canada day: So far, I've done this on three occasions and, to celebrate Canada Day and our country's 150th birthday, I am officiating again today at a ceremony for new Canadians in Ajax, according to Toronto Star. When we think about what it means to be Canadian, I imagine very few people's thoughts would turn to gardening. Dreamstime By Mark Cullen Green spaces Sat., July 1, 2017 As a member of the Order of Canada, I can officiate at citizenship ceremonies. Allow me to illuminate you gardening is very much a part of being Canadian. Rich history. Here is how 1. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

canada place: It is going to be the most special Canada Day for me, not one that I'm going to forget, said Funk, who has lived in Canada almost her entire life after moving here from Mexico with her family in 1980 when she was 2 months old, according to Metro News. You don't really give your national identity too much thought until you don't have one. The holiday will take on a new meaning for the 37-year-old Squamish, B.C.-woman this year, when she will be sworn in as a new Canadian at a ceremony at Canada Place in Vancouver, nine years after she was unknowingly stripped of her citizenship. The fireworks on this Canada Day are going to be for me. Until last year Funk did not know that Canada changed its Citizenship Act in 1977, requiring those born outside the country to a foreign-born Canadian parent to reapply for citizenship before their 28th birthday if they were born between Feb. 15, 1977 and April 16, 1981, the date the law was repealed. The entire country is going to be celebrating with me. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

fireworks demonstration: Premier Kathleen Wynne addressed the ceremony, saying that the province's greatest strength has always been the diversity of its people, according to CTV. She also stressed that, with the exception of Indigenous peoples, all Canadians have immigrant backgrounds. The ceremony at Queen's Park was one of 55 similar ceremonies held across the country for today's sesquicentennial. Festivities to celebrate Canada Day will take place at Queen's Park until late this evening. Organizers of one such celebration at the Baitul Islam Mosque in Vaughan, Ont., expect to see about 5,000 people from across the province show up. Toronto will also see a day's worth of official celebrations, ending with a massive fireworks demonstration over Lake Ontario this evening. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

friday: He spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations, according to Metro News. Five suicide bombers blew themselves up Friday during military raids in two refugee settlements in Arsal, near the border with Syria. The military official said the detention of 355 Syrians is not a directed aggression against anyone, and that not all would be charged with terrorism. One of them detonated his payload among a Syrian refugee family, killing a girl. During the early Friday raid attackers also tossed explosives at the troops. Another wounded three soldiers, leaving two of them in critical condition, the official said. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

life birthdays: Probably it's not the same for nations, according to Toronto Star. As life cycles go, Canada hasn't even reached puberty yet. Andrew Lahodynskyj / Toronto Star file photo By Rosie DiManno Columnist Sat., July 1, 2017 At a certain point in life birthdays are to be endured rather than enjoyed until they become enjoyable again, nearer the end of days and a whole bunch of things don't much matter anymore. Though it cracks me up when chauvinists says the world needs more Canada. More entrepreneurs, more dreamers, more builders, more artists, more labourers. In truth, Canada needs more of the world. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

money anxieties: But a few hours in the atrium or the ER would also suffice, according to Rabble. What unites people there, waiting for their appointments, or for those they've brought to appointments Neither health nor sickness, though most don't look too fit. I used to think all citizens should be required to spend a day each year in criminal court, to remind you of how our society really works. It's something else none is worried about how they'll pay for it. Could this also be what unifies the country, as it does the atrium Frank Graves of EKOS research found it so recently far atop a list of sources of Canadian identity, leaving the anthem, the flag, and Mounties in the shade, was medicare. Absence of money anxieties is the unifying factor. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

people: Ignatius of Antioch Orthodox Church in Windsor is made up of people from around the Middle East, according to leader Lana Khoury, according to CBC. This event is very special to Canada and for us as well, she said. Everything you need to celebrate Canada 150 in Windsor, Chatham, Sarnia regions Canada Day 2017 in Windsor What's open What's not The El Sanabel group from St. We thought this would be a great opportunity to show our gratitude to this country that gave us a home. '980467779872', 'playlist Selector' 'container Selector' ' container1407692', 'ciid' 'caffeine14185816' ; The group is welcomes young and old and all are eager to show their patriotic pride on Saturday. People when they're looking at us are going to see proud Canadians, said Khoury. Members have been assembling special outfits and practicing a traditional form of Arabic dance called Dabke in anticipation. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

right occasion: I'm celebrating Canada Day today in style, because I'm getting my Canadian citizenship, Robinson-Enebeli, according to Metro News. Not only on Canada Day, but on Canada Day 150. On Saturday, the 21-year-old Nigerian immigrant finally found the right occasion. That only happens once ever. Becoming a citizen means I've been accepted into a society and a country that sees strength in diversity, said Robinson-Enebeli. Robinson-Enebeli wore the tie proudly as he recited Canada's oath of citizenship along with 52 other people from more than 20 different countries at a ceremony in Halifax. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

school cbis: The teachers from the former South Korean Canada B.C. International School CBIS left Korea in May after being ordered out of the country by South Korean immigration officials because they had the wrong visas for the kind of licenses their schools were operating under, according to Vancouver Observer. They say they're trying to create positive reform so the offshore program can be successful and ensure teachers and students have stronger protections from owners and operators who don't follow the rules. After pleading for help from the B.C. government for months through the spring, a group of B.C.-certified teachers who were ordered to leave South Korea, where they worked at a B.C. Ministry of Education-certified offshore school, have some harsh words for the outgoing government and advice for the new one on how to clean up that mess. After the teachers were kicked out of the country in May, the B.C. Ministry of Education posted an update on its website in early June saying it's placed all B.C. offshore schools in South Korea on probation as a result of the ongoing review of E2 teacher visas by the South Korean immigration department adding that the South Korean immigration department has decided to issue departure orders to teachers holding E2 visas from three B.C. offshore schools. The former CBIS teachers who were the first group to be told to leave Korea for having the wrong visas say they're providing support to teachers who remain there, but are facing orders to leave, by sharing their own experiences, providing them with documents to help them navigate the immigration process, contact information, how to prepare for leaving the country and a messaging service to stay connected with the expelled CBIS teachers. The ministry is advising teachers not to take jobs at B.C.-certified offshore schools in South Korea until it completes a review. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

son alex: It was such a great day today, and especially for the 150th Canada Day to be on the same day, according to CTV. I am really blessed and honoured, says Rami Ayash, a new Canadian. There were 53 new Canadian's sworn in at Pier 21 for the annual tradition this year. Families came from across the country to see their loved ones get their citizenship in Halifax. The new Canadians come from 21 different countries, and were cheered on by more than 400 spectators. My son Alex flew in from Vancouver and my son Lindsay flew in from Winnipeg as a surprise, and they truly surprised me, says Anne Boyd. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

square canada: When we came, the weather was really bad but I'm feeling warm because the Canadian people are very friendly, she said, according to CBC. Canada Day marks first time Measha Brueggergosman performs at Officers' Square Canada 150 What the numbers tell us about our country Hundreds of people gathered in Fredericton's Officers' Square to celebrate Canada's big birthday bash, including Alyousef, her husband Waheed Alfarhat and their six children. But the feeling quickly disappeared when she settled into her new home in Canada. Over the past few months, the couple has been busy learning English at the Multicultural Association of Fredericton. I like the people, they're very nice, said Alfarhat, who was looking forward to singing and dancing the day away. But on Saturday the family took a break by celebrating Canada Day with fellow Canadians in downtown Fredericton. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

sir: Canada's story stretches back long before Confederation, to the first people who worked, loved, and built their lives here, and to those who came here centuries later in search of a better life for their families, according to The Chronicle Herald. In 1867, the vision of Sir George-Etienne Cartier and Sir John A. Macdonald, among others, gave rise to Confederation an early union, and one of the moments that have come to define Canada. We come together as Canadians to celebrate the achievements of our great country, reflect on our past and present, and look boldly toward our future. In the 150 years since, we have continued to grow and define ourselves as a country. These moments, and many others, shaped Canada into the extraordinary country it is today prosperous, generous and proud. We fought valiantly in two world wars, built the infrastructure that would connect us, and enshrined our dearest values equality, diversity, freedom of the individual and two official languages in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

toronto area: Steve Russell / Toronto Star By Peter Goffin Staff Reporter Sat., July 1, 2017 It was a Canada Day filled with joy and disenchantment, pride and protest, according to Toronto Star. Across the Greater Toronto Area, people of all ages, backgrounds and levels of enthusiasm marked Canada's 150th birthday, with celebrations and demonstrations as diverse as the city itself. The event saw a brief lull due to afternoon rain. At Nathan Phillips Square, a program of musical performances and a Canadian citizenship reaffirmation ceremony drew a crowd of hundreds from all over Canada and around the world. The pair were among the revellers in Nathan Phillips Square Saturday. /react-text STEVE RUSSELL/ TORONTO STAR Article Continued Below Down at the waterfront, the giant and much-maligned Canada 150 rubber duck had sightseers scrambling over muddy, waterlogged turf to get close enough for a selfie. Isabelle Melancon and her daughter, Elizabeth, waltzed to the ringing notes of a steel drum, their family having travelled from Montreal to catch a Blue Jays game and celebrate July 1, Toronto-style. react-text 168 Ariana Mismis smiles with her godmother Maricel Cabreros. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

ultranationalist groups: We want to send a message, we want the government to send a message to anybody that wants to cross over illegally, unlawfully that there's going to be people looking out for you, said Dave Tregget, the national president of Storm Alliance, according to CBC. As dozens donned black T-shirts and patrolled the crossing Saturday morning, they were met by a counter protest organized by a migrant advocacy group. Storm Alliance and La Meute, self-described ultranationalist groups, organized a demonstration in time for the nation's 150th anniversary at Roxham Road to protest would-be refugee claimants crossing the border on foot. Popular crossing spot for would-be refugee claimants raises concern among 'ultranationalists' Holding up colourful posters welcoming refugees, Solidarity Across Borders members also gathered at the popular spot for asylum seekers. They say they're defending the charter of rights well if you're really defending the charter of rights defend the rights of refugees to cross and make their claims. They are a group that's enabling racism and hiding behind other issues, said Montreal-based activist Jaggi Singh. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

vancouver funk: I have always been part of the Canadian family, I have always chosen Canada and for me today, it seems more like Canada has chosen me and I belong again, she said following the ceremony at Canada Place in Vancouver, according to The Chronicle Herald. Funk, 37, was born in Mexico to Canadian parents and they moved back to Canada when she was just two months old. Funk, who is a third-generation Canadian, became a first-generation Canadian Saturday after she regained her citizenship that was stripped from her just over a year ago by an arcane law. Since then, Canada has been home and she holds no other citizenship. Losing her citizenship meant she couldn't leave Canada and couldn't vote. She was unaware of a law that requires people born overseas between 1977 and 1981 to parents who were also born abroad to apply to maintain their citizenship by the age of 28, and missed the deadline. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

country: Canada has a leading claim to being, all things considered, relatively speaking, and with all apologies for such an outburst of immodesty, the most successful country on the planet, and the best place to be an average citizen, anywhere, ever, according to Globe and Mail. Our level of peace, order, good government, prosperity, liberty and justice isn't perfect. On this benighted earth, what is But compared to the rest of the world, and the march of folly that is so much of human history, our country is a marvel. But there's no place where it's less imperfect. It sounds too grandiose, like it was pulled from the national song of a banana republic. The French version of O Canada describes our history as une pop e des plus brillants exploits an epic of the most brilliant exploits. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

brumidi corridor: Daniel Peterson seen restoring the Brumidi Corridor at the U.S. Capitol Buildings in 2013, according to Toronto Star. Architect of the Capitol By Olivia Ward Foreign Affairs Reporter Fri., June 30, 2017 Few people were more familiar with Washington's corridors of power than Daniel Peterson. He is survived by his wife, documentary filmmaker Shelley Saywell. From his perch high on the scaffolding of the Capitol buildings, he watched members of Congress, bureaucrats and presidents come and go over more than a decade. Peterson, who was based in Toronto, died of cancer June 19 near his home in Little Italy at the age of 61. And all the while his paint brushes restored a timeless grandeur to centuries-old structures. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

canada day: At Heni's citizenship ceremony, taking place at the airport on Canada Day, he wanted to honour Indigenous traditions and cultural practices, according to Metro News. It's important because the Indigenous people were the first people living on this land and it's really important to seek their consent to live on their land, he said. Aymen Heni immigrated to Canada four years ago from Tunisia and is married to an Indigenous Calgary woman who has taught him about the traditions of her people and their cultural significance. It's good to feel like I'm welcomed here by the first original people even if it's symbolic it shows respect. In Indigenous culture an individual is honoured with an eagle feather when they've accomplished something great, he said, adding that being presented an eagle feather from an elder is more meaningful in Indigenous culture. Patrick Deranger is a Dene elder and will be performing an opening prayer at the ceremony and then presenting Heni with an eagle feather. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

cohn: City of Montreal Archives / NYT By Martin Regg Cohn Ontario Politics Columnist Fri., June 30, 2017 Measured against the exuberance of Expo 67, today's birthday feels strangely subdued as much a day of reflection as celebration, according to Toronto Star. How very Canadian. For our centennial year turned out to be the calm before the storm, and we are only now reborn, writes Martin Regg Cohn. A half century after our centenary we are less celebratory and more understated than ever. For our centennial year turned out to be the calm before the storm, and we are only now reborn. But at 150, Canada is not just older and wiser than in 1967, it is immeasurably better. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

children i: As a white settler enjoying life on stolen lands and broken promises, I'm unable to join in this celebration.I don't remember learning much about First Nations, Inuit or Metis peoples at school, according to Rabble. I know for a fact, I learned absolutely nothing about treaties, the Indian Act or residential schools. The official government of Canada website encourages Canadians to celebrate all that makes us who we are as a country. In fact, it was as an adult that I realized at least four children I went to school with and called friends were First Nations children who had been taken from their families of origin as part of the Sixties Scoop. Once the scales tipped in favour of commodities, Indigenous lives became expendable. Indigenous nations were of benefit to explorers and settlers until their usefulness was dwarfed by valuable resources the land and waterways held. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

cost overruns: The group first announced it was considering cutting back those services in May, and then began a province-wide consultation on the idea, according to CBC. Refugees 'in the crosshairs' as Legal Aid Ontario battles for government funding, advocates warn With more refugees pouring in, Toronto advocates ringing alarms about federal fundingB.C. legal aid suspends immigration and refugee services due to lack of funding At the time, it said the organization couldn't continue to foot the cost overruns for its refugee program, as it had been doing for the past number of years. It said it needed to pare down the annual cost of the program from 33.6 million to 20.5 million. On Monday, Legal Aid Ontario LAO posted a brief update on its website, that said as a result of intensive stakeholder consultations in May and June, and ongoing discussions with government, LAO has decided to continue immigration and refugee services at the current level at this time. The people who access legal aid don't have the option to pay for private legal services, Bedard told The Morning Edition's host Craig Norris on Friday. No representation for refugees The threat of cuts continues to cause concern for many, including Tara Bedard, the executive director of immigration partnerships for the Region of Waterloo. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

deer student: Among the winners is 16-year-old Ursella Khan the Red Deer student who voiced opposition at an anti-immigrant protest outside her school in May, according to CBC. More than 40 people showed up May 23 outside Lindsay Thurber Comprehensive High School after a fight involving Syrian and Canadian students. The 32 junior and senior high school students on the Minister's Youth Council will advise David Eggen during the upcoming school year. Khan, who is Muslim, addressed the protesters, calling for improved integration of newcomers and improved understanding of Syrian refugees. I think it's really important that youth get a voice too, and that we get a say in our education and that the government listens to us, she said. Now heading into Grade 12, Khan said Thursday she plans to take advantage of her youth council position to advocate for changes to curriculum that better educate students about the historical context of current events, and the experiences of Indigenous Canadians. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

drug violence: That marks a sharp departure from policies in place under U.S. President Barack Obama's administration, during which time tens of thousands of young people fleeing gang and drug violence in Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador crossed the border and were placed with sponsors in communities nationwide, according to CTV. Sponsors - typically parents, close relatives or family friends - have been expected to care for the minors while they go to school and seek legal status in immigration court. A new surge initiative aims to dismantle human smuggling operations, including identifying and arresting the adult sponsors of unaccompanied minors who paid coyotes or other smugglers to bring the children across the U.S. border, Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials confirmed Thursday. Arresting those who come forward to sponsor unaccompanied children during their immigration proceedings, often parents, is unimaginably cruel, said Wendy Young, president of Kids in Need of Defence, a non-profit that has matched thousands of unaccompanied minors with pro bono attorneys in the last eight years. ICE officials did not respond to questions Thursday seeking details on the number of sponsors who would be targeted or already had been arrested, or what charges would be applied. Without caregivers to come forward, many of these children will languish in costly detention centres or be placed in foster care at great expense to states. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

family friends: Sponsors typically parents, close relatives or family friends have been expected to care for the minors while they go to school and seek legal status in immigration court, according to Metro News. Arresting those who come forward to sponsor unaccompanied children during their immigration proceedings, often parents, is unimaginably cruel, said Wendy Young, president of Kids in Need of Defence a non-profit that has matched thousands of unaccompanied minors with pro bono attorneys in the last eight years. That marks a sharp departure from policies in place under President Barack Obama's administration, during which time tens of thousands of young people fleeing gang and drug violence in Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador crossed the border and were placed with sponsors in communities nationwide. Without caregivers to come forward, many of these children will languish in costly detention centres or be placed in foster care at great expense to states. Immigrant advocacy groups said they were investigating three arrests in Texas, New Jersey and Virginia that may involve sponsors. ICE officials did not respond to questions Thursday seeking details on the number of sponsors who would be targeted or already had been arrested, or what charges would be applied. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

g countries: Chris Wattie/Reuters People Canada's population is 10 times its size in 1870, the year of the first census after Confederation, according to CBC. Here is a closer look at the people who make up the country 35.2 million the population in 2016.3.5 million the population in 1870.41 the average age of a citizen in 2016.1.4 million number of people who reported having an Indigenous identity in 2011 4.3 per cent of the country's total population .17 million number of people from around the world who have made their home in Canada since 1867.20.6 per cent proportion of the population listed as foreign born in 2011 the highest among G8 countries .6.2 million number of people who self-identify as being part of a visible minority group in 2011 the three largest identify as South Asian, Chinese and black, and make up 60 per cent of the visible minority population . Over 200 number of ethnic origins reported in 2011. A total of 20.3 per cent of Canada's population in 2011 was foreign born, the highest proportion among G8 countries that same year. Ninety per cent of Canadians reported having 'a strong sense of belonging in Canada,' according to 2013 Statistics Canada data. As a country, Canada is among the wettest on Earth. Blair Gable/Reuters How to see and hear Canada Day coverage on CBCTake the Canada Day quiz Why celebrating Canada's 150th is a 'slap in the face' to Indigenous people Geography Canada is made up of 10 provinces and three territories, and, in terms of sheer geography, we're the second largest country 9,984,670 square km total area.5,514 km longest distance from east to west.4,634 km longest distance from north to south.1,169,561 square km total area of fresh water. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

u.s: Help us in the name of God, Barquero, a lay minister with the Christian Church Disciples of Christ said in Spanish, according to Metro News. And help the Latino community and the state of Texas. They formed a circle, closed their eyes, and prayed. Barquero is among pastors serving Texas' estimated 1.5 million people living in the U.S. illegally who are offering new programs and, in some cases, visiting families fearful of crackdowns on immigration. In Texas and nationally, some parishes and communities with large populations of immigrants in the U.S. illegally have reported slightly lower attendance on Sundays, or significant drop-offs in attendance at classes or programs outside of prayer services. A new Texas law targeting so-called sanctuary cities comes just as immigration arrests have gone up dramatically in the state's biggest cities. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.