Bank of Canada: The loonie was up a third of a cent to 93.98 cents US as the greenback lost value against a variety of currencies, according to Times Colonist. Traders looked to Friday and the release of the latest employment report for Canada, where economists expect about 7,500 jobs were created in November and TORONTO - The Canadian dollar closed higher Thursday amid a string of solid U.S. economic news this week and rising oil prices. The Canadian currency had sunk a quarter of a cent Wednesday to its lowest level since May 2010 after the Bank of Canada left rates unchanged and left markets with the impression that rate hikes were still a long way off. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

balanced budget: But the new assessment from the parliamentary budget office also projects that the government will be able to achieve its target of a balanced budget in 2015 and even amass a bigger surplus in the critical election year than the government projects, according to 660 News. As well, the budget office projection shows next years deficit at $3.5 billion $2 billion lower than Ottawas estimate in last months economic update and within an eyelash of a balanced budget, once a $3-billion cushion for surprises is factored out and OTTAWA The Harper government may need to depend on artificially high EI premiums, asset sales and spending restraint to balance the budget in time for the 2015 election, the federal budget watchdog says in a new report. The report says its baseline projection puts the 2015 budget surplus at $4.6 billion almost $1 billion more than the official estimate contained in last months economic update paper. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Basem Farid Awaad: Lawyer Victor Goldberg appeared in Halifax provincial court on behalf of Basem Farid Awaad, 42, according to The Chronicle Herald. Goldberg asked for a two-month adjournment to give him time to review the large amount of evidence disclosed by investigators. Judge Bill Digby put the case over until Feb. 18 and A Halifax man chose not to be present for his arraignment Thursday on charges of immigration fraud. Awaad faces two charges of counselling misrepresentation under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and two counts of false representation under the Citizenship Act. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Canadian Union of Public Employees: FREDERICTON The Canadian Union of Public Employees has filed a complaint with New Brunswicks Labour and Employment Board alleging that proposed changes to public sector pension plans are illegal, according to The Chronicle Herald. The union says the government is violating the act by changing the conditions of collective agreements after five of the unions locals indicated they were prepared to negotiate renewed deals and The president of the unions provincial wing, Danny Legere, issued a statement Thursday saying the Conservative government is violating the Public Service Labour Relations Act. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Commerce Department: Factory orders dropped 0.9 per cent in October, the Commerce Department said Thursday. That followed a 1.8 per cent increase in September, according to 660 News. But core capital goods, which are a proxy for business investment, dropped 0.6 per cent, the second straight decline. Economists watch this category closely because it excludes volatile orders for aircraft and defence equipment and WASHINGTON U.S. factories received fewer orders in October, as aircraft demand fell and businesses cut back on computers. The decline suggests companies were hesitant to invest during the 16-day partial government shutdown. A big reason for the decline in October was a steep drop in orders for aircraft. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Sal Guatieri: In fact, the market has pulled up sharply from last years downturn and is cruising at an above-normal altitude, says BMO senior economist Sal Guatieri in a cross-country checkup on four key housing markets. Toronto is hardly landing, says Guatieri, with sales up 9 per cent over historic norms in the three months up to October. But benchmark prices, up 4 per cent over a year ago, remain lofty at more than six times median family income, according to The Star. While there is mounting concern that far too many new units will be coming on the market, the report says the shortage of new detached homes, and their high prices, will force more buyers into condos and they should absorb the new supply. Calgary is the place to be: It is the strongest major market in Canada, with house sales 20 per cent above historic norms and benchmark prices up 8 per cent, virtually making up for the 16 per cent decline in prices from 2007 to 2009 and Torontos housing market continues to defy skeptics, Calgarys is upward and onward, Vancouver has sprung back to life and Montreal remains a relative bargain, says a BMO Capital Markets assessment of a year of pleasant surprises on Canadas real estate front. But with close to 60,000 new condos under construction and developers offering more incentives, such as free furniture and waived maintenance fees, in the face of a dramatic sales slowdown, price gains should slow in 2014, says Guatieri. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Djamel Ameziane: His brother, a Canadian citizen, wanted him back in Montreal, and he had the support of various religious and community organizations in Quebec, according to The Star. Read more on thestar.com: Djamel Ameziane had wanted to return to Canada or Europe, where he once lived and worked as a chef. In 2010, Canadian immigration officials visited him in Guantanamo Bays detention centre for an interview. Amezianes lawyers said Luxembourg also seemed interested in offering him refuge. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Canada: The Harvard Law School s immigrant and refugee clinic has just completed a comprehensive examination of refugee treatment in Canada. Its researchers were taken aback by what they found. Canada is systematically closing its borders to asylum seekers and failing in its refugee protection obligations under domestic and international law, they concluded, according to The Star. A succession of immigration and public safety ministers has insisted that Canada cannot afford to be a patsy or a chink in North Americas security armour and Canada craves attention in the United States but not this kind. This will not come as a surprise to Canadians. Since 2006, Stephen Harpers government has been incrementally tightening Canadas borders and turning away increasing numbers of refugee claimants from countries with abysmal human rights records. After the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the pace accelerated sharply. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Calgary: The study by BMO Economics found Calgary has the strongest major housing market thanks in part to a move west by immigrants and young Canadians, drawn by better job prospects, faster wage growth and healthier housing affordability than Vancouver and Toronto, according to CTV. In the three months to October, Calgary home sales have run 23 per cent above year-ago levels, nearly twice the national rate, although some slowing is likely in November and TORONTO, Ontario -- Even though the housing market is showing renewed strength overall, there are underlying differences in valuations and outlooks among Canada's four major cities, according to a new report by the Bank of Montreal. "Strong economic and population growth will encourage an upward trend in Calgary's house prices, though higher borrowing costs will moderate the gains," said Sal Guatieri, senior economist with the Bank of Montreal. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Wolrige Mahon: The money represented 45 per cent of expected cash flow through to late January for the non-profit Victoria-based society, which is in court-ordered protection from creditors. , according to Times Colonist. But it now turns out that the money may not come in for several months and that its use is restricted, Wolrige Mahon, the court-appointed monitor said in the latest report filed in the Supreme Court of British Columbia. The Land Conservancy is facing another setback after learning an anticipated $450,000 bequest cant be used to cover immediate costs as expected. TLC had expected the $450,000 bequest, with no strings attached, by mid-November. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.