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 – Making Canada’s Asylum System Faster and Fairer
The Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism announced today the initial list of countries whose citizens will have their asylum claims expedited for processing because they do not normally produce refugees. […] In 2011, of the total number of asylum claims filed by European Union nationals around the world, over 80% of were filed in Canada, even though EU nationals have mobility rights within the 27 EU member states. The majority of EU claimants do not appear for their Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada hearing as they withdraw or abandon their own claims. Of all EU claims referred to the IRB, an independent tribunal, 91% were rejected last year.
Winnipeg Free Press – Chinese Mining Firm Launches Rights Complaint, Threatens Feds with Lawsuit
The Chinese mining firm at the centre of a controversial plan to use temporary foreign workers in a British Columbia coal mine has launched a two-pronged attack, threatening both a human rights complaint and legal action. HD Mining distributed two separate letters to the media Thursday, one accusing the United Steelworkers Union of discrimination and the other putting the government on notice it may pursue claims for civil damages after federal ministers made public statements about the company.
Winnipeg Free Press – Canada, U.S. Sign Visa Info Sharing Agreement, Part of Perimeter Security Deal
Canada will soon begin sharing biometric information and other data about visa applicants with the United States — which then may provide it to third countries under a newly signed treaty. It means the fingerprints or photo of someone who hopes to visit, study or work in Canada could be passed to Washington, which in turn might share them with another country to help verify the person’s identity. However, Canada would have to agree to the disclosure and could place restrictions or conditions on how the information is shared, says the treaty released Thursday. The biometric sharing initiative — affecting nationals of 29 countries and one territory seeking visas to Canada — is part of a continental perimeter security deal reached last year.
Citizenship and Immigration Canada News Release – Strengthening Border Security
In another step toward improving border security, Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney and United States Ambassador to Canada David Jacobson signed today the Immigration Information Sharing Treaty, a key part of the Perimeter Security and Economic Competitiveness Action Plan. […]As part of the Action Plan, Canada and the United States committed to share immigration information to improve border efficiency and security, by establishing and verifying the identities of foreign nationals, and identifying those who are inadmissible at the earliest opportunity.
Globe and Mail – Canada’s Secret Export Weapon: New Immigrants
Economists and policy makers often lament that Canada isn’t trading enough with the fastest-growing corners of the world. Yes, we’re diversifying, just not fast enough. Canada’s export to emerging economies has grown to roughly 11 per cent from 4 per cent in 2000. Just imagine what would happen if Canada leveraged the enormous trading potential of the many recent immigrants from fast-growing countries, such as India and China.
CBC – Hamilton’s Roma Community Dwindles in Face of New Immigration Rules
Many families trying to settle in Hamilton — including two this week — are being deported back to Europe as their refugee claims are rejected. Others, fearing they too will be denied and deported, are leaving Canada and heading to other countries before they have a chance to make their case before an adjudicator at the Canadian Immigration and Refugee Board. […] Once considered a haven for refugee claimants from eastern Europe because of its relatively cheap rents, Hamilton is quickly losing members of its Roma community.
