: They were devastated for their fellow gays and lesbians, while deeply concerned about anti-Muslim bias the shooting would generate, according to Brandon Sun. At the same time, they were caught at the intersection of two mutually wary groups: LGBT people who consider Islam uniquely anti-gay, and Muslims prejudiced against gays and lesbians. Gay Muslims said the shooting in an Orlando nightclub sparked a complex set of emotions. Abdelhadi said she feared "Islam and queerness being pitted against each other in a sort of battle and that just making it impossible for me to exist as I am." NEW YORK, N.Y. - After the massacre in Orlando, the head of a prominent Muslim advocacy group stood before a bank of microphones and made remarks beyond the expected condemnations. Today, we stand with them, shoulder to shoulder," Awad said at a Washington news conference. "We cannot fight injustice against some group and not against others."Omid Safi, director of the Duke University Islamic Studies Center, called the comments, and similar statements from other major Muslim groups, a "shocking development" from leaders who until last Sunday tragedy "would probably have never been seen uttering the words gay and lesbian publicly."The mass shooting, perpetrated by an American Muslim in a communal space for gays, has brought to the forefront Muslim attitudes toward homosexuality and the plight of LGBT Muslims.A spokesman for Awad played down the director remarks as nothing new. Along with denouncing the attack by gunman Omar Mateen as a violation of Islam, and offering prayers for the victims at the gay nightclub Pulse, Nihad Awad of the Council on American-Islamic Relations expressed unequivocal support for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil rights."For many years, members of the community have stood shoulder to shoulder with the Muslim community against any acts of hate crimes, Islamophobia, marginalization and discrimination. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

militants: Dion said Thursday he accepts the findings of the report of an independent, UN-mandated commission which says the militants known variously as ISIL, ISIS and Daesh have committed genocide against the ethnically Kurdish minority group."We are taking the lead in asking the Security Council to be sure that they will prosecute the perpetrators of these atrocities and investigate in order to understand what is happening on the ground," Dion told the Commons."In the meantime, we have tripled our effort to fight ISIL on the ground, because we need to rescue these populations, according to Brandon Sun. This is the priority. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian WyldOTTAWA - Two days after the Liberals voted down a Conservative motion to accuse the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant of genocide, Foreign Affairs Minister Stephane Dion acknowledged the group is engaged in precisely that against the Yazidis. Conservative Jason Kenney, who has spent weeks urging the government to put the genocide label on ISIL, says Dion is missing the larger picture by focusing only on the Yazidis."This genocide affects more than the Yazidis," Kenney said."It affects the other indigenous minorities of Mesopotamia. The independent commission was mandated by the UN Human Rights Council in 2011 to investigate and record all violations of international law in Syria. It affects the Assyrians and the Chaldeans and the Armenians, and so will he not join the U.S., EU and U.K. and the Opposition in recognizing the broader genocide "In debating and then defeating the Tory genocide motion on Tuesday, the government said politicians should shy away from declarations of such of genocide need to be made in an objective, responsible way," Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said during the debate. "That is exactly what we have formally requested the international authorities weigh in on."The report issued Thursday seems to fit that bill, although it deals specifically with the Yazidis."Genocide has occurred and is ongoing," Paulo Sergio Pinheiro, chair of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Syria, said in the report entitled, "They Came to Destroy: ISIS Crimes against the Yazidis.""ISIS has subjected every Yazidi woman, child or man that it has captured to the most horrific of atrocities," he said in a news statement issued by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

: This is the priority, according to The Waterloo Record. Conservative Jason Kenney, who has spent weeks urging the government to put the genocide label on ISIL, says Dion is missing the larger picture by focusing only on the Yazidis. "This genocide affects more than the Yazidis," Kenney said. "It affects the other indigenous minorities of Mesopotamia. Related Stories Dion accepts UN report that calls... Dion said Thursday he accepts the findings of the report of an independent, UN-mandated commission which says the militants known variously as ISIL, ISIS and Daesh have committed genocide against the ethnically Kurdish minority group. "We are taking the lead in asking the Security Council to be sure that they will prosecute the perpetrators of these atrocities and investigate in order to understand what is happening on the ground," Dion told the Commons. "In the meantime, we have tripled our effort to fight ISIL on the ground, because we need to rescue these populations. It affects the Assyrians and the Chaldeans and the Armenians, and so will he not join the U.S., EU and U.K. and the Opposition in recognizing the broader genocide " In debating and then defeating the Tory genocide motion on Tuesday, the government said politicians should shy away from declarations of such magnitude. "Determinations of genocide need to be made in an objective, responsible way," Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said during the debate. "That is exactly what we have formally requested the international authorities weigh in on." The report issued Thursday seems to fit that bill, although it deals specifically with the Yazidis. "Genocide has occurred and is ongoing," Paulo Sergio Pinheiro, chair of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Syria, said in the report entitled, "They Came to Destroy: ISIS Crimes against the Yazidis." "ISIS has subjected every Yazidi woman, child or man that it has captured to the most horrific of atrocities," he said in a news statement issued by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. Its report focused on violations committed against Yazidis inside Syria, where it found that thousands of women and girls are still being held captive and abused, often as slaves. The independent commission was mandated by the UN Human Rights Council in 2011 to investigate and record all violations of international law in Syria. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

population growth: That a percentage increase of 1.51 per cent, which is second only to Alberta 12-month gain of 1.78 per cent, according to Brandon Sun. It also well l above the national increase of 1.12 per cent. The numbers show the province gained 19,432 people in the 12-month period between April 1, 2015 and April 1, 2016. Both numbers — 19,432 and 1.51 per cent — are modern-day records for Manitoba, according to Wilf Falk, the province chief statistician."They're the best since 1971," he said. "We've never seen this stuff before."He said the previous record for population growth in Manitoba over a 12-month period was 16,706 people. But the good news doesn't stop there. That was set between April 2011 and April 2012."So we really shattered the old record," Falk added. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

: And that is the full name, the nationality, the issuing authority and the gender of the traveller, according to CTV. The same information is already collected when people enter Canada. It nothing more or less than what you find on page two of your passport, Goodale told reporters on Wednesday. Collecting such data upon departure will put the country in line with allies like the U.S. and the U.K. Having this data will allow us to better respond to amber alerts, for example, on missing children, Goodale said. When leaving Canada by land, American border officials will collect the data and send it back to Canadian officials. It will help us deal with human trafficking, it will help us deal better with illegal travel by terrorist fighters, it will help John McCallum deal with immigration proceedings and visa applications, and it will help us ensure the integrity of Canadian social programs. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

campaign: That why the City of Toronto and Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants launched their "Toronto for all"campaign Tuesday, targeting racism and Islamophobia, according to Huffington Post Canada. Posters that show Muslims standing up against the idea that they don't belong in Toronto have been popping up around the city. "Muslims are part of Toronto," the ads read. And sometimes they do. Debbie Douglas, executive director of OCASI, says the campaign was timed to kick off just before World Refugee Day on June 20. "It is important that Torontonians from all walks of life take responsibility for not only welcoming refugees but also examining assumptions and stereotypes they may hold about Muslims," Douglas said in a news release Wednesday. The initiative earned praise from the National Council of Canadian Muslims' communications director Amira Elghawaby, who called the city efforts to combat racism "uplifting." "We all have a responsibility to speak out against all forms of racism, including Islamophobia," Elghawaby said in a statement Tuesday While many social media users are supporting the campaign, others are less enthusiastic about the message. About 4,500 Syrian refugees have settled in Toronto since November 2015, according to the city. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Lazaridis School of Business Economics: It a smart move, says one marketing and advertising expert who sees only benefits for firms trying to entice Americans north of the border because of the blowhard billionaire."It makes a lot of sense for marketers to use Donald Trump because he so out there," said associate marketing professor Grant Packard. "He has obvious humour appeal and cultural currency, according to Metro News. Trump is such a bombastic personality."Packard, who teaches at the Lazaridis School of Business and Economics at Wilfrid Laurier University, explains that the presumptive Republican presidential nominee is so polarizing that he is seen as the antithesis of how Canadians view themselves. Come to Canada. For homegrown Canadian brands, the businessman is an obvious target when companies want to appeal to like-minded Americans living in the U.S."For brands that kind of play on Canada modest pride, and our socially minded altruism, Trump is the anti-brand to that," he said. Other Canadian companies like Bombardier aren't known for having a sense of humour and and should probably shy away from advertising with a political flavour because it could be seen as opportunistic, Packard said. Appealing to Americans appalled by Trump likely works best for brands like Roots and Molson Canadian — two companies rooted in Canadian nationalism and with the ability to be tongue and cheek with their marketing campaigns. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

: Khaki mosque, which welcomes people of all sexualities, plans to hold prayers Friday for the victims of the Orlando nightclub shooting, but the location of the service is not posted publicly to ensure the "physical and spiritual safety'' of the congregation, he said, according to Huffington Post Canada. El-Farouk Khaki speaks during a candlelight vigil in Toronto on Sunday to honour victims of the mass shootings in Orlando. For some who identify with both Islam and the LGBT community, the attack and its aftermath appears to have underscored the confluence of homophobia and Islamophobia. "The fact that this was perpetrated by someone with a Muslim name, that Islam is drawn into it and considering the stigmatization and marginalization of Muslims in America, in media and certain political spheres ...it leaves LGBTIQ Muslims sometimes in a precarious place,'' said El-Farouk Khaki, a gay activist and co-founder of the Toronto Unity Mosque. Anyone wishing to attend can email the mosque ahead of time or go along with a member of the congregation, Khaki said. "We know that a lot of people are not very friendly to us and so we need to be aware of that.'' A motive has yet to be established in the Florida attack by Omar Mateen, a 29-year-old son of Afghan immigrants who was also said to have been a regular at the club where he opened fire. "We know that a lot of people are not very friendly to us." Forty-nine people died in the shooting that took place early Sunday, and dozens more were wounded. So sometimes we are made invisible,'' he said. "We're invisible in the larger LGBT community, we're invisible in the Muslim community.'' Shooting stoked fears in refugee man For Rasheed, a Syrian refugee who recently came to Canada after being threatened due to his sexuality, the Orlando attack sparked fear of further persecution. "I felt very bad and I was really afraid at the beginning,'' said the Toronto resident who asked to be identified only by his first name fearing for the safety of his family back in Syria. "I was afraid of people, how they would react. As the victims were mourned in the U.S., Canada and around the world, Khaki said he also noticed a negative backlash in some quarters. "I've seen a real outpouring of solidarity and love from the larger LGBTIQ community, but I've also seen the opposite,'' he said. "It very hateful towards Muslims.'' Such a tragedy, Khaki said, highlights some of the difficulties faced by LGBT Muslims. "There this notion that Islam is a monolith and Muslims are a monolith and there no such thing as a LGBTIQ Muslim. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Mr Vinnetou: Several immigration detainees have recently died in custody, and human-rights groups have criticized Canada practices, especially because some detainees, such as Mr, according to Globe and Mail. Vinnetou, have been kept in maximum-security jails for years without charges. The case has highlighted the widespread concerns about the often lengthy imprisonment of migrants for immigration violations, including those with mental-health issues. In open letters last month, more than 230 doctors, nurses, social workers, lawyers and legal scholars called on the Ontario government to stop imprisoning migrants for immigration violations. The man known as Mr. This worrisome practice is adversely impacting the health of a very vulnerable population, the health workers said. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Canadian Press: He pleaded guilty in March to mischief and inciting hatred, according to The Chronicle Herald. MacKenzie told his sentencing hearing Wednesday that what he did was ignorant, hurtful, and reckless behaviour. Kyle Mac Kenzie, who is 29, spray-painted racist words on an LRT station and on vehicles at a C-train parking lot on Dec. 3. He told police after his arrest that the Paris terrorist attacks in November and his hate for ISIL spurred his crime. Source Source The Canadian Press MacKenzie will be sentenced on July 15; the prosecution wants 18 months in jail, while the defence is arguing for time served, plus three months for a breach of probation charge. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

congregation: Khaki mosque, which welcomes people of all sexualities, plans to hold prayers Friday for the victims of the Orlando nightclub shooting, but the location of the service is not posted publicly to ensure the "physical and spiritual safety" of the congregation, he said, according to Hamilton Spectator. Anyone wishing to attend can email the mosque ahead of time or go along with a member of the congregation, Khaki said. "We know that a lot of people are not very friendly to us and so we need to be aware of that." A motive has yet to be established in the Florida attack by Omar Mateen, a 29-year-old son of Afghan immigrants who was also said to have been a regular at the club where he opened fire. For some who identify with both Islam and the LGBT community, the attack and its aftermath appears to have underscored the confluence of homophobia and Islamophobia. "The fact that this was perpetrated by someone with a Muslim name, that Islam is drawn into it and considering the stigmatization and marginalization of Muslims in America, in media and certain political spheres ... it leaves LGBTIQ Muslims sometimes in a precarious place," said El-Farouk Khaki, a gay activist and co-founder of the Toronto Unity Mosque. Forty-nine people died in the shooting that took place early Sunday, and dozens more were wounded. So sometimes we are made invisible," he said. "We're invisible in the larger LGBT community, we're invisible in the Muslim community." For Rasheed, a Syrian refugee who recently came to Canada after being threatened due to his sexuality, the Orlando attack sparked fear of further persecution. "I felt very bad and I was really afraid at the beginning," said the Toronto resident who asked to be identified only by his first name fearing for the safety of his family back in Syria. "I was afraid of people, how they would react. As the victims were mourned in the U.S., Canada and around the world, Khaki said he also noticed a negative backlash in some quarters. "I've seen a real outpouring of solidarity and love from the larger LGBTIQ community, but I've also seen the opposite," he said. "It very hateful toward Muslims." Such a tragedy, Khaki said, highlights some of the difficulties faced by LGBT Muslims. "There this notion that Islam is a monolith and Muslims are a monolith and there no such thing as a LGBTIQ Muslim. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

semi-annual Financial System Review: Last week, Bank of Canada Governor Stephen Poloz warned in his semi-annual Financial System Review about a potential drop in real estate prices in Toronto and Vancouver, according to NOW Magazine. He said Toronto rising prices are "unlikely to be sustained."In case you don't follow Bank of Canada governor-speak, that is a very cautious, circumspect way of warning those in a shaky financial situation to batten down the hatches. Instead, some may find themselves atop a house of cards. Poloz: "When people say, 'Well, I need to buy a house because I'm worried that prices are going to go up this much again next year and I'll be priced out of the market," in our opinion the fundamentals do not justify that kind of extrapolation."When he says "fundamentals," he means that job growth, incomes and immigration are not keeping pace with the inflated housing market. As early as 2010, Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives senior economist David Macdonald warned that Toronto was experiencing housing price increases that were "outside of their historic comfort zone."Historically low interest rates have played a role in real estate prices. For a long time we've known that Toronto hot house and condo market was entering uncharted territory. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Debbie Douglas: I'll never vote for you again' Ward 21 St, according to CBC. Paul Coun. The city and the Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants launched an ad campaign on Tuesday, one of which features a white male in profile telling a woman in a hijab to go back where she came from. "Where," the woman responds, "North York " Resist Islamophobia post-Orlando, says LGBT activistCBC FORUM Islamophobia and young Canadian Muslims Why online Islamophobia is difficult to stop OCASI executive director Debbie Douglas said she has "absolutely" seen a rise in anti-Muslim sentiments since refugees began arriving from Syria in large numbers in December. Joe Mihevc, who has been helping to organize the campaign, said he has personally dealt with anti-Muslim sentiment in his work trying to bring in a Syrian family. "I had people swearing at us over the phone, saying take my name off your mailing list, I'll never vote for you again," he said. "It a minority, but it out there." Mihevc also said he not worried about any backlash from people who may feel the city is unfairly labelling them as xenophobic. "Some people might get their backs up, but that okay," he said. The campaign runs until July 10 at a cost of $80,000, Mihevc said. About 100 of the ads will be placed in bus shelters across the city. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Canada: Under the 2011 perimeter security pact, Canada and the United States agreed to set up co-ordinated systems to track the entry and exit information of travellers, according to The Chronicle Herald. For the moment, the system involves exchanging entry information collected from people at the land border — so that data on entry to one country serves as a record of exit from the other. The government introduced legislation Wednesday to implement the final phases of the data-collection system, which is two years behind schedule, with the aim of saving tens of millions of dollars annually. The first two phases of the program have been limited to foreign nationals and permanent residents of Canada and the U.S., but not citizens of either country. The data includes the traveller name, nationality, date of birth and gender as well as the country that issued their travel document. Under the new legislation, the initiative would be expanded to include information-sharing on all travellers crossing the land border. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Lebanon Bekaa Valley: The United Nations High Commission for Refugees estimates there are now over 60 million forcibly displaced people around the world including 19.5 million refugees -- the highest number on record! Last year I travelled to Lebanon Bekaa Valley, where I saw firsthand how Syrian families living as refugees in cold and muddy tents were struggling to cope under difficult winter conditions, according to Huffington Post Canada. I remember one Syrian mom, Hanan, tell me "We can't sleep most nights because water leaks in and makes everything wet. Photo: Phil Moore/Oxfam By Melanie Gallant, Oxfam Canada Media Relations Officer Whether through civil war or other forms of conflict, natural disasters or climate related disasters such as drought, the global scale of displaced people is unprecedented. I am very worried for my children. Photo: Melanie Gallant/Oxfam Canada Millions of displaced people share that same dream -- they are living in makeshift dwellings, in urgent need of safe drinking water, sanitation services, food, shelter, medicine, education and security, wanting desperately to return home. I think of going back to Syria every day." Hanan sits in the makeshift tent she shares with her own children and other Syrian refugees in Saide refugee settlement, Bekaa Valley, Lebanon. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Canadian doctors: Garabedian was in Vancouver on June 14 where he delivered a symposium on the topic, and said the most important thing for doctors to understand is the difference between women who grew up in rural and urban areas, according to CBC. Surrey program tackles 'huge gaps' in support for Syrian refugee mental health Refugee health care benefits restored April 1, but concerns over access remainCMAJ offers doctors a how-to on Syrian refugees' health needs " There are huge differences between those two areas in terms of their knowledge and their education," he told On The Coast guest host Gloria Macarenko, adding those areas have differences in beliefs and culture as well. Vanig Garabedian wants to help Canadian doctors better understand cultural and personal barriers refugee women have in receiving gynecological and obstetrical care. Garabedian says physicians need to be ready for patients that come from a much more patriarchal society where "the father, he is the boss of the family, and he will decide everything." "But I think physicians here can make them gradually make them understand the Canadian way and Canadian culture … and to educate men on women rights and gender equality," he said. 30 minutes from death Garabedian had a clinic in Aleppo before he came to Canada, but in 2013, he got a panicked call from his wife asking for him to come home early. But first he needs to write some medical exams at the end of this year to qualify to practise. He says that call was "a miracle." "She had that feeling that something wrong was going to happen to me and the clinic," he said. "30 minutes after my leaving, two rockets came and destroyed my clinic." Now in Canada, Garabedian says it his goal to repay Canadians in under-serviced areas with his expertise in gynecological and obstetrical care. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

CBC Radio Information Morning: Gunman reportedly a repeat customer at the gay bar he attacked This time, he was struck a second blow, according to CBC. Hussain, who teaches modern Islam studies at Saint Mary University, identifies as queer and founded Halifax first gay-friendly mosque. "When I saw where it took place, it was because of the intersectionalities between queer identities and Muslim identities clashing in this particular way was intensified for me," he told CBC Radio Information Morning. "I spent Sunday in tears. As a Muslim, Hussain says he "nervously" prays any time there is a mass shooting, hoping no one from the Islamic community is involved. It was just, it was terrible." Syed Adnan Hussain helped start the Halifax Unity Mosque. He called 911 during his rampage to profess allegiance to various militant Islamist groups, though investigators say there no evidence he received instruction or help from outside groups such as ISIS. Details emerge about Orlando shooter wifeFBI could not have 'done more' to keep shooter on watch list: ex-agent The FBI is also taking a closer look at reports Mateen was a regular at gay nightclubs, including Pulse, and that he had expressed interest in men on some online gay dating sites and the hook-up app, Grindr. Reports that shooter frequented gay nightclubs The 29-year-old Mateen was a U.S. citizen, born in New York of Afghan immigrant parents. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

criminal offence: It is already an offence under the Security of Information Act for government officials to disclose security and intelligence information and for any person to make unauthorized disclosures, but Goodale suggested there will be additional precautions taken in the act, according to Toronto Star. These MPs will be undertaking a very serious responsibility, he told reporters. By Tonda Mac Charles Ottawa Bureau reporter Wed., June 15, 2016 OTTAWA—A bill to establish a long-promised parliamentary committee to review Canada national security agencies will make it a criminal offence for MPs to blab what they learn, says Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale. They'll have to meet certain, very specific security standards. And violation of that oath is a criminal offence and a breach of trust. They'll have to swear an oath with regard to the information they obtain. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

LGBT community: For some who identify with both Islam and the LGBT community, the attack and its aftermath appears to have underscored the confluence of homophobia and Islamophobia, according to Toronto Star. The fact that this was perpetrated by someone with a Muslim name, that Islam is drawn into it and considering the stigmatization and marginalization of Muslims in America, in media and certain political spheres . . . it leaves LGBTIQ Muslims sometimes in a precarious place, said El-Farouk Khaki, a gay activist and co-founder of the Toronto Unity Mosque. By Diana Mehta The Canadian Press Wed., June 15, 2016 As authorities investigate the carnage unleashed by an American-born Muslim in a mass shooting at a gay nightclub in Orlando, the horror of the attack is being felt particularly keenly by LGBT Muslims. Khaki mosque, which welcomes people of all sexualities, plans to hold prayers Friday for the victims of the Orlando nightclub shooting, but the location of the service is not posted publicly to ensure the physical and spiritual safety of the congregation, he said. Article Continued Below We know that a lot of people are not very friendly to us and so we need to be aware of that. Anyone wishing to attend can email the mosque ahead of time or go along with a member of the congregation, Khaki said. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Nick Corasanti: We want to live in a country where gay and lesbian Americans and all Americans are safe from radical Islam, Trump said, which, by the way, wants to murder and has murdered gays and they enslave women, according to Toronto Star. As he did Monday, Trump claimed Clinton immigration policies would open the floodgates to jihadis, pointing to her plan to increase the number of Syrian refugees admitted to the country by 550 per cent over President Barack Obama plan. By Nick Corasanti Wed., June 15, 2016 GREENSBORO, N.C.—In his first campaign rally since the massacre at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Fla., Donald Trump again attempted to portray himself as a better friend of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans than Hillary Clinton, in part because of his opposition to immigration from Middle Eastern countries. We don't know who they are, where they're coming from, there no documentation, Trump said. She no friend of women. Crooked Hillary wants to increase these immigration numbers very, very substantially, he said. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

presumptive Republican nominee: Some of those times he said he was repeating what "many people" believe — one of the presumptive Republican nominee favourite ways to sprinkle conspiracy theories into the presidential campaign, according to Metro News. By Wednesday, Trump abandoned the innuendo and embraced a more pointed accusation against Obama."Media fell all over themselves criticizing what Donald Trump 'may have insinuated about @POTUS.' But he right," Trump posted on Twitter. Trump spent the first days following the Orlando nightclub massacre hinting Obama was sympathizing with or even supporting terrorists. The message included a link to a story by Breitbart News, a Trump-friendly website , that claimed to have proof the Obama administration backed a terror group in Iraq. Still, it was an effort by the GOP White House pick to explicitly link the sitting Democratic president with those seeking to harm Americans, just days after 49 people were killed and dozens more wounded in Florida."Trump comments regarding the president crossed every line," John Weaver, the senior strategist for Ohio Gov. Trump spokeswoman Hope Hicks said the candidate was retweeting a message from another Twitter user. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

elder abuse: Across Canada, more than 766,000 seniors were abused in 2015, according to CTV. Every older person has the right to participate fully in our society and the right to feel safe and live free of fear of abuse, said Deputy Mayor and Ward 1 councillor Ward Sutherland. According to city officials, an estimated 9,000 seniors in Calgary are victims of some form of elder abuse be it physical, financial, emotional, psychological or sexual. The Calgary Police Service elder abuse unit, a brach of the domestic violence unit, has seen an increase in the number of reported abuses perpetrated against seniors, In 2015, the unit four dedicated constables and two dedicated social workers, investigated 148 cases, a 35.77 per cent increase over 2014 109 reported cases. Luanne Whitmarsh, Kerby Centre CEO, says attempted financial abuse can place the victim at the mercy of a family member. Calgary Elder Abuse Awareness Rally, an annual event, included representatives from: Calgary Catholic Immigration Society Calgary Chinese Elderly Citizens' Association Calgary Police Service Calgary Seniors Resource Society Carya City of Calgary Immigrant Services Calgary Jewish Family Service Calgary Kerby Centre An estimated 80 per cent of incidents of elder abuse are not reported with a number of the attacks being perpetrated by the victim loved ones including grandchildren or adult children. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

echo effect: It may yet turn out to be a watershed moment in the campaign, according to The Waterloo Record. The echo effect of this tremor, if any, on the Canadian political landscape will be mild. The tragedy is inflaming an already polarized presidential contest. It is not that Canada is immune from hate crimes or from terrorism. An Orlando-style tragedy could happen here. Parliament Hill was the scene of a shooting less than two years ago. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

gun control laws: During the national security speech, Trump repeatedly criticized Clinton immigration plan, her attempts to tighten the nation gun control laws and for not using the phrase "radical Islamic terrorism" when describing recent attackers, according to Brandon Sun. TORONTO - Canadian companies are cashing in on so-called anti-Trumpism in the United States, offering our neighbours to the south an escape plan should Donald Trump win the presidential election in November. Clinton did not mention Trump by name in her speech an hour earlier. Come to Canada. Trump is such a bombastic personality."Packard, who teaches at the Lazaridis School of Business and Economics at Wilfrid Laurier University, explains that the presumptive Republican presidential nominee is so polarizing that he is seen as the antithesis of how Canadians view themselves. It a smart move, says one marketing and advertising expert who sees only benefits for firms trying to entice Americans north of the border because of the blowhard billionaire."It makes a lot of sense for marketers to use Donald Trump because he so out there," said associate marketing professor Grant Packard."He has obvious humour appeal and cultural currency. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Christopher Katsarov: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher KatsarovTORONTO - As authorities investigate the carnage unleashed by an American-born Muslim in a mass shooting at a gay nightclub in Orlando, the horror of the attack is being felt particularly keenly by LGBT Muslims, according to Brandon Sun. For some who identify with both Islam and the LGBT community, the attack and its aftermath appears to have underscored the confluence of homophobia and Islamophobia."The fact that this was perpetrated by someone with a Muslim name, that Islam is drawn into it and considering the stigmatization and marginalization of Muslims in America, in media and certain political spheres ...it leaves LGBTIQ Muslims sometimes in a precarious place," said El-Farouk Khaki, a gay activist and co-founder of the Toronto Unity Mosque. As authorities investigate the carnage unleashed by an American-born Muslim in a mass shooting at a gay nightclub in Orlando, the horror of the attack is being felt particularly keenly by LGBT Muslims. Khaki mosque, which welcomes people of all sexualities, plans to hold prayers Friday for the victims of the Orlando nightclub shooting, but the location of the service is not posted publicly to ensure the "physical and spiritual safety" of the congregation, he said. Forty-nine people died in the shooting that took place early Sunday, and dozens more were wounded. Anyone wishing to attend can email the mosque ahead of time or go along with a member of the congregation, Khaki said."We know that a lot of people are not very friendly to us and so we need to be aware of that."A motive has yet to be established in the Florida attack by Omar Mateen, a 29-year-old son of Afghan immigrants who was also said to have been a regular at the club where he opened fire. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

congregation: Khaki mosque, which welcomes people of all sexualities, plans to hold prayers Friday for the victims of the Orlando nightclub shooting, but the location of the service is not posted publicly to ensure the "physical and spiritual safety" of the congregation, he said, according to The Waterloo Record. Anyone wishing to attend can email the mosque ahead of time or go along with a member of the congregation, Khaki said. "We know that a lot of people are not very friendly to us and so we need to be aware of that." A motive has yet to be established in the Florida attack by Omar Mateen, a 29-year-old son of Afghan immigrants who was also said to have been a regular at the club where he opened fire. For some who identify with both Islam and the LGBT community, the attack and its aftermath appears to have underscored the confluence of homophobia and Islamophobia. "The fact that this was perpetrated by someone with a Muslim name, that Islam is drawn into it and considering the stigmatization and marginalization of Muslims in America, in media and certain political spheres ...it leaves LGBTIQ Muslims sometimes in a precarious place," said El-Farouk Khaki, a gay activist and co-founder of the Toronto Unity Mosque. Forty-nine people died in the shooting that took place early Sunday, and dozens more were wounded. So sometimes we are made invisible," he said. "We're invisible in the larger LGBT community, we're invisible in the Muslim community." For Rasheed, a Syrian refugee who recently came to Canada after being threatened due to his sexuality, the Orlando attack sparked fear of further persecution. "I felt very bad and I was really afraid at the beginning," said the Toronto resident who asked to be identified only by his first name fearing for the safety of his family back in Syria. "I was afraid of people, how they would react. As the victims were mourned in the U.S., Canada and around the world, Khaki said he also noticed a negative backlash in some quarters. "I've seen a real outpouring of solidarity and love from the larger LGBTIQ community, but I've also seen the opposite," he said. "It very hateful towards Muslims." Such a tragedy, Khaki said, highlights some of the difficulties faced by LGBT Muslims. "There this notion that Islam is a monolith and Muslims are a monolith and there no such thing as a LGBTIQ Muslim. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.