50 ways to learn about careers • Education spending focus of Ont. budget • Pot on way to work nets suspension • Ontario vows to ensure severance in bankruptcies • Quebec helps pension sponsors • Slavery traps millions
50 ways to learn about careers
Edmonton — West Edmonton Mall’s latest attraction, KidTropolis, simulates a city, complete with offices, store fronts and a road that winds through a 50,000-square-foot business district. Mixing education and fun, the park lets children role-play 50 jobs including radio DJ, bank worker, surgeon and construction worker. Kids apply for a job and get paid with KidsMoolah to spend on entertainment or save in the bank to gain interest for the next visit.
Education spending focus of Ont. budget
Toronto — Over the next five years Ontario will put $6.2 billion more into universities and colleges, apprenticeships and student aid. The province’s May budget also includes continuing a freeze on post-secondary tuition for 2005-06. The spending is a response to a report, delivered by former Premier Bob Rae, that urged for more cash for a post-secondary system suffering from funding problems. The province also vowed to tackle a 30-per-cent high school drop-out rate by spending on smaller classes and assigning teachers to high-risk students.
Pot on way to work nets suspension
Vancouver — Police pulled over two people in car who were smoking marijuana on their way to work as bus drivers. The drivers for Coast Mountain Bus Company in British Columbia’s Lower Mainland received a 24-hour licence suspension and a call to their employer, reports the Vancouver Sun. Coast Mountain Bus has suspended the drivers pending investigation, and discipline could include termination, the firm says.
Ontario vows to ensure severance in bankruptcies
Toronto — Ontario has acted to put $900,000 in severance in the hands of more than 300 staff who worked for defunct Ajax Precision Manufacturing. Labour Minister Chris Bentley said the payout happened because ministry staff worked on the case with the court-appointed trustee, committing resources that speak “volumes about the government’s proactive approach to getting money owed to workers” in cases of bankruptcies.
Quebec helps pension sponsors
Quebec City — Quebec is looking at temporarily relaxing pension rules to aid plan funding. Bill 102 proposes letting plan sponsors with unfunded liabilities combine them with earlier liabilities, and extend the time liabilities may be paid down.
Slavery traps millions
Geneva — More than 12 million people around the world are trapped in forced labour, according to a report by the International Labour Organization, a United Nations agency. The study, A Global Alliance Against Forced Labour, says sectors where this is a problem include agriculture, construction, sweatshop manufacturing, brick-making and the sex trade. The vast majority of victims (9.5 million) are in Asia.
Edmonton — West Edmonton Mall’s latest attraction, KidTropolis, simulates a city, complete with offices, store fronts and a road that winds through a 50,000-square-foot business district. Mixing education and fun, the park lets children role-play 50 jobs including radio DJ, bank worker, surgeon and construction worker. Kids apply for a job and get paid with KidsMoolah to spend on entertainment or save in the bank to gain interest for the next visit.
Education spending focus of Ont. budget
Toronto — Over the next five years Ontario will put $6.2 billion more into universities and colleges, apprenticeships and student aid. The province’s May budget also includes continuing a freeze on post-secondary tuition for 2005-06. The spending is a response to a report, delivered by former Premier Bob Rae, that urged for more cash for a post-secondary system suffering from funding problems. The province also vowed to tackle a 30-per-cent high school drop-out rate by spending on smaller classes and assigning teachers to high-risk students.
Pot on way to work nets suspension
Vancouver — Police pulled over two people in car who were smoking marijuana on their way to work as bus drivers. The drivers for Coast Mountain Bus Company in British Columbia’s Lower Mainland received a 24-hour licence suspension and a call to their employer, reports the Vancouver Sun. Coast Mountain Bus has suspended the drivers pending investigation, and discipline could include termination, the firm says.
Ontario vows to ensure severance in bankruptcies
Toronto — Ontario has acted to put $900,000 in severance in the hands of more than 300 staff who worked for defunct Ajax Precision Manufacturing. Labour Minister Chris Bentley said the payout happened because ministry staff worked on the case with the court-appointed trustee, committing resources that speak “volumes about the government’s proactive approach to getting money owed to workers” in cases of bankruptcies.
Quebec helps pension sponsors
Quebec City — Quebec is looking at temporarily relaxing pension rules to aid plan funding. Bill 102 proposes letting plan sponsors with unfunded liabilities combine them with earlier liabilities, and extend the time liabilities may be paid down.
Slavery traps millions
Geneva — More than 12 million people around the world are trapped in forced labour, according to a report by the International Labour Organization, a United Nations agency. The study, A Global Alliance Against Forced Labour, says sectors where this is a problem include agriculture, construction, sweatshop manufacturing, brick-making and the sex trade. The vast majority of victims (9.5 million) are in Asia.
