@ www.theotherpress.ca News Harper outlines plans at WEF convention Government plans to expand pacific trade and European trade By Dylan Hackett, News Editor rime Minister Stephen Pisce: recent speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland shows that the Conservative government's spring session of parliament is set on making “major transformations” to Canada, including an upheaval of the pension system and reforms to the government's stance on immigration. Harper also boasted to the audience, which was largely comprised of international business leaders, about his government's reduced funding of health care. “Our demographics also constitute a certain threat to the social programs and services that Canadians cherish,” stressed Harper. “For this reason we will be taking measures in the coming months. Not just to return to a balanced budget in the medium term, but also to ensure the sustainability of our social programs and fiscal position over the next generation. We have already taken steps to limit the growth of our health care spending over that period. We must do the same for our retirement income system. Fortunately, the centrepiece of that system, the Canada Pension Plan, is fully funded, actuarially sound and does not need to be changed.” Harper pointed out many accomplishments and accolades during his address. “Forbes magazine ranks Canada as the best place on the planet for businesses to grow and create jobs. The OECD and the IMF predict our economy will again be among the leaders of the industrialized world over the next two years. And, one more cherished accolade, of course, is that for the fourth year in a row, this body, the World Economic Forum, says our banks are the soundest in the world.” In an effort clear to not frighten current pensioners Harper noted that his government “will make the changes necessary to ensure sustainability for the next generation while not affecting current recipients.” The government continues to stress the economy to be at the forefront of budget planning, set to be tabled late this spring. “The economy remains our number one focus for the year,” Harper said. “We are approaching our budget, which obviously, will be a significant milestone.” Harper stressed oil exports to be a priority to the audience in the alps. “We will make it a national priority to ensure we have the capacity to export our energy products beyond the United States, and specifically to Asia. In this regard, we will soon take action to ensure that major energy and mining projects are not subject to unnecessary regulatory delays - rz = f that is, delay merely for the sake of delay.” The prime minister also stressed the plans to establish a free- trade agreement with the attending Eurozone countries as well as the major developing economy of India. Harper said, “We will pass agreements signed, particularly in our own hemisphere, and we will work to conclude major deals DO What You Love Douglas College rebrands with new logo and slogan By Aubri Galano y now you have probably B noticed that Douglas College has changed its logo. The makeover is evident on the website, in the bookstore and on posters in the hallways. In the days to come, the college will slowly emerge with more of its rebranding, donning “DO what you love” as the brand’s key message. The brand is meant to represent how Douglas College is different from other colleges. According to the Douglas website, the brand carries the message that Douglas is skilled at supporting students during their education through a student-centred approach. The logo seeks to demonstrate this focus through the “OUA” of the logo— which, when stacked together, forms a stick figure representing a student. What do Douglas students think of the rebranding? The general consensus is mixed. Some people hate it, others like it and some couldn’t care less. No one seems to have a problem with the “Do what you love” slogan, because they feel it fits with their view of Douglas College. The problem seems to be with the “OUA” concept. Initially it is hard to get past the separation of the letters: DO UG LAS. Many people don’t see that “OUA” symbolizes anything until it is pointed out to them. Not only are the opinions varied on if it’s an effective logo, but on what parts are effective. “It’s stiff and unimaginative,” student Dominique Leclair states when asked about the logo. Although, she does confess to loving the SkyTrain ads, “I think that they represent Douglas very well.” Krista Uitvlugt in Early Childhood Education thinks the new brand looks cool, but “the bags leave me confused. Is there some sort of hidden meaning? Why is it a person?” Karin Keefe, a Print Futures student, agrees, “It’s so dumb. It’s a stickman, what’s the point of it?” She is, however, in favour of the new look, “T like that it focuses on practical skills that colleges teach, rather than trying to make Douglas into a university because colleges are necessary.” To some people the logo looks unfinished. Kristy Tingstad in Youth Justice, although she likes the colours, says she prefers the previous symbol, “This one is just so separated.” On the other hand, Will Richter thinks the old logo is ugly. “It looked like it was some sort of lumber company. I find this one to be much more modern.” f Ss gee Sy agra lp beyond it. We expect to complete negotiations on a Canada-EU free trade agreement this year. We will work to complete negotiations on a free-trade agreement with India in 2013. We will begin entry talks with the Trans-Pacific Partnership, while also pursuing other avenues to advance our trade with Asia.” The House of Commons resumed parliament this week. Larissa Warren suggests that, to her, the logo is kind of plain, “T think it’s a step up, but I don’t know if it’s enough.” With the same uncertainty, Kevin Bales in General Studies doesn’t have anything against it, but he thinks “It looks a little funny.” Toby Reeve also likes the way the new logo is shaped, “I think it’s fun to break up the word. It seems like a trendy thing.” The overall attitude is that the DO element of the new branding expresses Douglas College better than the triangle did. While playing around with the logo, the team who created it found people latched onto the DO. The college website states, “You certainly see ‘DO’ and you might notice the ‘OUA’ forming a stylized figure, a student, right at the centre.” In this case the key word here is might.