border crisis: Lamar Alexander said on the Senate floor Thursday, according to CTV. But he stopped just short of saying he'd support a resolution blocking the president's move. Trump's move would turn a border crisis into a constitutional crisis, veteran Sen. Had Alexander pledged his vote, it would probably be enough for the Senate to pass a measure repealing the emergency declaration. He can build a wall and avoid a dangerous precedent and I hope he'll do that, Alexander said. Speaking later to reporters, Alexander, R-Tenn., warned what might happen if Trump doesn't settle for using other money he can access without declaring an emergency. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

hector mantolino: Mantolino, originally from the Philippines, pleaded guilty in December 2017 to misrepresentation under provisions of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, according to CTV. The owner of several cleaning and maintenance companies, Mantolino used the temporary foreign worker program to bring 28 workers to Canada from the Philippines over a number of years. In handing down his sentencing decision today for Hector Mantolino, Nova Scotia Supreme Court Justice Glen McDougall said a message had to be sent to employers who rely on temporary foreign workers. According to a statement of agreed facts, he paid them at least 500,000 less than their total reported salaries. Mantolino's lawyer had argued for a conditional sentence. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

world flutes: It is too exciting, according to Toronto Star. The warning has obviously been ignored by Alison Melville and her four fellow musicians invited by North Wind Concerts to the Yorkville hall to present Encircling the World Flutes. The flute is not an instrument with a good moral effect. Performers from Encircling the World Flutes, clockwise from bottom left Ernesto Cardenas, Alison Melville, Kianoush Khalilian and Deep Ganguly. photo courtesy Kianoush Khalilian As the name suggests, this is no ordinary flute concert not that there is such a thing as an ordinary flute concert it is a celebration of the many forms the flute can take. Ernesto Cardenas, Peruvian-Canadian founder of the Toronto-based Andean ensemble Sikuris St. Melville herself, well known from her appearances with Toronto Consort and Tafelmusik and co-founder of North Winds, plays baroque flute and reorder. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

york yankees: He will wear No. 3 rather than the No. 34 he used with the Washington Nationals, where he spent his previous major league seasons, according to CTV. Harper has a .279 career average with 184 homers and 521 RBIs, including a .268 average with 14 homers, 32 RBIs in 47 games at Citizens Bank Park. Philadelphia scheduled a news conference for Saturday to introduce Harper. His agreement tops the 325 million, 13-year agreement outfielder Giancarlo Stanton reached before the 2015 season with the Miami Marlins, who traded him to the New York Yankees in December 2017. He receives a 10 million salary this year, 26 million in each of the following nine seasons and 22 million in each of the last three years. Harper gets a 20 million signing bonus in equal installments, the first within 90 days of the deal's approval by the commissioner's office and the second this Nov. 1. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

american government: It is time for our nation to set a new priority, Inslee told supporters gathered at a solar panel business in Seattle, according to Vancouver Courier. This is truly our moment. Jay Inslee launched his 2020 Democratic presidential bid on Friday with a promise to refocus American government and society. It is our moment to solve America's most daunting challenge and make it the first, foremost and paramount duty of the United States ... to defeat climate change. article continues below Trending Stories Vancouver craft breweries could be forced from communities they helped create World-famous hot pot restaurant Hai Di Lao to open in Metro Vancouver Vancouver transit police looking for suspect in alleged hate crime Survey says Opinions about Commercial Drive change little over 20 years The 68-year-old former congressman becomes the first governor to enter a race dominated by senators. Steve Bullock and former Colorado Gov. Montana Gov. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

committee: On Wednesday, Wilson-Raybould told the House of Commons justice committee that she was pressured by Trudeau, his senior staff and others to halt a criminal prosecution of Montreal engineering giant SNC-Lavalin, according to Vancouver Courier. PM'S FORMER TOP ADVISER TO TESTIFY IN SNC-LAVALIN AFFAIRPrime Minister Justin Trudeau's former principal secretary, Gerald Butts, wants to give his side of the story in the SNC-Lavalin affair. The source says no new ministers will be brought in and that only a small number of ministers will change roles. In his request to appear before the House of Commons justice committee, Butts says he believes he has evidence that will help the committee get to the bottom of the matter. CANADA, MEXICO DIVIDED ON VENEZUELACanada and Mexico may be united in wanting to bring closure to North America's unresolved trading future, but they are diametrically opposed on how to solve Venezuela's political and economic crisis. The Liberal-dominated committee says it will invite Butts to appear next Wednesday or soon thereafter and will also recall Michael Wernick, clerk of the Privy Council, and Nathalie Drouin, the deputy minister of justice, both of whom testified last week. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

filing taxes: Coming from a low-income family, it's not that easy to stretch your budget, according to CTV. Seeking help for their financial troubles, the couple sat down for a free workshop on financial literacy put on by Momentum, a Calgary credit counseling agency. Marricel and Sam Concepcion didn't know anything about filing taxes and making a budget before they moved to Canada from the Philippines. The couple then learned about a special grant program that's been offered for the past few years. When they put away between 200 and 1,000 of their return, ATB will pay out half of the money they save for a period of one year. The ATB Tax Time Savings Program is offering 300 people the opportunity to earn a massive 50 percent interest rate after just one year of saving their refund. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

immigration model: Within a few months we came up with a unique and precise immigration model focused on businesses -- the Atlantic immigration pilot, he said, according to CTV. LeBlanc said the federal immigration minister will talk about expanding on the success. Internal Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc said immigration was the first issue addressed when the strategy was launched three years ago, and it continues to help grow the region's economy. We're going to take stock of how successful it's been. It is a good thing. Ahmed Hussen will have some words on how it can be extended and renewed again or expanded because it has been very successful, he said. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

immigration minister: LeBlanc said the federal immigration minister will talk about expanding on the success, according to Vancouver Courier. We're going to take stock of how successful it's been. Internal Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc said immigration was the first issue addressed when the strategy was launched three years ago, and it continues to help grow the region's economy.article continues below Trending Stories Better Business Bureau releases top 10 scam list Vancouver's median condo price nears 1 million; detached homes 3 million Horny Hornby Island, a BC vacation paradise Within a few months we came up with a unique and precise immigration model focused on businesses the Atlantic immigration pilot, he said. Ahmed Hussen will have some words on how it can be extended and renewed again or expanded because it has been very successful, he said. Why wouldn't we continue it and expand it On Wednesday, the Conference Board of Canada predicted rising growth for all four Atlantic provinces, led by P.E.I., which is expected to lead the country with 3.2 per cent growth this year thanks in part to increased immigration. It is a good thing. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

gun violence: The bill is the first of two the House is voting on this week as Democrats move to tighten gun laws following eight years of Republican control, according to CTV. The other bill would extend the review period for background checks from three to 10 days. Democrats called the 240-190 vote a major step to end the gun lobby's grip on Washington and begin to address an epidemic of gun violence that kills thousands of Americans every year, including 17 people shot and killed at a Florida high school last year. Both bills face dim prospects in the Republican-controlled Senate and veto threats from President Donald Trump, who said they would impose unreasonable requirements on gun owners. The White House said in a veto message that the background-checks bill could block someone from borrowing a firearm for self-defence or allowing a neighbour to take care of a gun while travelling. Just eight Republicans joined 232 Democrats to support the bill, while only two Democrats voted against it. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

campaign: The campaign, which rolled out across more than 50 digital billboards around the city last week but appeared to have been taken down ahead of schedule on Wednesday, featured a rotation of four slogans and direct questions that a group spokesman said aimed to ensure that Canadians are truly informed when they consent to getting vaccinated, according to CTV. The group's vice-president, Ted Kuntz, said the company responsible for disseminating the campaign faced pressure from an unknown source to remove the ads, saying the move suggests Ontario's public policy does not support public education. Christine Elliott expressed fundamental disagreement with the billboard ads paid for by Vaccination Choice Canada, an advocacy group that describes its mandate as ensuring people are fully informed and educated about immunizations for themselves and their children. Elliott disagreed, lamenting the amount of public misinformation on medical subjects, redoubling calls for Ontario residents to get their vaccines and suggesting failure to do so has already had consequences. It's not necessarily happening now, and we're seeing things come forward like tuberculosis outbreaks in certain parts of Ontario, measles outbreaks and so on. A certain number of people need to be vaccinated in order for it to be effective, Elliott said after directly criticizing the Toronto-targeted campaign. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

hoda muthana: Her family sought expedited action on her suit because Muthana is now in a refugee camp in Syria, according to CTV. Judge Reggie Walton granted that Tuesday and scheduled a hearing for Monday. The family of 24-year-old Hoda Muthana filed suit last week against the Trump administration after the government said she wasn't a citizen and wouldn't be allowed to enter the U.S. with her 18-month-old son. The U.S. determined Muthana wasn't a citizen because her father was a Yemeni diplomat when she was born in New Jersey. But her lawyers say he was no longer a diplomat at the time. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

christine elliott: The group's vice-president, Ted Kuntz, said the company responsible for disseminating the campaign faced pressure from an unknown source to remove the ads, saying the move suggests Ontario's public policy does not support public education, according to Vancouver Courier. Elliott disagreed, lamenting the amount of public misinformation on medical subjects, redoubling calls for Ontario residents to get their vaccines and suggesting failure to do so has already had consequences. Christine Elliott expressed fundamental disagreement with the billboard ads paid for by Vaccination Choice Canada, an advocacy group that describes its mandate as ensuring people are fully informed and educated about immunizations for themselves and their children.article continues below Trending Stories Fundraiser started for Vancouver lawyer injured after van jumps curb Song remains the same for Vancouver music shop closure real estate Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announces 20 million for Vancouver housing projects Nine years ago today, Canada got its Golden Goal in Vancouver The campaign, which rolled out across more than 50 digital billboards around the city last week but appeared to have been taken down ahead of schedule on Wednesday, featured a rotation of four slogans and direct questions that a group spokesman said aimed to ensure that Canadians are truly informed when they consent to getting vaccinated. A certain number of people need to be vaccinated in order for it to be effective, Elliott said after directly criticizing the Toronto-targeted campaign. So we are going to continue, through the Ministry of Health, to encourage people to have their children vaccinated and to receive regular inoculations themselves. It's not necessarily happening now, and we're seeing things come forward like tuberculosis outbreaks in certain parts of Ontario, measles outbreaks and so on. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

atlantic convoys: I studied classics for my first degree and roamed Hadrian's Wall and the ancient villas of England long before I copied down the Latin inscriptions on the Via Appia outside Rome, according to Rabble. On my very first visit to the memorial, I noticed that the commemorative plaques to the 35,800 merchant seamen of Britain's two world wars, whose bodies were lost to the sea, contained Arab Muslim names. The remains of Londinium contain the fine red sandwich bricks which reinforced so many Roman houses, temples and fortifications across the empire. Many came from Yemen Arabia Felix to the Romans and lived in South Shields and most worked on the great Atlantic convoys. You can form your own view. ISOCountry Groups euro at be cy ee fi fr de gr ie it lv lt lu mc mt nl pt sk si sm es va uk gb us us variants 1 33.4, 2 33.3, 3 33.3 We'll tell you what's true. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

citizenship laws: When she was a year old, the family moved to Edmonton where she grew up, according to CTV. At the age of 22, she went to Japan to teach English. Victoria Maruyama was born in Hong Kong and, because her father was Canadian, has been a Canadian citizen since she was a baby. I met my kids' dad, Maruyama said in an interview with The Canadian Press. She was seven months pregnant with their first daughter, Akari, in 2009 when Conservative government amendments to the citizenship laws took away her right to pass on citizenship to her children unless they were born in Canada. The plan was just to teach English throughout Asia, move around from one country to the next, but he kind of scotched my plans. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

data span: Some of the allegations included inappropriate conduct by minors in shelters against other minors, as well as by staff members, according to CTV. Rep. The cases include allegations of inappropriate touching to staff members allegedly watching minors while they bathed and showing pornographic videos to minors. Ted Deutch, D-Fla., released the Health and Human Services Department data amid a hearing on the Trump administration's policy of family separations at the border. From October 2014 to July 2018, the Office of Refugee Resettlement, a part of Health and Human Services, received 4,556 complaints, including allegations of sexual abuse, harassment and inappropriate behaviour. The data span both the Obama and Trump administrations, and were first reported by Axios. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

convoy: Upon their return to Alberta, 11 days after the convoy rolled out, members said their message was heard, according to CTV. The trip was fantastic. The United We Roll campaign, which was more than 150 trucks strong, arrived in Ottawa championing Alberta, the oil and gas industry and its workers. It was unbelievable what the support was like right across Canada. They were really happy that we were doing this for Canada. In every community we went to there were people out in full force supporting the movement, said Edmonton's Les Michaelson during the convoy's stop in Airdrie. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

victory party: Together, we sent a message to Justin Trudeau that his days are numbered in Parliament, according to Toronto Star. Scot Davidson, centre, arrives at his victory party at Sutton Legion in York Region Monday evening. It might have been my name on the ballot, but together we kept this riding Tory blue, said Davidson in his victory speech. Davidson declared victory in the byelection in York-Simcoe, a Conservative stronghold in the last five elections. It's a political juggernaut that, for the past 14 years, has featured Conservative MP Peter Van Loan, a Tory stalwart who triggered Monday's byelection with his retirement announcement last September. Susie Conservatives have owned this vast riding along Lake Simcoe which includes Georgina, East Gwillimbury, King, Bradford West Gwillimbury and the Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation dating back five elections. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

elections postponement: As his body decays, his libido rages on, according to Rabble. Mind the opposing sides. To take a sip from Diary of a Mad Old Man perhaps to draw analogy between the topic under discussion, which is the decline of true activism, and the said novel, it tells of a 77-year old man of refined tastes, who falls in love with his fleshy dancer daughter-in-law. This week alone I read tens of commentaries on the 2019 elections postponement few hours to its commencement. The two things I have noticed are the parallel lines drawn by the two mega political parties. As some of those commentaries sadden, others gladden. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

europe: Anti-Zionism is the latest euphemism for anti-Semitism, which in Europe may at least in part be due to the relatively recent influx of Muslim immigrants and refugees, according to Toronto Star. This has prompted Muslims, misguided by Iran and others, to support their Palestinian brothers and sisters by harassing, maiming and killing Jews in Paris, Brussels, Malm and many other cities in Europe. The 26 member states of the European Union EU seem to be adopting a similar attitude in relation to the State of Israel, which has become the epitome of the Jew to be hated. And it has helped to revive Europe's ignominious and tragic history of Jew-hatred. Behind them hangs a banner bearing the colours of the Israeli flag with a slogan in support of Zionism. Israelis walk in the Jewish quarter of the Jerusalem's Old City on Feb. 19. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

kawthar barho: Last Tuesday, a fire tore through their Halifax home, killing seven children who ranged in age from three months to 14 years old, according to CTV. Father Ebraheim Barho remains in hospital in stable but critical condition with serious burns. The Barho family came to Canada from Syria as refugees in 2017. Mother Kawthar Barho had minor physical injuries and attended the heartbreaking funeral on Saturday. When I visited Kawthar Barho in the hospital last week, she expressed gratitude to the way the community has come around to support her, but she was very clear that she needs her family now, he said Fillmore said that those who arrive Monday, all adults, were able to get here quickly thanks to conditions that made those visas much easier to expedite. Halifax Liberal MP Andy Fillmore told reporters Monday that Immigration and Refugees Canada staff worked through the weekend to expedite visitor's visas for five members of the Barho family. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

press room: However, it did so while pretending that other headaches notably the existential threat posed by Netflix and other streaming services don't exist, according to Toronto Star. The Oscar-winning actors pose after Sunday's Academy Awards from left Rami Malek, Olivia Colman, Regina King, and Mahershala Ali in the press room on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. Like the scam shaman in that 1939 Best Picture nominee, who was caught bluffing behind a curtain and then worked some version of magic anyway, the film academy finagled its way out of an embarrassing problem. Jordan Strauss / Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP The academy acted as if it really didn't need a show emcee to replace its abandoned choice, the Twitter-shamed Kevin Hart, and the trick worked. The presentations pairing of Mike Myers with his Wayne's World co-star Dana Carvey, Awkwafina with John Mulaney and a rabbit-festooned Melissa McCarthy with Brian Tyree Henry also offered amusing glimpses of talent the academy could possibly tap. The telecast ran just over three hours rather than the customary four, making it seem almost too brisk we critics are never happy . Look at all the non-host hosts who were trotted out! Tina Fey, Amy Poehler and Maya Rudolph joked about how they were not hosting, reminding everybody how funny they are at the Golden Globes and how they'd be preferred candidates to host the Oscars in 2020. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

press conference: And now, 78 million tonnes of carbon dioxide, according to Rabble. Every year Environment Canada increases the amount by which Canada is projected to miss its Paris Agreement target. Then 66 million. Transitions to a cleaner future are hard, said Environment Minister Catherine McKenna in a press conference last December. The essence of the Green New Deal is a swift transition to renewables that ensures equitable access to fair wage, full benefit, unionized livelihoods for all Americans. If Minister McKenna is in need of guidance, I would respectfully direct her southwards, to newly elected Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's Green New Deal -- the legislation of which was just released earlier this month, on February 7. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

bill: Immigration minister with the Coalition Avenir Quebec government Simon Jolin-Barrette tabled Bill 9, which aims to allow the province to be more selective with immigrants, according to Toronto Star. Jacques Boissinot / THE CANADIAN PRESS file photo Simon Jolin-Barrette, immigration minister with the Coalition Avenir Quebec government, tabled Bill 9 on Feb. 7. The decision Monday by Justice Frederic Bachand forces the province to continue to render decisions on cases it wanted to throw out as it moved to overhaul the selection process for newcomers to the province. The bill aims to allow the province to be more selective with immigrants, ensuring they speak French, respect Quebec values and meet labour market needs. They said the matter was clearly urgent and warranted an injunction. Lawyers representing the Quebec Association of Immigration Lawyers argued last Friday the minister had acted illegally by not following the laws currently in place. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

simon jolin-barrette: Simon Jolin-Barrette, immigration minister with the Coalition Avenir Quebec government, tabled Bill 9 on Feb. 7, according to CTV. The bill aims to allow the province to be more selective with immigrants, ensuring they speak French, respect Quebec values and meet labour market needs. The decision Monday by Justice Frederic Bachand forces the province to continue to render decisions on cases it wanted to throw out as it moved to overhaul the selection process for newcomers to the province. Lawyers representing the Quebec Association of Immigration Lawyers argued last Friday the minister had acted illegally by not following the laws currently in place. The 18,139 outstanding applications involve skilled workers' cases, which are managed by the province. They said the matter was clearly urgent and warranted an injunction. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

strategy: If elected, a United Conservative government will launch extensive consultations to develop a new Alberta Advantage Immigration Strategy to be completed by the end of this year for implementation at the beginning of 2020, according to CTV. Kenney says the goal of the Alberta Advantage Immigration Strategy is to speed up processing and end backlogs, while attracting talented entrepreneurs from oversees to help rural economies. As we work to get Alberta's economy back on track, we need to use the power of immigration as one strategy to restore investor confidence and to build new businesses to create prosperity for all Albertans, said Kenney. It will focus on a smart, fast-moving immigration policy that attracts the best and brightest, while encouraging immigrant entrepreneurs to create jobs here, he said. When the owner of the local hardware store in a small town decides to retire and no one buys it, that hardware store is not coming back. The Rural Entrepreneur Immigration Program is part of the initiative and is intended to pair prospective immigrants, who are willing to live and work in rural Alberta and who meet minimum net worth and investment thresholds', with interested communities. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.