Alberta Legislature Building Grounds: Location: Alberta Legislature Building Grounds, 107 Street and 97 Avenue, Edmonton There are lots of fun family-oriented activities taking place across the Capital Region this holiday Monday to help you celebrate Canada's 146th birthday. Canada Day at the Alberta Legislature (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Amherst Island: Never say never. I wrote in support of an application for my beloved Amherst Island to be named one of Heritage Canadas 10 most endangered places , hoping that my letter help would push the needle on Heritage Canadas misery meter and bring the islands plight to public attention. Amazingly, it did. Amherst Island made the 2013 list, released Wednesday, according to The Star. There is archeological evidence of the presence of First Nations people on Amherst Island between 4,500 and 3,800 years ago. Champlain first mapped the island in 1615, and European settlers arrived in the late 18th century. Immigrants from England, Scotland and Ireland arrived throughout that century and the population supported two villages, five churches and a truly impressive number of taverns and Back when children sat too close to television screens, I used to press my small nose to the TV to watch a dreadful show called Queen for a Day . Contestants would tell their sad stories, and say what a monetary prize would do to make them happier. The audience, using a sort of misery meter, would determine who was the saddest of them all and crown her Queen for a Day. Even as a kid, I thought those contestants had hit the end of the line. Amherst Island is a relatively small farming island in eastern Lake Ontario. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Denise Balkissoon Tots: Denise Balkissoon Tots and frocks aside, the royals have overstayed their welcome, according to Globe and Mail. Raising royalty since 1452: How the royals bring up baby Thinkstock Multimedia This week, I wrote an online column about my disdain for the Royals. My arguments were serious I do believe that the $50-million or so that we spend annually on visits and Lieutenant-Governors would be better put toward purely Canadian governance but my tone was lighthearted. The handsome Duke of Cambridge, his chestnut-haired Duchess and their imminent progeny are the new royal mascots, I argued. Their job is to paint an endearing picture of a lovable clan worthy of its genetic lottery winnings. More Related to this Story Speculation mounts on early arrival for Britains royal baby (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Canada Day: In London at Harris Park, a First Nations gathering at noon on Canada Day kicks off a lengthy schedule of activities in the park, according to CTV. Of course it wouldnt be Canada Day without fireworks and there are numerous displays across the region from Aylmer to Sarnia to Grand Bend and The Canada Day long weekend is upon us and there are a number of special events planned to help people celebrate. A citizenship ceremony at 2 p.m. will be presided over by the quintessential Canadian, Red Green aka Steve Smith . Green leaves Possum Lodge for Harris Park to help with the celebrations. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Conference Board of Canada: However, the economic think-tank says it expects only moderate improvements to the job situation in the months to follow. , according to Winnipeg Free Press. "Still, with domestic demand expected to remain soft this year, employers are likely to be cautious about their near-term hiring. Including Mays gain, the recent trend in the index suggests that employment gains will be positive but moderate in the coming months." OTTAWA - The Conference Board of Canada estimates the country added about 14,700 jobs in June based on the results of its latest help wanted index, which rose 6.4 percentage points to 138.4. "While employment gains were modest during the first four months of the year, the labour market recorded a significant jump in May," the Conference Board said Friday. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Edward Snowden: If folks want to classify him as a traitor, in fact, he has betrayed his government. But I dont believe that hes betrayed the people of the United States, Lonnie Snowden told NBCtelevisions Today show, according to 660 News. The elder Snowden hasnt spoken to his son since April, but he said he believes hes being manipulated by people at WikiLeaks. The anti-secrecy group has been trying to help Edward Snowden gain asylum and WASHINGTON The father of NSA leaker Edward Snowden acknowledged Friday that his son broke the law but does not think he committed treason. Snowden said his attorney has informed Attorney General Eric Holder that he believes his son would voluntarily return to the United States if the Justice Department promises not to hold him before trial and not subject him to a gag order, NBC reported. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

dual citizenship: The conservative right has a legitimate gripe. It is trendy in this country particularly on the liberal left to pretend that Canada is not a real place on its own, that its only value is to welcome the diversity of others, according to The Star. But citizenship involves more than the possession of convenient travel documents. It is, at base, a commitment to a place. In a world where there were no countries, such commitments might be superfluous. Twitter notwithstanding, we do not live in that world and The Conservative government says it wants to promote Canadian patriotism. It has instead promoted jingoism. The two are different. This has resulted in the devaluation of citizenship. Toronto city council thinks that any permanent resident, citizen or not, should be given the right to vote in municipal elections. Some national politicians including New Democratic Party leader Tom Mulcair hold dual citizenship in Mulcairs case, it is French in order to pass more easily through European airports. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Rona Ambrose: Ambrose said the Mississauga, Ont., teen sought help at a shelter, but was returned to the care of her parents, according to 660 News. It was a situation the shelter had not experienced before, she said and VANCOUVER The death of 16-year-old Asqa Parvez at the hands of her own family was top of mind for federal Status of Women Minister Rona Ambrose on Friday, as she announced funding for a program that will try to tap the perpetrators of so-called honour crimes for information on how to prevent them. Unfortunately, the violence was being perpetrated by the family, in general, by the father and the brother. She ended up being killed, Ambrose said at a news conference in Vancouver. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Tarrant County District Attorney's Office: The teen, whose name is being withheld because he is a juvenile, was arrested Thursday in the death of Sida Osman. Because he is younger than 14, the suspect is not eligible to stand trial as an adult, according to the Tarrant County District Attorney's Office. His case is in juvenile court. , according to Winnipeg Free Press. Sida's body was found in the backyard of a vacant house about a block from the apartments where he lived. Several Somali families, many who had spent time in refugee camps in Kenya after fleeing unrest in their native country, live in the complex. FORT WORTH, Texas - A 13-year-old North Texas boy faces a capital murder charge in the death of a 5-year-old boy who was hit in the head multiple times, authorities said. After Sida's parents reported him missing Tuesday evening, officers started knocking on doors and kept searching overnight using police dogs and helicopters. The youngster's body was discovered the next afternoon, prompting residents to quickly gather, shouting, "Peace and justice!" and holding signs reading, "He was innocent." (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Meaghan Moran: Take 17-year-old Meaghan Moran, according to CTV. Her first day of work at the St Lambert IGA and she was told her language was not welcome , not even in private conversations in the store's lunch room and Courage is found in unlikely places. All she wanted was a part-time job. What she got was something else indeed. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.