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.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper saysCanadais still working on a security border agreement with the United States. But even though there’s no perimeter security agreement yet, critics fear Canada’s already giving too much away in the face of new threats to free trade between the two countries. A final deal between the countries is not imminent. Sources told CBC News that even organizing an event to announce an action plan towards a perimeter security deal is proving difficult during the American pre-election season, when U.S. President Barack Obama’s priorities lie elsewhere.
Globe and Mail – Half of NYC’s Small Business Owners Are Immigrants
There’s no doubt New York is a melting pot. And as one reflection of the importance of foreign-born people to the economy, a new study finds that nearly half of New York’s small-business owners are immigrants, as reported by The New York Times. The study, by the Fiscal Policy institute, found that, while immigrants make up just over a third of the city’s population, they constitute 48 per cent of New York’s small-business owners. That’s about 69,000 business owners. The study also found that immigrants in the labour force are somewhat more likely than U.S.-born workers to own small businesses.
When Rocio Nino immigrated to Toronto from Colombia she said goodbye to family and friends — and her 13-year career as an optometrist. But now that she’s enrolled in a course at the Working Skills Centre, Nino is on the path to a new profession as a medical receptionist. “I came here for an opportunity to improve my quality of life. It’s a way to work in the medical environment,” Nino said. “Finally, I found my place to progress. I’m really happy.” Though she has a degree from La Salle University in Bogota, Nino would have to take a bridging program at a Canadian university and complete competence exams to practice her profession here — a lengthy and expensive process. The non-profit centre helps newcomers, primarily women, gain skills and navigate the job market.
Citizenship and Immigration Canada – Government Of Canada Announces One Appointment And Four Reappointments To The Immigration And Refugee Board Of Canada
One appointment and four reappointments to the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB) were announced today by Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney. Normand Leduc, Éveline Fiset, Elaine Doyle and Renée Bourque were reappointed in the Montréal regional office. David John Lowe was appointed in the Toronto regional office. The appointment and reappointments were made in accordance with the IRB’s merit-based appointment process.
London Free Press – No More Credit For Illegal Work Experience
The practice of letting foreign lawbreakers reap the reward of citizenship was cancelled after the contradiction was reported on by QMI Agency earlier this year.
Last January QMI Agency revealed a decision by bureaucrats to allow illegal work experience to count as a credit for those who were attempting to gain citizenship in Canada. In one e-mail, obtained through access to information, a civil servant questioned whether there was a difference between illegal work experience in Canada and illegal experience outside the country. In another e-mail, a senior bureaucrat was straightforward: breaking the law can pay.
Citizenship and Immigration Canada – Come To Canada Wizard A Continued Success
The Come to Canada Wizard, which helps people determine if they are eligible to come to Canada, has recorded over 200,000 visits since being launched this summer. “By helping potential immigrants and visitors to understand the immigration process, this tool is reducing their dependence on immigration consultants,” said Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney. “It demonstrates how CIC is creating a responsive and efficient immigration system that benefits applicants, immigrants and Canadians alike.”
