Snapshots of the Persian Pages

View — 28 می 2012

Falling apart Overseas

Separation and divorces among Iranians living in Canada: reasons and solutions

Farahnaz Samiee’s interview with Farideh Jalayifar

The last statistical data available about the number of registered divorces in Canada dates back to 2001, standing at around 71,738 cases per year. Some experts believe that the general number of the divorces in Canada is roughly the same with only a slight difference, whereas in Iran, 93,000 registered divorces set a new record in the last few months of 2009. In considering the differences between population sizes between the two countries however, one can see that the divorce rate in Canada is still high. Regardless of the geographical location however, one thing remains for certain: divorce is not a pleasant experience. We talked to some experts in order to learn more about the divorces between immigrant couples and the major reasons behind the rise in the number of divorces. In this article, we share our interview with Farideh Jalayifar, a family consultant who emigrated from Iran more than 30 years ago.

No String Attached..

A look at divorce among Iranian immigrants

Mitra Roshan

The process of immigrating and merging into a new environment is naturally stressful, and like everything else, marriages are not protected from the storm of changes that await couples in a new land. Like all couples, Iranian couples are exposed to the differences and clashes in values involved in immigrating, although it does seem that divorces are more prevalent among Iranian immigrants. In order to learn about why the divorce rate of Iranian immigrant couples are so high, we first have to find out why the couples got married in the first place and chose to continue their marital life to that point. Reasons such as family and peer pressures, social customs, or economic issues are no longer prevalent after immigration. The pressures that may have forced the couples to get married and continue their marital life to that point no longer exist in the new country. Four Iranian men and women residing in Montreal have shared with us their reasons and experiences of divorcing and separating in Canada.

Iranian Family Law and Divorcing Abroad

Dr. Abdolrasoul Dayyani

When discussing this topic, the first question to consider is how many different types of divorce exist in Iran and what are the conditions for each one? The answer to this question is crucial to anyone who wishes to go down this path. By knowing about the exact conditions of each type of divorce, you can choose the best option and also allow yourself an opportunity to compare your own situation to that of other people’s. Another thing to consider is the rights and responsibilities that each couple has after divorce. There are two types of rights and responsibilities in this regard: the financial rights of the couple in relation to each other, and the non-financial rights. Thirdly, it is also important to consider what qualified court to go to in order to file your divorce. The problem remains in working out whether the verdict issued by the Canadian court would be recognized by the Iranian court, and vice-versa. What if both husband and the wife reside in Canada or have double Iranian-Canadian citizenships? How do we justify the interferences of the Canadian government in this regard?

Legal Aids and Consultations

Practical points to remember in the case of divorce

Saghi Motahari

If you find that any of the following points applies to the relationship between you and your partner, then it is probably best to consult with a lawyer:

• Your partner is violent to you or harasses you

• Your partner tries to bully or terrify you

• Your partner abuses you

• Your partner has great power over you

• Your partner has a lawyer

• You are not able to read, speak or understand English

A Moderate Budget Just Like Liberals

About Ontario budget and the challenges of the liberal government

Majid Bastami’s interview with Dr. Reza Moridi

Dr. Reza Moridi, a valuable member of Ontario’s parliament, talked about the important features of the 2012 provide budget. The 2012 budget focuses on introducing the financial and program framework of the liberal minority government for eliminating the enormous budget deficits of the province by fiscal year 2017-2018, creating more job opportunities, and recovering the balance between the financial and economic situation in the province. He discussed the general criticizing aspects, such as stabilizing the salary of employees in the education and health sectors, and the possibility of conflict between the government and syndicates about this issue. He also discussed the increase of governmental income through methods which are believed to be against the general public’s interest. The amount of obedience or disobedience demonstrated by the government regarding Dan Drummond’s advice was also discussed, as well as the amount of NDP conformity with the budget and its effects on the possible changes of the budget bill.

Grizzly against Harper

Newly appointed NDP leader Tom Mulcair and the political future of Canada

Ali Sharifian

In considering the current political standings in Canada and the rest of the world, it appears that Canadians should vote for a socialist party in the next federal election if they really want to have the role and lifestyle that they seem to expect for themselves in the country. Thomas Mulcair’s selection as the NDP leader has clearly given him the chance to become the next Canadian prime minister in 2015. The only question remains on how qualified he is to fulfill this great honorable role. The investigation of his political achievements and his campaign of what he will do as the NDP leader will decide which direction Canada will move in the next federal elections. Of the eight NDP leaders so far, one can see that Mulcair is an exceptional figure in many aspects.

Creating Jobs in 2012 Federal Budget: Real or No Real?

A look at the effects of the Conservative’s budget on the labor market

Ali Akbari

Although the conservative government predicts that the approaches adopted in the 2012 budget will lead to creating job opportunities and economic growth, the Canadian Statistical Administration clearly believes otherwise. Based on the available data, a five-billion-dollar reduction in the governmental expenditures will have an undesirable effect on the labor market. According to these studies, such changes can cause more than 40,000 job opportunities in private sectors to be lost. It is predicted that the employees of retailer companies, wholesale companies, and construction companies will be the biggest victims to the governmental saving plan.

“Gres of wrath”: Quebec Students against Rising Tuition Feeaps

The biggest budgetary challenge of the province

Ensieh Ghafouria

This year’s budgetary season is accompanied by some difficulties for both the liberal governments of Ontario and Quebec. Quebec, whose government has the majority in the provincial parliament, can put its decisions into practice with more authority. It is not sufficient however to have the majority in the parliament, since the Quebecois have witnessed one of the biggest strikes and one of the longest student protests in this province. The strikes are regarding the increase in tuition fees; the fees which are still the most inexpensive figures in Canada even after this increase. It has also caused some protests in the provinces of Alberta and Ontario. But what exactly is the story behind the rise of tuition fees in Quebec and the long 6-month protests?

An Introduction to ELT Programs

Mohammad Ali Shakarami

Inability to communicate efficiently with employers, colleagues, and customers is one of the biggest and most significant obstacles facing newcomers to Canada looking to achieve their desired jobs. Problems regarding unfamiliarity and lack of sufficient knowledge are the two major aspects to this problem. Many immigrants lack job experience in the English Language thus making them unfamiliar to work in Canada. To add to that, a lack of sufficient knowledge about the culture of the Canadian work environment also imposes a high risk of landing a job thus doubling the need to learn English at an acceptable level. Two-month and full-time courses in Enhanced Language Training for Employment (ELT) are available for those newcomers whose English levels in the four areas of language (speaking, listening, writing, and reading) are stronger than the average level. The average level is considered to be a score of at least six on the Canadian benchmark. Participating in these classes will greatly help to take individuals’ English level and familiarity with the Canadian job market to the next level.