NEWS 04
Friday May 09 - 15, 2014
www.vallartatribune.com
Mexico, Canada exchange technology
Mexican Migration To US Could Be Back On Rise, Says Financial Group
By Suzzete Alcántara
By David Iaconangelo
I
n order to respond quickly to the population in case of natural disasters caused by climate change, the Mexican Space Agency (AEM), in collaboration with the Canadian Embassy, coordinated their efforts to establish better practices concerning space satellite technology. While inaugurating the seminar, “Remote Sensing of the Earth: A Vision for Mexico,” the director general of the WEA, Javier Mendieta Jiménez, said that international experience in the field provides a basis for creating a model for immediate response. He noted that the integration of scientific, business and
government components of the space sector branches promotes innovative scientific and technological development for the benefit of society. Therefore, the dual need for sending students abroad, while simultaneously bringing international experts, was born. According to WEA sources, the exchange project not only attracts qualified and competitive human capital, but the country also benefits from the shared knowledge of seasoned veterans on topics such as the use of radar and satellite remote sensing, mapping ground segments, launching mini-satellites, encryption and telemetry, among others. Originally posted on The News
S
ince the outbreak of the Great Recession in 2009, the flow of Mexican migrants to the United States has slowed considerably, falling to nearly a net gain of zero in 2012. But Mexico’s biggest financial institution thinks it’s been back on the rise in 2014. BBVA Bancomer writes in a new report that as sectors traditionally employing Mexican workers expanded, the net flow of Mexicans into the United States has increased too, especially in Texas, the state with the second-largest Mexican population in the country. In the first quarter of the year, according to the group’s analysis, the number of Mexican-born
workers in the US grew 1.3 percent. Carlos Serrano, the group’s director of economic studies, told La Jornada, “We see signs that the net flow of migrants, taking into account those Mexicans who leave for the United States and those who return from there, is reverting after it hit zero.” The presumed increase doesn’t apply across the board, however. The report says that while California saw no net change in the number of Mexican immigrants this year, their population increased 1.7 percent in Texas. Two other states with large Mexican populations -- Illinois and Arizona -- saw decreases of 9.7 percent and 0.2 percent, respec-
tively. “Employment is growing in sectors which employ Mexicans,” Serrano said, “especially in certain areas like Texas, especially in construction work. That’s making migration flows to the United States reactivate.” He added that the study could indicate that the past decades’ buildup in border security, or recent economic growth in Mexico, has not been as consequential to migration flows as has been speculated. “What we find is that the factor which explains migration is the job opportunities existing in the United States and the salary differential,” he said. Originally posted on www.latintimes.com
More than one million Canadians living abroad are now eligible to cast ballots in the next federal election
T
he voting rights have been restored to all Canadian citizens living abroad as longterm permanent residents in other countries. This court ruling could make a million additional Canadians eligible to vote in the next federal election. While mass murderers have the right to vote, long-term expats “who care deeply about Canada” do not have the right, Ontario Superior Court Justice Michael Penny said in his decision. Penny found part of the Canada Elections Act, which bars expatriates who have lived abroad for more than five years from voting, is unconstitutional. “The [government] essentially argues that allowing non-residents to vote is unfair to resident Canadians because resident Canadians live here and are, on a day-to-day basis, subject to Canada’s laws and live with the consequences of Parliament’s decisions,” Penny wrote. “I do not find this argument persuasive.” For one thing, Penny
ruled, expats may well be subject to Canadian tax and other laws. The government, the judge found, had decided some citizens are “not worthy” to vote despite their constitutional right to do so. “This is not the lawmakers’ decision to make — the Charter makes this decision for us,” Penny wrote. Citizenship, he noted, is a fundamental requirement for voting, not residency. The judge rejected the government’s request to put his decision on hold for 12 months. Gabrielle Renaud-Mattey, a
Explore Banderas Bay
P
uerto Vallarta is located in the middle of Banderas Bay, one of the largest bays in Mexico at nearly 100km in length. It is bounded in the north by Punta de Mita and in the south by Cabo Corrientes. It straddles the states
of Jalisco and Nayarit, divided along the Ameca River. The bay is home to many wonderful communities and an abundance of natural wonders. In the winter and spring seasons you can witness the awe inspiring
spokesman for Pierre Poilievre, minister of state for democratic reform, said Sunday the government would review the decision before deciding on any appeal. “The ruling did not affect the controversial proposed Fair Elections Act”, Renaud Mattey said. Strong attachment to Canada Two Canadians living in the United States launched the constitutional challenge, heard in February, arguing the fiveyear rule was arbitrary and unreasonable. Both argued they had only left
for educational and employment opportunities and still have a strong attachment to Canada and a stake in its future. One of the applicants, Montreal-born Jamie Duong, 30, of Ithaca, N.Y., said he was thrilled with Friday’s ruling. “The decision is good for me, good for democracy, and good for Canadians everywhere,” Duong said. The other applicant, Toronto-born Gillian Frank, 35, of Princeton, N.J., who served in the Canadian military and was a Governor-General’s Award winner, said the ruling had “strengthened our country’s democracy.” Both said they looked forward to voting in the next election. The rule disenfranchising Canadians abroad for more than five years was enacted in 1993 amid debate about the strength of their ties to Canada and their knowledge of domestic politics. However, the five-year clock reset for those who returned even for short visits until 2007, when
Elections Canada began enforcing the requirement for expats to “resume residency” in Canada to regain their right to vote abroad if they left again. The law exempts some longterm expats — among them members of the Armed Forces and diplomats — who can vote by way of a “special” ballot. As many as 1.4 million other Canadians fall afoul of the law, experts estimate. In all, expats pay an estimated $6 billion in income taxes to the Canadian treasury, despite using fewer resources than their in-country counterparts. Toronto lawyer Shaun O’Brien — of Cavalluzzo, Hayes, Shilton, McIntyre and Cornish — said she was delighted the court recognized a fundamental democratic right of the expats, who “care deeply about Canada.” Sources: •www.cbc.ca/ •www.vancouversun.com/
beauty of the humpback whales as they calve in the warm waters of the bay, in the summer you can experience the majesty of the sea turtles hatching and returning to their watery world. The fall brings renewed vigour to the mountains and rivers with the fresh rains and revived vegetation.
No matter when you visit, Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit will share their wonders with you. Here is a selection of some of the many things you can do while visiting us. Walking Tours Take a tour through Puerto Vallarta’s Historic Downtown to learn about this city’s rich
history, famous people, architecture, and cultural and ecological heritage; all this on an easy to moderate two-hour stroll led by a certified guide. Tours leave from the Municipal Tourism Office every Tuesday and Wednesday at 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m and Saturdays at
Originally posted on www.theyucatantimes.com