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.
CNW Telbec – Le gouvernement du Canada aide les aînés immigrants à promouvoir la culture à Vancouver
Les aînés de Vancouver auront bientôt la possibilité de tisser des liens plus solides au sein de leur collectivité grâce au programme Nouveaux Horizons pour les aînés (PNHA). La ministre d’État (Aînés), l’honorable Alice Wong, en a fait l’annonce aujourd’hui à la Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House. […] L’organisme Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House a reçu 25 000 $ pour son projet visant à augmenter les interactions entre les aînés immigrants et les jeunes membres des collectivités et des familles. Des bénévoles aideront les aînés à documenter leurs histoires personnelles dans des albums papier et numériques, puis à les présenter dans le cadre d’une exposition intergénérationnelle visant à préserver les souvenirs.
Toronto Star – OPP Faces Racial Profiling Complaint from Migrant Workers Asked for DNA Samples
The OPP is facing a formal complaint about racial profiling after as many as 100 migrant farm workers near Tillsonburg were asked to submit DNA samples for an investigation into a violent sexual assault. Based on the description of the suspect of the Oct. 19 attack, officers from the OPP Elgin County detachment went from farm to farm to collect DNA samples from migrant workers in a wide range of heights, weights and ages. The only common physical characteristic among the targeted individuals, says the complaint to the Office of Independent Police Review Director (OIPRD), is their skin colour. “Despite the fact that the police had specific details about the suspect that should have narrowed the scope of the investigation (i.e. height, age and physical appearance), all black and brown migrant workers were approached during the DNA sweep,” the complaint states.
Net News Ledger – Scotiabank Teams Up with Bank of Beijing
Scotiabank has reached an agreement with the Bank of Beijing. The agreement is designed to help immigrants, international students, and foreign workers moving to Canada begin their financial transition before they leave China. […] Under Scotiabank’s cooperation agreement with the Bank of Beijing, Chinese immigrants, international students and foreign workers planning to move to Canada are able to open a bank account and apply for a credit card with Scotiabank through approximately 20 participating Bank of Beijing locations in China.
Globe and Mail – Cancellation of $17 Million from Ottawa Threatens Future of ESL Training
B.C.’s minister of advanced education says he’ll lose about $17-million in funding when the federal government changes how it delivers English-as-a-second-language training to adults. Amrik Virk also says the federal government hasn’t yet informed B.C. on how it plans to deliver those services to thousands of students. He says the federal government gave the province $22-million a year for ESL training under the Canada-B.C. Immigration Agreement, and of that money his ministry received about $17-million. Virk says his ministry used the money to pay for ESL training in its public universities and colleges, but in April 2012 the federal government told B.C. it was going to cancel the agreement. The provincial government then helped the institutions apply directly to the federal government for the money, but Virk says it has just learned none of the proposals were accepted.
Hamilton Spectator – Health Providers Welcome Provincial Move to Cover Refugee Health Costs
Health service providers in Hamilton are applauding a provincial government decision to reinstate essential and urgent coverage for refugee claimants through a new temporary health program. Dr. Tim O’Shea, a board member of the Refuge: Centre for Newcomer Health in Hamilton, says the federal government cuts 18 months ago led to sick children being denied care, pregnant women being unable to access essential prenatal care and cancer patients being denied life-saving chemotherapy. “Beyond being inhumane, this policy has sent a message that Canada is not a safe and welcoming place for individuals seeking refuge,” he said. What essentially happened is much of the cost of emergency services and other medical care for refugee claimants was downloaded onto hospitals because they were reluctant to turn away people who needed health care.
Le Devoir – Le fédéral défend sa gestion des réfugiés
Le bureau du ministre de la Citoyenneté et de l’Immigration du Canada, Chris Alexander, a tenu à réagir aux commentaires du Conseil canadien pour les réfugiés au sujet des effets négatifs des réformes fédérales sur les demandeurs d’asile les plus vulnérables, dont faisait écho Le Devoir lundi. Selon Alexis Pavlich, attaché de presse du ministre Alexander, le Canada demeure un leader mondial pour la protection des réfugiés, « incluant, par exemple, les engagements récents de réinstaller des réfugiés de l’Irak, de l’Iran, du Bhoutan et de la Syrie ». Selon lui, « les réformes récentes du système d’asile du Canada accordent une protection plus rapide aux réfugiés légitimes, s’attaquent aux passeurs qui exploitent honteusement les personnes les plus vulnérables du monde ».
