Senate: OTTAWA - Federal and provincial governments drew sharp battle lines Tuesday as Canada's top court began hearing arguments in a historic case that will determine how or even if the scandal-plagued Senate can be reformed or abolished. , according to Winnipeg Free Press. But neither did they seem sold on the arguments advanced by the vast majority of provinces: that reform would require the approval of at least seven provinces with 50 per cent of the population while outright abolition would take unanimous consent. The Senate chamber on Parliament Hill is seen Tuesday May 28, 2013 in Ottawa. Canada's top court is hearing arguments in a historic case that will determine how or even if the much-maligned, scandal-plagued Senate can be reformed or abolished. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld In the opening day of a three-day hearing, Supreme Court justices appeared to be skeptical of the federal government's contention that it can unilaterally reform the Senate without input from the provinces. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

U.S. Federal Reserve: TORONTO - Canada's main stock index dropped on Tuesday as worries that the U.S. Federal Reserve might cut back its stimulus program weighed on commodity prices, hitting heavyweight energy and materials shares, according to Reuters. Meanwhile, a slew of economic data unveiled last week, including robust U.S. jobs numbers, continued to spark fears that the Fed might scale back its stimulus measures and By John Tilak Investors also digested news that China's ruling party pledged to let markets play a "decisive" role in allocating resources as it unveiled a reform agenda for the next decade. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

American Horror Story: The singer will guest star on an upcoming episode of the FX series, according to 660 News. This is the third season of American Horror Story, which focuses on witches. Season one centred on a haunted house, while season two followed an insane asylum and NEW YORK, N.Y. Lily Rabes Stevie Nicks-obsessed character on American Horror Story: Coven is in for a treat. Creator Ryan Murphy revealed the guest spot news Tuesday over his official Twitter account. Guess whos visiting the Coven? The legendary Stevie Nicks! (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Mayor Gregor Robertson: The Cigarette Waste Brigade pilot project started Tuesday with the installation of 110 metal recycling receptacles in downtown Vancouver, according to CTV. Mayor Gregor Robertson said the program will help the city reach its goal of being North Americas greenest by 2020 and The City of Vancouver has launched the worlds first cigarette butt recycling program. The boxes were placed in four strategic locations where it was deemed cigarette litter is a problem: downtown, Gastown, the West End and Robson Street. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Commonwealth country: A Sri Lankan official said Tuesday that no Commonwealth country has the right to judge others, in an apparent reference to the boycott of an upcoming summit in Sri Lanka by Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his Indian counterpart, according to The Chronicle Herald. His remarks came in response to question about the decision by the prime ministers of Canada and India to boycott the Commonwealth leaders meeting, which is to be held in Colombo from Nov. 15 to 17 and Sri Lankan External Affairs Minister Gamini Peiris said that within the Commonwealth, there is no room for judgmental positions for some countries to sit in judgment over other countries. He said that passing judgment is contrary to the essential nature of the Commonwealth. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

the Commonwealth: Instead, as Friday's opening approaches, global focus remains trained on the country's 27-year civil war and alleged atrocities committed by both rebels and soldiers who, despite a sustained international outcry, have been spared from investigations and prosecutions since the war ended in 2009, according to Times Colonist. "It's a shame the Commonwealth has come to this," said former Caribbean diplomat Sir Ronald Sanders, now part of a Commonwealth panel charged with recommending reforms in the organization. Choosing Sri Lanka as a summit venue, which gives it the Commonwealth chairmanship for two years, "suggests we are not serious about Commonwealth values. ... That makes it a hypocritical organization." NEW DELHI - The palm-flecked island nation of Sri Lanka plays host this week to leaders from dozens of Commonwealth nations at a summit it hopes will generate enough good will and photo opportunities to eclipse three decades of grim history massive civilian deaths, persistent media harassment and gangster-style politics. The leaders of Canada and India are boycotting the summit. Others have had to justify their plans to attend by promising to bring Sri Lanka's government to task. Queen Elizabeth II, who is 87, is not going, but her son, Prince Charles, is presiding over the meeting. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Federal Reserve: MONTGOMERY, Ala./ST. PAUL, Minnesota - The Federal Reserve should keep monetary policy ultra-easy given the economy's tepid growth and an uncertain outlook for jobs growth, two senior officials said on Tuesday, reinforcing views that the U.S. central bank will not taper bond buying before next year, according to Reuters. "Monetary policy overall should remain very accommodative for quite some time," he told an economic forum in Montgomery, Alabama. "Even though the economy is growing, and we're making progress on unemployment, there are real concerns about whether the recent modest pace of GDP is enough to maintain employment momentum." By Jonathan Spicer and David Bailey At the same time, last month's government shutdown may undermine the reliability of economic data through December, said Dennis Lockhart, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. That could provide another reason not to expect policy action when the Fed holds its next policy meeting, on December 17-18, though Lockhart would not rule it out. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Sri Lanka: Sri Lankan External Affairs Minister Gamini Peiris said that "within the Commonwealth, there is no room for judgmental positions for some countries to sit in judgment over other countries." He said that passing judgment is contrary to the "essential" nature of the Commonwealth, according to Huffington Post. On Sunday, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh joined Harper in boycotting the summit over concerns about Sri Lanka's human rights record. The Commonwealth is a loose association of 53 nations made up largely of former British colonies and COLOMBO, Sri Lanka - A Sri Lankan official said Tuesday that no Commonwealth country has the right to judge others, in an apparent reference to the boycott of an upcoming summit in Sri Lanka by Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his Indian counterpart. His remarks came in response to question about the decision by the prime ministers of Canada and India to boycott the Commonwealth leaders' meeting which is to be held in Colombo from Nov. 15 to 17. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Justin Trudeau: Perhaps it was tone deafness, according to The Star. It would be comforting, from the Liberal perspective, to retreat into the realm of partisan quibbles and pretend the critics are rank-and-file Conservatives. I ll take no lessons in respecting women and minorities from the Conservative Party of Canada, quipped Trudeau and Social media was abuzz last week over Justin Unplugged, a fundraiser in which women were invited to really get to know the Liberal leader. Many interpreted the invitation as affirming that the Liberals are intent on marketing Justin Trudeau as a heartthrob rather than a policy-driven leader. Trudeau responded that the advertisement was tongue-in-cheek. Having been forced to defend the event is surely indicative that something was amiss here, but what was it? The Liberal Party is no stranger to finding itself under attack for appearing out of touch. It is not particularly novel to aim such an accusation at a party intent on referring to itself as the countrys natural governing party despite retaining third party status. Nor is it surprising that the partys political opponents would pounce on the opportunity to undercut the charismatic leader whose approval ratings recently outpaced both Stephen Harper and Thomas Mulcair. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Disabilities Network Society: The Centre for Entrepreneurship Education and Development and the Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Network Society will receive $651,700 from the provincial government and $475,000 from Ottawa, according to The Chronicle Herald. Its about unleashing the potential of peoples ideas and innovation, MacKay, the MP for Central Nova, told reporters and The federal and provincial governments are betting on entrepreneurs and small businesses, investing more than $1 million in two organizations that support local startups. Federal Justice Minister Peter MacKay and Nova Scotias Community Services Minister Joanne Bernard made the announcement Tuesday. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.