Modeling Journey: March 2009

Tuesday, 31 March 2009

Bruna Boechat

0 comments Posted by 2011 at 15:45

Ford Model (Sao Paulo, New York, Paris)
Beatrice Models (Milan)
Modelwerk (Hamburg)
-> her tfs forum topic

Coco

0 comments Posted by 2011 at 15:42

Profile (London)

All You Need to Know about the global recession: Deleveraging

0 comments Posted by 2011 at 10:38

The easiest way to understand exactly what is happening in the international recession we find ourselves in – whether it is the plunging car sales, house prices tanking, jobs being slashed, banks going under – is to concentrate on one concept: that of deleveraging.

The concept is neatly discussed by Murray Leith, a VP of Odlum Brown Ltd., in today's article headed By Global Standards, U.S. Economy is in Decent Shape (Globe & Mail March 31 2009).

He puts his finger on the driving force behind the collapses of the auto, home, banking and other industries. He says (unfortunately it is not online):

"The problem in the world today is that there is too little demand and too much supply… Global trade has collapsed because the world's banking system is going through a massive deleveraging process. Indeed, the World Trade Organization predicts that global trade will plunge 9 percent this year, the most since the Second World War."

What is deleveraging? It is the process of banks having to reduce the amount of loans they can make as a ratio of the capital (shareholders equity) they have from the astronomical ratios they had for the past decade or so, to a much lower figure. This means they have to reduce loans, and so there is less money for businesses and individuals to use to make things or buy things.

The leverage in some banking systems was simply mind boggling: the five major US investment banks had an asset to equity leverage of 25 to 35 times, but the overall US banking system was lower (about 12 times). German banks have leverage of 42 times, and UK banks of 27 times.

He says America is actually better positioned to weather the recession than Europe and the other nations, because America (unlike Canada, for example) is far more self-contained – exports account for only 12 percent of US GDP but for 45% of the German GDP and of the Chinese GDP. What does this mean? Simply that a country that depends on exports for a big whack of its national production/wealth will be harder hit by the collapse in global trade than one that is not.

The conclusion we can draw is that Canada is likely to suffer more the next two years than America is, because of our higher reliance on exports for our standard of living.

Ajax-Pickering Youth Support Frank Klees!

0 comments Posted by 2011 at 08:19

Ajax-Pickering Youth Support Frank Klees!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

AJAX-PICKERING PC YOUTH SUPPORT FRANK KLEES FOR LEADER!

Ajax, ON (March 30th 2009) – After a executive meeting today in Ajax, Kurtis McAleer, APPCYA President announced that the Ajax-Pickering PC Youth Association will be supporting Frank Klees for Leader of the PC Party of Ontario.

The vote took place around 7 PM and Frank won unanimous consent from members of the APPCYA.

“I decided last week that I would support Frank if he entered the race and on Sunday night I was proud to say that I was supporting Frank Klees for Leader after he declared around 3 PM on Sunday.” Kurtis McAleer (APPCYA President) said after the meeting.

“I got a call last week asking if I would consider supporting Frank for Leader and after careful consideration I realized that Frank if the best choice for the Party.” Said APPCYA VP, Zack McConnachie.

Currently the APPCYA holds a membership of 27 members and is one of the most active associations in the province.

Leadership votes take place on June 21st across Ontario and the results are announced at the party’s convention on June 27th in Markham.

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Kurtis McAleer
(905) 550-5371

Peter Shurman endorses Frank Klees for next Premier of Ontario!

0 comments Posted by 2011 at 07:19

Peter Shurman endorses Frank Klees for next Premier of Ontario!

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MARCH 31, 2009

SHURMAN: CASTING MY VOTE FOR THE NEXT PREMIER OF ONTARIO
Thornhill MPP supports Frank Klees for Leader

(Queen’s Park) Thornhill MPP Peter Shurman today pledged his complete support to Newmarket-Aurora MPP Frank Klees in the current Ontario Progressive Conservative leadership race.

“The objective is good government, which by definition means the end of the Liberal scourge. With that in mind, my decision was clear. I chose the best candidate to defeat Dalton McGuinty and lead the Ontario Progressive Conservative Party to victory in 2011,” said Shurman.

“All of my colleagues who have declared their candidacy bring notable credentials to the table, which will ensure an exciting leadership race,” Shurman added. He stressed however, that the next three months are a dress rehearsal for the Premiership of Ontario.

“Defeating fellow candidates is far less the issue than ridding Ontario of a hapless, inept government; rejuvenating Ontario business; raising employment and hope; and giving every man, woman, and child a great present and the future we all deserve."

Shurman will be playing a key role in the next twelve weeks working to ensure Klees' leadership win, following which he is looking forward to swinging into election mode and the road to a PC Government with Frank Klees at the helm.

-30-

For more information please contact:
Monika Bujalska, Executive Assistant
Office of Peter Shurman, M.P.P.-Thornhill
Tel.: 416-325-2505, e-mail: monika.bujalska@pc.ola.org

Randy Hillier officially enters PC Leadership Race

0 comments Posted by 2011 at 03:58

RANDY HILLIER ANNOUNCES CANDIDACY FOR LEADER OF PC PARTY OF ONTARIO

RANDY HILLIER ANNOUNCES CANDIDACY FOR LEADER OF PC PARTY OF ONTARIO

(March 30, 2009, Toronto, Ontario) – Randy Hillier, MPP for Lanark-Frontenac-Lennox and Addington, held a media conference today to discuss his plans and policies for the future of Ontario, as well as announcing that he will be seeking the leadership of the Progressive Conservative (PC) Party of Ontario.

“Our province is in trouble, the people of Ontario are in trouble, and our party is in trouble,” Hillier said. “But even though we’re surrounded by adversity, we can’t allow it to defeat us. This is why I’m announcing today that I will be a candidate for leader of the PC Party of Ontario. Tough times call for a smart leader, one who knows how to overcome adversity and rise to the challenges, rather than making excuses and pointing fingers.”

Those in attendance at the media conference learned that Hillier’s campaign will be driven by ideas and ideals, while being anchored by the three central principles of Freedom, Justice and Democracy. Hillier also revealed that he will be running under the banner of “A Conservative Leader for a Conservative Party”.

“The people of Ontario have a right to expect more from their leaders – a lot more,” Hiller said. “When I become Premier of this province, Ontarians will not only be able to expect more, they’ll actually get more. As people who know me will tell you, I say what I mean and mean what I say.”

In addition to announcing his candidacy, Hillier also released his first three policy planks, including:

• The introduction of the Freedom of Association and Conscience Act, an act to protect the rights of the individual to not be compelled or coerced into actions or associations they find objectionable;
• A commitment to replace the Ontario Human Rights Commission and other quasi-tribunals with real judges in real courts; and
• The introduction of legislation to allow for Senate elections in Ontario, modeled on similar initiatives that have been developed and introduced in other provinces, such as Saskatchewan.

“I’m asking Ontarians to support my candidacy because I have the courage to offer a truly conservative vision,” Hillier said. “As a father of four who loves this province and cares deeply for its future, I believe each and every one of us owes it to our children to take a stand for what’s right. This is why I’m asking all of you here today to join with me in facing up to this challenge and returning the province of Ontario to its rightful place as the engine that makes Canada run.”

Randy Hillier sought and won the Progressive Conservative nomination in the provincial riding of Lanark-Frontenac-Lennox and Addington in 2007. He was first elected to the Ontario legislature in October 2007 – winning one of three new seats for the PC Party of Ontario – and is currently the party’s critic for rural affairs. For more information, please visit his web site www.randyhillier.com.

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Contact:

Randy Hillier, MPP
Toronto Phone: 1-877-326-0777
Perth Phone: (613) 326-0777