muchmor

Discover Your Canada

Canada Magazine issue 34 sept 08

subscribe at www.readmuchmor.com to receive your FREE copy direct to your inbox every month

Explore Algonquin a national

beauty
Winnipeg - summer in the city
Recycling in Halifax N.S

Research, research, research - making the

most of research trips to Canada

Alonzo Bodden Prepare your

names his 10 garden for fall

funniest cars

Recipes - perfect preserves

Save money on groceries
Back to school technology
subscribe online at www.readmuchmor.com
2 Editorial

Muchmor Media
17 Woody Woodward Lane
Corbyville RR1
From the Editor
Ontario
K0K 1V0
Canada
Changes are afoot…..
Tel: 1 613 396 5531
Fax: 1 613 396 5531

www.muchmormagazine.com
Advertising:
info@muchmormagazine.com
Editorial:
editor@muchmormagazine.com
Muchmor Magazine is a publication
of Muchmor Media. All rights
reserved in all media. No parts of
this publication can be reproduced
in any form, copied of stored
electronically for commercial use
without prior permission in writing
from the publisher. Storing for
personal use is acceptable.
Muchmor Media relies on
information supplied by external
sources and this publication is
supplied on the basis that it believes
the to be correct and accurate at the
time of publication. Muchmor Media
does not however warrant its
accuracy or completeness and to
the full extent of the allowed by law
excludes liability for any loss or
damage sustained by readers
arising from or in connection with
the supply or use of this information.
If errors occur and are brought to
our attention it is our policy to
correct any errors of fact whenever
we can.
The opinions of readers and
contributors are not necessarily the
opinions of Muchmor Media, and we
cannot be held responsible for their
comments.
Welcome to the latest issue of Muchmor Canada. You will notice that we
have made some changes to the style of the magazine which we hope
you will like. We all need a makeover every now and again and as we
enter our fourth year of publication we thought it a good time to take the
plunge. We now have a much cleaner, more contemporary look which
we feel is a perfect match for Muchmor.
We will also be introducing new sections and features over the coming
months including a new travel section for destinations outside of
Canada. I know we all love Canada but there are times when we want to
travel slightly further afield and experience new things. So, if you have
always dreamed of a trip to Las Vegas or London or perhaps wanted to
cruise around the Mediterranean we will have just the thing for you.
Another feature we will be introducing will be in our Working Life
section. We will be featuring profiles and interviews with people who
have unusual or misunderstood jobs. If you have an unusual job or one
that is completely misunderstood then get in touch, we would love to
hear from you - wherever you are. We will also be including “A day in the
life of” type features which will appeal to the voyeur in us. After all aren’t
we always wondering what so-and-so does or what such-and-such a
job involves?
But back to this issue. We are once again packed with features
including Algonquin Provincial Park, a particular favorite of mine and a
great article about food in Manitoba. Talking of food, take a look at our
lifestyle section for some great preserve recipes which we know you will
love. And whilst purchasing the ingredients for these great recipes why
not take on board some money saving tips about grocery shopping.
But that’s not all, we are packed with all sorts of information, so I will
keep you no longer, happy reading.
Jane Toombes
Editor
 Contents 3

Contents
Motoring
28 Have gas prices affected your
travel plans?
28 Average gas prices
29 Top 10 funniest cars

Kidzone
30 Back to school technology
31 Top kids stuff
Discover Canada
Moving to Canada
4 Explore Algonquin, a natural beauty
8 Food glorious food in Manitoba 32 Research, research, research
11 Manitoba fun facts 36 New Canadian Experience Class
12 Summer in the city - Winnipeg launched
15 Floating for furs 38 Angel the donkey needs a new
owner - can you help?
39 Provincial nominee news
Lifestyle 40 Immigration news
16 Perfect preserves
19 Top Canadian…. Health & Wellness

Working Life 42 Just how long should we have to

wait for breast cancer treatment?
20 Odd job tiles & what they mean 45 Mammograms do save lives
21 Five steps to an e-friendly resume
22 Ignite your business Home & Garden
23 So how hard do you work?
46 Preparing your garden for fall
48 Decorate to generate profit
Money 51 Considering a condo?
24 The basics to saving money at the 52 Not all waste is created equal
grocery store 53 Answers to money quiz
27 Money quiz 54 The truth about water
4 Discover Canada

Explore Algonquin,
a national beauty

If it’s stunning beauty that you want

and a tranquil environment then you
can do no worse than visit Algonquin
Provincial Park in central Ontario.

If you intend to visit Algonquin Provincial
Park in Ontario then be prepared to only see
a very small percentage of what the park has
to offer, unless you are a serious explorer.
The park covers an amazing 7,630 sq km
or nearly 3,000 sq miles, larger than the state
of Delaware in the USA (6,446 sq km). The
park can be split into two areas: the interior
park section and the parkway corridor.
The parkway corridor section is the area
most casual visitors will experience. Highway
60 runs the width of Algonquin in the
southern part of the park. Although it covers
only a small percentage of the park, it still
offers excellent opportunities to explore for a
few hours or several days. The highway
starts at West Gate at the 0 km point and
ends 55.8 km later at East Gate. An excellent
map is available either from the park itself or
online at http://www.algonquinpark.on.ca/
campcan/cormap.html.
If you only have a day…
If you only have a day at Algonquin then
Highway 60 is an excellent place to get a feel
of the park and explore some of the trails. It
is accessible both during the summer and
winter months. Depending on when you visit
you can purchase a daily vehicle pass for
between $11.85 and $13.85. This gives you
access to the trails, car parks, visitors centre
etc. You can travel the highway without
paying any fees, but cannot access any park
facilities, although you can stop off at the
side of the road to take photos etc. You can
start your journey from either end of the
Parkway Corridor and when you pay your fee
you can pick up a map which gives you
details of all the stop off points, trails,
facilities etc along the way.
There are thirteen trails off the Parkway
Corridor offering hikes of between 0.8 km
and 11 km. They vary not only distance, but
in ease of use and things to see. The Spruce
Bog Boardwalk is the only wheelchair
accessible trail and is 1.5 km long and can
be found at km 42.5. It is a good trail for bird
watching and will take you through two black
spruce bogs.
Depending on the time you have available
you might want to take one long hike such
as the 11 km Mizzy Lake Trail which will take
you 4-5 hours depending on how many
times you stop to take photos! It is located at
km 15.4 and is one of the best trails for
spotting wildlife. For this reason dogs are not
permitted. It is a moderate trail and will take
you past nine ponds and small lakes.
There are many shorter trails which can
be taken such as the Beaver Pond Trail (km
45.2) which is 2 km in length and gives
excellent views of two beaver ponds.
Lookout Trail (km 39.7) as its name suggests
gives excellent views of hundreds of
kilometres of the park, but you should be
Discover Canada 5
prepared for a steep climb. This trail is 1.9
km and will take about an hour.
If you start your day early you will be able
to fit in many of the shorter trails and get to
explore a lot of what the park has to offer.
If you are visiting the Parkway Corridor in
the winter months you may find many of the
trails inaccessible for hiking. However there
are three ski trails off the highway ranging
from five to twenty-four km in length.
If you are approaching the park from the
north then you will find many access points
off the Trans Canada Highway (Highway 17).
The trails here are generally longer and more
strenuous than those found off Highway 60.
The Brent Crater trail is a strenuous 2 km
trail accessed via the Brent Campground.
The crater was formed when a meteorite
crashed here thousands of years ago.
To the east of the park from the Sand lake
Gate entrance you will find three trails
ranging from 1.5 km to 35 km, all classed as
moderate.
If you prefer to cycle then you might want
to try the Minnesing Mountain Bike Trail
located at km 23 on the Parkway Corridor.
There are four loops to take of 5, 10, 17 and
23 km in length. All loops are classed as
moderate and are not suitable for children or
unfit adults. You will see forest and lakes
along the trails with plenty of wildlife viewing
opportunities.
6 Discover Canada
Beaver Pond Trail
Visitor Centre lookout (winter)
Visitor Centre lookout (Summer)
Lake view
Another cycling trail is the Old Railway sign. See the guides mentioned before for full
Bike Trail, a 10 km trail suitable for all. It runs camping details.
from Mew Lake Campground to Rock Lake
Campground but can also be accessed from Fishing rods at the ready
Pog Lake Campground.
You will find some of the best trout fishing in
If you have more than a day… the whole of Canada at Algonquin. Both
Brook and Lake Trout can be found in nearly
Then you will want to explore the real 200 lakes. The best time to fish for Trout is
Algonquin, or the park interior with its hills, the spring, although during the summer
rocks and lakes. However, there are only two Smallmouth Bass are a favorite. Other
ways of getting around the interior: on foot or species you can fish for are Splake, Yellow
by canoe. Perch, Northern Pike, Muskellunge, and
There are over 2,000 km of canoe routes in Walleye.
the park which cater to all levels of The lakes at Algonquin are regulated to
experience. You should pick up a copy of the stop them being over fished and you will
brochure "Canoe Routes of Algonquin need a fishing permit in order to do so.
Provincial Park," which gives details of the
routes, maps and camping options as well as Other things to see & do
information of what equipment to bring with
you. Any trip along the Parkway Corridor however,
If you prefer to explore on foot then there is not complete without a trip to the Visitors
are several backpacking trails available Centre located at km 43. The centre has a
ranging from six to eighty-eight km in length. large car park and inside you will find a great
Get a copy of the "Backpacking Trails of shop where you can purchase books,
Algonquin Provincial Park” brochure before clothing, souvenirs and snacks. There is also
embarking on these trails. a restaurant where you can sit looking out
over the stunning landscape. The centre also
Get the campfire burning has a theatre offering shows about the park
and the wildlife as well as an exhibits area
If you are planning on staying in the park for where you can see the history of the park and
more than a day then you will want to know its wildlife. Whilst in the centre you should
about the camping options. visit the viewing deck located at the rear
There are eight campgrounds along the which offers excellent views across the park.
Parkway Corridor. Only one, Mew Lake, is There is also a wildlife feeding station where
open year round. The others generally open you can see squirrels and birds close up.
around late April, early May and then close The Algonquin Logging Museum is also
around Thanksgiving. These times do vary, so located along the Parkway Corridor at km
check before you embark on your journey. 54.5 close to the East Gate. You can follow
The facilities available at each park vary too, the history of logging in the area with a video
so if you require electric hook-up, toilet presentation. Follow that with a 1.5 km trail
facilities, showers etc you should check that is very easy to navigate. You will see a
which campground will suit you best. If you recreated camboose camp and a steam-
are taking dogs, not all allow them, so again powered amphibious tug known as the
check beforehand, likewise for wheelchair “alligator” amongst other things.
accessibility. The Algonquin Art Centre (km 20) is one of
Several of the campgrounds offer yerts the latest facilities in the park having opened
which are 16 ft diameter tents in 2005. The centre is wheelchair accessible
accommodating up to six people. They have and has both an indoor and outdoor gallery.
two double and two single beds and many There is also a tea shop, so you can enjoy a
have electricity, lighting, picnic table, chairs snack whilst you are there.
etc. There are only eight yerts in the park so it The Arts Center also offers art activities
is essential to pre-book. They cost $79.25 throughout the summer months for adults
per night and are subject to reservation fees and children. You can learn how to paint
and minimum stays during certain time using various mediums as well as learn skills
periods. such as beading, rock painting and canoe
If you are part of a group you can choose painting. You should pre book these activities
to stay at Whitefish Lake campground off the as places are limited and prices average
Parkway Corridor (km 37). Groups from 10 to around $20. You can checkout full details of
40 people can be accommodated, but the the centre and all it has to offer here.
site only offers basic amenities. Prior booking
of this site is advised. Mammals
There are three campgrounds to the north
of the park which are open between the end
of April to Thanksgiving. All have flush toilets
There have been 53 species of non-domestic
mammals recorded at Algonquin Park.
but no shower or laundry facilities.
The park is the best place in Ontario to
If you are exploring the interior of the park
spot moose and if you visit in late spring,
you are only permitted to camp in designated
early summer you will most likely see moose
interior campsites marked with an orange
along Highway 60 as they drink from the

Moose
roadside and lap up the salty water they love
so much. The salt found on the roads after
the winter salting operations gives them the
much needed sodium they have been
starved of during the winter months.
White-tailed deer can also bee seen in the
park, again especially along the Highway 60
corridor. In recent years the numbers of deer
in the park has declined due to bad winters
and different forest conditions.
If you visit the park during October you
may see beavers as they build their dams
and preserve food for the winter. This is the
time when they are most active in the day
and more likely to be seen.
There are thought to be over 2,000 black
bear in Algonquin, but you will be lucky to
spot one yourself. You will not see them
during the winter months as they hibernate,
but they will be about during the summer.
Campers are reminded to stick to the bear
rules when camping and to make sure they
know what to do should they encounter a
bear.
Since the 1960’s Algonquin has been a
centre for wolf research but you will be
unlikely to see a wolf in the park as they tend
to stay away from human activity. Most
years, weather pending there is a public wolf
howl which allows members of the public to
participate in this exciting event. Wolves are
known to answer to even the poorest
howling imitations and so you can join
hundreds of other like minded people in
howling to the wolves and receiving a
response.
Other mammals that are possible to spot
are chipmunks, squirrels, red fox, rabbits,
hares, otter, moles, shrew, porcupine,
raccoons, skunk, elk, groundhogs and bats.
Some of the less common species
include mink, martins, lynx, weasels and
mice.
Birds
There are many birds within the park, in fact
over 270 different species have ben
recorded. Algonquin is most famous for the
Discover Canada 7
Painted Turtle Orange Mycena Fungi
Common Loon which can be found on Insects
almost every lake in the park.
There are many other birds to see and
hear throughout the park from the common
It is thought that over 7,000 insects species
call Algonquin home, although it is hard to
Blue Jays and Chickadees to the less
calculate how many there really are. This
common Indigo Bunting and Barn Owl.
means that the large majority of wildlife
Many of the birds are seasonal residents
species in the park are insects.
or migrants and very few reside at the park
Insects are responsible for the ongoing
year-round. The Grey Jay is one bird which
development of the park and without them
lives here all year. One of the best places to
the ecosystem would collapse and the park
spot a Grey Jay is at the feeding station to
would ultimately die.
the rear of the Visitors Centre. Here you will
Unfortunately many of the insects present
see many birds including Hairy
in Algonquin are not so welcomed by
Woodpeckers and Chickadees. Other
humans. During the spring and summer
species of birds to look our for are Common
months visitors are plagued by black flies,
Flicker, Eastern Bluebird, Kestrel, Waxwings,
mosquitoes, deer flies and horse flies
Red-Tailed Hawks, Blue Herons, Ruby-
amongst others. Anyone visiting the park
Throated Hummingbirds and Turkey Vultures
during this time is advised to wear insect
amongst others.
repellants containing DEET and to dress
appropriately - long trousers, long sleeves,
Reptiles and Amphibians hats etc. Once you get to late August and
early September the park is normally bug
The Painted turtle which resides in free, although it is not unusual to see a rogue
Algonquin is subject to the world’s largest mosquito or two even then.
study of turtles. Only recently through the Some more welcome insects come in the
study are scientists beginning to understand form of butterflies, many species of which
the complexities of these creatures. The can be seen in the park. You will see
turtles have beautiful yellow and red Monarchs, Question Marks, Red Admirals
markings on their shells, head,legs and and many more.
neck. Males have longer claws than females
so they can stroke the female’s chin during Plants and Fungi
courtship.
In total there are 31 species of reptile and
amphibians in the park including five turtles,
Plants completely blanket Algonquin and
sometimes are taken for granted with visitors
seven salamanders, ten frogs and toads and
more interested in the wildlife. However, the
seven species of snake. None of the snakes
plants must not be forgotten as they are
found in Algonquin are venomous.
fundamental to the park.
Because reptiles and amphibians are cold
Trees also play a very important role in the
blooded they cannot make any heat within
ecosystem of the park. Various species of
their own bodies and as such only those
tree can be found here including cedar,
who can successfully hibernate through the
spruce, pine, ash, cherry, aspen, birch,
harsh winter months can survive. This
beech, maple and poplar.
means there are far less species recorded
Fungi are another important part of the
here than other areas in southern Ontario
park with many species of toadstool and
where the winters are slightly warmer.
mushroom being found here. During the
summer you will see many beautiful and
unusual fungi in many different shapes and
colours.
8 Discover Canada

Food, glorious
food

Manitoba’s culinary
icons and ethnic fare

From asparagus to zabaglione, with every
conceivable dish and ethnic food in
between, Manitoba is a gourmand's
heaven. Winnipeg places among Canada's
culinary meccas, with this diverse,
provincial capital possessing one of the
highest ratios of restaurants per capita in
Canada. You'll find traditional First Nations
foods like bison, game, fish, wild rice and
saskatoon berries featured on Manitoba
menus. Try bannock, sample smoked Lake
Winnipeg goldeye and look for wild
blueberry desserts in season. Sushi,
gelato, dim sum, tourtière, pea soup,
challah, fresh-baked bagels, vinetarta,
souvlaki, kugel, perogies and borscht all
coexist here in an eclectic culinary
melange. In recent decades, they've been
commingled with Filipino, south-east
Asian, and Central and South American
ethnic flavours.
Home-grown Food Heaven
Manitoba is home to dozens of ethnic
groups, all with their own foods, and to
unique flavours you won't find anywhere
else – killingly smooth Co-op "Winnipeg-
style" cream cheese, feather-light
Winnipeg Rye Bread, City Bread and Kub
Bakery rye breads, garlic-studded
Winnipeg Old Country sausages, Old
Dutch potato chips, Mordens’ chocolates,
Bothwell cheeses… Enough talk – let’s eat!
Mordens’ of Winnipeg: Look in any
candy shop for these sweet treats (or stop
by the Mordens’ outlet at the Winnipeg
Convention Centre). Most famous for their
giant Easter bunnies and Russian mints
(chocolates with soft ganache centres of
creamy, mint-tinged milk chocolate),
Mordens’ of Winnipeg churns out a full ton
of mints every three days from October
through December. The factory and retail
outlet is located at 674 Sargent Avenue –
call 204-783-4551 for a tour and treat-fest.
(They make truffles, jellies and nut clusters,
too.)
The Bridge Drive-In: Aka the BDI to
locals, it’s famous for its boggling menu of
soft ice cream offerings, capped off by the
magnificent, towering, multiple fruit, sauce
and ice cream flavoured Goog Special – a
creamy blueberry ice cream shake, topped
with chunks of banana, more ice cream,
hot fudge sauce, peanuts, whipped cream
and a cherry. It's at 766 Jubilee Avenue,
open all summer, and we dare you…
Salisbury House: Now partly owned by
Winnipeg's own brilliant, rock musician
Burton Cummings, this 70-year-old
traditional burger stop boasts a unique line
of Nips (hamburgers), including the Mr. Big
Nip for larger appetites, and the darling
two-bite L'il Nip for pint-sized burger
fiends. Standard toppers include sweet
fried onions, gooey cheddar and a slice of
genuine Canadian back bacon.
De Luca's: All things superbly Italian –
from cheeses to sauces, olives, and
sausages – are available both in grocery-
store fashion and in the intimate little
restaurant on the second floor
(reservations are absolutely necessary and
it's only open sporadically).
Rye Bread: Buy this delicious Winnipeg-
style rye bread – made by Winnipeg Rye
Bread, City Bread and Kub Bakery – at any
grocery store. Former Winnipeggers have
been known to beg friends visiting from
home to bring dozens of loaves with them
on the plane. Slather slices of the rye with
Discover Canada 9
Co-op style cream cheese, also available
in most supermarkets.
Old Dutch Potato Chips: Ubiquitous in
Manitoba, these chips are made the old-
fashioned way – with paper-thin slices of
real potato, not processed potato powder.
Bagels: The glorious bagel was never so
crisp on the outside and chewy on the
inside as it is at a Winnipeg delicatessen or
at Gunn's Bakery on Selkirk Avenue, just
off Main Street in Winnipeg's fabled North
End. When at Gunn's, load up on Apple
Jacks, rye bread and everything else your
palate desires. It's a provincial bakery icon.
Jeanne's cakes: Without a Jeanne's
cake, a Winnipeg child has not had a
birthday. The official, historic purveyors of
cakes to Manitoba’s Lieutenant Governor
(the royal representative in residence),
Jeanne's Bakery boasts not just a secret
cake recipe but also a secret icing and a
secret shortbread cookie base. Where to
get these delectable morsels is no secret
though. Jeanne's Bakery is located at 931
Notre Dame Avenue (call 204-774-2554 to
reserve a cake or find out which
supermarkets carry them).
Alycia's: When you want home-style
Ukrainian cooking, drop into Alycia's in
Winnipeg's North End, find yourself a table
and order up a plateful of made-right-there
perogies with fried onion, bacon, sour
cream and garlic sausage. You’ll find it at
559 Cathedral Avenue (phone
204-582-8789).
The Manitoba Fall (or Fowl) Supper:
Every autumn, Manitoba churches,
community clubs and social organizations
of all kinds mount buffet-style banquets
where you can load your plate with home-
roasted turkey, pork or beef and side
10 Discover Canada
dishes including pickles, salads and
feathery buns. Leave room for the dessert
table filled with pies of all kinds – apple,
berry, lemon, chocolate cream –
homemade, of course. Where else can you
invite yourself to dinner with a community
hall full of brand new friends, for ten bucks
or less? Dozens of these suppers are held
each autumn weekend. Listings are in
Travel Manitoba's guides and in local daily
newspapers.
Made-in-Manitoba Restaurant
Menu Items:
Bison: At one time, bison numbered in
the millions here, and today, Manitoba
boasts herds of free-range bison that
provide lean, completely organic meat –
like beef, only better.
Caribou: The further north you venture,
the more likely roast caribou will be on the
menu. Tender and delicately flavoured,
caribou gives venison a real run for its
money.
Wild Rice: Harvested by Aboriginal
people, this nutty, natural grain offers a
hearty complement to game dishes.
Wild Blueberries and Saskatoons:
Both are dark blue fruits – each with a
distinct taste. Wild blueberries are packed
with more flavour than cultivated versions
could ever dream. Saskatoons possess a
mellower taste all their own.
Smoked Goldeye, Tulibee and
Whitefish: The native tradition of
smoking fish has long been perfected in
this province and these rich morsels are
often served as appetizers.
Pickerel: More commonly called
walleye, Manitobans insist on referring to it
as pickerel. Either way, it's a remarkably
light, delicate fish that chefs treat with
justified reverence.
Beer and Wine: Manitoba's micro-
brewing industry produces clean, strong
ales and deceptively light pilsners. Look for
Fort Garry, Two Rivers and Fort Gibralter
labels among others from Fort Garry
Brewing Co. Rigby Orchards makes light,
fruity raspberry, strawberry and saskatoon
wines, perfect post-dinner. Relative
newcomer D.D. Leobard Winery has won
four national medals in two years for its
Iced Strawberry Dessert Wine, Wild
Blueberry Dessert Wine, Wild Blueberry
Wine and Rhubarb on Strawberry Wine –
all of them made from Manitoba or
Northwest Ontario-grown fruit. D.D.
Leobard's newest addition is a white wine
made from birch sap... light, not too sweet,
and all-Manitoban.
Where to Eat
St. Boniface: Visit Winnipeg's French
Quarter restaurants where local ingredients
meet French technique with delightful
results. In February, traditional French-
Canadian dishes like pea soup, tourtiere
and sugar pie are served up at the annual
Festival du Voyageur, along with caribou –
the drink (grain alcohol diluted with a little
red wine).
Dauphin: Ukrainian comfort food –
perogies (potato and cheese-filled
dumplings served with onions and sour
cream), borscht and bread fresh from
outdoor clay ovens – is served up at
Canada’s National Ukrainian Festival held
here in August.
Steinbach: It’s just one of the
Mennonite towns in southern Manitoba
where you'll find small local restaurants
serving up hearty soups, sausage and
noodle dishes.
Gimli: This lakeside town is the best
place to find vinetarta, the luscious
Icelandic "cake" with seven cookie-like
layers spread with prune filling and iced
with almond frosting.
Little Italy: The Corydon Avenue area
in Winnipeg, given over to the local Italian
community, is home to restaurants, bars
and ice cream shops serving everything
from antipasto to gelato to pasta.
Chinatown: Just north of Winnipeg's
City Hall and Old Market Square area, it’s
the place to find dim sum or tuck into good
old Cantonese-style Chinese food.
Selkirk Avenue: It’s the North End
grocery shopping area for Winnipeg's
eastern European immigrants. Marvel at
the myriad versions of sausages hanging
on wooden dowels at the butcher shops
and jostle tiny Ukrainian grandmothers in a
battle for the last blood pudding.
The Forks Market: Located at The
Forks National Historic Site in Winnipeg,
this market is one a great place to sample
a bit of almost every food Manitoba can
offer, from fresh produce and specialty
foods to Skinner's fabled, foot-long,
European-style hot dogs.
Tearooms: They're ubiquitous in
Manitoba, offering brief, delicious
immersion into the British afternoon tea
ritual – and they serve "dainties" (the
Prairie term for tiny cookies and wee
miniature cakes, squares and tarts).
Folklorama: The largest and longest
running multi-cultural festival of its kind in
the world takes over Winnipeg community
halls, arenas and school gymnasiums for
the first two weeks of August with more
than 40 ethnic pavilions sharing their
cuisine and culture.
Content kindly provided by
Travel Manitoba
www.travelmanitoba.com
 Sequoia Club Discover Canada 11

Manitoba fun facts

★ Manitoba basks in more than 2,300 hours of
bright sunshine each year.
★ The name Manitoba is believed to come from
the words "manitowapow" (Cree) or "manito
bau" (Ojibway), which mean "straight of the
spirit" and refer to an island in Lake
Manitoba Narrows where a "manitou" or
"great spirit" beat his drums.
★ The beaver is the world's largest rodent and
its luxurious pelt fuelled the 19th century fur
trade, leading to the exploration and eventual
settlement of Manitoba by Europeans.
★ Churchill, Manitoba, is known as the "Polar
Bear Capital of the World" for being the most
accessible place to view polar bears in the
wild.
★ The Royal Winnipeg Ballet is Canada's oldest
and North America's second oldest dance
company.
★ In addition to producing coins for Canada,
Winnipeg's Royal Canadian Mint has minted
currency for 60 countries around the globe.
★ Spruce Woods Provincial Park is home to an
ecological rarity in Manitoba - a desert-like
area known as Spirit Sands featuring 30 m
sand dunes.
★ People have been meeting at The Forks in
Winnipeg for thousands of years. The famous
junction of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers,
once a gathering place for Manitoba's first
peoples and later a bustling fur trading post,
is now a popular 21st century attraction.

★ Comedian Bob Hope played his first game of
golf in Winnipeg.
★ Winnipeg was the first city in the world to
develop the 911 emergency phone number.
★ Souris, Manitoba, is famous for its 177 m
(582 ft) free-suspension footbridge over the
Souris River - more than 40 metres longer
and reportedly bouncier than the West
Coast's famous Capilano Swinging Bridge.
★ The Winnipeg Art Gallery has the world's
largest public collection of contemporary Inuit
art, including over 9,000 works from
sculpture, prints and textiles to paintings.
★ There are more than 120 public and private
golf courses in Manitoba, with some of the
most scenic found in Hecla, the Whiteshell
and Riding Mountain National Park.

★ Winnipeg's Union Station was designed by

the same architects responsible for New
York's Grand Central Station.

★ Manitoba produces more than 25,000

pounds of gold medal, award-winning golden
caviar from Whitefish roe and exports it
worldwide.
12 Discover Canada

Summer in the city

A three-day summer
itinerary for culture-rich
Winnipeg

Manitoba Museum
Six-hundred and eighty-five thousand people Golden Boy, perched high atop the imposing
call Winnipeg home. They work in its turn-of-
the-century warehouses and play in its
spacious casinos. They dress up to attend
world-class ballet, theatre, symphony and
opera, and dress down for hikes and picnics
in its many parks and green spaces. They get
serious at white-knuckle CFL Blue Bombers
football games and applaud the antics of
street performers at the city’s many festivals.
They are Winnipeggers. And they take
pride in their city – from its urban beat and
multicultural milieu to its fascinating roots
and friendly people. There are many ways to
spend three spectacular days under
Winnipeg’s sunny skies. Here are some
suggestions from the pros.
Day One
The Forks National Historic Site of Canada –
Why not begin your travels at The Forks, a
green riverside oasis where Winnipeg’s
history began over 6000 years ago? Hear
tales of its colourful past with entertaining
one-hour walking tours. Attend an Aboriginal
ceremony at the Oodena Celebration Circle.
Shop for funky, one-of-a-kind items at
Johnston Terminal and visit the Explore
Manitoba Centre for a visual journey through
Manitoba’s diverse terrain and countless
attractions. Then follow your nose to The
Forks Market, where fresh seafood, meats,
cheeses, fruits and vegetables are yours for
the buying. Time for lunch? Stay where you
are and choose from the many specialties
cooked up by at least a dozen ethnic and
made-in-Manitoba food vendors. Walk off
lunch with a 15-minute stroll across the
stunning Esplanade Riel Pedestrian bridge or
west along the Assiniboine riverwalk. Hop on
a waterbus or rent a canoe. Destination? The
Legislative Building.
The Manitoba Legislative Building is
reputed to be one of the finest public
buildings in North America. Stroll the elegant
landscaping, admire the monuments and
statues on the lush grounds and stare up,
way up, at Manitoba’s famous symbol of the
Discover Canada 13
Winnipeg Cityscape Portage Place
Give yourself at least half-a-day here to
structure. Inside, join a professional tour of spend visiting galleries and museums, and
the Legislative Building. strolling the cobblestone sidewalks lined with
Winnipeg Art Gallery - A five-minute walk antique shops, second-hand book and
north of the Legislative Building will land youclothing stores, furniture retailers and
on the steps of the world-class Winnipeg Art merchandise wholesalers. Lunchtime brings
Gallery. You may want to take a photo of this a whole new set of delicious choices, from
uniquely designed building, constructed exotic or continental cuisine in the area’s fine
entirely from Manitoba Tyndall limestone. Not restaurants to one of the funky diners that
only is this gallery home to the world’s largest
dot the district.
public collection of contemporary Inuit art, it The Manitoba Museum – Don’t leave the
contains over 22,000 works in its permanent Exchange without visiting the Manitoba
collection and its walls are continually Museum, where you can view award-winning
adorned with new exhibits from galleries galleries depicting Manitoba through the
across the globe. The gallery deserves two to ages, climb aboard a 17th century wooden
three hours of your day – this can include ketch, explore the universe in the science
lunch or coffee in its rooftop restaurant gallery and gaze up at the changing sky in
enjoying the smooth sounds of jazz. the Planetarium. If the Winnipeg Fringe
Winnipeg Railway Museum - If you’re Theatre Festival is on (generally the second
hankering for more history, take a half-hour half of July), catch a few of the innovative,
walk east down Broadway, or jump in a cab, off-the-wall productions from Manitoba and
and spend an interesting hour or two at the around the world, performed at venues
Winnipeg Railway Museum, located on throughout the Exchange District.
tracks one and two at Union Rail Station. St. Boniface - After lunch, it’s just a short
Visit the “Countess of Dufferin,” the first drive to St. Boniface, the largest French
steam locomotive to pull into Winnipeg in quarter in in Western Canada. A rich tapestry
1877, and journey through time and the of history and culture has spawned the
changing technologies of train travel in this passionate Francophone community you see
museum dedicated to preserving Manitoba’s here today. St. Boniface celebrates the proud
rail history. legacy of Louis Riel, our province’s founder,
Celebrations Dinner Theatre – Dine at and the rich contributions by Francophones
Celebrations Dinner Theatre where you’ll and Metis to Manitoba history. You will
spend an hilarious evening watching the quickly fall in love with the charming
show and intermingling with the actors who surroundings that include attractive
wait on you in costume as the characters streetscaping, road signs in French,
they portray on stage. Then it’s back to your restaurants serving French cuisine, and
hotel for a good night’s sleep and new historic landmarks, statues and museums
energy for a new day. depicting Manitoba’s Francophone roots.
Casinos of Winnipeg or Sports – For an
Day Two evening of fun and fantasy, visit one of
Manitoba’s colourful theme casinos. Whether
it’s a trip to the South Seas or a ride on the
Winnipeg’s Exchange District derives its Millennium Express, the casino experience
name from the Winnipeg Grain Exchange and
offers something for everyone – fine dining,
the many other exchanges that went on in
live entertainment and exciting gaming
what was the centre of commerce and
action. Or, if sports are your passion, catch
culture at the turn-of-the-century. The legacy
some CFL (Canadian Football League) live
of those early years is the area’s exceptional
action with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers or a
buildings, displaying some of the finest terra
Winnipeg Goldeyes baseball game.
cotta and cut stone architecture in Canada.
14 Discover Canada

The Manitoba Legislature - the largest

provincial legislative building in Canada

Day Three witnessed Osborne Village’s transformation you can enjoy a Broadway musical
into the trendy, vibrant neighbourhood and performed under the stars by local and
shopping area it is today. The turn-of-the- international talent. As Canada’s longest
Assiniboine Park and Zoo - Enjoy the century, character buildings now house an running outdoor theatre, Rainbow Stage is a
beautiful summer weather with a trip to
eclectic mix of restaurants, salons, services true Winnipeg summertime tradition. As well,
Assiniboine Park, nearly 400 acres of
and boutiques featuring clothing, crafts, gifts, in early July, you can take in the Winnipeg
spectacular parkland complete with lush
art, designer furniture and kitchenware, the Folk Festival, a celebration of people and
picnic and barbecue areas, bike and walking
products of some of Winnipeg’s most music featuring over 300 national and
trails, English garden, cricket and baseball
creative entrepreneurs. Enjoy a tasty lunch – international artists performing on seven
fields, conservatory garden, pavilion, art
grab some take-out sushi on the run or dine daytime stages and an evening main stage.
gallery and fine dining restaurant. A highlight
at one of the area’s many fine restaurants. Be It’s a magical experience you won’t soon
of the park is the Zoo, home to more than
sure to pick up some gourmet coffees and forget.
300 different species, including Manitoba’s
chocolates, popular stops in the Village.
native polar bears, bison and elk, along with
Corydon Avenue – A short walk southwest
more exotic animals such as the Siberian
of Osborne Village brings you to Corydon
tiger and snow leopard. (Try to go in the
Avenue, dubbed Winnipeg’s Little Italy. Its
morning, when more of the animals are out
distinct Mediterranean flair comes from the
and about.) Another must-see is the Leo Mol
immigrants that settled in this neighbourhood
Sculpture Garden, unique to North America,
and opened a unique mix of stores, services
and dedicated to the work of this world-
and restaurants. Some of the gems to be
famous sculptor, also a Winnipeg resident.
discovered on Corydon are designer
The outdoor Lyric Theatre is another of the
clothing, curios and antiques, pottery,
park’s popular spots, where you can catch
handmade jewellery and one-of-a-kind gift
live theatre, a music concert, or Ballet in the
items. You should also experience Corydon Content kindly provided by
Park by the world-renowned Royal Winnipeg
Ballet.
Avenue in the evening, when the street Travel Manitoba
comes alive with Winnipeggers of all ages www.travelmanitoba.com
Osborne Village – You can easily spend a
strolling its sidewalks, filling its outdoor
day in the park, but if you’ve got that get-up-
patios, eating Gelati (Italian ice cream) and
and-go feeling, strolling and shopping the
enjoying the warm summer night.
distinctive neighbourhoods of Osborne
Rainbow Stage or Winnipeg Folk Festival
Village and Corydon Avenue should not be
– Another great place to spend a summer
missed. Once an affluent suburb of early
night in Winnipeg is Rainbow Stage, where
Winnipeg, the past several decades have

Floating for furs
Canadian voyageur canoe routes in Manitoba offer historic settings
It was the perfect, rugged, Canadian natural
image: canoe, wild rice bog, a portage point
that could have been used 150 years ago by
rugged voyageurs opening up Canada's
savage northwest. So I savoured the moment
as we snaked through the high screen of wild
rice; seed-heads slapped our faces and wild
rice bounced onto our hat brims.
Manitoba's Canadian Shield country offers
dozens of paddlers' routes so pristine that
beaver fever has not polluted the system,
and the small companies who guide trips
here caution their clients to make sure it
stays that way. On more remote canoe
routes, loons sing paddlers to sleep under
bright moonlight. Bald eagles soar overhead,
while muskrat or beaver dunk as canoes
pass. Arctic swans may drift along quiet
channels, pacing paddlers for a few hundred
meters until alarmed elk or moose flounder
out of glassy bays and back into silent pine
forests.
The Hayes River/Middle Track runs almost
665 kilometres (400 miles) from Norway
House to York Factory, a national historic site
on the Hudson Bay operated by Parks
Canada.
The Winnipeg River, in eastern Manitoba's
Whiteshell cottage country, runs 266
kilometres (160 miles) from Kenora, Ontario,
through Whiteshell Provincial Park to Pine
Falls, Manitoba. Part of this route parallels
the Mantario Trail, the Canadian Shield's
longest hiking trail.
The meandering Assiniboine River is best
travelled downstream from Brandon to
Winnipeg, some 415 water-kilometres (250
miles) east, where the Assiniboine meets the
Red River. Day paddlers can end at half a
dozen take-out points; the entire route to
Winnipeg would take a week.
Discover Canada 15
In their heyday, these rivers were busy,
commercial water-highways during the
short but fabulous months of the northern
summer. Early explorers La Verendrye,
Henry Kelsey, Radisson and Groseilliers—
among the earliest names recorded in
Canada's history—all paddled the Shield's
web of waterways in the 1600s and 1700s,
using birch bark canoes modelled after
those made by the Ojibwa and Algonquin—
bark pieces stitched together with spruce-
root lacing.
Those first explorers gave way within a the Cree version of Noah's Ark, where
century to short, skinny voyageurs. Short Wasagajack the trickster created the post-
men took up less space, needed less food, flood world by sending animals into the water
and could handle the standard four-foot, to find a speck of dirt he could use to start
three-inch paddle. Uneducated, hardy men the world over. The animals all failed until the
with a taste for adventure, voyageurs, little brave otter finally floated up, drowned, its
better than indentured slaves, usually dead paws clutching the needed, precious
paddled fifteen hours a day, five to six men bit of mud.
to a freight canoe up to eight yards in length. The Cree ark, appropriately enough, was
By trip's end, with winter setting in, the men a giant canoe. And appropriately, canoes still
dipped blades in water turning to ice slush ply these rivers—paddled today by
around the fragile boats. Loaded with contemporary adventurers who re-live the
provisions and trade goods on the way into voyageurs' canoe routes in modern comfort.
Canada's interior, the boats were burdened On some waterways, we never saw evidence
with a ton or more of stinking furs on the way of another human soul. We could have been
out—and every day brought portages, original explorers here, charting a virgin
sometimes a dozen or more, hauling fur course through an undiscovered world.
bundles and canoes
over dangerous trails.
Aboriginal tribes
supplied furs to, helped
feed and guided the
voyageurs, in exchange Your ad here for as little as
for goods like blankets,
tools and beads. And
$350 per month for half page
the Aboriginal people
shared their legends as
they guided the
Contact info@muchmormedia.com or
voyageurs through the telephone 1-613-396-5531
wilderness; stories like
16 Lifestyle

Perfect preserves
Banana Jam
Ingredients:

900 g mashed ripe bananas

80 ml fresh lemon juice
25 g brown sugar
0.8 g ground nutmeg

Combine all ingredients in a blender and puree until smooth. Heat to a boiling
in a saucepan and simmer slowly, till mixture is thickened. Serve warm over
pancakes or cool and serve as a jam.

Cinnamon Apple Jam

Ingredients:

7 cups unsweetened bottled apple juice

1 (1.75 ounce) package powdered fruit pectin
2 teaspoons butter (no substitutes)
1 cup red-hot candies
9 cups sugar

Place the apple juice in a large kettle. Stir in pectin and butter. Bring to a full
rolling boil over high heat, stirring constantly. Stir in candies until dissolved.
Stir in sugar; return to a full rolling boil. Boil for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
Remove from the heat; skim off foam. Pour hot mixture into hot sterilized
jars, leaving 1/4-in. headspace. Adjust caps. Process for 5 minutes in a
boiling-water bath.

Cherry Raspberry Jam

Ingredients:

630 g finely chopped or ground sour cherries

245 g red raspberries
1000 g sugar
49.6 g powdered fruit pectin

In a large kettle, combine cherries and raspberries; stir in sugar. Bring to

a full rolling boil, stirring constantly. Add pectin; return to a full rolling boil.
Boil 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from the heat; skim off foam.
Pour hot jam into hot jars, leaving 1/4-in. headspace. Adjust caps.
Process for 10 minutes in a boiling-water bath.
 Lifestyle 17

Rhubarb Cherry Jam

Ingredients:

730 g diced rhubarb

800 g white sugar
595 g cherry pie filling
168 g cherry flavored gelatin

Place rhubarb in a large bowl. Pour sugar over top and stir to coat. Cover
bowl and refrigerate overnight. Place rhubarb mixture in a pot and cook over
medium heat until tender, stirring frequently. Stir in pie filling and gelatin, and
bring mixture to a boil. Pour into a shallow pan and allow to cool in
refrigerator. When jelly is cool, pack into jars or plastic containers. Can be
refrigerated or frozen.

Mint jelly
Ingredients:

40 g packed fresh mint leaves and stems

30 ml lemon juice
535 ml boiling water
1 drop green food color
700 g white sugar
84 g liquid pectin

Rinse off the mint leaves, and place them into a large saucepan. Crush
with a potato masher or the bottom of a jar or glass. Add water, and bring
the mint to a boil. Remove from heat, cover, and let stand for 10 minutes.
Strain, and measure out 35g of the mint. Place mint into a saucepan. Stir
in the lemon juice and food coloring. Mix in the sugar, and place the pan
over high heat. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Once the mixture is
boiling, stir in the pectin. Boil the mixture for a full minute while stirring
constantly. Remove from heat, and skim foam off the top using a large
metal spoon. Transfer the mixture to hot sterile jars, and seal. Process
any unsealed jars in a water bath.

Pecan Jam
Ingredients:

120 g chopped pecans

200 g white sugar
15 g brown sugar
1 g salt
5 g ground ginger
7 g ground cinnamon
55 g butter, divided
15 ml apple cider vinegar

In a large saucepan, combine the pecans, white sugar, brown sugar, salt,
ginger, cinnamon, butter, and cider vinegar. Cook over medium heat, until the
sugar has dissolved and the mixture is well blended. Do not allow the mixture
to boil. Transfer to sterile jars, and refrigerate.
18 Lifestyle

Lemon Curd
Ingredients:

180 ml fresh lemon juice

6 g grated lemon zest
150 g sugar
3 eggs
115 g unsalted butter, cubed

In a 2 quart saucepan, combine lemon juice, lemon zest, sugar, eggs,

and butter. Cook over medium-low heat until thick enough to hold marks
from whisk, and first bubble appears on surface, about 6 minutes.

Strawberry Marmalade
Ingredients:

2 medium oranges
2 medium lemons
120 ml water
0.6 g baking soda
615 g ripe strawberries, crushed
1400 g sugar
1 (3 ounce) pouch liquid fruit pectin

Peel outer layer of oranges and lemons; set aside. Remove the white
membrane from fruit and discard. Set the fruit aside. Chop peels; place in a
large saucepan. Add water and baking soda; cover and bring to a boil.
Simmer for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, section oranges and lemons, reserving
juice. Add fruit and juice to saucepan; cover and simmer for 20 minutes. Add
strawberries. Measure fruit; return 4 cups to the saucepan. (If you have more
than 4 cups, discard any extra; if less, add water to equal 4 cups.) Add sugar
and mix well. Boil, uncovered, for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat; stir in
pectin. Stir for 5 minutes to cool; skim off foam. Pour into half-pint jars or
freezer containers, leaving 1/4-in. headspace. Adjust caps. Process for 10
minutes in a boiling-water bath or store in the freezer. Serve with toast or
biscuits.

Apricot Pineapple Jam

Ingredients:

335 g dried apricots

235 ml water
1 (20 ounce) can crushed pineapple, undrained
120 ml grapefruit juice
600 g sugar

In a large saucepan, bring apricots and water to a boil. Reduce heat; cover
and simmer for 15 minutes or until apricots are very tender. Mash. Add
pineapple, grapefruit juice and sugar. Simmer, uncovered, for 1 hour or until
thick and translucent, stirring frequently. Pour into jars or freezer containers;
cool to room temperature, about 1 hour. Cover and let stand overnight or
until set, but no longer than 24 hours. Refrigerate for up to 3 weeks or
freeze for up to 1 year.
 Lifestyle 19

Top Canadian…
TV shows
1. Olympic Close Ceremony - 1.48 6. CTV Evening News (M-F) - 1.09
2. CBC National News - 1.32 7. C.S.I. New York - 1.02
3. Olympic Prime - 1.24 8. C.S.I. - 1.01
4. Flashpoint - 1.17 9. Big Brother 10 (Sun) - 0.97
5. Canadian Idol 6 (Mon) - 1.12 10. Canadian Idol 6 (Tue) - 0.95

CD’s

1. Little Bit Longer, Jonas Brothers 6. Girlicious, Girlicious

2. Mamma Mia, Soundtrack 7. Rock n Roll Jesus, Kid Rock
3. Viva La Vids, Coldplay 8. The fame, Lady Gaga
4. Now 13, Various Artists 9. Good Girl Gone Bad, Rihanna
5. Breakout, Miley Cyrus 10. Lost in the 80’s, The Lost Fingers

DVD’s

1. What Happens in Vegas (PG) 7. Where in the World Is Osama Bin

2. Street kings (18A) Laden? (PG)
3. Smart People (14A) 8. Prom Night (14A)
4. Scorpion King 2 (18A) 9. The Bank Job (14A)
5. 21(14A) 10. Art of War II: The Betrayal (18A)
6. Harold and Kumar Escape From
Guantanamo Bay (18A)

Fiction paperbacks

1. Water for Elephants, Sara Gruen 7. Mister Pip, Lloyd Jones

2. Late Nights on Air, Elizabeth Hay 8. Strangers in Death, J Robb
3. Playing for Pizza, John Grisham 9. You’ve Been Warned, Roughan/
4. The Book of Negroes, Lawrence Hil Patterson
5. My Sister’s Keeper, Jodi Picoult 10. Divisadero, Michael Ondaatje
6. Standard of Honor, Jack Whyte

Fiction hardbacks

1. The Gargoyle, Andrew Davidson 7. Careless in Red, Elizabeth George

2. The Host, Stephanie Meyer
3. Thousand Splendid Suns, Khaled
Hosseini
4. World Without End, Ken Follett
5. Acheron, Sherrilyn Kenyon
6. The Cellist of Sarajevo, Steven
Galloway
8. The Enchantress of Florence,
Salman Rushdie
9. Fearless Fourteen, Janet Evanovich
10. Love The One You’re With, Emily
Griffin
20Sequoia
Working
Club Life
Odd job titles and what
they mean
By Rachel Zupek,
CareerBuilder.ca
Do you ever wonder whose job it is to do
some of the less desirable things in life? If
you think about it, there’s a job doing almost
anything, no matter how exciting, disgusting
or just plain weird it may seem.
For example, remember when you stuck
your wad of gum underneath the seat of a
roller coaster so you wouldn’t choke? That
sticky mess didn’t just disappear – a gum
buster scraped it off, using a special
steaming tool that removes gum stuck to
various surfaces.
Think about all those times your golf ball
didn’t make it over the water. Did you think
the fish ate them? Nope, a golf ball diver,
who scours the depths of bodies of water
on golf courses to find lost golf balls to
refinish and resell, got it.
Through photography in her books,
“Odd Jobs” and “Odder Jobs,” Nancy Rica
Schiff portrays people working jobs you Ball tester: What they do: Assess
probably won’t find in the Sunday basketballs, footballs, volleyballs and
classifieds. soccer balls for air-retention, inflation,
They aren’t your run-of-the-mill doctors, roundness, weight and reboundability.
lawyers and the like. Some are simple, some
complex; some are common, some one in a Video game tester: What they do: For
million – but one thing’s for sure – they are eight hours a day, five days a week, a group
all (extremely) unusual. of males and females of all ages play video
Here are a few odd jobs portrayed in Rica games. They repeat levels, games and
Schiff’s books. characters, looking for any bugs and/or
glitches in the software.
Breath odor evaluator: What they do:
Odor judges smell nasty morning breath or Tampon tester: What they do: Check
breath “insulted” with strong scents, like all sizes of tampons for absorbency and
garlic or coffee. They rate the breath on a cord strength in accordance with FDA
scale from one to nine, one being the worst. standards. Most testers check up to 125
To test odor-reducing products like gum or pieces per day.
mouthwash, they smell the breath again and
assign it a new rating. Dog sniffer: What they do: Once a
week, they analyze the odor of dog’s breath
Diener: What they do: Prepare cadavers to test the effect of their diet on their teeth.
for the pathologist before autopsies are Breath is graded on a scale of zero to 10
performed in hospitals. and is categorized as sweaty, salty, musty,
fungal or decaying.
Ribbon candy puller:
What they do: After a Potato chip inspector: What they do:
heated combination of Search for over-cooked or clumped chips to
sugar, corn syrup, water discard as they come down the assembly
and coloring agent has line.
cooled, batches of
different colors are laid Porta-potty servicer: What they do:
out side by side. Like regular restrooms, portable toilets need
Someone then pulls the maintenance, too. Once a week, service
candy thin until it’s workers clean these single-stall facilities to
about an inch wide. The achieve certain standards of sanitation.
final product is a
multicolored hard Wax figure maker: What they do:
candy. Mold wax to create figures, often for, but not
limited to, the human form. Figures are often
Ocularist: What they made in the likeness of people who have
do: In short, they paint achieved historical or celebrity recognition.
artificial eyes. It sounds
easier than it is, since Safe cracker: What they do: When
as with real eyes, no combinations are lost or forgotten, safe
two are exactly the crackers use their ears and fingers to open
same. the safe.
Beer tester: What Paper towel sniffer: What they do:
they do: Taste – and Paper towel manufacturers prefer their
spit out – beer all day to products to be odorless before, during and
approve new and after their use. Naturally, paper towel
existing flavors. sniffers ensure that once a paper towel is
used, there is no noticeable scent.
Crack filler: What
they do: Using a Foley artist: What they do: Use
silicone sealant, they whatever they can find to create and record
repair the wear and tear the noises used to make the sound effects
inflicted on monumental in films, like heavy footsteps, rolling thunder
structures, like Mount or creaking doors.
Rushmore.
 Sequoia Club Working Life 21

Five steps to an
e-friendly résumé
Eric Presley, chief technology
officer for CareerBuilder.ca
Today's Internet-driven world has changed
the way we look for and apply to jobs. Gone
are the days of handwritten cover letters,
typewriter-printed résumés and hand-
delivered job applications. Given the
increasing number of online job boards that
require Web-based applications, many
employers don't want a hard copy of your
résumé. Instead, they'll ask you to submit an
electronic résumé, either online or via e-mail.
Electronic résumés are plain text or
HTML documents, which can also be
included in the body of an e-mail for job
applications online. It may not be as
attractive as your word-formatted résumé in
all its bulleted, bold-text, fancy-font glory,
but it gets the job done.
Why you need one
When an employer asks you to submit your
application materials via e-mail or online
your résumé will be entered into an
automated applicant-tracking system. These
systems don't care what your résumé looks
like physically, which is why it's imperative
you re-format yours so the database can
read it. The system will scan your résumé
(along with hundreds of others), keeping
those with keywords similar to their job
descriptions and discarding the rest.
Make sure you keep a hard (and visually
appealing) copy of your résumé on hand –
not all employers are up-to-date on the
latest technologies and may still require a
paper copy. Plus, you'll need one to give to
employers at all of your interviews.
Here are five easy steps to format your
existing résumé into an e-friendly work of
art.

Point 1 Point 2 Point 3 Point 4 Point 5

Remove all Use Notepad, Stick to a simple Apply keywords. Test it out.
formatting from WordPad or font and style. Applicant-tracking After you've re-
your original SimpleText to Use clear, sans-serif systems scan résumés formatted your résumé
résumé. reformat. fonts, like Courier, Arial or for keywords that match into a text document,
Helvetica. This way, the the company's job make sure it really is e-
Unfortunately, the Close your original
computer won't mistake descriptions. Fill your friendly. Practice sending
same formatting that résumé document and re-
your fancy lettering for a résumé accordingly with your new résumé via e-
makes your résumé nice open the text version
such words (as they mail to yourself, as well
to look at makes it almost using Notepad, WordPad jumbled word.
Use a 12-point font; pertain to your as friends who use a
impossible for a or SimpleText. Your text
anything smaller won't experience), but different Internet service
computer to understand. version should be free of
To remove the scan well. Also, stay away remember that using the provider. For example, if
most graphic elements,
formatting, open your from italics or same word five times you use AOL, send it a
like fancy fonts, lines and
word-processed résumé underlining. Rather than won't increase your friend who uses MSN
bullets. Text should be
and choose the "Save As" flush with the left side of using boldface type, try chances of getting called Hotmail.
using capital letters to in for an interview. Send your e-résumé
option under the "File" the document.
separate sections like Place the most pasted in the body of an
tab on your toolbar. Save
education and experience. important words first, e-mail, rather as an
the document type as
Instead of using since the scanner may be attachment. Have your
Plain Text or Text Only.
bullets, use such standard limited in the number of friend alert you of any
In the following dialog
keyboard characters as an words it reads. Use nouns errors that show when
box, choose the option to
asterisk or a dash. Instead instead of action verbs. they open it, like
insert line breaks.
of using the "Tab" key, use For example: illegibility and
the space key to indent. "communications organization. After
Make sure all specialist," "sales getting feedback, make

Put your ad in front of headings like your representative" or any necessary

name, address, "computer proficiency" is adjustments.
50,000 people for as little as phone and e-mail
all appear on
better than "managed,"
"developed" or
$199 per month for quarter separate lines, "generated."
Additionally, avoid
page advert with a blank line
before and after. abbreviations as best you
can. Spell out phrases
like, "bachelor of science"
Contact info@muchmormedia.com or "master of business
or telephone 1-613-396-5531 administration."
22Sequoia
Working
Club Life
Ignite your business
As founder of POWE, I am blessed to meet
many different women in business. Business
is transacted in many different forms within
POWE and outside of it. However the most
powerful marketing tool that business has
today is networking.
The power comes in a myriad of choices
within this one underestimated method. In
last months column my esteemed business
partner Lia Bandola talked about how
women do business differently then men.
This month we will take a deeper look at
networking as a tool for both male and
female business owners who expect more
out of their marketing dollars.
In my 30 year experience in sales there is
nothing more valuable or powerful then word
of mouth advertising regardless of whether it
is good or bad. WOM can be your greatest
asset or your worst nightmare in marketing.
Regardless of what you may have believed
until this very moment, YOU get to choose
which it is.
In the late 1970’s early 80’s there was a
well played shampoo commercial on
Canadian television which proved the power
that 2 cards, one to keep and one to give
of networking in its simplest form. The
commercial showed a woman loving her hair
after using this particular brand telling 2
friends who told 2 friends who told 2 friends
and so on. As more and more women were
told the entire screen filled up with pictures
of women loving their hair. This was an
extremely powerful message for any
business owners and proved the point when
we love something we will tell 2 friends
(minimum). For those of you wondering, the
shampoo in the ad was Breck.
However the reverse is even grander and
not so wonderful for the business owner. For
example let’s explore the case of an
unhappy client that has an unresolved
complaint. Studies show this disgruntled
customer will tell a minimum of 12 people of
their bad experience when dealing with your
business, you can guess the rest.
People tend to ask for a referral from
someone they trust first, for any products or
services they may need before going to
other sources. Good or bad their trusted
resource will be more then happy to give
their opinion. However, it is more likely that
they will remember all the sordid details of
the bad experience much easier than the
good.
Having said all that, there are many ways
to combat the bad WOM through your
customer service program and being careful
not to have it happen in the first place.
So what is networking? Simply put, it is
made up the words net and working which
indicates a big net – picture a large net full of
people, like a strainer, and the net sifts
through and keeps some and throws some
back. What you have left, is a few people in
which you can build a relationship with and
possibly do business with. The truly
underestimated word in the equation is
WORKING.
The word Working, from the root work,
means just that – in order to make your
networking beneficial you need to WORK.
This is where most business owner’s fall
down. They go to the meetings, wander the
room, focusing on the food, the venue,
speaking to familiar people only, collecting
and distributing cards. They might even
possibly follow up with a call, letter or email
however they truly never really work that
contact with a reciprocal outcome in
mind.
Ok now that we now know what not to
do, lets get down to business. You meet a
contact at a networking meeting, felt the
connection, exchanged cards and sent a
follow up email saying the usual “it was great
to meet you” and it ended there.
Where did you go wrong? Why doesn’t
this person want to business with me? This
may not be the case at all, however you
wouldn’t know because you just left it
hanging in the air.
To be blunt, most people I meet never
ever go beyond the email which leads me to
wonder how many other missed
opportunities have they let slip by. As CEO
of POWE, I hear complaints from women
continually, “oh this isn’t working for me, this
group isn’t for me” or whatever else they can
blame their lack of success on. One thing I
know for sure, is that it is always, always and
I will stress again, ALWAYS THEIR OWN
FAULT that they are not getting the business
from networking.
I believe that most business owners hide
behind many reasons why they are not
successful with networking. For this article
let’s call them excuses, made up by the
business owner to make themselves feel and
look better when asked “how’s business?”
However as true as I know that there is
business owners making it happen, I can
Tina Dezsi
absolutely guarantee you there is a cure for
EXCUSITIS. It exists within the business
owner when they spend time getting over
the excuses and being real with themselves
as to why they are not doing more business
as a result of networking.
So, forget all the things you thought you
knew about networking and let’s start fresh.
Right from the first hello; ask your new
acquaintance all about them, finding
commonalities is the key. Discover what they
have to offer, who you know that can use
their service, ask for their card, and make
away. Never, ever shove your card into their
hands without being asked! Allow the
conversation to flow naturally, make them
the most important in the conversation until
it comes to your turn. When it is your turn,
make sure to let them know that you may
have some contacts for them and offer to
give the names or hook them up yourself.
Take your turn and offer them your
concise elevator pitch without going into too
much detail. At the end of the conversation
plan a time to chat again, either via phone or
in person, remind them of what you will do
for them or vice versa and move on.
The most important key is to FOLLOW
UP…… within 24 hours send your hand
written card, your email hooking them up
with the contact or just an email to remind
them of your coffee date to get to know
each other better. Remember manners,
respect and courtesy go along way and it is
up to you to set the pace! Get busy and
Work your Net!
Tina Dezsi offers workshops through
POWE that takes you deeper into marketing
strategies through marketing, sales,
customer service and networking. Check out
www.powe.ca calendar of events for
upcoming workshops or to have her speak
at your next event email tina@powe.ca.
 Sequoia Club Working Life 23

So how hard do you

work?
A recent report by Workopolis showed The survey revealed that for moms, it's working hard. Do you have an intrinsic drive
that most Canadians work an extra three because of their high amount of or are there external factors being placed on
hours every week over and above that responsibility and non-standard work hours you?"
expected of them. But does that mean they that put them on top. But, stress, mental Managers also believe they work far
are working harder or simply have poor time concentration, physical effort and even harder than their employees. 61% of
management skills? danger were essential factors for the managers said their increased responsibility
According to Workopolis the criteria for remaining four professions that rounded out meant they worked harder. However only
hard working boils down to: a high degree of the list. 25% of employees thought their bosses
responsibility, a high level of concentration Overall 32% of Canadians believe they worked harder than them.
or mental effort and a heavier than average work too hard whilst 9% thought they didn’t For those who believe they work too hard
work load. Based on this criteria the top five work hard enough. The older generation of taking some “me” time was their most used
hardest working professionals was deemed 50 years and over believed they often coping mechanism. Exercise, holidays and
to be: worked too hard (40%) whilst only 20% of delegating more were other top stress
those aged between 16-24 believed the relievers. Fifteen percent of people surveyed
1. Mums same of themselves. confessed to taking a sick day when
2. Nurses "As Canadians continue to work harder pressure got too much whereas 22% would
3. Air traffic controllers and harder, are we in fact working any better approach their boss about the problem.
4. Surgeons or smarter? Longer hours don't necessarily Non-managers were more likely to turn to
5. Fire fighters mean increased productivity." said Patrick colleagues for help, while managers were
Sullivan, President of Workopolis. "The more inclined to delegate more.
bottom line: assess the reasons why you're
24 Money

The basics
to saving
money at
the grocery
store

By Kimberley Clancy,
www.frugalshopper.ca
Everybody needs to shop for food. It is very
costly for many families, but it also
something you can save a lot of money on.
Saving $50 a week on your grocery bill will
save you $2600 in one year! Here are just a
few of my tips on how to save money while
shopping for groceries:
Know your prices
It is impossible to know a good deal, if you
do not know off hand what is a good price
for that product is. Along the same lines learn
to know what a good price per unit/lb/grams/
unit are of your most used products. Many
companies use different formats and sizes to
confuse consumers as to what a good deal
is, just think about diapers and how they
come in Jumbo, Meg, Super Mega, Big Box
and Club Box sizes. Or toilet paper in single,
double, mega, ultra rolls. Without calculating
the per unit cost of the different formats it is
nearly impossible to tell what is the best deal.
Larger product formats do not guarantee a
discount, so pay attention!
Not all sales are created equal
The best sales are generally on the outside
covers of the flyer, but the sale prices are not
necessarily great prices. This is also why it
important to know your prices. The
advertised item you wanted, is not in stock?
Do not worry, ask if you can get a raincheck,
it is a great way to extend the sale and get
what you want at a good price!
Discount grocers
Most grocery store chains have an
associated discount grocer and they are
about 30% cheaper, so think about shopping
at No Frills (Loblaws), Price Chopper
(Sobeys/IGA) or Food Basics (Dominion/A&P,
Ultra, The Barn). Discount grocers carry the
best selling prepackaged goods and are also
good for in season produce, and fresh lesser
cut of meat (ie Chicken thighs). Bring your
own bags and save $0.05 per bag (or use
boxes). The lighting may not be as bright or
the aisles as pretty, and they probably do not
have a deli but the food comes from the
same warehouse as the pricier counterparts,
but is significantly cheaper!
Use coupons
Coupons are like real tax free money to you!
If you clip or collect coupons, try putting
them in an organized small folder you can
keep in the car and take in to the store with
you so that you can take them shopping and
make use of the discount, instead of wishing
you remembered them! Not sure how to
collect or find coupons? Click Here
Reduced produce & meats
Take a glance at the reduced produce &
meats. If you are planning on eating the fruit
or vegetables the day you purchase
sometimes it is even better because it is ripe
and ready to eat! Reduced fruit is also great
for baking, bruised apples or over ripe
bananas are easy to bake with. Meat is often
marked down the day before it is best before.
Eat it the night you buy it or freeze it right
away to eat later.
Clearance/discontinued product
Look for bins, tables or labels indicating a
product is on clearance. Make sure to look
for expiry dates, but most products are still
good, it is just that the store will no longer be 280505ConsumerAdvisoryParticipants_e.pdf
carrying that product or the labels are
changing or a promotion on the package
may be nearly over (or over), or it is nearing
it's expiry but the savings can be substantial
Reward programs
Do not forget to use reward programs too,
like Airmiles & Baby Bonus Points at
Dominion/A&P/Ultra/The Barn, or President
Money 25
Choice Rewards at Loblaws/No Frills/
Superstore. You can also put your groceries
on any reward credit card to get free stuff
from the purchases you need to make
anyways (but make sure you pay the
balance, the rewards are not worth paying
interest for!)
Scanning Code of Practice
The Scanning Code of Practice is a voluntary
code that most major retailers in Canada
follow, it promises accurate prices at the
checkout scanner. The policy says "If the
scanned price of a non-price ticketed item is
higher than the shelf price or any other
displayed price, the customer is entitled to
receive the item free, up to a $10 maximum.
When the item has a price tagged, the lowest
price applies. When identical items are
incorrectly priced, the second one will be
sold at the correct price." So, if the item
scans in at the wrong price at a participating
retailer, you will get it for free or $10 off if the
item is more than $10. You may have to ask
for the retailer for this but if they are a
participant they will have to give you the item
for free or $10, no questions asked after you
have pointed out the error and mentioned
this code.
Most participating stores will have a
sticker on the entrance doors and another
sticker at the checkout counter.
For more information:
http://www.competitionbureau.gc.ca/
internet/index.cfm?itemID=1262&lg=e
For a list of participating retailers:
http://www.competitionbureau.gc.ca/
PDFs/
Guarantees
Many of the stores and companies have
guarantees, (.e. Price Guarantees, Freshness
Guarantees, We Have It or It's Free
Guarantees, Quality Guarantees) know them
and use them. The guarantees are there to
give customers a sense of trust in the price,
freshness, stock availability or quality. If your
4 Money
26 Money
Line of credit or great as it means you get the whole
store has a guarantee and you find something that qualifies - use
amount up-front to do with as you please,
available but wants to be able to use it as
and when they need it.

Are you new

the guarantee. Not only will you be saving money but you'll be
loan?
making a difference for other customers, becausebutthey
rectify the situation to make good on the guarantee.
youtry
Many
aretomaking payments on the If you agreed to a line of credit of
whole amount, even if you don’t use it all $20,000 for a ten year period, you can dip
products themselves have quality guarantees, if the product is not

to Ontario?
When you decide you need a little at once. By this we mean that if for into that money as and when you need it
up to your liking or something is wrong, call and tell the company
extra cash,
or bring and to
it back whothedoesn’t,
store forthe first .
a refund. example you borrow $20,000 but only use and only pay interest on the amount used.
place you will probably go is your financial $10,000 initially and keep the rest in the Use $10,000 and pay interest on $10,000.
Mail-in for
institution rebates
a loan.and try-me
But is freeright
a loan the offers bank for a rainy day, you are still paying If you pay back the $10,000 then you have
thing to ask for? If you are a home owner, interest and repayments on the whole Do you need help?
the $20,000 still available to you. This is
New
you willproducts will sometimes
be borrowing against have mail-ininrebate
the equity incentives or Try
$20,000.
Me Free Offers. Look for rebates in your coupon flyers, as well as
your home, essentially
Are you helping
basically a revolving credit similar to a
of newaproducts.
second You will find Try Me Generally a HEL is more suitable for credit card.
around
mortgage.
the neck
Rebates most You often
shouldon discuss
Cleaningwith your but you
Supplies, these
Free
willone-off payments such as a car
also find newcomers to settle?
This type of credit is useful for
them onadvisor
financial the occasional food product.
the differences Look on the
between Rebateor
purchase Form
major home renovation. ongoing needs such as tuition payments,
for details. (i.e. Does it include taxes and mailing costs, how many
loans and lines of credit. Depending on Settlement.Org
ongoing renovations,or perhapsprovides
a holiday
per household, as well as the dates within the products must be you with information and
what you need
purchased and the
when money for will
the forms must be sent) Line of Credit each year.
answers to settle in Ontario.
determine which options will be best for
Combine deals
you. A Home Equity Line of Credit With either of these options you home
Visit www.settlement.org for information about
(HELOC) works in a different way
Finding and ESL
a Job, is at risk
is Classes, if you default
Housing, Healthon
andthe payments.
much more...
You can use coupons along with sales to get even better deals. Both can be set as fixed rate or flexible
Loans
For example you can use two coupons when products much moreare onflexible.
sale You still have to agree
for Buy One Get One Free. So imagine salsa onto an amount
sale, buy one getyou can borrow and the time rates of interest and interest on both types
oneWith
free or 2/$2.99
a loan youand you to
agree have $1 coupons
borrow a set when
periodyou
it buy one.
is available, but you will only pay of loan are usually tax deductible.
You will get 2 salsas for $0.99! You are purchasing two Salsas so Always consult with an advisor before
amount of money which you repay by interest on the amount you borrow. This is
you can use two coupons. You can also combine sales with other
fixed taking on either type of loan to be sure
goodinstallments
sales, rewardover a fixedand
programs period
otherofdeals and
especially useful for someone who wants
promotions.
Please
time. Forread the couponthis
homeowners for details of use,
is referred to but most only limitofthe
the security knowing the money is you are opting
Citizenship and
for the one which suits your
Citoyenneté et
Funded by:
asnumber of coupons you can useThis
per purchase, which means one Immigration Canada Immigration Canada
a Home Equity Loan (HEL). is circumstances.
coupon per item. Managed by: Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants (OCASI)
To learn more about saving money in Canada or discuss
grocery shopping with other Canadians, please visit our discussion
forum - http://www.frugalshopper.ca/phpbb2/index.php
final changes June 2, 2005

Location,
location,
location.
Fluctuating exchange rates could put
your dream property out of reach

To minimise the risk of paying more when

moving or buying abroad, call us now and
speak to one of our expert advisers or visit
www.hifx.co.uk

0845 370 5133

(all calls charged at standard local rates)

Currency Specialists
Morgan House Madeira Walk Windsor Berkshire SL4 1EP
 Money 27

Puzzle page
S O B K E E T N A R A U G E L F R Q Y D F J Z Y S C G G Y B
J P N R C L M A I L I N X K B W K H E I E P C K U R S E R R
U Z E N U A H C Q A D V E R T I S I N G C U S P N Y E T E A
L M P C P H P A H S N C T R C A Q R O D N G W T O Y T O C I
C J E H I L E T E E D H E K T O O F M S A Y P B B D A N O N
D F X P W A Y W I O A R D B B U B O I Z R T L H A B B E R C
Y R P S E L L I S L P P A T O E O Q N F A U I A C X E F G H
W E I R X V Z O J K U R U W S M J K L U E K B A G S R R Z E
I E R A P P W D F E U M O T E G T F C D L E D V R N S E Q C
P P Y L I S E L K F I C B M S R D H U E C X I D E O H E U K
F S D L R J R F R P E E Q V O K Z S K A H C S L N P O N N Y
L A A O Y E L K O R F R H Y C T I T A L T C C U N U P S G G
Y L T D D O S E D O C R A B A V I S P S K Q O Z A O P M W E
E E E U A Z H A R D L K P G A P T O Y D D O U W N C I Q J K
R S C G T Q B E I U Y K T O S A V I N G S T N U S D N H S V
S E P X E T X O E C S E C I R P N V O S P Q T X Y O G P Q T
D G Y O I H Z X R E K O L U P N B O G O F G V Z M L W X E H

Shopping Grocery Produce Prices Flyers Mulitpack Advertising

Raincheck Discount Cheap Special offer Coupons Reduced Clearance
Promotions Expiry date Bonus Rewards Checkout Snanner Barcodes
Rebates Mail in Deals Money Savings Free Get one free
BOGOF Sales Bags Best before Expiry date Dollars Guarantee

Money Quiz
1. Who features on the Canadian five dollar bill?
2. When did the $2 coin (Toonie) replace the $2 bill?
3. What colour is a Canadian $50 bill?
4. What three metals are used to make a 25 cent coin?
5. The 2008 Lucky Loonie is made from what metal?
6. When was the last $1,000 bill printed?
7. What bill features a quote from John McCrae’s poem “in Flanders Fields”?
8. When was the first silver dollar issued?
9. How much does the solid gold one million dollar coin weigh?
10. The Royal Canadian Mint is celebrating which anniversary this year?
11. What are all Canadian bank notes made of?
12. Name two of the security features on bank notes
13. How long does the average $20 bill last?
14. How many commemorative quarters will be issued for the 2010 Olympic Winter games?
15. Which Canadian bill features John A McDonald and who was he?
Answers on page 53
28Sequoia
Motoring
Club

Have gas prices

affected your travel
plans?
This summer we have seen gas prices in
Canada reach extraordinary levels. We are
not alone, other countries have also seen
high gas prices and this has affected many
people’s travel plans.
In Ontario for example many people who
would usually visit “cottage country” at the
weekends and holidays have been cutting
back. Many Ontarians own holiday cottages
which enable them to leave the hustle and
bustle of the city behind and relax, often by
the waterfront most weekends. This year
many people simply have not been able to
do this and have instead only visited their
cottage a few times during the summer.
In a recent online survey by Angus Reid
56% of Canadians say that the high gas
prices have affected their travel plans. 25%
of recipients said they had cancelled road
trips and 10% had cancelled flights. Others
who did not cancel altogether modified their
plans to include shorter trips or traveling to
one location rather than several.
The survey found that the residents of
Atlantic Canada and Alberta were most likely
to change their travel plans due to rising gas
prices. Indeed 22% of those in Atlantic
Canada had cancelled plans to travel by air
and 38% by car.
Many airlines have cancelled routes or
added significant surcharges to their pricing
in order to account for the gas hikes.
Lots of Canadians have chosen to stay at
home this year and have spent their holiday
money on the home instead. Sales of pools
and hot tubs have risen as a result. Some
have decided this is the year to do those
home renovations that have been put off in
past years.
We don’t know what the future holds, but
as we go to publication we are seeing gas
prices subside slightly. Let’s hope that this
continues an we are soon paying a dollar or
less - well one can dream!

Average gas price (per litre)

Alberta Nova Scotia
Average price August 2008 - $1.26 Average price August 2008 - $1.33
Average price August 2007 - $1.01 Average price August 2007 - $1.06

British Columbia Prince Edward Island

Average price August 2008 - $1.38 Average price August 2008 - $1.28
Average price August 2007 - $1.07 Average price August 2007 - $0.99

Manitoba Newfoundland and Labrador

Average price August 2008 - $1.30 Average price August 2008 - $1.39
Average price August 2007 - $1.03 Average price August 2007 - $1.09

Saskatchewan Worldwide August 2008

Average price August 2008 - $1.31
Average price August 2007 - $1.07
Ontario
Average price August 2008 - $1.25
Average price August 2007 - $0.98
Quebec
Average price August 2008 - $1.28
Average price August 2007 - $1.00
California, USA - $1.09 US ($1.15 CND) Arm and
Tennessee, USA - $0.94 US ($0.99 CND)
United Kingdom - £1.12 GBP ($2.21 CND) leg oil
Iran - 1000 rials - ($0.10 CND)
Australia - $1.50 AUS ($1.34 CND)
company
Mexico - $6.80 MX ($0.70 CND)
Philippines - 62.30 P ($1.42 CND)
Italy - €1.52 ($2.33 CND)
China - 6.00 RMB ($0.91 CND)

New Brunswick
Average price August 2008 - $1.27
Average price August 2007 - $1.00
All prices and currency conversions correct as of 18th August 2008.
Prices are for regular unleaded gas.

Top 10 funniest cars
By Alonzo Bodden
American comic Alonzo Bodden of NBC’s
Last Comic Standing fame has listed his top
10 funniest cars and his reasons. Here goes:
1- Fiat 500 - I never drove anything this
small. Its fun to be in a car that looks up to
Mini Cooper’s as if they are limos. Did I
mention its powered by a 500 cc motorcycle
engine? Just the thing to get out of the way
of rampant SUV’s. Of course if you are under
5 ft tall and want 1000 mpg, its perfect
2- AMC Pacer – Of course anything by
AMC could make the list, but lets look at the
Pacer, the first wide small car. AMC always
liked to answer questions no one asked, like
“why do you need a wide small car”? Then
again, if you like riding in a fishbowl, there is
only one choice
3- AMC Eagle – While we are on AMC,
how can we forget the Eagle. The first 4wd
sedan. A 4-wheel drive sedan is a good idea.
An ugly body grafted to a jeep chassis is not.
Maybe they were trying to take the title of
trailer trash car from the El Camino
4- El Camino – Business in the front and
fun in the back or was it fun in front and
business in the back? Who know’s? I can’t
remember. Listen Jeb, put the El Camino up
on blocks, let it rust and go buy a real pick
up truck
5- Mercedes Unimog – This isn’t
funny as much as it’s unbelievable. Huge,
indestructible it will go anywhere and
destroy anything in its path. Fun would be
driving one to the next Sierra club rally.
6- The Edsel – A spectacular example of
doing things wrong. Sure it’s big and ugly but
that’s balanced by the fact it’s underpowered
and handles poorly. Way to go Ford
http://alonzolive.com/
Motoring 29
7- The Pinto – What could be more fun
than a car that would rust to pieces while you
were waiting for someone to hit it so you
could see the gas tank explode. Pintos
weren’t exactly built Ford tough.
8- The Popemobile – Jesus walked on
water and they put the Pope in this. Are we
sure they’re talking?
9- Dodge Viper – Do one thing and do it
well. 600 HP of pure acceleration for no
reason at all. It can slam the front of your
chest to the back of the seat and it doesn’t
have the luggage space to carry a briefcase.
I love this thing. Step on the gas and try not
to laugh at the excess of it all.
10- The Minivan – Yes, it works, it’s a
great way to carry the kids and their stuff, but
what a sad way to castrate dad. That’s right
dad, no matter how much you trick it out,
you’re still driving a minivan. Sorry dad, the
hottie you just drive past isn’t looking at you.
She want’s you to move out the way so she
can smile at the guy in the Porsche.
30 Kidzone
Back to school
technology
Not so many years ago kids would have
been happy to be returning to school with a
new set of pens and pencils and a new
school bag - not so now. These days kids
want more and more, much of it technology
based and with today’s prices, unfortunately
not everyone can get what they want.
In an ideal world you will want to return to
school or college with a new computer, new
phone, iPod, computer games and so many
more things. The problem is knowing the
difference between what you need and what
you want and probably even more
importantly what your parents can afford.
Computers
There are many different computers to
choose from these days and at many
different price points. Although computers
are not a necessity many kids and parents
agree that if used correctly computers can
help kids learn and are brilliant for research - possibly download, why not look for one with
and keeping up with friends on Facebook!
Whether you choose a desktop or laptop
depends on how and where you plan to use
the computer. If you are at college then a
laptop is a good idea as it is portable, but
remember to buy a power lead too. Desktops your entire music collection on it, much of
tend to be better if you need more processing which you never play, you simply have your
speed and memory as they are normally
cheaper than equivalent laptops.
Laptops start at around $600 going right
up to several thousand dollars. Desktops
tend to be cheaper starting at around $400
and up.
Remember to buy good anti-virus software
and a Firewall with any computer you buy.
Printer
These days printers are one of the cheaper
technology products on the market. Unless
you decide to buy a top of the range colour
laser printer then you can usually pick up a
very good colour printer for as little as $50.
Some printers come with added features
such as photo printing, fax machine, scanner packs with solar panels which charge up your
etc, but you will pay extra for them, so decide phone, iPod or laptop whilst you wear it? Of
which features you really need before
splashing out big bucks.
Cell Phones
A recent survey showed that over 38% of
teenagers worldwide owned a cell phone and
the age at which kids started using cell
phones is getting younger. Two years ago the
average age of teenage cell phone users was
16, now it is 13.
Try to get a phone on the same plan as the
rest of your family, this way the costs will be
lower and you can often share minutes or
even get free calls between phones.
MP3 Players
MP3 players are one of the hottest gadgets
in the marketplace today. Although there are
many different types about, the Apple iPod
has certainly led the market for a number of
years and is destined to continue.
Before buying the most expensive one
which holds more music that you can
a smaller hard drive and therefore a smaller
price tag?
We bet your choice of music changes
quite often so why not buy a player that holds
less music. All it means is instead of having
favorites of the moment. Remember an iPod
touch with a 32 GB hard drive will hold 7,000
songs, but will cost around $470. However an
8 GB iPod nano will hold 2,000 songs but will
only cost you around $180. Do you really
need to access so many songs? Remember
you can change your play list any time really
easily. If you really want to save money and
pocket space why not get the 1 GB iPod
shuffle instead. It holds 240 songs and costs
only $50.
Backpack
Yes, we said backpack and this article is
about technology, so what gives?
Did you know that you can now buy back
course they are considerably dearer than
conventional back packs usually ranging from
around $100 upwards, but how cool is that?
 Kidzone 31

Top kids stuff…

Bestselling books

1. Breaking Dawn, Stephanie Meyer 7. Eclipse Special Edition, Stephanie

2. Twilight, Stephanie Mayer Mayer
3. New Moon, Stephanie Mayer 8. Gallop, Rufus Butler Seder
4. Artemis Fowl 6, Eoin Colfer 9. Claire, Lisi Harrison
5. Love You Forever, Munsch & McGraw 10. Scaredy Squirrel, Melanie Watt
6. Eclipse, Stephanie Mayer

DVD rental

1. Hannah Montana - Miley Cyrus- Best 7. Mulan and Mulan II 3-Disc Collector's
of Both Worlds Concert (G) Set (G)
2. Nim’s Island (G) 8. Never Back Down (PG)
3. Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day (PG) 9. 21 (PG)
4. Step Up 2 The Streets 10. Toopy & Binoo: Toopy Goes Bananas
5. Her Best Move (G) (G)
6. Ben 10: The Complete Season 4 (G)

Video games

X-Box 360 Wii

Too Human (T) Super Smash Bros. Brawl (T)
Soul Calibur IV (T) Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games (E)
Battlefield: Bad Company (T) Mario Party 8 (E)
PS3 Nintendo DS
Soul Calibur IV (T) Pokemon Diamond (E)
Battlefield: Bad Company (T) Pokemon Pearl (E)
Beijing 2008 (E) Diddy Kong Racing (E)

Movies in theatres

1. The House Bunny (PG) 7. WALL-E (G)

2. The Dark Knight (14A) 8. Step Brothers (14A)
3. Star Wars: The Clone Wars (PG) 9. The Rocker (PG)
4. The Longshots (PG) 10. The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2
5. Mama Mia (PG) (PG)
6. The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon
Emperor (PG)
32Sequoia
MovingClub to Canada
Research, research,
research
Let me put a few questions to you. The last
time you purchased a new car did you test
drive a few before you decided which one to
buy? Did you look at the costs associated
with the purchase? Did you weigh up your
options before making the final decision?
When you purchased your last house, we
bet you went to view a good number of
properties before making your final decision.
So why is it that some people believe they
can make the biggest decision of their lives
- moving to another country - simply by
reading a few articles and hoping for the
best?
We are constantly amazed at the number
of people who move to Canada, having
waited in the immigration queue for years
without ever actually visiting the country.
Whilst we can understand that people apply
for immigration before a visit, after all the
waiting time is long enough that you can do
this. You can also withdraw your application
if you then discover Canada is not for you,
but many choose never to visit before
landing for good.
Now there may be many reasons for this,
finances is probably one of the biggest as it
obviously costs a lot of money to visit
Canada, especially if you have children, but
we cannot stress the importance of research
trips enough. In the long term it will cost you
a lot more, both financially and emotionally
if you move to Canada and find it is not for
you. Then you have to make the decision as
to whether to stay, return to your home
country or try another area of Canada.
As the spring and summer months are
the times when most people seem to make
research or fact finding trips we contacted a
few people who had recently returned from
their trips to get their views.
Sue and Marc are from a small town in
New York state, USA and they have visited
Canada on a number of occasions purely as
visitors. In June 2007 they decided to move
to Canada and submitted their application
for permanent residency via the skilled
worker program.
“We are fortunate that we are only a
couple of hours drive from the US/Canada
border and so are able to visit the area
much more often than most potential
immigrants.” says Sue.
Because they had visited Ontario and
Quebec on many occasions, they decided
even before applying that Ontario was the
place for them, particularly Ottawa. Since
Toronto skyline
applying the couple, who have no children
have visited the Ottawa area three times.
“Our recent trips have taken on a whole
new meaning to us,” says Marc, “although
we have been to Ottawa before, we are now
looking for different things.
“Before we were purely tourist, doing all
the usual touristy things, now we are looking
at suitable areas to live, where the best
places for shopping are and of course
looking at possible job opportunities for
both of us.”
The couple know they may have to wait
several years before they are granted
residency so are taking their research trips
casually at the moment. Because they have
the luxury of being able to visit often, they
are not as under pressure as other families
moving from overseas.
“Over the next couple of years we want
to have visited not just Ottawa but several
other locations just to be sure we are
moving to the right place.” says Sue,
“Although you can get a good idea of a
place by visiting often, I suppose you can
never know for sure if a place is exactly right
for you until you actually live there.”
One family looking to move from their
home near Durham, England are Mel and
Pete Brown and their three children aged 9,
16 and 18 years. Over the last fourteen
years they have visited Ontario no less than
six times. However, they only applied for
residency in 2007 and received their AOR in
July of that year, so their last trip to Ontario
in July of this year was their first serious
research trip.
They have a friend who lives in
Collingwood and owns a holiday rental
business and so they stayed in one of her
houses as it was a cheaper option than a
hotel for a family of five.
We asked the family if they had set any
particular goals before the trip and if they
managed to achieve them.
“Yes, we wanted to look at colleges for
the older kids,” says Mel, “look at some
show homes and check out possible towns
to relocate to. We managed to achieve all of
these on our three week visit.”
So, did the trip change their minds about
that particular location,or indeed Canada
itself?
“It enabled us to rule out towns we
thought we would like due to high cost of
living, commuting distance from Toronto
and gut feeling the town wasn’t right for us.
The trip also showed us we had made the
right decision about Ontario.” Mel says.
“After a trip to Toronto and a 2 hour drive
back to our holiday rental home we decided
we needed to live an hour from the city at
best, so we concentrated on towns within
that radius. We were also looking for a
community feel in the town so we could
make friends easier.’
The couple took all three of their children
with them on the trip. The two oldest were
always keen to move to Canada, but the
youngest was unsure. Since the trip she
can’t wait to move, although is still a little
nervous about starting a new school.
In summarizing their trip the Browns had
this to say.

Calgary Tower, Alberta
“All in all it was a really good trip. Although
we haven’t found exactly which town we’d
like to live in, we eliminated quite a few. We
were also able to take account of things like
distance from friends, the city etc, by being
there in person. Most importantly we talked
to Canadians and Brits who had lived in
Ontario for a number of years. Their tips were
invaluable from places to avoid to utility
costs. We took the older kids to look at
where their colleges would be in Toronto. We
visited during the day and again in the
evening so they could get a feel of the city at
different times. We tried not to do too many
tourist things and went more for the types of
activities we’d do if we lived there...so parks,
beach, bbq’s with friends etc. We also took
note of the types of cars people were driving
around the area we’d like to live...Rav4
seemed to be a favourite!
“It’s been a relief really to have done the
trip. We may well do another trip but
probably for job interviews. The whole trip
was very positive. We’re still moving to
Ontario but perhaps to a town such as
Barrie, an hour from where we originally
planned to move to. Ontario no longer feels
like a holiday destination and instead feels
like our home.”
We next spoke to Robert and Jayne from
the UK who are currently living in Abbotsford,
British Columbia on a temporary work
permit. The couple have three children who
are now 19, 22 and 24 years old.
Although the couple now live in B.C. Their
four previous research trips have been in
Calgary, Alberta and Toronto, Ontario. The
couple spoke of their previous trips and what
they gained from them. Their first trip to
Calgary was with the three boys and was
part holiday and part research. The second
trip to the city was just the two of them. The
two trips to Toronto last year were both
family trips.
“For all our research trips we wanted to
look at housing and the general areas to
live.” says Jayne. “We did not need schools
as the boys would not be of school age when
we moved, but we did want to network to
help with our job search.”
Abbotsford, B.C.
When they visited Toronto they also
managed to visit other areas such as Whitby,
Ajax, Pickering and Oshawa. Whilst there
they stayed in hotels.
“Robert had been in contact with a
company in Toronto and went to see them,
unfortunately they were not very helpful and
the person he was supposed to see did not
turn up. He tried to meet him on several
occasions without success.” says Jayne.
“On our second trip to Calgary we rented
a basement off a couple who were originally
from Scotland. This was a good way to get a
‘feel’ for living in Canada for real. We had a
kitchen, bathroom and bedroom. They were
really good hosts and arranged an afternoon
where they invited some of their friends for
us to chat to. We got to meet people who
had been in our shoes and knew what it was
like to move countries, and the stresses this
involved. I would recommend this type of
accommodation to those going on a research
trip. I wish that we had arranged to meet up
with more employers whilst we were there,
although I know that sometimes this is not
always possible.
“On this second trip we found that the
price of houses had risen by about $200,000
for an average 4 bedroom house. Although
we still wanted to move to Canada we were
having second thoughts about Calgary.”
Muchmor asked what the family had learnt
from their trips.
“We decided,” says Jayne, “that we still
wanted to live in Canada, but were not sure
which province. Although Calgary is a lovely
city the cost of housing is quite high. We did
like Oshawa in the GTA, the cost of housing
is reasonable (a large 4 bedroom house, over
3,200 sq ft, is about $350,000). I also have
relatives there so this would help with the
settling in process.”
Since returning from Calgary Robert
received a job offer from a company in British
Columbia, so this is now where they are
located.
“We had never even considered this
province (not sure why). We love it here, the
people are very friendly and the views are
breathtaking. The house prices are quite high
so once we get permanent residency (PR) we
Moving to Canada 33
Ottawa, Ontario
might decide to move over to the Toronto
area, unless Robert can get a better paid job
here.
“The only downside of our being here is
that our eldest son was unable to travel with
us. He is not classed as a dependent so he
will come over once we get PR. It was a
really hard decision to leave him back in the
UK but we know that he will join us soon. It
also gives him time to try and find work in his
chosen field.”
Jayne ads a word of caution for anyone
thinking of moving to canada under the
provincial nominee route.
“Please make sure that the company you
are dealing with are reputable and tell you
exactly what the costs will be. Some of these
companies are only in this to make money,
they do not always use good employers and
sometimes, as in Robert's case, get a portion
of what the workers he has recruited are
paid. Robert's employer is also paying below
the average for his trade.
“I don’t want to put off anyone who has a
job offer, but I do want people to know that
there are unscrupulous employers and
agencies here the same as in the UK. Please
be careful and read everything before you
sign any papers.”
Simon and his family, originally from the
UK, have also benefited from research trips
and he is now located in DeWinton in Alberta
on a two year temporary work permit.
Simon’s first trip to the area was with his
wife and children. “We stayed in a hotel
during this trip mainly for comfort reasons
and we managed to travel several thousand
kilometres during the ten days we were
there.” says Simon. “We set out to research
employment opportunities for myself as well
as schools for the children. We also took into
account hospital access, weather and which
area suited us best overall.”
The second research trip was a solo event
for Simon and his main aim was to secure
employment which he managed to do.
During this trip Simon stayed in the home of
a British family as this was more convenient
and cost less than a hotel.
So, did Simon and his family benefit from
the research trips?
34 Moving to Canada

Simon says, “The trips were essential. The application for permanent residency. This area, but did not love it, so on our second
first, more family oriented trip allowed me to year the couple once again found themselves trip we stayed in Guelph, and explored other
gauge viability for my family moving here; the in Canada and this time traveled to Ontario. areas as well. On this trip we decided that
second was important for securing “We landed in Ottawa,” says Sofie, “and Southwestern Ontario wasn’t for us after all.”
employment, permit and housing. I achieved spent the first few days exploring the area, The couple visited Canada for a third time
28 Moving to Canada
my goals with the trip - to obtain work and a we then traveled across the province visiting in April of 2007, having just received their
work permit, I will be applying for permanent many places including Bancroft, Brockville, residency visa. This time they visited the
residency now though work and Arranged Oshawa and Toronto. We eventually ended Kingston area of Ontario.
Employment as a skilled worker. This was up in London and really loved the area. It has Straight away the area felt right,” says

routes for my entry to Canada. A remedy for the hotel room

always my plan after examining all possible

We also spoke to Sofie and her husband

the sort of lifestyle we are looking for with an Chris,”We immediately felt at home and
energetic city life, but surrounded by lovely
countryside and close to the lakes.’
spent the two week trip looking for houses
and eventually found one which we made an
Philipp who are currently living in their native The couple have now decided that offer on and was accepted. We left Canada

cramps – traveling with 4 kids

Germany. The couple applied for permanent
residency in late 2007, but had made two
research trips before deciding to apply.
London is the place for them and they are
hoping to fit in another research trip before
they come over for good. “We want to visit
with a house purchased, a vehicle secured
and many contacts for things such as
insurance, lawyers, hotels, house inspectors
“We had thought about emigrating to again as we only had a few days there etc. We moved to Canada for good in June
Canada for some time,” says Sofie, “so we before. We need to research work 2007.
decided to visit the country in the summer of opportunities more and find the ideal place to “The research trips were excellent for us
2006. We traveled toby Andrea
Nova Scotia Lamond
as we liked live.” says Sofie. add up fast for a family of six even if as youwe were
can sleep
able up to 6 properties
to see goes a grand in total
the of
the idea of living near the sea.” “Our research do buy
trips somehavesnacks at the local grocery
been invaluable different$864.28 for agauge
areas and 3 nights thestay ($285/
type night
of lifestyle
The couple actually explored New
Does the thought of staying in ato us and I would
store.definitely
If you’re recommend
staying in a big city on offer at
plus each
tax). location.
It’s got a By
full ruling
kitchen, out
living
Brunswick and Prince Edwardhotel
cramped Islandroomduring
with youranyone
entire looking to move sometimes
downtown, abroad to do justthem.
finding a certainroom, areastwowe bathrooms,
were then able to re-
and the apartment
the trip. “We looked at possible places to Even though we had set
grocery storeourcansights
be a on Nova
difficult task. concentrate
complex ouroffers
efforts a on other places.
swimming pool, We
family (husband and 4 kids) make you
live, work opportunities for both of us as well Scotia, once thereThat’s we felt it just
when I wasn’t thetaking are
suggested at verywhirlpool
happy where
and we are
fitness andHotel
room. haverooms
since
as schools. Althoughthink twice about traveling? A friend of
we don’t have children place for us. I would hated to have moved visited London and Guelph again only to
mine is in
looking to go soto Vancouver look at vacation rentals instead. You can at $300 per night would end up costing
at the moment, we hope to the future there foranda purchased a house and then confirm our decision that we are in the right
fewthis
daystoo.”
to visit herSofie.
working husband. rent an entire house for practically the $1200 plus tax and most likely wouldn’t
we need to account for says realized that it was wrong.” says Philipp. place here in Kingston.”
On a second trip the following
He is currentlysummer
living with three“Ourguystrips same or less that those
in ahave allowed us to not only come hotel rooms. On have aresearch
Although kitchen or living
trips canroom.
be expensive
they visited British Columbia
one bedroom instead. They to cut
apartment tocosts OwnerDirect.com for example, an 1,100
the conclusion that London is the place for and time consuming they are certainly For larger groups or families, worth
stayed at a hotel in Vancouver
while awayfor fromthehisfirst us,guys
family. The but they
all allowed
square foot us to2 rule
bedroommanyplus places
den house theineffort. Just make
vacation rentalssure offeryou have more
so much a set than
of
few days whilst they live
explored
in small the area
rural and and are
towns out,just
which
in is just as productive.”
Coquitlam, only 15 minutes from goals before the trip
small hotel roomsandcan. make sureisyou
There also the
then spend a few days on Vancouver Island. Wendy and Chris from the UK also visited achieve them. If a certain area is not for you,
Vancouver to make some money to send Vancouver’s downtown is going for $210 possibility that owners will offer discounts
“We totally loved Vancouver Island, but London on their perresearch
night andtrips. “We decided
can sleep 6. It has a full explorefor further afield
children under- the next town
a certain age. or city
Thanks
home. Six to eight months of hard work
found it quite expensive. We would have had whilst still in the UK that London was for us,” along might be just the place you are looking
can keep their wefamilies going says
for awhile kitchen, living room, laundry, large deck to the Internet, the travel industry is
to pay more for the type of house wanted Wendy. “We had no basis for this just for. If one area or province doesn’t feel right,
butplanned.”
the kids need and a yard for the kids to play in too. A competitive which means better value
than we had originally saysto see theirresearch
Philipp, dad from the internet etc. Our first trip to try to plan another trip to another location.
“Also there didn’t seemoccasionally
to be thetoo. work much more
the area was very productive and we comfortable solution to Remember,and lower
Canada pricesis acan be found
huge country if you
and
available in the field I needed.” staying in cramped
managed to visit many of the nearby areas hotel rooms. know where to look.
there is somewhere for everyone - eventually!
These findings did not“There’s
put the justcouple off to relax
no room too. We withalso looked If they wanted
at many to be to
houses right
see downtown
and soon after returning they filed their
everyone in one hotel room,” my friendthe types of property
Vancouver, available.
a 2 We
bedroom liked the
apartment that
said. “Sleeping in the same room, let
alone the same bed with the kids makes
Anglo Pacific made it easy
the odds of getting a good night's sleep a
million to one. Not to mention the fact
When we moved to Canada Anglo Pacific
that you constantly have to quiet the kids
took care of everything
so they don’t disturb the neighbouring
rooms, stop them from shouting while
they’re running up and down the
hallways, and having to go out or get
take out for every meal. Vacations cost a
Donna McNeil
Exit Realty Metro
small fortune these days!”
2055-1658 Bedford Highway, Bedford Nova Soctia, B4A 2X9.
Being in the travel industry I have to Cell: 902-222-4937
agree. It’s difficult enough to find a hotel Fax: 902-835-4539
room that can sleep six so my friend email: donnamcneil@exitmetro.ca
would most likely have to find two rooms email: donna@relocationnovascotia.com
side by side, thereby doubling the price.
Web: www.donnamcneilatexit.ca
With an average nights stay running
$189 per night for an economy twin Be one to
Moving of Nova
the many families
Scotia ? I have successfully
room, that’s $378 for her family per night.
Over 500,000 satisfied customers have already trusted their
helped
Lots relocate to the Halifax, Nova Scotia area.
of Questions?
possessions to Anglo Pacific,
Finding Britain’s leading international
adjoining rooms is not always
movers. We deliver our promises, so whatever you need to
For Information meet me at Emigrate 2008
move, wherever in the possible
world, we’ll either which can create even
securely and on time. So call us
more
deliver your goods safely,
now for a free home survey and
challenges.
I can assist
March 1 & 2from your first fact finding trip to the
- 2008
quotation, and get the facts from our friendly experts.
Most hotels in the larger cites also Stand 118purchase of your new home.
FREEPHONE don’t come with kitchenettes, so going
0800 234takeout6188 Sandown Racecourse
outLondon,
www.anglopacific.co.uk. to eatManchester,
or ordering would be
Glasgow, Nationwide Esher, Surrey
required. Breakfast, lunch and dinner
 S E Q U O I A C L U B Moving to Canada 35

K<CCPFLI
LE:C<KF
G8:B?@J
;@>@K8C
DLCK@D<K<I%

N\Ëm\jki\Xdc`e\[k_\`dd`^iXk`fegifZ\jjkf_\cg8cY\ikXd\\k`kjcXYfli[\dXe[j`eXmXi`\kpf]
`e[ljki`\j%K_`j`j^i\Xke\nj]fipflXe[pflii\cXk`m\jY\kn\\ek_\X^\jf])(Xe[+,#n`k_gfjk$j\Zfe[Xip
\[lZXk`feXe[gifÔZ`\eZp`e<e^c`j_fi=i\eZ_%K_\8cY\ikX@dd`^iXekEfd`e\\Gif^iXd`jk_\hl`Zb\jk
nXp]fipflkfjgfejfiXi\cXk`m\Xe[]fik_\dkfY\Zfd\Xg\idXe\eki\j`[\ekf]8cY\ikX%K_\p_Xm\k_\
fggfikle`kpkfYl`c[XZXi\\iXe[c`]\`ek_`j^i\Xkgifm`eZ\Xe[pfl^\kkfY\Zcfj\kfk_\g\fgc\pflcfm\%

=fiXZfdgc\k\c`jkf]Zi`k\i`X#m`j`knnn%XcY\ikXZXeX[X%Zfd&X`eg
36 Moving to Canada
New Canadian Experience Class Unveiled
On August 12th Citizenship and Immigration Minister Diane Finley
announced details of a new route into Canada for
foreign workers and students.
The Canadian immigration system is
undergoing some radical changes at
present, some good, some not so good
depending on your circumstances.
Last year Citizenship and Immigration
Canada (CIC) announced proposals to
implement a new class of immigration
relating to Canadian experience gained by
foreign workers and students. Until now the
details of this new scheme have been
shrouded in mystery, but in August Minister
Finley finally put some substance to the
rumors.
The new route will be called the
“Canadian Experience Class” and will allow
certain temporary foreign workers and
foreign students to apply for permanent
residence using their Canadian experience
as a key selection factor. Currently there is
no route into Canada that allows for such
experience to be taken into account.
The Canadian government realizes that
many people who come to Canada on a
temporary work permit are filling skills gaps
in the local market. The companies they
work for are investing time and money into
training these workers, but when their visa
ends and they leave the country their skills
are lost and the investment gone.
The time that the foreign worker spends
in Canada makes them an ideal candidate
for permanent residency, but until now no
route existed to take this into account.
Likewise students who study in Canada are
more likely to obtain a Canadian post-
secondary educational credit and therefore
their prospects of gaining employment in
the country are increased.
The Canadian Experience Class would
allow Canada to retain workers and
students already in the country. In turn
those workers and students are more likely
to choose Canada if they know that their
hard work would be acknowledged and that
they would be allowed to apply for
residency based on their experience.
Another benefit of the scheme is that the
types of skills seen in foreign workers is
more diverse than those coming through
the skilled worker route. The skilled worker
program is very restrictive as far as
education and skills but foreign workers
come in all skill sets.
“The Canadian Experience Class is one
more measure this government is proposing
to make our immigration system more
attractive and accessible to individuals with
diverse skills from around the world, and
more responsive to Canada’s labour market
needs,” said Minister Finley. “This new
proposed avenue for immigration would
also go further to spread the benefits of
immigration into smaller centres across
Canada.
“Choosing newcomers based on
knowledge of our labour market and
experience within Canadian society would
make Canada a more attractive destination
for skilled individuals from around the world.
International students and skilled workers
would be more likely to choose Canada if
they knew their time in Canada and
contribution to Canadian society would
assist in their eligibility to apply to stay
permanently.”
Requirements for foreign workers
Temporary foreign workers would need to
demonstrate the following:
• temporary resident status in Canada at
the time of their application;
• two years of skilled, professional
experience
• moderate or basic language skills,
depending on occupational skill level.
The system would not be based on points,
but simply on whether they meet the
minimum requirements. If they do meet the Education: The applicant must be a
requirement then they are eligible, if not
they fail.
Work experience: Applicants would be
require to achieve at least two years work
experience at Skill Type 0 (managerial) or
Skill Levels A or B (professional, technical or
trades) on the Canadian National
Occupational Classification (NOC).
Language skills: Anyone applying using
experience of Skill Type 0 or Skill Level A
would need to demonstrate moderate
language skills in either English or French.
Those applying using Skill Level B
experience would need to demonstrate
basic English or French language skills.
Moderate language skills means the
applicant can communicate comfortably in
familiar social and work situations. Basic
language skills means the applicant can
communicate in predictable contexts and
on familiar topics, but with some difficulty.
Non qualification: If an applicant does
not have the relevant work experience in the
required NOC categories, does not have at
least two years Canadian work experience,
cannot demonstrate the required language
skills or does not have temporary resident
status in canada at the time of their
application they will not qualify.
Requirements for foreign
graduates
Foreign graduates would need to meet the
following criteria:
• temporary resident status in Canada at
the time of their application;
• successful completion of a program of
study of at least two academic years*;
• one year of skilled, professional or
technical work experience
• moderate or basic language skills,
depending on occupational skill level.
* Note: an academic year means eight
months of study.
The system would not be based on
points, but simply on whether they meet the
minimum requirements. If they do meet the
requirement then they are eligible, if not
they fail.
graduate of a Canadian public post-
secondary educational institution, such as
an accredited college or a university or a
Canadian private institution authorized by
provincial law to grant degrees.
The applicant would have to graduate
from a program of study lasting at least two
years or in the case of a one-year master’s
or certificate program, previous education
prior to admission into the one-year
program must have been completed in
Canada for a total of two years of Canadian
post-secondary education.

Work experience: Applicants would need
to accumulate at least one full year of work
experience at Skill Type 0 (managerial) or
Skill Levels A or B (professional, technical or
trades) on the Canadian National
Occupational Classification (NOC).
For graduates to meet the requirement for
work experience, they could apply for the
Post-Graduation Work Permit after
graduation. These work permits may be valid
for up to three years with no restrictions on
the location or the type of work they can do.
To ensure that they are eligible to stay
permanently under the Canadian Experience
Class, at least one year of work experience
under the three-year permit would need to
be at Skill Type 0, or Skill Level A or B under
the NOC. The work experience would need
to be obtained within two years of the
application.
Language skills: Anyone applying using
experience of Skill Type 0 or Skill Level A
would need to demonstrate moderate
language skills in either English or French.
Those applying using Skill Level B
experience would need to demonstrate
basic English or French language skills.
Moderate language skills means the
applicant can communicate comfortably in
familiar social and work situations. Basic
language skills means the applicant can
communicate in predictable contexts and on
familiar topics, but with some difficulty.
Non qualification: If an applicant does
not have the relevant work experience in the
Moving to Canada 37
required NOC categories, does not have at Canada they will require fewer settlement
least one year Canadian work experience, services than current immigrants.
cannot demonstrate the required language Graduates will have canadian credentials
skills, has not accumulated two years of removing the need for foreign credential
study to the required level or does not have recognition.
temporary resident status in canada at the Applicants will tend to be dispersed more
time of their application they will not qualify.widely and not be concentrated in areas
such as Toronto, Vancouver and Calgary.
How to apply This will better meet regional labour market
needs.
Immigrant outcomes are improved by
The applicant must have temporary resident selecting those best positioned for
status in Canada at the time of applying for
successful labour market integration.
the Canadian Experience Class. The
Evidence shows that immigrants with
application must be mailed to the Buffalo,
Canadian study and/or work experience and
USA* visa office. If the applicant is accepted,
who have good language skills integrate into
their residency can be granted at a local CIC
the Canadian labour market more
visa office or the closest border crossing.
successfully than immigrants without such
*The Buffalo visa office is dedicated to
characteristics.
processing temporary residents who have
been in Canada for at least one year.
Implementation
Once the scheme is finalized the
application forms will be available via the
Citizenship and Immigration Canada website Consultation will take place over the coming
at: http://www.cic.gc.ca. weeks and months and the new Canadian
Experience Class is expected to be finalized
Benefits to Canada during the fall of 2008.
Muchmor Canada will announce any
developments regarding this program on its
At a time when the global need for skilled website and in future issues of Muchmor
workers is growing, Canada needs to evolve
Canada.
its immigration program to ensure Canada
remains a destination of choice for
immigrants.
Because the people applying through the
Experience Class are already established in
38 Moving to Canada







Advertorial

Angel the
donkey needs
a new owner -
can you help?
Do you or someone you know want to adopt a lovely donkey called
Angel? Angel is no ordinary donkey, oh no. She lives on an organic farm
in the Annapolis Valley in Nova Scotia. Lucky her!
Angel Stepping Stone Heritage Farm house is a 12 year old 3,200 sq.ft.
property with its own six person hot tub. It also has an 800 sq.ft.
cottage and both properties benefit from all major appliances and furnishings.
So, why are we telling you all this? Simply because if you choose to adopt Angel - and we know you want to - you
will get her farm for free. That’s right an organic farm completely free. The free farm also comes with extras such as
a tractor, truck, barns, outbuildings and of course livestock to keep Angel company. And one more thing - Angel
also has a 4 acre lakeside property in Queen’s County (about 2 hours from Stepping Stone Farm) which comes with
her adoption.
You see, if you adopt Angel you will be adopting a completely new lifestyle as well. Organic living, wildlife, canoeing
on the Cornwallis, fishing, hiking and watching butterflies in your own butterfly garden. It offers tranquility and peace
that make it a place that will always feel like home.
At the moment it is Angel’s home. Why not adopt Angel and make it your home too?

Visit www.buyfarmnow.blogspot.com/ for full details

What you get

3200 sq. ft., 12 year old Farm home c/w all
major appliances & home furnishings
800 sq. ft., 8 year old Cottage c/w all major
appliances
4 acre lakeside property in Queen’s County
Detached Furnace House
Six person Hot Tub. Located right off the
Stepping Stone Farm Kitchen Deck. The land
Diesel Farm Tractor c/w tiller attachment.
Barn and assorted outbuildings.
Private Well.
Municipal Sewer.
Fenced and Crossed fenced pastures.
Farm Truck: 2001 4x4 with Snow plow, 5th
wheel and goose neck hitches, low mileage.
Livestock.
And of course Angel
Pastures The Cottage
Pastures
 Moving to Canada 39

Provincial
Nominee News
Meet us - June & Mark Spindloe online at
the Canadian Government’s portal:
www.bfic.net

Saskatchewan adds hospitality Or email us:

info@relocationnovascotia.com

workers to nominee program
In August the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP)
introduced a new sector to its program called the Hospitality
Sector Project. This allows certain people who are currently
working in Saskatchewan on a temporary foreign worker permit to
apply to SINP for permanent residency.
The Saskatchewan Hotel and Hospitality Association and the
Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association both identified
acute labour shortages in certain occupation groups prompting
this change to the SINP.
In order to qualify applicants need to have been working in
Saskatchewan for a minimum of six months on a temporary work
permit. They must have at least grade 12 education or equivalent
as well as be proficient in the English language.
Potential applicants need to be working in one of the following
fields: Food/Beverage Server (NOC 6453); Food Counter
Attendant/Kitchen Helper (NOC 6641); or Housekeeping/Cleaning
Staff (NOC 6661). NOC or National Occupation Classification can
be found at the following website. http://www5.hrsdc.gc.ca/NOC-
CNP/app/index.aspx. By inserting the relevant four digit NOC you
will see a list of example job titles, main duties and employment
requirements that need to be met in order to qualify under that
classification.
Full details of this new category can be found at http://
www.immigration.gov.sk.ca/hospitality.
Besides help with purchasing property we can save
you hours of research, time and money.
These are just some of the benefits Relocation Nova Scotia clients enjoy!
• Tailor Made accommodation solutions for your Fact Finding Trips and
on landing, choice of B&B or one of our short term rentals.
• We will provide meet and greet at Airport when landing with a large
enough vehicle for your family and luggage.
• Meet with professional Immigration Consultant based here in Halifax
on your fact finding trip and receive free consultation.
• Foreign exchange specialist will make moving your money overseas
easy. Fast Track services to obtain day-to-day banking, mortgages,
credit cards and financial services from one of Canada’s leading
Banks, with a one to one service from your own personal banker.
• Competitive rates for Car Rental, Car Insurance and purchasing a
vehicle.
• Canadian Mobile phones, SIM cards delivered to you before you
land and pay using a UK credit card.
• Unique women’s network providing friendship and advice.
Please visit www.relocationnovascotia.com and register.
Call June or Mark on 001 902 446 0766 and we’ll call you back.

Newfoundland and Labrador Alberta Provincial Nominee

launch International Graduate Program changes its name
category The Alberta Provincial Nominee Program recently changed its name
to the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) and has
relaunched its website to reflect these changes.
The Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program has
The program has several streams including Employer Driven,
announced a new International Graduate category. This will allow
Family and Self-Employed Farmer. Full details can be found at
students who graduate form recognized Newfoundland and
http://www.albertacanada.com/anip.
Labrador post-secondary education institution to apply for
permanent residence in the province.
In order to be considered the applicant must have graduated
Other Provincial Nominee Programs can be found by clicking on
within the last two years from a full-time study program of at least
the links below:
two years in Newfoundland and Labrador. They must have received a
certificate, diploma, or degree from a recognized Newfoundland and
British Columbia
Labrador post-secondary institution.
Manitoba
The graduate must have a full-time job offer from a Newfoundland
Ontario
and Labrador employer in their field of study or one that is related to
New Brunswick
their field of study. An alternative is to have a proven attachment to
Nova Scotia
the labour market for at least six months with a reasonable
Prince Edward Island
expectation of future employment.
Yukon
They must have a valid post graduate work permit, have the skills
and training required for the role and have sufficient funds to allow
Quebec has its own immigration process. Details of which can be
them to settle successfully in the province. Proven English or French
found using this link.
language skills are also required.
Full details of this new category can be found on this website:
http://www.nlpnp.ca/internationalgraduate.html.
40 Moving to Canada
Immigration
changes - results
expected soon
As the Canadian immigration system
continues to change we await the results of
the recent consultations with provinces and
territories regarding the types of skilled
workers required and therefore fast-tracked
through the system.
As we reported last month Citizenship
and Immigration Canada (CIC) are in the
process of making sweeping changes to
the way in which permanent residence
applications are handled. Some applicants
will find themselves fast-tracked whilst
others may be refused altogether or put on
the back-burner.
Over the last few weeks the CIC has
been meeting with relevant parties at
various locations throughout Canada to
ascertain their requirements for skilled
workers. Once the meetings have been
concluded a roundtable will take place to
finalize the categories of occupations
required.
It is expected that Citizenship and
Immigration minister Diane Finley will
present her recommendations to cabinet
once the House of Commons resumes
sessions in mid September.
"These consultations have been pursued
very aggressively since the bill was passed
at the end of June and it's almost unheard
of that we would have made this much
progress before September," Finley said.
Once this happens and the
recommendations approved a full list of
occupations in demand will be published.
The consultations will determine the short,
MOVING 2 ALBERTA
Contact Helen Parnell a property relocation
specialist who has helped many
expats settle here after making
the move herself.
Free assistance on • Accommodation
• Real Estate • Insurance
• Mortgages • Airport meet and greet
• Serving Calgary and South Alberta
Tel: 001 403 932 5670
Email: Helenparnell@shaw.ca
www.moving2alberta.com
medium and long term labour shortages
across Canada from which a priority list will
be established.
These changes will effect applications
received after 27th February 2008. All
applications received before this date will
be processed under the existing
immigration procedures on a first-come,
first-served basis.
Expired visa means
another 3-year wait
By Guidy Mamann
Q: I successfully applied as a skilled
worker without a lawyer.
I booked my flight to Canada for two
days prior to the expiry of my permanent
immigration visa.
Unfortunately, I got sick just before my
departure and was unable to travel.
I took the flight a week after the expiry of
my permanent residence visa and after I
had begun to feel better.
However, when I arrived in Canada my
immigration was canceled in spite of all the
documentation I had concerning my health
problem.
I was told to contact the visa post. When
I called, they told me there is not much that
can be done and that I would have to apply
for permanent residency again. What can I
do now? Is there any possible way to get
the visa extended? I have documentation
of my tickets and the hospital.
A: You applied legally, waited patiently
for about three years, and met all of our
criteria for permanent residence.
Although you have done nothing wrong,
except perhaps to have gotten sick near
the time you planned to immigrate to
Canada, our immigration laws are
nonetheless quite rigid in these
circumstances.
Why? I'm not sure.
The immigration department's manual is
pretty clear. “A person who presents an
expired or cancelled permanent resident
visa cannot be authorized to enter Canada
as a permanent resident.”
Period!
Not only that, it is likely that you will end
up with a removal order because you
appeared at a Canadian port-of-entry
seeking to establish yourself here as a
permanent resident without having a valid
permanent resident visa in hand.
As for the possibility of extending your
visa, this is what the manual has to say.
“The validity of a permanent resident visa
may not be extended. Nor can replacement
visas be issued with a new validity date. If
foreign nationals do not use their visas,
they must make a new application for a
permanent residence visa. They must also
pay a new application processing fee. If
they have paid a right of permanent
resident fee, they do not need to pay it
again.”
An exception is made for those who, for
reasons beyond their control, receive visas
that are valid for less than two months. If
they cannot travel before their visas expire,
officers can re-issue medical instructions
etc. and a new visa will be issued when the
requirement has been met again.
This however, doesn’t seem to apply to
you.
Normally, a foreign national who holds a
permanent resident visa and against whom
a removal order has been made can appeal
to the Immigration and Refugee Board.
However, there is case law which strongly
suggests that the Board would not have
jurisdiction to hear your appeal since you
are not a holder of a permanent resident
visa since yours had expired.
Had you sought the advice of a lawyer
earlier you might have been advised not to
cut your departure so close to your visa
expiry date. Having done so, you would
have been strongly urged to get on the
plane if at all possible.
Now, your most likely chance for
success would be to simply start again and
wait another three years or so.
Sad, isn’t it?
Guidy Mamann practices law in
Toronto at Mamann & Associates and is
certified by the Law Society of Upper
Canada as an immigration specialist.
Reach him confidentially at 416-862-0000
or at metro@migrationlaw.com.
 T: 185 mm Moving to Canada 41

ACCELERATE YOUR CAREER. SLOW DOWN YOUR LIFE.

In Ontario, we value a healthy balance between business and
p le a s u re. H e re, yo u c a n b uil d you r c a re e r while e nj oyin g a hi g hl y
satisf ying and rela xed lifest yle. Our spirit of innovation and qualit y
o f l i f e a t t r a c t s p r o f e s s i o n a l s f r o m a r o u n d t h e wo r l d , f o r a w i d e
variety of industries. As a result, we have a diverse, multicultural society
that will make you feel right at home. When it comes to recreation and
leisure, Ontario’s options are second to none. We have over 250,000 lakes
for fishing, canoeing, kayaking and swimming; hundreds of golf courses;
ski hills ; world- clas s theatre a nd more. T he re’s no bet te r place in
the world to work – and play.

bis@ontario.ca
2ontario.com /balance

T: 265 mm

Paid for by the Government of Ontario.

42 Health & Wellness

Just how long

should we
wait for breast
cancer
treatment?

Canadian women are waiting far too long for
breast cancer treatment in many areas a
recent study concludes.
The Canadian Breast Cancer Network
(CBCN) released a report which looked at the
wait times for treatments during different
stages of breast cancer. Although some
provinces could not supply the information as
they do not record wait times the remaining
results are still very worrying.
Without exception all women who suspect
something is wrong need timely and
compassionate treatment. Early diagnosis is
vital to catch tumors before they become
inoperable. So what is a reasonable wait
time?
In 2005 a benchmark was set across
Canadian provinces and territories (excluding
Quebec) of four weeks to treat cancer
patients with radiation therapy. This applies
to routine cases with emergency cases being
treated as soon s possible. Breast screening
for women between the ages of 50 and 69
was set to every two years.
There are no benchmarks for surgery wait
times but some provinces have their own
targets such as Ontario which depending on
the stage of cancer targets a maximum 12
week wait. There are also no benchmarks for
chemotherapy treatment.
Alberta
The Alberta Cancer Board verifies that
access to mammography in urgent cases is
immediate whilst non-urgent cases usually
wait 1-2 weeks.
From diagnosis to surgery the average
patient waits 1-2 working days. Emergency
patients are seen immediately.
Radiation treatment is only available in
either Edmonton or Calgary and the wait time
from referral is 3 weeks in Edmonton and 6
weeks in Calgary. There is then a wait of
another week at both locations to start
radiation. This brings the total wait time to 4
weeks in Edmonton and 7 weeks in Calgary.
The wait times from referral to
chemotherapy treatment is a total of 3 weeks
in Edmonton and 4 weeks in Calgary.
British Columbia
Women in B.C. wait an average of 4.1 weeks
from abnormal screen to diagnosis. Women
seen under the Fast Track system are
diagnosed in 2.9 weeks.
The time between diagnosis and surgery
was 28 days with 90% receiving treatment
within 64 days (9 weeks).
The most recent figures for radiation
treatment are from 2006/7 with a median wait
of 6 days. During the same period women
requiring chemotherapy received treatment
within 2 weeks of being able to receive it with
the median wait time being just 3 days.
Health & Wellness 43
Manitoba
Manitoban women wait a median time of
6.86 weeks for diagnosis and 3 weeks for
radiation treatment. Statistics for surgery and
chemotherapy wait times are not available.
New Brunswick
The most recent figures relating to wait times
between screening and diagnosis date back
to 2002. During this time nearly 50% of
women were diagnosed within 3 weeks.
The wait from diagnosis to surgery was
less than 3 months in 86.7% of cases and the
wait time for radiation was within 4 weeks for
93.3% of patients. Chemotherapy wait times
were not available.
Nova Scotia
The median wait time for biopsy is under 30
days and the average wait for surgery was
under 30 days for 77% of patients. 100% of
surgery was performed within 180 days.
Figures for radiation and chemotherapy
treatments were not available for breast
cancer alone.
Ontario
The Ontario Breast Screening Program
reports median a wait time of 4.7 weeks
between screening and diagnosis.
The province has a target of 12 weeks for
all breast cancer surgery and currently 90%
of patients are operated on within 5.6 weeks
(39 days).
From the time the patient is ready to start
radiation to actual treatment is 2 weeks for
45.2% of cases.
The median wait time for chemotherapy
treatment is 5.6 weeks with the majority
having started treatment within 7.25 weeks.
Quebec
The median wait time between screening and
diagnosis is 3.9 weeks whilst 75% of women
requiring surgery receive it in 4 weeks or less.
There are no wait time records for
chemotherapy but 90% of radiation patients
receive their treatment within 4 weeks.
Saskatchewan
Health Quality Council (HQC) reported waits
of 4.4 weeks from screening to diagnosis for
2006 - the most recent figures.
70% of surgeries were completed within 3
weeks and 96% within 6 weeks.
The wait times reported by the HQC for
radiation therapy was a median of 13 weeks.
Whilst the Saskatchewan Health data median
was 2.9 weeks in Regina and 5.1 weeks in
Saskatoon.
44 Health & Wellness
Prince Edward Island
There is no current information available for
Prince Edward Island regarding waiting time
between screening and diagnosis, surgery or
chemotherapy. However the wait time for
radiation therapy in 2006 was a median of
7.5 days and an average of 10.7 days.
Newfoundland and Labrador
Again no data was available for anything
other than radiation therapy wait times.
Between January and March 2007 95% of
cases started therapy within 4.3 weeks (30
days).
Yukon
The wait time in the Yukon Territories for a
diagnostic mammography is 2-3 days with
the maximum time being 1 week. The wait
time for a screening mammography is
approximately 5 months.
The wait time for surgery performed
within the territory is less than 6 weeks.
However many surgeries are transferred out
of territory and wait times are then
dependent upon the referred province.
All radiation therapy is performed in either
Alberta or British Columbia.
Chemotherapy is performed within the
Yukon however 50% of patients begin their
therapy in either Alberta or B.C. following
surgery. For those treated in the Yukon
treatment is started immediately.
Nunavut
There are no breast cancer treatments
available within Nunavut and all patients are
referred to other territories or provinces.
In the future a mammography machine
will be available for diagnostic screening at
Qikiqtani General Hospital.
Northwest Territories
The average wait time from screening to
diagnosis is 3.3 weeks or 23 days. The
average wait time to biopsy is 1.7 weeks (12
days).
Surgery and radiation treatments are
referred to Edmonton, Alberta and
chemotherapy to Yellowknife, Yukon.
Results
Most of the jurisdictions who reported data
had acceptable wait times for screening to
diagnosis.
Albert is ahead of the other provinces and
territories when it comes to surgery wait
times. Patients in Alberta waited an average
of 1-2 days for surgery whilst other
provinces and territories varied widely and
due to reporting data discrepancies difficult
to compare.
The national benchmark of four weeks for
radiation treatment is met in Alberta, British
Columbia, Manitoba, Prince Edward Island
and Quebec.
The shortest wait times for chemotherapy
are in British Columbia followed by Regina,
Saskatchewan.
The report concluded that, “Women living
with breast cancer are generally best served
in British Columbia (most treatments),
Quebec (most treatments), Prince Edward
Island (most treatments) and Edmonton,
Alberta (radiation and chemotherapy).”
These findings are consistent with other
studies which found British Columbia to
have the best cancer outcomes and lowest
mortality in Canada.
Concerns
It is obvious from this data that many
jurisdictions simply do not have adequate
reporting systems in place to monitor wait
times for breast cancer treatment. It is also
obvious that no national systems are in
place.
Another finding of the study was that
many new drugs take up to five years to
become listed with provincial or territorial
formulary to be fully or partially reimbursed
by health care programs. Drug coverage
varies widely between jurisdictions resulting
in some women having access to them
whilst others do not.
Canada still does not have an electronic
health record scheme. Although some
individual hospitals and practices do have
electronic records there are no consolidated
provincial or territorial lists which could help
the referral program.
 Health & Wellness 45

Mammograms do
save lives!
By Stella Barron is important to make prior
mammograms available for
the Radiologist to compare
I specialized in mammography for 25 years. the images. He can detect
This exam is possibly the most hated by
changes in the tissue and
women. Unfortunately, it's all we have for
respond more accurately. You
now. It's the only exam that will detect early
might have a 'suspicious' area
stage breast cancer. Many patients
that would result in a 'call
experience pain and discomfort from the
back' for additional views, but
compression of the breast, but firm
if a prior Mammogram
compression is most important.
showed the same thing and it
The purposes of firm compression are to
is unchanged, then you would
stabilize and separate the breast tissue to
not have to get the additional
see it more clearly. It also thins the breast,
views.
resulting in a lower dose of radiation. I went
Risk factors are:
to a seminar, and they presented two exams
on the same patient. One with light
1) Family history of breast
compression, and one with firm
cancer
compression. The light one was read as
2) Early menses (started
normal, but the firm one clearly showed a
your period before age 12)
cancerous area. Scary!!
3) Late menopause
Another reason for firm compression is to
4) Hormone replacement
minimize motion. Think of a photograph with
therapy
something moving during the picture. What
5) Long term use of birth
happens? You guessed it! Blurring occurs
control pills
causing loss of detail. This is why X-Ray
techs say "hold your breath!"
The environment and a
A routine mammogram consists of 4
poor diet have also been
images, 2 views of each breast. This is
linked to breast cancer. You
necessary to localize a suspicious area.
should eat a Healthy Diet to
Extremely large breasted women require
help lower your breast cancer
more images because their breasts are too
risk. Sadly, we can't avoid the
large for the film! Breast implant patients
environment!
require 8 images. The first 4 images are the
If you are in the normal risk
standard views, mostly to see the axillary
factor range, you should get your first a daily basis.
(armpit) area and the overall condition of the
Mammogram at age 40*. Follow up every 2 If you have tender breasts, try cutting
implant itself. The other 4 images are
years until you are 50. After that, once a year back on caffeine and take a daily dose of
referred to as 'push back' views. The
is the standard for all women. Vitamin E. This has been proven to decrease
implant is 'pushed back' and only the breast
Your risk factor is even higher if your sensitivity in your breast.
tissue is compressed and imaged.
mother, maternal aunt, sister or grandmother Please get a Mammogram! Your loved
You should get your first (screening)
had Premenopausal (younger than age 50) ones will appreciate it!
Mammogram at age 40*. Your 'risk factors'
Breast cancer. This is a more aggressive
determine how often you should have one. It
form due to hormones About the Author: I am a 46 y/o single
accelerating its' growth. mom of two wonderful boys. 3 years ago I
In this case I would was diagnosed with MS and had to end my
Put your ad in front of recommend your first cherished career in the Radiology
Mammogram at age 35 profession. My boys have been my greatest
50,000 people for as little as and have yearly follow- inspiration to keep fighting! Visit my home
$199 per month for quarter ups.
Before you have your
page www.stellagothergroove.com hit the
DIET link for a healthy diet!
page advert mammogram, make sure
the facility and the *Different jurisdictions will have different
Radiologist are recommendations for mammograms.Check
Contact info@muchmormedia.com Accredited! You will yours to see when you should start
or telephone 1-613-396-5531 receive the best quality mammograms.
because they have to
follow strict guidelines on
46 Home & Garden
Preparing your garden for fall
With summer coming to an end now is the time to start preparing
your garden for winter
We know you have only just got used to it
being summer, but unfortunately we must
start looking ahead to the fall. It is during the
fall that you need to prepare your garden for
our Canadian winters and make sure you will
have a garden to look forward to next year.
One of the first and most rewarding
things to do its to dig up your annuals.
Annuals will not grow again next year, so will
need removing once flowering has finished.
Flowers such as marigolds and petunias are
annuals. Once these are removed you will
be able to see the space available to plant
other things such as shrubs or fall plants. A
good option at this time of year is to plant
some chrysanthemums.These beautiful
plants will add colour to your garden
through the fall right up to the first frosts.
After this time you will need to remove these
too.
Shrubs can be planted during the
summer and fall and depending upon the
type will add colour to your garden through
the winter and will start to bloom again as
soon as the weather warms up in the spring.
If you like the idea of attracting butterflies,
how about adding a butterfly bush or two.
These shrubs will grow year after year,
getting larger and fuller each time and
adding some great colour to the garden.
They need little attention, so are ideal for the
novice.
Bulbs can also be planted during the fall
ready for a spring and summer bloom next
year. Remember to plant the bulbs later as if
you plant them too early and the weather
continues to be mild they may start budding
which will prevent them doing so in the
spring. By planting them later and deeper
you will ensure that the cooler weather starts
soon after and will delay budding until the
spring. Daffodils, tulips and crocus can be
planted and you will be rewarded with a bed
of spring colours next year.
If you have some shrubs that you want to
take cuttings from then this is the time to do
it. However, the cuttings need to be kept in a
warm environment until next year when you
can plant them. If you want to collect seeds
from plants then do so now and keep the
seeds in the refrigerator. In late winter or
early spring you can sow the seeds in pots
ready to be planted out in spring.
Perennials are plants that grow year after
year, so now is the time to take a look at
these and decide if they are in the right spot
or perhaps need thinning out. You can divide
perennials simply by digging up the entire
root ball and dividing into two or three
sections and then replanting in a new
location. Similarly if a perennial has grown
too large for an area but would suit another
location now is the time to move it and get it
settled ready for the winter.
Protecting plants through the winter is
another thing to think about now. Depending
on where you live and the type of winter
experienced you may need to buy some
mulch which can be placed all over your
flower beds and round the bases of trees
and shrubs. The mulch will protect the plant
roots and help keep then warm, dry and
healthy through the winter months. You can
also use this as an opportunity to use the
compost you have been collecting. Rake it
into the mulch to add nutrients to the soil.
Small shrubs and trees may need
covering during really cold weather to
protect them from the ice and snow. Cover
them with burlap or a similar material to
protect them from the ice and winter sun.
This task can be left until the very end of fall
to ensure you see the beauty of the shrub or
tree before covering it for its winter
“hibernation”.
Your lawn will need extra care too. The
fall is an ideal time to put down some grass
seeds if needed. You should also make sure
you clear the lawn of fallen leaves. By
covering your lawn with a thin layer of
manure you will ensure a good spring
growth by improving the soil conditions now.
Remember to use the leaves you rake up to
mulch your flower beds.
Although the spring may seem a long way
off, by preparing your garden now, you will
see the benefits in the new year. Your
shrubs, plants and trees will appreciate the
care you take now and will reward you with
a beautiful garden next year.
 S E Q U O I A C L U B Home & Garden 47

Helen Parnell
Tel: 403-932-8888
www.moving2alberta.com

MLS: C3340604 Price: $318,500 Province: Alberta

City: Calgary Bedrooms: 2 Bathrooms: 2
This end unit town house is located in the heart of Mckenzie Towne within walking
distance to all amenties. This home offers lots of upgrades Oak kitchen cabinets, island w/
eating bar & paddle fan over kitchen nook, Tile entrance, stairs and bathrooms, "Lauzon'
Red Oak pacific natural hardwood throught out, Custom linds & Kitchen curtains ,
Impressive Pewter & Crystal Chandelier in the 10 ft. entrance. Duo-vac vaccum system,
upgraded appliances, ADT security system. The upper floor has two bedrooms with walk-in
closets and ensuites, Private fenced front yard with concrete patio double attached garage
and more.
MLS: C3313479 Price: $599,000 Province: Alberta
City: Cochrane Bedrooms: 4 Bathrooms: 2
What a walkout bungalow! This house has recently been renovated with new paint
throughout. Upon entering you are welcomed by a bright clean house with the
MOUNTAIN view right from the new front door! The main level features the kitchen with
tons of counter space, new stove, and light fittings, corner pantry, all black appliances and
rounded high breakfast bar. There is also a private den/office and large mud room. The
large Master Bedroom has a spacious 4-piece en suite with soaker tub and walk-in closet.
The main level boasts incredible windows that allows lots of natural light.

MLS: C3307045 Price: $555,000 Province: Alberta

City: Cochrane Bedrooms: 5 Bathrooms: 2
BEST OF BOTH WORLDS, 2 HOMES IN ONE, RARE LEGAL SUITE. Live up and rent
down. This unique walkout bunglow in a cul-de-sac location has a rare LEGAL 2 bedroom
suite in the basement with own private entrance and patio. Rental income from this suite
can be used as income when appying for a mortgage. The main entrance has a great slate
floor and den/home office. Upstairs you have a good size kitchen with island come kitchen
table. Family room has cosy fireplace already fitted with wood surround. There is also a
formal dining room or this could be the home office! hardwood flooring throughout.

MLS: C3337156 Price: $489,000 Province: Alberta

City: Cochrane Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 3
The main floor boasts rich hardwood flooring 9ft ceilings. The main living room has a
gas fireplace to cosy up to in winter. The large master has a four-piece ensuite which
included a seperate shower. The kitchen has a large island and breakfast bar, plus large
eating nook to enjoy the view of green space. The main level currently has a den, which
could be used, as a separate dining room and a third room, which could the 2nd main floor
bedroom or office. Walkout basement with bedroom, ensuite, rec room with wet bar.

MLS: C3320549 Price: $429,000 Province: Alberta

City: Bighorn Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 1
Great mountain views,a beautiful treed lot(1.24ac.)1250 s.f. bungalow built in 1994,oak
hardwood floors,vaulted ceilings,center fireplace(wood burning),large west facing
windows(lots of sun,great views).3 bedrooms on the main floor 1 downstairs,small office
downstairs. 1 full bathroom,updated kitchen cabinets. Basement is partially developed with
a small office,and additional bedroom. Roughed in for another bathroom. Double oversize
garage(26'x24')with toilet and sink. These original owners have cared for and maintained
this property to perfection,a pleasure to show. Newer shingles(about 3 years)2 Storage
sheds(match the house)Fenced dog enclosure. Access to the Ghost River.
48 Home & Garden
Decorate to generate
profit
When deciding to sell your property there are a few
low-cost things you can do in order to maximize
your potential profit
When you decide to sell your home the last
thing you are probably thinking about is
spending money to re-decorate it. After all
you want to save your money to spend on
your new home, right - WRONG!
You may not realize it but by spending a
relatively small amount of money you can
not only increase the value of your home
and thus your profit margin but also
decrease the time the property spends on
the market.
When thinking of the type of things you
need to do to your property in order to sell it
you have to think about return on
investment or ROI. Put simply this means
the amount of money you spend verses the
amount of money the property increases in
value by. You don’t want to be spending
$5,000 on something that will only bring in a
return of $3,000, but if by spending $1,000
you can increase the value of your home by
$2,000 then it is a worthwhile investment to
make.
So what are the things that you can do to
improve the value and saleability of your
home?
De-clutter
This is the number one trick to selling your
home successfully. We all tend to collect
things as we go through life: ornaments,
photos, trinkets etc but we should not inflict
these things on potential buyers.
When a buyer walks through a house
they want to be able to picture themselves
living there. They need to be able to see
their furniture in your home and feel good
about the place. If all they can see is your
clutter then they may be unable to get past
this and decide not to buy your home, even
though it might be perfect for them.
Remove personalized items such as
photos and things that make the home
yours. Get rid of any excess furniture,
ornaments, etc so that the floor is clearly
visible and buyers can move around the Accessories
home easily.
Don’t be tempted to throw everything in
a cupboard as buyers will probably look in
Accessorizing your home correctly can
make all the difference. We know we have
those too. Instead store them tidily in the
already told you to de-clutter but by adding
basement or hire a storage container for a
the right accessories you can bring your
short time.
home to life.
If you have children you probably have
Just by adding a throw or some pillows
toys etc dotted about the home. Always
and a few vases to a room in a bold colour
clear these away before viewings as this
can immediately transform the space. In
can be very off putting to buyers especially
this way you can keep the main colour
if they don’t have children themselves.
scheme neutral but add splashes of colour
De-cluttering costs nothing, in fact if you
and interest with very little work and
sell your unwanted items in a garage sale
expense. Fresh flowers are always a good
you might even make a few dollars.
idea as they add beauty and fragrance to
the home. However, steer clear of very
Paint strong smelling flowers as you don’t want to
antagonize someone who has an allergy.
This is one of the most cost-effective things Accessories can be a cheap and
you can do to improve your chances of effective way to boost your homes selling
selling your home, but you must do it right. potential and remember you can take
Just because you like bright red walls, everything with you when you move so you
doesn’t mean everyone does. By keeping are not loosing the value.
paint colours neutral you give the potential
new owners a clean pallet where they can Flooring
easily see how they would change things to
suite them.
It is amazing how many people will
Many people will not consider replacing or
repairing flooring as they think it will be too
discard a home simply because they don’t
expensive and they will not see a ROI.
like the wall colours or the fact it has
However, depending on what you do this
wallpaper. Although this may seem silly as
may not be the case.
they can always change the colours later, if
If you have linoleum in your kitchen or
you tackle this objection before it begins
bathroom consider replacing with ceramic
you take one more negative out of the
tiles. Tiles can be purchased relatively
selling process.
cheaply and will much improve the look of
You don’t have to paint all your walls
the floor and thus the salability of your
white or cream, but avoid colours that
home. Carpets in bathrooms are a complete
scream out and take attention away from
no-no and should be replaced.
the house. Make sure the colours used in
If you have carpets in your home make
the different rooms compliment each other.
sure they are in good repair and above all,
Paint is relatively cheap to buy and you
clean. You can hire carpet cleaners from
will always get back more then you paid, so
most DIY stores for a few bucks so make
excellent ROI.
sure your carpets are spotless before going
on the market.

If you have hardwood floors, are they in
good order. You can have hardwood re-
finished and it can give a whole new life to
your flooring, but it can be expensive
depending on the area concerned.
Generally speaking you may not get back
all your initial outlay for replacing flooring,
but it will ultimately make your house more
attractive to buyers and so you can estimate
on getting back around 60% ROI.
Window treatments
Just like flooring, window treatments can
make a big difference to your home. Always
have the right type of curtain or blind to
accentuate the room.
If you have large open windows with great
views, don’t block them with heavy, dark
curtains. Instead you might choose a blind
or some light drapes which do not encroach
on the window itself.
ROI is similar to that of flooring but you
can choose to take them with you, so you
may not see it as an expense.
Appliances
Replacing appliances may seem a waste of
time especially if you won’t be taking them
with you. But with the growing demand for
stainless steel you can increase the
salability of your home considerably.
If your existing appliances are in good
working order and are clean and not
damaged then you will probably be better to
leave as is. However if your appliances are
old, rusty or damaged then it might be a
good idea to replace them with stainless
steel.
The ROI is usually around 100%, so you
will get back what you invest.
Bathrooms and kitchens
It is a well known fact that bathrooms and
kitchens sell homes. If your home is perfect
in every way, but has an old, scruffy kitchen
or bathroom then potential buyers will see
this as dollar signs. People immediately
think that if a home needs a new kitchen or
bathroom it will cost them many thousands
of dollars and they decide not to buy. By
spending some time and money yourself
before you put your home on the market
you can eliminate these objections.
Rather than completely replacing a
kitchen, perhaps you can refinish the
cabinets, giving then a fresh new look. By
changing the handles and perhaps replacing
the countertop you can give a whole new
life to your kitchen.
Bathrooms too can be spruced up without
too much expense. Make sure all grout
around the tiles is clean and fresh, or
replace tiles completely. Simply changing
the taps on the sinks can uplift the whole
area as can a new toilet seat or new mirror.
Home & Garden 49
If your existing bathroom suite is anything
but white then you might want to consider
replacing it with a white one as these are
much more acceptable to buyers.
You will always get back your ROI with
bathrooms and kitchens and if it is done well
you can see a 150-200% increase on your
investment.
Plumbing and electrical
Always make good any plumbing or
electrical defects in the home. These fixes
may be quick and easy and cheap to do for
you but are sure to put off buyers if they think
something is wrong. They will automatically
think it will cost them a lot of money and
inconvenience to repair. ROI will be at least
100%.
Exterior
So far we have looked at the inside of the
property, but the outside must not be
forgotten either. The first thing a potential
buyer sees when they arrive at your house is
the outside. So curb appeal is everything.
Make sure paintwork on the exterior of the
property is in good repair. Is the masonry or
siding clean and free from defects? Make
sure lawns are healthy and well manicured,
tidy up shrubs and deadhead any flowers.
Make sure all steps and handrails etc are
safe and secure.
If you have a deck make sure it is painted
or varnished and looks clean and tidy. You
must also make sure there are no loose
boards or rails.
Pools and hot tubs must be spotlessly
clean and free from any debris such as
leaves and insects.
If you are selling your home during the
winter months you might want to take a
photo of your garden in all its glory during the
summer so you can leave this out to show
potential buyers how it looks without snow
cover!
Conclusion
There are many inexpensive and quick things
you can do to improve the salability of your
home. If you only have a few hundred dollars
to allocate then you should at least de-
clutter, paint and make sure the exterior is
looking good. If you have a few thousand to
spend then include bathroom and kitchen
makeovers.
Anyone can improve the look and feel of
their home and take advice from your Realtor
who will guide you as to what they feel needs
improving the most. You can also employ the
services of a home stager to make things
even easier. Get references and quotes from
several before committing.
By spending a few thousand dollars
before your home is marketed you can reap
the rewards once it is sold.
50 Home & Garden

Donna McNeil
Tel: 1-902-222-4937
Email: donnamcneil@exitmetro.ca

MLS: 00363259 Price: $184,900 Province: Nova Scotia

City: Lower Sackville Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 2

Bright and spacious split entry in great family neighborhood within walking distance to all
levels of schools, sports stadium, First Lake Beach, Metropolitan Field and more. 3
bedrooms, 2 baths and an eat-in kitchen. Large 12 x 18 deck with private backyard
backing on parkland (Second Lake), situated on a beautiful extra large lot and on a bus
route make this the perfect home for you and your family.

MLS: 41223892 Price: $239,900 Province: Nova Scotia

City: Beaver Bank Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 1

Quality built three bedroom bungalow in a newly developed area of Beaverbank. This
home features 3 good sized bedrooms, a large country kitchen with high end kitchen
cabinets. New Home warranty and a quality builder will make this a smart transaction for
the new buyer. Come see the model home already constructed and ready for possession.

MLS: 41081704 Price: $324,900 Province: Nova Scotia

City: Seaforth Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 2
Stunning ocean views! This beautiful lakefront bungalow with ocean views and beach
access is ready to move in. This model home is located in Samoset Subdivision. The
home features lake frontage on Leslie Pond and ocean access to the private sandy
beach. Also features 3 bedrooms, attached two-car garage, and a bonus room above
the garage that would make a great home office, den, or fourth bedroom. The cathedral
ceilings and gorgeous curb appeal will surely impress! The convenience of one-level
living with a full walkout basement with 9 foot ceilings for future expansion. Enjoy the
beach access and large 2.38 acre lot.

MLS: 40412850B Price: $249,000 Province: Nova Scotia

City: Beaver Bank Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 3
Here is a great looking home with attractive rooflines. Large Master Bedroom with well
appointed ensuite and a custom built walk-in closet that is sure to impress. This house
will be fully finished and well appointed with top quality finishes. The sunny daylight
basement will offer hour’s of natural sunlight. City water & sewer, Oil Heat and upgraded
trim package will make this a smart investment for years to come. This home can also be
built in Fall River, Wellington & 3 different areas of Beaver Bank (Pricing can vary).

MLS: 41223926 Price: $263,500 Province: Nova Scotia

City: Beaver Bank Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 1
Quality built bungalow in a newly developed area of Beaver Bank.

www.donnamcneilatexit.ca

 Considering a condo?
What you should know before buying
By Stef Lukas - Lukas Group
Realty, Calgary
Condominiums are a great alternative to
home ownership. If you're looking to buy
your first home, or want to downsize,
chances you are considering buying a
condominium. There are a few things that
you should know first before signing on the
dotted line.
 It's often said that buying a
condominium is buying a lifestyle. What
does that Mean?
 Condominium living is different from
owning or renting a detached house
because condominiums have a dual nature.
Condominium owners hold title to their units
and share responsibility for the operating
costs of the balance of the property
(common elements such as lobbies) that
makes up the condominium (or Strata
Property as known in BC).
 There are many advantages to
condominium ownership. It may be less
expensive than other types of home
ownership. It can provide an "instant" sense
of community. While someone else is
shovelling the snow, you could be enjoying a
swim in the shared warm water swimming
pool.
 However, condominiums are not
everyone's cup of tea. Condominium
corporation (or Strata Corporation) may set
restrictions on things such as owning pets
or having an outdoor barbeque.
 
How is the condominium
managed?
A Board of Directors (or Strata Councils),
elected by the owners, manages the
condominium association (or Strata
corporation). Major decisions are voted on
at owners' general meetings. Participation in
community decision-making is a benefit of
condominium living.
 
Conditions and Restrictions  problems with the bureaucracy of the
Condominiums are governed by a set of
rules called Covenants, which are enforced
by the condominium association.
Condominium Conditions are enforced by
the condominium association. Condominium
Conditions and Restrictions (CC&Rs) vary
from one development to another. The
CC&Rs may impose restrictions on noise
Home & Garden 51
levels, renovation projects, pet ownership condo association meetings should reveal
and renting. any such plans.
 As a potential condominium owner, you  
should be comfortable living within the rules Be aware of the marketing hype
and restrictions of the condominium
association and living in close proximity to If you are thinking of buying a pre-
others. construction condominium unit, be aware of
  the marketing hype, and bear in mind you
Condo Fees (or Strata Fees) are buying a "Fish in the Water". You may be
surprised to learn that the beautiful rooms
The condo or owners association budgets you saw in the model suites are not
and determines the fees for all units, usually necessarily like the ones you'll live in once
based on the size of each unit, the number your building is complete.
of units occupied and the projected  The den on your floor plans may become
expenses for maintenance and repair. a walk-in closet by the time you move in.
 Every condo owner pays fees to help And the fantastic view you see in the
maintain the building, pay the salaries of building model, may soon get distracted by
concierges, handymen or groundskeepers, the following phases of the project. Your
and provide facilities such as a pool, gym or dream condo may turn out to be "Dog
gardens. The fees are paid monthly and are Suite" and you may not get what you paid
subject to change. for.
 Special assessments could be made  On the other hand, if you get a "Prime
when an unexpected repair or planned Suite", you could make a few thousand
modification exceeds the cost of the condo dollars in profit by the time you receive your
fees collected. condo keys.
   Your real estate agent can help you avoid
Questions to ask! the pre-construction sale pitfalls and help
you make the right decision.
It's absolutely critical that you read and  
understand the documents given to you * In the province of British Columbia,
when you are purchasing a condo. The Condominiums are called Strata Property
association is required to give you all and are governed by the Strata Property Act
documents affecting the use of your of BC, they are managed by Strata
property. These documents will tell you Corporation which is elected by Strata
absolutely everything you need to know, Council.
what you can do and what you cannot do. If 
you don't have a clear understanding of the
information provided in the documents, ask
for clarification so that you know what you
are getting into.
 Request copies of minutes from the past
two years from the Board of Director's
meetings. If there are any major problems
with the condominium association, this is
where you'll find it. The association is
required to have regular meetings and make
the minutes available. Be absolutely sure to
do this so that you are aware of any major
condominium association that would make
living in the condo undesirable.
 Ask owners for comments or complaints
about the association's (or council's)
activities and reputation. Find out if there
any plans to add to the facilities, such as a
swimming pool or gym? Such projects can
mean a rise in fees. The minutes of the
52 Home & Garden

Not all waste

is created equal
By David Youd

In Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM)

everyone is expected to recycle their waste
and the municipality operates an excellent
scheme which doesn't take up too much of
your time. Waste is divided up into four
groups ORGANICS; RECYCLABLES;
GARBAGE & HHW – HOUSEHOLD
HAZARDOUS WASTE. Waste needs to be
curbside before 7 am on your designated
day. Further information can be found at
http://www.halifax.ca/wrms/
 We all must be very careful NOT to mix
the types of waste as it is costly to sort and
depending on what has been mixed in; it
can be very hazardous to the people
handling the waste. If waste is not placed
outside your property correctly you will be
notified by the collectors and they will not
remove it; so be very careful.
 Although it looks complicated it isn't
really; there is plenty of information online or
neighbours will advise you; just ask. You
can ring the municipality too. They publish
the guidelines in the phone books and will
send you the info; or go online and
download it.
 
Organics

Organics are to be put into the green carts

which have breathable lids and bottoms.
You can use various sizes of paper bags
from kitchen bin size to green cart size and
these can be purchased from various
supermarkets or DIY stores. Items to be put
into the bags for example - fruit & vegetable
peelings; table scraps; meat; fish; dairy
products; cold cooking fats; bread; rice;
pasta; bones; tea bags; eggshells.
boxboard & soiled paper such as cereal (NO
inner liner); shoe; cracker; cookie & tissue
type boxes; paper towel rolls; napkins. Also
yard waste such as leaves & plants (NO
excessive soil), sawdust & wood shavings.
Grass is expected to be left on your lawn
when cut. You can always have a compost
but take advice before as it will depend on
where you live and wild animals being
attracted to it.
 Households eligible for curbside
collections receive a green cart and there is
a weight limit of 100 kg once loaded. The
cart belongs to the property; so if you move
to another property the cart does not go
with you. Normal service of collection is
every two weeks (even if not full) however
during the summer months you are allowed
to put it out each week.
 Recyclables
Recyclables collected in Urban & suburban
areas every week but rurally its every two
weeks. You can buy blue plastic bags from
supermarkets and DIY stores or use clear
bags to place items such as the following:
(all should be separate grocery bags placed
inside blue bag) dry & clean paper;
newspapers; flyers; magazines; catalogues;
envelopes (inc windows); paper egg
cartons; phone & paperback books and
shredded paper. Straight into the blue bag
goes all deposit bearing containers; other
plastic containers marked with the triangle
and 1 (pete) or 2 (hdpe); glass bottles & jars;
cans; clean foils; Tetrapaks of all types (if
any container has plastic lid or top then
throw just tops in garbage). Also, all types
of plastic grocery; bread; clean food; retail
bags and bubble wrap (put all into one
grocery bag and place inside blue bag). This
group also includes any type of corrugated
cardboard which has to be flattened &
bundled together and placed at side of the
blue bag.
 Garbage – most other waste comes
under this and should be put in black or
dark coloured bags or containers; it is
collected every two weeks. Items for
example are empty aerosol cans; soiled
foils; cold ashes; broken glass (wrapped up
to avoid injury); ceramics; non-recyclable
containers; cloth items; dishes; light bulbs;
packaging; empty dry paint cans; soiled
plastic wrap; potato chip bags; Styrofoam;
toothpaste tubes; wallpaper; disposable
diapers; carbon paper. Also bulky items like
furniture; stoves; washing machines.
Fridges and freezers will be removed for
free separately (ring 490-4000 before your
garbage day) You are only allowed 6 bags
of waste so excessive amounts need to be
taken to the Otter Lake disposal facility

where a fee will charged of $5 up to 100kg;
over this is charged by the Tonne.
Household Hazardous Waste
Household Hazardous Waste - there is no collection day. Our green cart has a large
curbside collection for this group. HHW drop paper sack in it and in the kitchen we have a
off is open on selected Saturdays at 50
Chain Lake Drive in Bayers Lake Business
Park (call 490 4000 for schedule) Items taken Doing this during the summer dramatically
in here are: All types of batteries; corrosive
cleaners; pesticides; herbicides; gasoline;
fuel oil; solvents; thinners; drugs; aerosols TDD/TTY 490-6645, 1-800-83506428 or   bill was in 2000.
containing substances; small propane
cylinders (camp fuel)
Left over paints should be returned to the
Enviro depot in your neighbourhood (to find
out where your nearest depot is ring RRFB
Nova Scotia on 1-877-313-7732)
Also, Rona the DIY store is advertising at
the moment; that they will take all unused/
leftover paints.
All types of needles should be disposed
of in a 'sharps container' and returned to the
local pharmacy or contact the Canadian
Diabetes association.
 You can take all your deposit recyclables
back to get the money or if you don't want
to do this; you notice there are many
persons travelling around the area collecting
from your curbside collection; these people
aren’t doing anything wrong just simply
collecting items to get the money back
themselves. Someone may as well have the
money.
 We have 3 plastic containers in the house
to put our recyclables in until collection day;
also a normal kitchen bin for garbage, when
this is full or smells we tie the bag up and
put it outside in a small holding box until
plastic lidded container for all organics,
when full we empty into the paper sack.
reduces the fruit flies in the house.
 For further information contact 490-4000,
http://www.halifax.ca/wrms/
Home & Garden 53
Answers to quiz on page 27:
1. Sir Wilfrid Laurier - the first
French Canadian prime minister
2. 1996
3. Red
4. 94% steel, 3.8% copper and
2.2% nickel
5. 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper
6. The last printing of the $1,000
7. $10 bill
8. 1935 for the Silver Jubilee of
King george V
9. The coin weighs 100 kilograms.
It is 50 cm in diameter and 3 cm
thick
10. 100 years
11. All bank notes are 100% cotton
paper
12. You can choose from:
holographic strip, watermark,
security thread, see-through
number, raised ink or
florescence.
13. Between two and four years
14. Between February 2007 and the
games 25 quarters will be
issued
15. The $10 bill features John A
McDonald who was Canada’s
first prime minister
54 Home & Garden
The truth about water
We should all be looking at ways we can reduce
our water consumption be it for conservation
reasons or to boost your own finances - it’s never
too late to take action
Water is the lifeblood of our planet and
everything living on it needs water, without it
everything would cease to exist. So what,
you are saying, isn’t 70% of the Earth
covered in water - we have plenty! Not so
say the experts. We are using twice as
much water today than was used 50 years
ago which equates to around 3,800 cubic
km annually.
Freshwater lakes and rivers, ice and
snow, and underground aquifers hold only
2.5% of the world's water. By comparison,
saltwater oceans and seas contain 97.5% of
the world's water supply.
Here in North America we are home to
the Great Lakes Basin which holds
approximately 18% of the world’s fresh
surface water and is the largest surface
fresh water system in the world. The border
between Canada and the United States runs
through the Great Lakes and thus the lakes
are “shared” between the two countries.
The largest lake - Lake Superior is 35%
Canadian, Lake Michigan is entirely in the
United States, Lake Huron is 60.4%
Canadian, Lake Erie 49.8% Canadian and
the smallest, Lake Ontario is 52.7%
Canadian.
The Great Lakes Water Quality
Agreement was signed by Canada and the
U.S. in 1972 and is reviewed every six
years. The agreement is a commitment to
control pollution in the Great Lakes and
clean up wastewater from industries and
communities.
Because we have the Great Lakes,
Canadians believe that we have an
abundant supply of water and can use as
much as we want but that is simply not true.
We have to take steps now to conserve as
much of our water as we can. This simply
means doing the same things but use less
water to do it. By changing the way we use
water and the appliances and equipment we
use we can make a big difference.
By identifying where we use water in the Did you know?
home we can begin to understand how we
can make small changes to reduce our • 65% of household water is
overall consumption. used in the bathroom
• Toilets are the single
Bathroom biggest user of water in
homes
Because 65% of household water is used in
• Only 10% of household
the bathroom this is the first place to look at water is used in the
conserving it.
kitchen
The toilet is the single biggest user of
water in the home. Before 1980 most of the
• During the summer over
toilets produced used 20 litres of water with
half of municipal water is
every flush. During the 1990’s new “water used in the garden
saver” toilets were introduced that reduced • Municipal water prices in
usage down to 13 litres per flush. These Canada are some of the
days you can purchase toilets that use only lowest in the world
6 litres of water per flush they are known as • A single lawn sprinkler
ultra-low-flush (ULF) toilets. spraying 19 litres per
In Ontario all new homes built after 1996
minute uses more water in
have to be fitted with ULF toilets according just one hour than a
to the Ontario Building Code. No other
combination of ten toilet
province or territory has such regulations
flushes, two 5-minute
although some municipalities such as
Vancouver do have bylaws addressing the
showers, two dishwasher
issue. loads, and a full load of
You may think that a toilet flushing with clothes.
just 6 litres of water cannot possibly be as • Nine million Canadians
good as one which uses 20 litres, but you rely on groundwater for
would be wrong. With modern technology their domestic supply.
most ULF toilets actually perform better
than their old 20 litre counterparts.
By replacing a toilet that used 18 litres of
water per flush with one that uses 6 litres
you can expect to save around 120 litres per
day with an average of ten flushes.

You can also go one better by installing a
duel-flush toilet which allows you to choose
a full flush or a half flush. You can expect to
save a further 25% with this type of toilet.
Another big saver of water is taking a
shower instead of a bath. The average bath
uses between 120 and 190 litres of water,
depending upon its size. A four minute
shower will use on average 75 litres or
around half the amount. This can be reduced
further still by using a low-flow shower head
which will use half again (38 litres).
Another very simple way of saving water is
not to keep the tap running when you brush
your teeth. Either run some water in the sink
and use that or only turn on the tap when
you need to rinse your toothbrush.
Kitchen
By choosing to use a dishwasher instead of
hand washing the dishes you will actually
save money. You may be surprised by this
statement but you have to look at how
people tend to hand wash. Most people will
wash up pots and dishes as they use them.
This can result in several wash loads every
day. By using a dishwasher once every day
or even every other day you will ultimately
save money. Many manufacturers are now
producing machines that use less water and
water savings can be increased further. Look
for models featuring the ENERGY STAR
symbol.
Laundry
Make sure you are using the most efficient
washer and dryers as they will not only save
water they will also save you money. By
replacing an old washer with a new ENERGY
STAR model you can save yourself $100 a
year in energy bills.
Modern front-loaders use far less water
than traditional top loaders. Some models
boast savings of up to 75% on water
consumption.
Water heaters
If you have an old water heater installed in
your home consider changing it for a modern
high efficiency model. Further monitory
savings can be made by turning down the
thermostat. Most manufacturers pre-set their
thermostats to 60℃ but you can reduce this
to 55℃ which will save energy.
Outdoors
During the summer months over half of the
municipal water used in Canada is in the
garden. The problem with this is that the
majority of this water is simply wasted.
If you have a sprinkler system make sure it
fits the size of your lawn and does not water
your driveway or sidewalk. Choose a flat
sprinkler rather than an oscillating one as
these tend to loose as much as 50% of the
water to evaporation.
Why not water your plants and lawn using
recycled water? Installing a cistern to capture
rain water is a cheap and simple option.
Landscape your garden in such a way that
is doesn’t require so much water. By
choosing native plant species you can save
on the amount of water they need. Restrict
the lawn area to places where the family sit
and play so that you are not watering areas
you don’t use.
When washing the car use a bucket of
water instead of a hosepipe. A hose uses
much more water than you would use if
washing by sponge and bucket. You can
save around 300 litres of water this way.
Summary
It doesn’t matter if your water is supplied by
your municipality or your own well we can all
do simple things to conserve water. By doing
this not only do we ensure we will have
enough fresh water for the future, but we will
also reduce our water bills or the likelihood of
wells running dry.
Home & Garden 55
Water Facts
• An older toilet could use up
to 20 litres of water for each
flush
• A four minute shower uses
around 75 litres of water
• An average bath will use
around 160 litres of water
• Brushing teeth with the tap
running can use 10 litres of
water
• Garden sprinklers can use
35 litres of water per minute
• In order to be ENERGY
STAR rated a clothes washer
must use less than 1.07 litres
per cycle for each litre of tub
capacity
• Ontario is the only province
to introduce building codes
requiring all toilets, shower
heads and faucets in new
buildings to be water
conserving.
• The average Canadian will
use around 350 litres of
water every day
• 60% of Canada’s fresh water
drains to the north, but 85%
of the population lives to the
south
• Households without water
meters use approximately
70% more water than
metered households
• A third of Canadians rely on
the Great Lakes for water
56Sequoia
Home Club& Garden

Carol Brough - Sales Representative

CENTURY 21 Lanthorn Real Estate Ltd., Brokerage*
102 Main Street, Picton, ON K0K 2T0
Tel: (0) 613-476-8039
Email: carolbroughc21@hotmail.com

MLS: 2082916 Price: $389,900 Province: Ontario

City: Picton Bedrooms: 4 Bathrooms: 3

Century home on 21 acres, large custom built eat in kitchen [with Swiss flair]. Original
woodwork, trim, hardwood floors and beautiful wood staircase and railings. Year round
stream and spring fed pond [170' x 55']. Inground 32' x 16' pool, 2 barns plus machine shop
with hydro. Perfect spot for horses. Virtual tour: http://www.Obeo.com/464995

MLS: 2083535 Price: $229,900 Province: Ontario

City: Wellington Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 2

Larger then it looks. Three bedroom home on large country lot. New kitchen with granite
counter top and bathroom vanity, maple hardwood flooring and master bedroom ensuite
done in 2007. 22' dug well, 6 jet whirlpool tub, 12 x 16 deck off kitchen with patio door. Area
of wineries, close to beaches and local artist studio. Virtual tour: http://www.Obeo.com/
466682

MLS: 2081104 Price: $279,900 Province: Ontario

City: Adolphustown Bedrooms: 4 Bathrooms: 2

Hobby farm for horses. Newly renovated home on hill top. Original hardwood in living and
dining rooms. All new windows (2007). New flooring in kitchen and bathrooms (2008). Main
floor laundry and walk out to deck. Hill top views of orchard and Adolphus Reach from front
porch.10+ acres with two quonset huts. One is used for stable for horses. 100' x 125' riding
ring plus 4+ acres fenced pasture. Virtual tour: http://www.Obeo.com/464998

MLS: 2081511 Price: $649,000 Province: Ontario

City: Athol Bedrooms: 2 Bathrooms: 2

Custom built home on 2.73 acres with approximately 190' of waterfront on East Lake.
Laminate, ceramic tile and carpet floors, 11 sets of French doors and double hung windows.
Large living room with propane fireplace, ensuite bathroom with heated floor, 6' x 8' walk-in
closet and claw foot slipper tub. Minutes to Sandbanks, wineries, local artist studio.
Outbuilding has potential for studio. Virtual tour: http://www.Obeo.com/464859