Ratna Omidvar, president of the Maytree foundation, says, "Without being part of a public consultation, we’ve drastically changed not only the way we do immigration, but the immigrants who come in." Richard Lautens/The Toronto Star file photo

Immigration applications to Canada drop in Asian countries
Published On Sun, 06 May 2012

Ratna Omidvar, president of the Maytree foundation, says, “Without being part of a public consultation, we’ve drastically changed not only the way we do immigration, but the immigrants who come in.”
Richard Lautens/The Toronto Star file photo
Nicholas Keung
Immigration Reporter

Immigration applications from key Asian countries have dropped by more than half since 2006, when the Conservative government began transforming its migrant selection.

Critics say the disproportionate declines from China, India, the Philippines and Pakistan could be an indication of how Ottawa’s policy changes favour some immigrant countries over others, and would have an impact on the immigrant mix.

“Without being part of a public consultation, we’ve drastically changed not only the way we do immigration, but the immigrants who come in,” said Ratna Omidvar, president of Maytree Foundation, which has a mandate to build strong civic communities.

Mob enforcer deported from Canada for a third time
Rob Lamberti, Special to the Toronto Sun
First posted: Friday, May 04, 2012 05:30 PM EDT | Updated: Friday, May 04, 2012 05:45 PM EDT

Juan Ramon Paz-Fernandez — also known as Joe Bravo — first deported in 1999, is led away by RCMPin 2001 after the mob enforcer was nabbed in Woodbridge. (Toronto Sun files)

TORONTO – Maybe Canada will get lucky on the third try.

Rizzuto mob enforcer Joe Bravo — jailed in 2004 for planning a hit on a fellow mobster — was deported to Spain in April after his 12-year prison term for conspiring to commit murder and importing a tonne of cocaine ended.

The concern now is whether he’ll try to sneak back into Canada as he did twice before after being deported to Europe.

Toronto's 15th homicide of 2012-Paul Fitzgerald Benn

Fatal shooting victim identified
CBC News Posted: May 5, 2012 10:04 AM ET Last Updated: May 5, 2012 6:18 PM ET

Toronto police have identified the victim of Friday’s fatal shooting in the Lawrence Heights neighbourhood.

Police say Paul Fitzgerald Benn, 38, was shot “multiple times” outside a housing complex at 70 Cather Cres., near Lawrence Avenue West and Allen Road. Police responded to multiple reports of gunshots just after 7 p.m. Friday.