BRAZIL RETAINS TOP SPOT IN FIFA RANKINGS; CANADA STILL 63RD
ZURICH, Switzerland - Brazil will head to the World Cup as the No. 1 team, according to the latest FIFA rankings.
The five-time world champion retained top spot ahead of European champion Spain in Wednesday's release of the final monthly rankings before the June 11 World Cup kickoff.
Portugal is third followed by the Netherlands and world champion Italy. Germany is sixth, ahead of Argentina and England.
France moves up one to No. 9, trading places with Croatia which did not qualify for the World Cup.
The United States, at No. 14, heads up the three World Cup qualifiers from CONCACAF.
Cameroon at No. 19 is best of the six African World Cup teams, and No. 20 Australia leads Asia's four qualifiers.
Host South Africa is No. 83, and No. 105 North Korea is the lowest-ranked qualifier.
Canada remained unchanged at No. 63.
Showing posts with label Canada. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Canada. Show all posts
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Conrad Black: Our proud role in Europe's liberation
As this is the 65th anniversary of the end of the war in Europe, let us remember the contribution of Canada to that victory.
Prime minister Mackenzie King was never popular with the Canadian military, especially as he declined to impose conscription for overseas service until very late in the war, out of concern for the response of French Canada. Quebec had been promised in its 1939 provincial election that there would be no conscription. In the ill-conceived 1942 National Plebiscite on Conscription, in which King sought release from that pledge, 70% of English-speaking Canadians voted approval, and 90% of French Canadians voted negative. The country could not have been more starkly divided.
King deserves great credit for managing to avoid a rending national-unity crisis, and also for insisting that Canadians, having been used as cannon-fodder in Louis Mountbatten’s mad Dieppe landing in 1942, be accorded a prominent part in the D-Day landings in Normandy on June 6, 1944. (The Canadians had one of the five beaches, Juno.) It need hardly be emphasized that Canadian forces distinguished themselves in the European campaigns, in Italy and Northwest Europe. They were well-respected by the Germans, and were the only large aggregation of volunteer forces in all of Europe. Canada’s achievement in sending large numbers of volunteers into combat overseas (the equivalent of seven divisions in Europe), when the country was under no direct threat, was unprecedented in the history of warfare (other than by Canada and Australia in the First World War).
The British persisted in trying to have Canadians considered part of their own forces, to make their contingent heftier. The lobbying of King and the generous and diplomatic spirit of the Supreme Allied Commander, General Dwight D. Eisenhower, caused the Canadian Corps, four divisions, to be designated an army, subject only to the command of the northern army group commander, Field Marshal Bernard L. Montgomery, and Eisenhower himself. Thus, Canada’s four divisions had the same status as the one British, one French and four American armies on the front, totalling about 90 divisions, 10 to 18 in each army except Canada’s.
The British needed such large forces to keep their increasingly fractious Empire together (parts of India were in semi-revolt and Palestine was virtually in civil war), that with forces all along the chain from Burma to India and through the Mediterranean, and 15 divisions in Italy, it could only put 14 divisions on the Western Front. This was less than a fifth of the U.S expeditionary forces and not more than the French and Canadians combined.
It was in the course of this campaign that the United States became unarguably the pre-eminent military power in the West. The British leaders, including Winston Churchill, were afraid of being ground up on the Western Front, as had happened during the First World War. As a naval person, Churchill, as he had been with Gallipoli and Zeebrugge in World War I, was partial to amphibious attacks around the German perimeter: Norway, Greece, Italy, the Balkans, the Adriatic. FDR and his advisors, especially army chief of staff General George C. Marshall, felt that this was an illusion, that only a frontal assault on Adolf Hitler’s occupied Europe would end the war in the West, prevent Joseph Stalin from either making a separate peace with Hitler or overrunning Western Europe — and, incidentally, secure Roosevelt’s reelection, as he, unlike Churchill, did not have the luxury of deferring elections indefinitely.
One of the great strategic triumphs of modern times was when Roosevelt opted to stay in the Soviet embassy in Tehran, during the Big Three Conference there in November, 1943, ostensibly for security reasons, but really to assure that Stalin would support Allied landings in France, as opposed to Churchill’s plan for landing in the Adriatic at Trieste and then on into Austria. Churchill and his chief of the Imperial General Staff, General Brooke, believed Stalin only favoured landings in France because he thought Hitler’s armies would drive the Western Allies into the sea as they had at Dunkirk and Dieppe, distracting Hitler and enabling Stalin to penetrate more deeply into Central Europe from the East. Stalin respected the Royal and U.S Navies, and the RAF and U.S. Marines, but considered the British Army a dubious force that had been defeated almost everywhere, and the American Army to be untested against a serious enemy such as the Wehrmacht.
Roosevelt conceded that this could be Stalin’s motive, but disagreed with his military prognosis. By assuring himself of Stalin’s support for the French landings, Roosevelt used America’s emerging post-war rival to prevail over its greatest, but in this case, wrong-headed ally, in achieving the reverse of what Stalin sought and Churchill feared. The successful landings cleared France quickly and enabled the West to occupy most of Germany, the traditional grand prize in Europe’s general wars, since Richelieu’s time.
Whatever Stalin expected, it must be said that at the end of June, 1944, the Soviet leader, who was not renowned for lavishing praise on others, issued a statement that pronounced the Normandy landings incomparable “in all military history” for “breadth of conception, grandeur of scale and mastery of execution.” This was nothing but the truth. General Eisenhower has not generally received the credit he deserved for this immensely successful campaign. The selection of the Normandy landing sight, the use of George Patton as a decoy for landings at Calais, keeping Allied fuel depots well back from the front during the Battle of the Ardennes, the double envelopment of the Ruhr and the occupation of Germany in March and April 1945, almost as quickly as Germany had occupied France in 1940, were remarkable demonstrations of the soundness of Eisenhower’s command decision and of his talents as a soldier-diplomat.
Where Canada drew a short straw was in the Dutch campaign. General Patton and other American strategists favoured an assault directly into Germany and a dagger thrust across Germany to Berlin, rather than a continuous front. Montgomery, whose gamecock manner and titanic ego made him, with the histrionic Patton and the impossibly inflexible Charles de Gaulle, an historic trio of prima donnas for Eisenhower to deal with, also wanted a single thrust, but naturally wanted to lead it himself. Churchill backed Montgomery in a move across the northern end of the front, to take the port of Antwerp and shut down the missile launchers that were raining V-2 rockets down on southern England. This was Montgomery’s famous Operation Market Garden (the basis for the 1977 war film A Bridge Too Far). It caused the Canadian Army to be the principal liberator of Holland, but German flooding of the Low Countries forced many Canadian units to squat on rooftops for lengthy periods waiting to be taken off. There was not a breakthrough in the end, and the Germans counter-attacked in the Ardennes, which delayed the final assault on Germany for about two months. This is why it took the Allies from August 26 to March 1 to get from Paris to the east bank of the Rhine.
This was, as Roosevelt said in his radio address on D-Day night, “a mighty endeavour of liberation, to set free a suffering humanity from the apostles of greed and of racial arrogances … and to build a peace that will be invulnerable to the schemings of unworthy men.” It was a magnificent cause, a brilliant campaign, for noble objectives which were substantially achieved.
Although Canada provided less than 5% of the Allied forces in Northwest Europe, they were among the very best of those forces. It was a great step for a Dominion of only about 13-million people, which had not universally been thought of before the war as an independent country. Canada participated to the limit of its means, earning high praise from our allies. This was expressed as well by de Gaulle as by anyone, when he praised Canada as “a courageous and beloved country.” This was a well-earned compliment from almost as grudging a font of superlatives as Stalin (which unfortunately seemed to have slipped his mind when he visited canada in 1967 and urged Quebec to secede).
Canada liberated the Netherlands from the Nazi murderers of Anne Frank and scores of thousands of other innocent Dutch, and in doing so, emancipated itself from many of the burdens of subordinacy. This is what was being celebrated 65 years ago today, and it remains a fit cause for celebration.
Prime minister Mackenzie King was never popular with the Canadian military, especially as he declined to impose conscription for overseas service until very late in the war, out of concern for the response of French Canada. Quebec had been promised in its 1939 provincial election that there would be no conscription. In the ill-conceived 1942 National Plebiscite on Conscription, in which King sought release from that pledge, 70% of English-speaking Canadians voted approval, and 90% of French Canadians voted negative. The country could not have been more starkly divided.
King deserves great credit for managing to avoid a rending national-unity crisis, and also for insisting that Canadians, having been used as cannon-fodder in Louis Mountbatten’s mad Dieppe landing in 1942, be accorded a prominent part in the D-Day landings in Normandy on June 6, 1944. (The Canadians had one of the five beaches, Juno.) It need hardly be emphasized that Canadian forces distinguished themselves in the European campaigns, in Italy and Northwest Europe. They were well-respected by the Germans, and were the only large aggregation of volunteer forces in all of Europe. Canada’s achievement in sending large numbers of volunteers into combat overseas (the equivalent of seven divisions in Europe), when the country was under no direct threat, was unprecedented in the history of warfare (other than by Canada and Australia in the First World War).
The British persisted in trying to have Canadians considered part of their own forces, to make their contingent heftier. The lobbying of King and the generous and diplomatic spirit of the Supreme Allied Commander, General Dwight D. Eisenhower, caused the Canadian Corps, four divisions, to be designated an army, subject only to the command of the northern army group commander, Field Marshal Bernard L. Montgomery, and Eisenhower himself. Thus, Canada’s four divisions had the same status as the one British, one French and four American armies on the front, totalling about 90 divisions, 10 to 18 in each army except Canada’s.
The British needed such large forces to keep their increasingly fractious Empire together (parts of India were in semi-revolt and Palestine was virtually in civil war), that with forces all along the chain from Burma to India and through the Mediterranean, and 15 divisions in Italy, it could only put 14 divisions on the Western Front. This was less than a fifth of the U.S expeditionary forces and not more than the French and Canadians combined.
It was in the course of this campaign that the United States became unarguably the pre-eminent military power in the West. The British leaders, including Winston Churchill, were afraid of being ground up on the Western Front, as had happened during the First World War. As a naval person, Churchill, as he had been with Gallipoli and Zeebrugge in World War I, was partial to amphibious attacks around the German perimeter: Norway, Greece, Italy, the Balkans, the Adriatic. FDR and his advisors, especially army chief of staff General George C. Marshall, felt that this was an illusion, that only a frontal assault on Adolf Hitler’s occupied Europe would end the war in the West, prevent Joseph Stalin from either making a separate peace with Hitler or overrunning Western Europe — and, incidentally, secure Roosevelt’s reelection, as he, unlike Churchill, did not have the luxury of deferring elections indefinitely.
One of the great strategic triumphs of modern times was when Roosevelt opted to stay in the Soviet embassy in Tehran, during the Big Three Conference there in November, 1943, ostensibly for security reasons, but really to assure that Stalin would support Allied landings in France, as opposed to Churchill’s plan for landing in the Adriatic at Trieste and then on into Austria. Churchill and his chief of the Imperial General Staff, General Brooke, believed Stalin only favoured landings in France because he thought Hitler’s armies would drive the Western Allies into the sea as they had at Dunkirk and Dieppe, distracting Hitler and enabling Stalin to penetrate more deeply into Central Europe from the East. Stalin respected the Royal and U.S Navies, and the RAF and U.S. Marines, but considered the British Army a dubious force that had been defeated almost everywhere, and the American Army to be untested against a serious enemy such as the Wehrmacht.
Roosevelt conceded that this could be Stalin’s motive, but disagreed with his military prognosis. By assuring himself of Stalin’s support for the French landings, Roosevelt used America’s emerging post-war rival to prevail over its greatest, but in this case, wrong-headed ally, in achieving the reverse of what Stalin sought and Churchill feared. The successful landings cleared France quickly and enabled the West to occupy most of Germany, the traditional grand prize in Europe’s general wars, since Richelieu’s time.
Whatever Stalin expected, it must be said that at the end of June, 1944, the Soviet leader, who was not renowned for lavishing praise on others, issued a statement that pronounced the Normandy landings incomparable “in all military history” for “breadth of conception, grandeur of scale and mastery of execution.” This was nothing but the truth. General Eisenhower has not generally received the credit he deserved for this immensely successful campaign. The selection of the Normandy landing sight, the use of George Patton as a decoy for landings at Calais, keeping Allied fuel depots well back from the front during the Battle of the Ardennes, the double envelopment of the Ruhr and the occupation of Germany in March and April 1945, almost as quickly as Germany had occupied France in 1940, were remarkable demonstrations of the soundness of Eisenhower’s command decision and of his talents as a soldier-diplomat.
Where Canada drew a short straw was in the Dutch campaign. General Patton and other American strategists favoured an assault directly into Germany and a dagger thrust across Germany to Berlin, rather than a continuous front. Montgomery, whose gamecock manner and titanic ego made him, with the histrionic Patton and the impossibly inflexible Charles de Gaulle, an historic trio of prima donnas for Eisenhower to deal with, also wanted a single thrust, but naturally wanted to lead it himself. Churchill backed Montgomery in a move across the northern end of the front, to take the port of Antwerp and shut down the missile launchers that were raining V-2 rockets down on southern England. This was Montgomery’s famous Operation Market Garden (the basis for the 1977 war film A Bridge Too Far). It caused the Canadian Army to be the principal liberator of Holland, but German flooding of the Low Countries forced many Canadian units to squat on rooftops for lengthy periods waiting to be taken off. There was not a breakthrough in the end, and the Germans counter-attacked in the Ardennes, which delayed the final assault on Germany for about two months. This is why it took the Allies from August 26 to March 1 to get from Paris to the east bank of the Rhine.
This was, as Roosevelt said in his radio address on D-Day night, “a mighty endeavour of liberation, to set free a suffering humanity from the apostles of greed and of racial arrogances … and to build a peace that will be invulnerable to the schemings of unworthy men.” It was a magnificent cause, a brilliant campaign, for noble objectives which were substantially achieved.
Although Canada provided less than 5% of the Allied forces in Northwest Europe, they were among the very best of those forces. It was a great step for a Dominion of only about 13-million people, which had not universally been thought of before the war as an independent country. Canada participated to the limit of its means, earning high praise from our allies. This was expressed as well by de Gaulle as by anyone, when he praised Canada as “a courageous and beloved country.” This was a well-earned compliment from almost as grudging a font of superlatives as Stalin (which unfortunately seemed to have slipped his mind when he visited canada in 1967 and urged Quebec to secede).
Canada liberated the Netherlands from the Nazi murderers of Anne Frank and scores of thousands of other innocent Dutch, and in doing so, emancipated itself from many of the burdens of subordinacy. This is what was being celebrated 65 years ago today, and it remains a fit cause for celebration.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Netherlands honours Canada's 'priceless gift'
BERGEN-OP-ZOOM, Netherlands -- Surrounded by the graves of their fallen comrades, Canadian veterans shed tears and were thanked at a ceremony Thursday for the sacrifices they made 65 years ago to liberate this country.
The sun was shining brightly on the large crowd of veterans, their families, Canadian and Dutch dignitaries, and students from both countries, who gathered at Bergen-op-Zoom Canadian War Cemetery near the border of the Netherlands and Belgium.
Small Canadian flags poked out of the flowerbeds in front of some of the 968 headstones of Canadian soldiers here. Most of the fallen buried at this cemetery lost their lives while fighting to liberate the Netherlands. That goal was achieved May 5, 1945.
"Today we remember how the Canadians and their allies struggled to bring peace and security to the Netherlands and the Dutch people. We are deeply grateful for the sacrifices they made," Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende said when he addressed the crowd. "Today we also remember the priceless gift they gave us, the gift of freedom."
He said with freedom comes the responsibility to bring it to others and to remain on alert for threats to freedom.
"We owe it . . . to those who fell and those who survived. Our liberators. Our heroes. Forever," he said.
One of those liberators, Kenneth Rowland, 85, was emotional when remembering the lives lost in the battles to bring freedom to the Dutch people who suffered for years under German occupation. He made the trip to Bergen-op-Zoom from St. Catharine's, Ont., to visit the grave of the best friend he called a brother for the first time.
His voice was shaky and there were tears as Mr. Rowland stood before William Roscoe's grave and told the story of how the 21-year-old soldier died in his arms. The two friends, who met when they enlisted, were laying telephone cable near a school in Bergen-op-Zoom on Oct. 28, 1944, when they were hit with machine-gun fire.
"I scooped him up and I started to run towards the jeep and his head fell back," said Mr. Rowland. "And he was dead."
"Roscoe" was one of more than 7,600 Canadians who died during the fighting for the Netherlands.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper thanked the veterans, and the fallen soldiers buried beside them, for their sacrifices.
He said Canadian soldiers 65 years ago and Canadian soldiers today share a common goal.
"This army of Canadians fought then for the only thing our country fights to this day: that which is right," he said.
Mr. Harper also directed part of his speech to the students who had traveled from across Canada to attend the ceremony.
"In such a place as this, you may understand how our land, Canada, gives birth to greatness," said Mr. Harper. "Would you wish to know what heroism is? Look here. Do you want to know what it means to be a citizen? Look here. Would you, a lifetime awaiting you, know how you should live? Then look here, and look all about you. Where only heroes rest."
Amy Sheridan, a high school student from Oshawa, Ont., said she had learned a lot during her trip.
"You can read about it in textbooks at school but when you are actually here visiting the places and experiencing it, it's so much more real," she said.
Max Lysyk, a 15-year-old also from Oshawa, is a cadet and said he would be willing to follow in the footsteps of the veterans.
"I don't want to go to Afghanistan but if there's ever something threatening our freedom, I would fight for Canada," he said.
Veteran Norm Lawton, 89, was thrilled to see so many students at the ceremony.
"When they go back to Canada, they will be strong Canadian citizens and I love that," he said.
Messrs. Harper and Balkenende both spoke about the enduring bond between Canada and the Netherlands that was born out of the Second World War. Not only did Canada play a key role in the Dutch liberation but it provided a temporary home for the royal family.
Canada's chief of defence staff Gen. Walter Natynczyk was at the ceremony and echoed the prime ministers' message about the lasting friendship and how the Dutch and Canadians are now trying to bring freedom to others who don't have it.
"We were there for the Dutch an age ago, 65 years ago, and again we stand shoulder to shoulder today in a place like Afghanistan, bringing peace and freedom to another people," he said.
Later in the day at a press conference with Mr. Balkenende, Mr. Harper said the dwindling numbers of veterans who are alive to tell their stories always strikes him at remembrance ceremonies.
"These are precious days," he said.
Read more: http://www.nationalpost.com/news/story.html?id=2993469#ixzz0nB4eEqxe
The sun was shining brightly on the large crowd of veterans, their families, Canadian and Dutch dignitaries, and students from both countries, who gathered at Bergen-op-Zoom Canadian War Cemetery near the border of the Netherlands and Belgium.
Small Canadian flags poked out of the flowerbeds in front of some of the 968 headstones of Canadian soldiers here. Most of the fallen buried at this cemetery lost their lives while fighting to liberate the Netherlands. That goal was achieved May 5, 1945.
"Today we remember how the Canadians and their allies struggled to bring peace and security to the Netherlands and the Dutch people. We are deeply grateful for the sacrifices they made," Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende said when he addressed the crowd. "Today we also remember the priceless gift they gave us, the gift of freedom."
He said with freedom comes the responsibility to bring it to others and to remain on alert for threats to freedom.
"We owe it . . . to those who fell and those who survived. Our liberators. Our heroes. Forever," he said.
One of those liberators, Kenneth Rowland, 85, was emotional when remembering the lives lost in the battles to bring freedom to the Dutch people who suffered for years under German occupation. He made the trip to Bergen-op-Zoom from St. Catharine's, Ont., to visit the grave of the best friend he called a brother for the first time.
His voice was shaky and there were tears as Mr. Rowland stood before William Roscoe's grave and told the story of how the 21-year-old soldier died in his arms. The two friends, who met when they enlisted, were laying telephone cable near a school in Bergen-op-Zoom on Oct. 28, 1944, when they were hit with machine-gun fire.
"I scooped him up and I started to run towards the jeep and his head fell back," said Mr. Rowland. "And he was dead."
"Roscoe" was one of more than 7,600 Canadians who died during the fighting for the Netherlands.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper thanked the veterans, and the fallen soldiers buried beside them, for their sacrifices.
He said Canadian soldiers 65 years ago and Canadian soldiers today share a common goal.
"This army of Canadians fought then for the only thing our country fights to this day: that which is right," he said.
Mr. Harper also directed part of his speech to the students who had traveled from across Canada to attend the ceremony.
"In such a place as this, you may understand how our land, Canada, gives birth to greatness," said Mr. Harper. "Would you wish to know what heroism is? Look here. Do you want to know what it means to be a citizen? Look here. Would you, a lifetime awaiting you, know how you should live? Then look here, and look all about you. Where only heroes rest."
Amy Sheridan, a high school student from Oshawa, Ont., said she had learned a lot during her trip.
"You can read about it in textbooks at school but when you are actually here visiting the places and experiencing it, it's so much more real," she said.
Max Lysyk, a 15-year-old also from Oshawa, is a cadet and said he would be willing to follow in the footsteps of the veterans.
"I don't want to go to Afghanistan but if there's ever something threatening our freedom, I would fight for Canada," he said.
Veteran Norm Lawton, 89, was thrilled to see so many students at the ceremony.
"When they go back to Canada, they will be strong Canadian citizens and I love that," he said.
Messrs. Harper and Balkenende both spoke about the enduring bond between Canada and the Netherlands that was born out of the Second World War. Not only did Canada play a key role in the Dutch liberation but it provided a temporary home for the royal family.
Canada's chief of defence staff Gen. Walter Natynczyk was at the ceremony and echoed the prime ministers' message about the lasting friendship and how the Dutch and Canadians are now trying to bring freedom to others who don't have it.
"We were there for the Dutch an age ago, 65 years ago, and again we stand shoulder to shoulder today in a place like Afghanistan, bringing peace and freedom to another people," he said.
Later in the day at a press conference with Mr. Balkenende, Mr. Harper said the dwindling numbers of veterans who are alive to tell their stories always strikes him at remembrance ceremonies.
"These are precious days," he said.
Read more: http://www.nationalpost.com/news/story.html?id=2993469#ixzz0nB4eEqxe
Monday, March 8, 2010
Canada Stands Tall
Ever since Canada came into existence, the country has lived in the shadow of the U.S. It was always the poor cousin, the inconsequential northern neighbor that was mostly known for Mounties, polar bears, cold fronts and, latterly, seal hunts.
Truth be told, why should Americans pay much attention to Canada? The U.S. is the richest country on earth, enjoys the highest standard of living, has larger than life leaders and deploys the most powerful military force the world has ever seen. Canada may be bigger geographically but with a population smaller than that of California, it simply hasn't counted for much.
Things are changing. Canada is gaining a world reputation as being a strong, confident and well-managed nation. Yes, the country still has its faults and its problems, but most Canadians are feeling pretty good about their country right now. And so they should.
10 Reasons Canada Is Cheering
1. Strong Banks
2.Low Debt
3.Strong Housing Market
4.Oil Sands
5. Conventional Oil
6. Cows and Wheat
7.Gold, Nickel, Uranium
8. Technology
9.Water
10. The Loonie
Of course, the Olympics in Vancouver have put Canada in the international spotlight the way no other sporting spectacle can, but the Olympics are a passing event. By the time the lights have been turned off and the athletes have returned home with their medals or their shattered dreams, the world will be watching something else.
It's what remains behind that really matters, and in Canada you have a country that is emerging from the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression in much better shape than the U.S. or Europe. The Canadian banking system is strong, its growth prospects are the best among the G7 nations, and the country's rich resources are in demand around the world.
A commentary published on Feb. 11 by government finance expert Warren Lovely of CIBC World Markets puts into perspective just how far Canada has come in recent years. Looking at the sovereign debt crises facing such countries as Greece and Spain and the ballooning deficits in the U.S., Lovely suggests that Canada is now seen as a "safe harbor in today's global debt storm." He went on to write that very few economies have better GDP growth prospects than Canada's. It's the country's proven willingness and ability to overcome deficits and to maintain fiscal integrity "that shine the most favorable light on Canada," he writes.
"The country's general government budget deficit, which incorporates lower levels of government, is not trivial, but after slaying large structural deficits in the early 1990s and reeling off a decade of surpluses, Canada's fiscal rectitude is well proven," writes Lovely. "There's a staunch commitment on the part of the main parties in Ottawa to restore fiscal health, and the 2010 federal budget on March 4 was expected to chart a course back to balance."
This gives Canada unprecedented stature on the international financial stage. "Canada is, after all, one of the very few countries where general government debt (as a percent of GDP) is lower than it was a decade ago," Mr. Lovely writes.
An accompanying table showed Canada's projected net debt-to-GDP ratio in 2011 as 36%, down nine percentage points over the past decade. By contrast, the net debt to GDP ratio in the U.S. is expected to be 72%, up 37 percentage points in 10 years. No major European country comes anywhere close to Canada in this regard; Germany is in the best position with a 58% debt-to-GDP ratio.
No wonder foreign investment money is pouring into Canada. Recently, Eric Lascelles, chief economics and rates strategist at TD Securities, was quoted in the Canadian press as saying that over the past 12 months foreign investors have purchased $65-billion worth of Canadian bonds, net. That's almost double the previous high.
In early February I was a speaker at the World Money Show in Orlando and I can report that investor interest in Canada was the highest I have ever experienced. Many Americans I spoke to say they have become nervous about the future prospects for their country and are deeply concerned by the steady decline in the value of the U.S. dollar. People who never before would have considered investing abroad were eager for information about opportunities in this country and several even asked how to open Canadian dollar bank accounts.
None of this should make Canadians feel smug or superior. We still have some serious issues to deal with including wrestling with government deficits, managing an apparent housing bubble, and trying to replace the lost manufacturing jobs in Ontario and Quebec.
I believe that Canada now has a national confidence that it can solve any problems and emerge stronger than ever. For any Americans considering investing some money abroad, it's one of the best choices they can make. Two stocks of Canadian companies that trade on the New York Stock Exchange that I like are oil and gas trust Baytex Energy Trust and Shaw Communications, which provides broadband cable TV, Internet, telecommunications and satellite services.
Read more: http://www.financialpost.com/story.html?id=2642216#ixzz0hcGh9a4W
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Truth be told, why should Americans pay much attention to Canada? The U.S. is the richest country on earth, enjoys the highest standard of living, has larger than life leaders and deploys the most powerful military force the world has ever seen. Canada may be bigger geographically but with a population smaller than that of California, it simply hasn't counted for much.
Things are changing. Canada is gaining a world reputation as being a strong, confident and well-managed nation. Yes, the country still has its faults and its problems, but most Canadians are feeling pretty good about their country right now. And so they should.
10 Reasons Canada Is Cheering
1. Strong Banks
2.Low Debt
3.Strong Housing Market
4.Oil Sands
5. Conventional Oil
6. Cows and Wheat
7.Gold, Nickel, Uranium
8. Technology
9.Water
10. The Loonie
Of course, the Olympics in Vancouver have put Canada in the international spotlight the way no other sporting spectacle can, but the Olympics are a passing event. By the time the lights have been turned off and the athletes have returned home with their medals or their shattered dreams, the world will be watching something else.
It's what remains behind that really matters, and in Canada you have a country that is emerging from the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression in much better shape than the U.S. or Europe. The Canadian banking system is strong, its growth prospects are the best among the G7 nations, and the country's rich resources are in demand around the world.
A commentary published on Feb. 11 by government finance expert Warren Lovely of CIBC World Markets puts into perspective just how far Canada has come in recent years. Looking at the sovereign debt crises facing such countries as Greece and Spain and the ballooning deficits in the U.S., Lovely suggests that Canada is now seen as a "safe harbor in today's global debt storm." He went on to write that very few economies have better GDP growth prospects than Canada's. It's the country's proven willingness and ability to overcome deficits and to maintain fiscal integrity "that shine the most favorable light on Canada," he writes.
"The country's general government budget deficit, which incorporates lower levels of government, is not trivial, but after slaying large structural deficits in the early 1990s and reeling off a decade of surpluses, Canada's fiscal rectitude is well proven," writes Lovely. "There's a staunch commitment on the part of the main parties in Ottawa to restore fiscal health, and the 2010 federal budget on March 4 was expected to chart a course back to balance."
This gives Canada unprecedented stature on the international financial stage. "Canada is, after all, one of the very few countries where general government debt (as a percent of GDP) is lower than it was a decade ago," Mr. Lovely writes.
An accompanying table showed Canada's projected net debt-to-GDP ratio in 2011 as 36%, down nine percentage points over the past decade. By contrast, the net debt to GDP ratio in the U.S. is expected to be 72%, up 37 percentage points in 10 years. No major European country comes anywhere close to Canada in this regard; Germany is in the best position with a 58% debt-to-GDP ratio.
No wonder foreign investment money is pouring into Canada. Recently, Eric Lascelles, chief economics and rates strategist at TD Securities, was quoted in the Canadian press as saying that over the past 12 months foreign investors have purchased $65-billion worth of Canadian bonds, net. That's almost double the previous high.
In early February I was a speaker at the World Money Show in Orlando and I can report that investor interest in Canada was the highest I have ever experienced. Many Americans I spoke to say they have become nervous about the future prospects for their country and are deeply concerned by the steady decline in the value of the U.S. dollar. People who never before would have considered investing abroad were eager for information about opportunities in this country and several even asked how to open Canadian dollar bank accounts.
None of this should make Canadians feel smug or superior. We still have some serious issues to deal with including wrestling with government deficits, managing an apparent housing bubble, and trying to replace the lost manufacturing jobs in Ontario and Quebec.
I believe that Canada now has a national confidence that it can solve any problems and emerge stronger than ever. For any Americans considering investing some money abroad, it's one of the best choices they can make. Two stocks of Canadian companies that trade on the New York Stock Exchange that I like are oil and gas trust Baytex Energy Trust and Shaw Communications, which provides broadband cable TV, Internet, telecommunications and satellite services.
Read more: http://www.financialpost.com/story.html?id=2642216#ixzz0hcGh9a4W
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Saturday, September 26, 2009
Early Voyages of Exploration
Dear Friends,
I am currently reading a couple of books on the early history of Canada, and stumbled upon an illustration similar to the one posted about the first voyages to North America. I thought it would be interesting to post, and to help give a better perspective of these very important historical events.
John
Friday, May 8, 2009
The Saints and Blesseds of Canada
This afternoon I began teaching a fellow seminarian at the house of formation who will be going to Montreal, Canada for his year of mission experience. We will be reading an introduction to Canadian History book. It is my goal to get him introduced to our wonderful history and tradition.
Please send me any information, or links if you come across them.
*John
From the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishop's Website
A number of men and women have, in some particular way, shaped the life of the Church in Canada. Some gave their lives that the Good News could be heard throughout North America. Others, out of steadfast faith and profound love for their neighbour, consecrated their lives to the service of their brothers and sisters, among whom were often found the most underprivileged.
Declared saint, blessed or venerable by the Popes over the years, these extraordinary people are lights on the journey and examples of holiness and charity that Catholics can follow.
The North American Martyrs
* St. Jean de Brebeuf (1593-1649)
* St. Noel Chabanel (1613-1649)
* St. Anthony Daniel (1601-1648)
* St. Charles Garnier (1605-1649)
* St. Issac Joques (1602-1646)
* St. Gabriel Lalemant (1610-1649)
* St. Rene Goupil (1607-1642)
* St. Jean de Lalande (????-1646)
The North American Martyrs were a group of six Jesuits priests and two associates who worked selflessly as missionaries to the Hurons in the colonial days of New France. Having been martyred for their faith, they were canonized by Pope Pius XI on June 29, 1930. Their feast day is celebrated in Canada on October 19.
Saint Marguerite Bourgeoys(1620-1700)
Marguerite Bourgeoys established the first school in Ville Marie (present day Montreal) and founded the Congregation of Notre Dame which is largely responsible for bringing Christian education to many areas of the new world. She worked tirelessly to ensure the rights and welfare of women and children in New France and to ensure that young people received an education. Canonized by Pope John Paul II on October 31, 1982, her feast day is celebrated in Canada on January 12.
St. Marguerite d'Youville (1701-1771)
Marguerite d’Youville was instrumental in setting up hospitals in Montreal with the help of the Grey Nuns (Sisters of Charity), whom she had founded. She played a special role in the care of the poor, the elderly, orphans, invalids and the mentally challenged. Her Congregation spread across Canada, setting up hospitals wherever it went. Canonized by Pope John Paul II on December 9, 1990, her feast day is celebrated on in Canada October 16.
Canadian Blesseds
* Blessed André Grasset (1758-1792) (French only)
* Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha (1656-1680)
* Blessed Marie de l'Incarnation (1599-1672)
* Blessed François de Laval (1623-1708)
* Blessed Marie-Rose Durocher (1811-1849)
* Blessed Brother André (1845-1937)
* Blessed Marie-Léonie Paradis (1840-1912)
* Blessed Louis-Zéphirin Moreau (1824-1901) (French only)
* Blessed Frédéric Janssoone (1838-1916)
* Blessed Catherine de Saint-Augustin (1632-1668)
* Blessed Dina Bélanger (1897-1929)
* Blessed Marie-Anne Blondin (1809-1890)
* Blessed Émilie Tavernier Gamelin (1800-1851)
* Blessed Nykyta Budka (1877-1949)
* Blessed Basil Velychkovsky (1903-1973)
Canadian Venerable
* Venerable Vital Grandin (1829-1902)
* Venerable Alfred Pampalon (1867-1896)
* Venerable Elisabeth Bergeron (1851-19369
* Venerable Dèlia Tètreault(1865-1941)
Causes Introduced To The Vatican For Elevation To Sainthood
* Jèrème Le Royer de la Dauversière (1597-1659)
* Jeanne Mance (1606-1673)
* Pierre-Joseph-Marie Chaumono (1611-1693)
* Didace Pelletier (1657-1699)
* Jeanne LeBer (1662-1714)
* Rosalie Cadron-Jettè (1794-1864)
* Marcelle Mallet (1805-1871)
* Elisabeth Bruyère (1818-1876)
* Elisabeth Turgeon (1840-1881)
* Marie Fitzbach (1806-1885)
* Élèonore Potvin (1865-1903)
* Catherine-Aurèlie Caouette (1833-1905)
* Alexis-Louis Mangin (1856-1920)
* Thèophanius-LèoRosalie Cadron-Jettè
* Thèophanius-Lèo (Adolphe Chatillon) (1871-1929)
* Gèrard Raymond (1912-1932)
* Ovide Charlebois (1862-1933)
* Marie-Clèment Staub (1876-1936)
* Ovide Charlebois (1862-1933)
* Eugène Prèvost (1860-1946)
* Antoine Kowalczyk (1866-1947)
* Louis èmond (1876-1949)
* Victor Lelièvre (1876-1956)
* Catherine de Hueck Doherty (1896-1985)
* Pauline Archer-Vanier (1898-1991)
* Georges Vanier (1888-1967)
Please send me any information, or links if you come across them.
*John
From the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishop's Website
A number of men and women have, in some particular way, shaped the life of the Church in Canada. Some gave their lives that the Good News could be heard throughout North America. Others, out of steadfast faith and profound love for their neighbour, consecrated their lives to the service of their brothers and sisters, among whom were often found the most underprivileged.
Declared saint, blessed or venerable by the Popes over the years, these extraordinary people are lights on the journey and examples of holiness and charity that Catholics can follow.
The North American Martyrs
* St. Jean de Brebeuf (1593-1649)
* St. Noel Chabanel (1613-1649)
* St. Anthony Daniel (1601-1648)
* St. Charles Garnier (1605-1649)
* St. Issac Joques (1602-1646)
* St. Gabriel Lalemant (1610-1649)
* St. Rene Goupil (1607-1642)
* St. Jean de Lalande (????-1646)
The North American Martyrs were a group of six Jesuits priests and two associates who worked selflessly as missionaries to the Hurons in the colonial days of New France. Having been martyred for their faith, they were canonized by Pope Pius XI on June 29, 1930. Their feast day is celebrated in Canada on October 19.
Saint Marguerite Bourgeoys(1620-1700)
Marguerite Bourgeoys established the first school in Ville Marie (present day Montreal) and founded the Congregation of Notre Dame which is largely responsible for bringing Christian education to many areas of the new world. She worked tirelessly to ensure the rights and welfare of women and children in New France and to ensure that young people received an education. Canonized by Pope John Paul II on October 31, 1982, her feast day is celebrated in Canada on January 12.
St. Marguerite d'Youville (1701-1771)
Marguerite d’Youville was instrumental in setting up hospitals in Montreal with the help of the Grey Nuns (Sisters of Charity), whom she had founded. She played a special role in the care of the poor, the elderly, orphans, invalids and the mentally challenged. Her Congregation spread across Canada, setting up hospitals wherever it went. Canonized by Pope John Paul II on December 9, 1990, her feast day is celebrated on in Canada October 16.
Canadian Blesseds
* Blessed André Grasset (1758-1792) (French only)
* Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha (1656-1680)
* Blessed Marie de l'Incarnation (1599-1672)
* Blessed François de Laval (1623-1708)
* Blessed Marie-Rose Durocher (1811-1849)
* Blessed Brother André (1845-1937)
* Blessed Marie-Léonie Paradis (1840-1912)
* Blessed Louis-Zéphirin Moreau (1824-1901) (French only)
* Blessed Frédéric Janssoone (1838-1916)
* Blessed Catherine de Saint-Augustin (1632-1668)
* Blessed Dina Bélanger (1897-1929)
* Blessed Marie-Anne Blondin (1809-1890)
* Blessed Émilie Tavernier Gamelin (1800-1851)
* Blessed Nykyta Budka (1877-1949)
* Blessed Basil Velychkovsky (1903-1973)
Canadian Venerable
* Venerable Vital Grandin (1829-1902)
* Venerable Alfred Pampalon (1867-1896)
* Venerable Elisabeth Bergeron (1851-19369
* Venerable Dèlia Tètreault(1865-1941)
Causes Introduced To The Vatican For Elevation To Sainthood
* Jèrème Le Royer de la Dauversière (1597-1659)
* Jeanne Mance (1606-1673)
* Pierre-Joseph-Marie Chaumono (1611-1693)
* Didace Pelletier (1657-1699)
* Jeanne LeBer (1662-1714)
* Rosalie Cadron-Jettè (1794-1864)
* Marcelle Mallet (1805-1871)
* Elisabeth Bruyère (1818-1876)
* Elisabeth Turgeon (1840-1881)
* Marie Fitzbach (1806-1885)
* Élèonore Potvin (1865-1903)
* Catherine-Aurèlie Caouette (1833-1905)
* Alexis-Louis Mangin (1856-1920)
* Thèophanius-LèoRosalie Cadron-Jettè
* Thèophanius-Lèo (Adolphe Chatillon) (1871-1929)
* Gèrard Raymond (1912-1932)
* Ovide Charlebois (1862-1933)
* Marie-Clèment Staub (1876-1936)
* Ovide Charlebois (1862-1933)
* Eugène Prèvost (1860-1946)
* Antoine Kowalczyk (1866-1947)
* Louis èmond (1876-1949)
* Victor Lelièvre (1876-1956)
* Catherine de Hueck Doherty (1896-1985)
* Pauline Archer-Vanier (1898-1991)
* Georges Vanier (1888-1967)
Monday, May 4, 2009
Keys to Canada's Success at 2010 Olympics
Four sports key to Canada's 2010 Olympic medal total
VANCOUVER -- It's hard to think of the Turin Olympics as anything but a success when Canada scored its highest medal totals ever at the 2006 Games. But the haul could have been better, says Canadian Olympic Committee chief executive officer Chris Rudge.
Canada is poised to push beyond the 24 medals won four years ago, but four key sports -- freestyle skiing, snowboarding, figure skating and alpine skiing -- will need to convert their world championship sucesses of 2009 to podium finishes at the Vancouver Games.
Together, athletes in those sports brought a dozen medals home to Canada from the worlds last winter, including the downhill gold by ski racer John Kucera and gold in parallel giant slalom by Jasey Jay Anderson.
"If we're going to do it (finish first) there could be four sports that do it, four sports where we got only three medals in Torino -- freestyle skiing (Jennifer Heil), snowboard (Dominique Maltais), figure skating (Jeff Buttle). In alpine skiing we were shut out," Rudge said on the eve of a massive Canadian Olympic media summit at which more than 90 prospective Olympians and federations will talk about their progress toward making Canada the top medal-winning country at the Games.
"If those four sports carry over their success and the rest of the sports hold their own, we could do it," Rudge said.
Canada finished third in total medals at Turin, behind Germany with 29 and the United States with 25. If gold medals are the criterion for ranking, then Canada's seven in 2006 put it in a fifth-place tie with Sweden, behind Germany (11), the United States and Austria (9 each) and Russia (8).
"Ski-cross is a big opportunity as a new sport. We're great adapters when a new events comes into the Games. In alpine, we have good medal potential (besides Kucera's world championship, Manuel Osborne-Paradis had three World Cup podiums and a win at Kvitfjell, Norway and the Janyk siblings, Britt and Michael grew up skiing at Whistler, B.C.)
"In freestyle, to go with Jen Heil in moguls, Alexandre Bilodeau won the men's World Cup in moguls, the dual moguls world championship and his last five World Cup events in sucesion, and Steve Omischl has a record that's unsurpassed in aerials."
The mass media exposure is intended to provide a glut of background for reporters so the athletes will be left in peace as they prepare for the biggest winter of their lives. It follows a COC Excellence Series session in which athletes have been mentored by predecesors who have been through the Olympic mill and can tell this generation what awaits them.
Luge racer Regan Lauscher said in a Canadian Press interview that it helped her mindset and made her more comfortable to know that two-time gold medal speed skater Catriona Le May Doan had doubts going through her mind as she went into the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics.
"Just to hear Catriona say 'I broke down and didn't think I could do it' before 2002, to hear someone who you think would never stumble... for them to sit there and listen to you, know who you are and to say 'We support you. You're here for a reason and part of this group and everyone knows you can do it' ... you really feel you have an enormous support group behind you," said Lauscher.
The Vancouver session is also a form of team- building, using cross-sport synergies that can come of past winners inspiring new winners. It's the last time most of the potential Olympians will see one another before they march at the opening ceremonies next February.
Many athletes with medal potential are taking advantage of the COC's Excellence Series and the media exposure. Among others who will be in the Olympic hothouse: alpine skiers Erik Guay, Kelly VanderBeek and Emily Brydon; bobsleigh pilot, Helen Upperton; curling skips Randy Ferby and Jennifer Jones;figure skaters Patrick Chan and Joannie Rochette; women's hockey veterans Jdennifer Botterill and Jayna Heford; breakthrough luger Alex Gough; short trackers Olivier Jean and brothers Charles and Francois Hamelin; the long track armada of Kristina Groves, Denny Morrison and Jeremy Wotherspoon; ski cross athletes Davey Barr, Chris DelBosco and Ashleigh McIvor; and snowboarders Maelle Ricker, Matthew Morison and Jeff Batchelor.
VANCOUVER -- It's hard to think of the Turin Olympics as anything but a success when Canada scored its highest medal totals ever at the 2006 Games. But the haul could have been better, says Canadian Olympic Committee chief executive officer Chris Rudge.
Canada is poised to push beyond the 24 medals won four years ago, but four key sports -- freestyle skiing, snowboarding, figure skating and alpine skiing -- will need to convert their world championship sucesses of 2009 to podium finishes at the Vancouver Games.
Together, athletes in those sports brought a dozen medals home to Canada from the worlds last winter, including the downhill gold by ski racer John Kucera and gold in parallel giant slalom by Jasey Jay Anderson.
"If we're going to do it (finish first) there could be four sports that do it, four sports where we got only three medals in Torino -- freestyle skiing (Jennifer Heil), snowboard (Dominique Maltais), figure skating (Jeff Buttle). In alpine skiing we were shut out," Rudge said on the eve of a massive Canadian Olympic media summit at which more than 90 prospective Olympians and federations will talk about their progress toward making Canada the top medal-winning country at the Games.
"If those four sports carry over their success and the rest of the sports hold their own, we could do it," Rudge said.
Canada finished third in total medals at Turin, behind Germany with 29 and the United States with 25. If gold medals are the criterion for ranking, then Canada's seven in 2006 put it in a fifth-place tie with Sweden, behind Germany (11), the United States and Austria (9 each) and Russia (8).
"Ski-cross is a big opportunity as a new sport. We're great adapters when a new events comes into the Games. In alpine, we have good medal potential (besides Kucera's world championship, Manuel Osborne-Paradis had three World Cup podiums and a win at Kvitfjell, Norway and the Janyk siblings, Britt and Michael grew up skiing at Whistler, B.C.)
"In freestyle, to go with Jen Heil in moguls, Alexandre Bilodeau won the men's World Cup in moguls, the dual moguls world championship and his last five World Cup events in sucesion, and Steve Omischl has a record that's unsurpassed in aerials."
The mass media exposure is intended to provide a glut of background for reporters so the athletes will be left in peace as they prepare for the biggest winter of their lives. It follows a COC Excellence Series session in which athletes have been mentored by predecesors who have been through the Olympic mill and can tell this generation what awaits them.
Luge racer Regan Lauscher said in a Canadian Press interview that it helped her mindset and made her more comfortable to know that two-time gold medal speed skater Catriona Le May Doan had doubts going through her mind as she went into the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics.
"Just to hear Catriona say 'I broke down and didn't think I could do it' before 2002, to hear someone who you think would never stumble... for them to sit there and listen to you, know who you are and to say 'We support you. You're here for a reason and part of this group and everyone knows you can do it' ... you really feel you have an enormous support group behind you," said Lauscher.
The Vancouver session is also a form of team- building, using cross-sport synergies that can come of past winners inspiring new winners. It's the last time most of the potential Olympians will see one another before they march at the opening ceremonies next February.
Many athletes with medal potential are taking advantage of the COC's Excellence Series and the media exposure. Among others who will be in the Olympic hothouse: alpine skiers Erik Guay, Kelly VanderBeek and Emily Brydon; bobsleigh pilot, Helen Upperton; curling skips Randy Ferby and Jennifer Jones;figure skaters Patrick Chan and Joannie Rochette; women's hockey veterans Jdennifer Botterill and Jayna Heford; breakthrough luger Alex Gough; short trackers Olivier Jean and brothers Charles and Francois Hamelin; the long track armada of Kristina Groves, Denny Morrison and Jeremy Wotherspoon; ski cross athletes Davey Barr, Chris DelBosco and Ashleigh McIvor; and snowboarders Maelle Ricker, Matthew Morison and Jeff Batchelor.
Friday, January 23, 2009
Quebec Ethics and Culture Education Proposal
Québec : Boycott du cours obligatoire d'éthique et de culture religieuse
I received this update in an email from friends in Quebec who are making an effort to protect the right for parents to educate their children according to particular faith based traditions, and not support the Province of Quebec in their proposal of a neutral program of ethics and culture, one that simply sees all religions and faith based traditions as being equal. There is an attempt to eliminate religion and the practice of religious practices and from the public square. As well, as the loss of what formed the Quebec identity and sustained it for centuries, that is the presence and Tradition of the Catholic Church.
Depuis la mise en place dans les écoles québécoises, à la rentrée 2008, d'un cours d'Etat obligatoire d'« éthique et de culture religieuse », certains parents ont décidé de boycotter le cours. Ils réclament le droit de choisir pour leurs enfants scolarisés « un enseignement moral ou religieux en accord avec leurs croyances et leurs convictions ».
Ce nouveau cours, qui vise à donner aux élèves une 'connaissance' des croyances et rites de six ou sept religions, avait été dénoncé en octobre 2008 par le cardinal Marc Ouellet, archevêque de Québec et Primat du Canada, comme une orientation « radicale » qu'« aucun pays européen n'a jamais adoptée ».
La réforme
Jusqu'en septembre 2007, les écoles publiques et privées du Québec proposaient encore un enseignement moral et religieux catholique, un enseignement moral et religieux protestant ou un enseignement moral (sans religion), chaque parent faisant le choix d'un de ces trois cours pour leurs enfants au primaire et au secondaire.
La Loi 95 imposant aux écoles publiques et privées un cours d'Etat obligatoire d'« éthique et de culture religieuse », en vigueur depuis la rentrée de septembre 2008, avait été adoptée en 2005 par le gouvernement de Québec.
Cette loi avait alors modifié l'article 41 de la Charte québécoise des droits et libertés de la personne en abrogeant la partie suivante : « (...) les parents ou les personnes qui en tiennent lieu ont le droit d'exiger que, dans les établissements d'enseignement publics, leurs enfants reçoivent un enseignement religieux ou moral conforme à leurs convictions, dans le cadre de programmes prévus par la loi ».
Pour le gouvernement de Québec, il s'agit, « dans une société marquée par la diversité des croyances », de proposer un enseignement visant à favoriser une société « ouverte et tolérante », à comprendre les « traditions religieuses dont l'influence s'est exercée et s'exerce toujours dans notre société ». Dans la présentation du programme (http://www.mels.gouv.qc.ca/sections/ecr/), l'Etat québécois affirme vouloir ainsi signifier « sa volonté de compléter la déconfessionnalisation de tous les éléments du système scolaire public ».
Le boycott des cours
Ainsi, depuis septembre 2008, ce cours d'Ethique et de culture religieuse se propose de faire découvrir aux élèves un ensemble de 6 ou 7 religions et de différentes visions du monde. Il s'agit d'un enseignement obligatoire, dans les écoles publiques comme dans les écoles privées, ces dernières gardant néanmoins la possibilité d'y ajouter des enseignements confessionnels. Cependant, le régime pédagogique ne prévoit pas de temps pour ces cours supplémentaires.
En 2007, un collectif de parents s'est regroupé en 'Coalition pour la liberté en éducation', qui réclame le droit de choisir pour leurs enfants un enseignement moral ou religieux à l'école en accord avec à leurs croyances et leurs convictions. Ils évoquent le danger que ce cours « banalise la religion en plaçant toutes les religions, spiritualités, mouvements religieux et visions du monde sur un pied d'égalité » et dénoncent le risque de « grande confusion » que cela risque de créer dans la tête de l'enfant. « A la fin de ce cours, on peut prévoir que l'enfant ne connaîtra ni sa propre religion ni celle des autres et qu'il aura une très grande difficulté à démêler l'une de l'autre », ajoutent-ils.
Le risque d'une dictature du relativisme
Les parents dénoncent une dictature du relativisme et notamment un refus de chercher à définir un bien et un mal absolu. Ils justifient leurs craintes par les affirmations contenues dans les manuels eux-mêmes. L'un de ces manuels précise en effet qu'à la suite du cours l'enfant aura peut-être « l'impression que le BIEN et le MAL ABSOLU n'existent pas, mais qu'il y a bien un bien et un mal relatif pour chaque INDIVIDU » (les majuscules sont dans le texte).
En octobre 2008, le cardinal Ouellet avait évoqué dans un article signé dans la revue de l'Université catholique de Milan, 'Vita e Pensiero', ce cours qui vise à donner aux élèves une « 'connaissance' des croyances et rites de six ou sept religions ». « Je doute que des enseignants vraiment peu préparés à relever ce défi puissent enseigner avec une neutralité totale et de manière critique des notions qui sont encore moins compréhensibles pour eux que leur propre religion ».
« Il faut être très ingénu pour croire que ce miracle d'enseignement culturel des religions produira un nouveau petit Québécois, pluraliste, expert en relations interreligieuses et critique envers toutes les croyances », avait encore dénoncé le cardinal. « Le moins que l'on puisse dire est que la soif de valeurs spirituelles sera bien loin d'être étanchée et qu'une dictature du relativisme risque de rendre encore plus difficile la transmission de notre héritage religieux ».
L'archevêque de Québec avait alors invité à « protéger et entretenir cet héritage religieux fondé sur l'amour qui est une force d'intégration sociale bien plus efficace que la connaissance abstraite de quelques notions superficielles sur six ou sept religions ».
Marine Soreau
I received this update in an email from friends in Quebec who are making an effort to protect the right for parents to educate their children according to particular faith based traditions, and not support the Province of Quebec in their proposal of a neutral program of ethics and culture, one that simply sees all religions and faith based traditions as being equal. There is an attempt to eliminate religion and the practice of religious practices and from the public square. As well, as the loss of what formed the Quebec identity and sustained it for centuries, that is the presence and Tradition of the Catholic Church.
Depuis la mise en place dans les écoles québécoises, à la rentrée 2008, d'un cours d'Etat obligatoire d'« éthique et de culture religieuse », certains parents ont décidé de boycotter le cours. Ils réclament le droit de choisir pour leurs enfants scolarisés « un enseignement moral ou religieux en accord avec leurs croyances et leurs convictions ».
Ce nouveau cours, qui vise à donner aux élèves une 'connaissance' des croyances et rites de six ou sept religions, avait été dénoncé en octobre 2008 par le cardinal Marc Ouellet, archevêque de Québec et Primat du Canada, comme une orientation « radicale » qu'« aucun pays européen n'a jamais adoptée ».
La réforme
Jusqu'en septembre 2007, les écoles publiques et privées du Québec proposaient encore un enseignement moral et religieux catholique, un enseignement moral et religieux protestant ou un enseignement moral (sans religion), chaque parent faisant le choix d'un de ces trois cours pour leurs enfants au primaire et au secondaire.
La Loi 95 imposant aux écoles publiques et privées un cours d'Etat obligatoire d'« éthique et de culture religieuse », en vigueur depuis la rentrée de septembre 2008, avait été adoptée en 2005 par le gouvernement de Québec.
Cette loi avait alors modifié l'article 41 de la Charte québécoise des droits et libertés de la personne en abrogeant la partie suivante : « (...) les parents ou les personnes qui en tiennent lieu ont le droit d'exiger que, dans les établissements d'enseignement publics, leurs enfants reçoivent un enseignement religieux ou moral conforme à leurs convictions, dans le cadre de programmes prévus par la loi ».
Pour le gouvernement de Québec, il s'agit, « dans une société marquée par la diversité des croyances », de proposer un enseignement visant à favoriser une société « ouverte et tolérante », à comprendre les « traditions religieuses dont l'influence s'est exercée et s'exerce toujours dans notre société ». Dans la présentation du programme (http://www.mels.gouv.qc.ca/sections/ecr/), l'Etat québécois affirme vouloir ainsi signifier « sa volonté de compléter la déconfessionnalisation de tous les éléments du système scolaire public ».
Le boycott des cours
Ainsi, depuis septembre 2008, ce cours d'Ethique et de culture religieuse se propose de faire découvrir aux élèves un ensemble de 6 ou 7 religions et de différentes visions du monde. Il s'agit d'un enseignement obligatoire, dans les écoles publiques comme dans les écoles privées, ces dernières gardant néanmoins la possibilité d'y ajouter des enseignements confessionnels. Cependant, le régime pédagogique ne prévoit pas de temps pour ces cours supplémentaires.
En 2007, un collectif de parents s'est regroupé en 'Coalition pour la liberté en éducation', qui réclame le droit de choisir pour leurs enfants un enseignement moral ou religieux à l'école en accord avec à leurs croyances et leurs convictions. Ils évoquent le danger que ce cours « banalise la religion en plaçant toutes les religions, spiritualités, mouvements religieux et visions du monde sur un pied d'égalité » et dénoncent le risque de « grande confusion » que cela risque de créer dans la tête de l'enfant. « A la fin de ce cours, on peut prévoir que l'enfant ne connaîtra ni sa propre religion ni celle des autres et qu'il aura une très grande difficulté à démêler l'une de l'autre », ajoutent-ils.
Le risque d'une dictature du relativisme
Les parents dénoncent une dictature du relativisme et notamment un refus de chercher à définir un bien et un mal absolu. Ils justifient leurs craintes par les affirmations contenues dans les manuels eux-mêmes. L'un de ces manuels précise en effet qu'à la suite du cours l'enfant aura peut-être « l'impression que le BIEN et le MAL ABSOLU n'existent pas, mais qu'il y a bien un bien et un mal relatif pour chaque INDIVIDU » (les majuscules sont dans le texte).
En octobre 2008, le cardinal Ouellet avait évoqué dans un article signé dans la revue de l'Université catholique de Milan, 'Vita e Pensiero', ce cours qui vise à donner aux élèves une « 'connaissance' des croyances et rites de six ou sept religions ». « Je doute que des enseignants vraiment peu préparés à relever ce défi puissent enseigner avec une neutralité totale et de manière critique des notions qui sont encore moins compréhensibles pour eux que leur propre religion ».
« Il faut être très ingénu pour croire que ce miracle d'enseignement culturel des religions produira un nouveau petit Québécois, pluraliste, expert en relations interreligieuses et critique envers toutes les croyances », avait encore dénoncé le cardinal. « Le moins que l'on puisse dire est que la soif de valeurs spirituelles sera bien loin d'être étanchée et qu'une dictature du relativisme risque de rendre encore plus difficile la transmission de notre héritage religieux ».
L'archevêque de Québec avait alors invité à « protéger et entretenir cet héritage religieux fondé sur l'amour qui est une force d'intégration sociale bien plus efficace que la connaissance abstraite de quelques notions superficielles sur six ou sept religions ».
Marine Soreau
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
CANADA WINS FIFTH STRAIGHT WJHC
Canada captured its fifth straight World Junior Hockey Championship gold with a 5-1 victory over Team Sweden in front of a record crowd on Monday night.
Canadian netminder Dustin Tokarski saved his best performance of the championship for the final, turning aside 39 shots in the win. While he was shaky at times during the tournament, the native of Watson, SK was very sharp against Sweden.
Tokarski's play coupled with steady pressure from Canada on Sweden's goaltender, Jacob Markstrom, were the difference. Markstrom looked rattled during the game and there were several run-ins with Canadian players.
Head coach Pat Quinn's decision to go with Tokarski in the final was met with some skepticism following rough starts against the United States and then Russia in the semifinal game.
"I knew I had to come out better tonight and I think I did that," Tokarski told TSN after making 39 saves against Sweden.
"Pat Quinn was smart. Dustin Tokarski's pedigree is phenomenal," said TSN's Pierre McGuire. "You think about being the Memorial Cup MVP and when he needed to be at his best, he was in the gold medal game."
Debates over Canada's starting goaltender are nothing new.
"Canada went through this last year too," explained McGuire. "Craig Hartsburg had to make a decision in the Czech Republic, go with Steve Bernier or go with Steve Mason. He ended up going with Mason. He picked right and Pat Quinn picked right tonight."
Following the win, Tokarski was asked about his knack of coming up big in high-pressure games.
"It's all about battling, people can put you down and say you're not good enough but if you believe in yourself you can do anything," said the 2008 Memorial Cup MVP.
The attendance for the game was announced at 20,380, a single game record for the WJHC and the five straight gold medals equals a Canadian record for the tournament (1993-97).
"There's nothing like this," John Tavares told TSN before the medal presentation. "There's nothing like it at all. Listen to these fans. That's five, Canada."
Tavares was named most valuable player and top forward for the tournament and made a strong case to be the top pick in the 2009 NHL Entry draft with his performance in Ottawa.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper attended the game and offered praise Team Canada.
"Throughout the tournament, Canadian players not only produced world-class hockey on the ice, they also represented our country with tremendous dignity and pride off the ice," said the Prime Minister in a statement. "I want to commend all of the players, coaches, volunteers, families and staff who contributed to this successful tournament."
Canada will go looking for a record setting sixth straight gold in the 2010 tournament to be held in Saskatoon and Regina.
The Canadians had a scare in the semifinal, narrowly defeating bronze medalist Russia in 6-5 in a shootout, but went undefeated in the tournament. Canada has won 29 of their last 30 games at the World Junior Championship. Their last loss came against Sweden in the Preliminary Round of the 2008 tournament.
"It feels unbelievable," P.K. Subban said. "The first thing I want to do is thank God. I mean we've been blessed since Day 1."
The action started very early in the first period. Team Sweden's Mikael Backlund took a penalty for roughing and on the ensuing power-play Subban beat Markstrom to give Canada the early advantage after only 38 seconds. Subban took several cracks at the puck during a scrum in front of the Sweden net before putting it past Markstrom. Jordan Eberle and Cody Hodgson drew the assists.
Subban ended the tournament with three goals and six assists and TSN's Bob McKenzie praised the defenceman's contributions to Canada.
"He's got a dynamic presence on offence and in this tournament he really started to buckle down and play some solid defence," explained McKenzie.
Canada scored what would be the game-winner in the second. Angelo Esposito came up with a slick move to get out of the corner, before flipping the puck over Markstrom to put Canada up 2-0. Chris DiDomenico and Tavares had the assists.
Scoring a goal and helping to capture gold was especially sweet for Esposito, who had been cut on three separate occasions at Team Canada's evaluation camp. He joined Dan Cleary as the only players to be cut three times before last year's tournament.
"I've been waiting for this all my life, since I was a little kid, watching the World Juniors," Esposito told TSN following the game. "Being here tonight in front of this crowd in Ottawa it was unbelievable to finally get this gold medal."
Esposito's goal came minutes after he made slight contact with Markstrom while going for the puck in Sweden's zone. The netminder went down and Victor Hedman grabbed Esposito in a headlock. No penalties were called.
Tempers began to flare again later in the period. Stefan Della Rovere collided with Markstrom while the goalie was skating to his bench to give Sweden an extra attacker. Following the scrum after the hit, Della Rovere and Patrice Cormier were assessed interference penalties and Markstrom was called for roughing. The Cormier penalty occurred prior to the contact between Della Rovere and Markstrom.
The penalties continued for Canada as Keith Aulie was given one for a cross-check moments later and just before the end of the Sweden power-play, Canada was hit with another penalty as Subban was sent off for hooking.
Tokarski and the Canadian penalty killers were up the challenge.
Over the course of the game, Canada's penalty killing units kept Team Sweden's power-play in check on every chance with the man-advantage.
TSN's McGuire explained it was Canada's communication that made them so effective while short-handed.
"That was the difference-maker for Canada here in the gold medal game because Tokarski communicated with the defence. They did a tremendous job between defence and forward and their rotation was absolutely awesome," said McGuire.
The two goaltenders, Tokarski and Markstrom, had been a study in contrasts through the tournament. Tokarski had his struggles while Markstrom shined but in the final the roles became reversed. Markstrom jawed repeatedly with Canadian forwards during the game. He made 26 saves.
Canada's third goal came when Cody Hodgson snapped a shot past Markstrom on the power-play early in the final period. The assist went to Ryan Ellis.
Joakim Andersson finally found a way past Tokarski to make the score 3-1 and give Sweden some hope but that was as close as the score would get.
Empty net goals from Eberle and Hodgson in the final two minutes put the game out of reach.
Hodgson ended the tournament with the scoring lead at 16 points. Canada had the top three scores in Hodgson, Tavares (15 points) and Eberle (13).
Friday, January 2, 2009
Put That in Your Pipe and Smoke It!
THRILLING COMEBACK WIN MOVES CANADA INTO SEMIFINALS
KANATA, ON – Who says Canada’s National Junior Team can't handle adversity?
Down by three goals midway through the first period, the Canadians dug deep and rallied to beat the United States 7-4 in the final preliminary round game at the 2009 IIHF World Junior Championship on Wednesday night.
"This just shows how much character this team has," said defenceman P.K. Subban.
Canada's fourth straight victory moved them directly into the semifinals on Saturday against the winner of the quarter-final between Russia and the Czech Republic.
The Americans will play Slovakia in the quarter-finals on Friday, with the winner playing Sweden in Saturday’s semifinals.
The highly-anticipated match had something for everyone – goals, hard hits, brilliant saves and tons of emotion.
John Tavares, with a hat trick, led one of the most memorable rallies by a Canadian team ever at the World Juniors. His third goal into an empty net in the last minute of regulation time was his 12th for Canada at the tournament, tying him with Eric Lindros and Jeff Carter for the most goals ever by a Canadian.
"I just want to play well," said Tavares. "We learned a lot about ourselves and what we can do."
The Canadians found themselves in a deep hole shortly after the 12-minute mark of the first period, trailing 3-0 on goals by Kevin Shattenkirk, Jimmy Hayes and Jim O'Brien.
But two goals from Tavares and one from Jordan Eberle had the Canadians even by the end of the period, and had a WJC-record crowd of 20,203 rocking during the intermission and early in the second period.
During a timeout after the third American goal, Tavares tried to calm his teammates down.
"I just said we should play our game," he said. "I thought our emotions were getting the better of us. I said to the guys to relax and it was nice to get those back-to-back (goals) to get us back in."
Zach Boychuk put the Canadians ahead for the first time just 37 seconds into the second period, only to see American captain Jonathon Blum draw the U.S. even just three minutes later.
Canada’s vaunted power play, which is operating at a ridiculous 60% success rate through four games (18-for-30), connected for its fourth of the contest, and the eventual game-winner, when Cody Hodgson got a shot from the face-off circle past American goaltender Thomas McCollum.
Both teams traded chances in the final period before Tavares and Tyler Ennis both scored into an empty net to provide the final margin of victory for the Canadians.
Canadian goaltender Tokarski shook off a shaky start and made a couple of brilliant saves to help his team earn the all-important bye into the semis.
Tokarski made perhaps the best save of the entire tournament late in the second period to send Canada to the dressing room up 5-4.
A breakdown in the Canadian end left Colin Wilson alone in front and the American forward deked Tokarski and went to his backhand, but Tokarski wasn't fooled by the move and snagged the puck with his trapper, leaving Wilson on his knees in disbelief.
"You're supposed to make those saves," said Tokarski. "The guys bailed me out and I did my job."
The win moved Canada to 27-5-3 all-time against the United States at the IIHF World Junior Championship. The Canadians have won the last five meetings.
Monday, December 15, 2008
COLF -Toward a True Sexual Revolution
From the Catholic Organization for Life and Family Website
New Document is available in PDF format
This text aims to inspire readers to discover the “theology of the body” as taught by Pope John Paul II.
Given the hypersexualization of the human person in our society, and the recent 40th anniversary of Pope Paul VI’s prophetic encyclical Humanae Vitae, this new reflection is an invitation to discover – or rediscover – the meaning of life while learning about the true significance of the human body, sexuality and love … At the beginning, what was God’s plan for human love? What is the truth about the human being – the man-being and the woman-being?
This document will be particularly useful to parents, teachers and everyone who seeks to guide young people towards a healthy understanding of human sexuality. It will also be of interest in helping young men and women to discern the vocation that God intends for them: marriage or celibate chastity lived out in the priesthood, in religious life, or in the celibate lay apostolate in the world.
Friday, October 31, 2008
Address of the Holy Father to the new Canadian Ambassador to the Holy See
DISCOURS DU PAPE BENOÎT XVI
À S.E. M.me ANNE LEAHY
NOUVEL AMBASSADEUR DU CANADA
PRÈS LE SAINT-SIÈGE
Jeudi 30 octobre 2008
Madame l’Ambassadeur,
C’est avec joie que je vous souhaite la bienvenue à l’occasion de la présentation des Lettres qui vous accréditent comme Ambassadeur extraordinaire et plénipotentiaire du Canada près le Saint-Siège, et je vous remercie des salutations chaleureuses que vous m’avez adressées de la part de Madame la Gouverneure Générale du Canada. En retour, je vous saurais gré de lui exprimer mes vœux cordiaux pour sa personne ainsi que pour le peuple canadien tout entier, souhaitant que la nouvelle législature qui commence dans votre pays contribue à la promotion du bien commun et à l’affermissement d’une société toujours plus fraternelle.
Le dialogue confiant que Votre Excellence a désormais la charge d’entretenir entre le Canada et le Saint-Siège a déjà une longue histoire, puisque, comme vous l’avez relevé, nous célébrerons dans quelques mois le 40ème anniversaire de l’établissement de nos relations diplomatiques. Toutefois, les liens entre le Siège Apostolique et votre pays remontent à plusieurs siècles. Ces relations ont donné une inflexion particulière aussi bien à la présence de l’Église qu’à l’attention que le Saint-Siège porte à votre pays. D’ailleurs, il n’est pas sans signification que le Pape Jean-Paul II ait effectué trois voyages apostoliques au Canada, dont le dernier eut lieu en 2002 à l’occasion de la XVIIème Journée mondiale de la Jeunesse, à la réussite de laquelle vous avez personnellement contribué. Et je voudrais rappeler ici ce que mon vénéré Prédécesseur disait à son arrivée à Toronto, s’adressant au Premier Ministre : « Les Canadiens sont les héritiers d’un humanisme extraordinairement riche, grâce à l’association de nombreux éléments culturels divers. Mais le noyau de votre héritage, c’est la conception spirituelle et transcendante de la vie, fondée sur la Révélation chrétienne, qui a donné une impulsion vitale à votre développement comme société libre, démocratique et solidaire, reconnue dans le monde entier comme un chantre des droits de la personne humaine et de sa dignité » (À l’aéroport de Toronto, 23 juillet 2002). Dans cette perspective, je suis particulièrement heureux de la revitalisation des liens d’entente entre l’Église catholique et les communautés autochtones du Canada, dont un signe très positif a été la visite d’un de leurs représentants à l’Assemblée de la Conférence épiscopale canadienne.
Je me réjouis aussi de l’attachement de votre pays à développer les collaborations multilatérales en faveur de la solution de nombreux problèmes qui défient l’humanité en notre temps. L’engagement du Canada dans les efforts de la Communauté internationale en vue de la recherche et de la consolidation de la paix et de la réconciliation dans plusieurs régions du globe est un apport important à l’établissement d’un monde plus juste et plus solidaire où toute personne humaine est respectée dans sa vocation fondamentale. À cet égard, nous pouvons mentionner l’engagement du Canada et du Saint-Siège, avec d’autres pays, pour soutenir l’application de la Convention pour l’interdiction des mines antipersonnel et pour promouvoir son universalisation. Cette Convention représente un instrument international qui a enregistré un succès rarement atteint dans le domaine du désarmement en des temps récents, montrant, comme l’a dit le Pape Jean-Paul II, que « lorsque des États s’unissent, dans un climat de compréhension, de respect mutuel et de coopération, pour s’opposer à une culture de mort et pour édifier dans la confiance une culture de la vie, c’est la cause de la paix qui avance dans la conscience des personnes et de l’humanité tout entière » (22 novembre 2004). De même, le Canada et le Saint-Siège, avec d’autres pays, s’efforcent d’apporter leur contribution à la stabilité, à la paix et au développement dans la région des Grands Lacs en Afrique.
Comme vous venez de le relever, Madame l’Ambassadeur, grâce aux institutions qu’il a créées et à la culture qu’il a promue, le catholicisme a représenté une clé de voûte essentielle de l’édifice de la société canadienne. Cependant, de nos jours, de profonds changements s’y sont produits et s’y produisent encore. Les signes de ces évolutions sont visibles dans plusieurs domaines et sont parfois préoccupants au point de se demander s’ils ne signifieraient pas aussi une régression dans la conception de l’être humain. Ils concernent surtout les domaines de la défense et de la promotion de la vie et de la famille fondée sur le mariage naturel. Étant bien connus, il n’est pas nécessaire de s’y appesantir.
Dans ce contexte, je voudrais plutôt encourager l’ensemble des Canadiens et Canadiennes à réfléchir profondément sur le chemin que le Christ invite à tracer. Il est lumineux et plein de vérité. Une culture de vie pourrait irriguer de nouveau l’ensemble de l’existence personnelle et sociale canadienne. Je sais que c’est possible et que votre pays en est capable. Pour y aider, il me semble nécessaire de redéfinir le sens de l’exercice de la liberté, expression trop souvent invoquée pour justifier certains débordements. De plus en plus, en effet, son exercice est perçu comme étant seulement une valeur absolue - un droit intangible de l’individu - tout en ignorant l’importance des origines divines de la liberté et de sa dimension communautaire nécessaire à sa construction. Selon cette interprétation, l’individu seul pourrait décider et choisir la physionomie, les caractéristiques et les finalités de la vie, de la mort et du mariage. La vraie liberté se fonde et se développe ultimement en Dieu. Elle est un don qu’il est possible d’accueillir comme un germe et de faire mûrir de manière responsable pour enrichir vraiment la personne et la société. L’exercice de cette liberté implique la référence à une loi morale naturelle, à caractère universel, qui précède et unit tous les droits et les devoirs. Dans cette perspective, je voudrais apporter mon appui aux initiatives des Évêques canadiens pour favoriser la vie familiale, et donc pour favoriser la dignité de la personne humaine.
Parmi les institutions ecclésiales de votre pays, Excellence, les écoles catholiques jouent un rôle important pour l’éducation humaine et spirituelle de la jeunesse et elles rendent ainsi un service de grande valeur à votre pays. Aussi, l’enseignement religieux doit-il y tenir la place qui lui revient, tout en respectant la conscience de chacun des élèves. En effet, c’est un droit inaliénable pour les parents d’assurer l’éducation religieuse de leurs enfants. L’enseignement de la religion, en raison de la contribution spécifique qu’il peut apporter, représente une ressource fondamentale et indispensable pour une éducation qui a parmi ses objectifs premiers la construction de la personnalité de l’élève et le développement de ses capacités, en intégrant les dimensions cognitive, affective et spirituelle. En contribuant ainsi à la transmission de la foi aux nouvelles générations et en les préparant au dialogue entre les différentes composantes de la nation, les écoles catholiques réalisent une exigence constante de la mission de l’Église, pour le bien de tous, et elles enrichissent l’ensemble de la société canadienne.
Madame l’Ambassadeur, les signes d’espérance ne manquent pas aujourd’hui. Ainsi, je me réjouis de la pleine réussite du 49ème Congrès Eucharistique International qui s’est conclu dans votre pays le 22 juin dernier. Dans cette rencontre ecclésiale importante, nous pouvons discerner un signe encourageant que les vieilles racines de l’arbre du catholicisme sont encore vivantes au Canada et qu’elles peuvent le faire refleurir. Nombreux ont été les pèlerins qui ont pu bénéficier de l’hospitalité chaleureuse de votre peuple. Je voudrais remercier vivement les Autorités de votre pays pour l’effort fait pour favoriser cet évènement. Fidèle à une longue tradition, malgré les difficultés de notre époque, le Canada a su demeurer une terre d’accueil. J’encourage les Canadiens et les Canadiennes à poursuivre généreusement cette belle tradition d’ouverture particulièrement à l’égard des personnes les plus fragiles.
Je saisis cette occasion, Excellence, pour vous demander de saluer chaleureusement la communauté catholique de votre pays. Dans le contexte souvent complexe où l’Église est appelée à exercer sa mission, j’encourage les Évêques et les fidèles à continuer à mettre leur espérance dans la Parole de Dieu et à témoigner sans crainte parmi leurs compatriotes de la puissance de l’amour divin. Que l’engagement des chrétiens dans la vie de la société soit toujours l’expression d’un amour qui cherche le bien intégral de l’homme !
Alors que vous commencez votre mission, assurée que vous trouverez toujours un accueil attentif auprès de mes collaborateurs, je vous offre, Madame l’Ambassadeur, mes vœux cordiaux pour son heureux accomplissement, afin que les relations harmonieuses qui existent entre le Canada et le Saint-Siège puissent se poursuivre et s’approfondir. Sur Votre Excellence, sur sa famille et sur ses collaborateurs, ainsi que sur les Responsables et sur les habitants du Canada, j’invoque de grand cœur l’abondance des Bénédictions divines.
Au Vatican, le 30 octobre 2008.
À S.E. M.me ANNE LEAHY
NOUVEL AMBASSADEUR DU CANADA
PRÈS LE SAINT-SIÈGE
Jeudi 30 octobre 2008
Madame l’Ambassadeur,
C’est avec joie que je vous souhaite la bienvenue à l’occasion de la présentation des Lettres qui vous accréditent comme Ambassadeur extraordinaire et plénipotentiaire du Canada près le Saint-Siège, et je vous remercie des salutations chaleureuses que vous m’avez adressées de la part de Madame la Gouverneure Générale du Canada. En retour, je vous saurais gré de lui exprimer mes vœux cordiaux pour sa personne ainsi que pour le peuple canadien tout entier, souhaitant que la nouvelle législature qui commence dans votre pays contribue à la promotion du bien commun et à l’affermissement d’une société toujours plus fraternelle.
Le dialogue confiant que Votre Excellence a désormais la charge d’entretenir entre le Canada et le Saint-Siège a déjà une longue histoire, puisque, comme vous l’avez relevé, nous célébrerons dans quelques mois le 40ème anniversaire de l’établissement de nos relations diplomatiques. Toutefois, les liens entre le Siège Apostolique et votre pays remontent à plusieurs siècles. Ces relations ont donné une inflexion particulière aussi bien à la présence de l’Église qu’à l’attention que le Saint-Siège porte à votre pays. D’ailleurs, il n’est pas sans signification que le Pape Jean-Paul II ait effectué trois voyages apostoliques au Canada, dont le dernier eut lieu en 2002 à l’occasion de la XVIIème Journée mondiale de la Jeunesse, à la réussite de laquelle vous avez personnellement contribué. Et je voudrais rappeler ici ce que mon vénéré Prédécesseur disait à son arrivée à Toronto, s’adressant au Premier Ministre : « Les Canadiens sont les héritiers d’un humanisme extraordinairement riche, grâce à l’association de nombreux éléments culturels divers. Mais le noyau de votre héritage, c’est la conception spirituelle et transcendante de la vie, fondée sur la Révélation chrétienne, qui a donné une impulsion vitale à votre développement comme société libre, démocratique et solidaire, reconnue dans le monde entier comme un chantre des droits de la personne humaine et de sa dignité » (À l’aéroport de Toronto, 23 juillet 2002). Dans cette perspective, je suis particulièrement heureux de la revitalisation des liens d’entente entre l’Église catholique et les communautés autochtones du Canada, dont un signe très positif a été la visite d’un de leurs représentants à l’Assemblée de la Conférence épiscopale canadienne.
Je me réjouis aussi de l’attachement de votre pays à développer les collaborations multilatérales en faveur de la solution de nombreux problèmes qui défient l’humanité en notre temps. L’engagement du Canada dans les efforts de la Communauté internationale en vue de la recherche et de la consolidation de la paix et de la réconciliation dans plusieurs régions du globe est un apport important à l’établissement d’un monde plus juste et plus solidaire où toute personne humaine est respectée dans sa vocation fondamentale. À cet égard, nous pouvons mentionner l’engagement du Canada et du Saint-Siège, avec d’autres pays, pour soutenir l’application de la Convention pour l’interdiction des mines antipersonnel et pour promouvoir son universalisation. Cette Convention représente un instrument international qui a enregistré un succès rarement atteint dans le domaine du désarmement en des temps récents, montrant, comme l’a dit le Pape Jean-Paul II, que « lorsque des États s’unissent, dans un climat de compréhension, de respect mutuel et de coopération, pour s’opposer à une culture de mort et pour édifier dans la confiance une culture de la vie, c’est la cause de la paix qui avance dans la conscience des personnes et de l’humanité tout entière » (22 novembre 2004). De même, le Canada et le Saint-Siège, avec d’autres pays, s’efforcent d’apporter leur contribution à la stabilité, à la paix et au développement dans la région des Grands Lacs en Afrique.
Comme vous venez de le relever, Madame l’Ambassadeur, grâce aux institutions qu’il a créées et à la culture qu’il a promue, le catholicisme a représenté une clé de voûte essentielle de l’édifice de la société canadienne. Cependant, de nos jours, de profonds changements s’y sont produits et s’y produisent encore. Les signes de ces évolutions sont visibles dans plusieurs domaines et sont parfois préoccupants au point de se demander s’ils ne signifieraient pas aussi une régression dans la conception de l’être humain. Ils concernent surtout les domaines de la défense et de la promotion de la vie et de la famille fondée sur le mariage naturel. Étant bien connus, il n’est pas nécessaire de s’y appesantir.
Dans ce contexte, je voudrais plutôt encourager l’ensemble des Canadiens et Canadiennes à réfléchir profondément sur le chemin que le Christ invite à tracer. Il est lumineux et plein de vérité. Une culture de vie pourrait irriguer de nouveau l’ensemble de l’existence personnelle et sociale canadienne. Je sais que c’est possible et que votre pays en est capable. Pour y aider, il me semble nécessaire de redéfinir le sens de l’exercice de la liberté, expression trop souvent invoquée pour justifier certains débordements. De plus en plus, en effet, son exercice est perçu comme étant seulement une valeur absolue - un droit intangible de l’individu - tout en ignorant l’importance des origines divines de la liberté et de sa dimension communautaire nécessaire à sa construction. Selon cette interprétation, l’individu seul pourrait décider et choisir la physionomie, les caractéristiques et les finalités de la vie, de la mort et du mariage. La vraie liberté se fonde et se développe ultimement en Dieu. Elle est un don qu’il est possible d’accueillir comme un germe et de faire mûrir de manière responsable pour enrichir vraiment la personne et la société. L’exercice de cette liberté implique la référence à une loi morale naturelle, à caractère universel, qui précède et unit tous les droits et les devoirs. Dans cette perspective, je voudrais apporter mon appui aux initiatives des Évêques canadiens pour favoriser la vie familiale, et donc pour favoriser la dignité de la personne humaine.
Parmi les institutions ecclésiales de votre pays, Excellence, les écoles catholiques jouent un rôle important pour l’éducation humaine et spirituelle de la jeunesse et elles rendent ainsi un service de grande valeur à votre pays. Aussi, l’enseignement religieux doit-il y tenir la place qui lui revient, tout en respectant la conscience de chacun des élèves. En effet, c’est un droit inaliénable pour les parents d’assurer l’éducation religieuse de leurs enfants. L’enseignement de la religion, en raison de la contribution spécifique qu’il peut apporter, représente une ressource fondamentale et indispensable pour une éducation qui a parmi ses objectifs premiers la construction de la personnalité de l’élève et le développement de ses capacités, en intégrant les dimensions cognitive, affective et spirituelle. En contribuant ainsi à la transmission de la foi aux nouvelles générations et en les préparant au dialogue entre les différentes composantes de la nation, les écoles catholiques réalisent une exigence constante de la mission de l’Église, pour le bien de tous, et elles enrichissent l’ensemble de la société canadienne.
Madame l’Ambassadeur, les signes d’espérance ne manquent pas aujourd’hui. Ainsi, je me réjouis de la pleine réussite du 49ème Congrès Eucharistique International qui s’est conclu dans votre pays le 22 juin dernier. Dans cette rencontre ecclésiale importante, nous pouvons discerner un signe encourageant que les vieilles racines de l’arbre du catholicisme sont encore vivantes au Canada et qu’elles peuvent le faire refleurir. Nombreux ont été les pèlerins qui ont pu bénéficier de l’hospitalité chaleureuse de votre peuple. Je voudrais remercier vivement les Autorités de votre pays pour l’effort fait pour favoriser cet évènement. Fidèle à une longue tradition, malgré les difficultés de notre époque, le Canada a su demeurer une terre d’accueil. J’encourage les Canadiens et les Canadiennes à poursuivre généreusement cette belle tradition d’ouverture particulièrement à l’égard des personnes les plus fragiles.
Je saisis cette occasion, Excellence, pour vous demander de saluer chaleureusement la communauté catholique de votre pays. Dans le contexte souvent complexe où l’Église est appelée à exercer sa mission, j’encourage les Évêques et les fidèles à continuer à mettre leur espérance dans la Parole de Dieu et à témoigner sans crainte parmi leurs compatriotes de la puissance de l’amour divin. Que l’engagement des chrétiens dans la vie de la société soit toujours l’expression d’un amour qui cherche le bien intégral de l’homme !
Alors que vous commencez votre mission, assurée que vous trouverez toujours un accueil attentif auprès de mes collaborateurs, je vous offre, Madame l’Ambassadeur, mes vœux cordiaux pour son heureux accomplissement, afin que les relations harmonieuses qui existent entre le Canada et le Saint-Siège puissent se poursuivre et s’approfondir. Sur Votre Excellence, sur sa famille et sur ses collaborateurs, ainsi que sur les Responsables et sur les habitants du Canada, j’invoque de grand cœur l’abondance des Bénédictions divines.
Au Vatican, le 30 octobre 2008.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Federal Election 2008 Guide
With a federal election campaign underway, the Social Affairs Commission of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) has issued a guide inviting Catholics to vote but to do so with discernment.
In its “Federal Election 2008 Guide”, the Commission “encourages Catholics to become better informed about the issues, to voice their concerns with the political candidates … and, most of all, to vote.” The four-page text goes on to list some basic principles from Catholic moral and social teaching to help voters examine and evaluate public policy and programs.
These principles include respect for life and the dignity of the human person, as well as the preferential option for the poor. The text also addresses the question of the war in Afghanistan and the debate on the environment. The four Bishops who signed the document call on the political parties to “engage in a peace process for Afghanistan” and to ensure that “future generations … can have a healthy environment.”
The Social Affairs Commission admits that “choices can be tough” for Catholics when a political candidate or a political party holds “values that are not fully in line with Church teaching.” Citing the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, the CCCB Social Affairs Commission points out that “a well-formed Christian conscience does not permit one to vote for a political program or an individual law which contradicts the fundamental contents of faith and morals.”
Media release: http://www.cccb.ca/news
Monday, August 18, 2008
Canada Ends Medal Drought at Olympics
Canada's men's eight rowing team celebrate as they pose for photographers on the edge of the dock after winning gold in the men's eight rowing final at the the Beijing Olympics on Sunday. Shown are, bottom row, left to right: Kevin Light of Sidney, B.C., Adam Kreek of London, Ont., and coxswain Brian Price of Belleville, Ont. Top row, left to right: Andrew Byrnes of Toronto, Ben Rutledge of Cranbrook, B.C., Dominic Seiterle of Victoria, Kyle Hamilton of Richmond, B.C., Malcolm Howard of Victoria and Jake Wetzel of Saskatoon. The rowers' win was one of seven medals, including another gold in women's wrestling, tallied by Canada on the weekend after we were shut out in the first week of the Summer Games.
Friday, July 18, 2008
Men's National Team Prepares for World Cup Qualifier
Canada ranked fifth amongst CONCACAF nations
Canada's men's national team is the fifth-ranked nation amongst CONCACAF countries in the latest FIFA/Coca-Cola World Rankings released today (July 2008). There was some noted movement amongst the CONCACAF top-10 as Panama moved up to fourth and Suriname jumped up to eighth.
Canada’s men’s national team posted one draw and two wins in June, including back-to-back wins over Saint Vincent & the Grenadines in 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ Qualifiers. Canada lost points in the standings, however, because older matches lost their value (most notably, last year's CONCACAF Gold Cup).
The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Rankings looks at each country’s international results from the last four years. The ranking takes into account the result, the importance of the match, the strength of the opponent, the regional strength, the time period, and the number of matches per year.
Suriname was the biggest mover in the world rankings as it jumped 58 spots from the June rankings. Suriname won both of its 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ Qualifiers in June over Guyana. Mexico, meanwhile, jumped five spots to join the world's top-10 (9th place).
Within the CONCACAF top-10, Mexico (1), the United States (2) and Honduras (3) are still the top-three ranked CONCACAF nations. Panama moved from fifth to fourth and Cuba jumped from 10th to sixth place amongst CONCACAF countries.
Canada will be facing Jamaica, Honduras and Mexico in CONCACAF Stage III of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ Qualifiers. Canada’s three home matches are 20 August against Jamaica in Toronto, ON, 6 September against Honduras in Montréal, QC, and 15 October in Edmonton, AB.
Canada will also play Mexico on 10 September in Tuxtla Gutierrez, Chiapas, Honduras on 11 October (venue yet to be announced), and Jamaica on 19 November in Kingston (Jamaica). Canada needs to finish amongst the top-two teams in Group B to advance to CONCACAF Stage IV in 2009.
Classement mondial : Classement de la CONCACAF : Pays : Points
9 1 Mexico 906
30 2 USA 780
48 3 Honduras 624
69 4 Panama 466
77 5 Canada 441
78 6 Cuba 438
79 7 Costa Rica 433
87 8 Suriname 396
94 9 Jamaica 373
102 10 Trinidad & Tobago 358
Canada's men's national team is the fifth-ranked nation amongst CONCACAF countries in the latest FIFA/Coca-Cola World Rankings released today (July 2008). There was some noted movement amongst the CONCACAF top-10 as Panama moved up to fourth and Suriname jumped up to eighth.
Canada’s men’s national team posted one draw and two wins in June, including back-to-back wins over Saint Vincent & the Grenadines in 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ Qualifiers. Canada lost points in the standings, however, because older matches lost their value (most notably, last year's CONCACAF Gold Cup).
The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Rankings looks at each country’s international results from the last four years. The ranking takes into account the result, the importance of the match, the strength of the opponent, the regional strength, the time period, and the number of matches per year.
Suriname was the biggest mover in the world rankings as it jumped 58 spots from the June rankings. Suriname won both of its 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ Qualifiers in June over Guyana. Mexico, meanwhile, jumped five spots to join the world's top-10 (9th place).
Within the CONCACAF top-10, Mexico (1), the United States (2) and Honduras (3) are still the top-three ranked CONCACAF nations. Panama moved from fifth to fourth and Cuba jumped from 10th to sixth place amongst CONCACAF countries.
Canada will be facing Jamaica, Honduras and Mexico in CONCACAF Stage III of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ Qualifiers. Canada’s three home matches are 20 August against Jamaica in Toronto, ON, 6 September against Honduras in Montréal, QC, and 15 October in Edmonton, AB.
Canada will also play Mexico on 10 September in Tuxtla Gutierrez, Chiapas, Honduras on 11 October (venue yet to be announced), and Jamaica on 19 November in Kingston (Jamaica). Canada needs to finish amongst the top-two teams in Group B to advance to CONCACAF Stage IV in 2009.
Classement mondial : Classement de la CONCACAF : Pays : Points
9 1 Mexico 906
30 2 USA 780
48 3 Honduras 624
69 4 Panama 466
77 5 Canada 441
78 6 Cuba 438
79 7 Costa Rica 433
87 8 Suriname 396
94 9 Jamaica 373
102 10 Trinidad & Tobago 358
Women's National Team Prepares for Beijing
Canada’s women’s national team has nominated its roster for the 2008 Women’s Olympic Football Tournament. Coach Even Pellerud made his selections today in North Vancouver, BC, less than a week before the soccer players and staff depart for Asia. The Canadian soccer team will compete in the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament from 6-21 August in Beijing, China.
Canada’s soccer team qualified for the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament for the first time in Association history earlier this season. Canada qualified by finishing second at the CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualification Tournament in Juarez, Mexico. The clinching victory was a 1:0 win over hosts Mexico in the tournament semi-final. Melissa Tancredi scored the decisive goal while goalkeeper Erin McLeod kept the clean sheet.
Canada will play Argentina, China and Sweden in the opening round of the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament. Canada plays Argentina on 6 August, China on 9 August and Sweden on 12 August. From the 12 teams in the women’s tournament (three groups of four teams), eight teams advance to the 15 August quarter-finals. Four teams then advance to matches on 18 and 21 August: first the semi-finals and then, depending on the outcomes, either the gold-medal final or bronze-medal final.
Every player nominated to the roster for the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament has also represented Canada at the national or national-youth level. On the world stage, Canada was most recently ranked ninth in the FIFA Women’s World Rankings. The Canadian team finished second to the world’s number-one ranked United States at the 2008 CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualification Tournament. At the youth level, Canada recently won its second CONCACAF Women’s Under-20 Championship, this time defeating the United States 1:0 in the 2008 final.
Canada 2008 :
1 Karina LeBlanc | G | Maple Ridge, BC
2 Amber Allen | F | Pitt Meadows, BC
3 Emily Zurrer | D | Crofton, BC
4 Clare Rustad | D/M | Salt Spring Island, BC
5 Robyn Gayle | D | Mississauga, ON
6 Sophie Schmidt | M | Abbotsford, BC
7 Rhian Wilkinson | F | Baie d’Urfé, QC
8 Diana Matheson | M | Oakville, ON
9 Candace Chapman | M | Ajax, ON
10 Martina Franko | D | Squamish, BC
11 Randee Hermus | D | Langley, BC
12 Christine Sinclair | F | Burnaby, BC
13 Amy Walsh | M | St-Bruno, QC
14 Melissa Tancredi | F | Ancaster, ON
15 Kara Lang | F | Oakville, ON
16 Jonelle Filigno | F | Mississauga, ON
17 Brittany Timko | D/M | Coquitlam, BC
18 Erin McLeod | G | Edmonton, AB
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
THE AWARDING OF THE ORDER OF CANADA TO MR. HENRY MORGENTALER
Henry Morgentaler awarded the Order of Canada
A decision that must be revoked
The Catholic Organization for Life and Family would like to express its dismay at the sudden decision of the Order of Canada Advisory Council to award the Order of Canada to Dr. Henry Morgentaler.
The Order of Canada website describes the award as “the centerpiece of Canada’s honours system” which “recognizes a lifetime of outstanding achievement, dedication to the community and service to the nation”.
Dr. Morgentaler, a survivor of Dachau and Auschwitz concentration camps where he fought for his own survival, has reportedly estimated that he has performed more than 100,000 abortions (www.nationalreviewofmedicine.com/issue/interview/2008/5_interview_01.html). In 1988, a Supreme Court decision that bears his name removed all legal barriers to abortion at any stage of pregnancy – since then, nearly two million future citizens have lost their lives to abortion. Is that the outstanding achievement that has been a service to this nation?
Canada has its heroes, and they deserve to be recognized; however, it is neither heroic nor admirable to cause the death of unborn children, the most vulnerable of all Canadians. COLF therefore urges the Harper Government to take the necessary action to ensure that the decision to award the Order of Canada to Dr. Morgentaler be revoked.
The Catholic Organization for Life and Family (COLF) is co-sponsored by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) and the Supreme Council of the Knights of Columbus.
For more information:
Michèle Boulva
Director
Catholic Organization for Life and Family
Tel.: 613-241-9461, ext. 141
E-mail: mboulva@colf.ca
Below is the Press Release from the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops.
COMMENTARY FROM THE CANADIAN CONFERENCE OF CATHOLIC BISHOPS ON THE AWARDING OF THE ORDER OF CANADA TO MR. HENRY MORGENTALER
The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops is dismayed by the upcoming appointment of Mr. Henry Morgentaler to the Order of Canada. We believe that linking this award to a procedure as harmful as abortion constitutes a serious error which undermines the significance of the Order of Canada.
On the Governor General’s website, it is written that “The Order of Canada’s motto is DESIDERANTES MELIOREM PATRIAM (They desire a better country)”. Far from improving our country, Mr. Morgentaler’s actions continue to create controversy and division in our nation. In the name of freedom of choice, he has encouraged the development of a culture of death and has thus attacked the most vulnerable, the unborn.
Awarding such a decoration in this context discredits the Order of Canada. It amounts to an inadmissible affront to the numerous Canadians who dedicate their lives to the protection of the most vulnerable, especially the unborn.
We ask the appropriate authorities to reconsider this nomination and not to award this distinction to Mr. Morgentaler.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Eglise Catholique de Quebec /Catholic Church of Quebec
Welcome to ECDQ.tv, the new media portal of the Catholic Church in Quebec City. This site is a window on the world aimed at covering, from a pastoral point of view, the main events promoted by the Catholic Church in Quebec City, such as, in the coming months, the 49th International Eucharistic Congress (IEC 2008).
Its Mission
This new internet portal will enable you to watch live or taped coverage of different Church events. You will be able to view various programs – commentaries, catecheses, documentaries, interviews and the like. You will also find newspaper articles , religious news and even photo galleries.
ECDQ.tv will also be a place for discussion and dialogue. You will have the opportunity of sharing and expressing your opinions on our blog or in virtual communities like Facebook and Second Life where ECDQ.tv will be present.
Already, and in the weeks to come you will find various video and multimedia programs on ECDQ.tv to help you in your spiritual preparation for the Eucharistic Congress 2008. Moreover, if you cannot manage to be in Quebec City in June 2008, you will be able to experience the happening in your own home thanks to the programming provided on the website.
After the IEC
ECDQ.tv was created for the Eucharistic Congress 2008, but it will continue its mission after the Congress as a new instrument of pastoral communication for the Catholic Church in Quebec City, developing avenues of dialogue between the Church, the faithful and people from all walks of life . You are invited to consult this site regularly to catch late-breaking news and exchange views with other visitors.
The Instigator
ECDQ.tv was founded on the instigation of his Eminence Marc Cardinal Ouellet, Archbishop of Quebec City, a man of faith and vision who has a deep love for the living Church and wishes to see it open to the world. His daring and courage show the extent of his belief in the action of the Holy Spirit at work in our lives. This new project manifests his special interest in new information technologies and, of course, his continual pastoral concern, which incites him to keep looking for new ways to enhance dialogue between the Church and the world.
Friday, June 20, 2008
Benedict XVI live from Rome on the Plains of Abraham!
The president of the 49th International Eucharistic Congress (2008 IEC), Marc Cardinal Ouellet, is pleased to invite the population to attend and take part in the closing celebration (Statio Orbis) of IEC 2008.
The site on the Plains of Abraham in front of Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec will open at 7:30 a.m. Activities will be begin at 8:30 with the Jerusalem Community, Les Voltigeurs de Québec, Nathalie Choquette, Florence K., and the Pueri Cantores choir.
The Eucharistic celebration, with papal legate Jozef Cardinal Tomko presiding, is scheduled for 11 a.m., preceded by a procession of 1,200 cardinals, archbishops, bishops, priests, and deacons. His Holiness Benedict XVI will deliver the homily live from Rome around 11:30.
An outdoor fair and picnic with activities for the whole family will follow on the celebration site. The entire Catholic population is invited.
The event will be held rain or shine. Although seating and food will be for sale on site, participants are invited to bring their own chairs and meals. For best access to the site, public transit is recommended. Parking areas have been reserved at Laurier Québec shopping center and on the Laval campus. From these locations, RTC routes 11 and 801 will provide transportation to near the site.
Friday, June 13, 2008
2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ Qualifiers.
Canada's men's national team announced today that its home leg on 20 June will be broadcast live on Sportsnet West and THE TEAM 990. The 20 June match at Stade Saputo in Montréal will be the deciding leg in the home-and-away series between Canada and Saint Vincent & the Grenadines in Stage II of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ Qualifiers.
June 11, 2008
Mitchell picks roster for trip to Kingstown
Coach Mitchell has made his picks. Mitchell has selected 19 players for the first trip on Canada's road to the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa(tm) Qualifiers. Canada's men's national team departs Thursday 12 June for Kingstown, Saint Vincent & the Grenadines. The Canucks face the Saint Vincy Heat on Sunday 15 June.
Canada’s men’s national team must win its two-match set in June to advance to Stage III of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ Qualifiers (August to November 2008). Canada plays on the road on 15 June (Kingstown) and at home on 20 June (Stade Saputo in Montréal - tickets available through admission.com or 514.790.1245).
Canada’s men’s national team is looking to get back to the FIFA World Cup™ for the first time since 1986. From within CONCACAF, three or four teams (out of 35 total or 24 remaining) will represent the confederation at South Africa 2010. The Canadian men are currently ranked fourth in CONCACAF based on the most recent FIFA/Coca-Cola World Rankings. Canada also had a top-four finish at last year’s CONCACAF Gold Cup by reaching the semi-final.
CANADA
1 Greg Sutton | G | Hamilton, ON | CAN / Toronto FC
2 Jim Brennan | D | East York, ON | CAN / Toronto FC
3 Mike Klukowski | D | Oshawa, ON | BEL / Club Brugge KV
4 André Hainault | D | Hudson, QC | CZE / Sparta Praha (on loan from FK SIAD Most)
5 Adrian Serioux | D/M| Scarborough, ON | USA / FC Dallas
6 Julian de Guzman | M | Scarborough, ON | ESP / Deportivo La Coruna
7 Paul Stalteri | D/M | Brampton, ON | ENG / Fulham FC (on loan from Tottenham Hotspur)
8 Marcel de Jong | D/M | Newmarket, ON | NED / Roda JC
9 Tomasz Radzinski | M/F | Toronto, ON | GRE / Skoda Xanthi
10 Ali Gerba | F | Montréal, QC | GER / FC Ingolstadt
11 Richard Hastings | D | Vancouver, BC | SCO / Inverness CT
12 Issey Nakajima-Farran | M | Calgary, AB | DEN / FC Nordsjælland
13 Atiba Hutchinson | M | Brampton, ON | DEN / F.C. København
14 Dwayne De Rosario | M/F | Scarborough, ON | USA / Houston Dynamo
15 Patrice Bernier | M | Brossard, QC | GER / FC Kaiserslautern
16 Rob Friend | F | Kelowna, BC | GER / Borussia Mönchengladbach
17 Ugo Ihemelu | D | USA / Colorado Rapids
19 Adrian Cann | D | Thornhill, ON | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps
18 Pat Onstad | G | Vancouver, BC | USA / Houston Dynamo
http://www.canadasoccer.com/
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