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 – Law Society of Manitoba Suspends Immigration Lawyer Paul Hesse
The Law Society of Manitoba has suspended Paul Hesse following an investigation into his conduct. The immigration lawyer and former Manitoba Liberal Party president is alleged to have solicited business investments from his clients trying to come to Canada. According to sources, Hesse allegedly insinuated to clients, most of whom were from China, that by making investments in Canada, they could strengthen their immigration cases. He allegedly moved money from clients into the businesses of his then-romantic partner.
CBC News – Quebec’s Religious Symbols Law Passes 1st Legal Test as Judge Refuses Injunction
A Quebec Superior Court justice has rejected a request to temporarily suspend parts of the province’s new religious symbols law, though he did agree it raises “serious” constitutional questions. Justice Michel Yergeau said Thursday the court must defer, at this stage, to the power of elected politicians to pass legislation they believe is in the public good. The law, which was passed by the Coalition Avenir Québec government last month, seeks to affirm laicity, or secularism, within the province’s civil service.
Globe and Mail – A Faded Mosaic: Thunder Bay’s Struggle to Attract and Retain Immigrants
Thunder Bay’s foreign student population has spiked in the past decade from fewer than 200 to about 2,500, roughly half of them from India. These young men and women are bucking the trend in Thunder Bay. The isolation, small size and economic stasis of this city of about 120,000 have generally repelled immigrants over the past 20 years. Less than 10 per cent of the population is foreign-born, which is actually lower than in 2001.
Info Radio-Canada – L’intelligence artificielle pourrait-elle aider Québec à sélectionner ses immigrants?
Avec l’appui du milieu des affaires, une entreprise montréalaise, spécialisée dans le recrutement par l’entremise de l’intelligence artificielle, propose au ministère de l’Immigration, de la Diversité et de l’Inclusion (MIDI) d’utiliser cette technique afin de combler adéquatement les besoins de main-d’œuvre de la province. « Le match parfait entre candidats et entreprises est une équation mathématique qui regroupe plusieurs critères qui ont différents niveaux d’importance », explique Julie Hubert, la présidente de Workland.
Le Soleil – Loi sur la laïcité : première victoire pour Québec
Un juge de la Cour supérieure a rejeté, jeudi, la demande de groupes de défense des libertés civiles et religieuses qui réclamaient la suspension de la Loi sur la laïcité de l’État. Le juge Michel Yergeau a tranché que la loi continuerait de s’appliquer jusqu’à ce qu’un tribunal se prononce sur le fond de l’affaire. Car leur but ultime est de faire invalider cette mesure législative, qui a été connue avant son adoption sous le nom de projet de loi 21.
Toronto Star – Record Number of Canada-Bound Visitors Barred from Flights on Advice of Canada Border Agents
A record number of Canada-bound visitors were turned away at airports overseas on the advice of Canadian border officials last year, the Star has learned. According to evidence submitted in a court case against the Canada Border Services Agency, in 2018 alone, 7,208 travellers were “off-loaded” by commercial airliners on the recommendation of its overseas agents because they were “improperly documented” — even though many were from countries where visas are not required. This compared to just 2,873 the year before and 2,769 in 2016.
