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 – Tarek Loubani and John Greyson go to Bat for Immigrants Jailed Endlessly in Canada
A little more than three weeks since they returned to Canada, Tarek Loubani and John Greyson — who spent seven weeks in an Egyptian prison without being charged — are demanding an end to what they describe as “unjust” indefinite detention of immigration detainees in Canada. […] Close to 200 immigrant detainees, some of whom have been in detention for as long as seven years because Canada cannot remove them — nor will they release them — held a protest and hunger strike to draw attention to their indefinite detention at the Central East Correctional Centre in Lindsay earlier this fall. Loubani, a London, Ont., emergency physician, and Greyson, a Toronto filmmaker and professor, want the Canadian government to abide by international law and limit immigration detention to 90 days. If immigration detainees aren’t deported by then, the two say, they should be released — as is the case in the United States or the United Kingdom.
Al Jazeera – “Security Certificates” Ruling Ignites Debate
For 13 years, Mohammad Mahjoub has been living in uncertainty. And after a Canadian federal court judge ruled last month to uphold the government’s stringent restrictions on the Egyptian-born father of three, his fight appears to be far from over. […] Established in 1978 and falling under Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, security certificates allow the government to indefinitely detain non-citizens living in Canada, without charge or trial, on the basis of national security. Mahjoub spent years in a Toronto-area detention center and an immigration detention facility nicknamed “Guantanamo North” near Kingston, Ontario, and the rest of the time under house arrest or with severe restrictions on his freedom of movement. In the 13 years he has lived under a security certificate, Mahjoub has never been formally charged with a crime. Still, on October 25, Federal Court judge Edmond Blanchard upheld the security certificate in the case, despite stating that Mahjoub’s right to a fair trial, and his right to be free from unreasonable search and seizure, had been violated.
Toronto Star – United Way: JobStart Gives Job Seekers a Leg Up
Be prepared. It’s an important skill Sugeevan “Sugee” Chandrakumar took away with him from JobStart where he turned for help finding part-time work in his field of interest. It’s been the key to his success. […] “I consider JobStart a community,” he added. “They are willing to go the extra mile to help you out.” That’s been the aim at JobStart since it was established in 1980, said executive director Heather Sant. “We help people achieve their employment goals,” she said noting last year 4,000 people turned to the agency. Clients represent a diverse population including newcomers from places such as Europe, India, the Philippines, China and Russia, the physically and mentally disabled, professionals and youth. […] A program for youth aged 16 to 29 who are struggling to find employment is also available, as is a provincially-funded newcomer settlement program.
Hamilton Spectator – Hillfield’s Conversation Circle Builds Bridges for Refugees
“I feel comfortable here,” says the Glendale high school student. “It’s like my home.” Abdulraheem isn’t talking about a place, but rather a unique English conversation circle for refugee youth. Now in its seventh year, the program matches newcomers from Somalia, Cambodia, Haiti and elsewhere with peer tutors from Hillfield Strathallan College (HSC). They meet at St. Peter’s HARRRP Community Centre every Tuesday to do homework, practise English — even just talk. In many cases, newcomers are “ambassadors” for their families, says Susan Tweney, an ESL teacher at Glendale. They’ll often have to miss school for appointments or to translate for their parents, some of whom speak no English.
Durham Region – Need for English Language Programs on the Rise in Durham
ESL classes for adults are funded by the Ontario government and range from basic literacy to advanced English, including conversation and pronunciation. The Durham District School Board and Durham Catholic District School Board offer part-time, full-time, evening or Saturday classes to help immigrants improve their English. Classes are offered in Oshawa, Whitby, Ajax and Pickering. […] ESL is funded by the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration Ontario and open to Canadian citizens as well as refugee claimants and some foreign workers, while LINC is funded by Citizenship and Immigration Canada and provides language training for permanent residents and refugees. Local teachers and students in the classes took part in a variety of activities during the last two weeks of October to celebrate ESL Week in Durham. They included presentations by students about their native countries, flag making, a Cultural Day celebration, sharing of cultural foods and dance demonstrations.
Gouvernement du Manitoba – Communiqué – Le Premier ministre annonce la simplification du processus pour les Francophones qui demandent à participer au programme Candidats du Manitoba
Le gouvernement du Manitoba célèbre la toute première Semaine nationale de l’immigration francophone, du 3 au 9 novembre, et il prévoit désormais un processus électronique plus rapide et plus simple pour présenter en français une demande de participation au programme provincial Candidats du Manitoba (PCM), a annoncé aujourd’hui le premier ministre, M. Greg Selinger. […] Dans le cadre de la Semaine nationale de l’immigration francophone, le Réseau en immigration francophone du Manitoba a collaboré avec des partenaires communautaires pour organiser diverses activités et manifestations. […] M. Selinger a précisé que l’outil en français du programme Candidats du Manitoba (PCM) en ligne aidera à accroître l’immigration francophone et à réduire le temps de traitement des demandes.
