islamic state-inspired: It is assembling data to bolster the argument that the current legal immigration system is not only ill-conceived, but dangerous and damaging to U.S. workers, according to The Chronicle Herald. We believe that data drives policy, and this data will help drive votes, said White House spokesman Hogan Gidley, for what the administration considers, common sense America-first immigration controls the president has proposed. The administration was laying the groundwork for such a drive even before an Islamic State-inspired extremist who was born in Bangladesh tried to blow himself up in Midtown Manhattan on Monday. White House officials outlined their strategy this week exclusively to The Associated Press, and said the data demonstrates that changes are needed immediately. The issue is expected to be prominently featured in the president's Jan. 30 State of the Union address. But their effort will play out in a difficult political climate, as even Republicans in Congress are leery of engaging in a major immigration debate ahead of the 2018 midterm elections. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

larger-than-life u.s: But it is also an attempt to build a political movement that speaks to the racial and class grievances of those Americans - mainly white - who view themselves as outsiders, according to The Chronicle Herald. In the lead-up to Tuesday's special election, Trump tried to mobilize his base of so-called deplorables behind discredited Republican candidate Roy Moore. It is an idiosyncratic style based in large part on the personality quirks of the larger-than-life U.S. president. He failed. Exit polls indicate that 72 per cent of white men who voted had backed the former judge. True, those whites who cast ballots voted overwhelmingly for Moore. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

oversight committee: Unlike the tense discussion over a previous draft, the final version pleased the board, according to Metro News. I think some significant progress has been made there, board chairman Steve Hill said during the meeting. The Las Vegas Stadium Authority board does not have to approve the plan, but the team involved the panel in discussions over the document that for months has been the subject of debate at public meetings during which members of the community suggested and at times demanded that certain objectives be included. I certainly think it comports with the law and the intent of the Legislature. The team would be required to provide quarterly reports on the hiring goals to an oversight committee during the construction of the project. Under the plan, minority and female workers would carry out at least 38 per cent of construction work hours and 55 per cent of operation hours on event days. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

party: There is a new division in Quebec, between those living in Montreal and citizens elsewhere in the province, according to CTV. The consistent and sustained rise in the polls of the legislature's third-largest party, the federalist Coalition Avenir Quebec, reflects this new reality. But the 10 months leading up to October's provincial election will be different. Polling indicates the six-year-old party has a serious shot at government -- including a majority -- without needing to win a single seat on the island of Montreal, a breakdown that hasn't happened in Quebec's modern political history. Quebec has 125 ridings, including 27 on the island of Montreal. Whether or not it's possible to win without Montreal, I hope to -- and I will -- have a certain number of ridings on the island, Coalition Leader Francois Legault said during an end-of-year interview with The Canadian Press. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

records: Bill 164, The Human Rights Code Amendment Act, passed second reading in October, according to Rabble. It has been referred to committee. Ontario's human rights laws could be changing to make it easier for people who have criminal records, or have had contact with the police, to find jobs. If passed, it would make discrimination in employment because of someone's police records illegal. The changes would expand the definition to include any charges or convictions, with or without suspensions, and any police records, including records of non-criminal contact with the police. Right now, the Ontario Human Rights Code forbids discrimination in employment because of a conviction that has been suspended, previously known as pardoned, or a provincial offence, like traffic violations. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

skyscraper windows: If stockbrokers still used ticker tape, and if modern skyscraper windows could open, certainly some paper would have rained down on them too, according to Toronto Star. The city was happy. The team arrived in an open-air double-decker bus that left Maple Leaf Square and crawled up Bay St. as people cheered it along. As a classic bandwagon fan that arrives late to the game, distracted by other things during the regular season, I applaud the fans who are there for the long haul, cheering on our various teams during the good and bad times alike. Big sports games are euphoric civic moments, connecting people together across cultures and classes, even if just temporarily. What I do truly love to participate in, though, are the celebrations after important wins. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

students: Charlottetown area to get 41 new educators Influx of newcomers leads to some crowded P.E.I. classrooms Spring Park Elementary School was one of the schools to have around 50 more students enrolled in September than expected, according to CBC. They have hired two new full-time teachers at the school, with extra English as a second language EAL and teaching assistants splitting their time between Charlottetown-area schools. They are currently in the process of hiring three more teachers and four more educational assistants. Hard for new students to adjust Spring Park principal Terry Mac Isaac says the extra staff is providing much needed support to students now. Spring Park principal Terry Mac Isaac says the additional hires have allowed for more one-on-one time with EAL students. He also said it was difficult in September when the school was trying to help all of the new immigrant students get adjusted. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

susan elliott: Abeleira was born in Vigo, Spain, but his parents fled the Franco dictatorship in the 1950s, shortly after his birth and the family moved to Mexico, according to Toronto Star. Spain has no record of his birth, likely because he was never registered or the record was destroyed during the dictatorship. In quashing the immigration decision and sending the case back to the department for reconsideration, Justice E. Susan Elliott said Francisco Suarez Abeleira can't continue to be trapped in limbo in Canada and deserves a chance to have a new life. After spending his formative years in Mexico and most of his adulthood in the United States, he was caught by American border officials in 2009. Although the refugee judge accepted he was stateless, Abeleira was found not to be at risk of persecution in the U.S. and his claim was rejected. After being released from immigration detention, he crossed the unguarded land border between Vermont and Quebec seeking asylum in Canada a year later. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

tamil community: On Sunday, protesters said now that the rebel group known as the Tamil Tigers have been defeated, international leaders have to set conditions to ensure peace and better treatment for Tamil civilians, according to CTV. The Sri Lankan government says they're rescuing civilians but what's happening is that women and children are being put in concentration camps and being raped, alleged 21-year-old Sahab Jesuthasan, one of the main organizers of the protest. A crowd of people from Toronto's large Tamil community has been standing outside the Consulate for days, as the Sri Lankan military continued to close in on the last stronghold of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. They are demanding that the Sri Lankan government allow the western media into the conflict zone and allow humanitarian aid workers to help the thousands of people who have been injured in the violent clashes. There are people living here in Toronto who are voiceless, said Mahinda Gunakekera, president of the Sri Lanka United National Association of Canada SLUNA . They're afraid to speak their mind because the LTTE will harm their families. Voiceless' However, Sinhalese Canadians say their families are the ones who are under constant threat by the Tamil Tigers back home and here in Toronto. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

windsor: His Royal Highness Prince Henry of Wales and Ms, according to CBC. Meghan Markle will marry on 19th May 2018. Queen Elizabeth's grandson, who's fifth in line to the throne, and Meghan, known for her leading role in U.S. TV legal drama Suits, announced their engagement late last month. Today's announcement follows earlier confirmation of the month of the wedding and its location at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle. A palace spokesperson last week said Windsor was chosen because it's a very special place for them. Kensington Royal They will be married in St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle, just west of London. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

canadian press: The consistent and sustained rise in the polls of the legislature's third-largest party, the federalist Coalition Avenir Quebec, reflects this new reality, according to National Observer. Polling indicates the six-year-old party has a serious shot at government including a majority without needing to win a single seat on the island of Montreal, a breakdown that hasn't happened in Quebec's modern political history. There is a new division in Quebec, between those living in Montreal and citizens elsewhere in the province. Whether or not it's possible to win without Montreal, I hope to and I will have a certain number of ridings on the island, Coalition Leader Fran ois Legault said during an end-of-year interview with The Canadian Press. A party needs to win 63 seats to form a majority government. Quebec has 125 ridings, including 27 on the island of Montreal. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

family friend: I would own the final result and therefore I have to assess what has been done to date to determine whether I am supportive of that, but abandoning an investigation completely without reason is not something I would do, according to National Observer. Outgoing conflict of interest and ethics commissioner Mary Dawson is currently looking into a trip Justin Trudeau took last Christmas to a private Bahamian island owned by the Aga Khan, spiritual leader of Ismaili Muslims, billionaire philanthropist and family friend of Trudeau's. One of the first things I would attend to is review the whole genesis of those investigations, Dion said. She is also investigating Finance Minister Bill Morneau's involvement in new pension legislation that could benefit the company founded by his father and in which Morneau, until recently, still owned shares. But there's no guarantee those reviews will be completed before Dawson leaves her post on Jan. 8 and, more troubling for Opposition parties, there's no requirement for her successor to do so. Both issues are hot political potatoes for the government. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

vote share: They also easily retained a safe Liberal seat in Newfoundland and Labrador and another in Toronto, although their vote share declined somewhat in those ridings, according to National Observer. The Conservatives, who retained a safe seat of their own in Saskatchewan, took consolation in the fact that they increased their share of the vote in three of the four byelections. The Liberals snatched the British Columbia riding of South Surrey-White Rock from the Conservatives in a close-fought contest. But it's the second time since Andrew Scheer took the helm of the Conservative party last May that the Tories have lost a seat; in October the Liberals snagged a long-time Conservative seat in Quebec's nationalist heartland in a byelection. I think the message we're putting forward and the connection we're building with Canadians of focusing on the middle class and delivering for them has resonated, Trudeau asserted Tuesday. There was no consolation for New Democrats, who saw their share of the vote drop in all four ridings Monday and in all six since Jagmeet Singh was elected leader in early October. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

aegean seas: Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte still thought it was shameless and said shirking responsibility by not taking in their share would wither the EU. If we allow this then we get an EU where people go to shop for whatever they like, and give little back, he said, according to The Chronicle Herald. Greece and Italy have had to play host to tens of thousands of migrants who have landed there after crossing the Mediterranean or Aegean seas, severely stretching the two countries' resources. The Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia announced that they planned to spend around 35 million euros 41 million to beef up EU borders after the four countries known as the Visegrad Four were criticized for failing to show solidarity with the rest of the bloc. They have called for help from EU partners. We need solidarity not just in regulating and steering migration ... on the external borders. German Chancellor Angela Merkel, whose country has taken in the largest number of refugees, said the announcement by the Visegrad nations was welcome but not enough. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

baby: Last Sunday morning, Angela Gentili called Susan Watson, director of The Christmas Story, being staged at the church next to the Eaton Centre, to share some bad news, according to Toronto Star. Gentili's son Samuel was sick and couldn't perform as baby Jesus in the production later that day. This year, after a baby came down with a case of the sniffles, a happy twist of fate brought to the church's door a baby Jesus descended from Nazareth. At first, Watson thought she would have to use a doll as Samuel's replacement. Not only that, but her parents were from Nazareth, the city in Israel where Jesus is said to have lived. Article Continued Below But 40 minutes before show time, an usher told Watson that he'd found a baby girl to play Jesus. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

buddhist-majority myanmar: It estimated that at least 9,000 Rohingya had died of various causes in Myanmar's Rakhine state between Aug. 25 and Sept. 24, and that more than 70 per cent of the deaths were the result of violence, according to CTV. According to MSF, the dead included at least 730 children younger than 5. The group, known by its French acronym MSF, said in a statement made available Thursday that it conducted the survey in refugee camps in Bangladesh. More than 630,000 Rohingya Muslims have fled Buddhist-majority Myanmar into Bangladesh to escape what the United Nations has called ethnic cleansing. She said the findings were staggering, both in terms of the numbers of people who reported a family member dead as a result of violence and the horrific ways in which they said they were killed or severely injured. The peak in deaths coincides with the launch of the latest 'clearance operations' by Myanmar security forces in the last week of August, MSF medical director Sidney Wong said in a statement. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

cbc news: We have to, as an industry, look towards better educating these entrepreneurs when they come to our country, Mouflier said, according to CBC. TIAPEI would like to hire a Mandarin speaker, says Kevin Mouflier. CEO Kevin Mouflier said the number of businesses from B&Bs to cottages to gift shops continues to grow monthly, but the immigrant investors and other newcomers don't necessarily know the rules and regulations they should be following. CBC News The fact of licensing your establishment, the labour laws, finance, taxes, customer service is really important, the training, quality assurance, human resource things, how to operate effectively, how to run a front desk effectively. Officials with the Department of Tourism noted the province already has a number of supports in place for newcomer entrepreneurs in the hospitality sector. Part of the funding would go to a part-time Mandarin-speaking staff member for the TIAPEI office next summer. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

daughter pamela: The family fled the city of Aleppo five years ago and had been living as refugees in Beirut, Lebanon, according to CBC. After eight month wait, Syrian refugees arrive in Sudbury Sudbury refugee family offers support to newest Syrian arrivals I am so excited, so happy, to be here finally after two years of hard work, Dokkak said. Jinan Dokkak landed at the airport Wednesday afternoon with her mother Noura, and young daughter Pamela. To get to this point, I mean, you feel like your dreams are coming true. The family is sponsored by Sudbury Project Hope, a community organization that helps bring refugees to Canada. To be in a safe place finally, after all the things we have been through. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

emergency services: On Tuesday, council was scheduled to discuss the boundary changes between the Lucasville and Hammonds Plains areas, both of which Blackburn represents, according to The Chronicle Herald. It's an issue that goes back to the creation of the HRM in 1996, Blackburn told me Wednesday, when staff set district boundaries willy-nilly, without a lot of thought about things like the true historical nature of communities. Last weekend it wasn't so much the volume as the tone. A few years back the municipality started revisiting the boundaries. When that happens, residents may have to change the addresses on their bills and letterhead. When necessary for example, to help with the delivery of 911 emergency services some community boundaries were redone. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

health care: The proposal would eliminate legal residency requirements in California's Medicaid program, known as Medi-Cal, as the state has already done for young people up to age 19, according to Metro News. It's part of 4.3 billion in new spending proposed by Assemblyman Phil Ting, a San Francisco Democrat who leads the budget committee. California, flush with cash from an expanding economy, would eventually spend 1 billion a year to provide health care to immigrants living in the state illegally under a proposal announced Wednesday by Democratic lawmakers. Assembly Democrats also want to expand a tax credit for the working poor, boost preschool and child care, and increase college scholarships to reduce reliance on student loans. The proposal marks the Assembly's opening volley in six months of budget negotiations with the Senate and Democratic Gov. They also would commit 3.2 billion more than required to state budget reserves. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

holiday season: Reports from the front lines of a perceived war on Christmas began to surface more than 25 years ago as culturally diverse cities and towns in the GTA attempted to make the holiday season more inclusive, according to Toronto Star. Darkness and fear fell over the land. The season of dissent when godless grinches, decapitated camel statues and political correctness run amok took the fa-la-la-la-la out of Christmases past. Christmas has all of a sudden become a bad word, fumed Gail Williams after the Toronto District School Board suggested that December concerts be given secular names such as winter festival and holiday happening. Article Continued Below Many educators are scared silly of the C-word, agreed Toronto Star columnist Frank Jones. Let's not get to the point where we're losing our culture or our heritage, argued Williams, whose children attended Runnymede elementary school. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

medaria arrandondo: Police Chief Medaria Arrandondo says it allows the crime to be documented, but hits the pause button on any possible deportation, according to Metro News. Officials say it creates a formalized process and timeline to a U visa, which can take nine months to obtain. The ordinance passed by the City Council Wednesday would give immigrants protection from deportation if they help prosecute the crime. The U visa is set aside for crime victims who are willing to assist law enforcement. Gloria Velazquez, from the Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee, tells KSTP-TV the ordinance will allow crime victims to come out of the shadows and seek from KSTP-TV, http //www.kstp (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

islamic state-inspired: It is assembling data to bolster the argument that the current legal immigration system is not only ill-conceived, but dangerous and damaging to U.S. workers, according to Metro News. We believe that data drives policy, and this data will help drive votes, said White House spokesman Hogan Gidley, for what the administration considers, common sense America-first immigration controls the president has proposed. The administration was laying the groundwork for such a drive even before an Islamic State-inspired extremist who was born in Bangladesh tried to blow himself up in Midtown Manhattan on Monday. White House officials outlined their strategy this week exclusively to The Associated Press, and said the data demonstrates that changes are needed immediately. The issue is expected to be prominently featured in the president's Jan. 30 State of the Union address. But their effort will play out in a difficult political climate, as even Republicans in Congress are leery of engaging in a major immigration debate ahead of the 2018 midterm elections. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

news outlets: Thomas, Ont., strip mall, according to CBC. The family said the man charged at them, unprovoked, before they recorded the confrontation on a cellphone, which has been widely circulated through news outlets and social media. Mark Phillips, 36, was charged on Dec. 8 with aggravated assault and three counts of assault with a weapon in connection with the incident in the parking lot of a St. The video shows a man yelling about terrorists, ISIS and swinging his bat, leaving local man Sergio Estepa with a cracked rib and severe bruising on his back. His portrait still hangs in the accused's parents' home in Toronto, a childhood friend told CBC News. None of the allegations against Phillips has been proven in court. '1112830531773', 'playlist Selector' 'container Selector' ' container8897627', 'ciid' 'caffeine14441177' ; Family attacked, called terrorists by man wielding bat1 28 Mayor of all the people' Philips' great-grandfather, dubbed the mayor of all the people, was Toronto's first Jewish mayor and is the namesake of Nathan Phillips Square, located outside Toronto city hall. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

prince charles: Paul's Cathedral, held exactly six months after the June 14 fire that engulfed a residential tower block in west London, according to CTV. Emma Dent Coad, a Labour lawmaker for the neighbourhood, said emotions are still very raw and the service was a recognition that people from all walks of government are going to come down and grieve with them. Prince Charles, his wife Camilla, Prince Harry, Prince William and his wife Kate joined some 1,500 people at the multi-faith service at St. As they filed out of the service, many of the bereaved paused on the steps of St. Some held aloft photos of their loved ones and clutched white roses. Paul's to comfort each other. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

rakhine state: It estimated that at least 9,000 Rohingya had died of various causes in Burma's Rakhine state between Aug. 25 and Sept. 24, and that more than 70 per cent of the deaths were the result of violence, according to Toronto Star. According to MSF, the dead included at least 730 children younger than 5. The group, known by its French acronym MSF, said in a statement made available Thursday that it conducted the survey in refugee camps in Bangladesh. Read more Two journalists arrested in Burma over government documents, reports say Article Continued Below Canadians donate 12.5M towards Rohingya refugee crisis, government to match funds Bibeau Editorial Tougher measures needed to stop campaign of terror against Rohingya More than 630,000 Rohingya Muslims have fled Buddhist-majority Burma into Bangladesh to escape what the United Nations has called ethnic cleansing. react-empty 160 The peak in deaths coincides with the launch of the latest clearance operations' by Burma security forces in the last week of August, MSF medical director Sidney Wong said in a statement. The rape of Rohingya women by Burma's security forces has been sweeping and methodical, the Associated Press found in interviews with 29 women and girls who fled to neighbouring Bangladesh. She said the findings were staggering, both in terms of the numbers of people who reported a family member dead as a result of violence and the horrific ways in which they said they were killed or severely injured.MSF said that among children below the age of 5, more than 59 per cent who were killed during that period were reportedly shot, 15 per cent burnt to death in their homes, 7 per cent beaten to death and 2 per cent died due to landmine blasts. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.