Canada Welcomes 150,000th New Citizen of 2014

Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, Chris Alexander, announced that Canada has welcomed its 150,000 new citizen of 2014. This is around double the number compared with the same period last year.

The relative increase compared with 2013 can be attributed to a couple of factors. First, the government has made efforts to reduce backlogs and improve processing times. Second, many permanent residents anticipating the government’s changes to the Citizenship Act, which would extend the length of time a resident must reside in Canada before making his or her citizenship application, rushed to file their citizenship applications before the changes took effect.
"Our government is proud to welcome more new citizens to the Canadian family,” said Minister Alexander at a citizenship ceremony in Scarborough, ON, on August 18. “The increased number of new Canadians in 2014 is an indication that our government's changes to the citizenship system are working. With our recent changes to the Citizenship Act, we will see improved processing times and high numbers of new Canadians taking on the rights and responsibilities that come with citizenship."

Most Canadians Don’t Know How Many Immigrants Enter Canada

An annual tracking survey by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) has found that the majority of adult Canadians don’t know how many landed immigrants are admitted by Canada every year.

Canada admits around 250,000 landed immigrants per year, but only nine per cent of responders to the survey gave a number remotely close to that figure. One-third of responders thought the figure was below 100,000.

Despite a general lack of awareness among Canadians of the overall number of newcomers given permanent status each year, responders were still prepared to offer an opinion on whether there were too many, too few, or about the right number of immigrants coming to Canada. Of the 3,016 responders, 26 per cent said there were too many, 10 per cent said too few, and 52 per cent stated that the present number is about right.

The poll, conducted by Harris/Decima between Feb. 7 and Feb. 20, 2014, has a margin of error of plus or minus 1.78 per cent, 19 times out of 20.

Alberta Pilot Program For Specific Occupations Not Renewed By Federal Government

The Government of Canada has allowed the Alberta Pilot Program for occupation-specific work permits, which allowed employers in certain to hire from overseas without the need for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), to lapse.

The program, part of the wider Temporary Foreign Worker Program, allowed Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) to issue work permits for certain skilled jobs in high demand in Alberta. These positions included steamfitters, pipefitters, estimators, welders, heavy duty equipment mechanics, iron workers, millwrights and industrial mechanics.

The program had been under scrutiny since the Alberta Federation of Labour made it known publicly that it was against its continuation, alledging that it led to workplace communication problems and unsafe conditions.

It is not known presently whether the program, or one similar to it, will be reintroduced in the future. Alberta has provided the largest number of jobs in Canada in recent years, and labour shortages in certain industries are expected in the coming years.

Temporary Foreign Worker Applications Fall By 74%

The month of August, 2014 saw a drop by nearly three quarters on the same month in 2012 in the number of applications made to hire temporary foreign workers.

Speaking during Question Period in the House of Commons in Ottawa, Employment Minister Jason Kenney stated that "We announced a fundamental sweep of reforms to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program earlier this year to ensure that it is used as a last and limited resort and that Canadians always come first in the workforce.

"Since those reforms were announced we've seen a 75-per-cent reduction in the number of applications in temporary foreign workers on the part of employers,” added Mr. Kenney, who used to hold the Citizenship and Immigration portfolio within the Government of Canada.

New rules for hiring temporary foreign workers introduced in June make it more difficult for employers to hire internationally, requiring them to meet strict criteria to ensure Canadians are first in line for jobs.

mga kabayan check this newest toys store

mga kabayan suportahan natin ang kapwa natin pilipinong may sariling website .sila ang bagong toy store online you can check there website at  

http://www.fgdtoyscollectibles.com/home.html

salamat sa inyong pagtangkilik

mabuhay tayong mga pilipino

Max’s Restaurant Cuisine of the Philippines is coming to Edmonton, Alberta, Canada!

MAXS RESTAURANT NOW IN EDMONTON ALBERTA CANADA

WELCOME KABAYAN

Makati City, Philippines – Max’s Restaurant Cuisine of the Philippines, known as “The House that Fried Chicken Built”, is opening a new house in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The formal signing held at Makati City Philippines with franchisees Mr. Nelson and Mrs. Estrella Rodriguez marks the 3rd branch to be opened in Canada. “We’re excited to bring Max’s Restaurant to the community. We believe that Max’s can bring back fond memories of home for Filipinos and excitement to the palettes of those who have not tasted Philippine Cuisine.” says Mr. Rodriguez.  In photo are (Left to Right) Robert Trota, Sharon Fuentebella, Bill Rodgers – Max’s Restaurant Board of Directors, Mr. Nelson Rodriguez with wife Estrella and kids.

HERE IS THE ADDRESS IN EDMONTON

Max's Edmonton Branch

Nexus Business Park
11650 142 Street NW,
Edmonton, AB T5M 1V4 
Tel # 780-868-9502
 
maxs.edmonton@maxschicken.com

TO ALL FILIPINOS IN EDMONTON WE WELCOME 

MAX'S RESTAURANT 

AS PART OF OUR COMMUNITY MABUHAY

good news mga kabayan we have claim a new territory

Benham Rise: PH's new territory off Aurora

MANILA, Philippines – Imagine an area bigger than the Philippines' biggest island, Luzon, that potentially contains steel-producing minerals and natural gas for domestic consumption or exportation.

This is Benham Rise, a 13-million hectare area off the coast of Aurora province, which the United Nations (UN) recently confirmed as part of the Philippines' continental shelf and territory.

UNDERWATER PLATEAU. Found near Aurora, the 13-million hectare Benham Rise is part of Philippine territory. Screen grab from a document the Philippines submitted to UN

“We own Benham Rise now,” Environment Secretary Ramon Paje said in a media interview, quoted in a Philippine Daily Inquirerstory Saturday, April 28. “This is for future Filipinos.”

Unlike Scarborough Shoal and other portions of the South China Sea, no other country claims the area that is almost a quarter bigger than the 10.5-million hectare Luzon.

The UN approval means Benham Rise, an underwater plateau by definition, is an extension of the Philippines' continental shelf, an area rich in living and non-living resources like minerals and gas.

Based on the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the continental shelf comprises the seabed and subsoil of the submarine areas 200 nautical miles (NM), or 370 kilometers, from a State's baselines or “edges.” Parts of the continental shelf that are not covered by the 200 NM provision, according to UNCLOS, need to be claimed and defended before the UN Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (UNCLCS).

The UNCLCS approved Benham Rise as the Philippines' extended continental shelf 3 years after the country filed a claim and defended it before the UN commission. (The UNCLCS was formed under UNCLOS.)

CONTINENTAL SHELF. This is a diagram of a continental shelf in its classical definition. UP's Jay Batongbacal, however, says Benham Rise is different because it is an independent feature, an underwater plateau, attached to the normal continental shelf. Screen grab from 'Continental Shelf: The Last Maritime Zone,' www.unep.org

It is now up to the Philippines to enact a law or executive order establishing the boundaries of its continental shelf, marine law expert Jay Batongbacal told Rappler.

More resources

With this, he said, the Philippines can explore and exploit resources in a bigger area of seabed.

“The larger your shelf, the larger your potential resources are,” explained Batongbacal, a University of the Philippines professor who took part in the technical team that prepared and defended the Philippines' claim over Benham Rise.

Batongbacal said based on two initial samplings in the area, Benham Rise keeps a large amount of heavy metals like manganese, whose accumulation into manganese nodules can help in the production of steel, among other things.

Considering the area is a seabed, which is known to contain gas hydrates, Benham Rise is also potentially a rich source of natural gas, he said.

He noted, however, that Benham Rise – which is 2,000 to 5,000 meters deep – “has not really been explored.”

In an earlier interview, Paje trumpeted the region's oil-rich potential. “We've been saying this in the past. This country can provide for its own energy,” the secretary said.

He added it can also open opportunities for the Philippines to export natural gas.

FIRST VICTORY. This is the Philippines' first victory for territorial claims under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. Screen grab from a document the Philippines submitted to UN

First for PH

This is the Philippines' first successful validation of a territorial claim under UNCLOS, according to a paper on Benham Rise prepared by parties privy to the claim.

UNCLOS, incidentally, is the same UN convention the Philippines is invoking in its ongoing dispute with China over Scarborough Shoal. (Read: Scarborough Shoal according to Manila, Beijing.)

Regarding Scarborough Shoal, China has repeatedly rejected the Philippines' invitation to bring the two countries' dispute to the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea, another body formed under UNCLOS.

Batongbacal, for his part, sees hope in the recent UN approval. (Below is the information the Philippines submitted to the UN in claiming Benham Rise.)

click this link
documents proof that we own the land

filipinos who become famous in hollywood and around the globe..proud to be filipino...

1. Nicole Scherzinger — Pussycat Doll, X Factor judge, and your mega-fierce pinsan.

Michael Buckner / Getty Images

Nicole’s dad was Filipino, but her parents split when she was a baby. She changed her surname from Valiente to Scherzinger when her stepfather adopted her.

2. Sharon Leal — Dreamgirl and your talented actressate.

Alberto E. Rodriguez / Getty Images

Sharon’s mom is Filipino and her dad was an American military policeman, but they broke up before Sharon was born.

3. Kevin Nadal — author, comedian, and your overachieving Ivy Leaguer kuya.

JJ Casas / Via sdgln.com

Kevin was born into a Filipino family in Santa Clara, California. He rose to fame when he started an online petition against ABC when they made Philippine med schools the butt of a joke on Desperate Housewives.

4. Bruno Mars — singer-songwriter and your super-suave kapatid who rocks at karaoke.

Kevin Winter / Getty Images

Bruno was born Peter Gene Hernandez to a Filipino mom and a Puerto Rican-Jewish dad and grew up in Hawaii. Most likely loves Spam.

5. Christine Gambito — celeb YouTuber and your hilarious auntie who does spot-on impersonations of your dad.

Via thepican.com

Christine, aka HappySlip, is a YouTube star thanks to her comedy skits about her Filipino family. She was born in Virginia and is a super mom to her own three kids.

6. Alec Mapa — actor, comedian, and your fun titowho takes you out shopping.

Gary Gershoff / Getty Images

Alec was born in San Francisco to a Filipino family. He’s best known for his roles onUgly Betty and Desperate Housewives.

7. Lea Salonga — Tony-winning actress, Disney legend, and your fab tita who plays video games with you.

Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images

Lea originated the leading role in the musical Miss Saigon when she was discovered in the Philippines as a teenager and won a Tony Award for her performance.

8. Jose Llana — musical theater actor and your coolninong who takes you to Broadway shows.

Joan Marcus

Jose was the only native-born Filipino to be cast in a new concept musical about Filipinos, Here Lies Love.

9. Vanessa Hudgens — actress and your youngerkapatid whose musicals you always saw in high school.

Pascal Le Segretain / Getty Images

Vanessa grew up with an American dad and a Filipino mom. “I love Filipino food,” she told the Philippine Inquirer in 2007. “I love halo-halo, pancit, and adobo. I eat rice every day.” Girl gets it.

10. Allan Pineda — Black Eyed Pea, rapper, and your awesome Grammy-winning kuya.

Allen Berezovsky / Getty Images

Better known as apl.de.ap of the Black Eyed Peas, Allan was born in Pampanga, Philippines, to a Filipina mother and an American father.

11. Charlyne Yi — actor, comedian, and the bunso who will shave her head for laughs.

Kevin Winter / Getty Images

…while singing “Nothing Compares 2 U” by Sinéad O’Connor. She was born to a Filipino mother in Los Angeles.

12. Jo Koy — comedian, Chelsea Lately panelist, and your brother-in-law who brings the 30-rack of San Miguels to the party.

laughspin.com

Born Joseph Glenn Herbert, Jo took up “Jo Koy” as his stage name, originally a nickname his Filipino mom gave him.

13. Manila Luzon — drag queen, RuPaul’s Drag Racealum, and your favorite nin@ng.

D Dipasupil / Getty Images

Born Karl Westerberg, Manila’s mother is Filipino. She fashioned her drag name from the capital city of the Philippines (Manila) and the country’s largest island (Luzon).

14. Enrique Iglesias — Platinum-selling artist and your really hot kuya all your friends have a crush on.

Chris McKay / Getty Images

Enrique was born in Madrid to the Spanish singer Julio Iglesias and the Filipino journalist and socialite Isabel Preysler.

15. Caterina Fake — founder of Flickr and your ninangwho always goes, “Uy! Picture, picture!”

Via vev.ru

Caterina was born in Pennsylvania to a Filipino mother. She graduated from Vassar College in 1991 before launching Flickr in 2004.

16. Ben Cayetano — fifth governor of Hawaii and yourlolo who will sneak you ube ice cream behind your mom’s back.

Deborah Booker / Via the.honoluluadvertiser.com

Ben is the first Filipino-American governor in the United States. His father Bonifacio moved from the Philippines to Hawaii where he raised Ben.

17. Monique Lhuillier — fashion designer and your glamorous tita who will create your wedding gown.

Alberto E. Rodriguez / Getty Images

Monique was born in Cebu City to the high-society Lhuillier family that owns a chain of pawn shops in the Philippines. She received the Philippine Medal of Honor in 2006.

18. Lou Diamond Phillips — Tony-nominated actor and your dad’s best pare.

Frazer Harrison / Getty Images

Lou was born at the Subic Bay U.S. Naval Station in Zambales, Philippines, to a Filipino mom and an American military dad.

19. Hailee Steinfeld — Oscar-nominated actress and your pamangkin who will go so far.

Mark Davis / Getty Images

Hailee’s maternal grandfather is Filipino and her mother is Filipino interior designer Cheri Domasin-Steinfeld.

20. Vanessa Minnillo-Lachey — actress, model, and your gorgeous ate who did beauty pageants.

Astrid Stawiarz / Getty Images

Vanessa was born in Angeles City, Philippines, to an American father and a Filipino mother to whom she’s estranged.

21. Jose Antonio Vargas — Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and your kapatid who will fight for your immigration rights.

Donald Bowers / Getty Images

Jose became an immigration activist after he penned a personal essay in The New York Times about moving from the Philippines and growing up without proper legal documentation in California.

22. Jessica Hagedorn — playwright and your funkylola who will impart life lessons over a pot of her delish adobo.

Brad Barket / Getty Images

Jessica was born in Manila to parents who were both half-Filipino. She wroteDogeaters, a novel that illustrates the experiences of the Filipino diaspora. It earned a National Book Award nomination and an American Book Award.

23. Cassie — singer, dancer, and your ate who taught you how to dance hip-hop while it was raining in the streets.

Pascal Le Segretain / Getty Images

Cassie’s dad is Filipino — her last name is Ventura — and she grew up in Connecticut.

24. Rob Schneider — actor, comedian, and your wise-cracking tito whose questionable jokes you laugh at anyway.

Noel Vasquez / Getty Images

Rob’s grandmother was a Filipino and married his grandfather, an American army private, while he was stationed in the Philippines.

25. Shannyn Sossamon — actress and your hippinsan who named her son Audio Science.

Pascal Le Segretain / Getty Images

Really, though; and her second son’s name is Mortimer. Shannyn cites a mix of ethnicities as her heritage, Filipino among them.

26. Darren Criss — actor, musician, and your other hot, nerdier kuya who all your friends have a crush on.

Alberto E. Rodriguez / Getty Images

Darren’s mom was born in Cebu, Philippines. During a recent trip to the Philippines, he told Spot.ph, “All of my aunts are like, ‘Darren, eat! You’re so thin; eat!’” Sounds about right.

27. Charice Pempengco — songstress and your out-and-proud pinsan who is proud of her heritage and sexuality.

Via nickutopia.com

Charice grew up in Laguna, Philippines, and rose to fame with the help of Ellen DeGeneres and Oprah Winfrey. She recently came out as gay on the Philippine talk show The Buzz.