Finance Minister Jim Flaherty: Since 2006, Finance Minister Jim Flaherty has conducted annual pre-budget consultations with Canadians via the web, asking for electronic input into the country's fiscal blueprint, according to CTV. But the online consultations never drew more than 7,760 submissions, at their peak in 2007. And the latest round for the 2013 budget attracted a paltry 642, the second-lowest after the 600 received for budget 2010 and OTTAWA -- A federal experiment in digital democracy has flopped, with critics saying it was never anything more than a gimmick in the first place. In launching so-called e-consultations when the Conservatives first came to power more than seven years ago, Flaherty said the "new government is taking accountability and openness to a higher level." (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Edward Snowden: If he wants to stay, there's one condition: he must stop his activity aimed at harming our American partners, as strange as it sounds coming from my lips, Putin told reporters in the Kremlin Monday. He said Snowden is unlikely to accept that restriction, according to The Star. State Department spokesman Patrick Ventrell said it's up to the Russians to confirm whether Snowden has requested asylum there and MOSCOW Edward Snowden has applied for political asylum in Russia, an official said Monday, as President Vladimir Putin warned the fugitive U.S. leaker to stop harming American interests if he wishes to remain. Snowden's asylum application was delivered Sunday evening to a visa office at Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport by WikiLeaks' legal adviser Sarah Harrison, a consular official who received the document, Kim Shevchenko, said by phone. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Edward Snowden: WikiLeaks, the anti-secrecy group that has adopted Snowden and his cause, on Monday night posted a statement said to be from Snowden that slammed President Barack Obama for "using citizenship as a weapon.", according to Times Colonist. "Their purpose is to frighten, not me, but those who would come after me." WASHINGTON - National Security Agency leaker Edward Snowden, believed to be in legal limbo in the Moscow airport, is expanding his requests for asylum to another 19 countries, including China, according to WikiLeaks. "Although I am convicted of nothing, it has unilaterally revoked my passport, leaving me a stateless person," Snowden says in the statement. "Without any judicial order, the administration now seeks to stop me exercising a basic right. A right that belongs to everybody. The right to seek asylum. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

religious accommodation: MONTREAL - If a turban ban stirred such passions, what will an even broader debate over religious accommodation lead to in Quebec this fall? , according to Winnipeg Free Press. It's expected the charter will put limits on religious accommodations, such as restricting Muslim headwear in public institutions. Harshaan Ahluwalis, 2, dribbles a soccer ball during a friendly soccer match in solidarity with young players who wear turbans Saturday, June 15, 2013 in Montreal. If a turban ban stirred such passions, what will an even broader debate over religious accommodation lead to in Quebec this fall? THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson It's a question being asked as the Parti Quebecois government prepares to introduce its "Charter of Quebec Values" after the summer break. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Carly Rae Jepsen: Quotable Canadians on a special day, according to Globe and Mail. Globe editorial Happy Carney Day Members of the crowd wave flags as they watch the annual Canada Day parade in Montreal on July 1, 2013. The Canadian Press gallery The Prime Minister covered the expected topics the military, the Arctic and an encouraging shout-out to the people of Calgary struggling to recover from the flood. Pop idol Carly Rae Jepsen performed her hit song, Call Me Maybe , with the crowd serving as choir. But theres nothing like a homegrown singing astronaut to really capture the Canada Day spirit. More Related to this Story Canadas got what it takes (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

perfect place: But its not necessarily the perfect place to live. Its too expensive, she says, as she strolls down Church Street on a recent sunny afternoon. The 20-year-old student, who is a lesbian, lives with her family on the Danforth. But, she says, I come here when I need a pick-me-up. More Related to this Story, according to Globe and Mail. Pride Weekend event roundup When Vanessa Byrne wants to lift her spirits, she thinks the Gay Village is the perfect place to visit. Politicians come together to march in Toronto Pride Parade (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Edward Snowden: WASHINGTON - National Security Agency leaker Edward Snowden, believed to be in legal limbo in the Moscow airport, is expanding his requests for asylum to another 19 countries, including China, according to WikiLeaks. , according to Winnipeg Free Press. "Although I am convicted of nothing, it has unilaterally revoked my passport, leaving me a stateless person," Snowden says in the statement. "Without any judicial order, the administration now seeks to stop me exercising a basic right. A right that belongs to everybody. The right to seek asylum. In this photo taken on Monday, June 24, 2013, shows a view of Moscow's Airport Sheremetyevo, terminal E, with a hotel for transit passengers at the transit zone inside. Leaker Snowden has been caught in legal limbo in the transit zone of Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport since his arrival from Hong Kong on June 23. The U.S. has annulled his passport, and Ecuador, where he has hoped to get asylum, says it may take months to rule on his case. Russia's President Vladimir Putin said Monday, July 1, 2013, that Snowden will have to stop leaking U.S. secrets if he wants to get asylum in Russia, but added that Snowden has no plan to stop leaking. AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko Jr WikiLeaks, the anti-secrecy group that has adopted Snowden and his cause, on Monday night posted a statement said to be from Snowden that slammed President Barack Obama for "using citizenship as a weapon." (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Edward Snowden: In a letter to Ecuador seen by Reuters, Snowden said the United States was illegally persecuting him for revealing its electronic surveillance program, PRISM, but made it clear he did not intend to be muzzled. Why the U.S. hasn't nabbed Snowden yet Ecuador's leader and the U.S. VP Biden have a 'cordial' phone chat about Snowden NSA leaker Snowden nowhere to be seen in Moscow airport, according to CBC. "No matter how many more days my life contains, I remain dedicated to the fight for justice in this unequal world. If any of those days ahead realise a contribution to the common good, the world will have the principles of Ecuador to thank." Former U.S. spy agency contractor Edward Snowden broke his silence on Monday for the first time since fleeing to Moscow to say he remains free to make new disclosures about U.S. spying activity. "I remain free and able to publish information that serves the public interest," he said in an undated letter in Spanish sent to Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Hong Kong: Eric Li came to Toronto in June 1979 from Hong Kong with his bride on their honeymoon. His parents and most of his siblings had immigrated earlier, and he decided to apply as well. He took a job as a security guard in Hong Kong because Canadian officials told him security guards were in short supply here, according to The Star. Following is an edited version of a conversation with him and From There to Here; Canadian immigration; Hong Kong; GTA; Bank of Montreal; York University In 1979, Li, his wife, and their toddler son came to Canada as permanent residents. The former British Army clerk soon found himself immersed in computer science studies at York University, juggling jobs as a security guard and cabinetmaker. After completing a degree, Li was snapped up by the Bank of Montreal Financial Group, where he works today. Li, 60, feels so grateful to his new homeland he has established the Vision Youth Leadership Program for teens in the GTA. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Edward Snowden: WikiLeaks, the anti-secrecy group that has adopted Snowden and his cause, on Monday night posted a statement said to be from Snowden that slammed President Barack Obama for using citizenship as a weapon, according to 660 News. Their purpose is to frighten, not me, but those who would come after me and WASHINGTON National Security Agency leaker Edward Snowden, believed to be in legal limbo in the Moscow airport, is expanding his requests for asylum to another 19 countries, including China, according to WikiLeaks. Although I am convicted of nothing, it has unilaterally revoked my passport, leaving me a stateless person, Snowden says in the statement. Without any judicial order, the administration now seeks to stop me exercising a basic right. A right that belongs to everybody. The right to seek asylum. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.