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| August 24, 2009 |
Vol 6, Issue 8 |
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Greetings! |
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As the summer begins to wind down, we're just weeks away from CERC's conference, New Challenges - New Solutions September 27 - 29 at the Westin Hotel Ottawa. We're looking forward to an outstanding event that your conference planning committee, under the leadership of Suzie Findlay, has worked hard to develop.
The conference features world class speakers, engaging workshops, extensive networking opportunites, a trade show with 48 exhibitors (a CERC record), and some great entertainment. Add it all up and it promises to be an event not to be missed. Register today In this edition of CERC Enews we've compiled news and articles that I hope you will find helpful and informative. As always your ideas for stories, interesting links and news articles are most welcome.
I hope to see you in Ottawa in September.
Best regards,
Steve
Stephen Cryne
President & CEO
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| Best July on record for Canadian home sales |
 National resale housing market activity continued climbing in July 2009, with sales posting the largest year-over-year gain in two years. It was also the first time on record that sales activity topped 50,000 units for the month of July in any year on record. "Home sales through the MLS® systems in July provide clear evidence that sentiment about making major purchases continues to improve," said Chief Economist Gregory Klump. "Activity may level out over the rest of the year as home prices and mortgage lending interest rates creep higher." Read More |
| U.S. home resales hit 10-year high |
 For the first time in five years, existing-home sales have increased for four months in a row, according to the National Association of Realtors.
Existing-home sales - including single-family, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops - rose 7.2 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.24 million units in July from a level of 4.89 million in June, and are 5.0 percent above the 4.99 million-unit pace in July 2008. The last time sales rose for four consecutive months was in June 2004, and the last time sales were higher than a year earlier was November 2005.
Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said he is encouraged. "The housing market has decisively turned for the better. A combination of first-time buyers taking advantage of the housing stimulus tax credit and greatly improved affordability conditions are contributing to higher sales," he said.
The monthly sales gain was the largest on record for the total existing-home sales series dating back to 1999.
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| The EU wants an end to Czech-Canada visa row |
 The European Union is hoping that Canada will quickly drop its demand that Czech citizens apply for visas, EU officials said after three-party talks in Brussels. The meeting between Czech and Canadian diplomats and officials from the European Commission, the EU's executive, was "extremely constructive" and has "started a process which we hope will lead to a quick solution," Commission spokesman Michele Cercone said.
The row concerns Canada's decision to make Czechs apply for visas following a surge in the number of asylum applications from Roma bearers of Czech passports. The Czech government has already retaliated by making Canadian diplomats and businessmen apply for visas, but it also wants EU member states to bring in similar measures in a show of solidarity. Read More |
| NWT and Canadian Governments ink immigration deal |
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 Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney recently announced the signing of an agreement to help attract new immigrants to the Northwest Territories.
"I am very pleased to announce the very first nominee agreement with the Northwest Territories today," Minister Kenney said. "This pilot initiative will better extend and strengthen the benefits of immigration for the Northwest Territories and allow it to bring in the immigrants it needs faster. Provincial nominee programs are an important part of our government's focus on ensuring that our immigration system aligns with labour market needs."
The Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP) is operated by the Government of the Northwest Territories through an agreement with Citizenship and Immigration Canada. The program will help strengthen the Territories' economy by attracting qualified individuals to fill critical labour shortages and promote business development.
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UK migration report calls for changes to intra-company transfers
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 A recently released report from Britain's Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) may hold changes for intra company transfers. The report recommends that the earnings thresholds for gaining points should be raised, jobs should be advertised within the UK for longer periods and the arrangements for intra-company transfers should be strengthened. Strong monitoring and enforcement of Tier 2 is also required.
Sponsored skilled workers from outside the EU can work in the UK under Tier 2 of the Points Based System (PBS). This gives British workers priority on all advertised jobs, but where British workers are not available, Tier 2 will let companies employ people from outside of the EU, making sure that there are no skill gaps in the UK economy.
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New program to facilitate travel through Canada and encourage business at Canadian airports
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 The Government of Canada is making it easier for international travellers on their way to and from the United States to pass through Canadian airports. The new program will allow certain international travellers en route to and from the U.S. with valid U.S. visas to transit through Canadian airports without a Canadian transit visa.
Intended to achieve a balance between ensuring security and facilitating the movement of genuine travellers, the Transit Without Visa program is being implemented in Vancouver following a successful pilot project undertaken at the Vancouver International Airport. Other major Canadian airports will now be able to apply for similar status. Read More |
Foreign execs head east for jobs as China expands
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 He calls himself a Silicon Valley refugee who has worked for giants IBM and Siemens as well as software startups.
Now Ronald Raffensperger, a marketing director at fast-growing Huawei Technologies numbers among the increasing numbers of foreign expatriates China is counting on to steer its push overseas.
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Executive Presence: what is it, and how to get it
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 Executive Presence is demonstrating the judgment and character to do the right thing-to be the leader who'll get the job done with integrity and inspire others to fully commit to the task, mission and vision. Mark W. Sickles, an advisor to corporate boards and executive teams, knows Executive Presence when he sees it. "When executives with presence walk into the room, people think, 'Now something good is going to happen,'" says Sickles. |
Do women do leadership differently?
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 Although increasing numbers of people are asking whether women do leadership differently the answer is anything but clear cut. It also begs a number of additional questions like: What is leadership? Does a feminine leadership style exist and if so how do we define it and what are its implications for women and for organisations?
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| Thank You to our 2009 Conference Sponsors |
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GOLD
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| CERC Careers |
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Employers - post your positions or search resumes from registered prospective employees.
Job Seekers - search positions (simply insert Relocation into the keyword search) and post your resume online at the CERC Career Centre.
Director, Business Development
Primacy Relocation
Toronto, ON
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Premiere Van Lines understands the art of moving. Being entrusted with people's belongings is an enormous responsibility. Learn what we mean when we say "The Art of Moving". | |
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Help spread the word about CERC. Forward this E-News to a friend or colleague by clicking on the link above. We hope that you continue to enjoy receiving this electronic update. This monthly compilation of articles from wire services, newspapers, and other sources is intended to keep CERC members and visitors to cerc.ca informed of trends and news in mobility, HR developments and general business news from Canada and around the world. Facts have not been independently verified, and opinions expressed are those of the editor. Readers are invited to clarify, correct, or expand on these items. If you have an idea for a story, or would like to contribute an article, please send an email to info@cerc.ca.
Canadian Employee Relocation Council (CERC)
180 Dundas Street West, Suite 1010
Toronto, ON M5G 1Z8
Tel: 416-593-9812
Toll Free: 1-866-357-CERC (2372)
Fax: 416-593-1139
Leadership for Workforce Mobility |
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