Sikh officer takes command of Canadian unit

Chandigarh, September 13

After joining Canadian army as a trooper in 1989, Harjit Singh Sajjan, now a Lieutenant-Colonel, has became the first Indo-Canadian to take command of a Canadian regiment.
He took over as Commanding Officer of the British Columbia Regiment yesterday at a glittering ceremony held at Beatty Street Armoury in Vancouver. He took over from Lieut-Col Bruce Kadanoff, who had been the Commanding Officer for three years.
The British Columbia Regiment has been the oldest Regiment of the Canadian army. Colonel Sajjan's appointment has come at a time when the Sikh community of Canada in general and British Columbia in particular is busy in the centenary celebrations of the oldest Sikh Gurdwara of North America at Abbotsford. It is symbolic and appropriate that for the first time a Canadian Sikh has been given the command of a Canadian army regiment. Two years after joining the army, Colonel Harjit Singh Sajjan was commissioned in the British Columbia Regiment in 1991. Four years later, he was promoted as Captain and later as a Major.

Capt meets Khursheed on Anand Karaj Act

Chandigarh, September 13
After meeting Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for the introduction of the Anand Karaj (Marriage) Act, Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee President Capt Amarinder Singh met the Union Law Minister Salman Khursheed in New Delhi last evening.
He was accompanied by a delegation of senior party leaders, including Lal Singh, Sukhdev Singh Libra, Rana Sodhi, Rana Gurjit Singh, Harminder Jassi and Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa, from Punjab. Capt disclosed that Khursheed had also met the Prime Minister on the issue.
He said the minister told him that the Congress-led UPA Government was taking necessary measures for the introduction of the Act. “We are expecting the things to move faster on the issue,” he disclosed, while adding that the process had already been set into motion on the matter.
The PCC President said it was quite a fruitful meeting and the minister was quite in agreement with their viewpoint.
“All the necessary measures had been initiated and the process will be completed very soon. Khursheed appreciated and understood the concern of the party leadership from Punjab and said that the Government of India was already seized of the matter,” added Capt.
This was the second meeting of the PCC President in pursuit of getting the Anand Karaj (Marriage) Act passed and implemented.
Earlier, Amarinder Singh led a delegation to meet the Prime Minister, who had also spoken to the Union Home Minister, P Chidambaram, and Union Law Minister Salman Khursheed on the matter.

Temporary foreign workers certified in Alberta trades can apply for permanent residence

Edmonton... Effective immediately, skilled temporary foreign workers certified in Alberta’s optional trades can apply directly to the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program for permanent residency instead of having to apply with their employers.

“We need skilled workers living in Alberta permanently,” said Thomas Lukaszuk, Minister of Employment and Immigration. “We have to make sure we are ready for the coming labour shortages as economies around the world are competing for the same skills and the same people. This change will allow Alberta to nominate the most qualified and experienced tradespeople working in occupations that are needed in Alberta.”
The federal government limits the number of people Alberta can nominate for permanent residence. In 2011, Alberta is allowed to nominate 5,000 people. With limited numbers, Alberta's focus will be on nominating people who currently work in permanent jobs, those who have job offers, and those with the skills and qualifications in occupations that are in demand in Alberta.
There are currently 50 designated trades in Alberta. Of these, 31 are in the optional trades (including occupations like roofer, tile setter, concrete finisher and cabinet maker). Nineteen occupations fall under compulsory trades (including occupations like welder, ironworker, gasfitter and plumber). For more information on designated trades and the certification process for each occupation visit www.tradesecrets.alberta.ca.
Before this change, workers in the optional trades applied for permanent residence with their employers. Workers in the compulsory trades had the option to apply either directly or with their employers. This change will simplify the application process for temporary foreign workers in both compulsory and optional trades applying to the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program. For details on how to apply to the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program’s Compulsory and Optional Trades Category, visit albertacanada.com/ainp.
The Alberta government is working to build a better Alberta by fostering economic growth, strengthening our health and education systems, investing in infrastructure, supporting safe and strong communities and ensuring a clean and healthy environment.