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.
Citoyenneté et Immigration Canada – Communiqué – Le gouvernement du Canada et la FCFA célèbrent la première Semaine nationale de l’immigration francophone
Le ministre de la Citoyenneté et de l’Immigration du Canada, Chris Alexander, et la présidente de la Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne (FCFA) du Canada, Marie-France Kenny, sont fiers de souligner la première Semaine nationale de l’immigration francophone, qui se déroule du 3 au 9 novembre. En 2012, le Canada a accueilli 3 685 immigrants francophones en situation minoritaire, une augmentation de 4 % comparativement à l’année 2011.
Radio Canada – Exemption méconnue pour les travailleurs étrangers francophones
Le gouvernement canadien tente depuis quelques années d’encourager des travailleurs étrangers francophones à s’installer dans les communautés de langue officielle minoritaire hors du Québec. Il traite leur permis de travail d’une nouvelle façon. D’habitude, le gouvernement n’accorde des permis de travail aux travailleurs étrangers temporaires que si l’employeur qui les fait venir peut démontrer qu’aucun citoyen canadien n’a pu pourvoir le poste Toutefois, les agents de l’immigration et des douanes qui traitent les permis disposent maintenant d’une nouvelle directive, le Bulletin opérationnel 429, ou « B.O. 429 ». Le B.O. 429 a la particularité d’être destiné uniquement aux immigrants francophones qui s’installent hors du Québec.
Citizenship and Immigration Canada News Release – The Government of Canada and the FCFA Celebrate the First National Francophone Immigration Week
Canada welcomed 3,685 Francophone minority immigrants in 2012, which is a 4% increase over 2011. “We have seen a consistent annual increase in the number of Francophone minority immigrants since 2006 and we will continue to promote initiatives to strengthen Canada’s Francophonie,” said [Chris] Alexander. “This is an opportunity for Francophones across the country to come together and celebrate their unique culture—a culture that continues to flourish and to define Canada’s national identity.”
Globe and Mail – Food-Bank Usage Still Near Record Levels in Canada, Study Says
The number of Canadians using food banks fell 4.5 per cent this year from 2012, reflecting improvement in some regions, particularly the Prairies. But the annual count, which tallies the total number of recipients in March of each year, shows 833,098 people turned to a food bank in that month – near record levels and 23 per cent higher than before the recession, according to Food Banks Canada. […] One in 10 people using food banks are aboriginal, and another one in 10 are recent immigrants, reflecting higher poverty rates and a more difficult labour market for these groups. More than a third of recipients were children.
CTV News – Saskatchewan Announces Changes to Immigrant Nominee Program
The provincial government has announced changes to the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program. On Jan. 2, nine categories will be consolidated into three with new eligibility requirements. The “family referral” category will be combined with the “skilled worker” category to create a new “international skilled workers” category, which will focus on attracting workers with high-skilled employment offers. […] However, the changes don’t end a rule introduced in May 2012 that said someone can nominate only one family member at a time instead of nominating multiple relatives all at once. Immigrants said last year that the changes — announced without notice or a phased-in period — were a betrayal. As of Jan. 2, the program will only accept applications electronically – a move the province says will increase efficiency.
Brampton Guardian – Teachers Protest Cuts to ESL Programs
While many immigrants choose the Peel region as their first home, there have been dramatic cuts to the English classes offered to assist them with the transition. Peel English as a Second Language (ESL) teachers say they want to know why the Peel District School Board (PDSB) is targeting ESL classes with these cuts. […] The majority of Peel District ESL teachers are women and many are originally immigrants themselves. This makes these teachers vulnerable to job cuts and reduction of hours to part-time work. According to the Peel Census of 2006, 48.3 per cent of Peel residents are immigrants. This number continues to grow, and serves as a clear indication of the need for immigrant services such as ESL classes in this region, says the head of the union.
