Help for teachers on Census 2006

Just in time for Back to School, Statistics Canada has today released the 2006 Census Results Teacher's Kit. Based on results from the 2006 Census, these excellent kits are classroom ready and cover the following subjects: English, mathematics, social sciences, geography, history, family studies and technology. Suggested grade levels are intermediate and secondary (Grades 7 to 12) and all necessary materials and links to articles, photos, graphs and data are included.
Lesson 1 Exploring the effects of population change
Lesson 2 Meeting the needs of an aging population
Lesson 3 What is a family?
Lesson 4 Immigration: the changing face of Canada
Lesson 5 The First Nations, Metis, and Inuit peoples of Canada
Lessons 6, 7 and 8 will be released on 17 September.

Listeria investigation and food recall

For information from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency about products recalled, click here. If you're wondering how to determine if the Maple Leaf ham in your fridge is part of the recall click here. The Public Health Agency of Canada provides more information about listeriosis, updated frequently. The Ministry of Health and Long Term Care has a fact sheet about listeria, the symptoms of listeriosis and how to avoid it. For more information contact your local Public Health Unit

Infrastructure funding for municipalities

All municipalities in Ontario will benefit from infrastructure funding under the Investing In Ontario Act. The Ontario government is investing an additional $1.1 billion in capital grants to municipalities. Click here to see how much Oakville will be receiving
This news release from CNW Group provides a good overview of the act, its implications, and the relationship building between the government and Ontario municipalities.

Identity theft. Warning from CRA

The following information is taken directly from the CRS website today:
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is warning taxpayers to beware of a recent scam where some Canadians are receiving a letter fraudulently identified as coming from the CRA and asking for personal information. The letter is not from the CRA. View a copy of the letter here PDF version of the letter
The letter claims that there is “insufficient information” for the individual’s tax return and that in order to receive any “claims,” they will have to update their records. The letter attaches a form specifically requesting the individual’s personal information in writing, via fax or email, including information on bank accounts and passports. This letter is not from the CRA and Canadians should not provide their personal information to the sender.
All taxpayers should be vigilant when divulging any confidential information to third parties. The CRA has well established practices to protect the confidentiality of taxpayers’ information.
The CRA has notified the proper law enforcement authorities of this scam.

Gas prices

If you want to know some interesting statistics about Canadians' use of energy read the following article from The Daily (Thursday, 14th August) Study: Over a barrel? Canada and the rising cost of energy. Some food for thought: 1. despite the steady increase of gas prices since 2002, our consumption of gas has gone up, and 2. We think of ourselves as being self-sufficient in energy, but Canada actually imports 19.8% of the energy it uses.

New government publications - at GovInfo

Some new government publications have just arrived. Check them out at the Oakville Public Library catalogue

Maintaining Seniors' independence: A Guide to Home Adaptations
From Canada Housing & Mortgage Corp., this publication identifies home adaptations/improvements that are easy to carry out and allow older people with disabilities to live independently at home.

Threats to Water Availability in Canada
From Environment Canada, a selection of 15 chapters written by experts from academe, industry and government addressing a range of threats to water availability, and detailing current status, trends and knowledge.

Federalism: An Introduction
A concise little book that will easily fit in your pocket, this provides a quick, straightforward introduction to the federal system of government, its origins and characteristics.

Local Government in Action
This is a simulation about a fictional, medium-sized municipality in Canada called Summerville. It provides an interactive teaching tool with a focus on governance and community development in municipalities in Canada. It also examines the major issues faced by communities on the periphery of metropolitan areas.