http://www.edmontonsun.com/Business/News/2006/12/09/pf-2703533.html
December 9, 2006
Labour tug-of-war
Atlantic provinces seek to woo back workers
By TIMOTHY LE RICHE, EDMONTON SUN
Like we didn't have enough labour-shortage problems already, now the Atlantic provinces have put together a campaign to make things worse: they're enticing their workers to "Come Home."
CareerBeacon.com, a New Brunswick advertising agency owned by Brunswick News, part of the Irving conglomerate (ubiquitous in that part of Canada), this week inserted a pullout in Alberta daily newspapers with a series of articles outlining why it's time for former Atlantic Canadians to think about returning.
BITTERLY
Jean Nadeau, CareerBeacon.com's manager, admits some people have already responded bitterly.
"We've had positive comments; we've had nasty comments," said Nadeau. "Former residents from here say, 'Hey, I'm here in Alberta, making great money, whereas I was in Newfoundland before and couldn't find a job.'
"What we're saying is, eventually you may want to come home. Maybe you've paid your debt. You might have gained experience. This is where to go."
Nadeau won't say how much CareerBeacon spent on the 40-page pullout, entitled: "Come Home to a Career in Atlantic Canada." The brochure and website not only offer stories on the growing Atlantic economies, but also the benefits of living there.
"This is a collective effort from the public and private sectors to address a fundamental issue that we're facing now," said Nadeau. "I wouldn't go as far as to say we're having shortages, but we are under increasing pressure in many occupations."
Natural resources workers and "knowledge-based" staff (computers, medicine, science) are in growing demand in Eastern Canada where at least the urban centres are experiencing economic gains.
"If you're looking at the big picture, big projects coming down the pipe over the next five years, we're talking $15 billion to $20 billion in projects, mostly in petrochemicals, exploration and mining," said Nadeau. "I.T. is still growing."
Although there is no worker shortage that compares to Alberta, Atlantic Canada has taken notice of our situation: rising project costs due to labour shortages, a hard-pressed service industry and social impacts.
SUCCESSES
"What we don't want is what happened in Alberta," said Nadeau. "You caught up with your successes."
The CareerBeacon pullout reminds Atlantic Canadians about ocean views and comparatively cheap housing.
It tells me a $1.51 cup of Tim Horton's in Calgary costs only $1.29 in New Brunswick, and tickets for the Goo Goo Dolls concert in Calgary ranged from $59 to $69, but were $10 cheaper in Moncton.
Irving Oil is poised to launch a $7-billion expansion at its Saint John refinery, a project that needs 5,000 construction workers and 1,000 permanent staff.
It all sounds familiar.
Just what we needed.
Tough competition for labour.
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Afghanistan - Think about it!!!
I don't agree as Canadians that we should be fighting in Afghanistan.
We're a peaceful Nation who are suppose to promote peace around the Globe.
Since a very good friend of mine husband's will be in that part of the world on Christmas day?
I decided to blog that sad little story -
A Special Thought for the Christmas Season!
T' WAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS,
HE LIVED ALL ALONE,
IN A ONE BEDROOM HOUSE,
MADE OF PLASTER AND STONE.
I HAD COME DOWN THE CHIMNEY,
WITH PRESENTS TO GIVE,
AND TO SEE JUST WHO,
IN THIS HOME DID LIVE.
I LOOKED ALL ABOUT,
A STRANGE SIGHT I DID SEE,
NO TINSEL, NO PRESENTS,
NOT EVEN A TREE.
NO STOCKING BY THE MANTLE,
JUST BOOTS FILLED WITH SAND,
ON THE WALL HUNG PICTURES,
OF FAR DISTANT LANDS.
WITH MEDALS AND BADGES,
AWARDS OF ALL KINDS,
A SOBER THOUGHT,
CAME THROUGH MY MIND.
FOR THIS HOUSE WAS DIFFERENT,
IT WAS DARK AND DREARY,
I FOUND THE HOME OF A SOLDIER,
ONCE I COULD SEE CLEARLY.
THE SOLDIER LAY SLEEPING,
SILENT, ALONE,
CURLED UP ON THE FLOOR,
IN THIS ONE BEDROOM HOME.
THE FACE WAS SO GENTLE,
THE ROOM IN SUCH DISORDER,
NOT HOW I PICTURED,
A CANADIAN SOLDIER.
WAS THIS THE HERO,
OF WHOM I'D JUST READ?,
CURLED UP ON A PONCHO,
THE FLOOR FOR A BED?
I REALIZED THE FAMILIES,
THAT I SAW THIS NIGHT,
OWED THEIR LIVES TO THESE
SOLDIERS, WHO WERE WILLING TO FIGHT.
SOON ROUND THE WORLD,
THE CHILDREN WOULD PLAY,
AND GROWNUPS WOULD CELEBRATE,
A BRIGHT CHRISTMAS DAY.
THEY ALL ENJOYED FREEDOM,
EACH MONTH OF THE YEAR,
BECAUSE OF THE SOLDIERS,
LIKE THE ONE LYING HERE.
I COULDN'T HELP WONDER,
HOW MANY LAY ALONE,
ON A COLD CHRISTMAS EVE,
IN A LAND FAR FROM HOME.
THE VERY THOUGHT BROUGHT,
A TEAR TO MY EYE,
I DROPPED TO MY KNEES,
AND STARTED TO CRY.
THE SOLDIER AWAKENED,
AND I HEARD A ROUGH VOICE,
"SANTA, DON'T CRY,
THIS LIFE IS MY CHOICE.
I FIGHT FOR FREEDOM,
I DON'T ASK FOR MORE,
MY LIFE IS MY GOD,
MY COUNTRY, MY CORPS."
THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER,
AND DRIFTED TO SLEEP,
I COULDN'T CONTROL IT,
I CONTINUED TO WEEP.
I KEPT WATCH FOR HOURS,
SO SILENT AND STILL,
AND WE BOTH SHIVERED,
FROM THE COLD NIGHT'S CHILL.
I DIDN'T WANT TO LEAVE,
ON THAT COLD, DARK NIGHT,
THIS GUARDIAN OF HONOUR,
SO WILLING TO FIGHT.
THEN THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER,
WITH A VOICE, SOFT AND PURE,
WHISPERED, "CARRY ON SANTA,
IT'S CHRISTMAS DAY, ALL IS SECURE."
ONE LOOK AT MY WATCH,
AND I KNEW HE WAS RIGHT,
"MERRY CHRISTMAS MY FRIEND,
AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT."
This poem was written by a peace keeping soldier stationed overseas.
The following is his request. I think it is reasonable.
"PLEASE. Would you do me the kind favour of sending this to as many people as you can?"
Christmas will be coming soon and some credit is due to our Canadian Service men and women for our being able to celebrate these festivities. Let's try in this small way to pay a tiny bit of what we owe. Make people stop and think of our heroes, living and dead, who sacrificed themselves for us.
Please, do your small part to plant this small seed.
PARKWAY MALL IN SAINT JOHN IS TRULY DEAD!!!
This girl is very lucky she wasn't cleaning the Mall during the Frigate Program. The Mall was jam pack with people.
I remember in the middle there used to be a coffee shop in the middle of the Mall. Lots of memories
Look at it these days???
DEAD!!!!
I remember in the middle there used to be a coffee shop in the middle of the Mall. Lots of memories
Look at it these days???
DEAD!!!!
Dolores Cook might be gone but daughter continues to run the store.
I was very saddened once I heard that Dolores died close to two years ago. < This summer >
Dolores and I had some fun debating different issues and she always stood firm on the issues she believed in.
She was one of the co-founders of the C.O.R. Party.
Her daughter still runs her business in Parkway Mall in Saint John.
Dolores is truly missed.....God Bless
John Foran - Should kids be allowed to drive killer machines???
BLOGGER??? WHAT'S THAT???
This guy left me his card but I lost it. Maybe he can add it in here.....look at the trees in the back.....
THE MEETING PLACE CHURCH SERVED OVER 100 POOR PEOPLE LAST NIGHT!!!
The rooming house where I live in is pretty quiet but every couple of weeks?
A person could hear a group knocking on every door asking if they want a soda and a sandwich?
It’s a religious group call - The meeting Place Church... I guess?
Anyway...they gave me a card asking me if I wanted a hot meal on December 11th.
I guess they do this good deed every year.
I wasn’t going to attend but at the last minute, I decided to go. I might add it was the first time I ever attended this Christmas event.Once there, I was surprise of the amount of people in the building. Being Charles? I had to take some pictures.
There were over 100 poor people enjoying an nice hot meal.
I might add they all received a bag full of gift. < Your truly included >
The organizers did a wonderful good deed and everyone went home happy. I might add the poor didn't leave before thanking the people in charge for their nice hot meal.
MON ONCLE ALPHONSE LEBLANC A 75 ANS DE JEUNE!!!!
This is the man that I truly respect. As a matter of fact? He's the one who told me about ADHD!!!
Abel LeBlanc < no relation > was nice enough to give him a certificate for this celebration
I pray that Al has many more celebrations for years to come!!!
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