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.
Radio-Canada – Abolition d’un programme d’immigration fédéral : la FCFA s’insurge
La Fédération des communautés francophones et acadiennes (FCFA) compte déposer une plainte auprès du commissaire aux langues officielles à la suite de la décision d’Ottawa d’abolir un programme dont le but est de simplifier le processus d’embauche de travailleurs qualifiés d’expression française. L’organisme soutient qu’Ottawa a supprimé le programme « Avantage significatif francophone » sans consulter les communautés francophones concernées. L’entrée en vigueur de la décision est prévue pour le 30 septembre. Le programme a été mis sur pied pour appuyer le développement des communautés francophones en milieu minoritaire. Les employeurs n’ont donc pas à démontrer qu’aucun Canadien ou résident permanent qualifié n’est disponible pour occuper le poste qui serait détenu par le travailleur étranger francophone. La présidente de la FCFA, Marie-France Kenny, affirme que les communautés se voient retirer le seul outil dont elles disposent pour obtenir des résultats tangibles dans le dossier. Selon elle, la fin de ce programme constitue un recul significatif en matière d’immigration francophone au pays.
La Presse Canadienne – Le nombre de demandes pour des travailleurs étrangers a diminué, dit Kenney
Le nombre d’applications pour des travailleurs temporaires étrangers a diminué depuis la réforme profonde du programme, a indiqué le ministre de l’Emploi et du Développement social, Jason Kenney. Il a chanté les louanges du nouveau programme lors de la période des questions s’étant déroulée à la Chambre des communes, mardi. M. Kenney a indiqué que le nombre d’applications reçues par son ministère en juillet et en août a diminué d’environ 74 pour cent par rapport aux deux mêmes mois de 2012. L’ancien programme avait fait l’objet de maintes critiques, plusieurs affirmaient qu’il avait facilité l’embauche de travailleurs étrangers au détriment des Canadiens. En adoptant de nouvelles règles, le gouvernement souhaitait réduire le nombre de travailleurs temporaires étrangers. Elles obligent les employeurs à respecter des critères stricts dans l’espoir que les travailleurs canadiens aient désormais préséance pour obtenir un poste.
CBC – Winnipeg Programs Aim to Steer Young Refugees Away from Gangs [w. Video]
Children from refugee families are at risk of getting involved with Winnipeg’s gangs, but one former gang member says programs that help newcomers to Canada are helping kids steer clear of crime. Mandela Kuet came to Canada from Sudan, but he says his family had trouble adapting and he struggled with school. Kuet said gang life became attractive to him, as he was feeling isolated at the time. […] Now Kuet is studying at the University of Winnipeg and mentoring young refugees through after-school programs. […] Matthew Fast of Newcomers Employment and Education Development Services in Winnipeg, says there are several factors that put young refugees and newcomers at risk of getting involved with gangs, including school and family life and their peers.
Strathroy Age Dispatch – Looking at Next Two Years of Immigration Integration
Not looking to make drastic changes to immigration integration projects in Middlesex-London but rather enhancements, the London and Middlesex Local Immigration Partnership (LMLIP) 2013-2016 plan was received favourably by the county September 9. LMLIP has become a leader in strategy among 35 of Ontario’s local immigration partnerships since the first Community Immigrant Strategic Plan was submitted to Citizenship and Immigration Canada in June 2010, said LMLIP co-chair Janet Tufts, director of community partnerships and investment at United Way London and Middlesex. […] The process of helping immigrants settle locally—approximately one in five people in the City of London (or 20-21 per cent)—is not “linear”, said LMLIP project manager Huda Hussein. [….] “We realized that settlement is a piece of the puzzle of the settling process. We realized that as a community in London there are house issues, there is inclusion and city engagement; these are the pieces that will work together,” Hussein said.
Globe and Mail – Report Offers Rare Peek into Canadian Gang Life and High-Risk Youth
He has walked alone through some of the most unsafe neighbourhoods in Calgary in hopes he’d be stopped by gang bangers wanting to know what he was doing on their turf. That’s when the unassuming Hieu Ngo would go to work. He would tell them his story, how he went from being a Vietnamese refugee tempted by street life to a University of Calgary associate professor whose research on gangs and their behaviour has produced a pivotal study entitled The Unravelling of Identities and Belonging: Criminal Gang Involvement of Youth from Immigrant Families. […] Prof. Ngo’s approach is based on preventative action. He wants immigrant youth to stay clear of gangs and to choose other options. […] With that in mind, Prof. Ngo’s study of immigrant youth outlined “the pathways towards criminal gang involvement” and what could be done to “support high-risk and gang-involved youth.” Thirty-two representatives from social service, education, health, justice and Citizen Immigration Canada took part in the process. The federal government was impressed enough by the information to ask Prof. Ngo to expand his research so it can be used in other cities. The request came with a $5.3-million grant to cover a five-year investigation.
Hamilton Spectator – Foreign Workers Overhaul a Success as Applications Plummet: Kenney
Employment Minister Jason Kenney says there’s been a significant decrease in applications for temporary foreign workers since the government announced an overhaul of the troubled program earlier this year. Kenney extolled the success of the changes in response to queries from the opposition during the Commons question period. His department says that the number of applications received in July and August was about 74 per cent lower than during the same time period in 2012, before the crackdown.
