an alliance of university, community, and government partners dedicated to fostering welcoming communities and promoting the integration of immigrants and minorities across Canada
The Media Roundup provides links to recent and archived articles, in both English and French, on immigration and diversity appearing in the national and local news. Some international content is also included. Articles are updated weekly.
The Varsity [University of Toronto] – International Students Struggle with Complex Work Regulations
Even with recent changes that streamline the process, international students continue to struggle with complex work regulations. Unlike domestic students who do not need extra paperwork to work on or off campus, international students have always had to take an extra step to obtain the same work opportunities. As of June 1, international students with a full-time registration status and valid study permit looking for off-campus work do not need to apply for a work permit. Instead, they need a Social Insurance Number (SIN), the application for which can be completed at any Service Canada office. An international student who wants to work in Canada usually needs to fulfill three requirements before he or she can apply for a SIN. The student must be a full-time student, with a valid study permit, and enrolled in a program that will last for more than six months. Additionally, international students can only work up to a maximum of 20 hours per week during the school year and full-time during scheduled breaks, although they can extend these hours by simultaneously working an on-campus job.
The Star Phoenix – Rural Immigration Presents Challenges
Drawn by job opportunities, immigrants are pouring into Saskatchewan’s smaller communities at an increasing rate. Although 74 per cent of immigrants have settled in Regina or Saskatoon, the remaining newcomers have dispersed among 368 other communities in the past seven years, presenting challenges for regional settlement services. “The rural issue in this province is critical,” said Corinne Prince-St-Amand, director general of the Foreign Credentials Referral Office at Citizenship and Immigration Canada. Prince-St-Amand was one of the presenters at the Saskatchewan Settlement and Immigration Summit on Wednesday, which brought together more than 100 settlement workers. Her colleague, Diane Mikaelsson, who is the CIC director general of the western region, later emphasized that “the needs of newcomers in Saskatchewan tend to be fairly similar to those of other provinces. One notable difference in Saskatchewan is the need for services in smaller and more remote communities.” Those communities are served by 11 regional newcomer gateways, each with a 150-kilometre service radius.
Toronto Star – Transport Ministry Cuts Ties to Border Agency After Migrant Blitz
Ontario Transportation Minister Steven Del Duca has cut his ministry’s ties with the Canada Border Services Agency for the foreseeable future. Del Duca spokesperson Patrick Searle said Thursday operational relations with the federal agency have been suspended while his ministry reviews a controversial incident last month when immigration officials rounded up undocumented workers during a roadside commercial vehicle check. “There will no longer be blitzes with the CBSA as the review is ongoing,” he told the Star on Thursday. “I have been told the review period should be wrapping up in the next few weeks,” he said referring the internal ministry probe. […] Immigrant advocates and a critic denounced the province for playing along with immigration officials in what was supposed to be a routine roadside check.
CBC – Jason Kenney Faces Foreign-Worker Fallout in Own Backyard
James Rajotte has been getting an earful. Like many of his caucus colleagues, the Conservative MP from the riding of Edmonton-Leduc is taking a lot of flak about his government’s decision to reduce access to temporary foreign workers. I’ve certainly been receiving a fair number of complaints from a lot of business owners, especially in the small business and restaurant sector,” Rajotte said in an interview with CBC News. […] “I guess I’d like to see a recognition of the reality our province is facing in terms of the labour situation,” he said. “I understand the concerns about the temporary foreign worker program, but perhaps there are other ways to address it. Perhaps through changes to the immigration system.” In that regard, Rajotte echoes the sentiments of NDP immigration critic Jinny Sims, who says that even with the changes, temporary workers are still too easy to access. She would much rather see long-term immigration used to compensate for labour market problems. Kenney, for his part, is standing firm on the new policy.
CBC – Jason Kenney Details Harsher Penalties for Foreign Worker Abuse
Employment Minister Jason Kenney is seeking feedback on stricter penalties for employers who abuse the Temporary Foreign Worker Program. A discussion paper posted online Wednesday evening outlines proposals for stricter fines and a permanent ban on serious offenders. The proposed changes were originally floated last spring as part of the government’s budget implementation bill. The discussion paper provides more details on the process of suspending or revoking permits for companies that abuse the program would work, and calls for feedback on its plan from individuals and organizations. The consultation period will run until Oct. 15, and after that the changes would be made through regulation and would not require further legislation in Parliament. The rules will also apply to the Live-in Caregiver Program, according to the discussion paper. Reforms to that program are expected this fall.
La Presse – Travailleurs étrangers: Ottawa envisage de lourdes amendes
Le gouvernement fédéral envisage de bannir à vie les employeurs qui contreviennent à ses nouvelles règles sur les travailleurs étrangers temporaires et de leur imposer de plus lourdes amendes. Dans un document de discussion mis en ligne dans la nuit de mercredi à jeudi sur le site du ministère de l’Emploi, le gouvernement propose des interdictions permanentes, en plus d’augmenter les pénalités pour inclure des moratoires de un, cinq ou dix ans qui empêcheraient les entreprises de remplir une demande pour avoir le droit d’embaucher des travailleurs étrangers. Actuellement, il n’existe que des interdictions de deux ans pour les contrevenants. Le nom des employeurs bannis serait rendu public, indique aussi la proposition.
