nour yassin: Nour Yassin, along with her parents and three sisters, arrived in Calgary nine months ago after their long journey, according to CTV. We walked from a city inside Syria, the city centre, and after we took a car to Lebanon, she said. The event, hosted by Hillhurst United Church, brought together people from all walks of life to raise awareness about the issues the group faces. Yassin said they lived in Lebanon for two and a half years before they finally made the trip to Canada. Volunteers have welcomed over 1,500 refugees in the city so far in 2016 and they say the city is leading in hospitality. The event on Monday pales in comparison to the journey most of the refugees made, but the theme of the five kilometre event is gratitude. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

nova scotia: Although it was initially popular among seniors, it is now being played recreationally and competitively by people of all ages in many communities across Nova Scotia including Bedford, Bridgewater, Clark Harbour, Dartmouth, East Hants, Greenfield, Halifax, Kentville, Liverpool, Lunenburg, New Minas, Tantallon, Truro, Sackville, Shelburne, Sydney, and Yarmouth, according to The Chronicle Herald. Players from local South Shore clubs have performed extremely well in both the Nova Scotia Pickleball Association Provincial Championships and more recently at the Tantallon Pickeball Classic. Today, pickleball is recognized as the fastest growing sport in North America and is aided by both national and provincial governing bodies. South Shore players medalling at the Tantallon Pickleball Classic : Tier 1 - Winners: Men Doubles - Jared Uhlman & Adam Ross Women Doubles - Raelene Kucyk & Marita Winaut Mixed Doubles - Jared Uhlman & Candice Weagle Runners Up: Women Doubles - Candice Weagle & Taryn Jollimore Mixed Doubles - Roger Peters & Marita Winaut Tier 2 - Winners: Men Doubles - Wayne Uhlman & Russell Miller Mixed Doubles - Sheldon Brannen & Taryn Jollimore Runners Up: Women Doubles - Bev Cook & Lana Vaughan Tier 3 - Winners: Mixed Doubles - Robert Younkers & Glenda Murray Runners Up: Mixed Doubles - Russell Miller & Wanda Winaut Tier 4 - Runners Up: Men Doubles - Wayne Thorburne & Jerome Tanner For more information on pickleball check out the Pickleball Nova Scotia website (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

settlement: What were her colleagues saying Did she ever experience the kind of treatment that will net at least 1,000 current and former RCMP employees a share of the $100-million settlement Or does she count herself lucky This settlement — announced last Thursday — is also for her, according to Metro News. Both symbolically and, one hopes, in terms of real change with the organization, it is for any woman who would want to join the RCMP in the future, and every one of them who ever joined. It was Thursday, and I wondered what it was like for her to walk into that office the morning of a historic, landmark settlement over harassment, abuse, rape and discrimination of women within the Mounties' ranks. And it raises many other questions: Why did it take so long The two class-action lawsuits against the RCMP that led to the settlement were first filed in 2011. Paulson became choked up as he announced the settlement. In 2013, Bob Paulson, the RCMP commissioner, announced a Gender and Respect action plan, after which more women continued to join those lawsuits. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

study ties: Regular exercise is a healthy antidote to stress and can help prevent heart disease — the biggest problem is that too many people get too little of it, according to The Chronicle Herald. But the new research suggests there may be better or worse times to exercise, and that extremes can trigger harm. "This study is further evidence of the connection between mind and body. A large, international study ties heavy exertion while stressed or mad to a tripled risk of having a heart attack within an hour. When you're angry, that not the time to go out and chop a stack of wood," said Barry Jacobs, a psychologist at the Crozer-Keystone Health System in suburban Philadelphia and an American Heart Association volunteer. Results were published Monday in the Heart Association journal Circulation. He had no role in the study , led by the Population Health Research Institute at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

work hours: Thursday, looking for advice on quitting his job, according to Hamilton Spectator. Brookshire, a manager at a leadership institute who writes on the side, paced around his Manhattan apartment for a half-hour, giving the friend advice on the right tone to strike in the resignation letter, then crawled into bed. A friend had called at 1 a.m. As the 29-year-old rushed to work hours later, he found the letter, scrawled in cursive and stuck to his door: "It is extremely rude and inconsiderate to scream and stomp around your apartment until almost 2 a.m.," the letter said. "A complaint has been submitted to the management. Please learn your manners." Ultimately, Brookshire figured out what irked him most about the letter — the threat of involving the New York Police Department for something that could have been solved with a neighbourly knock on the door. "White people will sometimes speak without thinking of the bigger implications of their actions," Brookshire told The Washington Post. "They're just kind of reacting. Next time this will go straight to the police. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

barry jacobs: Regular exercise is a healthy antidote to stress and can help prevent heart disease — the biggest problem is that too many people get too little of it, according to Guelph Mercury. But the new research suggests there may be better or worse times to exercise, and that extremes can trigger harm. "This study is further evidence of the connection between mind and body. A large, international study ties heavy exertion while stressed or mad to a tripled risk of having a heart attack within an hour. When you're angry, that not the time to go out and chop a stack of wood," said Barry Jacobs, a psychologist at the Crozer-Keystone Health System in suburban Philadelphia and an American Heart Association volunteer. Results were published Monday in the Heart Association journal Circulation. He had no role in the study , led by the Population Health Research Institute at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

contempt: The charge is expected to be filed Wednesday, according to Brandon Sun. Arpaio, who didn't attend a hearing Tuesday in his contempt case, could face up to six months in jail if convicted of misdemeanour contempt. Sheriff Joe Arpaio will face the possibility of jail time and a clouded political future when prosecutors file a misdemeanour contempt charge against him for defying a judge orders to end his signature immigration patrols. The sheriff issued a statement saying he was confident he would be exonerated and accused President Barack Obama administration of trying to influence the sheriff race."It is no coincidence that this announcement comes 28 days before the election and the day before early voting starts," Arpaio said. "It is a blatant abuse of power and the people of Maricopa County should be as outraged as I am."The U.S. Justice Department didn't respond to a request for comment. The contempt case also focused on Arpaio actions in carrying out what critics said was a secret investigation of Judge G. Murray Snow in the case. Authorities were still considering a possible obstruction of justice charge against Arpaio that could result in more severe punishments, including losing his job. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

government officials: An assistant secretary of state reportedly referred to it at a public forum, according to The Waterloo Record. Canada immigration minister says he has heard about a pilot project, and one small-government advocate says he been advising policy-makers on it. A group that works with the government on resettling refugees says a pilot project is in the works. David Bier of the libertarian Cato Institute said he used the experience of the northern neighbour while making the case to government officials that the private sector could play a bigger role in resettling refugees. In the meantime, the Canadian program started getting international attention. "The fact that it was already in operation in Canada and had proven successful was invaluable to our advocacy," Bier said in an interview. "I have no doubt that this is going to happen . This is something that part of the agenda and is being developed by the most important actors in the American refugee system." The Canadian program allows people to sponsor a refugee for $12,600, which includes help with income and initial costs like groceries and rent. He said there was initial reticence when he first discussed it last year with government officials, but he said the White House became enthusiastic and the State Department got involved in the details. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

lawyer tricks: Many lawyers extoll the jury as a sacrosanct tool that ensures common sense and community values are represented and applied in our legal system, according to NOW Magazine. The problem is that many people values and common sense are, knowingly or not, touched by racism, sexism, unfair beliefs and other irrational forces. Jury trials are less predictable, more expensive and create real risk that the law will play second fiddle to the jury collective version of justice. In many ways, a civil jury trial is more similar to a mini political campaign than a rigorous exercise of applying the law to the facts of a particular case. And lawyers know it. Juries are generally more easily persuaded by appeals to emotion, lawyer tricks, and bias than are judges. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

canadian institutes: Regular exercise is a healthy antidote to stress and can help prevent heart disease — the biggest problem is that too many people get too little of it, according to Hamilton Spectator. But the new research led by the Population Health Research Institute at McMaster University suggests there may be better or worse times to exercise, and that extremes can trigger harm. A study ties heavy exertion while stressed or mad to a tripled risk of having a heart attack within an hour. The study, which was published Monday in the Heart Association journal Circulation, was funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, other governmental bodies from various countries that participated, and grants from several drug companies. Earlier studies have looked at anger and exertion as heart attack triggers, but most were small or in one country, or included few women or minorities. Barry Jacobs, a psychologist at the Crozer-Keystone Health System in suburban Philadelphia and an American Heart Association volunteer, said the study is further evidence of the connection between mind and body. "When you're angry, that not the time to go out and chop a stack of wood," said Jacobs, who was not involved in the study. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

canadian parents: The provision was part of a 1977 law that automatically removed citizenship from people born abroad to Canadian parents who were also born outside the country. "The government holds a big responsibility for this," Janzen said. "They've created a mess." The law applies to people born between Feb. 15, 1977, and April 16, 1981, no matter how quickly after their birth they moved to Canada, according to CTV. It was rescinded in 2009, but the change didn't apply retroactively. Bill Janzen, the former head of the Mennonite Central Committee office in Ottawa, said he and his colleagues met with the federal government throughout the 1980s and 1990s to find a fix to the so-called 28-year rule. The only way to prevent the automatic loss of citizenship was to apply to retain it before the age of 28 -- a detail legal experts contend the government failed to adequately communicate to those affected. Go home and enjoy Canada. ... Once a Canadian, always a Canadian,' " Janzen said, noting that officials often pointed out the absence of any expiry date on their citizenship cards. "It happened again and again and again." Janzen has helped more than 180 people navigate the expensive and time-intensive process of regaining their citizenship over the years, So far, 160 requests have been approved. Janzen said he has heard numerous stories of people going to citizenship officials and being told they had never heard of the law. "They said, 'Don't worry about it. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

cato institute: An assistant secretary of state reportedly referred to it at a public forum, according to Huffington Post Canada. Canada immigration minister says he has heard about a pilot project, and one small-government advocate says he been advising policy-makers on it. A group that works with the government on resettling refugees says a pilot project is in the works. David Bier of the libertarian Cato Institute said he used the experience of the northern neighbour while making the case to government officials that the private sector could play a bigger role in resettling refugees. Syrian refugees hold Canadian flags as they take part in a welcome service at the St. He said there was initial reticence when he first discussed it last year with government officials, but he said the White House became enthusiastic and the State Department got involved in the details. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

west: Like many immigrants headed west, you were driven by your own set of dreams and circumstances, according to Huffington Post Canada. Dad, for you it was the opportunity to leave communist Poland. You chose Canada. You knew that barring a run through minefields or rowing a boat to Sweden, heading abroad to pursue an education would be your best shot at escaping and moving forward in life, It was a way to avoid winding up like your parents' generation -- bitterly stuck in a country with few opportunities. You didn't know what the future would hold for the two of you, but you similarly aimed to gain an education in the west and forge the future you wanted for your family. Mom, you left the only home you knew in Warsaw to join a man you fell in love with during an excursion among the lakes of Masuria. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

donald trump: Democrat Hillary Clinton features a softer approach that embraces diversity and the value of keeping immigrant families together, even as her critics accuse her of promoting "open borders."It not just talk, according to Metro News. The White House contenders' policies would send the country — and the lives of roughly 11 million people — down very different paths. In tone, Republican Donald Trump often highlights violent crimes perpetrated by immigrants in the country illegally, with aggressive rhetoric that emphasizes nationalism. Trump says he would build a massive wall, target millions for deportation and deny legal status to anyone currently in the country illegally. Here is a summary of their proposals:___ She promises to propose immigration legislation in her first 100 days that would include a route to citizenship. Clinton would offer a pathway to citizenship for most immigrants regardless of how they arrived, continue to defer enforcement action against families, and offer health care options to immigrants here illegally. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

gomes: Christina Gomes has good reason to sweat over hers, according to Toronto Star. Gomes, 33, is enrolled in the first class of the newest course this fall at Yorkdale Adult Learning Centre — a five-month personal trainer certificate program aimed at qualifying students to work in the field. Order this photo By Andrea Gordon Education Reporter Mon., Oct. 10, 2016 New beginnings can be nerve-wracking, even when they bring opportunity. I consider it a new beginning of life, says Gomes, who came to Toronto from Portugal in 2009 and has been looking for a way into the workforce since separating from her spouse. The personal fitness course is a first for the Toronto District School Board and the sixth program at Yorkdale for adults seeking a career change, newcomers to Canada looking for opportunities, or those over 21 who want to resume schooling after an interruption, or want a practical course that will lead to employment. You never know where it going to take you, says the single parent of two. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

government officials: An assistant secretary of state reportedly referred to it at a public forum, according to Hamilton Spectator. Canada immigration minister says he has heard about a pilot project, and one small-government advocate says he been advising policy-makers on it. A group that works with the government on resettling refugees says a pilot project is in the works. David Bier of the libertarian Cato Institute said he used the experience of the northern neighbour while making the case to government officials that the private sector could play a bigger role in resettling refugees. In the meantime, the Canadian program started getting international attention. "The fact that it was already in operation in Canada and had proven successful was invaluable to our advocacy," Bier said in an interview. "I have no doubt that this is going to happen . This is something that part of the agenda and is being developed by the most important actors in the American refugee system." The Canadian program allows people to sponsor a refugee for $12,600, which includes help with income and initial costs like groceries and rent. He said there was initial reticence when he first discussed it last year with government officials, but he said the White House became enthusiastic and the State Department got involved in the details. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

government paralysis: Al-Abadi had argued that the positions, and the cost of maintaining security details for them, should be eliminated in order to streamline government and cut costs as low global oil prices squeeze Iraq budget, according to CTV. The move was part of a package of reforms aimed at weakening Iraq entrenched political blocs, which are widely blamed for the government paralysis and inability to provide basic services. The premier had proposed abolishing the two vice-presidential and deputy prime minister posts, largely ceremonial positions created after the 2003 U.S.-led invasion to give the Sunni and Kurdish minorities a greater presence in the Shiite-led government. The court ruled the move unconstitutional, however, saying that eliminating the posts would require the approval of an absolute majority in parliament followed by a national referendum. The country Shiites, Sunnis and Kurds remain deeply divided on a host of issues, and the blocs representing them are widely seen as corrupt and dysfunctional -- a toxic mix that contributed to the resurgence of IS, a Sunni extremist group, nearly three years ago. Government spokesman Saad al-Hadithi dismissed concerns about the political fallout of Monday ruling, but warned that the restoration of the offices would "affect the expenses of the state." The lingering gridlock in Baghdad has raised concerns that even if U.S.-backed Iraqi forces drive IS from Mosul -- the country second-largest city -- the government will be unable to ensure lasting peace and security. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

health care: This is an ambitious but necessary goal to ensure that our children and grandchildren have the same economic prospects that exist today and to ensure Canadians continue to have access to important social programs, such as universal health care and a world-class education system, according to Globe and Mail. According to Statistics Canada, population growth in Canada has fallen by more than half from the early 1950s, to just 1.2 per cent today. That why a cross-section of engaged citizens from across Canada, representing business, financial, academic and social sectors, is launching the Century Initiative, a long-term project with the goal of helping Canada increase its population almost threefold by 2100, from the current 36 million to 100 million. That puts us on track to be a country of 53 million people by 2100, which will put us outside the top 50 countries by population, falling behind countries such as Madagascar and Burkina Faso. By 2035, one-quarter of Canadians will be over the age of 65, and the ratio of workers to retirees could fall to just 2:1 from the current 4:1. At the same time, our population is aging rapidly – faster than any other G7 country except Japan. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

i haven: The service matches families in the province with those new to the country, according to The Chronicle Herald. Karla Sonnichsen hosted a meal for several families, because she wanted to give back. It part of the Share Thanksgiving online matching service run by Engage Nova Scotia. I have a lot of gratitude in my life, I feel very blessed, said Sonnichsen, 55. Sonnichsen said since she couldn't volunteer with Immigration Services Association of Nova Scotia due to her full-time job, the Share Thanksgiving program was a way to give back. I think that I haven't done enough to welcome a lot of the families that are new Nova Scotian families and I would like to personally be able to offer a welcome. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

leisure facility: If they had room, Food Matters would accept 100 people per session, she said, according to Metro News. But they can only take in about 30 at the North Centennial Recreation and Leisure Facility, located at 90 Sinclair St., said instructor Maria Paguiligan. The program, which launched in July and runs once a month, has seen about 75 participants so far and a wait list much longer, according to program coordinator Amy Henderson, who looking to expand. Paguiligan is a newcomer herself, having arrived in Winnipeg from the Philippines in 2011 to have a better future for her son, now 18. is not just to help you get a job, but it something you can use in the home, Paguiligan said in a recent interview. A former nursing instructor in the Philippines, Paguiligan now works part-time for the Winnipeg School Division as an educational assistant, part-time at a care home serving food and once per month teaching with Food Matters. When we first came here, there were people who helped us along the way through our transition here in Canada, and doing this is sort of like paying it forward. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

mother: And each time, I'd try to escape with an excuse, according to Huffington Post Canada. When speaking to relatives back home, my mother spoke louder than she actually needed to . This always caught me off guard, because I couldn't accurately gauge how far away she was and how much time I needed to run to the bathroom and hide. Each weekend, my mother would hand me the phone to speak with my grandmother in Mumbai. The sound of her approaching footsteps would send me into a panic. Mustering every phrase I knew in "Hinglish" , I'd routinely ask this specific set of questions: "How are you " "How is your health "How is the weather " "Did you watch any new movies " "Should I give the phone back to mom " That the grandmother I knew from my childhood; a disembodied voice from a land far, far away. Beaming with excitement over connecting her son with her mother, she'd hand me the phone and mid-gesture say, "Talk to Nani Maa." And thus would begin an excruciating five to 10 minute call with my grandmother in which I'd shut the door to my room and speak in hushed tones in case my mom was outside, gleefully listening in on our awkward exchange. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

ont .,: A Canadian study ties heavy exertion while stressed or mad to a tripled risk of having a heart attack within an hour, according to Toronto Star. Regular exercise is a healthy antidote to stress and can help prevent heart disease — the biggest problem is that too many people get too little of it. By Marilynn Marchione The Associated Press Mon., Oct. 10, 2016 HAMILTON—If you're angry or upset, you might want to simmer down before heading out for an intense run or gym workout. But the new research led by the Population Health Research Institute at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ont., suggests there may be better or worse times to exercise, and that extremes can trigger harm. Barry Jacobs, a psychologist at the Crozer-Keystone Health System in suburban Philadelphia and an American Heart Association volunteer, said the study is further evidence of the connection between mind and body. The study, which was published Monday in the Heart Association journal Circulation, was funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, other governmental bodies from various countries that participated, and grants from several drug companies. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

syrian refugees: Thanksgiving offers the opportunity to express gratitude for all that enriches our lives, according to Toronto Star. It is also a time to reach out to those less fortunate — here in Canada and around the world — and lend a helping hand. By Prime Minister Office Mon., Oct. 10, 2016 OTTAWA—The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on Thanksgiving: Today, Canadians will gather with family and loved ones to share a meal and give thanks for the countless blessings we enjoy. Over the past year, Canadians have welcomed more than 30,000 Syrian refugees who fled their homes to seek a safer and better future. Today, we also give thanks for our men and women in uniform. As these and other newcomers celebrate their first Thanksgiving in Canada, let us never forget that helping those in need is at the heart of what makes us Canadian. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

year numbers: While he had never celebrated the holiday before, for him and many others, starting a new life in Canada was at the top of the list of things to be grateful for, according to CBC. The Thanksgiving lunch, held at Holy Trinity Armenian Church in Scarborough, was hosted by Armenian Family Support Services, a non-profit organization that has sponsored nearly 300 Armenian-Syrian refugees since November 2015. Minassian was one of nearly 200 Syrian refugees who gathered for their first-ever Thanksgiving in a Toronto-area Armenian church on Sunday. Thanksgiving food bank donations lag behind last year numbers "We are thankful first that we are alive because we escaped from the war and second, thanks to the Canadian government. Less than one year ago, Mher Minassian was in charge of an Armenian cemetery in Syria. They brought us here," Minassian told CBC News on Sunday. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

year rule: The provision was part of a 1977 law that automatically removed citizenship from people born abroad to Canadian parents who were also born outside the country, according to The Chronicle Herald. The government holds a big responsibility for this, Janzen said. Bill Janzen, the former head of the Mennonite Central Committee office in Ottawa, said he and his colleagues met with the federal government throughout the 1980s and 1990s to find a fix to the so-called 28-year rule. They've created a mess. It was rescinded in 2009, but the change didn't apply retroactively. It was a complete shock': Arcane law strips unwitting Canadians of citizenshipA look at the complex evolution of Canada citizenship laws over the years The law applies to people born between Feb. 15, 1977, and April 16, 1981, no matter how quickly after their birth they moved to Canada. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

barry jacobs: Regular exercise is a healthy antidote to stress and can help prevent heart disease — the biggest problem is that too many people get too little of it, according to Guelph Mercury. But the new research suggests there may be better or worse times to exercise, and that extremes can trigger harm. "This study is further evidence of the connection between mind and body. A large, international study ties heavy exertion while stressed or mad to a tripled risk of having a heart attack within an hour. When you're angry, that not the time to go out and chop a stack of wood," said Barry Jacobs, a psychologist at the Crozer-Keystone Health System in suburban Philadelphia and an American Heart Association volunteer. Results were published Monday in the Heart Association journal Circulation. He had no role in the study , led by the Population Health Research Institute at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.