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.
CBC – New Refugee Law Unfair, Experts Say
The federal government is giving refugee claimants a maximum of 15 days to prepare an appeal to the Immigration and Refugee Board, a change the Conservatives made after legislation to reform the system was passed and one that is drawing criticism. The Balanced Refugee Reform Act, which included the promise of a new appeals division and was passed in June 2010, had two main goals: make the refugee system faster and fairer. Some refugee advocates aren’t happy with how the government is proceeding with implementing the legislation and say the 15-day timeframe for appeals is too short, CBC’s Louise Elliott reports.
Greek Reporter – Canada Attempts To Streamline Immigration
Canada is currently struggling to deal with a backlog of immigration applications. The backlog of immigration applications is hurting Canada’s reputation as a top immigration destination for skilled migrants. In some cases people are choosing Australia as an alternative immigration destination. Immigration Minister Jason Kenney said that the situation was a “huge problem”. He has spoken frequently about the need to streamline the application process and get the backlog under control. A number of hearings on the matter are due to take place before the House of Commons immigration committee. Critics say that while the government talks about alleviating the backlog, they are also continuing to accept large numbers of new Canadian immigration applications, so exacerbating the problem.
The Guardian – Alabama Immigration Law Challenged By US Government
The federal government asked an appeals court on Friday to halt an Alabama immigration law considered by many as the toughest in the United States, saying it invites discrimination against foreign-born citizens and legal immigrants. The federal government filed the challenge to the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta. It claimed Alabama’s new law “is highly likely to expose persons lawfully in the United States, including school children, to new difficulties in routine dealings.” The overhaul allows authorities to question people suspected of being in the country illegally and hold them without bond. It also lets officials check the immigration status of students in public schools.
There are thousands of people in Canada waiting for their citizenship applications to be completed, and the Canada Employment Immigration Union says more workers are needed to clear the backlog. Citizenship and Immigration recently contracted 86 temporary workers to help clear a backlog in citizenship applications at the Sydney, N.S. office. All applications from across Canada are processed there. The average minimum wait is currently 19 months, up from 15 months in May. CIC says it plans to continue using temporary workers to clear the backlog, if it can find the money.
Vancouver Sun – New Burnaby Program Creates Bridges To Employment
When people come to Canada, they might leave behind furniture or household knick-knacks, but they don’t leave behind the education, knowledge and skills they’ve gained in their career fields. That’s the idea behind a new program that’s aimed at connecting employers with new Canadians in Burnaby. Working together with the Burnaby Intercultural Planning Table, the Burnaby Board of Trade is promoting the Burnaby Workplace Ambassador Project, a program designed to create opportunities between internationally trained workers and local employers.
Citizenship and Immigration Canada – Government To Refocus Resettlement Efforts
Canada has repealed an ineffective refugee program in order to put more emphasis on work with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and refugees in the greatest need, Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney announced today. “By repealing programs such as the Source Country, we can direct more resources on proven and effective resettlement programs, such as our partnership with the UNHCR,” said Minister Kenney. “This will enable us to quickly offer refuge for more individuals in real need of protection.”
