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Good news report from Canada

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20 April 2009

23 March was the 21rd day of the ninth month of the 3rd year of Canadian national consciousness rising to invincibility.

23 March 2009

Dr William Overall, National Director of the Global Country of World Peace in Canada, presented highlights of news reports reflecting Canada's rising invincibility from Yogic Flying groups across Canada and the large Invincible America Assembly at Maharishi University of Management and Maharishi Vedic City, USA.

Extensive scientific research has documented the Maharishi Effect of rising coherence, harmony, and peace created in the collective consciousness of a nation by large groups of Yogic Flyers. The effect has been found to extend beyond national borders when the group is of sufficient size.

Following are press reports featured in Dr Overall's presentation:

Bloomberg News - Canadian stocks rise most in three months, led by bank shares (23 March 2009) Canadian stocks rose the most in three months Monday after the U.S. Treasury said it will spend US$1 trillion to purchase distressed assets and Petro-Canada agreed to be bought in the biggest deal ever for a Canadian oil company. The benchmark TSX Composite Index gained 5.3 per cent, the most since 8 Dec., to 8,958.51, as all 10 industries rose. The index has advanced 18 per cent since 9 March (led by a 34 per cent rise in the financial sector). A gauge of financial shares surged 8.7 per cent on Monday, the most of the 10 industries in the TSX. Manulife Financial Corp., Canada's largest insurer, climbed 16 per cent. Royal Bank of Canada increased 7.6 per cent. Toronto-Dominion Bank rose 10 per cent. An index of energy companies increased 6.7 per cent. Petro-Canada surged 20 per cent. 'The market started going up because the bad news wasn't getting any worse,' said Gavin Graham, director of investments at Bank of Montreal Asset Management, which oversees about C$40 billion. 'Now you're starting to get some good news. You're actually starting to get some positives.'

From a Reuters Canada report on this: The broad-based rally extends a torrid stretch of gains by the TSX, which has closed higher in nine of its past 10 sessions.

The Financial Post - Canadian optimism, markets soar (23 March 2009) A mega-merger of oilpatch heavyweights and U.S. President Barrack Obama's plan to rid banks of toxic assets, fuelled optimism Monday that the worst of the economic downturn may have passed and ignited a 452-point surge in Canada's benchmark stock index. The rally lifted stocks around the world and sent the TSX composite index to its biggest gain of the year. 'What we're seeing now in the stock market could be marking the turnaround,' said Michael Gregory, senior economist at BMO Capital Markets. The rally also sent bellwether commodities oil and copper on a tear, as expectations of a turnaround in economic activity mounted. The surge in the energy sub-index was surpassed by an 8.7 per cent gain in the country's financials, a sign of confidence returning to the industry that had been at the epicentre of the global credit crisis. Also helping was a report that existing home sales in the United States rose unexpectedly in February, putting a positive shine on the U.S. housing market. (The 5.1 per cent gain was the largest sales jump since July 2003, against expectations of a decline.)

From another Financial Post report on this: '[Monday] indicates that Friday's pullback was a normal correction within an emerging uptrend,' said Colin Cieszynski, market analyst with CMC Markets Canada. 'Following strong gains in the early part of last week, markets have been consolidating lately at a higher level, which suggests that underlying investor confidence has been improving.' In all, gainers outpaced losers more than five-to-one Monday on the TSX.

Reuters Canada on Canadian dollar hits 6-week high (23 March 2009) The Canadian dollar jumped to a six-week high against the U.S. dollar on Monday. The currency finished at 81.80 U.S. cents, up from 80.68 U.S. cents at Friday's close. The economic outlook has picked up somewhat recently, and the building blocks for increased optimism have been steadily forming for the Canadian dollar, analysts said.

The Canadian Press - Consumer confidence rise encouraging signal for economy: think-tank (23 March 2009) Canadians are beginning to feel better about their financial prospects and that may signal that consumers are ready to re-engage in the economy, the Conference Board of Canada says. The think-tank's monthly survey on consumer confidence conducted 5 to 13 March continues a recent trend of better than expected indicators. 'We're starting to get people looking a little more creatively and optimistically ahead,' chief economist Glen Hodgson said. 'They understand they can buy stuff at a much better price than they did six months ago, that they are able to re-finance their mortgage at really impressive rates . . . .' The Conference Board's survey showed Canadian consumer confidence rising 2.7 points to 71.5 in March. Hodgson said the fact that Canadian consumer confidence has not fallen since December is a good signal for the economy.The proportion in the survey expecting fewer jobs to be available six months from now fell by 3.7 per centage points, while 20.5 per cent of respondents said they expected their financial situation to improve in the next six months.

From a Reuters Canada report on this: On questions about the current and future financial situation, the majority of responses fell into the 'unchanged' category. 'It appears that most people feel unaffected by the ongoing Canadian recession and believe they will continue to be unaffected going forward,' the research organization said.

From a Financial Post report on this: The brightest light in the survey, an important measure in gauging the country's future economic direction, was on the major purchases question, with 34.7 per cent saying now was a good time to buy, up 4.6 per cent from February, the sixth consecutive month in which sentiment on this question improved. Confidence improved in all regions of the country except Ontario, where it was unchanged. Sentiment in Atlantic Canada rose the most, up seven points to 80.7. British Columbia continues to be the most optimistic region of the country at 82.6, up 1.4 points.

The Globe and Mail - California Governor looks to emulate B.C. (23 March 2009) California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is pointing to British Columbia as a model for rebuilding America. Speaking Sunday on NBC's Meet the Press, Schwarzenegger said he wants to copy the public-private partnerships that have been used to fund and build major projects, from hospitals to highways, in B.C. 'It's like when you look at British Columbia or other places where they have a public-private partnership, where everyone is happy,' Gov. Schwarzenegger said. 'Businesses are happy, the people are happy, labour is happy, the politicians are happy. I mean, everyone is happy. We want to do the same thing. We should—the United States should copy that kind of a principle so that you can go out there and build.'

The Financial Post - Ontario aims to give a lift to high-tech firms (19 March 2009) Ontario is throwing support to the technology sector in the form of a C$250-million co-investment fund intended to help companies working in clean technology, life sciences, digital media and information communication technology. 'We have to make sure that great Ontario ideas turn into great Ontario jobs,' John Wilkinson, the Minister of Research and Innovation, told a news conference. Mr Wilkinson points out that the government's small investment in Blackberry-maker Research In Motion years ago translated into thousands of jobs in the province today. Any venture-capital firm, syndicates or angel investors prepared to invest in new technology in the sectors targeted will see their money matched dollar for dollar by the province. The startup executives that attended the conference were also happy to hear that the Minister is hoping to have money from this fund flowing by July in what he describes as 'warp speed' by government standards.

From a CBC News report on this: The fund will receive an interest in the companies it supports, with the aim of being self-sustaining through its return on investment.

From a Toronto Star report on this: Wilkinson, who called the programme a North American first, made the announcement at the head office of Ecobee Inc., a maker of smart thermostats that encourage energy conservation. 'Canada has lacked the necessary risk capital to create a vibrant innovation ecosystem like you see in Silicon Valley,' said Stuart Lombard, founder and CEO of Ecobee. 'This fund goes a long way to creating the right conditions for innovation to flourish in Ontario.'

The Toronto Star - Toronto eager to get electric cars on the road (23 March 2009) Toronto is joining a small group of forward-looking North American cities that want to speed up the introduction of electric cars on their streets and highways. Called Project Get Ready, the initiative was launched in February by the Rocky Mountain Institute, a Colorado-based think tank co-founded by renowned energy consultant Amory Lovins. The project's founding cities include Raleigh, Indianapolis, and Portland. 'Toronto will be signing up,' said Ben Marans, manager of special projects at the city's Toronto Atmospheric Fund. Marans adds that participation grabs the attention of automotive manufacturers, some of which have committed to producing 'plug-in' hybrids and all-electric vehicles as early as 2010. 'They're all going to go where the market is,' he said. The decision to join Project Get Ready builds on the province's partnership with Better Place, a Palo Alto, Calif.-based venture that's trying to create the infrastructure and service model that will support mass deployment of electric cars. The city and province need to policies and incentives that will ease the transition to plug-in vehicles, Marans said. This might include giving electric cars priority access to high-occupancy lanes and parking spots.

The Canadian Press - Winnipeg hits milestone - no auto thefts reported for 24 hours (19 March 2009) No vehicles were reported stolen in Winnipeg for 24 hours on March 3. Insurance CEO Marilyn McLaren says that's the first time in decades that has happened. The government says car thefts in Manitoba were cut in half in 2008.

The Winnipeg Sun - U of W bans bottled water (23 March 2009) The University of Winnipeg (U of W) has become the first university in Canada to announce it is banning the sale of bottled water from its campus. The university made the announcement Monday following a student referendum last week, where nearly 75% of voters supported the ban. 'We're very proud of the fact that they're showing such generational leadership,' said U of W president Lloyd Axworthy. The plan is to cease sales of bottled water in vending machines and cafeterias across the campus by the time the fall session begins in September. The university estimates that more than 38,000 bottles of water are now sold on its campus every year. Stephanie Chartrand, environmental ethics director with the U of W Students Association, said the student organization, with the support of the Canadian Federation of Students, will provide every first-year student with a free, reusable water bottle when they begin classes this fall.

From a Winnipeg Free Press report on this: Lloyd Axworthy said the school's administration imposed the ban because it wanted to reflect student concerns as well as continue to be a green, trail-blazing university. 'We have to examine every decision we make through the lens of how it contributes to a sustainable environment,' he said. 'We have a responsibility as a university to show the way and give our students facilities that walk the talk. We're not just teaching it, we're living it.' The university is also committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions with the short-term goal of making the school compliant under the Kyoto Protocol and a long-run objective of achieving zero net emissions.

From a Canadian Press report on this: Where municipal water is tested daily—often every few hours—for contaminants, some bottled water plants are only inspected every three years, student president Vinay Iyer pointed out. Only 12 per cent of plastic bottles are recycled, Iyer said. 'The rest of the bottles end up in places where they don't belong like landfills and oceans. We're letting students know that bottled water is just a fad and tap water is very, very safe.'

The Calgary Herald - Family mealtime fosters better nutrition (23 March 2009) With afterschool activities, homework, sports, and hectic work schedules for parents, it's easy to understand why many modern families struggle to find the time to sit down together and enjoy a nutritious meal. But letting family mealtime slip could have bigger consequences than most families realize. Research over the past fifteen years has shown that families who regularly eat meals together enjoy better nutrition and are likely to decrease the risk of unhealthy weight gain. 'Family meals have the potential to establish healthy nutritional behaviours and improve overall diet quality,' said Dr Sarah Woodruff, an assistant professor at Wilfrid Laurier University who published several recent Canadian studies related to family meals and dietary quality. 'Any time you sit down and eat together with your family, whether it is breakfast, lunch, and/or dinner, there are measurable benefits.' And U.S. research has shown that children who regularly enjoy family meals perform better in school, tend to be happier, and have a decreased risk of substance abuse. This research has encouraged many families to make an effort to sit down and enjoy meals together more often. For the past year, the Badoni family in Red Deer has been using the go slow approach to family meal time. 'We used to rush to eat,' explained Madhu Badoni. 'We'd often eat at the counter in our kitchen, but in the last year we've changed and we eat around the dinner table instead. The entire dynamic has changed. We're eating better and having conversations with our children that we never had the time for before. It's something we all look forward to.' The benefits of eating together last long after the meal ends.

The Edmonton Sun on breakthrough partnership committee for aboriginals in Edmonton (22 March 2009) Edmonton aboriginals will sit side-by-side with political leaders in charting a course against poverty. A new committee announced Saturday will bridge city, provincial and federal governments as equal partners with aboriginal governments, social organizations and even individuals. That's bound to reach a consensus on how to improve the lives of urban aboriginals - meaning government will be pressed to listen to the group, said committee president Joy Sinclair. It's a 'breakthrough,' said Coun. Ron Hayter, and a change from governments having ultimate say over aboriginals on programs and policy. Together, the city, province and federal governments are giving C$450,000 to hire staff and bring the circle together. Sinclair said having a seat at the decision-making table recognizes the stake aboriginals have in Edmonton's future. The circle will help connect different groups already serving Edmonton aboriginals and help guide government programs. But the greatest achievement could be having the many groups and governments work efficiently - all on one direction, said Hayter. 'The city won't be setting its course, and aboriginals setting their own course,' he said. The Wicihitowin, or circle of shared responsibility, reflects a change in thinking in government circles, said Gene Zwozdesky, Alberta's minister of aboriginal relations.

The Daily Gleaner (Fredericton, N.B.) - Native leaders applaud Nicholas's accomplishments (23 March 2009) Native leaders are applauding word that Judge Graydon Nicholas is being touted as New Brunswick's next lieutenant-governor. Phil Fontaine, national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, commended the choice. 'He would be a great appointment,' Fontaine said of Nicholas, who was one of the founders of the Union of New Brunswick Indians. Fontaine said Nicholas is a terrific role model for all people. Premier Shawn Graham has recommended to Prime Minister Harper that Nicholas, the first native judge in Atlantic Canada, be named the province's next lieutenant-governor. In his letter to Harper, Graham identified Nicholas as someone who is beyond reproach and 'highly respected for his principles and sense of fairness.'Nicholas graduated from law school at the University of New Brunswick. He also holds a bachelor of science degree in mathematics from St. Francis Xavier University and a masters in social work from Wilfrid Laurier University.He taught native studies at St. Thomas University and was chair of the department prior to his appointment to the court.Justice Minister T.J. Burke, who has a family connection to the Tobique First Nation, said Nicholas has been an inspiration to him, not only as a fellow Maliseet making his career in the law, but as someone who is able to see beyond the barriers that obstruct many. 'I think those who know him see him as compassionate. He always sees the good in people,' said Burke.

From a Telegraph-Journal (Saint John, N.B.) report on this: 'It would instill a lot of confidence in our community. It would be good for this province. It would be good for Canada,' said Phil Fontaine, the National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations. 'He has served the First Nations community very well. He has been an inspiration to the community for many years,' Fontaine said. A Maliseet raised in the Tobique First Nation, Nicholas speaks the Maliseet language fluently. If the prime minister appoints Nicholas, he would become the province's first aboriginal lieutenant-governor. 'It's great to see that doors are opening in all levels of government,' said Chief Jesse Simon, of the Elsipogtog First Nation, the province's largest aboriginal community. 'There are more and more aboriginals in positions we never thought possible before,' Joanna Bernard, chief of the Madawaska First Nation, said. 'I think it would be wonderful. It would help change the future.'

From a CBC News report on this: Imelda Perley, the co-director of a Maliseet language institute, grew up with Nicholas in the First Nation community of Tobique. She said she is thrilled with the prospect of him moving into Old Government House, the official residence of the lieutenant-governor that overlooks the St. John River. 'I'm really excited about the fact that, for example, the history of Old Government House is on traditional Maliseet territory and the fact that a Maliseet has been invited to the position of lieutenant-governor, and to be able to have residence in the home, it's kind of like a circle that's completing,' Perley said.

For further information on creating invincibility for your nation, please visit: www.globalgoodnews.com/invincibility.

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