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 – L’imposition de visas canadiens aux Mexicains est là pour rester
Le premier ministre canadien se montrera inflexible à Mexico. Le premier ministre du Canada Stephen Harper ne devrait pas annuler l’obligation de visa pour les voyageurs mexicains au cours d’un sommet des dirigeants nord-américains qui commence dans quelques heures. M. Harper doit arriver à Mexico lundi après-midi et s’entretiendra avec son homologue mexicain mardi. Ils seront rejoints par le président américain Barack Obama mercredi lors d’un sommet qui devrait aborder une série de questions de commerce, d’investissement et de sécurité.
CBC – Stephen Harper Won’t Drop Visa Rule for Mexicans, Source Says
Prime Minister Stephen Harper is not expected to lift visa requirements on Mexican travellers during his upcoming trip to the country, a senior government source told CBC News. The visa rules, imposed in 2009 to curb bogus asylum claims, are considered a major irritant by the Mexican government. […] Francisco Suarez, the Mexican ambassador to Canada, said in an interview last year that his country is “really mad” at the Harper government for the continued imposition of the visa. A new report from the Canadian Council for Chief Executives also calls the visa requirements an impediment to the Canada-Mexico relationship. The report, released on Tuesday, finds that spending by Mexican tourists in Canada has fallen to $200 million in 2012 from $365 million in 2008.
Le Soleil – Le gouvernement du Québec désire choisir les immigrants selon leurs compétences
Le gouvernement Marois veut instaurer un tout nouveau système d’immigration au Québec. Il prendrait appui sur une «déclaration d’intérêt» que devraient faire parvenir tous les candidats à l’immigration – où qu’ils soient dans le monde. C’est ce que prévoit un projet de loi que présentera la semaine prochaine à l’Assemblée nationale la ministre de l’Immigration et des Communautés culturelles, Diane De Courcy. Il sera, selon toute vraisemblance, l’un des derniers projets de législation que déposera l’actuel gouvernement avant de convoquer les Québécois aux urnes. Québec viserait à en finir avec cette époque où les demandes des candidats à l’immigration sont analysées en fonction du critère «premier arrivé, premier servi».
Live Punjab – Federal Budget 2014 Says No to Immigrant Trusts
Canada´s 2014 budget has brought a few changes that may be a more painful tax exercise for the rich immigrants. It has erased immigration trusts, which implies that the immigrants will not be receiving the privileges of a 60-month tax exemption for foreign assets. Kim Moody of Moodys Gartner Tax Law said that earlier the immigrant´s foreign assets were under Canadian taxes and this lured the non-residents to come here. According to the partner at Grant Thornton LLP Dave Rickards, “It’s possible the elimination of the immigrant trust rule will be a disincentive for people who aren’t used to Canada’s high tax rates (like those from China or Hong Kong) to take up residence in here.” […] Supporting the change, Wilmot George, director, Tax and Estate Planning at Mackenzie Investments stated that there are a number of opportunities like business and investment in the country which lure the immigrants and is a much better driving force behind coming to Canada.
News 1130 – Seattle to Benefit from End of Canadian Immigration Program
Seattle could benefit from the Canadian government’s decision to put an end to the immigrant investor program. […] Seattle realtors believe wealthy foreigners could very well opt to park their money in the Emerald City. Becky Lee is a broker with Seattle’s Realogic Sotheby’s Realty and has spent over 30 years in the business. She expects rich Chinese nationals, who would have normally come to Vancouver looking to plunk down money on real estate, to now consider Seattle. “Some of them will come to Seattle, because we are close to each other, our climates are similar, and our property is much cheaper than yours and rentals are much higher than yours,” she explains.
National Post – Stripping Convicted Terrorists of their Citizenship Leaves All Canadians Vulnerable
Under the Strengthening Canadian Citizenship Act, dual citizens convicted of terrorist offences anywhere in the world may be stripped of their Canadian citizenship. The Canadian government has already tacitly abdicated its responsibilities towards Canadians labelled terrorists — including several who turned out to be innocent. Abousfian Abdelrazik was stranded in Sudan and tortured, while his own government actively prevented him from returning home (a basic right of citizenship). […] Canadians found guilty of terrorism without due process, by undemocratic or oppressive states, could be stripped of their citizenship under the new law — potentially leaving them at the mercy of the rights-abusing regime that convicted them. […] The inherently political nature of terrorism means that terrorism accusations, prosecutions and convictions are also deeply politicized, and subject to radical re-evaluation in hindsight. Yesterday’s terrorists may be today’s honorary Canadian citizens — as the case of Nelson Mandela demonstrates.
