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 – Found in Translation: Course Offers Abused Immigrant and Refugee Women Chance at a New Life
The program began in 1987 with funding from the province. Its main mandate is to help immigrant and refugee women, especially those who have been abused. The course lasts two days per week for five weeks and much of their work after is for women who’ve lived with violence. Graduates of the program have gone on to interpret in court, at shelters and anywhere else the skill is needed. They offer interpretation in more than 90 languages. http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/1257018–found-in-translation-course-offers-abused-immigrant-and-refugee-women-chance-at-a-new-life
Toronto Star – Breaking Free From the “Canadian Experience” Trap
Finding a job is one of myriad challenges faced by newcomers to Canada. They tackle language barriers, adapting to a new different culture and navigating new school systems and workplaces. For the past 24 years, CultureLink’s staff of 50 and roster of almost 500 active volunteers have provided classes, formed networks and acted as mentors to make the transition easier. […] It’s one of 148 agencies supported by the United Way in Toronto and relies on the charitable organization for core funding to run programs that make such a difference for many immigrant families. CultureLink’s flagship programs match newcomers with trained mentors in high schools, local communities and the working world. Many mentors are themselves recent immigrants, so they understand the challenges firsthand. http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/1257050–breaking-free-from-the-canadian-experience-trap
Toronto Star – United Way Jamestown Service Hub Offers Way into Workforce
The hub on Panorama Court is a collection of free community services for the city-designated priority neighbourhood. […] So far, the United Way has four fully functioning community hubs in the city. Though the Jamestown hub is offering some services already, it has not yet officially opened its doors. A hub’s value to the community is best seen in the more established ones like the one in Victoria Village which opened in 2007. […] The hub focuses on both finding jobs and developing pre-employment skills. At the hub, there are driver’s manuals so residents can get their license. There are computer classes, some of which focus on the use of Excel and word processors. They offer kitchen management and food handling classes leading up to a certificate recognized by industry employers.
Montreal Gazette – Groups Want Court to Bar Block Arizona Law’s Most Contentious Section While Appeal is Mulled
A civil rights coalition asked a federal appeals court Friday to prevent the most contentious part of Arizona’s immigration law from taking effect while they appeal a ruling that sunk their earlier bid to bar police from enforcing the provision. The opponents asked the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco for an order preventing police from enforcing a requirement that officers, while enforcing other laws, question the immigration status of those they suspect are in the country illegally.
Montreal Gazette – Ahead of Election, Obama Administration OKs 29 Immigrants for New Delayed Deportation Program
The Obama administration has approved applications from 29 illegal immigrants to have their deportations delayed as they seek to stay in the country and get a work permit, the Department of Homeland Security said Friday. Spokesman Peter Boogaard said that as of Friday, U.S. Immigration and Citizenship Services had received about 82,000 applications from illegal immigrants hoping to qualify for the administration’s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. […]Republican lawmakers have decried Obama’s policy, saying it is tantamount to “backdoor amnesty” for as many as 1.7 million illegal immigrants.
Reuters – Australia Reopens Asylum Detention in Nauru Tent City
Australia revived its controversial ‘Pacific Solution’ refugee policy on Friday, sending the first group of asylum seekers to immigration detention in a makeshift tent city on the remote tiny Pacific island nation of Nauru. The 30 Sri Lankan asylum seekers will be the first to have refugee claims processed offshore under a tough new policy designed to deter refugee boats and people smuggling from neighboring Indonesia. […]By being processed offshore, asylum seekers granted refugee status are not guaranteed to be resettled in Australia. Instead, they join the queue to find a country for resettlement, removing the incentive to try to make it to Australia.
