Tasneem Jamal: If there was a poster child book for the virtues of this complex concept, it could easily be former daily newspaper editor Tasneem Jamal Where the Air is Sweet, a perfect summer read that could tempt even the most stalwart nonfiction devotee back into novel territory. The reader is immediately drawn in with a tense preview of the central conflict that will drive the narrative an Indian family in Uganda, threatened under the dictatorship of the brutal tyrant Idi Amin then further hooked with a lovely story of three generations of this family that emigrated from Gujarat northwest India in 1921. , according to Hamilton Spectator. First and foremost, Raju is shocked by the radically different family structure and gender roles he discovers in East Africa. The cultural exchange leaves its mark on him, but is even more pronounced on his children, that second generation who belong more to the new land than the old. Jamal does a brilliant job exploring the moving target of gender politics at play, at first between the two cultures, and then later, as the family walks the line between tradition and modernity all the while negotiating the complicated mess left behind by the British Empire colonial policies. But the most powerful aspect of this novel is the thoroughly human dimension of the saga. Readers are drawn into the family hard-won victories, only to share the acute disbelief and unimaginable pain people must feel when, in a heartbeat, their entire reality shifts from a firm foundation filled with everyday life to a nightmare of violence and homelessness. More spoiler alerts from history: Canada accepted a large number of Ugandan refugees second only to Britain including author Jamal own family, which settled in Kitchener. Where the Air is Sweet wraps up in Canada, where the family must rebuild its foundation anew. Although that must be a daunting prospect, there an optimism at the end of this book, thanks to the actions of a welcoming community of Southern Ontarians and a chance encounter with an awesome-sounding Canada Customs agent. In the ongoing debate as to whether or not literary fiction is dead, its champions argue that indulging in fiction is a precious chance to simultaneously immerse ourselves in an alternate reality, engage with another mind, heighten our capacity for empathy and exercise our imagination. All while soaking up the rays on the patio. A passing familiarity with African history is all the spoiler alert we need, since many will already know that, shortly after Amin came to power in 1971, he expelled 80,000 Asians as part of his vision of Africanization. He exploited existing Indophobia and made scapegoats of the Indian and Pakistani communities, initially established before the turn of the 20th century. Amin seized Asian property regardless of their birthplace and citizenship status and gave them 90 days to leave. Many considered themselves lucky to get out alive. Others risked their lives trying to liquidate remaining assets and smuggle some money out of the country. The family in Where the Air is Sweet is one such, taking a risk that might appear unthinkable without the context and history that Jamal draws with the multigenerational tale. Unsurprisingly, after 50 years, the family has come to call Africa home, despite the cultural differences that Raju, the patriarch and central protagonist, struggled with on arrival. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Joseph Willcocks: The defection of Thomas Markle and Joseph Willcocks, who were actually bearing arms in a newly minted U.S. Army unit called the Canadian Volunteers the turncoats that torched Niagara-on-the-Lake in 1813 clearly shocked the legislature. It condemned their "abominable treason" and declared their seats vacant. , according to Hamilton Spectator. The story begins in the wake of the American Revolution On Feb. 19, 1814, the wartime Parliament of Upper Canada, homeless since the Americans burned the legislature, convened in a midtown hotel. When the speaker called the roll, eighteen members responded. Of the seven absent, one was sick, four were prisoners of war and two, including the member representing Ancaster, were stated to have deserted to the enemy. The treason of two sitting members, one of whom had fought against the Americans at Queenston Heights in 1812, was a major blow to the authority of the colonial government. But the two rogue members were only the highest-profile examples of the widespread disaffection that existed in Upper Canada during the War of 1812 and culminated in the largest mass hanging in Canadian history. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Francisco Mendonca: Indeed, the bakeries on Dundas St. are stocked with custard tarts, the fishmongers are fragrant with salt cod and links of paprika-seasoned sausage lingui a dangle in the butchers windows, according to The Star. We trust the place, says Francisco and Francisco Mendonca has lived in a small brick house on Little Portugals Foxley St. since 1969. He and his wife, Herondina, bought it for $21,000. Its now probably worth half a million, at least. But the couple from the Azorean island of Graciosa have no plans to move. They have everything they need here, they say. I dont think we re going to sell this house, says Herondina. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Malaysia Airlines: The 24-year-old Ajax man was aboard Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 with his girlfriend, Olga Ioppa, a German citizen also studying medicine. The pair were headed on a vacation to Bali, Indonesia, that was months in the making, according to The Star. Anghel was the only Canadian aboard, according to Malaysia Airlines. MH17 Analysis: Putins Frankenstein comes back to haunt Video Ukraine rebels claim to have found MH17 recorders Faces of flight MH17: Details on victims emerge comments Crisis in Ukraine and Russia: Map The world will never see what Andrei Anghel could have been capable of. Bright and hard-working, the young medical student had an ambition to research a cure for cancer and the drive to back it up. Their lives were ended when surface-to-air missiles brought down the plane as it was flying over eastern Ukraine Thursday. There were 298 people on board, all of whom were killed when the plane crashed. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Hamas: Re: Time for truce in Gaza, Editorial July 15, according to The Star. Foreign Affairs Minister John Bairds condemnation of Hamas and his unconditional support of Israels indiscriminate bombing of Gaza ought to be appalling for anyone with a modicum of consciousness. What happened to the Canada known internationally known as a soft-power participating in peaceful resolutions for world conflict and Re: Hamas has no interest in peace,' Baird says, July 16 Hamas has no interest in peace,' Baird says, July 16 (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Citizenship and Immigration Canada: The Mounties say they have charged a former Citizenship and Immigration Canada employee with breach of trust after she allegedly helped 22 people fraudulently obtain Canadian passports, according to The Chronicle Herald. Zeitoune worked in the CICs passport division and They say Aline Zeitoune, 50, of Toronto also faces 96 additional charges. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Passport Canada: Aline Zeitoune, 50, of Toronto worked for Passport Canada, a division of CIC, according to 660 News. Four of the 22 people have also been charged with passport offences and A former Citizenship and Immigration Canada employee has been charged with breach of trust after she allegedly helped 22 people fraudulently obtain Canadian passports, the said Friday. Zeitoune, who was arrested Thursday, also faces 96 additional charges, the Mounties said. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Malaysia Airlines: All 298 people aboard the Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 which was travelling from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur were killed when the aircraft was shot down over contested territory in eastern Ukraine Thursday. Related Items Articles Ontario medical student, girlfriend among passengers of doomed Malaysian flight , according to Winnipeg Free Press. In Toronto, Citizenship and Immigration Minister Chris Alexander said Canada clearly condemned what he referred to repeatedly as an attack. The federal government labelled the shooting down of a Malaysian passenger plane over Ukraine "a brutal act of terror" on Friday, saying it was ready to help investigate the tragedy. The U.S. has said it believes the jetliner was likely downed by a missile and has added that it can't rule out "technical assistance from Russian personnel." (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Andrei Anghel: Andrei Anghel studied biomedical science at the University of Waterloo before moving to his native Romania to attend medical school. Anghel was en route to Bali for a vacation, his sister told News, according to CTV. The siblings were born in Romania and moved to Canada in 1998, when Andrei was eight years old and The Canadian victim of the downed Malaysia Airlines flight was a 24-year-old medical student from Ajax, just east of Toronto. He was always a smart kid and he never got in trouble, Lexi Anghel said of her brother. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Todd Houseman: I feel really proud and I have always been proud of my heritage and my Cree culture and sharing it with everybody I meet. , according to CBC. Their improv show is made up of three acts First Nations folklore, the stories of R ussian playwright Anton Chekhov, and ending off with audience choice. Using physical comedy, Todd Houseman draws on his culture when he launches into an improvised telling of a First Nations creation story. Houseman is on stage this week at Winnipeg Fringe Theatre show, presenting Folk Lordz! He joined by Ben Gorodetzky. Both are from Edmonton. Winnipeg Fringe Theatre Festival: reviews Visit Aboriginal for more top stories (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

fashion shows: One look at Daniele D'Ignazio and one might think his business is fashion. But D'Ignazio, 60, doesn't spend his days seated on a bench at fashion shows in Paris and Milan. No, this justice of the peace spends his days seated on the bench at the head of a Hamilton courtroom. And he says many of his colleagues, Hamilton other justices of the peace, share in his passion for fine luxe fashion. , according to Hamilton Spectator. It an escape, explains D'Ignazio, who has worked previously on human rights commissions and the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada. Presiding over sombre cases all day, every day, can take a toll on a person. So when D'Ignazio and his colleagues get together for lunch or dinner, fashion and food are the dominant topics of conversation. They swap tips on tailors, where to buy this or that, show off new articles of clothing, give each other fashion feedback, and discuss items they might be in the process of hunting down. His bespoke navy pinstripe banker suit was crafted on Savile Row. His contrasting pinstripe Hilditch and Key shirt is one of 92 luxury dress shirts in his closet. A pair of handcrafted Silvano Lattanzi shoes, purchased in an Italian town on the Adriatic shore, adorn his feet. And his patterned tie was cut from a metre of silk, then folded seven times by the hands of a master tie maker in Bristol, England. "They're very, very well dressed," D'Ignazio says of his colleagues. "Most of them have a sense of style that they've cultivated." (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Aline Zeitoune: They say Aline Zeitoune, 50, of Toronto also faces 96 additional charges, according to CTV. The say the probe began in March 2013, when the force was contacted by investigators with the CIC passport program who suspected one of their employees of processing fraudulent applications and - The Mounties say they have charged a former Citizenship and Immigration Canada employee with breach of trust after she allegedly helped 22 people fraudulently obtain Canadian passports. Zeitoune worked in the CIC passport division. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

joyous laughter: They burst onto the bus in a blaze of red and white outfits and joyous laughter: two young women, a toddler in a stroller and a little girl adorned with glitter and a headband festooned with festive flags, according to The Chronicle Herald. As someone who grew up in Canada but didnt become a citizen until nine years ago, I have an abiding fondness for July 1 that comes from celebrating it for years from the outside, then feeling the thrill of being part of the family and Its Canada Day aboard the 53 Notting Park, a short route from the Dartmouth bridge terminal, through the low-rise apartments, townhouses and little bungalows of the Highfield Park area, and back to the terminal. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Malaysia Airlines: All 298 people aboard the Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 which was travelling from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur were killed when the aircraft was shot down over contested territory in eastern Ukraine Thursday, according to 660 News. In Toronto, Citizenship and Immigration Minister Chris Alexander said Canada clearly condemned what he referred to repeatedly as an attack and The federal government labelled the shooting down of a Malaysian passenger plane over Ukraine a brutal act of terror on Friday, saying it was ready to help investigate the tragedy. The U.S. has said it believes the jetliner was likely downed by a missile and has added that it cant rule out technical assistance from Russian personnel. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Immigration Minister Chris Alexander: As News reported on Wednesday , Alexander met with industry representatives to discuss recent changes to Canadas work permit rules which they say has lumped them into the same category as employers who hire low-skilled workers following an overhaul to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program in June. Temporary foreign worker overhaul imposes limits, hikes inspections , according to CBC. David Bouck , the executive producer of Means Of Production, a television commercial and print service production company, told News on Thursday that Alexander was open to correcting the problem. Representatives from the film and TV industry say Immigration Minister Chris Alexander has given them his personal assurance that new rules for temporary foreign workers won't discourage foreign actors and directors from doing business in Canada. Foreign actors and directors who want to film in Canada have to pay a $1,000 fee per worker and submit to a 15-day waiting period to obtain a work permit. But film and TV producers say the new rules are scaring away U.S. actors and directors, along with hundreds of Canadian jobs that come with those contracts. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Bob Nicholson: Renney, hired earlier this week to lead Hockey Canada, is working out of the same office as his predecessor, Bob Nicholson, but he'll be tasked with doing a much different job. , according to CBC. Renney on-the-job challenges include trying to make hockey more affordable for children to begin playing and for adults to continue. He'll also be counted on to handle the 2018 Winter Olympics, which may or may not include NHL players. Tom Renney joked that on his first day as Hockey Canada president and CEO, his first challenge was finding his new office. "When Bob Nicholson took over in 1998 , Hockey Canada needed Bob to turn it into a business, and he did, and he made it a great business," Mike Babcock said. "So now the grassroots program can be more of a focus because Bob looked after the business. They've got to maintain the business, they've got to grow grassroots." (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Cameron Bailey: Will Bailey be able to claim victory in his political fight to secure Torontos position as the top film festival in North America and the primary launch pad for prospective Oscar nominees?, according to The Star. Garth Drabinsky-produced movie seeks place at Cameron Bailey has rolled the dice boldly. And on Tuesday, at the Toronto International Film Festivals 2014 opening news conference, we will get clues to how the festivals artistic director is doing in the fierce international competition for cinematic prestige. More at thestar.com: (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Ken Barker: shared their friendship and their careers at the , according to Winnipeg Free Press. Today Brisson, who retired in September 2012 and is still being treated for the same work-related post-traumatic-stress disorder that culminated last weekend in the suicide of Barker, 51, is mourning the friend he tried to help. Former officer Ken Barker took his own life recently. For almost three decades, Paul Brisson and Ken Barker worked together, socialized and even shared season tickets to Winnipeg Jets games. They also witnessed horrific events together. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Andrei Anghel: A 24-year-old medical student from Ontario and his German girlfriend headed to Bali on vacation are among nearly 300 people who were killed when their Malaysia Airlines flight was shot down over Ukraine. , according to Winnipeg Free Press. "Everybody who knew him know that he was a very, very kind, very, very, very good person," Anghel said over the phone from his home in Ajax, Ont., east of Toronto. Andrei Anghel, 24, is pictured in a handout family photo. THE HO, Anghel Family Related Items Articles Canada calls shooting down of MH17 'a brutal act of terror' What is known about the crash of Malaysian jetliner in Ukraine 1 day after AP Analysis: Downed airliner could harden the conflict in Ukraine - or spark a solution US begins building case aimed at tying pro-Russian forces to plane shot down over Ukraine UN envoy Power: US can't rule out help from Russian personnel in downing plane in Ukraine Dutch made up majority of passengers aboard downed Malaysia Airlines jetliner Researcher, activist heading to conference in Australia were on doomed Malaysian jet Seeking who shot down Malaysian plane, leaders demand credible investigation in Ukraine Australian loses family in both Malaysian flight disasters; 'it ... ripped our guts again' Andrei Anghel had been studying in Romania, where he met his girlfriend, for the past two years. Family photos show a smiling, happy young man, goofing around with his sister and father. Sorin Anghel said his son was a very kind, outgoing man who liked meeting other people. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Immigration Minister Chris Alexander: The Conservatives will add 10 occupations to the priority assessment program that was launched with 14 occupations, says Immigration Minister Chris Alexander and Employment and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney, according to The Star. Internationally trained workers who submit an application to be licensed or registered to work in certain fields, along with all fees and relevant documents, will be advised within one year how their credentials compare to Canadian standards, the government said in a news release and Lawyers, welders and electricians are among the immigrant professionals who will have their foreign credentials assessed faster under a policy change announced by the federal government on Friday. The first group of 14 included engineers and dentists. The new group unveiled Friday also includes geoscientists, carpenters, heavy-duty equipment technicians, heavy-equipment operators, audiologists, speech language pathologists, midwives, and psychologists. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Citizenship and Immigration Minister Chris Alexander: Alexander said the Canadian government is ready to provide assistance to Ukrainian authorities with the investigation. He also said Canada condemns Russias military aggression and illegal occupation of Ukraine, according to CTV. This is an egregious act of terror with an unacceptable human toll, Alexander said. Those responsible must be found and face the full force of the law and The destruction of a Malaysia Airlines passenger jet in eastern Ukraine was an egregious act of terror, Citizenship and Immigration Minister Chris Alexander said Friday, in a strongly worded statement that appeared to pin the blame for the disaster on Russias influence in the troubled region. Flight MH17 had been en route to Kuala Lumpur via Amsterdam went it was shot down Thursday in eastern Ukraine, killing all 298 people on board. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Bobby Joe Baptiste: The teen cannot be named because of his age. He'll be sentenced on August 5. , according to CBC. Kyaw and a friend were walking home on 22nd Street with a small bag of groceries and a bottle of liquor when they were approached by Baptiste and the teen. Kyaw and his friend were stabbed several times. A Saskatoon teen charged with fatally stabbing Burmese immigrant Tie Kyaw in 2010 has pleaded guilty to manslaughter. The teen co-accused, Bobby Joe Baptiste, also pleaded guilty to manslaughter this week and was sentenced to six-and-a-half years behind bars. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Prince Debase Betoukoumessou: The Canada Border Services Agency took Prince Debase Betoukoumessou, 52, from his six children and put him on a plane for the Democratic Republic of Congo DRC Monday evening. But the government agency wouldnt confirm his deportation had even occurred, citing privacy concerns, according to The Star. It is not a practice of the to confirm the enforcement of a removal of any one person, wrote spokesperson Patrizia Giolti in an email to and Behind a grey metal door on the arrivals level of Pearson Airports terminal 3, a man who had lived in Canada for 16 years was held and deported in secret this week. The only reason anyone knows of Betoukoumessous fate is because his family called the day before he was sent off to one of the most dangerous countries in the world. Family of Prince Debase Betoukoumessou reacts to their father/husband deportation (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Canada: Foreign actors and directors who want to film in Canada are also being subject to a $1,000 fee per worker and a 15-day waiting period to obtain a work permit, under new rules unveiled by the federal government at the end of June. , according to CBC. "We only have so many days to prep and so many days to shoot. And if we can't facilitate permits within that period of time, it will make it very challenging for them to greenlight shows coming to Canada." Representatives for Canada film and TV industry are meeting with Immigration Minister Chris Alexander in Vancouver today to discuss recent changes to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program which they say have lumped them into the same category as employers who hire foreign low-skilled workers in the fast-food industry. Shawn Williamson, the president of Brightlight Pictures in Vancouver, which produces such shows such as Fox Witches of East End , told News if U.S. movie stars and their directors can't come to Canada quickly enough, then they risk losing their business to other countries. Temporary foreign worker overhaul imposes limits, hikes inspections (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Jason Kenney: Chris Alexander told a Vancouver news conference that the Start-up Visa program has generated enormous interest, though he couldnt specify how many applications have been received, according to 660 News. When the program was launched, then-immigration minister Jason Kenney said he expected to see a few hundred people come to Canada through the program in its first year and Canadas immigration minister heralded on Wednesday the federal governments 16-month-old visa program for entrepreneurs, which has accepted its first two applicants. We think we ve done more than all other countries to make sure our programs are cutting edge, he said, adding several applications are nearing completion. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Bobby Joe Baptiste: Bobby Joe Baptiste, one of two people charged in the case, appeared in court in Saskatoon Tuesday. He was originally charged with first degree murder and aggravated assault. , according to CBC. Kyaw, 40, was found severely wounded in the city west end early in the morning on Mar. 31, 2010. He was taken to hospital where he died. A Saskatoon man has pleaded guilty to manslaughter and received a total sentence of 6.5 years in prison over the 2010 stabbing death of refugee Tie Kyaw. 2 men charged with murder in 2010 death of Burmese man (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.