iraqi forces: Obama heads to New York on Sunday for the General Assembly session that opens Monday, his eighth and final as president, according to Metro News. He plans to sit down Monday with Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi to discuss progress the country has made countering the Islamic State group, a coming Iraqi military operation to take back the city of Mosul from IS militants, and a brewing humanitarian crisis inside Iraq, said Ben Rhodes, Obama deputy national security adviser. On the sidelines of the session, Obama has scheduled meetings with the leaders of Iraq, Nigeria and Colombia and plans to promote trade between the U.S. and Africa. Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken said this week while visiting Baghdad that Iraqi forces aided by the U.S.-led coalition against IS had retaken half the territory that militants once held in the country. Despite a series of major defeats in recent months, IS has maintained its grip on Mosul, Iraq second largest city. He also announced more than $181 million in aid to address a humanitarian crisis that has festered in Iraq as a result of the insurgency. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

journalist i.f: How did you get involved with this project and why is this an opportune time for people to be reminded of the legacy of I.F. Stone Amy Goodman: Fred Peabody, the director, just approached us and said he was interested in looking at I.F. Stone and what is happening today in independent journalism, just like I.F. Stone Weekly that went out, before the Internet, to tens of thousands of people and gave a really inside, factual look, according to Rabble. Stone showed through investigative reporting his motto and what is the title of this film: all governments lie. Goodman and Sheikh were in Toronto for the world premier of All Governments Lie, a new documentary highlighting the legacy of renowned journalist I.F. Stone and role of free press in protecting democracy. He said to journalism students, if you're going to remember three words, all governments lie. Years later the Times would write its mea culpa on page A10 about how they got it wrong -- the constant front page pieces by people like Judith Miller and Michael Gordon alleging weapons of mass destruction based on unnamed sources. And that something that corporate media has to be reminded of, that we are the "fourth estate" not "for-the-state." And especially in times of war, when the media circles the wagons around the White House, the big question for journalists is "are you a patriot " and that means "are you going to question what your government is doing " That the time you need to question the most, as we saw in the lead up to the invasion in Iraq. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

record year: Specifically, 3,418 immigrants touched down in Nova Scotia between January and June, according to The Chronicle Herald. That is more than the 3,403 that called Nova Scotia their new home in 2015, which was a record year. More immigrants came to our shores in the first six months of 2016 than in all of last year, or in any year during the past decade. It is good news. Julie Towers, Nova Scotia office of immigration chief executive officer, told a legislature committee this past week that while the number of newcomers is enhanced by the arrival of Syrian refugees, she believes the province can attain the desired goal of 7,000 immigrants annually. Where there is birth rates are not sufficient to maintain or increase the population, immigration becomes an essential driver of population sustainability which, in turn, is a key factor in supporting economic growth. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

screening immigrants: Her values test proposal is impractical, according to Huffington Post Canada. People can lie to a our immigration system requires ensuring that our border, immigration, and intelligence agencies have the resources they need to effectively do their job of screening candidates and guaranteeing our security. However, I disagree that there is a major problem with the tools employed in screening immigrants. And the best way to integrate new Canadians is to offer them more opportunities into a more prosperous and dynamic society. Conservative MP Kellie Leitch is running for the party leadership. This has been the basis of Canada success for generations. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

near-legendary status: McCormack was chief, according to Globe and Mail. His near-legendary status in police circles, however, did not shield him from the scandals and political storms that would hamper his term as chief, from 1989 to 1995. He was one of those leaders that walks among giants, said current Toronto Police Chief Mark Saunders, who began his policing career as a constable when Mr. He did not shy away from returning fire at his critics, though, in an era when an increasingly multicultural Toronto traditional deference toward police was waning. Not only was Mr. During his tenure, a series of controversies over police shootings of black men divided Canada largest city – as they still do more than 20 years later. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

canada: But their kids and grandkids are seamlessly and completely integrated into Montreal and the only difference is they tend to be trilingual and not just bilingual." The prime minister was taking part in a daylong conference hosted by Canada 2020, which describes itself as a progressive think-tank, according to The Waterloo Record. Asked by the panel moderator what can be done to reduce fear of and discrimination against newcomers, Trudeau replied that what happening in Canada and around the world is "nothing new." Italians and Greeks who settled in the northern part of Montreal and in other Canadian cities "faced tremendous discrimination, tremendous distrust." "This country didn't happen by accident," Trudeau continued. "And it won't continue without effort. Being fearful of immigrants is "nothing new" in Canada and around the world, he said, adding that Italians and Greeks settling in Montreal in the 1950s faced similar kinds of discrimination as do Muslims and other immigrants today. "The first generation is always going to have challenges in integrating," Trudeau said during a panel discussion with London Mayor Sadiq Khan. "There are districts where Italian grandmothers still pretty much only speak Italian and don't speak that much French or English. When we think about integration and success we can't be overly impatient." He said citizens should "keep a solid pressure" to ensure human rights and the country Charter of Rights and Freedoms are respected by all Canadians. He was recently criticized online and in some Canadian media for visiting a mosque in Ottawa where women and men were kept separate. Trudeau also referred to his time visiting places of worship around the country such as mosques and temples. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

cbc career: That leaves CBC nearly a year to find a successor, according to Brandon Sun. Many would consider Hanomansing to be the heir apparent. Mansbridge, 68, made headlines last week when he announced on-air that he would step down as CBC chief correspondent and anchor after the Canada 150 celebrations in Ottawa next July. As host of Vancouver-produced "CBC News Network with Ian Hanomansing," he won the most recent Canadian Screen Award as Canada top national news anchor. Born in Trinidad, raised in New Brunswick, and with a CBC career launched in Halifax but spent mainly Vancouver, he is in many ways the Canada 150 candidate. He also a familiar face having filled in over the years for Mansbridge on "The National."Plus, in the "because it 2016" era of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the embrace of diversity, he represents the changing face of a multicultural nation. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

canada: But their kids and grandkids are seamlessly and completely integrated into Montreal and the only difference is they tend to be trilingual and not just bilingual." The prime minister was taking part in a day-long conference hosted by Canada 2020, which describes itself as a progressive think-tank, according to CTV. Asked by the panel moderator what can be done to reduce fear of and discrimination against newcomers, Trudeau replied that what happening in Canada and around the world is "nothing new." Italians and Greeks who settled in the northern part of Montreal and in other Canadian cities "faced tremendous discrimination, tremendous distrust." "This country didn't happen by accident," Trudeau continued. "And it won't continue without effort. Being fearful of immigrants is "nothing new" in Canada and around the world, he said, adding that Italians and Greeks settling in Montreal in the 1950s faced similar kinds of discrimination as do Muslims and other immigrants today. "The first generation is always going to have challenges in integrating," Trudeau said during a panel discussion with London Mayor Sadiq Khan. "There are districts where Italian grandmothers still pretty much only speak Italian and don't speak that much French or English. When we think about integration and success we can't be overly impatient." He said citizens should "keep a solid pressure" to ensure human rights and the country Charter of Rights and Freedoms are respected by all Canadians. He was recently criticized online and in some Canadian media for visiting a mosque in Ottawa where women and men were kept separate. Trudeau also referred to his time visiting places of worship around the country such as mosques and temples. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

canadian citizens: The 32-year-old from Ethiopia has been an active member of his west-end community for years before getting his Canadian citizenship in 2015 and feels non-citizens should have the right to vote on the civic issues that most directly affect their day-to-day city lives, according to Metro News. I don't think I was any less of a citizen a year ago, Kuchem told Metro. He doesn't see why it had to take so long. Newcomers do the same things as Canadian citizens for civic services and, for that, I think voting matters. Allowing newcomers to vote municipally would increase civic engagement, voter turnouts and ensure councils and school boards better represent their local communities, argue advocates determined to put the issue on the city radar. Instead it a hindrance to engagement . Not everyone is being represented. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

fears people: But history has shown that the groups who arrived in Canada in the post-Second World War era were successfully integrated, said Mr, according to Globe and Mail. Trudeau. The concerns and fears people have are nothing new. We have successfully demonstrated that the drawing in of people from around the world has been an extraordinary plus, he said. Khan praised Mr. Mr. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

fingerprints databases: By Alex Boutilier Ottawa Bureau Reporter Thu., Sept. 15, 2016 OTTAWA—Border officials warn a cyberattack on their facial recognition or fingerprints databases could result in barring innocent travellers from Canada — or letting the wrong people in, according to Toronto Star. In documents prepared for Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale in November, Canada Border Services Agency officials said they need to keep pace with emerging security vulnerabilities to systems governing who can enter the country. Every year, approximately 355,000 people from 30 countries provide Canadian officials with fingerprint records and a digital photograph, according to the documents. The agency growing use of biometric data — such as fingerprints, facial recognition, and retinal scans — was cited as an example. Such attacks could disrupt border traffic flows and compromise the integrity of border controls. A malicious cyberattack, for example, could infiltrate the back-end of a biometric identification system and produce false acceptances and/or rejections, reads the document, obtained by the Star under access to information law. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

framework language: Also present will be many of the book contributors from the GTA to share their personal stories and insights on the topic.RSVP online at event is in partnership with The Centre for Women Studies in Education, Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants , Noor Cultural Centre, Rexdale Women Centre, Second Story Press and the Feminist History Society, according to Rabble. The panel will feature members of the Book Project Collective who will speak about their recently published anthology Resilience and Triumph: Immigrant Women Tell Their Stories , with an opening address from Eve Haque, Associate Professor in the Dept. of Languages, Literatures and Linguistics at York University and author of Multiculturalism Within a Bilingual Framework: Language, Race and Belonging in Canada. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

ideas: This week Conservative MP Tony Clement unveiled a plan that proved just how out of touch his party still is on national security, according to Huffington Post Canada. They still don't get it: Canadians expect their government to protect not only their security, but also their rights. The Conservatives lost the election last year because they fell out of touch. While our government is focused on working hard to grow the economy for middle class Canadians, Mr. Instead of seeking to inspire Canadians with ideas on how to make Canada better, he seeks to prey on ignorance and fear. Clement has other ideas. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

immigrant-screening proposal: She said that is in part why the party chose Halifax for the location of their fall caucus meeting as well as the next Conservative National Convention in 2018, according to The Chronicle Herald. We'll just keep coming back here, Ambrose said. Speaking with the Chronicle Herald Thursday following a two-day caucus retreat in Halifax, Ambrose said that starts with being present and visible to voters in the region. Conservatives coming back to Halifax for national convention Leitch dismisses critics of her immigrant-screening proposal as 'elites'Conservative leadership hopeful goes after IMF for 'left-wing ideology'Leadership race heats up as Conservative caucus gathers in Halifax Being present and standing up for people, and standing up for the things that matter to people . . . is eventually, hopefully, what will make people look at us in the next election. In an area like Atlantic Canada, with only Liberal MPs, she said having that opposition voice becomes even more important. For her party, Ambrose said that doesn't just mean being a voice for Conservative supporters, but as the official Opposition being a strong voice for everyone in the region who feels they aren't being properly represented by government. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

leitch: The callous Leitch, who has been insisting lately that we consider a values test for prospective immigrants, simply wants to boost her brand by playing to racist and xenophobic fears of some Conservative party supporters, according to Toronto Star. Modern conservative groups keep questioning immigrants' values because they know their liberal political opponents, who are prone to the same prejudiced scapegoating, will struggle to condemn them. By Desmond Cole Thu., Sept. 15, 2016 Conservative MP and party leadership contender Kellie Leitch doesn't really want a conversation on Canadian values. Many have criticized Leitch proposal by saying it is impractical, since no one person or group can define or determine Canadian values. There are such things as Canadian values, and they explain how our politicians have been peddling a fear of foreigners for the last 150 years. That a nice idea, but in practice we know the values our politicians attempt to sell us are a reflection of our colonial, white, British, monarchical heritage. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

minister: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau meets with London Mayor Sadiq Khan at the Global Progress conference Thursday in Montreal. "There are districts where Italian grandmothers still pretty much only speak Italian and don't speak that much French or English, according to Huffington Post Canada. But their kids and grandkids are seamlessly and completely integrated into Montreal and the only difference is they tend to be trilingual and not just bilingual." The prime minister was taking part in a day-long conference hosted by Canada 2020, which describes itself as a progressive think-tank. Being fearful of immigrants is "nothing new" in Canada and around the world, he said, explaining that Italians and Greeks settling in Montreal in the 1950s faced similar kinds of discrimination as do Muslims and other immigrants today. "The first generation is always going to have challenges in integrating," Trudeau said during a panel discussion with London Mayor Sadiq Khan. Asked by the panel moderator what can be done to reduce fear of and discrimination against newcomers, Trudeau replied that what happening in Canada and around the world is "nothing new." This country didn't happen by accident' Italians and Greeks who settled in the northern part of Montreal and in other Canadian cities "faced tremendous discrimination, tremendous distrust." "This country didn't happen by accident," Trudeau continued. "And it won't continue without effort. Trudeau also referred to his time visiting places of worship around the country such as mosques and temples. When we think about integration and success we can't be overly impatient." He said citizens should "keep a solid pressure" to ensure human rights and the country Charter of Rights and Freedoms are respected by all Canadians. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

ottawa: Alfredsson will get his citizenship along with hundreds of others as part of the World Cup of Hockey 2016 Legacy Project put together by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada the NHL and the National Hockey League Players Association in Toronto, according to Metro News. Alfredsson, 43, originally from Gothenburg, Sweden spent 17 seasons with the Sens before being traded to the Detroit Red Wings for his final season in the NHL. In 2014, Alfredsson signed a one-day contract to retire as an Ottawa Senator. Alfredsson – the longest-serving captain in Ottawa Senators history – is set to become a Canadian citizen at a special ceremony on Sept. 20. But he wasn't gone from Ottawa long. Alfredsson been back working as senior adviser of hockey operations for the Ottawa Senators and now calls Ottawa home again. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

panel discussion: Being fearful of immigrants is nothing new in Canada and around the world, he said, explaining that Italians and Greeks settling in Montreal in the 1950s faced similar kinds of discrimination as do Muslims and other immigrants today, according to Toronto Star. The first generation is always going to have challenges in integrating, Trudeau said during a panel discussion with London Mayor Sadiq Khan. By The Canadian Press Thu., Sept. 15, 2016 MONTREAL—Prime Minister Justin Trudeau used the example of Italian grandmothers in Montreal on Thursday to explain why Canadians shouldn't be overly impatient with the integration of newcomers. There are districts where Italian grandmothers still pretty much only speak Italian and don't speak that much French or English. The prime minister was taking part in a daylong conference hosted by Canada 2020, which describes itself as a progressive think-tank. But their kids and grandkids are seamlessly and completely integrated into Montreal and the only difference is they tend to be trilingual and not just bilingual. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

record year: In 2015, 3,403 people arrived in the province, a record year for immigration, according to CBC. This year has already topped that with 3,418 newcomers making the province their home by the end of June. On Wednesday, the province reported more people have made Nova Scotia home in the first six months of 2016 than during all of last year. Nova Scotia population has never been higher, thanks to immigration More than 1,000 of those newcomers are Syrian refugees who began arriving in December 2015. Welcoming people like never before "They are welcoming people like they never welcomed them before," said Diab. "The support that we have received across this land and across this province from one region to the next has been overwhelming. Diab said the way Nova Scotians welcomed those families seemed to be a turning point for the province. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

canada: But their kids and grandkids are seamlessly and completely integrated into Montreal and the only difference is they tend to be trilingual and not just bilingual."The prime minister was taking part in a day-long conference hosted by Canada 2020, which describes itself as a progressive think-tank, according to Brandon Sun. Asked by the panel moderator what can be done to reduce fear of and discrimination against newcomers, Trudeau replied that what happening in Canada and around the world is "nothing new."Italians and Greeks who settled in the northern part of Montreal and in other Canadian cities "faced tremendous discrimination, tremendous distrust.""This country didn't happen by accident," Trudeau continued. "And it won't continue without effort. Being fearful of immigrants is "nothing new" in Canada and around the world, he said, adding that Italians and Greeks settling in Montreal in the 1950s faced similar kinds of discrimination as do Muslims and other immigrants today."The first generation is always going to have challenges in integrating," Trudeau said during a panel discussion with London Mayor Sadiq Khan."There are districts where Italian grandmothers still pretty much only speak Italian and don't speak that much French or English. When we think about integration and success we can't be overly impatient."He said citizens should "keep a solid pressure" to ensure human rights and the country Charter of Rights and Freedoms are respected by all Canadians. He was recently criticized online and in some Canadian media for visiting a mosque in Ottawa where women and men were kept separate. Trudeau also referred to his time visiting places of worship around the country such as mosques and temples. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

tour i: Let me highlight a few redeeming and not-so-redeeming moments of the tour, according to Brandon Sun. I should say at the outset there were more inspiring responses than dispiriting ones. It was an MRI scan of a country facing and coping with major issues arising from the surge of nearly a million refugees who are settling in after Chancellor Angela Merkel open-border response to the humanitarian crisis.I am continuing my participation with the Robert Bosch Academy flagship program, the Richard von Weizsacker Fellowship, to examine the issue of global refugee migration. There was the optimistic, "can-do" attitude of several German mayors in large cities and smaller communities who were handling the local refugee settlement with aplomb and effectiveness. Vision is an apt descriptor for the family-owned high-tech firm Lapp Grupe in Stuttgart, which showed us around a training centre where young refugees from Syria, Eritrea, Iran and Cameroon were learning a trade in the expanding world of information technology. The warmth of many volunteers from church groups such as Caritas, the Catholic agency, who were reaching out to help the newcomers get a toehold in a new society, and the neighbourhood sports officials running a soccer camp for Syrian refugee kids, was heartwarming, showing good people come to the fore in a time of need. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

canadian values: But Mulroney said that unnecessary, according to CBC. Kevin O'Leary 'writing off' Kellie Leitch Tory leadership bid Kellie Leitch calls comparisons with Donald Trump unfair Kellie Leitch tears up over role in barbaric cultural practices tip line "We have a good process now. Ontario MP Kellie Leitch has floated the idea of applying such a test to potential immigrants as a way to make sure their views on issues like gender equality are aligned with Canadian values. People don't just walk in the front door here," he told reporters after delivering a speech at the University of Calgary on Tuesday. "They have to meet certain criteria and I think if they meet those criteria, that should be OK." Mulroney, who was the Progressive Conservative prime minister from 1984 until 1993, also diplomatically waded into U.S. politics, where immigration has also been a hot-button issue. "This is a most unusual choice that Americans have to make." He said he knows both Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton and her Republican opponent Donald Trump personally. She spent her whole life in public policy," he said, predicting that the outcome of the election will turn on who does better in the televised debate in about two weeks. Clinton has more experience than Trump He said his children know Trump children and "anybody who can raise wonderful children like that has got something going for him." But he said in the end, Clinton has more going for her in terms of experience. "Who the more qualified Obviously because of her background, Hillary. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

caucus retreat: Several other candidates have harshly criticized the proposal, and former prime Minister Brian Mulroney said Tuesday in Calgary the current immigration process works fine, according to Metro News. Last Friday, former senior minister Jason Kenney, who is currently seeking the provincial leadership in Alberta, said Leitch had never put forward that position in all the years they worked together. And that fine," she told reporters at a caucus retreat in Halifax."I want to be clear: I will be the leader of the party in May of 2017 and it because I am talking about the issues that Canadians care about, about Canadian values."Leitch proposal to vet would-be immigrants and refugees for "anti-Canadian values" has put her at the centre of the leadership race debate, and at the two-day caucus retreat that ended Wednesday. But Leitch cites a Forum poll that shows 87% of Conservatives favour having the discussion, and she has begun using the controversy in a fundraising note to supporters. Results were considered accurate within three percentage points, 19 times out of 20."While the elites and most media harshly criticized even the mention of the discussion, you knew better," wrote Leitch in the fundraising note. "Together we will stand up to those who don't want to discuss Canadian values and whose politically correct elitism remains tone deaf to the views of most Canadians."Asked about the fundraising letter, interim Conservative leader Rona Ambrose said Wednesday: "The great thing about living in a free country and about leadership races is that everyone gets to have an opinion."After the caucus retreat Wednesday, Leitch said she expects her opponents will discuss who proposing the biggest tax cut, while she goes where the voters actually are."For myself the thing that actually shows … how we distance ourselves from the public is when we only talk about money and wealth," she told reporters."I recognize others don't want to have this conversation and that fine. The poll was an automated phone survey of 1,370 adult Canadians conducted Sept. 6 and 7. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

caucus retreat: I don't care if it the Queen of Sheba — if you're advancing theories based on left-wing ideology that means more tax and more spend, it will not create jobs, he said on the last day of the Conservative caucus retreat in Halifax, according to The Chronicle Herald. IMF love affair with Liberals' policyIMF head praises Canada-Europe trade deal amid rising protectionist sentiment We're not going to fall down the same cliff again just because some expert from outta town has said it ok. Leadership candidate Tony Clement went so far as to accuse Christine Lagarde, the head of the respected international body, of spouting left-wing ideology when she praised the fiscal policies of the federal government a day earlier in Ottawa. Lagarde met with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Tuesday and gave her stamp of approval to his economic initiatives, adding that she hoped they would go viral and spread to the European Union. Instead, Ambrose said the party is paying closer attention to domestic indicators and the opinions of the Bank of Canada, the Conference Board of Canada and ordinary Canadians who are struggling with unemployment and increasing debt. Interim Conservative leader Rona Ambrose downplayed the endorsement, saying the IMF had praised the policies of the Tory government under Stephen Harper during the global recession. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

country right: Interim Conservative leader Rona Ambrose downplayed the endorsement, saying the IMF had praised the policies of the Tory government under Stephen Harper during the global recession, according to Hamilton Spectator. Instead, Ambrose said the party is paying closer attention to domestic indicators and the opinions of the Bank of Canada, the Conference Board of Canada and ordinary Canadians who are struggling with unemployment and increasing debt. "These are people who are out of a job, these are people that are worried about their paycheques," she said at the close of the two-day retreat. "Things are quite grim in a lot of parts of our country right now." The IMF support of Ottawa "growth strategy" could serve to weaken the Conservatives' criticism of Trudeau economic policies, sure to be one of its main targets when it heads back to Parliament on Monday. Leadership candidate Tony Clement — who grew up in Hamilton — went so far Wednesday as to accuse Christine Lagarde, the head of the respected international body, of "spouting left-wing ideology" when she praised the fiscal policies of the federal government a day earlier in Ottawa. "I don't care if it the Queen of Sheba — if you're advancing theories based on left-wing ideology that means more tax and more spend, it will not create jobs," he said on the last day of the Conservative caucus retreat in Halifax. "We're not going to fall down the same cliff again just because some expert from outta town has said it OK." Lagarde met with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Tuesday and gave her stamp of approval to his economic initiatives, adding that she hoped they would "go viral" and spread to the European Union. But Conservative finance critic and Milton MP Lisa Raitt said that while it nice to have Lagarde approval, both she and Trudeau failed to explain how the federal Liberal government will pay for its spending. "My fault in what she said is it one thing to say it OK to spend, it another thing to tell us how we're supposed to pay it all back," she said. "This government has shown us nothing on how they're going to pay it back." Leadership contender Maxime Bernier said it was a wrong-headed policy at a time of flagging growth in Canada, and that billions in federal spending has done little to spur economic recovery. "The reality is that after nearly a year you don't have any growth in Canada," he said. "We need growth of four per cent and the way to do that is with less government and more private investment." The MPs made the comments as they wrapped up summer meetings that were dominated by discussions over immigration, electoral reform, party unity and the nascent leadership contest. The proposal has already caused dissension between some declared candidates, with Wellington-Halton Hills MP Michael Chong calling it "unworkable nonsense" and Calgary-area MP Deepak Obhrai saying it is "anti-immigrant." Caucus members also looked at ways to make a comeback in Atlantic Canada, a region that shut out the party in all 32 ridings in the last federal election. Much of the debate in the hallways of the Halifax hotel centred on controversial remarks by Simcoe-Grey MP and leadership candidate Kellie Leitch, who has proposed screening newcomers for "anti-Canadian values" as a way to assess their views on issues like gender equality. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

criteria: But Mulroney said that unnecessary. "We have a good process now, according to CTV. People don't just walk in the front door here," he told reporters after delivering a speech at the University of Calgary on Tuesday. "They have to meet certain criteria and I think if they meet those criteria, that should be OK." Mulroney, who was the Progressive Conservative prime minister from 1984 until 1993, also diplomatically waded into U.S. politics, where immigration has also been a hot-button issue. "This is a most unusual choice that Americans have to make." He said he knows both Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton and her Republican opponent Donald Trump personally. Ontario MP Kellie Leitch has floated the idea of applying such a test to potential immigrants as a way to make sure their views on issues like gender equality are aligned with Canadian values. He said his children know Trump children and "anybody who can raise wonderful children like that has got something going for him." But he said in the end, Clinton has more going for her in terms of experience. "Who the more qualified Obviously because of her background, Hillary. But Trump, he said, has "caught a wave" with his hardline stance on immigration, particularly from Mexico and Muslim countries -- a view Mulroney said he doesn't share. She spent her whole life in public policy," he said, predicting that the outcome of the election will turn on who does better in the televised debate in about two weeks. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.