The Car is an Aphrodisiac, New Study Finds

More than a third of Canadians report driving a sexy car makes them feel more attractive

TORONTO, May 23, 2012 /Canada NewsWire/ - Step aside chocolates and oysters, a new survey reveals the car may be our new aphrodisiac. More than one in three Canadians (36 percent), including almost 40 percent of women and close to 50 percent of young Canadians under 35 report driving a sexy car makes them feel more attractive.

Findings from the new study were released today, and came from The CarCourting Report, commissioned by autoTRADER.ca and conducted among Angus Reid Forum panel members across Canada.

"Canadians really didn't hold back in this study, showing us that although choosing a car might seem like a wholly rational decision, emotion and even social implications are a major influence on Canadian car buyers," said Ian MacDonald, Director of Marketing, Trader Corporation. "We discovered that people not only judge others on the type of car they drive, they also internalize their choices - cars appear to be a key part of how we identify ourselves personally."

Case in point: a full 61 percent of Canadians admitted they would even walk away from purchasing the car of their dreams if it wasn't the right colour! Moreover, 41 percent believe people should drive cars that match their personality. This figure jumps to 47 percent among young Canadians under 35 years of age for whom image is clearly a more important consideration. One in five Canadians even go as far as agreeing that people should drive cars that match their appearance.

Based on such personality matching, survey respondents assigned the following cars to some of our most-loved Canadian celebrities (based on the most popular vote):

...Ryan Gosling would be a macho Ford Mustang
...Shania Twain would be a stylish BMW 3 Series
...Wayne Gretzky would be an active Subaru Forester
...Pamela Anderson would be a status-seeking Porsche 911
...Alanis Morissette would be an environmentally-friendly Toyota Prius
...Michael Bublé would share the limelight with Ms. Twain as a stylish BMW 3 Series

Canadians looking for their own perfect match can test-drive autoTRADER.ca's new Facebook app, dubbed 'The autoLYZER', which is launching today. This unique app helps Canadians discover three automobiles which are for sale on autoTRADER.ca at that moment in time, best suited to their personality and social life. The app analyzes real-time data via Facebook, looking at an individual's lifestyle, interests, social activities, and Facebook friends' opinions via existing posts, to help narrow down which cars would be the best fit for him or her personally. All in a matter of seconds!

"This study confirmed our hypothesis that the car-buying process is a very social and emotional one today," said MacDonald. "Sixty-four percent of Canadians said they would seek out advice from friends and family when car shopping; our new autoLYZER app leverages the latest technology to assist in that exact need - to give Canadians that kind of advice and present them with real cars for sale from autoTRADER.ca's 389,000 current listings."

When it comes to finding the true love of our lives in automobiles, sadly, this country falls short. More than 7 in 10 Canadians polled (71 percent) said they were not in love with their current ride. But by no means are we a country of quitters! When it comes to courting cars, the majority of Canadians (58 percent) report being polygamists - admitting they would test drive many different makes and models before settling on the car they like best. AutoTRADER.ca's new autoLYZER app may help them curb those wild ways, by narrowing down their selection process, so they can ultimately unite with their true automobile love.

From May 2nd to May 3rd 2012 an online survey was conducted among 1,524 randomly selected Canadian adults who are also Angus Reid Forum panel members. The margin of error—which measures sampling variability—is +/- 2.51%, 19 times out of 20. The results have been statistically weighted according to the most current census data on age, gender, region and education (and language in Quebec) to ensure the sample is representative of the entire adult population of Canada. Discrepancies in or between totals are due to rounding.

About autoTRADER.ca

AutoTRADER.ca offers The Most Cars in One Place™ with the largest online vehicle inventory in Canada. The autoLYZER is part of autoTRADER.ca's commitment to delivering faster, more seamless ways for users to find the right vehicle, by incorporating the most advanced technology and latest innovations into its offering. AutoTRADER.ca's mission is to help Canadians buy and sell cars quickly, easily, and with confidence through digital platforms such as web, mobile and tablet.

Yosemite Time-Lapse Video of Landscapes and Stars Is Unbelievable

photo credit: Shawn Reeder/Video screen capture

from TreeHugger.com by Jaymi Heimbuch - Science / Natural Sciences

You can't go through life not having watched this video created by Shawn Reeder. That's all there is to it. It's spectacular.

And if you don't feel some level of humble appreciation for the grandeur of nature after watching it, you might want to check that your heart is still beating.

As Brent Rose says, "Go full screen HD or go home." Learn more about the project and photographer, Shawn Reeder, from our pals at Discovery.

New Resource Supports Youth Concussion Care and Awareness

HALIFAX, Nova Scotia May 3, 2012 /Canada NewsWire/ - Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences (Ontario Shores) and stopconcussions.com are proud to be among the more than 20 supporters who have joined together to support education concerning brain injury in youth.

Media conferences were hosted today in Halifax, Nova Scotia and Toronto, Ontario announcing this initiative and revealing supporting partner organizations. The initiative is led by Dr. Stan Kutcher, Sun Life Financial Chair in Adolescent Mental Health, and is conducted in collaboration with a team of international experts. Together the team developed two comprehensive brain injury guides, one for youth and a companion guide for coaches and parents.

"We are fulfilling a need for engaging, easy-to-understand information that is based on the most recent scientific studies about brain injury," explains Dr. Kutcher. "Young people who suffer a concussion during their adolescent years may have difficulties in various aspects of their lives, not only right after the injury but even up to thirty years or longer. The best way to prevent traumatic brain injury is to recognize it when it occurs, know what to do if a concussion happens and ensure that we do not unwittingly act in a way that can make the problem worse."

Concussions are traumatic brain injuries that can often go unnoticed by young athletes, coaches and parents. Like most injuries, victims think they will heal over time; however, brain injuries can have much stronger affects on individuals. Their impact can be life-altering, especially to an adolescent who is still growing and developing. Until recently, we had not realized how serious even a mild or moderate concussion could be to the health and well-being of teenagers.

The Toronto event, held at the Hockey Hall of Fame, was supported by a number of NHL alumni including Ron Ellis, Keith Primeau and Wayne Primeau. Remarks were also given by Catherine Fife, President of the Ontario Public School Boards' Association and Dr. Ian Dawe, Chief-of-Staff at Ontario Shores.

As a specialized mental health care centre, Ontario Shores understands the long-term impacts of acquired brain injury. Ontario Shores is also working with Dr. Kutcher to enhance mental health literacy in Ontario schools through training and advocacy. The introduction of these guides is one more tool to help provide better mental health care for youth.

"Concussions can have a significant impact on the life of a young person," says Dr. Dawe. "As with any mental health issue, early identification, treatment and a recovery plan are vital. This educational resource along with the Ontario Shores Adolescent Mental Health Literacy Program in Ontario high schools will be instrumental in supporting the well being of our youth."

The two resource guides are designed in simple terms to assist with signs, symptoms, treatment, prevention and support: Understanding Brain Injury in Adolescence, which is designed for the adult in a young person's life (parent, coach, teacher, etc.) and the Brain Injury Guide for Youth, specifically designed for youth.

Several leading sports and health organizations have agreed to support and use these guides.

"The more people understand about brain injury, the better chance health professionals have for early detection, which may prevent further worsening of the injury and ensure those who need it receive the right treatment," emphasizes Dr. Kutcher.

The guides have become a catalyst for a series of partnerships with sporting organizations and other brain injury advocates across Canada. They're part of an initiative brought on by stopconcussions.com to bring concussion-related resources into organizations across Canada.

"These guides are crucial in educating everyone on this very serious issue," says Kerry Goulet, Director of stopconcussions.com. "The information is so important in the battle against this invisible injury. We are ecstatic to be partnering with Dr. Kutcher and his great team."

Baseball Canada has also taken the step to have these materials available to national teams and provincial organizations across the country.

The guides and more information can be downloaded for free at the education/schools section at http://www.ontarioshores.ca/education/highschoolandelementary/ or the resource section at teenmentalhealth.org. Copies of the guide can also be purchased in print version from the website and delivered directly to the purchaser.

The creation of the Brain Injury Guides was made possible through the support of Sun Life Financial, T. R. Meighen Family Foundation, Dalhousie Medical Research Foundation and the Kathryn A. Weldon Charitable Foundation.

Majority of Canadians have less money to spend after paying for necessities

Spending power slows in February and March

MISSISSAUGA, Ontario, April 30, 2012 /Canada NewsWire/ - Today Walmart Canada released the Walmart Canada Income Tracker for the month of February and March. The average Canadian household had $11 less per month in spending power in February 2012, compared to February, 2011, and $3 less per month in March 2012 (vs March 2011). Spending power has been negative for nine months straight, beginning in July of 2011.

...After paying taxes and living costs, the average Canadian household had $11 less per month spending power in February 2012 vs February 2011, and $3 less in March 2012 vs March 2011

...Spending power growth has remained negative for nine straight months

...Regional break-out in March shows that residents of Atlantic provinces, Alberta, Saskatchewan and British Columbia see an increase in spending power while residents in Ontario, Quebec and Manitoba see a decline.

The Walmart Canada Income Tracker compares average household income with the key financial obligations facing Canadian households each month, including taxes, shelter, transportation, cost of utilities, and food. Spending power is the money available after these obligations are met to save or to spend on discretionary items (e.g., toys, clothing, furniture) or experiences, (e.g., movies, sports events, restaurant meals).

In February, on average Canadian household income rose by 2.5 per cent. Household financial obligations which rose in February at a faster rate than income include transportation costs, which rose 6.9 per cent in the month compared to a year earlier, shelter costs (up 2.8 per cent), food (up 3.9 per cent), and medical (up 2.6 per cent).

In March, increases in wages (up 2.7 per cent) and a drop in the cost of utilities (down 1.8 per cent) helped offset higher costs for food (up 4 per cent) shelter (up 4 per cent) and transportation costs (up 6.9 per cent).

While March saw a decline in spending power on a national basis, the data shows significant regional differences in spending power. Atlantic provinces saw an increase in spending power of $57, Alberta of $59, Saskatchewan of $29and British Columbia of $48. Spending power decreases come in the two largest provinces— Quebec saw the largest decrease in spending power of $54 and Ontario of $17—as well as Manitoba, down $45. Mo< The Walmart Canada Income Tracker reports monthly on Canadian household spending power.

About Walmart Canada

Walmart Canada operates a growing chain of 333 stores, employs over 85,000 Canadians and serves more than one million customers each day. The company is recognized by Waterstone Human Capital as having one of Canada's top 10 corporate cultures. Since 1994, Walmart has raised and donated more than $150 million to Canadian charities and not-for-profit organizations. Additional information about Walmart Canada can be found by visiting www.walmart.ca.

The Walmart Income Tracker has been developed to track spending power of Canadian households using publicly available income, cost of living and consumer price index statistics compiled nationally by Statistics Canada on a monthly or quarterly basis.

The Walmart Income Tracker is developed by Fusion Retail Analytics and leverages Statistics Canada's national income and expenditure accounts (released quarterly), personal expenditure on goods and services (released quarterly), labour income (released monthly), labour force estimates (released monthly) and the consumer price index (released monthly) as well as additional proprietary Fusion Retail Analytics data sources. The Walmart Spending Power Tracker is updated monthly and updated each quarter with the most recent Statistics Canada revisions.