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.
Thunder Bay News Watch – Law Firm’s Article Names City Among Worst Immigration Destinations
The mayor’s angry and the multicultural association is disgusted after an article naming Thunder Bay one of the worst cities in Canada for immigrants makes its rounds on social media. Immigroup, an immigration consulting firm based out of Toronto, ranked Thunder Bay number eight on its “Top 8 Worst Cities to Move to in Canada.” The article, written last year but grabbed attention over the weekend, made reference to the city’s “marginalized underclass of native Canadians” and having “3,000 people of colour” before being heavily edited Monday. Thunder Bay Multicultural Association executive director Cathy Woodbeck said she was surprised by the comments. “I was shocked by that and disgusted quite frankly by that. I think that’s quite a racist comment,” she said of the reference to Aboriginal people. The edit states that the reference was to urban poverty for Aboriginal people, a problem across Canada. “There was no intent on the part of the author or Immigroup to assign blame for these conditions, rather only to make note of them,” it states.
Canadian Immigrant – Canada’s Immigrant Integration Program Awarded $1.9 Million
Immigration Minister Chris Alexander has awarded the Canadian Immigrant Integration Program (CIIP) $1.9 million to continue and expand its services for newcomers. “Programs like the CIIP help immigrants on the path to a successful life in Canada by providing key information on foreign credential recognition, the Canadian labour market and settlement issues,” said Alexander. The program, which launched in 2007, provides free orientation for federal skilled workers approved for immigration, provincial nominees as well as their spouses and adult dependents. The new funds will allow CIIP to expand its services in regional offices located in China, India, Philippines and the United Kingdom/Gulf.
Quebec Hebdo – Le PQ dévoile ses engagements pour la Capitale-Nationale
En plus de répondre favorablement aux demandes du maire Labeaume, le Parti québécois s’engage à attirer un plus grand nombre d’immigrants dans la Capitale-Nationale pour pallier au manque de main-d’œuvre et souhaite étudier la possibilité de créer un «label franco-responsable» pour augmenter l’attractivité de Québec auprès des touristes. [ Le parti souhaiterait que 25% des immigrants qui arrivent au Québec s’établissent ailleurs qu’à Montréal. Le PQ a comme objectif d’attirer 8 à 10 % des nouveaux venus dans la région de la Capitale-Nationale. Pour faciliter leur arrivée et leur recherche d’emplois, on affirme «vouloir établir de nouveaux mécanismes de collaboration entre les services publics d’emploi, les organismes du milieu et les entreprises de la région pour identifier les emplois disponibles et en assurer une large diffusion».
Radio-Canada – La santé et l’emploi, les priorités de la communauté multiethnique de Québec
Des représentants de la communauté multiethnique de Québec font de la santé et de l’emploi leurs principales préoccupations pendant la campagne électorale. Ils disent d’ailleurs la suivre avec beaucoup d’intérêt. C’est le cas de Minh Tran, un restaurateur vietnamien qui vit au Québec depuis près de 40 ans. Même s’il pose un regard assez cynique sur la politique québécoise, Minh Tran se dit très préoccupé par le système de santé, où un Québécois sur quatre n’a toujours pas de médecin de famille. De son côté, Victoria Hangan, une jeune femme originaire de Moldavie, estime que l’emploi devrait être la priorité numéro un des politiciens. « Trouver un emploi, c’est vraiment dur », déplore-t-elle. La jeune femme, qui est stagiaire en comptabilité dans un café, tient à insister sur le fait qu’il est difficile pour les travailleurs étrangers de se faire reconnaître comme travailleur qualifié. Rappelons que le taux de chômage chez les immigrants est toujours plus élevé que dans la population en général.
CBC – Immigrants Hit Citizenship Roadblocks with Language Forms
Nova Scotia immigrants who want to become Canadian citizens say they are facing obstacles when it comes to the proof of language forms they must supply with their applications. Mitra Naseh’s is an immigrant from Iran living in Halifax. Her citizenship application has been rejected for a second time, even though it includes the proper language forms. […] A letter from Citizenship and Immigration Canada says she hasn’t provided the proper evidence, however the forms Naseh submitted came from the government website. […] Over the past six months, some language instructors in the Halifax area have seen more letters like these than ever before.
The Fountain Pen – Local Immigration Partnership Holds Annual Event
The Guelph-Wellington Local Immigration Partnership (LIP) held their annual event; the Immigration Connection 2014: Creative Collective Impact on March 4, 2014. The day included presentations on achievements made over the past year, guest speakers, and group discussion focused on priority setting for the next year. The event was open to all community members and attendees included service providers, business owners, advocates, and volunteers. […] A highlight of the event was an inspiring speech from special guest Uzma Shakir, Director of the Office of Equity, Diversity and Human Rights for the City of Toronto, on building meaningful partnerships. […] Alex Goss, Project Manager of the LIP, explained a little about the organization and discussed the 2013 progress report. He stated that the organization aims to break down barriers and touched on the importance of adapting and inclusion to welcome immigrant communities.
