Category: Nation

Global, Nation, Reel SpinLeave a comment

TIFF TOP FIVE: SPARKLE, SIZZLE & SHINE

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TIFF stands with women in front of and behind the camera. In the film industry, like any other, women play different roles as actresses, film directors, film producers cinematographers, and other film industry professionals. Due to cinegoers, film lovers and the movies they champion, these past years have been incredible for women.
Some of the top films that were screened at TIFF this year, were women centric, either in lead roles or in the creative aspect.

Presenting the ‘Top 5’ films in my opinion, based on screenplay, acting, and theme.

A STAR IS BORN

Hollywood’s most enduring story of love and ambition gets a glorious reinvention in Bradley Cooper’s A Star Is Born. Drawing deep on the pleasures audiences previously discovered in the 1937, 1954, and 1976 versions, Cooper brings the narrative right up to the present. He takes on the role of the fame-weary star himself and, for the ingénue with megawatt potential, he crafts a perfect big-screen role for Lady Gaga.
As an actor, Cooper has worked with Clint Eastwood and David O. Russell; here he shows both Eastwood’s unfussy economy and Russell’s emotional intensity. But the style is entirely his, finding its biggest moments in scenes between just two people, and stripping away any excess to showcase Gaga’s confident, honest performance. Both intimate and epic, this is a love story that hovers between the shadow of tragedy and the bright light of artists at their peak. Continue reading “TIFF TOP FIVE: SPARKLE, SIZZLE & SHINE”

Community, NationLeave a comment

Nirmala Armstrong: Councillor, Contributor, Leader, Lawyer

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Regional Councillor Nirmala Armstrong is a popular, well-respected person not only in the City of Markham, but the entire GTA and beyond. In addition to being the first South Asian woman to become Regional Councillor, she is also a highly regarded lawyer who has been a sole practitioner for 20 years and was also a lecturer in the Faculty of Family Law for the Ontario Bar Admission at the Law Society of Upper Canada.

Ever since being elected as a Regional Councillor for the City of Markham in 2014, Nirmala Armstrong has worked tirelessly within the community to serve the members. She has been a recipient of several awards, including the ‘Inspiring Women Award from ANGEENA International Non-Profit Organization, the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medals for outstanding contributions to the community at large.

The initiatives and accomplishments of Nirmala Armstrong are far too many to describe, so suffice it to say that she has worked on projects like ending ‘Youth Homelessness’, raising awareness about ‘Domestic Violence Against Women’, promoting participation of women in sports etc. Continue reading “Nirmala Armstrong: Councillor, Contributor, Leader, Lawyer”

Lifestyle, NationLeave a comment

More Families to Reunite in Canada

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To help reunite even more parents and grandparents with their families in Canada, the Government of Canada announced that we will accept up to 20 000 applications for the
sponsorship of parents and grandparents, in 2019. This is 4 times the number of applications accepted when the program reopened in 2014, when the cap was set at 5000 applications.
This decision to increase the number of applications that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will accept for processing is a result of continually high demand in the Parents
and Grandparents (PGP) Program and the fact that we have significantly reduced the backlog of applications. The inventory has dropped from a peak of 167 000 people, in 2011, to just under 26
000 people, in June 2018.

After increasing the 2018 cap to 17 000 complete applications, IRCC sent a second round of invitations to randomly selected potential sponsors who submitted an Interest to Sponsor form in
early 2018. Those invited to the second round have until October 5, 2018, to submit a complete application.

Minister Hussen also announced that, as a result of listening to stakeholders and closely examining the PGP Program, the government is making further changes to the application intake
process that will streamline access to the program and improve client experience. Using this modified intake process will give the government more flexibility in the application
process, ensuring that we receive as many applications as possible. Continue reading “More Families to Reunite in Canada”

Business, NationLeave a comment

Amazon creates hundreds of jobs in Ottawa

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Every time you click to buy something online, the many people working behind the scenes help get that product to your doorstep. From receiving orders to packaging and shipping, e‑commerce provides new job opportunities for the middle class and people working hard to join it.

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today visited the future site of Amazon’s new 92,900 square-metre warehouse in Ottawa’s east end. The facility will create over 1,500 construction jobs, and over 600 full-time jobs once it opens.

With the fastest-growing economy in the G7, Canada is a top destination for businesses to invest, grow, and create jobs. The Government of Canada has welcomed many important global investments that have created thousands of good, middle class jobs for Canadians. Today, the country’s unemployment rate is at its lowest level since the 1970s.

Amazon’s expansion will continue to create good, middle class jobs, and offer new opportunities for Canadians to prepare for the jobs of tomorrow.

“I am thrilled that Amazon has once again chosen to invest in Canada, and build its next fulfillment centre in Ottawa. This new centre will create over 600 good, middle class jobs for Canadians while further establishing Canada as a hub of tech and innovation.”

—The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada Continue reading “Amazon creates hundreds of jobs in Ottawa”

Community, India, NationLeave a comment

Panorama India to mark India’s Independence Day by showcasing India’s culture and heritage

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INDIA DAY FESTIVAL AND GRAND PARADE EXPECTED TO DRAW OVER 50,000 PEOPLE AT CITY HALL

  More than 50,000 people are expected to converge at Nathan Philips Square to celebrate the 19th Annual India Day Festival and Grand Parade on Sunday, August 19, 2018.   Organized by Panorama India, with the support of Consulate General of India, the all-day event to celebrate India’s culture and heritage will present music and dance performances, a kids zone and an international bazaar with 100 kiosks exhibiting fashion, jewellery, handicrafts and an array of food.  The King of Bhangra Malkit Singh, Indo-Canadian singer Parichay and Indian Actor Pukhraj Bhalla will be on hand to perform for the massive crowds.

The event kicks off with the National Anthem at 1pm followed by the Grand Parade, marshalled by Bollywood actor Jimmy Sheirgill.  According to organizers, the grand parade will have 20 floats representing the various States of India put together by the diverse number of cultural groups in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). The parade will begin at Nathan Phillips Square, journey west to University Avenue, turning North to Dundas, East to Yonge Street, South to Queen Street and culminating back at City Hall.

Consul General of India in Toronto, Amb. Dinesh Bhatia will preside over the India Day event with participation from several political dignitaries from all levels of government. Continue reading “Panorama India to mark India’s Independence Day by showcasing India’s culture and heritage”

Global, Nation, SportsLeave a comment

Inaugural Global T20 Canada Shows Potential  of Twenty20 Cricket in North America

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Strong performances by Canadian cricketers achieved key mandate of developing Canadian talent

Vancouver Knights’s victory Sunday in the Global T20 Canada (www.gt20.ca) championship match capped off a successful inaugural edition of the six-team league and provided glimpses of the potential of the first Twenty20 league to be fully staged in North America.

Played before a sellout festive crowd at Maple Leaf Cricket Club, the final, between Vancouver and Cricket West Indies B team, showcased the exciting Twenty20 form of cricket. On this stage, fittingly, a Canadian, Saad Bin Zafar made Canadian sporting history producing the performance of his career knocking in 79 runs to lead the Knights to the title, and the champion’s prize of C$500,000.

“Global T20 Canada brought the excitement of pro T20 cricket to Canada, along with many of the world’s top stars,” said Gurmeet Singh, Chairman, Global T20 Canada. “The final in front of a packed stadium and millions of fans watching via TV and streaming shows the sport’s potential not only in Canada, but also in North America, and we plan to achieve many more great milestones in future editions.”

Bin Zafar’s man of the match performance highlighted a strong showing by Canadians in the tournament, achieving one of the league’s key mandates of developing Canadian talent. Continue reading “Inaugural Global T20 Canada Shows Potential  of Twenty20 Cricket in North America”

Articles, Community, Lifestyle, NationLeave a comment

CARABRAM 2018: Cultures, costumes, cuisines!

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Carabram, Brampton’s Multicultural Festival has expanded. This year they included a central site at South Fletcher’s Sportsplex, to showcase additional cultures, music and food as well as an International Bazaar. In addition, The World of Food Pavilion was part of the central site as well an International Market Bazaar with artisans and commercial vendors from Arabia, Latin America, Pakistan, Hawaii, Ukraine and Nepal.

A small stage was set up to present music, dance and songs, as well as demonstrations including Ted Talk style presentation. The Main stage, beside World of Food, continued to showcase top entertainment from around the world.

Carabram, Canada’s oldest cultural festival was on July 13, 14, and 15 at eight venues across the city. In addition to the new South Fletcher’s site, there were pavilions located throughout the city. Canada returned to the UNIFOR Local 1285 Hall,

Caribbean and China were at Chris Gibson Recreation Centre. The rhythm of the islands, the pulsating beats of the drums and the steel band made the audiences sway to the reggae music and whine to the calypso singers. At the China Pavilion, entertainment   included Lion Dance , Kung Fu (Wushu), Qipao fashion show, GuZheng (Chinese Zither), Tai Chi and Taekwondo. Continue reading “CARABRAM 2018: Cultures, costumes, cuisines!”

Community, India, NationLeave a comment

Canada India Foundation’s Higher Education Forum

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Canada India Foundation (CIF) will be organizing a Higher Education Forum on July 5 and 6 at the Pearson Convention Centre, Brampton ON

Announcing this at a media conference held in Toronto Wednesday June 27, Mr. Ajit Someshwar, Chair, CIF, said, “The CIF is organizing a forum on Higher Education because the education sector has emerged as priority sector for both Canada and India.”

Mr. Someshwar said the sector is worth $20 billion annually in Canada. Pertinently, in 2018, more than 120,000 international students from India will choose Canada for their higher education needs, making Canada the fourth most popular destination for Indian students seeking higher education.

Delineating the objectives of the Forum, Mr. Someshwar observed that the Forum’s vision is to reshape higher education with emphasis on innovation and to create opportunities for development and growth between Canada and India.

Mr. Anil Shah, National Convener, CIF, informed media representatives about the CIF’s upcoming Annual Global Indian Award Gala that is also being held on July 6 evening at the Pearson Convention Centre.

He said, annually, the CIF recognises and honours a prominent achiever who has championed the transformation of developing economies, Continue reading “Canada India Foundation’s Higher Education Forum”

Community, Lifestyle, NationLeave a comment

The City of Markham launches Indigenous History Month celebrations

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Today, the City of Markham launched celebrations for Indigenous History Month with a special ceremony that featured a friendship dance and ceremony of laying down the sacred medicine of tobacco. Indigenous Art Educator, J’net Ayayqwayaksheelth, was joined by Sue Croweagle to lead the celebration at the Markham Civic Centre.

“Celebrating the achievements of Canada’s Indigenous Peoples is an opportunity to listen to their stories, learn from their experiences and recognize the outstanding contributions of Indigenous communities,” says Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti. “At the City of Markham, we believe in building and nurturing strong bonds with our Indigenous communities, and I am proud that together, we have been able to create those connections through mutual respect, trust and cooperation.”

National Indigenous History Month is recognized during the month of June, providing the unique opportunity for municipalities across Canada to join together and take action towards reconciliation. Markham supports Indigenous History Month through the City’s award-winning  Diversity Action Plan – Everyone Welcome.

“In recognizing the history of Indigenous Peoples, Markham is demonstrating our gratitude to be able to call Turtle Island home,” says Cheryl McConney-Wilson, Senior Diversity, Accessibility, Wellness and Recognition Specialist at the City of Markham. Continue reading “The City of Markham launches Indigenous History Month celebrations”

Global, NationLeave a comment

Prime Minister concludes successful trip to London

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During his visit, Prime Minister Trudeau met with the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Theresa May, to grow the already strong economic and trade partnership between our two countries. The two leaders restated their commitment to a seamless transition on free trade as the UK exits the European Union.

They later participated in a security meeting, alongside the Prime Minister of New Zealand, Jacinda Ardern, and the Prime Minister of Australia, Malcolm Turnbull, to discuss pressing international issues, including cybersecurity, the situation in Syria, and how we work together to keep our countries and communities safe.

While in London, the Prime Minister was received by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace, where he thanked her personally for her continued dedication and service to Canada.

At an event hosted by the Mayor of London, Sadiq Aman Khan, and the Fawcett Society, Prime Minister Trudeau joined Mayor Khan, Prime Minister Ardern, and young people from across London to mark the 100th anniversary since the first women received the right to vote in the UK, and discuss the importance of gender equality.

At CHOGM, the Prime Minister underlined Canada’s commitment to address climate change, protect our oceans, and deliver economic growth that creates jobs and benefits everyone. He also reiterated the need to strengthen the Commonwealth’s role in protecting and promoting universal values of democracy, human rights – including LGBTQ2 rights – and the rule of law. Continue reading “Prime Minister concludes successful trip to London”