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.
La Presse – Immigration : Québec reste inflexible
La controverse autour de l’élimination de 18 000 dossiers de candidats à l’immigration aura duré jusqu’à la toute fin du processus d’adoption du projet de loi 9, samedi. En raison d’un long débat de procédure qui aura duré plusieurs heures, l’étude du projet de loi controversé, qui devait commencer en matinée, a été retardée et devrait s’étirer jusqu’au milieu de la nuit de samedi à dimanche. Le gouvernement disposant de la majorité parlemetaire, le projet de loi devrait être adopté.
Toronto Star – ‘Canada Is Caring for Our Caregivers:’ New Programs Give Foreign Caregivers Job Mobility, Chance to Bring Family
It will soon be easier for foreign caregivers to leave behind an abusive workplace and change employers as their work permits will no longer be tied to the family that brings them to Canada. Under two new pilot programs — Home Child Care Provider and Home Support Worker — to be announced Saturday and launched Tuesday, their loved ones can also accompany them to Canada and be offered open work permits and study permits to keep the immediate family together, a privilege only high-skilled migrant workers currently enjoy.
National Post – Quebec’s Premier Refuses to Back Down on Plan to Scrap 18,000 Immigration Applications
Quebec Premier Francois Legault is holding firm on his plan to scrap thousands of pending immigration applications, meaning 18,000 people would have to restart the application process from scratch. “The old (selection) criteria do not meet the needs of the labour market,” Legault said, speaking with reporters ahead of a rare weekend session of the National Assembly to fast-track Bill 9.
CBC News – Ottawa Picks 11 Communities for Pilot Immigration Project
The federal government has picked 11 communities from across Canada to kick off a new pilot program aimed at attracting immigrants to rural and northern communities. The goal of the program is to bring newcomers to regions confronting severe labour shortages due to a youth exodus, declining birth rate and aging population. The selected communities are: Thunder Bay, Ont., Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., Sudbury, Ont., Timmins, Ont., North Bay, Ont., Gretna-Rhineland-Altona-Plum Coulee, Man., Brandon, Man., Moose Jaw, Sask., Claresholm, Alta., West Kootenay region of B.C., and Vernon, B.C. 2020.
Toronto Star – Forcing Secularism Bill Through Legislature Gives Quebecers Back Their Pride, Premier Says
Quebecers are regaining a sense of pride now that the government is set to force through a secularism bill that bans many public sector workers from wearing religious symbols, Premier François Legault said Friday. “They say they are proud,” he continued. Despite criticism from opposition parties, human rights advocates, lawyers and organizations representing minority groups, Legault plans to invoke closure and push the bill through this weekend.
CTV News – Maxime Bernier Hopes to Find Common Ground on Immigration in Quebec
Maxime Bernier was in Montreal Friday as he presented some new candidates for his People’s Party of Canada. He said his party will reflect some of the values that attracted voters to the CAQ at the provincial level, specifically his policy on immigration, which he said should appeal to Premier Francois Legault. Bernier said it’s imperative that immigrants come to the country legally and adhere to Canadian values.
