Brad Duguid: Seven months after Ottawa first proposed the program in its March 2013 budget, the minister of employment and social development can expect a litany of complaints when he sits down with his colleagues Friday in Toronto, according to CTV. "They're out on a branch on this one, a very fragile branch," Brad Duguid, Ontario's minister of training, colleges and universities, said this week and OTTAWA -- The federal government's Canada Job Grant proposals are in trouble, officials and opposition critics are warning on the eve of Jason Kenney's meeting with his provincial and territorial counterparts. Quebec has even demanded to opt out of the program. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Samson Cree First Nation: Chelsea Yellowbird from the Samson Cree First Nation was shot and killed at her home on Sept. 5, 2011, according to Huffington Post. RCMP say Randall Omeasoo, 21, of Hobbema was arrested Thursday and was being held in custody and HOBBEMA, Alta. - Two more men have been charged with first-degree murder in the shooting of a woman on a reserve south of Edmonton. The house was next door to a house where her nephew, five-year-old Ethan Yellowbird, was shot dead while sleeping two months earlier. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Jan Fukumoto: Teaching kids compassion, Nov. 4, according to The Star. The research clearly shows that when students are placed in a regular class with an appropriate program, they do better in language, social skills, emotional well-being and in future employment opportunities. People learn to accept and value one another through authentic interactions and participation within natural settings and Re: Teaching kids compassion, Nov. 4 Jan Fukumoto, TDSB special education teacher and central co-ordinator of Autism Services, is absolutely right in thinking that it is important to address childrens questions before barriers set in. That is why so many families want a unified educational system that provides for equity and inclusion for all children. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

disabled veterans: On Remembrance Day, we remember our fallen comrades. Perhaps Canadians should also take time to remember the living disabled veterans and their families, for they are enduring the pains of the wars on a daily basis, according to The Chronicle Herald. This Conservative government has been cruel to veterans. First, it is denying access to the currently available Pension Act disability pension plan. It offers a monthly financial pension plan that also makes available many other benefits to disabled veterans and their families and What happens to Mom, Dad, wife, husband and children when their disabled loved one comes home? The veterans disability has interrupted his or her career advancement and that has changed the familys financial position for life. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

crack cocaine: One day after the Toronto mayor admitted to reporters he smoked crack cocaine about a year ago, probably while in a drunken stupor, a number of city councillors are suggesting that he step aside, at least temporarily, and get some help -- calls that Ford has so far rejected, according to CTV. Speaking to reports Wednesday morning, Coun. Janet Davis said Ford has lost power and legitimacy at city hall and As the fallout from Rob Fords stunning crack confession continues, some people are questioning whether he should continue on as mayor of Canadas largest city. Folks, I have nothing left to hide. I would do anything, absolutely anything, to change the past. But the past is the past and we must move forward, he said Tuesday. In 2010, I made a commitment to Toronto voters. I have delivered on that commitment and I will continue to deliver on that commitment (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

European Central Bank: The loonie was off 0.4 of a cent to 95.59 cents US as gross domestic product rose at an annualized rate of 2.8 per cent in the quarter, against the two per cent rise that economists had expected, according to 660 News. But most economists thought the bank would wait at least until December when it will have new forecasts from its own staff before offering more economic stimulus and TORONTO The Canadian dollar closed lower Thursday while the greenback gained ground after the European Central Bank cuts its key lending rate to a record low and data showed U.S. economic growth in the third quarter was much stronger than expected. The ECB cut its key rate to 0.25 per cent from 0.5 per cent. The surprise move came as recent economic data, such as lower than expected inflation of 0.7 per cent in the 17-country eurozone, have suggested that Europes economic recovery remains weak. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

American Federation of State: George Popyack, executive director of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 57, called for law enforcement involvement in the probe of the Oct. 19 accident while testifying at a legislative committee hearing in San Francisco. The state Assembly Committee on Labor and Employment convened the meeting to investigate the accident, according to Times Colonist. Much of the attention on the accident centres on the transit agency's "simple approval" policy that makes workers completely responsible for their safety while working on the tracks and SAN FRANCISCO - Bay Area Rapid Transit officials were grilled about the agency's safety record during a four-hour legislative hearing Thursday that included a call from a workers' union for a criminal probe into the deaths of two track inspectors who were struck by a train while BART workers were on strike. Popyack didn't say whether anyone specifically should be targeted for possible criminal charges. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Speaker John Boehner: All 55 members of the Democratic majority, including senators from the Deep South, and several Republicans were expected to unite on Thursday in backing the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. Sen. John McCain, the GOPs presidential nominee in 2008, signalled his conditional support on Wednesday, according to 660 News. The progress was tempered by the reality that the Republican-led House, where conservatives have a firm grip on the agenda, is unlikely to even vote on the bill. Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, maintains his longstanding opposition to the measure, arguing that it is unnecessary and certain to create costly, frivolous lawsuits for businesses. Outside conservative groups have cast the bill as anti-family and WASHINGTON The Senate is headed for a historic vote on legislation outlawing workplace discrimination against gay, bisexual and transgender Americans, demonstrating the nations quickly evolving attitude toward gay rights nearly two decades after Congress rejected same-sex marriage. Senate passage would be a major victory for gay rights advocates in a momentous year. The Supreme Court in June affirmed gay marriage and granted federal benefits to legally married same-sex couples. In the heartland, Illinois is on the verge of becoming the 15th state to legalize gay marriage along with the District of Columbia. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

House of Representatives: The enthusiasm of the bill's supporters was tempered by the reality that the Republican-led House of Representatives, where conservatives have a firm grip on the agenda, is unlikely to even vote on the legislation. House Speaker John Boehner opposes the measure, arguing that it is unnecessary and certain to create costly, frivolous lawsuits for businesses, according to Times Colonist. Current federal law prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, race and national origin, but it doesn't stop an employer from firing or refusing to hire workers because they are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender and WASHINGTON - The U.S. Senate approved legislation Thursday outlawing workplace discrimination against gay, bisexual and transgender Americans, demonstrating the nation's quickly evolving attitude toward gay rights nearly two decades after Congress rejected same-sex marriage. If the House fails to act, gay rights advocates are likely to press President Barack Obama to act unilaterally and issue an executive order barring anti-gay workplace discrimination by federal contractors. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Yasser Arafats: Yet hard proof remains elusive, and nine years on, tracking down anyone who might have slipped minuscule amounts of the lethal substance into Arafats food or drink could be difficult, according to 660 News. The Palestinians themselves could come under renewed scrutiny, since Arafat was holed up in his Israeli-besieged West Bank compound in the months before his death, surrounded by advisers, staff and bodyguards and Yasser Arafats mysterious 2004 death turned into a whodunit Thursday after Swiss scientists who examined his remains said the Palestinian leader was probably poisoned with radioactive polonium. A new investigation could also prove embarrassing and not just for Israel, which the Palestinians have long accused of poisoning their leader and which has denied any role. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.