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.
Vancouver Sun – Hong Kong Chinese Leaving Vancouver “by the Thousands”
The different attitudes displayed by people from Hong Kong and more recent arrivals from mainland China contributes to the tension in the city of Richmond over the expansion of Chinese-language signs, according to a report in The South China Morning Post. At the same time, bilingual Hong Kong residents (who can often speak both Chinese and English) have almost stopped arriving altogether in Richmond and Metro Vancouver. Indeed, the newspaper suggests thousands of former Hong Kong residents per year now seem to be going home or elsewhere. By far the greatest proportion of ethnic Chinese arriving in Metro Vancouver now come from The People’s Republic of China.
Canada.com – Opposition Criticism of Foreign Workers Program Hypocritical: Tories
The Conservatives have released a string of letters from New Democrats and Liberals — the latest from newly minted Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau — seeking approval for temporary foreign worker permits on behalf of companies in their ridings. […] “The NDP, on the one hand, condemns the temporary foreign worker program but, on the other hand, we have letters from eight NDP members of Parliament, begging the government to bring in more temporary foreign workers into their ridings and to bend the rules to make it happen,” Heritage Minister James Moore said Wednesday during question period.
[…] On n’arrive pas à renouveler notre population, c’est pour ça qu’on a de l’immigration», affirme Line Chaloux, principale dirigeante du Coffret, à Saint-Jérôme, un organisme qui s’occupe d’insertion sociale et d’accueil aux immigrés depuis 1991. «On les accompagne dans toutes les sphères d’activités pour s’assurer qu’ils s’intègrent bien dans la communauté», ajoute-t-elle. À Saint-Jérôme, porte d’accueil de l’immigration dans les Laurentides, le Cégep et le Centre Marchand voient en outre à dispenser des classes de francisation qui mèneront éventuellement à de la formation professionnelle. […] Pour ce qui est de l’intégration, la chose se porte assez bien dans les Laurentides, selon Mme Chaloux.
Les immigrants afro-caribéens de la région de la capitale pourraient bénéficier prochainement d’un centre d’accueil. Les premières ébauches du projet «Maison Afrique» sont présentement à l’étude. L’objectif serait de dynamiser l’intégration sociale, économique et professionnelle des communautés africaines et caribéennes d’Ottawa. «Nous sommes à la toute première étape du projet, celle de la consultation», indique Kalifa Goita, président de l’Association de la Diaspora africaine du Canada (ADAC) en charge du projet.
Toronto Star – RBC Only One of Many Canadian Employers Misusing Temporary Migrant Workers
The Royal Bank of Canada has now apologized for displacing Canadian workers following the whistle blowing by an IT specialist that revealed the plan to replace some 50 Canada-based RBC workers with outsourced labour via temporary migrant workers. The issue, however, is ongoing and beyond RBC. Canadian banks and other employers have been importing temporary migrant IT workers for various projects for some time, and they will continue to do so – likely with ample support of governments. […] Though little discussed, after Alberta, Ontario holds second place for employers hiring temporary migrant workers through the TFWP. In addition to IT workers, large numbers of temporary migrant engineers of various specialties were being used by Ontario employers between 2004 and 2008 – despite high unemployment and underemployment among Ontario-based engineers and IT workers.
Globe and Mail – Don’t Slam Shut Canada’s Doors on Foreign Workers
The uproar over Canada’s temporary foreign worker program has sparked a heated debate over the country’s approach to immigration. But while some are concerned over the program’s growth and management, that doesn’t mean the country should to slam its doors. Immigration is a vital source of both work force and population growth as the population ages and birth rates slow. At some point this decade, it will account for all of Canada’s net labour market growth.
