Many Canadians think of the environmental impact when it comes to purchasing products, but how many think of being eco-friendly when it comes to planning a funeral? Although this concept is quite new in Canada, there are now 2 cemeteries (one in Brampton ON, the other in Victoria BC) that offer green burial services. This includes such services as quick interment (which makes embalming unnecessary), as well as caskets that are made from natural wood products, or even cardboard, which allow for a natural breakdown of the elements. Wildflowers are used in lieu of traditional gravestones as well.

Many Canadians have not even considered the environmental impact of a traditional burial and/or cremation. Consider that the average burial/cremation has the following impact on its natural surroundings:

•    An average embalming consumes more than 15 liters of formaldehyde; North America typically uses over 4 million liters every year;
•    The equivalent of the Golden Gate Bridge could be built every year with the amount of metal used in North America every year to build vaults and coffins;
•    The amount of concrete used in traditional burials every year is sufficient enough to build a 2 lane highway between Montreal and Toronto, and back again;
•    For a typical 10 acre cemetery, enough wood is used that is sufficient enough to build 40 homes; it also typically uses 1,000 tons of casket steel and 20,000 tons of concrete;
•    Pesticides are commonly used in these traditional facilities;
•    The average cremation uses 27 liters of gas, the box containing the body is incinerated at temperatures from 760 to 1150 degrees Celsius;
•    The organs and soft tissue of a cremated body are vaporized and oxidized due to the tremendous heat used, and these gases are discharged through the exhaust system;
•    The United Nations estimates that 0.2% of global emissions of dioxins and furans are contributed through worldwide cremation, as well cremation is considered the second largest source of airborne mercury in Europe.

For those who do not live near a green burial property, there are still ways to reduce the impact on the environment for traditional burials. The Natural Burial Association recommends:

•    Plan  your funeral ahead of time, and let your friends and family know of  your intentions to have an environmentally conscious burial/funeral;
•    Include these burial plans in your will, so that there can be no dispute about your final wishes;
•    When selecting a coffin, try to choose one that is a simply made box out of local sustainably harvested wood, or even cardboard;
•    If cremation has been selected, ask for the removal of teeth that have mercury fillings in them beforehand, so the mercury does not get released into the environment;
•    Consider offsetting the greenhouse gas emissions with carbon credits;
•    Ask for donations to your favorite charity (or environmental project) in lieu of flowers.

For more information on green funerals and the association between funerals and the environment, visit the Natural Burial Association.

The Government of Canada announced in September 2008 that $1.9 billion dollars, over 5 years, would be made available for housing and homelessness programs for low-income Canadians. As part of this initiative, the renovations programs were extended for an additional 2 years, up until March 31, 2011. These programs are available to Canadian seniors, those with disabilities, as well as low-income households; most are delivered by the Provinces and Territories.

The Home Adaptations for Seniors' Independence (HASI) offers financial assistance for seniors who require minor home adaptations that will allow low-income seniors to remain living independently and safely. Eligible adaptations are minor items that are related to loss of ability and daily activities. In order to be eligible these adaptations must:

•    Be permanently installed/fixed to the dwelling;
•    Improve the access to basic facilities in the dwelling;
•    Increases the physical safety for the affected resident, i.e. handrails, easy-to-reach work/storage areas in the kitchen, grab bars in the bathroom, etc.

Either the homeowner or the landlord can apply for this assistance if:                                     

•    The occupant of the residence if at least 65 years of age and is experiencing difficulties with activities that are related to daily living that is brought on either by illness or advancing age;
•    The total household income is or below the program income limit for that specific area;
•    The home is a permanent residence.

Financial assistance for this program is available via a forgivable loan with a maximum of $3500. This loan will not be required to be repaid as long as the homeowner agrees to continue residing there for a minimum of 6 months (the loan forgiveness period). In the case of rental properties, the landlord must agree to not increase the rent of the property as a result of the new adaptations.

For Canadians with disabilities, financial assistance is available through the Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program for Persons with Disabilities (RRAP – Disabilities). This program is designed to help homeowners/landlords to make modifications to the property that will make the property more accessible to persons with disabilities, i.e. eliminate physical barriers and safety risks. Modifications must be related to housing as well as the occupant's disability, i.e. handrails, chair lifts, bath lifts, etc. All work to bring the home up to minimum health and safety standards must be completed in order to be eligible; if this amount exceeds the maximum forgivable loan then the owner must assume the additional costs.

Homeowners and/or landlords may qualify for this program as long as the property is:

•    Already occupied, or will be occupied, by a low-income person with a disability;
•    Is owned and has a value below a certain amount;
•    If a rental property, the rent is less than the established levels for that specific area;
•    Meets minimum health and safety standards.

Assistance for this program is in the form of a forgivable loan and will not have to be repaid as long as the terms and conditions of the program are followed. Homeowners must agree to continue to own the home for as long as the loan forgiveness period (up to 5 years.) Landlords must agree to an established rent that can be charged during the lifetime of the agreement as well as an occupancy restriction to a household with an income that is below a set CMHC level.

This program is set into 3 different geographical zones for Canada; loan amounts vary depending on the region:

Zone 1: Includes the southern areas of Canada; homeowners can receive a loan of up to $16,000, landlords up to $24,000.

Zone 2: Includes the northern areas of Canada; homeowners can receive a loan of up to $19,000, landlords up to $28,000.

Zone 3: Includes the far northern areas of Canada; homeowners can receive a loan of up to $24,000, landlords up to $36,000.

As well, areas that have been defined as remote may be eligible for additional assistance.

For additional information on these, as well as other programs, visit the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.

The owners of an Orillia retirement residence have been charged with offences that stem from a January 2009 fire. The fire claimed 4 residents' lives and sent 11 people to hospital. 2 residents died from smoke inhalation, and 2 others died in March due to injuries sustained in the blaze. The Ontario Fire Marshal's Office have laid charges that include failing to ensure the exterior passageway/fire escape was properly maintained, failing to ensure supervisory staff were properly instructed in fire emergency procedures and 5 other charges. The facility was home to 24 residents, among them senior citizens as well as some middle-aged people who suffered from mental health problems. At the time of the fire, only one person was on-duty in a staffing capacity.

This tragedy brings to light not only the responsibilities of the retirement home, but as well the importance for potential residents to carefully choose their residence. If choosing a residence for a loved one who can no longer actively participate in the decision, the caregiver must give careful consideration to the type of facility they choose. A caregiver must take into consideration if the person who will be residing there will be happy; i.e. shared rooms, type of activities offered, etc.

When considering a retirement residence, the first thing to evaluate is the financial aspect. This includes savings and investments, as well as potentially selling the primary residence. The money required to maintain living in a retirement facility must be sustainable for a period of time, depending on the age and health of the resident. It is wise to check to see if the individual qualifies for government funded services such as a long-term care home. It is important to know that retirement residences are private pay; costs will vary depending on the type of facility as well as the level of services offered. If unsure of the potential long-term costs, it may be advisable to consult with a financial planner in order to make sure that the right facility is chosen for that individual’s financial needs.

Once the financial limits have been set, start interviewing prospective homes that fit within the budget. Make a list of potential homes, as well as services offered. Personally visit every candidate, and thoroughly inspect the facility. Ask detailed questions, such as how many staff is on duty at all times, fire safety plans, etc. Make a list of all questions to ask so you don't forget when you are visiting the facility and record the answers so you'll have all the details when making a final choice. You may also wish to research what the laws are in your province regarding retirement homes to ensure that the home you choose meets those laws. It is also advisable to check with your province to see if complaints have been lodged against the home, and if so, of what nature and the follow-up of the complaint.

Every week Canadians across the country become aware of yet another mail, telemarketing and/or internet scam, in which people are fraudulently separated from their hard-earned money. Reports regarding credit card and debit card fraud are also prevalent. It is important therefore that all Canadians are knowledgeable about not only guarding themselves against not only physical theft, but identify theft as well.

The majority of Canadians use debit cards instead of cash in many financial transactions. While many financial institutions will cover consumer loss due to fraud, the consumer may still be liable for some losses. In order to safeguard from fraud it is suggested that:

•    Photocopies are made of all cards and stored in a safe place.
•    Personal Identification Numbers (PIN) should not be easily determined, i.e. using a birthday, address. Instead, choose a PIN that is harder to crack.
•    Safely store bank records and ATM statements; when throwing these out, shred them before putting them in the garbage. It is possible for a thief to go through garbage in order to retrieve these statements and gain access to personal information.
•    Always thoroughly go through monthly bank statements and credit card statements; report any discrepancies, even if it is for a small amount.
•    Remember to take not only your card after the transaction, but the transaction record as well.
•    Never write down your PIN or reveal to another person; if you do, most card agreements will hold you personally liable for any losses.
•    Cover your hand when entering your PIN to prevent not only others seeing it but in case the ATM has been tampered with and a camera installed in order to record your PIN.

Many people can also suffer financial losses as well as ruined credit when their identity is stolen. Once someone assumes your identity, they can gain access to your financial information to not only take your money, but to conduct financial business under your name. In order to protect yourself against this, it is recommended that you:

•    Store all documents that contain personal information (i.e. passports, social insurance number, and birth certificate) in a safe. If an item such as a health card expires, shred it immediately upon receiving its replacement.
•    Get a copy of your credit report every year and review it thoroughly to make sure it matches your financial records.
•    When leaving your home for any period of time, have someone you trust pick up your mail every day. Bills have personal information and account numbers on them which can be stolen and used.
•    Don’t carry items such as a SIN card in your wallet; rather store it in a safe. Any documents that are not regularly used should be stored; therefore if your wallet gets stolen, that information has not been obtained by the thief.

Families in Canada who are raising children under the age of 18 are well aware of how expensive this can be. In order to financially help families with young children, the Canada Child Tax Benefit (CCTB) is designed to provide a monthly financial stipend in order to help meet these expenses. This benefit is available a month after birth right up until the month the child turns 18. For families who have the additional responsibility of raising a child that is severely mentally and/or physically impaired, the Child Disability Benefit is included in the CCTB. As well, the National Child Benefit Supplement is included for Canadian low-income families.

In order to be eligible for this benefit all of the following criteria must be met:

•    The child must be under 18 and residing with you;
•    You must be the person who is primarily responsible for the care and upbringing of the child, i.e. the child's daily activities, all medical needs and arranging for child care if necessary;
•    You must be a Canadian resident, and;
•    You or your spouse (including common-law) must be a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident, a protected person, or a temporary resident who has resided in Canada for the previous 18 months.

Family net income is a factor in determining the calculation of the CCTB entitlement. Spouses (including common-law) will have their income added from their tax return to yours in order to obtain the family net income. However, families receiving the Universal Child Care Benefit will have this amount excluded from their net income. If however, a portion of this benefit must be repaid, that amount will be included in the adjusted family net income.

It is advised to apply for the CCTB immediately after the child is born, the child begins to live with you, or you become a resident of Canada. Payments for this benefit are only retroactive for 11 months, unless there were circumstances beyond the parent's control for not doing so. Even those who feel that they are ineligible due to their family income being too high should apply. The entitlement is calculated every July based on the family net income for the previous year, which is determined by tax returns. Tax returns must be filed every year by the parent and spouse even if there is no income to report.

More information regarding the Canada Child Tax Benefit can be obtained at Canada Revenue Agency.