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.
Toronto Star – Diabetes in Toronto: Immigrants in “Less Walkable” Areas at High Risk
New immigrants in Toronto’s low-income neighbourhoods are 50 per cent more likely to develop diabetes than long-term residents in areas that are more walking- and cycling-friendly, says a new study. […] Least walkable neighbourhoods are often newly developed areas characterized by urban sprawl and heavy reliance on cars. […] Communities outside of the downtown core, especially in north Etobicoke or northeast Scarborough, are less friendly to walkers. […] Poverty, stress from migration and inadequate physical activity in a less walkable neighbourhood may accentuate the risk of diabetes among these recent immigrants, Booth noted.
Something dangerous is happening in our public debates about immigration and refugee policies. […] Last month, news surfaced of Canada Border Services Agency documents reportedly recommending that Canada detain Roma refugee claimants while their claims are being processed. If this is so, it represents a Canadian government agency suggesting that civil liberties be distributed along ethnic lines. […] Talking about crime and immigration issues in terms of ethnic tendencies and cultural habits is more than just a lazy way around hard issues — though it is certainly that. Ethnic vilification and stereotyping are historically proven evils that are harmful and dangerous for the targeted communities and degrade the society that allows such views to take hold.
Ottawa Citizen – IRB Goes Lean to Cope with Demands of New Refugee Law
The federal government’s overhaul of Canada’s refugee determination system is driving the Immigration and Refugee Board to embrace business efficiency practices pioneered six decades ago by Japanese automaker Toyota. Ahead of the expected December implementation of the Protecting Canada’s Immigration System Act, the IRB is turning to “Lean” processes that it hopes will enable it to deal with refugee applications and appeals much more expeditiously. The new law imposes tight statutory time frames for the board to hear and decide applications and appeals. Whereas it now takes an average of 19 months for the IRB’s refugee protection division to complete an initial hearing, the revised system requires that to be done within 30 to 60 days.
Globe and Mail – Kenney Announces Upgrades to Program Aimed at Attracting World’s Talent
The program targets temporary foreign workers already in Canada and non-Canadians who have graduated from universities and colleges here – people who have proven they can integrate into society and meet labour market needs. It removes immigration obstacles for a class of individuals that Immigration Minister Jason Kenney calls “the most likely to succeed.” […] All applicants will now require 12 months of Canadian work experience gained in the three years prior to their application. Previously, some needed 24 months experience.
Citizenship and Immigration Canada News Release – Canadian Experience Class: Creating Jobs Across Canada
The CEC, Canada’s fastest growing economic immigration program, offers a pathway to permanent residency for international student graduates as well as others with skilled work experience in Canada. Those who are eligible may apply from within Canada and expect a quick decision. In the past, a brilliant student graduating from our top universities who wanted to stay in Canada and help create jobs would have had to return to their home country to wait at the back of a seven or eight year queue.
There will be no revisions to the Saskatchewan Immigration Nominee Program (SINP), despite pleas from an immigrant group. Changes were made to the program on May 1. Previously, sponsors were allowed to nominate an unlimited number of immigration applications for family members. Now they can only sponsor one family member at a time, and the applicant must have proof of a highly skilled job waiting for them. […] Kenney stated, “We have a federal family sponsorship program that reunites families. This is not the goal of the PNP (Provincial Nominee Program) and we want to work with provinces and territories to ensure that the program is solely focused on supporting economic growth rather than duplicating non-economic federal immigration streams.”
