Divya Sharma

Today is “Orange Shirt Day” in Canada! Today, September 30, is "Orange Shirt Day" and the "National Day for Truth and Reconciliation" in Canada.   Orange Shirt Day is a day to remember and honor the 150.000 children who were forced to attend the so-called Indian Residential Schools across Canada. Orange Shirt Day honors the healing journey for all that were impacted by the school system, and expresses an enduring commitment to the belief that Every Child Matters. The residential school system represented a vast threat to Indigenous cultures, languages and communities. In addition to being forced to abandon their cultural identities and languages, and embrace Western culture and the Christian faith, many children suffered psychological, spiritual, physical or sexual abuse. In addition, due to poor hygiene, poor healthcare and sub-standard food regimes, many children died at the schools. The residential school system, which was federally run from the 1880s until 1990s, had a devastating impact on Indigenous well-being and led to long-term negative effects for Indigenous communities. Orange Shirt Day, and the phrase “Every Child Matters” expresses a commitment to a strong future for Indigenous communities and Indigenous sovereignty, and for the processes of reconciliation in Canada as expressed in the Calls to Action put forward by Canada's Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

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Provincial Property Taxes (Officially known as Grants in Lieu of Property Taxes) I’ve been getting a lot of calls/emails from people asking about the provincial government not paying their property taxes and how they can take action. Mayor Amarjeet Sohi has put together a site (link below) that you can visit to learn more about how Edmonton is not being fairly compensated. There is also a tool you can you to send a letter to Premier Smith and Municipal Affairs Minister Ric McIver. On Friday, Council unanimously passed a motion to make it clear that if the provincial government pays the over $80 million that we haven’t received since 2019/2020, and reinstates that funding on an ongoing basis, that we will use every penny of that to help reduce any property tax increase in 2025. This would allow us to reduce any possible increase by approximately 2% in 2025 which is critical at a time where so many people are struggling to cover their bills. This is an issue being faced by every municipality in Alberta but Edmonton is disproportionately affected because we are the provincial capital and have the largest amount of provincial buildings in Alberta. Municipalities across Alberta are advocating to see that funding reinstated. That includes over 95% of members at the recent Alberta Municipalities | Strength in Members Convention approving a resolution asking for the provincial government to pay its fair share. Please take a minute to visit the website below and add your voice to the advocacy. #yeg #yegcc #Edmonton

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📢 Join Us for the Housing Resource Fair at Queen's University!🏠 Looking for off-campus housing or potential housemates? Mark your calendars for today and tomorrow, as the Housing Resource Fair is here to support your search! When:   📅 Tuesday, October 29 & Wednesday, October 30, 2024   🕕 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM  Where:   📍 Biosciences Atrium, 116 Barrie Street, Kingston  Why Attend? - Meet Local Landlords & Property Managers – Get insights directly from those offering student rentals in Kingston. - Explore Off-Campus Resources – Learn about the services available to support your move off-campus. - Find Future Housemates – Connect with other students looking to share a space. This event is FREE for all Queen’s students! Just bring any questions you may have, and we’ll handle the rest. Attention Landlords & Property Managers: If you’re interested in participating, please contact our Off-Campus Living Advisor. We’ll provide a table and setup; all you need to bring is: - Info about your properties and processes - Any promotional material - Sample application or leasing details - QR codes or listing links - Your expertise to answer student questions! Please Note: This is an informational event only. Leasing agreements and financial transactions are not allowed, and anyone attempting to engage in these will be asked to leave. Reminder: Landlords at this event are not affiliated with or vetted by Queen’s University. Students are encouraged to conduct independent research before signing any lease agreements. Connect with us on Instagram 📲 @ceaqueensu @queensocla We hope to see you there! If you have any questions, reach out to Christopher Akol, Mary Ann Tierney, or Adam King at [email protected] 

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How do we bridge a growing divide? There are actions we can all take to move us back in the right direction but will take everyone, especially elected representatives, to commit to being better and leading by example. Read more in my latest blog. #Edmonton #Alberta #Canada #politics #leadership

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Why I Left Politics After 25 Years: My Shocking Decision After years of dedication, I faced an unexpected scandal that changed everything. Discover the surprising reasons behind my decision to exit politics and how it impacted my career and the NDP. Join us for an eye-opening discussion! #Politics #PoliticalJourney #NDP #Scandal #Leadership #PoliticsUnplugged #CareerChange #PoliticalInsights #MediaImpact #PoliticalDecisions

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More smiles, more memories, more success stories! Watch the 3rd part of our convocation video series to see more of the convocation day's most memorable moments. #convocation #graduationday #canada #convocationceremony

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Join us tomorrow at 12-1pm ET :D This Political Finance & Fundraising Lunch & Learn is great for prospective and future candidates, campaign managers, or key campaign team members who deal with finance/fundraising/regulations. We've got 3 guest speakers who will be talking about political finance and fundraising from 3 different angles, who will also take questions towards the end: ➡ A Subject Matter Expert from Elections Canada will provide a 101 on finance regulations and resources to avail of. ➡ A previous Official Agent for a federal campaign, Gabriela Rappell - Learn about this important campaign team role, and how it interacts with fundraising and treasurers! ➡ Me, Courtney! The Senior Manager of Education for Equal Voice. 😄 Where the first two speakers are talking about a federal election level, I will talk about the same kinds of questions you need to get answered when running at a provincial or territorial level. Every province/territory is vastly different, in this regard. I will also be giving an overview of budgeting and fundraising best practices and principles. REGISTER HERE: https://lnkd.in/gQEBY4QZ

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💡 Imagine a Canada where every senior can retire with dignity and financial worries are a thing of the past. 🌟 To comprehensively support seniors in Canada, a range of proposed solutions are being considered. These solutions aim to address the financial, housing, health care, social, and of our beloved seniors. It's time for us to rise up and make a difference their lives! 💪 What do you think is the most important aspect to support seniors in Canada? Share your ideas in the comments below 👇 #SeniorSupport #CanadaSeniors 🍁 Remember, every voice matters in creating positive change for our seniors. Together, let's make a difference! 💙. . . . #SupportOurSeniors #SeniorCitizenCare #ElderlyWellness #SeniorsMatter #ImproveSeniorsLives #CanadaSeniors #SeniorRights #ElderlyCare #SeniorAdvocacy #improvedSeniorSupport #Lalatalks

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Happy to share a significant research project! 🏡 As a Research Analyst student at Georgian College, I recently completed a group project for our Qualitative Research course, focusing on "Housing Challenges for International Students in Ontario." This project was a collaborative effort with two talented teammates, and together, we aimed to shed light on the unique housing experiences of international students. 🔍 Project Objectives: 1. Explore international students' expectations around accommodations and housing. 2. Describe their experiences when looking for housing upon arriving in Canada. 3. Identify whether their expectations were met. 4. Create profiles of students based on prominent commonalities (demographics, expectations, experiences, etc.). 5. Identify strategies that the college can use to support international students in finding appropriate housing. 📋 Project Highlights: - Interviews: Conducted in-depth interviews with international students to gather qualitative data. - NVivo Analysis: Utilized NVivo to analyze interview responses and extract key insights. - Presentation: Compiled our findings into a detailed report and presented our research to the class via a PowerPoint presentation. 📚 Key Learnings: - Qualitative Research Techniques: Gained hands-on experience in designing and conducting qualitative research, including interview techniques and data analysis using NVivo. - Student Housing Insights: Developed a deep understanding of the housing challenges and expectations of international students in Ontario. - Profile Creation: Learned how to create detailed profiles based on commonalities to better understand diverse student needs. - Strategic Recommendations: Identified actionable strategies for colleges to support international students in their housing search. - Collaboration: Enhanced teamwork and collaboration skills through working closely with my project partners. This project was a valuable experience, highlighting the importance of understanding and addressing the unique challenges faced by international students. I'm excited to continue applying these insights to support student success and well-being. #QualitativeResearch #InternationalStudents #HousingChallenges #DataAnalysis #Teamwork #GeorgianCollege #research #interview #survey

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Looking forward to another “Volunteer Community Weekend” session mentoring Canada’s future, our youth. Thanks to Coalition of Muslim Women of KW, Fauzia Mazhar, and Alaa Allouh for providing us with the support systems that encourage all of us to give back to our society. In this session I will use my “Grassroots Approach Lens” to address long term well-being of our Canadian youth. While reports such as Deloitte's highlight the 14.5% youth unemployment rate in Canada and the projected $18.5 billion GDP loss by 2034​ (Deloitte Report commissioned by the King’s Trust Canada, CTV News, 2024), these statistics are often discussed in isolation, without focusing on real, practical solutions. Today’s youth are not only disconnected from economic opportunities and social well-being, but they also stand at odds with a world of conflict and instability. The youth of today do not want wars or division. They crave peace, opportunity, and collaboration to build a better, more inclusive future. I will also be highlighting an often-overlooked issue of the vast amount of scholarship money left unclaimed each year due to lack of awareness. In Canada alone, $100 million in scholarships go unutilized and $2 billion in student grants go unclaimed. This is because students do not know how to access these resources or wrongly assume they are only for top academic performers or those in financial need​ (SOFI, 2023; Global News, 2018). I am partnering with students in our communities navigating these opportunities together. I also emphasize co-op programs, which bridge the gap between academic learning and the workforce, giving students the hands-on experience and professional connections that are essential for success in today’s job market. Nations across the world from Denmark, China to UAE and India are already redefining the direction of their youth using models such as “Sovereign AI” to create and build AI solutions tailored to local needs, cultures, politics, and languages. That is why we are focusing and challenging status quo via actionable solutions at the individual level addressing scholarship gaps, co-op opportunities, and career misalignments, mentoring and empowering Canadian youth to take control of their futures. I want policy makers to take note: It is your responsibility to provide quality education, decent work opportunities, healthcare, and a platform for youth voices to be heard in decision-making. Additionally, it is essential to ensure that youth-led movements are supported, as young people are critical actors in driving change, particularly in areas like climate action, digital innovation, and social justice. #CareerDevelopment #Innovation #Leadership #FutureOfWork #YouthEmployment #YouthUnemployment #SkillsDevelopment #ScholarshipOpportunities #EducationMatters #WorkExperience #YouthInAction #EmpowerTheYouth #ActionOverWords #CreateOpportunities #RealSolutions #TechForGood #AIForYouth #GlobalSouth

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The announcement many have been waiting for is out!!!! New Canadian PGWP Eligibility Criteria as of Nov 1, 2024 University graduates from Bachelors, Masters and Doctoral programs - New language requirements at the time of PGWP application College graduates and all other university programs - New language requirements at the time of PGWP application and - Must graduate in an eligible list of study Eligible List - agriculture and agri-food - healthcare - science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) - trade - transport Specifically 966 CIP(Classification of Instructional Programs) 2021 Careers Identified by IRCC Health - about 58% of the careers listed Business - it's mostly gone. Agri-Business, Digital Marketing, Accounting, Logistics, Financial Analytics feature here. IT - Computer programming, computer applications, gaming, computer analysis, computer/information administration, cyber Technology - mechanical, manufacturing, electromechanical, aeronautics, aviation, electrical A lot of work ahead for the institutions to identify programs aligned with these careers. On another note, the link also has the first official confirmation that these new rules apply from Nov 1, 2024. https://lnkd.in/gT897XZW #studyincanada #pgwpeligibleprograms Colleges and Institutes Canada | Collèges et instituts Canada Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada / Immigration, Réfugiés et Citoyenneté Canada Student Direct

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As ordinary citizens, it's crucial to focus on what we can control rather than what we cannot regarding Canada's 2024 federal budget. While we may not have a direct influence over government spending decisions, we can engage in activities that promote fiscal responsibility and accountability. One way to do this is by staying informed about the budget and its implications for our communities. We can also advocate for transparency in the budgeting process, encouraging our elected officials to prioritize the needs of the people. Additionally, we can take personal responsibility for our finances by budgeting wisely, saving for the future, and supporting local businesses. By focusing on these actions, we can contribute to a more stable and prosperous economy, regardless of the broader budgetary decisions being made at the federal level. #Budget2024 #Finance #Actions #Responsibilities #Economy https://lnkd.in/g24zHqAb

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1. End of Programs: The Student Direct Stream (SDS) and Nigeria Student Express (NSE) programs have been discontinued as of November 8, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. ET. 2. Commitment to Fairness: Canada aims for equal and fair access to study permit applications for all international students. 3. SDS and NSE History: The SDS launched in 2018, offering faster processing to eligible students from 16 countries. NSE provided a similar streamlined process for Nigerian students. 4. Reason for Discontinuation: Canada seeks to strengthen program integrity, address student vulnerability, and ensure fair access to the application process for all. 5. New Application Path: All prospective students will now apply through the regular study permit stream. 6. Continued Welcoming of International Students: Canada will continue to accept international students from all countries. 7. Impact on Existing Applications: Applications received before November 8, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. ET will be processed under the SDS or NSE as applicable. 8. Processing After November 8th: Study permit applications submitted on or after November 8th will be processed under the regular stream. 9. Eligibility Remains Unchanged: The change does not affect eligibility criteria for study permit applications from countries previously covered by SDS or NSE.

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Learn how to get yourself and your household prepared if an emergency arises with some upcoming public education sessions. More details below.👇

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Here is this week's interaction with our clients: #CBA Q: Hi there, I registered this course for my CBA report. I selected three validators. One is Canadian PENG, one is my Canadian company VP, and the other one is PENG in other country. However, PEO reached out to me yesterday said my Canadian company VP cannot be my validator because she is not Canadian PENG. My understanding is as per PEO guide book, only some competencies need Canadian Peng review, other Canadian work experience can be reviewed by your manager even they are not Canadian PENG. Can you please give me some information? A: According to PEO's FAQs, under the question "Does my validator have to be a P.Eng?", here's what it says: For engineering work experience gained in Canada, the validator must be a professional engineer (P.Eng.) registered with a Canadian engineering regulator during the work period they are validating. For experience gained outside of Canada, the validator is expected to be a senior engineering practitioner licensed as an engineer in their jurisdiction. During the assessment process, PEO may request information to support a validator’s engineering qualifications, including proof of academic and engineering credentials and professional designation. #CBA Q: I just have a question regarding the P.Eng application. I am currently working here in Ontario as a Civil Designer, but I am planning to apply for EIT in Alberta. If I obtain the EIT designation, can I complete my experience under a P.Eng here in Ontario? Thank you A: According to APEGA's Competency-Based Assessment Guide, for competency examples in a Canadian context, validators are expected to be Professional Engineers (P.Eng.) who were registered during the work period they are validating. So, there is no issue whether you complete your experience in Alberta or Ontario as long as your validator is a P.Eng. during the work period you chose to write as an example. If you're stuck with any #engineering licensing step or if you have similar questions, please feel free to visit us at practiceppeexams.ca. We're very excited to support you! Watch the video here: https://bit.ly/4goaGmA

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🚨 End of Canada’s Student Direct Stream (SDS) Program 🚨 The Student Direct Stream (SDS) program for Canada has officially ended! 😞 The final deadline for expedited study permit applications was November 8, 2024. This program was a great help for international students from specific countries, allowing them to get their study permits faster 📑✈️. Now that the SDS program is no longer available, students will need to apply through the regular study permit process, which may take longer ⏳. If you're planning to study in Canada, it's essential to look into alternative pathways or check the official Canadian immigration website for the latest updates 📘🌍. You can read more about it here: https://lnkd.in/g8H3gEGS #Canada #StudyPermit #SDS #InternationalStudents #StudyInCanada #Immigration #StudentVisa #CanadaVisa #StudyAbroad #GlobalStudents #EducationAbroad #VisaUpdate #CanadaImmigration #StudentLife #EdTech #StudentOpportunities #StudyPermitCanada

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🚨According to Statistics Canada, over 1 in 3 international students with new study permits are from India. 📉After the latest round of diplomatic expulsions, international student enrolments from India are already starting to drop dramatically. ⚠️This worsening diplomatic row is set to rock Canada’s post-secondary system to its core. 🤔Here’s what we can expect for Canadian higher education in the short-term.

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🎓 International Student Policies in Canada: Two Voices, One Big Debate 🌍 When it comes to international student policies, Canada’s media is split: Mainstream Media? 📰 They focus on policy changes, economic impacts, and the usual "big picture" talk. Ethnic Media? 🎙️ They dive deep with personal stories, community challenges, and what’s happening behind the headlines. Want the full story? You need both. Let’s face it: international students are more than just statistics. They're real people with real stories—and we’re here to learn from them all. Check out our latest blog for an in-depth look: https://lnkd.in/gAYQYG2e #Education #Immigration #Canada #InternationalStudents #DiversityMatters

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