american society: Now, twice a week, she pulls a pair of oars as her scull glides along tree-lined Lake Wheeler, far from her birthplace of Bangalore, according to Metro News. Gopala is among throngs of educated Indians who have moved in recent years to North Carolina tech-laden Research Triangle and other areas across America. As a child in India, she had dreamed of the sport from watching Olympic telecasts. A 39-year-old software developer, she became a U.S. citizen three years ago."America had given me the opportunity to pursue my own life," she said.___EDITOR'S NOTE — This is part of Divided America, AP ongoing exploration of the economic, social and political divisions in American society.___Increasingly, the face of U.S. immigration resembles Gopala. And compared with Americans overall, immigrants today are disproportionately well-educated and entrepreneurial. For all of Donald Trump talk of building a border wall and deporting 11 million unauthorized immigrants who are mainly Hispanic — and for all of the enduring contention over illegal immigration — immigrants to the U.S. are now more likely to come from Asia than from Mexico or Latin America. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

man thigh: Schmitz, 73, said he resents his criminal record, according to Globe and Mail. For a year, he has used the pseudonym Heinz Schmitz, including in this interview. John Ibbitson: Ottawa behind schedule in redressing past persecution of homosexuals In an interview at his home in Freiburg, Germany, Mr. His troubles started at 18, when somebody reported seeing him rubbing another man thigh in a movie theatre. Schmitz if he didn't confess. The vice police came to his mother house and took him to a police station, where a brawny investigator threatened to publicly out Mr. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

awe i: The remnants of the laugh completely disappeared from his face as he brought his full attention to me, according to Huffington Post Canada. Multi-syllable words were not yet in his English vocabulary, but I saw him deciding whether to give this word a try. He stretched his neck back towards the Falls, extended his arms as far as he could away from his dad and into the mist."Water." I chimed in-between my own chuckles. Instead, he insisted:"Mouayyy!!" Once again extending as far back as he could and howling. As she should have been, the words were perfectly said.I looked out back into the Falls and was reminded of the awe I felt the first time I saw them more than 17 years ago. His mom, having caught up with us, laughed slightly uncomfortably with a hand on her belly."Ready for a second " I asked cheekily."It will be worth it."She smiled and looked extremely pleased with her exaggerated pronunciation of every word. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

berlin airport: By Der Spiegel Wed., Oct. 12, 2016 A bomb suspect who was tied up and turned in by three Syrian refugees in Germany has committed suicide while in police custody, according to Toronto Star. Saxony state Justice Ministry says the 22-year-old Syrian man arrested for a suspected Islamic extremist bomb plot killed himself Wednesday in a prison cell in Leipzig. A Syrian man arrested on suspicion he planned a bomb attack against a Berlin airport was found dead in his cell after an apparent suicide, media reports said. Justice Ministry spokesman Joerg Herold told The Associated Press that Jaber al-Bakr killed himself sometime in the evening, but that the incident was still being investigated. Great news!! The police have arrested the Syrian suspect . We sincerely thank the police and our compatriots. Al-Bakr, who had been granted asylum after coming to Germany last year, was arrested Monday in the city Leipzig after three fellow Syrians tied him up and alerted police. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

business community: Navdeep Bains says newcomers create jobs in Canada and is urging people to see immigration not as a social issue, but as a key driver of economic growth, according to Toronto Star. Bains is asking the business community to help sell immigration as something that can increase prosperity and opportunity for Canadians. By The Canadian Press Wed., Oct. 12, 2016 OTTAWA—Canada economic development minister says the federal Liberal government is encountering public pushback on its immigration plans from Canadians who fear for their jobs. He says people need to understand that bringing in newcomers will give the country a competitive advantage. Article Continued Below Bains made the comments today while speaking to business leaders at an economic summit in Ottawa sponsored by the Public Policy Forum. The minister says the government has to do a better job of telling that story. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

canadians: But Bains said there is a reluctance in Canada to boosting immigration — even from inside the Liberal government. "I have to tell you, I'm hitting a bit of a challenge within government in having this conversation because there is this hesitation of maybe immigration might be viewed negatively," Bains said, according to CBC. Canadians aren't as accepting as we think — and we can't ignore it, writes Angus ReidCBC-Angus Reid Institute poll: Canadians want minorities to do more to 'fit in'John McCallum wants to 'substantially increase' immigration to fill Canada labour needs​ Bains said that resistance is sparked by concerns there is still relatively high unemployment in certain parts of the country and fears that many Canadians view immigration as "someone taking away their jobs." "In Canada, we say diversity is our strength. Navdeep Bains used an appearance at the Public Policy Forum Growth Summit to make the case for increasing immigration numbers to give Canada a competitive economic advantage. I think we take enormous pride in the fact that we have a multicultural society," Bains told the conference. When we want to talk about immigration and we say we want to bring more immigrants in because it good for the economy, we still get push-back," he said. Reluctance around immigration policy' "But the honest truth is that there is still reluctance here around immigration policy. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

citizenship fee: Order this photo By Nicholas Keung Immigration reporter Wed., Oct. 12, 2016 The number of immigrants applying for Canadian citizenship has plummeted for the second year in a row in the wake of hefty application fee hikes Ottawa introduced in recent years, according to Toronto Star. The trend has prompted fears that the current citizenship costs — $530 per adult, plus a $100 right of citizenship fee — are creating a growing underclass of newcomers who can't afford the fee and hence are prevented from full integration and participation in Canadian society, according to a report published in the Institute for Research on Public Policy. Michael Roberston hand after being given her citizenship certificate at a ceremony at Harbourfront Centre last July 1. According to the latest government data, only 36,000 citizenship applications were received from January to June in 2016, just more than one-third of the number for the same period last year. The decline is so significant that it cannot be ignored, said retired immigration department director-general Andrew Griffith, who obtained the government statistics for policy analysis for the Montreal-based Institute for Research on Public Policy. In 2015, a total of 130,000 citizenship applications were submitted to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, compared to an average of 200,000 received in previous years. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

citizenship: According to the latest government data, only 36,000 citizenship applications were received from January to June in 2016, just more than one-third of the number for the same period last year, according to Metro News. In 2015, a total of 130,000 citizenship applications were submitted to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, compared to an average of 200,000 received in previous years. The trend has prompted fears that the current citizenship costs — $530 per adult, plus a $100 right of citizenship fee — are creating a growing underclass of newcomers who can't afford the fee and hence are prevented from full integration and participation in Canadian society, according to a report published in the Institute for Research on Public Policy. The decline is so significant that it cannot be ignored, said retired immigration department director-general Andrew Griffith, who obtained the government statistics for policy analysis for the Montreal-based Institute for Research on Public Policy. Griffith report came just as Canada is celebrating Citizenship Week that runs Oct. 10 to 16. I had thought the citizenship fee increases would provoke a decline in applications, but I was surprised by the steepness of the decline. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

hamilton restaurateur: The Hamilton restaurateur is walking purposefully toward the construction site at King William and Hughson that is his new The French, and it as though Mother Nature is foreshadowing what to come for a businessperson who seemingly has the golden touch. "We try to identify what missing ," Cassis says as he leads the way toward a place he describes as "not your mother bistro." "Or if something really old but has the potential of lots of revenue, we tend to enter the market." Cassis has been asked by others to open restaurants in their buildings but he politely declined, according to Hamilton Spectator. As the man who strategically built one of Hamilton premier dining destinations, The Aberdeen Tavern, and its pared-down café cousin around the corner, The Dundurn Market, it no surprise he in expansion mode. More specifically, it shining on Jason Cassis. Each one of his business ventures has been a calculated risk with Cassis landing on the right side of the equation. Around the corner on James, a crane shows signs of more gentrification to come. Kitty corner to The French site, the mothballed Delta Bingo hall waits to be razed and replaced with a highrise condominium that will be home to hundreds. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

bush george: The tone set for the night, I down a drink and make my way to the historic Murphy Theatre on West Main Street to sit in on an invitation-only taping of filmmaker Michael Moore pre-election special, Michael Moore: Live From Trump and Clinton Land, according to NOW Magazine. I didn't think we could ever do worse than Bush George W. , says the woman standing in line in front of me. Could this be the end of The Donald run for the White House Considering the steaming pile of hatred from which he built his platform, it unlikely the latest controversy swirling around Trump, a vulgar 2005 conversation caught by a hot mic on how to pick-up women – Grab them by the pussy – will dissuade supporters of the reality TV star turned presidential hopeful. But this is a whole new level of ignorance that we are seeing with Trump. But despite the huge turnout Moore one-man show almost doesn't take place. The line behind us stretches all the way around the corner. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

designer gowns: Opens Friday . See showtimes, according to NOW Magazine. American Honey breakout star, Sasha Lane, is having her Cinderella moment. An Elevation Pictures release. 163 minutes. Director Andrea Arnold discovered the Texas native on the fly on a Florida beach during spring break, and Lane now having a blast in designer gowns on red carpets. The old Cinderella, says the 21-year-old, referring to the 1997 TV version of Rodgers & Hammerstein musical, with Moesha. But talk about Cinderella with the half-Kiwi, half-African-American Lane and she probably not thinking about the one you are. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

innovation agenda: Bains is asking the business community to help sell immigration as something that can increase prosperity and opportunity for Canadians, according to CTV. He says people need to understand that bringing in newcomers will give the country a competitive advantage. Navdeep Bains says newcomers create jobs in Canada and is urging people to see immigration not as a social issue, but as a key driver of economic growth. The minister says the government has to do a better job of telling that story. It important to our economic agenda, our innovation agenda. "If we bring the right people, the motivated people, they'll create more jobs and more opportunities for Canadians." There are a lot of immigrant success stories, he added, including that of his own father who arrived with seven dollars in his pocket, worked three jobs for a time and then went on to start his own company, which employed 20 people. "That needs to be part of the narrative," Bains said. "We talk to and engage with Canadians and we explain to them that immigration policy is a good thing, it a competitive advantage, it how we're genuinely going to grow." Bains made the comments today while speaking to business leaders at a economic summit in Ottawa sponsored by the Public Policy Forum. "The honest truth is there is still reluctance around immigration policy," Bains said. "When we want to talk about immigration and we say we want to bring more immigrants in because it good for the economy, we still get pushback." He asked his audience to pitch in. "I need your help, and the help of many in this room, to change that conversation, because I can tell you I'm hitting a bit of challenge within government in having this conversation." Some worry that immigration might be viewed negatively because there is high unemployment in some parts of the country. "Overall, how do we explain it to Canadians Because they'll view it as somebody taking away their jobs." That what needs to change, he said. "I think we need to change the conversation to say, it not a social policy it an economic policy. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

lebanese man: He also challenged other business owners to give back to their communities, according to Hamilton Spectator. To start, he committed to hiring 100 Syrian newcomers at Paramount locations within a year. An immigrant himself, the CEO of Paramount Fine Foods — a chain of Middle Eastern restaurants — remembers feeling lost trying to navigate the Canadian workforce when he arrived 18 years ago. "The second priority that everybody faces is the problem of a job," says 43-year-old Fakih. "After a home, a job becomes the second priority." When the Lebanese man learned of the federal government pledge to bring in 25,000 government-assisted refugees this year, he figured he could do his part. So far, around 70 have been employed, including about 10 in the chain two locations in Hamilton and one in Burlington. Fakih also partnered with Ryerson University and non-profit Magnet to pay for an HR consultant for a year to help Syrian Canadians find a job outside of Paramount and learn more about the local job market. "It us working together as Canadians to help, changing peoples' lives. The positions have included various roles up to assistant management. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

lis: But a political science professor said Couillard went too far in discussing Quebec issues while outside the province, according to CTV. On Friday night, Lisée wasted no time in targeting the Liberal party in his victory speech, inviting anglophones and allophones to get rid the "inept, unethical, bumbling Liberal government." "Free us from the Liberals. While in the small country Couillard had harsh words for Jean-Francois Lisée, the new leader of the Parti Quebecois. Well that our plan, for all of us, next election," said Lisée. 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. Couillard returned fire while in Iceland and accused Lisee of fearmongering during his leadership campaign, and said that in Lisée the PQ chose the victory of "the nationalism of exclusion." During the final weeks of the campaign Lisée was very critical of immigration and said Quebec accepts too many immigrants, and that those it has accepted do not greatly benefit the province. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

minister theresa: Have an idea Pitch it here, according to Rabble. Now over a month into the new school year, proponents of campus safe spaces have taken a beating. Generously funded by the CFS, Campus Notes will be running articles on Canada critical post-secondary education issues. Harsh critiques of such spaces -- that is, environments intentionally opened for those traditionally left on the margins, such as LGBTQ* or racialized students -- seemed to be made before anyone tapped the first orientation week keg. The school made headlines earlier this month with a letter explaining to incoming students that safe spaces were "not condoned." This was followed by newly minted British Prime Minister Theresa May denouncing the on-campus trend as harmful to the country economic and social development. Take the University of Chicago. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

october election: The UN has estimated that in five years, the Syrian conflict has driven more than 4.8 million refugees to neighbouring countries, hundreds of thousands in Europe, and displaced 6.6 million people inside Syria against a pre-war population of over 20 million, according to CTV. To ensure Canada did its part, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau pledged to bring in 25,000 refugees by February 2016 with an additional 25,000 government-supported refugees by the end of 2016. Last year Canada opened its doors to refugees affected by the ongoing conflict in Syria, which has been called one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world. The Conservatives had pledged to bring in 10,000 refugees before last October election. Between November 2015 and July 2016 almost 30,000 Syrian refugees have come to Canada through government and private sponsorship. And nearly a year after Canada proposed the #Welcome Refugees initiative; the ambitious goals are being met. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

series premiere: The cast of "Kim Convenience." The show stars a Korean immigrant family whose parents run a convenience store in Toronto, according to Huffington Post Canada. Actor Paul Sun-Hyung Lee plays store owner Mr. That has changed though with CBC "Kim Convenience." The TV show, which had its series premiere on Tuesday, stars a diverse cast whose four lead actors are all of Asian descent — a rare sight in television. Kim a.k.a. Kim a.k.a. "Umma"; Simu Liu plays son Jung and Andrea Bang plays daughter Janet. Appa; Jean Yoon plays Appa wife Mrs. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

student population: This was my introduction to Canada, according to CBC. It was the place where I integrated, the public school. Carson Grove Elementary School has welcomed 110 Syrian refugee children since February, accounting for more than one-third of the student population. And I cannot over-emphasize how important it is for kids.'- Sheema Khan Several mosques and Muslim associations banded together to raise the money, plus an additional $11,000 to be donated to other schools in Ottawa whose students are dealing with socio-economic hardships. Public schools 'introduction to Canada' "I was very emotional because it reminded me of when I came … I went to a school just like this," said Khan. The fundraising was spearheaded by Sheema Khan, a Kanata woman who said she decided to help after being reminded of her own experience as a young immigrant in the Canadian public school system. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

attack: 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, according to Globe and Mail. The new study involved 12,461 people suffering a first heart attack in 52 countries. Results were published Monday in the Heart Association journal Circulation. Their average age was 58, and three-fourths were men. That way researchers could compare risk at different times in the same people and the effect of these potential heart attack triggers. They answered a survey about whether they were angry or upset, or had heavy exertion, in the hour before their heart attack or during the same time period the previous day. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

syrian refugees: The number was driven by more than 30,000 Syrian refugees under a special program launched last year, according to Metro News. Both levels of government have struggled at times in terms of finding housing support programs for the new arrivals."Many of the refugees had large numbers of children, and that was not completely anticipated in the beginning and that created some challenges for finding appropriate housing and for schools," said John McCallum, the federal minister of immigration, refugees, and citizenship. The agency said it was the largest number of immigrants in an annual period since the early 1910s, when a wave of European immigrants arrived in the western provinces. The federal government provides language and job training, as well as social assistance payments for one year. Financial support and what immigration levels should be were part of Wednesday talks, McCallum said."One of the things that I think is really good about these federal-provincial meetings ... is that we have straight talk, we don't hold back on what we really believe. The provinces pay for other services. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

trade: They also see the ugliness of the U.S. presidential race, where both candidates have cast aspersions on trade, including the massive 12-country Trans-Pacific Partnership, according to Hamilton Spectator. Not so in Canada. In their own country and across Europe, they see a backlash against the waves of immigrants flooding the continent from North Africa and the Middle East, and they hear loud rumblings against liberalized trade, including — in some pockets, at least — Canada free trade deal with Europe. That why, when French Prime Minister Manuel Valls meets with counterpart Justin Trudeau this week, he will want to discuss why Canada seems immune to all that noise, say French officials, speaking on condition they not be named. On the former point, Valls is keen to get an update on Canada plans for sending peacekeepers to West Africa to join the fight against Islamic militants. Over the course of meetings Wednesday and Thursday in Ottawa and Montreal, Valls wants to engage Trudeau on "the political atmosphere in the Western Hemisphere with the rising of populism, protectionism, and all these questions that we see rising in various countries," said one French diplomat. "But less so in Canada, so that why the prime minister is interested to hear about the Canadian situation and Canadian solutions." While some might see it as philosophical navel-gazing, another French diplomat said that thread runs through the very real issues Valls and Trudeau are facing: the rise of Islamic extremism, especially in Africa, and getting the Canada-EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement done once and for all. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

harbourfront centre: It increasingly difficult to stand out from the crowd, given how specialized some of these festivals can be, according to NOW Magazine. So after 15 years, Reelworld has decided to evolve. If you follow film culture in Toronto, you know how many smaller festivals flood the city in the weeks after TIFF. Just this weekend, you can choose from Reelworld, Toronto After Dark, COMMFFEST, Cine Iran and BRAFFTV, with ImagineNATIVE and Planet In Focus launching a few days later. Newly installed at Harbourfront Centre, the festival has committed itself to a program of socially and culturally relevant cinema, screening features, shorts and documentaries designed to provoke thought and change, assembling them into a cohesive whole. He cites three documentaries: the festival opener, Shadow World, which examines the global arms trade; Almost Sunrise, about PTSD and the emerging phenomenon of moral injury, in which military personnel cope with battlefield violations of their personal codes; and the British TV documentary Exodus: Our Journey To Europe, in which a group of displaced Syrians document their own flight to safety. So many of the issues that face our city and our world are interconnected, explains Reelworld new executive director, Gave Lindo, and we really wanted to have a space where we could showcase important stories about pressing issues, but also be able to connect the dots a little bit. × Expand Exodus: Our Journey To Europe documents the lives of displaced Syrians. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

innovation agenda: Bains is asking the business community to help sell immigration as something that can increase prosperity and opportunity for Canadians, according to Brandon Sun. He says people need to understand that bringing in newcomers will give the country a competitive advantage. Navdeep Bains says newcomers create jobs in Canada and is urging people to see immigration not as a social issue, but as a key driver of economic growth. The minister says the government has to do a better job of telling that story. It important to our economic agenda, our innovation agenda."If we bring the right people, the motivated people, they'll create more jobs and more opportunities for Canadians."There are a lot of immigrant success stories, he added, including that of his own father who arrived with seven dollars in his pocket, worked three jobs for a time and then went on to start his own company, which employed 20 people."That needs to be part of the narrative," Bains said."We talk to and engage with Canadians and we explain to them that immigration policy is a good thing, it a competitive advantage, it how we're genuinely going to grow." Bains made the comments today while speaking to business leaders at a economic summit in Ottawa sponsored by the Public Policy Forum."The honest truth is there is still reluctance around immigration policy," Bains said. "When we want to talk about immigration and we say we want to bring more immigrants in because it good for the economy, we still get pushback."He asked his audience to pitch in."I need your help, and the help of many in this room, to change that conversation, because I can tell you I'm hitting a bit of challenge within government in having this conversation."Some worry that immigration might be viewed negatively because there is high unemployment in some parts of the country."Overall, how do we explain it to Canadians Because they'll view it as somebody taking away their jobs."That what needs to change, he said."I think we need to change the conversation to say, it not a social policy it an economic policy. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

report card: The charitable organization annually puts out the report card on the region health and vitality as a tool to understand life in the region, and spark conversations about how to make it better, according to The Waterloo Record. Belonging and leadership were urgent issues identified in a previous report, and they remain a key focus in this year's. That shortfall is highlighted in the latest Vital Signs report from the Kitchener and Waterloo Community Foundation released Wednesday. Rosemary Smith, chief executive officer, said belonging is critical to a vital and caring community. "Our sense of belonging drives behaviour," Smith said. Less than one in four tax filers in Kitchener, Waterloo and Cambridge donate to a charity, according to the 2016 report. That includes the amount of time people volunteer and how much they donate. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

syrian refugees: The number was driven by more than 30,000 Syrian refugees under a special program launched last year, according to Brandon Sun. Both levels of government have struggled at times in terms of finding housing support programs for the new arrivals."Many of the refugees had large numbers of children, and that was not completely anticipated in the beginning and that created some challenges for finding appropriate housing and for schools," said John McCallum, the federal minister of immigration, refugees, and citizenship. The agency said it was the largest number of immigrants in an annual period since the early 1910s, when a wave of European immigrants arrived in the western provinces. The federal government provides language and job training, as well as social assistance payments for one year. Financial support and what immigration levels should be were part of Wednesday talks, McCallum said."One of the things that I think is really good about these federal-provincial meetings ... is that we have straight talk, we don't hold back on what we really believe. The provinces pay for other services. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

trade: They also see the ugliness of the U.S. presidential race, where both candidates have cast aspersions on trade, including the massive 12-country Trans-Pacific Partnership, according to The Waterloo Record. Not so in Canada. In their own country and across Europe, they see a backlash against the waves of immigrants flooding the continent from North Africa and the Middle East, and they hear loud rumblings against liberalized trade, including — in some pockets, at least — Canada free trade deal with Europe. That why, when French Prime Minister Manuel Valls meets with counterpart Justin Trudeau this week, he will want to discuss why Canada seems immune to all that noise, say French officials, speaking on condition they not be named. On the former point, Valls is keen to get an update on Canada plans for sending peacekeepers to West Africa to join the fight against Islamic militants. Over the course of meetings Wednesday and Thursday in Ottawa and Montreal, Valls wants to engage Trudeau on "the political atmosphere in the Western Hemisphere with the rising of populism, protectionism, and all these questions that we see rising in various countries," said one French diplomat. "But less so in Canada, so that why the prime minister is interested to hear about the Canadian situation and Canadian solutions." While some might see it as philosophical navel-gazing, another French diplomat said that thread runs through the very real issues Valls and Trudeau are facing: the rise of Islamic extremism, especially in Africa, and getting the Canada-EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement done once and for all. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.