Sean Rehaag Dept: Sean Rehaag, an assistant professor at York University s Osgoode Hall Law School, requested data through Access to Information on all IRB claims heard in 2011 and analyzed the thousands of cases, according to CBC. Rehaag s analysis shows that Daniel McSweeney approved none of the 127 cases he adjudicated in 2011. He joined the IRB in 2007 and had a yes rate of 42.47 per cent that first year. Then his acceptances decreased and analysis of data for 2011 shows that the chance of success of a refugee s plea to stay in Canada can depend on who hears the case at the Immigration and Refugee Board IRB . I feel there is some support for allegations that some people are unlucky, Rehaag said. Sean Rehaag, a law professor at Osgoode Hall Law School in Toronto, says inconsistent decision-making by IRB members means all refugee claimants should have the right to appeal, including those from designated safe countries. Horst Herget Photography (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Professional Immigration Refugee Board Dept: "I don t think that s justice," Mary Jo Leddy told News, according to CBC. Leddy, who has attended hundreds of hearings, said while there are "very competent" board members, "there are some who are simply terrible. That s what makes it a lottery." Mary Jo Leddy, an advocate for refugees, says that Canada needs an independent, self-regulating, professional Immigration Refugee Board. /Maureen Brosnahan Being recognized as a refugee in Canada can be more of a roll of the dice than a fair process, a woman who has worked with refugee claimants for more than 20 years says. It's a disgrace to our country," the director of Romero House in Toronto said in response to an analysis of data for 2011 from the Immigration and Refugee Board that shows an inconsistent approval rate among the IRB's adjudicators. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Smoked Meat Dept: Maybe that would surprise some considering one of her biggest hits is My Heart Will Go On, but the pop megastar has a history with smoked meat that extends way beyond her new investment in Schwartz s, Montreal s most famous purveyor of the fatty delicacy, according to The Chronicle Herald. That hop-scotching from one smoked-meat joint to the next places Dion in a rich culinary tradition, as Montreal residents have spent countless hours comparing and debating the merits of their city s old-style delis and m ONTREAL So, it seems Celine Dion is a bit of a deli diva. In the old days her hankerings for smoked meat would occasionally take her to the spot across the street from Schwartz s The Main deli which is now, ironically, her competition. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Metro Toronto Convention Centre Dept: Cheney, whom the protesters denounced as a war criminal, was slated to talk about his experiences in office and the current American political situation at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre on April 24, according to CBC. "After speaking with their security advisers, they changed their mind on coming to the event," Ruppert said and former U.S. vice-president Dick Cheney has cancelled a Canadian speaking appearance due to security concerns sparked by demonstrations during a visit he made to Vancouver last fall, the event promoter said Monday. However, Ryan Ruppert, of Spectre Live Corp., said Cheney and his daughter Elizabeth had begged off via their agent. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Canada Mortgage And Housing Corp. Dept: The apartment buildings now under construction in Halifax have a total of 2,282 units, says Matthew Gilmore, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. s senior provincial market analyst, according to The Chronicle Herald. There are all kinds of reasons for the rise in the number of apartments being built, but he says it probably isn t the $25-billion Irving Shipbuilding contract to supply combat vessels to the Royal Canadian Navy and halifax is going through an apartment-building construction boom the likes of which the city has not seen since the 1970s. The national housing agency tracks construction from beginning to end, and Gilmore says this is one of the highest apartment unit totals under construction in Halifax that CMHC has recorded in nearly 50 years. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Danny Savard Dept: Samir Atalah is originally from Syria and speaks six languages. When he came north for a job and an adventure he had planned on spending only a few months in Iqaluit. That was five years ago, according to CBC. Atalah is one of about 20 drivers who work for Nunavut Caribou Cabs. The owner, Danny Savard, says his business couldn't survive solely on local hires. But word of mouth in southern Canada has meant a relatively stable workforce for the small business owner and as newcomers to Canada head north in search of money and a better life, they re changing the face of the northern landscape. "We see a lot of people coming in Nunavut," he said. "They don't come for nothing. We show them what is good, what is not." (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Monsieur Lazhar Dept: MONTREAL - Philippe Falardeau's "Monsieur Lazhar" continued its banner year at Quebec's Jutra Awards, winning seven prizes including best movie, according to Winnipeg Free Press. The Oscar-nominated flick about an Algerian immigrant who helps a class of Montreal students grapple with the sudden death of their teacher also won for best screenplay, sound and for original music and philippe Falardeau holds up his awards for best screenplay and best director for the movie Monsieur Lahzar at the Jutra awards, celebrating the Quebec film industry in Montreal, Sunday, March 11, 2012. The Canadian Press/Graham Hughes Falardeau also took home the prize for best director. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Philippe Falardeau Dept: Director Philippe Falardeau's film about an Algerian immigrant who helps a middle-school class deal with the suicide of their teacher won six Genie Awards last week, according to CBC. Falardeau dedicated his prize to Algerian immigrants who are rebuilding their lives in Quebec and monsieur Lazhar swept Quebec's Jutra film awards on Sunday night, winning seven out of nine categories for which it was nominated, including best picture. Falardeau was awarded the Prix Jutra for best director and best screenplay, while his child stars 11-year-old Sophie Nelisse and 13-year-old milien Neron won supporting actress and actor, respectively. The drama also won awards for best sound and original music. Prix Jutra winners Best film : Monsieur Lazhar. Director : Philippe Falardeau, Monsieur Lazhar. Actress : Vanessa Paradis, Cafe de Flore. Actor : Gilbert Sicotte, Le vendeur. Supporting actress : Sophie Nelisse, Monsieur Lazhar. Supporting actor : milien Neron, Monsieur Lazhar. Screenplay : Philippe Falardeau, Monsieur Lazhar. Cinematography : Pierre Cottereau, Cafe de Flore. Art direction: Patrice Vermette, Cafe de Flore. Short film : Trotteur. Animation : Dimanche/Sunday. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

University Of Toronto Dept: I started off by relating an anecdote about a colleague who told me she had heard parents of high-school children saying they hoped Bill 101 would be tightened to keep francophones and immigrants out of English CEGEPs - and thus, they believed, make it easier for their own anglophone kids to get in, according to Montreal Gazette. Today, a selection of reader responses: On the Opinion page March 1 - the deadline for CEGEP and university applications for next fall - I wrote about challenges that anglophones have in getting access to higher education in the English sector, and I invited readers to share their experiences and observations. I also described how, and why, McGill University's admission policy is less favourable to local applicants than the University of Toronto's policy is to Toronto residents. And I highlighted unhappiness in the English high-school sector over Quebec's new and sudden reluctance to expand vocational education in English to keep up with demand. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Financial Services Firms Dept: When the 26-year-old Saint Mary s University graduate arrived at the International Careers Fair in Halifax, he made a beeline for three financial services firms, according to The Chronicle Herald. I majored in finance and I would like an entry-level job in my field, said Zhang, from China but looking to put down roots in Nova Scotia and dong Zhang didn t come to the job fair to chit-chat. Dressed in a grey suit with a portfolio under one arm and a stack of targeted resumes under the other, Zhang delivered tailor-made pitches to recruiters for Citco Canada, TD Canada Trust and RBC Royal Bank. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.