coalition government: The results allows party leader Boiko Borisov, a former prime minister, to form his third Cabinet, according to Brandon Sun. The Socialist Party was in second place, polling 27.1 per cent. With about 96.7 per cent of the votes counted, GERB had 32.6 per cent of the votes, the central election commission said. Its leader, Kornelia Ninova, conceded defeat and said the party wouldn't take part in a coalition government with GERB.GERB didn't win enough votes to govern alone, and will likely seek to form a coalition government with some of the three smaller parties whose votes exceeded the 4 per cent minimum threshold to enter parliament. If confirmed, the anti-establishment Volya Will party will enter parliament, scoring just over the minimum 4 per cent required to have seats in the legislature. The near final results showed the United Patriots, an alliance of three nationalist parties, winning 9.2 per cent and the Party for Rights and Freedoms of ethnic Turks with 8.9 per cent. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

german officials: So far the headlines have focused on tensions between the two leaders, according to Brandon Sun. Erdogan, who has been trying to woo the Turks in Germany with rallies and rhetoric, has accused German officials of acting like Nazis for blocking his supporters from holding rallies ahead of the referendum. The 1.4 million eligible Turkish voters in Germany represent about half the total number of expatriates who can cast ballots, and the fight for their support has been fierce. The move infuriated many in Germany, prompting Chancellor Angela Merkel to threaten that Berlin will take all necessary measures unless he stops the comparisons. Erdogan appeals to people who feel discriminated against, people who couldn't find their place in Germany, who have a bad job, a bad education and problems with their own identity, Aver said. But the referendum has also polarized the 3 million-strong Turkish community in Germany more than anything in its 60-year history, said Caner Aver, an expert from the Center for Turkey Studies in the western German city of Essen. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

refugee crisis: What I hope is to know each other, said Jalal, who prefers that name, in a blog post the synagogue posted on its website ahead of the Seder, according to Brandon Sun. The Conservative synagogue's senior rabbi, Michael Knopf, said in an interview that it's the first time his congregation has marked the global refugee crisis through special readings and rituals at a Seder. The experience, he said, is aimed at breaking down stereotypes and eliminating bigotry. Congregants and guests will be using a supplement to existing Haggadahs, the collection of recitations and stories that guide the evening, including the telling of the Israelites' liberation from Egypt. In recent years, the non-profit has helped resettle refugees of all faiths and ethnicities and offers aid around the world to people ineligible for entry to the U.S. Last year, Muslims comprised 51 per cent of the 4,191 people from 47 countries assisted by HIAS and its network of more than 320 synagogues that have signed on to support refugees. The supplement was written by HIAS, a Jewish resettlement organization first established in the 1880s that has helped millions of Jews fleeing pogroms, war and other tragedies. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

barry cole: President of the Cole Foundation, Barry Cole, said while the commission was in session it became clear that the Anglophone and Francophone communities in the province weren't as welcoming to immigrants as they should be, according to CBC. Canadian style' multiculturalism a menace to Quebec, commission hears This meant the immigrants were becoming 'ghettoized,' Cole said. The foundation started giving out its Intercultural Interculturelles IC-CI grants in 2008 after the release of the commission's recommendations, which included promoting intercultural dialogue in the province. I thought this was an interesting question to examine, and we could use theatre as a vehicle to address that question. There was only one problem Montreal theatre companies weren't very interested in someone telling them what to do. While the Bouchard-Taylor commission was in session Cole decided he wanted to encourage local theatre companies to tell stories from Quebec's multicultural communities. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

canadian travellers: The total number of Canadian travellers denied entry also dropped 6,875 out of 12,991,027 were refused entry, a refusal rate of 0.05 per cent, according to Hamilton Spectator. Between October 2015 and February 2016, 7,619 out of 13,173,100 Canadian travellers were denied entry to the U.S., a refusal rate of 0.06 per cent. Refusals of Canadians at American land crossings dropped 8.5 per cent between October and the end of February compared with the same five-month period a year earlier, according to U.S. government statistics. The figures, confirmed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, contrast with recent anecdotal reports of Canadians denied entry into the U.S., with many placing the blame on the policies of the Trump administration, including its controversial attempts to ban arrivals from several predominantly Muslim countries. But Canadian immigration and civil liberties advocates caution the numbers don't tell the whole story. A further breakdown of the border data shows a sharp drop in Canadian refusals at the U.S. border in the first two months of this year as 2,600 Canadian travellers were denied entry, compared with 3,500 for the same two-month period of 2016. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

canadian: The total number of Canadian travellers denied entry also dropped 6,875 out of 12,991,027 were refused entry, a refusal rate of 0.05 per cent, according to Huffington Post Canada. Between October 2015 and February 2016, 7,619 out of 13,173,100 Canadian travellers were denied entry to the U.S., a refusal rate of 0.06 per cent. Refusals of Canadians at American land crossings dropped 8.5 per cent between October and the end of February compared with the same five-month period a year earlier, according to U.S. government statistics. U.S. President Donald Trump attends an event in Washington, D.C. on Feb 2, 2017. A further breakdown of the border data shows a sharp drop in Canadian refusals at the U.S. border in the first two months of this year as 2,600 Canadian travellers were denied entry, compared with 3,500 for the same two-month period of 2016. Photo Carlos Barria/Reuters The figures, confirmed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, contrast with recent anecdotal reports of Canadians denied entry into the U.S., with many placing the blame on the policies of the Trump administration, including its controversial attempts to ban arrivals from several predominantly Muslim countries. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

favourite part: She has also been a member of the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo since 1994, according to Metro News. My favourite part is the anthems because we have way more than O'Canada. The Dartmouth volunteer has been a member of the Les Voix de l'Acadie choir since 1992. We get to pay tribute to these visiting countries, she said. Whatever country comes, you have to learn their anthem. We have the national anthems for Germany, Portugal, Sweden, Finland, Norway, and on. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

minority groups: In the same period there have been nearly 1,500 nominees overall, according to CTV. Quebec Solidaire co-spokesperson Amir Khadir says the list represents a lack of diversity in cabinet. The party compiled a list that shows only 46 visible minorities were nominated for provincial cabinet positions since April, 2014. These minorities, including the First Nations, represent less than 3 per cent of the nominations, he said. A Liberal spokesperson told CTV News that while there is still progress to be made, the party has worked hard to include several minority groups, including aboriginals, allophones, Anglophones and visible minorities. This is systematic discrimination. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

nazi practices: He has aimed similar accusations at the Netherlands, according to CTV. Both countries have large Turkish minorities. Erdogan has accused Germany, and Chancellor Angela Merkel, of committing Nazi practices after some local authorities blocked appearances by Turkish ministers hoping to campaign in Germany for a presidential system at home. German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble told the Welt am Sonntag newspaper that Erdogan's rhetoric leaves me speechless. Schaeuble added that repairing the damage that is being done now will take years. He was quoted Sunday as saying that Erdogan is wilfully destroying in a short time years of progress on integration. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

nickname month: Some citizens considered the project a humanitarian triumph; others believed the Syrians would end up isolated and adrift, stuck on welfare or worse, according to Hamilton Spectator. As 2016 turned to 2017 and the year-long commitments began to expire, the question of how the newcomers would fare acquired a national nickname Month 13, when the Syrians would try to stand on their own. Ordinary Canadians had essentially adopted thousands of Syrian families, donating a year of their time and money to guide them into new lives just as many other countries shunned them. On a frozen January afternoon, Liz Stark, a no-nonsense retired teacher, bustled into a modest apartment on the east side of this city, unusually anxious. But the improvised family had a deadline. She and her friends had poured themselves into resettling Mouhamad and Wissam al-Hajj, a former farmer and his wife, and their four children. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

pashtun heartland: Qamar Javed Bajwa, the head of Pakistan's armed forces, announced the construction of fencing in high threat zones Saturday during a visit to tribal regions along the border, saying it was in the interest of both countries, according to The Chronicle Herald. The two countries share a 2,400-kilometre 1,500-mile internationally recognized border known as the Durand Line, which was drawn in the 19th century, when the British dominated South Asia. Gen. The Afghan government has never recognized the border, which runs through the Pashtun heartland, diluting the power of Afghanistan's largest ethnic group on both sides. Building fences or any construction is not acceptable for us and we won't allow anyone to do it, he said. Najib Danish, the deputy spokesman for the Afghan Interior Ministry, said authorities had not yet seen any signs of construction along the frontier but would move to prevent any such project. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

refugees volunteers: Rev, according to CBC. Brian Cornelius said the church has helped community groups in Ottawa sponsor about 100 refugees and the signs are a visible way to fight some of the recent negativity seen and heard in the United States. Trump travel ban brings uncertainty for Iranian-born Ottawan Trump's travel ban prompts human chain protest at U.S. Embassy in Ottawa First United Church printed 200 signs that read No matter where you are from, we're glad you're our neighbour, in English, French and Arabic. Canada is not exempt from that rhetoric, added Cornelius. Jim Watson, Ottawa mayor, calls out new Canadians who don't want more refugees Volunteers sold the lawn signs following a service at First United Church on Sunday. We recognize that we do have incidents of racism, that we have to deal with prejudice in our own society and so we just want to be a part of being that voice of welcome. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

residency status: Guttmann and colleague Natasha Saunders, a pediatrician at Sick Kids, looked at Ontario health data for people age 24 and younger from 2008 to 2012, according to Globe and Mail. The researchers defined immigrants as those with permanent residency or those born to a mother with permanent residency status. To do the study, Dr. They found the rate of unintentional firearm injuries was 12.4 per 100,000 among non-immigrant male youth, compared to 7.2 per 100,000 among their male immigrant peers. The difference between the two groups in terms of assault-related injuries was not statistically significant, according to the authors. The rate of assault-related firearm injuries was 3.5 per 100,000 among male non-immigrant youth, compared to 5.5 per 100,000 in the immigrant group. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

world today: The EU's trade commissioner, Cecilia Malmstrom, underlined the accord's importance in Ottawa last week when she commended the Canadian government for favouring open borders instead of closed ones and working with, not against, other nations, according to Hamilton Spectator. This is a timely message and Malmstrom had no trouble identifying the dangerous forces she sees threatening the global order. It will be a cry for trans-Atlantic unity, a defiant stand against the sinister populist and isolationist winds buffeting the world today. She cited the election of U.S. President Donald Trump who wants to Make America Great Again by renegotiating the North American Trade Agreement, building a wall along the Mexican border, taxing imports and getting tough with migrants. Such an outcome would delight and embolden Vladimir Putin, Russia's paranoid but expansionist president. She cited last year's Brexit vote that will take the United Kingdom out of the EU. And she cited the upcoming French presidential elections in which one of the leading candidates, Marine Le Pen, boasts an anti-trade, anti-immigrant, antiglobalization platform as well as plans to pull France out of the EU. If France leaves, the union of nations that has delivered peace and prosperity to Europe for 60 years could be destroyed. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

director: Hamilton hit a milestone Saturday when he debuted as a NASCAR race director for the Xfinity Series event at Fontana, according to Brandon Sun. He is the first black race director in NASCAR history, and his co-workers say the 26-year-old can go any direction he chooses in the sport he loves. He dreamed of driving all the way from upstate New York's dirt tracks to the bright lights of NASCAR. When it didn't work out behind the wheel, he poured himself into a career behind the scenes of racing. I think this sport is open to everyone, Hamilton said. Hamilton likens a race director to a quarterback. Like myself, if you find a passion in this sport and it's something you enjoy, I think there's an opportunity for everyone to come into the sport. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

nazi practices: He has aimed similar accusations at the Netherlands, according to Brandon Sun. Both countries have large Turkish minorities. Erdogan has accused Germany, and Chancellor Angela Merkel, of committing Nazi practices after some local authorities blocked appearances by Turkish ministers hoping to campaign in Germany for a presidential system at home. German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble told the Welt am Sonntag newspaper that Erdogan's rhetoric leaves me speechless. Schaeuble added that repairing the damage that is being done now will take years. He was quoted Sunday as saying that Erdogan is wilfully destroying in a short time years of progress on integration. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

pashtun heartland: Qamar Javed Bajwa, the head of Pakistan's armed forces, announced the construction of fencing in high threat zones Saturday during a visit to tribal regions along the border, saying it was in the interest of both countries, according to Brandon Sun. The two countries share a 2,400-kilometre 1,500-mile internationally recognized border known as the Durand Line, which was drawn in the 19th century, when the British dominated South Asia. Gen. The Afghan government has never recognized the border, which runs through the Pashtun heartland, diluting the power of Afghanistan's largest ethnic group on both sides. Building fences or any construction is not acceptable for us and we won't allow anyone to do it, he said. Najib Danish, the deputy spokesman for the Afghan Interior Ministry, said authorities had not yet seen any signs of construction along the frontier but would move to prevent any such project. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

african: These people are displaced by war, according to CBC. I would say 90 per cent of refugees in these refugee camps are there because of war, said Godfred Chongatera, immigration lawyer and chair of the African Diaspora Association of the Maritimes. The African Diaspora Association of the Maritimes says it contacted Ahmed D. Hussen, federal minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship on Friday as well as Nova Scotia Immigration Minister Lena Diab. There should be a deliberate effort on the part of the federal government to focus some attention on African refugees. Anjuli Patil/CBC According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, sub-Saharan Africa hosts more than 26 per cent of the world's refugee population. Godfred Chongatera is an immigration lawyer and the chair of the African Diaspora Association of the Maritimes. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

asylum application: Attorneys said he could be released from a Wisconsin detention centre as early as Monday, according to CTV. Judge Samuel Cole issued a 13-page decision Friday, more than two weeks after Yee's closed-door hearing on the asylum application. Amos Yee, 18, has been detained by federal immigration authorities since December when he was taken into custody at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport. Yee has met his burden of showing that he suffered past persecution on account of his political opinion and has a well-founded fear of future persecution in Singapore, Cole wrote. He was accused of hurting the religious feelings of Muslims and Christians in the multiethnic city-state. Yee left Singapore with the intention of seeking asylum in the U.S. after being jailed for several weeks in 2015 and 2016. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

child support: This is for the government to look at, said Watson, who has paid child support for Joshua, his estranged 22-year-old developmentally disabled son, since the boy was 4 and now wants to stop paying, according to Metro News. This is not my fight. This is bigger than me, said Wayne Watson outside Brampton Court Friday, where seven lawyers acting pro bono gathered to argue whether the law discriminates against adult children with disabilities. I'm caught in the middle, he said. Laws are to be m ade by our elected officials, lawyer Gary Joseph told Ontario Court Justice William Sullivan. Lawyers acting as friends of the court on behalf of Watson said it should be up to Queen's Park and not a judge to decide if child support for disabled children of unmarried parents should continue into adulthood. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

compassion: Its citizens are patting themselves on the back, proud to hail from one of the bastions of liberalism, of tolerance, of acceptance, of compassion, according to Globe and Mail. While the United States is closing doors, Canada is opening them. She is a professor at the Instituto Tecnol gico Aut nomo de M xico Today, Canada is standing tall. While U.S. President Donald Trump is slouching toward authoritarianism, Canada is safeguarding democracy. Except for that one troubling spot of not-so-benign neglect that is Canada's relationship with Mexico. Canadians have much to be proud of and much to teach the world about compassion. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

immigration partnership: About 1,800 refugees have arrived in Waterloo Region since 2015, according to CTV. Most of them are Syrian. Month 13 is the time when government-sponsored refugees' benefits run out leaving them in need of either employment or welfare. Many of them have been here for longer than a year, meaning they have crossed the Month 13 threshold. It is believed that about half of all Syrian refugees in Canada have found employment. I think the transition has been fairly smooth, says Tara Bedard, director of Immigration Partnership. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

insurance risks: She was hesitant in 2015 because of the unknown legal and insurance risks, but this time she agreed immediately, according to Metro News. There is growing fear in the city's immigrant community as President Donald Trump's immigration and executive orders go into effect. It would be the second time Barnhouse's congregation had offered sanctuary. And as more than 50 Austin area residents were detained in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement deportation raids last month, a growing number of churches in the Austin Sanctuary Network are volunteering to offer physical shelter or support to churches that do. This mirrors the loosely organized national sanctuary movement that has grown to more than 800 churches and congregations, with a good portion of those joining since Trump was elected. The Austin Sanctuary Network has broadened in the last year from a handful of churches and advocates to more than two dozen congregations and religious groups, three labour unions, several non-profit groups and dozens of individual volunteers. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

muslim population: Afrah Kashmer, chair of the school's parent-teacher group, said the multicultural event took four months of planning, according to CBC. Even staff didn't realize how diverse the student body was until they started organizing the event, she said. On Saturday, the school invited the public to celebrate its diversity with food, music, games, crafts, displays of traditional clothing and henna skin designs. Little mosques on the ocean Halifax welcomes a growing Muslim population The event teaches children that diversity is always enriching, Kashmer said. Their level of awareness about the world will rise and they'll have a more successful future, she said. She said students who mingle with people who are Christian, who are Jew, who are Hindu, with different cultures they will learn something different. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

nova: As board chair, I am proud of the work done by Engage Nova Scotia and the promising impact it is having on the future of our province, according to The Chronicle Herald. And I have absolute confidence in the team we have assembled to carry it out. Nothing could be further from the truth. For the record, Engage Nova Scotia is an independent, not-for-profit organization backed by donations and in-kind support from the private sector, individuals, universities, other not-for-profits, municipalities and the provincial government. Engage Nova Scotia is governed by an unaffiliated, volunteer board of directors comprised of respected leaders reflecting a range of interests and experience. At a time when all segments of society not just government are being called upon to step up and tackle our significant challenges and opportunities, we are pleased to have support from such a wide variety of sectors. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

victor nyamori: It must be backed up by concrete action, he said, according to CTV. East African countries already are signatories of U.N. treaties that say refugees should be allowed to work but that has not been put into practice, he said. It is a step forward for nations like Kenya, which hosts the world's largest refugee camp and where refugees are not allowed to work, but it's not enough, said an Amnesty International expert on refugees, Victor Nyamori. Only Uganda seems to have progressive legislation to let refugees work and settle, he said. Droughts and instability already have displaced more than 2 million Somalis in recent decades, with about 900,000 sheltering in regional countries. The Intergovernmental Authority on Development summit on Somali refugees comes as Somalia again faces the threat of famine, with about half its estimated 12 million population threatened. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.