Adding Value to Your Portfolio With Active Management

 By Kash Pashootan As financial market conditions continue to be volatile due to global economic headwinds, there has been much talk recently about a recurrent debate: does active or passive portfolio management deliver better results. There is a view held by some that the average portfolio manager will underperform index

Inspiration from the Far North

 Rapid changes in climate, environment, culture, technology and the economy are bringing challenges and opportunities for Canada’s Arctic and its peoples. A couple from Vancouver has founded a $1-million annual prize enabling multi-disciplinary teams to implement action plans that address the area’s most pressing issues. After selling his successful company

Lainie Towell: Raising a Ruckus Over Unfair Treatment

 Love can hurt. Few people know this better than Lainie Towell, an independent dance artist and a respected member of Ottawa’s arts community. Duped by a man who lied to her and to immigration officials in order to gain permanent residency status, she decided to fight back and through her

Eye See You Series: The University of Ottawa Eye Institute at the Ottawa Hospital

 Proper eye care is something that must be approached from many different perspectives. Individual eye care is just as important as surgical, clinical, and preventative care for maintaining proper vision and healthy eyes. At the University of Ottawa Eye Institute, eye care is top priority, with a dedicated staff of

A Hidden Chilean Gem Left Over from the Holidays

 Ninquen is the second property that was acquired by Montgras between 1998 and 1999, but let’s back up a bit and talk about the main company first, before we find out what Ninquen is about. Montgras was founded by Hernan Gras in 1993… and as it turns out Mr. Gras

The Uncertain Road Ahead: The Ontario Liberal Party Unexpectedly Searches for a New Leader

 On October 15, 2012, Dalton McGuinty unexpectedly announced his intention to retire, signaling the end of his nine-year reign as the Liberal Premier of Ontario and more than two decades as the Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) for Ottawa South. While McGuinty’s announcement caught many Ontarians by surprise, an even

An ever-aging population and its challenges for Canada’s health care system

 ABOVE:  Wendy Nicklin, RN, BN, MSc(A), CHE, FACHE is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Accreditation Canada No society is static and Canada is no exception to this rule. As is the case in other countries, the makeup of Canada’s population is changing with time. Canadian are getting older

In Their Own Words: Ontario Liberal Leadership Candidates Weigh in on SARP and Other Issues of Concern

 In December 2012, Ottawa Life Magazine interviewed candidates in the Ontario Liberal leadership race (Sandra Pupatello and Harinder Takhar were unavailable and Glen Murray has since bowed out) on the issues that are of concern to Ontarians. A fuller discussion of the candidates’ opinions can be found on here.  

Putting the “Science” in “Science Fiction” – Judge Dredd

 Judge Dredd, the protagonist of the comic and films that share his name, is a law enforcement officer in a world filled with high-tech devices. Although technological wonders like fully autonomous robots, anti-gravity vehicles and portable laser weapons are common, likely the best-known device in the series is the Lawgiver Mk. II. The

Nature Nocturne Transforms the Canadian Museum of Nature at Night

 The Canadian Museum of Nature is gearing up to rock the castle with Nature Nocturne, débuting January 25. This new program promises an exciting way for adults to discover the museum after hours in a fun, lively, artsy atmosphere. "Nature Nocturne will be held on the last Friday of each month, offering

Lynn Miles: 25 Years and Counting

 An introverted wallflower who performs in front of hundreds of fans, this dedicated, headstrong, hard worker who can make you cry with a single sweet lyric. Singer, songwriter Lynn Miles is a bit of a contradiction, but one hell of a musician. And 25 years after the release of her

RURAL RANT: Ice Storm—15 Years Ago Today Power was Restored

 For my family and me it was 15 years ago today (January 16) when our power was restored after the 1998 ice storm. It actually was the best of times and the worst of times. Rural resilience, not to mention winter paranoia, helped us sail through that trying time. There are a few

Decoding Gas Prices: Is the Gas Gouge Real? Part 1

 Gas prices. If there is one topic that gets the back up of every Canadian who owns a vehicle, it is probably that one. There seems to be a veil of secrecy surrounding the issue. Who determines the cost? How come it fluctuates from day- to-day? Why is gas more

Singer-Songwriter Royal Wood

 On the phone from his parents’ farm in Lakefield, Ont., singer-songwriter Royal Wood sounds bright, upbeat, albeit, a little out of breath. On a rare but welcome break from a blistering touring schedule for his latest album We Were BornTo Glory, Wood is already at work at a different task:

Stephen Harper’s Assault on Democracy

 Last November, hundreds of delegates from across Canada gathered in Ottawa for the 93rd Annual General Meeting of the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC). Discus- sions focused on the government of Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s ongoing cuts to programs and services that continue to jeopardize the

The Johnny Vegas Interview: Shakin’, not Stirred

 The Johnny Vegas All-Star Band is one of Ottawa’s favourite musical acts. Patterned after Rat Pack crooners Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr., Johnny Vegas brings back a style not seen since the early sixties in Las Vegas. Johnny’s witty banter and thoughtful insight into the music bring

Masi’s Flagship Wines: “Some of the Best I’ve Tasted”

 I recently had a chance to taste two of Masi’s wines side by each… You’ve probably all heard of Masi or at least seen their bottles on the shelves at the LCBO – and I’ll be honest, I’ve never met anyone who hasn’t had at least one of their wines at one

Quebec Indie Rockers The Strain Are Coming Home

 A fantastic Canadian group, The Strain, will be playing in their hometown of Wakefield, Quebec, on Friday February 22nd at the Blacksheep Inn. The band, which took home the grand prize for the Live 88.5 FM Big Money Shot this past October (www.live885.com), are getting ready to kick off their

Kathleen Wynne Ontario’s Premier Candidate

 Kathleen Wynne was first appointed to Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty’s Cabinet in September 2006 as Minister of Education. For almost four years in that portfolio, Wynne worked vigorously to bring full-day kindergarten to the province’s schools, while promoting and initiating measures intended to make classrooms in Ontario’s elementary schools more

Ottawa Life Editorial: Win with Wynne

 Kathleen Wynne is Ontario’s best bet for the future. Dalton McGuinty is the most successful Ottawa-based politician to ever serve in the Ontario Legislature. For nine years, McGuinty led the province through tumultuous times, including the 2008 global economic collapse and recession that cost Ontario over 250,000 jobs. One of

Putting the “Science” in “Science Fiction” – Energy Barriers

 In many works of science-fiction, people use walls of dangerous energy to protect important areas, contain prisoners and even protect starships from attack. These energy barriers are similar to force fields, but are different because they are made up of energy, that is harmful to whatever touches it and offers protection by disintegrating

Get to Know Spain – You Won’t Be Sorry

 I always have my eye on two Spanish producers: Bodegas Castano and Juan Gil. Castano makes Hecula, which is one of those brands I have been tracking since I first picked up a bottle of the 2003… it was one of those wines that showed me that the rest of

RURAL RANT — Tailgating is Not Cool

 So I was driving to Ottawa recently. It was early afternoon and I took the Queensway into the city, and what to my wondering eyes should appear, but a bunch of tailgating drivers. I do not understand how the practice of driving less than one car length behind another vehicle, at speeds over 100

First Nations Taxation

 A message from Ottawa Life Magazine’s publisher Dan Donovan: Prime Minister Stephen Harper will meet in Ottawa with First Nations leaders this week to discuss treaty and aboriginal rights and economic development. The current state of Aboriginal relations in Canada is at an all-time low and the treatment of Canada's aboriginal community

Healthwise: Realistic Health Goals for 2013

 As we welcome the month of January 2013, it is the perfect time to reflect on 2012 and set personal and professional goals for the year ahead. Many of us are enthusiastic to set health goals, often related to weight-loss and/or muscle gain, only to be disappointed and riddled with