gang violence: The mere fact that a country may have problems effectively policing certain crimes such as domestic violence or gang violence or that certain populations are more likely to be victims of crime, cannot itself establish an asylum claim, according to The Chronicle Herald. The widely expected move overruled a Board of Immigration Appeals decision in 2016 that gave asylum status to a woman from El Salvador who fled her husband. Generally, claims by aliens pertaining to domestic violence or gang violence perpetrated by non-government actors will not qualify for asylum, Sessions wrote in 31-page decision. Sessions reopened the case for his review in March as the administration stepped up criticism of asylum practices. The other categories are for race, religion, nationality and political affiliation. Sessions took aim at one of five categories to qualify for asylum - persecution for membership in a social group - calling it inherently ambiguous. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

issues fielding: Owner Jim Rooney pulled the plug after a 1-15 start, citing declining attendance and sponsorship levels as well as issues fielding a competitive team, according to CTV. Sporting goods business owner Shawn Fuller stepped in to bring the Royals back into the Intercounty Baseball League for 2018. The team hadn't even finished out the 2017 season. Several players were also lured away from other IBL teams, including reigning league MVP Sean Reilly. Four pitchers from the baseball-crazy country were recruited to spend the summer in Guelph. To round out their pitching staff, the Royals looked much further afield, to the Dominican Republic. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

kevin tuong: Marni Panas is the senior adviser of diversity and inclusion at Alberta Health Services, according to Toronto Star. She helped organize AHS's first Pride festival. Alberta Health Services hosted its first Pride festival at the Royal Alexandra Hospital on Monday, which included speeches and panel discussions on creating safe and inclusive environments for gender minority communities. Kevin Tuong / For Star Metro Edmonton Officials also announced they were developing a new provincial advisory council. AHS is truly committed to partnering with the gender minority community because we want to make sure that our colleagues, our patients and our families feel safe, welcome and included, she said. Deb Gordon, vice-president and chief health operations officer for AHS, said the council will advise the organization on health services for all sexual and gender minority people. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

rohingya refugees: The United Nations has celebrated it as a major first step that would help secure the future of the Rohingya in Burma, according to Toronto Star. Rohingya people wait in line for supplies at a refugee camp in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, on Sept. 21, 2017. The Burmese government promoted the agreement as proof that it is doing right by the Rohingya, a persecuted minority that is denied citizenship rights and freedom of movement in Burma. Some 700,000 Rohingya refugees fled their homes for neighbouring Bangladesh after a brutal military campaign last year. The three parties that signed the memorandum of understanding the UN refugee agency, or UNHCR; the UN Development Program; and the Burmese government have declined to make the text of the agreement available to those who have asked to see it, including journalists, other UN officials and UN donor countries such as the United States.NGOs, including Refugees International, have urged that the text be made public and warned in a statement that conditions for Rohingya in Burma remain appalling, referring to Burma by its official name. Ismail Ferdous / Bloomberg file photo But no outside observers are able to verify the claims The agreement has been kept unusually secret. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

season friday: As the show enters its second season Friday on Netflix, Porowski notes it's kind of impossible to show the complexities of his cooking in just the couple of minutes devoted to food tips on each episode, according to CTV. At first I was actually a little peeved, because I was like, 'If you only knew that every episode I actually cook three different dishes, three different components for these people, ' Porowski said in a recent phone interview. The show's resident food and wine expert has been criticized in the media for the simple dishes he taught their makeover subjects in season 1 -- from chili and fancy grilled cheese, to gourmet hot dogs and the guacamole he made for Tom Jackson, a beloved bachelor featured on the show. Tom Jackson, I made a salsa that had no nightshades in it because he has lupus -- and all you guys see is the guacamole. It's about showing up for this person and doing what fits their needs and their lifestyle, Porowski said. But he now realizes that ultimately, it's not about showing off his skill set. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

asylum claim: The mere fact that a country may have problems effectively policing certain crimes such as domestic violence or gang violence or that certain populations are more likely to be victims of crime, cannot itself establish an asylum claim. article continues below Trending Stories Vancouver authors dumbfounded by kids' questionsCTV Vancouver parts ways with Tamara Taggart and Mike Killeen So you want to set up a pot shop The widely expected move overruled a Board of Immigration Appeals decision in 2016 that gave asylum status to a woman from El Salvador who fled her husband, according to Vancouver Courier. Sessions reopened the case for his review in March as the administration stepped up criticism of asylum practices. Generally, claims by aliens pertaining to domestic violence or gang violence perpetrated by non-government actors will not qualify for asylum, Sessions wrote in 31-page decision. Sessions took aim at one of five categories to qualify for asylum - persecution for membership in a social group - calling it inherently ambiguous. Domestic violence is a particularly difficult crime to prevent and prosecute, even in the United States, Sessions wrote, but its prevalence in El Salvador doesn't mean that its government was unwilling or unable to protect victims any less so than the United States. The other categories are for race, religion, nationality and political affiliation. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

years: Ivy league schools and high-profile institutions across the world have been trying to recruit him for years, according to National Observer. But he loves Canada and wants to build a life here. ; That's why he says it has been heartbreaking to have found himself in limbo awaiting approval for permanent residency. He has since achieved many educational accolades, including winning a prestigious Vanier scholarship. He's been waiting over a year for his application to be processed with no end in sight. I feel very discriminated, I feel very singled out, Sojahrood said, fighting back emotion. And it's all because he is from Iran. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

fellow americans: Thanks Canada for Putting up with your crazy southern neighbors, wrote U.S. user named Meara Larine early Monday, according to CTV. The trending hashtags seem to have been started by Los Angeles-based writer David Wild. In an extensive tirade, Trump pulled out of the G7 Communique agreement and criticized Trudeau for a closing press conference in which he said he would impose retaliatory measures in response to steel and aluminum tariffs imposed by the U.S. The new tweets, which use the hashtags Thank Canada and Thanks Canada, mention a wide range of Canadian entertainment talent, while others simply acknowledge Canadian kindness. My Fellow Americans, he wrote in a tweet Sunday, let's all Thank Canada for things we love they've brought to our lives. Earlier on Sunday the writer tweeted a different hashtag Blame Canada, referencing a popular song from the 1999 South Park animated musical. He cited Canadian musical and comedy icons, including SCTV, The Kids in the Hall, Neil Young and Joni Mitchell, among others. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

immigrant lawyers: Senator Ratna Omidvar said the impact of Bill C-46, the Impaired Driving Act, on permanent residents would be huge and disproportionate to its impact on Canadians, according to Toronto Star. Chris So / Toronto Star File Photo Currently, someone convicted of impaired driving could receive a maximum penalty of not more than five years in jail, but the offence would still be considered ordinary criminality under immigration law. But advocating equal rights for impaired drivers is a delicate issue, one that some senators and immigrant lawyers are trying to tackle as the Red Chamber sits this week to seek amendments to Bill C-46, the Impaired Driving Act, before sending it back to the House of Commons for a vote. An immigrant's permanent residence status is not affected unless a sentence of six months or more is imposed. As a result, even if a first offender, who is not a Canadian citizen, is convicted and is only ordered to pay a fine, they would still lose their immigration status and be banned from Canada. However, under the proposed legislation, the increased maximum penalty to 10 years would automatically classify impaired driving as serious criminality. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

kevin tuong: While her friends nonchalantly talked about who in the opposite gender they found attractive, Juma forced herself to do the same, not disclosing about the women she found attractive as well, according to Toronto Star. Hasina Juma hopes to see more people of colour participate in Pride. They went to classes together, played sports and talked, sometimes about people they had crushes on. Kevin Tuong / For Star Metro Protesters demontrated at Edmonton Pride Saturday, demanding that police and military be disallowed from marching in future parades. That was a really big deal because my religious community, my ethnic community, had played a pivotal role up until my 20s, so the thought of losing that was really daunting, Juma said, now 36 years old. Ameya Charnalia / Star Metro I was so terrified that if I embraced my sexual orientation, I would lose my family, my community, Juma said. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

return home: We know that Canada, Nova Scotia and the Annapolis Royal area all will benefit by in-migration, says Ashley Sprague, chair of ARCARe, according to The Chronicle Herald. There is an enormous need to help relocate displaced families and safely settle them elsewhere. Applicants have been recommended to Canada by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and vetted by Canada. We can offer food, a bed, an education and health care. These resettled families may forever become part of our community or they may choose to move somewhere else, or maybe they will one day get to return home. We can offer safety. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

michael conway: Michael Conway, president of Starbucks Coffee Canada, said in the letter this is only the second time the company has closed each of its locations at the same time, according to CTV. About 10 years ago, they closed for a training session on perfecting the espresso. Each of Canada's more than 1,100 Starbucks locations closed at 2 or 3 p.m. for a few hours as part of a conversation and learning session on race, bias, and inclusion, according to a letter sent to customers on Monday morning. We're closing our stores again now because we must never be complacent in our desire to be inclusive, to live our mission and values, and to create a culture of warmth and belonging every time, Conway wrote in the letter. Police officers came and arrested the men, but it was later revealed they were waiting on a business meeting. The decision to hold these training sessions stems from an April incident at a Philadelphia Starbucks location where an employee called 911 on two black men who were sitting in the coffee shop. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

pedro sanchez: Malta refused on Sunday, according to The Chronicle Herald. Spain's new Socialist prime minister, Pedro Sanchez stepped in Monday, ordering authorities in Valencia to prepare for the ship's arrival. The Aquarius, a rescue vessel operated by aid group SOS Mediterranee, has been stuck in the Mediterranean Sea since Saturday, when Italy refused its crew permission to dock and demanded that Malta do so. It's our duty to avoid a humanitarian catastrophe and offer a secure port for these people, Sanchez said. One of the coalition partners in the populist government that took over in Italy on June 1, the right-wing League, promised voters other European Union countries would be made to share the burden of caring for asylum-seekers who set out for Europe on unseaworthy smugglers' boats. Both the ship and its passengers were caught up in a political dispute that might not have happened weeks ago. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

top-grossing films: Researchers studied the reviews of the 100 top-grossing films of 2017 that were posted on the aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes, according to CTV. Of the 19,559 reviews studied, 77.8 were by male critics and 22.2 were by female critics. The research was conducted by the University of Southern California's Annenberg Inclusion Initiative, which released its findings Monday. Stacy Smith, founder and director of the Inclusion Initiative, said film critics are overwhelmingly white and male. The study counted 36 female-driven movies and 24 minority-led movies among the top 100 films of 2017, but found they were largely reviewed by white males. The lack of diverse critical perspectives, researchers said, contributes to the larger gender and ethnic biases in the film industry. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

york gov: Villavicencio, who was making a delivery to an Army garrison in Brooklyn, NY., wound up being detained June 1 after a routine background check at the gate revealed there was a warrant for his arrest for immigration law violations, officials said, according to Toronto Star. Richard Drew / The Associated Press Saturday's court order temporarily halting Villavicencio's immediate removal to Ecuador means that his allies, including New York Gov. Legal Aid Society lawyer Jennifer WIlliams, who represents Ecuadorean restaurant worker Pablo Villavicencio, shows the Application for Stay of Deportation or Removal she filed at the offices of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement, in New York on Friday. Andrew Cuomo and Democratic lawmakers, will have at least another month to try to free him from federal custody. He has committed no crimes since then, a spokeswoman for Immigration Customs and Enforcement told the newspaper, but an immigration judge ordered him to leave the country in 2010. Villavicencio entered the United States illegally in 2008, in his mid-20s, according to the New York Times. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

halifax govier: Since inception, there have also been performances in Calgary, Canmore and Halifax, according to Vancouver Courier. Govier was inspired to help women coming to Canada with literary, language-focused backgrounds who were being held back by their level of English. The project began as a writing workshop seven years ago in Toronto at the Bata Shoe Museum, and it was the curator who suggested the prompt. I wanted the rest of Canada to know what they have to say, what they're bringing with them, says Govier, who recognized early on that vocal and performance training could also help these women. Once we recognize the importance of shoes in our life, it taught me who I am as a person, says Bolow. Nima Bolow says incorporating shoes into her story about fleeing Somalia 10 years ago was akin to taking a personality test. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

money: She said women and girls have suffered unspeakable violence and still live in a vulnerable environment, according to National Observer. These mothers all share the same dream they see their kids in school, for them to have hope in their future. That's includes a 400-million investment from Canada as part of the overall three-year commitment, and also includes contributions from G7 partners and the World Bank. ; International Development Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau told a news conference Saturday that she has visited refugees across the globe, including Iraq and Bangladesh. The money raised exceeds the US 1.3 billion over three years that a coalition of 30 non-governmental organizations had called on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to raise as part of his chairmanship of the G7 this year. The coalition, which includes groups such as Save the Children and World Vision, offered the government widespread public praise on Saturday. The summit in Quebec's Charlevoix region wrapped up Saturday afternoon. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

pc majority: With economic upheavals, there is a segment of the population looking for stability and order, according to NOW Magazine. Not sharing in economic prosperity, they look to government to slow social change, such as those related to immigration and multiculturalism. The PC majority in the Ontario provincial election was about capturing the ordered voter. Lacking faith in transformative change, they look to politics as a way to deliver small material benefits like a tax cut or cheaper hydro. It seems unfair to emphasize the role of swing voters, but they are crucial in our first-past-the-post electoral system. Holding onto those voters is a fundamental challenge for Ford and his government. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

stars: The 5-Stars had triumphed in March 4 national elections thanks in part to defections from the traditional centre-left Democratic Party, according to Vancouver Courier. The Democrats seemed surprised by their own strong showing Sunday. The anti-establishment 5-Stars didn't win the mayorship of Ivrea, the northern Italian hometown of 5-Star strategist Davide Casaleggio, or either of the two municipal seats up for grabs in Rome, where 5-Star Mayor Virginia Raggi triumphed two years ago.article continues below Trending Stories Last frights for Vancouver haunted house Vancouver photographer fights to keep lights on at Dunbar dark room Gangs of Vancouver Broadway to close this weekend for work at Broadway-Commercial Sky Train station Experts say the 5-Stars are paying the price for their alliance with the right-wing League that has alienated their moderate and left-leaning flank. Read Related Topics var related Url var related Link Class relatedlink-processed ; if related Url && ! -1 var related UrlFrags related Url.split '/' ; related Url './' -1 ; related Link Class ul var related Url var related Link Class relatedlink-processed ; if related Url && ! -1 var related UrlFrags related Url.split '/' ; related Url './' -1 ; related Link Class ul var related Url var related Link Class relatedlink-processed ; if related Url && ! -1 var related UrlFrags related Url.split '/' ; related Url './' -1 ; related Link Class ul var related Url var related Link Class relatedlink-processed ; if related Url && ! -1 var related UrlFrags related Url.split '/' ; related Url './' -1 ; related Link Class ul 2018 Vancouver Courier (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

vancouver broadway: But the 38-year-old Ray says he'll be more than ready Friday night when the Argos open the season in Regina against the Saskatchewan Roughriders.article continues below Trending Stories Last frights for Vancouver haunted house Vancouver photographer fights to keep lights on at Dunbar dark room Gangs of Vancouver Broadway to close this weekend for work at Broadway-Commercial Sky Train station The way we have practice here it's like a game for us every day, Ray said, according to Vancouver Courier. We're doing starting offence versus starting defence at full speed ... so the speed of the game is there. Ray didn't play in either of Toronto's two exhibition games as Argonauts head coach Marc Trestman gave youngsters McLeod Bethel-Thompson and James Franklin the starts. Obviously I'm not getting hit in practice. It's just getting hit a few times and then reacting to that. That's going to be the biggest adjustment going into a game. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

enforcement officers: A proposed bylaw intended to curtail bullying in Whitehorse has rights experts worried it could end up increasing carding of Indigenous people and curtailing freedom of expression, according to Toronto Star. Rhiannon Russell Russell Knutson, chair of the Yukon Human Rights Commission, said the proposed bylaw appears to trample on both the Constitution and the Canadian Human Rights Act. It's a quandary that has plagued several jurisdictions that try to proactively stem bullying through legislation before the problem crosses a criminal line. If a bully is defined too broadly and the powers of discretion that are in the hands of enforcement officers are too broad, then you set yourself up for the potential of conflict, Knutson said. It also included creating a negative environment and objectionable or inappropriate comments, but excluded nuisance behaviours. The first draft of the bylaw defined bullying behaviour as repeated behaviour intended to cause, or that should have been known to cause, fear, intimidation, humiliation, distress or other forms of harm to another person. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

flagship fundraiser: The annual event originated as the flagship fundraiser for the Foundation of Hope, a Canadian organization whose goal is to enhance the lives of LGBTQ migrants and their families who are looking to flee countries where they're being prosecuted for their sexual orientation, according to CTV. Some of these stories are so heart wrenching, said Carl Meadows, president of the Foundation of Hope. Participants in the fourth annual Strut Vancouver walk-a-thon took a 1.6 kilometre stroll along the seawall sporting their most outrageous heels in support of LGBTQ refugees who may have faced persecution in their home countries because of their sexuality. Many of the women in these countries, particularly the female to male transgender people, can't even get access to documentation without males signing for them. It's one of those things that helps me sleep at night, knowing that we're doing something, Working with charities across the country, the foundation ensures these groups get the funding they need to provide essential services to LGBTQ refugees. The walk uses stilettos to defy gender norms while promoting inclusion and raising awareness of migrant suffering. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

g summit: While several governments have expressed concern about what is happening in Burma, none has taken concrete measures commensurate with the gravity of the situation, according to Toronto Star. As a host for the G7 summit, Canada has the opportunity to play a lead role in this effort. An estimated 81,000 women in the refugee camps are pregnant, according to the Bangladeshi Health Ministry, in the aftermath of gang rapes by Burma's military. As suggested in a recent report by Ottawa's special envoy to Burma, Bob Rae, the G7 nations can collectively form an independent impartial mechanism to document the crimes perpetrated by the Burma Armed Forces and take Burma to an international tribunal. The G7 can collectively impose sanctions. Members of the G7 that have ratified the Genocide Convention can invoke it upon Burma, which is also a signatory to the it. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

hispanic workers: Bourdain, who died Friday in France in an apparent suicide at age 61, was an outspoken critic of President Donald Trump's immigration policies and a fierce defender of Hispanic workers, according to The Chronicle Herald. The chef, global traveller and author, whose popularity grew with his CNN series Parts Unknown, often was the first to tip his hat to his employees from Central America or Mexico. He also was committed to the immigrant workers who toil in his and other kitchens throughout the restaurant industry. He promoted his Mexican-born sous chef, the late Carlos Llaguno Garcia, to run two of his New York restaurants and complained loudly about the United States' ridiculously hypocritical attitudes toward immigration. But in two decades as a chef and employer, I never had one American kid walk in my door and apply for a dishwashing job, a porter's position or even a job as prep cook. Some, of course, like to claim that Mexicans are stealing American jobs, Bourdain said in 2014. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

quebec solidaire: We've got to get going on inclusion, in job recognition, in diploma recognition, said Khadir, according to CTV. To that end, the party first wants to force public services to hire more minorities. Party spokesperson Manon Mass and MNA Amir Khadir presented their four-part policy at a news conference while surrounded by a diverse roster of party members. In the long run, Quebec Solidaire would like to see 18 per cent of public servants from cultural communities, and 13 per cent from visible minorities. Spread throughout Quebec, these centers would also encourage settlement in other regions of the province. The party also plans to create reception centers for refugees or asylum seekers where they would be welcomed and directed to resources. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

rights commission: Russell Knutson, chair of the Yukon Human Rights Commission, said the proposed bylaw appears to trample on both the Constitution and the Canadian Human Rights Act, according to The Chronicle Herald. If a bully is defined too broadly and the powers of discretion that are in the hands of enforcement officers are too broad, then you set yourself up for the potential of conflict, Knutson said. It's a quandary that has plagued several jurisdictions that try to proactively stem bullying through legislation before the problem crosses a criminal line. The first draft of the bylaw defined bullying behaviour as repeated behaviour intended to cause, or that should have been known to cause, fear, intimidation, humiliation, distress or other forms of harm to another person. Beyond that, it grants an enforcement officer the power to require a person suspected of bullying to produce identification. It also included creating a negative environment and objectionable or inappropriate comments, but excluded nuisance behaviours. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.