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.
CBC – Migrant Worker Injured in Deadly Ontario Crash Fights for Residency
After only one day on the job in southwestern Ontario, Ariza’s hopes of helping his family fell apart. He was one of 13 migrant farm workers travelling in a van that collided with a truck near Hampstead, Ont., on Feb. 6, 2012. Eleven men died that night. Ariza and the other survivors were left with severe injuries. What has happened in the two years since underscores some of the difficulties facing those who travel to Canada as migrant workers to do the kind of work most Canadians avoid. Just over two weeks ago, Citizenship and Immigration Canada granted Ariza a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) that allows him to return to Canada for two years. The permit, however, is only for him – not his family. So returning to Canada is not as simple as it seems. For Ariza, it means leaving his wife and son behind again. What he says he is really fighting for is permanent residency – permission from Canadian officials to allow him and his family to settle in Canada.
Globe and Mail – Canada Needs More Immigrant Future Citizens, Fewer Guest Workers
The evidence is mounting that, whatever the Temporary Foreign Worker Program may be accomplishing, it is not the alleviation of temporary labour shortages, its ostensible purpose. There are no widespread labour shortages in Canada. But since the 21st century began, the number of workers in the program has nearly tripled to around half a million. […] Canada’s wise and long-standing policy has been to prefer immigrants over temporary workers. Most newcomers to this country come as immigrants, offered permanent-resident status and a path to citizenship. They come to Canada to become Canadians, and even before they attain full citizenship, they are able to enjoy most of the rights of Canadians in the labour market. Workers under the temporary program are a whole other story. There are cases where the program makes sense, but Canada should be wary of creating a large pool of low-wage, temporary guest workers with limited rights, some of whom run the risk of turning into illegal residents when their temporary status ends.
Brantford Expositor – YMCA Immigrant Settlement Services: Program Helps Young Newcomers to Canada
Youth Fusion, a new program offered through the city’s YMCA Immigrant Settlement Services, brings together newcomer teens with youth raised in Canada for activities, including volunteering, diversity training and workshops. […] There are currently 20 members of the group, including those who have settled in the area over the past few years from countries including India, China, Pakistan, Colombia, Romania, Afghanistan, Greece, Mexico, Sri Lanka and Venezuela. […] As part of a unit about volunteerism, the group recently visited the Brantford food bank. They also collected five drums of food to donate. […] Sometimes the group will watch a movie or play charades. Other times there are guest speakers, including an ESL teacher from St. John’s College who talked about what teachers expect of their students.
New Canadian Media – Meet a Few “Citizens of Convenience”
Citizenship and Immigration Minister Chris Alexander’s proposed revisions to the Citizenship Act are largely directed at “citizens of convenience.” Measures such as a longer required residency period to qualify for citizenship (from three years out of four years to four years out of six; a minimum period of 183 days in four of those years; and no longer counting time as a non-permanent resident towards citizenship), along with clarity that this means being physically present in Canada, target citizens of convenience. But Alexander not only wants to ensure that applicants “play by the rules” during their citizenship application, he wants them to sign an “intent to reside” commitment. This is largely symbolic, as the intent needs only to be expressed while applying for citizenship, not after citizenship is granted. In other words, a new citizen could move outside Canada, for professional or personal reasons, without penalty, once granted citizenship.
CBC – Immigrants Face “Unreasonable” Hurdles with Old Age Security, Critics Say
Some advocates for seniors and immigrants claim certain applicants who came to Canada from other countries appear to be treated unfairly when they apply for OAS. “This is more particular to people who have come into the country some time through their life and moved in and out of the country apparently,” said Susan Eng, a Toronto lawyer and vice-president for advocacy at CARP, a group that defends seniors’ interests. […] Service Canada says OAS payments are available to most people aged 65 or older who meet legal status and residence requirements. Applicants living in Canada typically need to be Canadian citizens or legal residents at the time their application is approved and must have lived in Canada for at least 10 years after turning 18. To satisfy requirements, all applicants must provide “supporting documentary evidence” to prove all the dates they entered and exited the country.
La Presse – Accès à la pension de vieillesse: plus difficile pour les immigrants?
Des militants pour les droits des immigrants et des aînés soutiennent que des demandes d’application à la pension de la Sécurité de la vieillesse d’immigrants sont traitées injustement. C’est le cas notamment de Branko Sucic, 78 ans, à qui le gouvernement a demandé de fournir des documents datant de dizaines d’années depuis sa première application… en 2004. Dix ans plus tard, il n’a toujours pas reçu de chèque. […] «C’est plus compliqué pour les immigrants qui se sont établis au Canada pour ensuite déménager et y revenir», soutient Susan Eng, une avocate torontoise et la vice-présidente du CARP, un groupe de défense des droits des aînés. Selon elle, c’est un problème pratique difficile à surmonter, car peu de citoyens moyens auront gardé des documents de voyage datant d’il y a vingt ans pour prouver leurs déplacements.
