Home - Communities - LoonLounge - Blogs - General Canada

One thing about the Internet is - it's always changing. In many cases, where you once could find information, it's missing - 404 - file not found. This happens for a lot of reasons: web designers change the organization of a site, content is past its shelf life, resources get moved and no one bothers to update the links, technology changes.

This is the case recently with the CBC and its online news video content. A while back, I posted links to all the daily news feeds of "News at Six" for the different Provinces. Well, that info is now outdated, because CBC has redesigned its video player. The good news is, all the media is in one place now. So update your links to the following - http://www.cbc.ca/video/#/News/Canada and you can once again learn about the latest going on in the part of Canada that is of interest to you.

Follow The Expatriate Mind at - http://expatriatemind.blogspot.com

A few months ago I picked up a Kindle and have gradually been making the transition to e-books. One of the great things about having it is that I now have access to a number of free book collections, including Amazon Popular Classics, Archive.org Openlibrary and Project Gutenberg.

All of these sites have loads of Canadian content. Especially if you are a history buff. A quick search with the keyword "Canadian" in Openlibrary returned over 1,500 titles.

If you have an e-reader, do yourself a favour and take advantage of a great opportunity to learn a lot about Canada.

Links:
- Amazon Popluar Classics - http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=amb_link_40669842_101/?node=2245146011&rh=n%3A133140011%2Cn%3A!133142011%2Cn%3A2245146011%2Cn%3A154606011&bbn=2245146011
- Archive.org - http://www.archive.org/details/toronto
- OpenLibrary- http://openlibrary.org/
- Project Gutenberg - http://www.gutenberg.org/wiki/Main_Page

Follow The Expatriate Mind at - http://expatriatemind.blogspot.com/

"Last week, Minnesota Republicans announced they wanted to introduce an anti-immigration bill, similar to that passed by Arizona.

"We have an illegal immigration problem here in Minnesota," the bill's sponsor Steve Drazkowski (R-Mazeppa) explained to Politics in Minnesota (http://politicsinminnesota.com/blog/2010/05/drazkowski-introduces-immigration-bill-modeled-on-arizona-law/) . "We've had it for years."

"Finally. Unlike with Arizona, this bill is something I can fully applaud. There are an estimated 100,000 illegal immigrants in Minnesota, at least according to crack Republican estimators. And like Arizona, Minnesota has illegal immigrants pouring into the state because it also shares borders with another country. Unlike Arizona, however, that country is Canada."

Read the entire article here (by the way - it's satire...). http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-j-elisberg/an-illegal-immigration-bi_b_574890.html

Follow The Expatriate Mind at http://expatriatemind.blogspot.com

Reporting for The Star on April 10th, Richard J. Brennan wrote:

"The federal Conservative government has short-changed Ontario at least $193 million in promised money for immigrant settlement programs, the provincial government says.

"Ottawa agreed in 2005 to transfer $920 million over five years in new immigration funding to Ontario, ending March 31.

"But Ontario Citizenship and Immigration Minister Eric Hoskins says the money the province has received falls short of the original promise."

Read the entire article here - http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/791932--ottawa-short-changing-ontario-immigrant-programs-province

Follow The Expatriate Mind at - http://expatriatemind.blogspot.com/

A recent article in the Globe and Mail (http://www.theglobeandmail.com) describes the changes in Toronto's demographic profile, and shares concerns that some have over immigrants who live in ethnic enclaves, integrate poorly, take jobs away from "real Canadians" and so on. This is an interesting article because it takes time to explore both the pros and perceived cons of immigration as well as the burden visible minorities face regarding racism. It's an informative read, and I highly recommend it.

Read Joe Friesen's article here - http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/toronto/will-torontos-changing-demographic-become-a-burden/article1499420/

View a graphical breakdown of Toronto's racial mix highlighting data from 1961 and 2006, as well as projecting the mix in 2031 here - http://beta.images.theglobeandmail.com/archive/00532/todemographic_532441a.pdf

Follow the Expatriate Mind at http://expatriatemind.blogspot.com

There was a wonderful moment during the opening cerimonies at the olympics where Shane Koyczan, a Vancouver slam poet read his "We Are More" to the world. I think it does a wonderful job of summing up something of what Canada is, and what it means to be Canadian. Enjoy:

We Are More

by Shane Koyczan

When defining Canada
you might list some statistics
you might mention our tallest building
or biggest lake
you might shake a tree in the fall
and call a red leaf Canada
you might rattle off some celebrities
might mention Buffy Sainte-Marie
might even mention the fact that we've got a few
Barenaked Ladies
or that we made these crazy things
like zippers
electric cars
and washing machines
when defining Canada
it seems the world's anthem has been
" been there done that"
and maybe that's where we used to be at
it's true
we've done and we've been
we've seen
all the great themes get swallowed up by the machine
and turned into theme parks
but when defining Canada
don't forget to mention that we have set sparks
we are not just fishing stories
about the one that got away
we do more than sit around and say "eh?"
and yes
we are the home of the Rocket and the Great One
who inspired little number nines
and little number ninety-nines
but we're more than just hockey and fishing lines
off of the rocky coast of the Maritimes
and some say what defines us
is something as simple as please and thank you
and as for you're welcome
well we say that too
but we are more
than genteel or civilized
we are an idea in the process
of being realized
we are young
we are cultures strung together
then woven into a tapestry
and the design
is what makes us more
than the sum total of our history
we are an experiment going right for a change
with influences that range from a to zed
and yes we say zed instead of zee
we are the colours of Chinatown and the coffee of Little Italy
we dream so big that there are those
who would call our ambition an industry
because we are more than sticky maple syrup and clean snow
we do more than grow wheat and brew beer
we are vineyards of good year after good year
we reforest what we clear
because we believe in generations beyond our own
knowing now that so many of us
have grown past what used to be
we can stand here today
filled with all the hope people have
when they say things like "someday"
someday we'll be great
someday we'll be this
or that
someday we'll be at a point
when someday was yesterday
and all of our aspirations will pay the way
for those who on that day
look towards tomorrow
and still they say someday
we will reach the goals we set
and we will get interest on our inspiration
because we are more than a nation of whale watchers and lumberjacks
more than backpacks and hiking trails
we are hammers and nails building bridges
towards those who are willing to walk across
we are the lost-and-found for all those who might find themselves at a loss
we are not the see-through gloss or glamour
of those who clamour for the failings of others
we are fathers brothers sisters and mothers
uncles and nephews aunts and nieces
we are cousins
we are found missing puzzle pieces
we are families with room at the table for newcomers
we are more than summers and winters
more than on and off seasons
we are the reasons people have for wanting to stay
because we are more than what we say or do
we live to get past what we go through
and learn who we are
we are students
students who study the studiousness of studying
so we know what as well as why
we don't have all the answers
but we try
and the effort is what makes us more
we don't all know what it is in life we're looking for
so keep exploring
go far and wide
or go inside but go deep
go deep
as if James Cameron was filming a sequel to The Abyss
and suddenly there was this location scout
trying to figure some way out
to get inside you
because you've been through hell and high water
and you went deep
keep exploring
because we are more
than a laundry list of things to do and places to see
we are more than hills to ski
or countryside ponds to skate
we are the abandoned hesitation of all those who can't wait
we are first-rate greasy-spoon diners and healthy-living cafes
a country that is all the ways you choose to live
a land that can give you variety
because we are choices
we are millions upon millions of voices shouting
" keep exploring... we are more"
we are the surprise the world has in store for you
it's true
Canada is the "what" in "what's new?"
so don't say "been there done that"
unless you've sat on the sidewalk
while chalk artists draw still lifes
on the concrete of a kid in the street
beatboxing to Neil Young for fun
don't say you've been there done that
unless you've been here doing it
let this country be your first-aid kit
for all the times you get sick of the same old same old
let us be the story told to your friends
and when that story ends
leave chapters for the next time you'll come back
next time pack for all the things
you didn't pack for the first time
but don't let your luggage define your travels
each life unravels differently
and experiences are what make up
the colours of our tapestry
we are the true north
strong and free
and what's more
is that we didn't just say it
we made it be.

Tomorrow is a day hundreds of Canadian athletes and millions of Canadians have been waiting for: the Opening Day of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver! We get to watch our finest take part in a competition that’s all about representing your country on the world stage, and this year, that stage is set right here at home.

It would be an understatement to say that I am a sports nut. To me, this is like Christmas all over again.

I’m not alone.

All over this country, we’ve been watching the Olympic Torch make its way across Canada, we’ve been reading stories about the athletes and their struggles to make it to this point, we’ve been waiting for the moment our top sportsmen and women put on their skates, skis, protective helmets, etc. and show the world what they’ve got.

That’s not the best part, however. The best part, in my opinion, is all the other athletes from more than 80 countries who are coming to Canada to show us what they’re made of, too.

This country is known for welcoming people from all over the world who arrive here and put their education and skills to use and keep our society moving forward.

And hosting the Olympics is the perfect symbol for that.

"Canadian Heritage is responsible for national policies and programs that promote Canadian content, foster cultural participation, active citizenship and participation in Canada's civic life, and strengthen connections among Canadians. "

At this site you can learn about Canadian arts, culture, citizenship, multiculturalism, as well as government events and initiatives. Explore well over 100 different subjects and topics related to Canada. I think the site is a great resource.

Available in both official languages (English and French).

Go to the Canadian Heritage website - http://www.pch.gc.ca/

Follow The Expatriate Mind at http://expatriatemind.blogspot.com