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 Unique Ability to Not Remember’: Mystery Man Fights for Freedom
Mohsin Abdelwahep is believed to be Egyptian. But he has also claimed to be Syrian, Iraqi and Palestinian. He’s used four different names. And Abdelwahep is either 55 or 59. One fact about him is certain: he’s behind bars because Canada Border Services agents can’t identify him in order to begin the process of deporting him. But after more than two-and-a-half years of trying to figure out who the mystery man is, the CBSA may soon be forced to set him free.
Le Devoir – Immigration : que cache la guerre des chiffres ?
Régionalisation, francisation, intégration. Les partis ont multiplié leurs promesses en immigration autour de ces thèmes pendant la campagne électorale. Mais ils en parlaient déjà il y a plus de trois décennies. En 1990, dans l’Énoncé de politique en matière d’immigration, le gouvernement libéral d’alors soulignait l’importance de préserver le français au Québec et parlait déjà de régionalisation pour soutenir le développement économique et « faciliter l’intégration des nouveaux arrivants ».
Global News – Syrian Farmers Able to Grow Again Thanks to Generosity of Calgary Man
Ibrahim Al-Mofleh had to abandon his farming when escalating violence in his country claimed the lives of many of his family members. He fled with his wife and five children to Canada in February 2016. As soon as he was settled in Calgary, he planted a garden to grow vegetables for his family. But it wasn’t until a local refugee assistance group put him in touch with Marty Trim that he was really able to farm again. Trim offered six acres of his land, plus machinery and fuel.
CBC News – Catholic Board Offers City an Unused Downtown School as Shelter Space – at No Charge
The Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB) is offering to hand over an entire downtown school to the city — for free — provided it’s used as a shelter. Three months after the offer was made, city council hasn’t yet formally accepted, but TCDSB spokesperson John Yan says he’s confident a deal will be reached eventually. The school — St. Veronica Catholic School near Dufferin and Dundas streets — has been empty for most of the past 15 years.
National Post – Parti Quebecois Seeks Injunction to Close Website Spreading ‘Racist’ Statements
Entering the final weekend before Monday’s vote, the Parti Quebecois went to court to try to shut down a website the party said was using its logo to spread racist messages online. The website, serieusement.fun, uses the PQ’s logo, and the site’s background colour is similar to the party’s signature blue. Ironically, the website also includes authentic quotations from PQ Leader Jean-Francois Lisee about burkas and from one of his candidates using an offensive term for black people on Twitter.
Montreal Gazette – Founders of Mandy’s Salad Chain Put Out the Welcome Mat for Refugees
Earlier this year, Mandy and Rebecca Wolfe, the creators of the ever-mushrooming Mandy’s chain, established the non-profit Welcome Collective, which was designed to work with the YMCA, city agencies and individuals assisting refugees and asylum seekers in gathering essentials for their residences. To date, it has helped about 200 families get established throughout the city. The group is always on the lookout for furniture and has trucks on the road to pick up and deliver. A network of volunteers has been set up to do the moving.
