Vancouver and Beyond

Media are invited to attend the opening of the completed Southeast False Creek seawall. Local schoolchildren will join Mayor Sam Sullivan and Park Board Chair Korina Houghton for the first official crossing of the new pedestrian bridge, and a walkabout to see the new features and ecological enhancements along the waterfront.

Wednesday, May 28, 2008
10:30am – 11:30am
Southeast False Creek seawall

The event will commence at the eastern side of the pedestrian bridge on the seawall. Media can access the pedestrian bridge by walking west along the seawall from Science World. 

Broadcast Editors Note:  Broadcast quality video of the installation in December 2007 of the pedestrian bridge is available for download to accredited media at the GVTV ftp site.  Please contact dana.carlson@vancouver.ca for ftp instructions.

For more information:
Corporate Communications
604.871.6336

The Ottawa Citizen

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Re: We’ll stop vacationing in Mexico, April 26

I think it’s time people really took a good look at what the odds are of something actually happening to you when you are vacationing or living in places such as Puerto Vallarta.

First, comparing the risk to that of Costa Rica or the Dominican Republic, you need to consider that Mexico receives many more Canadian tourists than either of those countries, so the odds of something happening to a Canadian outside of the country will be greater in Mexico.

I’m an Canadian ex-pat. I feel much safer walking the streets of Puerto Vallarta than I do the downtown streets of my old hometown of Vancouver!

You need to take into consideration the chance you may be taking or situation you are putting yourself in, no matter what country you are in. If I’m going to walk the streets of downtown Vancouver at midnight, I’m taking a risk. If I’m going to go out and party all night, get very drunk, so drunk that I have trouble making my way back to my Vallarta hotel, I’m taking a risk. Compound that with the fact that I am in a foreign country, a third-world country with a legal system that is quite different than Canada’s, and I am actually not just taking a risk; I am being outright foolish.

Before you start writing off Mexico, please put it all into perspective. Mexico has proven to be a wonderful country to visit and to live for many Canadians. Mexicans are wonderful people, they have a beautiful country, and its a very safe place to live if you just live your life in the same way you would anywhere else.

John Youden,

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

© The Ottawa Citizen 2008

Cancun

The Mexico Tourism Board’s Toronto office is partnering with consulting company Canada2Mexico to offer two days of seminars, workshops and exhibits for Canadians considering retiring to or spending extended stays in Mexico. The event will take place on October 27th and 28th in Toronto.

During the two day event, prominent guest speakers will cover topics relevant to living in Mexico including health, taxes and savings, visa strategies, residency issues, insurance and real estate investment. Participants will also join special guest Cary Mullen, Canadian ski Olympian and World Cup Downhill champion in his compelling presentation, “Why I changed Snow for Sand and the 44 Factors to Consider When Buying Retirement Property.”

“It is estimated that over 700,000 Canadian and U.S. residents have made Mexico their permanent or temporary residence,” says Cesar Castañeda, Director of the Mexico Tourism Board Toronto and Montreal offices. “Mexico’s easy access, the quality of its services, its infrastructure and the variety of available destinations, from colonial cities to charming sea towns make it the ideal destination for retirement and long-stay holidays,” added Castañeda.

Cecilia Ronderos, founder and president of Canada2Mexico added that tax benefits and quality healthcare in Mexico (for a fraction of Canadian prices) are two additional pluses to retiring or spending a winter in Mexico.

Weekend passes are $175.00. Couples’ discounts and individual day passes are available. For more information, visit www.canada2mexico.com