assault charges: The day on March 8 takes place a little over a month after the Women's March on Washington, according to NOW Magazine. The historic protest against Donald Trump and his sexist, racist presidential campaign sparked dozens of satellite marches around the globe, including one in Toronto attracting 60,000 participants. For many reasons, International Women's Day feels more vital this year than ever. That rally was just the tip of the iceberg. Last March, Jian Ghomeshi was acquitted of all five sexual harassment and assault charges held against him. This past year saw hundreds of more incidents where women, racialized women, Muslim women, Black women, Indigenous women, transgender women and members of the LGBTQ community continued to be marginalized. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

bill c: The legislation would revoke some of the measures passed by the previous Conservative government, including a provision that would allow the government to revoke the citizenship of dual nationals convicted of terrorism or treason, according to Brandon Sun. The bill also eases up some residency and language requirements imposed by the Conservatives. He says he would carefully consider any amendments the Senate proposes to Bill C-6, echoing comments made last fall by his predecessor, John McCallum. Hussen has defended the bill before the Senate social affairs committee. While the bill ends the possibility of taking citizenship from dual nationals involved in terrorism, it still allows for revoking the citizenship of people who make false applications, or for reasons of criminality or human rights abuses. He says he believes the legislation is sound, even though there is no guarantee of an independent appeal when someone loses their citizenship because of a fraudulent application. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

boho silhouettes: Some highlights CHLOE DESIGNER BIDS FAREWELLThe final chapter in Clare Waight Keller's reign strayed not too far from the hippy-chic '70s DNA that's now synonymous with the Chloe house, according to Brandon Sun. It was a play-it-safe moment to cap six years at the helm of one of Paris' most iconic fashion houses. But politics also was in the air with France's culture minister saying the rise of nationalism could threaten Paris' multicultural fashion industry. Diaphanous jabot collars, fluttery layers of cascading chiffon, oversize retro fur coats and exaggeratedly billowing slung pants were on this season's menu of loose boho silhouettes. But, at times the garments and collection though executed to perfection seemed to lack a little soul. The '70s penchant for colour was also clearly referenced in the 43-piece collection's use of prints and lashings of icy pastel hues shades of mint, peach and lilac that merged into earthy tones. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

canadian press: Abdi Ahmed with Immigration Partnership Winnipeg says people are risking their lives to reach Canada because they are searching for a safe place, according to The Waterloo Record. Ahmed says that given so many people have crossed the border during the coldest months of the year, many more are likely to do so as the weather warms up. Some 169 people have already crossed the border on foot in sub-zero temperatures in the last few months. He says his group anticipates more families will make the journey and local agencies will be hard-pressed to take care of them. By The Canadian Press The United Way has set up a website helprefugees.ca so people across the country can donate to help asylum-seekers. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

city distemper: A few weeks prior, London did the same thing, joining early adopters Toronto and Hamilton, according to The Waterloo Record. Now Regina, Winnipeg and Fredericton are making plans. Last month Montreal declared itself a sanctuary city. While there's no direct evidence Waterloo Region is also about to succumb, given council's famous susceptibility to whatever big city distemper is going around unnecessary reductions in garbage service, deliberate and counterproductive curbs on housing supply, obscenely expensive transit infrastructure projects etc. we certainly can't rule out the possibility. It's bad news. As such, we should be doing everything we can to prevent the spread of sanctuary city-itis to Waterloo Region. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

claims: Canada is currently experiencing a spike in the number of asylum-seekers entering through the United States over land, according to National Observer. Nearly 1,700 people filed such claims between Jan. 1 and Feb. 21, officials told reporters, citing preliminary numbers. In Emerson, Man., for example, where reports have showed several asylum seekers crossing the border, the border agency has made sure its staffing is adequate, they said. That's an increase of 970 people from the same period last year, when 728 made asylum claims during that timeframe. Officials are hesitant to call it a trend. Separately, at government offices inside Canada but away from the border, there has also been a spike in asylum claims from 1,083 people to 2,281 people, an increase of 1,198. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

comedy show: Rating NNNNAfter Donald Trump's Muslim ban and the Quebec City mosque shooting, the comedians of Being Muslim In Canada A Comedy Show know very well that the world is in a rough state right now, according to NOW Magazine. What better way to heal than to hold a night flipping the bird at societal bullshit Comedy Bar was sold out last Saturday night, and all proceeds went to the Islamic Culture Centre for Quebec City. A COMEDY SHOW at Comedy Bar 945 Bloor West February 25. From the start, it was clear there would be no pandering, and especially no stereotypes thank god . Although the show was dedicated to Muslims, everyone was welcome. Hadidi, along with Hoodo Hersi, Guled Abdi and Ali Hassan, delivered strong sets that delved into personal experience, such as delayed reactions to racism that led them to make the wrong reply in that encounter, or feeling tired of how white feminism still exists. In fact, as host Nour Hadidi deadpanned, the comics came prepared by planting Qurans beneath each seat for non-Muslim audience members so that they could convert and get this show going already. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

photo credit: Zool Suleman is an immigration lawyer in Vancouver, according to Rabble. He speaks with Redeye host Jane Williams. Refugee advocates say Justin Trudeau has to make significant changes to those policies now that Donald Trump is president. Check out Redeye's website for more information about the show. Photo credit this podcast rabble is reader/listener supported journalism. Find Redeye on Facebook and like our page for regular updates. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

policy proposals: This won't be that easy, according to Rabble. Dyed-in-the-wool political partisans are one thing, but what Liberal voters, NDP voters and the left-of-centre portion of mushy and moveable electoral middle all want right now is pretty much within the same general policy range. Albert Mayor Nolan Crouse's principal problem as a candidate to lead the Alberta Liberal Party -- and as the party's leader, in the event he gets the job -- will be to find a way to differentiate between the policy proposals of the governing NDP and those of his own party. Why would voters who essentially support the NDP policy approach -- even if they don't particularly love the NDP -- risk voting for a party like the Liberals, who are unlikely to offer anything except a cast-iron guarantee they can't form the next government Crouse needs to answer this question to succeed. So Crouse, who announced he is running to lead the Liberals yesterday morning on the edge of the North Saskatchewan River Valley overlooking downtown Edmonton and Alberta's lovely Legislative Building, has his work cut out. At the same time, Alberta's already pretty far-right conservative parties -- whether or not they manage to merge before the next general election -- are moving even further to the right, which is not likely to be comfortable territory for Alberta Liberals to occupy. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

policy: Montreal becomes 'sanctuary city' after unanimous vote Sanctuary city movement grows in Canada, but could bring tension with police, immigration officials Syrian refugees pose challenges for B.C. schools The policy aims to give all New Westminster school-aged children access to education without fear of their personal information being shared with immigration authorities, regardless of their immigration status, according to CBC. The families targeted with this policy may include anyone with less than full immigration status, such as temporary workers, undocumented entrants, and refugee applicants. The district school board unanimously approved the sanctuary schools policy on Tuesday night, following a year of consultations with community stakeholders. It shines a light on what's possible in a district.'- Mark Gifford, School board vice-chair While the B.C. School Act permits all school-age residents to attend a school in their district, school board vice-chair Mark Gifford says some families still keep their children out of school from fear that they will be forced out of the country or lose their children. It's a little scary, said Gifford. That message isn't always clear to people with precarious status. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

refugee claimants: Can you imagine what is going to happen to us when the weather improves said Abdi Ahmed, a co-ordinator with the group, according to CTV. Now we have mostly single people coming across. Some 169 people have crossed the border on foot in sub-zero temperatures this year -- an unprecedented amount for the cold weather months, according to Immigration Partnership Winnipeg, one of 23 agencies that work with The United Way to help newcomers. We will have families and we will have many people coming across when the weather improves. Until then, they are given shelter and other help by non-profit agencies. Refugee claimants must wait 30 days before they can apply for a work permit and some government benefits. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

rewards foreigners: The U.S. system is reversed 63 per cent of green cards are given to immigrants with family connections, and only 13 per cent given based on economic reasons, according to Hamilton Spectator. Canada was also the first country to use a point system to grade economic immigrants a 100-point scale that rewards foreigners with PhDs and extensive work experience in specialized fields. About 63 per cent of those granted legal permanent residence in Canada the final step before becoming citizens are admitted for their economic skills, with only 24 per cent admitted based on having family members living in the country. During Trump's address to a joint session of Congress, he praised the system used by Canada, Australia and many other nations during a portion of his speech that called for reforming an outdated legal immigration system that hurts American workers. It will save countless dollars, raise workers' wages, and help struggling families including immigrant families enter the middle class. Switching away from this current system of lower-skilled immigration, and instead adopting a merit-based system, will have many benefits, Trump said. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

time zone: The 17-year-old stared in bewilderment, then double-checked her watch, wondering if she had set it to the wrong time zone, according to Huffington Post Canada. On the same day, the sun set in Kenya hours earlier at 6 30 p.m. local time. It was after 9 p.m. Perhaps insignificant in the grand scheme of things, but it was the first of many contrasts Bigazi would strike between her previous life in Congo and Rwanda, and the one she was starting in Canada as a refugee. A few hours later, Bigazi, her mom and five siblings were in Red Deer, Alta., a city they learned existed just weeks before. Grace Bigazi landed in Canada in June 2015. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

undocumented people: David McNew / GETTY IMAGES By Daniel Dale Washington Bureau Wed., March 1, 2017 WASHINGTON Claudia Koonz, a historian at Duke University, wrote a book about how the Nazis prepared Germans to accept genocide, according to Toronto Star. One of their tactics was portraying average Jews, who were overwhelmingly law-abiding, as a menace to society. Numerous studies show that immigrants, including illegal immigrants, are less likely to commit crimes than native-born citizens. In the 1930s, for example, a Nazi newspaper published a weekly list of Jews' alleged crimes. Trump's order also established a government office solely dedicated to helping victims of crimes committed by undocumented people. In January, U.S. President Donald Trump ordered his government to publish a weekly list of crimes committed by illegal immigrants, who are overwhelmingly law-abiding, in most of the country's biggest cities. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

university students: He remains behind bars on multiple counts including uttering threats, mischief, and inciting fears of a terrorist threat and will undergo a mental health evaluation, according to CTV. Classes for thousands of university students were cancelled on Wednesday after a threatening letter was sent to the school. Hisham Saadi appeared via videoconference Thursday afternoon and is expected to face a bail hearing Friday. That letter said multiple explosives would be detonated in a bid to target Muslim students, but a search of three buildings never found any trace of a bomb. It read Now that President Trump is in office south of the border, things have changed, then lists several complaints about Muslims. The letter stated it was from a group calling itself the Council of Conservative Citizens of Canada. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

virginia church: The Feb. 8 arrests across the street from the Rising Hope Mission Church in Alexandria, which doubles as a soup kitchen and cold weather shelter, struck a nerve because critics say it targets vulnerable immigrants who need emergency services, according to Metro News. They say it also violates Immigration and Customs Enforcement's own policy prohibiting enforcement actions at sensitive locations such as churches, schools and hospitals. Nearly a month after at least two people were arrested by immigration officers outside a northern Virginia church, Democratic lawmakers from across the country say they are still seeking answers about what happened. At a news conference Thursday, critics including Virginia senator and former Democratic vice-presidential nominee Tim Kaine said the Trump administration's reassurances that it continues to follow the policy protecting sensitive locations ring hollow in light of the arrests at Rising Hope. Nicholas Marritz, a lawyer with the Legal Aid Justice Center, said efforts to learn the identities of those arrested or other details about the enforcement action were rebuffed when he and other activists went to ICE regional offices seeking answers. We are hearing some words, but the words aren't matching up with what people are seeing, Kaine said. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

west schools: Related stories New West schools now officially 'sanctuary' for undocumented migrants' kids Family speaks out as New West schools ponder policy to enrol undocumented kids Districts likely in violation' of B.C. School Act lawyer Districts likely in violation' of B.C. School Act lawyer Langley siblings celebrate return to elementary school after being booted over immigration 'limbo' This sets a precedent, said Sanctuary Health Coalition organizer Alejandra Lopez Bravo, according to Metro News. The B.C. School Act been misinterpreted by different school districts, but this allows us to go to other districts and say, 'This is possible but you have to be proactive, because families are experiencing fear because of their precarious immigration status. The landmark vote came after more than a year of dialogue with families who struggled to get their children an education, despite some living in the district for years and even some kids being Canadian by birth. Advocates with the provincial School for All coalition said they were heartened by the move, which although the first overt sanctuary policy including a prohibition on immigration authorities entering school property without legal authorization follows declarations that children are welcome regardless of status issued by the Vancouver and Burnaby boards. The discussion they've begun and that are going on in Surrey now we have to keep this going. It's very important toward the protection of our kids and their families having that type of a policy, said School for All member Shanee Prasad in a phone interview. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

dallas stars: General manager Marc Bergevin had been busy bringing in five new players in the three days leading to the NHL trade deadline on Monday, according to The Waterloo Record. Defenceman Jordie Benn, acquired from the Dallas Stars on Monday, had already played in a game, so Julien called in the other four for a brief meeting to set out how and when they will be fit into the lineup. Coach Claude Julien felt like he was in training camp with all the new faces at the Montreal Canadiens' game-day skate on Thursday. We had a good chat, said Julien. Left-winger Dwight King, acquired from the Los Angeles Kings for a conditional 2018 fourth round draft pick, was to play his first game Thursday night against the visiting Nashville Predators. A lot of it was about integrating them in our team. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

emailed statement: The outlet was once chaired by Steve Bannon, who now serves as chief strategist for the White House, according to National Observer. In an emailed statement to National Observer, Shopify declined to comment on the protest's accusations or demands, but clarified that use of its online platform is not an endorsement of Breitbart News. Some of Breitbart's products include t-shirts that tell foreigners to get in line, support Trump's proposed U.S.-Mexico border, and label the wearers as border patrol. The company's website says it supports free speech and will allow a merchant to use its platform, provided its products are legal in the jurisdiction where it operates. Shopify is a platform that provides software to help businesses sell their products.... Shopify does not endorse, fund or advertise with Breitbart. Shopify supports the rights of citizens to engage in free speech and peaceful protest, Samantha Tam, a member of Shopify's press team, told National Observer. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

marina rockey: Winners will be announced at a gala at the River Rock Casino Resort in Richmond on April 29, according to Vancouver Courier. Courier nominations include Newspaper excellence Ad Design Award, collaborative Marina Rockey and Justin Chen for Tourism Hong Kong. The awards, put on by the B.C. and Yukon Newspaper Association, celebrate newspaper excellence, advertising, photography and writing. Feature Photo Award, colour photographer Dan Toulgoet for his photo of Syrian refugee children looking through a window at 2400 Court Motel on Kingsway. Portrait/Personality Photo Award photographer Dan Toulgoet for is portrait of Joe Fossella. It appeared with a Mike Howell story, which looked at how the hotel became a temporary home for Syrian refugees. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

venue closures: It was just the latest in a series of venue closures in Toronto, but it brought the simmering panic in the scene to a boil, according to NOW Magazine. If such an iconic, long-running venue was being edged out, too, how could any small, emerging or DIY venue stand a chance Ward 20 councillor Joe Cressy later clarified that the Silver Dollar, closing May 1, had attained heritage status and, as part of a deal with the developers of the student residence high-rise replacing the Hotel Waverly near College and Spadina, it will legally have to reopen in some capacity. Rating NNNNEarlier this month, the Highest Order put up a Facebook event for their Farewell To The Silver Dollar show and accidentally broke the news that the long-running bar would be closing. The date and character of that new Silver Dollar are uncertain, as is the status of the occasionally infamous local hero who's given it so much of its vitality and edge over the last decade booker/promoter Dan Burke. The heritage status thing doesn't matter, said Highest Order lead singer Simone Schmidt near the end of the second set. Walking past Burke at the door of the Dollar on Saturday night, as I have so many times before, through the elbow-to-elbow crowd to the back bar and ordering a Labatt 50 only to be corrected with a Molson Stock, for approximately the 123rd time that sense of loss became more and more pointed. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

weather months: Can you imagine what is going to happen to us when the weather improves said Abdi Ahmed, a co-ordinator with the group, according to Brandon Sun. Now we have mostly single people coming across. Some 169 people have crossed the border on foot in sub-zero temperatures this year an unprecedented amount for the cold weather months, according to Immigration Partnership Winnipeg, one of 23 agencies that work with The United Way to help newcomers. We will have families and we will have many people coming across when the weather to make it easy for people to donate money and help ensure the donations go where they are needed. She walked seven hours after a taxi dropped her off in North Dakota, still far from the border, she said. Sitti Ali, a 28-year-old refugee claimant from Djibouti, walked across the border at Emerson in November. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

acceptance: Canada's acceptance of these people is neither a sign of weakness or misguided judgment, according to Toronto Star. The notion that our country is built on a foundation of protectionist statutes contradicts our recorded history. In his letter, Brock Turner implies that barring their entry would somehow be an expression of our foundational truths that our ancestors fought for. We are a nation of foreigners. As Mr. Toronto in particular has more ethnic groups within its borders than almost anywhere else in the world. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

adult life: They will be gladly calling me a racist, a self-hating Asian and even an Islamophobe, despite the fact that I have dedicated myself to community work, political activism, diversity and equity issues for the most part of my adult life, according to Huffington Post Canada. But now, given what is happening right around us and in the world at large, means that it is high time to pause and talk about things bothering some Canadians, and doing it without a political agenda, without interference, and without shouting down the other side. I am fully aware that once some people finish reading this, they will spare no time to stick a label on me. Whether we like it or not, the clash of cultures is at our doorstep, staring at us squarely in the face. We can pretend that political correctness has overridden all our primal instincts, and that we can put this to rest once and for all. We can pretend it doesn't exist. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

ambassador: Swedish Ambassador Torkel Stiernlof says he met with Lim for 40 minutes last week, according to Hamilton Spectator. He said they discussed Lim's health and other matters, but refused to comment further. Hyeon Soo Lim, a pastor with the Light Korean Presbyterian Church of Mississauga, was sentenced in December 2015 by a North Korean court to life in prison with hard labour for what it called crimes against the state. The ambassador said in an email to The Associated Press on Wednesday that he and Lim weren't rushed. He was escorted in and out of the room without handcuffs by uniformed guards, Stiernlof said. He said there were two North Korean officials in civilian clothes and an official photographer present throughout the meeting, which was held in a conference room at a Pyongyang hotel. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

bar mexican: Immigrants living illegally in the United States account for roughly 18 per cent of employment in agriculture, 13 per cent in construction and 10 per cent at restaurants, hotels and casinos, according to a study done last year by the National Bureau of Economic Research, according to Metro News. The economic shock would cause widespread ramifications, says Ben Gitis, director of labour market policy at the American Action Forum, a conservative think-tank . Addressing Congress on Tuesday night, Trump vowed to build a great, great wall to bar Mexican from entering the United States illegally. That's the view of many economists, who say the United States can't afford to suddenly lose vast numbers of the immigrants who work illegally picking fruit and vegetables, building houses, busing tables, staffing meat-packing plants and cleaning hotel rooms. Even as he spoke, the president said, U.S. authorities were deporting the bad ones. Yet what exactly Trump wants to do about illegal immigration remains hazy because he has said different things at different times. The president's tough talk followed remarks he had made to CBS's 60 Minutes after his November election He warned that his administration might deport 2 million to 3 million of those living in the country illegally. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.