Latest news with #Ernst
Vancouver Sun
4 days ago
- Politics
- Vancouver Sun
Newcomers face rising racism in Alberta as province debates immigration policy
Alberta resident Shamaila Akram says she can handle the increase in racial slurs and derogatory comments being thrown at her, but she worries about her newcomer and immigrant clients. As debates unfold over Canada's immigration system, those who provide help to newcomers in Alberta say there has been an uptick of hostility toward immigrants. 'I hear from people in my own communities — women specifically who wear hijabs — many bad things and we realize there is a need to educate people,' said Akram, with Calgary's Centre for Newcomers. 'Clients are coming with severe anxiety and sometimes panic attacks after hearing racial slurs outside our door. We have instances where they're being harassed while walking in (the) downtown.' Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. People have also screamed, 'Go back to where you came from!' at Akram while she has been with her children multiple times this year, she said, and some have been aggressive. The Canadian Anti-Hate Network says charged debates about immigration in Canada and the United States are behind the rise in hostility toward immigrants online and in person. 'We have been noticing a large increase in online hatred towards migrants, and especially towards South Asian communities lately,' said Evan Balgord, the organization's executive director. 'We are seeing classically racist narratives being spread that groups of people are dirty, criminal, incompatible with society and dangerous.' In Calgary, Kelly Ernst, the Centre for Newcomers' chief program officer, says it has had to increase building security, reduce its online program marketing and bolster the number of workers on its crisis line for newcomers. Racialized workers at the centre are increasingly being harassed, and he said people often walk by screaming at the centre. Ernst said he and those working with immigrants noticed the increase in the last year as the immigration system returned to the spotlight. He said the ongoing Alberta Next panel led by Premier Danielle Smith that's touring the province to hear public grievances with the federal government is stoking that anger. 'Since (the) Alberta Next panel raised its ugly head, it's also created additional hostility with some of the comments associated to that,' he said. Ernst said he agrees that the population of newcomers in Canada and Alberta has exploded, but said governments need to stop using immigrants as scapegoats for housing and infrastructure issues. 'It's not the people themselves that are creating that particular strain,' Ernst said. 'The problem is government policy.' The Alberta Next panel has already made stops in Red Deer and Edmonton and will return to Edmonton again, with visits to Fort McMurray and Lloydminster in August. Six surveys launched on the panel's website help inform what questions the government is putting to locals, and one of them is about immigration. 'If Alberta isn't satisfied with the number or economic qualifications of newcomers moving to our province, we may have the option to withhold provincial social programs to any non-citizen or non-permanent resident who does not have an Alberta-approved immigration status,' says a video participants are required to view before taking the immigration survey. The Alberta Next Panel is asking YOU: Should Alberta take control of our own immigration system to ensure a more sustainable number of newcomers to contribute to our economy? Watch the video. Take the survey: The speaker in the video says although the federal government decides who is let into Canada, provinces pay for most social programs that they need. The video says immigration is to blame for high housing costs and unemployment rates, adding that 'many of the divisions and disputes that plague other countries have begun making their way into ours.' Smith's press secretary Sam Blackett said in a statement this week that the number of newcomers entering Canada needs to be sustainable. 'Everyone wanting to come should be committed to upholding the Canadian values of hard work, love of freedom and peaceful co-existence,' he said. '(Former prime minister) Justin Trudeau's Liberals upended Canada's immigration system for over a decade by instituting essentially an open borders policy that permitted millions annually to enter Canada, often without any sort of proper vetting, job prospects or needed employment skills. 'The results have been disastrous. Housing prices have skyrocketed, and unemployment keeps increasing as immigration outpaces job growth.' He said the province and federal government have a shared responsibility to manage the population. Alberta Immigration Minister Joseph Schow, in a statement, added, 'Alberta's government stands firmly against racism and continues working to build a province where everyone is respected _ no matter their cultural background or where they come from. 'Immigrants have been contributors to the economic and social fabric of Alberta, and they deserve to feel safe and respected in their communities.' Laurie Hauer, the interim executive director of Edmonton's Newcomer Centre, said education is the key. 'Immigration is vital for our economic growth, and it's really important to get that message out to people and understand those elements because what's coming out right now is just constantly, 'Immigrants are the problem,'' Hauer said. She said several of the centre's clients and workers have been accosted in the last year. Akram added, 'We need to work on ways of making our communities more safer rather than scapegoating the vulnerable and racialized minority groups. 'We're very proud of our diversity but we need to make sure that this pride is reflected in how we protect and support each other.' — With files from Jack Farrell in Edmonton Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here .
Edmonton Journal
4 days ago
- Politics
- Edmonton Journal
Newcomers face rising racism in Alberta as province debates immigration policy
Alberta resident Shamaila Akram says she can handle the increase in racial slurs and derogatory comments being thrown at her, but she worries about her newcomer and immigrant clients. Article content As debates unfold over Canada's immigration system, those who provide help to newcomers in Alberta say there has been an uptick of hostility toward immigrants. Article content Article content 'I hear from people in my own communities — women specifically who wear hijabs — many bad things and we realize there is a need to educate people,' said Akram, with Calgary's Centre for Newcomers. Article content Article content 'Clients are coming with severe anxiety and sometimes panic attacks after hearing racial slurs outside our door. We have instances where they're being harassed while walking in (the) downtown.' Article content Article content The Canadian Anti-Hate Network says charged debates about immigration in Canada and the United States are behind the rise in hostility toward immigrants online and in person. Article content Article content Racialized workers at the centre are increasingly being harassed, and he said people often walk by screaming at the centre. Article content Ernst said he and those working with immigrants noticed the increase in the last year as the immigration system returned to the spotlight. Article content Article content He said the ongoing Alberta Next panel led by Premier Danielle Smith that's touring the province to hear public grievances with the federal government is stoking that anger. Article content 'Since (the) Alberta Next panel raised its ugly head, it's also created additional hostility with some of the comments associated to that,' he said. Article content Ernst said he agrees that the population of newcomers in Canada and Alberta has exploded, but said governments need to stop using immigrants as scapegoats for housing and infrastructure issues. Article content 'It's not the people themselves that are creating that particular strain,' Ernst said. 'The problem is government policy.' Article content The Alberta Next panel has already made stops in Red Deer and Edmonton and will return to Edmonton again, with visits to Fort McMurray and Lloydminster in August. Article content Six surveys launched on the panel's website help inform what questions the government is putting to locals, and one of them is about immigration. Article content 'If Alberta isn't satisfied with the number or economic qualifications of newcomers moving to our province, we may have the option to withhold provincial social programs to any non-citizen or non-permanent resident who does not have an Alberta-approved immigration status,' says a video participants are required to view before taking the immigration survey.
Winnipeg Free Press
4 days ago
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
Alberta immigrants say seeing an uptick in anger, rise of racist narratives
EDMONTON – Alberta resident Shamaila Akram says she can handle the increase in racial slurs and derogatory comments being thrown at her, but she worries about her newcomer and immigrant clients. As debates unfold over Canada's immigration system, those who provide help to newcomers in Alberta say there has been an uptick of hostility toward immigrants. 'I hear from people in my own communities — women specifically who wear hijabs — many bad things and we realize there is a need to educate people,' said Akram, with Calgary's Centre for Newcomers. 'Clients are coming with severe anxiety and sometimes panic attacks after hearing racial slurs outside our door. We have instances where they're being harassed while walking in (the) downtown.' People have also screamed, 'Go back to where you came from!' at Akram while she has been with her children multiple times this year, she said, and some have been aggressive. The Canadian Anti-Hate Network says charged debates about immigration in Canada and the United States are behind the rise in hostility toward immigrants online and in person. 'We have been noticing a large increase in online hatred towards migrants, and especially towards South Asian communities lately,' said Evan Balgord, the organization's executive director. 'We are seeing classically racist narratives being spread that groups of people are dirty, criminal, incompatible with society and dangerous.' In Calgary, Kelly Ernst, the Centre for Newcomers' chief program officer, says it has had to increase building security, reduce its online program marketing and bolster the number of workers on its crisis line for newcomers. Racialized workers at the centre are increasingly being harassed, and he said people often walk by screaming at the centre. Ernst said he and those working with immigrants noticed the increase in the last year as the immigration system returned to the spotlight. He said the ongoing Alberta Next panel led by Premier Danielle Smith that's touring the province to hear public grievances with the federal government is stoking that anger. 'Since (the) Alberta Next panel raised its ugly head, it's also created additional hostility with some of the comments associated to that,' he said. Ernst said he agrees that the population of newcomers in Canada and Alberta has exploded, but said governments need to stop using immigrants as scapegoats for housing and infrastructure issues. 'It's not the people themselves that are creating that particular strain,' Ernst said. 'The problem is government policy.' The Alberta Next panel has already made stops in Red Deer and Edmonton and will return to Edmonton again, with visits to Fort McMurray and Lloydminster in August. Six surveys launched on the panel's website help inform what questions the government is putting to locals, and one of them is about immigration. 'If Alberta isn't satisfied with the number or economic qualifications of newcomers moving to our province, we may have the option to withhold provincial social programs to any non-citizen or non-permanent resident who does not have an Alberta-approved immigration status,' says a video participants are required to view before taking the immigration survey. The speaker in the video says although the federal government decides who is let into Canada, provinces pay for most social programs that they need. The video says immigration is to blame for high housing costs and unemployment rates, adding that 'many of the divisions and disputes that plague other countries have begun making their way into ours.' Smith's press secretary Sam Blackett said in a statement this week that the number of newcomers entering Canada needs to be sustainable. 'Everyone wanting to come should be committed to upholding the Canadian values of hard work, love of freedom and peaceful co-existence,' he said. '(Former prime minister) Justin Trudeau's Liberals upended Canada's immigration system for over a decade by instituting essentially an open borders policy that permitted millions annually to enter Canada, often without any sort of proper vetting, job prospects or needed employment skills. 'The results have been disastrous. Housing prices have skyrocketed, and unemployment keeps increasing as immigration outpaces job growth.' He said the province and federal government have a shared responsibility to manage the population. Alberta Immigration Minister Joseph Schow, in a statement, added, 'Alberta's government stands firmly against racism and continues working to build a province where everyone is respected — no matter their cultural background or where they come from. 'Immigrants have been contributors to the economic and social fabric of Alberta, and they deserve to feel safe and respected in their communities.' Laurie Hauer, the interim executive director of Edmonton's Newcomer Centre, said education is the key. 'Immigration is vital for our economic growth, and it's really important to get that message out to people and understand those elements because what's coming out right now is just constantly, 'Immigrants are the problem,'' Hauer said. She said several of the centre's clients and workers have been accosted in the last year. Akram added, 'We need to work on ways of making our communities more safer rather than scapegoating the vulnerable and racialized minority groups. 'We're very proud of our diversity but we need to make sure that this pride is reflected in how we protect and support each other.' — With files from Jack Farrell in Edmonton This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 26, 2025.
Fox News
6 days ago
- Politics
- Fox News
DOGE prepares to literally drain the swamp by banishing Biden's ‘overreaching' water rule
EXCLUSIVE: After scoring a victory in her effort to undo the Biden-era expansion of clean water regulations that led to outrage from farmers and homesteaders, Senate DOGE Chairwoman Joni Ernst put forward permanent policy exclusions Thursday to prevent future Democratic administrations from "overreach." "If you try to navigate a wastewater treatment pool, you'll be up a creek without a paddle," Ernst, R-Iowa, said, mocking what she and many heartland landowners see as federal overreach into clearly unnavigable waters. Rainwater pools, farm runoff, small property ponds, and other ephemeral or seasonal water bodies – like prairie potholes and temporary channels – were suddenly subject to federal regulation, not local farmers or landowners. "WOTUS regulatory uncertainty has threatened the livelihoods of hardworking Iowa farmers, small businesses, and landowners for far too long and I was thrilled to join EPA Administrator (Lee) Zeldin in announcing that the Trump administration is revising this misguided and harmful regulatory expansion," Ernst told Fox News Digital, noting her announcement Thursday builds on an effort announced in March by the EPA that opened the door to such revisions. Ernst has called the original Biden and Obama expansions of the law disastrous and "overreach" that continue the trend of Democrats "mounting unnecessary environmental regulations to overwhelm the commonsense voice of hardworking Americans." Iowa Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig said Ernst's "CLEAR Waters Act" will provide necessary clarity and consistency to such "Waters of the United States" (WOTUS) regulations. Naig said it should "end the constant policy whiplash that changes with each new administration." "It's a commonsense approach that brings certainty to those who are working every day to responsibly manage our land and water." A 2023 Supreme Court ruling in Sackett v. EPA stripped some of the Biden administration's control via their "significant nexus" test of waterway categorization. Justice Samuel Alito wrote in the 9-0 majority opinion that the EPA had ordered Idaho landowners Michael and Chantell Sackett to restore a wetland where they were building a home or pay $40,000 per day in penalties. Alito said the EPA had considered the area a wetland because "they were near a ditch that fed into a creek, which fed into Priest Lake; a navigable intrastate lake." "The Sacketts sued, alleging that their property was not 'waters of the United States.'" That decision enraged Democrats, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York, who said the "MAGA Supreme Court is continuing to erode our country's environmental laws." "Make no mistake – this ruling will mean more polluted water, and more destruction of wetlands," he warned at the time.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
He built three companies, became a CEO twice, and credits it all to his 6th grade teacher
A Classroom That Changed Everything Lessons in Leadership Giving Back, One Entrepreneur at a Time When David Royce looks back on his journey from a restless child struggling with undiagnosed ADHD to the founder of three multimillion-dollar companies, he doesn't begin with business plans or boardrooms. Instead, he begins with a name etched in his heart: Lynn Luft , his sixth-grade Royce is a celebrated entrepreneur, the founder and former chairman of Aptive Environmental , a company that in less than a decade became the third-largest residential pest control firm in North America, earning over $500 million in annual revenue. He's also a two-time CEO and an Ernst & Young National Entrepreneur of the Year winner. But for all the headlines and accolades, Royce says none of it would have been possible without the transformative role of one teacher who believed in him before he believed in moving account was recently shared in an interview with CNBC Make It, where Royce opened up about the critical early intervention that changed the trajectory of his elementary school, Royce often felt like an outsider, especially when some teachers failed to understand his learning needs. One painful memory from fifth grade stands out: classmates laughing at him, and the teacher joining in. 'It was not an environment that inspired confidence,' he came sixth grade and Lynn Luft.'She created a safe space for all students to learn,' Royce said. Luft ensured that no teasing went unaddressed, lovingly correcting students and promoting empathy. It wasn't just academic help; it was emotional scaffolding. Her classroom became a sanctuary, a place where Royce felt seen, understood, and stuck with Royce wasn't the syllabus, it was the spirit. Luft, he says, taught him a different kind of curriculum: how to lead with compassion, how to lift others up, and how to foster belonging.'She taught me the importance of not just being respectful,' Royce told CNBC, 'but actively searching out ways to make others feel good about themselves.'That became the bedrock of his leadership philosophy. At Aptive, one of the core values is 'elevate the tribe' — a direct inheritance from Luft's classroom culture. Whether leading startups or training sales teams late into the night, Royce continued the tradition of building people passion now extends beyond pest control. He regularly speaks at universities and serves as a judge at business competitions, sharing his story to inspire future leaders. On his LinkedIn profile, he lists his core interests as entrepreneurship , strategy, and manager development and business all the scale and success, he's never lost sight of his roots. 'Everyone learns at a different pace,' he says, remembering how Luft patiently tutored him after class to help him grasp the this philosophy, one that champions individual growth, patience, and empathy, that Royce has scaled just as ambitiously as his Royce sees himself as a product of belief; not only his own, but someone else's, a teacher who saw promise in a child struggling to stay still, and who chose kindness over criticism.'She changed everything,' Royce says. And in doing so, she may have shaped the future of an industry and the lives of countless employees inspired by Royce's leadership.
