institutions minister: She said her mother, who fled Afghanistan with her daughters when Monsef was 11, didn't think it mattered where the minister was born since she was still legally considered an Afghan citizen, according to CTV. Monsef has said she will have to correct her birthplace information on her passport. The democratic institutions minister revealed last week that she was born in Iran, not Afghanistan as she'd long believed. If Monsef birthplace was misrepresented on her refugee claim and was relevant to the ruling on her case, her citizenship could be revoked, regardless of whether it was an innocent mistake or the fault of her mother, said immigration lawyer Lorne Waldman. The minister office did not respond to a question about the place of birth recorded on Monsef citizenship, permanent residency and refugee applications, saying in a statement only that the minister "is committed to addressing this matter and has stated she will work to resolve it." The Canadian Association of Refugee Lawyers and the British Columbia Civil Liberties Association argue that the citizenship revocation law, known as Bill C-24, is procedurally unfair and a violation of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. She could even be deported, said Waldman, part of a group that launched a constitutional challenge of the law Monday. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

institutions minister: The democratic institutions minister revealed last week that she was born in Iran, not Afghanistan as she'd long believed, according to Toronto Star. She said her mother, who fled Afghanistan with her daughters when Monsef was 11, didn't think it mattered where the minister was born since she was still legally considered an Afghan citizen. By Joan Bryden The Canadian Press Mon., Sept. 26, 2016 OTTAWA—Maryam Monsef could be stripped of her citizenship without a hearing under a law the Liberals denounced while in opposition but which they've been enforcing aggressively since taking power, civil liberties and refugee lawyers say. Monsef has said she will have to correct her birthplace information on her passport. She could even be deported, said Waldman, part of a group that launched a constitutional challenge of the law Monday. If Monsef birthplace was misrepresented on her refugee claim and was relevant to the ruling on her case, her citizenship could be revoked, regardless of whether it was an innocent mistake or the fault of her mother, said immigration lawyer Lorne Waldman. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

kate middleton: Prime Minister Trudeau and Sophie Grégoire Trudeau greeted the royal couple at the entrance of the newly opened welcome centre before they walked in together, according to Metro News. Jennifer Gauthier/Metro The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge flew into Vancouver on a floatplane Sept 25, 2016. Prince William and Kate Middleton paid a visit to the Immigrant Services Society Welcome Centre in East Vancouver after first greeting the adoring crowds at Jack Poole Plaza and dropping by the Sheway Pregnancy Outreach Program in the Downtown Eastside Sunday morning. Prince William asked us where we were from and heard about our experience and then he welcomed us into Canada, said Alaa Almahameed, who arrived in Canada in August with his wife and two young daughters as a Syrian refugee. Related stories:Royal visit: Prince William and Kate meet Syrian refugee families What the Royal couple saw during their visit to Vancouver Royals visit 'unique' harm reduction mothering program in Vancouver Jennifer Gauthier/Metro Syrian refugees Yossra Almahameed, Alaa Almahameed, and their daughters Reemas and Reetaj sit next to Mohammad Alsaleh who translated their words to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. It was the greatest experience, he told Metro, with the help of ISS of BC resettlement counsellor Mohammed Alsaleh. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

caley: Everything you need to know about presidential debates In debate between Clinton, Trump, moderators will be judged, too Caley compares that campaign of "fear" to the one run by the Conservatives in the last election, one he characterizes as having "pitted neighbour against neighbour," with its proposed barbaric cultural practices tip line, among other policy positions, according to CBC. He writes that Conservative leadership candidates Kellie Leitch, Tony Clement and Brad Trost, are trying to "stoke the same fears and anxieties." "This kind of negative, divisive politics builds walls between Canadians — and it shows us all how much is at stake," Caley said. "Let make sure that in Canada, positive politics isn't up for debate."​ Trudeau graces the world stage as Canada has a moment: Aaron Wherry How Kellie Leitch and Justin Trudeau are defining themselves on immigration Bill Gates says Trudeau approach to immigration, refugees good for business Another Liberal fundraising email sent over the weekend by party president Anna Gainey similarly sought to align some Conservative leadership contenders with Trump and presented the Liberals as a bulwark against this type of politics. "If the world recent experience has made one thing crystal clear, it that we all have a vital role to play in stopping this rhetoric from becoming reality," she wrote in an email titled "Anti-Canadian," a reference to Leitch proposal to screen prospective immigrants for troublesome values. Although the email does not refer to either of the U.S. candidates by name, it characterizes the U.S. campaign as a choice between opposing values — and leaves no doubt about which side the Liberal Party is on. "A fundamental choice will be on display tonight south of the border, when two U.S. presidential candidates go toe to toe in the first presidential debate — and many of the themes might be familiar to you. "Hope or fear Diversity or division Openness and inclusion, or turning our backs on the world " writes Braeden Caley, the director of communications for the Liberal Party, in the fundraising email to supporters. Leitch has sent out her own fundraising emails hitting back at the criticism lobbed at her for proposing the controversial measure and for posing for a Maclean magazine cover with the headline "Are You Canadian Enough " What a plan to screen immigrants says about the country—and the leadership hopeful who suggested it https://t.co/Dy5RV8TyuR @Macleans Mag "Do you know what has them so upset It is because I'm proudly holding a Canadian flag! That right, the self-hating Canadian elites can't stand the idea of a proud conservative standing up for Canada and Canadian values," Leitch said of critics. "First of all, because they don't believe there are such things as Canadian values, and secondly because they don't think our values are best in the world. The better angels of American nature' Trudeau has been asked explicitly about a Trump presidency, and why he hasn't gone to greater lengths to condemn Trump rhetoric about Muslims, Mexicans and other minorities. "I respect the American electoral process," Trudeau said in an interview with Rosemary Barton for CBC New Network Power & Politics in March. "I have faith in what Lincoln referred to as 'the better angels of American nature' and I am looking forward to who I am going to work with after Nov. 4." "The machinery of government and the depth and complexity of the relationship between our two countries goes far beyond any two personalities in office at any given time." NDP Leader Tom Mulcair has been critical of Trudeau for not condemning Trump. "I will not hesitate to point out the fact that Mr. Well I think that nonsense," she wrote to supporters. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

smiley toddler: I've told them of the smiley toddler, the language barrier and the fact that my family cares deeply for these people. "That so cool." "That awesome." These are some of the responses I've received, according to Huffington Post Canada. Probably generic, yes, and said without much thought, yes. Mama, Papa and seven little ones with one on the way. But as I knelt in prayer, crying desperately to my God for this family, I felt prompted to share my belief that there is NOTHING cool about the fact that my new neighbours are Syrian refugees. He slashes his hand across his throat. Papa is playing charades with us. "Syria" we understand through his Arabic as he vividly describes the explosions and the noise and the warfare. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

refugee crisis: The cards would be topped up monthly, with payments dependent on the size and needs of the families, according to The Waterloo Record. The project, to be launched by EU Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Commissioner Christos Stylianides in Ankara, said the program was "proof of the EU commitment to Turkey cover the challenge posed by the refugee crisis." "I am in Ankara for a specific reason: to launch the biggest, largest humanitarian project the EU has ever supported," Stylianides said before the launch. Up to a million refugees living outside of camps are to receive debit cards that will allow them to buy their own food and pay for housing, education and other needs. The program is to be administered by the World Food Program, with help of Turkish Red Crescent, the Turkish crisis management agency and the Turkish ministry for family and social policy. Turkey is home to an estimated 3 million refugees. The European Commission says safeguards are in place to ensure the money is correctly spent. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

golfer: He was an icon, according to The Waterloo Record. He was a legend. He was more than a golfer or even a great golfer. Arnold was someone who was a pioneer in his sport. Along the way, he had millions of adoring fans — Barbara and I among them. He took the game from one level to a higher level, virtually by himself. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

observer photos: They sped off in a massive hovercraft to cheers from the crowd, many of whom waved British flags, sported feathery fascinators, or raised their cell phones high into the air, hoping for the ultimate royal selfie, according to National Observer. In case you missed all the coverage, here the highlight reel of National Observer photos.1. They met newly-settled Syrian refugees, had scones and tea with some of the city most vulnerable populations, congratulated Canadian youth for their exceptional accomplishments, and thanked marine first responders for their service. Trying to squeeze through the crowds The line up to see Will and Kate in Vancouver infamous Downtown Eastside stretched the length of several city blocks, took up the entire width of the sidewalk, and spilled into the opposite side of East Hastings Street. They Tweeted, Snapchatted, and Instagrammed the proceedings, and a few lucky fans in the front even got to shake the royals' hands. Most waited for more than an hour in order to catch the couple enter Sheway Vancouver from their motorcade and watch them leave for their next destination. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

institutions minister: She said her mother, who fled Afghanistan with her daughters when Monsef was 11, didn't think it mattered where the minister was born since she was still legally considered an Afghan citizen, according to The Waterloo Record. Monsef has said she will have to correct her birthplace information on her passport. The democratic institutions minister revealed last week that she was born in Iran, not Afghanistan as she'd long believed. If Monsef birthplace was misrepresented on her refugee claim and was relevant to the ruling on her case, her citizenship could be revoked, regardless of whether it was an innocent mistake or the fault of her mother, said immigration lawyer Lorne Waldman. The minister office did not respond to a question about the place of birth recorded on Monsef citizenship, permanent residency and refugee applications, saying in a statement only that the minister "is committed to addressing this matter and has stated she will work to resolve it." The Canadian Association of Refugee Lawyers and the British Columbia Civil Liberties Association argue that the citizenship revocation law, known as Bill C-24, is procedurally unfair and a violation of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. She could even be deported, said Waldman, part of a group that launched a constitutional challenge of the law Monday. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

task force: Kick It Out , English soccer anti-discrimination organization, said it was "perplexed" by FIFA decision, given the World Cup is being staged in 2018 in Russia "which is notorious for racism and abusive activities towards minorities." Jordanian federation president Prince Ali said he found it "incredibly worrying" that the task force was being scrapped given the "very real and apparent" discrimination problem that remains in soccer. "The fight against racism is far from over and the notion that the current FIFA leadership believes that the 'task force recommendations have been implemented' is shameful," said Prince Ali, a former FIFA presidential candidate and FIFA vice-president. "Now the idea that FIFA believes that it the right time to disband its anti-racism task force is ridiculous." Prince Ali believes the task force should have been empowered to work further with soccer authorities and governments to use the sport to tackle discrimination in wider society. "There is still so much work to do, and FIFA must show leadership, take responsibility for reform and be accountable if change isn't put into practice," Prince Ali said. "Transparency, trust, credibility and integrity are the values that should run through everything FIFA does, according to Guelph Mercury. Not tackling the plague of racism and discrimination properly is an absolute betrayal of those values." The task force was established in 2013 by then-FIFA President Sepp Blatter and headed by Jeffrey Webb, a vice-president of world soccer governing body until he was arrested in 2015 as part of the American investigation into soccer corruption. The Associated Press revealed Sunday that the anti-racism group was being dismantled after FIFA decided that its mission had been completed after three years. Webb, who pleaded guilty to racketeering charges, was replaced in September 2015 as task force chairman by Congolese federation president Constant Omari. "The reality, as with many programs within FIFA, is that the task force was never given real support since its conception and its role was more about FIFA image than actually tackling the issues," Prince Ali said. The Senegalese former United Nations official said her "presence here is a strong testimony that for FIFA, it is a zero tolerance policy" on discrimination and it is an inclusive organization. FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samoura fended off the criticism, insisting her organization remains committed to combatting discrimination in the world most popular sport. "The task force had a very specific mandate that to our knowledge it has fully fulfilled," Samoura said at the Soccer Ex convention. "Its recommendations have now been turned into a program and a strong one." Samoura was appointed in May as the organization first female and first African top administrator of world soccer governing body as part of the overhaul under Gianni Infantino. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

princess diana: She said the visit by Prince William and his wife Kate gave those who benefit from the program a chance to be seen as people "and not just a problem to be solved." Sheway was modeled on the Glasgow Women Reproductive Health Service Unit, which opened in 1990 to serve women with major social problems, according to The Chronicle Herald. That program also has a connection to the Royal Family as it was officially opened by William mother, Princess Diana. Allison Wright, a mother of two children under five, told the royals her story with a small group of moms over tea at Sheway, an organization that helps marginalized pregnant women and mothers living in one of Canada poorest neighbourhoods. "I'm really grateful for the chance to bring some light on this place because there a lot of love and a lot of hope here," Wright said. The interest from the duke and duchess in Sheway was evident, said manager Patti Zettel. "Moving through the program with them, their questions were thoughtful, their questions were informed," she said. "And you can tell that there this kind of longitudinal legacy in terms of their understanding of women, addiction, marginalization." Their decision to visit the Downtown Eastside was profound, and visiting a women organization was even more so, she added. "It is so important to this community, to the lives of these women. The royal couple later toured the Immigrant Services Society of B.C. new Welcome Centre in Vancouver, where they met Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his wife Sophie Gregoire Trudeau. Their voices matter, their lives matter and their kids matter," Zettel said. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

reitberger: But Indigenous advocates say police discrimination against First Nations, Métis and Inuit people extends far beyond death and disappearance investigations and even echoes some of the allegations of police racism raised by the Black Lives Matter movement in the U.S. Celina Reitberger, head of Nishnawbe-Aski Legal Services, says there are many good police officers, but there are 'rotten apples in every bunch.' "The Black Lives Matter activities definitely resonate with Aboriginals here in Canada," said Celina Reitberger, head of Nishnawbe-Aski Legal Services, which serves dozens of First Nations across northern Ontario, according to CBC. Cases involving police use of force against Indigenous people in Canada tend to involve assaults, Reitberger said, but not deaths like in the U.S."We're not talking people getting shot so much, but we are talking about physical abuse," she said. "Broken bones, faces rearranged." 'A scary position'Harley LeGarde-Beacham, 25, a member of Fort William First Nation, recalls a run-in he had with police while attending a house party in Thunder Bay a few years ago. The news comes as many people across the country continue to call on the newly established Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women inquiry to examine whether police forces under-investigated the deaths and disappearances of hundreds of women. Police were called after a fight broke out, in which he was not involved, he said. The officers said he was resisting and pulled him up some stairs and outside, he said."Once I got outside, they had thrown me on the ground, and I was against the cold cement, and I just remember a knee on top of my back," he said. "They were holding me down, and I ... kept telling them, 'I'm not trying to be resistant or anything. It was winter, so he stayed inside to look for his jacket. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

omar lujan: Lujan and roughly 10 friends, all in their 30s, are planning a viewing party Monday night at one of their homes, where they can drink beers and make comments as the candidates clash, according to National Observer. Trump extreme and at times outlandish statements make for good TV but also raise the alarm over the possible future of American policy, he said. While the political impact of the debate is not to be minimized, part of the appeal lies in waiting for Trump "to say something crazy," said Omar Lujan, 36, a researcher at Ryerson University in Toronto. The Republican candidate stance on immigration is of particular interest to Lujan, who hails from Peru and has family in the U.S."I find it quite entertaining but also a bit uneasy," he said. Smith has booked space at Eton House, a bar in east Toronto, to watch the debate on a big screen with dozens of others, many of them expats like him. The 90-minute debate is considered must-see TV by many and is expected to draw an estimated audience of 75 million or more viewers, with many more expected to keep tabs on the event online."It'll be more like the Superbowl than the Superbowl," said Alex Smith, an American expat who has been living in Canada for 46 years. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

governors road: It also seems putting in and removing traffic islands on Governors Road is a fun time waster, according to Hamilton Spectator. Repaving it would be more productive. I understand the concept of spending all the money in the budget so they can continue being at least as wasteful next year but the money could be better spent. Perhaps they could remove the sidewalk driveway ramps that throw wheel chairs, walkers and baby carriages into the streets. Roundabouts should be at the bottom of the list. Perhaps they could fund timely snow removal. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

leanne delap: One example is the magic snail snot, a hot ingredient being used in Korean skin care, according to Toronto Star. Order this photo By Leanne Delap Special to the Star Sat., Sept. 24, 2016 The lowly snail may be your next, best hope for younger-looking skin. It carries 1,200 items with 60 new products rolled in every month. The slime of the snail is the hot ingredient in Korean skin care right now, part of a broader cultural momentum sweeping the beauty world. Entering the store, says Millet, you feel like you are travelling. Korean women typically use a 10-step skin care regime each day, and spend more than double what we do on beauty products each year, says Valentin Millet, the marketing manager for The Face Shop , which has opened 30 locations across Canada in the past three years.TFS feels unlike any beauty counter you have ever seen. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

cohn: Order this photo By Martin Regg Cohn Ontario Politics Columnist Sat., Sept. 24, 2016 As Patrick Brown goes round and round on sex education, here how he can regain lost ground, according to Toronto Star. The leader of Ontario Progressive Conservatives needs to take a firm stand. Patrick Brown erstwhile allies in the religious right are denouncing him for whispering sweet nothings in their ears, only to insist it was nothing of the sort, writes Martin Regg Cohn. Not so much on sex-ed but on a broader issue: The cause of societal tolerance. Now is an ideal time for him to expand his recent defence of sexual orientation to include national origin, race, religion, and other minority rights. Brown has been tying himself in knots over sex-ed and gay rights of late, but seems to be on the right track at last. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

horrors starvation: He'd lost Connie forever, Hung worried, according to The Waterloo Record. Thirty-six years ago, the calm, flat waters of the Gulf of Thailand held lurking horrors — starvation, dehydration, sickness and robbers — for families trying to flee Communist Vietnam in flimsy little boats hoping for more freedom and a better life elsewhere. A grim-faced pirate stepped toward him, unlocked Nguyen grip on his terrified daughter and ripped the confused four-year-old from her father desperate grasp. Hung and his young family were no different on their Ides of March journey of two days and three nights on open waters that eventually led them to a prosperous life in Waterloo Region via the Songkhla and Phanat Nikhom refugee camps in Thailand. A month ago, a tidal wave of memories washed over Hung, now 59, as he returned home to Saigon to visit his ailing mother. The past is full of pirates and peril. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

mail article: When survey participants were told that number, of more than 3,000 participants, 59 per cent said that was the right amount, 25 per cent said that was too many, and eight per cent said that wasn't enough, according to Brandon Sun. Friday Globe and Mail article also noted a Nanos Research survey of 1,000 Canadians conducted for that paper last August, which found that 39 per cent said the government should accept fewer immigrants in 2017 than the previous year, slightly fewer — 37 per cent — thought Canada should accept the same number next year, while 16 per cent believe we can accept even more. Over the last few years, about 250,000 new immigrants have come to Canada per year. And yet, Immigration Minister John McCallum has been pushing for a substantial increase to the number of immigrants that Canada welcomes to our shores."I think we need immigrants because we're aging, because we have labour shortages," McCallum said recently. "And so that is the direction in which we are heading now."I think with our mindset of welcoming newcomers in the beginning, with the facts of the labour shortages, aging population, we have a good case to make, and I think we will be able to convince a higher proportion of Canadians that this is the right way for Canada to go," he said. As we have seen in Brandon, at least, a decade of immigration to our city has made our community more multicultural, with many newcomers starting up businesses as well. There are, of course, good reasons for Canada to rely on immigration. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

afghan-born mp: Last week, Fife, reporting for The Globe and Mail, inquired again about her early life and Monsef finally learned from her mother that she was actually born in Mashhad, Iran, according to CTV. On Thursday, Monsef released a statement in which she said she believed she was from Afghanistan when she listed it as her country of birth on her Canadian passport application. The 31-year-old minister built her political career on the narrative that she was an Afghan refugee who fled to Canada in 1996 with her mother and two sisters where she eventually overcame the odds to become Canada first Afghan-born MP. In June, Robert Fife, then host of CTV Question Period, asked Monsef about her birthplace and she responded that she believed she was born in Afghanistan. The statement also said that she would be taking steps to rectify this unintentional error. He said that his office sees dozens of applicants everyday who don't know what happened or where they were born, especially the children of refugees. Immigration lawyer, Lorne Waldman, told CTV Your Morning on Friday that Monsef case is extremely common among refugees moving to Canada. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

british columbia: They will engage in discussions on mental health, the welfare of young people and addiction while exploring the British Columbia outdoors through sailing and fishing, according to CTV. One of the palace aides has already said not to expect tiaras and show-stopping jewels, that just not really William and Kate style, Arbiter told CTV Your Morning. Scroll down or click here to follow the royal tour through our live blog According to royal commentator, Victoria Arbiter, the tour will have a focus on causes that are important to the Duke and Duchess and pastimes that they both enjoy. I think we'll see that competitive, fun and playful side of William and Kate. Together, they will travel to the Immigrant Services Society new welcome centre in Vancouver where they will meet with a Syrian refugee family. The Duke and Duchess will be joined for the first two days by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his wife Sophie Gregoire Trudeau. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

canada: The 48-year-old was seen as a rising star in the party after an impressive stint as Canada first ambassador to Afghanistan and later as the United Nations' deputy special representative there, according to Huffington Post Canada. During the 2015 election campaign, however, Alexander took heat for the Tories' handling of the Syrian refugee crisis. Alexander, the former MP for Ajax–Pickering, told The Huffington Post Canada he is currently collecting signatures supporting his potential run. "I am actively considering a bid to lead the Conservative Party of Canada and excited by the exchanges I'm having about how to renew and reinvigorate our Party," Alexander said in an email. "I'll have lots more to say on other subjects when I'm ready." Former immigration minister Chris Alexander speaks to media in Toronto on Sept. 19, 2015. He was left to defend the government unambitious actions when images of three-year-old Alan Kurdi washed up on a Turkish beach flooded the airwaves and his Canadian aunt told reporters she had tried to get her family to Canada but was refused. I spent two weeks being called a baby-killer' "I spent two weeks being called a baby-killer by other MPs and by people in the media. Alexander, first elected in 2011, lost his bid for re-election last October to Liberal Mark Holland. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

canadian citizen: Darlene Mac Eachern, executive director of the Elizabeth Fry Society, says the Canada Border Services Agency plans to deport Cramman by Nov. 4, about three months after she suffered a perforated colon and was rushed to hospital from a Dartmouth jail where she was being held on drug offences, according to The Chronicle Herald. MacEachern said the group will be at Cramman bedside in the Dartmouth General Hospital for a hearing by the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada. Fliss Cramman was brought to Canada decades ago as a child and only recently became aware she was not a Canadian citizen. She said the society is calling on the federal government to show some compassion for a woman who Mac Eachern says has struggled with abuse, anxiety and chronic pain after being removed from her family at age 11. She also says sending Cramman back to England runs counter to advice from her doctor, who has recommended that she remain in Canada for about a year and a half to recover from a colostomy reversal. She has children in this country, she pays taxes in this country — for all intents and purposes she a Canadian who made one mistake… and will suffer for that and will have to leave everything she knows behind, she said before the hearing. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

couple: This time, the couple will be bringing along their children, three-year-old Prince George and one-year-old Princess Charlotte, according to Metro News. Related stories:Bella Bella residents eagerly await 'once in a lifetime' Royal family visit Royals to visit 'unique' harm reduction mothering program in Vancouver Here are several spots people can see the royal couple during their tour of Vancouver on Sunday, Sept. 25, 2016.10:45 a.m. The royal tour in B.C. and the Yukon from Sept. 24 to Oct. 1 marks their second Canadian visit since they were married in 2011. Jack Poole Plaza The royal couple fly in from Victoria and head toward Jack Poole Plaza and the Olympic Cauldron.11:15 a.m. The duke and duchess arrive in the Downtown Eastside for a tour of Sheway, an outreach program for vulnerable pregnant women in the community. Sheway pregnancy outreach - 533 E Hastings St. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

ottawa trees: Photo: Pablo Tosco/Oxfam Written by Melanie Gallant, Oxfam Canada Media Officer At this time last year I was visiting informal Syrian refugee settlements in Lebanon Bekaa Valley, according to Huffington Post Canada. Now, as I begin watching beautiful fall colours appear on Ottawa trees, I am reminded that refugees in those settlements will begin worrying about surviving yet another winter in cold makeshift tents. They now live in the Beddawi refugee camp in Tripoli. Although I missed being with my own family for Thanksgiving, I will forever be thankful for the many moments when women who had lost everything shared what little they had with me. I am proud to see Canada leadership in welcoming tens of thousands of Syrian refugees and hope that we inspire other rich nations to open their doors. Little cups of sugary coffee in hand, we sat in circles on tarp floors and they opened up their lives and hearts to me, sharing painful, yet hopeful stories about life as a refugee. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

screen people: Growth in some of the province nominee programs and an influx of Syrian refugees were the key contributors, according to The Chronicle Herald. The federal government has an important role in each. Good. Success in attracting and retaining qualified economic migrants is crucial to our long term prospects. The federal role has been primarily to screen people — a filter, not a facilitator. When provinces don't play an active role, the vast majority of immigrants go to Quebec, Ontario, British Columbia and until recently Alberta. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

heiltsuk nation: Heiltsuk Nation Chief Marilyn Slett says her people have been living on B.C. central coast for thousands of years and Monday royal visit to their territory will open the doors to a worldwide sharing ceremony in the village of Bella Bella, according to Guelph Mercury. Slett said the Heiltsuk artifacts dating back 14,000 years have been found on their coast territory. "We're very proud of the fact we've been very strong in land stewardship and protection of the Great Bear Rainforest," she said. "That something we're really proud to share with the world. Related Stories Royal tour opens doors to social... Starting Saturday, the Royals will make stops in Victoria, Kelowna, Bella Bella, Haida Gwaii, Whitehorse, Carcross, Yukon, and Vancouver Downtown Eastside, among Canada most impoverished neighbourhoods. It important for us that the rainforest, the resources, land and sea, be there for future generations for people on the coast." The Great Bear Rainforest is the largest intact temperate rainforest in the world and home of the kermode, or spirit bears, a subspecies of black bear noted for its white fur. The Heiltsuk will welcome the royal couple during a ceremony at their community hall in Bella Bella, a community only accessible only by float plane or boat. "Our culture is strong and vibrant and we're pleased to be able to share it with the royal couple," said Slett. B.C. government protected from logging 85 per cent of the 6.4 million hectare area that stretches from the Discovery Islands off Vancouver Island northwards to Alaska. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.