campaign vow: Now as he nears inauguration, that wall is sounding increasingly like it could end up a fence, according to Brandon Sun. And his team and Congressional Republicans are hatching a plan in which taxpayers at least initially would foot the bill. And Mexico was going to pay for it. Trump and his aides insisted Friday the president-elect wasn't breaking with his campaign vow. Trump was more direct The dishonest media does not report that any money spent on building the Great Wall for sake of speed will be paid back by Mexico later! he tweeted. Related Items ArticlesUS report Putin ordered effort to help Trump, hurt Clinton Nothing has changed from our perspective, said top Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway in an interview with CBS. She said Congress was taking it on themselves to explore different options to pay for the wall, and voiced no objections. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

ethan horvath: He would give Arena another veteran option in addition to Colorado's Tim Howard, projected to be sidelined for four months following November surgery on his right leg, and Brad Guzan, who on Monday made his first appearance since August for Middlesbrough, according to Guelph Mercury. In my view we have about eight goalkeepers we're going to be looking at throughout the year, Arena said Thursday during a Facebook Live session, mentioning the five invited to camp along with Ethan Horvath and William Yarbrough. Frei, 30, relocated from Switzerland with his family in the 1990s and played college soccer for California. Certainly Tim Howard and Brad Guzan would have the edge at this point in time. Veterans Michael Bradley, Jozy Altidore, Jermaine Jones, Alejandro Bedoya and Chris Wondolowski also are on the roster that will report to Carson, California, starting Jan. 10 ahead of exhibitions against Serbia on Jan. 29 at San Diego and versus Jamaica on Feb. 3 at Chattanooga, Tennessee. Manneh, a 22-year-old Gambian, moved to Texas in 2010. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

farming state: No doubt about it, Herman said, according to Brandon Sun. I probably wouldn't have spent as much or bought as much machinery as I did. Herman, who grows figs, persimmons and almonds in the nation's most productive farming state, said Trump's comments pushed him to make the purchase, larger than he would have otherwise. Others in California's farming industry say Trump's tough campaign talk targeting immigrants in the country illegally including a vast number of farmworkers spurred them into action, too. San Joaquin Valley farmer Joe Del Bosque recently gathered about 20 year-round employees at a Los Banos steakhouse for their annual holiday lunch. They're calling on congressional representatives to educate the incoming president on the workforce it takes to feed the country, and they're assuring workers they'll protect them. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

immigrants: I was always trying to do the best for our students, Fraser told the Courier Thursday, according to Vancouver Courier. I made my decisions knowing that getting fired could happen. Fraser's decision to enter provincial politics comes less than four months after Education Minister Mike Bernier fired Fraser and her eight colleagues on the Vancouver school board for not balancing the district's budget. I stand behind what I did and if you don't agree with that, then that's fine. The Liberals have announced that lawyer Michael Lee, who was born and raised in Vancouver and son to Hong Kong immigrants, is the party's candidate in Vancouver-Langara. So far, no one has contested Fraser's run to become the Greens' candidate in the riding currently held by Liberal MLA Moira Stilwell, who is retiring from politics after the May election. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

lentil soup: Owners Yahya Hashemi and Ala Amiry, who both immigrated to Canada, put a sign in their window months ago, saying those who can't afford to pay for a meal are welcome at their restaurant, according to CTV. Hashemi said that, in the past, customers have come in, and he's had no idea that they are in need of food. After noticing a number of homeless people in the area asking for spare change, the owners of Marche Restaurant Ferdous in Montreal decided to start offering free food, no questions asked. They are sort of shy, he said. So if they ask for it, basically you give the food.' The restaurant makes a variety of Middle Eastern delicacies, including chicken shawarma and lentil soup. The owners told their cook, Listen, do not ask any questions, do not judge the people by their look. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

lottery system: Canada adopts lottery system for reuniting immigrants with parents, grandparents The change is designed to make the system fair for all applicants, according to a release from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, according to CBC. Between Jan. 3 and Feb. 2, 2017, Canadian citizens and permanent residents who want to sponsor their parents or grandparents can complete an online form. Olena Stetskevych said she was planning on submitting her application this year after working the required three years in Canada but now she and everyone else who wants to submit an application will have to enter a lottery to do so. The department will then randomly pick 10,000 prospective sponsors and invite them to complete the full application. You can be lucky or not lucky.'- Olena Stetskevych Excuse me, lottery can never be fair. It's just a game. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

lottery: Canada adopts lottery system for reuniting immigrants with parents, grandparents Ottawa woman upset with Canada's new lottery system for reuniting immigrants with family Painstaking work to bring mom to Canada 'for nothing' due to new lottery sponsorship system, man says The short notice of the change meant many of her clients who had their paperwork ready to go under the old system are now left waiting to see if they will win the chance to apply, according to CBC. They're frustrated, she said. Jennifer Roggemann said the federal government announced in mid-December the system would change from first-come, first-serve to a lottery system. Most of my clients, they hired in June, July, even last February to start this process. I said to my clients, stop. She said when the government said there would be changes announced Dec. 8, and then it got pushed to Dec. 14, she knew it was going to mean big changes. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

magazine article: Series writer and creator Michael Amo The Listener optioned one such magazine article nearly a decade ago but had a hard time selling networks on a Christian sect version of Breaking Bad, according to Metro News. I couldn't get any traction on it, says Amo, whose Russian-immigrant grandparents were Mennonites. Various reports suggest some members were smuggling cocaine and marijuana into Canada all the way from Mexico by hiding drugs in hollowed-out car batteries and wheels of cheese. I found there was a lot of resistance to the notion that this was even real. Around the same time, so did the success of True Detective and Fargo, two dark dramas that proved there was an appetite for short-run series. Well-publicized busts involving drug mules in Calgary and southwestern Ontario helped open a few eyes, says Amo. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

movements: She believes Canada is bucking the trend in the face of populist movements seeking easy targets such as immigrants and trade agreements, according to Hamilton Spectator. The country's open and trade-friendly environment, she added, will translate into unique opportunities ahead despite forecasts of soft economic growth. Enormous opportunity exists for Canada amid growing protectionist and nationalist movements in the United States and elsewhere, Freeland told an international-relations group Thursday. At a time when so many other countries are closing their doors, are saying they are not interested in foreign investment, are saying they are not interested in trade, you can come to Canada and be assured that we understand and believe in being open to the global economy, she told reporters later. Freeland told the nearly 300 in attendance she has high hopes for the Canada-EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement CETA which is expected to be ratified this year. And yes, I do think that represents very significant and distinctive opportunities for our country in 2017. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

nova scotians: Just 17 per cent believed that any progress had been made since the report was released almost three years ago, according to The Chronicle Herald. NowNS Progress Report Hits, misses and where we go from here Ivany report put fresh coat of paint on decades-old mantra Report Nova Scotia's economic future requires urgent action While it is disappointing that so few Nova Scotians perceive any progress related to the changes recommended by the Ivany Report to improve the economy, it is damning that one-half do not understand the changes needed to improve the prosperity of Nova Scotia, said CRA chairman and CEO Don Mills in a release. Of 400 Nova Scotians surveyed by Corporate Research Associates in November, 48 per cent had no opinion, while 36 per cent felt there was little or no progress in meeting the Ivany Report's goals. The Ivany report, titled Now or Never An Urgent Call to Action for Nova Scotians, warns that Nova Scotia's population won't grow unless the economy does and the province must attract new workers in order to do so. The Ivany Commission's main goals include increasing the workforce through immigration to 7,000 new arrivals per year, reverse out-migration, grow new businesses by 50 per cent, cut youth unemployment to the national average, double tourism revenue, university-business partnerships, exports of farm foods and shellfish and those firms wishing to export, bring more African Nova Scotians and First Nations into the workforce and ensure that at least 65 per cent of the population have post-high school training of some sort. Failure to meet the Ivany goals will result in an extended period of decline for Nova Scotia as an aging and shrinking population is unable to support the standard of living currently enjoyed in the province, the report said. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

palestinian-born immigrant: Things Arab Men Say captures candid conversations about identity, race and stereotypes, all set in the backdrop of an unassuming barbershop, according to CBC. The documentary short was filmed in the Jamal's Eden Barbershop in St. El Chazli is just one of the Edmonton men of Arab descent featured in a new made-in-Alberta documentary. Albert, and the cast of characters are all regulars there. Like any normal conversation, it just keeps moving from one topic to the other, sometimes in a heated fashion, sometimes in a joking fashion. The documentary did capture a very typical conversation that we would have, said El Chazli, a Palestinian-born immigrant. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

parliament hill: She was speaking today to about 300 people at a Montreal Council on Foreign Relations luncheon in Montreal, according to Huffington Post Canada. International Trade Minister Chrystia Freeland speaks to reporters on Parliament Hill on Oct. 27, 2016. Freeland says there is enormous opportunity for Canada even amid growing protectionist and nationalist movements in the United States and elsewhere. Photo Adrian Wyld/CP Freeland believes Canada is bucking the trend in the face of populist movements seeking easy targets such as immigrants and trade agreements. Freeland said there is strong public and cross-party support in Canada for international trade agreements that places the country in a unique situation compared to other nations. And that open and inviting environment, she adds, will translate into unique opportunities ahead. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

states life: So she is a less-than-ideal vehicle for discussions on citizenship, according to Globe and Mail. Ms. Leitch is nakedly ambitious; she endorsed a snitch line last year, a nod to George Orwell's 1984. Leitch aside, to think clearly about Canadian values, consider that there are really only two types of countries nation-states where citizenship is based on ethnicity Japan, for example or religion Saudi Arabia ; and countries based on a shared set of ideas and ideals France liberty, equality and fraternity the United States life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness Canada peace, order and good government . Canada's credo is not robustly idea obvious, but it is derived from British and French influences and thus includes assumptions about freedom, the rule of law, the necessary division of power and so forth. Anyone can rally to these; it matters little whether one was born in Buffalo, Beijing, Beirut or Barrie. To place these ideas at the pinnacle of a country's self-understanding means anyone is potentially welcome provided they commit to the ideas and the norms that flow from them freedom of speech and religion, property rights, the equality of individuals before the law. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

trump tweet: Lawmakers would be asked to ensure that enough money is available in U.S. coffers to build the wall, but Congress would not pass a stand-alone bill authorizing it, according to The Chronicle Herald. Related Toyota stock dip after Trump tweet on planned Mexico plantGOP has Trump's back as he questions US intelligence Toyota is latest Trump target over Mexico production plansA traditional end to an unconventional presidential election Trump said in a tweet early Friday that Mexico will reimburse American taxpayers. Under the evolving plan, the Trump administration would rely on existing legislation authorizing fencing and other technology along the southern border. The dishonest media does not report that any money spent on building the Great Wall for sake of speed will be paid back by Mexico later! The potential approach was confirmed Thursday by two congressional officials and a senior transition official with knowledge of the discussions; all spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly. The approach could come as a surprise to some but could also stave off a legislative fight that Trump might lose if he tried to get Congress to pass a measure authorizing the kind of border wall he promised during the campaign. The officials emphasized that no final decisions had been made. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

labour union: And the politician, whose background includes previous work with a labour union as well as degrees in law and science, made comments on Wednesday that were a breath of fresh air to kick off 2017, according to National Observer. She said her vision for the Conservative party was based on the shared values of hard work, optimism, and of self-reliance. Raitt is an Ontario MP from Nova Scotia. These are the keys to a better future. The former federal cabinet minister was clear and direct as she spoke to reporters in Ottawa at a morning news conference Jan. 4. These are my values, these are Conservative values and these are Canadian values ... The Conservative party I would lead would be based on the same values of principled and pragmatic conservatism. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

magazine article: Series writer and creator Michael Amo The Listener optioned one such magazine article nearly a decade ago but had a hard time selling networks on a Christian sect version of Breaking Bad, according to Brandon Sun. I couldn't get any traction on it, says Amo, whose Russian-immigrant grandparents were Mennonites. Various reports suggest some members were smuggling cocaine and marijuana into Canada all the way from Mexico by hiding drugs in hollowed-out car batteries and wheels of cheese. I found there was a lot of resistance to the notion that this was even real. Around the same time, so did the success of True Detective and Fargo, two dark dramas that proved there was an appetite for short-run series. Well-publicized busts involving drug mules in Calgary and southwestern Ontario helped open a few eyes, says Amo. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

mexican border: Herman, who grows figs, persimmons and almonds in the nation's most productive farming state, said Trump's comments pushed him to make the purchase, larger than he would have otherwise, according to Guelph Mercury. No doubt about it, Herman said. Days after Donald Trump won the White House vowing to deport millions of people in the country illegally and fortify the Mexican border, California farmer Kevin Herman ordered nearly 600,000 in new equipment, cutting the number of workers he'll need starting with the next harvest. I probably wouldn't have spent as much or bought as much machinery as I did. They're calling on congressional representatives to educate the incoming president on the workforce it takes to feed the country, and they're assuring workers they'll protect them. Others in California's farming industry say Trump's tough campaign talk targeting immigrants in the country illegally including a vast number of farmworkers spurred them into action, too. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

montreal council: Freeland believes Canada is bucking the trend in the face of populist movements seeking easy targets such as immigrants and trade agreements, according to National Observer. And that open and inviting environment, she adds, will translate into unique opportunities ahead. She was speaking today to about 300 people at a Montreal Council on Foreign Relations luncheon in Montreal. Freeland said there is strong public and cross party support in Canada for international trade agreements that places the country in a unique situation compared to other nations. At a time when so many other countries are closing their doors, are saying they are not interested in foreign investment, are saying they are not interested in trade, you can come to Canada and be assured that we understand and believe in being open to the global economy, she told reporters later. The ongoing softwood lumber dispute with the United States and a vow by president elect Donald Trump to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement loom large on a packed horizon. ; But Freeland told the gathering there are also positives, including the Canada EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement CETA which is expected to be ratified this year. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

movements: She believes Canada is bucking the trend in the face of populist movements seeking easy targets such as immigrants and trade agreements, according to Guelph Mercury. The country's open and trade-friendly environment, she added, will translate into unique opportunities ahead despite forecasts of soft economic growth. Enormous opportunity exists for Canada amid growing protectionist and nationalist movements in the United States and elsewhere, Freeland told an international-relations group Thursday. At a time when so many other countries are closing their doors, are saying they are not interested in foreign investment, are saying they are not interested in trade, you can come to Canada and be assured that we understand and believe in being open to the global economy, she told reporters later. Freeland told the nearly 300 in attendance she has high hopes for the Canada-EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement CETA which is expected to be ratified this year. And yes, I do think that represents very significant and distinctive opportunities for our country in 2017. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

contender kevin: On the other hand, confirmed leadership candidate Kellie Leitch and possible contender Kevin O'Leary promise divisive and negative political agendas that would only serve to divide Conservatives and scare away potential converts, she warned, according to The Chronicle Herald. If principled and pragmatic Conservatives don't join together, we will see our party hijacked by the loudest voices in the room, who are really just aiming to boost their own profile, Raitt said. Canadians will return the Conservatives to power in Ottawa if the party selects a principled leader who offers sensible policies, Raitt told a news conference in the national capital. Calling O'Leary a TV entertainer with no filter, Raitt launched a website, Stop KevinOLeary, to highlight her concerns about both O'Leary and Leitch, who she derided for embracing U.S. president-elect Donald Trump's anti-immigrant message. Leitch appeared Tuesday on the Fox Business Network, where she echoed the controversial U.S. president-elect by reiterating a promise to screen newcomers to Canada for Canadian values. O'Leary a brash businessman known for his past role on CBC's Dragon's Den and current turn on the U.S. version, Shark Tank hasn't yet officially entered the race but has launched a committee to explore the possibility. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

first-serve system: Then just before Christmas, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada announced an overhaul of the intake process for the 2017 parent and grandparent sponsorship program, according to Hamilton Spectator. Instead of continuing the old system that usually saw spots run out within days, officials have adopted a lottery system to award the spots and will randomly draw 10,000 individuals from the pool and invite them to submit full applications. In November, in order to have a better chance at securing his parents a coveted spot in the first-come, first-serve system, he hired a courier to make sure the application would be hand-delivered to the Immigration Department's Mississauga processing centre on Tuesday as soon as the office opened its door to accept applications. That means all the efforts Dodero made in the last few months to compile documents for his parents in Venezuela are in vain, with a new application kit and guide coming next Monday. The expenses are nonrefundable. Dodero has already spent 250 on the mailing fees and another 200 to a local courier. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

heartstrings-tugging photo: Yes, we have a particular group of people forced from their homelands, who fled rape, terror and abuses so great they would be considered war crimes, according to Toronto Star. Simply because they were different. JONATHAN HAYWARD / THE CANADIAN PRESS By Liam Massaubi Wed., Jan. 4, 2017 We have homegrown refugees in Canada who aren't prioritized enough to justify a Justin Trudeau greeting at an airport or a tear shed from the prime minister that made for such a great, heartstrings-tugging photo shoot. Yet we ignore these refugees. We keep them poor and dependent through racist legislation designed to do just that. We let them suffer in mouldy, crumbling shacks. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

idea seehofer: Merkel opposes the idea, according to Metro News. Seehofer suggested recently that his party wouldn't join the next government without a cap. Horst Seehofer, who leads the Christian Social Union the Bavarian sister party to Merkel's Christian Democratic Union has been demanding for a year an annual limit of 200,000 on new migrants to Germany. He said Wednesday that we mean this demand very seriously. He said his party doesn't need public lectures but downplayed tensions with Merkel's CDU, adding We have to discuss some things, then we will go into the election campaign together. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

immigrants opportunities: He accused the current government of breaking the dreams of immigrants and refugees who have not been able to find work in their fields or learn English or French, according to CTV. The most important thing is to be able to offer those immigrants opportunities, he told a Montreal news conference where he unveiled his immigration strategy. The Quebec MP said the Trudeau government's targets have been improvised for political purposes and don't take into account the ability of cities and provinces to integrate newcomers. If you are not offered a job and are not able to master one or two of the official languages, we have a big problem, he said. He also reiterated a promise to beef up the citizenship test to ensure newcomers understand basic principles of Canadian identity such as the charter of rights, freedom of speech and equality between the sexes. The former public safety minister also said the screening process for immigrants and refugees needs to be strengthened to ensure none of the newcomers pose a threat. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

immigration strategy: Steven Blaney is shown in Levis, Que. on Oct. 23, 2016, according to Huffington Post Canada. Photo Jacques Boissinot/CP He accused the current government of breaking the dreams of immigrants and refugees who have not been able to find work in their fields or learn English or French. The Quebec MP said the Trudeau government's targets have been improvised for political purposes and don't take into account the ability of cities and provinces to integrate newcomers. The most important thing is to be able to offer those immigrants opportunities, he told a Montreal news conference where he unveiled his immigration strategy. The former public safety minister also said the screening process for immigrants and refugees needs to be strengthened to ensure none of the newcomers pose a threat. If you are not offered a job and are not able to master one or two of the official languages, we have a big problem, he said. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

leadership campaign: He accused the current government of breaking the dreams of immigrants and refugees who have not been able to find work in their fields or learn English or French, according to CBC. Scheer calls on O'Leary to join race before all-French debate Blaney kicks off leadership campaign with proposed niqab ban The most important thing is to be able to offer those immigrants opportunities, he told a Montreal news conference where he unveiled his immigration strategy. The Quebec MP said the Trudeau government's targets have been improvised for political purposes and don't take into account the ability of cities and provinces to integrate newcomers. If you are not offered a job and are not able to master one or two of the official languages, we have a big problem, he said. He also reiterated a promise to beef up the citizenship test to ensure newcomers understand basic principles of Canadian identity such as the charter of rights, freedom of speech and equality between the sexes. The former public safety minister also said the screening process for immigrants and refugees needs to be strengthened to ensure none of the newcomers pose a threat. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.