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.
Reuters – Wal-Mart Beats Janitors’ Appeal on Immigration, Lockups
They accused Wal-Mart of trying to clean its stores “on the cheap” by paying contractors it knew hired illegal immigrants, who might be tolerant of lower pay and unfair work conditions. They added they were coerced to work by threats to report their immigration status to authorities. The plaintiffs said that, while Wal-Mart was not their direct employer, it exercised control over their activity. Often, they said, Wal-Mart locked them inside at nights and on weekends to prevent theft and keep federal agents from finding them. […] The 3rd Circuit rejected the false imprisonment claim, saying Wal-Mart offered evidence that its stores had unobstructed emergency exits.
Edmonton Journal – Greece: Amnesty International Slams Migrant Roundups, Says Detained Face “Inhumane” Conditions
Human rights group Amnesty International is calling on Greek authorities to stop mass roundups of suspected illegal immigrants, arguing that police are treating law-abiding foreigners like criminals and subjecting thousands of detained persons to “degrading and inhumane” conditions. […] Greece is the busiest transit point for illegal immigrants trying to reach the European Union.
When Michael Spindelegger, Austria’s current vice-chancellor and foreign minister, came to Canada a few years ago, he returned to Austria full of ideas about immigration and integration, some of which have since become Austrian law. […] “One consequence of what he saw here is that, since the elections we had last year and the new government, for the first time ever, there’s a junior minister for integration who works on an interdisciplinary basis,” the ambassador said. The minister looks at integration in the work-place, in schools and in communities in general.
Vancouver Sun – Crackdown on Student Visa Fraud Could Force Schools to Close: Agency
A federal proposal to crack down on student visa fraud could put some post-secondary schools out of business, says the CEO of an agency that registers and accredits private career colleges and vocational schools in B.C. […] “Some of the schools are 60 per cent international students. They could go out of business. About 20 or 25 per cent rely on international markets to such a degree it would really impact their business if that got pulled.”
CBC – Ottawa’s Changes to Temporary Foreign Worker Visas Means Dancers Done in Canada
At least 22 foreign adult entertainers in Windsor, Ont., will have to leave the country when their temporary foreign worker visas expire within the next 11 months. Rob Katzman, who owns and operates two adult entertainment clubs in Windsor, said the first of the 22 dancers will be forced to leave Canada in less than 30 days. Changes announced by Ottawa on July 4 now make it illegal for an employer to hire any temporary foreign worker “linked to the sex trade” — and that includes strippers.
The Province – Greece Cracks Down on Illegal Immigrants
Greece’s national police force said it has arrested 500 people as part of a “huge” campaign in central Athens and the northeastern Evros region to crack down on illegal immigrants. Police have detained 1,500 immigrants in the capital since the campaign began on Aug. 2, the Athens-headquartered force said Saturday in a statement on its website. […] As many as 90 per cent of illegal immigrants in the European Union entered through Greece in 2011, according to Greek police statistics.
