domenic cuccione: She said the union of the two choirs is significant because there aren't many gospel choirs left in Canada, and both of them have lasted for decades, according to Vancouver Courier. Toronto's choir celebrated its 30th anniversary in October, and Nova Scotia's choir isn't far behind at 26. The Toronto Mass Choir is in Halifax for the first time to perform a Saturday night show with the Nova Scotia Mass Choir, and members from both ensembles gathered on the Halifax waterfront to give onlookers a taste of what they do.article continues below Trending Stories Seth Rogen apologizes for use of blackface on Vancouver set Domenic Cuccione to be invested with OBCRemains of missing Australian woman found in lake near Whistler These countries are coming to help fight B.C. wildfires We want to make a splash in Halifax, said Karen Burke, Toronto director and conductor. Though both choirs began with mostly black members, they now have a mix of people from all sorts of backgrounds, with Burke saying the Toronto choir has members from South Korea, Jamaica, South Africa and India. When we come together, it's evidence of the power of the music and also what happens when people get together for one purpose. We're celebrating the fact that cultures are together, so it's an inter-provincial, but also a multicultural expression of gospel music, Burke said. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

anti-racist majority: We, the anti-racist majority, will rally to say no to Islamophobia and racism. 1 30 pm, according to NOW Magazine. This date marks one year since the horrific events in Charlottesville, NC when neo-Nazis rampaged, killing Heather Heyer and injuring many others. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

border security: The money was announced in June as part of a 50-million commitment to Quebec, Ontario and Manitoba to help cover some of the costs they have borne as a result of the ongoing spike in asylum seekers crossing the Canada-U.S. border irregularly, according to National Observer. Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen said in June the money was meant as a first instalment to the provinces. Bill Blair, federal minister of border security and organized crime reduction, says talks will continue between the city and federal officials on longer-term solutions that could include further financial support for temporary housing for asylum seekers.. ; Blair made the comments this morning after a meeting with Toronto Mayor John Tory, who has raised the alarm about the strain asylum seekers have been putting on the city's shelter system. In total, 36 million was promised to Quebec, 11 million to Ontario and 3 million to Manitoba. ; Last week, the Ontario provincial government requested 200 million from the federal government to pay the costs of asylum seekers living in Ontario, including other areas in the province such as Ottawa. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

community picnic: Rather, according to Statistics Canada, it is people of colour, notably Blacks, Muslims, Arabs, Indigenous people and Asians, who have been attacked and brutalized in Canadian communities, according to Rabble. It is Muslims who have recently been the target of violence, and even murder.CBC Radio One recently highlighted five racial attacks. Nevertheless, contrary to what groups like B'nai Brith Canada would have us believe, the main targets of harassment and violence in Canada are not Jews. None involved Jews. Two white brothers shouted, Fucking Arab people -- terrorists! as they kicked his car. First was the brutal assault which all but cost the life of a 39-year-old man in Mississauga who tried to drive home from a community picnic in a park on July 15. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

detention centre: HERIKA MARTINEZ / AFP/GETTY IMAGES Maria holds her 4-year-old son Franco after he arrived at the El Paso International Airport Thursday, July 26, 2018 in El Paso, Texas, according to Toronto Star. The two had been separated for over six weeks after being entering the country. Migrant teenagers play football at a temporary detention centre at Tornillo, Texas, near the Mexico-US border on June 18, 2018. RUBEN R. RAMIREZ / The El Paso Times via AP Leticia Zamarripa, a spokeswoman for ICE, disputed the account, saying a group of fewer than 50 fathers and children staged a brief sit-in on Thursday but there has been no mass protest or hunger strike. But Jennifer Falcon, communications director for the immigrant advocacy group, said about 300 men and 300 boys are participating in an ongoing protest, with adults not eating or drinking and children declining to participate in school activities. Zamarripa said in an emailed statement that the protesters dispersed after an ICE supervisor explained immigration processes to address concerns they had raised about their cases. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

fiscal-capacity issues: Further, if they do say or post anything remotely controversial, heartfelt apologies are to be immediately made while offending statements are to be removed from public view, even if such statements offer factual truths required to raise public awareness and foment serious discussion of critical health and fiscal-capacity issues, according to The Chronicle Herald. Also, apparently, electoral representation actually means toeing the party line and doing no more than acting as a robotic mouthpiece for the governing party's actions and preferences. First of all, it is now made perfectly clear that any backbencher keen to advance his or her political career must avoid at all costs saying anything that might upset or offend some voters. Are these qualities that citizens want and expect from the people they elect to represent them I expect not. Apparently, suggesting that citizens have duties and responsibilities when it comes to their province's state of affairs is potentially offensive and, as such, not even to be whispered. Rather, citizens would prefer straight-talking representation that doesn't recoil at the prospect of giving offence when sincerely addressing critical public-interest issues such as the impact of escalating health-care costs on the capacity of government to fund schools, highway repairs, social needs and other public services. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

immigration officers: They were, we had been given the impression, among the 700,000 Rohingya Muslims who had fled northern Rakhine state in Burma for Bangladesh last year in an exodus the United States and other countries condemned as ethnic cleansing, according to Toronto Star. A Rohingya Muslim behind barbed wire in the Taung Pyo border area between Burma and Bangladesh, in Maungdaw Township, Burma, July 26. Inside, a row of men sat huddled against the wall as armed police and immigration officers stood over them. Dozens of Rohingya Muslims have been repatriated, officials said, thanks to the good will of the Burmese government, but like nearly every interaction on a recent government-led trip for journalists to the epicentre of the crisis, cracks appeared in the official story line. But like nearly every interaction on a recent government-led trip for journalists to the epicenter of the crisis, cracks appeared in the official story line. ADAM DEAN / The New York Times Now, dozens had been repatriated, officials said, thanks to the goodwill of the Burma government, which wanted to show off its commitment to welcoming back the Rohingya and the rows of barracks it had prepared for the returnees. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

housing crunch: A refugee family from Nigeria that has stayed in Toronto shelters since February will move to a four-bedroom apartment near Finch Ave, according to Toronto Star. W. and Weston Rd. in September. Like thousands of others who crossed the Canada-U.S. border and made their way to shelters in Toronto, they found themselves squeezed in a housing crunch that has become a focal point for both a public backlash and a political spat. Some people think that we come here to take money from your government, said Adenike, 38. We don't want to take up the shelter space. That's just not the case. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

philippe couillard: That perception problem will weigh on both Justin Trudeau and Philippe Couillard, Patriquin says, according to CTV. In Trudeau's case, he is still fairl popular and the Conservative Andrew Scheer will try to pick at issues like this one that he is perceived to be soft on. He says people fear and exaggerate the unknown, particularly when it is highlighted often in the media. Couillard and the provincial Liberals, meantime, are on the downswing and will see the immigration and identity issue play right into the CAQ's hands, he says. Watch the video for the complete interview. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

roe v: The other was a speech before a conservative group in which he spoke admiringly of Justice William Rehnquist's dissent in the 1973 Roe v, according to The Chronicle Herald. Wade case that established a woman's right to abortion. One was in a dissent in the case of a 17-year-old migrant seeking to terminate her pregnancy. Yet the big question about Kavanaugh's view on abortion remains unanswered whether he would vote to overturn Roe. Decades of Kavanaugh's writings, speeches and judicial opinions, reviewed by The Associated Press, reveal a sparse record on abortion. He'll almost certainly decline to answer when he is asked directly at his confirmation hearing. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

sex acts: The case was first reported by Pro Publica, according to The Chronicle Herald. Authorities charge that Pacheco performed sex acts on two boys and touched six others, all between ages 15 to 17 at the time. Court documents show Levian Pacheco faces several charges stemming from incidents that allegedly took place between August 2016 and July 2017 at a Southwest Key facility in Mesa. Court documents also state that Pacheco is HIV-positive and that some of the teens opted to be tested for the virus. His federal public defender has said in court documents that the government's allegations of the crimes committed by Pacheco include an extraordinarily broad range of dates and lack of specificity. Pacheco has pleaded not guilty and denied the allegations. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

effect june: The case was first reported by Pro Publica.article continues below Trending Stories Seth Rogen apologizes for use of blackface on Vancouver set Minimum wage increases go into effect June 1 across B.C. Vancouver records worst week for overdose deaths this year Snowbirds air show part of entertainment lined up for Honda Celebration of Light Authorities charge that Pacheco performed sex acts on two boys and touched six others, all between ages 15 to 17 at the time, according to Vancouver Courier. Court documents also state that Pacheco is HIV-positive and that some of the teens opted to be tested for the virus. Court documents show Levian Pacheco faces several charges stemming from incidents that allegedly took place between August 2016 and July 2017 at a Southwest Key facility in Mesa. Pacheco has pleaded not guilty and denied the allegations. We are looking forward to defending Mr. His federal public defender has said in court documents that the government's allegations of the crimes committed by Pacheco include an extraordinarily broad range of dates and lack of specificity. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

immigration committee: The total adds up to more than 270 million up to the end of June, according to National Observer. Canada Border Services Agency CBSA which manages border security, reports it spent about 54.5 million between April 2017 and June 2018. The figures were requested by parliamentary budget officer Jean-Denis Frechette in early July and were recently released to members of the immigration committee. ; All four agencies involved in dealing with irregular migration submitted amounts they have spent every month since early 2017 when the influx of asylum seekers began to ramp up. The agency said it did not have comprehensive data prior to that period because the numbers of irregular asylum seekers in previous years were small and mainly only being tracked manually. The Immigration and Refugee Board IRB an arms-length agency that adjudicates refugee claims and appeals, began tracking irregular migrants in February 2017. The Immigration Department, meanwhile, has spent over 117 million since early 2017 and the RCMP says it has spent over 7.3 million since June 2017. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

person: Once the person has bought their transit fare other members of the group follow them and distract the person by bumping into them or engaging them in conversation, according to Vancouver Courier. The suspect then steals the victim's wallet or purse and uses their debit or credit card to make large purchases. Police have investigated 10 incidents where Sky Train passengers have had their wallets or purses stolen by two men and a woman.article continues below Trending Stories Seth Rogen apologizes for use of blackface on Vancouver set Vancouver records worst week for overdose deaths this year Vancouver High on Life vloggers die in Shannon Falls tragedy Lifetime bans introduced for weapons infractions at Granville Street bars In each case, one or more members from the group will offer to help someone at the ticket vending machine with the goal of getting close enough to watch the person enter their debit or credit card PIN number. Police say some of the victims have lost over 5,000. This incident occurred at Broadway-City Hall Canada Line Station on July 15, 2018. Police have released an edited video, Anatomy of a Distraction Theft of one of the incidents involving these three suspects. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

ryerson university: Elsewhere, colleges like Humber and Seneca are offering language classes, advising services and bridging programs, while the University of Toronto's School of Continuing education has courses that encourage internationally educated English-as-a-second language professionals to brush up on pronunciation, writing, and grammar for the workplace, according to NOW Magazine. Two former Humber and Ryerson students are now gainfully employed, thanks to their courses. Thankfully, there are many educational options to usher newcomers into employment, such as Ryerson University's Workplace Communication in Canada program, which teaches job search techniques, in-office communication and more. Muhammad Sultan arrived in Toronto from Abu Dhabi and found himself in a bridging program, and is now working at Black Berry. She's currently passing along her knowledge to help other newcomers at ACCES Employment, which helps job seekers integrate into the Canadian job market. Kinana Issa came from Syria and attended Ryerson's WCC program. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

vancouver records: The other was a speech before a conservative group in which he spoke admiringly of Justice William Rehnquist's dissent in the 1973 Roe v, according to Vancouver Courier. Wade case that established a woman's right to abortion.article continues below Trending Stories Richmond's off-street prostitution rings highlighted by deportation case Lifetime bans introduced for weapons infractions at Granville Street bars Seth Rogen apologizes for use of blackface on Vancouver set Vancouver records worst week for overdose deaths this year Yet the big question about Kavanaugh's view on abortion remains unanswered whether he would vote to overturn Roe. One was in a dissent in the case of a 17-year-old migrant seeking to terminate her pregnancy. He'll almost certainly decline to answer when he is asked directly at his confirmation hearing. That leaves the migrant case, known as Garza v. Decades of Kavanaugh's writings, speeches and judicial opinions, reviewed by The Associated Press, reveal a sparse record on abortion. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

asylum seekers: Ottawa announced the so-called triage system in April following concerns raised by the province of Quebec over an influx of asylum seekers flooding temporary housing facilities in Montreal, according to Toronto Star. Ryan Remiorz / THE CANADIAN PRESS file photo Ottawa announced the so-called triage system in April following concerns raised by the province of Quebec over an influx of asylum seekers flooding temporary housing facilities in Montreal. The federal government says it's working with individual municipalities across Ontario and must identify available housing capacity before it can roll out its triage program. Since then, Toronto has also seen a spike in refugee hopefuls converging on its homeless shelters and college dormitories. Ottawa's response was the promised triage system, which would identify asylum seekers interested in settling in areas outside Montreal or Toronto to await the outcome of their refugee claims. Both Quebec and Toronto have called on the feds for help. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

border security: All four agencies involved in dealing with irregular migration submitted amounts they have spent every month since early 2017 when the influx of asylum seekers began to ramp up, according to CTV. The total adds up to more than 270 million up to the end of June. The figures were requested by parliamentary budget officer Jean-Denis Frechette in early July and were recently released to members of the immigration committee. Canada Border Services Agency CBSA which manages border security, reports it spent about 54.5 million between April 2017 and June 2018. The Immigration Department, meanwhile, has spent over 117 million since early 2017 and the RCMP says it has spent over 7.3 million since June 2017. The agency said it did not have comprehensive data prior to that period because the numbers of irregular asylum seekers in previous years were small and mainly only being tracked manually. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

nova scotia: She says the program is innovative because as of next Tuesday her officials can scan the pool of potential immigrants in the federal program, and pick and choose those it wants to nominate based on their qualifications, according to CTV. The Office of Immigration says it anticipates sending as many as 180 letters of interest to prospective applicants for its nominee program next week. Lena Diab, the minister responsible for the province's Office of Immigration, said Thursday its new program allows applicants to apply directly to Nova Scotia through the federal express entry program. Exact numbers will depend on who is available in the pool on the day of the draw. The province currently is permitted by Ottawa to nominate about 1,350 people a year through the provincial nominee program -- but has only used about half of its spaces so far this year. From there, letter recipients who are interested in working and living in Nova Scotia would respond to the letter of interest and be processed through the stream, said department spokeswoman Lynette Mac Leod. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

province: Nova Scotia announced today that the province is creating a special immigration program aimed at bringing in workers in sectors facing labour shortages, according to Toronto Star. INGRID BULMER / CP Lena Diab, the minister responsible for the province's Office of Immigration, says the program allows applicants to apply directly to Nova Scotia through the existing federal express entry program. The program announced today will initially be targeted at childcare workers, with plans to expand it to other professions. The province says it will choose the immigrants based on labour needs in the province. Article Continued Below react-empty 128 Read more about Nova Scotia, Halifax TOP STORIES, DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX.NEW NEWSLETTERHEADLINESSIGN UP Diab says in a news release the expectation is that the workers will help improve access to daycare services around the province. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

selection certificates: Instead, applicants will fill out a declaration of intent online and if they meet current economic needs, they'll be invited to apply for selection certificates, according to CTV. We will have a new system which will now allow us to pre-screen people who want to come and will evaluate these people based on what their work experience is, and what they bring to the table in terms of work experience and the system will allow us to match these people with our needs, explained Immigration Minister David Heurtel. As of Thursday, Quebec is setting aside its first-come-first-serve system, which involved a bureaucrat fully reviewing each application. The new system means that, for example, if there is a need for construction welders in Abitibi, in theory those candidates would be found in a matter of months, instead of two or three years as it stands right now. The Canadian Federation of Small businesses said the new policy is a step in the right direction, but more needs to be done. There are currently about 100,000 jobs that need to be filled in the province, an issue employers have been sounding the alarm on for several years. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

triage system: Ottawa announced the so-called triage system in April following concerns raised by the province of Quebec over an influx of asylum seekers flooding temporary housing facilities in Montreal, according to The Chronicle Herald. Since then, Toronto has also seen a spike in refugee hopefuls converging on its homeless shelters and college dormitories. The federal government says it's working with individual municipalities across Ontario and must identify available housing capacity before it can roll out its triage program. Both Quebec and Toronto have called on the feds for help. But the system has not materialized and Ottawa says it is still working on it. Ottawa's response was the promised triage system, which would identify asylum seekers interested in settling in areas outside Montreal or Toronto to await the outcome of their refugee claims. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

tuesday: He was arrested and charged Tuesday with molestation of a child, sexual abuse and aggravated assault, according to Toronto Star. Police say Fernando Magaz Negrete, an employee of a nonprofit organization that houses immigrant children separated from their parents at the border, kissed and inappropriately touched a 14-year-old girl staying at one of the group's facilities in west Phoenix. Fernando Magaz Negrete, a 32-year-old employee of federal contractor Southwest Key Programs, is accused of slipping into the girl's room late at night and forcibly kissing and inappropriately touching her, according to court documents. Maricopa County Sheriff's Office via the Associated Press A spokesperson for Southwest Key Programs, which operates dozens of shelters across the country for migrant children, said the employee has been terminated. That's what happened in this case. When a child tells us of inappropriate behaviour, we immediately call law enforcement and start an internal investigation as appropriate, the spokesperson, Jeff Eller, said in a statement to The Washington Post. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

something i: A part of Drake's OVO crew before it even had a name, he disappeared to quietly serve a four-year sentence unbeknownst to all but his closest family and friends, according to NOW Magazine. The dark turn in his life forced him to ponder what he would do once he had served his time. Five years ago Akil Heywood was in prison. Raised on the carnival experience both in Toronto, where he was born, and his parents' birthplace of Trinidad and Tobago Heywood eventually found a way to change his life. I can do a lot to help the festival, and it'll give me a career, something I can do that's not affected by my criminal record. I thought, I want to start a mas band!' he says. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

border: The total adds up to more than 270 million up to the end of June, according to Vancouver Courier. Canada Border Services Agency CBSA which manages border security, reports it spent about 54.5 million between April 2017 and June 2018. The figures were requested by parliamentary budget officer Jean-Denis Frechette in early July and were recently released to members of the immigration committee.article continues below Trending Stories Seth Rogen apologizes for use of blackface on Vancouver set Vancouver records worst week for overdose deaths this year No hormones, no plastic straws and now no meat A&W goes beyond' burgers Body found in water off Wreck Beach All four agencies involved in dealing with irregular migration submitted amounts they have spent every month since early 2017 when the influx of asylum seekers began to ramp up. The agency said it did not have comprehensive data prior to that period because the numbers of irregular asylum seekers in previous years were small and mainly only being tracked manually. The Immigration and Refugee Board IRB an arms-length agency that adjudicates refugee claims and appeals, began tracking irregular migrants in February 2017. The Immigration Department, meanwhile, has spent over 117 million since early 2017 and the RCMP says it has spent over 7.3 million since June 2017. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

entry program: The Office of Immigration says it anticipates sending as many as 180 letters of interest to prospective applicants for its nominee program next week, according to Vancouver Courier. Exact numbers will depend on who is available in the pool on the day of the draw. Lena Diab, the minister responsible for the province's Office of Immigration, said Thursday its new program allows applicants to apply directly to Nova Scotia through the federal express entry program.article continues below Trending Stories Seth Rogen apologizes for use of blackface on Vancouver set Vancouver records worst week for overdose deaths this year No hormones, no plastic straws and now no meat A&W goes beyond' burgers Hell hotel finds new life as haven She says the program is innovative because as of next Tuesday her officials can scan the pool of potential immigrants in the federal program, and pick and choose those it wants to nominate based on their qualifications. From there, letter recipients who are interested in working and living in Nova Scotia would respond to the letter of interest and be processed through the stream, said department spokeswoman Lynette Mac Leod. Diab said during a news conference at a daycare that the expectation is that workers recruited under the program will help improve access to daycare services around the province. The province currently is permitted by Ottawa to nominate about 1,350 people a year through the provincial nominee program but has only used about half of its spaces so far this year. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.