immigrantscanada.com

Independent topical source of current affairs, opinion and issues, featuring stories making news in Canada from immigrants, newcomers, minorities & ethnic communities' point of view and interests.

canadian values: Kellie Leitch has been an orthopedic surgeon since 2001, according to NOW Magazine. She has been Simcoe-Grey member of Parliament since 2011. Brent Hawkes, at the chief 2016 Pride reception on June 22. And she has been the frontrunner for the leadership of the Conservative Party of Canada since the middle of last month, propelled to the head of the pack largely as a result of her proposal to screen potential immigrants for Canadian values. Andrew Pringle has been the chair of the Toronto Police Services Board since 2015 and a member since 2011. Apparently inspired by a similar Donald Trump plank, Leitch is responsible for the most racially charged federal leadership campaign in recent Canadian history. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

hispanic man: The officers "behaved like big game hunters closing in on an animal," said John Burris, a lawyer for the family of Joseph Mann, who was mentally unstable and homeless, according to CTV. The demand for the murder charges came as Los Angeles police chief Charlie Beck defended his officers in the fatal shootings of a black man Saturday who police say was armed with a loaded semi-automatic gun and a Hispanic man on Sunday who officers say was wielding replica handgun. He dodged the cruiser twice and was shot 14 times less than a minute later by the same two officers. The latest police shootings happened amid heightened tensions over police actions involving black people and other minorities across the country, and followed two more fatal encounters between California police and black men last week in San Diego and Pasadena. But Burris told reporters he was not threatening anybody and that the two officers who shot him, John Tennis and Randy Lozoya, should face a U.S. Justice Department civil rights investigation in addition to murder charges. In the Sacramento case, police have said Mann was waving a knife in the air and doing karate moves in the streets just before police responded. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

kiwis coach: Veteran winger Manu Vatuvei has been omitted but Kidwell said that did not mean his international career is over, according to Hamilton Spectator. Bromwich retains the captaincy after leading New Zealand in a test loss to Australia in May. In naming his first squad as Kiwis coach, David Kidwell handed international call-ups to New Zealand Warriors backs David Fusitu'a and Solomone Kata, Penrith playmaker Te Maire Martin and Canberra Raiders players Joseph Tapine and Jordan Rapana. Former captain Simon Mannering was also included in the 24-man squad announced Tuesday, but Kidwell said Mannering is happy to have been relieved of the burden of captaincy. New Zealand will play Australia at Perth on Oct. 15 in a lead-up to the Four Nations, which begins Oct. 28 with a match between Australia and Scotland. Kidwell has recently taken over as Kiwis coach from Stephen Kearney and has selected a new-look side. "In picking this team we've tried to achieve a balance between players who are proven at test level and those that are the future of the Kiwis program," he said. "Injuries play an unfortunate part in our game and some of these newcomers will get an immediate opportunity to show they're ready for the next level." Players unavailable because of injury include Roger Tuivasa-Shock, Peta Hiku, Dean Whare, Kieran Foran, Ben Matulino, Alex Glenn and Kodi Nikorima. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

muslim: Canadians want minorities to do more to 'fit in': CBC-Angus Reid Institute poll Thousands gather to mark return of Ahmadiyya Muslim leader to Canada The caliph is the Ahmadiyya group spiritual leader — similar to the pope but on a far smaller scale — and those who caught a glimpse of the leader outside the Baitul Islam Mosque said seeing him was a powerful and joyous moment, according to CBC. There are about 20 million Ahmadiyya Muslims worldwide. "It almost like being recharged, rejuvenated," said Hena Malik, a Muslim mother. Thousands of members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community composed largely of immigrants lined the streets outside a mosque in Maple, Ont. on Monday night to wave, cheer and pray as their caliph, Mirza Masroor Ahmad, arrived. I think as mothers we play the most important role in families,' Muslim mom Hena Malik told CBC News. This week, CBC News and the Angus Reid Institute released a poll showing that 68 per cent of Canadian respondents believe immigrants should be doing more to fit in, as opposed to keeping their own customs and languages. That rejuvenation comes at a welcome time. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

pence: Gov, according to Metro News. Eric Holcomb, who was Pence preferred successor, came the same day a federal appellate court in Chicago rebuked Pence for his unsuccessful efforts to stop the Archdiocese of Indianapolis and other groups from settling Syrian refugees."I would honour what the court said. Remarks by Lt. I wouldn't go against the court ruling," Holcomb said during a press conference following a gubernatorial debate. "I would continue to allow the refugees to come in here and find safe haven."He spoke one day before Pence, who is Donald Trump vice-presidential running mate, debates Democrat Hillary Clinton vice-presidential hopeful Tim Kaine. In Indiana, damage to the state reputation under Pence has emerged as a potent campaign issue that Democratic candidate for governor, John Gregg, hopes to capitalize on. Trump and Pence have made restrictions on immigration and refugees a major plank of their campaign. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

points: Both estimates are 0.2 percentage points lower than an IMF outlook issued in July, according to Toronto Star. Among other things, it says Canada has been negatively affected by unexpected weakness in the United States — the world largest economy and a major market for Canadian goods and services. The IMF is now forecasting Canada gross domestic product will grow by 1.2 per cent this year and 1.9 per cent next year. The IMF revised estimate for the U.S. economy has been lowered by 0.6 percentage points to 1.6 per cent. Article Continued Below The Washington-based organization says the global economy faces subdued economic growth in the short and long term. It also lowering the 2017 estimate for the United States by 0.3 percentage points to 2.2 per cent. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

population: The report is like a snapshot of Edmonton demographics, according to CBC. For example, it shows the number of people arriving as 'permanent residents' in Edmonton has increased 178 per cent over the last ten year and stood at 16,739 in 2015. Those figures are just some of the dozens of statistics released on Tuesday in the annual Vital Signs report, by the Edmonton Community Foundation. The report also raises a red flag concerning the aging baby boomer population in Canada. The report also highlighted several quirky statistics, such as one showing that Edmonton pet population is thriving. Without current immigration levels, or a substantial increase in fertility rates, the country population will shrink in about 20 years. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

right: Speaking to Schön! Magazine, she said: "There are black artists - we just have to support them, according to Hamilton Spectator. I'm so proud that people are actually exercising their right to speak up and taking action, but I also think it important for government and congress to pay attention. The 35-year-old singer has spoken out about minorities in the music industry, saying that she is "proud" of people exercising their rights, but says there is still a long way to go in terms of equality. This new generation can be radical and they're not playing when it comes to their freedom and their lives, which are at stake." The former Destiny Child star - who has two-year-old son Titan Jewell with husband Tim Witherspoon - also spoke about how she is constantly "nervous" about raising a boy in a society like America where she says they have to "think about if someone is going to hurt them". Kelly has many African-American boys who are now fearful of their safety due to the recent spate of police shootings involving black men and have sparked the Black Lives Matter activist movement. They have to think about if somebody is going to hurt them, shoot them, because they have some freaking skittles. She said: "I talk to minority boys. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

senate committees: Here are some highlights from the report, according to The Chronicle Herald. Lights! Camera! Action The House of Commons has cameras. Many of the recommendations have been talked about for months, others for years, as the Senate lurches into a new, less partisan reality. Ditto for Commons and Senate committees. The report calls for cameras to be installed in the Government Conference Centre, which will house the Senate during the decade the Centre Block is under construction starting in 2018. Not so for the Senate chamber, which only started broadcasting audio during the height of the Senate spending scandal three years ago. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

senators tuesday: Independent Sen, according to CTV. Ratna Omidvar, who is sponsoring another citizenship-related bill in the upper house, is planning an amendment that would allow those deemed to have misrepresented themselves to appeal a decision to revoke their citizenship. And, in the meantime, he says he'll consider imposing a moratorium on the practice. McCallum, who was grilled by senators Tuesday, says he'd welcome such an amendment. The provision was denounced by the Liberals when they were in opposition but lawyers say they've been aggressively enforcing it since forming government. Revocation without a hearing was part of a citizenship bill passed by the previous Conservative government. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

syrian captain: She a middle-aged, university-educated woman and grieving mother who wears oversized men clothes, smokes cigarettes, and fears no one, according to Vancouver Observer. When a Syrian captain complains that the men who he sent to spy on her can't keep up with her non-stop activities, she suggests they get in better shape. Campbell paints a vivid portrait of Ahlam as a woman of unusual intelligence and self-assurance. To Campbell, Ahlam is more than just an ordinary fixer: she a friend, a kindred spirit, an independent woman who can't be held back by social pressure to conform and be complacent. One of the most excruciating stories from the book involves women and girls who have fled war in Iraq. As part of her distinctive 'immersive' style of reporting, Campbell spent extended periods of time in the "Little Baghdad" area of Damascus, observing, taking notes, listening and detailing the heartbreaking decisions Iraqi refugees in Syria have to make to survive. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

year: Just like that, the Gaels' quest to reach the Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations championship had disappeared. "It was the hardest thing, going from WCSSAA champion to nothing, according to The Waterloo Record. It ended so fast and it definitely gives us extra motivation this year," said Dekker. "That definitely our No. 1 goal this year, to win CWOSSA and move on. The Cameron Heights student was a key player on last year senior volleyball team that won the school first Waterloo County championship, only to come up empty a few days later at the Central Western Ontario championship. We want to push for that more than we want to push for WCSSAA." The Gaels took a step in that direction Tuesday, scoring a 3-0 win over the Forest Heights Trojans in an early WCSSAA showdown. Forest Heights and the Jacob Hespeler Hawks represented this region at last year OFSAA triple-A tournament and neither was able to return with a medal. Cameron Heights improved to 4-0 with the victory, while Forest Heights suffered its first loss and dropped to 3-1. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

kiwis coach: Veteran winger Manu Vatuvei has been omitted but Kidwell said that did not mean his international career is over, according to The Waterloo Record. Bromwich retains the captaincy after leading New Zealand in a test loss to Australia in May. In naming his first squad as Kiwis coach, David Kidwell handed international call-ups to New Zealand Warriors backs David Fusitu'a and Solomone Kata, Penrith playmaker Te Maire Martin and Canberra Raiders players Joseph Tapine and Jordan Rapana. Former captain Simon Mannering was also included in the 24-man squad announced Tuesday, but Kidwell said Mannering is happy to have been relieved of the burden of captaincy. New Zealand will play Australia at Perth on Oct. 15 in a lead-up to the Four Nations, which begins Oct. 28 with a match between Australia and Scotland. Kidwell has recently taken over as Kiwis coach from Stephen Kearney and has selected a new-look side. "In picking this team we've tried to achieve a balance between players who are proven at test level and those that are the future of the Kiwis program," he said. "Injuries play an unfortunate part in our game and some of these newcomers will get an immediate opportunity to show they're ready for the next level." Players unavailable because of injury include Roger Tuivasa-Shock, Peta Hiku, Dean Whare, Kieran Foran, Ben Matulino, Alex Glenn and Kodi Nikorima. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

senators tuesday: Independent Sen, according to The Waterloo Record. Ratna Omidvar, who is sponsoring another citizenship-related bill in the upper house, is planning an amendment that would allow those deemed to have misrepresented themselves to appeal a decision to revoke their citizenship. And, in the meantime, he says he'll consider imposing a moratorium on the practice. McCallum, who was grilled by senators Tuesday, says he'd welcome such an amendment. The provision was denounced by the Liberals when they were in opposition but lawyers say they've been aggressively enforcing it since forming government. Revocation without a hearing was part of a citizenship bill passed by the previous Conservative government. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

snell: Snell then tucks the gun back into his waistband and runs around the corner of a strip mall as officers chase him, according to Brandon Sun. All then disappear from view because they were no longer within the range of the surveillance camera. The video shows the man identified by police as 18-year-old Carnell Snell crouching behind an SUV parked at a strip mall and pulling a handgun from the waistband of his sweatpants. Snell shooting Saturday came amid heightened tensions over police actions involving black people and other minorities across the country. Police said the video — posted to the police department You Tube channel following pressure by protesters to release it — supports the account LAPD Chief Charlie Beck gave defending the shooting. Snell was the third black man in five days killed in confrontations with Southern California police. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

york preseason: But his two friends and the woman the trio are accused of gang-raping appeared for the start of jury selection, according to Guelph Mercury. Rose and the woman, identified so far only as Jane Doe, had dated on and off in the two years prior to the August 2013 incident at her apartment. Rose was not in the Los Angeles courtroom on the same day the New York Knicks' preseason begins in Houston. Rose and his friends denied the allegations and said the sex was consensual. "I feel like I'm innocent, and I feel like I didn't do anything wrong," Rose told reporters two weeks ago. The woman said she had been drinking vodka, tequila and wine before returning from a house that Rose rented in Beverly Hills and passing out in her apartment. In addition to overshadowing Rose attempts to bounce back from injuries that sidelined him the past few seasons, the case threatens to expose details of his sex life, including text messages discussing his desire to have group sex. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

campaign trail: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks at the Dovercourt Boys and Girls Club in Toronto on Feb. 12, 2016, according to Huffington Post Canada. The pledge was part of a larger strategy to give young workers more opportunities to earn money and to combat youth unemployment rates that were double the national average. On the campaign trail just over one year ago, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau vowed to create 5,000 green jobs for young Canadians annually, with thousands slated to be guides and interpreters at Parks Canada. Despite pouring millions into the federal youth employment strategy in their first budget, figures provided from Parks Canada show the agency employed 1,636 students this past summer, an increase of 435 over the students employed during summer 2015 — but only one-third of the total promised by Trudeau. The final tally won't be known until fall 2017, the department said. The green jobs the Liberals promised are expected to surpass 2,000 by the end of the fiscal year next March, based on figures provided by Employment and Social Development Canada, which oversees the federal youth employment strategy. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

house plans: The high court had split 4-4 in late June, effectively killing the White House plans to shield from deportation immigrants who are in the country illegally and provide them work permits, according to Metro News. The administration had asked the court to reconsider the case once a ninth justice is on the bench. The justices rejected the appeal with no comment. The court has been short-handed since Justice Antonin Scalia died in February and will have to wait for the Nov. 8 presidential election to get a sense of who might join them as the ninth justice. The immigration case still could return to the court, but probably not until a later term. President Barack Obama has nominated Judge Merrick Garland, but Senate Republicans have refused to act, saying the next president should fill the Scalia seat. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

housing providers: This positive momentum places even greater emphasis on an issue that challenges Canada -- we are on the verge of a looming housing affordability crisis that comes with dire socio-economic implications for all Canadians if left unchecked, according to Huffington Post Canada. Over the next three to five years, the bulk of government operating agreements that provide subsidies to co-operatives, non-profit and public housing providers to house more than 540,000 families will come to an end, dramatically affecting many of these families. Just while countries across the Atlantic and south of the border appear to be adopting a more closed door attitude, Canada is forging ahead with inclusive policy and getting recognition for doing what right. According to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, 12.5 per cent of all Canadian households experience an affordability crisis every day. Access to affordable housing units will dry up, while rent will increase significantly. That will drastically increase as operating agreements conclude. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

interracial: We've romanticized this notion far too quickly, according to Globe and Mail. All the numbers from Statistics Canada show that yes, we are seeing more interracial relationships, but it doesn't necessarily mean that the racism is decreasing. How tolerant are Canadians of interracial relationships today It an early kind of euphoria around celebrating multiracialism in Canada. People who are in interracial relationships are still experiencing a lot of racism. Even though there a greater tolerance of interracial relationships, some researchers talk about this as a kind of repressive tolerance : it not quite acceptance but a kind of toleration. What kind of criticism do mixed-race people in this country still get for their dating choices So much depends on where the relationship is happening and the class background of the people who are getting involved. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

korean friends: Are Canadians less welcoming than we think CBC News spoke with four people who immigrated to Toronto to ask whether they feel welcome in the city, and what they had to change in order to fit in, according to CBC. Chris Kim Came from South Korea in 1975 I used to meet Italian and portuguese and other international friends, now I'm going back to Korean friends. Americans answered the same question, with only 53 per cent of those surveyed in the U.S. saying minorities need to do a better job of adjusting. When you get old, you go back to your roots,' said Chris Kim. So I'm more Canadian than Korean. How assimilated do you feel in Toronto Do you feel a part of things I spent over 40 years in Canada. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

party troops: Here a look at where we are with Britain EU exit, or Brexit, according to Hamilton Spectator. WHAT HAPPENED Prime Minister Theresa May offered the first clear date for the start of the Brexit process, rallying the Conservative Party troops at their annual conference with a promise to trigger Article 50 of the EU Treaty by the end of March 2017. That should bring more clarity about Britain future, right Not necessarily. Invoking Article 50 is the starting gun to begin formal negotiations to leave and determine what the new relationship will be like. WHAT DIDN'T HAPPEN Beyond that promise, May and her government gave no specifics on how Britain would approach the talks. European leaders and company executives have been pushing the government to say when it plans to trigger Article 50 so they can begin preparing for a post-EU Britain. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

cbsa: In these cases, no contracts were signed before the work as the prices were agreed upon verbally, police said, according to CBC. Police described the workers as young, white men who spoke with an Irish accent. Ottawa police issued a warning on Sept. 20 about complaints of contractors who promised inexpensive paving work but charged a much higher price when the work was done — and pressured homeowners to pay. Four men were arrested in the case on Sept. 24, and $70,000 in cash was seized, the CBSA said. CBSA spokesman Chris Kealey said the men were all from the same country but did not say which one. The men, who were working without permits, were charged under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, the CBSA said. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

louis huang: When news of the unpublicized event was posted online over the weekend, it sparked strong reaction from those in the Chinese-Canadian community who don't support the communist government. @Cityof Vancouver And this. @Haney Inkslinger "Our first reaction was, we could not believe this was happening at city hall," said Louis Huang, the spokesman for The Alliance of the Guard of Canadian Values, according to CBC. The group, which is composed of immigrants from mainland China, is fighting what it says is the growing influence of the Chinese government on Canadian politicians. "I think as a Chinese-Canadian, it is my responsibility to warn them to be cautious," said Huang. On Friday, about 300 Chinese government supporters turned out to watch acting Mayor Kerry Jang and Richmond East MP Joe Peschisolido don red scarves and raise the national flag of China in front of city hall. Huang, who immigrated from China to Canada in 2002, says he has no problem with politicians talking with Chinese officials or with other diplomatic initiatives, such as the recent exchange of visits by Justin Trudeau with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang. What will be next We worry when they are dealing with the Chinese government. But he says it troubling when local politicians appear to be endorsing the communist government. "Right now they raise the national flag of China in front of city hall. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

nora melara-lopez: Her keynote address Saturday to about 250 attending the 24th annual festival at City Hall urged the government to do more to help refugees work in their field after they arrive, according to Hamilton Spectator. She said increased funding for loans is needed while unfair charges need to be removed. Better mental health support for traumatized refugees and funds to fight racism are badly needed, said Nora Melara-Lopez, social worker and co-ordinator of the emergency support committee for refugees at the North Hamilton Community Health Centre. She said delays in family reunification have to be reduced and backlogs cleared for those facing long waits for decisions both here and abroad. "I think Canada can do better," she said. Mayor Fred Eisenberger said bringing Syrian refugees to Canada "is the right thing to do." He called the ongoing refugee crisis "a tragedy for our humankind." He talked about the importance of peace and generosity during his address "notwithstanding things happening across the border." He referenced the American presidential election as bringing out a lot of "racism, hatred and misogyny." "In Canada we represent something different," he said. It significant at a time when more than 31,000 Syrian refuges have arrived in Canada, including more than 1,000 in Hamilton. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

people: And half were under the age of 18, according to Rabble. About 24 million of these people have fled their countries and are counted by the United Nations as refugees. In 2015, there were more than 65 million -- the most since the Second World War. A much larger number, 41 million, are internally displaced, forced to flee their homes but remain within the borders of their countries. Funding falls short This is a human-induced tragedy driven by a variety of wars and armed conflicts, yet the international response has been callously inadequate. In Syria, for example, 6.6 million people are internally displaced, which represents 30 per cent of the population. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.