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.
Toronto Star – Ontario Asks Ottawa to Double Number of Economic Immigrants
Economic development minister Vic Fedeli says an expansion of the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program would respond to the labour-market needs of the province’s employers. Fedeli made the request in a letter to Marco Mendicino, the new federal minister of immigration, refugees and citizenship. In the letter, Fedeli asks that the number of immigrants accepted under the program be increased from about 7,000 this year to 13,300 in two years.
CBC News – ‘Thank God We Are Here, We Are Safe’: Syrian Refugee Family Become Canadian Citizens
Four years after arriving in B.C. as Syrian refugees, a Burnaby family is now officially Canadian, after taking an oath of citizenship last week. “When we landed here we didn’t know where we are — we just landed somewhere after a 13 hour flight,” said Vicken Majarian. “Now we know the country very well, we know the culture — it’s a very multicultural country and we are trying to keep our culture plus the Canadian one. We were Syrian-Armenians, now [we’ve] become Canadian-Armenians.”
Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada – Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Mandate Letter
“As Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, you will lead the Government’s work on immigration and in so doing grow our economy and the richness of Canada’s population. You will advance the Government’s plan to welcome more people to Canada, including refugees, and make it easier for communities to welcome the workers they need most.”
Le Centre multiethnique de Québec organisait sa fête de Noël pour les personnes immigrantes tout juste arrivées dans la province dimanche. Comme tous les ans, le but de cette rencontre est de rassembler les gens de différentes cultures, de briser l’isolement et de faire connaître les traditions du temps des Fêtes. Il s’agit aussi d’une belle occasion pour valoriser le français comme langue commune. Les familles se sont rassemblées au Club social Victoria pour la journée.
CBC News – Foreign Student and Worker Exploitation Highlighted in Calgary Petition
Groups in Calgary’s South Asian community are trying to raise awareness of the ongoing exploitation of international students and foreign workers through a petition and community meetings in northeast Calgary. Organizers, including ethnic media outlet Sikh Virsa International and the Progressive Cultural Association Calgary, are calling for a cap on college fees and better clarity on programs for international students. They also want the federal government’s employer sponsorship program scrapped and replaced with something that’s not open to corruption.
Globe and Mail – Ottawa Orders Teen to Return to Hungary, Where She Has Nowhere to Go
The Canadian government has ordered a teenager living with family in Alberta to return to her native Hungary, a country where the girl says she has nowhere to go. Kitti Toris is 16 years old and said she last had contact with her mother five years ago. She has lived with her older sister and brother-in-law since she was 6, and they and one of their lawyers say the couple are her legal guardians in Hungary and Canada.
