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Real Estate News
Globe & Mail
Christopher McKie personifies the great Canadian dream of owning your own home. Some people plan long and hard for home ownership, but Christopher McKee is having it thrust upon him. The professional photographer has been renting a one-bedroom loft condominium in Toronto's east end for nearly two years. He loves the aerie-like suite, where light streams in through the trees whatever the time of day. But recently, it was put up for sale, forcing him to choose between buying it himself or renting another place. He chose the former, but is buying the right move for Mr. McKee? "It's good to be in the property market," he muses. "If prices continue to rise, it might be hard to get in later. I like the idea of a condominium because if, say, the roof leaks, I'm not alone in the responsibility. I envision being able to rent my unit and go to England for the summer. This would make an interesting place for a visitor to stay." Obviously, if he didn't buy his cherished home, he would lose it. But on the down side, his monthly payments will be more. The unit is selling for $240,000. If he takes out a mortgage of $228,000 at 7 per cent, as he is considering doing, he would pay about $1,600 a month, plus condo fees and hydro. Right now, his monthly rent is $1,200....(click to read more) |
Immigration News
Immigration & Refugee Board
The Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Canada ( CIC ), announced changes to the selection process for appointment of Governor in Council ( GIC ) members to the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada ( IRB ) . These changes are to implement the Minister's decision to accept the recommendations contained in the Public Appointments Commission Secretariat's ( PACS ) January 2007 report. PACS ' recommendations were a result of its evaluation of the IRB 2004 merit-based appointment process. On November 3, 2006, the then Minister of CIC announced that he had requested that PACS conduct an independent review to determine the effectiveness of the IRB 2004 selection process. Revisions to the selection process will be implemented by July 9, 2007. All current candidates will be advised in writing of their status under the revised selection process by the IRB GIC Secretariat Services. It is my expectation that the revised selection process will strengthen the merit-based competency focus of GIC appointments to the IRB while increasing transparency and fairness. The revised process will continue to ensure that only qualified candidates will be considered for appointment. |
