Voice Your Opinion

Canadian Consumer confidence hits seven year low according to Conference Board of Canada. Part of the reason could be the gas price hike, Conference Board noted.

This makes sense. Consumers are more careful buyers now, with income not increasing at the ratio of inflation. I, sometimes, try to remember the $0.56/litre 6 years ago. Gas price has been increasing last few months. It is, of course, having a domino effect on everyone's life style. More cost for commuting to work, to fun places during vacation or even day to day shopping.

Food price is on the rise. In last one month price of rice went up 110%, I checked today at the grocery store. Same goes for Red onions, to name a few. Fuel surcharge is being applied to quite a few transportation industries including ferry services.

I think this is the high time that the Canadian government should come up with a plan to encourage businesses to increase salary of the employees. How?

This question is related to more of a broader perspective of fuel cost and its impact on Canada and it's economy; gas price has domino effect on prices of other necessary commodities as well.

Therefore, 'carpool', 'ride-a-bike', 'public transportation', 'changing a job for a better salary' etc. are most common solutions that anyone would have immediately thought of. They are similar to "vegetable price is high so let us share a plate", or "meat price is high, so let us switch to saya protein'. It's not that they are not solutions, certainly they are; but short term and they are personal solutions.

Rise of fuel cost is not a personal problem. It's a global issue. We would have to deal with it in a much broader perspective and far-sightedly.

Pay raise was an ultimate word. but to get to that we may have to address different areas of opportunities. There comes the role of a Government.

If I am leading Canada,

* I would have explored Alternative energy sources and technological advancement that can address the replacement of gas. This action requires a joint approach by Industry Canada and the Government.  
* I would use public instruments of different incentives to public and industries, therefore, shifting the econimic pressure to balance the load.
* Actions such as above would passively influence companies to incorporate different strategies that would offset rise of cost of living without affecting the profitability, such as company transportation, 'cost-of-living' component in the pay structure etc.

These are some food for thoughts. Bottom line is, Canadian leadership requires to shake up, explore opportunities to resolve the crisis rathar than view the crisis. Let's understand one thing there is no short term solution that would replace an ultimate solution and that is stop relying on external sources of fuel.

Numerous homes are being built every year in Canada as per demand. Growing number of builders are joining this industry. Growing number of dissatisfied new home owners are appearing on the scene. How legitimate a lot of these builders are? Are they just somehow building a new home and pocketing the profit? Are there enough quality control for these builders?

Is Tarion really doing in what they are supposed to do in exchange of the mandetory fees (Tarion Fees) they are taking at the time of buying the property? I hear some good stories as well as some awful ones. We will find answers to a lot of these questions for affected buyers in this blog.

Introduction 

Leadership cannot be certified. In other words, you may collect a lot of certificates and they may try to teach you in a so-called leadership class; but that does not guarantee you to be a successful leader. Let’s face it before you even think of becoming a leader. Either you have it or you do not.

If you successfully absorbed my first few lines and still eager to be a leader, don’t be disheartened. Keep Reading….

Leadership is a matter of inner perception of surroundings and perception is something that cannot be taught but to be learnt by oneself. Read as much as you can on great leaders. Inspiration from great stories rouses tint of leadership.

Remember, everyone in this world leads to some extent knowingly or unknowingly. When someone comes to a realisation of this then the person tends to become a leader. Once leader leads the followers in a true path, becomes a true leader. And not many can become a true leader.

Ask yourself a lot of discovery question, travel through your mind and soul and locate yourself. This would be your first exercise. Remember, one who does not know himself does not know other. Again leadership comes from self realisation. Remember this at all times.

Now whom do you want to lead? A flock of sheep or a group of humans. If it’s a flock of sheep, you must have deep understanding with sheep and their characteristics. If it’s human you will be leading, you require to understand human characteristic inside out. The more you can understand what others want, the stronger you are as a leader.

Be ready to sacrifice for others. This requires great strength. Not everyone can do it. This what makes you caring. Remember, if you care about others they will care about you. When you give, make sure you give in full and sole heartedly. Don’t expect back. When you give and expect in return, it does not become a sacrifice. It turns into a transaction which anyone can perform. When you give make sure you give respectfully, else it hurts others and can cause you more harm than good. Giving without respect, is basically taking and a usherer of enmity.

I Finally decided not to buy Mazda again and went for Nissan, great communication at all times even from their head office. Following are details of Mazda. 

My experience with Burlington Mazda Dealer, Ontario Canada was horrible and Mazda Corporation backed up their dealer. I figured out - Mazda mottot is - "dealer sales come first and not the customer". Their service is horrible. Beware before you do business with them. Below is the letter I have sent to Mazda Canada Inc. with no resolution:Sent: Friday, February 16, 2007 12:16 AM
To: MCI - Customer Relations
Cc: paict@ford.com

Subject: Unbelievably Frustrating Dealer Behavior

Hello,

I request that this email be reached the president.

Incident Location (Dealer): Burlington Mazda, ON, Canada
Date: February 15, 2007

On February 13, I left my Mazda 626 LX, 1998 with the dealer to do an inspection and quote me on the price of handbrake cable installation. So they did. They let me know after thorough inspection that it's going to cost me $121.00. Based on this quote, I agree for them to start the work. After a few hours I call them to know the ETR. They informs me at that time that they don't have parts and it's taking longer than budgeted time, so they will have to charge me more. I express my concern, explaining to the girl, they should honor their quote. She mentions that I will have to talk to the manager who was not available that time. So, I told her when I go to pick up the vehicle, I need to talk to him and they should continue the repair work. They did not mention the price at this stage.

On February, 15, when the job was done I wanted to talk to the manager at the pick up. Again the service manager was gone, when I had a talk over the phone around 3:30 PM. So at 5 pm when I was there to pick up my car, I see that I was charged for $231. So, I spoke to the sales manager.

I explain to her that when I received a quote from dealership, it is a legal binding to honor the quote. You cannot tell me after a few hours that the price may increase. I took my decision to give you the repair business instead of giving it to someone else based on your quote. So what's the point of a quote if you cannot honor it. While doing a particular mechanical job, it may take less than expected time or may take more than budgeted time. If you can finish the job early that becomes your profit and you don't charge the customer less. If it takes more time that becomes an opportunity cost to acquire the business, you took that risk while provided the quote.

It appeared that she did not comprehend anything that I explained and your sales manager tells me that I am not using my common sense. Great! what a manager to speak in that fashion. I am going to make a purchase decision for a newer vehicle which the dealership know very well, but it does not appear to have any influence on the behavior of the sales manager.

I am very disappointed. I have given a good amount of repair business to Mountain Mazda when I lived in that area. After my move, any repair work done by Burlington Mazda was not satisfactory. Their attitude is very frustrating. Attitude goes a long way in terms of business. But Burlington Mazda just do not have it.

I consider this incident as extortion and even though I did not hesitate to pay as soon as I arrived to avoid any nasty arguments, I firmly believe that this information should reach media and public.

Business Intelligence, Marketing Intelligence, Data Analysis, Data Warehousing, Reporting Solutions. Contact MitraZ team at http://mitraz.com. Email: info@mitraz.com.

Multi vehicle collision took place this afternoon involving more than 3 vehicles. When I reached the spot, emergency crew were trying to remove the vehicles out of the scene. One vehicle seems to be completely smashed and other 2 were not in good shape either. Pictures are below.

Buying a new home is, to most of us, a fresh experience similar to buying a new piece of dress. If we are careful and are lucky then we walk out with the product and never have to come back. But there are times when the product is defective and have to return or exchange. That is the reason, we, usually try to shop from the store who has good customer service policy.

Almost the same with new homes. The difference is, you cannot return or exchange the new home. Therefore, if the builder has a poor service attitude then you are most likely going to have a nightmare that you will never forget in your life. It can cost you big time.....Time, Money, Family Peace and more.....

Stop Smoking in 1 Day? No drugs? How?

At the very outset, I must insist that if you are following my method, you must make sure that you are not accepting any external help whatsoever in order to be successful and I assure you that you will be in full control of yourself and will be able to quit smoking with utmost certainty.

Some facts about me before I start. I was a hardcore smoker for about 15 years. Then I quit for 2 years and I smoke again for a few months and I quit again. I came to realization that I can get in and get out at any point of time if I want. But I am not smoking for last 4 years.

Is it hard to quit? No. Is it easy to quit? No. I will show you the way and you need to have faith in me for this to work, believe in yourself and follow the way tightly. I can assure you in that case that it will be easy to quit smoking. My words may sound a little harsh to begin with, but at the end when you will be able to quit this deadly habit successfully, you would love me.

I helped quite a few drug addicts quit their addiction successfully through my method below.

Before we start, you must have faith in what I say and follow what I ask you to do. Once you have agreed with the conditions above and ready to submit your controls to me then only start reading my directions below. Simple steps and success will be yours.

Following steps are all simultaneous.

1st Step: knowledge: First of all, you must know clearly what's there in smoking? Smoking gives you a temporary satisfaction with slight drowsiness, when you feel too stressed or too relaxed you feel like smoking. But the interesting part is, you have this feeling simply because you smoke. After you quit smoking you will see that these reasons were all fictitious and self made by yourself and they do not really exist.

In turn, what happens are the following:

• You Lungs become weak.
• Your body becomes volatile to diseases like Cancer etc.
• Your personality diminishes. Opposite sex (non-smoking), are usually less interested in you.
• Chain Smokers, in general,  depicts a weaker character than the rest when it comes to making sound decision or impression. They get frustrated too quick. Their behaviour fluctuates to a great degree. These are all mostly due to weaker lungs and nervous system as a result of nicotine and may not be related to your true personality behind.
• Smoking would result in occasional pain in muscle, throat, lungs or mouth.
• You would have less sexual urge if you are a smoker. And your partner would know that.
• If you are smoker, your breath will always smell, doesn't matter if you smoked 3 hours early and chewed a lot of chewing gums or not.
• You will have minimal athletic power that will depress you from time to time. It will consistently go down the more you smoke. 
• ...........and many more issues .. the list is never ending.
   

Some people think that the smoking is macho! This is not true. Think about it yourself. 'Macho' will occur from excellent health and muscular (for men) figure. Do you think smoking helps that? Some ladies think smoking would make them look sexier. In real world that is not true either. A strong man usually avoids a girl who smokes. Smoking kills beauty slowly which may never be coming back.

Now these are some facts engraved on stone.

2nd Step: Be determined that you are going to quit smoking in 1 day. Believe in yourself. I did the same thing. It's now or never.

3rd Step: Avoid going out with your smoking friends in the open air for first 2 months. Encourage chatting with them inhouse where they will not/ cannot smoke. Avoid going to bar/club for at least the first month of non smoking.

4th Step: Everyday at a fixed time, do jogging or running till your last breath. Make sure you do a lot of self massage yourself so that you have less muscle ache. If you have a way you may go to massage therapist. If you have question on self message just ask me. Moderate stretching would also help reducing muscle pain.

5th step: Don't think about cigarette. If the image comes in your mind replace it with something alternative you love. May be, drink a juice or coffee or even place a candy in your mouth if you like. But never overdo. Anything excessive is not good for health either.

6th Steps: Everyday in the early morning immediately after you wake up drink water to the fullest. Then sit in the Padmasan (a form Yoga). Take deep breath and say "OM" as long of a breath as you can for 3 times. Then first perform Bhastrika Pranayam for 5 min. Then Kapalvati Pranayam for another 10 min.

Again all these 6 steps are to be simultaneously actioned for 1 full month till you gain control over yourself. I assure that you will be in full control of yourself and will be able to quit smoking without any external help. And if you are following my method, you must make sure that you are not accepting any external help whatsoever in order to be successful.

The following are some useful links for employees and employers to help comply to Law and understand own rights:

• What if my employer does not follow the ESA?
• Employment Standard Act
• My Employment Standard Rights
• University of Toronto - Centre for Industrial Relations
• Employment Standard - Ontario Ministry of Labour
• Are you covered by Employment Standard Act
• How to file a complaint
• Comply with Employment Standards - What business need to know
• Provincial and Territorial Ministries of Labour
• Human Rights Commissions in Canada
• Justice Ontario

If you are a consumer, where to forward your concerns:

• Better Business Beaureau Government Offices for consumers Federal Government
• Industry Canada

If you have questions or complaints about deceptive business practices: Industry Canada Competition Bureau

Provincial Government

• Alberta: Filing a Consumer Complaint
• British Columbia: Consumer Protection BC
• Manitoba: Manitoba Consumer and Corporate Affairs
• New Brunswick: Department of Justice
• Newfoundland and Labrador Consumer and Commercial Affairs Branch
• Northwest Territories: Community Operations and Consumer Affairs
• Nova Scotia: Service Nova Scotia - Consumer Information - Consumer Protection
• Ontario: Ministry of Consumer and Commercial Relations
• Prince Edward Island: Department of Community Services and Attorney General
• Quebec: Office de la Protection du Consommateur
• Saskatchewan: Saskatchewan Department of Justice
• Yukon Territories: Consumer Services Branch

Canada is a democratic country and beautiful place to live in. With a resourceful vast land of opportunities, Canada has been one of the lowly populated country. But with time and aggressive immigration policy Canada is now growing at a faster rate. Businesses are emerging from nowhere. Many of the vast green lands are promptly emerging as busy communities.

Given all these into consideration, there are not many bold forums of public opinion. A true democracy is only fruitful when people are aware of their democratic consitutional rights and expresses bold and honest opinions on society, on businesses, on governments and on life. When the people of a country are vocal in democratic way, then only a country gets a true democratic status in the world stage.

There becomes the need for reform at all levels, at all times and by all democratic means in an ongoing basis. There comes the world of CanadaReform.ca that boldly represents people - Canadian people. Pen and the keyboard are mightier than sword. Take active part in the discussion and forum. Share your ideas and thoughts. Suggest action plans. Be part of the community - Canadian Community and make your country proud.