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.
The Guardian – Brussels Slaps Down British Threats to Rewrite Immigration Rules
Brussels has stepped up its fightback against UK attempts to curb EU immigration as leaders of the European parliament declared that rules on freedom of movement were completely non-negotiable, and made clear that attempts to change them would be blocked. In the latest response to calls from UK politicians to unpick the EU treaties and rewrite one of its founding principles, the European parliament’s president, Martin Schulz, said that while he took UK demands for reform of the EU “very seriously” there was no question of the parliament agreeing to reopen the rule-book on free movement. […] The remarks reflect an increasing determination within the EU to respond robustly to the UK’s demands for a new deal on immigration, and a growing sense that British politicians must not be allowed to hold the rest of the union to ransom over the issue by bringing up the possibility of a UK exit.
La Presse – La FFQ veut convaincre Québec de retirer le projet de charte
Instaurer une nouvelle économie et faire en sorte que le gouvernement du Parti québécois modifie son projet de loi sur la charte des valeurs sont deux grandes priorités de la Fédération des femmes du Québec (FFQ) pour 2014. La directrice Alexa Conradi espère réussir à convaincre le gouvernement du Québec que le projet, tel qu’il est présenté, ne doit pas être adopté. Selon elle, ce sont les femmes qui risquent de payer les frais d’un débat qui appartient davantage au rapport qu’entretient la société avec religion. Une question qui se fait en partie «sur le dos des femmes musulmanes» considère la FFQ.
Citizenship and Immigration Canada News Release – Sustained High Number of Visas Issued from Chandigarh and New Delhi Missions in 2013
Canada is a destination of choice for visitors, students and business travellers from India. A high number of visitor visas (84,672) and study permits (13,613) were issued from Canada’s Chandigarh and New Delhi offices between January and December 2013, the Honourable Tim Uppal, Minister of State for Multiculturalism announced today at the Pravasi Punjabi Divas Sammelan conference in Anandpur Sahib. The Business Express Program (BEP), in place in India since June 2008, is another example of Canada’s commitment to facilitating linkages between our two countries. The BEP was created to provide qualified businesses and their employees with a number of service advantages, including less paperwork, priority processing of visa applications, and a dedicated service to respond to the needs of those within the program.
Toronto Star – Ottawa’s Change of Heart Keeps Gay Couple Together
Canada Border Services Agency abruptly changed its mind Friday and deferred the deportation of a woman who is weeks away from getting permanent resident papers. Border officials broke the news to Xiaoyi Ge’s lawyer late in the day, less than 24 hours after the Star inquired about her scheduled Jan. 17 removal. Ge had been told by Citizenship and Immigration Canada that the failed refugee claimant and her wife, Trudi Stewart, should have their permanent residency granted within eight to 10 weeks. […] Although the Immigration and Refugee Board didn’t dispute that Ge was a lesbian, the judge denied her asylum on the grounds that mistreatment of homosexuals in China amounts to serious discrimination only, not persecution.
Global News – Immigrant Unemployment: The More Education, the Bigger the Gap
Friday’s employment numbers may’ve been lacklustre. But the job search is far bleaker for new Canadians: Years after the recession officially ended, you’re still more likely to be out of a job if you’re an immigrant. And the gap between immigrants and Canadian-born workers is biggest for those with the most education: University graduates who’ve been in Canada five years or less are more than four times more likely to be unemployed than their Canadian counterparts. In fact, Canadian-born high-school grads have a better shot at a job than university-educated recent immigrants: 7.1 per cent unemployment, compared to 11.9. […] The federal Conservatives have vowed to dramatically revamp the immigration system, matching applicants with jobs before they even arrive. But in the meantime, advocates have been arguing for better integration services, and less restrictive rules around credentials.
CameroonVoice – Bientôt plus difficile de devenir canadien?
Depuis que le gouvernement conservateur de Stephen Harper est au pouvoir, beaucoup d’attention a été portée sur les domaines de la Citoyenneté et de l’Immigration. Dans un article publié le 27 décembre 2013, dans le célèbre journal conservateur National Post, Chris Alexander, le Ministre de la Citoyenneté et de l’Immigration a annoncé que des changements drastiques touchant la loi sur la Citoyenneté seraient bientôt considérés par le gouvernement en place. [..] Aujourd’hui, le pays devient plus exigeant et s’apprête à présenter son projet de loi à la Chambre des Communes au courant de l’année 2014. Lorsqu’une personne se voit accorder le statut de résident permanent du Canada, ce dernier est valable pendant cinq ans et doit être renouvelé à chaque période quinquennale.
