Canada sued for misrepresenting job opportunities • Canada needs better teachers not more of them • Nurses sue over SARS • Doctors coming home • Alberta labour targets farms • Less hours worked • Santana employee alleges ‘spiritual’ firing
Canada sued for misrepresenting job opportunities
Edmonton — Selladurai Premakumaran and his wife Nesamalar left their respective jobs as an accountant and senior administrator in the United Kingdom with the dream of taking up their professions in Canada. Almost seven years after emigrating they’re still working as cleaners in Edmonton, and they’re suing the federal government for $2.1 million for mental anguish and relocation expenses. The Premakumarans allege immigration forms and ads misled them into believing they would easily find similar employment in Canada. Last month a federal court dismissed their case saying such policy issues are beyond its jurisdiction, but the couple is planning to appeal.
Canada needs better teachers not more of them
Toronto — While teachers in British Columbia threaten job action over class sizes, the C.D. Howe Institute has released a report saying such initiatives are a waste of money. The think-tank states there is no evidence smaller classes help student performance beyond grade one. Furthermore, class-size reduction comes with a steep price tag. A more cost-effective way to improve education is to invest in better teachers, the report says.
Nurses sue over SARS
Toronto — The Ontario government can be sued by nurses who contracted SARS during the 2003 outbreak, a judge has ruled. The decision allows a class action suit by front-line nurses, and another by victims, to proceed. The suits seek a combined total of more than $600 million, alleging the province is responsible for prematurely stating the outbreak was over and relaxing infection control measures.
Doctors coming home
Ottawa — For the first time since 1969, when data started being collected, more doctors returned to Canada than left, reports the Canadian Institute for Health Information. In 2004, 317 physicians came back to Canada, while 262 left. During the peak of doctors leaving in 1994, 771 moved elsewhere. There are also more women doctors today, comprising 32 per cent of practitioners, a 10-per-cent increase since 2000.
Alberta labour targets farms
Calgary — The Alberta Federation of Labour says it will focus on extending labour rights to farm workers. Farms are exempt from Alberta’s labour standards. In Ontario, the government announced in June that it will expand its Occupational Health and Safety Act to include farm workers, leaving Alberta as the only jurisdiction without such protection.
Less hours worked
Ottawa — Between 2000 and 2003, Canadians worked an average of 1.4 hours less per week, Statistics Canada reports. That equals two weeks a year. An aging workforce and employees seeking a better work-life balance explain some of the drop, StatsCan says.
Santana employee alleges ‘spiritual’ firing
San Rafael, Calif. — A dismissed personal assistant to acclaimed rock guitarist Carlos Santana has filed a wrongful dismissal suit claiming he was let go because his spiritual consciousness was found to be too low. Bruce Kuhlman charges that it was determined he was not able to develop a deeper level of consciousness that would allow him to grow closer to God and be a better employee. The Santana camp is not commenting, but says it will fight the suit.
Edmonton — Selladurai Premakumaran and his wife Nesamalar left their respective jobs as an accountant and senior administrator in the United Kingdom with the dream of taking up their professions in Canada. Almost seven years after emigrating they’re still working as cleaners in Edmonton, and they’re suing the federal government for $2.1 million for mental anguish and relocation expenses. The Premakumarans allege immigration forms and ads misled them into believing they would easily find similar employment in Canada. Last month a federal court dismissed their case saying such policy issues are beyond its jurisdiction, but the couple is planning to appeal.
Canada needs better teachers not more of them
Toronto — While teachers in British Columbia threaten job action over class sizes, the C.D. Howe Institute has released a report saying such initiatives are a waste of money. The think-tank states there is no evidence smaller classes help student performance beyond grade one. Furthermore, class-size reduction comes with a steep price tag. A more cost-effective way to improve education is to invest in better teachers, the report says.
Nurses sue over SARS
Toronto — The Ontario government can be sued by nurses who contracted SARS during the 2003 outbreak, a judge has ruled. The decision allows a class action suit by front-line nurses, and another by victims, to proceed. The suits seek a combined total of more than $600 million, alleging the province is responsible for prematurely stating the outbreak was over and relaxing infection control measures.
Doctors coming home
Ottawa — For the first time since 1969, when data started being collected, more doctors returned to Canada than left, reports the Canadian Institute for Health Information. In 2004, 317 physicians came back to Canada, while 262 left. During the peak of doctors leaving in 1994, 771 moved elsewhere. There are also more women doctors today, comprising 32 per cent of practitioners, a 10-per-cent increase since 2000.
Alberta labour targets farms
Calgary — The Alberta Federation of Labour says it will focus on extending labour rights to farm workers. Farms are exempt from Alberta’s labour standards. In Ontario, the government announced in June that it will expand its Occupational Health and Safety Act to include farm workers, leaving Alberta as the only jurisdiction without such protection.
Less hours worked
Ottawa — Between 2000 and 2003, Canadians worked an average of 1.4 hours less per week, Statistics Canada reports. That equals two weeks a year. An aging workforce and employees seeking a better work-life balance explain some of the drop, StatsCan says.
Santana employee alleges ‘spiritual’ firing
San Rafael, Calif. — A dismissed personal assistant to acclaimed rock guitarist Carlos Santana has filed a wrongful dismissal suit claiming he was let go because his spiritual consciousness was found to be too low. Bruce Kuhlman charges that it was determined he was not able to develop a deeper level of consciousness that would allow him to grow closer to God and be a better employee. The Santana camp is not commenting, but says it will fight the suit.
