badian: See listing, according to NOW Magazine. Rating NNNNThis new romantic comedy from SMOOTHIELAND artistic director and Blyth Festival creator-in-residence Marie Beath Badian has the vibrant manic energy of a good sitcom, but also shines a light on the insidious microaggressions that many newcomers to Canada endure. Joseph Michael Photography PRAIRIE NURSE by Marie Beath Badian Thousand Islands Playhouse/Factory 125 Bathurst . Runs to May 13. 30- 50. 416-504-9971, factorytheatre. Set in the 1960s and inspired by her mother's own immigrant experience, Badian's story follows the arrival of two young nurses from the Philippines at a small-town hospital in Arborfield, Saskatchewan. Badian creates a string of awkward and telling mistaken-identity moments similar to those befalling the twins in The Comedy Of Errors despite the fact that Penny and Puring are not alike at all. But before the pair arrive, we're introduced to the lively staff they soon meet; there's no-nonsense head nurse Marie Anne Catherine Fitch ultra-enthusiastic high-school volunteer Patsy Janelle Hanna bug-eyed hunting-obsessed Scottish doctor Miles Mark Crawford folksy handyman Charlie Layne Coleman and lab technician/local hockey star Wilf Matt Shaw . The plot turns on these all-white characters' inability to differentiate between their new Filipino coworkers, Indepencia Isabel Kanaan who goes by Penny, and Purificacion Belinda Corpuz who is called Puring. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

canada ruling: The high court is expected to rule soon on whether it will examine the legal issues at the heart of the unusual espionage saga, according to Vancouver Courier. The brothers Timothy, 27, and Alexander, 23, were born in Canada in the 1990s to parents using the aliases Donald Heathfield and Tracey Ann Foley. The Federal Court of Canada ruling follows a similar decision in the case of his younger brother, Alexander.article continues below Trending Stories65 unusual gifts Ideas for the paleo, yogi, crossfitter, photographer and more Parents of missing man mark painful five-year anniversary Sweets for Diwali take a month's preparation Point Grey tax rally protests 'ideological' property tax However, the Supreme Court of Canada will have the final say on whether the young men are Canadian citizens. The parents were arrested eight years ago in the United States and indicted on charges of conspiring to act as secret agents on behalf of Moscow. Timothy tried to renew his Canadian passport in 2011, but was told to first apply for a Canadian citizenship certificate. In all, 11 people four of whom claimed to be Canadian were indicted on charges of conspiring to act as agents in the U.S. on behalf of the SVR, successor to the notorious Soviet KGB. Heathfield and Foley admitted to being Andrey Bezrukov and Elena Vavilova. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

algonquin park: And her upcoming film looks at families from Syria and Iraq who have come to Canada courtesy of sponsors here, according to The Chronicle Herald. I wanted to do a film that was about immigration and the beauty of immigration from this country, when we're going through such horrors in the U.S. Kopple, who lives south of the border, said in a recent interview in Toronto. On Thursday, she'll speak onstage in Toronto as part of her outstanding achievement award retrospective at the Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival. And I wanted to do it through the eyes of kids. The story focuses on Camp Pathfinder in Algonquin Park, where boys from the Syrian and Iraqi families she follows were able to attend thanks to their sponsors. Kopple said she's already shot the film and is nearly finished it. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

bone marrow: And that was the last day that I felt normal, according to Toronto Star. A month later, the engineering student's cold turned into lumps on his body and several trips to the hospital later his diagnosis came Subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma, a rare slow-growing cancer. I remember I felt more tired than usual and it was the middle of the day and I turned everything off and I thought I'm going to have a nap, he said. Although chemotherapy is helpful, in Nguyen's case it failed. But finding a match is just as rare as the disease. Doctors informed his family that the only way the 25-year-old had any chance of survival was to do a stem-cell transplant, removing his entire bone marrow and replacing it with fresh stem cells from a donor. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

food explorer: It turns out some of America's first immigration battles were over plants, not people, according to The Chronicle Herald. In the late 1800s, quantity, not variety, was the issue at most American tables. Who knew avocados, citrus and cherry blossoms had a spellbinding past full of smuggling, spying, tycoons and death-defying adventure The Food Explorer by Daniel Stone brings a forgotten era of American food history back to the table, with a timely twist. Different regions had specialities, but many farmers struggled to produce bountiful crops of grains, fruits and vegetables, partly because of limited native varieties. Stone brings drama, humour and perspective to what began as a tentative U.S. Department of Agriculture program. A Midwest farm boy named David Fairchild dreamed of bountiful fields and tables, and he ultimately visited more than 50 countries to bring tens of thousands of new plant varieties to America. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

frydman-kohl: Many speakers commended emergency service personnel on their work the day of the incident, including the officer who was able to arrest the suspect without firing his gun, according to CTV. In Toronto, in Ontario, in Canada, we don't run away -- we run to help others, said Rabbi Baruch Frydman-Kohl of the Beth Tzedec Congregation, the largest synagogue community in Canada. Religious leaders of multiple faiths led the speakers' list at the event, all of them sharing messages of support and strength in the face of the tragedy that left 10 people dead and 16 more injured. Frydman-Kohl also referenced other van attacks in cities such as Paris, Beirut and Charlottesville, Virginia. Before the vigil, thousands took part in what was billed as a walk of healing and solidarity, roughly following the route of last Monday's attack. Toronto has felt the pain of other places, and those cities now share our horror and hurt, he said. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

guardian newspaper: We will do right by the Windrush generation, Javid told lawmakers in the House of Commons, according to CTV. Prime Minister Theresa May appointed Javid to the key job Monday, hours after predecessor Amber Rudd resigned over her role in what has become known as the Windrush scandal. Home Secretary Sajid Javid said he would do whatever it takes to resolve the status of all those who have become innocent casualties of the Conservative government's tough immigration policies. The furor began weeks ago when the Guardian newspaper reported that some people from the Caribbean who have lived in Britain for decades had been refused medical care or threatened with deportation because they couldn't produce paperwork proving their right to reside in the country. Others have been told by the government that they are in Britain illegally and must leave. Those affected are known as the Windrush generation after the ship Empire Windrush, which in 1948 brought hundreds of Caribbean immigrants to a Britain seeking nurses, railway workers and others to help it rebuild after the devastation of World War II. They and many subsequent Commonwealth immigrants had an automatic right to settle in the U.K. But some have now been denied housing, jobs or medical treatment because of requirements that employers and doctors check people's immigration status. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

hursh jaswal: It is apparent that they obtained those visas with the express intent to actually go to Canada, said Hursh Jaswal, communications director for Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen, according to CTV. They land in the United States, where they stay for a very short period of time, and then make their way to Canada. So far this year, the majority of illegal migrants arriving in Canada are Nigerians who have recently been issued U.S. travel visas. That's why Canada is now working with its American counterparts to try to stop Nigerian travellers to the United States from using their U.S. visas as a ticket to Canada -- a practice Jaswal calls an abuse of U.S. visas for the purpose of asylum. Last year, the majority of irregular migrants who arrived in Canada were Haitian, which was largely attributed to the Trump administration's decision to lift the temporary protected status for immigrants from Haiti living in the U.S. This year's shift toward Nigerians is not surprising to Kehinde Olalere, a Canadian immigration lawyer who grew up in Nigeria and regularly travels to the country. Canadian officials in Nigeria are now working directly with their U.S. counterparts to develop assessment indicators that would flag cases deemed to be high risk, Jaswal said. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

transport truck: In early April a bus full of young hockey players The Humboldt Broncos coaches, trainers and a sportscaster crashed into a loaded transport truck on a lonely stretch of highway in central Saskatchewan, according to Toronto Star. Sixteen people died, 13 were injured. But despite the differences in location and cause of the suffering and deaths, I couldn't help but notice that the response, whether it emerged in Saskatchewan or downtown Toronto and then spread across the country, seemed quintessentially Canadian. The classic Canadian road trip a small town hockey team on its way to another small town for a match that everyone in both towns was excited about. Just over two weeks later an addled young man aimed a van down a busy Toronto sidewalk. Thousands of such road trips are taken across the country every winter. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

windrush scandal: We will do right by the Windrush generation, Javid told lawmakers in the House of Commons, according to Toronto Star. Prime Minister Theresa May appointed Javid to the key job Monday, hours after predecessor Amber Rudd resigned over her role in what has become known as the Windrush scandal. Home Secretary Sajid Javid said he would do whatever it takes to resolve the status of all those who have become innocent casualties of the Conservative government's tough immigration policies. Read more Article Continued Below U.K. interior minister Amber Rudd quits over growing immigration scandal The furor began weeks ago when the Guardian newspaper reported that some people from the Caribbean who have lived in Britain for decades had been refused medical care or threatened with deportation because they couldn't produce paperwork proving their right to reside in the country. Others have been told by the government that they are in Britain illegally and must leave. Those affected are known as the Windrush generation after the ship Empire Windrush, which in 1948 brought hundreds of Caribbean immigrants to a Britain seeking nurses, railway workers and others to help it rebuild after the devastation of Second World War. react-empty 141 They and many subsequent Commonwealth immigrants had an automatic right to settle in the U.K. But some have now been denied housing, jobs or medical treatment because of requirements that employers and doctors check people's immigration status. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

reception camp: Travelling by helicopter, they visited two villages, one transit centre and one reception camp, where refugees who return will initially be housed, according to Vancouver Courier. They also met with members of different groups affected by the violence, including Rakhine Buddhists, Hindus and some Muslims who did not flee. Around 700,000 Rohingya fled their homes to squalid camps in Bangladesh last year as Myanmar's army launched a brutal crackdown following insurgent attacks on security posts.article continues below Trending Stories Sweets for Diwali take a month's preparation Point Grey tax rally protests 'ideological' property tax Massive fire destroys East Vancouver printing business Five unregulated, Uber-like companies already operating in Richmond State television showed the ambassadors touring the border area. The ambassadors visited refugees in Bangladesh over the weekend, and on Monday held talks with Myanmar officials, including the country's leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, and military commander-in-chief Senior Gen. At a news conference in Myanmar's capital, Naypyitaw, before flying out of the country, the ambassadors reminded Myanmar's government of its obligations as a member of the United Nations. Min Aung Hlaing. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

immigration detainees: Immigration detainees do not always stay in custody all the way up to their pending immigration hearings or deportation, according to NOW Magazine. Instead, their detention is reviewed on a regular basis once within 48 hours of arrest, a second time within a week of the first review and from then on, approximately every 30 days. As I described in detail in a previous article, these detentions are authorized by the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act IRPA . Foreign nationals and permanent residents can be put in jail if they are believed to be inadmissible to Canada and if they are found to be either a danger to the Canadian public or unlikely to appear for deportation or another immigration proceeding. At the end of these reviews, a member of the immigration division of the Immigration and Refugee Board Member decides whether or not the detainee will be released. Even when represented by counsel, the odds are stacked against the detainee. While, at a casual glance, these reviews give detainees repeated and regular chances to plead for their freedom, the actual process of detention reviews makes them a frustrating and often fruitless experience. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

relations: Included with museum admission 20, according to NOW Magazine. Her research focuses on relations with neighbours, and relations between global and local multicultural experiences in Canada. 1 am. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

vancouver resident: But Kurdi, a Vancouver resident, says Canada could and should do more to help, according to National Observer. I would like to see Canada to continue to open their borders and welcome refugees, not just from Syria, from anywhere where people need help, she said in an interview. The photo of Alan's tiny body washed up on a Turkish beach was a bombshell that focused global attention on the Syrian refugee crisis. ; Since that time, Canada has welcomed more than 51,800 Syrian refugees, according to the latest government figures. Canada has the capacity to take in more and focus on those children when they come to this country. Before their deaths, the world was blind to the plight of tens of thousands of refugees fleeing from Syria in search of safety, she says. In her newly released book, The Boy on the Beach, Kurdi describes the painful and tragic details that led up to the deaths of Alan, his five-year-old brother Ghalib and their mother, Rehanna on Sept. 2, 2015. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

visas: They land in the United States, where they stay for a very short period of time, and then make their way to Canada, according to Vancouver Courier. That's why Canada is now working with its American counterparts to try to stop Nigerian travellers to the United States from using their U.S. visas as a ticket to Canada a practice Jaswal calls an abuse of U.S. visas for the purpose of asylum. So far this year, the majority of illegal migrants arriving in Canada are Nigerians who have recently been issued U.S. travel visas.article continues below Trending Stories Point Grey tax rally protests 'ideological' property tax65 unusual gifts Ideas for the paleo, yogi, crossfitter, photographer and more Parents of missing man mark painful five-year anniversary Sweets for Diwali take a month's preparation It is apparent that they obtained those visas with the express intent to actually go to Canada, said Hursh Jaswal, communications director for Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen. Canadian officials in Nigeria are now working directly with their U.S. counterparts to develop assessment indicators that would flag cases deemed to be high risk, Jaswal said. Nigerians fleeing the violence of Boko Haram and other systemic persecutions in Nigeria find it marginally easier to obtain travel visas from the U.S. compared to Canada. Last year, the majority of irregular migrants who arrived in Canada were Haitian, which was largely attributed to the Trump administration's decision to lift the temporary protected status for immigrants from Haiti living in the U.S. This year's shift toward Nigerians is not surprising to Kehinde Olalere, a Canadian immigration lawyer who grew up in Nigeria and regularly travels to the country. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

arab countries: Sunday's vote in 33 countries comes two days after thousands of Lebanese voted in six Arab countries, according to CTV. The vote marks the first time that Lebanese are allowed to vote abroad. Lebanon's political system distributes power among the country's different religious communities, and the main parties are led by political dynasties that fought one another during the 1975-1990 civil war. Millions of Lebanese live abroad, but Lebanon's state-run news agency says the number of registered voters is 82,970. Australia has the largest number of registered voters, with about 12,000, followed by Canada with 11,438 and the United States with about 10,000. The voting inside Lebanon will be held next Sunday. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

david hickey: The email trail reveals federal staffers grappling with the painfully slow wheels of bureaucratic red tape as they try to respond to a torrent of media requests, all the while fussing with the minutiae of wording government statements that did little to address the most burning questions, according to CTV. The Canadian Press requested all emails dealing with the subject Syrian refugees that were received and obtained by David Hickey, then-director general of communications for the federal Immigration Department, for the three days following the death of Alan Kurdi. New documents obtained by The Canadian Press through the Access to Information Act provide a revealing look at the often-frantic flurry of internal government communications that erupted in the days after a heart-rending photo of the toddler's corpse rocketed around the world. The ensuing documents totalled 532 pages. Canada, which was in the throes of a federal election campaign, was linked to the boy in initial media reports that mistakenly stated his family's application to come to Canada had been rejected. On the morning of Sept. 3, 2015, the photo of Alan lying dead on the beach appeared in newspapers around the world. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

frydman-kohl: Many speakers commended emergency service personnel on their work the day of the incident, including the officer who was able to arrest the suspect without firing his gun, according to The Chronicle Herald. In Toronto, in Ontario, in Canada, we don't run away we run to help others, said Rabbi Baruch Frydman-Kohl of the Beth Tzedec Congregation, the largest synagogue community in Canada. Religious leaders of multiple faiths led the speakers' list at the event, all of them sharing messages of support and strength in the face of the tragedy that left 10 people dead and 16 more injured. Frydman-Kohl also referenced other van attacks in cities such as Paris, Beirut and Charlottesville, Virginia. Before the vigil, thousands took part in what was billed as a walk of healing and solidarity, roughly following the route of last Monday's attack. Toronto has felt the pain of other places, and those cities now share our horror and hurt, he said. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

heather babcock: Heather Babcock, a Windermere dance and drama teacher, told Star Metro the yearly celebration is a chance to bring together different countries' and cultures' love of dance, according to Toronto Star. A lot of these kids may struggle putting their emotions and feelings into words, she said in an interview, noting some performers are also involved with the dance competition program. Dressed in bright reds and blues, two classes totalling nearly 60 students between the ages of 14 and 18 offered a high-energy street-style performance before gathered crowd of passersby. When they're able to dance, it's stress relief. Article Continued Below The free event one of three sponsored by The Dance Centre this weekend was created by OURO Collective, who are the Dance Centre's members who blend street and contemporary dance styles. It gives them confidence. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

media requests: Read more The death of Alan Kurdi It was like the sea opened its mouth and swallowed them'How Alan Kurdi's tragic death changed thousands of lives Article Continued Below Q&A Tima Kurdi opens up about her tragic struggle to bring her Syrian family to Canada The email trail reveals federal staffers grappling with the painfully slow wheels of bureaucratic red tape as they try to respond to a torrent of media requests, all the while fussing with the minutiae of wording government statements that did little to address the most burning questions, according to Toronto Star. The Canadian Press requested all emails dealing with the subject Syrian refugees that were received and obtained by David Hickey, then-director general of communications for the federal Immigration department, for the three days following the death of Alan Kurdi. react-empty 141 The ensuing documents totalled 532 pages. New documents obtained by The Canadian Press through the Access to Information Act provide a revealing look at the often-frantic flurry of internal government communications that erupted in the days after a heart-rending photo of the toddler's corpse rocketed around the world. On the morning of Sept. 3, 2015, the photo of Alan lying dead on the beach appeared in newspapers around the world. I need urgent responsive lines, a staffer at the Canadian embassy in Beirut asked of the Immigration staffers immediately went into damage control. Canada, which was in the throes of a federal election campaign, was linked to the boy in initial media reports that mistakenly stated his family's application to come to Canada had been rejected. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

syrian refugees: Since that time, Canada has welcomed more than 51,800 Syrian refugees, according to the latest government figures, according to CTV. But Kurdi, a Vancouver resident, says Canada could - and should - do more to help. The photo of Alan's tiny body washed up on a Turkish beach was a bombshell that focused global attention on the Syrian refugee crisis. I would like to see Canada to continue to open their borders and welcome refugees, not just from Syria, from anywhere where people need help, she said in an interview. In her newly released book, The Boy on the Beach, Kurdi describes the painful and tragic details that led up to the deaths of Alan, his five-year-old brother Ghalib and their mother, Rehanna on Sept. 2, 2015. Canada has the capacity to take in more and focus on those children when they come to this country. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

migrants: We are the bearers of horrible news, Los Angeles lawyer Nora Phillips said during a break from legal workshops for the migrants at three Tijuana locations where about 20 lawyers gave free information and advice, according to Vancouver Courier. That's what good attorneys are for. article continues below Trending Stories Police investigate possible double murder near Richmond school Introducing Cascades Casino Delta Gateway reveals development's name Criminal profile released of Burnaby teen Marrisa Shen's killer Nature's Path owner agrees to fine for cutting trees The Central Americans, many travelling as families, on Sunday will test the Trump administration's tough rhetoric criticizing the caravan when the migrants begin seeking asylum by turning themselves in to border inspectors at San Diego's San Ysidro border crossing, the nation's busiest. They say they want to prepare them for the worst possible outcome. President Donald Trump and members of his Cabinet have been tracking the caravan, calling it a threat to the U.S. since it started March 25 in the Mexican city of Tapachula, near the Guatemala border. Attorney General Jeff Sessions called the caravan a deliberate attempt to undermine our laws and overwhelm our system, pledging to send more immigration judges to the border to resolve cases if needed. They have promised a stern, swift response. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

syrian refugees: Popular Kits caf to make way for condo building Nature's Path owner agrees to fine for cutting trees Vancouver gas prices hit record high, but analysts disagree on cause Update Police believe double homicide in Richmond may be targeted hit Since that time, Canada has welcomed more than 51,800 Syrian refugees, according to the latest government figures, according to Vancouver Courier. But Kurdi, a Vancouver resident, says Canada could and should do more to help. The photo of Alan's tiny body washed up on a Turkish beach was a bombshell that focused global attention on the Syrian refugee crisis.article continues below Trending Stories Bye bye, Benny's. I would like to see Canada to continue to open their borders and welcome refugees, not just from Syria, from anywhere where people need help, she said in an interview. In her newly released book, The Boy on the Beach, Kurdi describes the painful and tragic details that led up to the deaths of Alan, his five-year-old brother Ghalib and their mother, Rehanna on Sept. 2, 2015. Canada has the capacity to take in more and focus on those children when they come to this country. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

border: We are the bearers of horrible news, Los Angeles lawyer Nora Phillips said during a break from legal workshops for the migrants at three Tijuana locations where about 20 lawyers gave free information and advice, according to CTV. That's what good attorneys are for. They say they want to prepare them for the worst possible outcome. The Central Americans, many travelling as families, on Sunday will test the Trump administration's tough rhetoric criticizing the caravan when the migrants begin seeking asylum by turning themselves in to border inspectors at San Diego's San Ysidro border crossing, the nation's busiest. They have promised a stern, swift response. President Donald Trump and members of his Cabinet have been tracking the caravan, calling it a threat to the U.S. since it started March 25 in the Mexican city of Tapachula, near the Guatemala border. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

court fight: Alfie's condition left him with almost no brain function, and multiple courts ruled that keeping him alive was not in his best interests before doctors removed his ventilator five days ago, according to The Chronicle Herald. My gladiator lay down his shield and gained his wings at 02 30, Evans, 21, wrote in a Facebook post decorated with a broken heart and crying emojis. Kate James and Tom Evans said their son's death overnight in Liverpool, England had left them heartbroken. As news spread in the community, dozens of people laid flowers and mementoes in a park near Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Liverpool, where Alfie was treated. James, 20, posted a message on social media thanking everyone who supported the family through Alfie's illness and court fight. About 1,000 people gathered 12 hours after the boy died to release blue and purple balloons in solidarity with the grieving mother and father who had struggled to come to terms with their child's terminal illness. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

emmanuel simon: Emmanuel Simon, a local musician and poet, has performed at RAW Voices a few times, according to Toronto Star. He says the reason he was drawn to it was because of the diversity of the performers and the audience members. On the last Friday of every month, the stage in the corner of Loco's Lounge turns into a haven for young, diverse artists to cultivate their craft, thanks to four 20 year olds. The people who run it are diverse. That's why I was attracted to it, because you kind of look like me, not really, but, you can understand my experience, says Simon. They're people of a visible minority. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.