United Airlines: At the United for Ukraine Gala fundraising dinner on Thursday, Harper gave the keynote address and spoke of the threats toward democracy from old foes and new, according to The Star. In the 13 years since the Twin Towers in New York , the Pentagon and United Airlines Flight 93 were attacked, we have confronted terrorism in one failed state only to have it surface in yet another. And now an old foe one we thought had been consigned to history has risen once again in another incarnation to threaten the worlds stability and security and On the 13th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terror attacks in the United States, Prime Minister Stephen Harper warned that Canada faces new threats but will stand alongside Ukraine with unblinking resistance. I am prompted by todays sombre anniversary that of 9/11 to acknowledge a sad truth . . . Threats we thought we had overcome are returning to trouble us yet again, Harper said Thursday night to the 1,200 people gathered at the Toronto Congress Centre. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Simon Fraser University: As the historic Sept. 18 vote approaches, Caledonian-Canadians are divided not only about breaking Scotlands centuries-old bond with England but about the parallels between the Quebec and Scottish referendums, according to The Star. Chantal H bert: Scotland campaign changes terms of Canada sovereignty conversation From Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, B.C., to Cape Breton, N.S., two words Quebec sovereignty hover like a spectre over the debate on Scottish independence. Twice, first in 1980 and then in 1995, Quebecers voted not to break up Canada. When their day comes, Scots will be asked, Should Scotland be an independent country? (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

ghost stories: Built in 1855, the mystical limestone mansion was destroyed by fire in 1934. Since then, only a set of crumbling walls remain and a supposed ghost that draws people out in the dead of night to catch a glimpse. , according to CBC. Next week, the general issues committee will vote on a plan B spending $600,000 to dismantle the walls and rebuild them with the stones in their exact location. That will include $200,000 in tax dollars from city coffers and another $200,000 fundraised in the community. City councillors will vote next week on how to salvage whats left of the Hermitage, a remote Ancaster site thats home to one of Hamiltons favourite ghost stories. The Hamilton Conservation Authority was going to spend $200,000 to lower the walls of the old mansion, which month to month get closer to collapse, said chief administrative officer Chris Firth-Eagland. 'If those braces werent there, the building would have collapsed.' - Chris Firth-Eagland (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Eric Dejaeger: Dejaeger, 67, had already pleaded guilty to eight counts of indecent assault. , according to CBC. Dejaeger had pleaded not guilty to the 68 charges relating to allegations of sex crimes against children in Igloolik three decades ago. His trial that started in November 2013 ended in May. A Nunavut judge has found Eric Dejaeger guilty of 24 of 68 charges relating to sex crimes dating back to his time as a Catholic priest in Igloolik, Nunavut, before he fled Canada in the mid-1990s. In all, he was convicted of 24 counts of indecent assault, one of unlawful confinement, two of buggery, three of unlawful sexual intercourse, one of sexual assault and one of bestiality. The victims include 12 boys, 10 girls and a dog he abused in front of two children. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Supreme Court Justice Marie Deschamps: More than 6,000 Canadians have been named to the Order of Canada since its creation in 1967, to "recognize outstanding achievement, dedication to the community and service to the nation." , according to CBC. Here are the citations provided by the governor general office for each of the recipients: Companions The honourees include former Supreme Court Justice Marie Deschamps , composer R. Murray Schafer and former P.E.I. Premier Alexander Campbell. The three tiers of the order are Companion, Officer, and Member. In Friday ceremony, Governor General David Johnston bestowed 4 Companions, 14 Officers and 31 Members with their honours. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

National Audubon Society: A new Birds and Climate Report from the New York-based conservation group National Audubon Society shows that climate change is pushing North American birds north so far north that hundreds of species will lose more than half their current range by 2080. Read the full Birds and Climate Report , according to CBC. "This new information shows that we have to look to the larger and still-intact landscapes of Canada North to ensure these birds have somewhere safe to go." Canada degradation of pristine, intact forests leads world The laugh of the loon across southern Canadian lakes may soon be replaced by the calls of unfamiliar birds such as white-faced ibises and Mississippi kites, because of climate change. "Climate change is displacing hundreds of bird species, many of which are headed deeper into the heart of Canada," said the group chief scientist Gary Lagham in a statement tied to the release of the report this week. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Danny Ramadan: "I want to ride a roller coaster for the first time," says Danny Ramadan. "I would also like to give back to the community that brought me here. It just beyond my dreams ." , according to CBC. The Syrian war has created over 3 million refugees and, almost a year ago, Canada pledged to take in 1,300 before the end of 2014. Fleeing racism and homophobia Two gay Syrian refugees are enjoying their first full day in Canada Wednesday, thanks to the efforts of local sponsors and supporters. Ramadan and his partner Aamer who has requested that we not use his last name or photograph because he not out to his family are among the first refugees from the war in Syria to arrive in Vancouver. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

United Arab Emirates: Bilal Philips lectures in the United Arab Emirates, but he regularly appears at events in Canada and was last year the imam of a Toronto mosque. More Related to this Story, according to Globe and Mail. Islamic rebel leader killed in suicide bombing in Syria The Philippines has become the latest country to kick out a controversial Canadian cleric whose orthodox Islamic teachings made him unwelcome in Britain, Germany, Australia and Kenya. Somali Islamist rebels pledge allegiance to new leader (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

municipalities: Non-citizens should have the right to vote; Hamilton should join with other municipalities in asking province to make inclusive move Opinion , Sept. 4 , according to Hamilton Spectator. As an immigrant and a proud Canadian citizen, I disagree strongly with the argument put forward in this article. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Nicola Gratteri: Coluccio two older brothers Giuseppe and Salvatore are already in prison in Italy on Mafia-related charges. They are both former GTA residents. , according to Hamilton Spectator. Coluccio was one of 29 people named in arrest warrants in a sweeping crackdown on the 'Ndrangheta crime group in Southern Italy by prosecutor Nicola Gratteri. Former Richmond Hill resident Antonio Coluccio, 44, has been charged with extortion and Mafia association after a sweeping series of anti-corruption arrests in Southern Italy. His father-in-law, Carmelo Bruzzese is in custody in the GTA fighting deportation to Italy after being accused of Mafia-related offenses. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Christmas bird counts: The Audubon report was made by taking 114 years of yearly Christmas bird counts and 40-odd years of breeding bird surveys, and laying that over 17 climate variables. That has allowed researchers to examine which kind of climate each species can tolerate, and how the climate in that birds specific region is changing. , according to The Telegram. Climate change has always been like the elephant in the room. And thats one of the things that this study is helpful for because it has finally put some numbers on that elephant in the room and allows you sort of to look into the future at what the future might hold for a certain species, Cheskey says. The Climate Report has declared that nearly half of all birds found in North America are severely threatened by global warming. Ted Cheskey, one of Canadas pre-eminent bird conservationists, describes the study as mapping out a climate habitat for each species affected. Just as each species has a specific type of habitat with regards to vegetation that its tolerant of, each will have a type of climate made up of rainfall days, dry days and other factors it needs to remain in an area. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Fatemeh Naserian Mochadam: Abbas Gholami, his wife Fatemeh Naserian Mochadam, and their five children arrived in Canada a couple of years ago. All family members were born and lived in Kuwait. However, due to family ties they are citizens of Iran. , according to CBC. But in February, an Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada tribunal rejected the familys refugee claim. The Gholamis now face removal from Canada not to Kuwait, but to Iran, where none of them have lived or visited. A family living in Halifax is facing deportation after their refugee claim was rejected earlier this year but in an unusual twist, they could be sent to a country they ve never even visited. They say they left Kuwait after years of threatening phone calls from two of Mochadam cousins, according to documents filed in the Federal Court of Canada. Mochadam is of Arab descent and says her 1995 marriage to her husband, who is Persian, was viewed as shameful by some relatives who threatened to kill them. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Citizenship and Immigration Canada: Source: Passport Canada, Citizenship and Immigration Canada, according to CTV and - Some facts about diplomatic and special passports: Diplomatic passports are issued to high-ranking government officials, diplomats and representatives, and delegates of the Canadian government to international governmental organizations or conferences of a diplomatic nature. Special passports are issued to people holding office, such as members of Parliament, senators or members of provincial cabinets, and to people employed by the federal government in a non-diplomatic capacity who are travelling on an official mission or to a post abroad. A special or diplomatic passport confirms one identity and role as an official of the government of Canada. However, only those accredited to a foreign country have diplomatic immunity. Diplomatic and special passports have been issued as ePassports, which include a biometric security chip, since 2009. Passport Canada has issued more than 50,000 of these electronic diplomatic and special passports. The Citizenship and Immigration minister may authorize issuance of a diplomatic passport to: The Governor General, prime minister, Supreme Court judges, cabinet members, lieutenant governors, Speakers of Parliament, Opposition leaders, deputy ministers; Ambassadors, ministers, high commissioners, officers of diplomatic rank, attaches, trade commissioners and consular officers serving the Canadian government abroad; Representatives and delegates of the Canadian government to international governmental organizations and international conferences of a diplomatic nature; Cohabiting members of the immediate family of a person to whom a passport has been issued for any of the above reasons; Diplomatic couriers. The minister may authorize issuance of a special passport to: Members of the Privy Council who are not cabinet ministers; MPs and senators; Provincial premiers, members of provincial cabinets and Speakers of provincial legislative assemblies; Justices of the Federal Court and Federal Court of Appeal; Employees of the federal government in a non-diplomatic capacity on an official mission or travelling to a post abroad; Private citizens employed in senior positions by international governmental organizations of which Canada is a member; Private citizens who are official delegates to international conferences of a non-diplomatic nature; Private citizens serving as official advisers or experts on Canadian government delegations to international conferences; Cohabiting members of the immediate family of a person to whom a passport has been issued for any of the above reasons. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Eastern Healths Centre for Nursing Studies: Sonya Stanford, Eastern Healths director of recruitment, told Tuesday the authority has also hired a few from New Brunswick. , according to The Telegram. We ve had challenges with finding those workers. Nationally it is really hard to find LPNs and PCAs personal care attendants . It is a real issue across the country, she said. has learned the authority contacted two publicly funded colleges in Jamaica to hire 23 LPNs from the island, not only to help staff the new long-term care facility in St. Johns, but also to meet other demands in the system. She said Eastern Healths Centre for Nursing Studies in St. Johns worked with the two colleges in Jamaica and the Jamaican government to deliver the Centre for Nursing Studies Practical Nursing Program which was taught by faculty of the two colleges, and monitored and evaluated by the centre. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Environics Research: , according to The Telegram. The participants including doctors, pharmacists and engineers said language barriers and requirements for Canadian experience on some job postings pose the biggest problems. In a report prepared earlier this year by Environics Research, newcomers in 12 focus groups across the country said other issues hinder their ability to get work. Language and experience big barriers (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Lev Tahor: The document, called an Information to Obtain, is a written testimony that sets out allegations to a judge to get a search warrant. The sworn document was signed by Sgt. Normand Dion of the S ret du Qu bec. , according to CBC. Some of the documents left behind by the Lev Tahor families as they hastily moved to Ontario were seized by SQ investigators. Members of Lev Tahor are believed to have falsified some passports, marriage licences and birth certificates, according to an affidavit filed by Quebec provincial police to obtain a search warrant. /Radio-Canada obtained a copy of the extensive document pertaining to Lev Tahor, the ultra-Orthodox Jewish sect that in November 2013 fled Quebec for Chatham, Ont . to evade a youth protection order and allegations of child abuse. the fifth estate Rabbi Of the Pure Hearts: Inside Lev Tahor Members of Lev Tahor sect flee Canada, intercepted in Trinidad Lev Tahor moves to Guatemala City after being expelled by village (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Canada Border Services Agency: Both Public Safety Minister Steven Blaney and Jean-Pierre Fortin, president of the Customs and Immigration Union, sent letters in August to agency president Luc Portelance outlining their concerns about the disciplinary action, according to CTV. "Please rest assured that I share your feelings about the importance of the issue," he wrote. "As you know, employees of the Canada Border Services Agency have access to a variety of transparent recourses to ensure their rights are respected when they challenge the disciplinary actions taken against them and - The Canada Border Services Agency has responded to concerns about the suspension of three Manitoba border guards who left their posts to help the by saying they can go through the normal grievance procedure. The union says that Portelance replied to Fortin on Wednesday and said he wants to see the grievance move ahead quickly "so that the arguments and concerns of the officers can be heard as soon as possible." (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Steven Blaney: Both Steven Blaney and the head of the border guards union sent letters to agency president Luc Portelance after the suspensions. In his Aug. 12 letter, Blaney asked for a report on this incident and further clarification on the policy of the agency on requests for assistance in cases such as this, according to The Star. We re concerned that disciplinary actions were taken against these border service officers, he said in an emailed statement. Not only do we support but, in fact, we expect law-enforcement officers to take action to put dangerous and violent criminals behind bars where they belong and The Canada Border Services Agency is ignoring the protests of the federal public safety minister over the suspension of three Manitoba border guards who left their posts to help the arrest a suspect. Jason Tamming, the ministers press secretary, said Blaney has yet to receive a reply, let alone a report. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Southern Italy: Former Richmond Hill resident Antonio Coluccio, 44, has been charged with extortion and Mafia association after a sweeping series of anti-corruption arrests in Southern Italy, according to The Star. His father-in-law, Carmelo Bruzzese is in custody in the GTA fighting deportation to Italy after being accused of Mafia-related offenses and Former Richmond Hill resident Antonio Coluccio, 44, has been charged in Italy with extortion and Mafia association. Coluccios two older brothers Giuseppe and Salvatore are already in prison in Italy on Mafia-related charges. They are both former GTA residents. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

federal government: Additional changes could flow out of an ongoing review of who should be eligible for government-sanctioned travel documents, according to Globe and Mail. Special passports, which have a green cover, are issued to office-holders like MPs, senators, provincial cabinet members, and non-diplomats employed by the government who are travelling on an official mission abroad and The federal government has quietly tightened the rules for travel on special and diplomatic Canadian passports after Stephen Harper ordered a review amid alleged misuse for travel and personal business. Diplomatic passports, easily identified by their distinctive red cover, are issued to high-ranking government officials, diplomats and representatives, and Canadian government delegates to organizations or conferences. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

George Brown: George Brown travelled from humble beginnings as the son of a Jamaican farmer to become a force for social change in Canada. As a boy, George helped to care for the livestock and harvest sugar cane, while his industrious father saved enough money to invest in a truck that led to a successful transportation business. More Related to this Story, according to Globe and Mail. As a young man in Kellits, George met a retired British school master, E.B. Baker, who opened his library to George and became his mentor. Friendship with a well-educated white man was a revolutionary event in the life of a black teenager in colonial Jamaica. George grew up witnessing poverty and a well-defined class system based on skin colour, education and wealth observations that fuelled his interest in economics and human rights and Scholar, rights advocate, husband, sports fan. Born on May 16, 1929 in Kellits, Jamaica; died on April 10, 2014, in Toronto, of heart failure, aged 84. Submit a Lives Lived column (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Qu: When the Scots vote in their historic independence referendum next Thursday, Canadians, especially the Qu b cois, will be watching closely. Having held two sovereignty referenda, the Qu b cois may feel that they are the masters in such enterprises and that the Scots are their apprentices. In 1980, the Qu b cois voted No to sovereignty by a 60-40 margin, and in 1995, the No side prevailed by a mere one percentage point of the votes cast. More Related to this Story, according to Globe and Mail. McCan Quebec learn from Scotlands McReferendum and James Laxer is a professor of political science at York University. He has written widely on the subject of nationalism, Quebec nationalism in particular. His latest publication is : London: In a Time of Billionaires, Scottish Separatism, and anti-immigrant rage. Konrad Yakabuski Quebeckers have no interest in backing absolutists (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Reese Witherspoon: I just had this total breakdown. You cant make me do this movie, Witherspoon laughed as told the audience at an intimate Mavericks onstage interview at the Glenn Gould Studio Sunday night, according to The Star. Witherspoon feared her audience, used to seeing her in her Oscar winning-role as June Carter in Walk the Line or perky Elle Woods in Legally Blonde were going to freak out seeing her do nude scenes for the first time, along with playing the drug-using and promiscuous Strayed and A nervous Reese Witherspoon tried to pull out of making Wild , fearing what she d gotten into with the adaptation of Cheryl Strayeds bestselling memoir about a reckless, hard-living woman who finds herself on an epic hike. I called my lawyer up and said, I cant make this movie. I m going to have to be more raw, more emotional, more sexually explicit than I ve been in any movie! (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Paul Dewar Ottawa Centre: And they want more information about the kind of mission Canadian military personnel will be performing in Iraq and the risks they face, said NDP MP Paul Dewar Ottawa Centre , according to The Star. The Islamic State has been claiming territory across Iraq and Syria, prompting fears it will serve as a terrorist training ground that could strike at the West and As Canada prepares to dispatch military advisers to northern Iraq to help in the battle against Islamic extremists , New Democrat MPs are pushing the government to provide further humanitarian aid to assist the thousands of refugees fleeing the violence. Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced at last weeks meeting in Wales that more than 50 military personnel were being sent to Iraq to advise Kurdish fighters in their battle against Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant . (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Reflexology practitioners: Danielle Place needs volunteer certified Reiki or Reflexology practitioners and Yoga instructors for anxiety reduction programs. 333-5548 or email volunteer.daniellesplace@gmail.com. , according to Hamilton Spectator. T.E.A.D. Equestrian for the Disabled training , Sept. 9, 6 p.m., volunteer@tead.on.ca or 679-8323, ext. 221 Volunteers Urban Wildlife Care a local wildlife rehabilitation facility needs volunteers to take care of injured, ill and orphaned wildlife. Email urbanwildlifecare@gmail.com or 818-5708 and leave a message. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Czech Republic: While Janette Ganova said the markings were cut by two neo-Nazi skinheads who kidnapped her in Zatec, Czech Republic, her now-estranged husband wrote a "poison pen letter" to immigration officials claiming that her injuries were self-inflicted. , according to Hamilton Spectator. "The panel is unable, based on evidence provided, to make a clear finding as to how the injuries. . . on the claimant back," wrote IRB adjudicator Louise Paquette-Neville in the unusually long 68-page decision released last week. Would a Czech Roma asylum seeker be so desperate to get accepted in Canada that she'd carve two swastikas in her back to fool a refugee judge? After four hearings that stretched over two years and ended in July, the Immigration and Refugee Board IRB couldn't determine the culprits who did the crime, but rejected the Toronto woman claim because her evidence was inconsistent and there enough protection in Czech Republic for Roma. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.