Boys are more costly to raise than girls.
In the 1994 survey of the costs of raising one child to the age of 18, Manitoba Agriculture’s home economics section says a girl will cost $151,641 over that time; a boy, $153,629. While females cost more to clothe and to keep in personal-care items, boys eat more.
Just in case this discourages some would-be parents, the home economists include a section about the economic benefits of children. They can help in the family business or get part-time jobs to help the family income.
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Saskatchewan puts crown land auction on hold
Auctions of Saskatchewan crown lease land are once again on hold.
Also, provincial and federal governments provide various tax credits and deductions such as the monthly payment per child, child care costs and equivalent-to-spouse.
Role models honored
A member of the Canadian and Saskatchewan handicapped farmers’ groups is a co-winner of the Jack Funk award this year. The annual award is given in Saskatchewan to recognize a disabled person who has shown leadership in improving the quality of life for people with disabilities. Murray Bedel, who farms near Fort Qu’Appelle despite the loss of both arms, shares the win with Georgina Morin of Saskatoon.
The award is given to mark National Access Awareness Week, May 30 to June 5. There are 4.2 million people with disabilities in Canada and during this week Canadians are challenged to create and support the removal of barriers to quality of life for all.
Better breast cancer treatment wanted
A British cancer charity launched a drive May 16 for improved and consistently-delivered health care for women with breast cancer in a country with the world’s highest mortality rate for this form of cancer.
The Cancer Relief Macmillan Fund plans to distribute millions of leaflets listing 10 minimum standards women should expect, said Reuters news service.
In Britain, 16,000 women die annually of breast cancer compared to Canada’s 5,000 women. Britain also has one of the highest incidences of breast cancer in the world. One in 12 British women develops the disease.
What is four years’ value?
In today’s budget squeeze, universities are fighting harder to capture students.
The University of Manitoba has created the PRIME Access Program for Women in Science. Part of this program’s mandate is to change stereotypes of scientists as male, old and “mad” and encourage women to review their own abilities to do science. Speakers are available from the university to talk to groups and encourage individuals to consider training for careers in science.
Meanwhile, the University of Saskatchewan says young people looking for jobs should consider getting a degree.
It quotes the Globe and Mail newspaper as saying that in the past four years there has been an overall increase of 300,000 jobs for university graduates, compared to an increase of 170,000 jobs for post-secondary diploma graduates, no increase for high school graduates and a loss of 651,000 jobs for high school dropouts.
