Alaa Al Al-Gadhi: Alaa Al Al-Gadhi is sitting in an air-conditioned conference room in Stoney Creek describing what life was like in 2006, during the height of the post-US invasion violence in his native Iraq, according to CBC. Seven years after those dark days in Iraq, the Baghdad-born Hamilton resident does not have to worry about bomb blasts anymore, but he does have to think about blueprints and building specs and Its so frightening. You dont know when the time will come when a bomb will drop, or if there will be a booby-trapped car or...you will have a bullet in the street. Even if you are the bravest man in the world, nobody likes war. I have been through four wars, but even me and my family are frightened by that situation. Its horrible to be in a war, said Al-Gadhi. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

ANTONIA MAIONI Quebec: ANTONIA MAIONI Quebec and the monarchy: You say succession, I say secession, according to Globe and Mail. LAURA MADOKORO Dont treat history as a civics lesson video Much has been said about the Harper governments decision to restore certain symbols of the monarchy and to tie them anew to the emblematic figure of Canada. Its decision to transform the War of 1812 into a decisive event in the creation of the country has also been contested. In Quebec, as well as the rest of Canada, many pundits are resisting what they have called a step backward in the production of national symbols and a hijacking of the past for political purposes in the present. How should we interpret the Prime Ministers actions? More Related to this Story Globe editorial Beware the Charter of Quebec Values (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Canada: A total of 47 people from 23 countries including Cuba, Iran and the Czech Republic officially became Canadian, according to CBC. Some have only been in Canada a few years, while others have lived here for 50 years. Health care, education and a sense of home Hundreds of Nova Scotians gathered at Pier 21 to help friends and family celebrate Canada Day in the most patriotic way by taking the oath of citizenship. "You will be changed by Canada, and Canada will be changed by you," citizenship judge Linda Carvery told them. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Diefenbaker Park: In Saskatoon, the hot weather has attracted thousands of people to Diefenbaker Park for music, games and free cake red and white cake, of course on Monday afternoon, according to CBC. "I want my children to know all about Canada and so I try to bring them out every year," she said and Canada Day celebrations are in full swing today across Saskatchewan, with events happening in many communities. Justina Koshinsky, who attended the event, said it's the perfect way to celebrate her country with her family. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Linda Liu: To explore that experience, is publishing an occasional series in the words of newcomers, both recent and more established. If you would like to tell your story, email dzblack@thestar.ca, according to The Star. Liu, who has a masters degree in accounting from Renmin University in Beijing, came here because of Chinas one-child policy. She and her husband wanted more than one child. That wish has been fulfilled, and she now also has a 5-month-old baby girl, Claire. She says of her chosen career: I spent my life learning accounting. I m good with numbers and More than 240,000 immigrants are expected to arrive in Canada this year. Many will settle in the GTA. For some, their dreams may take years to build. For others, those dreams may never materialize. Linda Liu, a 36-year-old chartered accountant from Langfang City in northern China, came to Canada with her husband, Michael Yang, and a young son, Kevin, in June 2011. Liu, who was admitted under the federal Skilled Worker Program, had worked for PetroChina Company Ltd. Her husband was a pipeline engineer with the company. The couple settled in Markham, buying a home shortly after they arrived. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Monetary Policy Committee: Carney beamed as he arrived by underground before 7 a.m. on Monday. Looming on his agenda is a Monetary Policy Committee later this week. The nine committee members will discuss whether to expand a stimulus plan that has pumped 375 billion $579 billion into the economy since 2009, according to The Star. Carney is the first foreigner to run the 319-year-old BOE, joining a select band of policymakers who arent native to the economies where they set interest rates and LONDON, ENGLAND Canadian Mark Carney, the first non-Briton to run the Bank of England in its 319-year history, has started work amid hopes that he can help revive the economy. The British economy is still struggling. It grew just 0.3 per cent in the first quarter this year compared with the previous quarter. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Couple Nelson: Couple Nelson and Luzinete Santos came from Brazil five years ago and became Canadians today, according to CBC. For Kouyat Djelifatoma of the Ivory Coast, the event was bittersweet. Her husband died before becoming a Canadian citizen and Twenty new Canadians were sworn in as Canadian citizens early on Monday, kicking off a days worth of Canada Day events at Montreal's Old Port. Its an important step for us today. We re very happy, Nelson said, adding that his favourite thing about Canada was the winter. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

pancake breakfast: Kick off the day by grabbing some free hotcakes at Fort Calgary, according to 660 News. Along with the pancake breakfast at Fort Calgary, there are plenty of other activities including a petting zoo, jump houses, and pony rides, some YYC food trucks will also and their summer bison exhibit and The message from Calgarys mayor is to take a break today from flood recovery efforts, and get out and enjoy Canada Day and there are plenty of ways to do so. They re hosting a Canada Day pancake breakfast at 9:00 a.m. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

policy makers: After growing at a lacklustre pace in the first half of the year, the economy is expected to shift into higher gear starting now. And that means it is moving ever closer to the moment when policy makers start to withdraw the extraordinary support they ve extended since the financial crisis. More Related to this Story, according to Globe and Mail. Feds Stein puts focus on September as time to scale back bond-buying The U.S. economy is entering six crucial months with stronger signals in two key sectors. U.S. consumer sentiment improves in late June (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper: But many peoples thoughts are with those in southern Alberta , still cleaning up from last months floods, according to The Star. When floods forced so many from their homes, communities dug deep, neighbours helped neighbours and people sheltered complete strangers, he said and OTTAWA The annual Canada Day party on Parliament Hill is celebrating Canadians at home and abroad. They ve set an example for the rest of the country, Prime Minister Stephen Harper said. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.