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.
Globe and Mail – University Backs Professor Who Says Asian Immigration Damages Vancouver
The University of New Brunswick, citing academic freedom, is supporting a professor who claims that Asian immigration has damaged Vancouver. In a statement issued Wednesday on sociology professor Ricardo Duchesne, a university vice-president said the school’s mission and values support freedom of thought and expression while maintaining the highest ethical standards and a respectful environment. Robert MacKinnon also said a complaint about the issue by Vancouver city Councillor Kerry Jang has been “carefully reviewed and addressed.” However, the statement provides no detail on that process or outcome. The university declined to provide more detail Wednesday or an interview with a university official. Mr. Jang scoffed at the response, calling it “vague,” and said he has never heard from the University of New Brunswick about the issue, which first flared up last summer when he became aware of Prof. Duchesne’s views. […] Mr. Jang also said Prof. Duchesne’s views on Asian immigration to B.C. are simply untrue. “It really comes across as very white supremacist. That’s just not Canada. It’s a country of immigrants.”
Metro News Canada – Refugee Clinic in Halifax to Save Thousands on Heating Bills with New Renovations
Members of one non-profit in Halifax have reason to be feeling all warm and fuzzy inside thanks to new renovations, which will save them thousands of dollars in heating bills. Starting next week, the Halifax Refugee Clinic, located on Macara Street, will undergo a weeklong energy retrofit as a part of the Nova Scotia’s Home Builder’s Association Homebuilder’s Care Program – an initiative that helps non-profits cut their maintenance costs in order to invest more money into programming. Julie Chamagne, executive director the clinic, said the organization applied for the program close to a year ago, after moving into their spacious two-and-a-half storey Victorian house in the city’s north-end. “It’s a wonderful place,” she explained Thursday, saying the home provides a cozy feel to around 50 refugee claimants who use the clinic on a daily basis to receive free legal and settlement services, as well resources to access to English courses and counseling.
Toronto Star – Sir Elton John Funds Probe into Canada’s Treatment of Refugees with HIV
The Elton John AIDS Foundation is funding a University of Toronto study into how recent changes to Canada’s refugee policies affect people who are living with or at risk of acquiring HIV. The $75,000 grant was announced this week by the singer’s long-time partner and now husband from Toronto, David Furnish. “As chairman of the Elton John AIDS Foundation and as a Canadian, I am pleased to see the University of Toronto’s International Human Rights Program take the lead in advocating on behalf of HIV-positive refugee claimants seeking a better life in Canada,” said Furnish. […] Program director and lawyer Renu Mandhane said the research will use Syria and Mexico as case studies and aim to explore policy changes that would help refugees with HIV or at risk of acquiring it to rebuild their lives here and access necessary medical treatment without fear.
Radio-Canada – Charlie Hebdo : des musulmans des Maritimes révoltés
Au lendemain de la fusillade au journal Charlie Hebdo à Paris, des musulmans des Maritimes dénoncent le recours à la violence au nom de l’Islam. Selon eux, cela découle d’une méconnaissance des enseignements du Coran, le livre sacré des musulmans. « Il faut clarifier pour que les gens comprennent que l’évocation de l’islam est fausse » explique l’imam Jamal Badawi de la Mosquée d’Halifax. « Que la brutalité est contraire aux enseignements du Coran sur l’importance de la vie humaine. » Riaz Akhtar, membre fondateur de l’Association des musulmans du Grand Moncton, considère également la fusillade comme un acte criminel qui ne représente pas les valeurs de sa religion. Il ne croit pas que ce genre de tragédie va survenir dans les Maritimes, mais il admet qu’il n’aurait jamais pu prédire l’attentat de Paris. Mohammed Ali est un Tunisien musulman établi à Moncton depuis plusieurs années.
CBC – Canada’s Syrian Refugees Wonder Why They Are Being Treated Differently
At a time when the Syrian struggle is becoming more complex and more and more people are forced to flee, Canada’s Syrian community is trying to fill the gaps of aid by helping new arrivals adapt. It is also lobbying for increasing the number of refugees being allowed into Canada and for reuniting separated families, both of which seem to be going very slowly. According to Faisal Al Azem, the director of the Montreal chapter of the Syrian Canadian council, Syrians in Canada have been disappointed with Canada’s slow reaction in reuniting families separated by the conflict. “Syrian-Canadians were surprised by the quick response” of Immigration Minister Chris Alexander in November 2013 following the tragic typhoon in the Philippines, Azem says. “The minister declared that visas of Filipinos that were affected by the typhoon would be expedited to Canada. […] “Syrian-Canadians ask themselves, what is different about them compared to Filipinos, or Haitians or Hungarians, all of which have found refuge and protection in Canada.”
The cost of applying to become a Canadian citizen has soared in the past year — a fee hike denounced as “disgusting” and a “poll tax” by critics who say it will keep the working poor from voting. But federal government officials reject criticism of the five-fold increase, saying the fee reflects efforts to have users pay the costs of services, and it compares fairly with sums charged in other countries. Tucked away in a Dec. 23 news release about reducing a backlog in citizenship applications, Citizenship and Immigration Canada said from Jan. 1 the fee would rise to $530 from $300. In February 2014, the fee rose to $300 from $100. […] Alexander told an online forum last month the increased fee more closely reflects the cost of processing an application. It was, he said, in keeping with a user-pay principal so the fees cover the entire cost of the citizenship program.
