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.
Global News – Montrealers Protest Closure of Canadian Immigration Office in Havana, Cuba
All Hélène Vachon wants is to have her stepdaughters move to Montreal to join her and her husband. Vachon was one of many who joined a protest in Montreal Saturday against the closure of the immigration office at the Canadian embassy in Havana, Cuba. Staffing was reduced in the wake of a mysterious illness that has affected more than a dozen diplomats and their families. Staff tweeted May 8th that they will no longer take applications for visitor visas and study/work permits, or conduct permanent residence interviews.
CTV News – One-third of Canadians Don’t Want Politicians to Wear Religious Symbols: Poll
While most Canadians firmly back the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and strongly support the idea of diversity, a new poll suggests a third of Canadians would ban their elected officials from wearing religious symbols. A majority of Quebecers canvassed in the survey agreed that federal, provincial and local politicians shouldn’t be allowed to wear hijabs, crucifixes or turbans on the job. Nationally, 49 per cent of respondents said they would not favour such a ban, but 37 per cent said they would support it.
Global News – UNB Professors Fear Alleged ‘White Nationalist’ Colleague May Tarnish University’s Reputation
The professors are taking aim at a fellow tenured sociology professor Ricardo Duchesne for comments he made on a controversial blog he co-founded called the Council of European Canadians. Duchesne allegedly posted articles describing the “Chinese silent invasion” of Canada and espoused theories that immigration is a conspiracy leading to white genocide and that mass migration of non-whites overwhelms the European culture in Canada.
Global News – Some Canadians Still Believe Harmful Stereotypes About Muslims and Jews: Poll
A recent poll conducted by Ipsos Public Affairs on behalf of Global News found that three in 10 Canadians believe Muslims follow Sharia law instead of Canadian law, and two in 10 think people of the Jewish faith run media and finance. What’s more, over four in 10 Canadians think that people of different races are fundamentally different from each other. Though almost nine in 10 Canadians agree that racism is a terrible thing, almost half admit to having racist thoughts that they would not voice.
CBC News – Thousands Join Effort to Stop International Student from Being Deported for ‘Working Too Hard,’ He Says
Tens of thousands of people have signed a petition as part of an eleventh-hour plea to stop the deportation of an international student arrested for working too many hours — just days before his graduation. It was December 2017 when Jobandeep Singh Sandhu, 22, was pulled over while behind the wheel of a long-haul truck driving from Montreal back to Toronto. Sandhu, originally from India and studying mechanical engineering at Canadore College, was 10 days away from receiving his diploma when he was stopped by Ontario Provincial Police.
Globe and Mail – Academics at University of New Brunswick Criticize Professor for Alleged Racist Positions
Ricardo Duchesne, who teaches at UNB’s Saint John campus, has “racist positions on multiculturalism and immigration,” says the letter, which was signed by 35 of Prof. Duchesne’s colleagues in the wake of recent revelations about his views. “Cloaking these views in academic legitimacy is an abuse of his status as a professor,” it continues. Prof. Duchesne, in a written response, rejected his colleagues’ criticism.
