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.

lucien bouchard: He said Lisee campaign statements regarding limiting immigration made it clear he advocated for a "closed nationalism" that has some ideological parallels to European right-wing populist parties, according to The Chronicle Herald. Lisee, a one-time adviser to former premiers Jacques Parizeau and Lucien Bouchard, ran a campaign focused on immigration and identity issues that raised the ire of opponents and younger voters who saw him playing on fears and divisions in society. Couillard made the comments during a trip to Iceland only hours after Lisee, 58, was elected PQ leader on Friday. Lisee argued immigration has not been a great benefit to Quebec and that the province must reduce the number of immigrants it accepts every year in order to better integrate them. That what we see elsewhere in world." When questioned, he would not say which European parties he was referring to specifically. On Saturday, Couillard said the PQ seemed to be moving closer to "a kind of nationalism of the besieged, nationalism of the fearful, of people who don't want to deal with diversity, who prefer Quebec remains folded in on itself. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

lucien bouchard: Lisee, a one-time adviser to former premiers Jacques Parizeau and Lucien Bouchard, said during the leadership campaign he would not hold a referendum in his first mandate as premier, according to Huffington Post Canada. The next election will be held in the fall of 2018, with the following one set for 2022. Jean-Francois Lisee, 58, was elected PQ leader Friday, winning more than 50 per cent of support on the second round of voting. Lisee became leader after beating out fellow members of the legislature Alexandre Cloutier and Martine Ouellet and the unelected Paul St-Pierre Plamondon. His strategy of not supporting a referendum in a first PQ mandate paid off at a time when polls consistently suggest Quebecers do not want another plebiscite on the province political future. Jean-Francois Lisee on Friday night. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

mug game: That impressive show may be set to go full-blown Broadway on Greenberg, with a host of towering new players — in various stages of planning and approval — poised to hit this city downtown stage over the next five years, according to Metro News. Predicting skyscraper development is a mug game, says Greenberg, with economic and engineering contingencies almost exclusively driving what actually gets built and how. It actually is magical, says the city former urban design and architecture chief, whose perch near King and Bathurst Sts. puts him in the front row for the nightly performance. But as it stands, 10 projects boasting towers of 240 to 300-plus metres are slated to join Toronto skyscraper cast by around 2020 in what being called the Manhattanization of the city skyline. At 92 floors and 305 metres, the larger of these jagged King St. These include a two-tower project by Toronto-born architect Frank Gehry and theatre impresario David Mirvish in the Entertainment District. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

others right: Many of the refugees were sponsored by local church groups, according to CBC. Altona Mayor Melvin Klassen said the town has an intimate historical connection to immigration and the desire to start a new life abroad. More than 45 families from war-torn Syria have settled in the town since November 2015. Food was prepared together by newcomers and long-time residents of Altona. For many in the community, making newcomers feel at home is about acknowledging their own family origins on the Prairies, and extending the same openness their families received decades ago to the new wave of refugees and immigrants, Klassen said. "They're saying 'It payback time,'" Klassen said. "We need to do that for others right now." Khaldeye Daas and Abdo Haman both settled in Altona in the past year. Many in Altona are descendants of Russian and German Mennonite families that moved to Manitoba between the 1870s and 1920s, he said. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

refugee: She also visited an art and handicrafts workshop where she talked with the female students, according to Metro News. Around 5,000 Syrian refugees live in container homes in the camp, which was visited by British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson in September and German Chancellor Angela Merkel in April. The Anadolu Agency said Saturday the U.S. actress toured the social facilities and preschool in Nizip before giving refugee children there presents. Anadolu Agency said Friday that Lohan had visited a book fair in Istanbul Sultanbeyli district where she bought books for the refugee children. The actress has been visiting refugee families and facilities around Turkey for the past two weeks. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

safety number: Since moving to Canada in January, Mustafa, Mona and their kids say they have a lot to be thankful for. "I like Canada, according to CTV. I like Altona because it safe for my family, I give thanks for that," Mona said. "Safety number one, good people, school, hospitals, everything is very good here," Mustafa added. Mustafa Alsaid Hammoud and his wife, Mona, both newcomers to the country, prepared enough shawarma to feed more than 100 guests at a community supper in the town. They are a part of a strong Syrian community that makes up 1 per cent of the town population. "We try our best to make a safe place for them to show them the love that a community can, and I think Altona community has done an amazing job with that," Cindy Klassen, a volunteer with Build a Villag, an organization that has helped 45 Syrian refugees move to Altona. Friday dinner was a chance for many in the community to meet their new neighbours. "It a celebration of the fact that there is an idea, the community embraced the idea, it a success, it not necessarily concluded yet, but it a success and we will continue working with them," Altona Mayor Mel Klassen said. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

sandor petofi: He had been enamoured for years of the 19th-century poetry of Janos Arany and Sandor Petofi, who evoked the plain quiet, boundless, bare beauty and who wrote eloquently of lonely shepherds, withered peasant women and wild horses, according to Hamilton Spectator. Through Hapsburg and Ottoman rule, this vast, empty plain, called the Puszta, was for Hungarians their own Big Sky Country, and it remained an untameable, immutable terrain symbolic of liberty, even when the nation farms were collectivized under the Soviets. It was an escape, a yearning for beauty amid economic malaise and depressing city life. In 1973, most of the great plain was designated Hungary first national park, and in 1999 it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was September, and the refugee crisis at Hungary southern border with Serbia was an exodus of biblical proportions. My uncle, who taught high school English in Budapest, recalled recently how when he walked across the fields during that visit, "you could see and feel each of the words of these great poets, one by one — words that as a schoolboy, I had to learn and know now by heart." When he told me this, I was preparing to visit Hungary, specifically Hortobagy National Park in the Puszta. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

star newcomers: Phil Kessel, the team long-time game-breaker, was beginning his year in Pittsburgh after a summertime trade that was at the heart of an ongoing reconstruction project, according to Toronto Star. Dion Phaneuf, the miscast captain, was receding into the background as he awaited a trade that would ship him to Ottawa a few months later. Order this photo By Dave Feschuk Sports Columnist Sat., Oct. 8, 2016 A year ago in Leafland, as the curtain was lifted on the 99th season in franchise history, nobody was expecting much of a show. And the star newcomers happened to both wear suits. And Mike Babcock, the team new coach, was stepping behind the bench after signing an eight-year deal worth $50 million that was the richest in the history of the sport. Lou Lamoriello, inserted as general manager in a surprising summertime hiring after 28 years in New Jersey, was making headlines for his old-school insistence on clean haircuts and no facial hair. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

washington post: In the recording, obtained by The Washington Post and NBC News, Trump describes trying to have sex with a married woman and brags about women letting him kiss and grab them because he is famous. "When you're a star they let you do it," Trump says. "You can do anything." He adds seconds later, "Grab them by the p----. You can do anything." The one-sentence response from the head of Trump Republican Party was devastating. "No woman should ever be described in these terms or talked about in this manner, according to Hamilton Spectator. Ever," said Reince Priebus, who had stood by Trump through his past provocative comments. Trump tried to head off some of the damage by issuing a statement apologizing "if anyone was offended" by vulgar remarks captured on a 2005 tape and made public Friday. Other Republicans, painfully aware of the possible impact on their own political fates, were quick to chime in. Kelly Ayotte, who is locked in a close race, called the comments "totally inappropriate and offensive." Trump running mate, Indiana Gov. New Hampshire Sen. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

youth voices: And, because of the intersections that exist in my own life: Woman, multi-racial woman, woman of colour, queer, bisexual, Mexican-Irish American, immigrant, and raised by families heavily rooted in Catholicism on both my Mexican & Irish sides, I am deeply invested in projects that allow our youth voices to be heard, and that support our youth in owning their own complex narratives so that we can show up for them in the ways they need us to." Sara - whose 'Grey Anatomy' character Callie Torres was also bisexual - took to Twitter after her speech to praise the True Colors Fund, which works to end homelessness among lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth, according to Hamilton Spectator. She tweeted: "#Thank You @True Colors Fund 4 the work you do 2 end #LGBTQ #Youth Homelessness & your support #Woman #Latinx #Bisexual #Intersectionality ." The former 'Grey Anatomy' actress - who married Ryan Debolt in 2012 - revealed her sexuality in a powerful speech at the 40 to None Summit in Los Angeles on Saturday . She said: "So many of our youth experiencing homelessness are youth whose lives touch on many intersections - whether they be gender identity, gender expression, race, class, sexual orientation, religion, citizenship status. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

election historians: Just one month before election day, the party is turning on Trump, according to The Waterloo Record. At least one-third of the party senators have now declined to support him, rescinded their support, asked him to resign, or declared they'll vote for someone else. Election historians say it unprecedented. As if that weren't enough, his own running mate publicly scolded him this weekend. Even the Terminator terminated his support; Arnold Schwarzenegger bailed. His wife issued an angry, if forgiving statement. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

irene grandparents: Irene Hain, a retired gynecologist and obstetrician, according to The Waterloo Record. They'll enjoy a traditional meal of turkey and mashed potatoes, locally made sausage, mashed turnip, pickled beets and of course pumpkin and "schnitz" pie for dessert. Between 30 and 35 people, some from as far as California and England, will meet Saturday at the home of Dr. This is a close family that loves tradition. After dinner, there is always some exercise, perhaps a game of soccer or football in Irene spacious backyard. They say the same grace that Irene grandparents, immigrants from Scotland, said when she was young. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

lucien bouchard: He said Lisee campaign statements regarding limiting immigration made it clear he advocated for a "closed nationalism" that has some ideological parallels to European right-wing populist parties, according to Guelph Mercury. Lisee, a one-time adviser to former premiers Jacques Parizeau and Lucien Bouchard, ran a campaign focused on immigration and identity issues that raised the ire of opponents and younger voters who saw him playing on fears and divisions in society. Couillard made the comments during a trip to Iceland only hours after Lisee, 58, was elected PQ leader on Friday. Lisee argued immigration has not been a great benefit to Quebec and that the province must reduce the number of immigrants it accepts every year in order to better integrate them. That what we see elsewhere in world." When questioned, he would not say which European parties he was referring to specifically. On Saturday, Couillard said the PQ seemed to be moving closer to "a kind of nationalism of the besieged, nationalism of the fearful, of people who don't want to deal with diversity, who prefer Quebec remains folded in on itself. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

refugee: She also visited an art and handicrafts workshop where she talked with the female students, according to Brandon Sun. Around 5,000 Syrian refugees live in container homes in the camp, which was visited by British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson in September and German Chancellor Angela Merkel in April. The Anadolu Agency said Saturday the U.S. actress toured the social facilities and preschool in Nizip before giving refugee children there presents. Anadolu Agency said Friday that Lohan had visited a book fair in Istanbul Sultanbeyli district where she bought books for the refugee children. The actress has been visiting refugee families and facilities around Turkey for the past two weeks. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

youth voices: And, because of the intersections that exist in my own life: Woman, multi-racial woman, woman of colour, queer, bisexual, Mexican-Irish American, immigrant, and raised by families heavily rooted in Catholicism on both my Mexican & Irish sides, I am deeply invested in projects that allow our youth voices to be heard, and that support our youth in owning their own complex narratives so that we can show up for them in the ways they need us to." Sara - whose 'Grey Anatomy' character Callie Torres was also bisexual - took to Twitter after her speech to praise the True Colors Fund, which works to end homelessness among lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth, according to The Waterloo Record. She tweeted: "#Thank You @True Colors Fund 4 the work you do 2 end #LGBTQ #Youth Homelessness & your support #Woman #Latinx #Bisexual #Intersectionality ." The former 'Grey Anatomy' actress - who married Ryan Debolt in 2012 - revealed her sexuality in a powerful speech at the 40 to None Summit in Los Angeles on Saturday . She said: "So many of our youth experiencing homelessness are youth whose lives touch on many intersections - whether they be gender identity, gender expression, race, class, sexual orientation, religion, citizenship status. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

alghabra: Ontario MP Omar Alghabra, the parliamentary secretary for consular affairs, told The Huffington Post Canada he was taken aback by some of the hundreds of responses on Twitter and Facebook after he published this tweet: It sad that Conservatives denied to give a unanimous consent to a motion in the House of Commons to condemn all forms of Islamophobia, according to Huffington Post Canada. It not unusual that I get the occasional troll online, but I was surprised by the magnitude and the number, he told Huff Post on Friday. Liberal MP Omar Alghabra speaks in the House of Commons on June 3, 2016. I don't believe this is representative of the majority of Canadians, but it highlights the importance of the need for public discourse and motions like the one the Conservatives unfortunately rejected, he added. Draws like to so-called 'values' debate The Liberal MP said he believes Conservative party leadership candidate Kellie Leitch call for screening newcomers for so-called Canadian values has also heightened tensions. He said talking about this type of disgusting behaviour allows an opportunity to speak collectively against it. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

appeal process: The British Columbia Civil Liberties Association and the Canadian Association of Refugee Lawyers launched a constitutional challenge to the federal law because they say there is no proper appeal process, according to Metro News. They argue the government should stop all citizenship revocation until the matter is settled in court. Ottawa will not heed the demands of two civil society groups and impose a moratorium on its practice of citizenship revocation, said lawyer Angela Marinos, in a letter to the Federal Court. The government confirmed on Friday it won't be doing that."We are very disappointed that the government refuses to stop stripping people of citizenship without a hearing, choosing to defend the last government unfair process in court instead," said BCCLA executive director Josh Paterson. Paterson said hiring lawyers are expensive and immigrants should have the right to a formal appeal process before losing their citizenship. Marinos said in her letter that people who have their citizenship revoked have the right to file for judicial review of the government decision. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

crude remarks: In the recording obtained by The Washington Post and NBC News, Trump describes trying to have sex with a married woman and brags about women letting him kiss and grab them because he is famous, according to The Chronicle Herald. Trump caught on video making lewd, crude remarks about women When you're a star they let you do it, Trump says. Trump tried to head off some of the damage by issuing a statement apologizing if anyone was offended by vulgar remarks captured in a 2005 video and made public Friday for the first time. You can do anything. Hillary Clinton seized on her rival comments, calling them horrific. He added seconds later, Grab them by the p----. You can do anything. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

election day: Neither Del Cueto nor Trump offered evidence to back up the idea immigration officials are taking action to allow people who have recently crossed the border to cast ballots on Election Day, according to CTV. A union spokesman later acknowledged the discussion was misleading. In a round table on border security, Trump responded to comments from Art Del Cueto, a vice-president for the National Border Patrol Council, who told the candidate that officials in the U.S. are being directed to ignore immigrants' criminal histories and speed up citizenship applications. "They are letting people pour into the country so they can go ahead and vote," the Republican presidential candidate responded, saying it would be ignored by the media. Newly admitted immigrants are not permitted to vote, a right that is reserved for citizens. His latest provocative claim comes as Trump and Democrat Hillary Clinton are increasingly focused on their second debate, a town-hall style confrontation Sunday night. Trump has repeatedly said he fears the election will be rigged and has made a hard-line stance on immigration a centerpiece of his campaign. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

appeal process: The British Columbia Civil Liberties Association and the Canadian Association of Refugee Lawyers launched a constitutional challenge to the federal law because they say there is no proper appeal process, according to The Waterloo Record. They argue the government should stop all citizenship revocation until the matter is settled in court. Ottawa will not heed the demands of two civil society groups and impose a moratorium on its practice of citizenship revocation, said lawyer Angela Marinos, in a letter to the Federal Court. The government confirmed on Friday it won't be doing that. "We are very disappointed that the government refuses to stop stripping people of citizenship without a hearing, choosing to defend the last government unfair process in court instead," said BCCLA executive director Josh Paterson. Paterson said hiring lawyers are expensive and immigrants should have the right to a formal appeal process before losing their citizenship. Marinos said in her letter that people who have their citizenship revoked have the right to file for judicial review of the government decision. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

chance: The lawsuit, filed in November 2014, alleges that Nevsun engaged Eritrean state-run contractors and the Eritrean military to build the mine facilities, and that the military used forced labour — slavery — to complete the job.A big victory for the plaintiffs"From the plaintiffs' perspective, it is a big victory," said Fiorante in an interview. "For us, this is a green light to proceed with the case on the merits, and this will give our clients the chance to pursue the allegations in court and a chance to vindicate their rights."None of the allegations has been proven in court, and Nevsun did not immediately respond to a request for comment, according to National Observer. Earlier in the day, the company issued a statement saying it studying the decision and is considering filing an appeal."The judgment makes no findings with respect to the plaintiffs' allegations, including whether any of them were in fact at the Bisha Mine," the statement reads. Joe Fiorante, one of the lawyers representing the group, said this is the first time foreign claimants have been able to file a lawsuit in Canada against a Canadian company over allegations of human rights abuses that took place abroad. The Vancouver-based company said it is confident that its subsidiary operates the mine according to international standards of governance, workplace conditions, health, safety and human rights. Fiorante called that element of the ruling "surmountable," adding that his legal team plans on filing dozens more claims from other former mine employees. The judgment dismissed the workers' application to have their allegations heard as a single case, and instructed them instead to file three separate claims. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

fame mehta: Actor Jason Priestly, former hockey player Darryl Sittler and filmmaker Deepa Mehta are among the latest inductees to Canada Walk of Fame, according to CBC. Mehta says being inducted was 'the culmination of everything that I love about Canada.' Joining Hart in the 2016 class were NHL Hall of Famer Darryl Sittler, actor-director Jason Priestley, filmmaker Deepa Mehta, veteran fashion entrepreneur and journalist Jeanne Beker, and the late stage and screen icon Al Waxman. To be recognized by my country for my body of work and what I've accomplished in my lifetime is beyond humbling." The Sunglasses at Night hitmaker was among six honourees celebrated at the Walk of Fame induction ceremony on Thursday in downtown Toronto. For Priestley, who catapulted to international fame on Beverly Hills, 90210, he sees the Walk of Fame as an inspirational symbol for Canadian youth of the ability to aspire to and achieve their loftiest goals. "So you're from Thunder Bay, Ontario so you're from Bella Coola, British Columbia — it doesn't matter," said the Vancouver-born star. She recalled how her father, a Holocaust survivor, started a slipper factory in 1950s — the same building which now houses the Walk of Fame office. "My parents proved to me that anything is possible in this country," said Beker. "Dreams can come true, if you really believe and you're fearless and you're tenacious." Sittler, a former Toronto Maple Leafs captain, said it was "pretty neat" to have his newly minted star in the same city where he is also featured on the Legends Row monument with other former Leafs greats outside the Air Canada Centre. Jeanne Beker says her parents 'proved to me that anything is possible in this country.' For Beker, who hosted the long-running and internationally syndicated Fashion Television, there was an air of serendipity around the honour. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

family: The same can't be said for my dad, an Indian immigrant, who glances at shows like the Big Bang Theory with a mild curiosity before flipping open the laptop to check cricket scores, according to Metro News. On Tuesday, CBC premieres Kim Convenience, and having seen the first three episodes, I'm hoping it the first show in a long time that my whole family will sit together and enjoy. I would at least be interested. ABCFresh off the Boat The only other show we've watched together in the last decade is the first season of Fresh off the Boat – and that family is Taiwanese, so we're still not seeing faces like ours on TV. But still, the families in both shows are like ours. My parents can relate to having to juggle old-world values in a new country, concern that their kids are moving away from their roots – but still wanting to afford them freedoms they never had back home. But we are seeing a very similar experience. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

hamadi family: Among those on the receiving end of this hospitality will be the Hamadi family of Sydney, according to CBC. Ahmad Hamadi, his wife and five children moved to Cape Breton from Syria in June. Hundreds of local families are preparing to welcome newcomers who will join them at their tables and share their turkeys. They've been invited to share a holiday meal this weekend with members of their sponsor group. Throughout the province, several Syrian families will also take part in Engage Nova Scotia Share Thanksgiving program. Turkey and tradition Speaking with the help of an interpreter, Hamadi said his family ate turkey back home, just not with cranberry sauce. "We never did turkey dinner as a celebration kind of thing, and we're looking forward to see what this celebration is and learn more about it," he said. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

kathleen hennessey: But he offered no evidence to support his most recent claim that presidential voting may be tainted by fraud, according to Toronto Star. In an immigration round table with Trump, Art Del Cueto, a vice-president for the National Border Patrol Council, told the candidate Friday that officials in the U.S. are being directed to ignore criminal histories of immigrants and speed up citizenship applications. By Jonathan Lemire And Kathleen Hennessey Associated Press Fri., Oct. 7, 2016 NEW YORK—Citing a Border Patrol union leader, Donald Trump said Friday that agents have been told to allow immigrants into the United States illegally so they can vote in the election. That a massive story, Trump responded, saying it would be ignored by the media. However, union spokesman Shawn Moran, who was in New York with Del Cueto, said later in a telephone interview that several issues were conflated during the round table discussion. They are letting people pour into the country so they can go ahead and vote. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

minister trudeau: Chinese Premier Li Keqiang arrived on Parliament Hill on September 22 to continue talks with Prime Minister Trudeau, during which an agreement was signed by the two countries to begin exploratory talks on a Free Trade Agreement, according to Huffington Post Canada. Discussions of a proposed extradition treaty also continued, which provoked swift outcry in Canada after its announcement on September 13. We, the undersigned organizations and supporters, call on the Canadian government to put human rights, especially free expression and press freedom, at the heart of the renewed Canada-China relationship. China is one of the worst perpetrators of crimes that silence the voices of activists, journalists, artists and others who exercise their right to freedom of expression. China has one of the highest numbers of imprisoned journalists in the world and is among the top ten most censored countries in the world, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists. The country culture of impunity, where rights violations go unpunished, is systematic, endemic and ever-growing. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.