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A web site is available for Ontario citizens to add their voice about the type of health system and services they want to see supported across the province. Visit www.ourplanforhealth.ca to share your thoughts on this important matter.

Ontario government press release ...

McGuinty Government Launches Public Engagement On Health Care - Government Wants To Hear From Ontarians On 10-Year Health Plan

TORONTO, Dec. 20 - The McGuinty government is reaching out to Ontarians to get their input in developing a 10-year strategic plan for the province's health care system, Health and Long-Term Care Minister George Smitherman announced today.

"We need to hear from as many Ontarians as possible to help the government form strategies to meet their health needs in the future," Smitherman said. "Our health care system serves all of us - we're in it together. So we want people have a say about how the system should be shaped over the coming decade, and ensure that Ontarians have a long-term strategic plan for health care reflecting their values, priorities and concerns."

During this public engagement with Ontarians, the government will:

- Engage a broad range of Ontarians - including the public and health care organizations - through focus groups, one-day sessions, telephone surveys and feedback from their local MPPs to discuss health care priorities and concerns.
- Get feedback from the public through a website (www.ourplanforhealth.ca) or phone (1-866-532-3161) where they can also get information on other ways to get involved and receive information materials.

The consultations will be part of the development of a strategic plan, which is a commitment legislated under the Local Health System Integration Act. These provincial consultations build on the advice received by the 14 Local Health Integration Networks during earlier discussions with providers and citizens.

The plan, which will be released in the spring of 2007, will set priorities and targets for improvements to be made in the health care system over the next 10 years. The targets will allow the public to track the progress achieved.

"It's about time that more Ontarians are provided a chance to directly influence the way health care is delivered over the next decade," said Smitherman.

The launch of the public engagement is just the latest example of the McGuinty government's commitment to developing an improved health care system. Other initiatives include:

- Passing of the Local Health System Integration Act, 2006, creating 14 Local Health Integration Networks to oversee the delivery of stronger, locally-planned health care
- Investing more than $611 million in our Wait Times Strategy that has provided Ontarians with an additional 738,000 procedures - including MRI and CT scans; cancer, cardiac and cataract surgeries; and hip and knee replacements
- Creating 150 Family Health Teams, which will improve access to primary care for more than 2.5 million Ontarians
- Launching the HealthForceOntario strategy, including the creation of a marketing and recruitment centre to attract health care providers to Ontario
- Ensuring children are now benefiting from three new vaccines free of charge - with more than 1.2 million vaccinations already protecting children from chicken pox, meningococcal meningitis and pneumococcal disease
- Introducing the Health System Improvements Bill that includes proposed legislation to implement Operation Health Protection by establishing a new Ontario Health Protection and Promotion Agency.

Today's initiative is part of the McGuinty government's plan for innovation in public health care, building a system that delivers on three priorities - keeping Ontarians healthy, reducing wait times and providing better access to doctors and nurses.

This news release, along with other media materials, such as matte stories and audio clips, on other subjects, are available on our website at: http://www.health.gov.on.ca under the News Media section.

For more information on achievements in health care, visit: www.resultsontario.gov.on.ca.

Backgrounder
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ONTARIO'S PLAN FOR HEALTH CARE
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The Ontario legislature passed the Local Health System Integration Act in March, 2006. The Act requires the government to develop a health care plan that includes a vision, priorities and strategic directions for the health system and make it available to the public. Developing this plan is an opportunity for the public to become involved and help determine how the system can meet their needs over the next 10 years.

The McGuinty government will be engaging the public, front-line providers, local health care officials, and other stakeholders in a transparent planning process that will ensure Ontarians have a long-term plan for health care that reflects their values, priorities and concerns.

The goal is to develop a long-term plan for continuing to build a stronger health care system, which will identify the changes and work toward the solutions so that our health care system is able to improve the overall health and future prosperity of all Ontarians.

Building on Progress

Over the past three years, the government has made a number of innovative changes in key priority areas to address urgent problems within the system. Thanks to the creation of 14 Local Health Integration Networks, the government has taken major steps forward on improving access to health care and reducing wait times for key health services.

Now, the government wants to work together with the people of this province to identify the changes that are needed to re-build the system so it meets the long-term needs and expectations of the public, and improve the health and quality of life of Ontarians.

Process for the 10 Year Strategic Plan

The plan will provide clear direction by setting out a vision, priorities, and strategic directions for the health care system. It will set out three, five and 10-year goals for improving the health of Ontarians, access to necessary services, and sustaining the publicly funded health care system.

The plan will provide direction to the health care system to meet challenges and realize opportunities in the future. It will also set out to measure performance expectations, which will be used to ensure progress is being made according to the 10-year plan.

This strategic approach will help move Ontario's health care system toward long-term goals that improve health outcomes and keep the publicly funded system on a sustainable path for current and future generations.

The plan, which will be released in the spring of 2007, will provide direction into future health system policy, planning, investment, and the operation of government and government agencies.

Public Engagement

The provincial public engagement will play a key role in the development of the 10-year plan. It will build on the advice received by the 14 Local Health Integration Networks during their own community engagement exercises over the past several months, as they have developed three year plans for the local delivery of health care services.

The government's strategic planning process will involve a broader and longer-term (10 year) perspective, encompassing province wide services that are outside of LHIN responsibility, as well as looking at how to improve the overall health of Ontarians. LHINs will be consulted, engaged and involved to the extent they determine, throughout both the Plan development and Public Engagement activities.

The public engagement with Ontarians includes the following elements:

- A website (www.ourplanforhealth.ca) telephone number (1-866-532-3161) and fax number (1-888-307-0747) where people can provide their views and get more information
- Regional consultation dialogues in communities across Ontario in the new year
- A health symposium with health care and community organizations to discuss trends, priorities and potential strategic directions with health care associations and related groups
- Roundtable dialogues with francophone and aboriginal organizations
- Focus groups with the general population, front-line health care providers, rural Ontarians, seniors, low income individuals, youth, women, disabled people, new Canadians, francophones, aboriginals, gay and lesbian individuals, caregivers, and homeless people
- Surveys and web-based panels of Ontarians to discuss health care values, priorities and expectations

www.health.gov.on.ca

For further information: Media Contacts: David Spencer, Minister's Office, (416) 327-4320; A.G. Klei, Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, (416) 314-6197; Members of the general public: 1-866-532-3161

Pickle Lake Arena

K.I Wild Challenge Cup

25 yrs under Hockey Tournament

Thursday January 18th to Sunday January 21st 2007

Entry Fee: $2500.00

Deadline: December 21st 2006

Deposit to confirm your team: $1000.00

Four Imports per team

Note: past transfer will be considered as imports

Travel Day: Wednesday January 17th 2007

For more information

807 577 2849 or 251 3159

email marcelmckay@knet.ca

yahoo id: mckay_mckay2006

homepages

www.marcelmckay.myknet.org

www.kiwild.myknet.org

Chiefs Steering Committee Communications Update

Communications Team Bulletin # 7– November 27 2006

Community visits completed are follows

Constance Lake Fort Severn Hornepayne Bearskin Webequie Wapakeka Wawakapewin North Caribou Lac Suel Deer Lake Fort Albany Peawanuck Nibinamik Wunnumin Slate Falls McDowell Lake Ginoogaming Long Lake #58 Poplar Hill Keewaywin Aroland Muskrat Dam Flying Post Neskantaga Eabametoong Attawapiskat Pikangikum Whitewater Lake New Post Cat Lake Kasabonika Mattagami Beaver House Mocreebec Kingfisher Matachewan North Spirit Moose Cree Wahgoshig Sandy Lake Sachigo Missanabie Cree Brunswick House Koocheching Marten Falls Mishkeegogamang Chapleau Ojibwe Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug

The confirmed upcoming community visits as follows:

Koocheching

Communities that have not confirmed visits:

Kashechewan

CSC Meeting with Deputy Minister – Sault Ste. Marie, November 14, 2006

The Chiefs Steering Committee met with the James Gillis, Deputy Minister of Energy.The Deputy Minister noted that Manitoba has declared its intent to build Conawapa regardless of agreement with Ontario and is considering building a transmission line to Winnipeg. They are discussing possible hydroelectricity exports with Saskatchewan and U.S. buyers.

Radio Broadcast:

We will be broadcasting information on the Wawatay Radio network on the following dates:

December 11 at 11:00 – 11:30
December 12 at 2:00 – 3:30
December 14 at 2:00 – 3:30

December 18 at 11:00 – 11:30
December 19 at 2:00 – 3:30
December 21 at 2:00 – 3:30

A special thank-you goes out to K-net for providing video conferencing services to the Chiefs Steering Committee Video Conferencing

Bearskin Kitchenuhmaykoosib Kasabonika Kingfisher Lake

Deer Lake Keewaywin Lac Suel Muskrat Dam North Caribou Lake

For more information please call Tracey Willoughby, Communications Assistant at 1 (800) 465-6821 or visit our website at www.chiefssteeringcommittee.com

4th Annual Youth Symposium on Culture, Tradition and Language

March 15, 16, 17 & 18th, 2006

“Now is the time for our generation to learn and preserve our sacred gifts.” 

The Ontario First Nations Young Peoples Council is holding its 4th Annual Youth Symposium on Culture, Tradition and Language in the Wikemikong Unceded Reserve on March 15, 16, 17 & 18th, 2006. 

The symposium is an exciting learning opportunity for youth to gain knowledge of our diverse cultures, traditions and languages from a wide variety of Elders and traditional knowledge practitioners.  Events are currently being planned that will include informative and diverse workshops, prominent keynote speakers, outstanding storytellers, talented artists, live entertainment, and other motivating and interesting activities.

Registration is free.  The Ontario First Nations Youth Peoples Council will cover the costs for meals, accommodations, entertainment, and shuttle services for two delegates, one male and one female, from each of the First Nation communities and organizations.   

Youth participants are responsible to seek sponsorship and/or cover the costs of their travel to and from Wikemikong Unceded Reserve. We have a limited capacity of 300 participants.   

Register now and get be eligible for early bird registration prize draws.

EARLY REGISTRATION FORM
Register by February 15th, 2006

For more information, please contact Laura Calm Wind at 1-807-626-9339 or by email at laura@coo.org or www.chiefs-of-ontario.org/youth

Name:__________________________________________________________

First Nation:_____________________________________________________

Address:________________________________________________________

Community/City:_________________________________________________

Province:________________________________________________________

Postal Code:_____________________________________________________

Telephone:______________________________________________________

Email Address;___________________________________________________

Academic Institution:______________________________________________

Academic Level:__________________________________________________

Please provide the Ontario First Nations Young Peoples Council with a brief statement explaining your expectations from this symposium.

_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
___________________________________

Please complete this application form and fax back to Laura Calm Wind, Chiefs of Ontario 807-626-9404.

Click here for a PDF copy of the poster and registration form

Grand Council Of The Crees Residential School Update Bulletin #3

Date: 2006-12-17

As was discussed during the community tour by Matthew Coon Come and Diane Soroka, court hearings were held across Canada to approve the proposed Residential School Settlement Agreement. These hearings, which were held at various places, started at the end of August. The last hearing day was on October 23 in Vancouver.

The judgments from these proceedings have started to arrive. As you may have heard, seven judgments were rendered on Friday, December 15. There are two more judgments to be drendered, but our understanding is that they will not be ready until some time in January 2007.

The proposed settlement cannot be implemented until all judgments have been rendered and all the courts have approved the proposed settlement.

The courts did not have the power to change the terms of the proposed settlement, but they were able to make some suggestions and to establish certain requirements regarding its administration.

To date, the seven judges who have rendered their judgments have approved the proposed settlement, but there are some conditions attached to the approval. These conditions have to do with the way in which the settlement will be administered. There is some concern that the administration plan for the settlement is incomplete, and the courts want to ensure that once the settlement is in force, that any delays or difficulties for the claimants will be minimized.

There is a concern that, because of the number of claimants, the claims process will become unmanageable and the courts wish to see a specific plan to deal with some of the administrative deficiencies. Here are some of their comments:

1. Canada was a defendant in the court cases and it is Canada that will now be administering the settlement. This can cause a conflict of interest and the courts want to make sure the person appointed by Canada to administer the process will be independent and that he/she will report to the courts and be directed by the courts, not by Canada. In addition, once this person is appointed and the appointment is approved by the courts, he/she cannot be removed from office without further approval by the courts.

2. Canada cannot have a final veto over the costs of implementation of the settlement. The courts must be able to make the orders necessary to ensure that the settlement is implemented properly and that the benefits are delivered in a timely manner.

3. On the issue of legal fees, there should be no legal fees charged for the Common Experience Payment which will only require a fairly simple form to make a claim. In addition, the courts want to make sure that individual claimants do not have to overpay their lawyers when they go through the Independent Assessment Process. Canada will pay 15% of the amount awarded under the IAP and the courts want individuals to have to pay no more than another 15% to their lawyers. In other words, the courts want lawyers' fees to be limited to 30%, half of which would be paid by Canada. The courts also want the adjudicators to be able to decide if the fees charged are reasonable.

4. The courts will keep jurisdiction to deal with the implementation of the settlement so that if difficulties arise, they will be able to deal with them and ensure that the survivors get the benefits to which they are entitled under the settlement.

5. There must be a reasonable process to deal with the issue of missing documents which is causing difficulties in verifying some of the claims.

6. There were a number of complaints about the first notices which many people all across Canada found to be difficult to understand. The courts want improvements made to the second set of notices.

The approval of the proposed settlement is conditional upon an administrative plan being filed in court to deal with these issues. The parties have 60 days to come up with this plan and the improved notices.

Although it was not made a specific condition for approval, there was also a very strong suggestion that the Prime Minister should issue a full apology in the House of Commons.

What does all of this mean?

We are still waiting for two judgments which may, or may not, contain additional conditions. In addition, the parties are now required to develop a proper administrative plan to implement the settlement. In reality, this probably means there will not be a final approval of the settlement until some time in February.

Then there will be a five month period during which individuals will have to decide whether they want to be a part of the settlement or whether they want to "opt out". If fewer than 5,000 people opt out, then the settlement will come into force and payments can be made. In practice, this means that the payments will probably start in the fall of 2007. This is somewhat later than was originally thought, but the process of having the court hearings in nine different jurisdictions took longer than anticipated.

Every now and then a newsletter comes out that provides a list of online resources that connects to additional valuable web sites. The recent UNBC Task Force on Substance Abuse, Centre of Excellence for Children and Adolescents with Special Needs e-bulletin provided such an opportunity to create a list of online resources for parents and children support systems. 

Upcoming Conferences & Workshop 

* January 31 & February 1, 2007 - Attachment & Healing Conference in Regina - This conference has a special focus on child welfare trends and issues facing aboriginal children and families. For information, visit: www.ehrlo.com/conference/ConferenceTitlePg.htm   

* March 7-10, 2007, The 2nd International Conference on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder in Victoria - This year’s conference is called “Research, Policy and Practice Around the World.” For information, visit: http://nearbc.ca/documents/FASD2007.pdf

* April 11-14, 2006, Community Campus Partnerships for Health Conference in Toronto, Ontario  For information, visit: http://www.ccph.info/  

* April 20-22, 2007, 2nd International Meeting on Indigenous Child Health: Solutions, Not Problems in Montreal, Quebec  For information, visit: http://www.aap.org/nach/2InternationalMeeting.htm 

Interesting Online Resources   

* Internet Resources for Special Children provides links to a range of useful resources: www.irsc.org 

* Be Drug Wise helps youth make smart choices about alcohol and drugs: http://drugwise-droguesoisfute.hc-sc.gc.ca/index_e.asp  

* ActNow BC offers an information page for people with physical challenges:  www.actnowbc.gov.bc.ca/EN/406 

* BC Reproductive Care Program is intended to optimize maternal and infant health: www.rcp.gov.bc.ca 

* American Indian and Alaska Native Mental Health Research: The Journal of the National Center focuses specifically on American Indian and Alaska Native populations: www.uchsc.edu/ai/ncaianmhr/journal_online.htm   

* The Doll Revolt: A Digital Exhibition of Girl-Made Artworks, sponsored by the US National Women’s Studies Association’s Girls and their Allies Caucus: http://www.dollrevolt.org 

* Preventing Substance Use Problems Among Young People: A Compendium of Best Practices:  www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ahc-asc/alt_formats/hecs-sesc/pdf/pubs/drugs-drogues/prevent/young-jeune_e.pdf

* Physicians for a Smoke Free Canada, dedicated to the reduction of tobacco-caused illness through reduced smoking and reduced exposure to second-hand smoke: www.smoke-free.ca 

* Mother of All Blogs, a blog about pregnancy, motherhood, writing and parenting  and parenting by book author and mom of four Ann Douglas: http://anndouglas.blogspot.com/  

* FAS World, an international alliance of parents and professionals who do not want to see any more children, teenagers and adults struggle with birth defects caused when their mothers drank alcohol in pregnancy: www.fasworld.com 

* GURL, an interactive web-thing for teen girls with information about life, choices, and abilities: www.gurl.com

* The Aboriginal Children’s Circle of Early Learning (ACCEL)  clearinghouse on Aboriginal early childhood development (ECD) for review, research and discuss best and promising practices; to exchange with a highly engaged network of Aboriginal ECD practitioners and researchers; and to keep in touch with the emerging needs of communities across Canada: http://www.accel-capea.ca/index_en.php

* Centre of Excellence for Early Childhood Development - Improves knowledge of the social and emotional development of young children by developing and disseminating scientific knowledge, and making recommendations based on that knowledge: http://www.excellence-earlychildhood.ca

* Child & Family Canada - Over 60 Canadian non-profit organizations have partnered to provide quality, credible resources on children and families: http://www.cfc-efc.ca/

* Early Learning Canada - Site supports Trainers and Workshop Leaders of a family literacy/healthy child development program designed for parents and other adults working with young children: http://www.elc-apec.ca/

* Healthy Spaces - Provides practical information to support environmental health in children’s day-to-day activities: http://www.cfc-efc.ca/healthy-spaces/

* Work Family Tips - Families help other families by finding tips and leaving tips on a variety of topics that offer strategies to help achieve better work life balance: http://www.wft-ifb.ca/

* Campaign 2000 - 55 partners working together to end child poverty in Canada: http://www.campaign2000.ca/

* Canadian Coalition for the Rights of Children - 60 national & provincial organizations working to make children’s rights known and understood: http://www.rightsofchildren.ca/

* Canadian Health Network, Children's Health Affiliate - Offers links to hundreds of practical, credible web-based documents that support children’s health. Organized by topic area: http://www.canadian-health-network.ca/1children.html

* Canadian Partnership for Children's Health and Environment - an affiliation of organizations working together to protect children's health from environmental contaminants: http://www.healthyenvironmentforkids.ca/english

* Centres of Excellence for Children’s Well-Being - Federal initiative whose mandate is to disseminate advanced knowledge on key issues of children's health to those individuals or groups who need it most. There are five Centres: child welfare, communities, early childhood development, special needs, and youth engagement: http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/dca-dea/allchildren_touslesenfants/centres_main_e.html

* Child & Family Canada - Over 50 Canadian non-profit organizations have partnered to provide quality, credible resources on children and families: http://www.cfc-efc.ca/

* Coalition on Physical Punishment of Children and Youth - A national coalition of organizations concerned with the well-being of children and their families which has launched a joint statement on the physical punishment of children and youth. The statement presents research that shows the physical punishment of children and youth plays no useful role in their upbringing and poses only risks to their development: http://www.cheo.on.ca/english/1120.html

* Canadian Language and Literacy Research Network - A venture that brings leading scientists, clinicians, students and educators together with public and private partners. Its mandate is to generate, integrate and disseminate bias-free scientific research and knowledge that is focused on improving and sustaining children's language and literacy development in Canada: http://www.cllrnet.ca/

* National Children’s Alliance - 60 national organizations supporting a National Children's Agenda: http://www.nationalchildrensalliance.com/

* Association of Day Care Operators of Ontario - Promotes the interests of independent child care operators in Ontario: http://www.adco-o.on.ca/

* Association for Child Care International - Promotes and supports the optimal education and development of children, from birth through early adolescence, and influences the professional growth of educators and the efforts of others who are committed to the needs of children in a changing society: http://www.acei.org/

* Canadian Paediatric Society - Provides both CPS members, other health care professionals and parents with information they need to make informed decisions about child health care: http://www.cps.ca/

* Centre for Families, Work and Well-Being - Promotes individual and family well-being, responsive and productive work environments, and strong, sustainable communities through research and teaching: http://www.worklifecanada.ca/

* Child Care Advocacy Association of Canada - Promotes accessible quality, publicly funded child care: http://www.childcareadvocacy.ca/index.shtml

* Child Care Connections – Nova Scotia - Promotes quality child care and connects child care practitioners, organizations and other interested individuals with information, resources and support: http://www.cccns.org/

* Child Care Sector Council - Portal to access information about human resource issues in the child care sector: http://www.ccsc-cssge.ca/

* Childcare Resource and Research Unit - Focuses on early childhood care and education research and policy to advance a publicly-funded, universally accessible, comprehensive, high quality, not-for-profit early childhood care and education system in Canada: http://www.childcarecanada.org/

* Children’s Rights Centre - Supports children's rights through research, public education and monitoring of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child in Canada. Offers online children’s right curricula: http://discovery.uccb.ns.ca/children/

* Coalition of Child Care Advocates of BC - Promotes and supports quality community-based, non-profit child care services that benefit children, families and the public and the best interests of society: http://www.cccabc.bc.ca/

* EnableLink - Links people with disabilities to a world of resources and includes a section on family life: http://www.enablelink.org/

* Institute for Child Rights and Development - Promotes innovative research and education for implementing and promoting the Convention on the Rights of the Child in less-developed countries: http://web.uvic.ca/iicrd/

* Ontario Coalition for Better Child Care - Creates public awareness about the benefits of early childhood education and advocate for high quality non-profit, accessible child care services in Ontario and nationally: http://www.childcareontario.org/

* Ontario Network of Home Child Care Provider Groups - Provides caregivers and caregiver groups with information services and a provincial voice for home child care: http://www.geocities.com/ottawachildcare/onet

* Parent Voices - Works with and unites parents to make the case for the quality, affordable and accessible child care services they need in their communities: http://www.parentvoices.ca/

* Partners in Practice : Mentoring in Early Childhood Practice - Provides information, support and resources for mentoring in early childhood practice: http://www.partnersinpractice.org/

* Reaching IN...Reaching OUT - Adapts and evaluates the Penn Resilience Program (PRP) school-age model for use with children six years and younger. This program helps children learn to reach in to think more flexibly and accurately and to reach out to take on new opportunities: http://www.reachinginreachingout.com/index.htm

* Rural Voices - Looks at how government policy impact on the development and delivery of rural child care in Saskatchewan and Manitoba: http://ruralvoices.cimnet.ca/

* SpeciaLink: National Centre for Child Care Inclusion - Expands the quality and quantity of inclusion in child care for children with special needs in Canada by putting researchers, policy makers and parents in touch with the best inclusive practices: http://www.specialinkcanada.org/

* Talaris Research Institute - Discover how children think, feel and learn -- and what parents and caregivers can do in the first five years of life to support their healthy development. This website provides useful research-based tools and helpful parenting tips: http://www.talaris.org/

* The Information Sidewalk - Hosted by Senator Landon Pearson, supports public knowledge of children’s rights and legislation affecting children: http://sen.parl.gc.ca/lpearson/

Thirteen remote First Nations across northern Ontario rely on satellite services from Telesat Canada for their communication services. This past year Telesat Canada was the winning bid to provide 2 additional transponders for the Northern Indigenous Community Satellite Network (NICSN) if and when funding is approved by Infrastructure Canada under the National Satellite Initiative.

From http://www.cbc.ca/money/story/2006/12/18/telesatsale.html

BCE to sell Telesat in $3.42B deal
December 18, 2006 - CBC News

BCE Inc. said Monday it has launched a $3.42-billion deal to sell the Ottawa-based satellite operator Telesat Canada.

The buyers in the all-cash deal are the Public Sector Pension Investment Board, which is a Canadian Crown corporation, and Loral Space and Communications Inc., which is headquartered in New York City.

The new company will be known as Telesat and its headquarters will also be in Ottawa.

The pension plan will hold a 36 per cent economic stake in Telesat, but will hold voting control and a majority of seats on the company's board. Loral will hold a 64 per cent economic stake.

As part of the deal, Loral will contribute the fixed satellite services and network services assets of its Loral Skynet subsidiary, making Telesat the fourth-largest satellite operator in the world based on the number of satellites in orbit.

Dan Goldberg, the president and chief executive officer of Telesat, said the company will have 11 satellites in orbit, with four new ones slated for launch over the next three years.

The deal is expected to close in mid-2007.

Earlier in the year, BCE announced plans to sell a stake in Telesat. In September, the company filed papers for an initial public offering of Telesat shares.

But following BCE's decision not to proceed with an income trust conversion, CEO Michael Sabia said the company wasn't sure of its next step for the satellite subsidiary.

On Monday, Sabia said the sale of Telesat met his firm's ambitions.

"At the outset of this process, we set three goals," he said in a release.

"First, we were determined to surface the value of the asset. Second, we wanted to make certain any transaction fully protected the future of ExpressVu. And finally, we wanted to position Telesat as a truly global player in a rapidly consolidating industry.

He said the new company would be "global in scale, but Canadian-based and Canadian-controlled."

With about $30 billion in assets under management, PSP Investments is the pension fund manager for Canada's federal public service, the Canadian Forces and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

BCE has put in place a set of commercial arrangements between Telesat and Bell ExpressVu that guarantee ExpressVu access to current and expanded satellite capacity, including the launch of Nimiq 5 in 2009.

In the wake of the announcement, BCE shares gained 78 cents to close at $30.69 on the TSX.

+++++++++++++++++

To read the following CTV news story, click here

Telesat takeover part of industry makeover
By CATHERINE McLEAN AND ANDREW WILLIS,  Globe and Mail Update

The pending takeover of Telesat Canada will transform the dominant Canadian satellite operator into one of the world's biggest players, opening the door to new markets, chief executive officer Daniel Goldberg says.

“This transaction catapults Telesat into the league of global operators,” Mr. Goldberg said Monday in a telephone interview.

BCE Inc. said Monday it has agreed to sell Telesat for $3.25-billion to a joint venture formed by Canada's Public Sector Pension Investment Board ( PSP Investments) and Loral Space and Communications Inc., based in New York. The buyers will also assume $172-million of debt.

Telesat is one of a number of assets BCE has sold during the past year as it focuses on its main Bell Canada telephone business.

The takeover paves the way for immediate growth because Loral will transfer the assets of its Skynet unit, including four satellites, to the Telesat joint venture. Consolidation is a quicker path to expansion than the years-long process of setting up new satellites, said Mr. Goldberg, who will stay on as CEO of the new company.

The combination will turn Telesat into the world's fourth-biggest satellite operator. Telesat has seven satellites that cover the North American market.

Loral brings another four that serve faster-growing regions such as Latin America, Europe and Asia. Telesat's plan is to launch another four birds in the next three years.

The new company would have a combined revenue of $658-million as of the 12 months that ended Sept. 30, along with a backlog of orders worth $5.6-billion. It would have earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization of $341-million for the period. PSP Investments and Loral will fund the purchase of Telesat through debt.

Telesat is the latest target in a wave of consolidation in the global satellite industry in which Mr. Goldberg, 41, has played a key role. New Skies Satellites NV, where he used to be CEO, was first snapped up by private equity firm Blackstone Group in November, 2004. A year later, Luxembourg-based satellite giant SES Global SA agreed to acquire New Skies.

Mr. Goldberg says there is still too much capacity in Latin America and parts of Asia.

But he added that demand is increasing over all because high-definition TV and two-way broadband services are becoming more popular.

“Demand is stronger and our customers are growing in a way they weren't when the telecom bubble burst in early 2000,” he said.

BCE, based in Montreal, lured Mr. Goldberg away from SES Global in September as it pursued a two-track divestment strategy. BCE had announced plans to sell a minority stake in Telesat in February, but also decided to try to sell the unit.

The appointment of the Harvard-trained lawyer, who has 15 years of experience in the satellite industry, proved instrumental in closing a deal, according to BCE chief executive officer Michael Sabia.

“Telesat was a great engineering company,” Mr. Sabia said Monday in a telephone interview. “With Dan's arrival, it got an astute leader, an operator with financial and marketing skills.”

This deal was a year in the making. One of PSP Investments' first private equity moves in 2005 was to invest in a fund run by MHR Fund Management LLC. One of the fund's biggest holdings is Loral, which emerged from creditor protection last year. When BCE put Telesat up for grabs, Loral and PSP Investment knew each other and moved quickly to make a joint bid.

Mr. Sabia indicated the price was higher than he expected. There were multiple rounds of bidding with some deep-pocketed suitors, said PSP Investments chief executive officer Gordon Fyfe.

BCE used the strong interest in Telesat to wring a “highly competitive” long-term contract for satellite signals for its ExpressVu television subsidiary from Loral and PSP Investments, Mr. Sabia said.

Loral ran into trouble in 2003 as demand for satellite capacity slowed and a debt-funded investment in a satellite phone company went sour. Mr. Goldberg doesn't believe Loral is placing too big a bet so soon after restructuring. He said Loral emerged from that process with an “extremely strong” balance sheet, and that Telesat is growing quickly and will pay down debt rapidly in coming years.

Loral and PSP Investments will own a 64-per-cent and 36-per-cent economic stake, respectively, in the new Telesat. However, to comply with foreign ownership restrictions, PSP Investments and other unnamed Canadian investors will control the company through a 66.7-per-cent voting stake. Loral will hold 33.3 per cent of the voting equity.

Rival bidders said PSP Investment and Loral may have overpaid for Telesat, as the company changed hands at a valuation well above that of industry rivals. Telesat fetched 13 times earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (or EBITDA), while publicly traded satellite companies trade at nine times EBITDA.

PSP Investment's head of private equity, Derek Murphy, said that when Loral's contributions and new revenues from television company clients are factored in, the purchase price is 9.5 times EBITDA, close to industry norms.

“Telesat has a fantastic backlog of confirmed orders, a great engineering culture and best-of-class assets. It's a private equity dream,” Mr. Murphy said. He joined the fund last year after working on his own as a private equity investor, and as an investment banker with J.P. Morgan Chase and Gordon Capital.

INAC's Sustainable Development Strategy 2007–2010 for "a holistic approach to sustainable communities with strong social, economic and environmental dimensions."

For a copy of the entire strategy visit ...
http://www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/sd/sd0710/sd0710_e.pdf

Minister's Message ...

As Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians, I am pleased to present our Sustainable Development Strategy 2007–2010. This Strategy presents a holistic approach to sustainable communities with strong social, economic and environmental dimensions. It has been developed by Indian and Northern Affairs Canada’s (INAC) National Sustainable Development Strategy Working Group (NSDSWG), composed of departmental and Aboriginal representatives from across the country.

Across the Department, efforts are focussed on promoting sustainable development through strong foundations of governance, investing in people and improving community infrastructure. Strengthened governance, strategic investments in economic development and education, along with improved housing and infrastructure and safe drinking water are part of a streamlined set of priorities that are beginning to bring forth positive results.

Self-reliance for Aboriginal and northern communities, the protection of socio-cultural, economic and ecological capital, and efficiency and effectiveness in achieving results are key considerations that this Strategy promotes for integration into all our policies, programs and decision-making processes, at every level and in every part of our organization.

Canada’s new government is committed to the concept of sustainable development, and I am confident that, as a key tool, this Strategy places us firmly on the right path to continue to improve the lives of First Nations, Inuit, Métis and Northerners, as we form new partnerships and strengthen existing relationships through mutual respect and trust.

Jim Prentice, PC, QC, MP
Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development Canada and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians

The following story in the Vancouver Sun can be viewed as well by clicking here

Top B.C. judge urges PM to apologize to first nations 
Ian Mulgrew, Vancouver Sun - December 18, 2006

B.C. Supreme Court Chief Justice Donald Brenner has called on Prime Minister Stephen Harper to apologize to first nations for the abuses of the Indian residential school system.

In a departure from the other decisions handed down by seven provincial superior courts Friday approving Ottawa's $4-billion residential school pact, Justice Brenner went a step further -- a giant step further.

"Although I am making no order and I am issuing no directions, I would respectfully request counsel for Canada to ask that the Prime Minister give consideration to issuing a full and unequivocal apology on behalf of the people of Canada in the House of Commons," the chief judge said.

"Clearly by committing to these settlement negotiations and by entering into the Settlement Agreement and the ongoing process, Canada has recognized its past failures with respect to the Indian Residential Schools. However, based on what I heard during these hearings and in other residential school litigation, I believe that such an apology would be extremely positive and would assist the objective of all parties in achieving the goal of a national reconciliation."

Brenner also suggested Ottawa consider making an appropriate statement at the opening of the truth and reconciliation commission that is part of the complex settlement package unveiled a year ago in November.

"While this is ultimately for Canada and the Commission to decide, I would suggest that such a statement delivered in the early stages of the Commission's hearings would do much to emphasize both Canada's recognition of the extent of the failure of past policy as well as Canada's desire to achieve a national reconciliation with the Aboriginal People of Canada," he said.

Brenner is one of nine judges across the country who were asked to review and sanction the federal government's offer to thousands of native people who attended residential schools run mainly by Christian church denominations before they were closed in 1996.

The two territorial courts will issue their ruling on the agreement early in the new year.

Brenner conducted five days of hearings, the most of any judge, and he elicited a litany of abuse and tragedy that obviously moved him.

Peter Grant, a lawyer involved in the class-action suit, thought Brenner's recommendation for an apology hugely significant.

"It's a powerful judgment and a good day for survivors," he said.

"That [call for an apology] is unique. A court normally doesn't do that. I work for individual survivors and communities and the question that has been raised with me again and again and again has been -- why does Canada not apologize to us when they have apologized for the Japanese internment and the Chinese head tax? You know, there's no real answer to that.

"I think it's extremely powerful that you have the chief justice of one of the provincial superior courts saying look, 'I can't order an apology, but please take this seriously.' What that does goes to showing that he recognized, he heard what these people have to say."

B.C. has the largest number of residential school attendees (14,911) among the estimated 75,000 or so still alive.

Brenner heard from more than 80 survivors and many others filed written submissions to him.

"While each had an individual story to tell," he wrote, "there were also common shared themes that ran through many of the submissions: being taken from home, often forcibly, at an early age; having their language and culture banned; and being prevented from even communicating with their siblings at the same school. They described poor or inadequate food, harsh corporal punishment and instances of physical and sexual abuse."

Most did not recover fully from the damage.

Under the complex agreement, ex-students get $10,000 for any one year, or part of a year, that they spent at a residential school, and $3,000 for each subsequent portion of a year. Those who suffered sexual or physical abuse -- and there are many of them -- are offered additional compensation ranging from $5,000 to $275,000.

Those who don't like it, though, are free to opt out and pursue individual claims against the government and the churches.

In spite of its strengths, however, Brenner said it is imperative that administrative deficiencies in the settlement be fixed.

Many survivors can't prove their attendance at a residential school because Ottawa or the churches have lost records.

Not surprisingly, the survivors -- who should each receive on average about $24,000 -- do not have a high level of confidence in the federal government's ability to fairly or properly deal with them.

Brenner and his colleagues want an autonomous supervisor or board overseeing the plan, reporting back ultimately to the courts.

"In saying this I am not critical of the efforts of the parties, including Canada, to date in this case," Brenner said. "However, what is readily apparent to everyone in this case is the necessity to avoid yet another exercise in failed paternalism, real or perceived."

And Brenner emphasized that money is not enough.

Former Liberal minister Jane Stewart read a statement of regret in the House of Commons several years ago, but the survivors told Brenner that wasn't good enough.

The Leadership Council of B.C. -- a coalition of the executive of the Assembly of First Nations (BC Region), the First Nations Summit and the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs -- said "a formal and unequivocal apology from the Prime Minister of Canada to the Aboriginal People of Canada must be an integral part of this settlement. It is further submitted that in order to work towards achieving true resolution, the form of apology should include a request for forgiveness."

At his October hearings, Brenner seemed hung up on the fact he did not have the power to order such an apology.

"Even if the court had such power, an apology offered pursuant to an order of the court would be of doubtful value; its underlying compulsion would destroy its effectiveness," he said.

But he changed his mind after he "received many eloquent and passionate submissions from objectors seeking a suitable recognition by Canada of the inordinate suffering of the Aboriginal peoples caused by the Indian Residential School experience and expressing the hope that they could receive a full apology from the leader of Canada's government."

I say it was a courageous decision.

"There is an important cultural component to this," he explained in his judgment.

"Aboriginal Justice Systems almost always stress reconciliation. Aboriginal Justice Systems also usually stress the need to restore harmony and peace to a community. Leaving parties dissatisfied or with feelings of inadequacy or lack of completion does not restore community harmony or peace. For aboriginal students of residential schools and their families, an apology will acknowledge the wrong suffered by them and validate their struggle for compensation and redress."

He's absolutely right. Let's hope the prime minister hears him.

imulgrew@png.canwest.com

Lyle Johnson, K-Net's Video Conferencing Bridge Coordinator, spent this past week in Sudbury participating in a Contact North hosted Bridge Operator's Training session. The training was facilitated by Polycom, the supplier of the Accord bridge that we use.

Lyle's report includes ...

All in all a very good week of learing and collaboration...   There was one particpant in Sudbury, and 2 in Thunder Bay.  I learned quickly how much that I really did not know about our bridge and maximizing its resources.

Hopefully, I will be able to effectively pass on my learnings to K-Net staff, so that we may better serve the needs of the First Nations that we are so proud to serve.

See the outline below about topics covered during the week.

Through Hands-on Exercises You Will Learn How To...

• Install and operate MGC MCUs and Manager, including Voice/VideoPlus
• Install and operate WebCommander and Access Database, SQL server and Accord SQL database
• Modify the Internet Information Services (IIS) and Server remote database login requirements
• Manage the servers and fault files
• Install and integrate the Gatekeeper database; configure gatekeeper conferences
• Install WebCommander and Admin tables
• Define conference and participant templates to run all variations of conferences
• Build Meeting rooms, entry queues and IVRs
• Customize and convert audio and video clips
• Create a centralized database and configure details of the administrator tables

Course Description

The Polycom Technical Maintenance course is a hands-on program covering system installation, configuration, operation, and maintenance of the MGC and the connected Manager Workstation. The curriculum is delivered in a combination of lecture and laboratory exercises.

Note: Course does not include Voice/VideoPlus or Gateway.

Audience

• Technical support engineers; help desk technicians, field service technicians
• System Administrators & Operators Prerequisites
• Knowledge of Networks and Windows
• H.320 standards and H.323 standards

COURSE CONTENT

I. Introduction and Overview Multipoint
•Elements of a Video conference
•Elements of H.320 & H.323 Standards
•Functions and features of the MGC Releases

II. Introduction to Polycom MGC Manager
•Model Descriptions & Specifications
•Network Interfaces and Processors Revs.
•Overview of Workstation

III. Installation and Configuration
•Identify Processing Module Units and properties •Identify Network Interface Modules and properties •Install MGC Manager Software •File Maintenance and File Directory Structure

IV. Intro. To Work Station-MGC Manager
•PC Manager software, loading, requirements •Defining Operators and System configuration file •Starting the Application and connection •Windows Navigation of the MGC Manager

V. Set-up Management Interfaces
•Configure MGC for LAN or Dial/Direct Com •Set-up LAN for MGC Manager •Set-up COM Port for Serial MGC Manager

VI. Configurations of MCS, Network Interfaces, Troubleshooting Lab Exercises over 4 days
– Lab 1 – Setup LAN Management Port
– Lab 2 – Configure ISDN Primary Rate and T1/E1
– Lab 3 – IP / H.323 / SIP Configurations
– Lab 4 – Configure MCU Clocking
– Lab 5 - Configure V35/RS449 MPI Interface
– Lab 6 - Cascade MCU’s and Internal Cascade

VII. Create Network and Sites for Labs
•Create, Edit and Configure Network Resource •Create and Define Site Records Templates •Setup Dial-In vs. Dial-Out for all Labs

VIII.Define and Conduct Conference for Labs
•Create and Manage Conference Templates •Audio/Video/Content/Data – T.120 Conferences •Control / Verify Sites w/ MGC Manager •Scheduling and Conference Reservations •Reoccurrence Reservations •Auto Add, Meet Me Sites; Meeting Rooms, Meet Me Services

IX. Maintenance
•Read CDR log, resource report, monitor status window •Collect Trace files on a Video conference •Faults Log and Major Vs. Minor Alarms •Understanding Alarms and Faults

X. External & Internal Cascading
•What is Cascading?
•Launch Cascading
•Simple and H243 Cascading
•Manage Cascading Content

XI. Backup and Restore Operations

XII. Greet and Guide Operations
•Overview of MGC-100 Subsystem Process
•System Parameters
•MCU Utilities and MCU Date/Time

XIII.IP Configuration
•H.323 Configuration
•MCU IP addressing

XIV.LEDs and Card and Power supply status
•Main Control Unit •Card Indicators •Power Supply Indicators

XV. MCU Troubleshooting
•Reset MCU Vs. Reset Modules
•Disabling and Enabling Units
•IP Terminal Traces
•Fault Log details; Logger Diagnostic files  •Alarms •Troubleshooting Site connectivity •Loop Backs and Diagnosing Errors •SNMP MGC - MIBs