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NEWSBYTES -Jan. 23, 2009
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The Advisory Council on the Status of Women is the provincial government agency that promotes equality, fairness and dignity for women, by bringing forward concerns and advising the Minister Responsible for the Status of Women Act. Through research, policy, education, and partnerships, the council works to ensure women have an equal voice in society, fair pay and pensions, freedom from violence, and good health and well-being.
Newsbytes is a free bi-weekly e-mail newsletter with links to stories and contacts.
You can also read the newsletter and about coming events at the Advisory Council's website: <http://www.women.gov.ns.ca>.
Also, visit our online catalogue at http://women.gov.ns.ca/library.asp or come visit our library!
CONTENTS AT A GLANCE
/1/ New Study: Programs Don't Reach Aboriginal Women
/2/ Work Time Increases, Family Time Falls
/3/ Profile: Recently Divorced/Separated Mothers and Fathers
/4/ Healthy Living Tax Incentive Broader in 2009
/5/ Survey on Work Problems after Breast Cancer
/6/ Immigration – Business Loan Program for Immigrants
/7/ Tax Information Session
/8/ Standing Our Ground Workshops
/9/ Did You Know?
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/1/ NEW STUDY: PROGRAMS DON'T REACH ABORIGINAL WOMEN
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The report presents findings from the research project “The Influence of Stigma on Access to Health Services by Persons with HIV Illness,” funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.
Even though aboriginal people living in Canada represent more than 3 per cent of the country's total population, they represent more than three times that number in prevalent HIV infections and are the most vulnerable population in Canada to test positive for HIV. Public Health Agency of Canada reports that Aboriginal people represented 27.3 per cent of positive HIV test reports in 2006, a 4.1 per cent-increase from 2005.
Aboriginal women living with HIV/AIDS account for a quarter of the infections in Canada, and half of the infections among Aboriginal people. One form of support described by the report was a recognition of cultural and linguistic diversity and the need for targeted programs that serve a specific population (i.e., need for services specific to substance users).
Another issue is the lack of gender-specific and Aboriginal resources to support Aboriginal women living with HIV/AIDS. The report says that there is evidence women don't know about services in their area, or, they do not want to access them -- because of lack of confidentiality, transportation, or child care, and fear of discrimination.
Learn more: http://www.caan.ca/english/publications.htm .
Source: Media release from the Canadian Aboriginal Aids Network, http://www.caan.ca/.
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/2/ WORK TIME INCREASES, FAMILY TIME FALLS
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There is a direct trade-off between work and family time, according to two reports published by the Vanier Institute of Family, titled “Work/Family Balance: What Do We Really Know?” and “Family Life and Work Life: An Uneasy Balance.”
In 2005, people who spent 3 to 5 hours a day doing paid work and work-related activities had 5.8 hours of family time; those who spent 7 to 8 hours doing paid work spent 3.9 hours with their family; those who spent 11 hours or more doing paid work had, on average, just 1.8 hours of family time.
During the last 10 years, labour force participation of families has increased to record high levels. Overtime work – both paid and unpaid -- has also been on the rise according to Statistic Canada’s Labour Force Survey, with dual-earner couples making up a growing share of Canadian families. For many families, more hours of paid work brings a welcomed increase to the household budget – to pay rent, buy groceries, save for a child’s education, and if lucky enough, pay down the credit card. But the “trade-off” of reduced family time has also contributed to growing difficulties in the balance between family life and work life.
Learn more: http://www.vifamily.ca/families/ff14.pdf .
http://www.vifamily.ca/library/cft/barrette/work_family_balance.pdf .
http://www.vifamily.ca/library/work/sauve/worklife.pdf .
Source: Vanier Institute of Family, Jan. 16.
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/3/ PROFILE: RECENTLY DIVORCED/SEPARATED MOTHERS AND FATHERS
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The likelihood that a marriage will end in divorce is much higher today than it was 40 years ago. In 1969, the percentage of marriages expected to end in divorce before the 30th wedding anniversary was 13.6 per cent, or about one in seven. In 2004, 38 per cent of marriages were expected to end in divorce. Yet the total divorce rate has been quite stable over the past 15 years and is actually down from its record high of 48 per cent in the late 1980s.
Parenting through and after a divorce or separation can be especially demanding. The majority of these recently divorced/separated men and women (60 per cent) did not have any children under the age of 18 at the time of their separation or divorce. The other 40 per cent -- some 805,000 mothers and fathers – had at least one child under 18 years of age from their former union.
The likelihood of a divorce or common-law separation involving a child under 18 is greater for some age groups than others. More than half of 35- to 54-year-olds who have been recently divorced/separated had a child under 18. Two-thirds of recently divorced/separated parents (67 per cent) are between the ages of 35 and 54, and 93 per cent are between the ages of 25 and 54. Only about 5 per cent of recently divorced parents are under the age of 25, and few of those are teenagers.
Learn more: http://www.vifamily.ca/library/transition/383/383.pdf .
Source: The Vanier Family Institute, October 2008.
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/4/ HEALTHY LIVING TAX INCENTIVE BROADER IN 2009
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The Healthy Living Tax Incentive will be extended to include all Nova Scotians, encouraging adults and children to participate in a healthier lifestyle through fitness. The tax credit, or healthy living incentive, provides an allowable tax credit of up to $500 per child to help with the cost of registering children and youth in sport or recreation activities that offer health benefits.
Programs that qualify include any organized sport, physical recreation or activity program offered to the public by the Government of Canada, or the Province of Nova Scotia. A private or not-for-profit organization registered to do business in Nova Scotia is also eligible for registration. This means everything from swimming lessons to dance classes to ski memberships.
Please note: The tax credit will only apply to those organizations who are registered with Department of Health Promotion and Protection so please encourage your group, not-for-profit, or organization to register on line before December 31.
This is a tax credit not a tax rebate. A tax credit is a reduction against income tax that would otherwise be due. A parent/guardian who claims the maximum of $500 per child can expect a tax reduction of $43.95 per child. This amount will be deducted from your provincial income tax, much the same way your charitable donations are deducted.
For more information click here: http://www.gov.ns.ca/hpp/HealthyLivingIncentive.html .
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/5/ SURVEY ON WORK PROBLEMS AFTER BREAST CANCER
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The Canadian Breast Cancer Network is now conducting a survey on the economic impact of a breast cancer diagnosis and treatment on labour force re-entry. If you are a Canadian and have been diagnosed with breast cancer within the past five years, please fill out this survey.
Your comments will help the network identify and overcome barriers women face when they return to work after having had breast cancer. This survey should take no more than 15 minutes. By participating, you are making a real difference for others with breast cancer.
To complete the survey online, click here: http://websurveyor.net/wsb.dll/17199/3921.htm . To receive a paper version, please contact Maureen Kelly at 1-800-685-8820 ext 225 or Maureen@cbcn.ca . The deadline for completing surveys is Feb. 23.
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/6/ IMMIGRATION – BUSINESS LOAN PROGRAM FOR IMMIGRANTS
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Nova Scotia credit unions are now accepting applications for the new Immigrant Small Business Financing Program. The program gives people an opportunity to become small business owners, put down roots, and contribute to the local economy. It is open to those who have recently moved to Nova Scotia and who are interested in starting, expanding or buying a small business. As much as $150,000 is available to successful applicants.
Credit unions across the province are running the program and will be holding these information sessions:
• Halifax: Jan. 28, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., 2nd floor boardroom, Credit Union Central of Nova Scotia, 6074 Lady Hammond Rd.
• Sydney: Feb. 5, 2 to 4 p.m., location to be determined, details will be posted at http://www.nsco-opcouncil.ca .
• Port Hawksbury: Feb. 6, 10 a.m. to noon, boardroom, East Coast Credit Union, 299 Reeves St.
• Truro: Feb. 13, 10 a.m. to noon, 2nd floor Colchester Co-op Boardroom, 339 Willow St.
• Coldbrook: Feb. 17, 10 a.m. to noon, location to be determined, details will be posted at http://www.nsco-opcouncil.ca .
More information is available on the Nova Scotia Co-operative Council website: http://www.nsco-opcouncil.ca . For more information contact Donna Hooper, 902-424-1728, or hoopermd@gov.ns.ca, or Dianne Kelderman, 902-893-8966 or diannefk@tru.eastlink.ca .
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/7/ TAX INFORMATION SESSION
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Attention people with disabilities, their families and caregivers, all parents, guardians and interested community members – attend a free Tax Reduction Clinic at Bridgeway Academy,
3 Valleyford Avenue, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, on Tuesday Jan. 27 at 7 p.m.
What You Should Know:
• Tax legislation is considerate of people with disabilities and their caregivers. Tax refund claims can apply up to 10 years retroactively and may be transferred between family members.
• Tax benefits related to mental and physical disabilities are for those with prolonged restrictions on daily activities.
• Professional assistance is often critical for establishing eligibility for disability tax credits and for maximizing results.
For more information or if you cannot attend and wish to have a free tax review, call toll-free 1-866-448-2188 or visit our website: http://ww.taxwise.ca for details.
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/8/ STANDING OUR GROUND WORKSHOPS
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Are your teenage children yelling at you, hitting you, threatening to hurt you, calling you names, or stealing your money or possessions?
Join a workshop for mothers who are being bullied by their children on every Thursday evening in February. Facilitators Barbara Cottrell and Margo Wheaton will help participants explore ways to end the abuse. To register, call Chris Rafuse at the YWCA at 423-6162 extension 261.
This workshop is free of charge and childcare is available, however, there are limited spaces.
For information, visit our Events Calendar at http://women.gov.ns.ca/calendar.asp .
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/9/ DID YOU KNOW... ?
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The Maritime Centre for African Dance under the leadership of Mufaro Chakabuda was invited by the African Foundation to perform at the African Foundation's Inaugural Ball for President Elect Barack Obama in Washington DC at the Washington Hilton Hotel.
MCAD was the only African dance troupe chosen in Canada to perform. Congratulations!
The dancers names are: Mufaro Chakabuda, Vida Ggunney, Dally Baldeh, and Ruvimbo Mzududu accompanied by drummers, Wayn Hamilton, Jeff Chown and Chris Woods.
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NEXT ISSUE – Feb. 6, 2009
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