SGI's Change on Auto Insurance

By now, SGI is waiting for approval from the Saskatchewan Rate Review Panel (SRRP) on its auto rate increase proposal. The proposed rate increases, if approved, would go into effect Nov 1, 2009. The overall 4.2 per cent rate increase would be the first auto fund increase since 2000.

Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI) is the province’s self-sustaining auto insurance fund. SGI operates 21 claims centres and five salvage centres across Saskatchewan and a head office in Regina. The organization employs over 1,800 people and works with a network of almost 300 independent insurance brokers and 420 motor licence issuers across the province.

In 2004, SGI used to proposed such a proposal and canceled it later due to financial information provided by SGI’s external Actuary at the time that forecasted an improved financial position for the Auto Fund. However, it is not going to happen again. SGI says that increase is necessary because increases in claims and expenses have outpaced revenue increases received by the Saskatchewan Auto Fund.

If approved, this proposal would result in 553,000 Saskatchewan vehicle owners (55 per cent) seeing their rates increase less than $5 per month, on average $55 annually. It would also result in 321,000 vehicle owners (32 per cent) seeing no change to their rates, and 126,000 vehicle owners (13 per cent) receiving an average rate decrease of $21 annually.

Rates are determined based on the actual risk each vehicle make, model and year represents for being involved in a claim and the actual costs of paying that claim. Some examples of vehicle rates, before safe driving discounts, include:

Vehicle Current Rate; Nov. 1, 2009 Rate Rate Change
2007 Toyota Camry $1,049 $1,049 $0
2005 Dodge Grand Caravan $1,050 $1,050 $0
2002 Honda Civic 2 Door $933 $1,049 $116
2002 Ford Ranger Regular Cab $768 $746 ($22)
2001 Chevrolet S10 Pickup $725 $755 $30
1997 Ford F150 Regular Cab $761 $761 $0
1991 Chevrolet Cavalier $567 $578 $11

The application includes a maximum increase of 12.5 per cent for light passenger vehicles to a limit of $125 (average increase $64 annually) and maximum increases of 10 per cent for other vehicle classes, with the exception of:

· up to 25 per cent (average increase $230 annually) for sport motorcycles;
· up to 15 per cent for other motorcycles (average increases of $23 and $110 for dual purpose/other and cruiser/touring motorcycles respectively);
· up to 22.5 per cent (average increase $186 annually) for light commercial trucks that travel out of province;
· up to 17.5 per cent (average increase $89 annually) for taxis in rural areas; and
· up to 17.5 per cent (average $129 annually) for U-drive rental vehicles.

SGI will continue to offer safe driving discounts in 2009. Auto Fund customers received roughly $80 million in safe driving discounts through the Safe Driver Recognition and Business Recognition programs in 2008.

This is how the proposal looks like.
You can get a quote by try this vehicle registration and insurance rate calculator.

Here are new rates for all kinds of vehicles.
Vehicles for business use:
Class_PC_Passenger_City_Bus
Class_A
Class_C
Class_D
Class_TS
Class_L
Class_PB_Passenger_Inter_City_Bus
Class_PS_Passenger_School_Bus
Class_PT_Taxis
Class_LT

Vehicles for farm use:
Class_F
Farm_Light_Truck_Rate_Pages
Light_Vans_and_SUVs

Vehicles for personal use:
Light_Vehicle_Rate
Class_LV_Buses
Light_Vans_and_SUVs
Class_LV_Motorcycles
Class_LV_Motorhome
Class_PV
Class_LV_Pedal_Cycle
Class_MT_Snowmobiles
Class_T
Class_LV_Special_Rating

Source from SGI

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Practical Ways to Save Money!

These days, when new immigrants come to Regina, they are suggested with tips and experience on saving money by shopping in Dollarama, XS cargo, Value Village, etc. Some even will be advised to grasp a chance to receive benefits from Food Bank to save on grocery bills.

If the goals for some certain new-comers are only to receive benefits from government, this place or another, they will never go big, or escape from their poor mind and end up with a life of hell created for their own. Because benefits come with being poor, even when later they have money; receiving benefits drive them to be dishonest and lazy, disreputable.

To think big and get rich in the future, people have to try their best, taking every single chance they have to achieve their dreams, or just small wishes. Hence, knowing what to do and where to start is very important for new-comers in Regina.

The first things for new immigrants to deal with usually are how to get a driver’s license, buying a used car or new one, renting a house or buying one, possessing a cell phone, etc. Each of these things will come up with a cost of money even a big sum when they deal with mortgage. Having knowledge about money, tax, finance, economy is also very important. It will help them to manage their subsistence incomes to become reasonable incomes in a long run.

I personally think that the only way to solve the problem is to read the book “Spend Smarter, Save Bigger” of Margot Bai. The book can be found in Central Regina Public Library. It will help you to deal with monetary matter in an intellectual way. This book is written by a Canadian author and in Canadian economic basis, not like others just for U.S setting.

“Spend Smarter, Save Bigger gives Canadians practical advice on how to save money in BIG ways! Instead of wasting your money on short-lived luxuries, spend it on things that have lasting benefit. Saving money is the one reliable path to wealth that anyone can follow. You can turn an average income into significant wealth, just by making smarter choices on spending and saving your money.”

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Exchange Old Cars for $$$ or $$$$

Currently, all provinces offer an incentive program designed to encourage people to upgrade to more fuel-efficient cars. In BC, the program is Scrap It, for the rest of Canada; the program is Retire Your Ride.

For those who live in British Colombia, SCRAP-IT offers qualifying vehicle owners incentives to scrap their older vehicle. Incentives valued at up to $1,250 are offered for the choices with the highest greenhouse benefit. These incentives include rebates towards the purchase of very low emission vehicles, transit passes, or bikes.

Retire Your Ride offered in Alberta, British Colombia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec, Prince Edward Island and Saskatchewan is a program that aims to reduce the number of high- polluting, older vehicles that are still on the road. In exchange for retiring a car of model year 1995 or earlier, the owner is able to choose from a variety of rewards. Retire Your Ride is currently in operation, and will run until March 31st, 2011.

In most of provinces, the offered cash is the princely sum of $300 for a clunker. In stead, people also choose to take the public transit vouchers, or buy bicycles or new cars receiving discounts. Each province is working with a network of not for profits to offer a variety of rewards- check out what’s offered in your province!

To be eligible, the vehicle must be a model of year 1995 or older, be in running condition, and, be registered and insured for at least the last 6 months before it is retired. You can’t just buy any piece-of-crap car to trade in and get $1000 off. The car must have been properly registered and insured for at least 6 months before you can qualify.

The only information you need to participate in the program is your Postal Code, Vehicle Identification Number (the number that appears on the dashboard of the driver’s side of the vehicle) and proof that your vehicle has been registered and insured for at least the past 6 months.

If you’re thinking about getting rid of a heavy-polluting old car, do so now in order to take advantage of the rewards offered by the Retire Your Ride program!

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Public Transit on Sales for Seniors in September

The Saskatchewan Transportation Company (STC) announced Thursday that all seniors can go to anywhere in Saskatchewan for a fare of $7 in September.

STC has 29 routes across the province and connects 282 communities. For a complete map of routes, click here.

The $7 fee is a one-way fare. People age 60 and over are eligible. Currently, a senior would pay $34.95, plus tax, to ride from Saskatoon to Regina.

Travel must be completed between September 1, 2009 and September 30, 2009 and the seat sale cannot be combined with other discounts.

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Some Facts for International Students to Canada

Tuition including compulsory ancillary fees in academic year 2007-2008 for international students to Canada.

Acadia: $13,905
Alberta: $17,739
Alberta College of Art and Design: $14,384
Algoma: $11,976
Athabasca: $8,840
Bishop’s: $13,504 -$14,974
Brandon: $6,470 - $6,966
UBC: $19,925 -$20,004
Brock: $13,333
Calgary: $17,520
Cape Breton: $11,505
Carleton: $14,337
Concordia: $15,506
Dalhousie: $14,082 - $14,892
Emily Carr: $11,447
Fraser Valley: $10,250
Guelph: $16,402
King’s College: $14,596 - $15,406
Kwantlen: $13,343
Lakehead: $13,325
Laurentian: $11,986
Laval: $12,876
Lethbridge: $11,043
Manitoba: $8,916
McGill: $16,043
McMaster: $ 14,591
Memorial: $8,999
Moncton: $8,633
Montreal: $13,067
Mount Allison: $13,707
Mount Saint Vincent: $ 11,299 - $11,604
New Brunswick: $11,992
Nipissing: $11,965
UNBC: $15,929 - $16,329
Nova Scotia Agricultural College: $11,888
NSCAD University: $12,490
Ontario College of Art and Design: $14,605
UOIT: $15,336
Ottawa: $15,077
UPEI: $9,394
Quebec a Chicoutimi: $14,535
Quebec a Montreal: $14,622
Quebec en Outaouais: $13,896
Quebec a Rimouski: $13,826
Quebec a Trois-Rivieres: $14,584
Queen’s: $16,540
Regina: $9,714
RMC: $16,175
Royal Roads: $12,522 - $15,122
Ryerson: $14,867
Sainte Anne: $8,340
St. Francis Xavier: $13,153
Saint Mary’s: $11,649 - $11,749
St. Thomas: $10,152
Saskatchewan: $12,029
Sherbrooke: $12,997 - $14,466
Simon Fraser: $15,155
Thompson Rivers: $14,704
Toronto: $20,367
Trent: $13,728
Vancouver Island: $10,977
Victoria: $ 15,524
Waterloo: $17,813 - $18,589
Western: $14,959 – $15,611
Wilfrid Laurier: $14,392
Windsor: $13,463
Winnipeg: $10,599 - $12,135
York: $15,689

Health Insurance

Each province has specific regulations. Students who attend universities in British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan are covered by the provincial health insurance plans - although students in B.C must purchase private health insurance for the first three months at a cost of $120. After that, they pay monthly fees of $ 54. In Alberta, anyone studying for less than a year must arrange for private insurance. There is no charge in Saskatchewan even for ESL students. In all other provinces, students must buy health insurance from private companies. Annual fees vary. In addition, many universities offer health plans that cover such things as prescription eyeglasses, and drug and dental costs.

Employment

International students are allowed to work on campus without employment authorization. Such work can be with the university itself or a private establishment, such as a restaurant or bookstore. Three years ago, Citizenship and Immigration Canada announced that full-time international students who have completed one year of study are eligible to work off-campus for up to 20 hours a week while classes are in session and fulltime during school breaks. Students must apply to the government for a work permit.
Those enrolled in an academic program with a work placement may work off-campus, provided they obtain a confirmation letter from their department. After graduation, the federal government also allows students, with authorization, to get a work permit for a period no longer than the length of time they were studying- up to a maximum of three years. For example, if a student completed a nine-month program, a work permit could be issued for nine months. For a study period of three year or more, a work permit may be issued for three years. Programs under eight months in length do not qualify.

Source from Maclean’s

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For 12- 18 Teen-Girls Only!

This informative post is dedicated for parents who have female children and teen-girls at 12-18.

On these summer days, many parents find healthy and useful classes for their children to attend with purposes of improving their various skills. Usually, expected classes are gym and interest related ones. Today, there are not many people who know about Pure Fashion for teen-girls.

Pure Fashion is a Catholic organization that encourages teen girls to live, act, and dress in accordance with their dignity as children of God. You don't have to be Catholic and can come from anywhere in Saskatchewan or anywhere in Canada to participate. It derives from USA and soon became a healthy trend for teen- girl-fashion.

In Saskatchewan, there is only Regina that has Pure Fashion.

Pure Fashion focuses on guiding young women ages 12 to 18 to become confident, competent leaders who live the virtues of modesty and purity in their schools and communities.

You can have more ideas of what is Pure Fashion with a shared story by Micah Lindo.

Through an eight month Model Training Program that covers public speaking, manners and social graces, hair and make up artistry, personal presentation, and much more, Pure Fashion models learn the importance of living a life in accordance with God’s will and fostering a life of grace through purity of heart, mind, and body.

Pure Fashion hopes to positively impact the fashion industry by motivating customers to choose clothing and accessories that are fun and fresh, yet modest and respectful of the dignity of the human person.

The model application page remains open year round and young ladies ages 12–18 are invited to apply. If your application is received after the model search has ended, your application will be kept until the next year.

You may be wondering if you are talented enough or pretty enough or experienced enough to be a model for Pure Fashion. Well, fear not! Pure Fashion is offering you a full training program so that you have an opportunity to develop those areas of your personality, your appearance and your attitude to make you the most beautiful model...inside and out.

The cost to of the program is $250.00. This includes the 7 training sessions, a Friday - Sunday retreat, a Hair and Make-up Day and the Fashion Show extravaganza.

Pure Fashion will be accepting approximately 40 models in to the program each time. If you have any questions, you can email Renee at rbpritchard@gmail.com or Shelan at shelanms@hotmail.com

In Regina, local contact are Shelan Schnell; Kara Philip and Renee Pritchard.
306-924-1534 (Shelan and Kara) 306-565-3811 (Renee)

All training sessions will take place on Sunday afternoons, 2:00-5:30 pm at Holy Cross Parish (Gerein Center) 315 Douglas Ave. E., Regina.

The annual Pure Fashion models will have the opportunity to participate in a Christmas Outreach Project and also to attend a Pure Fashion Weekend Retreat which will offer the girls an opportunity to build friendships with the other models that may last a lifetime. The Retreat Weekend will have three important components; formation, faith and fun!

The successes experienced in the training program will be celebrated as the models walk the runway of Regina's Pure Fashion Shows at the Delta Hotel.

FYI: Modeling experience is not a requirement, however Pure Fashion do ask that all our young models come with an open mind, an open heart and a great attitude, because all three are vitally important if you wish to grow and learn from this extraordinary experience.

APPLY ON LINE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO BECOME A PURE FASHION MODEL!

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Secret of Immigrants’ ESL Classes

Coming to Regina, you will think whether you should come back to school to upgrade or completely change your majors. For immigrants, that is another story. They have to make a test for English proficiency and then they are sent to ESL classes in the name of LINC classes. The outcome of these classes is that they will get to higher level after a certain period of time as from LINC 2 to LINC 3 for example.

As the matter of fact, the total time to finish 2 certain complete levels taking a lot of time (We have the highest level of LINC 6 before ESL classes for post-secondary success), then many people give up their patience and turn to work for money.

In order to attend to a major in any Canadian Institutions for post-secondary education, people have to afford all three factors: money, education background, and English competence. About English, for international students, it is TOEFL Certificates (TC). For immigrants without TC, it is CanTest results unless they have to have high marks in Canadian Language Benchmark System.

With attending Benchmark classes, your results will make you qualified to study any majors in any Canadian Institutions.

How to attend to Benchmark classes? There are two ways. One is that you have to take your time through all LINC classes then you are transferred to Benchmark levels. Two is you take an exam for English competence on post-secondary success purpose- This exam is limited for seats so make sure you are set an appointment early for the test. All of these ways are free. The Benchmark levels are designed to set standards on linguistic ability of students for further education.

When you reach at least level 7 of Benchmark or more, you have qualified to study in any SIAST locations. You will not need Toefl or CanTest this time. For University entries, the level of Benchmark will be higher than 7.

The places where you can take exams for Benchmark are at SIASTs. You will need to know about the schedule to make appointment. Here is 2009-2010 Benchmark Assessment Schedule in SIAST Wascana Campus- Regina.

August:
Last day to accept registration- August 14th.
Test day- August 20th.

September:
Last day to accept registration- September 4th.
Test day- September 10th & 24th.

October:
Last day to accept registration- October 4th.
Test day- October 8th & 22nd.

November:
Last day to accept registration- November 6th.
Test day- November 12th & 26th.

December:
Last day to accept registration- December 4th.
Test day- December 10th.

January:
Last day to accept registration- December 22nd.
Test day- January 7th & 21st.

February:
Last day to accept registration- January 29th.
Test day- February 4th & 8th.

March:
Last day to accept registration- March 6th.
Test day- March 11th & 25th.

April:
Last day to accept registration- April 1st.
Test day- April 15th &29th.

May:
Last day to accept registration- May 8th.
Test day- May 13th & 27th.

June:
Last day to accept registration- June 4th.
Test day- 10th & 24th.

For a specific of detail of Benchmark requirement for majors in SIAST, click here to download.

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Information Solution for Specific Needs Within Saskatchewan

On these days, there are a lot of helpful sites providing free and adequate information about everything. For immigrants like us, sometimes we will need more of this sort of site like of Dr. Sumith Priyashantha’s in Saskatoon or my blog in Regina. However, the styles are quite different like mine focusing on updated news while Dr. Sumith Priyashantha’s on how to do stuffs. In the future, maybe there are your sites as well if you are passionate about sharing your knowledge.

As the matter of fact, everyone including me is so busy on private lives so the things we knew compared with ones still out there are minor. Then, sometimes, although we have made some discussions, we still have no answer for specific things. So who do we ask for help then?

Usually, people use their computers to access to the internet at home to find answers about stuffs. On wandering through websites, blogs and forums, they may recognize they are on sites of other countries on which its contents are not relevant to the need of finders.

Living in Regina, Saskatchewan, at least you will hope reading contents of sites within Canada. That will be perfect if you can find specific and helpful sites within Saskatchewan, or even Regina. Today, I would like to suggest you such a helpful site specifically designed for Saskatchewan residents. It is Saskatchewan Libraries with a slogan: “Access to information is a democratic right of everyone in Saskatchewan!”

Like you access to a real library, you can find every kind of information here. It is even more than a series of libraries. With this site, you can get direct links to many other specific Saskatchewan websites in various themes, find factual information or simply a book. You can also get real live online services answering all your concerns from Public Library Series, SIASTs, University of Regina and University of Saskatchewan on a weekday basis except holidays. It is so sweet, isn’t it?

In my opinions, helpful sites are extremely good to be. However, if I was asked, I prefer personal websites or blogs because they are something real, something local and up to date but not family’s, friend’s and relative’s sites. Hopefully, you will have (more) your own sites soon so that we will have more information in exchange for good shake.

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Available Options to Come to Canada under Category of Skilled Worker

Saskatchewan offers many skilled worker immigration categories that suite people with different occupations and education background, generally speaking, Saskatchewan is one of the few provinces who offers immigration programs to both high and low skilled workers. Let's take a moment to take you through the options that's available in this province:

Option One: skilled workers, professionals or managers who have a full-time, permanent job offer from a Saskatchewan employer.
You may qualify to apply under this Category if:
You live outside of Canada or you have proof of legal status in Canada, you are not a refugee claimant and you have one of the following:
An offer of permanent, full-time employment in Saskatchewan either in an occupation or trade in the NOC level “A” or “B”, or in a designated trade in Saskatchewan (Skilled Workers/Professionals Sub-Category);
An offer of permanent, full-time employment in Saskatchewan in a management position in the National Occupational Classification (NOC) Matrix level “0” (Critical Occupations Sub-Category); or
Have worked in Saskatchewan for at least six months on a temporary work permit either in an occupation or trade that is in the National Occupational Classification Matrix level “A” or “B”, or in a designated trade in Saskatchewan (Existing Work Permit Sub-Category).

Option Two: Physicians
Under this category, Saskatchewan can nominate individuals whose educational and professional certifications qualify them for employment in Saskatchewan as a physician. The applicant must be currently working on Temporary Work Permit for a Saskatchewan health occupation employer and be supported by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Saskatchewan (CoPSS), Saskatchewan Health and the appropriate regional health authority.

Option Three: Nurses
Under this category, Saskatchewan can nominate nurses as Licensed Practical Nurses, Psychiatric Nurses or Registered Nurses, whose educational and professional certifications qualify them for employment in Saskatchewan. The applicant must be currently working on Temporary Work Permit for a Saskatchewan health occupation employer and be supported by the appropriate licensing body, Saskatchewan Health and the appropriate regional health authority.

Option Four: Other Health Professions Category
Under this category, Saskatchewan can nominate other health professionals currently working in health occupations that fall into the National Occupational Classification Matrix level "A" or "B" or requires at least one (1) academic year of post secondary education or 1 year of job specific training and is supported by the appropriate licensing body (if applicable), Saskatchewan Health, the appropriate regional health authority or other employer.
Many health occupations require a license or other credential in order to practice in Saskatchewan. There are twenty-three health regulatory authorities in Saskatchewan that license and certify health occupations. If you are not currently employed in Saskatchewan in a health occupation, you should contact the appropriate regulatory authority, to ascertain what further studies, examinations and/or certifications are needed in order to qualify to work in Saskatchewan. Here is a list of regulatory authorities in Saskatchewan.

Option Five: long-haul truck drivers
This program is to attract long-haul truck drivers to Saskatchewan trucking firms.
Under the Long-Haul Truck Driver Project, Saskatchewan trucking firms may be authorized to bring in foreign workers initially under SC’s Temporary Foreign Worker policy for occupations requiring high school diploma or specific on the job training, and subsequently retain them as permanent employees through the SINP. Long haul truck drivers can begin working in Saskatchewan for approved trucking firms on a foreign work permit and, if offered permanent employment by their employer after a minimum of six months employment, may apply to the SINP for permanent resident status.

Option Six: International Students
Graduated foreign students working for a Saskatchewan employer can apply for nomination and permanent landed status when:
The applicant has graduated from a program of at least one academic year of full-time study in Saskatchewan and has received a certificate, diploma, or degree from a recognized Saskatchewan post secondary educational institution;
The applicant has worked for a Saskatchewan employer for a minimum of six (6) months under a Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) post graduation work permit; and
The applicant has a current permanent full-time job offer from their employer.

Source from Visa Serminar International

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Start a Very Small Business With Free Money!

Many young people who have just graduated from a post-secondary major can not find a job. It is usually true, especially in this economic situation. Except to some basic sectors, job vacancies are still opened in neutralized job market; many specialized, clerical, entertaining or customer-service jobs are limited to new grads. A current solution for this just soars as an alternative to traditional job-expectation: Starting a business!

Well, saying is always easier than doing. Set up a business is crucial with a feasible idea. The idea can help anyone become genius, so that no matter will get along with the business. So what is the current social trend, then? What are people expecting now? What do they need for their lives to become more exciting? What are they in need for? If you can answer these questions, then you are 50% of success. The other 50% is to test your ideas. Having a good idea for business is something very exciting and challenging. You can either win big or lose badly with it.

Usually, the plan will stop on coming to budget. Many people will need the support from their family and relatives to start a small business. Since everyone is always in an endless need for money, how much money available they will have to lend you. And if you can collect a big sum from them, will it be enough for running your business on early days? Yeah, right! There will be a lot of other factors directly affecting your business. Let’s count here: enterprise experience, customers, cash flow, products, big load of work, network, publicity, etc. Do you have all those?

Luckily, you can solve all of these matters with one shoot: Join competitions in Business Plan. If you win, you will have all: fame, cash, mentoring, support, publicity, and much more. In Saskatchewan area, there are several organizations helping worthy entrepreneurs get a head start by hosting competitions that put business plan against business plan to compete for money and mentorship prizes. Check them out.

Process2Capital
The purpose of the Progress2Capital Business Planning Competition is to increase the number of successful businesses in the Regina area. The competition is opened to anyone looking to start-up or diversifying a business based in the Regina region.

Venture Forward
The mission of Venture Forward is to keep Saskatchewan graduates here to stay, to create opportunity for graduates from across Canada to come to Saskatchewan and establish a business, to promote the importance of private sector investment in new business and to build on the premise that entrepreneurs should support entrepreneurs. It also creates a sustainable partnership between private and educational sectors for business development and continues to develop and learn as an active member of an international network of $50K business plan competitions

My future is here
Each year MyFiH uses the proceeds of its annual gala together with donations by the community to make a business capital fund available to a new or growing young entrepreneur. Applicants are professionally evaluated by Golden Opportunites Fund, who donate their services for the benefit of young entrepreneurs.

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