MIREMS Blog

Multicultural Must Read: Questions for Federation of Black Canadians comittee leader

12/14/2018

"Judging Justice Donald McLeod's Intentions"

The twice-monthly Caribbean Montreal Community Contact reports:

Judge McLeod was central to a number of outreach initiatives towards politicians, including meeting with Prime Minister Justine Trudeau to heighten awareness on issues facing Blacks across Canada, as one of the founders and interim chairperson of the Federation of Black Canadians (FBC) committee. His efforts landed him in front of the Ontario Judicial Council, the body that investigates and disciplines provincial court judges, following a complaint that he “failed to uphold the integrity, impartiality and independence of the judiciary when he communicated with, and met with politicians on behalf of FBC, and inappropriately used the power and prestige of his judicial office to advance the interests of the FBC and lent the prestige of the judicial office to FBC fundraising.” The hearings got underway on November 30 and the panel will seek to determine if Judge McLeod’s intentions in his advocacy role were to educate politicians and policy makers on the conditions that confront Blacks, or to lobby for resources on behalf of his group.
(10/12/2018).

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Multicultural Must Read: Top auto-theft trucks

12/13/2018

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Cantonese: "Ford F-series trucks are the most often stolen vehicles in Canada, insurers say"

Fairchild TV Ontario reports:

Auto theft is up six percent across the country, according to a report released Tuesday by the Insurance Bureau of Canada. New Brunswick tops the list with a 28 percent increase, followed by Ontario with a 15 percent increase, Quebec, up seven percent, and Alberta, up 6 percent — the highest per capita increase in Canada. The IBC, a national association that represents Canada's private auto insurers, reported the increases in its annual report looking at Canada's most frequently stolen vehicles. Ford F-Series pickup trucks and high-end SUVs top the list this year. (11/12/2018)

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Multicultural Must Read: Huawei CFO controversy

12/10/2018

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While mainstream media reporters cover the international-relations rift opened up by the arrest of Chinese Tech giant Huawei’s CFO, Meng Wanzhou, Canadian multilingual and multicultural sources have also been reporting on the story. Unsurprisingly, of the 56 stories reported and collected by MIREMS consultants from December 1 to December 10, more than half—30—of the stories came from Chinese sources. Followed by Mandarin with 10 and Cantonese with seven.

Photo via Apple Insider

Chinese: "Canada's arrest of Huawei's Meng Wanzhou"

Sing Tao Vancouver reports:

At the request of the United States, Canada arrested Meng Wanzhou, Chief Financial Officer of China's Huawei Technologies. Stephanie Carvin of Carleton University said that as a result of the arrest, China may take innocent Canadians hostage for its own purposes, so Canadian business leaders in China should leave that country right now. (07/12/2018)

Cantonese: "China calls on Canada, U.S. to release Huawei CFO after she was arrested in Vancouver"

Vancouver's CHMB AM 1320 Cantonese reports:

China called on Canada and the U.S. Thursday to release the chief financial officer of the Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei Technologies after she was arrested this past weekend and demanded they clarify the reason for the arrest. (06/12/2018)

Chinese: "Canada's arrest of Huawei's Meng Wanzhou"

Ming Pao Toronto reports:

Canada arrested Meng Wanzhou of China's Huawei Technologies at the US' request. Chinese web-users left over 10,000 messages on the blog of the Canadian embassy in China, saying that Canada is the "dog" of the United States. (07/12/2018)

Korean: "Concerns over the arrest of Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou"

Vancouver's The Korea Daily reports:

At the request of the US, Huawei founder Ren Zhengfei's daughter was arrested in Vancouver, and Ottawa's Chinese embassy strongly spoke against Canada's legal system for arresting a Chinese citizen who did not break Canadian laws. It is possible that China will retaliate with economic measures against Canada. Considering the strong Chinese presence in Canada, and that Canada has been considering East Asia as a way to be less economically dependent on the US, Canada's act of arresting Meng is a dangerous choice.
(08/12/2018)

Chinese: "Huawei CFO Wanzhou Meng arrested in Vancouver"

Chinese web source 51.ca reports:

The investigation by U.S. authorities has revealed a conspiracy between and among Meng and other Huawei representatives to misrepresent to numerous multinational financial institutions, including a global financial institution which conducts business in the U.S. (“Financial Institution 1”), Huawei’s business practices, particularly Huawei’s control of Skycom in or about and between 2009 and 2014. Specifically, Meng and other Huawei representatives repeatedly lied about the nature of the relationship between Huawei and Skycom and the fact that Skycom operated as Huawei’s Iran-based affiliate in order to continue to obtain banking services from multinational financial institutions. (08/12/2018)

Chinese: "Chinese media call Canada’s treatment of Meng Wanzhou a 'violation of human rights'"

Ming Pao Toronto reports:

Chinese media 'Global Times' is reporting that Canadian authorities have been treating Meng Wanzhou, chief financial officer of Huawei Technologies, 'inhumanely.' The article also points out that '[if] Meng is refused bail and extradited to the US, Canada will get minimal gratitude from the US, but maximum opposition from China.' Meanwhile, some Chinese community organizations in Vancouver are urging Meng's release, saying the Canadian government should not extradite her to the US. (09/12/2018)

Chinese: "Canada arrests daughter of Huawei's founder in Vancouver"

Sing Tao Vancouver reports:

Upon request by the U.S., Canada arrested Meng Wanzhou, Chief Financial Officer of China's Huawei Techonologies, in Vancouver last Saturday. The Chinese embassy in Ottawa strongly protested the arrest of Meng, saying she had not violated Canadian or U.S. law and demanded her immediate release. U.S. Senator Marco Rubio urged PM Trudeau to bar Huawei from Canada's next generation 5G mobile network and extradite Meng to the US. (06/12/2018)

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Multicultural Must Read: Raj Grewal reconsiders

12/7/2018

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Punjabi: "Liberal MP Raj Grewal reconsidering his decision to quit politics"

A phone in on Toronto’s Punjabi talk show Gaunda Punjab CIRV FM 88.9 reports:

Satpal Johal After announcing his resignation due to a gambling problem, Liberal MP Raj Grewal is now reconsidering his decision to quit politics. He is not on the Liberal caucus now, the party confirmed. The host said though it is disappointing to see Grewal surrounded by controversies, as a human being, he is a good man. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau confirmed in October that Raj Grewal will be running again for the Liberals in Brampton East in the next federal election. Now he is not a member of the Liberal caucus any more. The Liberals are not saying anything about Grewal's seat as an MP. Journalist Satpal Johal said that maybe the Liberal party does not want to vacate the seat deliberately so that NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh is not able to run for that seat, which could be an easy win for Singh. (03/12/2018)

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Multicultural Must Read: Housing concerns

12/6/2018

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Cantonese: "B.C. has some of the highest rents, lowest vacancy rates in Canada: CMHC rental market survey"

Vancouver's Fairchild TV British Columbia reports:

The overall vacancy rate for rental apartments in Canada fell for the second year in a row, according to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Rental Market Survey released Wednesday. The vacancy rate was three per cent in 2017, but fell to 2.4% this year. The vacancy rate in B.C.’s primary rental market went up slightly to 1.4%, compared to 1.3% last year. (28/11/2018)

Spanish: "Availability of apartments to rent in Canada falls"

Montreal's Spanish news source Noticias Montreal reports:

For the second year in a row, available rental housing has fallen in Canada since demand grew more than supply. The data published this week by the Canada Mortgage Housing Corp indicate that this year's rate is at 2.4%, which is below the 3% rate recorded in 2017. (28/11/2018)

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Multicultural Must Read: Hate crimes on the rise

12/3/2018

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Punjabi: "Increase in hate incidents and federal government's access"

An editorial in Toronto's Canadian Punjabi Post writes:

"Recent statistics show that most reported hate crimes have been against Jews (18 percent), Muslims (17 percent), and Blacks (16 percent). A very surprising trend in recent years involves hate crimes targeting two Catholic groups along with other groups. Although there are no concrete statistics, White people are made responsible for targeting minority groups, but who targets the Catholic groups? Are they being targeted by minorities? The federal government is spending $23 million on an anti-racism strategy and holding roundtable meetings led by Heritage Minister Pablo Rodríguez. However, it is still not known why these meetings are not being discussed with the media. As well, the government still does not recognize the existence of systemic racism. The phrase "systemic racism" is not even in the Heritage Minister's vocabulary, and according to him, there is no racism in Canada. If this is the case, are the figures issued by the statistics department then incorrect or wrong? Also, is the federal government's $23 million being spent on an anti-racism strategy an extravagant expense? (30/11/2018)

Cantonese: "Hate crimes reached all-time high in 2017, Statistics Canada says"

Vancouver's Cantonese CHMB AM 1320 Cantonese reports:

The number of police-reported hate crimes reached an all-time high in 2017, largely driven by incidents targeting Muslim, Jewish and black people, according to Statistics Canada data released Thursday. The federal agency said hate crimes have been steadily climbing since 2014, but shot up by some 47% in 2017, the last year for which data was collected. In total, Canadian police forces reported 2,073 hate crimes – the most since 2009, when data became available. The increases were largely driven by incidents in Ontario and Quebec. (29/11/2018)

Spanish: "Hate crimes on the rise in Canada"

Spanish Radio program CHIN FM 100.7 Spanish reports:

Statistics Canada says that hate crimes reported to the police considerably rose last year, with incidents directed at people of colour, Jews, Muslims, representing the majority of the increase in Canada. (29/11/2018)

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Multicultural Must Read: Food trends

11/29/2018

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Somali: Goat meat is healthier than beef and chicken

Ottawa's daily online Somali source, Hiiraan, published an advertorial higlighting the cultural shifts influencing goat meat's rise in popularity:

You may have been eating goat roti or goat head soup your whole life, but for many, goat is still considered a “new” type of red meat. Goat meat is a staple in many cultures, including North African, Middle Eastern and Caribbean cuisines, said registered dietitian Anar Allidina. “Goat meat is a healthy alternative to beef and chicken because it contains fewer calories, fat, and cholesterol,” she said. In the U.S., the Department of Animal Science at Cornell University found only 0.25 pounds of goat meat was consumed annually per capita last year. A report from 2013 found interest in goat meat in Canada continued to rise (the number of goats on farms had doubled since 1996) as new immigrants came to the country, CBC reported. Besides the taste, there are several reasons why you should consider eating goat, if you have access to it. Three ounces of goat meat have about 122 calories, 0.79 grams of saturated fat and 3.2 milligrams of iron. This is compared to 179 calories, three grams of saturated fat and 2.9 milligrams of iron in beef. “Allidina said: “Goat meat is definitely superior nutritionally.” She added goat meat is very tender and can be prepared over low heat to preserve tenderness and juiciness. The one problem you’ll find with goat meat is accessibility, she said. Because it’s not sold in major grocery chains, you’ll have to venture out to a butcher or grocery store that sells Middle Eastern, Indian or Caribbean foods. (22/11/2018)

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Multicultural Must Read: Bribes, aid and journalism

11/26/2018

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Journlaism outlets across the country have been struggling and shuttering at a time when good story telling is vital to successful democracy. Is the Liberal's media-aid initiative the solution? And will local ethnic publishers see a boost too?

Mandarin: Liberal Party was criticized for using funds to bribe Canadian media

Cantonese news broadcast on Fairchild TV Ontario reports:

The Conservative party criticized the Liberal government for spending $600 million to help Canadian media right before the next federal election, without providing other benefits to other industries. The move has been deemed a bribe for the media. The federal government unveiled a $595 million package over five years to help Canada’s media sector, including measures to facilitate fundraising by non-profit news organizations and tax breaks to fund the production of original content. In addition, the government is proposing a temporary 15 per cent tax credit for Canadians on online subscriptions to some media outlets. (22/11/2018)

Cantonese: Ottawa to help struggling media with $600 million in tax measures

Vancouver's Ming Pao Vancouver reports:

Financial Minister Bill Morneau in Wednesday's fall economic statement announced that the federal government is going to help the struggling Canadian media industry with new tax credits and incentives valued at $600 million over the next five years. (22/11/2018)

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Multicultural Must Read: Child Poverty in BC

11/22/2018

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Tamil: Bolder action needed to reduce child poverty

Toronto's Tamil radio show CMR FM 101.3 Tamil Morning reports:

In its report, Campaign 2000, an anti-poverty advocacy group, says 1.4 million children are living in poverty in Canada, 29 years after the House of Commons voted to end child poverty by 2000. The report calls for the federal government to provide more funding to the provinces, territories and Indigenous communities to expand affordable, quality child care. Campaign 2000 acknowledges and appreciates the the introduction of important measures to tackle this problem, including boosting the Canada Child Benefit - a tax-free monthly benefit to help with living and child care costs - two years earlier than planned. But while this benefit does help low-income families, it does not fully address the need for better access to child care as a way to help lift families out of poverty, the national coordinator of the group says. (20/11/2018)

Cantonese: One in five kids in B.C. live in families that struggle to pay bills, rent and living expenses

Cantonese Fairchild TV British Columbia reports from Vancouver reports:

One in five children continue to live in poverty in British Columbia, according to the latest child poverty report card. The report, released by the First Call B.C. Child and Youth Advocacy Coalition on Tuesday, covers statistics from 2016. It found that poverty rates are higher than average among Indigenous children, immigrant children and children in visible minority groups. (20/11/2018)

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Multicultural Must Read: Somali candidates come up short

11/9/2018

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Somali: "All Toronto Somali-Canadians lost the municipal elections"

VOASomali radio in Washington reports:

Somali-Canadians in Toronto have recently been very successful in politics at both the federal and provincial level. They currently hold one of the most prestigious ministerial portfolios, citizenship and immigration. In the municipal elections, five Somali-Canadians ran for different positions on the city council and school boards. This was a first in history. However, none of the candidates was able to win a seat. The question on everybody’s mind is what the reason is for their failure. The candidates themselves gave their opinions on what happened. Deka Mohamed Barre, who ran for city council in Yorkville West, told VOA “we used to have 47 council seats in Toronto, and now that has been reduced to 25 council seats by Doug Ford and his PC party. And because of the judicial dispute among the political parties at Queen’s Park, the time for campaigning was reduced to only two months instead of ten months”. She claimed that there was a lot of corruption in this election. Deka is optimistic about her political future because she learned a lot of things from this election. Mohamed Ali is a candidate who ran for the Toronto District School Board, which is the third largest board in North America. He mentioned that there were some hidden political deals among none-Somalis, where they were supporting each other to get elected. Ali told VOA that many Somali community members who are eligible to vote did not come out to cast their ballots. He admitted that some candidates were inexperienced, unprepared or new to Canadian politics. Ali said, “I know in an election you should be ready to win or lose, and loosing is part of the game. Now I am more prepared to run for the next election.” In BC, Sharmarke Dubow, a Somali-Canadian, won a seat on the city council of Victoria. He competed against 29 candidates in a city with a small Somali population. “It was a very tough competition and the chance of victory was remote, but in the end, I was elected,” said Sharmarke. (30/10/2018)

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Multicultural Must Read: Canadian Heritage Racism Panel

11/6/2018

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Haitian: Mobilisation contre le racisme...derrière des portes closes

Haitian radio station CPAM 1410 AM - Reveil Matin in Montreal reports:

On apprenait la semaine dernière que c’est au tour d’Ottawa de lancer des consultations sur le racisme. Or voilà, la part du lion de cet exercice se déroulera à huis clos. D’ailleurs, c’est presque en catimini que le ministre du Patrimoine Pablo Rodriguez a lancé sa « mobilisation contre le racisme » sur le site de son ministère. Pourquoi donc a-t-on si peur de parler du racisme et de la discrimination au pays ? Nous avons beau nous réconforter collectivement de vivre dans une société tolérante et inclusive. Ce n’est pas une raison pour s’imaginer que tout va pour le mieux dans le meilleur des mondes. Au bureau du ministre Rodriguez, on défend le choix de tenir ces consultations à huis clos. On explique que l’on veut avant tout s’assurer que les organismes et intervenants qui viendront témoigner se sentiront à l’aise de parler librement. On comprend surtout qu’Ottawa a tiré des leçons des dérapages passés. Rappelez-vous la tentative avortée du gouvernement Couillard de s’aventurer sur ce terrain l’an dernier. Jean-François Lisée était allé jusqu’à accuser le gouvernement de vouloir « faire le procès des Québécois », alors que la CAQ craignait que ça ne se transforme en « dîner de cons ». Surtout qui a oublié la famille Pineault-Caron lors des audiences sur la Charte des valeurs ? Ou encore les dénonciations virulentes sous le couvert de la liberté d’expression lors du débat sur l’islamophobie à Ottawa? Les groupes identitaires de droites en étaient rendus à organiser des manifestations dans les rues. (05/11/2018)

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Multicultural Must Read: Sick days squabble

11/5/2018

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Caribbean: Square off over sick days

Caribbean source from Toronto G 98.7 FM Mark & Jem in the Morning reports:

The Trudeau government is poised to give federally-regulated workers more paid personal leave days just as the Ford government is taking away two paid sick days and a minimum wage hike. The host said he can't believe what some people are expected to live off. Some workers in Ontario may be getting the sick days back, and equal pay rules, as Ottawa is weighing in on the debate. A Trudeau government bill was tabled that will force federally-regulated businesses like banking, shipping and telecommunications to give all their workers paid sick and leave days and to give their workers equal pay for equal work. The labour minister took aim at Doug Ford, saying: "I can't speak for Doug Ford's motivations, other than to say that an attack on workers is an attack on the Canadian economy... when everybody has a fair chance to succeed, ... it's good for our entire country." (01/11/2018)

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Diversity Empowers Marketing: MIREMS International Inc.

11/1/2018

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MIREMS' sister company in the US, MIREMS International Inc., is headed to Miami Beach for the ANA Multicultural Marketing & Diversity Conference this weekend.

We've published a special series of blogs with story collections from the ethnic media discussing automotive, food and beverage, entertainment, retail, banking and finance and consumer goods industries.

From Coca-Cola to Wells Fargo, Walmart, Procter & Gamble, Toyota and more are featured in the collection of stories; represented in languages such as Polish, Chinese, Spanish, Russian and more.

VISIT THE BLOG PAGE

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Multicultural Must Read: Health concern for Somali women

10/25/2018

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Somali: The care of rheumatoid arthritis in Somali patients may be subject to implicit bias

Somali source Hiiraan from Ottawa reports:

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease that can affect people of all ethnicities. There are no published studies that attempt to identify disease-specific characteristics of Somali immigrants. In this paper, Paul Waytz, MD, Andrew Forsberg, BA, and Abdi Mohamed, MBA, attempt to better categorize various aspects of rheumatoid arthritis int the Somali population. A database of 40 Somali patients with rheumatoid arthritis was compiled. Several cultural differences and other potential barriers emerged, including the possibility of implicit bias. Minnesota is home to the largest Somali population in the world outside of Somalia or refugee camps, with a population now approaching 40,000 residents by conservative estimates. The majority live in the Twin Cities. The current Minnesota population also reflects a substantial number of second-generation Somalis. During this review, it quickly became apparent that socio-cultural factors played an important role in the evaluation and management process, a role that might well be associated with implicit bias. The study demonstrates that the population of Somalis with RA is 98% female, distinctly different from the standard reported percentages of nearly 3:1, female to male. Furthermore, implicit bias may be just as unacceptable and harm just as much if not more than explicit bias. One of the authors suggests that one might also wonder if underlying reasons like financial issues, image, self-esteem, or the social expression of masculinity associated with the stress and mental health status of immigrants contributes to the observed disparity. Physician education and self-reflection are essential to solving serious problems with healthcare delivery. (16/10/2018).

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Vancouver Election Results: Chinese media reacts

10/25/2018

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As election results became known last weekend, media outlets across the province reported onthe news.

MIREMS highlights three stories that share unique reactions that are common among Chinese print, online, TV and radio sources reacting to the election results.

While some sources focused on praising the winners, some criticized their community's voters and others raised the point that voting within your community can weaken democracy.

What can Chinese people learn from the municipal elections this time?

Chinese Source Van People reports:
Ontario municipal elections were held on October 22. A total of 17 Chinese candidates have been successfully elected. The number of Chinese candidates has set a new record high when it comes to political participation (of Chinese people) in recent years. There's no doubt that the increase in election enthusiasm and candidate numbers are good - it shows that new and old immigrants are starting to pay attention to public events, local politics and taxation policies. The Chinese community's enthusiasm in political elections is worthy of recognition. In the past, the Chinese community was indifferent. However, the chaos and farce within the Chinese community are concerning. From the removal of (campaign) signs, to bribery, to scams and rumours circulating in WeChat groups, the Chinese community still has a long way to go if it wants to form a more mature political ecosystem. (23/10/2018).

Vancouver election: It's narrow minded for Chinese people to blindly vote for Chinese people

Chinese Readers in Vancouver reports:
Chinese voters often look at who is against building affordable housing for the homeless, who is against sex ed courses in school, who is against cannabis legalization, and vote for those people. (They) don't understand the various aspects that have to do with the development of the Metro Vancouver region, and happily take $20 to vote for someone. How many of them actually vote with multiculturalism and multi-ethnic friendship in mind, and vote for someone who is truly capable? After the election, we need to cool down. We need to understand Vancouver and integrate into the Canadian society. The election process is also a learning process - we can make a comeback in four years, with a new way of thinking. (23/10/2018)

2018 Vancouver municipal election results are finally out!

Van People reports: The author felt disappointed. Ken Sim failed to become the first Chinese mayor in the history of Vancouver! If Sim had been elected, the author thinks he would have made some positive changes to Vancouver's real estate situation! Many Chinese people feel sorry that he lost. There were many Chinese candidates this year, but they received few votes. Isn't it time for Chinese voters to reflect? (21/10/2018)

"Judging Justice Donald McLeod's Intentions"

Cantonese: "Ford F-series trucks are the most often stolen vehicles in Canada, insurers say"

Chinese: "Canada's arrest of Huawei's Meng Wanzhou"

Cantonese: "China calls on Canada, U.S. to release Huawei CFO after she was arrested in Vancouver"

Chinese: "Canada's arrest of Huawei's Meng Wanzhou"

Korean: "Concerns over the arrest of Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou"

Chinese: "Huawei CFO Wanzhou Meng arrested in Vancouver"

Chinese: "Chinese media call Canada’s treatment of Meng Wanzhou a 'violation of human rights'"

Chinese: "Canada arrests daughter of Huawei's founder in Vancouver"

Punjabi: "Liberal MP Raj Grewal reconsidering his decision to quit politics"

Cantonese: "B.C. has some of the highest rents, lowest vacancy rates in Canada: CMHC rental market survey"

Spanish: "Availability of apartments to rent in Canada falls"

Punjabi: "Increase in hate incidents and federal government's access"

Cantonese: "Hate crimes reached all-time high in 2017, Statistics Canada says"

Spanish: "Hate crimes on the rise in Canada"

Somali: Goat meat is healthier than beef and chicken

Mandarin: Liberal Party was criticized for using funds to bribe Canadian media

Cantonese: Ottawa to help struggling media with $600 million in tax measures

Tamil: Bolder action needed to reduce child poverty

Cantonese: One in five kids in B.C. live in families that struggle to pay bills, rent and living expenses

Somali: "All Toronto Somali-Canadians lost the municipal elections"

Haitian: Mobilisation contre le racisme...derrière des portes closes

Caribbean: Square off over sick days

Somali: The care of rheumatoid arthritis in Somali patients may be subject to implicit bias

What can Chinese people learn from the municipal elections this time?

Vancouver election: It's narrow minded for Chinese people to blindly vote for Chinese people

2018 Vancouver municipal election results are finally out!

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