policy counsel: These cases come up on the regular, said Cecelia Friedman Levin, senior policy counsel at ASISTA, a group that works with advocates and attorneys helping immigrant survivors of violence, according to The Chronicle Herald. What that does, to my mind, is undermines the spirit of the protection to begin with. But as Republican President Donald Trump's administration has taken a harder line on immigration, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement appears to be stepping up the detention and deportation of people who have applied for the so-called U visa. Through the program, petitioners are able to get a visa, and then a green card, before eventually applying for citizenship. Their applications are still active even after they're deported, but they can be separated from their families for years while they wait. But because of a long process and apparent policy shifts something ICE denies but for which advocates have provided evidence immigrants are now being swept up before they have a chance to legalize. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

services: A larger proportion of new immigrants choosing English as their official language and a lower rate of transmission of the French language to children who come from families where at least one parent is francophone are factors, the report found, according to Toronto Star. Vince Talotta / Toronto Star These findings are alarming, Boileau said in an interview. French Language Services Commissioner Francois Boileau said if nothing is done to address the issue, Ontario's francophone demographic may decrease to the point where it becomes insignificant, and public services for the population are hard to come by. I think we need to have a serious debate on the place of francophones and francophiles in Ontario. It's disturbing because it is one thing to be a little under five per cent, but if in 20 years we are under two per cent, then it really starts to have an impact on public policies, he said. According to Statistics Canada, the proportion of francophones in Ontario went from 5.2 per cent of the population in 1996, to 4.7 per cent in 2016 a decrease Boileau said was troubling. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

splinter party: This does not mean that Fildebrandt, who has been named the interim leader of the FCP, endorses Alberta's separation from Canada, however, according to Rabble. On the contrary, Fildebrandt told me yesterday, I believe in greater autonomy for Alberta within Canada. The tiny right-wing splinter party that until yesterday almost no one in Alberta had heard of, used to be best known among the province's political cognoscenti for its Alberta separatist leanings. I am no separatist. In our short exchange of Twitter direct messages, he described his goal for the party as a libertarian-conservative coalition in which disagreements are resolved by free votes. However, there might be some grounds for suggesting the Independent Strathmore-Brooks MLA would like to turn his new party into a vehicle for his personal political ambitions. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

terror attacks: We've seen some terror attacks, according to Toronto Star. He thinks the some makes him sound precise though it really shows he has no specifics in mind. I think it's been bad for Europe, U.S. President Donald Trump said. I just think it's changing the culture and is very negative for Europe Look at what's happening to different countries that never had problems. Stefan Rousseau / AP Never had problems Europe went to all-out war twice in 25 years when it had relatively little immigration and largely homogeneous nation states. British Prime Minister Theresa May walks with U.S President Donald Trump after their joint press conference at Chequers, in Buckinghamshire, England on July 13. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

west african: A more assertive response by Mali's security forces has led to accusations of extrajudicial killings, while neighbours turn on each other amid suspicions of joining extremist groups, according to The Chronicle Herald. At least 289 civilians including young children have been killed in communal violence since the beginning of the year, with some burned alive in their homes or killed while hiding in mosques, the United Nations said this month. A branch of al-Qaida even set off a car bomb at the headquarters of a new West African counterterror force late last month, further destabilizing central Mali as extremist groups expand from remote northern regions where they have had strongholds for years. As the July 29 elections approach, insecurity is a major issue for candidates including President Ibrahim Boubacar Ke ta, who seeks a second term. It would be difficult to organize the elections in my commune in Mondoro, near the border between Mali and Burkina Faso, one local official, Deputy Mayor Moulaye Ongoiba, told The Associated Press. Experts warn of a humanitarian crisis as hundreds of schools have closed out of fear of attack. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

female-led businesses: It's an imbalance innovators like Audette-Bourdeau hope to see corrected one day, but remains a looming obstacle for the time being, according to National Observer. I'd say that up to now, we haven't faced that challenge, but I am aware that it will probably be a challenge in the future as there are a lot of statistics about how hard it is for female-led businesses to raise money, she said in an interview. So far, she has secured grant money to get her company off the ground, but she knows the path to a prosperous startup is long and winding, especially for female entrepreneurs. ; Women represent 47 per cent of business owners in Canada, but according to data from SheEO, a Toronto-based organization that supports women entrepreneurs, their companies receive only four per cent of available venture capital. That's definitely something we'll have to get ready for. Photo courtesy of Marius Boatca/Flickr Creative Commons Funding available, female founders only Audette-Bourdeau is the co-founder and CEO of Welbi, which provides user-friendly software to seniors that connects them with loved ones, new friends and activities in an attempt to reduce social isolation. Canadian womencontribute 148 billion in economic activity annually, yet struggle to access capital to support their innovate business ideas. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

fever pitch: From killing cap and trade, to cancelling hundreds of renewable energy contracts, to blaming asylum seekers for Ontario's housing crisis and shooting down long-awaited policing reforms oh yeah, and repealing sex ed Ford's scorched-earth policies are already cutting a wide swath, according to NOW Magazine. There's a Google doc keeping score of the destruction floating around on Twitter, where the predictable outrage has hit fever pitch. And he's already made a big mess of the natural order. Note to those on the left no amount of Twittering or email blasts to media to point out the madness of it all will change a thing. Ford's blitzkrieg has seemingly come as a surprise to some, including too many members of the mainstream media. The election was June 7. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

ontario: I think we need to have a serious debate on the place of francophones and francophiles in Ontario, according to Vancouver Courier. According to Statistics Canada, the proportion of francophones in Ontario went from 5.2 per cent of the population in 1996, to 4.7 per cent in 2016 a decrease Boileau said was troubling. French Language Services Commissioner Francois Boileau said if nothing is done to address the issue, Ontario's francophone demographic may decrease to the point where it becomes insignificant and public services for the population are hard to come by.article continues below Trending Stories Vancouver High on Life vloggers die in Shannon Falls tragedy Greater Vancouver home prices to drop 21 per cent by 2019 analysis Beware the season of the BC Ferry Cab Share Canada launches app changing taxi travel These findings are alarming, Boileau said in an interview. It's disturbing because it is one thing to be a little under five per cent, but if in 20 years we are under two per cent, then it really starts to have an impact on public policies, he said. In the report, seven experts studied several issues that affect or will affect the delivery of French language services. The latest census figures show there were 622,415 francophones in Ontario. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

show kanata: We have people claiming that we're attacking French Quebecers and Quebec institutions, when all we're trying to do is state the need for more funding for black and Indigenous communities and overall diversity, according to National Observer. Faced with back-to-back accusations of cultural appropriation and damning international headlines, Lepage proposed to meet with those who signed the letter. Lepage's upcoming show Kanata, about Indigenous people, once again without any real representation or artistic input from the very communities it is about, prompted 20 Indigenous artists and activists to write a letter that was published in Le Devoir. Ariane Mnouchkine of Th tre du Soleil, where Kanata is scheduled for a premiere in Paris, planned to fly in for the meeting. In the meantime, some French-language pundits continue to treat the collective as a fringe group of troublesome, disorganized, and unreasonable fanatics intent on censorship. During his announcement, Lepage indicated he was also willing to meet with the SL V Resistance Collective, a group formed by members of Montreal's black community in response to the show featuring white people in a uniquely black story. ; One hopes that Lepage is inching closer to a reluctant understanding of how damaging it is to tell stories that don't belong to him without the input and participation of these communities. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

vancouver: The tweet was a poor attempt made in bad taste to address a serious issue, according to Vancouver Courier. I deeply regret my choice of words in trying to make that point. This is his statement in full, followed by the orgininal story published yesterday by Bob Kronbauer from Vancouver Is Awesome.article continues below Trending Stories Vancouver High on Life vloggers die in Shannon Falls tragedy Greater Vancouver home prices to drop 21 per cent by 2019 analysis Beware the season of the BC Ferry Cab Share Canada launches app changing taxi travel Thursday July 19, 2018A statement from Jonathan Simkin;Last week I tweeted something about the Juno Awards that I wish to speak to. Upon reflection, I can see that the comments were horribly insensitive, and I understand why some people have been hurt by those words. It was not my intent to cause hurt, or to cause people who feel disenfranchised to feel even more disenfranchised. To those people, I apologize. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

asylum seekers: On Monday, the federal Conservative Party posted then deleted a tweet showing a Black man with a suitcase walking into Canada superimposed on a January 2017 tweet from Trudeau that welcomed refugees and ended with diversity is our strength, according to Toronto Star. A group of asylum seekers arrive at the temporary housing facilities at the border crossing in St. On Twitter last year, Conservative MP Michelle Rempel said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau needed to address the illegal border crossing crisis. Bernard-de-Lacolle, Que., in May. In Toronto, a constant and deepening problem providing public and affordable housing for those who need it has been reimagined as one weighed down by too many refugees. Ryan Remiorz / The Canadian Press In Ontario, MPP Lisa McLeod has followed through on Premier Doug Ford's promised hostility to the federal government and to migrants. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

adrienne clarkson: In a statement, Clarkson lauded Atwood's luminous literary career and social activism at the local, national and international levels, according to CTV. The prize will be presented in Toronto on Sept. 26. The annual prize, named for former governor general Adrienne Clarkson, is awarded annually to an individual who has demonstrated commitment to the principles of inclusion and belonging. In addition to the dozens of honours her works have received, Atwood won the Peace Prize of the German Book Trade, the Franz Kafka Prize, and PEN Center USA's Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017. She is a dynamic force in the world today, Clarkson said in a statement Wednesday announcing Atwood as the winner. A stalwart of Canada's literary scene, the 78-year-old has penned more than 50 books, two of which were recently revived for the small screen with serialized adaptations of The Handmaid's Tale and Alias Grace. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

cape breton: You won't see me at the casino or down at the fire hall, according to The Chronicle Herald. It was 2002, he had a one-year-old son and lobster gear he'd just taken over from his father. I was never much of a gambler, said Burns. What the Margaree Harbour fisherman didn't have was 120,000 to buy three crab traps worth of quota to add to the handful he'd taken over with his dad's licence. In the past week, nearly 30 million worth of the cold water crustacean have come over Cheticamp's wharves. And what neither he nor anyone else knew at the time was how valuable the crustacean would become to Cape Breton's west coast. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

griselda: They were hungry, after being given what they say were frozen sandwiches and smelly food, according to CTV. Younger children cried in caged areas where they were crammed in with teens, and they clamoured for their parents. It was hard to sleep with lights shining all night and guards kicking their feet, they say. Toilets were filthy, and running water was scarce, they say. I didn't know where my mother was, said Griselda, 16, of Guatemala, who entered the U.S. with her mother in the McAllen, Texas, area. They waited, unsure and frightened of what the future might bring. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

production: However, not one of the 34 actors are Indigenous, according to Rabble. This is reminiscent of the Royal Winnipeg ballet's production, Going Home, chronicling the aftermath of residential school life. Quebec theatre director Robert Lepage is launching his newest production, Kanata -- effectively an accounting of the treatment of Indigenous peoples living in Canada by settlers. Not only did that production fail to include a single Indigenous dancer, but it was based on a story by the controversial novelist Joseph Boyden with music composed by Greek-Canadian Christos Hatzis. Once more, not his story to own and tell. And, how about master storyteller and Canadian conservation pioneer Grey Owl or should I call him by his real English name, Archibald Stansfeld, who, according to the publishers of his collected works, is heralded as a great Native Canadian who used Native storytelling as a vehicle for environmental activism and awareness. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

nova scotia: Soon after arriving in Nova Scotia a little more than two years ago, the family patriarch began making chocolate again from a small workshop at their new home, according to CTV. With soaring demand, Peace by Chocolate went on to open a large, modern factory in Antigonish in Sept. 2017. After the Hadhad family's Damascus chocolate factory was destroyed in a 2012 bombing, they fled to Lebanon where they spent three years in a refugee camp. They now employ more than 20 people. Hadhad is now a sought-after speaker and his family's business has even been heralded by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as an example of what newcomers add to Canada. I want Canadians to feel the importance of peace, of understanding each other, the chocolatier's son and company spokesperson Tareq Hadhad told CTV News. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

ontario minister: That breaks a federal-provincial agreement and leaves Toronto holding the bag, according to Toronto Star. Lisa Mac Leod, the Ontario minister responsible for immigration, must work cooperatively with Ottawa and other provinces to ensure Canada's refugee system continues to be among the best in the world. It was bad enough when Doug Ford's government announced that it would not cooperate with Ottawa and Toronto to manage the influx of asylum-seekers from the U.S. that is straining the city's shelter system. Colin McConnell / Toronto Star But then Lisa Mac Leod, the minister responsible for immigration, abdicated any responsibility for fixing the system her government was only too happy to attack. Why the theatrics Because she was offended that federal Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen called out the Ontario government for its divisive and dangerous language on the issue of asylum-seekers. She abruptly left a meeting with her federal and provincial counterparts focused on immigration and refugee issues, and then petulantly refused to sign the concluding communique. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

trump: Remember Charlottesville Trump infamously opened his dark soul for all to see last August when he said both sides were to blame for the violent and deadly events in the Virginia college town, according to The Chronicle Herald. On one side were a bunch of Confederate flag-waving, knuckle-dragging white supremacists and on the other were people who opposed racism, ignorance and hatred. Last summer's presidential blockbuster was, in my view, worse than this year's. Trump tried his hand at so-called moral equivalencies this week in Helsinki and again wound up on the dark side of the moon. Here's a sad reality of America it is a greater political risk to cozy up to the Russian dictator than to the Ku Klux Klan. This time, he sided with Russia's thuggish head oligarch, Vladimir Putin, over American spies, its Justice Department and special counsel Robert Mueller. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

undocumented immigrants: Vancouver police have drafted guidelines intended to ensure undocumented immigrants can talk to them without risking deportation, according to Toronto Star. However, advocates say the rules would change nothing, and merely pay lip service to protecting immigrants. The guidelines direct officers not to ask about the immigration status of a witness, complainant or victim, and not to enlist the assistance of Canada Border Services Agency on these investigations unless there is a legitimate reason to do so. Carmine Marinelli / Vancouver 24ho Those reasons may include when Crown counsel requires the information for court, when the individual needs to go into witness protection, when the information is necessary to prove essential elements of an offence or to ensure public safety. Jason Robillard said in a statement. We feel that this group may be reluctant to approach police because they fear their immigration status would be uncovered, Sgt. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

benjamin perryman: In my view, it should not have taken this long for the government to see the injustice in pursuing deportation against Mr, according to Vancouver Courier. Abdi, but better late than never. Benjamin Perryman said Wednesday that Abdi told him he nearly fainted when he saw the tweet late Tuesday night from Goodale that said the government respects the decision filed on July 13 by the Federal Court concerning Abdoul Abdi. article continues below Trending StoriesR.I.P. Uncle Fester Stinky flower goes flaccid Vancouver Coastal Health orders Trout Lake closed to swimming City adopts policy to tackle land speculation on Vancouver's Broadway corridor Richmond's off-street prostitution rings highlighted by deportation case His initial response was one of disbelief, said Perryman in an interview. Last week, a Federal Court judge set aside a decision to refer Abdi's case to a deportation hearing, finding Ottawa did not take his charter rights into consideration. But, he believes it means the federal government is dropping deportation proceedings altogether, something he called a fantastic result for Mr. Perryman said learning the news about Abdi from a tweet was unorthodox, and he has not yet received official confirmation from the public safety minister's office. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

cabinet post: Trudeau faces complications from populist governments at home in Ontario under Doug Ford's Progressive Conservatives and in the United States under President Donald Trump, according to Vancouver Courier. Ford has clashed with Ottawa over the strains posed by an influx of irregular border crossers from the U.S. into Ontario, a problem that has also affected Quebec. Blair's move to the front benches in the newly created cabinet post of minister of border security and organized crime reduction also gives Justin Trudeau a new ally in a much broader ideological battle combating what the prime minister calls the politics of fear practised by conservatives at home and abroad.article continues below Trending StoriesR.I.P. Uncle Fester Stinky flower goes flaccid Vancouver Coastal Health orders Trout Lake closed to swimming City adopts policy to tackle land speculation on Vancouver's Broadway corridor Richmond's off-street prostitution rings highlighted by deportation case Blair was one of five MPs promoted to cabinet in Wednesday's shuffle, a pre-emptive move by the Liberals to prepare for the next federal election in 15 months. The escalating tariff war and uncertainty over the future of the North American Free Trade Agreement not to mention the complete breakdown in personal relations between Trump and Trudeau has diminished Canada-U.S. relations. He will face challenges in both settings. Blair's new job will bring him face to face with provincial premiers as well as politicians south of the border. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

deportation case: The shakeup will boost the profiles of more members of Trudeau's team, which has long relied on his personal brand, ahead of next year's federal election.article continues below Trending StoriesR.I.P. Uncle Fester Stinky flower goes flaccid Vancouver Coastal Health orders Trout Lake closed to swimming City adopts policy to tackle land speculation on Vancouver's Broadway corridor Richmond's off-street prostitution rings highlighted by deportation case The moves also look to reinforce possible weak spots, according to Vancouver Courier. In one key change, Trudeau confidant and long-time MP Dominic LeBlanc moved from fisheries to intergovernmental affairs, elevating him into a higher-profile role that's destined to become particularly turbulent. In Wednesday's shuffle, the prime minister gave new portfolios to six ministers and expanded his cabinet by promoting five other MPs to his front benches. As a result, Canadians should expect to see a lot more of LeBlanc. The federal-provincial dynamic is set to become more confrontational for Trudeau's Liberals following the recent election of Ontario's Progressive Conservative government led by Premier Doug Ford. At the helm of the unpredictable provincial relations file, the sometimes-pugnacious politician will have more bureaucratic powers at his fingertips with support from several departments. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

government respects: The Canada Border Services Agency detained Abdi who was never granted Canadian citizenship while growing up in foster care in Nova Scotia after he served about five years in prison for multiple offences, including aggravated assault, according to National Observer. Last week, Justice Ann Marie McDonald sent the matter back for redetermination'' by a different delegate of the public safety minister. The announcement comes days after a Federal Court judge set aside a decision to refer the case of Abdi to a deportation hearing, saying Ottawa did not take his charter rights into consideration. ; In a tweet on Tuesday evening, Goodale says the government respects the decision filed on July 13 by the Federal Court concerning Abdoul Abdi. Abdi, who was born in Saudi Arabia in 1993, lost his mother in a refugee camp when he was four and came to Canada with his sister and aunts two years later. He was moved between foster homes 31 times. He was taken into provincial care shortly after arriving in Canada. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

toronto police: I've already reached out today to offer my congratulations and I look forward to meeting with him soon. https //t.co/rABFAKYwxr Lisa Mac Leod Mac Leod Lisa July 18, 2018On Wednesday Trudeau promoted Blair a former Toronto police chief who had been handling the legalization of cannabis as a parliamentary secretary to the minister of justice to be minister of border security and organized crime reduction, according to National Observer. That includes responsibility for irregular migration, a term used to describe the thousands of people who have crossed the border into Canada from the United States at non-official entry points. Since being sworn in last month, Ontario Premier Doug Ford's government has accused the Trudeau Liberals of creating a mess of Canada's refugee system and claiming the Liberals encouraged illegal border crossers. ; Ford's cabinet minister Lisa Mac Leod, responsible for immigration, declined last week to join a panel of the country's immigration ministers, instead standing at the back of the room before trading barbs with federal Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen.I enjoyed a productive chat with Bill on Sunday during our flight from Ottawa to Toronto and was pleased to drive him home. Many of those people have claimed asylum. I've already reached out today to offer my congratulations and I look forward to meeting with him soon, she wrote. MacLeod played down the drama in a tweet, saying she enjoyed a productive chat with Blair when they flew together from Ottawa to Toronto and was pleased to drive him home. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

colin ross: Josh Paterson, executive director of the association, said Monday he is concerned the board will not look beyond the police department's investigation, whatever the findings may be, according to Vancouver Courier. Paterson suggested an independent organization be sought to consult with Indigenous and black people most directly affected by the checks. That investigation, which was ordered by Police Chief Adam Palmer last month, will conclude with a public report and go before the Vancouver Police Board's service and policy complaints review committee Sept. 20.article continues below Trending Stories Compact discs whither Not so fast, say Vancouver indie record stores Meet Colin Ross, a survivor of the opioid crisis Minimum wage increases go into effect June 1 across B.C. Vancouver High on Life vloggers die in Shannon Falls tragedy The board will then decide whether it wants a further investigation into the complaint lodged by the B.C. Civil Liberties Association and the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs, or to dismiss the complaint with reasons. That way, the public would have a more objective sense of what the data means. It has the appearance of bias. The board should not be making a decision on an issue as complex as this with only a VPD report to guide them as to what to do, Paterson said. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

achievement award: It's named for the late U.S. diplomat who brokered the 1995 Bosnia peace accords reached in Ohio, according to CTV. Sharon Rab, founder and chairwoman of the peace prize foundation, said Irving's books often show the tragedy of a lack of empathy and sympathy for our fellow humans ... through books -- especially Irving's books -- readers learn to understand and identify with people different from themselves. Dayton Literary Peace Prize officials chose John Irving, whose first novel, Setting Free the Bears, was published 50 years ago when he was 26, for the Richard C. Holbrooke Distinguished Achievement Award. Irving's all-time bestselling novel, A Prayer for Owen Meany, examines faith, fate and social justice through the intertwined lives of two boyhood friends. The National Book Award-winning The World According to Garp was made into a movie starring the late Robin Williams, and Irving won an Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay for the movie version of The Cider House Rules, which deals with issues including abortion. Often using humour to illuminate deep topics, Irving's works have included bisexual, homosexual and transgender people. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.