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.
Toronto Star – Ontario Proposes Sweeping New Law to Protect Workers
Advocates for vulnerable workers are pleased with sweeping new Ontario legislation that proposes to strengthen workplace protections. The Stronger Workplaces for a Stronger Economy Act, introduced by Labour Minister Yasir Naqvi Wednesday, would better protect workers hired by temporary help agencies and unpaid interns, co-op students and trainees. It would also bar employers and recruiters from charging recruitment fees and seizing personal documents from all temporary foreign workers. The measures for migrant workers expand on a 2009 law that bans recruitment agencies from charging fees to live-in caregivers. However, advocates for migrant workers say the proposed labour legislation falls short by failing to establish a registry of employers and recruiters. In Manitoba, a registry requires employers and recruiters to contribute to a bond that would compensate abused workers.
Journal de Montréal – Un prix qui suscite la controverse
La sixième édition du Prix Paul Yuzyk, qui récompense les personnes ayant favorisé l’intégration des nouveaux arrivants, a été lancée la semaine dernière par le gouvernement canadien. Une initiative qui peut sembler paradoxale étant donné les coupes effectuées par le fédéral en immigration, estiment certains intervenants. […] Le Conseil canadien pour les réfugiés soutient toutefois que les réformes du fédéral auprès des demandeurs d’asile nuisent à l’intégration des réfugiés. […] Les demandeurs doivent remettre leurs renseignements personnels à la Commission de l’immigration et du statut de réfugié en 15 jours au lieu de 28.
Le Devoir – Réfugiés népalais à Québec – Une nouvelle vie faite d’espoir et d’obstacles
Les réfugiés népalais commencent à s’acclimater à leur nouvelle vie à Québec, mais leurs débuts sont décourageants. La ville de Québec accueille ce mois-ci plus d’une centaine de réfugiés en provenance des camps du Népal, de la région des Grands Lacs en Afrique et de la Colombie. Le Devoir profite de leur arrivée pour prendre des nouvelles du plus gros groupe à s’être installé à Québec ces dernières années, les Népalo-Bhoutanais. « On en a reçu encore en 2013 et on pense qu’on va en recevoir d’autres l’an prochain », résume la directrice du Centre multiethnique, Dominique Lachance. […] Entre 2008 et 2013, le Canada a accueilli plus de 5000 Népalo-Bhoutanais, dont 1058 sont venus à Québec
Winnipeg Free Press – Look Back to Retool Immigration
Each year around Halloween, Canada’s Citizenship and Immigration minister is required by law to present to Parliament his immigration plan for the coming year. This is a good news event, a “treat,” and on Oct. 28, Minister Chris Alexander announced the target for 2014 would be in the range of 240,000-265,000 immigrants. The “trick” side of this announcement is that it is essentially the same number as for the previous five years of the Harper government. There is tinkering within the total as the sub categories are marginally adjusted, but the overall effect is about the same. […] As one watches the numbers of temporary foreign workers mount, and as one reads of abuses besetting some of these, and as one sees the frustration of families unable to be reunited here, one has to wonder why Canada doesn’t return to the strategy that once helped build this nation — allowing the sponsoring here of family members, as permanent and not temporary, immigrants.
Ottawa Citizen – Tibetan Refugees Ready to Start Over in Ottawa
The Canadian government is providing visas to the Tibetans in a decision that came in 2010 after exiled Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama urged Canada to consider resettling refugees in 2007. The move has been criticized by China, which claims Tibet as one of its territories. There is no government funding for the resettlement project, and costs are being covered by community fundraising. Nima Dorjee, the national co-ordinator of the project, says he quit his engineering job to manage the project full-time as a volunteer. […] Another 23 refugees will join their counterparts in Ottawa over the next three months, says Dorjee. In the next six months, 200 will be resettled across Canada, in Ottawa, Toronto, Calgary, Vancouver, Victoria and the Sunshine Coast in B.C.
Canada.com – Refugee Support Group Wins Global Recognition
A Nanaimo-based committee that helps refugee students relocate to Canada has won a national award. Vancouver Island University’s World University Service of Canada local committee was awarded Local Committee of the Year at WUSC’s international forum in Ottawa on Nov. 3. VIU’s WUSC local committee, formed in 2008, is one of more than 80 similar groups on campuses across the country. The group raises funds to support refugees during their first year studying in Canada, and has sponsored eight VIU students since the committee formed five years ago.
