January 2008, Vol. XXVI, No. 1 www.filipinostar.org Will there be a spring election? To force an election or not to Mounting fears of an force an election. That is the question impending economic meltdown are Liberal MPs are pondering as they reducing the chances that Liberals will prepare for next week's resumption of decide to force an early federal Parliament. And the answer thus far election. Even the most hawkish appears to be: Maybe. Even Leader Liberal MPs were suddenly pulling Stephane Dion, who was decidedly back from the election brink Monday as hawkish only a month ago about stock markets worldwide continued toppling the minority Conservative their nosedive. "I think the economy is government early in the new year, has the No. 1 thing right now, rather than an toned down the sabre rattling. election, I really do," said Toronto-area Federal Liberal caucus MP Garth Turner. chairman Anthony Rota says "we Prime Minister Stephen Harper haven't picked a time to overthrow the will pay a heavy political price in the government," but the official next election for his right-wing Opposition is ready for an election "fanaticism" and his betrayal of campaign, if and when the time is Quebec, predicts Bloc Québécois right to defeat the minority Leader Gilles Duceppe. Mr. Duceppe Conservatives after Parliament outlined a two-fold election strategy resumes next week. Rota, MP for the attacking the Conservatives' economic Northern Ontario riding of Nipissing- record as the defender of the French Timiskaming, made the comment in language and the Quebec identity. an interview on the eve of the Liberals' Bloc Quebecois Leader Gilles two-day caucus session in Kitchener, Ont. See Page 16 Spring election Liberal Party convention sign TOURISM Page 6 Hillary or Obama? FilAms weigh in Which one will make history – a first black president or first woman president? The community is weighing in, with the Democratic race for Negros Occidental presidential nominee in the Nov. 4 general elections shaping into a two- way contest between New York Sen. Contents Hillary Clinton and Illinois Sen. Barack Obama. Said Irene Bueno, who worked in the White House during President Bill Clinton’s two terms: “Hillary’s win in Tourism . p. 6 New Hampshire shows that momentum is clearly in our side. Voters across the Showbiz Gossip . p. 8 country will see as voters in New Hampshire saw that Hillary Clinton Filstar Photo Gallery . p. 10 doesn’t just talk about change–she will be a president who actually brings change.” Classified Ads . p. 12 Bueno served as special presidential assistant on domestic policy at the Philippine Cuisine . p. 12 White House, and also as special assistant in the chief of staff’s office. Community News. p. 16 Currently, she’s a principal at Nueva Vista Group LLC based here. For Global Perspectives . p. 17 Baldwin Domingo, three-term Democratic member of the State House Other News . p. 3,5,13-15,18 in New Hampshire, it doesn’t matter See Page 16 Hillary or Obama Senator Barack Obama (Illinois) and Senator Hillary Clinton (New York) Vote for a new voice in Ottawa! RAFAEL Questions or concerns? Call (514) 482-0770 TZOUBARI MOUNT-ROYAL www.filipinostar.org 2 The North American Filipino Star January 1-15, 2008 Why all Filipinos should join the Cooperative The auditors, Gosselin & least 100 members who will commit Associates, are now completing the themselves to be available and attend EDITORIAL 2006 financial statements after a long this meeting, we will find an delay because we only submitted all appropriate place. Members who are Politics and change implemented. Do we ever keep track the accounting records last December. interested in attending the geneal of them? This was unavoidable because of the assembly should call 514-733-8915 to The concept of change is an The media is probably responsible huge amount of paper that our indicate their willingness to attend, or interesting subject for it can be viewed for this lack of follow up. When the accounting clerk had to go through in they can come to the store at 4711 Van from both a philosophical and practical issues are current topics, newspapers order to understand what happened Horne Avenue to sign a survey sheet point of view. Lately, it has become the and radio talk shows do a good job of with the cash which were not properly to indicate their choice of a meeting word of the day as it is the slogan of keeping them in people’s minds but accounted for. There were no date. At the time of writing this article, the main contenders to the US after a short period of time, even if they accounting procedures in place at the we have not yet received any specific presidential nomination particularly do not get resolved, they are not beginning of the Coop. This was date when the auditors can give us the among the Democrats. Senator reported again. It would seem that it is compounded by the problem of the 2006 financial statement but as soon Barack Obama is even dubbed as Mr. only during elections that the same “Paluagan” or members’ saving plan, as this information is available, we will Change, while Senator Hillary Clinton topics will be discussed and debated a scheme introduced by the former post the notice at the Coop and also has passionately declared her again. president of the Coop to entice people announce it in the next issue of the commitment to change. In fact, she We agree that change is good to become members for a $10 or $20 Filipino Star. emphasized that her 35 years of when it is meant to improve or to membership fee. Many people may wonder experience has been devoted to correct injustices and wrongs Although we do not yet have why it is a good idea to be a member change. committed against people who are an exact date when the general of the Filipino Solidarity Cooperative. It seems easy to say that one is in deprived of their fair share of economic assembly will be held, we are hoping The auditors, Gosselin & Associates, favor of change but it is not clear how opportunities. But how often have we to hold it soon after the financial gave us a very interesting information one can implement it without the seen that it takes several years before statements have been finalized by the that most people may not be aware of. cooperation of everyone concerned. changes are adopted by the majority auditors. We will call all members to a According to them, cooperative As everyone agrees, change is or the mainstream society. For general assembly in order to discuss members usually get discounts and inevitable in the natural world but it example, the question of professional the financial status of the Coop and to rebates called “ristourne” in French. seems impossible to do in man-made accreditation of foreign graduates has show exact figures about the missing institutions or systems. Mr. Clive not been resolved until now. The or wasted funds spent.. If there are at See Page 4 Why be a member? Doucet who wrote a book titled “Urban changes proposed to the Live-In Meltdown” provides an interesting Caregiver program are still not realized point of view of why change is hard to although there have been many FILIPINO SOLIDARITY do. As poet, city councilor and urban representations made by advocacy FSCI 2004 COOPERATIVE activist, he provides a “razor-sharp groups. Even changes to the insider’s perspective into how immigration refugee act passed by Coopérative de Solidarité Filipino explosive urban growth is accelerating Parliament are not yet acted upon for 4711 Van Horne Avenue, Montreal H3W 1H8 global warming, and why political some unknown reasons. If only these action seems paralyzed.” He believes changes have been adopted, Mr. that politicians seem to be paralyzed Danius Sabadao could have had his by the pressures of lobby groups; refugee appeal heard and he could hence, they have pushed have avoided years of agony. Until environmental issues on the back now, he is still waiting for his fate to be burner. He said” “It’s not about decided. planning. It’s about politics.” Doucet The idea of change, or making asserts that climate change is changes to the government always proceeding so quickly not for lack of attracts people. A new political knowledge, but because politicians candidate can get a lot of mileage by who deviate from the car-based sprawl simply declaring he or she will work for model cannot get elected. change. But how much change really Not yet a member? Support your first and only During elections, it seems as if all happens? Often times, the status quo Filipino cooperative in Canada. Be a member now! candidates become idealists, is maintained because most politicians philosophers, and visionaries but after prefer to keep the peace. Perhaps, the elections, the ideas that they espoused only way changes will occur is when a CUBAO-DIVISORIA either get postponed or forgotten strong political leader is able to unless they are reminded by a diligent mobilize his peers not only to pass Store Hours: electorate. But the problem seems to laws but also to act upon them Monday to Friday - 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. lie in the general attitude of apathy, expeditiously or promptly. We also Moreover, we are simply too busy to need political leaders like Nelson Saturday-Sunday - 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. notice that the promises these Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi who politicians made have not been showed such strong commitment to 514-733-8915 followed through.