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.
CBC – Canada to Resettle 10,000 More Syrian Refugees Over 3 Years
Immigration Minister Chris Alexander says Canada will resettle 10,000 more Syrian refugees over the next three years in direct response to the United Nations Refugee Agency’s global appeal to resettle 100,000 refugees worldwide. “We are here today as we have been saying for some time to confirm that Canada is doing more,” Alexander said during an announcement in Toronto on Wednesday. Of the 10,000 Syrian refugees, Alexander said that approximately 60 per cent would be sponsored by private groups and 40 per cent would be sponsored by the government. […] The UN Refugee Agency welcomed Canada’s “generous commitment” saying, in a written statement, “this substantial pledge is in keeping with Canada’s strong humanitarian tradition to offer resettlement to refugees worldwide.” Today’s announcement also comes on the heels of intense criticism by immigration groups who said the government was not doing enough after the country fell behind on its previous commitment to take in 1,300 Syrian refugees by the end of 2014.
CBC – GNWT Immigrant Nominee Programs Need Work, Says Yellowknife Business
A Yellowknife-owned company operating in China says it has lined up people hoping to immigrate and invest in businesses here but they’re still waiting for the territorial government for clarity on how to make this happen. […] The territory has four streams under a nominee program that allows people to apply for permanent residency. It partners with Citizen and Immigration Canada to fast-track immigration applications. One of the streams is the Entrepreneur Business program. […]Kevin Todd, director of investment and economic analysis with the N.W.T. Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment, says in the six years it has existed, no one has applied for the Entrepreneur Business stream or the Self-Employed Business stream. He attributes this to a variety of reasons. “There’s quite a lot of competition with the other provinces in Canada,” he said. “It could be the North is not as an attractive place to live. Maybe with some of the smaller communities, maybe some of the business opportunities aren’t as good as some of the southern business opportunities.”
Radio Canada International – L’Université du Nouveau-Brunswick est aux prises avec une controverse sur fond de racisme
L’Université du Nouveau-Brunswick (UNB) au Canada atlantique doit faire enquête sur des propos supposément racistes émis par un professeur de sociologie de l’institution, alléguant que l’afflux d’immigrants asiatiques est une menace au caractère européen du Canada. Kerry Jang, conseiller municipal de Vancouver en Colombie-Britannique – à l’autre bout du pays – a déposé une plainte officielle contre le professeur Ricardo Duchesne. Selon monsieur Jang, les commentaires du professeur de sociologie de l’UNB sont essentiellement des propos haineux. « Il propose une analyse inquiétante, affirmant que les villes asiatiques surpeuplées à Hong Kong et au Japon sont sales et que, donc, que tous les Asiatiques le sont. » L’été dernier, Kerry Jang a déposé sa plainte auprès de Robert MacKinnon, un des vice-présidents de l’UNB, affirmant que les propos du professeur Duchesne causent un tort sérieux à l’institution et que cette dernière devrait songer à le retirer des salles de cours. « Il propose une seule perspective sociologique et se sert de son affiliation universitaire pour faire passer son message.
La Presse – Le Canada promet d’accueillir 10 000 autres réfugiés syriens
La promesse du Canada d’accueillir quelque 10 000 autres réfugiés syriens au cours des trois prochaines années devra être appuyée par un meilleur système pour les faire venir ici, ont prévenu des défenseurs des droits des réfugiés. Les communautés sont prêtes et capables de les prendre en charge mais des changements sont nécessaires au système d’asile, affirment des groupes de protection et des politiciens de l’opposition. «Nous avons un problème dans notre système de relocalisation des réfugiés: de très longs délais, des limites aux personnes qui peuvent être parrainées – il y a des problèmes à régler et ces problèmes demeurent», a déclaré Faisal Al Azem, du Conseil syro-canadien. «Mais ce nombre est un énorme pas vers l’avant, alors pour cela, nous sommes reconnaissants et positifs». Le gouvernement conservateur a fait cette nouvelle promesse après des mois de demandes répétées de groupes de réfugiés et de Canadiens d’origine syrienne, qui réclamaient une augmentation draconienne des places réservées aux réfugiés syriens, qui tentent de fuir la violence brutale qui sévit dans leur pays.
The Guardian (PEI) – RCMP Probe of PNP File Ends Quietly
A three-year RCMP probe into allegations of fraud and bribery involving Prince Edward Island’s controversial immigrant investor program is now closed. No criminal charges have been laid. “The PNP file is closed with no new information provided to RCMP for review/investigation,” MacDougall said in an email to The Guardian. “To date, none of the information provided to us has led to any criminal charges.” The probe was originally launched after explosive allegations of fraud and bribery involving senior government officials who administered the PNP were sent to Citizenship and Immigration Canada in 2011. The allegations, which include claims these officials accepted cash bribes by Chinese applicants to the PNP, were then forwarded by the federal department to the RCMP and the Canada Border Services Agency. The lengthy review of P.E.I.’s Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) quietly ended a few months ago, said Sherry MacDougall, senior communications adviser with the P.E.I. RCMP.
Toronto Star – “High Error Rate” Found in Canada’s Immigration Processing
Internal government reviews have identified a “high error rate” in immigration processing, from permanent resident applications to refugee work permits, prompting fears over the system’s integrity. The human errors — staff failing to use correct form letters, address missing documents and provide accurate timelines, among other shortcomings — could not only cost individual applicants a chance to live and work in Canada but affect the “efficiency of the system” and create unnecessary backlogs. […] Immigration applicants have complained about inconsistencies and a lack of fairness in the application processing — and sometimes the decision-making — by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) officials. The three so-called “quality management” reviews obtained by the Star focused on applications in three areas: permanent residence, refugee work permits and Canadian Experience Class. The reviews give the public a rare glimpse into the extent of these official errors, which authorities have never admitted to. While the rank and file of the immigration department blames the errors on the rising number of “casual employees” hired to replace well-trained permanent staff, the government insists that has not compromised the integrity of these programs.
