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 International – À table avec Moitié-moitié
Elle est moitié Mexicaine, moitié Canadienne. Moitié designer graphique, moitié entrepreneure. Et son plaisir dans la vie c’est de faire des « touts ». Pour s’intégrer à la société d’accueil et permettre à d’autres immigrants de faire de même, elle a misé sur une activité qui, où que l’on soit dans le monde, est conviviale et rassembleuse. Tania Jimenez a ainsi créé Moitié-moitié, une petite entreprise qui ouvre grand les cuisines du monde. Selon elle, la volonté d’intégration doit venir des immigrants comme des Québécois. Elle invite donc les uns et les autres aux diverses activités gastronomiques qu’elle a mises sur pied. Aussi multiculturelle que soit Montréal, les occasions de converser et de partager un bon repas sont rares. Ses repas-partage (potlucks) thématiques et ses ateliers culinaires ethniques réunissent donc autour d’une même table des gens qui, autrement, ne se rencontreraient pas.
Edmonton Journal – Make Family Unit Focus of Immigration Policy
Canada’s immigration policy often defines success in terms of the immediate job prospects of newcomers, and rarely according to the longer-term social prospects of immigrants — in particular the capacity of their children to become successful and self-sufficient adults. When making policy recommendations, more attention should be paid to the success of the next generation, which ultimately affects the future well-being of all Canadians. It is common for many children to struggle when their families face significant changes, whether they are associated with a residential move, a change in school, or with the divorce of their parents. All families deal with these struggles, small or large, with the long-term consequences depending upon the child’s age, and the skills and resources available to parents. Immigrant parents are no different, but the magnitude of the challenges is in some cases much greater, particularly when they are associated with the need to learn a new language. This realization has arguably not yet affected immigration policy.
Hazlitt – “White Canada” and the Evolution of Racism
In 1907, Vancouver residents initiated a racist riot against the city’s Chinese community. Now, in 2014, current fears about a Chinese “takeover” of Vancouver real estate show the evolving nature of Canadian xenophobia. […] In 1907, white Canadians—most of them, presumably, immigrants or children of immigrants themselves—found the idea of a visible Chinese presence in Vancouver unpalatable. The current narratives about Chinese presence in the Vancouver area seem almost metaphysical—downtown, Chinese investors are blamed for owning property they don’t live in and so failing to contribute to the life of the neighbourhood (being unseen), but in nearby Richmond Chinese people are blamed for changing the character of neighbourhoods (being seen). About 45 per cent of Richmond’s population is Chinese, and its signage reflects the strong presence of Chinese speakers. Last year, the Richmond city council received a delegation asking that Chinese language on public signs, shopfronts, advertising, and mailouts be limited.
Globe and Mail – Ottawa Approved Thousands of Foreign Worker Requests at Minimum Wage, Data Reveal
The federal government approved thousands of requests to bring in temporary foreign workers at minimum wage in recent years, a practice that undermines claims from government and employers that there are serious labour shortages and that all efforts have been taken to hire Canadians. The revelations in newly released data come as the Conservative government is weighing major policy reforms – including a new “wage floor” – in response to criticism that employers are relying on the temporary foreign worker program as a way to avoid raising wages.
Ottawa Citizen – Government Faces Fresh Appeal to Accept Syrian Refugees
On the eve of a visit by the United Nations’ refugee chief, the federal Conservative government is facing pressure to have Canada take in thousands more Syrians who have been driven from their homes by war. In February, the UN called on international partners to help resettle 100,000 of the 2.4 million Syrians who have fled their country and become refugees since civil war first broke out three years ago. This is in addition to the 30,000 it asked countries to accept last year. In response to the first appeal, Canada promised to accept 1,300 Syrian refugees, including 200 residing in UN camps and another 1,100 privately sponsored by Canadian citizens or other groups. That puts it among the top five countries in terms of accepting displaced Syrians. But the Conservative government has remained silent on further commitments. It says Canada is examining the UN’s latest request while continuing to press for a political solution to the conflict and providing humanitarian aid.
Fort Saskatchewan Record – Time Running Out for Local Temp Workers
The room was at capacity, yet again, during a community forum at the University of Alberta about the federal government’s current moratorium on the temporary foreign worker (TFW) program held on May 17. Currently under the moratorium, work permits, LMOs, or Alberta Immigration Nominee (AINP) program applications (which grants 5,500 TFWs in Alberta to immigrate permanently into Canada) are not being processed. A local TFW restaurant worker who attended the forum said because of the moratorium, a more solemn mood is now being felt in his workplace. He requested to remain anonymous to protect proceedings of his in limbo AINP application. The local TFW said he’s worried about his future in Canada because his work permit expires on June 14 and he is unsure of what this will mean for his application following that date. His co-workers also worry since their work permits will expire soon as well.
