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.
BBC – Spain Sees Surge of Migrants by Sea from Morocco
The interior ministry said the wave of migrants was the result of increased defences at the borders of two Spanish territories in North Africa. More sub-Saharan migrants were now trying to reach Spain by boat, a Spanish spokesman told BBC News. Co-operation between the two countries over migration remained good, he added. […] It is believed to be one of the largest number of migrants to reach the country in such a short period of time, our correspondent says. As immigration centres in southern Spain struggled with the numbers, the government spokesman in Madrid denied reports in the Spanish media that the Moroccan authorities had failed to carry out patrols on Monday and Tuesday. […] Since Monday, Spain’s coastguard has rescued 126 small dinghies and boats, carrying a total of 1,229 migrants who were making the short, but often perilous, crossing from Morocco to Spain.
CanIndia – Job Search Workshop in Mississauga for Newcomers
The Peel Multicultural Council (PMC) is conducting a Job Search Workshop (JSW) at the Erin Meadows Library, Mississauga, for the benefit of newcomers to Canada. This week-long, free workshop from August 25 to 29 will help them find the right tools and resources as their first step to employment in their new country. According to Shivani Parshad, a facilitator at Peel Multicultural Council, these workshops are funded by the Department of Citizenship and Immigration and are held twice a month at libraries and other locations across Mississauga. “It is very beneficial for newcomers and it acquaints them with the skills required before they start their job search,” she says. A typical JSW focuses to equip workshop participants with skills needed to be employable, enhances their ability to market their professional skills, increases their confidence in finding a job, empowers them to make decisions about alternative career options, if required.
North Shore News – North Shore Multicultural Society Applauds Support for Skilled Newcomers
The federal government pledged $3.3 million to accelerate accreditation for foreign workers in B.C. last week, much to the delight of the North Shore Multicultural Society. New money is very welcome in addressing this lingering problem, said the society’s executive director Elizabeth Jones. […] In order to help immigrants navigate “the maze” of credential recognition, the federal government will play a facilitating role to the province, according to federal Minister of Employment Jason Kenney. The province carries the responsibility of overseeing licensing bodies like the College of Physicians and Surgeons in B.C. or the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists in B.C. The provincial government will work with stakeholders to eliminate barriers and develop online tools to let foreign-born workers learn about career opportunities. Many immigrants spend between six and nine months sending out applications before finding an entry-level job in their field, according to Jones.
Globe and Mail – Appeal Court Upholds Oath to Queen in Citizenship Case
When new citizens swear an oath to the Queen, they are not pledging allegiance to her personally, the Ontario Court of Appeal ruled on Wednesday, rejecting a challenge by three permanent residents who have refused citizenship over an oath they say violates their political or religious beliefs. The group launched a constitutional challenge last year, arguing that forcing candidates for Canadian citizenship to swear allegiance to the Queen violates the protections for free speech and freedom of religion in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. But in a decision issued on Wednesday, Ontario’s top court dismissed their objections to the oath, ruling the group was wrong to take the oath literally. The decision, citing previous rulings, says that would-be citizens are not actually swearing allegiance to the Queen herself as “the reference to the Queen is symbolic of our form of government and the unwritten constitutional principle of democracy.” […] Lawyers for the federal government argued that those who refuse to support Canada’s “foundational constitutional structure” are not entitled to the benefits of citizenship, such as the right to vote.
Star Phoenix – Tories Slam “Sanctuary City” Proposals
The Harper government says it opposes bids by Canadian municipalities to become a “sanctuary city” for undocumented migrants. Immigration Minister Chris Alexander said in a prepared statement that Canada welcomes “genuine” immigrants and refugees. He said the federal government has brought in rules to remove those making “unfounded” asylum claims and who are therefore taking advantage of taxpayer-funded social programs. […] Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson recently endorsed a recommendation to copy the move by Toronto, Hamilton and a number of cities in the U.S. and Britain to designate themselves as sanctuaries for undocumented migrants.
Radio-Canada – Descente de l’Immigration devant les caméras : l’employeur comparaît
Le patron d’une compagnie de construction qui avait reçu la visite filmée d’agents des services frontaliers a comparu, lundi, en cour provinciale à Vancouver. Le président de BSSM Construction Ltd, Serhat Seyhoglu, est accusé d’infractions à la Loi sur l’immigration et la protection des réfugiés, pour avoir embauché deux travailleurs étrangers sans les autorisations nécessaires. En mars 2013, l’Agence des services frontaliers du Canada (ASFC) a effectué une descente sur un chantier où la compagnie faisait de la sous-traitance. Huit employés ont alors été arrêtés, et plusieurs d’entre eux ont ensuite été expulsés. La descente avait été filmée pour l’émission de téléréalité Border Security: Canada’s Front Line. L’avocat de certains des employés, Me Zool Suleman, est satisfait de l’inculpation de Serhat Seyhoglu. « Les employeurs ont la responsabilité de s’assurer que les travailleurs ont des visas valides; ils ne peuvent pas s’en laver les mains et plaider l’ignorance », a-t-il fait valoir.
