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 – He’s From Rwanda, She’s From Canada. This Married Couple Had Never Spent a Christmas Together — Until Now
Emily Knope never once questioned if it was worth it. Despite being more than 11,000 kilometres away from the love of her life, having to communicate over a crackly phone connection and repeated failed attempts to bring him to Canada, she knew almost from the start that they had to be together. Ben Tuyisenge never doubted it either.But when it came to Tuyisenge coming to Canada, that wasn’t an option, the couple learned. Among the reasons: Tuyisenge’s lack of family ties in his home country.
Montreal Gazette – Low Unemployment Rates in Quebec Mask Systemic Discrimination, Experts Say
While news headlines declare Quebec is currently experiencing a labour shortage and its lowest unemployment in decades, the unemployment rate among visible minorities in its urban centre, Montreal, is double — even triple, depending on the group — that of non-visible minorities. Statistics Canada uses the term “visible minority,” which is defined by Canada’s Employment Equity Act as individuals other than Indigenous people who are non-Caucasian or non-white. Racialized minorities is increasingly used by experts in its place.
Globe and Mail – Federal Government Commits to Waiving Citizenship Application Fees
The federal government has committed to waiving citizenship application fees that immigration advocates say are a major barrier that stops newcomers from becoming Canadian citizens. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has asked Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino in his mandate letter to bring forward a plan to eliminate the fees. Adult applicants currently pay a $530 for processing, and a $100 right-of-citizenship fee. Families have to pay an extra $100 for every applicant under the age of 18. A citizenship application for a family of four would cost $1,460.
CBC News – From Aleppo to Quebec City: Syrian Refugees’ Kitchen Co-Op Makes a Home in Provincial Capital
Aliments Ensemble is about to celebrate its third anniversary — a crucial year which could also mark a new beginning for the Syrian women who run the kitchen. The founder of the non-profit organization, Nour Sayem, said it was essential the project didn’t become a cocoon, where women would continue speaking Arabic. “If you cannot talk, you cannot communicate. You will never be integrated,” Sayem said.
CBC News – Home for the Holidays: Yazidi Refugees Reunite with Families in Calgary
Four Yazidi refugee children have been reunited with their families in Calgary on Christmas Eve, after spending more than four years in ISIS captivity in Iraq. Bindu Narula, with the Calgary Catholic Immigration Society, was at the Calgary airport to witness the tear-filled reunion on Tuesday. “It’s a perfect time of year for them to arrive so their families can spend some good time with them over the holidays and then we can start working solely on their integration,” she said.
CBC News – Nigerian Family Facing Deportation Say They’ve Been Misled by Former Legal Representative
Three weeks ago, the Bakare family were supposed to be deported. Instead, the day they were supposed to leave, Rasheedat Bakare collapsed — she’s six months into a high-risk pregnancy — so the the government issued a temporary delay. But Rasheedat and her husband, Afeez Bakare now say they’ve been misled by their legal representative at the time who advised them to withdraw their appeal after their previous refugee claim was denied, and instead file a humanitarian and compassionate grounds application.
