angela merkel: Both women have a track record of cautious pragmatism, according to Brandon Sun. Merkel famously will sit on the fence on many issues waiting for consensus to build before she commits herself to whichever side is more likely to work. But those taking a closer look see more in common with Europe most powerful woman today: Germany "iron chancellor," Angela Merkel. May demonstrated her own grasp of patient tactics, opting to stay on the policy sidelines during Britain bruising referendum on European Union membership — positioned in the middle, seemingly the best spot from which to take charge of a divided Conservative Party in the wake of David Cameron resignation."It often said that you cannot tell what Merkel thinks about an issue until the last moment, if even then. She waits for her moment," said Hans Kundnani, a London-based foreign policy analyst at the German Marshall Fund think-tank ."Everyone seems to want to compare women leaders to Thatcher. May seems to be similarly inscrutable. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

id checks: You needed to be careful leaving gay bars late at night or the cops might pick you up and take you down to Cherry Beach, which was mostly deserted back then, according to NOW Magazine. There they would beat you up and leave you to make your way back home on foot. When I came out in 1974, one of the first pieces of lore I learned about Toronto was the Cherry Beach express. Cherry Beach was one end of a spectrum of police abuse against queers that included harassment, ID checks, entrapment and arrests on spurious charges. But the relaxation of Canada racist immigration policies at the end of the 60s was changing the complexion of the city. Toronto was a pretty white place in the 1970s, almost 96 per cent Caucasian, according to the census. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

deadline rashly: In principle, and on most occasions, politicians should be expected to keep the promises they make to voters, according to The Waterloo Record. But in this case, what at stake is the future of Canada democratic system. If this sounds like heresy or a recipe for political suicide, it not. Getting electoral reform right must be the priority that guides the federal government — not slavishly adhering to an entirely arbitrary deadline rashly made to win votes. If the Liberals want a new system of voting in place for the next election in 2019 as they've promised, Parliament must approve of the changes by no later than May 2017 so that Elections Canada can get everything ready, Mayrand said. The imposing obstacles to any quick fix to the electoral system were clearly explained to members of Parliament last week by Canada outgoing chief electoral officer, Marc Mayrand. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

health issues: Our country will welcome roughly 300,000 new arrivals this year, and even refugee claimants who arrive on our shores unannounced are for the most part quickly released, according to Globe and Mail. Most arrivals to Canada are never detained at all, and for those who are, the median detention time is 25 days, according to one watchdog group. The magnitude of the problem shouldn't be overstated. Border and immigration officials have the legal power to hold and investigate someone they believe presents a danger to public safety; it hard to see how it could be otherwise. It is also clear that many, if not most of the long-term detainees, some of whom suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder or profound mental health issues, don't belong in a criminal jail. However, human rights advocates are right to raise concerns about the risk of arbitrariness in the system. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

faith-based organizations: Operation Ezra is the work of several faith-based organizations in Manitoba, including the Winnipeg Jewish Federation of Winnipeg and the Manitoba Multifaith Council, according to CTV. Dozens gathered to welcome the family of eight, which includes a mother, father and six children, whose flight was delayed following attacks at an Istanbul airport June 29. The refugees arrived in Winnipeg thanks to Operation Ezra, a venture to bring in danger Yazidi families caught in the violence in Iraq to Winnipeg. The family was just 30 minutes away from the airport when the bombs went off. It was amazing," said father Khudher Naso through the voice of a translator. It was one of the most joyful moments of my life, for me coming down the escalator and seeing that big of a crowd. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

detainees: The End Immigration Detention Network says the detainees are protesting prison conditions that include increasing lockdowns and the use of solitary confinement, and are calling for an end to indefinite detentions in maximum security prisons, according to Toronto Star. The immigration detainees are asking for a meeting with Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale to discuss their concerns. By The Canadian Press Mon., July 11, 2016 A group advocating for full immigration status for all immigrants says more than 50 immigration detainees began refusing food Monday in two Ontario centres. A spokesperson from Goodale office was not immediately available for comment. The End Immigration Detention Network says immigration detainees previously went on a hunger strike that began on April 21, and met with officials from Canada Border Services Agency. Those taking part in the protest are housed at the maximum security Central East Correctional Centre in Lindsay, Ont., and the Toronto East Detention Centre. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

immigration matter: Why are these related Why might they be more important collectively than individually Each of these files has been on the boil for some time, according to The Chronicle Herald. Unresolved, each is an encumbrance on economic growth. One was a collaborative initiative by the feds and Atlantic premiers on immigration, another marked progress on internal free trade and the third found a basis for agreement on important revisions to the Canada Pension Plan, removing the threat Ontario would implement its own plan. That why we should be excited that progress appears real. The perception generally is that immigrants fill jobs that would otherwise be available to unemployed Canadians, or worse, that immigrants end up dependent on social support programs. The immigration matter is widely misunderstood, particularly in Atlantic Canada, where unemployment has traditionally been at levels higher than the national average. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

ladyslipper drive: Tuesday. received a report of two men, armed with guns, trying to access a residence, said police spokesperson Alana Russell, according to CTV. As a result of the seriousness of that call, we responded with our tactical unit. For police, the series of events began a little after 4 p.m. The caller claimed they were at a home on Ladyslipper Drive in northwest Waterloo. They knocked on the door, and learned that the man inside was just as confused as they were. When police got to the house, they didn't see any guns or any other sort of suspicious activity. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

orlando attacks: Thus the British exit from the European Union and the rise of Donald Trump in the U.S. Trump took to his proverbial soapbox right after the Orlando attacks to rail against what he saw as the establishment pathetic "political correct response," something that, according to him, keeps America from "thinking clearly." This same culture of crippling "political correctness" and appeasement toward Muslims and immigrants is what pro-Brexit voices like the U.K. Independence Party Nigel Farage and his supporters rant and rave about when criticizing European liberalism, according to CBC. The issue of anti-terrorism has fused with anti-immigration arguments on the domestic front, playing right into the narrative that Muslim extremists around the world — particularly ISIS — love to push: The West hates Islam and doesn't want Muslims in their countries, so come join us. As the U.S. and its allies sink deeper and deeper in Syria and Iraq, unable to solve the ISIS conundrum, nativist blowhards in both Britain and America have succeeded in using/exploiting anti-immigration and anti-Muslim sentiment for political gain. At the root of this dynamic is a deep socio-economic dissatisfaction among the citizens of Western democracies, a significant portion of whom have turned to scapegoating as a way to explain their predicament. Immigrant vs. non-immigrant possibilities Attacks in Orlando and Istanbul have given extra ammunition to right-wing nativists laying out just how irreconcilable the relationship between immigrants and "the West" truly is. If Canada fails to extricate itself from this globalizing trend and falls into a similar situation, no amount of "pro-tolerance" rhetoric from the Trudeau leadership is going to hold off a corresponding wave of nativist sentiment that'll surely come to the fore, something former PM Stephen Harper demonstrated many times during his tenure. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

term: In 1908 he foresaw an America as a place where all races and ethnicities melted happily into a harmonious whole, according to Huffington Post Canada. In his view, the melting pot of immigrants and their descendants were discouraged from maintaining close ties with their countries and cultures of origin and, instead, were urged to adopt the American way of life. The term is often associated with the words seen on some American coins,"e pluribus unum," the Latin term for, "Out of many, one." In fact, the term melting pot was popularized by American immigrant playwright Israel Zangwill. These days you don't hear a great deal of praise for the American melting pot. A frank look at the evolution of the race relations across America history throws the melting pot idea into question. Perhaps it because there is a growing realization amongst Americans that historically the melting pot was more virtual than real. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

privacy: It says the new measures restrict the disclosure of attempted suicide-related information to American border services through an RCMP database, while allowing "time-limited" public safety disclosures to police in Canada, according to CTV. The measures also provide affected individuals with a right to seek early removal of their information from the Canadian Police Information Centre database. The Information and Privacy Commissioner office says it has withdrawn its case because the force has developed new procedures to better protect people privacy. The privacy commissioner office had filed an application for judicial review with an Ontario court in 2014, asking for an order to stop the broad disclosure of suicide-related information to U.S. agencies through the database. Richardson, who said she had been suicidal before being hospitalized, said the agent cited the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act, which denies entry to people who have had a physical or mental disorder that may pose a "threat to the property, safety or welfare" of themselves or others. The issue had come under the national spotlight after an Ontario woman went public in 2013 with her story of being turned away by a U.S. customs agent at Toronto Pearson airport because she had been hospitalized in June 2012 for clinical depression. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

refugees: It highlights the extraordinary hospitality of Canadian refugee sponsors, noting that "the Canadian government can barely keep up with the demand" to welcome new Syrian families, according to Huffington Post Canada. Canadians' welcome of Syrian refugees, and the Vietnamese before them, is emblematic of our culture. A recent New York Timesarticle presents a mostly glowing picture of Canada reception of Syrian refugees. Across our diverse country, we are united by an incredibly strong belief in volunteerism and mutual aid. A recent statement from Senator Jim Munson, chair of the Senate Human Rights Committee, offers a less glowing appraisal of the situation faced by Syrian and other refugees in Canada. Response to the New York Times article was alternately one of pride and envy . Mixed Reviews of Canada Treatment of Refugees The Times article was almost overwhelmingly positive. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

nations youth: Interactive: I am Indigenous Indigenous youth reflect on recommendations from First Nations student deaths inquest "Being engaged is very different for First Nations youth than the general population of youth because there a complexity and there a lot of intricacies there that do not affect the general population," Nazary said, according to CBC. One of the complexities is determining whether participating in Canadian political practices contradicts their identification with sovereign First Nations, he said. The research looked at so-called "engaged youth" from across the province who are involved with the Chiefs of Ontario Youth Council and found an "exceptional" level of political awareness, according to Theo Nazary one of the paper co-authors. Another challenge revealed in the research is a lack of access to the tools of democracy. Our community was unable to have a polling station." Nazary, who was born in Afghanistan, said he has a special interest in democracy. "I'm an immigrant, so I think we're very fortunate to have this democratic process here in this country," he said. "I wanted to see if the First Nations youth saw themselves as part of the Canadian process." Along with co-author Sherry Antone, Nazary said he found the small group of Indigenous youth they interviewed "may not vote, but they do want to be involved and they are very well informed." In response to the question, 'What do you think about voting in Canadian elections ' one of the young people in the study said: "I think the Canadian political system needs to be more receptive to First Nations, meaning that they have to come into our communities and set up shop, if they want us to vote. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

six-part academy: Founded by musician and former MTV Canada personality Tika Simone and writer Sajae Elder, #GYALCAST discusses music, pop culture, racism, feminism and politics, according to NOW Magazine. Recent guests include Toronto rappers Sean Leon and Clairmont the Second, former managing editor of The Source Reggie Ossé and O.T.A. Live radio host Ty Harper. The six-part #GYALCAST Academy covers topics like confidence, networking, public relations, social media, grant writing and self-care. The intention of the #GYALCAST Academy is to build Black women back up with patience, love, education and care, Simone wrote in a blog post announcing the workshops. The first workshop takes place on July 21 and the last is on August 25. A safe space for Black women to learn the fundamentals of being a freelancer in a creative field but also a gentle reminder to be kind to yourself. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

mass migration: They did have a nice little Napa Valley cabernet, though, and some kale chips." Entertaining stuff, but what may drive Americans into mass migration toward the 49th parallel is something bigger than a Trump/Clinton steel cage death match, according to Vancouver Courier. In 2014, Cliff Mass devoted a page on his weather blog to the changing climate profile of the continental U.S. Mass, who teaches atmospheric sciences at the University of Washington, argued that a compelling case can be made that the Pacific Northwest will be one of the best places to live as the earth warms. The story quotes a fictitious border patrolman: "A lot of these people are not prepared for our rugged conditions... I found one carload without a single bottle of Perrier drinking water. A potential climate refuge. Forget Florida, he writes. The prof examined low coastal areas vulnerable to predicted sea level rises of 1 to 2 feet over the next 85 years, effectively putting huge swaths of the eastern seaboard underwater, from Maine to Texas. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

police: It says the new measures restrict the disclosure of attempted suicide-related information to American border services through an RCMP database, while allowing "time-limited" public safety disclosures to police in Canada, according to The Waterloo Record. The measures also provide affected individuals with a right to seek early removal of their information from the Canadian Police Information Centre database. Related Stories Toronto police adopt new procedures... The Information and Privacy Commissioner office says it has withdrawn its case because the force has developed new procedures to better protect people privacy. The privacy commissioner office had filed an application for judicial review with an Ontario court in 2014, asking for an order to stop the broad disclosure of suicide-related information to U.S. agencies through the database. Richardson, who said she had been suicidal before being hospitalized, said the agent cited the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act, which denies entry to people who have had a physical or mental disorder that may pose a "threat to the property, safety or welfare" of themselves or others. The issue had come under the national spotlight after an Ontario woman went public in 2013 with her story of being turned away by a U.S. customs agent at Toronto Pearson airport because she had been hospitalized in June 2012 for clinical depression. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

privacy: It says the new measures restrict the disclosure of attempted suicide-related information to American border services through an RCMP database, while allowing "time-limited" public safety disclosures to police in Canada, according to Brandon Sun. The measures also provide affected individuals with a right to seek early removal of their information from the Canadian Police Information Centre database. The Information and Privacy Commissioner office says it has withdrawn its case because the force has developed new procedures to better protect people privacy. The privacy commissioner office had filed an application for judicial review with an Ontario court in 2014, asking for an order to stop the broad disclosure of suicide-related information to U.S. agencies through the database. Richardson, who said she had been suicidal before being hospitalized, said the agent cited the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act, which denies entry to people who have had a physical or mental disorder that may pose a "threat to the property, safety or welfare" of themselves or others. The issue had come under the national spotlight after an Ontario woman went public in 2013 with her story of being turned away by a U.S. customs agent at Toronto Pearson airport because she had been hospitalized in June 2012 for clinical depression. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

vancouver: Following the trajectory of the comparatively small but quite cohesive Jewish community of Vancouver over the past century illustrates microcosmically how quickly things can change in the city and among its component ethnic or religious communities, according to Vancouver Courier. Michael Schwartz, coordinator of programs and development at the Jewish Museum and Archives of B.C., frequently leads tours of historical Jewish Vancouver. It may seem that the demolitions and construction today are unusual, and perhaps they are, but Vancouver neighbourhoods have transformed with remarkable swiftness at various times in our history. One such walking tour takes place Sunday . The trek begins at Pender and Heatley streets, in Strathcona. B'nai Yehuda, Sons of Israel, was an Orthodox Jewish place of worship that was the heart of Jewish community for the first half of the 20th century. Here, to the surprise of many, stands the now-condo-ized first synagogue in the city. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Europe campaign: The Leave Europe campaign includes Britain First campaigners and has been given the nickname Brexit or Britain Exit, according to Huffington Post Canada. A big supporter of the Leave campaign is former London mayor Boris Johnson who cites a loss of control of British borders, trade and Democracy as reasons for a Leave vote. Alongside this hum of excitement exists a tension and a darkness brought on by the referendum that will decide if Britain stays in the European Union or leaves it entirely. The Remain in Europe campaign is defended by London mayor Sadiq Khan and David Bechkam who have discussed the positive contributions of immigration to Britain. Some of the darkness and tension surrounding the final referendum vote on June 23rd erupted into violence when Labour MP Jo Cox was killed by a Britain First supporter. The Remain campaign has promoted unity with Europe and the idea that Britain is stronger in the European Union than outside of it. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

security background information: Sources say Mr, according to Globe and Mail. Nieto, who arrives in Canada on Monday, has assured the Canadian government that Mexico will share security and background information on Mexicans travellers, similar to what is done between Canada and the United States. Low-risk travellers, having either a valid U.S. visa or a 10-year Canadian visa, would be eligible for an electronic travel authorization. Mexico will also issue travel warnings to its citizens, explaining that Canada is not an easy country in which to seek refugee status and they must abide by Canadian laws, sources say. The official acknowledged there was pushback from Citizen and Immigration officials, but attributed that to years of working for the Harper Conservatives, which took a hardline approach to bogus refugee claims. We are trying to make sure the onus is on them to make sure it is legitimate travel, a senior government official told The Globe and Mail. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

federal appeals court: In this case, the federal appeals court in New Orleans said the Obama administration lacked the authority to shield up to 4 million immigrants from deportation and make them eligible for work permits without approval from Congress, according to Toronto Star. Texas led 26 Republican-dominated states in challenging the program Obama announced in November 2014. The justices' one-sentence opinion on Thursday effectively kills the plan for the duration of Obama presidency.A tie vote sets no national precedent but leaves in place the ruling by the lower court. Congressional Republicans also backed the states' lawsuit. Obama decided to move forward after Republicans won control of the Senate in the 2014 midterm elections, and the chances for an immigration overhaul, already remote, were further diminished. The Obama administration announced the programs — protections for parents of children who are in the country legally and an expansion of the program that benefits people who were brought to this country as children — in November 2014. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

assisted dying: Dawn Davies, the group chair on bioethics and a pediatric palliative care physician in Edmonton, told CBC News now that there is a law in Canada for adults when it comes to assisted dying, the issue of mature minors will be the subject of an independent review, according to CBC. Pediatrician Dr. Right to die: Should 'mature minors' have access to doctor-assisted death Dr. Dawn Davies is hoping for broad consultations when it comes to mature minors and assisted dying. The new law doesn't provide for a surrogate decision maker to act on behalf of another person. "That where the challenges are going to come actually, is from parents who would be able to make virtually any other medical decision on behalf of their child, but they will not be able to make that decision," said Davies. "I think those are where the charter challenges to the court are actually going to come from, is going to be parents." Broad consultations required When it comes to mature minors, Davies hopes there will be broad consultation in the review process. "Not just from pediatric child health, but also from child protection, parents themselves, mature minors themselves," she said. "Then I think we can have a better process that would exclude mature minors from being able to, you know, apply for medically-assisted dying if they had anything other than a terminal illness." A shortage of pediatric palliative care On a related issue, Davies said there are 20 full-time pediatric palliative care physician positions in Canada, and that is not enough.. "For the number of kids that die in Canada every year, that is like a woefully inadequate number of people with specialized training in palliative care, I think, to say that we're doing a very good job of managing the symptoms of kids at the end of life," she said. That review will address the circumstances under which a person under the age of 18 might be able to request a physician-assisted death, but Davies said most requests to the palliative care community in Canada come from parents, not teenagers. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

: European People Party chairman Manfred Weber says Friday that the vote "causes major damage to both sides, but in first line to the U.K." Weber added that "this was a British vote, not a European vote, according to CTV. People in the other states don't want to leave Europe." Britons voted 52 per cent to 48 per cent on Thursday to leave the EU to take greater control of the country economy and borders. 6:30 a.m. The head of the biggest political bloc in the European Parliament says the U.K. vote to leave the EU is damaging but that the decision is for Britain, not the European Union. One of the leaders of the victorious 'leave' campaign has reassured the European Union that Britain will continue to be a good neighbour after its unprecedented vote to leave the bloc. Dutch far-right leader Geert Wilders is calling for a plebiscite in the Netherlands about leaving the European Union after Britons voted to ditch the 28-nation bloc. Labour lawmaker Gisela Stuart, who was born in Germany, spoke in German to say that "Britain is an open society, it is a welcoming society and we will continue to be co-operating with European countries on an international level." As the British pound and global stock markets fell at the shocking result, Stuart says "it is incumbent on all of us to be very calm, remember that our responsibility is to the future of the United Kingdom, and work together to start a process." She says "in the long run, I think that both Europe and the United Kingdom will emerge stronger as a result." 6:25 a.m. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

prawn cocktail: There are huge issues at stake, from immigration to millions of jobs, according to Metro News. But there also small stuff that could be caught in the crosshairs if the U.K votes to leave. Millions of Brits go to the polls Thursday to decide on staying in or leaving the European Union. Andrew Cardozo, who imports British products, from mushy peas to prawn cocktail crisps, to his London Calling shop in Cabbagetown, said he following the debate closely and is concerned about what might happen if Britain bolts. I think the younger people are more going to be voting yes. I'll be upset if I can't get them, Cardozo said, standing in front of rows of imported Cadbury chocolates. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

Manfred Weber: European People Party chairman Manfred Weber says Friday that the vote "causes major damage to both sides, but in first line to the U.K." Weber added that "this was a British vote, not a European vote, according to CTV. People in the other states don't want to leave Europe." Britons voted 52 per cent to 48 per cent on Thursday to leave the EU to take greater control of the country economy and borders. 6:30 a.m. The head of the biggest political bloc in the European Parliament says the U.K. vote to leave the EU is damaging but that the decision is for Britain, not the European Union. One of the leaders of the victorious 'leave' campaign has reassured the European Union that Britain will continue to be a good neighbour after its unprecedented vote to leave the bloc. Dutch far-right leader Geert Wilders is calling for a plebiscite in the Netherlands about leaving the European Union after Britons voted to ditch the 28-nation bloc. Labour lawmaker Gisela Stuart, who was born in Germany, spoke in German to say that "Britain is an open society, it is a welcoming society and we will continue to be co-operating with European countries on an international level." As the British pound and global stock markets fell at the shocking result, Stuart says "it is incumbent on all of us to be very calm, remember that our responsibility is to the future of the United Kingdom, and work together to start a process." She says "in the long run, I think that both Europe and the United Kingdom will emerge stronger as a result." 6:25 a.m. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

organs: The source of the organs, the film alleges, are prisoners of conscience, especially Falun Gong practitioners, who are executed, according to CBC. Recipients have 'lifelong burden and remorse' Lee interviewed many Falun Gong practitioners who said they were tortured while in Chinese custody and were frequently blood-tested — presumably to see if they were suitable matches for transplant. "China has been using the organs of death row prisoners for years, and some of these prisoners of conscience are treated even worse," he said. "Using organs from someone who they deem to be even worse than death row prisoners is not a big jump." He also interviewed the medical tourists who received the organs. "Many of them would just fly there and get a transplant several days later. Leon Lee came to Canada from China over 10 years ago but made waves in 2014 worldwide for his film, Human Harvest, which exposed illegal human organ trafficking in China. "It an incredible honour and a very meaningful award for me personally," Lee told On The Coast guest host Michelle Eliot. "Where I'm from, if I were to make a film, like, say, Human Harvest, I would not be expecting an award." China accused of harvesting the organs of political prisoners, researchers say it time Canada take action China transplant organs mostly from death row China harvesting Falun Gong organs, report alleges Human Harvest looks into the thousands of cases of for-profit organs transplants being done in China, often for medical tourists. They also described how shady the whole process looks … they were not allowed to ask the source of the donor," he said. "After they find out the source of the organ, it was a lifelong burden and remorse." Since Human Harvest came out, Lee says, awareness about the issue has increased markedly, which he hopes will lead to international pressure on China and eventually change. With files from CBC Radio One On The Coast To hear the full story, click the audio labelled: Filmmaker who exposed organ trafficking in China honoured as one of Canada top immigrants (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.