Syrian refugees: What Harper is not talking about is his government cutbacks to accepting refugees fleeing towns controlled by Canada official goal for helping to alleviate the humanitarian crisis for over a million Syrian refugees already waiting in camps is 1,300 people. , according to Hamilton Spectator. How many have actually landed so far? A couple hundred or so. A majority of Canadians, even those who self-identify as Liberal or NDP supporters politically, support sending airstrike equipment and personnel to Iraq and probably to Syria. The evidence of that was shown in several polls conducted last week. If Canadian sponsors can be found for these refugees, that is how many Canada will accept. About 1,100 people have already been allocated to enter Canada, sponsored mostly by churches and nonprofit groups who promise to take responsibility for these people until they settle as landed immigrants. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Dalhousie University: It is the story of my life and the story of the majority of people in Canadas lives, she says of the central theme of her talks the notion of belonging and the nature of citizenship in Canada, according to The Chronicle Herald. To illustrate, she cites the late literary scholar Malcolm Ross who taught at Dalhousie University and compared being Canadian to a melting ice cube and When CBC Radio asked Adrienne Clarkson if she was interested in presenting the 2014 Massey Lectures the journalist and former governor general didnt have to think long or hard. Clarkson, who speaks Tuesday at Halifaxs Rebecca Cohn Auditorium, says that Canada has much to teach the world about the power of belonging. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Csaba Csizmar: Hes been held in immigration detention for over a month, ever since he flew to Toronto and was arrested at the airport, according to The Star. Hes trapped in a bureaucratic labyrinth, allowed neither to enter Canada nor to leave and Csaba Csizmar just wants to go home. But the Hungarian citizen isnt accused of committing any crimes. His immigration counsel doesnt even contest his rejection at the border. He has a ticket home and planes depart daily, but the Canada Border Services Agency is keeping him in custody, and he cant figure out why. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Transportation Minister Steven Del Duca: Transportation Minister Steven Del Duca said Friday that partnering with the Canada Border Services Agency doesnt make sense, as he officially cut ties with the organization in light of a controversial roundup of undocumented workers in August that sparked an internal ministry review, according to The Star. The review found that the partnership with the Canada Border Services Agency did not align with our mandate of road safety, stated Del Duca, who imposed a temporary suspension on working with last month. I had questions and I was curious as to what the rationale was . . . and the report came back suggesting working with the didnt make sense . . . and we informed the federal minister accordingly, Del Duca told , adding that he wasnt even aware the partnered with his ministry on occasion and The controversial practice of using commercial roadside vehicle blitzes to round up undocumented workers is over. Effective immediately the ministry will no longer partner with the border agency in commercial motor vehicle enforcement initiatives, Del Duca said in a letter Friday to federal Public Safety Minister Steven Blaney released to . (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Royal Canadian Navy: It was a sign of the times, according to The Chronicle Herald. But here it is: the First World War stands on its own as part of Peace The Exhibition, an examination of different ideas of peace, negotiating peace, organizing and mobilizing to achieve peace, and intervening for peace and On Aug. 5, 1919, the Royal Canadian Navy marked the end of the deadliest war in memory and the subsequent signing of the Treaty of Versailles, not with a victory celebration, but with a huge, family peace picnic on the shores of Bedford Basin. According to the official program, there were potato races, a biscuit-eating competition, tug of war contests and something inexplicably referred to as a cigarette race. Today, a century after the war to end all wars began, more bloody than could ever be imagined, it may seem odd to see anything pertaining to the First World War as part of a national peace exhibit. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Vanier Centre for Women: I want to live with my daughter, live with my ex-husband, and live like a family, she said in an interview at Vanier Centre for Women in Milton. I have nobody, no family, only my daughter, according to The Star. The jet was forced to return to Toronto mid-flight. Lilia faces several charges, including smoking on an aircraft, endangering the safety of an aircraft, mischief over $5,000, mischief endangering life and uttering threats and Facing her fifth deportation from Canada, Irena Ratmanski weeps as she talks about the life she wants to have in Canada. Her daughter, Lilia Ratmanski, 25, made international headlines in August after she was arrested following a disturbance on a Sunwing flight from Toronto to Cuba. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

John Tory: Coun. Denzil Minnan-Wong, a conservative who chaired the public works committee last term, said Tory is a better choice than the "unrelentingly divisive" leadership of the Fords. , according to CBC. Earlier in the morning, Doug Ford held a news conference to repeat his preference for building subways over surface rail to alleviate Toronto crushing congestion. Three high-profile Toronto mayoral candidates hit the campaign trail early Thursday, with John Tory picking up an endorsement from a city councillor who served on Mayor Rob Ford executive committee. Vote Compass: How do your views on the issues compare with the candidates? John Tory SmartTrack plan under increasing scrutiny Toronto Votes: Complete coverage of the race for mayor "John Tory is the only one who is the complete package," said Minnan-Wong, who is running for re-election as a councillor. "He can command the respect of both council and the public service." (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Kobani: Staffan de Mistura, the UN Syria envoy, raised the spectre of some of the worst genocides of the 20th century during a news conference in Geneva to underscore concerns as the Islamic State group pushed into Kobani from the south and east. , according to CBC. He spoke to reporters at a press conference in Geneva where he held up a map of Kobani and said a UN analysis shows only a small corridor remains open for people to enter or flee the town. In a dramatic appeal, a UN official warned that hundreds of civilians who remain trapped in the Syrian Kurdish town of Kobani near the border with Turkey were likely to be "massacred" by advancing extremists and called on Ankara to help prevent a catastrophe. "You remember Srebrenica? We do. We never forgot. And probably we never forgave ourselves for that," he said, referring to the 1995 slaughter of thousands of Muslims by Bosnian Serb forces. threat to Canada not imminent but real, director warns Is violence expanding worldwide? (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Syria: With Washington ruling out a ground operation in Syria, Turkey said it was unrealistic to expect it to mount a cross-border operation alone to relieve the mainly Kurdish town. U.S. to press Turkey on Thursday to step up in battle against Canada Parliament approves anti-combat mission , according to CBC. Washington said U.S. forces launched nine airstrikes on Thursday against militants north and south of Kobani, striking some fighting units and destroying four buildings held by the group. U.S. forces also conducted two airstrikes against in Iraq. Islamic State in Iraq and Syria fighters seized more than a third of the Syrian border town of Kobani, a monitoring group said on Thursday, as U.S.-led airstrikes failed to halt their advance and Turkish forces looked on without intervening. The U.S. military said Kurdish forces appeared to be holding out in the town, which lies within sight of Turkish territory, following new airstrikes in the area against a militant training camp and fighters. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Gold Coast Sevens: The Canadian men arrived at the Gold Coast Sevens with the weight of expectations after a record sixth-place finish in last season IRB World Series. They will likely surprise no one this season. , according to Hamilton Spectator. "It makes it harder for us in that teams will be making sure they put on their best performances here. But that great for us because that where we want to be. We want teams to take us seriously and play with an intensity that they would treat any of the top sides. We've got to deal with that. We're prepared and we come ready for that." Canada rugby sevens team faces more challenges this season than finding a replacement set of size 15 boots for Adam Zaruba, whose luggage did not join him upon touching down in Australia this week. "I think that one of our big challenges this year," acting Canadian coach Ben Herring said Wednesday from Australia. "Maybe last year teams didn't treat us as seriously as they should. I think people will be under no illusions that we can perform at a good level. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Leo Nupolu Johnson: The awards are given to individuals who have "contributed significantly to the promotion of peace and understanding at the local, national and international level." , according to Hamilton Spectator. Leo Nupolu Johnson is the co-founder and executive director of Empowerment Squared. He is from Liberia and spent eight years as a refugee in the Ivory Coast and Ghana before coming to Canada. The Mundialization Committee of Hamilton has presented its 2014 World Citizenship Awards to Leo Johnson and Linda Plourde. They were given out at a ceremony at City Hall Wednesday night. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Public Health Agency of Canada: "Our government will be taking the additional step of taking targeted temperature screens," she told the House of Commons on Wednesday, though she offered no detail about what that would mean or whether it would be only at airports or all border crossings. What are the limitation of airport screening? Ebola outbreak: What you need to know MAP Track the spread of the deadly virus I Photos, videos, stories , according to CBC. The statement, from the new head of the Public Health Agency of Canada, noted there are no direct flights to Canada from the affected countries in West Africa. Canada will step up border screening to try to prevent an Ebola importation to this country, federal Health Minister Rona Ambrose says. The Canadian Press requested an interview with an official of the Public Health Agency of Canada to get clarification on Canada plans, but one was not granted. However, several hours after Ambrose made her remark in the Commons, the agency issued a press release providing some detail of what increased screening will look like. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Supreme Court: The Supreme Court said Thursday it plans to look at a number of cases calling into question the depth and breadth of Canadas human smuggling laws. More Related to this Story, according to Globe and Mail. Cambodia Cambodias refugee deal with Australia criticized as danger to asylum seekers A cook who says he was forced into work on a human smuggling ship that showed up on the B.C. coast five years ago will be among several passengers and crew to have their cases heard by Canadas top court. Refugees Tamil Sun Sea refugees appeal reaches Supreme Court (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Ebola outbreak: 2. Ebola screening: Health authorities announced Wednesday that Canada is going to start "targeted temperature" screening of travellers arriving from countries affected by the Ebola outbreak . Any traveller from West Africa who shows signs of illness, or has had contact with someone who is sick, will be referred to a quarantine officer from the Public Health Agency of Canada. The agency says the risk Ebola poses to Canadians "has not changed and remains very low.", according to CTV. 4. Live-in caregivers speak out: Groups representing live-in caregivers who come from abroad to work for Canadian families will hold news conferences Thursday in Ottawa, Toronto and Vancouver, to outline what they call "secretive" government plans to overhaul the live-in caregiver program. The workers, many of them immigrant women from the Philippines and the Caribbean, say they must work in Canada for 24 months before being able to apply for permanent residency status. During that time, caregivers "often face stolen wages, bad health, long hours, separation from their families and employer abuse," the groups representing them say and 1. Copyright changes: The Conservative government is planning to change Canadian copyright law so that political parties can use media content for free, and without permission, in their advertising. The changes, buried in the massive omnibus bill, would mandate the broadcast or publication of the political ads, even if their own content was used in a negative context. Opposition MPs are crying foul, accusing the Conservatives of changing the law to suit their own needs ahead of the 2015 election. 3. Homegrown terror? The commissioner has revealed there are more than 60 active security investigations involving 90 suspected extremists who intend to fight in, or have returned to Canada from, conflicts abroad. While Bob Paulson said Canadians shouldn't be alarmed, Public Safety Minister Steven Blaney was more forceful , saying suspected extremists pose a threat "to our security at home." (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Philippe Falardeaus: This is Falardeaus first film since the Oscar-nominated Monsieur Lazhar . , according to CBC. The film stars Reese Witherspoon as the young woman responsible for finding the young men work in America. Quebec filmmaker, Philippe Falardeaus first English feature The Good Lie opened the 2014 edition of the Festival du Nouveau Cinema in Montreal Wednesday. The Good Lie is a story about the so-called "Lost Boys" of Sudan, young boys who fled civil war in their county in the 1980s and walked hundreds of kilometres to refugee camps in Kenya. Eventually, some of them were resettled in the US. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Nanos Research: More of the same, a relationship adrift, said Nik Nanos, chairman of Nanos Research, adding: We wont get a reset until Obama and Harper are no longer leading their respective countries. More Related to this Story, according to Globe and Mail. Texas Ebola patient dies as Canada, U.S. unveil screening plans Canadians and Americans continue to drift apart, souring a relationship thats likely to get worse as long as Prime Minster Stephen Harper and President Barack Obama remain in power, according to a leading Canadian pollster. Why American conservatives are suddenly obsessing over Canada (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

The Supreme Court: The Supreme Court said Thursday it plans to look at a number of cases calling into question the depth and breadth of Canada human smuggling laws, according to CTV. The first ship arrived in 2009 with 76 Sri Lankan Tamils aboard; the second, the MV Sun Sea, came in 2010 with 492 migrants and - A cook who says he was forced into work on a human smuggling ship that showed up on the B.C. coast five years ago will be among several passengers and crew to have their cases heard by Canada top court. Four of the five cases the court will consider together involve people connected to the arrival of ships full of Sri Lankan migrants off the coast of B.C. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

music teacher: When Mary was 14, her family immigrated to Canada from their beloved home in the Caucasus region of southern Russia. Her father, a school principal, and her mother, a music teacher, made the move with their six children to escape the tyrannical changes brought on by the Russian Revolution seven years earlier. More Related to this Story, according to Globe and Mail. The Ewerts could take only two steamer trunks on the arduous journey to their new home in rural Saskatchewan, and Marys father was heartbroken to leave their home library and her mothers grand piano. Fittingly, Mary always carried in her heart a deep love of books and music and Bridge player, lifelong learner, nurturer. Born on Oct. 1, 1910, in Welikoknashesk, Russia; died on Aug. 13, 2014, in Lethbridge, Alta., of natural causes, aged 103. Submit a Lives Lived column (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Jason Kenney: The Live-In Caregiver Program was by and large excluded from reforms to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program announced by the government in June, but the government said an overhaul to the caregiver program would be coming this fall. Changes needed for Canada live-in caregiver program Jason Kenney details harsher penalties for foreign worker abuse Skilled immigrants under 'express entry' to fill labour market needs , according to CBC. Gruber Hersch has been critical of earlier reforms brought to the program by Jason Kenney, Alexander predecessor, and more recently with the $1,000 fee Kenney imposed on employers looking to hire foreign workers, which also applies to Canadian families looking for foreign caregivers and nannies. Groups representing live-in caregivers say Immigration Minister Chris Alexander is considering moving the foreign caregiver program over to its new express entry immigration system, as he seeks input from various stakeholders ahead of much-anticipated reforms. Manuela Gruber Hersch, president of the Association of Caregiver Nanny Agencies Canada, said Alexander floated the idea during a consultation meeting she attended in Vancouver this July. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Canadian Museum of History: - The Canadian Museum for Human Rights was operating in the black as it opened its doors last month but little is known about its financial picture beyond next year, the latest annual report shows. , according to Winnipeg Free Press. National Gallery of Canada Ottawa Number of estimated visitors: 625,000 Self-generated revenue: $6 million Parliamentary appropriation: $35.4 million Canadian Museum of History Ottawa Number of estimated visitors: 715,000 Self-generated revenue: $14.4 million Parliamentary appropriations: $61.959 million includes Canadian Museum of History and Canadian War Museum The Canadian Museum For Human Rights The has released its annual financial report for 2013-14, which pointed to an operating surplus of $432,000 for the year ending March 31, 2014. The museum spent $21.15 million. The biggest expense was salaries for the 96 employees $9.1 million . The museum also spent nearly $3 million on facilities maintenance, $2.4 million on professional services, $1.4 million on office supplies and administration and $1.3 million on exhibit-content development. Canada national museums, 2014-15 (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

George Brown College: The Foundation partners with many researchers to produce the Torontos Vital Signs Report, including George Brown College , our Lead Research Partner. This data spread is a specially designed condensed version of the Report. You can access the full Report at www.torontofoundation.ca, according to The Star. As you read through this Report, consider the Vital Questions posed throughout. We have lots to be proud of, but there are also things we need to think about in order to shift some troubling trends and The Toronto Foundations Torontos Vital Signs Report is an annual consolidated snapshot identifying the trends and issues affecting the quality of life in our city progress we should be proud of and challenges that need to be addressed. The Torontos Vital Signs Report aims to inspire civic engagement and provide focus for public debate. It is used by residents, businesses, community organizations, universities and colleges, high schools, and government departments. In addition, the Report is being replicated by cities around the world. Your guide for discussion and action (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee: Washington? London? Paris?, according to The Star. Its called formerly the Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee, but that was before it started working in Afghanistan, Uganda, South Sudan . . . and employed as many people as live in Guelph and Where do you think the worlds biggest development agency is based? Try, Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Hiva Mohammad Alizadeh: described Hiva Mohammad Alizadeh as quiet and helpful when he lived in St. Vital with his wife and two children and worked in a small grocery store. , according to Winnipeg Free Press. It part of the new citizenship law that received royal assent in June and is expected to be enacted any day now. A 2010 courtroom sketch of then 30-year-old Hiva Mohammad Alizadeh. HOY / THE Now Alizadeh, who pleaded guilty to a terrorism charge last month in Ottawa and was sentenced to 24 years in prison, could become the first person to take the Canadian oath of citizenship and have it stripped from him as part of the federal government fight against terrorism. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Islamic State: Britain British PM says he will use all assets against Islamic State, according to Globe and Mail and Campbell Clark Time for Trudeau to take a clear stand on military action against Islamic State Canada Civilians may be sent on Canadas mission against Islamic State Topics: Iraq Turkey Syria Bashar al-Assad Comments A A (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

European Union: Denmark voted to opt out of parts of the 1992 Maastricht Treaty, which laid down the framework for the European Union, including exclusion from the blocs defence policy and the euro currency. The country voted in 2000 to reject the euro again. More Related to this Story, according to Globe and Mail. Europe Europe may kill rule that would label Canadas oil sands crude dirty Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt called on Tuesday for a referendum on whether to keep Denmarks opt-out of European Union justice and home affairs rules, the countrys first major vote on the EU since 2000. Roy MacLaren How our 20-year fight for Canada-Europe free trade finally succeeded (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

sudden change: As we ambled along a narrow sidewalk with a high wall on one side, chatting, I noticed a sudden change in her gait. Her shoulders slouched forward, she brought her arms closer to her body and picked up her pace. , according to CBC. Puzzled, I looked around. Up ahead, I spotted a small group of teenage boys standing at a street corner, smirking at her. A few years ago, when my oldest daughter was 12 or 13, she and I headed out for a walk in the centre of Rome, where we live. Then she nudged me and under her breath said, Lets cross. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.