ethnic communities: It may surprise many that British Columbia Serbs are among the oldest ethnic communities in the province, according to Vancouver Courier. The gold rush of the 1850s brought poverty-stricken Serbs from the Adriatic Coast to our coast. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, just off Fraser Street in south Vancouver, is thriving. Another major influx came after the Second World War. Most European churches have not had a large influx of new blood since that time, but the tragic events of the 1990s as Yugoslavia broke apart amid brutal wars eventually led to a new wave of Serbs coming to Vancouver. Like many Europeans, Serbs were fleeing the ravaged continent and, as was the case for those in the eastern bloc, many were also fleeing communism. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

British voters: But as momentous as that is, British voters will be guiding the course of history in so many other ways, according to The Waterloo Record. They will choose whether to leave and retreat into a narrow and increasingly anachronistic form of nationalism, or remain and embrace a broader kind of transnational humanity. First and foremost, they will decide whether they want Britain to remain in or abandon the European Union, a political entity of 28 member states that offers its own European Parliament, court of justice, bank and even its own flag. They will choose whether to leave and be ruled by fear — primarily fear of the other, of immigrants from less familiar cultures — or remain and show a vote of confidence in values Britain pioneered and championed, which include liberty, human rights and the free movement of people as well as goods. In the interests of Britain, Europe and the planet, we hope the U.K. enthusiastically and overwhelmingly votes "remain." The latest polls, which put the two camps in a virtual tie, show a continued EU membership may not be the outcome. And they will choose whether to leave in a vain bid to reclaim old, vanished glories, or stay and walk confidently with their fellow EU members into a shared future. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Rainbow Railroad: Around the same time that newly sworn Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was vacationing in St, according to NOW Magazine. Kitts and Nevis with his family in early January, a 31-year-old gay man from the Caribbean island nation was making headlines of his own back home and in Toronto. Kitts and Nevis in May 2013 with help from Rainbow Railroad. Rolston Ryan, who had sought asylum in Canada because of St. In April, Ryan was told that his case would be reconsidered by the Refugee Appeal Division. Kitts anti-LGBTQ laws, faced deportation back to his native country after several failed applications for refugee status to the Immigration and Refugee Board. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

fishing town: The reporter visited a little fishing town and talked to fishermen who blamed the European Union for all their problems, according to Globe and Mail. She interviewed a local UKIP member – an older woman – who complained about all the Poles, and sounded vaguely racist. A recent report on CBC Radio was typical. A progressive Anglican clergyman described the typical Leave voter as an older person with little, if anything, in the way of educational qualifications. Then came an interview with a likeable young Polish man who is bringing a new vitality to the moribund town. The typical Remain voter, by contrast, is a young person who has been to university. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Associates Michael Davis: Overall, there were fears that Canada contribution to combating crimes against humanity was "diminishing due to capacity and resource issues." A January 2016 presentation of preliminary evaluation findings about the Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes Program was released to The Canadian Press under the Access to Information Act. "Resources have not changed since 1998 and are considered inadequate," says the presentation, prepared for the Justice Department by Prairie Research Associates, according to Hamilton Spectator. Michael Davis, a spokesperson for Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould, declined to comment on the initial findings, noting the evaluation process is ongoing. The study also uncovered concerns about a trend toward using immigration law to expel war criminals rather than pursuing prosecutions or revoking citizenship. The multi-agency federal program, with an annual budget of about $16 million, tries to keep war criminals out of Canada, prevent those in Canada from obtaining citizenship, revoke the status of people complicit in atrocities and investigate and prosecute suspects when appropriate. However, they found complete annual performance data existed only through 2010-11, making the assessment challenging and highlighting a desire for "more accountability," even among program personnel. The consultants examined data, surveyed staff and interviewed 49 people — including federal employees and representatives of foreign governments, NGOs and academic institutions. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Huang Hebian: The paper had to put an end to his column, Mr, according to Globe and Mail. Gao said. But last Tuesday, Global deputy editor told him that while the publication had long faced down pressure over his writing, this time, it was too great. The editor then asked Mr. He asked why. 'Some people don't want to see your name in the newspaper,' he said he was told. Gao, who writes under the pen name Huang Hebian, whether he might consider writing under another byline. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy: The Halifax Chamber of Commerce has played an important role in working with others on such initiatives as Halifax successful bid for the National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy and increasing the number of immigrants to the city, said Sullivan, according to The Chronicle Herald. I am looking forward to reaching out soon to Chamber Members and other businesses to hear from them on the kind of Chamber they want to see to make a positive difference in the growth of our city and our province. Halifax is a fantastic city that is moving in the right direction. Patrick is presently the managing partner of Break It Group, where he consults for national and international businesses on growth strategies. He also worked in a variety of senior roles, including president of Workopolis, president of Toronto.com, vice president, mobile, business development of Sympatico, and vice-president/general manager of Indigo.ca. He was previously the CEO of Tourism Nova Scotia for almost three years. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

country security intelligence: The Committee of Parliamentarians With this legislation, Bill C-22, the federal government is fulfilling the single most important commitment it made to Canadians to improve this country security and intelligence architecture, according to Huffington Post Canada. As promised, we are creating a nine-member National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians -- two Senators and seven MPs -- who will have extraordinary access to classified information and a broad mandate to scrutinize any and all departments and agencies of the Government of Canada with security or intelligence functions. Publishing the details now will give ample time for these three measures to be studied before they come up for debate and votes in the fall. Their objective will be to help ensure that all those departments and agencies are effective in keeping Canadians safe and secure, and that Canadian values, rights and freedoms and the open, generous, inclusive character of our country are safeguarded. Canada is the anomaly. Virtually every other western nation has such a parliamentary vehicle to provide senior-level supervision and accountability. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

New Beginnings Interdenominational Refugee Sponsorship Group: The family never showed up, and the New Beginnings Interdenominational Refugee Sponsorship Group was left hanging without any explanations, according to CBC. Co-ordinator Helen Christenson says it been challenging getting answers about their sponsored families from the Ministry of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. "When the Trudeau government got their 25,000 refugees they dropped everything and left a lot of things not completed."- Helen Christenson of New Beginnings Interdenominational Refugee Sponsorship After making some phone calls to the ministry, the group was informed that the refugee family chose not to settle in Sault Ste. Marie group spent more than $6,000 on rent and utilities on a rental property that was slated for a Syrian refugee family. Marie. That, too, met with delays. "We were told to just wait, just wait," Christenson said. The group would, however, be on the list to sponsor another family. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Syrian refugees: Nour Al Raies, who came to Calgary with her four children and husband, said she excited for their new life and home, but said what many don't understand is the immeasurable losses refugees have experienced, according to Metro News. We left everything behind us and came to a strange new place where absolutely everything is different, she said. In honour of World Refugee Day, June 20, Metro caught up with three Syrian refugees starting their new lives in our city. Al Raies said many think of refugees as immigrants, but said the difference is, refugees had no choice but to leave. Al Raies said although language barriers have caused much difficulty during the resettlement process, one day she hopes to work as a translator to help others as her family was helped. We left our home because we're fleeing from war. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

direct action campaign: This is the same organization whose leader, Paul Golding, embarrassed himself on national TV earlier this year by turning his back to the newly elected Muslim mayor of London Sadiq Khan during his victory speech, according to Huffington Post Canada. This is the same organization that has announced a "direct action campaign against Muslim elected officials" targeting "where they live, work, pray." This is the same organization that "invades" mosques, halal butcheries and Muslim communities to provoke, instigate and inflame tensions against British Muslims. He also has an infatuation for Nazi swag, poring through neo-Nazi reading material and making homemade guns. Thomas Mair was inspired by the hatred of Britain equivalent to ISIS. Most notably, the organization referred to the Labour Party as "criminals" and "traitors." Even Britain First founder, Jim Dowson, quit the group over its racist and violent tendencies. Cox consistently progressive voting record that fought for the sick and disabled, a multicultural society, a peaceful foreign policy and her most vile crime of all -- bringing Britain into disrepute by choosing to remain in the European Union -- had everything to do with why she was tragically murdered. Let be clear: this was a politically motivated, targeted, planned, calculated, conscious, deliberate, premeditated and intentional assassination of a sitting parliamentarian by a man who had extremist, white supremacist tendencies. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

British comedians: Yesterday markets surged after the winds suddenly started blowing the other way, according to CBC. Markets surge as Brexit urge seems to fade Loonie, Canadian stocks sag as vote nears If you believe Canadian optimists, the only ones who will suffer after the referendum are the British comedians. Last week the Canadian dollar, stocks and oil drooped as polls showed Brexit increasingly likely. The BBC radio show Dead Ringers has been having a grand time, playing up the conflict between conservative old-timers who want to keep Britain British and the youngsters who don't care and won't vote. In another, the anti-Brexit Prime Minister David Cameron says shocking things, trying to balance the odds by causing older voters to have heart attacks. Shocking change in the odds "They all talk about leaving Europe, but, like, no one says where we'll go if we do leave," says a confused young voter in one sketch. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

black door: Do think about the hopes and dreams of your children and grandchildren! he said, according to Toronto Star. They can't undo the decision we take, he said. With the black door of 10 Downing St. offering a statesman backdrop, Prime Minister David Cameron appealed directly to EU-wary older voters, saying that leaving the bloc would risk the country economic security — and younger generations would have to live with the consequences. If we vote out, that it. The plea came as the already heated campaign moved into its tense final days. It irreversible. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

European Union: The character of these confrontations was captured brilliantly by the British newspaper The Daily Telegraph, according to Toronto Star. The entire debate, it declared, had become Project Fear, that is of voters being pulled one way because they feared too many immigrants would come into their country, or of being tugged the other way because they feared that leaving the EU would damage their nation economy and threaten their jobs. By Richard Gwyn Columnist Tues., June 21, 2016 During the prolonged referendum campaign that on Thursday will at last decide whether Britons will Leave the European Union or will Remain a member of that institution, the struggle between these two sides has steadily got ever louder and ever nastier. As one example of such excess, leave advocates have warned if Britain stays in the EU it will have take in a million or more Turks because it would have to continue obeying the EU rules for freedom of movement among all its member states. According to Chancellor George Osborne, a defeat of those who wanted to remain would force the government to slash spending and raise taxes, hitting pensioners the hardest. The opposite excess was as extravagant. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

electoral reform committee: On June 2, the Liberals agreed to support the NDP proposal that the electoral reform committee be proportional to the popular vote in the 2015 election, according to Rabble. The NDP proposal ensures that parties will have to collaborate on electoral reform because no one party will have a majority. Chip in to keep stories like these coming. The Greens, NDP and Liberals support some form proportional representation whereas the Conservatives and Bloc seem to be in favour of the status quo, first-past-the-post voting. rabble spoke with Elizabeth May over the telephone about Canadian electoral reform, proportional representation, and what to expect from the electoral reform committee. Why does Canada need electoral reform The Greens have believed for a very long time as a party that our current voting system, first-past-the-post, is a perverse voting system and dangerous for Canada. This interview has been edited and condensed. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Nancy Montgomery: Mary Harron will direct, according to Metro News. The story is inspired by the real-life murder case involving Grace Marks, an Irish immigrant and maid in Upper Canada. Oscar-nominated filmmaker Sarah Polley is writing and producing the six-hour project, which will begin shooting in Ontario in August. She and stable hand James McDermott were convicted of the murders of their employer, Thomas Kinnear, and his housekeeper, Nancy Montgomery, in 1843. After 30 years in jail, she was exonerated. McDermott was hanged while Marks was sentenced to life imprisonment. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Mary Harron: By The Canadian Press Tues., June 21, 2016 A miniseries based on Margaret Atwood novel Alias Grace will screen on CBC and Netflix, according to Toronto Star. Oscar-nominated filmmaker Sarah Polley is writing and producing the six-hour project, which will begin shooting in Ontario in August. The dust jacket from an early edition. Mary Harron will direct. She and stable hand James McDermott were convicted of the murders of their employer, Thomas Kinnear, and his housekeeper, Nancy Montgomery, in 1843. The story is inspired by the real-life murder case involving Grace Marks, an Irish immigrant and maid in Upper Canada. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Rodney Anonymous: The presumptive Republican nominee campaign welcomed June with $1.3 million in the bank, according to Huffington Post Canada. Clinton campaign, meanwhile, had $42 million on May 31. Way less. Once news of that massive gulf between the two campaigns' coffers hit Twitter, the hashtag #Trump SoPoor was born. #Trump SoPoor He cutting back on letters Jocelyn Plums June 21, 2016 Witty users piled on the hashtag, bringing up everything from Trump outlandish statements, his stances on immigration and — of course — his hair. #Trump SoPoor He had to tell his followers "We can either be racists or xenophobic, but we can no longer afford to be both."— Rodney Anonymous June 21, 2016 #Trump SoPoor His hair about to get repossessed.— Ben Wright June 21, 2016 #Trump SoPoor his real hair left him today Unite Blue B4it 2L8 June 21, 2016 #Trump SoPoor he being targeted by Trump University as a potential student.— Bethany Albertson June 21, 2016 #Trump SoPoor he can no longer afford exclamation points. Trying to spin it as a "ban on cash. #Trump SoPoor— The Daily Show June 21, 2016 Some users even referenced the Trump train : #Trump SoPoor This is the new Trump Train Heather Writein Cruz June 21, 2016 Trump campaign, however, insists "fundraising has been incredible," according to a press release. Sad.— Michael McDonald June 21, 2016 #Trump SoPoor he been forced to scale back his Mexican wall to a "Stay off my lawn" sign— rockem_sockem June 21, 2016 Yes, some people brought up his hands, too: #Trump SoPoor He needs a little handout. jw June 21, 2016 #Trump SoPoor his net worth is even smaller than his hands— Josh Walker June 21, 2016 Trump campaign has a huge money deficit. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Gupta: Gupta came to Canada as an international student to study at the University of Waterloo, according to CTV. Once he graduated, he stayed in the country on a post-grad visa but he says now that has expired. Now he is facing deportation back to India. The problem, Gupta says, is that he doesn't meet immigration requirements because of his work experience. I've met so many great people. Immigration authorities are looking for paid employment, while Gupta has mainly been working on not-for-profit projects, something he very passionate about. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Mary University: It just a challenge I was really looking forward to having — a great experience in my life," said Martinez, now 19, according to CBC. She was completing her Grade 12 year, and wanted to continue onto Canadian post-secondary education, so she applied to St. Valentina Torres Martinez enrolled at Sacred Heart School of Halifax on a scholarship in 2014 when she was 17. "I loved everything about it: the people, the culture, how peaceful it is. Mary University. She applied for an extension of her study permit — and received a refusal letter from the immigration department. She was accepted to start in September 2015, but her study permit visa was set to expire that month. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Twitter: I think that a terrible mistake, said Chris Shannon of the Vimy Foundation, according to CTV. The park has been known as Vimy Park since 1933. The move was put forward by the Borough of Outremont and Montreal city council will vote on the change Tuesday afternoon. "You're cutting back and eliminating part of our history and in fact burying it. A small group of about a dozen people held up signs Monday night at the park with slogans such as Leave Vimy Alone! and Lest we forget! At city hall, Coderre was asked several questions about the park. Coderre pointed out on Twitter that the park name is not officially listed by the province and therefore, in his view, the move doesn't amount to renaming. He said he been to Vimy Ridge and supports veterans, adding on Twitter that next year we will commemorate our veterans who fought at Vimy with public place in Montreal that truly honor their sacrifice. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Chris Young: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young.TORONTO - A miniseries based on Margaret Atwood novel "Alias Grace" will screen on CBC and Netflix, according to Brandon Sun. Oscar-nominated filmmaker Sarah Polley is writing and producing the six-hour project, which will begin shooting in Ontario in August. A miniseries based on Margaret Atwood novel "Alias Grace" will screen on CBC and Netflix. Mary Harron will direct. She and stable hand James McDermott were convicted of the murders of their employer, Thomas Kinnear, and his housekeeper, Nancy Montgomery, in 1843. The story is inspired by the real-life murder case involving Grace Marks, an Irish immigrant and maid in Upper Canada. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Nancy Montgomery: Mary Harron will direct, according to Guelph Mercury. The story is inspired by the real-life murder case involving Grace Marks, an Irish immigrant and maid in Upper Canada. Oscar-nominated filmmaker Sarah Polley is writing and producing the six-hour project, which will begin shooting in Ontario in August. She and stable hand James McDermott were convicted of the murders of their employer, Thomas Kinnear, and his housekeeper, Nancy Montgomery, in 1843. After 30 years in jail, she was exonerated. McDermott was hanged while Marks was sentenced to life imprisonment. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

fluent English speaker: Karina was studying economics at Aleppo University, when the fighting broke out, according to CBC. Even though she a more fluent English speaker than most of the recent arrivals, her written English wasn't at the level required for writing a university essay. English is a key employment barrier facing Toronto Syrian newcomers. For the past two months, Kheshvajian has been learning to write essays and prepare presentations at SEC, one of three language academies in Toronto to offer scholarships to Syrian refugees — part of the Refugee Career Jumpstart Project . Corporations contribute $750K to help Syrian refugees pay for housing in Toronto​ The Jumpstart project is the brainchild of three close friends, all Syrian-Canadians who wanted to help their fellow Syrians when they began arriving by the hundreds in December of 2015, part of the Liberal government pledge to bring 25,000 Syrian refugees to Canada by the following spring. Today, they've compiled job-skill profiles for 350 Syrian refugees and are planning to add hundreds more by the end of the year. At first Mustafa Alio, Bassel Ramli, and Omar Salaymeh pledged they would each help five refugees find jobs. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

controversial decision: The previous Conservative government imposed visas in 2009 to stop thousands of asylum claims being made by Mexican citizens later ruled to be unfounded, according to Hamilton Spectator. It was a controversial decision that sparked outcry from industry and the Mexican government. But multiple sources tell The Canadian Press negotiations are still underway on whether the plan will contain a fixed date to remove the visas as Canadian officials push to link it to the implementation of new border controls still in their infancy. "We shall see," Immigration Minister John McCallum said when asked whether a deal will be reached by June 29. The Liberals promised during the election campaign the visa would be lifted. The visa issue was among the diplomatic irritants at the time, though the Conservatives had promised to lift some restrictions through a new electronic travel authorization system that was supposed to take effect in March 2016, but has been delayed. Pressure to do so intensified as part of Trudeau decision to convene the Three Amigos summit — the meeting between the leaders of Canada, the U.S. and Mexico the Tories postponed last year. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

immigration law: The study also uncovered concerns about a trend toward using immigration law to expel war criminals rather than pursuing prosecutions or revoking citizenship, according to Toronto Star. Overall, there were fears that Canada contribution to combating crimes against humanity was diminishing due to capacity and resource issues. By Jim Bronskill The Canadian Press Mon., June 20, 2016 OTTAWA—A stagnant budget, inadequate training and lack of public communication have eroded Canada efforts to deny safe haven to war criminals, says an internal evaluation. A January 2016 presentation of preliminary evaluation findings about the Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes Program was released to The Canadian Press under the Access to Information Act. Article Continued Below Michael Davis, a spokesman for Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould, declined to comment on the initial findings, noting the evaluation process is ongoing. Resources have not changed since 1998 and are considered inadequate, says the presentation, prepared for the Justice Department by Prairie Research Associates. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.