We're heading into an extra busy season for air travel in Canada, with the 2010 Vancouver Olympics in February following hot on the heels of the holidays.

One organization which is putting an effort into making air travel a little less complicated is the Can adian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA), the Canadian crown corporation responsible for screening air passengers and their baggage in Canada. Their new Web site includes a Pack Smart section with all the information you need before going to the airport, including which items are permitted and which aren't, how to speed up screening of both people and baggage, international regulations, and tips for different types of passengers, like seniors and people with special needs. Travellers can even create their own customized carry-on checklist.

Knowing what to expect at the airport and preparing before you get there could save you time and the make your trip a lot less stressful.

Photo: Digital Vision / Getty Images

At the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, the Canadian women speed skaters were impressive. Cindy Klassen was the first Canadian to win five medals at a single Winter Olympics when she captured a gold, two silver and two bronze medals; Clara Hughes won gold and silver, and Kristina Groves won two silver medals. All three speed skaters are contenders in Vancouver, with Kristina Groves the strongest, having hopes for medals in five events.

The woman to watch in speed skating at the Vancouver games, however, is Christine Nesbitt. Nesbitt also won a silver in the team pursuit at Turin, but she's coming into her own just in time for the Vancouver Olympics. Nesbitt could well be winning gold medals in speed skating in the women's 1000m, 1500m, 3000m and team pursuit.

Photo: Canadian Speed Skater Christine Nesbitt
Doug Pensinger / Getty Images

2010 Vancouver Olympics
Speed Skating at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics
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The Live-in Caregiver Program is a Canadian immigration program which helps Canadians recruit caregivers to live and work in their homes to care for children, seniors or people with disabilities. After a live-in caregiver meets work requirements - right now it's working for two full years in the first three years of being in Canada - he or she can then apply for permanent residence in Canada. In 2008, Canada admitted nearly 13,000 live-in caregivers. Because of Canada's aging population, it is expected the demand for the program will grow.

The government has announced plans to make it easier for caregivers to apply for permanent residence in Canada. Citizenship and Immigration Canada also plans to put in place changes that would give live-in caregivers more protection from potential abuse or exploitation. One of the key changes is ensuring that employment contracts for these caregivers include details on employer-paid benefits, as well as including clauses clearly outlining job duties, hours of work, overtime and holidays, sick leave, and terms of termination and resignation.

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The collision of a relief vessel and a munitions carrier in Halifax Harbour on December 6, 1917 caused the world's largest man-made explosion before Hiroshima. The Halifax Explosion brought the reality of World War I to the homefront in Canada. Nearly 2000 people were killed, 9000 injured and 6000 people were left homeless. Adding to the disaster, the day after the Halifax Explosion one of the worst blizzards ever recorded in Halifax began, and lasted for six days.

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