Princess Mabel van Oranje: Princess Mabel van Oranje of the Netherlands praised the government so-called child bride initiative, saying it has made Canada a world leader on an international development issue that has few champions, according to CTV. Baird also announced another $10 million contribution to the initiative on top of a $20-million commitment earlier this year and - A Dutch princess lauded by the Harper government for her efforts to oppose the forced marriage of young girls is calling on Canada and its wealthy partner countries to boost overall aid spending. On Tuesday, Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird bestowed the government John Diefenbaker human rights award on van Oranje organization, Girls Not Brides, an umbrella group of 400 non-governmental organizations operating in 60 countries. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Israeli citizenship: Police killed the attackers in a shootout, according to 660 News. Police said the dead worshippers were three Americans and a Briton, and that all held dual Israeli citizenship. The attack occurred in Har Nof, an ultra-Orthodox neighbourhood that has a large population of English-speaking immigrants and Two Palestinian cousins armed with meat cleavers and a gun stormed a Jerusalem synagogue during morning prayers Tuesday, killing four people in the city bloodiest attack in years. Among the wounded was a Canadian. The attack ratcheted up fears of sustained violence in the city, which is already on edge amid soaring tensions over its most contested holy site. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

employment challenges: The primary challenges faced by Canadian cities is growing income inequality and deepening poverty. Much of this has to do with the growing wage gap between the well-off and not so well-off and the employment challenges being faced by recent immigrants to Canada, many of whom are people of colour. , according to Hamilton Spectator. The first and probably the easiest to implement would be to make unionization of workplaces easier. It is well documented that workers in unionized workplaces earn better wages, experience greater job security, receive better benefits, and in all likelihood are more productive than workers in non-unionized places. Additionally, it is well demonstrated that in nations where unionization rates are higher, income inequality and poverty rates are much lower. There has been much hand-wringing about the divisions that exist in the City of Toronto mingled together with hopes that its new mayor, John Tory, will respond to these challenges. Actually, reducing the greatest divides in Toronto and most other cities in Canada including Hamilton see the Code Red Series in The Spectator would be rather easy. The solution to these problems are available through several public policy innovations that have been successfully implemented in jurisdictions both across Canada and the world. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Dylan Moscovitch: Two days quickly turned into six weeks. , according to Winnipeg Free Press. Moscovitch had just split with Kirsten Moore-Towers, with whom he finished fifth at the Sochi Olympics, and was searching for a new partner. Dylan Moscovitch arrived in Detroit last summer for a two-day tryout with Russian pairs skater Lubov Iliushechkina. "The tryout was so good we cancelled our flights home," Moscovitch said. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Newcomer Women Services Toronto: Between 2008 and 2009, the city self-employment rate rose from 15.7 per cent to 17.1 per cent, above the provincial and national benchmarks, says the joint report by Social Planning Toronto and Newcomer Women Services Toronto , according to The Star. Self-employment should be a choice and not a survival strategy for newcomers. It should not be a product of labour market exclusion and social safety net exclusion, said Navjeet Sidhu, a researcher of the study co-authored by Maya Roy and Beth Wilson and The recession of 2008 drove many Torontonians in the direction of self-employment with new immigrants taking the biggest brunt of the shrinking job market, according to a new study . Among self-employed immigrants, 39 per cent had lost their paid employment just before they became self-employed. Some 63 per cent reported earning less than $10,000 a year, compared with about 57 per cent for non-newcomers, says the report, titled The economy and resilience of newcomers, to be released Tuesday. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Dumo Siziba: The Zimbabwean-born Canadian turns 30 today, according to The Star. For starters, he now a dad: Elija Zibusiso, which means blessings in Ndebele, was born the day before Father Day, his wife in labour over the course of three World Cup matches. Dumo, who injured that tendon playing soccer, jokes the timing of his son birth is a sign that he, too, might play the sport and Happy birthday, Dumo Siziba. And despite a recently torn Achilles tendon that still giving him some problems, Dumo has much to celebrate. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Canada Gazette Announcement: Ottawa, 4th August, 1914, according to The Star. The Canada Gazette Announcement of War His Royal Highness the Governor General received a telegraphic dispatch from the Secretary of State for the Colonies at 8.45 this evening, announcing that war has broken out with Germany. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Sabay Kieng: Kieng was one of 14 Vietnamese refugees to arrive in Toronto Saturday to a new Canadian home, after living stateless in Thailand for 25 years, according to The Star. I really didn t expect this kind of welcome, said the soft-spoken Kieng and It took a quarter century for Sabay Kieng to reach the arrivals hall at Pearson International Airport Terminal One. Wearing a recently donated down parka, and pushing a cart laden with overstuffed luggage, the 42-year-old man was greeted by applause from several dozen members of Toronto Vietnamese-Canadian community. He was given a Canadian flag, and then the red and yellow flag of the former South Vietnam. Smiling, he waved them both. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Joanne Levasseur: Many of you shared your thoughts with the Joanne Levasseur and about 20 panellists from across Canada on Thursday evening. Read the replay of our conversation below. ON Read our chat replay here. Canadian attitudes toward immigrants conflicted, poll says People on the Prairies less tolerant, poll says Racism gets in the way of romance: poll Racism still an uncomfortable truth in Canada: Duncan McCue , according to CBC and A News poll about Canadian attitudes on discrimination shows, among other things, that respondents on the Prairies are less tolerant of aboriginal peoples. But is that the reality? Live Blog Racism in Manitoba: A conversation (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Canadian University Report Schools: Canadian University Report What size university fits you?, according to Globe and Mail. Canadian University Report Schools reach out to soothe first-year jitters By someones clever design, the picture of the first graduating class from the University of Torontos Scarborough campus looks out at the picture of the last graduating class in the universitys student centre. Four years after Scarborough opened, the women had flippy bobs, the men wore thick-framed glasses and there were 100 graduates. More Related to this Story Canadian University Report University profiles to help you choose (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Harvard University: The 18-year-old from the Toronto suburbs is a freshman at Harvard University, where hes mostly taking math and economics classes this fall, and is a star recruit on the schools top-25 basketball team. More Related to this Story, according to Globe and Mail. Canadian basketball supremacy evident among Ontario universities Chris Egi writes poetry. Other hobbies include playing the trumpet. Hes a reader, and a recent favourite is Dale Carnegies 1936 classic How To Win Friends and Influence People . Ryerson looks to raise profile of Canadian men university basketball (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Immigration Minister Chris Alexander: In August, a judge ruled that the division of the Immigration and Refugee Board IRB , which began hearing cases in 2013, has been using too narrow a scope to conduct its work. Federal Court allows more latitude for refugee appeals , according to CBC. Now the federal government is opposing that broadening of the appeal division role. Immigration Minister Chris Alexander is appealing a Federal Court decision that rejects the way the Canadian government new Refugee Appeal Division evaluates refugee claims. In a case involving three failed refugee claimants from Kosovo , Judge Michael Phelan ruled the appeal division has been checking only the reasonableness of decisions by the board to declare whether individuals are refugees the equivalent of a judicial review. Phelan said the division instead should exercise its full powers as an appeal body to reconsider the facts of a case and substitute a new decision if it disagrees with the appeal division. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Conrad Black: A wordless novel that paints a surprisingly human portrait of Conrad Black, according to Globe and Mail. Review: Memoir A Matter of Principle, by Conrad Black The recorded history of Canada begins in medieval Icelandic sagas that recount Norse seafarers being blown off course and making landfall on a distant shore they named Vinland. The Norse were impressed by Vinland and its bounty, but were no match for its inhabitants. Good land have we reached, and fat is it about the paunch, was the description of Thorvald Eriksson, who is also described being killed by an arrow shot by a skraeling, as the Norse called the various aboriginal peoples they met. More Related to this Story the deep read In the world according to Conrad Black, the U.S. will always be great (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

National Household Survey Canadians: Statistics Canada figures indicate there were 6.8 million foreign-born residents in Canada as of 2011. That represents 20.6 per cent of the population, giving Canada the highest proportion of foreign-born residents in the G8 group of industrialized nations. Although Australia, which is not in the G8, has an even higher rate at 26.8 per cent. , according to CBC. However, responses became more divided when questions turned to specifics, such as the economy. Massey Lecture: Adrienne Clarkson on why Canada multiculturalism works Canada foreign-born population soars to 6.8 million Interactive: Highlights of the National Household Survey Canadians have conflicted thoughts about immigrants when it comes to their roles in society and the workforce, according to a News survey designed to capture attitudes on discrimination. Canada "is a welcoming place for all ethnicities ," according to 75 per cent of respondents to the News survey. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Robert Ghiz: Robert Ghiz is stepping down as premier of Prince Edward Island, saying his time is up in provincial politics but he could still make a career in the federal arena. , according to Winnipeg Free Press. Political scientist Peter McKenna of the University of Prince Edward Island said he was stunned by Ghiz decision. Robert Ghiz points at the legislature in Charlottetown, Thursday, Nov.13, 2014 after announcing he is stepping down as premier of Prince Edward Island. THE John Morris Ghiz said Thursday he will remain as premier until a leadership convention in the new year, handing over the party at a time when the Liberals are far ahead in the polls and the opposition parties are struggling. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

neighbouring countries: Last year, 150,000 Syrian migrants were registered every month, on average, by the UN refugee agency. But in October 2014, the figure was only 18,453 an 88 per cent decline, according to a new report by the council called, No Escape: Civilians in Syria Struggle to Find Safety Across Borders, according to The Star. The neighbouring countries are now filled to the brim with desperate Syrians, more than 3 million people, Egeland said in an interview from Oslo. Countries like Lebanon that announced officially in October that Enough was enough, are imposing new restrictions and we are seeing increasing numbers being turned away or giving up trying to cross. Hundreds of thousands are actually now amassing in the border areas with no escape and As the Syrian conflict and the U.S.-led Western coalition air assault intensifies, the United Nations has recorded a sudden 88 per cent drop in the number of refugees registering at border countries, warns the Norwegian Refugee Council. The sharp decrease in Syrian refugees flooding into Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan and Iraq indicates these overwhelmed countries have begun to close their borders, said the groups secretary general, Jan Egeland. The report will be released on Thursday in London. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Barack Obama: Republicans controlling the House are divided over whether to fund the government for a couple of months past a December deadline to maintain leverage over President Barack Obama on immigration or to pass a full-year spending bill to clear the decks for a fresh start when the GOP gets full control of Congress in January. , according to Winnipeg Free Press. But many conservatives do not want to cede any power to Obama and Senate Democrats who will relinquish control of Congress next year. These conservatives are promising to pull out all the stops including withholding funding to implement any immigration order to block Obama. In this photo taken Nov. 4, 2014, Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., acknowledges supporters at her election night headquarters in New Orleans. Republicans have promised her Senate opponent Rep. Bill Cassidy a seat on the Senate energy committee if he defeats Landrieu in the state runoff election next month. The move undercuts one of Landrieu chief campaign arguments, that voters in the state with a robust oil and gas industry need her and her seniority on the committee. AP Photo/Bill Haber More pragmatic lawmakers like those who lead the Appropriations Committee are pressing hard for a so-called omnibus spending bill and warn that tea party forces who want to drag must-pass spending bills into their battle with Obama over his planned executive action on immigration could spark a government shutdown next month or next year. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Manitoba Premier Greg Selinger: Manitoba Premier Greg Selinger has penalized six members of his caucus who openly challenged his leadership the latest twist in a battle for control of the troubled New Democratic government. , according to Winnipeg Free Press. "They sit in the chamber as New Democrats, they have ... the use of caucus services, but they have understood that they will not be part of caucus decision-making," Selinger told reporters. Manitoba Premier Greg Selinger and his ministers walk down a hallway prior to a signing-in ceremony of his new cabinet at the Manitoba Legislature in Winnipeg, on November 3, 2014. THE John Woods Selinger said Thursday the six will remain in caucus and be expected to vote along party lines, but will not attend caucus meetings and have no input on decisions. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Trade commissioner Alvaro Concha: Both enthused about Colombias unspoiled beaches, colonial towns and soaring mountains, as well as the exotic tropical fruit they ate at home as casually as we eat apples, according to The Star. This is delicious, one Leaside shopper told Concha. What is it and There was Luis the engineer, who loved opera, and Henry the painter, who went off to play percussion in a salsa band after giving my living room a classy new look. Trade commissioner Alvaro Concha notes that Canada imported more than $65 million worth of fruit from Colombia in 2013. Though bananas top the list, his Proexport office spent last month promoting more exotic fruits at Longos, from wrinkly purple passion fruit and smooth granadillas cut open and slurp, he advises to cape gooseberries physalis and sunny yellow pitaya or dragonfruit, my personal favourite. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Rita Davies: The story begins in Toronto when Rita Davies, at the time executive director of culture for the city, hears from an editor in Ottawa. Antonino Mazza is working on publishing a volume of work by the late poet Saro D Agostino and is contacting Davies, who lived with D Agostino in the 1970s in Toronto and Greece , to see if she has any old correspondence to contribute. She does indeed and in the process uncovers a poem that has never been published. More Related to this Story, according to Globe and Mail. Anna Todd novel was read more than a billion times thanks to Wattpad The creation of Torontos new book fair reads like a Canlit classic in-the-making. That this may seem like a precarious time to launch a giant Canadian book-selling venture only serves to thicken the plot. Toronto book fairs inaugural event to feature Margaret Atwood, Anne Rice, Kevin Sylvester (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Pauline Perrotte: A woman from Iran raised her hand. You need to wear glasses, she said, because your eyes can freeze, according to Globe and Mail. Harper sells hockey to China on Beijing trip Pauline Perrotte stood before her class and asked her pupils, all newcomers to Canada, what kinds of rumours they d heard about Canadian winters. Ricardo Roldan, from Venezuela, had heard about the temperature. Its as cold as a refrigerator. More Related to this Story (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Remembrance Day: Heres a bigger disgrace: using the strong emotions evoked by Remembrance Day to drum up resentment against immigrants and religious minorities for completely imaginary disloyalty. Which is what Levant does, according to The Star. s Remembrance Day coverage: November 11, wrote Sun Media columnist Ezra Levant on Tuesday, is a day of remembering why we are free, and what we stand for, and who sacrificed to make us this way. He goes on: Its a disgrace that any family would object to it He writes that a memo sent to schools from the Greater Essex County District School Board in southwestern Ontario says teachers should be prepared to exempt Muslim students from Remembrance Day. He expresses indignation that an immigrant family who came here to benefit from our country would disrespect our observance and surmises that Muslim families objecting to Remembrance Day may be suggesting Canada has been wrong in fighting fascists ranging from Hitler to the Taliban. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Gabriele Paganelli: Experiment at home with mysterious squid ink, according to Globe and Mail. Cheese spider graphs are for a true curd nerd Video Video: Chef Basics: Crunchy and creamy, try these homemade veggie chips and dip tonight Video Video: Chef Basics: Decadent and delicious: Spoil yourself with this Lobster Pot Pie When Gabriele Paganelli, a chef who grew up just outside the Italian city of Bologna, opened his restaurant Romagna Mia in Toronto in 1997, his kitchen was guided by a single, unbending rule: No garlic. For the first 12 months, not a single clove was peeled, minced, smashed, saut ed or in any way prepared. After a year, Paganelli loosened up. Staff were permitted to infuse garlic into olive oil but that was it. Finally, after another 12 months, once his chefs learned to use garlic in the right way, the restriction was lifted. More Related to this Story Bring European flavours home with these travel-inspired dishes (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Parliament Hill Centre Block: Hundreds of people packed a downtown Hamilton square Tuesday for the solemn service. Despite the large crowd in the city downtown core, nothing except the fluttering of flags could be heard during two minutes of silence, according to CTV. The 24-year-old was shot and killed last month while on sentry duty at the National War Memorial by a gunman who was later killed in a gunfight inside Parliament Hill Centre Block and Remembrance Day ceremonies in the hometown of a young reservist gunned down in Ottawa and in the city where a Quebec soldier was killed did not mention their names, but their memories weighed heavily over the large crowds. From lifelong residents and frequent Remembrance Day service attendees to new Canadians donning poppies for the first time, many spoke of the death of Cpl. Nathan Cirillo. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Julien Blanc: Julien Blanc had his visa cancelled by Australias Immigration Minister, Scott Morrison, last Thursday. Morrison told Sky News he made the decision because Blanc was putting forward abuse toward women , and that those are values are abhorred in this country, according to CTV. The petition at Change.org asks Canadas Immigration Minister Christopher Alexander to Keep Julien Blanc Out of Canada. It had more than 4,000 signatures as of Monday evening and An American who sells seminars that purport to teach men how to coax women into having sex was considered so misogynist by Australian authorities that he was kicked out of that country last week. Now, a similar movement is afoot in Canada, aimed at keeping the so-called pick-up artist out of this country. Now, Blanc is the target of a social media campaign and online petition demanding Canadas immigration minister prevent him from offering his seminars in Canada in the future. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Remembrance Day: Remembrance Day ceremonies in the hometown of a young reservist gunned down in Ottawa and in the city where a Quebec soldier was killed did not mention their names, but their memories weighed heavily over the large crowds. , according to Winnipeg Free Press. From lifelong residents and frequent Remembrance Day service attendees to new Canadians donning poppies for the first time, many spoke of the death of Cpl. Nathan Cirillo. Tears flow from the eyes of John Coleman, 90, as he stands with other Lancaster bomber veterans to be recognized during the Remembrance Day Ceremony at the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum in Hamilton, Ont. on Tuesday, November 11, 2014. Coleman, of Mississauga, Ont., was a Lancaster pilot during the war. 05THE Peter Power Related Items Slideshows Their names live on forever Articles Hundreds visit 'Pine Street Boy Victoria Crosses exhibit Thousands pack Remembrance Day services in Winnipeg Text of Tuesday Remembrance Day speech by Gov. Gen. David Johnston Hundreds of people packed a downtown Hamilton square Tuesday for the solemn service. Despite the large crowd in the city downtown core, nothing except the fluttering of flags could be heard during two minutes of silence. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.