immigrantscanada.com

Independent topical source of current affairs, opinion and issues, featuring stories making news in Canada from immigrants, newcomers, minorities & ethnic communities' point of view and interests.

Khalil al-Marzouq: Al Wefaq was responding to an announcement by the public prosecutor of the Gulf Arab kingdom that Khalil al-Marzouq would be held for 30 days while being investigated for inciting terrorism in a series of speeches. , according to Reuters. The group would keep its position under constant review "in light of political and human rights developments on the ground". BAHRAIN - Bahrain's largest opposition party on Wednesday suspended its participation in talks with the government aimed at ending 2-1/2 years of political turmoil in protest at the arrest of its deputy leader. In a statement, Al Wefaq, an Islamist group that says it advocates non-violent methods, said it would temporarily boycott a so-called national dialogue aimed at resolving a crisis that began with mass pro-democracy protests in February 2011 (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Catherine Alpha: Calling the districts actions disgusting, Catherine Alpha told a board meeting this week that she will fight any attempt to discriminate against pregnant teachers. , according to Times Colonist. I m going to work hard to get that petition brought forward and to get people to sign it, said Alpha, who teaches in the Sooke district. A Greater Victoria school trustee has slammed the districts move to block temporary teachers from accepting contracts and then promptly going on maternity leave. I m going to continue to work in the public to make sure that everyone knows that this is a violation of human rights and a violation of equality for women, Alpha told a board meeting Monday, drowning out chairwoman Peg Orcherton, who was trying to call order. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Chantal Hebert: Acadian expulsion replay, according to The Chronicle Herald. The party, previously unsuccessful and assuming that it will continue to fail in its attempts to achieve sovereignty, is hoping that its document, which pertains to certain restrictions relative to the freedom of religion, will assist it in its quest to determine the place of minorities in its province and In reference to the Sept. 13 article, The calculus behind identity politics by writer Chantal Hebert and the subsequent editorial in on the subject of the Charter of Values proposed by the separatist Parti Quebecois of Quebec, the following contribution is also offered. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Democratic Institutions: QUEBEC - The Parti Quebecois government appears to be digging in its heels for an extended debate on its controversial religion plan, having brushed off invitations for a speedy compromise. , according to Winnipeg Free Press. Permitted religious symbols for public employees off the Quebec values website. http://www.nosvaleurs.gouv.qc.ca Related Items Articles Quebec values charter bound for failure: Harper PQ opens door to 'improving' religion plan The PQ's charter so yesterday Enlarge Image Quebec Minister responsible for Democratic Institutions and Active Citizenship Bernard Drainville walks to a cabinet meeting Wednesday, September 18, 2013 at the legislature in Quebec City. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jacques Boissinot Statements from senior ministers Wednesday suggested the PQ has no intention of watering down the plan for quick passage in the current minority legislature. Enlarge Image (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

minister: Statements from senior ministers Wednesday suggested the PQ has no intention of watering down the plan for quick passage in the current minority legislature, according to CTV. The third party in the legislature has offered to negotiate a deal on a bill but another minister, the one spearheading the proposed Charter of Values, said he'd rather hear from Quebecers first and QUEBEC -- The Parti Quebecois government appears to be digging in its heels for an extended debate on its controversial religion plan, having brushed off invitations for a speedy compromise. One day after one minister expressed a willingness to "improve" the charter, the government made it clear the changes it envisioned would be minor and would not dilute its basic elements. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Quebec sovereigntists: The call to Quebecers for advice on how to attain the goal of state secularism comes after a fractious week that has seen an internecine war break out among Quebec sovereigntists; a wave of municipal and institutional refuseniks; and a reported spike in Muslims being singled out for abuse and heckling, according to The Star. That prompted a meeting with the press Tuesday by Quebecs International Relations Minister Jean-Fran ois Lis e, where the veteran of the sovereigntist backrooms gave the first hint that the PQ position might be softening and MONTREAL After more than a month of religious tension and political deadlock, the Parti Qu b cois government has raised the spectre of a compromise solution to deal with its controversial charter of values. The PQs proposed ban on the wearing of religious symbols in the workplace for public employees like bureaucrats, police officers, teachers, doctors, daycare workers and nurses has also lost significant support among Quebecers since the plan was officially announced last week, according to public opinion polls. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Parti Quebecois: The Parti Quebecois government appears to be digging in its heels on its controversial religion plan and preparing for an extended debate, according to The Chronicle Herald. One day after a minister expressed a willingness to improve the charter, the government suggested the changes it envisioned would be minor and would not dilute its basic elements and Statements from ministers today suggest the PQ has no intention of watering down the plan for speedy passage in the current minority legislature. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Ontario government: Others are identified by numbers scrawled on small slabs of concrete hidden amid overgrown grass, according to The Star. But that may soon change. On Tuesday, the Ontario government settled a historic class-action lawsuit with former residents of Huronia. The terms include $35 million, a formal apology and a promise to maintain the cemetery and create a registry of all those buried there and Most of the 2,000 children and adults buried in the unkempt field across from Huronia Regional Centre were laid to rest in unmarked graves. For former residents of the government-run institution for the developmentally delayed in Orillia, the cemetery has served as a painful reminder of the neglect and abuse they have long insisted occurred there. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Munich Philharmonic: But while she expressed discomfort at the term trailblazer, she said progress is sometimes just a matter of responding to daily injustices. , according to Times Colonist. The American trombonist, who continues to live in Germany, gives a lecture tonight on her successful fight against sexism in the Munich Orchestra. The free lecture Alone among men: My relationship with the Munich Philharmonic is held at Phillip T. Young Recital Hall as part of the University of Victorias Distinguished Women Scholars Lecture Series. Abbie Conant didnt anticipate that taking a job with the Munich Philharmonic would also mean entering a 13-year legal battle for human rights. Its just sort of something that happens when you re trying to live your life, she said in an interview. I just wanted to be a trombone player in an orchestra. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

public transit: As a mother, I can only imagine sending my child to school on public transit. If he happened to get lost downtown, I would advise him to ask a bus driver where to go. The fact that this poor kid could still be lost makes me sick. Send a Letter to the Editor , according to Winnipeg Free Press. To send a letter for consideration on our Letters page: Fill out our online form at the link above, or Email letters@freepress.mb.ca, or Fax 204 697-7412, or Mail Letters to the Editor, 1355 Mountain Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R2X 3B6. On my bus commute Tuesday morning, we stopped at Osborne and Broadway. A boy, maybe 13, was standing at the stop and very politely asked the driver of the No. 58 bus about where he should catch the No. 16. He was well-spoken, clear and extremely polite. However, the driver virtually grunted, did not answer his question, shut the door and drove off. The Free Press welcomes letters from readers (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.