folksong festival: Brand, who was born in Canada, died Friday at his home in Great Neck, New York, after two bouts with pneumonia in recent weeks, said Doug Yeager, his longtime manager and friend, according to Metro News. He had been hospitalized before the decision was made to bring him home, Yeager said. He was 96. Brand taped his final "Folksong Festival" for public radio station WNYC two weeks ago, and it aired Saturday, Sept. 24. He also recorded some 100 albums, wrote eight books, created TV shows, composed Broadway musicals and made films. He was "a unique and extraordinary individual" and versatile artist, Yeager said."I don't know of another artist who could perform alongside Woody Guthrie in overalls among the poorest of the poor," move on to a radio performance with mainstream star Kate Smith and then conduct an interview with first lady Eleanor Roosevelt, Yeager said. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

face inequality: Young Canadians are frustrated, women and girls still face inequality in the workplace and retired seniors sometimes have to rely on food banks.A berry rivalry you likely didn't know about Olympic spirit conveys itself to us in images Lessons Vancouver can learn from Seattle bike share program In Trudeau portrait of Canada, anxiety is a reality and his job as a politician is not to exploit that anxiety—the easier road—he said in an obvious dig at Donald Trump, but to allay those feelings with direct questions, according to Metro News. That where Trudeau says Canada has a role to play within its borders and then outside it. Justin Trudeau inaugural speech last week at the United Nations painted a rosy picture of a progressive country where darker pinpoints are becoming more glaringly obvious. By creating a successful and peaceful and fair world. These are such moments that have become crystal clear to Gerry Mills, the executive director of the Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia who has had a tumultuous, busy year. It a nice feeling to live in a place where the idea of justice for all Canadians will lead eventually to a more just world outside. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

saima jamal: Dozens of Calgarians gathered outside city hall on Saturday afternoon to show their support for a ceasefire, according to CTV. Thank you for taking all these newcomers from Syria and saving their lives, Saima Jamal, a human rights activist, told the crowd. Attacks on Aleppo have claimed at least 400 lives including nearly 100 children. It now time for you to do something about saving the lives of Syrians in Syria. Demonstrators asked the public to condemn the bloodshed in Aleppo and to put pressure on local government to take a stand against the violence in Syria. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

gathering: The pope addressed a gathering of Muslim, Jewish and Orthodox leaders in Azerbaijan main mosque before heading back to Rome after a weekend Caucasus visit that first took him to Georgia. "From this highly symbolic place, a heartfelt cry rises up once again: No more violence in the name of God!" Francis said. "May his most holy name be adored, not profaned or bartered as a commodity through forms of hatred and human opposition." The pope spent his 10 hours in the Azeri capital of Baku celebrating one of the world smallest Catholic communities and the good relations it enjoys with Azerbaijan Shiite Muslim majority and its Jewish, Orthodox and other religious minorities, according to The Chronicle Herald. There are only about 300 Azeri Catholics in Azerbaijan, though the community also includes several thousand foreigners. "These good relations assume great significance for peaceful coexistence and for peace in the world," Francis told President Ilham Aliyev and government officials. "They demonstrate that among followers of different religious confessions, cordial relations, respect and co-operation for the common good are possible." As a case in point, Francis celebrated Mass in Baku new Catholic Church, which was built with the financial help of Muslims and Jews, according to the Salesian priests who preside there. Francis avoided direct mention of criticism in the West over allegations of human rights abuses in Azerbaijan and a recent government referendum that extends the president term and gives him new powers. The Azeri government donated a plot of land on the outskirts of the capital after St. At the end of the Mass, the half-dozen Salesian priests who minister to Azerbaijani Catholics gave Francis a hand-woven carpet depicting both the church and the Maiden Tower, a 12th-century bastion in Baku walled Old City that is probably Azerbaijan most recognizable structure. John Paul II visited in 2002, but it took the help of non-Christians to get the structure built. "Have courage! Go on, without fear! Go ahead!" Francis urged the 400 Catholic faithful in the church and another 450 seated outside in the courtyard. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

ignorance platform: Ignorance is something that shouldn't be learned, according to The Chronicle Herald. But a willful form of it seems to be taking hold out there and it threatens to undermine a lot that is good about our liberal democracies. But we don't respect those who wear ignorance like a merit badge, because they're holding everyone back. This self-inflicted ignorance has produced Donald Trump as its knight in white armour and he campaigns on the ignorance platform. His entire pitch is based on phony factoids. Trump employs knowledge denial in ways that were, until now, unseen in politics. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

eu treaty: European leaders and company executives have pushed the government to say when it plans to trigger Article 50 of the EU treaty, starting talks on the U.K. departure, so they can begin preparing for a post-EU Britain."We will invoke it when we are ready, and we will be ready soon," she said. "We will invoke Article 50 no later than the end of March next year."While the prime minister had previously hinted that she planned to initiate Britain exit early next year, many observers had speculated she would wait until the conclusion of France presidential election in May or perhaps even the German elections in late summer or fall of next year, according to Brandon Sun. But basking in the glow of party acolytes, a beaming May sounded as if she had campaigned for Britain to leave the EU all along — even though she had opposed that outcome before the June 23 referendum. Members of the ruling Conservative Party applauded wildly as May said the British people had made it clear that they wanted a clear date for exiting the EU and that she was going to deliver. In what sounded like a stump speech for "leave," she hit on the emotive issues of sovereignty, immigration and world status. She sternly rejected the idea that the government would circumvent the result, making a face as she commented on those still fighting to stay. She insisted there would be no unnecessary delays in bringing Brexit to pass — and that Britain would fight any legal challenges intended to derail the move. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

bill: Ratna Omidvar, who is sponsoring another citizenship-related bill in the upper house, says she hopeful the Senate will amend the bill to do away with a law that allows the government to revoke the citizenship of anyone deemed to have misrepresented themselves, according to Hamilton Spectator. It a law that could potentially ensnare Democratic Institutions Minister Maryam Monsef, who revealed last week that she was born in Iran, not Afghanistan as she'd always believed. Independent Sen. The law, part of a citizenship bill passed by the previous Conservative government, was denounced by the Liberals when they were in opposition but lawyers say they've been aggressively enforcing it since forming government. The Liberal government chose not to deal with the issue in Bill C-6, which repeals other aspects of the Conservatives' citizenship regime, including a provision empowering the government to revoke the citizenship of dual nationals who are convicted of high treason or terrorism. The British Columbia Civil Liberties Association and the Canadian Association of Refugee Lawyers on Monday launched a constitutional challenge of the law, which they argue violates the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

habitat: When the team of 35 volunteers arrived on Monday for the first major day of construction, they found the handle and lock to the trailer had been snapped off, according to Hamilton Spectator. Fortunately, many of the volunteers arrived with their own tools, and the frame of the house and roof were still able to be put up, however, Habitat Niagara said they need the missing tools to ensure they can complete the project on time. "This is unrepresentative of the area," said Habitat Niagara CEO, Alastair Davis. "The neighbours we've spoken to are in shock and concerned that this happened in their community, and we're deeply disappointed that someone would do this, especially to a charitable organization that builds homes for families in need of decent and affordable housing." The house is supposed to be finished by December, at which time Carlos Flores and his wife Rocio and their four children are supposed to move in. The home, which is being built in Fort Erie to support a family who fled El Salvador after gang violence threatened their lives, was supposed to begin taking shape this week, but those efforts have been set back by thieves who stole about $10,000 worth of tools needed to complete the project. "It is a hard hit for Habitat Niagara and is very frustrating," said Habitat Niagara construction manager, Craig Brown. "Literally every hammer, tape measure, drill, saw, air compressor and impact driver was stolen — they even took our camera that used to take photos of our volunteers." A trailer owned by Habitat Niagara was parked outside the construction site on the Crescent Road. Habitat Niagara is asking anyone with information about the theft or anyone who has seen people trying to sell stolen tools to contact the Niagara Regional Police. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

year: Or so you might think, according to The Waterloo Record. Bluevale standout Jordyn Faiczak said the girls are taking a "one-game-at-a-time approach" as they attempt to win their third consecutive Waterloo County championship and make it to OFSAA for a third straight year. So the Bluevale Knights are obviously focused on completing the set and striking gold at this fall Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations field hockey championship in Kitchener and Waterloo. The Knights finished second at the 2014 tournament in Burlington and third last year in Peterborough. "Honestly, I think we have a lot of potential but that potential means nothing if we don't come out every game with passion and determination. Everyone gives 100 per cent and I think that what matters most. So right now, we don't have expectations, we're just going to see how it goes … but I think we're going to have a successful year," said Faiczak, a member of Canada national development team. "We have a lot of young talent and it very exciting to see that day in and day out at practice. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

eu plan: Along with Poland and Slovakia, they have also become the most vocal critics of the EU plan to share refugees according to a quota system, according to Metro News. The influx of migrants into Europe has also upended the political order in many countries in Western Europe, which received more than 1 million asylum-seekers last year, yet analysts say it not surprising that opposition to newcomers is at its highest in the mainly homogenous societies in Central and Eastern Europe."Migration is the issue because politically it works and it not surprising that it works where there are no migrants," says Csaba Toth, strategic director of the Republikon Institute think-tank . "It may even be easier without migrants because if people met migrants too often it not certain that they would be able to hate them in the same manner."Hungary is holding a government-sponsored referendum on Oct. 2, seeking political support for the rejection of any future, mandatory EU quotas to accept refugees and Prime Minister Viktor Orban government has expressed no qualms in its reasons for rejecting the mainly Islamic newcomers: It wants to preserve Hungary Christian identity and its relatively homogenous culture and population."Hungary does not need this kind of intercultural mass migration that is happening at our border," said government spokesman Zoltan Kovacs. "We don't want those kinds of migrants, for obvious reasons." Only 1.5 per cent of Hungary population of 9.8 million is foreign born and most of them are people who moved here from areas in Romania and Slovakia which were part of Hungary until World War I. So far, the most noticeable counter-campaign to the government has been run by the satiric Two-Tailed Dog Party, which claims on one of its posters that the average Hungarian sees more UFOs in his or her lifetime than migrants. Still, rallying cries against migration have dominated the debates ahead of upcoming ballots in the two Central European countries. While 400,000 migrants passed through Hungary last year on their way to Western Europe, so far this year the country has taken in only 331 people, proportionally very similar to the 545 asylum seekers recognized in 2015, according the Eurostat, the EU statistical office. Migration has also been a main theme ahead of regional and parliamentary elections in the Czech Republic on Oct. 7-8. Fences built last September on the borders with Serbia and Croatia and tougher laws against migrants entering the country irregularly have also practically stopped the migrant flow coming north through the Balkans. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

executive director: Chahal is the executive director of the Manitoba Interfaith Immigration Council that runs Welcome Place. "About 30 refugees are coming this week and more will continue to come until the end of December," she says. "While agencies are doing what they can to get ready for the next wave, a lack of affordable housing could cause a bottleneck in the system." A spokesperson for the Manitoba government said there are ongoing conversations about providing additional rent subsidies to refugees but cautioned the province faces "serious fiscal constraints." "Manitoba new government is pursuing new and innovative approaches in helping refugees to adjust, find work in the community and be a productive part of Manitoba inclusive society," said Ian Wishart, minister of education and training in an email, according to CBC. Housing the No. 1 need for unprecedented number of Syrian refugees in Manitoba Welcome Place opens 2 overflow locations to help settle Syrian refugees Chahal warned of a domino effect if Manitoba isn't able to provide permanent housing to the newcomers. "They will be stuck longer in temporary accommodations, and some of the integration that needs to happen doesn't kick in till they move. She says if a rent supplement under the former NDP government is not revived, she doesn't know how newcomers will be able to pay their rent without dipping into their food money or federal child benefit. It will take longer for children to be placed in schools, longer for getting settled in a neighbourhood, and longer to find medical care and support in a community," she said. "Getting them into permanent housing is absolutely critical." Uncertainty over rent supplement ​The former provincial government set up a rent support program so refugees could transition from temporary housing into a permanent home within a few weeks. The new Progressive Conservative government has not said whether it will be reinstated. "We have let the provincial government know what the need is. But that program has run out, Chahal said. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

globe: Lawyers said the law could be used to revoke Ms, according to Globe and Mail. Monsef citizenship. I understand that it was considered and it was declared to be out of scope, so it could not come into that bill at the time. The minister is correcting the birthplace information on her passport after The Globe and Mail revealed last week that she was born in Iran, not Afghanistan as she had believed. Monsef said she learned the truth only after inquiries from The Globe. Ms. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

bell pepper: Demonstrators carried large signs in the shapes of vegetables, according to NOW Magazine. On the yellow bell pepper were the words You're eating injustice. The caravan had headed out from Leamington September 4 on three-week trip to Ottawa to demand support for workers. Tens of thousands of migrant farm workers from the Caribbean, Mexico, Guatemala, The Philippines and Thailand toil in fields across Canada without the possibility of applying for permanent residency, health care or basic labour rights. Many are tied into contracts with single employers and can be sent home without cause. In Ontario, for example, there is no minimum wage for farm workers. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

bill: Ratna Omidvar, who is sponsoring another citizenship-related bill in the upper house, says she hopeful the Senate will amend the bill to do away with a law that allows the government to revoke the citizenship of anyone deemed to have misrepresented themselves, according to Guelph Mercury. It a law that could potentially ensnare Democratic Institutions Minister Maryam Monsef, who revealed last week that she was born in Iran, not Afghanistan as she'd always believed. Independent Sen. The law, part of a citizenship bill passed by the previous Conservative government, was denounced by the Liberals when they were in opposition but lawyers say they've been aggressively enforcing it since forming government. The Liberal government chose not to deal with the issue in Bill C-6, which repeals other aspects of the Conservatives' citizenship regime, including a provision empowering the government to revoke the citizenship of dual nationals who are convicted of high treason or terrorism. The British Columbia Civil Liberties Association and the Canadian Association of Refugee Lawyers on Monday launched a constitutional challenge of the law, which they argue violates the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

bill: Ratna Omidvar, who is sponsoring another citizenship-related bill in the upper house, says she hopeful the Senate will amend the bill to do away with a law that allows the government to revoke the citizenship of anyone deemed to have misrepresented themselves, according to Metro News. It a law that could potentially ensnare Democratic Institutions Minister Maryam Monsef, who revealed last week that she was born in Iran, not Afghanistan as she'd always believed. Independent Sen. The law, part of a citizenship bill passed by the previous Conservative government, was denounced by the Liberals when they were in opposition but lawyers say they've been aggressively enforcing it since forming government. The Liberal government chose not to deal with the issue in Bill C-6, which repeals other aspects of the Conservatives' citizenship regime, including a provision empowering the government to revoke the citizenship of dual nationals who are convicted of high treason or terrorism. The British Columbia Civil Liberties Association and the Canadian Association of Refugee Lawyers on Monday launched a constitutional challenge of the law, which they argue violates the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

mentorship program: In 2014, the company Cambridge office participated in the Hamilton Immigrant Mentoring Partnership, organized by Workforce Planning Hamilton, according to Hamilton Spectator. Klager was one of the 70 Rockwell employees paired with internationally trained professionals. But the experience was eye-opening for him, too. "Before this experience, I personally took for granted many of the cultural challenges that some of my customers and internationally trained colleagues experience on a daily basis," said Klager, account manager at Rockwell Automation, which manufactures automation equipment. "I think participating in a mentorship program definitely changed me and helped me to better promote inclusiveness while respecting cultural heritage." Mentoring programs connecting new employees, including newcomers, to more experienced colleagues are a particular focus at Rockwell. The mentoring program helped newcomers understand the Canadian business culture, primed them on what to expect during job searches, and exposed them to the Canadian workplace. Both sides gained from this experience, and the cross-cultural learning helped open our eyes to other ways of thinking and doing business." Understanding other cultures and business practices in different countries is vital for Rockwell. Through role-playing and mock interviews, Klager helped his mentee promote himself to local employers. "This experience helped both mentees and mentors learn from each other," said sales manager Craig Blondin. "It helped Rockwell staff understand other cultures and different perspectives, while mentees took away practical tips and a better understanding of how it is to work in Canada. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

head: Two agents were wounded — one by a bullet and another hit on the head with the butt of a pistol, according to Metro News. Later, as immigration agents transported those detained, five people on motorcycles attacked the vehicle with gunfire. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

ndp government: Manitoba Interfaith Immigration Council executive director Rita Chahal runs Welcome Place, according to CTV. She said the province is still expecting more than 900 Syrian refugees, as well as more refugees from other countries by the end of year. Manitoba is expected to welcome 2000 Syrian refugees to the province by the end of 2016. Chahal said a rent supplement program for refugees to help cover the costs of permanent housing run by the previous NDP government is being reviewed by the new PC government. Chahal said the rent supplement offered by the previous government ran from December 2015 to May 2016. She is worried the program will be discontinued. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

prince william: There no question the two couples enjoy each other company, according to Huffington Post Canada. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, his wife Sophie Gregoire Trudeau, Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, react while watching children play during a visit to the Immigrant Services Society in Vancouver on September 25, 2016. Of course, such a royal occasion requires a proper welcome by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his wife, journalist Sophie Grégoire Trudeau. They likely have a lot to chat about as Trudeau youngest son, two-year-old Hadrien, is right between Prince George and Princess Charlotte in age. But that is not all these two families have in common. Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his wife Sophie Gregoire Trudeau during a visit to the Immigrant Services Society in Vancouver. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

refugee claim: 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 Chronicle Herald. 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. Maryam Monsef, Canada first Afghan cabinet minister, says she was born in Iran 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.

santiago i: Of course that led to a kerfuffle with critics saying Lisée wanted to create two classe of immigrants, and Lisée saying he was misinterpreted. "I talked about Shanghai, Bamako, Tangiers, Santiago, according to CTV. I mean, what else is to be said " said Lisée. On Monday Lisée called for Quebec to have the "best immigration possible" and listing three apparently preferred European countries: France, Belgium and Spain. Provincial Immigration Minister Kathleen Weil was having none of it. "People don't usually discriminate in their comments -- certainly not here in parliament -- about the origin of somebody, and who a better immigrant than another," Weil said. Si je comprends bien, je suis un immigrant de seconde classe. �� #CoursePQ #PQ https://t.co/5MfWlTAjb3— Maka Kotto September 26, 2016 Kotto is backing Lisée leadership rival, Alexandre Cloutier. PQ MNA Maka Kotto, the only member of a visible minority in the PQ caucus and an immigrant from Cameroon took shots at Lisée. "If I understand correctly, I'm a second-class immigrant," he wrote. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

scotia: We like to say we are building community one meal at a time, according to The Chronicle Herald. Engage Nova Scotia has brought the Share Thanksgiving initiative to Nova Scotia. Share Thanksgiving creates an opportunity for Nova Scotians and newcomers to Nova Scotia to come together and share a Thanksgiving meal, says Danny Graham, chief engagement officer of Engage Nova Scotia. The concept sees hosts families share a Thanksgiving meal with a newcomer family or international student. Guests and hosts seem to benefit equally, says Graham. It has matched 500 guests with hosts since its inception in the province. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

status: Practiced versus improvisational, according to Toronto Star. Mostly factual versus — frequently not even close. By Daniel Dale Washington Bureau Mon., Sept. 26, 2016 WASHINGTON—Measured versus agitated. If anyone in America still believed there is no real difference between Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump and his Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton, a dramatic and acrimonious first debate likely disabused them. Clinton, smiling and quieter, painted Trump as a bigoted and dangerous charlatan with dark financial secrets and a long record of mistreating average people. Hectoring and grimacing, Trump pressed a populist economic message that sought to portray Clinton as a do-nothing agent of a failed status quo. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

work stages: The authors of the study blame the situation on Quebec government cutbacks and austerity measures, the reduced French course offerings, the closure of Ministry of Immigration, Diversity and Inclusion offices in some regions, as well as cuts to community organizations, according to CTV. The researchers say the province should recognize qualifications and experience obtained abroad, offer job placements and work stages, and create equal opportunity programs for private companies. The socio-economic research institute, known as IRIS, states that over-qualification, lower incomes and higher unemployment rates are common among newcomers – and especially female newcomers. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

meeting i: They'll be surrounded by several veterans who joined the Clippers in the off-season, including 12-year pro Dorell Wright, 11-year pros Brandon Bass and Raymond Felton, eight-year pro Marreese Speights, who left Golden State, and seven-year pro Alan Anderson. "This feels like the perfect storm with guys who want to win," said Crawford, who won the NBA Sixth Man of the Year award for the third time last season. "It not about anything individual, according to Guelph Mercury. It all about winning." Rookies Brice Johnson of North Carolina and Diamond Stone of Maryland will try to fight their way off the bench under Doc Rivers, not known for playing newcomers much. "We got a lot of new guys," Redick said. "Our first meeting I only recognized like six guys in there. DeAndre Jordan, fresh off helping the U.S. win gold at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics, J.J. Redick and Jamal Crawford also are back, with the team opting to keep its core group together. It about getting everyone acclimated to how we play. Wesley Johnson, Luc Mbah a Moute and Austin Rivers are back, too. "We're one of the better teams and now we have to back that up on the floor," the elder Rivers said at the team media day. We're going to be one of the best teams in the league." Paul Pierce said Monday he is returning for this 19th and final NBA season. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

post-season series: I don't look at it that way." The Mavericks have made the playoffs all but one season since the constant turnover started after owner Mark Cuban chose salary cap flexibility over keeping a few key players when a new labour agreement was reached six months after his team won the title in 2011, according to The Waterloo Record. But Dallas still hasn't won a post-season series since beating Miami in six games in those NBA Finals. It fresh every year. "Really, that wasn't meant to be a joke," he added. "If you view it as a negative, there a pretty good chance it going to be a negative. Repeated efforts to land big names in free agency failed, which this year led to the additions of Barnes and Bogut from 2015 champion Golden State after the Warriors lured Kevin Durant from Oklahoma City and had to unload both starters to make cap room for the four-time NBA scoring champion. Over his four seasons with the Warriors, he was always a role player behind Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson. "It going to be bigger expectations and I'm going to have a larger role on this team," Barnes said. "I feel like we have a lot of pieces this year, either coming back off injury, guys who are motivated, have a lot to prove. Barnes headlines the group of newcomers because he'll be a top option on offence after signing a four-year, $94 million max contract. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.