minority government: John Hamm was premier of a minority government in 2006, and Dexter had consistently challenged that government on a longstanding policy that required families to surrender assets to pay for long-term care when a relative entered a nursing home, according to The Chronicle Herald. The new policy was widely heralded as a victory for middle-class families and created many converts to the Dexter-NDP side of the voting ledger. In 2009, the party won a historic victory to government, promising additional investment in new beds and It was Darrell Dexters largest political victory as Opposition leader and it helped to pave the road to the premiers chair. Those on social assistance received fully subsidized nursing home care; some wondered why they d spent all those years saving for retirement, only to have the government drain those assets to pay for a nursing home bed. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Barack Obama: Snowden, until recently a contractor with the U.S. National Security Agency, had been expected to fly to Havana from Moscow on Monday, perhaps on the way to Ecuador, according to sources at the Russian airline Aeroflot. But he was not seen on the daily Aeroflot flight that landed in Havana on Monday evening. The U.S. State Department said diplomats and Justice Department officials were engaged in discussions with Russia, suggesting they were looking for a deal to secure his return. We hope that the Russian government will look at all available options to return Mr. Snowden back to the U.S. to face justice for the crimes with which he is charged, spokesman Patrick Ventrell told reporters, according to The Star. U.S. President Barack Obama may face prolonged embarrassment from a young American leading the country on a global game of hide and seek. Washington has been stung by the defiance from Russia, with which Obama has sought improved relations, and by Chinas apparent compliance in letting Snowden leave Hong Kong. Obama has met the leaders of both powers recently. White House spokesman Jay Carney slammed those countries from which Snowden had chosen to seek protection, saying his choices belied his claim that he was focused on supporting transparency, freedom of the press and individuals rights. The Russian news agency Interfax quoted an unnamed source as saying Moscow could not arrest or deport Snowden because he had not actually entered Russian territory suggesting he had remained in the transit area at Moscows Sheremetyevo airport and MOSCOW The United States increased pressure on Russia on Monday to hand over Edward Snowden, the American charged with disclosing secret U.S. surveillance programs, and said it believed he was still in Moscow. Snowden, 30, flew to Moscow after being allowed to leave Hong Kong on Sunday, even though Washington had asked the Chinese territory to detain him pending his possible extradition on espionage charges. Julian Assange, founder of anti-secrecy group WikiLeaks, said Snowden had fled to Moscow en route to Ecuador. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Foreign Minister Ricardo Patino: Snowden, also a former CIA technician, fled Hong Kong on Sunday to dodge U.S. efforts to extradite him on espionage charges. Ecuador's Foreign Minister Ricardo Patino said his government had received an asylum request, adding Monday that the decision "has to do with freedom of expression and with the security of citizens around the world." The anti-secrecy group WikiLeaks also said it would help Snowden, according to Huffington Post. Snowden gave documents to The Guardian and The Washington Post newspapers disclosing U.S. surveillance programs that collect vast amounts of phone records and online data in the name of foreign intelligence, often sweeping up information on American citizens. Officials have the ability to collect phone and Internet information broadly but need a warrant to examine specific cases where they believe terrorism is involved and WASHINGTON - Former National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden an admitted leaker of state secrets was expected to fly from Moscow to Cuba and Venezuela en route to possible asylum in Ecuador. Ecuador has rejected the United States' previous efforts at co-operation, and has been helping WikiLeaks founder, Julian Assange, avoid prosecution by allowing him to stay at its embassy in London. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Edward Snowden: Snowden left Hong Kong, where he has been in hiding, and flew to Moscow but then apparently did not board a plane bound for Cuba as had been expected. His whereabouts were a mystery. The founder of the WikiLeaks secret-spilling organization, Julian Assange, said he wouldn't go into details about where Snowden was but said he was safe, according to CBC. Obama, asked if he was confident that Russia would expel Snowden, told reporters: "What we know is that we're following all the appropriate legal channels and working with various other countries to make sure that the rule of law is observed." The U.S. assumes National Security Agency leaker Edward Snowden remains in Russia, and officials are working with Moscow in hopes he will be expelled and returned to America to face criminal charges, President Barack Obama's spokesman said Monday. He declared that a decision by Hong Kong not to detain Snowden has "unquestionably" hurt relations between the United States and China. Snowden has applied for asylum in Ecuador, Iceland and possibly other countries, Assange said. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Cape Breton University: A Halifax man is one of Canadas top newcomers, RBC says, according to The Chronicle Herald. Ibrahim, 37, came to Canada from Egypt in 2002 and now works as marketing manager for the Nova Scotia Office of Immigration. He is also a member of the board of governors for Cape Breton University and was director of the Cape Breton County Economic Development Authority and a member of the Nova Scotia Minister of Immigration advisory council and Rany Ibrahim was among those honoured by 2013 RBC Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Awards. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Canada: Council right to support more inclusive democracy, June 22, according to The Star. Canada is a private club. Canada is a sovereign state, to the exclusion of all others. The membership in our club is perhaps the most open in the world: birth or a short residency of 1,100 days in Canada is usually sufficient to join. Those who choose Canada and affirm their allegiance to it may have to give up citizenship elsewhere. Dual citizenship is not a right and Re: Council right to support more inclusive democracy, June 22 In their letter, Nathalie Des Rosiers and Alan Broadbent support the extension of the vote in municipal elections based, essentially, on two premises: Canada is not a private club ; and voting is a right. They are mistaken on both counts. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Mohammed Assaf: After winning the popular contest, singer Mohammed Assaf was named a special ambassador Sunday by the U.N.'s Palestinian refugee agency and the Palestinian president, according to CBC. After the victory, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas declared the singer an honorary ambassador. "I congratulate the talented singer Mohammed Assaf ... who conveyed the message of the Palestinian people to the Arab nation through his art," Abbas said in a statement distributed by the official Wafa news agency. Gaza singer gives Palestinians a reason to smile The winner of the Arab Idol reality show can't stop adding titles. On Saturday night, Assaf became the first Palestinian to win the Arab world's version of American Idol , setting off wild celebrations across the Palestinian territories. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Edward Snowden: HAVANA - Confusion over the whereabouts of National Security Agency leaker Edward Snowden grew on Monday after a jetliner flew from Moscow to Cuba with an empty seat booked in his name. , according to Winnipeg Free Press. The founder of the WikiLeaks secrets-spilling organization, Julian Assange, insisted he couldn't go into details about where Snowden was, but said he was safe. Graphic shows key locations in the life and career of former NSA contractor Edward Snowden; 3c x 5 inches; 146 mm x 127 mm; Related Items Articles Snowden's Hong Kong exit shows Chinese displeasure over spying, lack of friends for US Ecuador foreign minister says NSA leaker Snowden seeking asylum there Aeroflot said earlier that Snowden had registered for the flight using his U.S. passport, which the United States recently annulled. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

John Kerry: Snowden, a former National Security Agency contractor and a self-admitted leaker of state secrets, fled from Hong Kong to Moscow on Sunday after the U.S. moved to extradite him to face espionage charges. He was expected to seek political asylum in Ecuador, according to 660 News. We dont know, specifically, where he may head, or what his intended destination may be, Kerry said, responding to a question during a news conference in New Delhi where he was discussing bilateral issues between the U.S. and India and NEW DELHI U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said Monday that it would be deeply troubling if Russia or Hong Kong had adequate notice about Edward Snowdens plans to flee to a country that will grant him asylum and still allowed him leave. He was booked on a flight from Moscow to Cuba on Monday, but he was not seen on the plane. It was unclear where he was or where he was he was trying to go, Kerry said. The U.S. has revoked Snowdens passport. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Christine Melnick: Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Christine Melnick says the MYMB outreach program will bring together positive, volunteer role models and young people so each can learn from one another, according to CTV. Former Winnipeg Blue Bomber Obby Khan is a MYMB mentor and program captain and The Manitoba government is launching a youth program it hopes will break down ethnic barriers. Melnick says that by 2031, more than 25 per cent of Winnipeg's population will be people from visible minority communities. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.