Robert Dziekanski: A former officer who was involved in Robert Dziekanski death colluded with his colleagues to lie about what happened first to homicide investigators and then again when the Mounties appeared before a public inquiry, a Crown prosecutor alleged Monday. , according to Winnipeg Free Press. The officers were forced to explain their actions at a public inquiry in 2009, and all four were later charged with perjury for their testimony. Benjamin Monty Robinson leaves B.C. Supreme Court in New Westminster on July 20, 2012. THE Darryl Dyck Former corporal Benjamin Monty Robinson was among four officers who went to Vancouver airport the night Dziekanski was stunned with a Taser and died in October 2007. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

social assistance: Refugee access to social assistance would be limited under budget bill, Oct. 25, according to The Star. Now the Conservative government plans to extend its rancid policies by permitting provinces to refuse welfare support to families fleeing to Canada to escape war, systemic torture, rape and persecution and Re: Refugee access to social assistance would be limited under budget bill, Oct. 25 The Conservative governments attack on refugees is relentless despite a July, 2014 Federal Court of Canada ruling that the health cuts to refugee claimants represent cruel and unusual treatment. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

participatory democracy: Most people look around the shop and have no stomach or imagination for the work, so every few years they pick up a hammer, bang in a nail on a ballot and go back to sleep. , according to Hamilton Spectator. He believes in "participatory" democracy, he says. Our democracy is a workshop full of tools, not always the most efficient, but there for us nonetheless and commended to our use by, among other things, the consequences of neglect. Others, not many, are like Ken Stone, covered in saw dust. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Layla Abdulrahim: The Bahrain native loved what she found and decided to make the city her permanent home. , according to Hamilton Spectator. The group was founded early this month with eight executive members. They work in different fields and attend different schools, but all share a passion for their adopted home. Layla Abdulrahim was about halfway through a business degree at McMaster before she ventured beyond the "bubble" around the university to explore the city. Abdulrahim, 24, is now one of the co-chairs of a new group called Global Hamilton Connect which is setting out to convince other international students and young newcomers to put down roots in Hamilton. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Citizenship and Immigration Canada: Through the end of March, the number admitted was up by more than 6 per cent compared with the same period the year before, to 14,216, according to preliminary estimates from Citizenship and Immigration Canada. The continued growth in this section of the program, after a suite of reforms in 2013, may have influenced the governments decision to announce strict new rules four months ago, changes that have brought criticism from business groups concerned they ll be unable to meet their labour needs, according to Globe and Mail. Employment Minister Jason Kenney announced in June that his department would no longer process applications from employers if the regional unemployment rate in their place of business exceeds 6 per cent. That 6-per-cent threshold, however, does not reflect the high levels of unemployment on First Nations reserves because Statscans Labour Force Survey excludes people living on reserves and The number of low-skill temporary foreign workers entering Canada continued to grow in the first quarter of 2014 despite government efforts to reduce the impact of the controversial program. Some low-skill temporary workers are employed in the hospitality and food-service sector, and their presence has proved contentious when they ve been hired in areas of high unemployment or when they ve replaced Canadians. A investigation recently found temporary foreign workers TFWs employed by a cafeteria owner on an Alberta First Nation reserve where estimates suggest seven in 10 people are out of work. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Nathan Cirillo: You certainly know about the first incident in Ottawa, in which one of our brave ceremonial guards on duty, Cpl. Nathan Cirillo, was shot and killed by a gunman, according to The Chronicle Herald. After the recent incidents in Canada, some went to extreme lengths, requesting that certain ethnic or religious groups, such as Muslims, be singled out as high-risk Canadians who should be monitored closely around the clock and This is a tale of two cities, miles away from each other, in two countries I call home. One country I grew up in Egypt and the other I immigrated to Canada . Cities in both countries were attacked within the past few days by people influenced by the same radical group the militant group known as But you might not know about the second incident, at El Aresh, in Sinai, Egypt: 30 military guards were attacked and killed by a jihadist group influenced by after they launched a complex assault last Friday, involving a car bomb that rammed a checkpoint. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Public Safety Minister Steven Blaney: Long-promised anti-terrorism legislation introduced by the Conservatives would strengthen protection of intelligence sources, but it stops short of shielding an identity crucial to proving someone innocence. , according to Winnipeg Free Press. "With this bill, it will bring clarity, so that can work with our allies to share information," Public Safety Minister Steven Blaney said shortly after the legislation was introduced. coasters are pictured in Ottawa in a 2011 photo. THE HO, As expected, the government bill tabled Monday also gives the Canadian Security Intelligence Service more latitude to obtain a court-ordered warrant authorizing security investigations abroad. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

IMP Group: Neither does looking primarily to immigration to solve the latter problem, according to The Chronicle Herald. But having people like Mr. Rowe speak out brings welcome attention to a critical problem. His company, IMP Group, which employs 2,000 Nova Scotians, has been hard-pressed to find enough skilled applicants to replace the 100 to 150 older IMP workers who retire every year and Having too many Canadians many of them young unemployed and too many skilled job openings unfilled at the same time doesnt make much sense. Local industrialist Ken Rowe, in comments at a Halifax fundraiser last week, wasnt the first to make those observations and he certainly wont be the last. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Canadian Security Intelligence Service: A bill introduced in the House of Commons on Monday would allow the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, to spy internationally and would grant anonymity to informants in court cases, according to The Chronicle Herald. Bill C-44, the Protection of Canada from Terrorists Act, was set to be tabled last week. That got pushed back when the House of Commons itself was hit by a violent attack by a gunman and New legislation would essentially reverse the rulings of two court cases lost by Canadas spy agency. The agency had previously sought both of these things but was rebuffed by the Federal Court and Supreme Court of Canada, respectively. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Adam Vaughan: A Toronto elector from the downtown ward of Trinity-Spadina, Ward 20, has the most adventuresome journey this election. The list of candidates for council, 22 in all, seeking to replace Adam Vaughan, is the citys longest. Plus, of course, the 65 people vying to replace Rob Ford open Rob Ford policard as mayor, according to The Star. In the 2010 municipal election, 50.5 per cent of eligible electors marked their ballot, and analysts remarked at the big bump in participation. In other words, we patted ourselves on the back even as more than 810,000 eligible voters exercised their right not to make a choice and Ten months of campaign palaver is now stilled. The mudslinging and name-calling is at an end. The clever and tiresome and lame attempts at image manipulation have given way to this: You alone in the ballot box. One-on-one with yourself. And the choices you must make. This privilege to cast ones vote in favour of, or against, a candidate is precious at once exciting and frightening; or mundane and a grudging chore. Your choice, of course. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Parliament Hill: On Wednesday, Michael Zehaf-Bibeau went on a shooting spree in the nation capital, fatally wounding a soldier at the National War Memorial and entering Parliament Hill before being shot dead. The slayings of Cpl. Cirillo and Warrant Officer Vincent: How the week unfolded Young Canadian radicals who've travelled overseas The face-to-face encounter that ended the attack on Parliament , according to CBC. One of the soldiers, Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent, later died of his injuries. Couture-Rouleau was killed after a police pursuit. Brazen attacks on Parliament Hill in Ottawa and in St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que., last week have renewed concerns about homegrown extremists and the ability of Canadian security agencies to identify and monitor potential threats. Earlier in the week, Martin Ahmad Couture-Rouleau rammed two Canadian soldiers in a parking lot in St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Corporal Nathan Cirillo: We have experienced just such a week as Canadians. Two soldiers are dead, gunned down by misguided fanatics, and also their fellow citizens. Gunshots in the Hall of Honour in Parliament are forever imbedded in public memory. We are now inured with the phrase lock down. And Kevin Vickers, the Sergeant of Arms of the House of Commons, is a public hero for shooting a gunman down. More Related to this Story, according to Globe and Mail. Public honours Corporal Nathan Cirillo at Hamilton visitation British Prime Minister Harold Macmillan once famously explained why politics and governing was a little more complicated than a political science class might suggest. Events, dear boy, events. Tories to table expanded security bill (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Komagata Maru: The story of the Komagata Maru will be told in a permanent exhibit inside the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. , according to Winnipeg Free Press. After the ship sailed back to India, 19 passengers were killed in a conflict with British authorities when all passengers were ordered on a train for the Punjab. The surviving passengers were imprisoned or sent to their villages for the duration of the First World War. Pardeep Singh Nagra, director of the Mississauga-based Sikh Heritage Museum of Canada, by part of the 'Lions of the Sea' exhibit at the which explores the tragic Komagata Maru incident on its 100th anniversary. The Komagata Maru sailed into Vancouver with 376 Sikh and Hindu passengers and was denied entry to Canada in 1914. The ship was forced to sail back to India, where 19 passengers died in a battle with British soldiers. Photo Store But on Monday there was a special travelling exhibit shown for that day only detailing the ships trip with 376 Sikh and Hindu passengers in 1914, and how Canadas then-immigration laws caused them to be denied entry to the country even though they were all citizens of the British Empire. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

public health care: The move follows the government decision to limit refugee claimant access to universal, public health care. , according to CBC. The government is currently appealing that ruling. Buried in the Harper government latest massive, omnibus budget bill is legislation that could restrict the ability of refugee claimants to access social assistance. Chris Alexander says he'll appeal ruling reversing cuts to refugee health care The federal government court case losing streak Federal cuts to refugee health care draw protests That measure was struck down by Federal Court Judge Anne Mactavish, who said it constitutes "cruel and unusual" treatment, puts lives at risk and "outrages Canadian standards of decency." (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Acquaah-Arhin: It was very difficult for me, because I really didnt have any idea what they were requiring, the 17-year-old recalls today. When I first came to Canada I was an awfully shy person, according to The Star. I want to be a general physician and go into medicine in the future, she says, inspired by her mothers work as a doctor. Now I have people who I can talk to and listen to and get advice from when I want information about my path and When Naana- si Acquaah-Arhin moved from Ghana with her family nearly three years ago and tried to get a job, she didnt know how. The new Canadian landscape proved rockier than expected for the new Mississauga teen. But then she saw a flyer for a Youth Achievers program funded by the United Way that has since changed her perspective and prospects. An avid volunteer in her community, Acquaah-Arhin has built a resum , set goals and learned how to navigate the job market. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Torontos: To many, they are eyesores, but for more than half a million people, they are home. But all agree that Torontos post-war apartment towers will fray the citys social and economic fabric unless there is a new vision for them, according to The Star. With the second-highest concentration of high-rise apartment buildings in North America, Torontos 1,200 vertical neighbourhoods were primarily built in the 50s, 60s and 70s for middle-income earners, according to ERA Architects associate Graeme Stewart, a key consultant on the Tower Renewal project and co-author of the Greater Golden Horseshoe report and There are 1,200 rental apartment buildings in the City of Toronto, home to 549,000 people. Source: City of Toronto The solution, according to the citys United Way-sponsored Tower Renewal program, isnt to cut the old threads and start anew in the U.S., many post-war tower blocks were demolished but to weave Torontos high-rise, low-income neighbourhoods more tightly together with the citys more prosperous ones. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Nikola Atanasov: Four years later, they re both regulars at AccessPoint on Danforth, also widely known as the Hub, visiting for all kinds of reasons. Anything from gardening to flu shots. And the conversation circle every Monday that Atanasov values so highly, according to The Star. This is Community with a capital C, although AccessPoint manager Gisela Vanzaghi uses three S words: Space, strength, synergy. The Hub creates community space and its about strengthening the synergy between people. It brings us together and Anju Nair first came to have a photo taken with her little girl. Nikola Atanasov just popped in for a chat. English is not my first or second language, the Bulgarian immigrant explains. I started late in life. I have to keep practicing. You know why theres such a difference between spelling and pronunciation? Its to confuse foreigners! (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

John Tory: Re: It not too late for Chow inclusive vision to triumph, Opinion Oct. 22, according to The Star. Re: Strategic voting takes centre stage, Letters Oct. 18 Re: John Tory for Toronto, Editorial Oct. 22 Re: Chow judged more harshly than white male opponents, Opinion Oct. 21 (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

refugee claimants: The move follows the governments decision to limit refugee claimants access to universal, public health care, according to The Star. The government is currently appealing that ruling and Buried in the Harper governments latest omnibus budget bill is legislation that could restrict the ability of refugee claimants to access social assistance. That measure was struck down in early July by Federal Court Judge Anne Mactavish , who said it constitutes cruel and unusual treatment, puts lives at risk and outrages Canadian standards of decency. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Chow: Bigotry, yes, but thats not why Chow is in trouble, Opinion Oct. 19, according to The Star. He claims that Ms Chow has let us down. Really? By being a thoughtful, respectful, hardworking, experienced and accomplished woman of great integrity and compassion? By articulating a responsible and responsive platform? By visiting and engaging with people of all walks of life in every corner of our wounded city? By staying out of the slurry slinging match engaged in by John Tory and Doug Ford open Doug Ford policard at every opportunity? Tell me, in which of these activities or approaches has Ms Chow let us down ? I think not! Re: Bigotry, yes, but thats not why Chow is in trouble, Opinion Oct. 19 I usually appreciate Haroon Siddiquis take on things but I am surprised and disappointed at his less-than-fair comment on Olivia Chows candidacy. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Mans Hallqvist: Theres so much history in Cagliari, but nobody ever writes about the city, says my tour guide, Mans Hallqvist, a Swedish-born immigrant who left behind the dark winters of Stockholm about 20 years ago and moved to this city of spectacular light and lively piazzas. Hallqvist is an old friend, according to The Star. A walk down the hill to Calamosca Beach reveals deep blue water and pure white sailboats zipping across it. A mountain-bike rider zips past us as we make our way down the hill to the beach, where our climbing efforts are rewarded with a glorious swim and I m standing on a glorious stretch of headland above a fantastic beach. The hills around me have been baked by centuries of sun and etched by millions of years of wind, baking sun and occasional rain. Humanity has left its mark. You ll find a Phoenician temple on the hill and also the remains of a Catholic church. Theres a Roman amphitheatre in town and there are relics there from dozens of other civilizations who ve come and gone in this part of Sardinia. He points out wild asparagus plants on the top of the hill that overlooks the citys marina. Up here, you ll find a crumbling Pisan tower and an equally endangered rocky outcropping called The Devils Saddle. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Gregor Robertson: Subways focus of heated Vancouver mayoral debate, according to Globe and Mail and Mayor Gregor Robertson has repeatedly accused his main rival, Kirk LaPointe, of being mushy about his position on the Broadway subway, claiming Mr. LaPointe first said he did not support it, then later changing his tune. Mr. Robertson insists that only he will be a forceful advocate for a Broadway subway. More Related to this Story Vancouver politics Vancouverites: Review our live coverage of the Langara College mayoral debate Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson appers outside city hall in Vancouver on Jan. 21, 2014. for The Video Video: A look at the two leading candidates vying to win Vancouver s mayoral race (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Olivia Chows: That doesnt mean she hasnt made her share of mistakes in a mayoral race in which she was once frontrunner and now trails John Tory and Doug Ford open Doug Ford policard . Over the past few months, the most prevalent questions on the political circuit have been Whatever happened to Olivia? and What went wrong with the Chow campaign?, according to The Star. The first and most obvious is how she bore the death of her beloved husband, friend and colleague, Jack Layton, three months after he led the NDP to Opposition status in the May 2011 federal election and In many ways, Olivia Chows life has been a testament to unheralded courage. We ll return to that later. First, though, there are many ways in which she has shown grit without complaint. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Social Security Tribunal: The move follows the governments decision to limit refugee claimants access to universal, public health care, according to Globe and Mail. Ottawa tackles Social Security Tribunal benefit-claims backlog Buried in the Harper governments latest massive, omnibus budget bill is legislation that could restrict the ability of refugee claimants to access social assistance. That measure was struck down by Federal Court Judge Anne Mactavish, who said it constitutes cruel and unusual treatment, puts lives at risk and outrages Canadian standards of decency. More Related to this Story (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Commissioner Bob Paulson: Commissioner Bob Paulson said Michael Zehaf-Bibeau had a history of violence, drugs and mental instability before he killed Cpl. Nathan Cirillo and stormed inside Parliaments Centre Block Wednesday, according to CTV. Zehaf-Bibeau had applied for a passport, but his application was under investigation and police were doing background checks, Paulson said and The man shot dead on Parliament Hill after killing a Canadian reservist at the National War Memorial had a very developed criminality, but did not set off any alarm bells when it came to national security, the said Thursday. Although police are now investigating Zehaf-Bibeaus radicalization process, the 32-year-old was not on the list of so-called high-risk travellers being tracked by the government, Paulson said Thursday. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Tory: The good news is that Doug Ford open Doug Ford policard will be gone. The bad news is that the same fate awaits Olivia Chow , according to The Star. Torys reluctance to rock the boat is exactly why hes seen as the perfect antidote to four years of Rob Ford open Rob Ford policard mayhem. Tory will bring stability and calm to civic politics and make us feel better about ourselves and the city and When Toronto elects John Tory its mayor on Monday, the city may get what it wants, but not what it needs. Like the city itself, Tory is preferred for what he isnt as much as what he is. Though polite, presentable and patient, solid, sincere and serious, he lacks boldness and vision. For example, though he admits the Scarborough subway is wrong, he supports it because its fully funded and approved. It will waste scarce resources and drain TTC finances, but its a done deal. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.