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 – La fin du programme des immigrants-investisseurs inquiète la Chine
Des Chinois s’estimant brimés pourraient recourir aux tribunaux canadiens. La décision du Canada de mettre fin au controversé programme qui a attiré des milliers de riches gens d’affaires étrangers au pays fait de grandes vagues jusqu’en Chine. Dans son budget déposé mardi, le gouvernement conservateur a mis un terme à ce programme en vigueur depuis 1986. Véritable voie rapide vers la citoyenneté canadienne, ce programme permettait aux étrangers fortunés, principalement des citoyens chinois, d’acheter leur passage vers la citoyenneté au Canada. Mais, selon le Canada, les retombées économiques promises à long terme ne se sont jamais matérialisées, les investisseurs immigrants étant en fin de compte moins susceptibles de vouloir résider au Canada de façon permanente.
The Conservative government’s move to close this year’s application process for immigrants to sponsor parent and grandparent visits is a drain both emotionally and economically, according to New Westminster-Coquitlam MP Fin Donnelly. Last week, Citizenship and Immigration Canada officials announced the department received 5,000 completed applications, the limit set for 2014. Those applications came in during a month-long window from Jan. 2 to Feb. 3, following a two-year moratorium on applications in place since November 2011. […] According to Donnelly, the problem is two-fold: a major backlog in applications has built up from the previous moratorium, and the federal government is not putting enough money into the immigration ministry to deal with the issue.
Metro News – U of A Celebrates 25 Years of Student Refugee Program
For the last 25 years, refugee students from around the world — just like Hakizimana — have braved Edmonton’s weather for the chance to attend the University of Alberta’s Student Refugee Program free of charge. Having fled Rwanda as a child, Hakizimana spent 10 years in a Malawi refugee camp before he moved to Canada and enrolled at the U of A. […] “The best part is to come from a refugee camp to the U of A,” Hakizimana said about his experience, which is sponsored by a group called World University Service of Canada (WUSC). With tuition, living and transportation costs covered, Sarah Lavimizadeh, events co-ordinator for WUSC at the U of A, said the program offers students who wouldn’t normally have the chance to attend post-secondary the opportunity for more education.
Global News – Transgender Woman Initially Held in Men’s Jail on Immigration Matter to Fly Home
A transgender woman from London, England who was initially held in a men’s jail after being detained over an apparent immigration issue is to return home Thursday. Her girlfriend tweets that Avery Edison will take a flight back to the United Kingdom from Toronto’s Pearson airport following a decision that was made at an immigration hearing. Edison had tweeted she was detained by the Canada Border Services Agency after landing in Toronto on Monday, and she suspected it was due to previously overstaying her student visa. But she said that despite being listed as female on her passport she was sent to Maplehurst Correctional Centre in Milton, Ont. – a jail for males – while awaiting a hearing.
Radio Canada – Une liste des employeurs qui embauchent des étrangers est réclamée
À la suite des aveux de la coentreprise Pacer Promec, la Fédération des travailleurs de l’Alberta réclame une liste publique des employeurs qui utilisent le Programme des travailleurs étrangers temporaires (PTET). La semaine dernière, on apprenait que Pacer Promec avait remplacé des employés syndiqués par des travailleurs temporaires croates à sa mine de sables bitumineux, à Fort McMurray. L’employeur a d’abord démenti la chose, puis l’a reconnue, tout en annonçant qu’il réembaucherait des Canadiens syndiqués, mais pas nécessairement ceux qu’il avait licenciés. Le ministère fédéral de l’Emploi a ouvert une enquête sur l’affaire.
Journal de Montréal – Immigrants investisseurs: le Québec épargné
Le Québec pourra continuer d’accueillir des immigrants investisseurs, même si le fédéral a annoncé dans son budget la fin de ce programme spécifique pour le reste du Canada. C’est ce qu’a confirmé au Journal mercredi l’attaché de presse de la ministre de l’Immigration, Diane de Courcy. «La catégorie d’immigrants investisseurs va encore exister au Québec. On a eu des discussions avec le fédéral et on va pouvoir maintenir le programme ici», précise Jean-François Lemieux. Notons que l’accord Canada-Québec permet à la province de choisir ses immigrants, contrairement aux autres provinces du pays.
