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The Defence Family is celebrating the official launch of two new services: the FamilyForce.ca website and the Family Information Line, which will keep military families better informed, connected and involved. The announcement was made in the company of several military families who regularly frequent the Military Family Resource Centre of the National Capital Region.

“The loved-ones of Canadian Forces members play a critical role in the success of Canada’s men and women in uniform,” said the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence. “We, as the Defence team, are committed to ensuring that military families are provided the information and services that they need to support their unique, and often demanding, lifestyles.”

Under the “Voice of Families” banner, these two new services are a tangible and true demonstration of the Canadian Forces’ commitment to military families. These new initiatives will connect military families to a wealth of existing programs and resources, as well as help increase their awareness and access to services. With frequent moves being a way of life for many military families, getting acquainted with a new community and finding out what services, programs and resources are available to them is very important.

“Through these new services families will be able to reach out to the large support system both here in Canada and abroad,” said Rear-Admiral Andy Smith, Chief of Military Personnel. “From this day forward, support to military families will be more easily available to them over the telephone and the Internet.”

The FamilyForce.ca website is intended as a central “one-stop shop”, easy-to-use directory that connects families to their local Canadian/Military Family Resource Centres (C/MFRCs), and to national information, services and resources. The website will allow families to find relevant information about programs and services offered in their location, regardless of whether they live on or off base, in Canada, the United States or Europe.

The Family Information Line is an expanded service that builds on the former Mission Information Line originally set up to give CF families deployment information. This expanded service will now offer information, support and referral services to all CF families, irrespective of whether a family’s loved one is deployed or not.

“The new FamilyForce.ca website and Family Information Line will go a long way in helping families get the information they need quickly, through one centralized toll free number and website,” said Celine Thompson, Director Military Family Services. “The distinct voices of Canadian Forces (CF) families will resonate through these new services.”

Established in April 1991, the Military Family Services Program has grown and evolved over the past 20 years and continues to meet families’ changing needs. The Director Military Family Services manages and funds the Military Family Services Program on behalf of the CF and DND.

The Honourable Vic Toews, Minister of Public Safety, the Honourable Rob Nicholson, Minister of Justice and the Honourable Shirley Bond, BC’s Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, commended British Columbia’s Office to Combat Trafficking in Persons (OCTIP), on the launch of a training curriculum aimed at enhancing the ability of first responders and service providers to identify, assist and protect victims of human trafficking in British Columbia.

“The Government of Canada is committed to continuing its efforts to combat human trafficking both at home and abroad and to supporting our partners with the tools they need to prevent this terrible crime,” said Minister Toews. “This partnership is just one example of our commitment to protect victims and to bring those who traffic in persons to justice.”

“We remain committed to combating the exploitation of vulnerable persons and will continue to take steps to ensure that all Canadians can live in safe and healthy communities,” said Minister Nicholson. “First responders must be in a position to identify, support and protect those who have been victimized by human trafficking. I commend those who work so hard to put an end to this heinous crime.”

Support for this training initiative is the latest example of the Government of Canada’s ongoing efforts to combat human trafficking. Other measures have included:

• Enabling immigration officers to issue short-term temporary resident permits (TRP) to trafficking victims;
• Allocating $6 million per year to strengthen existing federal efforts to combat the sexual exploitation and trafficking of children by enhancing current enforcement responses and public awareness activities;
• Supporting the creation of mandatory jail sentences for persons convicted of child trafficking;
• Launching two national awareness campaigns to better inform the public about human trafficking; and,
• Hosting regional, national and international roundtables aimed at preventing human trafficking.

“Human trafficking is unacceptable, and this is the reason the BC Government created the Office to Combat Trafficking in Persons,” said Minister Bond. “Since we established the BC office in 2007 we’ve made it a priority to develop partnerships with all levels of government, First Nations, police, and other community organizations to fight this terrible crime. I am pleased that we can now offer this unique training program online to help identify and protect victims, and in particular help prevent the exploitation of Aboriginal people.”

The curriculum was developed through a contribution agreement of over $106,000 between Public Safety Canada and Justice Canada with in-kind support from OCTIP.

If you have information concerning a human trafficking victim, please call the local police, or report it anonymously to Crime Stoppers at: 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

In BC, OCTIP operates a toll-free 24/7 telephone line to assist trafficked persons to obtain services at: 1-888-712-7974.

In May 2008, the Greenland Group announced that important funding had been allocated by Canada’s National Research Council – IRAP to assist with further developing the CANWET (or CAnadian Nutrient and Water Evaluation Tool) modelling software. This week, CANWET-4 was launched in Newmarket, ON at the offices of the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority and also with representatives from the Ontario Ministry of the Environment and local Municipalities.

Three years ago, GREENLAND^® developed an earlier model version that was later used for source water protection, assimilative capacity, nutrient management and water allocation projects. CANWET was also used last year by the Government of Ontario to prepare the Lake Simcoe Protection Plan. The total public (research) and private sectors investment to complete CANWET-4 was over $600,000 and included one of the largest grants from the National Research Council – IRAP initiative.

CANWET-4 is a continuous, GIS-based software suite to inform decision making around river basin and watershed management; water supply and waste water treatment infrastructure; food security; and, climate change adaptation. Its ability to quickly and accurately estimate daily water balance, nutrient, erosion sediment, and bacteria loadings from GIS input data allows CANWET-4 to serve as a powerful decision support system. This latest release of CANWET is VB.Net database-driven and web-aware, and features an integrated open source GIS environment. Its relative ease of use and ability to take advantage of commonly available spatial data makes it a solid choice over other water quantity and quality computer models. In addition to the integration of current watershed and climate change science from renowned researchers at the University of Guelph and Penn State University, CANWET-4 also incorporates a large suite of Beneficial Management Practices (BMPs) for assessing proposed reductions in phosphorous, nitrogen, sediment, and animal coliforms from rural and urban lands. Multiple practices can be added in parallel or in series. CANWET-4 also calculates costs for typical BMP applications based on unit-costing. The completion of CANWET-4 was important for GREENLAND^® to support other Canadian and U.S. collaborations now underway about the Lake Winnipeg, Great Lakes and Chesapeake Bay Basins.

“I am extremely pleased with the completion of CANWET-4 and sincerely thank Canada’s NRC-IRAP for its funding assistance over the past few years,” says R. Mark Palmer, the President of GREENLAND^{®. “}Our P3 completion announcement, affirms the commitment of the Canadian Government for environmental research, as well as lake and river basin management programs. The development of CANWET-4 also highlights our niche Mission Statement that recognizes the environment first while complying with best available science and proven technologies.”

Merging Media Productions has added three new 2011 Advisory Committee Members who will be assisting with advice and support for the upcoming October 2011 Conference+ Masterclass:

• Katie Jeffs Director Membership Development and Outreach, CMPA (National)
• Jonathan Carringan, President & Co-Founder, MOBCOM Consulting Inc.
• Lynda Brown, CEO/Founder of ZuluMe

Merging Media also extends its gratitude to its 2010 Advisors Betsy Chaly, Ravi Singh, Fiona McAuley and Ted Nugent for their generous support during their 2010 event.

Merging Media Productions Inc. in partnership with the Canadian Media Production Association BC is proud to be a part of SIGGRAPH 2011 this August 7-11 in Vancouver. Merging Media and CMPA will be facilitating the International B2B Matchmaking Program that is being organized by the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada (DFAIT) and the Government of British Columbia. If you’d like to meet visiting International Media professionals during the event, here are the full details:

• B2B Matchmaking Program – August 8 – 11

The Business to Business Matchmaking Program will help facilitate meetings between Canadian domestic companies and international/ US companies attending SIGGRAPH. The B2B online platform will allow you to profile your company, view the profiles of other companies and request meetings with international/ US companies of interest. Meeting requests will be coordinated through the Canadian Media Production Association and booked into meeting rooms reserved onsite (unless otherwise specified).

• SIGGRAPH Welcome Reception – Sunday, August 7

Supported by BC Film, DFAIT will be hosting an International Delegate Welcome Reception from 6-8pm on Sunday, August 7th. The welcome reception will offer an opportunity to meet some of the US & International business delegates at SIGGRAPH 2011 as well as local industry and support organizations. This event is invite only with limited capacity, so please indicate your interest to Marc Coderre if you would like to be added to the invite list.

• Transmedia Vancouver Meetup – June 29

The Transmedia Vancouver Meetup Group will be having its first Guest Speaker event featuring Merging Media’s Advisory Board Member Matt Toner of Zeroes to Heroes on Wednesday June 29th, 5pm at CMPA-BC. This is a not to be missed event for those keen on meeting like-minded folk involved in Transmedia.

Two Toronto companies will have greater opportunities to develop new technologies thanks to a Government of Canada investment of nearly $2 million announced today by the Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario).

“The Government of Canada is investing in the people, businesses and communities of southern Ontario to create jobs and encourage economic growth,” said Minister Goodyear. “New businesses face many challenges getting access to capital. Today’s investment will help these companies develop new ideas and bring them to market.”

Nulogy Corporation will receive a contribution of up to $954,687, which will allow it to be first-to-market with its ‘PackShop’ software that is used to customize packaging design for marketers and retailers. The company has also received support from the growth equity investment company Klass Capital Corporation.

“Nulogy will use this financing to expand as we secure new customers and enter new markets around the world,” Jason Tham, Chief Executive Officer of Nulogy Corporation. “Living and investing locally, while competing globally, has always been important to us, and we are very grateful to be able to continue our journey with great partners like FedDev Ontario and Klass Capital.”

Maintenance Assistant Inc. will receive a contribution of up to $975,000 to enhance its Collaborative Computerized Maintenance Management software to help businesses better maintain equipment and machinery, as well as procure parts and services through a web-based format. The company has also received support from accredited angel investors.

“I am extremely pleased to receive this federal funding through Investing in Business Innovation,” said Marc Castel, Chief Executive Officer of Maintenance Assistant Inc. “In combination with our angel investment through the Golden Triangle Angel Network and the Niagara Angel Network, the government support will allow us to focus on our growth objectives and build a world-class enterprise software company for equipment maintenance.”

Investing in Business Innovation is a direct result of feedback from business leaders, academics and community leaders from across southern Ontario, who suggested FedDev Ontario take a leadership role in encouraging entrepreneurs and investors to take the risks necessary to put southern Ontario businesses on the map.

FedDev Ontario was created as part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan to support businesses and communities in southern Ontario. Now in its second year of operation, the Agency has launched a number of initiatives to create a Southern Ontario Advantage and place the region in a strong position to compete in the global economy. These initiatives are designed to support businesses and other organizations through partnerships and investments in skills and training; innovation; research and development; and increased productivity. 

The remarkable effort of Vancouverites to show the world that the raucous actions of a select few by no means defines the city they love has garnered widespread attention, both locally and abroad.

Now, with the aid of a sophisticated online platform that aggregates comments, photos, and video content from the far reaches of the internet, online users can delve into the profound outpouring of affection for Vancouver that has dominated the social sphere in recent days.

The site, affectionately named ‘This Is Our Vancouver‘, makes use of the latest digital technology to pull content into one space that would ordinarily require days of surfing to unearth. This Is Our Vancouver permits even novice users to access the overwhelming content generated by those who are passionate about Vancouver on a single, intuitive platform.

“In recent days we’ve seen an outpouring of emotion and love for Vancouver from our citizens, who spontaneously shared their thoughts on the temporary plywood storefronts downtown,” said Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson. “This opportunity will continue through This Is Our Vancouver, a new site that is supported by 100% donated services from our community. It provides one more way for everyone to express their love for our city as we collectively move forward and show the world what kind of city Vancouver truly is.”

Developed by creative agency DDB Canada, in partnership with Tourism Vancouver, the online platform scours the web for compelling content from diverse sources such as Facebook, Twitter, Flickr and YouTube.

“Last Wednesday Vancouver was reeling from a blindside,” said Tourism Vancouver President & CEO Rick Antonson. “Today, Vancouver’s integrity shines again. This is a testament to the commitment of this city’s citizens to set things right if they have gone wrong. ‘This Is Our Vancouver.com’ is our way of helping the world know that Vancouver’s greatest asset is its people.”

In addition to creating a one-stop portal for existing Vancouver content, This Is Our Vancouver is a user-friendly platform that encourages all Canadians to contribute their take on what best defines the city.

Says Greg Klassen, the Canadian Tourism Commission’s Senior Vice President, Marketing Strategy,  “The mindless destruction we witnessed last week has been eclipsed by a collective effort of Canadians of all ages that is truly extraordinary. We applaud the citizens who mobilized so quickly to remind the world what Canada is really all about.”

The ease of making an online contribution paired with the inspiration that comes from browsing the diverse and heartfelt content of fellow Canadians puts this new platform in prime position to continue generating testimonials that will help restore the nation’s image.

Lance Saunders, Executive Vice President & Managing Director of DDB Canada’s Vancouver office, said, “As a creative agency, our world is about harnessing emotion. We mobilize people around sentiments that hold real meaning for them. Vancouver is our national headquarters; it’s a natural time for us to put our experience into practice for a vital cause. This is about celebrating Vancouver and restoring its image to where it deserves to be.”

Since the website has gone live, many local businesses and media outlets have volunteered their services to generate awareness about the new platform and encourage widespread participation.  Project partners The Vancouver Sun and The Province have generously contributed significant ad space to promote the site with a view to helping citizens reclaim their city and shape its future.

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) launched an online consultation to seek input on the renewals of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation’s (CBC) radio and television licences. The CRTC will be looking at the CBC’s overall mandate in terms of programming and conditions of licence. The comments and discussions resulting from this consultation will be considered for the upcoming hearing beginning on September 12, 2011, in Gatineau, Quebec, as well as form part of the public record.

The CRTC is seeking Canadians’ views on the following questions:

• How can the CBC be relevant and meaningful in the future?
• How can the CBC best deliver content to all Canadians?
• Should the CBC only provide different programs and services than private broadcasters?
• Does the CBC’s programming meet all of its objectives?
• What more (or less) should it be doing?
• What should it do differently?
• Do you feel the CBC reflects your specific Canadian interests and needs?
• Does the CBC fill your need for reliable and authoritative news and information?

The online consultation will conclude at midnight (EST) on July 18, 2011.

The CRTC Reference document: Broadcasting Notice of Consultation CRTC 2011-379

Telefilm Canada has invested $2.7 million through its Canada Feature Film Fund into David Cronenberg’s (Eastern Promises) latest film Cosmopolis, for which principal photography recently began. The feature is adapted from Don DeLillo’s novel of the same name and stars Robert Pattinson (Water For Elephants, The Twilight Saga). The 40-day shoot on location and in studio will run through mid-July in Toronto.

“David Cronenberg is the definitive Canadian artist, who despite receiving many tempting offers to move to Hollywood, has remained in Canada to practice his craft,” said Carolle Brabant, Telefilm Executive Director. “Since his early years in the 70s as a visionary horror film director, Telefilm has been a proud supporter of this edgy auteur who constantly eyes new challenges, while all the while creating films that connect with mainstream audiences worldwide.”

David Cronenberg added: “Telefilm has made my career in Canada possible. Their continuous support of my work since my early days as a filmmaker has allowed me to remain and work at home.”

Cosmopolis is produced by Martin Katz (Hotel Rwanda) of Toronto-based Prospero Pictures and Paulo Branco (Mysteries of Lisbon) through Paris-based Alfama Films Production as a Canada-France co-production.

Cosmopolis is a contemporary thriller about a young billionaire asset manager on a twenty-four hour odyssey across Manhattan. Despite traffic jams and a looming financial disaster, Eric Packer (Pattinson) risks traveling cross-town in his stretch limousine for a haircut. During delays including a presidential motorcade, a celebrity funeral, and political protests, Eric receives visitors, both for business and pleasure, in his opulent, high-tech automobile. As the encounters and the economic crisis intensify, Packer cynically gambles with his clients’ fortunes and his own. The stakes are enormous, and in the hours that pass, Packer’s limousine and life veer toward the end of an era.

Rounding out the all-star international cast are Academy Award-winner Juliette Binoche (Chocolat), Academy Award-nominee Paul Giamatti (Barney’s Version), Academy Award-nominee Samantha Morton (In America), Sarah Gadon (A Dangerous Method), Mathieu Amalric (The Diving Bell and the Butterfly) and Jay Baruchel (Tropic Thunder, The Trotsky).

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) warns all Canadians to beware of telephone calls, mail, or email that claim to be from the CRA but are not. These are phishing scams that could result in identity thefts.

Canadians should especially beware of phishing scams asking for their personal information, such as a social insurance, credit card, bank account, and passport numbers. Some of these scams ask for this personal information directly, and others refer the taxpayer to a Web site resembling the CRA’s where the person is asked to verify their identity by entering personal information.

An email scam that has been recently circulating notifies taxpayers that a complaint containing evidence of involvement in tax evasion has been filed against them and the company with which they are affiliated by using the Informant Leads Program. This email is not from the CRA. The CRA’s Informant Leads Program Web page warns taxpayers about this scam.

The CRA has well-established practices to protect the confidentiality of taxpayer information. For more information about security of taxpayer information and examples of fraudulent communications, go to the CRA’s Security Info Page.

Anyone who receives a suspicious communication should immediately report it to the Anti-Fraud Centre or to the institution that it appears to be from.

For information on scams, to report deceptive telemarketing, and if personal or financial information has been unwittingly provided, go to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Web page.

Ontario’s Information and Privacy Commissioner, Dr. Ann Cavoukian, and Kim Cameron, a leading digital identity expert, have released a new joint publication called “Wi-Fi Positioning Systems: Beware of Unintended Consequences – Issues Involving the Unforeseen Uses of Pre-existing Architecture.” In this white paper, launched at the SC Congress Canada 2011 Conference in Toronto today, Cavoukian and Cameron call for the use of Privacy by Design to protect the privacy of mobile device users.

Mobile devices are becoming more crucial in our daily lives, with people now carrying them and using them practically everywhere. Whenever an individual uses location-based services on his or her mobile device, a unique identifier of nearby traceable Wi-Fi access points called a Media Access Control (MAC) address is relayed. This raises privacy concerns because this location information may be compiled into a profile of an individual over time, such as where they have travelled to, shopped, eaten or banked.

In addition, potential unintended consequences stem from the intrinsic nature of MAC addresses that are at the core of current networked communications. For instance, with minimal time and resources, one may be able to associate MAC addresses of mobile devices to physical addresses, and then to a specific individual.  Furthermore, depending on future developments, it may even be possible that individuals using geolocation services could inadvertently report the MAC address (and, simultaneously, location) of mobile devices belonging to friends, family or co-workers – creating an unintended ‘unknowing informant’ model of data collection.”

“Privacy must be designed into Wi-Fi positioning systems to prevent unintended consequences,” says Commissioner Ann Cavoukian. “I’ll repeat the message I gave about the Apple and Sony controversies – don’t practice privacy by chance. Companies should practice Privacy by Design – they should address privacy proactively and put control squarely in the hands of the users, where it belongs.”

“What companies, government departments, people and systems will be able to follow our physical movements and activities, five or ten years from now?  How will what they see change the way we are treated? Will individuals have any protections?  That is what location technology is about,” says Kim Cameron, co-author of the paper. “When you look into this, it becomes clear that location technology must embrace our human need for privacy.  In this paper we try to point to ways that can come about.”

The authors caution that when designing an architecture (e.g. wireless networks), the question of unintended uses, inadvertently introduced through the existence of that architecture, should form part of a privacy threat risk analysis. In no case, should the MAC address of end-user devices be collected or tracked without the consent of the owners of such devices.