Older internet users growing in number

If you can’t beat them, then join the mass bandwagon. I have personally avoided, resisted being trapped by modern technology when it comes to communication. It has always been my belief that personal communication must remain personalized and that the Internet and e-mail are meant to be excellent business tools.

However, the new data released by Ipos-Reid survey showed that attitudes of stubborn old people like myself are changing.

The survey revealed that the use of the Internet by people aged 55 and older has increased by 12 percentage points from the same period last year. The six out of every 10 people in Canada in that age group have Internet access, the 60 percent response up from 48 per cent last year. It indicated that the growth rate of older Internet users is four times that of the younger age groups. The seniors may not be active as the young ones in online shopping but are regular users for online investments. The other reason for the increase could be attributed to seniors who wish to keep in touch with families and relatives.

Environics Research Group reported something we already know by heart. That British Columbia has a reputation for being the nation’s most easy-going province (lazy and laidback would be stronger words). It is a land where people really slow down and smell the lattes and the flowers. And when they do get their first million, the first thing they do is put a down payment for a house. It was a surprise though that British Columbians came in first in percentage of people who think money is for saving and making more money.

Percentage of Canadians who said yes to: Money is for saving and making more money.

B.C. — 49 percent; Alberta — 37 percent; Manitoba - 39 percent;

Ontario — 43 percent; Quebec — 24 percent; Atlantic — 38 percent

Crooks are everywhere! The Asian Pacific Post headlined a high ranking Canadian diplomat based in China who was suspected of accepting bribes to help Chinese Nationals enter Canada illegally. The suspect is a Canadian of Chinese origin who worked in the immigration section of the Canadian embassy in Beijing.

The Chinese applicants supposedly paid between C$10,000 to $20,000 to overturn rejected immigration documents. What the government officials and the citizens of Canada are worried about is that some of those who gained entry into Canada are spies, terrorists and gangsters.

I was not at the book launching in Burnaby recently, but a friend told me that members of the B.C. Filipino community were selling the book "Jose Maria Sison: At Home In the World – Portrait of a Revolutionary – Conversations" with Ninotchka Rosca. The book which was co-authored by Rosca is about the life of exiled Filipino revolutionary Jose Maria Sison, who was declared a terrorist by Canada, the European Union and the United States, according to sources of Asian Pacific Post. The Canadian government issued a prohibition on fund raising activities or mobilization of support for Sison, the Communist Party of the Philippines and the New People’s Army.

Nova Scotia became the sixth province or territory in Canada to recognize same sex-marriage. So far, Ontario, British Columbia, Quebec, Manitoba and Yukon have recognized same sex-marriage after court challenges.

The cash-strapped Air Canada is changing strategy this month to be financially afloat. The airline is to emerge soon with innovative plans to devote more attention to local markets. This move may benefit the once neglected markets of Edmonton, Regina, Saskatoon, Windsor, London (Ontario). Abbotsford and Kewlona. Air Canada, now under bankruptcy protection plans to acquire new regional jets that can typically seat 75 to 199 passengers. This will allow the airline more flexibility to add new domestic routes into markets that don’t have the popularity of Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver. Air Canada also wants to expand its wings into Latin America and Asia.

According to Westcoast Home Review, majority of Canadians live in affordable, uncrowded housing in good state of repair. But seniors who live alone, single parents, recent immigrants and aboriginal families make up those most in need of the same high quality housing. The good news is that the fewer households were in the core housing need in 2001 than in 1996.