Canadian Living June 2013

I’m the new girl here at Canadian Living, so let me tell you a little bit about the fun things I’ve been up to so far. As you can imagine, we have a large team of passionate journalists, editors, chefs, art directors, photographers and graphic designers, and lots of space for desks, fashion and beauty samples that come in and out, craft supplies, and piles and piles of books and magazines. But the jewel of our office is certainly The Test Kitchen. On my first day, I walked into this gigantic room with more appliances and counter space than you could ever imagine, and I was blown away by the beauty of the space and warmed by the liveliness and energy that radiated from it. On my second day, I visited…

FINANCIAL FIX I read “Mom & Dad in Debt” (April 2013) and was very pleased to see this topic covered. I work for MNP Ltd. in the Niagara area insolvency practice and know the trend toward older Canadians having debt troubles is a growing concern. One option that was not mentioned in your article is fling a consumer proposal. This stops interest and allows you to make one monthly payment you can afford. You often do not have to pay the debt in full. It does affect your credit, though not as severely as bankruptcy, and in no more than five years, you are debt-free. It is a good option for individuals who are ready to retire but can’t because of the debt they are struggling to pay. Thanks for the…

This summer, Manitoba beachgoers can sit back and enjoy the warm breeze – without inhaling cigarette smoke. That’s because the province has become the first to declare a ban on smoking at beaches and playgrounds in provincial parks. This year smokers will just get warnings, but next year they’ll be slapped with $300 fines. While smoking is still legal in outdoor hot spots throughout the rest of the country, it may not be for long. The days when a “smoky room” was more than just a cliché in a Journey song may seem archaic, but it was only 13 years ago that Vancouver became the first Canadian city to ban smoking in public places, including bars, restaurants and bowling alleys. Over the next decade, the rest of Canada’s provinces and major…

In June, the panel reviewing the $5.5 million proposal for the Enbridge Northern Gateway Project – a 1,170-kilometre twin pipeline that would run from Alberta to the coast of British Columbia – will hear final arguments. While the country will be waiting with bated breath until the end of the year to learn the panel’s recommendation, you can make up your own mind. We’ve broken down some of the major arguments. Proponents say the pipeline will… • Bring 1,150 long-term jobs to the Canadian economy and $4.3 billion in income from construction alone. • Generate $2.6 billion in tax revenues. • Create new opportunities with Asian markets and encourage international investment in Canada. • Give a 10 percent share to Aboriginal communities. Critics say the pipeline will… • Bring oil tankers and the threat of oil spills…

Do you have a sick child? The Canadian government is looking to lighten your load. An amendment made to the Employment Insurance Act will give parents with critically ill children income support for up to 35 weeks, while also protecting their jobs so they can take time off to be with their children. Eligible parents or guardians must have worked at least 600 insurable hours in the past year and must submit a certificate from a physician to get the biweekly support. Information on how to apply will be available in June at servicecanada.gc.ca. – Leslie Emmons…

Although the penny went out of circulation in February, you probably still have a couple rolling around in the bottom of your purse. For the next month, Free the Children is asking you to round up those coins to help provide clean water for people around the world. The campaign, We Create Change, began last September and, as of Feb. 4, had collected 70 million pennies – enough to provide water to 28,000 people in developing communities. The drive wraps up at the end of June, so request a penny bag online at freethechildren.com today and start your own collection.…