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 – A Guide to Quebec’s New Immigration and Religious Symbols Laws: How We Got Here And What’s Next
Quebec is a different place now that the Coalition Avenir Québec government has adopted two laws reshaping the province’s immigration system and limiting which civil servants can wear religious symbols in the workplace. The new secularism law, once known as Bill 21, makes it illegal to wear religious symbols at work if you’re a public school teacher, a police officer, a judge, a prison guard, a wildlife officer, a Crown prosecutor or if you work as a lawyer for the government. Here’s a guide to what happened, and what comes next.
L’actualité – Des manifestants contre la loi sur la laïcité à Montréal et à Québec
Des manifestations contre la loi sur la laïcité étaient organisées lundi soir à Montréal et à Québec. Selon les organisateurs, la loi est «inutile et préjudiciable à l’harmonie sociale», et elle a été adoptée d’une manière qui «va à l’encontre (des) valeurs démocratiques». Les participants aux manifestations étaient invités à porter des symboles religieux. L’appel était notamment lancé par le Forum musulman canadien. Selon l’organisme, plus de 1000 personnes étaient réunies devant les bureaux du premier ministre François Legault, au 770, rue Sherbrooke ouest, à Montréal.
Radio-Canada – INFO – Le projet de loi sur l’immigration adopté après un marathon de 19 heures
C’est à la suite d’un marathon parlementaire de 19 heures que les députés de l’Assemblée nationale ont adopté le projet de loi 9 sur l’immigration. Un peu après 4 h, dimanche matin, le projet de loi du ministre Simon Jolin-Barrette a été adopté à 62 voix contre 42. Quand il a pris la parole à la suite de la plénière, un peu avant 2 h, le ministre Jolin-Barrette a affirmé qu’il aurait souhaité adopter ce projet de loi de façon régulière et non pas d’avoir recours la procédure législative d’exception.
Toronto Star – Quebec Set to Adopt Secularism Bill that Bans Religious Symbols for State Workers
No political party would dare reopen Quebec’s secularism bill once it becomes law, Premier François Legault predicted Sunday as his government moved to force passage of the contentious Bill 21 before the legislature broke for summer recess. Legault and his party extended the session into the weekend and were expected to force a vote by late Sunday night or early Monday morning after applying the mechanism of closure to end debate on the bill prematurely. Their legislative majority will almost certainly ensure the bill is passed into law.
Global News – Majority of Canadians Think Immigration Should Be Limited: Poll
Sixty-three per cent of respondents to a recent Leger poll said the government should prioritize limiting immigration levels because the country might be reaching a limit in its ability to integrate them. Just 37 per cent said the priority should be on growing immigration to meet the demands of Canada’s expanding economy.
Chronicle Herald – Walk with Refugees Takes Welcoming Message to the Street
There was no bright yellow to be seen in the grey sky over Halifax on Sunday afternoon, but there was lots of it on the streets around the Public Gardens and Spring Garden Road as hundreds clad in sunny, eye-catching T-shirts took part in the sixth annual Walk with Refugees for a Stronger Canada. Held in advance of this Thursday’s World Refugee Day, the Walk with Refugees in Halifax is sponsored by Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia, which helps newcomers make a home and build a future in Canada.
