Stephen Harper gets upstaged by Dashan

The Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper,  popped into a Yu Garden teahouse, en route to a meeting  with the Shanghai mayor, where he shared a cup of tea with his wife and Mark Rowswell, Commisioner-General of Canada’s Pavilion, for the 2010 International Expo.

The toronto Sun quoted the shopkeeper as exclaiming, “Hey, I know him! That’s Dashan”!

Source: “City weekend Magazine”, Shanghai, January 2010.

Chinese are flocking to the Olympics in Vancouver

Amid the millions of non- canadian residents that are fighting to get tickets to the winter Olympics in Vancouver are the last years Olympic host, China

China residents can buy tickets from the China International Sports Exchange Center (TEL: 010 6712 2480).

How to get there? Air Canada, China Eastern, and Air China all fly to Vancouver.  Return flights from Shanghai are around  RMB 7,500 to 9,000 depending on departure dates.

For more info routes, scheduleas and fares, visit www.canadaline.ca or use the TransLink trip planner to get around at www.translink.ca where you can enter information to plan the best route for your trip.

“The Chinese Love British Columbia”…and they are comming!

“Beautiful British Columbia”- its the motto on every vehicle’s license plate in Canada’s westernmost province, and Vancouver’s breathtaking views of beaches, snow-capped mountains and waterfront forests. This city certainly has it good. Source: Talk Magazine Shanghai, January 2010.

Canadian economy will return to positive growth in 2010: RBC

Canadian economy will return to positive growth in 2010: RBC
After a challenging and difficult year, the Canadian economy is set for a nationwide recovery in 2010, according to a new report from RBC Economics.
Although the Canadian economy contracted at an average of 2.5 per cent in 2009, RBC says, “the stage is set for a return to positive growth in 2010.”
“With the financial crisis behind us and the U.S. economy on the mend, Canada?s economic growth is expected to rise steadily throughout the next year,” said Craig Wright, senior vice-president and chief economist at RBC.
“While challenges remain, a peak in stimulus and infrastructure spending across the federal, provincial and municipal governments, along with low interest rates, should result in a sustained recovery.”
RBC says the Canadian economy is set to grow in 2010, with real GDP rising by 2.6 per cent, and will continue to expand in 2011, at 3.9 per cent.
The report indicated that the peak of stimulus spending will occur in 2010, with improving credit conditions fuelling growth both in 2010 and 2011.
“The price tag for the stimulus is high with large budget deficits, but it is still lower, relative to GDP, than the peaks reached in the early 1990?s,” Wright said.
“Low mortgage rates and a limited supply of homes have led to an impressive rebound in housing resale activity, which should be seen as proof that consumers are feeling more upbeat, even in areas that were hit hard by the recession like Ontario, B.C. and Alberta.”
Consumer spending, however, is still being weighed down by the 8.7 per cent unemployment rate, which the report anticipates is likely to edge higher by year’s end. (read full article)

Affordable and Growing… How?

“Supply of properties for sale is dropping as demand bounces back, which is working to heat up prices again in many parts of the country.” says Robert Hogue, senior economist, RBC. (The Royal Bank of Canada)

Home ownership in Canada became more affordable for the fifth straight quarter with modest improvement registered across the country, says the second quarter housing report by RBC Economics Research.

“Following the biggest quarterly improvements on record in the first quarter and continued improvement in the second quarter, the national home affordability level has been restored to pre-housing boom levels” says Robert Hogue, senior economist, RBC. However, the recuperative phase of the affordability cycle seems to be drawing to a close with housing prices firming up in many parts of the country and mortgage rates no longer trending downward. (read the rest of the article)

?The leveling off of home affordability is not expected to stop the impressive resurgence in the housing market,? says Hogue.

Is Canada still in the gifted class? Canada’s Report Card

Is Canada still in the gifted class?
“Certainly Canada is still in the gifted class among nations. While the financial crisis and recession have had a negative effect on Canada and its 16 peer countries, they remain among the wealthiest in the world”, say the report from The Conference Board of Canada.

(read the full report)

Overall Quality of Life is Better in Canada Than Home Country for Majority of Ethnic and New Canadians…

Toronto, ON – A new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on the newly launched Multicultural Connection Panel finds that ethnic and new Canadians view overall quality of life as better in Canada compared to their home country.
(browse the full article)

Canadian Economy Expected to Rebound in 2010

The latest Monetary Policy Report from the Bank of Canada states that the Canadian economy is projected to grow in 2010.The real GDP is projected to grow by 2.5% in 2010 and 4.7% in 2011.This year though the GDP will fall by 3.0%. (read the whole article)

“Most Famous Canadian in the World”

Touring Canada has to include some educational stimulus with a visit to one of the country’s many museums. We chose the Norman Bethune museum and family home in the town of Gravenhurst, province of Ontario, as it turns out I am a distant relation of his. A sign inside the museum states “Norman Bethune remains the most famous Canadian in the world, largely by virtue of his status in China.”

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Summer in Canada

After a long summer break, I am back. I spent the entire summer travelling through my homeland of Canada, enjoying as many typical Canadian summer pastimes as possible. Curious as to what that includes? Check back regularly for updates.