Canadians stumped to identify challenges or opportunities to the Internet in Canada

OTTAWA, November 10, 2011 /Canada NewsWire/ - According to a report from the Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA), forty per cent of Canadians cannot identify a challenge to the success of the Internet in Canada.

The report, entitled Challenges and Opportunities for the Internet in Canada, asked 1,210 Canadians what they perceive are the challenges facing the development of the Internet in Canada, and opportunities presented by the Internet. It also showed that almost 50 per cent of Canadians could not identify an opportunity for the success of the Internet in Canada.

"These are very significant results," said CIRA President and CEO Byron Holland. "It confirms that Canadians have not had many opportunities to discuss how the Internet is developed and deployed. It also outlines the importance to provide them with more opportunities to do so."

Holland went on to say, "The Internet has become the most important driver of social and economic progress for Canada and around the world, yet very few Canadians have had the opportunity to participate in its development."

For the second year in a row, CIRA will be hosting a national dialogue on the development of the Internet with the Canadian Internet Forum (CIF). The 2011 CIF was the first opportunity of its kind for Canadians to have a say on how they would like to see the Internet develop. The final report on the 2011 CIF can be found on CIRA's website at www.cira.ca/.

To identify the topics for discussion in the 2012 CIF, CIRA worked with Nanos Research to deliver a national survey. The results of this survey will dictate the themes to be explored in the upcoming 2012 Canadian Internet Forum. Hot topics among Canadians included digital literacy, security and safety, access/cost, digital economy, policy and governance, and technology and regulation.

"The initial consultation showed us that Canadians are truly interested in getting involved in issues related to the future of the Internet in Canada," said Holland. "We want to keep the momentum going with the 2012 Canadian Internet Forum, and ensure Canadians have a voice in Internet governance in Canada and abroad."

"The Internet is not a static entity. It is continuously developing. The fact that its development affects almost every Canadian behoves us to ensure as many people as possible have the opportunity to have their voice heard."

The 2012 Canadian Internet Forum will have a heavy focus on online participation, including a discussion forum, and culminate with a national event in February 2012.

For more information on the 2012 Canadian Internet Forum, please visit cif.cira.ca.


About CIRA

The Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA) is the organization that manages Canada's .CA domain name registry, develops and implements policies that support Canada's Internet community and represents the .CA registry internationally.

Egg Farmers of Ontario Wins National Agricultural Awards

"Who Made Your Eggs Today?" Campaign Multiple Winner at Canadian Agri-Marketing Association (CAMA)

MISSISSAUGA, Ontario, November 7, 2011 /Canada NewsWire/ - Egg Farmers of Ontario (EFO) won three 'Best of CAMA' awards and two 'Certificates of Merit' for its "Who Made Your Eggs Today?" campaign at the 'Best of CAMA' Awards Banquet held at the Rimrock Resort Hotel in Banff, Alberta last week. The annual 'Best of CAMA' awards program celebrates excellence in Agri-Marketing in Canada.

"The response to our 'Who Made Your Eggs Today?' campaign has been tremendous," said Egg Farmers of Ontario Chair Carolynne Griffith. "We are honoured to be recognized for a campaign that we are so proud of."

EFO won for its radio ad series, billboards and transit ads while receiving the 'Certificate of Merit' for video and integrated marketing campaign.

At the centre of the multimedia campaign is the web site www.eggfarmersofontario.ca to help Ontario consumers get to know their local egg farmers. The campaign was inspired by consumer research showing that Ontario consumers are curious about the egg farmers who produce one of Ontario's favourite foods.

This is the second time in 2011 that EFO's 'Who Made Your Eggs Today?' campaign has won prestigious awards. In February, EFO won two Golden ARC Awards from the Agricultural Relations Council (ARC), a national agricultural public relations organization in the United States. Established in 1990, the Golden ARC Awards Contest recognizes the best and brightest in agricultural public relations. EFO is believed to be the first Canadian organization to enter and win a Golden ARC Award.

"I would like to thank our staff and agency partners for their hard work, passion and insight," said EFO General Manager Harry Pelissero. "And of course none of this would have been possible without the egg farm families who so graciously agreed to be our spokespeople. Their stories are what make this campaign a success."

Egg Farmers of Ontario is an association that represents approximately 400 egg farmers and pullet growers in Ontario. It is an independent, self governing organization funded entirely by egg and pullet farmers.

30-Blade Eco Whisper Wind Turbine is "Virtually Silent"

photo credit: YouTube/Video screen capture

from TreeHugger.com
by Brian Merchant
Wind Technology

Want wind power, but think that those tri-bladed behemoths are just too loud? Well then, Australia Renewable Energy Solutions has just the thing for you: The Eco Whisper wind turbine. This sharp-looking little contraption may only have a 20 kW generating capacity, but the company claims that the turbine is "virtually silent". It's also, allegedly, more efficient. Here's an intro to how it works:



The blades are 20 ft in diameter, and the entire thing stands 70 ft tall.

AOL Energy has more:

The company said the turbine is "virtually silent," thanks to its unique design, in which the 30 blades are angled outward from the hub, and surrounded at their ends by a ring. This ring, the company says, "prevents air 'spilling' off the tip of the blades," the source of much of the noise that traditional turbines produce. The company also lists greater efficiency and lower start-up speeds as advantages compared to competitors.

Sounds cool, and I'm all for experimenting with new turbine designs. But if the aim is to try to pacify wind power naysayers who complain about noise with a quiet turbine, this pitch will likely fall on deaf ears (pun!).

That's because the much-hyped "Wind Turbine Syndrome" -- allegedly caused by the sounds and 'sub-audible vibrations' emitted by the turbines -- has already been proven to be a steaming load of bunk. And many of the people who complain about wind turbines being too noisy seem to be, primarily, grumps with too much time on their hands -- especially considering that when they're compensated by wind power companies for having the turbines nearby their homes, their complaints magically disappear. These folks aren't really bothered by the noise level of the turbines -- they have issues with the changing world they represent, and often, an axe to grind. A genuinely silent turbine probably won't quell their objections.

That said, the 'silent' turbine may be a strong selling point for businesses and homeowners already interested in small scale wind power -- silent, efficient clean energy generation is appealing indeed.

Read the full story at TreeHugger.com

Get involved with the Rural Voices Network (RVN)

GUELPH, Ontario, November 3, 2011 /Canada NewsWire/ - The Rural Voices Network (RVN) is launching a series of Public Forums to examine what enables rural citizens to participate in the common life of their community, and to identify barriers to rural civic engagement.

"There is a huge value in building a bridge of communication between the rural citizen and organizational and municipal leaders of every community across Ontario," says Manon Germain, RVN Project Manager.

WHY ATTEND THE FORUM?

The RVN invites you to participate in a "Let Your Voice Be Heard" Public Forum to have conversations about community participation, barriers to participation, and to voice your opinions, life experiences and ideas. Your community "voice" will be the key influences for a public survey to be distributed to over 10,000 rural citizens in Ontario.

WHEN AND WHERE ARE THE FORUMS?

Public forums will be held in 7 communities across Ontario to understand why and how people participate in the rural life of their communities. All community members are welcome to participate in the forums.

Guelph Ontario (PILOT) - November 10, 2011
Dryden, ON - November 18, 2011
Rosslyn, ON - November 19, 2011
Fergus, ON - November 27, 2011
Perth, ON - November 29, 2011
Ridgetown, ON - December 2, 2011
Innisfil, ON (FWIO AGM) - January 4, 2012

WHO CAN GET INVOLVED?

The Rural Voices Network is for rural citizens -- whether you're a small business owner, long-standing resident or a newcomer, a member of a local charity, or someone who wants to get more involved in your community. Together, this makes up a collaboration of different networks that comprise the Rural Voices Network (RVN). We all share something in common. We all want healthy communities that encourage public participation.

ABOUT THE RURAL VOICES NETWORK (RVN):

The Rural Voices Network is driven by the mandate to give rural citizens a space to have their voices heard, and to collaborate with non-profit organizations and leaders in all levels of governance. For more information on the RVN project or to register for upcoming Public Forums visit: http://www.ruralvoicesnetwork.ca

Operated by the Federated Women's Institutes of Ontario / Sponsored by the Ontario Trillium Foundation

Dairy Farmers of Canada is a big winner at the International Milk Promotions Awards

MONTREAL, October 26, 2011 /Canada NewsWire/ - Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC) is pleased to announce it has received several awards at the International Dairy Federation World Dairy Summit held in Parma, Italy from October 17th to the 19th. DFC's marketing and nutrition teams won several awards for various projects at this year's 2011 Dairy Innovation Awards.

This year's awards have attracted more than 100 entries from 25 countries in 14 categories, ranging from products, to packaging, marketing and environmental sustainability.

"The campaigns developed from producer investment in dairy category growth and image was recognized on the international stage, particularly in the area of nutrition and nutrient density of dairy foods," says Ian MacDonald, national director, marketing & nutrition at DFC. "We accept these awards from the International Dairy Foundation with honour and pride."

DFC won in the Best Health Education or Nutri-Marketing Initiative category for its Power4Bones nutrition program. Power4Bones is a free, cross-curricular program for elementary students, which is based on multiple learning styles and helps teachers meet curriculum expectations in a variety of subjects, such as Health and Physical Education and Language, including Media Literacy.

"We've come to expect excellent work from Dairy Farmers of Canada over the years, and Power4Bones is a great example of clear education in the essential, natural bone-building benefits of dairy, catching students at just the right age with clear, interesting and excitingly presented materials," says chair of the judging panel, FoodBev Media Group editorial director, Bill Bruce. "Its success is also down to making the kit work just as well for teachers too - always a challenge, and in this case, brilliantly achieved."

Also in the nutrition category, DFC was named a finalist in the Best Health Education or Nutria-Marketing Initiative category with its Get Enough campaign. The Get Enough campaign encourages consumers to get the recommended servings of Milk and Alternatives according to Canada's Food Guide.

DFC was a finalist in the Best Print Marketing, Store Promotion or POS category with the Get a Load of Milk (GALOM) campaign for its participation at the MuchMusicVideo Awards last June. GALOM encourages teenagers to drink milk and engages them in many activities through the web, social media, contests and music to get the milk message out to teens in a 'cool' way.

Finally, DFC has been highly commended by the judging panel for its 2011 Canadian Cheese Grand Prix promotion in the Best Print Marketing, Store Promotion or POS category. The Canadian Cheese Grand Prix competition is held every two years and rewards Canadian cheese makers from across the country for excellence in innovation and quality of their products. Winners enjoy the right to use Grand Prix promotional tools, including displaying the Grand Prix logo on their products and benefit from the attention generated by the competition.

The Fédération des Producteurs de lait du Québec (FPLQ) also won big at this year's IDF Dairy Innovation Awards with three different dairy products. The FPLQ won as a finalist in the Best Consumer TV/Cinema Advertisement or Social Networking Marketing category for its Milk campaign and were highly commended in the same category for their Cheese campaign. The FPLQ was also a finalist in the Best Print Marketing, Store Promotion or POS category with its Cream campaign, and a finalist in the Best Generic Dairy Marketing category with Cream too.

About Dairy Farmers of Canada

Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC) promotes the wholesome goodness of dairy products as part of a healthy, balanced diet and encourages good nutrition for all Canadians. DFC is completely funded by dairy producers.

About the International Dairy Federation

Founded in 1903, the International Dairy Federation (IDF) represents the dairy sector worldwide by providing the best global source of scientific expertise and knowledge in support of the development and promotion of quality milk and dairy products to deliver consumers with nutrition, health and well-being. IDF is represented in 57 countries and membership is growing: IDF accounts for approximately 85% of the world's milk production at present. IDF aims to identify, elaborate and disseminate best practice at international level in order to guide the dairy sector and to harmonize members' work on a variety of issues along the dairy production chain including animal health and welfare, protection of the environment, nutrition, food safety and hygiene and food standards.

OPP says now is the time to get ready for winter driving

AURORA, Ontario, October 26, 2011 /Canada NewsWire/ - Every year, the first snow fall comes before many Ontarians are ready for it and according to the OPP, it is wise to keep one step ahead of it by getting ready for winter driving conditions on Ontario roads and highways.

"Ontario winters make for some of the most dangerous driving conditions in Canada. Over and above getting your vehicle ready, it's important for Ontarians to adopt a new mindset that defensive, responsible driving during the winter months is more crucial than any other time of year in reducing fatalities and serious injuries". - Chief Superintendent Don Bell, Commander, Highway Safety Division.

Preparing yourself and your vehicle for the harsh winter weather ahead can go a long way in reducing collisions - something the OPP sees far too many of every winter.

Getting Your Vehicle Ready:

...Install four winter-rated tires before the first snowfall.

...Have an ice scraper or snow brush in your vehicle to keep your windows, signals and lights clear.

...Top up your windshield washer reservoir and keep an extra one handy.

...Keep your fuel tank at least ½ full so you don't run out of gas should you become stranded and to prevent condensation from forming in your gas tank.

...Keep a fully stocked emergency kit in your vehicle.
* Have your vehicle serviced to avoid preventable breakdowns.

Adjusting your driving habits:

...Drivers must SLOW DOWN! - Speed too fast for road conditions is the #1 cause of winter collisions.

...Drive according to the road and weather conditions.

...Leave extra spaces between vehicles - Stopping distances are at least doubled on snowy roads and even longer in icy conditions.

...Know where you are - If you require help in an emergency it will delay the arrival of emergency responders if you don't know your location when asked.

...Monitor road and weather conditions - Plan your trip and check local weather conditions before heading out.

...Check the Ministry of Transportation website prior to heading out on any trip during the winter - Please do not call 9-1-1 or the OPP for road reports); instead log onto: www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/traveller/conditions

"Most of the collisions we see during winter are preventable, yet far too many people blame these collisions on poor driving conditions. If all motorists got into the habit of adjusting their driving to the conditions at hand, there would be far fewer collisions on our roads and highways". - Deputy Commissioner Larry Beechey, Provincial Commander, Traffic Safety and Operational Support.

LEARN MORE

Winter Driving - Be Prepared, Be Safe!

Transport Canada - Winter Driving Tips

Transportation Health & Safety Association of Ontario

Lift-Off For Rural 4G Broadband! Proton Rocket Carrying New 4G Broadband Satellite Successfully Launched

"The Proton rocket containing ViaSat-1 on the launch pad at Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Oct 18 2011. Courtesy ILS International Launch Services, Inc. (CNW Group/Xplornet Communications Inc.)"

MARKHAM, Ontario, October 20, 2011 /Canada NewsWire/ - Xplornet Communications Inc. is delighted to announce the successful launch of ViaSat-1, North America's first 4G broadband satellite. The satellite was launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, and will be stationed in geosynchronous orbit at an altitude of 35,786 km.

A game-changer in terms of ubiquitous broadband access in Canada, ViaSat-1 will allow for previously unavailable speed and bandwidth economics, and will provide rural and remote Canadians a broadband connection that is truly fast and affordable. Together with the planned launch of a second, similar 4G satellite in 2012 and with its national fixed-wireless 4G network, Xplornet will effectively end Canada's urban/rural digital-divide, once and for all.

"We recognized that satellite broadband needed to be faster and more affordable. With this new 4G satellite service, Xplornet will offer satellite broadband service that is both" said John Maduri, Xplornet's Chief Executive Officer.

ViaSat-1 will support customer download speeds of up to 25 Mbps, with more capacity than all current North American broadband satellites combined. Xplornet Communications Inc., Canada's leading provider of rural broadband, has purchased 100% of the Canadian Ka-band capacity on the satellite, entirely for rural broadband use. Xplornet expects the satellite service to be available to Canadians late this year.

"Video: Lift-Off For Rural 4G Broadband: Proton Rocket Carrying New 4G Broadband Satellite Successfully Launched".

"This is an historic launch. The technology is revolutionary. Our investment of hundreds of millions in rural broadband infrastructure is unprecedented. And Canada is now joining a group of other regions, like the UK, the US, and Europe, that have endorsed 4G satellite broadband as the solution for ensuring 100% access to affordable broadband." said Maduri.

"Most important though, is the impact this satellite is going to have on people. I am proud to say that Xplornet has done what no other Canadian company could do, and what some people said that private industry would never do: make fast, affordable broadband available everywhere in Canada. By 2012, every Canadian will be able to experience the transformative benefits of broadband." concluded Maduri.

Headquartered in Woodstock, New Brunswick, Xplornet Communications Inc. (formerly Barrett Xplore Inc.) is Canada's leading rural broadband provider, with customers and dealers in every province and territory. Xplornet aims to eliminate the urban/rural digital divide by ensuring that every Canadian, regardless of where they live, has access to broadband, thereby enabling them to compete effectively in the global economy and gain access to essential government and educational services.