government policy: A study underway at Western University is examining how the war-torn experiences of newly arrived young Syrian refugees might affect their ability to cope in the classroom, and researcher Mazen El-Baba hopes the findings will go a long way towards improving everything from teachers' lesson plans to community programs to government policy, according to CTV. He says many new arrivals have not been to school in years and will almost definitely struggle in September. "My fears are of the teacher not being able to understand where to begin," El-Baba says of what sparked the study, still in its data-gathering phase. "It different than teaching another kid the basics because you're dealing with more mature children who are well aware that their level is way behind their actual class. For those shattered by early psychological trauma, it can be especially fraught with emotion. There a lot of difficulties. Then there bullying, which he calls "a huge, huge problem" given the experiences of some Syrian kids who ventured into Canadian classrooms this past spring. "All the kids we know that went to school, all the parents were telling us: 'We need help in September because our kids are being beaten up and spit at at school.' I know a six-year-old who was being hit by various other in his class." The study involves 81 children and a battery of tests conducted in English and Arabic. I really, really hope the school boards are prepared for it." He points to a nine-year-old he knows who will enter Grade 5 despite not knowing what plus and minus are, and a 16-year-old who will enter Grade 10 despite only having a Grade 5 education. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

growth innovation: And it seems like governments are also starting to take notice, according to Huffington Post Canada. The Vancouver Economic Commission has produced this slick video to promote the city to the global tech community, while the provincial government introduced a $100 million venture capital fund in support of growth and innovation late last year. The word is out on the economic impact that the industry has on the B.C. economy , and there is palpable and boundless optimism for the future. But while the VEC trumpets Bloomberg Businessweek designation of Vancouver being a "new tech hub" that offers "world-class talent and few immigration headaches" as well as "great views in a convenient time zone," I believe that the tech community has a duty to be far more discerning with labels and premature designations. Digging deeper into this 2015 Compass Global Startup Ecosystem Rankings report, however, provides some concerning facts when it comes to considering the city current and future competitiveness. Don't get me wrong - I am very aware of Vancouver status as one of the top 20 global cities in which to launch a startup. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

guatemalan authorities: They were wanted on allegations of participating in the killing of more than 200 people in the village of Las Dos Erres in 1982, according to Metro News. The slaughter went unpunished for years — even after Guatemalan authorities issued 17 arrest warrants. Santos Lopez Alonzo is one of four such former soldiers arrested by U.S. authorities since 2010. In 2009, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights demanded the country prosecute the perpetrators. A year later, another suspect deported by the U.S. was sentenced. Four former soldiers were sentenced in 2011 to more than 6,000 years for the killings. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

home prices: Immigration Minister John McCallum, according to Huffington Post Canada. Immigration Minister John McCallum met with officials in Beijing this week in an effort to increase the number of offices across China where nationals can obtain visas to Canada, to 10 from five, and eventually to as many as 15 offices, the Globe and Mail reported. The move, designed to give Canada economy a boost in the midst of a soft patch, comes as concerns grow that illicit cash from China is pumping up house prices, particularly in Vancouver. It part of an effort to increase the number of Chinese students and high-tech workers in the country and expand Chinese investment in Canada, even if that means adding to housing demand at a time of overheated home prices, as the Globe put it. He said the government is looking for the highest growth we can of tourists coming to Canada, of qualified foreign students who want to study in Canada. In terms of Chinese migration to Canada, we want to get it even bigger, McCallum said. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

month end: This comes ahead of an expected visit to China by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau starting at month end, before the G20 summit in Hangzhou in early September, according to Globe and Mail. Mr. Chinese can currently apply for Canadian visas in five locations, including Hong Kong. Trudeau has charged International Trade Minister Chrystia Freeland with expanding Canada economic relationship with China. Canada also wants a further five visa application locations in the future to smooth the path for Chinese to come to Canada – bringing the total number to 15 – and is asking for additional air links between the two countries. Accordingly, the Liberals are trying to pry open the door wider for Chinese visitors to swell university enrolments in Canada, place foreign talent in high-tech jobs and bring in new investment cash – even if that means adding to housing demand at a time of overheated home prices. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

month end: This comes ahead of an expected visit to China by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau starting at month end, before the G20 summit in Hangzhou in early September, according to Globe and Mail. Mr. Chinese can currently apply for Canadian visas in five locations, including Hong Kong. Trudeau has charged International Trade Minister Chrystia Freeland with expanding Canada economic relationship with China. Canada also wants a further five visa application locations in the future to smooth the path for Chinese to come to Canada – bringing the total number to 15 – and is asking for additional air links between the two countries. Accordingly, the Liberals are trying to pry open the door wider for Chinese visitors to swell university enrolments in Canada, place foreign talent in high-tech jobs and bring in new investment cash – even if that means adding to housing demand at a time of overheated home prices. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

saturday morning: He was catching up with a family friend who was doing the Ride for Refuge, to raise money for refugees, according to The Chronicle Herald. He asked his friend: Why are you doing this when you could be sleeping The answer he received was one that got his wheels spinning. The idea came to 24-year-old Bauman one cold Saturday morning last October. Sometimes with problems of this scope, it can seem like it hard to make a difference, said Bauman, a Waterloo, Ont., native. felt like that was one small way he could. Just before he turned 10 years old, he lost his cousin to suicide. Bauman started thinking about mental health — a cause that not only affected him, but the lives of his family and friends. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

sister tania: By Michelle McQuigge The Canadian Press Wed., Aug. 10, 2016 Ottawa has overturned a decision that saw an Ontario university professor denied permanent residency in Canada because his son has Down syndrome, according to Toronto Star. Felipe Montoya had been working at York University as a tenured professor of environmental studies when he and his family submitted their application to Citizenship and Immigration Canada. Nicolas is pictured here, right, with his mother Alejandra Garcia and his sister Tania. The family bid was denied on the grounds that 13-year-old Nicolas Montoya has Down Syndrome and would place an excessive burden on the Canadian health-care system. But Montoya says the decision handed down earlier this year was overturned last week through ministerial intervention on compassionate grounds. Rules stipulate that if one member of a group application is inadmissible for permanent residency, the ruling applies to everyone else as well. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

st shotts: By Gary Anandasangaree Wed., Aug. 10, 2016 Thursday is a special day not only for Tamil-Canadians and Newfoundlanders, but for all Canadians alike, for it was 30 years ago that 155 Tamil refugees were found drifting off the shores of St, according to Toronto Star. Shotts, Newfoundland by three local finishing boats. Fraser Harvey at Old Fort York in Toronto, shows an old musket to Tamil refugee family mother, Nagammah, father, Ponnuthurai Nadajarah, 8-year-old daughter, Jajamthimi, 7-year-old son, Jajamthah , and 5-year-old son, Jajarajani on Aug. 16, 1986. The rescue on that fateful day on Aug. 11, 1986, not only allowed 155 Tamils to start a new life in Canada, but it was also a turning point in Canadian refugee and immigration history. Gus Dalton and his crew from Admirals Beach, St. Capt. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

syrian refugees: He says many new arrivals have not been to school in years and will almost definitely struggle in September."My fears are of the teacher not being able to understand where to begin," El-Baba says of what sparked the study, still in its data-gathering phase."It different than teaching another kid the basics because you're dealing with more mature children who are well aware that their level is way behind their actual class, according to Metro News. There a lot of difficulties. For those shattered by early psychological trauma, it can be especially fraught with emotion.A study underway at Western University is examining how the war-torn experiences of newly arrived young Syrian refugees might affect their ability to cope in the classroom, and researcher Mazen El-Baba hopes the findings will go a long way towards improving everything from teachers' lesson plans to community programs to government policy. I really, really hope the school boards are prepared for it."He points to a nine-year-old he knows who will enter Grade 5 despite not knowing what plus and minus are, and a 16-year-old who will enter Grade 10 despite only having a Grade 5 education. They include tests to assess numerical fluency and cognition, language proficiency, impulsivity, and how subjects respond to positive, negative or neutral feedback. Then there bullying, which he calls "a huge, huge problem" given the experiences of some Syrian kids who ventured into Canadian classrooms this past spring."All the kids we know that went to school, all the parents were telling us: 'We need help in September because our kids are being beaten up and spit at at school.' I know a six-year-old who was being hit by various other in his class."The study involves 81 children and a battery of tests conducted in English and Arabic. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

citizenship immigration: The family bid was denied on the grounds that 13-year-old Nicolas Montoya has Down Syndrome and would place an excessive burden on the Canadian health-care system, according to Guelph Mercury. Rules stipulate that if one member of a group application is inadmissible for permanent residency, the ruling applies to everyone else as well. Felipe Montoya had been working at York University as a tenured professor of environmental studies when he and his family submitted their application to Citizenship and Immigration Canada. But Montoya says the decision handed down earlier this year was overturned last week through "ministerial intervention" on compassionate grounds. The Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration did not immediately respond to request for comment. Montoya and his family returned to their native Costa Rica in June, but say they will now begin the process of preparing to move back. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

lopez alonzo: The now-64-year-old Lopez served with an elite unit of the Guatemalan army and is among four former soldiers accused in the massacre who were arrested after heading to the United States, according to Brandon Sun. Two are now serving time in American prisons for immigration crimes related to the killings and one was deported and sentenced to more than 6,000 years in prison. Soon after Santos Lopez Alonzo landed in Guatemala City on a charter flight for American deportees, advocates for victims' relatives said they hoped he'd be held accountable for the onslaught that wiped out the small village of Las Dos Erres in 1982."We are very happy they deported him and that he must now face Guatemalan justice, above all, for the victims, who have always demanded justice," said Francisco Vivar, an advocate for victims. In an interview last week at a California immigration detention facility, Lopez said he guarded women and children during the massacre but killed no one. He fought his deportation but a federal appeals court last month refused to block his return to Guatemala. He told the Associated Press that he didn't fear Guatemala investigation of the killings, but was afraid he would be tortured in his country as payback for assisting the U.S. government with its prosecution of one of his ex-comrades. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

mexico canada: Harking back to a nonexistent period "when we were governed by an America First policy," Trump blamed the economic collapse of Detroit, and many other untoward economic trends, on trade, specifically free-trade agreements — such as the North American Free Trade Agreement- which the postwar GOP has generally supported, along with many Democrats, according to The Waterloo Record. Not only would Trump scrap the proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership with 11 other Pacific Rim nations, he would "renegotiate" NAFTA and "walk away" if Mexico and Canada don't do what he wants. The kudos end there, however; Trump economic policy speech to the Detroit Economic Club managed to embrace the worst of traditional Republican doctrine while repudiating the best of it. You may or may not like NAFTA and similar deals; they create winners and losers across the $17 trillion U.S. economy. On taxes, though, Trump reverted to GOP orthodoxy, offering cuts for upper-income Americans as a growth elixir. Even critics must agree that, by now, they are firmly woven into the American economic fabric — and that unravelling them would be profoundly disruptive, perhaps creating "jobs and higher wages" for some, as Trump promises, but destroying them for many, many others. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

mulunda mother: As he points out, those words are not helpful when trying to carry on a conversation, according to The Waterloo Record. It was Mulunda mother who learned about the multicultural theatre company mentorship program last summer, its inaugural year. Mulunda is now brimming with confidence but he was a very different kid when he arrived in Canada, unable to speak a word of English other than naming common items such as chairs and tables. Young Company was created to give youth from diverse and indigenous backgrounds a platform to express their thoughts and ideas on subjects as far reaching as culture, identity and power. This company is about letting the seven participants, age 15 to 22, write their own script. For Mulunda, Young Company was the first step in being able to express such feelings. "My mother was into acting when she was young," he said. "My mom said 'You should go.'" Mulunda said that the program not only helped improve his English, but gave him an opportunity to express himself in profound ways. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

abdirahman abdi: Chelby Daigle said people have been experiencing racism in policing, hiring practices, the school system and society generally for decades, according to CBC. She and other organizers saw momentum in the Black Lives Matter movement in the United States and in Toronto as a way to get people talking about the issue locally. The event, organized by the City for All Women Initiative and the Ottawa Local Immigration Partnership, was in the works even before Abdirahman Abdi died after a confrontation with police in late July. Chelby Daigle, one of the organizers of the anti-racism forum, said the idea was to get people talking and working together to fight racism, especially in light of the momentum of the Black Lives Matter movement. It has to be about planning and organizing and more of a long-term, sustained effort to take action on these issues in our city," Daigle said. Come together' "But we needed to take advantage of it in a way that not so reactionary in terms of rallies and marches. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

canada reputation: Aminata Traoré is shown at the 2002 World Social Forum in Porto Alegre Brazil. "Especially since I've been to Canada several times to give conferences on the same themes." Traoré said she was told her visa application did not meet the requirements, but wasn't told why, according to Huffington Post Canada. She said she recently sent her documents for a third time to the Canadian embassy in the Senegalese capital of Dakar, where the visas are processed. Aminata Traoré, a high-profile anti-globalization activist and a former minister of tourism and culture in Mali, said the visa controversy is a stain on Canada reputation as an open country. "Honestly I wasn't expecting this," Traoré told Radio-Canada in an interview. But at this point, she said, the back-and-forth process has made her question her desire to attend the conference. "I don't know if I'll get the visa or not, but ultimately, I just decided today that taking into account all of these difficulties, I don't want to look like someone who been rescued," she said. The World Social Forum, an annual meeting bringing together activists and leftist intellectuals from around the world, runs from Aug. 9 to Aug. 14 in Montreal. "The government is very much aware of the situation and we hope to have good news," said Carminda Mac Laurin, one of the event organizers. Dreadful lesson in democracy' Traoré called the ordeal a "worrying" and "dreadful lesson in democracy." "It is precisely these countries that are supposedly there to give lessons to our democracies," she said. "In reality, the West is more and more afraid of debates on ideas ... We are bearers of ideas, not bombs." Despite increased media attention on the problem, organizers said several guests had yet to obtain their visas with the event set to begin Tuesday. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

door participants: The Girl Next Door Participants left the meeting almost unanimous, saying an official task force headed by the provincial government is key to tackling the problem in Ontario, where it is estimated that two thirds of all human trafficking in Canada occurs, according to CBC. Ninety per cent of victims are Canadian born, dispelling illusions of female immigrants forced into the sex trade, and the Highway 401 corridor across Southern Ontario is highlighted as an accessible and frequent route for traffickers. The meeting discussed human trafficking with local stakeholders and frontline workers, how to combat the issue in Southern Ontario, and addressed Bill 158. Waterloo Region police attended a roundtable to discuss a provincial human trafficking taskforce for Ontario. "It a very transient crime. Eugene Fenton, with the intelligence branch of the Waterloo Regional Police Service. "So we really think there needs to be a provincial approach and have a provincial task force that can gather all that intelligence, follow the crime, so to speak." In late July, less than two weeks ahead of the roundtable, Waterloo regional police arrested and charged four adults for allegedly taking a 14-year-old girl to two Kitchener hotels, and selling her sexual services online. So the traffickers will move their victims from a hotel in Kitchener to a hotel in London to a hotel in Kingston, so on and so forth," said Staff Sgt. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

festival: Nestled in the beautiful Shuswap, this festival is the premier multicultural music festival of the B.C. interior, according to CBC. This year lineup include Shawn Colvin & Steve Earle, Whitehorse, Matt Andersen, Amy Helm, Eric Bibb and Delhi 2 Dublin! Enjoy a weekend of world class music on four daytime stages and two evening stages. Don't miss this amazing weekend of World, Alt-Roots, Folk, Dance, Blues and more. Daybreak South host Chris Walker with emcee the CBC Blues Stage at this one of a kind festival. For full details and tickets, visit the website at rootsandblues.ca. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

month end: This comes ahead of an expected visit to China by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau starting at month end, before the G20 summit in Hangzhou in early September, according to Globe and Mail. Mr. Chinese can currently apply for Canadian visas in five locations, including Hong Kong. Trudeau has charged International Trade Minister Chrystia Freeland with expanding Canada economic relationship with China. Canada also wants a further five visa application locations in the future to smooth the path for Chinese to come to Canada – bringing the total number to 15 – and is asking for additional air links between the two countries. Accordingly, the Liberals are trying to pry open the door wider for Chinese visitors to swell university enrolments in Canada, place foreign talent in high-tech jobs and bring in new investment cash – even if that means adding to housing demand at a time of overheated home prices. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

rebel fortunes: But Turkey, post-coup, is realigning, and as tensions with the West soar, Erdogan has shown a desire to mend fences with Russia, a key ally of Syrian President Bashar Assad, according to Metro News. On Tuesday, following talks in St. Erdogan survived the insurrection, and judging by the surprise reversal of rebel fortunes in Aleppo this week, so has his government support for the Syrian opposition. Petersburg, Russia, with President Vladimir Putin, the Turkish leader agreed to hold a separate discussion on Syria, involving top military and intelligence officials. Here is a look at the Turkish involvement in Syria and how Turkey latest post-coup realignment may play out:HISTORY OF RELATIONSErdogan was among the first world leaders to demand Assad step down, calling him a "murderous butcher" after his forces opened fire on demonstrators months after protests against him erupted in 2011. The meeting — Erdogan first trip abroad following the July 15 failed coup attempt — comes amid boiling tensions over the contested northern city of Aleppo near the Turkish border, with both nations supporting opposing sides. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

reporters number: Twenty-four hours before the beginning of the international event, conference co-coordinator Raphael Canet told reporters the number of people denied entry to Canada hasn't changed much since he raised the issue a week ago, according to Toronto Star. Canet said he sent 2,000 letters of inquiry to conference invitees asking about their travel plans and 70 per cent of the 315 people who replied said their visa application had been rejected by the Canadian government. By The Canadian Press Mon., Aug. 8, 2016 MONTREAL—Canada reputation as an open society risks being tarnished after many invitees to the World Social Forum 2016 in Montreal had their visitor visa application denied by the government, organizers said Monday. Co-organizer Carminda Mac Lorin said Canada reputation as a free and open society will be tainted if there are fewer people at this year conference. Article Continued Below Immigration Canada blamed conference officials and said rules for visitor visas need to be followed rigorously, while the event directors said they did all they could to facilitate the visa process. The majority of the people denied entry visas are from Africa, and many are from Latin America, organizers said. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

saturday morning: He was catching up with a family friend who was doing the Ride for Refuge, to raise money for refugees, according to The Chronicle Herald. He asked his friend: Why are you doing this when you could be sleeping The answer he received was one that got his wheels spinning. The idea came to 24-year-old Bauman one cold Saturday morning last October. Sometimes with problems of this scope, it can seem like it hard to make a difference, said Bauman, a Waterloo, Ont., native. felt like that was one small way he could. Just before he turned 10 years old, he lost his cousin to suicide. Bauman started thinking about mental health — a cause that not only affected him, but the lives of his family and friends. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

visa application: Twenty-four hours before the start of the event, co-ordinator Raphael Canet said the number of people denied entry to Canada hasn't changed much since he raised the issue a week ago, according to CTV. Canet says he sent two-thousand letters of inquiry to conference invitees asking about their travel plans and 70 per cent of the 315 people who replied said their visa application had been rejected by the Canadian government. They say this could tarnish Canada reputation as an open society. Organizers say most of the people denied entry visas are from Africa, and many are from Latin America. World Social Forum is an annual conference that is being held in North America for the first time. Immigration Canada blame conference officials and say the rules for visitor visas need to be followed rigorously, while the event directors said they did all they could to facilitate the visa process. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

woman man: We met people of strength and resilience who have the most incredible attitude regardless of the adversity they are facing, according to Huffington Post Canada. We saw aid workers from all over the world who work with UNICEF, along with various other UN agencies and NGOs, who work tirelessly and with so much heart and generosity to treat every child, woman and man with dignity and care. Za'atrari refugee camp is 14 kilometres from the Syrian border, close enough for us to see the Syrian hills and hear the bombing. We met a refugee family who welcomed us into their home with warmth, hospitality and happiness. I came to the camp not knowing what to expect and so worried about what I would see and feel. We met children with smiles that will melt your heart and brighten your day. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

year conference: Canet said he sent 2,000 letters of inquiry to conference invitees asking about their travel plans and 70 per cent of the 315 people who replied said their visa application had been rejected by the Canadian government, according to Guelph Mercury. Co-organizer Carminda Mac Lorin said Canada reputation as a free and open society will be "tainted" if there are fewer people at this year conference. Twenty-four hours before the beginning of the international event, conference co-coordinator Raphael Canet told reporters the number of people denied entry to Canada hasn't changed much since he raised the issue a week ago. The majority of the people denied entry visas are from Africa, and many are from Latin America, organizers said. World Social Forum is an annual conference that is being held in North America for the first time. Immigration Canada blamed conference officials and said rules for visitor visas need to be followed rigorously, while the event directors said they did all they could to facilitate the visa process. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

calgary: Last year, 445 children were enrolled in the day camp, according to CBC. Of the 585 kids enrolled this year, 128 are Syrian refugees. The Calgary Bridge Foundation for Youth said it been inundated with calls and has had to turn some children away. MORE CALGARY NEWS Calgary area hammered with rain and hail but no tornadoMORE CALGARY NEWS Calgary man dies while climbing in Kananaskis The Bridge Foundation helps subsidize camp costs for low-income families. "The Syrian refugee children that have been here just about a year will not pay at all," said Umashanie Reddy, the foundation executive director. Building skills, learning community The camp also aims to help kids build social skills and learn about their community. "We did a scavenger hunt with the junior high group downtown during Stampede, so they can get to know the city and learn how to use Calgary Transit," he said. "They the camp kids from Syria will be teaching kids Arabic and the kids will be teaching them English and they just work hand in hand, together, in order to learn and find out different ways to understand each other." "Sometimes you don't need the language to show someone they're welcome into Canada," Noel added. Camp co-ordinator Rodney Noel says simple things, like a soccer game on a sunny day, take on more meaning for kids at the camp. "Being able to just go and play and be kids will make a huge difference on these kids' lives because of where they came from," Noel said. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.