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.
Citizenship and Immigration Canada News Release – Canada Continued to Welcome Highest Sustained Level of Immigration in Canadian History in 2013
Canada welcomed a record number of international students in 2012, Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney announced today. Last year was the first time in Canadian history that Canada has welcomed over 100,000 international students, an increase of 60% from 2004. […] According to a 2011 report by the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade entitled International Education: A Key Driver of Canada’s Future Prosperity, international students contribute more than $8 billion every year to the Canadian economy. In addition to significant economic benefits, international students also enrich Canadian society with their ideas and different perspectives.
Radio-Canada – Des médecins contestent les coupes dans les soins de santé pour les demandeurs d’asile
Des associations de médecins et d’avocats oeuvrant auprès des réfugiés contestent devant les tribunaux la validité des coupes annoncées par le gouvernement conservateur pour les soins de santé des demandeurs de statut. Les plaignants demandent à la Cour fédérale de mener une révision judiciaire de la décision du ministre de l’Immigration, Jason Kenney. Ils estiment que le tribunal devrait invalider ces coupes budgétaires, en vertu de la Charte des droits et libertés. Jusqu’en juin 2012, Ottawa défrayait les coûts des médicaments et des soins de santé des demandeurs du statut de réfugié dont la requête avait été rejetée jusqu’à ce qu’ils soient expulsés du Canada, ou alors en attendant qu’ils deviennent admissibles à la couverture provinciale.
Toronto Star – Q&A: Jason Kenney Says Bill to Strip Canadian Citizenship Largely “Symbolic”
What does it mean to be Canadian? What is a terrorist? Two simple enough questions, but they have sparked great debate since Citizenship and Immigration Minister Jason Kenney suggested that Canadians convicted of terrorism offences should lose their citizenship. The proposed amendment to a private member’s bill, previously introduced by Calgary’s Conservative MP Devinder Shory, would apply only to those who hold dual citizenship. […] Kenney said the legislation is largely “symbolic” and would rarely be used. Most of the world’s governments, he said, already have such legislation, noting that “in the case of the United States, instead of going through legal niceties of citizenship revocation they seem to be using drones to bomb American citizens who are terrorists.” [Full Interview in Article]
Abitibi Express – Un projet pilote pour contrer la pénurie de la main-d’œuvre
La région et Laval s’unissent pour former des immigrants. Une quinzaine d’immigrants sans emploi participent à un projet pilote afin d’acquérir une formation collégiale pour venir travailler dans le domaine de l’industrie minière en Abitibi-Témiscamingue
Hamilton’s immigrant population is constantly growing and changing, nowhere more so than in the east end neighbourhood of Riverdale. According to a report last year from the Social Planning and Research Council of Hamilton, the area boasts the largest proportion of recent immigrants to the city. In the report, which dubbed the neighbourhood “Hamilton’s arrival city,” almost half of the neighbourhood’s residents identify themselves as a visible minority — 43 per cent — compared to only 16 per cent for the rest of the city. […] It makes for a vibrant community that brings the richness of many different cultures to one area, but it also creates a unique set of challenges that Riverdale residents face moreso than any other community in the city. According to the SPRC, 35 per cent of Riverdale’s population is living in poverty, nearly double the 18 per cent in the rest of the city.
The British Columbia Trucking Association (BCTA) has just been awarded a $196,000 grant to help fleets find and hire immigrant drivers more efficiently. According to a statement from the BCTA, the Immigrant Employment Council of BC has announced 11 such projects designed to assist employers, industry and business associations develop programs for integrating skilled immigrants into BC workplaces. The BCTA will be developing a driver vocational-assessment tool aimed at immigrant applicants as well as an employer licensing and training resource.
