Tibetan Cultural Society: They didnt know who this bearded man in red was, but it was fun, said Tsering Dolma from the Tibetan Cultural Society of Vancouver Island. She is one of several Victorians helping to sponsor five Tibetans to build new lives here. The Tibetan refugees are among 1,000 who will move to Canadian communities over the next two years. , according to Times Colonist. We hope to bring 50, Dolma said. This would nearly triple Greater Victorias Tibetan community which has about 20 people, including children. There are also a few Tibetans in Duncan. The first Tibetan refugees to arrive in Victoria under a federal resettlement program got more than a warm welcome from community members and Santa Claus at Victoria International Airport. They also received a few west coast essentials tuques and umbrellas. In 2007, Tibets exiled spiritual leader the Dalai Lama appealed to Canada to help Tibetans find permanent homes. Many have fled Tibet since China claimed the country in 1951. Three years after the appeal, the federal government committed to a resettlement program, overseen by Project Tibet Society. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Giusi Nicolini: The video, which aired Monday on state-run RAI television, showed a dozen male migrants who lined up in a warehouse, then stripped to be hosed down with a solution to treat scabies. One of the migrants told RAI that men and women had been disinfected this way a few days ago, according to 660 News. Politicians and refugee advocates denounced the incident, which the Lampedusa Mayor Giusi Nicolini said was reminiscent of a concentration camp and ROME Italys government on Tuesday promised an investigation into the treatment of migrants after a video was taken of naked refugees being hosed down and disinfected in cold weather at a holding centre on the southern island of Lampedusa. The video was particularly troubling since the government had promised to improve conditions at the overcrowded Lampedusa centre after more than 360 would-be refugees drowned offshore in October, a tragedy that cast worldwide attention on the plight of migrants trying to reach Europe and the conditions they find when they reach land. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Edward Snowden: RIO DE JANEIRO - National Security Agency leaker Edward Snowden wrote in a lengthy "open letter to the people of Brazil" that he's been inspired by the global debate ignited by his release of thousands of NSA documents and that the agency's culture of indiscriminate global espionage "is collapsing." , according to Winnipeg Free Press. He wrote that he'd be willing to help the South American nation investigate NSA spying on its soil, but could not fully participate in doing so without being granted political asylum, because the U.S. "government will continue to interfere with my ability to speak." David Miranda, the domestic partner of Brazil-based American journalist Glenn Greenwald, talks during an interview in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2013. Miranda has taken up the cause of persuading the Brazilian government to grant political asylum to National Security Agency leaker Edward Snowden. "Brazil is a big, strong country, I think one of the few nations in the world that could offer asylum to Edward Snowden," Miranda said. AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo Related Items Articles NSA ruling clips surveillance state In the letter, Snowden commended the Brazilian government for its strong stand against U.S. spying. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Sean Rehaag: An exhaustive study into how refugee claims are handled in Canada has raised disturbing questions about both the fairness and quality of decisions that could be matters of life or death for thousands of people seeking asylum. , according to Winnipeg Free Press. Mr. Rehaag's study, subtitled The Luck of the Draw, also exposed inconsistencies in dispositions from the Federal Court, which serves as an appeal court of last resort for claimants who were turned down by the refugee board. DALE CUMMINGS / The study by Osgoode Hall law Prof. Sean Rehaag found "vast disparities" in the decisions of different members of the Immigration and Refugee Board IRB , which is often the first official stop in the refugee-claim process for those who wash up on Canada's shores or who arrive by other means. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Nelson Mandela: They came through the frigid weather Sunday night, hundreds of sons and daughters of Africa, to pay tribute to a teacher who had brought the world a universal message of humanity. , according to Winnipeg Free Press. Deji Salami centre dances with KB Fujumelody at an event celebrating the life of Nelson Mandela at the Ethiopian Cultural Centre on Sunday evening. JOHN WOODS / Photo Store Related Items Articles Cousin, friends: Fake signer at Mandela memorial was among a mob that burned 2 men to death Grief floods out at Mandela's burial Evans Coffie performs Sunday at the Ethiopian Cultural Centre, celebrating the life of Nelson Mandela. Photo Store It was standing room only at the second Mandela tribute this weekend, held at the Ethiopian Cultural Centre on Selkirk Avenue. Enlarge Image (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Devyani Khobragade: Devyani Khobragade, India's deputy consul general in New York, is accused of submitting false documents to obtain a work visa for her Manhattan housekeeper. Indian officials said she was arrested and handcuffed Thursday as she dropped off her daughter at school, and was kept in a cell with drug addicts before posting $250,000 bail, according to CTV. Khobragade "was placed in the available and appropriate cell," the statement said. "Absent a special risk or separation order, prisoners are typically placed in general population," the statement said and NEW DELHI -- The arrest and strip search of an Indian diplomat in New York City escalated into a major diplomatic furor Tuesday as India's national security adviser called the woman's treatment "despicable and barbaric." In a statement, the U.S. Marshals Service confirmed that Khobragade was subjected to the same booking procedures as other prisoners, including being strip searched -- viewed in India as the most disturbing part of the arrest -- and locked up with other female defendants. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Canadian Doctors for Refugee Care: Lawyers for Canadian Doctors for Refugee Care told a federal court Tuesday the move wasn't an act of parliament, nor was it a regulation - which they argue makes it invalid, according to CTV. Until June 30 of last year, Ottawa covered the costs of drugs and medical care for refugee claimants until they were eligible for provincial coverage or their claims had been rejected and TORONTO -- A group of doctors says Ottawa didn't have the legal authority to cut back health-care coverage for refugee claimants. The group is challenging the changes along with the Canadian Association of Refugee Lawyers and two refugee claimants who say losing their coverage caused them severe psychological stress. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

colleges and universities: The move came as faculty and student groups across the province joined forces to fight the loss of $17 million in federal money for English as a second language programs at colleges and universities. , according to Times Colonist. Citizenship and Immigration Canada said no final decisions have been made. But Advanced Education Minister Amrik Virk said none of B.C.s colleges and universities are expected to get the new contracts as of April 1. Camosun College announced a hiring freeze Monday as it scrambles to cope with the impact of deep cuts to English training programs for new immigrants. The federal government expects to award contracts directly through community and non-profit groups rather than flow money through the B.C. government to post-secondary schools. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Piper Gilles: The American-born ice dancer will get her Canadian citizenship at a Tuesday ceremony in Scarborough, not far from where shes been training with Canadian-born partner Paul Poirier, 22, since the two paired up two years ago, according to The Star. Gilles had her citizenship expedited under whats known as the five-four section of the Citizenship Act, which allows the Minister of Immigration to grant citizenship to alleviate cases of special and unusual hardship or to reward services of an exceptional value to Canada and Less than two months before the Sochi Games , Piper Gilles got the chance she had been waiting nearly two years for and it came in the form of a passport. Its like a lot of weight has been taken off my shoulder, said Gilles, 21. Like an elephant. Thats how heavy it felt. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Stratfor: Stratfor came under fire recently after a leaked company document prepared for an oil company outlined ways to counter activist groups, such as Greenpeace, who oppose Canada's oil-sands development , according to Huffington Post. Stratfor's Presentation On Countering Anti-Oilsands Activists Reportedly prepared for Suncor, 2010. Story continues below Loading Slideshow OTTAWA - At least 13 Canadian government agencies have had subscriptions with U.S. private intelligence firm Strategic Forecasting, Inc. or Stratfor, sometimes dubbed a shadow CIA, newly released WikiLeaks emails indicate. The same cache of leaked emails indicates Canadian federal agencies have purchased at least half a million dollars in Stratfor services. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.