Doug Porter: The proportion of the economy related to construction is more than twice as high in Canada as it is in the U.S. , Porter said in a client note this week. Of all the economic activity in Canada, 13.4 per cent is related to construction, compared to 5.8 per cent for the U.S, according to Huffington Post. But whats so bad about having a lot of construction jobs? For Porter and some other economists, the worry is that the present rate of building is unsustainable, and when the industry gets back to normal, there will be job losses and All those construction cranes dotting the Toronto skyline might be evidence of an economy that has a serious problem, writes BMO Capital Markets chief economist Doug Porter. This is simply the most glaring example of how Canadas unbalanced monetary policy rates too low, currency too high is affecting the economy. Note that in the 1990s, when the currency was too low and rates were too high, construction wallowed for a decade, Porter wrote. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Kerry Washington: A whole lot has changed in the two-plus decades since Bruce Springsteen lamented that there were "57 channels and nothing on." , according to Winnipeg Free Press. Kerry Washington, Scandal BLOOMBERG THE WASHINGTON POST Anna Gunn, Bryan Cranston, Breaking Bad. First of all, for any TV-watcher with an average-or-larger cable bill, 57 channels probably seems like a quaint, long-ago notion, as a lap through the average on-screen menu these days scrolls through hundreds, rather than dozens, of channels. Enlarge Image (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

sacred space: Several times a week, the scent of one religious service lingers in the air just before another begins in the same sacred space located at the heart of the city's largest hospital. , according to Winnipeg Free Press. "The space is intended for use as a multicultural, multi-faith space," explains Beth Sawatsky, manager of the hospital's spiritual-health services. HSC's spiritual health specialists Taras Kowch from left , Daniel Barclay, Ruth Ross, Lorelie Nolasco, Anne Whitford Fast, and Kurt Schwarz. Photo Store Welcome to the Sanctuary at Health Sciences Centre, where people of many faiths -- or no faith at all -- gather to reflect, pray, or just find a small, still space any time of day or night. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Annemarie Desloges: The hearts and prayers of all Canadians go out to the families and friends of all those affected by this senseless tragedy, and we extend our deepest condolences to those suffering the loss of Annemarie Desloges, one of our diplomats who has died in the attack", Prime Minister Stephen Harper said in a statement , according to Huffington Post. Incredibly saddened to hear of the loss of a Canadian staff member in Nairobi today. John Baird @HonJohnBaird September 21, 2013 Two Canadians, including diplomat Annemarie Desloges, were among the 39 people killed in a shopping mall attack in Nairobi, Kenya, Saturday, according to the prime minister's office. Desloges was a liaison officer with Canada's High Commission To Kenya, according to the statement. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

BlackBerry: In an announcement late Friday the Waterloo, Ont.-based company said it will report sales of about $1.6 billion U.S. for the fiscal second quarter ended Aug. 31 well below the forecast for $3.06 billion. Half of that revenue was derived from services, according to The Star. BlackBerry said it will cut 4,500 jobs throughout its global operations, bringing its workforce to about 7,000, and expects to post a net operating loss of between $950 million and $995 million U.S. for the quarter and BlackBerry Ltd. says it will post a quarterly loss of nearly $1 billion U.S. and slash more than one-third of its global workforce as it focuses on business and high-end professional markets. Its shares plunged 23.3 per cent to $8.34 Canadian , a year low, after trading resumed following a 35-minute halt. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Ontario Superior Court Justice Edward Morgan: In his ruling, Ontario Superior Court Justice Edward Morgan dismissed an application by three permanent residents, who argued the requirement was discriminatory and unjust, according to Times Colonist. "But it is saved by Section 1 of the charter as a reasonable limit on the right of expression that is justifiable in a free and democratic society." TORONTO - Forcing would-be Canadians to take an oath to the Queen as a condition of citizenship is constitutional, even if it does violate free-speech rights, an Ontario court ruled Friday. "The oath of citizenship is a form of compelled speech," Morgan states. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

immigration detainees: About 200 inmates being held in Greater Toronto have been relocated to the Central East Correctional Centre since August because of a coming closure of the Toronto West Detention Centre, a move critics say isolates the detainees and keeps them from receiving help and support, according to The Star. Some have been on a hunger strike since Wednesday morning, has learned and GTA immigration detainees recently transferred to a jail in Lindsay, Ont., held a protest and staged a hunger strike this week over what they describe as unfair treatment. The detainees staged the protest at 11 a.m. Tuesday, according to a memo from the Lindsay facilitys administration to the Canada Border Service Agency. Negotiators were brought in and the inmates returned to their cells at 10 p.m. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Superior Court Justice Edward Morgan: All three have lived in Canada for years and are eligible for citizenship, but argue they should not have to swear allegiance to the Queen as they oppose the monarchy on moral and religious grounds, according to The Star. Superior Court Justice Edward Morgan agreed the oath is compelled speech which infringes on the right to free expression. But he ruled that violation a reasonable limit which is justifiable in a democratic society, and thus constitutional and A push by three prospective Canadian citizens to strike down the portion of the citizenship oath which swears allegiance to Queen Elizabeth II was dismissed Friday by an Ontario court. The Charter guarantees freedom of speech and freedom of conscience, and the oath is a form of forced political speech, said Dror Bar-Natan, who has lived in the country for 11 years. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Downtown Winnipeg BIZ: IT'S easy to donate to the Downtown Winnipeg BIZ's third annual CEO Sleepout for Winnipeg's homeless, according to Winnipeg Free Press. Or make a cheque or money order out to "Downtown Winnipeg BIZ -- Change for the Better": Downtown Winnipeg BIZ, 426 Portage Ave, Winnipeg, Man., R3C 0C9 Perfume Paradise owner Ari Driver has helped -- and been helped by -- the homeless. WAYNE GLOWACKI / Photo Store Here's how to help Just go to www.changeforthebetter.org and click the "Donate Now" button under the photo of your favourite CEO, community leader or media personality. Doug really wants you to click the button under his mugshot. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

PC Leader Jamie Baillie: I laughed out loud at Bruce MacKinnons Sept. 19 cartoon of PC Leader Jamie Baillie gulping down Viagra in an attempt to fulfil his pledge to increase the population, according to The Chronicle Herald. Theres nothing wrong with encouraging immigrants, but what about encouraging young couples already here to raise families and Nudging up numbers But the cartoon has a grain of truth in it. A simple way to increase the population is for Nova Scotia to make it easier for young families to raise children. Incentives could involve a baby bonus; affordable child care and housing for every family based on ability to pay; increased number of family resource centres to help stressed parents; and family-friendly employment flexible hours, part-time work with benefits. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.