bangladesh family: Her parents fled to these camps with 200,000 other Rohingyas running from violent ethnic tensions eight years ago. ; More than half a million new refugees escaped the violence in Myanmar over the last few months, in what experts call 'textbook ethnic cleansing.' Rohingyas say they had to run after Myanmar soldiers and local mobs attacked, raped and killed Rohingya civilians and burned down their villages, according to National Observer. And it's not the first time Rohingyas have crossed over escaping violence. The trafficker promised her parents a lot of money if Tahera could work as a domestic worker for a Bangladesh family. Over the past several decades, Rohingya have fled to Bangladesh from Myanmar. As a country policy, Rohingya refugees like Tahera and her parents are not legally allowed to work while living in Bangladesh camps. Human Rights Watch reports that the Rohingya, a Muslim minority of 1.2 million in Myanmar, are vulnerable to systemic human rights violations as they are viewed as illegal migrants in Myanmar and are not granted citizenship or given access to education and healthcare. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

anti-black: He was regularly stopped and carded by police, according to Metro News. As a political staffer, he was met with incredulity about his job. Along with the kindness of Canadians, he has encountered anti-Black racism. While working, he was assumed to be the criminal, not the lawyer. Many of these are familiar moments for Black people in Canada. As an elected representative, he still worries about being pulled over by police. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

attack witnesses: Ahmed Ech-Chahedy and his nine-year-old son Ibrahim are listed on the charge sheet as two of 35 victims of attempted murder by alleged shooter Alexandre Bissonnette, according to CBC. My son is traumatized, said Ech-Chahedy, a taekwondo instructor in Quebec City. Radio-Canada has learned the province is speeding up immigration requests for extended families of the five men who were shot and for the six women who were widowed in the mosque attack on Jan. 29, 2017. Crown charges Quebec City mosque shooter with attempted murder of attack witnesses Since my brother arrived, he is my psychologist. We go to the mosque together with the children. We talk a lot. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

criticism thursday: As May and Trump traded criticism Thursday over his retweets of a far-right group's anti-Muslim videos, British lawmakers labeled the U.S. leader a hate peddler, according to CTV. They also urged May's government to revoke an invitation for Trump to visit Britain as a guest of Queen Elizabeth II. The furor erupted after Trump, who has almost 44 million Twitter followers, on Wednesday retweeted three anti-Muslim videos posted by a leader of the far-right group Britain First. Ten months later, that relationship looks decidedly strained. The tiny group regularly posts inflammatory videos purporting to show Muslims engaged in acts of violence, but without providing context or supporting information. Trump responded with a tweet urging May to focus on the destructive Radical Islamic Terrorism that is taking place within the United Kingdom instead of on him. The U.K. ambassador in Washington, Kim Darroch, complained to the White House, and May's spokesman said the president was wrong to retweet the group's content. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

crosby vehicle: Yet the song was actually written on a sweltering day in the summer of 1945 in Hollywood, Calif., by Bob Wells and Mel Torm who were simply trying to imaginatively cool themselves off. react-text 151 Bing Crosby, with Marjorie Reynolds, sings White Christmas in the 1942 movie Holiday Inn, according to Toronto Star. The song, which became a huge hit, especially after appearing in another Crosby vehicle, White Christmas in 1954, was penned by Jewish composer Irving Berlin. /react-text And though the song has become a worldwide symbol of Christmas, like nearly all the modern songs that now define this fundamentally Christian holiday it was written by Jews. Article Continued Below The images evoke a classic, timeless Christmas chestnuts roasting, carols, people bundled up against the cold. Names like George Wyle born Bernard Weissman Eddie Pola Sidney Pollacsek Felix Bernard, Jay Livingston Jacob Levison Ray Evans, Gloria Shayne Baker Gloria Shain Robert Wells Robert Levison Robert May and Johnny Marks might be unfamiliar today, but along with better-known songwriters like Mel Torm Jule Styne, Sammy Cahn and Irving Berlin, they wrote the core of the secular Christmas-song repertoire. react-empty 153 Those songs include Do You Hear What I Hear, Silver Bells, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Holly Jolly Christmas, Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree, Winter Wonderland, It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year, White Christmas and Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow! also written during the same blistering California summer as The Christmas Song. It's a rich story involving pogroms, prejudice, poverty, empathy, assimilation and the powerful creative imaginations of an extraordinary group of songwriters. react-text 159 Russian-born Israel Isidore Beilin not only took on a new name in New York - Irving Berlin - but he also tapped into the Christmas traditions of his new home for melodic and lyrical images that would help to make his song White Christmas a beloved holiday classic. /react-text AP file photo The Russian pogrom The story begins in Russia at the end of the 19th century. The story of how this came to be is a remarkable tale of immigrant outsiders who rejected their parents' European pasts, embraced Tin Pan Alley, Broadway and Hollywood, and began to write the soundtrack to America's dreams. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

experience: This increase is partly due to the so-called Canadian Experience Class a centrepiece of the previous Conservative government's economic immigration reforms, which fast-tracks permanent residency for newcomers who already have work experience in Canada, according to CBC. There are more immigrants coming in through this class, said Statistics Canada senior analyst Scott McLeish. The median income of people who arrived in Canada in 2014 was 24,000 a year later, the highest on record for landed immigrants since 1981. They already have experience working in Canada in high skills occupations. Key highlights from latest release of 2016 census data Statistics Canada arrived at these numbers by looking at 2015 tax returns from immigrants. So they're starting from a different point than other immigrants. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

government officials: In a speech before Bangladesh President President Abdul Hamid, government officials and ambassadors from around the world, Francis praised Bangladesh's sacrifice and generosity in welcoming in so many refugees before the eyes of the whole world, according to Toronto Star. He didn't identify the Rohingya by name, ethnicity or faith, referring only to refugees from Rakhine state. Arriving in Bangladesh from Burma, Francis said it also was imperative for world governments to immediately provide assistance to help the Bangladeshi government cope with Asia's worst refugee crisis in decades. Read more Pope Francis preaches forgiveness in Burma, references suffering of religious and ethnic groups Article Continued Below Pope Francis avoids saying Rohingya' in speech after meeting Burmese leader The one word Burma's generals don't want the pope to say on his visit Rohingya'But his words were sharp. react-empty 159 None of us can fail to be aware of the gravity of the situation, the immense toll of human suffering involved, and the precarious living conditions of so many of our brothers and sisters, a majority of whom are women and children, crowded in the refugee camps, he said. Francis, a tireless and fearless advocate for refugees, outcasts and society's most marginal, had drawn criticism from human rights organizations and Rohingya themselves for having failed to speak out publicly about the Rohingya's plight while he was in Burma. It is imperative that the international community take decisive measures to address this grave crisis, not only by working to resolve the political issues that have led to the mass displacement of people, but also by offering immediate material assistance to Bangladesh in its effort to respond effectively to urgent human needs. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

isis savages: I know the weak-kneed and the Liberal government will disagree and whine, but I do not care, according to The Chronicle Herald. Grow a spine and do the right thing. If Canadians leave this country to take up arms against Canada, they should never be allowed back into the country, if the facts can be proven. Perhaps if these traitors knew they could not flee home when it suits them, they might not leave the country that so many fought and died for, to support an ideology that should be anathema to all Canadians. I support their decisions and am happy to be rid of them. If these traitors have the courage to leave and fight for the ISIS savages, good for them. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

island entrepreneurs: Very specific to their businesses' Newcomer Entrepreneurship Program includes industry experts Province and Island businessmen team up to help entrepreneurs And now she'll be one of the Island entrepreneurs sharing their experiences Thursday at the fourth annual Advancing Island Connections forum, which provides a place for locals and newcomers to network and chat about potential business opportunities, according to CBC. Arora is the owner of Pam & Joe's Handcrafted on Kent Street, which celebrated its first anniversary this summer. Arora came to P.E.I. from India because she and her husband were attracted by an immigrant business program. I've been designing handcrafted jewelry in India for 13 years and that is what gave my husband and me the confidence of carrying the same business to Canada, Arora said. Hadhad arrived in Toronto in 2015 and was then sent to Antigonish. Peace by Chocolate keynote The keynote speaker is Tareq Hadhad, the founder of Peace by Chocolate in Antigonish, N.S. Hadhad's father started a business in Syria in 1986 and after the factory was bombed in 2013, the family left for Lebanon and became refugees. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

kurdish rebels: Merkel and Erdogan also spoke about the importance of co-operating against terror groups, including Kurdish rebels and agreed to increase discussions once a new German government is formed, according to Metro News. The officials provided the information on condition of anonymity in line with regulations. Officials from Erdogan's office said during Thursday's talk Merkel promised she would work toward expediting European Union funds earmarked to help Syrian refugees in Turkey. Multiple issues have caused friction between the two countries, including the jailing of several Germans on terrorism-related charges in Turkey following a 2016 coup attempt. Turkey has also accused Germany of harbouring Kurdish rebels. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

moblees show: The 25-year-old Oakville native studied music theatre at Sheridan college before launching into a career that includes musicals at Stratford, Shaw, the Grand Theatre as well as many smaller theatre companies, according to Rabble. His growing list of film and television credits include series lead on the Moblees children's show, a dancer on Degrassi Goes Hollywood, Frisah on Little Mosque on the Prairie and a feature part on Ghost Trackers. I recently a chance to talk with Matt about this ground-breaking play and his character. Flying home to Toronto after finishing a run at the Mayfield Theatre in Edmonton where he played Ike Turner in a review of Tina Turner and Aretha Franklin, Nethersole decided to read through a play that had been intentionally sent his way. These characters are not 'other' and they are not defined by being Muslim or queer. According to Nethersole, Reading a play for the first time can sometimes be a tedious task, but I devoured Acha Bacha in no time. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

monaco-based billionaire: The longtime friend of Brian Mulroney also donated 4 million to the soon-to-open Brian Mulroney Institute of Government at St, according to Metro News. Francis Xavier University, where he received an honorary degree in 2015 and was announced as a Canadian citizen. Said, a Syrian-born, Monaco-based billionaire, was the broker of the 1985 Al-Yamamah arms deal to sell British warplanes to Saudi Arabia, in which 6 billion in corrupt commissions were allegedly paid to members of the Saudi royal family. But how did this Saudi-Syrian businessman pick up a third passport It's not clear exactly when, but at some point in the 1990s, Said received Canadian citizenship. I am a Canadian citizen and am proud to be one, wrote Said in an email to the Star and CBC/Radio-Canada. To fulfil the three-year residency requirement, public records show that instead of living in a luxury building, as he did in London, U.K., Said rented a basement apartment in Montreal. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

mulroney: The longtime friend of Brian Mulroney also donated 4 million to the soon-to-open Brian Mulroney Institute of Government at St, according to Toronto Star. Francis Xavier University, where he received an honorary degree in 2015 and was announced as a Canadian citizen. Said, a Syrian-born, Monaco-based billionaire, was the broker of the 1985 Al-Yamamah arms deal to sell British warplanes to Saudi Arabia, in which 6 billion in corrupt commissions were allegedly paid to members of the Saudi royal family. Read more Honorary degrees for Brian Mulroney's billionaire friends who funded his St. To fulfil the three-year residency requirement, public records show that instead of living in a luxury building, as he did in London, U.K., Said rented a basement apartment in Montreal. F.X. legacy project Article Continued Below But how did this Saudi-Syrian businessman pick up a third passport It's not clear exactly when, but at some point in the 1990s, Said received Canadian citizenship. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

pew researchers: All three used a mid-2016 estimate of 25.8 million as a baseline, but assumed different future migration rates, according to CTV. Under the zero migration scenario, an estimated 30 million Muslims would make up 7.4 per cent of Europe's population by 2050 compared to the 4.9 per cent they comprised last year, the report projected. The Pew Research Center report modeled three scenarios for estimating the number of Muslims who would be living in Europe by 2050. The researchers said that is mostly because Muslims are on average 13 years younger than other Europeans and also have a higher birthrate, the Pew researchers said. In the high migration scenario, the study projects that the record flow of migrants who came to Europe between 2015 and 2016 would continue indefinitely, resulting in 75 million Muslims in Europe, a 14 per cent increase, by the middle of the century. The study estimates 58.8 million Muslims would account for 11.2 per cent of the population in a medium migration scenario that has migration maintaining a regular speed -- defined by the Pew researchers as migration motivated by economic, educational and family reasons -- but not for seeking asylum as a refugee. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

reactions: People who don't all have doctorates, according to Rabble. Very ordinary people. This fits with other recent statements by Labeaume, such as that there is a big danger in being disconnected from the population and to not see that the extreme-right discourse is an ideological refuge for a lot of people. People who are disgusted. Doubly so due to the fact that the far right also mustered in large numbers in Quebec in March and in August -- as well as recently in other cities such as London, Ont., Toronto, Calgary and, most infamously, Charlottesville, North Carolina -- and that these gatherings are often met with very muted reactions from politicians.I'm in solid company on November 28, hate-crimes expert Barbara Perry told CBC Radio's The Current host Anna Maria Tremonti she is concerned about the lack of condemnation by politicians of the far right's increasing muscle-flexing. As an eyewitness to the November 25 events, I'm aghast at the mayor's blatant defence of the right-wing and of the violence against the people protesting them. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

william skipper: Edward III ruled from 1327 until 1377, according to CTV. Royal experts have said that the 36-year-old Markle will not formally be known as Princess Meghan because she is not of royal birth. A researcher at the Boston-based New England Historic Genealogical Society, one of the world's premier genealogical organizations, said Thursday that Markle is a direct descendant of England's King Edward III, and she and Harry are 17th cousins. Genealogist Gary Boyd Roberts says Markle's royal lineage comes through an early immigrant to Boston, the Rev. He's an ancestor of Markle's father. William Skipper, who arrived in New England in 1639. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

oakville north-burlington: The petition, an initiative of Mariam Manaa, a former summer intern in the office of Oakville North-Burlington Liberal MP Pam Damoff, is supported by Stephen Paquette, a member of the Anishinaabe from Wikwemikong First Nation on Manitoulin Island, according to NOW Magazine. Paquette is chair of the Halton Indigenous Education Advisory Council. A petition calling on the federal government to redesign the current Canadian Citizenship study guide and exam to acknowledge Indigenous history has received the 500 signatures required to be formally tabled in the House. The changes proposed in the petition, he says, would uphold the commitment made by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in his mandate letter to the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada to educate new Canadians on the intergenerational effects of residential schools and Canada's legacy of colonialism. It contains only one paragraph on residential schools. The current Discover Canada study guide and citizenship exam does not include any requirement to learn about the Indigenous nations of Canada. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

police: Furthermore, during community consultations, people from several marginalized groups frequently spoke up about not wanting police at Vancouver's Pride Parade.article continues below Trending Stories City identifies another site for homeless housing in Vancouver City seeks court injunction to get Marpole homeless housing built Cheeky umbrellas capitalize on a Vancouver constant Kerfuffle at Kitsilano Community Centrerelated Black Lives Matter criticizes Vancouver Pride Society performative tweaks'No cop cars, fewer uniformed police in Vancouver Pride Parade We engaged in a fairly extensive community consultation after our 2016 season, and police participation was one of the topics that came up often... we heard from queer people of colour, the trans community... and Indigenous people, who felt the same kinds of things Black Lives Matter was talking about in the media, so we took that information in and talked to many people on all sides of the issue, she said, according to Vancouver Courier. However, despite this latest decision, the consultations that Arnot refers to did not initially result in the Vancouver Pride Society banning uniformed police officers and they were permitted to march in the 2017 Pride Parade. Reached by phone on Wednesday evening, Arnot said that non-uniformed officers will still be permitted, and credited Black Lives Matter chapters for initiating the conversations that led to the decision. As a result, some community groups boycotted it. The LGBTQ refugee support organization Rainbow Refugee joined Black Lives Matter in its boycott against the 2017 Pride Parade. Black Lives Matter Vancouver refused to attend, saying their membership did not feel comfortable with uniformed police officers marching in the parade due to Canada's current and historic police brutality against queer, trans, Black, and Indigenous people, as well as people of colour. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

travertine walls: Bus travel was a central mode of transportation Toronto did not even have an airport yet, according to NOW Magazine. Designed by architect Charles Dolphin, whose list of Toronto projects includes the Bloor-Yonge subway station and Postal Delivery Building now the Air Canada Centre the Coach Terminal remains a fine example of uncomplicated yet handsome art deco style. With soaring ceilings, decorative travertine walls and art deco chandeliers, the Coach Terminal was a sophisticated space for arrivals and departures. But as car and air travel became easier and bus transportation lost its appeal, the terminal began its slow decline. The internal walls were demolished in the early 1980s leaving only the facade of the original building to accommodate renovations of the bus bays. The structure has undergone some odd renovations. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

assistant director: That trend is most obvious in Toronto, where half the work force in 2016 was made up of immigrants the highest proportion in Canada, according to Metro News. In response to a series of social and economic changes, the labour force itself is changing, said Vincent Dale, assistant director of the labour statistics division at Statistics Canada. And immigrants are making up more and more of the workers, accounting for nearly one-quarter of Canada's labour force in 2016, helping offset the impact of an aging population. The latest census data released Wednesday reveals that between 2005 and 2015, there's been a shift from full-time, year-round employment to part-time or part-year work. More people are working part-year rather than part-time, Dale said of the change. Statistics Canada cites several factors for the change, including the 2008 recession, automation as well as personal preference for more flexible work schedules. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

authority: The moral authority of the pope stands, Burke asserted Wednesday, according to CTV. You can criticize what's said, what's not said, but the pope is not going to lose moral authority on this question here. Spokesman Greg Burke said Francis took seriously the advice given to him by the local Catholic Church, which urged him to toe a cautious line and not even refer to the Rohingya by name during his trip to Myanmar and Bangladesh, since the majority of people in Myanmar reject the term because the ethnic group is not a recognized minority in the country. Burke spoke as Francis neared the midpoint of his weeklong trip, which was in the works well before the Myanmar military launched what it called clearance operations in Rakhine state in response to attacks by a group of Rohingya militants against security positions in August. Rohingya in the camps have reported entire villages in Myanmar being burned and looted and women and girls raped. The campaign, denounced by the U.N. and the U.S. as ethnic cleansing, has forced more than 620,000 Rohingya to flee to neighbouring Bangladesh in the worst Asian refugee crisis in decades. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

barley flour: Dinku Tadesse and his wife Eline Baye have been running the downtown eatery for almost three years, arriving from Ethiopia via Winnipeg and launching with a relative and family friend before going solo, according to Toronto Star. Their four-page menu covers most of the same ground as Ethiopian spots everywhere, though curried goat with green spicy sauce is unusual and the roast beef wrap is surely a nod to local tastes. And maybe the fresh air and 24-hour sunlight altered my perceptions, but the food at Zehabesha Traditional Ethiopian Restaurant was the most richly flavourful I've had and I've had a lot. My vegan combo platter yetsom beyayantu had an impressive nine vegetable and lentil dishes for 18.95, and the delicious injera was homemade with teff and barley flour.A few other Yellowknife food thoughts. You could choose espresso and a grilled halloumi and avocado sandwich or birch syrup granola with yogurt and warm fruit compote. Article Continued Below I regret not having enough meals in the day for Korea House, although I popped my head in and pondered gamjatang pork bone soup or kimchi stew.I chilled out big time on a couch at the downtown Fat Fox Caf listening to music, drinking tea and eating scones with clotted cream and jam. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

court documents: Winnipeg man charged with illegally acting as immigration consultant Arrojado was charged on Nov. 24 with three offences related to charging immigration consulting fees without a licence, according to CBC. The 66-year-old is the past president of the Philippine Association of Manitoba, a former commissioner with the Manitoba Human Rights Commission and also ran for the provincial Progressive Conservatives in The Maples in 1995. The documents allege that payments were made through 114 Western Union money transfers to Alfredo Fred Arrojado. Regulations stipulate that to provide immigration advice for a fee while not registered with the government-appointed regulatory body is an offence, the court documents read. The investigation began in January 2015 and a search warrant was executed at Arrojado's home, which is also his office, on April 15, 2016. The file alleges that Arrojado was providing advice and actively soliciting foreign nationals to enlist his services for providing assistance and the completion of documents with immigrating to Canada though the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program for a fee. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

crimes: Hate crimes reports seem to ebb and flow in Waterloo Region for unexplained reasons, according to CTV. The region was dubbed Canada's hate crime capital in 2011, when 62 such crimes were reported by police. Statistics Canada says there were 19 hate crimes reported within the region last year, as compared to 51 one year earlier. The number of reports fell steadily over the next few years, bottoming out at 14 in 2013, before again starting to increase. Brantford Police received five hate crime reports in 2016, or 3.6 per 100,000 people. Nineteen hate crime reports represents 3.5 reports per 100,000 people. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

immigrant applicants: The program aimed to bring up to 2,000 additional primary immigrant applicants and their families in 2017, with increased numbers in following years if the program performs well, according to The Chronicle Herald. Earlier this month it was announced the program would continue and double to an allocation of 4,000 by 2020. The pilot project was announced in July 2016 as part of the Atlantic Growth Strategy and officially launched in March. To participate in the pilot project, employers must apply to receive a designation from their provincial government. The province must then approve those endorsements, and it is up to the individual immigrant to apply for either permanent residency or a work visa. Once designated, employers can apply for specific positions called endorsements. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

immigration consultant: Pembina Trails School Division used Winnipeg immigration consultant charged with fraud Korean workers in some Winnipeg sushi restaurants coerced into handing over part of pay to employers Yoon was warned years before his arrest that he needed to be a registered immigration consultant in order to charge a fee for his services, but persisted until he was caught red-handed by the government, Crown attorney Michael Foote told Judge Alain Huberdeau, according to CBC. A lengthy investigation by the Canada Border Services Agency revealed Yoon, over the course of six years, had provided immigration services to over 380 foreign nationals, primarily from Korea, and 57 businesses, earning a total of 347,000. Hae Suk Yoon, 68, pleaded guilty Monday to two counts of providing paid immigration consulting services without a licence. Immigrants are among the most vulnerable people in Canada, Foote said. That is the least they can expect. They have to know an immigration consultant is going to be trustworthy, licensed, and subject to regulation in Canada. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.