country agreement: Organizers are hoping the protests can sustain a national movement advocating for policies to make Canada safer and more welcoming for everyone, according to Metro News. We can't just speak to our values. Hundreds of protesters are expected at the U.S. Consulate in Toronto this weekend to denounce the Quebec mosque attack and Donald Trump's travel ban on people from mostly Muslim countries. We have to act on our values, said Walied Khogali, a Toronto community activist and one of the protest organizers. The demands from dozens of community groups forming the coalition include a public condemnation of Trump's Muslim ban, revoking the Safe Third Country Agreement and scrapping Canadian legislation perceived as racist, such as Bill C-51. Standing up for Canada means telling our friends south of the border that their policies are xenophobic, Islamophobic and they're making Canadians less safe. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

criticism: But Tory stopped short of denouncing his former campaign strategist Nick Kouvalis to whom he remains loyal after his 2014 election win whose controversial comments have drawn criticism he is capitalizing on the fear and hatred of refugees recently inspired by President Donald Trump, according to Metro News. It is expected that Kouvalis will help Tory seek re-election in 2018. He said political leaders have a moral obligation to speak out against hatred. Criticism peaked this week after Kouvalis on the weekend called a political science professor a cuck on Twitter a derogatory term that has been used by the bigoted alt-right against their opponents and accused him of treason. He did not respond to a request for comment for this story. Kouvalis has since apologized for those comments. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

david kotok: They also reflect Trump's shift toward an America First approach and away from the pro-globalization policies embraced by his predecessors, according to CTV. His combative trade stance potentially could open the door for China and other economic powers to fill a void. Trump's immigration order followed his order to build a wall along the border with Mexico and his vow to rip up NAFTA. Combined, those moves could discourage visitors and students from many countries -- not just the seven covered by the order -- economists say. Broad-brush policies like this people barrier impede growth and certainly do not accelerate it, David Kotok, chief investment officer at Cumberland Advisors, wrote in an email. Foreign tourists provide critical support to the U.S. economy. Trump has now set back the positive elements of global exchange in both goods and services. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

eberhard anheuser: Budweiser's new Super Bowl ad portrays the 1857 journey of its co-founder Adolphus Busch from Germany to St Louis, according to Huffington Post Canada. Upon arrival, he's welcomed with xenophobia as an angry American yells, You're not wanted here! Go back home! He eventually meets Eberhard Anheuser, another German immigrant and together they create Budweiser, a brand so ingrained in the United States psyche that it literally renamed itself America during last year's election. This is not any other year. You're not wanted here! Go back home! Now most brands don't want to admit to being political in this day and age, and so a company spokesperson told AdWeek there was no correlation with anything else that's happening in the country. A Budweiser spokesperson said its Super Bowl ad has no correlation with anything else that's happening in the country. President Donald Trump sits in the Oval Office. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

england patriots: He goes through travails including jumping off a burning boat and catching a glimpse of Anheuser-Bush's Clydesdales mascots, before meeting fellow immigrant Eberhard Anheuser, according to CBC. The Super Bowl at the NRG Stadium in Houston between the New England Patriots and Atlanta Falcons airs Sunday on Fox. The 60-second ad called Born the Hard Way shows Anheuser-Busch co-founder Adolphus Busch travelling by boat from Germany to the U.S. in 1850s. But the ads for Budweiser beer are as big a story as the game most years, because they offer a glimpse into the culture and are a great way to draw brand awareness during one of the most-watched television events of the year. Teams beg off Trump talk as Super Bowl week kicks off Ricardo Marques, vice president of Budweiser, in a statement said the company has been working on the ad since May. The Budweiser ad this year is being singled out for having such an uncharacteristic if accidental political tone. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

evening prayers: Police reported that 19 people were also wounded during the evening prayers at the Centre Culturel Islamique de Qu bec Quebec Islamic Cultural Centre and that all the men killed had ranged in age from 35 to 70, according to Rabble. Thirty-nine people escaped the mosque without injuries. These were among the six men gunned down by a French-Canadian nationalist in a Quebec City mosque on Monday evening. We're not talking about a war zone here, we're talking about Quebec, Samer Majzoub, the president of the Canadian-Muslim Forum and a resident of Montreal for 28 years, told Middle East Eye. Whether we like it or not it has created a lot of fear in the minds of people like how did the suspects buy a gun We're not in the U.S. where you can just buy one from a convenience store. We feel unsafe now. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

iconic cirque: But, in a pre-show interview, the Qu b cois impresario, who co-founded Canada's iconic Cirque de Soleil, hinted that his future plans would not involve horses two Cavalia productions since 2003; I feel I've gone as far as I can with the horses, according to Vancouver Observer. Nor would he go in for another touring show. Presumably that means ever until Latourelle's next extravaganza. Nor even, necessarily, would he play in this hemisphere, where the mood is turning ugly. His 100 member human troupe comprises 11 nationalities and five different religions, including Islam. After flying in Odysseo's 65 equine stars from California on their own private 747, Latourelle admits he's appalled by the new American border restrictions. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

cuba: That may sound like a really simplified way of saying it, but it's what so many immigrant families are in search of when they come to Canada, according to Huffington Post Canada. They made a sacrifice and turned away from everything they knew -- their language, customs and their family and friends. My parents left Cuba to pursue a better life. They placed my brother and me before all of these things because for them we were worth it. I wish I could say I have vivid memories about coming to Canada, but the truth is I hardly remember getting on the plane. I was five years old when we left Cuba. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

kevin mcaleenan: Their admission comes despite President Donald Trump's warnings that refugees like these, vetted under the Obama administration, were not adequately screened to ensure they are not potential terrorists, according to Hamilton Spectator. The refugee ban was part of an executive order signed Friday by Trump that has stoked outrage and protests. Kevin McAleenan, the acting head of Customs and Border Protection, said Tuesday that the refugees were already travelling and stopping them would cause undue hardship. Besides the 120-day ban for refugees, the order also bans entry to the United States from citizens of seven majority Muslim countries and indefinitely bars travel by Syrians to the U.S. At a news briefing with McAleenan, Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly said the travel ban for the seven countries may be extended and other countries could also be added to the list. They're countries that are in various states of collapse and may not be able to verify that people applying to come to the United States are who they say they are. I would be less than honest if I told you that some of those countries that are currently on the list may not be taken off the list any time soon, Kelly said. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

kokab algazali: Many refugees in the U.S. had expected to reunite with relatives any day, but now their plans are on hold. 5-YEAR- FAR FROM MOM AND DAD Nagi Algahaim, a U.S. citizen who runs a gas station in Detroit, said he's effectively stuck in Malaysia with his wife, a native of Yemen, according to The Chronicle Herald. Their 5-year-old daughter is at home with relatives in Detroit but the mother can't travel there. Trump's order temporarily halted the entire U.S. refugee program and banned all entries from seven Muslim-majority nations for 90 days. Algahaim, 33, said he and Kokab Algazali, 28, have been in Malaysia since December, seeking immigration documents to qualify her for a green card in the United States. But he's not leaving Kuala Lumpur without her. Algahaim said Malaysia Airlines told them that while he can fly to the U.S., his wife cannot. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

tory: He said political leaders have a moral obligation to speak out against hatred, according to Toronto Star. But Tory stopped short of denouncing his former campaign strategist Nick Kouvalis to whom he remains loyal after his 2014 election win whose controversial comments have drawn criticism he is capitalizing on the fear and hatred of refugees recently inspired by President Donald Trump. DAVID RIDER / TORONTO STAR By Jennifer Pagliaro City Hall reporter Tues., Jan. 31, 2017 Toronto is a place of welcome, Mayor John Tory reaffirmed Tuesday, saying the city remains both a home for refugees and safe haven to undocumented immigrants. It is expected that Kouvalis will help Tory seek re-election in 2018. Kouvalis has since apologized for those comments. Criticism peaked this week after Kouvalis on the weekend called a political science professor a cuck on Twitter a derogatory term that has been used by the alt-right against their opponents and accused him of treason. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

liberties association: There have been people calling in and we know that Islamophobia is happening here in B.C., Alam said, according to Metro News. It's happening in a multitude of places universities, classrooms in high schools, on vigilant after Quebec mosque attack, Trump orderU.S. travel ban hits Vancouver refugee, business, and faith communities hard Alam made the comments during a press conference organized by the B.C. Civil Liberties Association in response to the immigration ban and a subsequent shooting at a Quebec City mosque that left six dead and injured 19. That has included an incident where a woman walking down a Vancouver street had her hijab pulled off, said Hasan Alam, a lawyer involved in setting up an Islamophobia Legal Assistance Hotline the hotline number is 604-343-3828 or 1-866-730-0728 . The hotline provides free and confidential legal advice on immigration, employment and human rights law in several languages. The BCCLA and Canadian Association of Refugee Lawyers are also calling on the Canadian government to suspend an existing safe third country agreement between Canada and the United States which prevents refugee claimants from making a claim in Canada if they have travelled to Canada through the U.S., on the grounds that the U.S. is a safe country in which they can make a refugee claim. The hotline was set up last year in response to an uptick in racism and discrimination directed at Muslims or people who appear to be Muslim, Alam said. That's no longer the case, said Laura Track, a lawyer with the BCCLA. Given the rapidly evolving, unpredictable situation in the U.S., the confusion and lack of transparency, uncertain and developing legal challenges including reports that some border guards are not complying with court orders Canada cannot consider the United States safe for refugees, Track said. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

muslim nations: On the day after U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Friday temporarily closing the country's borders to all refugees, immigrants from seven predominantly Muslim nations and indefinitely barring Syrian refugees, Penn took to Instagram to share his disapproval, according to CTV. One particularly mean comment below his post caught the actor's eye. The actor said the generous donations have come from all 50 U.S. states and 44 different countries, with the highest contributions from those other countries coming from Canada. Because you don't belong in this country you F ing joke, the message read. Penn shared the screengrab of message and wrote Donating to Syrian refugees in the name of the dude who said I don't belong in America on the site Crowdrise. Rather than respond to the online troll directly, the actor, who was born to Indian immigrants in New Jersey, took a screengrab of the comment and used it to create a crowdfunding campaign with a goal of 2,500 for Syrian refugees on Saturday. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

neighbouring countries: The Syrian civil war alone has forced some 5 million people to seek safety in neighbouring countries, and has displaced more than 6 million more, according to Toronto Star. In Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon and elsewhere in the region millions of Syrians live in desperate circumstances. Adrian Wyld / THE CANADIAN PRESS By Star Editorial Board Wed., Feb. 1, 2017 Countries around the world are grappling with the global migrant crisis. Many decide their only chance is to take the treacherous trip across the Mediterranean Sea in search of a new life in Europe. Considered in this context, Donald Trump's new immigration measures are particularly brutal. Those who survive face yet more steep challenges. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

reporter: Mark Blinch / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILE PHOTO By Jennifer Yang Identity and Inequality Reporter Wed., Feb. 1, 2017 Who is a true Canadian For the majority of respondents in a new survey, it's somebody who not only speaks English or French but also shares Canadian customs and traditions a marker that Canadians prioritized more than even the Australians, French or Americans, according to Toronto Star. With an eye on nationalist movements and rising anti-immigrant sentiment, the Pew Research Center conducted a survey of more than 14,500 people in 14 countries to investigate global perspectives on a thorny idea What does it take to be one of us In a report released Wednesday, Pew researchers found language was the most critical factor for how people defined a true member of their nation, with the Netherlands, Hungary and United Kingdom placing the highest premium on speaking the native tongue. Canadians polled for a survey on what makes a true Canadian said being able to speak French or English and sharing Canadian customs and traditions were of high importance. Canadians and Italians were the least likely to link language with national identity, though nearly nine-in-10 Canadians both Anglophone and Francophone still felt speaking French or English was very or somewhat important despite the fact 20.6 per cent of Canadians did not consider either to be their mother tongue, according to the 2011 census. Article Continued Below For whatever it means, Canadians seem to value customs and traditions more so than even people in the U.S. or in many of the European countries, said Stokes, director of Global Economic Attitudes with the Pew Research Center, a non-partisan think tank based in Washington, D.C. And while the majority say the ability to speak French or English is important, relatively speaking, it's not that important to Canadians compared to even Australians or people in the U.S. Like all polls, this one has important limitations, including the fact the nebulous phrase of national customs and traditions was not defined and left for individual respondents to interpret. react-empty 161 Canadians in the Yukon, Nunavut and Northwest Territories were also excluded from the Canadian survey, which was conducted in April and May 2016 and had a margin of error of 3.9 percentage points at a 95 per cent confidence level. In Canada, 54 per cent of 1,020 respondents also placed a high premium on shared customs and traditions when defining the Canadian identity, with only Hungary, Greece and Poland showing larger proportions of people who prioritized shared culture something that jumped out for Bruce Stokes, the author of the report. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

thiel fulfil: He was granted citizenship during a private ceremony held at the New Zealand Consulate in Santa Monica, according to The Chronicle Herald. The New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs on Wednesday released 145 pages of partially redacted documents detailing how Thiel became a citizen. Thiel didn't even have to leave California to become a new member of the South Pacific nation. His status was first reported by The New Zealand Herald newspaper last month and raised questions because Thiel didn't fulfil the usual criteria requiring people to live in the country. He said he realized his circumstances wouldn't usually qualify him for citizenship, but that he believed he was an exception. In his application, Thiel wrote that he owned a home in New Zealand but if he was granted citizenship, he would need to continue residing in the U.S. to manage his California-based companies. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

roya arabloodariche: When Roya Arabloodariche tried to check in at an Iranian airport on Saturday, she was told she could not enter the U.S. due to an executive order signed by President Donald Trump, according to Vancouver Observer. Our future was destroyed immediately, said Bolandnazar. But that was 10 days ago, and Bolandnazar hasn't seen his wife since. They are Iranian citizens who both hold advanced degrees from the University of British Columbia. Now, Bolandnazar, 29, said he expects them both to pursue their academic and career goals elsewhere ideally in Canada. The pair obtained visas to live in New York while Bolandnazar completes his finance and economics PhD at Columbia an electrical engineer, had hoped to get her green card and work in the United States. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

travel ban: Zokari was born in New York, but his parents are from Yemen, one of the seven countries listed in Friday's executive order, according to CBC. It's also where he met and married his wife four years ago. But now his two-year journey to bring his wife to the U.S. has been put on hold. Soon after, Zokari began the process that would bring her and his 13-month-old daughter to the U.S. But when the travel ban went into effect, everything was put on hold. Steven D'Souza/CBC News It's just a mixed bag of emotions, I wouldn't want anyone to be in my shoes, Zokari said, speaking from his family's convenience store in New York's Lower East Side. Horan Zokari's wife and 13-month-old daughter are stuck in Yemen, unable to complete the two-year immigration process that would bring them to the U.S., all because of the executive order temporarily banning anyone from one of seven Muslim-majority countries. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

trump actions: For Canadian Muslims this past weekend 'has felt like a year' No one should be made afraid because of who they are or where they come from, Tory told reporters at city hall, according to CBC. Coun. Tory took aim at U.S. President Donald Trump's executive immigration order that temporarily blocks people from seven predominantly Muslim countries from entering the United States, while also urging Canadians to welcome refugees and immigrants. Joe Cressy, who along with Coun. Cressy said as the U.S. closes its borders, Canada and other countries must do more to open theirs. Joe Mihevc seconded a motion put forward by the mayor, said the Trump administration's actions cannot go unchallenged and that banning people based on their country of origin is simply wrong. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

wednesday morning: As a Conservative leadership candidate, Leitch has promised to screen newcomers to Canada for Canadian values -- a proposal that garnered fresh attention after the shooting, although there's nothing to suggest the alleged gunman would have been screened, according to CTV. When asked for her response, Leitch was brief. The banner, stretching nearly the full height of the single-storey building, says, Hate puts us all at risk, and bears the names of the six people killed in Sunday's mosque shooting in Quebec City, along with the hashtag .notmyMP. Police say the banner was removed Wednesday morning after they were called to Leitch's office in Collingwood, Ont. Freedom of speech is a Canadian value, she said in a statement. But those words have rung hollow for some Canadians, and Conservative politicians say that in today's political climate, they all need to be more mindful of what they say. Leitch condemned the Quebec City attack, calling it an outrageous act of violence and an attack not just on those gathered in a house of worship but on the very fabric of Canadian society, on the values of freedom and tolerance. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

british citizen: On Tuesday 31.01.17 David revealed the news by posting a picture of him standing beside his and Elton's two children, Zachary, six, and four-year-old Elijah - who were both born via a surrogate - on his Instagram account, according to Guelph Mercury. He captioned the image A very emotional morning for me. The 54-year-old filmmaker - who married 69-year-old musician Sir Elton John in 2014 after over 20 years together - relocated from Canada to Britain almost 30 years ago and feels very blessed and extremely proud to now be able to hold two passports as a dual national. This morning, I was sworn in as a British citizen. I was welcomed with open arms. As an immigrant, I moved to the UK more than 27 years years ago. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

canada: Related Stories Americans trust me more than... Here's what he had to say on a few topics On inclusivity The inclusive contract, the social contract we have in Canada is something to be cherished, according to Guelph Mercury. I will make sure in my mandate that never changes. He recently sat down with The Canadian Press for a wide-ranging interview, where he touched on some of the policies he would put in place if he became prime minister. All of this discussion about somehow changing our policies in terms of bringing immigrants into this country, that's never going to happen under my mandate, because what I care about the most is that we keep this contract with the world the way we've enjoyed it since the beginning and, if anything, it makes our country even more valuable now, not less valuable. Any prime minister with a majority mandate wields a very big stick federally in the form of all of the different tools they have to work with provinces, so when I see policy that is hurting the people of a province, that is taking away from my mandate. On working with provinces Here's the thing about a majority mandate, for either party. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

kokab algazali: Many refugees in the U.S. had expected to reunite with relatives any day, but now their plans are on hold. 5-YEAR- FAR FROM MOM AND DAD Nagi Algahaim, a U.S. citizen who runs a gas station in Detroit, said he's effectively stuck in Malaysia with his wife, a native of Yemen, according to Guelph Mercury. Their 5-year-old daughter is at home with relatives in Detroit but the mother can't travel there. Trump's order temporarily halted the entire U.S. refugee program and banned all entries from seven Muslim-majority nations for 90 days. Algahaim, 33, said he and Kokab Algazali, 28, have been in Malaysia since December, seeking immigration documents to qualify her for a green card in the United States. But he's not leaving Kuala Lumpur without her. Algahaim said Malaysia Airlines told them that while he can fly to the U.S., his wife cannot. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

president donald: We don't develop policy on the fly, according to Guelph Mercury. We have to make sure that we understand all the implications, to make sure that we stick to our numbers and make sure that we develop policy after careful consideration of all the implications. We have a very robust and welcoming refugee system, Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen said Tuesday. The Liberal cabinet minister was responding to calls including from the New Democrats to do more to fill the gaps left by U.S. President Donald Trump's temporary immigration ban on people from seven Muslim-majority countries and his indefinite bar on Syrian refugees. There is much more that Canada can do and must do. Canada must step up to do its part, said NDP immigration critic Jenny Kwan. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

yasamin zia: Today my friends and I were at Walmart and as we approached the cashier she immediately started disrespecting us and giving us attitude, Zia wrote in the post, according to Guelph Mercury. The employee refused to cash them out and told them they weren't citizens, she said. On Tuesday evening, Yasamin Zia took to social media to publicly express her disgust with the way she was treated by an employee at the big-box retailer on Stone Road. You're not Canadian citizens, I need to see pictures of your citizenship, you can't pay for this, Zia wrote, quoting the cashier in the online post. I'm appalled, this was my first time getting discriminated against my skin colour, she wrote. This is when a manager got involved and cashed them out, assuring Zia and her friends the situation would be dealt with. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

american citizens: Silicon Valley often attracts the best talent from around the world and, according to Faletski, that makes it tough for Canadian companies to grow, according to CBC. It has been more challenging for our companies to scale sometimes, to become medium-sized or large-sized because of a lack of experience, talent and executives, said Faletski. I think it's actually a massive opportunity, said Mobify CEO Igor Faletski whose mobile commerce company is headquartered in Vancouver with offices in Chicago and the U.K. Faletski said it would be no surprise to see a significant wave of immigrants saying 'I want to come to Canada.' We might see some American citizens come north and some Canadians return from Silicon Valley, he said. Mobify is in hiring mode. We're coming through four or five very strong years in the tech industry here and the consequence of growth across all different sectors has really exacerbated the talent challenges for a lot of companies, said Bill Tam, CEO of the B.C. Tech Association, in Vancouver. Worker shortage A shortage of programmers and other skilled IT professionals is true of many B.C. technology companies. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.