Government of Canada Launches New Phase of Nutrition Facts Education Campaign

Consumers encouraged to better use the Nutrition Facts table

TORONTO, Ontario May 29, 2015 /Canada NewsWire/ - The Honourable Tony Clement, President of the Treasury Board, on behalf of the Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Health, today launched the second phase of the Nutrition Facts Education Campaign (NFEC) to help Canadians make more informed food choices for themselves and their families.  The announcement was made together with campaign partners Derek Nighbor, Senior Vice-President of Food & Consumer Products of Canada (FCPC), and David Wilkes, Senior Vice-President of the Retail Council of Canada (RCC) as well as with the Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers (CFIG).

Minister Clement unveiled the campaign's theme, "Focus on the Facts". The campaign  encourages Canadians – especially parents of children aged 2 to 12 – to use the "Serving Size" in the Nutrition Facts table (NFt) on packaged foods to compare similar foods.  By using the "Serving Size" and "Percent Daily Value", consumers can choose foods that have more of the nutrients they want to consume, such as fibre and calcium, and less of those they don't want, such as saturated and trans fats and sodium.

"I am proud of our Government's ongoing efforts to promote healthy eating. We know that healthy eating is integral to preventing nutrition-related chronic diseases, including obesity. We also know that there are real and significant health benefits associated with the use of food labels."                            - Rona Ambrose Minister of Health

The campaign is part of a broader government effort to help Canadians choose healthier foods by learning how to read and use the nutrition information on food labels. The NFEC Focus on the Facts messages and tips will still apply for future changes to the NFt.  Serving size and %DV are the core concepts behind the present Nutrition Facts table and are the focus of this campaign.  These will continue to be important concepts for consumers to use when comparing foods.

"The Government of Canada is committed to helping Canadians better understand and use the information on the Nutrition Facts table so they can make informed food choices for themselves and their families." -Tony Clement President of the Treasury Board

"Research shows that the Nutrition Facts table (NFt) on food and beverage packages is the best way for busy Canadians to learn about the products they choose. Health Canada and industry have partnered to help Canadians better understand how to read the table and how to use it, as an essential and helpful nutrition informational tool. Food & Consumer Products of Canada is pleased to carry on the campaign's strong partnership with Health Canada and grocery retailers across the country."                                                 - Nancy Croitoru President and CEO, FCPC

"Retail Council of Canada is proud to support the Nutrition Facts Education Campaign which encourages Canadians to use and understand the Nutrition Facts table when shopping for themselves and their families. Helping Canadians make informed food choices is a top priority for grocery retailers" said Wilkes.  Providing this information to Canadians is shared responsibility and RCC and its members are pleased to be working with our supplier and retail partners and Health Canada to achieve this important goal."- David Wilkes Senior Vice-President, RCC

"As CFIG's retailer members are often on the frontlines when it comes to answering consumers' questions on food choices, we look forward to working with the Government of Canada on the Nutrition Facts Education Campaign to support consumers in making informed decisions in the grocery aisles." - Thomas A. Barlow President and CEO, CFIG

"Canadians need support to make informed choices that influence their health and quality of life, and understanding how to use available nutritional information is an important aspect of the decision-making process." - Dr. Arya M. Sharma Scientific Director, Canadian Obesity Network

Quick Facts

• The campaign encourages people to look at the NFt and start with Serving Size, found under the header 'Nutrition Facts'; then look at Percent Daily Value (% DV) on the right side of the NFt. You can use the % DV to see if the Serving Size has a little or a lot of a nutrient – 5% DV or less is a little and 15% DV or more is a lot.
• New NFEC campaign messages will be displayed on food packaging sold by 21 leading food companies, and will be promoted on in-store material and at retail events (through 10 retail chains and independent grocers).
• Since 2010, more than 1 billion food products featuring on-package NFEC messaging were distributed across Canada.

Linda Hasenfratz of Linamar competing for prestigious EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year™ Award

15^th annual EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year Award to be held 3-7 June in Monaco

Linda Hasenfratz is one of 65 entrepreneurs from 53 countries to be inducted in EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year Hall of Fame 

Three-day forum features prominent keynote speakers, including Howard Schultz, Sir Martin Sorrell and others

TORONTO, Ontario May 27, 2015 /Canada NewsWire/ - Linda Hasenfratz, CEO of Linamar Corporation (TSE:LNR), winner of Canada's2014 EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Award, will head to Monaco in June for the 15^th EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards. Linda will be among the 65 country winners, representing 53 countries to compete for the world title and cement their legacy by entering the EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year Hall of Fame. The winner will be announced at a ceremony on the evening of Saturday, 6 June in Monaco.

Linda was recognized in Canada for her inspiring work transforming and accelerating the growth of Linamar, a major global automotive manufacturing business headquartered in Guelph, Ontario. She learned the business from the inside out, building a dynamic growth strategy that she used to propel Linamar to new heights after taking the helm as CEO in 2002. She's cultivated a culture of investing in the company's people and the future of the broader community.

A full list of the 65 winners competing this year is available at www.ey.com/weoy. For broadcast quality, downloadable video content, visit our broadcast newsroom https://broadcast.ey.com. The videos include non-branded B-roll, web videos and sound bites.

Follow @EYCanada and @EY_EOY on Twitter for the latest updates. Join the conversation by using #WEOY

"The 15^th World Entrepreneur Of The Year event will celebrate the legacy that entrepreneurs leave through the innovations, jobs and economic growth they create, all of which help to build a better working world. Linda Hasenfratz is an outstanding entrepreneur, who is establishing her legacy as a job creator, an innovator, a community builder and a strong leader. We couldn't be more thrilled to have such a game-changer represent Canada at the world competition." -- Colleen McMorrow, EY partner and National Entrepreneur Of The Year Program Director

"It's a tremendous honour to represent Canada at the World Entrepreneur Of The Year Award event in Monaco. I'm excited to compete against the other 64 entrepreneurs from around the world, because this competition goes beyond recognizing financial success. There is a focus on innovation, community building and creating a legacy you are proud of." -- Linda Hasenfratz, CEO of Linamar

World Entrepreneur Of The Year forum

As well as the awards, this year's program includes a series of keynote speakers, panel discussions and events of special interest to entrepreneurs and influential business leaders in attendance, including EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year alumni.

Under the theme "How are you reshaping our world?", the sessions will look at the impact entrepreneurs can make and the legacy they can leave, and in particular around the global issue of youth unemployment.

The forum provides global business leaders and entrepreneurs with the opportunity to tackle topical issues like business growth; the rising urban middle class; youth employment; IPO and strategic transactions; sustaining entrepreneurship in a family business; technology's role in shaping the future; and using digital disruption as a competitive edge.  

How winners are selected

The overall winner is chosen by an independent judging panel of distinguished former EY Entrepreneur Of The Year winners and other leading entrepreneurs. The award is given on the basis of six criteria, giving all country winners an equal opportunity to compete: entrepreneurial spirit; financial performance; strategic direction; global (or community) impact; innovation; and personal integrity/influence.

The independent judging panel will be chaired by Rebecca MacDonald, founder and Executive Chairman of the Board of Just Energy Group (Canada), and 2003 Ontario EY Entrepreneur Of The Year. Joining her will be:

• Fadi Ghandour of Aramex and Wamda Capital (UAE)
• Nobuyuki Idei of Quantum Leaps Corporation (Japan)
• Dr. Ruth Oltjer of Chemi-Pharm AS (Estonia)
• Ewald Raben of Raben Group (Poland)
• Tan Sri Liew Kee Sin of EcoWorld Development Group Berhad (Malaysia)
• Michael Wu of Maxim's Caterers Limited (China)

About EY

EY is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services. The insights and quality services we deliver help build trust and confidence in the capital markets and in economies the world over. We develop outstanding leaders who team to deliver on our promises to all of our stakeholders. In so doing, we play a critical role in building a better working world for our people, for our clients and for our communities.

EY refers to the global organization and may refer to one or more of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients. For more information about our organization, please visit ey.com.

About EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year^TM 

EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year is the world's most prestigious business award for entrepreneurs. The unique award makes a difference through the way it encourages entrepreneurial activity among those with potential, and recognizes the contribution of people who inspire others with their vision, leadership and achievement. As the first and only truly global award of its kind, World Entrepreneur Of The Year celebrates those who are building and leading successful, growing and dynamic businesses, recognizing them through regional, national and global awards programs in more than 145 cities in 60 countries.

About Linamar

Linamar Corporation (TSX:LNR) is a diversified global manufacturing Company of highly engineered products powering vehicles, motion, work and lives. The Company is made up of 2 operating segments – the Powertrain/Driveline segment and the Industrial segment, which are further divided into 3 operating groups – Machining & Assembly, Forging, and Skyjack, all world leaders in the design, development and production of highly engineered products.  The Company's Machining and Assembly and Forging operating groups focus on precision metallic components, modules and systems for engine, transmission and driveline systems designed for global vehicle and industrial markets.  The Company's Skyjack operating group is noted for its innovative, high quality mobile industrial equipment, notably its class-leading aerial work platforms and telehandlers.  With more than 19,500 employees in 48 manufacturing locations, 5 R&D centers and 15 sales offices in 14 countries in North and South America, Europe and Asia, Linamar generated sales of $4.2 billion in 2014. For more information about Linamar Corporation and its industry leading products and services, visit www.linamar.com.

SOURCE EY (Ernst & Young)

Great Places in Canada 2015 Kicks Off Today!

OTTAWA, Ontario  May 26, 2015 /Canada NewsWire/ - Today marks the start of the 2015 edition of Great Places in Canada and all features on the greatplacesincanada.ca website have now been activated!  Nominations from people across the country will be posted online as they compete for the title of Great Street, Great Neighbourhood and Great Public Space for 2015.

The Canadian Institute of Planners (CIP), created this contest to engage Canadians in sharing their favourite places and to recognize the work accomplished by Professional Planners to make these places possible. 

If there's a place you're proud of, share it.  Nominate it and anything can happen.  The exposure that the nominations get is invaluable, and participation in the contest is free.  Winning the designation of Great Place or the title of People's Choice through online votes is the ultimate goal, of course, but there is so much more about this contest than the prizes.  Seeing neighbourhoods and communities rallying support for their nominee and showing their local flare is a reward in itself.  Increased local business or an addition to someone's travel itinerary may also result.

How it worksAs soon as a nomination has been reviewed it will be posted on the website and will be immediately eligible to start receiving votes.  The place in each category with the most votes wins the title of People's Choice plus a prize for the nominator. 

The Grand Prize Winner in each category is determined by a jury of Professional planners, based on a variety of planning merits.  The winning nominator not only earns the designation for his/her place, they also receive a great prize.

Nominations can be submitted through until September 3, but the earlier nominations are posted, the sooner they can start collecting votes.  Voting closes September 24.  After the finalists are announced in October, the Grand Prize winners and People's Choice winners will be announced November 4, 2015.

Visit greatplacesincanada.ca to nominate and vote!

2014 Winners

Great Street	La rue du Petit-Champlain	Québec, QC
Great Neighbourhood	Inglewood	Calgary, AB
Great Public Space	Antigonish Town and County Library (The People's Place)	Antigonish, NS
People's Choice - Street	La rue du Petit-Champlain	Québec, QC
People's Choice - Neighbourhood	Old East Village	London, ON
People's Choice - Public Space	McAdam Lake Campground on Waulklehegan Lake	McAdam, NB

For winners from past years, visit www.greatplacesincanada.ca. 

• Follow @GreatPlacesCA on Twitter
• Like our Great Places in Canada page on Facebook

CIP is delighted to have VIA Rail Canada, a loyal sponsor of the contest, on board again this year and to have Roots Canada joining as a sponsor for the second time.  They will both be providing prizes to the contest winners.  We are thrilled to have the support of Communities in Bloom and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) for the 5^thedition of Great Places in Canada. 

Great Places in Canada is an annual contest hosted by CIP and it is now in its fifth year. The contest seeks to increase Canadians' awareness about the planning profession and the work of Professional Planners in Canada.  Please visit www.greatplacesincanada.ca.

The Canadian Institute of Planners (CIP) is the national voice of Canada's planning profession. Since 1919, CIP has been dedicated to the advancement of responsible planning throughout Canada. CIP has a membership of over 7,800 professional planners, and collaborates with provincial planning institutes and associations to promote professional standards, training and certification as well as best practices in planning across Canada. Visit www.cip-icu.ca.

VIA Rail Canada, as the national rail passenger service, provides efficient, environmentally sustainable and cost-effective passenger transportation to Canadian travellers, and service in both official languages. Every week VIA operates 503 intercity, transcontinental and regional trains linking 450 communities across its 12,500 kilometers route network. VIA transports over four million passengers annually. Please visit www.viarail.ca.                                                                  

Roots Canada - Founded in 1973, Roots is Canada's leading lifestyle brand known for its quality leather goods, athletic apparel, accessories, and natural fiber clothing. In addition to its state-of-the-art factory and design centre inToronto, Roots has 125 stores in Canada and the United States along with 100 retail locations in Asia. The core values that have always governed Roots are based on a commitment to active, healthy living, respect for the environment, community support and a passion for Canada.

Communities in Bloom is a Canadian non-profit organization committed to fostering civic pride, environmental responsibility and beautification through community involvement and the challenge of a national program, with focus on the enhancement of green spaces. The pride, sense of community and feeling of accomplishment generated through participation are visible in communities across Canada.  For more information about Communities in Bloom, visit www.communitiesinbloom.ca.

The Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) has been the national voice of municipal government since 1901. With over 2,000 members, FCM represents the interests of municipalities on policy and program matters that fall within federal jurisdiction. Members include Canada's largest cities, small urban and rural communities, and 19 provincial and territorial municipal associations.  Visit www.fcm.ca.

SOURCE Canadian Institute of Planners

Ontario Amber Alert Program Enhanced

State of the Art Technology brings Valuable Messages to More People

ORILLIA, Ontario, May 25, 2015 /Canada NewsWire/ - The first hours after a child goes missing are crucial to their safe recovery. That's why it's so important to spread the word. The Ontario AMBER Alert program utilizes social media to effect the dissemination of child abduction information. The viral power of social media enables us to reach hundreds of thousands of Canadians within mere moments of an alert going out.

Ontario AMBER Alert has maintained a Facebook page to communicate AMBER Alert information since 2010. The page currently has a following of approximately 185,000.  It has been found to be very effective and, on occasion, has been used to communicate other child safety messaging. Ontario AMBER Alert created a Twitter account, "AMBER Alert Ontario" in 2014. The account has in excess of 10,000 followers and has been utilized during AMBER Alert activations to communicate information to the public. This account has also been used to gain public attention during a number of high-risk missing children's cases.

Toronto-based Social Horse Power (SocialHP.com) is partnering with the AMBER Alert program bringing technology that will allow social media users to donate their social media feeds in the event of an AMBER Alert. This system interacts with Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin. Social media users can donate their social media feeds to the Ontario AMBER Alert program by registering at https://www.socialhp.com/amber-alert-ontario

Social Horse Power is a platform that allows the community to donate their Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn status in order to disseminate abduction information created by the AMBER Alert team. Users always have the ability to vet the messaging and the information generated by trusted AMBER Alert sites will post directly to the newsfeeds of the respective social media application in the form of a status update. This technology has been successfully used by the Missing Children's Society of Canada (MCSC) since May of 2012.

In January of this year, Facebook unveiled a new program in the United States that allows it to target a defined area with AMBER Alert Activation information at the time of a child abduction incident. This notification system is now available in Ontario and elsewhere in Canada.  The information is viewed through a responsive design poster that has the ability to format itself based on the screen size the alert is being viewed on.  The poster will be available in both French and English.  The poster will also appear on www.OPP.ca during any AMBER Alert activation. The Facebook geo-targeted delivery system will post a notification on all Facebook users' newsfeeds within a pre-determined radius of the last known location. 

Ontario AMBER Alert will launch these new social media program enhancements on May 25, 2015, in support ofInternational Missing Children's Day. The Ontario AMBER Alert Facebook page and the AMBER Alert Ontario Twitter account will both serve as the platforms to publicize and officially launch these enhancements. Everyone has a role to play in protecting children. These enhancements and the public's attention to AMBER Alerts support bringing children home safely.

SOURCE Ontario Provincial Police

50+ Festival: Celebrate how aging is changing

The G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education announces line up for annual festival with a focus on healthy aging and reinvention for older adults.

TORONTO, Ontario May 25, 2015 /Canada NewsWire/ - As a kickoff to Senior's Month, The 50+ Festival, presented by Programs for 50+ at The G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education at Ryerson University, will once again celebrate how aging is changing. Running from Monday, June 1, through Thursday, June 4, the festival engages older adults interested in personal growth and continued learning.

"The 50+ Festival was developed to provide a forum to better understand what aging means today and to highlight the continuous learning of older adults," says Sandra Kerr, Program Director for the Programs for 50+ at The Chang School. "We have more options and different challenges than we did 10 or 15 years ago, so it is important that we consider the economic, social, and cultural ripples of these changes."

The Honourable Mario Sergio, Ontario's Minister Responsible for Seniors Affairs, will officially open the festival onMonday, June 1, by announcing Senior's Month in Ontario. The festival will host a dynamic series of events that will invite participants to examine vibrant aging and reinvention. From a presentation on finding purpose, passion and perspective in aging to workshops on mindfulness and psychology, to a play about sexual awakening in later life, the festival will cover a wide variety of topics related to healthy aging for older adults.

"Lifelong learning is the cornerstone of our programming," says Dr. Marie Bountrogianni, Dean, The G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education. "The 50+ Festival is the truest version of this, with a vibrant community who celebrates aging and all of the learning opportunities that it has to offer."

The Festival will be held on the Ryerson campus. For more festival information, visit fiftyplusfestival.ca. Most sessions are free of charge, but participants must register in advance.

About Ryerson University's G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education (ryerson.ca/ce)

With approximately 70,000 annual enrollments, The G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education is Canada'sleading provider of university-based adult education. There are over 1500 courses, workshops and seminars and 88 career-related certificate programs and numerous course series in which 23 certificate programs can be completed entirely at a distance. The school's mission is to be a leader in innovative, quality, lifelong learning that empowers adults to reach their life and career goals.

About Programs for 50+
At Programs for 50+, those 50 years and older can access academic tools and opportunities for personal enrichment, self actualization, and engagement in society with their peers and as part of an intergenerational campus dynamic through The Chang School.

SOURCE Ryerson University

Sleeman elevates summer with new Sleeman Lift

New beer with a hint of coconut water available for the performance-focused

GUELPH, Ontario, May 25, 2015 /Canada NewsWire/ - There are those who are satisfied with good enough and those that set their standards higher.  For those Canadians, Sleeman is proud to announce the launch of Sleeman Lift, a uniquely thirst-quenching new beer available to Canadians just in time for summer.

"Sleeman Lift is a beer we pushed ourselves to make and a beer the performance-focused will appreciate," explains Ed McCallum, Director of Brewing & Development, Sleeman Breweries Ltd. "It is an innovative new beer with a hint of coconut water, which we believe Canadian beer lovers will truly enjoy."

The beer market is constantly growing and evolving, as consumers become increasingly open to new flavours and continue to expect more from their brew.  With Sleeman Lift, it is no longer about choosing between a cold pint and a thirst-quenching beverage: this new innovation delivers both.

Since it was founded in Guelph, Ontario in 1834, Sleeman has been dedicated to product leadership. "While Sleeman has a long history of pioneering in the industry, we are very proud to say this new product was developed in Canada," said Stéphane Duval, Sleeman's Vice President of Marketing. "Sleeman Lift is a great example how our understanding of Canadian beer drinkers drives the product we create."

For more information, Sleeman invites you to visit Sleeman.ca. Please enjoy responsibly.

Follow us:

@sleemanbeer

https://www.facebook.com/SleemanBeer

About Sleeman Breweries Limited

Sleeman Breweries Ltd. is the third largest brewing company nation-wide. The company has supplemented its core Sleeman brands, which are available in every province, with a family of exceptional regional brands. These include Okanagan Spring in British Columbia and Unibroue in Quebec as well as Old Milwaukee and Pabst Blue Ribbon. In 2006, Sleeman Breweries Limited was acquired by Sapporo Holdings Limited of Japan. The company markets and/or distributes world class imported products such as Guinness & Harp and is supported by 1,000 employees.

SOURCE SLEEMAN BREWERIES LTD.

Canadian Consumers Mislead by Confusing Food Labels, Want Improvements Issues go beyond Nutrition Facts table

CALGARY, Alberta  May 21, 2015 /Canada NewsWire/ -  A recent survey has found that an increasing majority of Canadians want to see better labels on foods that go far beyond improvements to the Nutrition Facts table. The survey was conducted by Hypertension Canada and measured public support for a variety of diet-related issues that are responsible for 80 per cent of all hypertension cases.

More than four out of five Canadians support health warnings on unhealthy foods, legislated sodium reduction and subsidies on fresh fruits and vegetables. Still, the federal government lacks a food and nutrition strategy in spite of repeated calls for one by the public and Canada's leading health and scientific organizations^[i], including the College of Family Physicians of Canada.

"The chronic disease crisis is unsustainable and largely preventable," says Dr. Norman Campbell, who has launched a campaign to get the government to make nutrition a priority. With a life's work devoted to chronic disease prevention, and backed by Canada's health and scientific heavyweights, Dr. Campbell hopes to get Canadians on board with his call to action.

"The food and beverage industry is big, but the cost of doing nothing is bigger," explains Dr. Campbell. The food processing and restaurant industries generate more than $164 billion^[ii],[iii] in sales annually and employ nearly 1.5 million^[iv] people. Meanwhile, the Public Health Agency of Canada estimates that chronic diseases cost Canada $190 billion^[v] (nearly 10 per cent of GDP^[vi]) annually and affect many millions more.

Dr. Campbell is calling on Canadians and their elected officials to pledge their support for making nutrition a priority athypertensiontalk.com.

About Dr. Norman Campbell, C.M., HSFC/CIHR Chair in Hypertension Prevention and Control

Dr. Campbell is a General Internist, Professor of Medicine, Community Health Sciences and Physiology and Pharmacology at the University of Calgary and a member of the O'Brien Institute of Public Health and Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta at the University of Calgary.

Dr. Campbell is currently:

• President of the World Hypertension League,
• HSF CIHR Chair in Hypertension Prevention and Control (2011-2016),
• Chair of the Canadian Hypertension Advisory Committee (2012-2016),
• Co-Chair of the Pan American Health Organization / World Health Organization Technical Advisory Group on Cardiovascular Disease Prevention through Dietary Salt Reduction,
• Member of the World Health Organization Nutrition Advisory Group, Non Communicable Disease, (NutNCD group) (2012-2016), and
• Co-chair of the vascular risk reduction program for the Alberta Health Services Strategic Clinical Networks. 

In the past, Dr. Campbell has been:

• President of Blood Pressure Canada, (1996-1999 and 2006-2010),
• President of the Canadian Hypertension Society (1999-2000),
• Chair of the Steering Committee of the Canadian Hypertension Education Program (CHEP) (2000-2002, 2005-2010),
• President of the Canadian Society for Clinical Pharmacology (2002-2004), and
• Chair of the Pan American Health Organization / World Health Organization Regional Expert Group on Cardiovascular Disease Prevention through Dietary Salt Reduction (2009-2011).