City of Mississauga has been awarded the International Organization for Standardization 37120 (ISO 37120) platinum-level certification from the World Council on City Data (WCCD) – a global leader in standardized city data. Mississauga is one of ten Canadian municipalities to receive the certification. The City joins more than 60 municipalities that are part of the WCCD global network.

“We are pleased to be recognized with this honour alongside other world-leaders including London, Dubai and Buenos Aires,” said Mayor Bonnie Crombie. “Increasing transparency and fostering innovation are important priorities for us as we continue to create a connected city for the 21st century. Data-driven decision making is vital for us to deliver high-quality programs and services to our citizens.”

Mississauga reported 96 out of the 100 indicators, earning platinum-level ranking.

“Mississauga is now part of an international standard,” said Janice Baker, City Manager and Chief Administrative Officer. “Not only does it show how we are doing compared to other cities, but also serves as a benchmark in our planning process. It is important for us to be able to learn from other cities as we continue to build a world-class city.”

The standard includes a comprehensive set of 100 indicators that measures a city’s social, economic and environmental performance. The Region of Peel, local school boards, utilities and Trillium Hospital contributed data as part of the assessment. Continue reading “Mississauga Joins Global Network of Data-Driven Cities”