Government of Canada Unveils Details of the 2012 Royal Tour

The theme of the 2012 Royal Tour is "For Queen and Country: Service to Canada—A Royal and a National Value."

OTTAWA, April 30, 2012 /Canada NewsWire/ - The Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, today announced details of the Royal Tour of Canada by Their Royal Highnesses The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall. The Royal Couple will tour Canada from May 20 to 23, 2012, visiting four communities in three provinces.

"We are delighted that Their Royal Highnesses will join Canadians in celebrating the 60th anniversary of her Majesty's reign as Queen of Canada," said the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages. "Occasions such as this are rare. The only other time Canada celebrated the Diamond Jubilee of a reigning King or Queen was for Queen Victoria in 1897. We welcome the Royal Couple and look forward to showing them some of the best of what Canada has to offer."

This will be the 16th time His Royal Highness has toured Canada. His most recent tour was in 2009. This will be the second tour to Canada for Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall.

The program will highlight Canadians' service to their communities, in recognition of which The Prince of Wales will present The Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medals.

The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall will visit:

...Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Gagetown, Oromocto, New Brunswick (May 21)
...Saint John, New Brunswick (May 21)
...Toronto, Ontario (May 21 and 22)
...Regina, Saskatchewan (May 22 and 23)

Opportunities for Canadians to see Their Royal Highnesses will be at the following events:

...Official welcome to Canada at CFB Gagetown in Oromocto on May 21
...Victoria Day Celebration in Saint John, New Brunswick on May 21
...Arrival at Queen's Park in Toronto, on May 22
...Arrival at the Saskatchewan Legislature on May 23
...Arrival at the First Nations University in Regina on May 23

In addition to these public opportunities, there are several highlights of this tour:

...Victoria Day fireworks in Toronto on May 22
...A meeting with chief executives and youth who have participated in The Prince's Charities Seeing is Believing program in Canada on May 22
...A meeting with young veterans and mentors involved in the Military Entrepreneurship summer school at CFB Gagetown on May 21
...A meeting with the National Leadership of Assembly of First Nations in Toronto on May 22 ...A first visit for Her Royal Highness to the Queen's Own Rifles—she has just become Colonel-in-Chief of the regiment—in Toronto on May 22
...A special military event that will commemorate the War of 1812 in Toronto on May 22
...A celebration of the centennial of Regina's Legislative Building
...A performance by the Regina Symphony Orchestra of which His Royal Highness is a Royal Patron in Regina on May 23.

A full itinerary is being developed in collaboration with municipal, provincial, federal partners, Clarence House, and private organizations, and will be announced closer to the start of the Royal Tour.

The Crown in Canada iPhone application is available to download for free at www.CanadianCrown.gc.ca. Users of BlackBerry smartphones and other mobile devices can access the content at m.canadiancrown.gc.ca. You can also follow the latest updates on the 2012 Royal Tour on Facebook and Twitter.

The Diamond Jubilee is one of many milestones Canadians will celebrate in the coming years, including the War of 1812 bicentennial, Sir John A. Macdonald's 200th birthday in 2015, and Canada's 150th birthday in 2017.

THE THEME OF THE 2012 ROYAL TOUR OF CANADA FOR QUEEN AND COUNTRY: SERVICE TO CANADA - A ROYAL AND A NATIONAL VALUE

On her twenty-first birthday in 1947, then Princess Elizabeth spoke to the Commonwealth and made the following statement: "I declare before you all that my whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service…." This declaration, made almost five years before her accession to the Throne as Queen of Canada on February 6, 1952, can be seen in all Her Majesty's work and it is the foundation of the relationship that she has nurtured with Canada and all Canadians over the past sixty years as our Queen.

Marking Her Majesty's Diamond Jubilee as our head of state is cause for great celebration. Indeed, more than eighty percent of Canadians have known no other Sovereign than Queen Elizabeth II. Throughout our lives, we have witnessed firsthand The Queen's dedication to duty and her service to this country over sixty years. Canadians have good reason to honour The Queen and celebrate Her Majesty's record of service. They also have good cause to both emulate this record and to honour those Canadians who quietly and in their own ways continue to build our communities and our country, all in the cause of service to others.

In Her Majesty's Diamond Jubilee Year, the Royal Tour of Canada by Their Royal Highnesses The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall will highlight service as both an enduring value of Her Majesty as well as an intrinsic Canadian value. The service of The Queen and Her Majesty's family to Canada, be it as Colonels in Chief of various regiments, the Duke of Edinburgh Awards Programme, The Prince of Wales' Charities or numerous other examples, underscores the important bond between the Crown and this country that will be a central focus of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

Part of this Tour will be a focus on Canadians who have adopted service as an inherent value of our society and identity: volunteers at local hospitals and nursing homes, who donate their time and encourage learning and philanthropy, the men and women who serve in the Canadian Forces as well as all peace officers, educators and parents who give freely of their time to ensure our children serve their communities and make a difference. These and so many others who go about their daily lives doing good works with little thought of personal credit or recognition. It is this service to Canada, both at home and abroad, that has come to be a defining quality of the Crown and all Canadians.

The Royal Tour will focus on this record of service and how it plays such a pivotal role in developing the fabric of this country and reinforcing our collective sense of identity. While taking time to honour our Queen in ways that are most meaningful to each of us in the communities where we live, Canadians should also take time to honour those around us who, through their service, bring credit to us all. We could offer no greater gift to Her Majesty in this Her Majesty's Diamond Jubilee Year and, in so doing, mirror her own longstanding commitment to the service of others.

Budget Red Tape Reduction measure will save money for federal and provincial taxpayers, and give consumers faster access to self-care products

OTTAWA, April 26, 2012 /Canada NewsWire/ - Today's Federal budget implementation Bill contains a provision that will remove the requirement for regulatory amendments to impose or to remove prescription status for medicines. This measure will create savings for both the federal government and provincial health care systems, without altering the scientific review process that assures the safety, quality and efficacy of products that are switched from prescription to nonprescription (OTC) status.

"By eliminating the regulatory red tape that holds up the availability of these products for up to two years after they've been approved by Health Canada, this measure will not only reduce costs for the Federal Government, but hasten the savings that these "Rx to OTC switches" generate for provincial healthcare systems and consumers," said Consumer Health Products Canada's Gerry Harrington.

Numerous studies in Canada and abroad have demonstrated that when medicines are switched from prescription to over-the-counter (OTC) status, health care systems save money through reduced physician visits, drug costs and pharmacist dispensing fees. These consumer health products offer people new self-care choices that allow them to take greater control over their own health. There is growing recognition internationally that expanding self-care options can play a vitally important role in maintaining healthcare system sustainability. In recent months, both the United States Food and Drug Administration and the United Kingdom Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency have opened discussions on how to enhance self-care and drive cost savings through prescription to OTC medicine switches.

"Implementation of this budget red tape reduction measure takes an important step in the right direction," said Harrington, "by recognizing the value of self-care and its contribution to the sustainability of Canada's healthcare system. For consumers, it means faster access to new health care choices and lower costs, without changing in any way the actual scientific evaluation process that protects their health and safety."

CHP Canada is a 115 year-old trade association representing the consumer health products industry, including the manufacturers of natural health products (NHPs) and over-the-counter medicines (OTCs). Follow them on Twitter at www.twitter.com/CHP_Can

De-Clutter For A Cause: Annual Royal Lepage National Garage Sale for Shelter Returns on May 12, 2012

photo credit: "Phil Soper, President and CEO of Royal LePage (2nd from right) visits the 2011 Royal LePage National Garage Sale for Shelter location in Oakville, Ontario, one of the largest garage sales in the country. (CNW Group/Royal LePage Shelter Foundation)"

100 percent of funds raised at charity garage sale supports local women's shelters and programs to end family violence

TORONTO, April 26, 2012 /Canada NewsWire/ - On Saturday, May 12, more than 120 Royal LePage offices and other community locations across Canada will be transformed into a destination for bargain hunters with the return of the National Garage Sale for Shelter in support of the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation - an organization committed to supporting women's shelters and ending violence against women and children.

Now in its fourth year, this Mother's Day weekend event brings local residents together with Royal LePage REALTORS® to raise much-needed funds and awareness to help break the cycle of family violence. Since 2009, the National Garage Sale for Shelter has raised more than $850,000 in support of women's shelters across the country and to help fund prevention programs to end violence in Canadian homes.

"Violence against women affects thousands of Canadian families," says Shanan Spencer-Brown, Executive Director of the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation. "Half of all women in Canada have experienced at least one incident of physical or sexual violence since the age of 16 and 360,000 children are exposed to family violence every year. That's why we are so committed to raising funds to provide a safe haven for women and children and to stop the cycle of family violence."

All administrative expenses of the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation are underwritten by Royal LePage and the event's sponsors cover all other costs, so 100 percent of the revenue generated supports local women's shelters and helps give hope to thousands of women and children escaping family violence.

Members of the community are encouraged to participate and help de-clutter for a cause. Donate gently used items to your local participating Royal LePage office and stop by the National Garage Sale for Shelter location in your neighbourhood on Saturday, May 12 to find some great bargains and help support a worthy cause.

Event Details:

What: 4th Annual National Garage Sale for Shelter
When: Saturday, May 12, 2012
Where: Across Canada! Click here to find your closest National Garage Sale for Shelter location
Why: To support the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation, Canada's largest public foundation dedicated exclusively to funding women's shelters and violence prevention and education

Want more info? Click here for a fact sheet on the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation.

Can't attend but still want to make a donation? Click here to make an online donation.

Locally

Guelph
Royal LePage Royal City Realty
25 Waterloo Ave.
Date: May 12th
Time: 7am-12pm
Contact: Betty Lou Clark 519-821-6191

Fergus
Royal LePage RCR Realty
840 Tower Street
Date: May 12th
Time: 7am-1pm
Contact: Patricia Cryderhan 519-843-1365

Now in its 14th year, the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation supports close to 200 shelters across the country, helping more than 30,000 women and children every year. It's also committed to funding violence prevention and education programs through its partnership with the Canadian Women's Foundation. Since its inception, the Shelter Foundation has raised more than $14 million with the help and support of generous Royal LePage agents, brokers, managers and administrative staff, along with members of the communities in which they live and work.

"Helping You Is What We Do™ is not just a tagline, it's our corporate philosophy and it translates into a collective commitment to giving back to the community," says Phil Soper, Royal LePage's President and CEO. "Royal LePage professionals are tireless in their efforts to create safer homes and safer communities through the Shelter Foundation."

The National Garage Sale for Shelter is also made possible with the generous support of our sponsors: TD Canada Trust Mobile Mortgage Specialists (National Presenting sponsor) and Atlas Van Lines Canada (In-kind Moving and Transportation sponsor).

For more information on the National Garage Sale for Shelter, how you can participate and to find your local Garage Sale site, please visit www.royallepage.ca/shelter.

About the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation

The Royal LePage Shelter Foundation is Canada's largest public foundation dedicated exclusively to funding women's shelters and ending violence against women and children. Through agent commission contributions and the fundraising activities of the Royal LePage network, we have raised more than $14 million to help provide a safe haven and new beginnings for more than 30,000 women and children each year. To break the cycle of violence, the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation also supports long-term violence prevention and education programs. All funds raised by Royal LePage offices remain in their local community and because Royal LePage pays all administrative costs, 100 percent of all money and effort goes toward this important cause.

About Royal LePage

Serving Canadians since 1913, Royal LePage is the country's leading provider of services to real estate brokerages, with a network of 14,000 real estate professionals in over 600 locations nationwide. Royal LePage is the only Canadian real estate company to have its own charitable foundation, the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation, dedicated to funding women's shelters and prevention and education programs aimed at ending family violence. Royal LePage is a Brookfield Real Estate Services Inc. company, a TSX-listed corporation trading under the symbol TSX:BRE.

For more information visit www.royallepage.ca.

Canadian Hearing Society brings a strong message to Queens Park about visual fire alarms

TORONTO, April 24, 2012 /Canada NewsWire/ - The Canadian Hearing Society (CHS) will be delivering thousands of postcards signed by Deaf, oral deaf, deafened, hard of hearing people and other concerned individuals, to a press conference scheduled at Queens Park on April 26. Deaf consumers will also share their horrifying first-hand experience of escaping fires in their home, highlighting the importance of visual fire alarms.

The press conference will focus on the message that the Government of Ontario needs to implement the following two measures in the name of fire safety, accessibility and equity:

...The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care to include visual fire alarm devices under the Ministry's Assistive Devices Program (ADP) in the ADP expansion

...The Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services amend the Ontario Fire Code to incorporate visual fire alarms and duty of landlords, owners of rental housing and long-term care facilities, and home builders to comply not only for public spaces but also in residents' dwellings

"Audible alarms which are activated by heat, smoke, or toxic fumes warn of imminent danger by sound; however, these notification systems fail Ontarians who are Deaf or have a hearing loss because they are unable to hear the alarm. Traditional fire alarms are completely inaccessible," said Chris Kenopic, CHS President & CEO,

Kenopic continues, "this is an emergency communication device that saves lives. Compliance should be equitable and not result in financial hardship to the segment of the population with hearing loss. Amending the revised Provincial Fire Code Regulation is essential. The Government of Ontario must find financial assistance for Deaf people and people with hearing loss (who are not recipients of Ontario Disability Support Program) and who may face undue financial hardship, to live safely in their homes and comply with regulations. This is in addition to the Government of Ontario's commitment to the Healthy Homes Renovation Tax Credit that will help seniors stay safer at home."

"Steps need to be taken to ensure that Ontarians who are Deaf or have a loss of hearing are protected," said MPP Lisa MacLeod. "Traditional fire alarms fail to protect some of our most vulnerable citizens that is why I am happy to stand with The Canadian Hearing Society in their call for changes," MacLeod continued.

Chief Tim Beckett President Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs (OACF) said, "The Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs is committed to relentless pursuit of ensuring that all citizens in Ontario are protected from the effects of fire. Although we have smoke alarm legislation, a number of our citizens have hearing difficulties and may have difficulty hearing activated fire alarms. We welcome the call to government to make changes to legislation that will protect Ontarians who are hearing challenged are also protected to a high level in the areas they should feel the safest...their homes."

"The OMFPOA supports the initiative brought forward from the CHS to have visual fire alarms included in the fire code, and as a part of the Ministry's Assistive Devices Program. Early warning detection is key in a prompt and safe escape from fire. Everyone deserves the same level of safety and early warning detection. Fire does not discriminate," says Chantelle Cosgrove, Fire Prevention Officer Brampton Fire & Emergency Services.

"This is a simple and straightforward bill that will save lives. We are in full support of it," says MPP Cheri DiNovo, NDP Community and Social Services critic.

Forum Celebrates Bond Between People, Pets

GUELPH, Ontario April 20, 2012 - University of Guelph Release - A keynote address by a leading advocate and promoter of the human-animal bond, plus a visit from members of the Guelph Police Service’s canine unit, will be among the highlights of this weekend’s Pet Trust Forum at the University of Guelph’s Ontario Veterinary College (OVC).

More than 100 invited guests are expected to attend the forum Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.

The annual event is a thank-you for donors to the OVC Pet Trust Fund, a registered charity dedicated to improving the lives of companion animals by supporting learning, health care and research at OVC. Pet Trust has raised more than $10 million in support of the Animal Cancer Centre, which opens later this year.

Berney Pukay, an award-winning veterinarian, television producer and newspaper columnist, will discuss “From Bambi to the Bond: The Impact of the Human-Animal Bond on the Body, Mind and Soul” in the keynote address. Pukay is the past-president and CEO of the Alta-Vista Animal Hospital in Ottawa, one of the largest small animal practices in Canada. He was also the producer and host of the popular television series Pet Connection on Discovery Channel’s Animal Planet.

Guelph Police Service dog handler Cst. Neil Moulton will also make an appearance with Nitro, a six-year-old German shepherd and five-year veteran of Guelph’s canine unit.

The program also includes talks by OVC professors Brenda Coomber and Paul Woods, co-directors of the U of G Institute for Comparative Cancer Investigation; and “Pet Food 101” with Adronie Verbrugghe, who holds the Royal Canin Endowed Chair in Canine and Feline Clinical Nutrition.

Victor Garber returning home

Titanic star to help raise funds and awareness
for the Canadian Diabetes Association

LONDON, Ontario, April 20, 2012 /Canada NewsWire/ - To mark the 30-year milestone of London's best culinary fundraising event, The Meal, the Canadian Diabetes Association welcomes London native Victor Garber as this year's Honourary Chair and special guest.

Best known for his portrayal of Thomas Andrews in the Academy award-winning motion picture Titanic, Garber was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 12. This was two years before his professional career began. No matter what the role, he refuses to let diabetes take centre stage.

"I tell everyone I have diabetes. If I'm doing a play, I make sure the stage manager knows to have a glass of juice ready," says Garber.

He mentions that it's important for people to know how serious diabetes is as it can lead to complications such as blindness and amputation. He also knows it can be devastating and dramatic for children, as he recalls a similar feeling when he was first diagnosed.

"My heart aches for young kids diagnosed with diabetes. I want them and their parents to know that they can survive and thrive with this disease."

The Meal takes place on April 22, where a group of talented top chefs from London's finest dining establishments will serve a feast of culinary delights to approximately 350 - 400 foodies in support of the Canadian Diabetes Association. Over the past 30 years, The Meal has raised more than $1,000,000 to fund research in the fight against diabetes.

"The research is so inspiring, it makes me want to work harder to do everything I can to help," adds Garber.

The fundraiser will be hosted at the London Hilton and tickets have already sold out. To learn more about ways to live well with diabetes, visit diabetes.ca, call 1-800-BANTING (226-8464) or subscribe to the Association's magazine Diabetes Dialogue (diabetes.ca/dialogue).

About the Canadian Diabetes Association

The Canadian Diabetes Association is a registered charitable organization, leading the fight against diabetes by helping people with diabetes live healthy lives while we work to find a cure. Our professional staff and more than 20,000 volunteers provide education and services to help people in their daily fight against the disease, advocate on behalf of people with diabetes for the opportunity to achieve their highest quality of life, and break ground towards a cure. Please visit diabetes.ca, join us on facebook.com/CanadianDiabetesAssociation, follow us on Twitter @DiabetesAssoc, or call 1-800-BANTING (226-8464).

New Public Health School Established to Address Growing Health Crisis

WATERLOO, Ontario, April 19, 2012 /Canada NewsWire/ - With today's launch of the new School of Public Health and Health Systems, the University of Waterloo becomes a world leader in public health research, education and service, specifically focused on addressing the growing health crisis.

"The world is facing an aging population and alarming increases in chronic illness and environment related illnesses. We're headed toward a major health crisis unless we rethink how we approach these current and emerging problems from a public health perspective. We've developed this school to do just that," says Paul McDonald, Director of the School of Public Health and Health Systems.

Organized around six critical health challenges as opposed to specialized disciplines, the new school breaks down traditional academic barriers. Instead of working in silos, faculty, students and researchers from multiple fields work together to examine the interrelationships between the many factors that impact our health and our health systems. The result is more effective and timely solutions.

"With a transdisciplinary approach, and by focusing on key priorities in global health, such as chronic disease prevention and management, food and water safety, security and governance, and reducing health inequalities, the University of Waterloo's School of Public Health and Health Systems is making a major contribution to Canadian and global health," says Dr. Gro Harlem Brundtland, a world leader in public health and former Director-General of the World Health Organization, in Waterloo to celebrate the importance of the new school.

Working with provincial, national and international partners to rapidly produce relevant and innovative research to solve today's top health challenges, the school builds on the University of Waterloo's history of essential collaboration.

"Governments at all levels are struggling to find answers to the burgeoning health crisis before it's too late," says faculty dean, Susan Elliott. "Our partnership approach means our experts can provide policymakers with the critical evidence-based research they need. It also ensures the university is continually evolving to stay on top of the most significant public health risks."

The new school includes a professional practice centre designed with the capacity to provide cutting-edge research for public, private and non-profit organizations on issues as they arise. This will allow the school to be responsive to current health concerns at the same time as providing students with a learning environment focused on societal needs.

About the University of Waterloo

In just half a century, the University of Waterloo, located at the heart of Canada's technology hub, has become one of Canada's leading comprehensive universities with 34,000 full- and part-time students in undergraduate and graduate programs. Waterloo, as home to the world's largest post-secondary co-operative education program, embraces its connections to the world and encourages enterprising partnerships in learning, research and discovery. In the next decade, the university is committed to building a better future for Canada and the world by championing innovation and collaboration to create solutions relevant to the needs of today and tomorrow. For more information about Waterloo, visit www.uwaterloo.ca.

Ontario's Doctors: Reaching Out to All of Ontario's Patients with eSSENTIAL Accessibility

TORONTO, April 18, 2012 /Canada NewsWire/ - The Ontario Medical Association is pleased to announce its participation in a Disability Community Involvement Initiative sponsored by March of Dimes Canada. In collaboration with eSSENTIAL Accessibility™, the OMA will feature an interactive icon to enhance online access for Canadians with physical disabilities.

eSSENTIAL Accessibility is committed to bringing organisations together with the common goal of reaching out to the disability community in a meaningful way. With eSSENTIAL Accessibility, the OMA is helping to connect visitors with physical disabilities to the medical information they need.

By clicking on the icon located in the lower right-hand corner at www.oma.org, visitors can access the online tools they need to navigate the Web more easily. These tools are available to the more than two million Canadians who have difficulty typing, moving a mouse or reading a web page. eSSENTIAL Accessibility empowers users with dexterity limitations that arise from a variety of conditions including stroke, paralysis, arthritis, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy and Parkinson's disease. It also helps individuals who have difficulty reading because of literacy deficiencies, limited English proficiency, dyslexia, or mild visual impairment.

"As physicians, we see many people each day who have various levels of physical dexterity and English literacy. Our partnership with eSSENTIAL Accessibility will help the OMA to meet the needs of Ontarians with disabilities, and will help us improve our own ability to communicate. We hope that other organisations will join in making the internet an easier place to navigate for all Ontarians." - Dr. Stewart Kennedy, President, Ontario Medical Association.

eSSENTIAL Accessibility helps Ontario organizations meet standards in customer service, employment and communication as mandated by the Communication Supports directive of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), 2005. eSSENTIAL Accessibility does not ensure conformance with World Wide Web Consortium Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). We all benefit from greater accessibility given the contributions, involvement and spending power of people with disabilities.

"Almost one in five Canadians are living with disability. The OMA recognizes the importance of serving this demographic properly. By taking part in the Initiative, they are joining a growing number of forward-thinking organizations creating economic and social value by factoring people with disabilities into their planning." - Simon Dermer, Managing Director, eSSENTIAL Accessibility.

For more information, and to try out eSSENTIAL Accessibility, visit www.oma.org

Outstanding youth volunteer receives highest honour from Province of Ontario

TORONTO, April 18, 2012 /Canada NewsWire/ - This National Volunteer Week, CNIB congratulates one of our most dedicated volunteers for receiving the Ontario Medal for Young Volunteers, the highest honour a young person can achieve in the province.

Toronto's Meaghan Walker, 17, was one of six honourees in a special ceremony held on April 17 at Queen's Park by The Honourable David C. Onley, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario and Charles Sousa, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration.

Meaghan was introduced to CNIB at age 11 through a family in her neighbourhood with triplet girls, one of whom was born blind. Inspired by the special challenges this family has faced with assistance from CNIB, Meaghan began fundraising for the organization. Meaghan's efforts started small with bracelet sales and lemonade stands and grew as she did - most recently raising $2,000 at a gala organized for her high school.

"The priceless gift of time that CNIB's volunteers give to our organization and the community we serve is essential to everything we do," says Linda Goldblatt, Executive Director, Ontario-Nunavut, CNIB. "However, it is a rare and special experience to work with a volunteer as committed as Meaghan at such a young age. Her interest in helping people who are blind or partially sighted has been unwavering."

For Meaghan, the message she wishes to convey is two-fold: to inspire the world to see people's abilities rather than disabilities and to encourage young people to get engaged in a cause that is meaningful to them.

"Volunteering has been a huge part of my life because I know how fortunate I am," says Meaghan. "I love seeing people happy - the children and adults I've worked with who are blind bring a smile to my face each time I see them accomplish something they weren't sure they could do."

Meaghan's devotion to volunteerism has had positive ripple effects throughout her school and community.

"If everyone makes a small change they want to see in the world, our world can be a better place," says Meaghan.

In light of National Volunteer Week, Meaghan is an inspiration to us all.

About CNIB

CNIB is a registered charity, passionately providing community-based support, knowledge and a national voice to ensure Canadians who are blind or partially sighted have the confidence, skills and opportunities to fully participate in life. To learn more, visit cnib.ca or call the toll-free CNIB Helpline at 1-800-563-2642.

About National Volunteer Week

April 15 to 21 is National Volunteer Week. Thousands of volunteers contribute time, skills and passion to CNIB to help empower Canadians who are blind or partially sighted. To all our volunteers: Thank you - you make a difference! To find out more or to become a volunteer, visit cnib.ca/en/support

Seniors needing the most help are not getting the care they need, says report

The Health Council of Canada releases a new report on home care in Canada

TORONTO, Ontario April 16, 2012 – Today, the Health Council of Canada released Seniors in need, caregivers in distress: What are the home care priorities for seniors in Canada? Download report here (.pdf).

The report provides the first cross Canada snapshot on the needs of home care clients and their caregivers. The report looked at data from five regions including Nova Scotia, Ontario, Manitoba, British Columbia and Yukon and found that seniors who need home care the most are not getting the level of care they need. One-third of seniors in the Health Council’s sample have complex health needs, often involving both a physical disability and cognitive impairment such as dementia, but these people receive only a few more hours of home care services per week than what is offered to seniors with moderate care needs.

This leaves the burden on the shoulders of many family caregivers in Canada. Caring for a high-needs senior with limited outside support may stretch family caregivers beyond their capacity. Approximately 40-50% of seniors with the most complex health needs have distressed caregivers, who report they are finding it difficult to continue to provide care, and that they have feelings of stress, anger, and depression.

A burned out caregiver cannot help anyone if they end up in the hospital or become otherwise unable to function. In fact many caregivers are seniors themselves, at risk of health crises under stress. The report calls for a system that regularly assesses the situations of seniors and their family caregivers and provides support, whether it is additional hours of home care or faster placement a loved one into a long-term facility.

“Home care has become an integral part of the health care system, not something that happens off-side in the community,” said Lyn McLeod, Councillor with the Health Council of Canada. “Governments need to make home care a priority by developing and implementing an integrated continuing care strategy. Jurisdictions can adapt what is working by learning from innovative practices.”

The most successful programs and policies bring together, home care, primary care and acute care under one coordinating body. To do this, the report suggests a change in the way funding is allocated. Canada currently spends considerably more on long-term care facilities than home care. Among countries monitored by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Canada has one of the larger gaps between spending on long-term care and home care, 0.96 % of GDP for long-term care and 0.21% of GDP for home care.

The report also calls for integration of home care across sectors and services as well as the provision of support for family caregivers. As hospitals are the main source of referrals to home care, when seniors leave the hospital, they should experience a smooth transition from hospital to home care. And once a senior is receiving home care, the family physician should be included as part of the home care team.

“When home care is properly valued and integrated into the health care system, it can improve the health and well-being of many seniors and their families, and reduce costs to the health care system,” said John G. Abbott, CEO of the Health Council of Canada.

The report also addresses the issue of the Alternate Level of Care (ALC) patients – people who don’t need the acute care of a hospital, but still need some care. Often they are awaiting placement in a long-term care institution or rehabilitation facility. ALC patients use an average of 5,200 hospital beds every day, at high cost to the health care system. Many of these people are seniors who could be cared for at home if appropriate supports were in place.

About the Health Council of Canada

Created by the 2003 First Ministers’ Accord on Health Care Renewal, the Health Council of Canada is an independent national agency that reports on the progress of health care renewal. The Council provides a system-wide perspective on health care reform in Canada, and disseminates information on leading practices and innovation across the country. The Councillors are appointed by the participating provincial and territorial governments and the Government of Canada.

Phthalates Increase Risk of Type 2 Diabetes

from TreeHugger.com by Sara Novak Living / Health

Phthalates found in cosmetics, personal care products, and plastics may increase the risk of Type 2 diabetes in seniors. Even a minimal increase seemed to up their diabetes rates, according to a study at Uppsala University.

The study followed 1,000 70 year old men and women participants who submitted blood samples for analysis of environmental toxins like phthalates. Those with higher levels of certain kinds of phthalates were more likely to have diabetes even after adjusting for obesity, blood lipids, smoking, and exercise habits.

Phthalates Disrupt Production of Insulin

Researchers think that phthalates may disrupt the production of insulin in the pancreas. Monica Lind, associate professor of environmental medicine at the Section for Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Uppsala University says in Science Daily

Although our results need to be confirmed in more studies, they do support the hypothesis that certain environmental chemicals can contribute to the development of diabetes.

In addition to choosing organic cosmetics and avoiding plastics whenever possible, your diet also has a lot to do with your exposure to phthalates. A study, published in Environmental Health Perspectives, found concentrations of BPA were reduced by 66 percent and concentrations of phthalates were reduced by between 53 and 56 percent just by eating fresh foods.

5 Ways to Getinvolved during National Volunteer Week April 16th-April 22nd

Offer your Time and Talent @ Getinvolved.ca

TORONTO, April 12, 2012 /Canada NewsWire/ - A recent report by Volunteer Canada found that 33% of Canadians who want to volunteer don't know how to get started. Canada's largest online volunteer network, Getinvolved.ca, matches volunteers with organizations that need their help. If you're an accountant who cares about kids, a techie who is passionate about international development, or a student looking to build your resume Getinvolved.ca has FIVE great ways for people to get their feet wet.

ONE: Create a "Volunteer Offer"

Tell us what you care about, your skills, and where you live and GetMatched to organizations that need your help.

TWO: Take our Volunteer Quiz

Are you a groupie volunteer? Then events are right for you. Perhaps you are an A Type volunteer who needs to work on defined projects? Take our VQ to find out your Volunteer Type and we'll match you with opportunities that are right for you.

THREE: GetMatched with over 3500 Volunteer Opportunities

Use our GetMatched tool to find a volunteer match that's right for you."Navigating Getinvolved is like going into a candy store", says Greg Overholt, Executive Director, Students Offering Support, the volunteers we've found at Getinvolved.ca have been passionate about what they're doing. It's been a great resource."

FOUR: Become a 21st Century "Virtual Volunteer"

New technologies are the wave of the future, according to the 2012 UN report. They note that online activism is on the rise, but few organizations are engaging people online. At Getinvolved.ca you become a Virtual Volunteer or search opportunities that allow you to make a difference across the street, the country, or around the world, when and where you want.

FIVE: Volunteer to build your resume.

Alexa Marschel, 28, who used the site to find Canadian work experience, says

"Getinvolved is a great interface, I just loved being able to really hone in on what I wanted. If you've got some time, and you've got some passion, you will find something that's right for you because there's so many great organizations."

"National Volunteer Week is a great time to reflect on how we can all become more engaged in our communities and connect with issues we're passionate about," says Dorothy Engelman, Getinvolved.ca, Executive Producer. "We are proud of the contribution Getinvolved.ca is making in supporting volunteers and the amazing organizations who rely on their skills, which wouldn't be possible without our committed partners."

Getinvolved.ca is a FREE tool for volunteers and organizations.

Launched in 2008 in partnership with TVO, Getinvolved has forged strategic partnerships with Volunteer Canada and Manulife Financial. Today Geitnvolved.ca is Canada's largest online volunteer network including:

...2100 national, local and grass-root organizations ...5800 volunteers Canada's largest source of skilled volunteers ...3500 volunteer opportunities Canada's single largest source of volunteer opportunities ...1000's of virtual volunteers and opportunities ...Over 100 videos featuring activists, innovators and social entrepreneurs

Whooping cough (pertussis) reported in Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph, Ontario - Public urged to make sure immunizations are up-to-date

FERGUS, Ontario April 12, 2012 - Health & Safety Watch - According to media reports, Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health is investigating two diagnosed cases of pertussis (whooping cough) in Guelph and continuing an investigation of an outbreak of the disease in North Wellington. While whooping cough is a contagious disease it is vaccine-preventable and part of Ontario's publicly funded immunization program.

"Immunization is your best protection against diseases such as pertussis, mumps, and measles because it boosts your body's own defence system. Since routine immunizations were introduced many of these diseases have almost disappeared - but not completely. These diseases do come back," explains Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Nicola Mercer. "Infants under one year of age and pregnant women in their third trimester are most vulnerable to the effects of pertussis. I urge everyone to review their immunizations and keep them up-to-date."

Whooping cough is a disease of the lining of the respiratory tract that is caused by the Bordetella Pertussis bacterium. It begins with cold-like symptoms including sneezing, runny nose, low-grade fever and mild cough and worsens over a period of several weeks to include serious coughing spells that often end with a "whoop." Whooping cough is easily transmitted from person to person, mainly through droplets from the nose, mouth and throat of an infected person.

World Health Organization and Alzheimer's Disease International say dementia must be a global health priority

Alzheimer Society of Canada asks: Where in the World is Canada?

TORONTO, April 11, 2012 /Canada NewsWire/ - Landmark data released today by the World Health Organization (WHO) and Alzheimer's Disease International (ADI) in their first-ever report on the global impact of dementia: Dementia: A Public Health Priority show that around the world a new case of dementia occurs every four seconds. That is the equivalent of 7.7 million new cases each year. In the words of global health expert Dr. Peter Piot, dementia is a 'ticking time bomb.'

Yet, of the WHO member countries, only eight have dementia plans in place: Australia, Denmark, France, Japan, Korea, the Netherlands, Norway and the United Kingdom, with the United States currently developing a plan. Canada, however, has yet to get started on the development of a plan.

"The WHO report serves as a wake-up call for the Canadian Government to show leadership in planning for the impact of dementia on our health-care system and on the people living with this devastating disease," says Naguib Gouda, CEO at the Alzheimer Society of Canada.

With input from four working groups of experts and nearly two dozen international contributors, today's report is designed to compel world governments to replicate some of the solutions and approaches already adopted by countries to tackle the skyrocketing numbers of dementia affecting 35.6 million people worldwide.

"WHO recognizes the size and complexity of the dementia challenge and urges countries to view dementia as a critical public health priority," says Dr. Shekhar Saxena, one of the report's project leaders and Director of Mental Health and Substance Abuse at WHO.

In 2010 the Alzheimer Society of Canada sounded the alarm with its own seminal report, Rising Tide: The Impact of Dementia on Canadian Society. It highlighted the rapidly increasing prevalence of dementia that will affect 1.1 million Canadians in less than 25 years, and the rising economic costs that are expected to increase tenfold to $153 billion a year.

Rising Tide also recommended five evidence-based solutions to reduce the burden of dementia and improve the well-being of those affected. These include prioritizing research, raising awareness about prevention, promoting early diagnosis and management, strengthening workforce training and capacity and implementing responsive care and health service delivery, especially for caregivers. But so far, little action has been taken by the Federal Government.

"We can no longer afford to be idle," adds Gouda. "We're asking the Government to put Canada on the world map and make dementia a health priority. We can improve the outcomes for Canadians living with this debilitating disease if we build on the strengths of our current resources and implement a truly cross-government, cross-sector approach."

Dementia is a term that refers to a group of brain disorders whose symptoms include loss of memory, judgment and reasoning, and changes in mood and behaviour. Brain function is affected enough to interfere with a person's ability to function at work, in relationships or in everyday activities. Alzheimer's disease is the most common form, accounting for about two thirds of all dementias in Canada. It is a relentless and unforgiving condition that can last up to 20 years. The causes and cure are unknown.

Dementia is not a normal part of aging even though age remains the predominant risk factor. After 65, the risk for dementia doubles every five years. According to Statistics Canada, the number of seniors in Canada will jump to 9.8 million by 2036.

To join the campaign for a national dementia plan, or to download a copy of the WHO or Rising Tide report, visit www.alzheimer.ca/WHOreport

About the Alzheimer Society

The Alzheimer Society is the leading nationwide health charity for people living with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. Active in more than 150 communities across Canada, the Society offers Help for Today through our programs and services for people living with dementia and Hope for Tomorrow…® by funding research to find the cause and the cure. It is also a co-founding and leading member of ADI.

About the World Health Organization (WHO)

WHO is the directing and coordinating authority for health within the United Nations system. It is responsible for providing leadership on global health matters, shaping the health research agenda, setting norms and standards, articulating evidence-based policy options, providing technical support to countries and monitoring and assessing health trends. For more information, visit www.who.int/about/en/.

About Alzheimer's Disease International (ADI)

ADI is the international federation of 78 Alzheimer associations that support people with dementia and their families in their respective countries. Founded in 1984, ADI serves as a network for Alzheimer associations around the world to share and exchange information, resources and skills. Its vision is a better quality of life for people with dementia and their families. ADI is based in London and is registered as a non-profit organization in the state of Illinois. For more information, visit www.alz.co.uk.

Magazine readers resist e-reading inroads

Canadian newsstand buyers remain loyal to print, survey shows

TORONTO, April 4, 2012 /Canada NewsWire/ - Canadian magazine readers remain loyal to the print versions of their favorite titles, with fewer than one in ten newsstand customers - and one in twenty women readers - having purchased an e-edition in the past year, according to a national survey.

"A strong majority of Canadian magazine readers still prefer a physical copy of their magazines over a digital format," concludes the survey, conducted by Leger Marketing for Periodical Marketers of Canada.

Nationwide, nine per cent of magazine readers reported having bought an electronic edition of a magazine, with 14 per cent planning to do so in the next year. Seventy-one per cent of respondents said they prefer to read print magazines rather than electronic editions, citing the portability of magazines, the tactile experience of reading print, and ease of browsing.

In comparison, books have gained a larger electronic following, with the survey showing that 24 per cent of Canadians have bought an e-edition of a book in the past year.

The online survey of 1,583 Canadian magazine readers carried out in January 2012 identified women readers and residents of Quebec as having the strongest preference for print format magazines.

Those who have purchased e-editions of magazines also tend to be heavier print consumers. While 45 per cent of all respondents said they have bought a magazine at a newsstand in the past month, 56 per cent of those who have bought e-editions have also bought print copies.

John Harrington, editor of the industry newsletter New Single Copy, said "This is a landmark study which conclusively demonstrates the ongoing viability of print magazines, particularly the role they play in the retail marketplace."

While two of five Canadians have reduced their magazine purchases at newsstands in the past three years, most say this is for economic reasons stemming from the recession, not from a loss of interest in magazines. However, 14 per cent of women and 16 per cent of readers between 18 and 34 say they have actually increased their magazine purchases.

"The so-called doomsday scenario that has print magazines doomed to obscurity is just a myth," says Ray Argyle, executive director of PMC.

"The trend seems to point toward the purchase of single copies and away from mail subscriptions," he added. "Seventy per cent of over-65s have mail subscriptions compared to 45 per cent of those under that age, while many in the under-35 group are buying more, not fewer, magazines at the newsstand."

Three-quarters of respondents said they check the magazine racks when they visit stores selling magazines, especially supermarkets and drugstores. Women readers, who constitute a majority of supermarket shoppers, also rate as the heaviest magazine consumers with 34 per cent saying they buy a magazine once or month or more often, and 55 per cent intending to do so in the next month.

Buyers of e-editions are also heavier print consumers, with 56 per cent saying they have purchased a print magazine in the past month.

Fifty-one per cent said they buy magazines for news, politics and public affairs; 47 per cent to keep up with trends; 38 per cent for homemaking information and 27 per cent to keep up with news of celebrities.

The way magazines are displayed affects their sale, according to the survey. Nearly one-third of shoppers say they are more likely to buy magazines displayed at the check out, while 29 per cent said more prominent displays would encourage them to browse more often and possibly buy.

Fifty-nine per cent of respondents said what they've read in magazines has influenced their decision to buy certain products, while 32 per cent said they've bought a magazine to learn more about something they've seen online.

Release of the survey coincides with a campaign by publishers, distributors and wholesalers to strengthen retail support for the $600 million a year newsstand magazine industry.

"Magazines represent an important and profitable category for retailers," Mr. Argyle said. "The survey shows that despite a slower economy and web-based reading, retailers can grow their sales by better displays and more frequent promotions."

National Ipsos-Reid poll indicates majority of Canadians haven't talked about their wishes for care

OTTAWA, April 4, 2012 /Canada NewsWire/ - Imagine, one day, without any warning, you find yourself in a hospital in a life-threatening situation, unable to communicate. Who would speak for you and make health care decisions on your behalf? That's a question that all Canadians need to answer - and a recent poll indicates that most have not.

The March 2012 Ipsos-Reid national poll was conducted to better understand whether Canadians are engaging in advance care planning, a process of reflection and communication about personal care preferences and naming someone to speak for you in the event that you become incapable of consenting to or refusing treatment or other care.

The poll found that:

...86% of Canadians have not heard of advance care planning
less than half have had a discussion with a family member or friend about healthcare treatments if they were ill and unable to communicate

...only 9% had ever spoken to a healthcare provider about their wishes for care

...over 80% of Canadians do not have a written plan

...only 46% have designated a Substitute Decision Maker - someone to speak on their behalf if they could not communicate

The population of Fraser Health, British Columbia, which has had a formalized advance care planning program in place since 2005, had more positive results compared to the rest of the country. Residents from this area were more likely to have heard of advance care planning, and were more likely to have discussed healthcare-related decisions with family/friends and healthcare providers. Other Research has shown that advance care planning significantly reduces stress, depression and anxiety in family members and caregivers.

Resources to help Canadians make a plan and have conversations are available at: www.advancecareplanning.ca.

April 16th has also been declared National Advance Care Planning Day - a day for Canadians to speak up and start the conversation. The results of the first year of a national multi-year study to examine the impact of advance care planning on elderly patients and their families (the ACCEPT study) will be released on that day in Calgary, Alberta.

"As health care technologies and life saving interventions continue to improve and people live longer - many with complex medical conditions - advance care planning becomes increasingly important," says Sharon Baxter, Executive Director of the Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association (CHPCA) and a member of the Advance Care Planning National Task Group. "We need to communicate our feelings around the use of certain procedures at the end of life, and what we believe gives our life meaning. April 16th - National Advance Care Planning Day - is the perfect time to start that conversation."

The Ipsos-Reid poll was conducted with funding support from the Canadian Researchers at the End of Life Network and Fraser Health. CHPCA and the National Advance Care Planning Project appreciate and thank its funding partners, Canadian Partnership Against Cancer and The GlaxoSmithKline Foundation.

What is an advance care plan?

An advance care plan describes your wishes at the end of life, in the event that you cannot speak for yourself. Your plan may include information about your values, goals and preferences for procedures that you do or don't want to have as well as other information about your care at the end of life. The most important aspects of advance care planning are naming one or more Substitute Decision Makers - someone who will speak on your behalf and make decisions for you when you are not able to do so yourself - and having a conversation with them about your wishes. See: www.advancecareplanning.ca for details.

Who should make an advance care plan?

Every adult should make a plan. You can't predict how or when you will die - so having a plan ensures that others know your wishes and that your voice will be heard if you cannot speak for yourself.

When is an advance care plan used?

You plan is only used if you are unable to make your own health care decisions (e.g. you are in a coma or your illness has impaired your ability to make decisions). Your representative can use it to guide your care and to express wishes on your behalf.