NewsMakers

[SAINT JOHN, NB] Province mourns loss of Irving: The Canadian Press is reporting that New Brunswick business magnate John E. (Jack) Irving has died at the age of 78 following a brief illness. For more information, read the story at CTV News: http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/Canada/20100721/obit-jack-irving-100721/

[HALIFAX, NS] MedMira strengthens management team: Halifax-based MedMira Inc., a developer of rapid diagnostic technology and solutions, has announced the appointment of Daniel Frid as chief financial officer and Sing Chan as chief operating officer. Frid is a CFA charterholder and a Certified Management Accountant, with over 15 years of experience in financial management. Most recently, he was a member of the senior management team for Keane Canada Inc., serving as the director of finance and information technology. Chan joined MedMira in 2000 and has held the position of vice president, operations since 2004. In this role, Chan led the manufacturing, production and information technology departments and was directly involved in improving manufacturing and production efficiencies and the company’s overall operation process. — By The Daily Business Buzz, Transcontinental Media

[HALIFAX, NS] Metals Economics Group releases new version of MineSearch: Metals Economics Group (MEG) of Halifax, a source of global mining information and analysis, has released the latest version of its MineSearch online database. New features focus on the full integration of project and company information and search capabilities, and a further strengthening of company content. MineSearch is an extensive searchable online database of information on thousands of worldwide projects and companies. Based on more than 25 years of research and analysis, the service provides clients with the information needed for benchmarking, due diligence, identifying opportunities, tracking competitors, performing quick “what if” scenarios, and completing in-depth, detailed analysis. The MineSearch client community includes many large global mining companies, banks, investment and fund managers, as well as smaller mining companies focused on growth, service and equipment providers, governments, and consultants. — By The Daily Business Buzz, Transcontinental Media

[LIVERPOOL, NS] Liverpool visitor information centre celebrates G.O.: On Tuesday, the newly-constructed Liverpool Visitor Information Centre officially opened its doors, thanks to the Community Adjustment Fund, a key economic stimulus initiative contained in the Government of Canada’s Economic Action Plan. The federal government invested $200,815 in the tourism venture. In addition to the construction of a new visitor information centre, the investment supported improvements to the surrounding waterfront infrastructure, including safer, more attractive walkways, upgraded parking facilities and increased accessibility for recreational vehicles. “The new visitor information centre will increase our ability to draw tourists to Liverpool and area,” said John G. Leefe, mayor of the Region of Queens Municipality. “It will enhance economic development opportunities for the Region of Queens as a whole.” — By The Daily Business Buzz, Transcontinental Media

[ST. JOHN’S, NL] Writers’ Alliance receives provincial funding: The Writers’ Alliance of Newfoundland and Labrador has received $80,000 in operational support through the provincial government’s 2010 Cultural Economic Development Program (CEDP). Terry French, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, said the investment supports the Writers’ Alliance 2010-11 activities, including professional development initiatives and other programs beneficial to the development of the literary industry in the province. “This support is intended to assist and promote the wealth of emerging and established literary talent in Newfoundland and Labrador,” said Minister French. “In addition to providing financial assistance to the Writers’ Alliance, the CEDP also supports the work of the literary sector through financial assistance to the local publishing industry, as well as to individual writers for professional development and market access activities.” CEDP applications are considered based on the strength of business plans, vision, and potential for development within the sector. — By The Daily Business Buzz, Transcontinental Media

National Scene

[TORONTO, ON] Porter Airlines’ CEO sues Air Canada for $5 million: Robert Deluce, president and CEO of Porter Airlines, has personally filed a statement of claim against Air Canada for breach of contract. The claim seeks up to $5 million in damages related to a travel pass agreement. In 1986, the Deluce family sold Air Ontario and Austin Airways to Air Canada. Under terms of the sale, Air Canada agreed to provide Deluce and his spouse with a free travel pass for life. Air Canada performed its obligations under this contract for approximately 23 years. In the fall of 2009, it unilaterally, and without warning, stopped honoring the arrangements. “I perceive this as being just another in a series of tactical moves by Air Canada to distract and influence Porter,” said Deluce. “Nevertheless, we are committed to growing Porter, continuing to successfully attract market share, and lowering prices for consumers.” The claim will be considered by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice. — By The Daily Business Buzz, Transcontinental Media

[OTTAWA, ON] Improving literacy can save lives in the workplace — literally: Employers are more confident than workers or labour representatives in the ability of employees to understand health and safety policies, according to survey results published in What You Don’t Know Can Hurt You: Literacy’s Impact on Workplace Health and Safety by The Conference Board of Canada. “This gap in perception creates the potential for accidents in the workplace to occur. Because employers are confident in their workers’ literacy levels, they are less likely to see the need for training to upgrade employees’ knowledge and understanding of health and safety practices,” said Alison Campbell, principal research associate. The report summarizes the results of a two-year project for Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, including a literature review, national survey, interviews with stakeholders and case studies. A total of 319 respondents answered the survey: 136 employers (including four workers’ compensation boards), 126 workers, 26 union representatives, 19 immigrant-service providers, and 12 Aboriginal service providers. Sixty-four per cent of employer respondents felt that health and safety practices were understood fully or to a large extent; only 40 per cent of workers and 50 per cent of labour respondents agreed. Immigrant service providers and Aboriginal service agencies also expressed concerns about worker understanding of health and safety policies. Although respondents viewed skills such as listening to instruction, reading printed information, and applying information as very important, little more than half the respondents said that training to build these skills was available through their workplaces. — By The Daily Business Buzz, Transcontinental Media