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 News – Mounties Worried About Anti-Immigrant Backlash After Terrorism Arrests: Documents
Last January, the national police force charged a minor following a series of raids at two homes in Kingston. Police also arrested an adult male in connection with an alleged plan to detonate explosives at an undisclosed location, but later released him. On the day of the arrests, the RCMP, with the Kingston Police, drafted a public engagement strategy. “The arrest of a Syrian refugee may cause some negative reaction on the Syrian population and immigrant population due to current anti-immigration sentiments,” the strategy document reads.
Globe and Mail – Sweet Story: ‘Joyful’ Syrian Refugee Gains Canadian Citizenship
Tareq Hadhad was the first of his family to arrive in Antigonish, N.S., in December of 2015. Not long after the Hadhads settled in Nova Scotia, they founded Peace by Chocolate, a family-run chocolate company that started in a shed beside their home. It has now grown into a business that employs 55 people. Mr. Hadhad said he passed his Canadian citizenship test recently and that he hopes the swearing-in ceremony will be held at a large venue because he has received at least 1,000 requests from friends who want to attend.
CBC News – Liberals Plan New Program to Allow Communities to Pick Immigrants
The Liberals promised to create a municipal nominee program during the election campaign. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau instructed new Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino to begin work on the project in his recent mandate letter. The plan is to give local communities, chambers of commerce and labour councils a say in the selection of immigrants, helping them match newcomers with labour needs in various communities. At least 5,000 new spaces will be created for the program, according to the mandate letter.
Globe and Mail – Refugee Couple Feeds the Hungry at B.C.’s Jamila’s Kitchen and Grill
By 2000, Afghanistan had become too dangerous for Mr. Malikzada and his wife, Jamila, who as Ismailis were not viewed as true Muslims by the mujahedeen factions fighting for control. In 2000, the Malikzadas, with the help of Ismaili organizations outside Afghanistan, were accepted as refugees in Canada where they now run Jamila’s Kitchen and Grill in Coquitlam, B.C. The eclectic menu features South Asian dishes, which Ms. Malikzada learned to cook while living in Pakistan, as well as favourites from Afghanistan and Greece.
ICI Saskatchewan – Les villes pourraient choisir leurs immigrants selon les besoins de main-d’œuvre
Le gouvernement fédéral prévoit de mettre en place un nouveau programme d’immigration qui permettra aux municipalités de choisir les nouveaux arrivants en fonction des besoins locaux de main-d’œuvre. Les libéraux ont promis de créer un tel programme pendant la campagne électorale, et le dossier a été attribué au nouveau ministre de l’Immigration, des Réfugiés et de la Citoyenneté, Marco Mendicino.
CTV News – Quebec Immigration ‘Values Test’ Now in Effect
Bill-9 (An Act to increase Québec’s socio-economic prosperity and adequately meet labour market needs through successful immigrant integration) came into effect Jan. 1, 2020, and will include questions about secularism, same-sex marriage, gender rights, religious symbols and other aspects of Quebec culture (the bill in full is included at the bottom of this article). Refugees and those coming to the province via family reunification programs are exempt from the test because they are under federal jurisdiction.
