taxes: And they expressed doubt the likeliest tool involves taking a chainsaw to corporate tax rates, according to National Observer. The University of Calgary's Mintz believes Canada should worry about its neighbour's tax reform; he's expressed it in National Post pieces with titles like, Trump's tax tsunami is about to wallop Canadian jobs and investment. Kevin Page, Jack Mintz, and Kevin Milligan all agreed Canada has different policy tools to respond. His view is that for several decades Canada had two business advantages lower corporate taxes, and free trade. He said Canadian businesses also face new challenges, like carbon taxes; while the U.S. eliminates regulations. Now the taxes are about equal, and free trade is in jeopardy. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

people slide: We want to make sure that they get the fun stuff, too, according to National Observer. Newly arrived families pose on the ice an ice skate at Rogers Arena in Vancouver on December 20. There's a lot of hard stuff that refugee families have to go through, said Elmir Ismayilou, who works with the Volunteer Community Connections Program at the Immigration Services Society of British Columbia ISSofBC . There's so much paperwork, getting documents, going to interviews. Photo by Andrew S. Wright.A father helps his son during their first skate in Canada. To help new families settle in, they pair refugees with Canadian volunteers who can aid the transition to a new, strange country where people slide around on metal blades. Photo by Sophie Wright The ISSofBC is British Columbia's oldest nonprofit immigration services organization. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

pulse report: That is who we are, according to NOW Magazine. But many Canadian Muslims could be forgiven for wondering whether the PM's self-assured paean to tolerance is, in fact, who we are. During a funeral oration for victims of last January's Quebec City mosque massacre, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau promised that we will rise from this darkness stronger and more unified than ever before. The Ontario Human Rights Commission's OHRC newly released Taking The Pulse report found that fewer than half the respondents had positive views of refugees 46 per cent Muslims 45 per cent or Arab people 44 per cent . While some of the blame for growing anti-Muslim sentiment in Canada can be rightly linked to Donald Trump's rise to power, the OHRC's numbers tend to reflect a historic homegrown discrimination that saw a 253 per cent increase in police-reported hate crimes against Muslims in Canada between 2012 and 2015. Canadians should not be smug nor take for granted the impact of global trends and also the role various Canadian actors may play in promoting Islamophobia here at home, says Ihsaan Gardee, executive director of the National Council of Canadian Muslims NCCM . Gardee notes that the current rise in Islamophobia also occurs against the backdrop of a time where there has been an alarming and well-documented rise in the growth of far-right extremism, which targets not only Muslims and those perceived to be Muslim but Canadians from other racial and religious backgrounds as well. During that time, Stephen Harper's Conservatives with Liberal support passed some of their most regressive legislation, from the inflammatory Zero Tolerance For Barbaric Cultural Practices Act to the infamous C-51 Anti-Terrorism Act, both of which disproportionately target members of the Muslim community. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

board: Of those finalized cases, updated data show 54 per cent were accepted down from 60 per cent when the board last reported the data, according to The Chronicle Herald. Only eight per cent of Haitians who make up the majority of claims have been accepted, down from 10 per cent. As of the end of November, the Immigration and Refugee Board says 16,522 asylum claims were received from people who've crossed the border illegally and 2,198 of those have been completed. Over 43,000 claims in total have been sent to the IRB so far this year, a number not seen since a high of 44,000 claims in 2001. Failed claimants do also have the right to appeal. The board cautions it's premature to draw conclusions about border crossers based on the small number of claims finalized so far. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

canada: Of those finalized cases, updated data show 54 per cent were accepted down from 60 per cent when the board last reported the data, according to Toronto Star. Read more Canada not ready for second-wave of asylum seekers, union head warns Article Continued Below Immigration Minister warns Haitian border-crossers that Canada will probably reject themU.S. decision to end temporary status for Haitians has Canada on alert for asylum seekers Only eight per cent of Haitians who make up the majority of claims have been accepted, down from 10 per cent. react-empty 163 Over 43,000 claims in total have been sent to the IRB so far this year, a number not seen since a high of 44,000 claims in 2001. As of the end of November, the Immigration and Refugee Board says 16,522 asylum claims were received from people who've crossed the border illegally and 2,198 of those have been completed. The board cautions it's premature to draw conclusions about border crossers based on the small number of claims finalized so far. But just as the IRB was releasing the new statistics, Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen used social media to repeat a point the Liberals have been increasingly making in recent weeks as the data have shown many border crossers' claims are being rejected. Failed claimants do also have the right to appeal. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

car: Clint Stibbe of Toronto Police Services said, according to Toronto Star. There was a car that was parked in a parking spot on the roadway, by a streetcar track, so the cyclist had to go around it, said Stibbe. It's possible the man fell off his bike before being struck around noon near College St. and Ossington Ave., Const. Somewhere there, either the cyclist struck the car or the car struck the cyclist, Stibbe said. Article Continued Below The cyclist, who hasn't been identified, was rushed to hospital in life-threatening condition, and succumbed to his injuries about an hour later. It's all being investigated. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

detention centres: Immigration arrests of dozens of Iraqi Christians prompt protest in DetroitU.S. judge halts Iraqis' deportation until court review U.S. District Judge Mark Goldsmith, who will hear arguments Wednesday, blocked the deportation of 1,400 people in July to allow time to challenge their removal in immigration court, according to CBC. About 275 people are jailed or in detention centres in roughly two dozen states. A federal judge in Detroit is mulling whether to release her father, Usama Sam Hamama, who was apprehended by immigration officials as part of a roundup in June, and hundreds of others whose deportations to Iraq were suspended but remain in custody. Government officials say the detainees whose arrests came amid broader, aggressive immigration policies by the Trump administration have committed crimes in the U.S. and must be deported now that Iraq will accept them. When your dad cries you know there's something wrong. - Source Earlier this year, the Department of Homeland Security said Iraq had agreed to start allowing the return of immigrants who have been ordered out of the United States. Advocates say the detainees many of whom are Christians who fear being tortured or killed if deported paid their debt to society and deserve to be with their families as their immigration cases wend through the system. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

daca: He says beneficiaries of former President Barack Obama's Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program had come to rely on it and faced a real and palpable hardship from its loss, according to Metro News. Justice Department attorney Brad Rosenberg says the administration considered the effects of ending DACA and decided to phase it out over time instead of cutting it immediately. During a court hearing Wednesday, U.S. District Judge William Alsup questioned whether the administration had conducted a thorough review before the decision. Alsup is considering five lawsuits seeking to block President Donald Trump from rescinding DACA. He's also considering a government request to dismiss the suits. 12 30 a.m. The judge is also considering a request by the Trump administration to throw the lawsuits out.DACA has protected about 800,000 people who were brought to the U.S. illegally as children or came with families who overstayed visas. Five lawsuits against the Trump administration's decision to end a program protecting some young immigrants from deportation face a key federal court hearing in San Francisco that could put an early end to the legal challenges or give them a big boost.U.S. District Judge William Alsup will hear arguments on Wednesday to determine whether to block President Donald Trump from rescinding the Obama-era Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program while the lawsuits by California and other plaintiffs play out in court. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

fort: Under the act, only lawyers or authorized immigration consultants can be paid to help a person with their immigration applications, according to CBC. Fort McMurray woman pleads guilty to acting as an immigration consultant Fort McMurray woman charged with immigration fraud According to an agreed statement of facts, 13 people said they paid Santos to help with applications for work permits and permanent residency papers. Charie Santos pleaded guilty to one charge under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act in September. Judge James Jacques sentenced Santos in Fort McMurray provincial court on Tuesday morning. The Crown is pleased in the end she will have a criminal record so it will serve as general deterrence, Crown prosecutor Moira V n said outside court. In addition to the 10,000 fine, the judge ordered Santos to pay a total of 1,750 to be split between five people who wanted their money back. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

immigration clinic: The suit asks a federal judge to prevent ICE from making another attempt at deporting the detainees, according to Metro News. The suit says ICE agents shackled the Somali immigrants for nearly 48 hours during their trip. The University of Miami School of Law's Immigration Clinic filed the class-action lawsuit Tuesday. It also says agents physically attacked some detainees and put others in straitjackets, adding deportees were denied access to a bathroom. An email seeking comment from ICE wasn't immediately returned. Attorneys for the detainees say they face the danger of being targeted by the anti-American, anti-Western terrorist group Al Shabaab if they return to Somalia. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

leelabahen chaudhari: Vishnubhai Chaudhari, 50, and Leelabahen Chaudhari, 44, pleaded guilty in federal court on Monday to conspiracy and alien harbouring for financial gain, the Omaha World-Herald reported . The two were managers of a Super 8 Motel in Kimball, a town near the Wyoming and Colorado borders, according to The Chronicle Herald. The unidentified man was taken into immigration custody in Texas after entering the U.S. illegally in 2011. Federal authorities say two motel managers enslaved an Indian immigrant for more than a year in western Nebraska, forcing him to work without pay and abusing him. The Chaudharis, who also were living in the U.S. illegally, arranged to pay his bond in October of that year and then set up his transportation to Kimball, court documents and authorities said. The Chaudharis isolated the man from guests at the motel and hid him from police officers in the area. The pair then forced the man to clean rooms, wash clothes and do other chores for them seven days a week, investigators said. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

montreal canadiens: The dish tasted just right so authentic that the cheese curds emitted a faint squeak, squeak when bitten into the telltale sign of a proper poutine, according to Toronto Star. But the jovial chef serving them had an Ontario accent. But as they devoured their poutine that gloppy, belt-bursting dish of french fries, cheddar cheese curds and gravy something felt horribly wrong. Even more disconcerting He was wearing the hat of the Toronto Maple Leafs hockey team, the archrivals of the Montreal Canadiens. Calling poutine Canadian' makes me feel very uncomfortable because Quebec has a distinct culture and history from the rest of Canada, and poutine is a strong symbol of that. Poutine is Qu b cois it is not Canadian, said 25-year-old Zak Rosentzveig, a poutine-obsessed economist from Montreal, describing his recent visit to the food stall and adding his voice to a simmering debate over poutine's true identity. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

refugee resettlement: That leaves her free to have an abortion if she chooses, according to Metro News. The Justice Department argued it had obtained the teen's birth certificate and it showed she is 19 years old, not 17. In court papers filed Tuesday, the Trump administration says the teen was handed over to immigration authorities and released. That meant she would no longer be in the custody of the Health and Human Services Department office that oversees shelters that house immigrant children. The administration says the woman was transferred to Immigration and Customs Enforcement. In March, HHS's Office of Refugee Resettlement revised its policy to discourage and prohibit pregnant teens from having abortions. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

region: That is down from 3.2 per cent from the previous three months, according to CTV. It is also not much higher than 1.6 per cent outside the Greater Golden Horseshoe Region, which is not covered by the tax. People who aren't citizens or permanent residents, as well as foreign corporations, accounted for 1.9 per cent of the transactions in the Greater Golden Horseshoe Region -- which includes Toronto -- from Aug. 19 to Nov. 17. In Toronto, 3.8 per cent of transactions were made by foreign buyers in the same August to November period, which is lower than the 5.6 per cent in the previous three months. In the first month after the tax was imposed in late April, foreign buyers made up 4.7 per cent of home sales in the region. The 15 per cent tax was imposed in the Greater Golden Horseshoe area -- stretching from the Niagara Region to Peterborough -- on buyers who are not citizens, permanent residents or Canadian corporations. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

vinay upreti: They were among hundreds of newcomers at the annual Christmas Open House held recently at the Confederation Centre of the Arts, according to CBC. Hatem Aldos and Shayma Aldos, who moved to Summerside form Syria two years ago, enjoy the parties at Christmas time. This will be the second Christmas on P.E.I. for Shayma and her family, who moved to the Island from Syria. Karen Mair They ate cookies, enjoyed live music and, of course, visited with Santa. He and his family have only been on the Island for two months. I'm trying to be an Islander, Vinay Upreti said with a laugh. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

anti-poverty activists: Here you go City facility that most resembles a border crossing City hall, according to Vancouver Courier. Ever since a bunch of anti-poverty activists occupied the council chamber this summer, the city has beefed up security on the days that city council meets. That means it's time to roll out my annual list of questionable observations, stinging criticisms and pure nonsense from my 300-plus days on the beat.article continues below Trending Stories Metro Vancouver housing prices to rise in 2018 One dead in Burrard bridge crash Heart surgery spurs Rick Cluff to make changes in his life Greater Vancouver home prices to drop 21 per cent by 2019 analysisI've added hashtags this year to amp up the cleverness. Guards are posted at both entrances on the main floor, on the third floor location of the chamber and at the entrance to the chamber. yourpapersplease Vancouver city hall. Too bad because the guy is articulate, on top of the issues and an adult. Photo Dan Toulgoet Most cowardly public relations move by a civic political party That goes to Vision Vancouver which hid their council byelection candidate Diego Cardona from media on election night. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

christmas-decorated house: Appearing with Freeland in the Christmas-decorated House of Commons foyer on Parliament Hill at dusk, the secretary appeared at times jovial, and other times serious, as he spoke of a close shared vision between Canada and the U.S. as well as the desire to send North Korea a unified message, according to National Observer. This pressure campaign will not abate, said Tillerson, referring to heavy-handed diplomacy with a nuclear North Korea. Tillerson, the U.S. secretary of state, held a day of meetings in Canada's capital, talking with officials at the headquarters of the foreign affairs department, including Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland, as well as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The USCanada relationship is vitally important to both our countries. Friends Partners Allies Ambassador Kelly Craft USAmb Canada December 20, 2017Tillerson, who had previously travelled to Canada numerous times in his previous role as chief executive officer of U.S. oil giant Exxon Mobil, also noted the importance of strong economic ties between Canada and the U.S. as an important source of jobs on both sides of the border. Discussions today have demonstrated the continuing strength of this relationship. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

west coast: Their choice to engage with diversity in a positive way ranged from fighting for over 20 years to bring peace to a community in Colombia, to mediating and brokering peace in multiple ethnic conflicts throughout Africa, to protecting the rights of asylum seekers held in offshore detention centres in Papua New Guinea, according to Vancouver Courier. These winners, from Columbia, Kenya and Australia respectively together with other winners who received honorable mentions inspire us to ask ourselves every day What choice can I make today to engage with diversity in a positive way Take a read, when you have a moment, at these exceptional individuals' contributions to society at On the west coast of the country, another phenomenal conversation on the same topic was spearheaded by The University of Victoria's Gustavson School of Business and Global Affairs Canada at the Victoria Forum. Ottawa hosted the inaugural Global Pluralism awards which celebrate the remarkable achievements of individuals, organizations and governments tackling the challenge of living peacefully and productively with diversity . Is that what pluralism is At a recent visit to the Global Centre for Pluralism in Ottawa which I highly recommend, by the way our tour guide described pluralism as an act of choice to engage with diversity in a positive way . The three winners of the Global Pluralism award certainly did choose this path. The quote I began this post with is from Chief Thomas of the Esquimalt First Nations at the opening ceremony of the event. One of the panelists, Dr. Throughout the weekend, we heard from world leaders on this topic, and we engaged in conversation with students, scholars and community and business leaders on topics relating to diversity, inclusiveness and pluralism. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

american history: As far back as the late 1800s when Canada had a state-mandated policy of starving Indigenous folks into reservations and submission, white Canadians still held themselves on a moral platform above America, according to Rabble. Donald Trump's presidency has been traumatizing for people of colour, immigrants, women, LGBTQ folks and the poor. Calling this an age-old proverb isn't me sprinkling the truth with a little bit of Maggi/salt/MSG or your seasoning of choice. White Canadians however, have benefited from yet another American benchmark to measure themselves against. Not only do these smears on American history polish the shine on Canadian morality, it serves as a tool to silence non-white people in Canada. For as long as America has it's well documented, relatively publicized history of slavery, oppression and genocide, Canada thrives. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

cutoff time: Lopez, 30, blamed the chaos of Hurricane Irma while juggling a move from Miami to Daytona Beach as reasons why she missed the cutoff, according to Metro News. As a result, her status as a recipient of DACA ends Friday. Lopez said she arrived at the post office just after the cutoff time and missed the deadline set by President Donald Trump to renew her paperwork for the Deferred Action of Childhood Arrivals program that helps young immigrants brought into the country illegally. Her driver's license, car insurance and housing lease are all in jeopardy once the program goes away for her. The government is playing with the lives of families. Everywhere I go, everything and everyone reminds me I have an expiration date said Lopez, who is still trying to show proof that she attempted to send her renewal package the day before the Oct. 5 deadline. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

discovery centre: The program is included with admission to the museum, located at 1055 Marginal Rd., on the Halifax waterfront, according to The Chronicle Herald. Drop in for an English or French screening of the Disney animated film Moana, learn how to hula dance with Monique Ryan of Serpentine Studios, navigate using the stars with Discovery Centre's mobile planetarium, and get crafty with artist Andrea Tsang Jackson. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

fall madness: With a full year under new leadership, matched with a fully engaged team, it's time to celebrate our success as a Chamber and look to how we can make 2018 even better for our membership, according to The Chronicle Herald. We began 2017 by celebrating 30 finalists at our Halifax Business Awards at a sold-out event in the Marriot. The fall madness has made way for a slew of holiday celebrations and as we get ready to flip the calendar, it's time to reflect on 2017. If you attended, you will remember being jam-packed into the pre-dinner reception, which led to some of the best networking I've ever witnessed. Gerry Mills, Executive Director of the Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia, Tareq Hadhad of Peace by Chocolate and Wadih Fares, President and CEO of WM Fares Group, addressed our 700-plus guests and drove home a powerful message that is still being talked about today. We survived winter and welcomed spring with our annual Spring Dinner, which featured a panel of keynotes speaking on the vital role immigration plays in growing our province. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

italian politicians: An undersecretary in Italy's foreign ministry, Benedetto Della Vedova, welcomed the softening of the Austrian position, according to CTV. He said Italy had read the proposal to grant Austrian citizenship en masse to speakers of German and the Romance language Ladino in the South Tyrol region as a provocative move. After Italian politicians balked at the unilateral proposal, Kurz said the citizenship offer outlined in the coalition government agreement between his Austrian People's party and the populist, right-wing Freedom Party only would be pursued in close co-ordination with Italy. Seventy per cent of the region's residents speak German, 25 per cent Italian and 5 per cent Ladino. The remain vote won, while dissenters relocated to Austria. South Tyrol, known as Alto Adige in Italian, became part of Italy after World War I, but tension lingered for decades after a post-World War II vote by citizens on whether to remain in Italy or join Austria. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

jewish community: A photo on B'nai Brith Canada's website shows the letter containing the words Jewry must perish, and a swastika scrawled onto a blood-soaked Star of David, according to CTV. It's really unfortunate that, at this time of year, with the Jewish community celebrating Hanukkah ... you have a message of targeted hate that's going out to religious institutions across the country, B'nai Brith Canada CEO Michael Mostyn said. Four synagogues in Toronto, two in Montreal, one in Hamilton and one in Edmonton have reported being sent the hate mail, the Jewish advocacy group said Tuesday. It's sad to see and it's actually quite terrifying for the individuals opening these letters with hateful genocidal messages. Officers are absolutely treating the incidents as hate crimes, said Staff Sgt. Police in all four cities confirmed they were investigating the letters. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

justin trudeau: When I first ... came to Canada here, I was asking, 'Who's helping us Who's this man, who make this happen Who saved my life Who bring my life back ' Everyone told me, Justin Trudeau, she said, according to CBC. He give me a better life and new future. The Children's Wish Foundation flew 16-year-old Marwa Harb to Ottawa so she could thank the prime minister for saving her life. Parliament tour Harb said Trudeau gave her a tour of Parliament and she was able to thank him. What a pleasure to host the Harb family on the Hill today. Last year, Harb, her parents and seven siblings came to Canada as refugees after fleeing war in Syria. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

leelabahen chaudhari: Vishnubhai Chaudhari, 50, and Leelabahen Chaudhari, 44, pleaded guilty in federal court on Monday to conspiracy and alien harbouring for financial gain, the Omaha World-Herald reported . The two were managers of a Super 8 Motel in Kimball, a town near the Wyoming and Colorado borders, according to Metro News. The unidentified man was taken into immigration custody in Texas after entering the U.S. illegally in 2011. Federal authorities say two motel managers enslaved an Indian immigrant for more than a year in western Nebraska, forcing him to work without pay and abusing him. The Chaudharis, who also were living in the U.S. illegally, arranged to pay his bond in October of that year and then set up his transportation to Kimball, court documents and authorities said. The Chaudharis isolated the man from guests at the motel and hid him from police officers in the area. The pair then forced the man to clean rooms, wash clothes and do other chores for them seven days a week, investigators said. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.