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 – Minister Kenney Strengthens Economic Value of Provincial Immigration Programs
Starting July 1, 2012, most Provincial Nominee Program applicants for semi- and low-skilled professions will have to undergo mandatory language testing of their listening, speaking, reading and writing abilities and meet a minimum standard across all four of these categories. In addition, Minister Kenney said that further changes to the program will be made to continue to focus on economic streams.
Citizenship and Immigration Canada – Minister Kenney Meets with Employers in Saskatoon
“Economic growth and job creation remain the top priorities for our Government,” said Minister Kenney. […] “Our Government wants to make it easier for employers to hire permanent or temporary foreign workers when no Canadians are able to fill a position, and we want to involve employers in immigrant selection.” […]Citizenship and Immigration Canada also wants to hear from employers in specific areas where changes are proposed to its programs.
Citizenship and Immigration Canada – CIC Announces its Intention to Create a New Skilled Trades Program
Under the modernized Federal Skilled Worker Program to be unveiled later this year, CIC intends to create a separate and streamlined program for skilled tradespersons. Skilled trades include occupations in construction, transportation, manufacturing and service industries. […] “Above all, our Government remains focused on promoting economic growth and long-term prosperity,” said Minister Kenney.
Montreal Gazette – Immigrants Remaking Canada’s Religious Face in Surprising Ways
A Pew Forum report, which describes migration patterns in every country of the world, makes clear that immigration is changing the religious face of Canada in unexpected ways. […] Only nine per cent of all newcomers are Muslim. That’s in contrast to global people trends, where Muslims make up 27 per cent of immigrants. The majority of Canada’s immigrants – six in 10 — are Christians. That’s an even higher ratio than across the planet, where Christians make up five in 10 of those moving permanently to new countries (as well as the largest immigrant group in Europe).
Globe and Mail – Kenney on Transformational Changes to Immigration Model
The following is a transcript of Immigration Minister Jason Kenney’s recent meeting with the editorial board of The Globe and Mail. […]We are embarking on a program of transformational change to move from a slow, rigid and passive, really a supply-driven immigration system, to a fast, flexible and pro-active, demand-driven immigration system. One of the most important reforms is the massive expansion of the provincial nominee programs which has resulted in a better geographic distribution of immigrants across Canada.
Toronto Star – Parents from Philippines May Qualify for OAS
The Old Age Security pension is a monthly benefit that is available on application to most Canadians who are 65 or over. […] Under the terms of an International Social Security Agreement — and one of those exists between Canada and the Philippines — someone with less than 10 years of residence in Canada and who has been sponsored may be eligible for the OAS pension. But those who have been sponsored are not eligible for the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) until they have 10 years of residence in Canada and the sponsorship undertaking has expired.
