WorkShoppers Online

Beetle battle gets more federal money

The federal government delivered another instalment Friday on its $200-million commitment to fight the mountain pine beetle. Source.

Cost of Olympics security could grow

OTTAWA -- Despite public assurances that security planning for the 2010 Vancouver Olympics is within budget, the RCMP has informed the B.C. government that it cannot project costs beyond this year, documents obtained by CanWest News Service reveal.  The RCMP, which is coordinating security for the event, has set an overall security budget of $175 million. The costs are expected to be shared between the federal and B.C. governments. More.

Internet

Pay-per-use may be coming to the Internet as Canada's major service providers look for ways to make more money off their infrastructure investments.  The controversial issue of pricing based on the amount of bandwidth used came to the fore this week with Bell Canada and Telus Corp. telling the Canadian Telecom Summit in Toronto that new business models must be implemented to meet users' growing appetites for high-bandwidth-consuming movies and music downloads.  Full article.

Consumers finding few benefits with strong dollar

Note to Canadians: Your dollar is worth more in the United States than it is in Canada.

That's the conclusion drawn by BMO Capital Markets economist Douglas Porter after analysing the disparity in prices between some commonplace goods sold in Canada and the United States.  Porter compared the Canadian and U.S. prices of everything from a cup of Tim Hortons coffee to a new Chrysler 300, factored in the higher value of the U.S. dollar, and determined that consumers are not being sufficiently compensated for the dollar's 50-per-cent rise against the greenback over the past five years.  Here.

$43 Million to help new workers settle in BC

Premier Gordon Campbell put out a $43-million welcome mat Wednesday to help immigrants find the work they are capable of doing and to better adapt to life in their new communities.  He said the "Welcome BC" initiative is designed to ensure that the province remains Canada's most popular destination for new immigrants, who will be needed to help fill an anticipated one million new jobs over the next 12 years. More.

Mandatory retirement ban

For Robert Anderson, it's akin to being saved by the bell.  A few months ago, things looked gloomy for the 64-year-old Simon Fraser University communications professor, who was scheduled to retire when he hits 65 in August despite wanting to keep working for a few more years.  More.

Test your professionalism

Answer Agree or Disagree. A discussion of professional behaviours follow.

1. I usually ignore irritating behaviour when interacting with someone.

2. I'm content with my performance.

3. I always tell the truth.

4. When a deadline looms, I try to improve the product.

5. I often copy newspaper or Internet articles for use in my work.

6. I usually compare myself to others.

7. Appropriate job skills are more important than good work habits.

8. I often engage superiors in conversations regarding how matters should be handled.

9. If I know a lot about a topic, I listen to others then explain my viewpoint.

10. I would report unethical or unsafe practices to the CEO.

11. It's OK to be late for meetings occasionally.

12. I won't work with a co-worker until we settle disagreements.

13. I tell others what I don't like about their performance at staff meetings.

14. I judge clients quickly.

15. I attend meetings sponsored by my professional association.

Comments here.

Canadians find meaning in non-profit

Tired of spinning their wheels in rat-race jobs that lack meaning, more Canadians are shedding the shackles of corporate life to find work in the non-profit sector and the news couldn't come soon enough for thousands of organizations that rely on highly skilled professionals to keep the sector afloat.  More.

Tech, telecom firm faces 'talent crisis'

A talent crisis is threatening to jeopardize the success of Canada's technology and telecommunications companies that are faced with unprecedented growth opportunities at a time when they can't find enough skilled help to fill their jobs. Some 95 per cent of the country's technology and telecommunications companies say finding skilled help to fill jobs is the most critical issue they face today, yet only 10 per cent have talent strategies in place, according to a survey released Tuesday by Deloitte and the Information Technology Association of Canada. More.

New program to fund research

The B.C. government is putting up $10 million over the next four years to help universities attract "research stars," Premier Gordon Campbell announced Tuesday.  The money will fund Pacific Century Graduate Scholarships, the province's first scholarship program for graduate students.  B.C. universities have lobbied for graduate scholarships for several years, in part because Ontario has a provincial scholarship plan for graduate students.  More.