In the Soviet Union, there were no businesses, much less businesswomen. Inna Mikhailov worked as a librarian and lived a simple life in Ukraine before the USSR collapsed in 1991. But with her country’s newfound independence came a lack of security for Mikhailov and her family. Eventually, they made the difficult decision to leave. Four months [...]
Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) are largely a success but minimum language proficiency standards are necessary to reduce incidents of immigration fraud, Canada’s immigration minster, Jason Kenney, said late last month. PNPs have allowed provinces to nominate immigrants for permanent residence according to regional labour needs rather than relying on federal economic immigration programs, which take [...]
A religious group that was publicly ousted six years ago by the BC Muslim Association has finally ended their search for a suitable meeting place. Led by the controversial Imam Fode Drame, the Zawiyah Foundation has recently moved into a commercial property off Southeast Marine Drive in Vancouver. In 2005, The BC Muslim Association fired [...]
George Patrikeeff collects antique books, whispers Orthodox prayers, paints portraits of poets and drinks tea from a samovar on a glass veranda. Every half hour a mantlepiece clock chimes a melody reminiscent of the Russian “God Save the King” to help him keep track of the time. “My own home, my own country inside,” said [...]
A Vancouver-based dance class for refugee children is offering daycare and connection for families recently arrived in the country. The program, offered by Arts Umbrella and Immigrant Services Society of B.C., is one of Canada’s only arts services for refugee children in their first few weeks of transition. “I had some misgivings about what the [...]
New biometric Canadian passports are expected to arrive in 2011, but at this point, there remain more questions than answers surrounding the new high-tech travel documents. During the Speech from the Throne on March 3, the Conservative government repeated its intent to revive the development of . The new passports will include a microchip implanted [...]
Known as the longest undefended border in the world, the frontier between Canada and U.S. is becoming more of a headache to get across these days. Many Canadians spend time on both sides of the border, and for many of them, getting back and forth isn’t what it used to be. Brynne Morrice is one [...]
Irma Morgan is getting ready to celebrate the 80th anniversary of Roma Hall, a society that was instrumental in helping her integrate into Canada when she emigrated from Italy in 1953. Back then, the hall was called the Italian Mutual Aid Society, and helped to settle new immigrant Italian families in Vancouver. Its purpose was [...]
Meet the the 4-11 Multicultural Seniors’ Choir. Once a week, 32 members – ranging in age from 55 to 92 – come together at a downtown seniors’ drop-in center in Vancouver to sing. English is the common language, but the seniors don’t mind trying out all kinds of tunes. This choir is only a few [...]
Most Canadians consider this country a welcoming haven for refugees, with good reason. Last year, more than 20,000 refugees became permanent residents of Canada – 9 per cent of all immigrants. Just under half are sponsored refugees, approved by the government before arriving. The remainder are accepted only after they or a family member came [...]
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