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 – Trade Talks Squeeze Canada’s Refugee Protection System
In Cali, Colombia, next week, Stephen Harper will ponder a choice driven by the forces of globalization. Trade talks are increasingly applying pressure on Canada to lower restrictions on foreigners entering the country, and in turn, squeezing the refugee-protection system. […] The members of the Pacific Alliance – Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru – have dropped visa requirements so their citizens can travel freely within the bloc without forms and fees. They’d expect Canada to do the same if it joins, letting their citizens visit without getting a visa in advance. They find Canada’s visa-application process onerous, and say it rejects too many tourists and business people. But for Canada, it’s not a straightforward decision on paperwork. Ottawa imposes visas on some countries so they can screen out people who might claim refugee status here. The pressure to lift them forces choices about the asylum system.
Abitibi Express – L’école La Source, unique au monde
Les différences comme outil d’intégration et non de discrimination, voilà le thème qu’a choisi l’école secondaire La Source dans une campagne d’affichage originale destinée à lutter contre l’intimidation. Lancée le 16 mai sous le thème Unique au monde, cette campagne comprend 15 affiches qui présentent à la fois des élèves «québécois de souche», des élèves d’origine étrangère et des membres du personnel. À côté d’une photo qui l’illustre tout sourire, chaque personne présente les traits de caractère qui la rendent unique, que ce soit ses préférences alimentaires, les sports qu’elle pratique, son origine ethnique, ses rêves, ses réalisations ou encore ses passions.
CapAcadie – Du microcrédit pour intégrer les immigrants
Le Conseil multiculturel du Nouveau-Brunswick (CMNB) lance un programme de microcrédit afin de permettre à des immigrants reçus de faire certifier les compétences qu’ils ont acquises dans leur pays d’origine. La directrice générale du CMNB, Leentje Deleuil, explique que de nombreux nouveaux arrivants ont du mal à se trouver du travail parce que leur formation n’est pas reconnue au Canada. «Les nouveaux arrivants qui ont des qualifications très élevées, comme des infirmières, des médecins, des ingénieurs, ils veulent commencer à travailler au Canada dans leur profession, mais ils doivent faire partie des collèges ou des associations professionnelles. Ces organisations, pour les accepter, demandent parfois qu’ils fassent des stages ou qu’ils réussissent des examens et ça coûte de l’argent», explique Mme Deleuil.
Winnipeg Free Press – Manitoba to Provide Health Benefits to Seasonal Migrant Workers
The province shocked advocates rallying outside the legislature for Manitoba’s migrant farm workers today when Immigration Minister Christine Melnick announced health coverage will now be provided for the estimated 400 seasonal workers who plant and harvest Manitoba produce every year. […] The workers in the federal Seasonal Agricultural Workers Program come from Mexico and Caribbean countries. They have been paying for private health insurance, and they contribute to Employment Insurance although they are ineligible for those benefits and the Canada Pension Plan.
CKOM News Talk 650 – Temporary Foreign Workers Take Up 65 Per Cent of New Jobs in Saskatoon
Many of the new jobs created over the last four years in Saskatchewan have gone to temporary foreign workers. New research compiled by the Canadian Labour Congress outlines how 65 per cent all of net jobs created went to those outside the country. Industry Canada has recently disputed the numbers, citing a Statistics Canada statement saying temporary foreign workers can’t be accurately traced.
CBC – Loan Program for Immigrant Professionals Launched
The New Brunswick Multicultural Council has launched a new micro loans program to help immigrant professionals upgrade their foreign credentials. Many people who were trained in other countries arrive in Canada only to find out their credentials aren’t recognized here, said project co-ordinator Tanya Billings. Through the pilot project, about 150 people will be able to borrow up to $15,000 to upgrade their skills to meet Canadian standards.
