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.
Radio-Canada – Une caravane de bienvenue part faire de la sensibilisation à la frontière
Organisée par Solidarité sans frontières, la caravane souhaite envoyer le message aux migrants qu’ils sont les bienvenus au Canada, tout en sensibilisant les citoyens des municipalités visitées à la réalité de ces personnes en quête d’une terre d’accueil. Ces militants portent également un discours politique d’inclusion qui s’en prend vivement aux politiques d’immigration canadiennes, au premier chef l’entente sur les tiers pays sûrs conclue entre le Canada et les États-Unis, qu’ils qualifient de « honteuse ». https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1110042/solidarite-migrants-immigration-refugies-accueil
Toronto Star – Alberta Lifts Driver’s Licence Obstacle for Refugee Claimants
The Alberta government announced Friday that it would end a policy preventing refugee claimants from applying for a driver’s licence until their claim was processed. Service Alberta Minister Brian Malkinson said Alberta is the only province that had this type of barrier in place, and the change brings the government in line with policy in the rest of the country.
Global News – Calls to End Policy that Blocks Child Refugees in Canada from Reuniting with Parents
Child psychiatrists, lawyers and NDP immigration critic Jenny Kwan are calling for an immediate end to Canada’s support of a “cruel” and “inhumane” policy that prevents hundreds of child refugees each year from reuniting with their families. The policy keeps child refugees who arrive in Canada from adding parents to their permanent residency claims because parents are not considered “family members” when children are making the application.
Ottawa Citizen – Cornwall Gets Heads Up on Possible Refugee Influx this Summer
Cornwall has been put on notice it should be prepared for a possible influx of refugees again this year. Representatives of Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada quietly met with Mayor Leslie O’Shaughnessy at city hall on Wednesday, and the Nav Centre’s executive-director Kim Coe-Turner confirmed that the facility has been asked to be prepared to accept more people this year.
Global News – Western University Student to Take on Lake Ontario in Fundraising Effort for Syrian Refugees
A Western University student is diving into Lake Ontario this summer for a 52-kilometre swim in support of Syrian refugees. 21-year-old Victor Lal is training to weather the cool waves in a bid to raise $60,000 to sponsor the resettlement of two Syrian families in Canada. “Physically, I’m challenging myself; mentally, I’m challenging myself, and ultimately it’s all for a great cause.”
Toronto Star – ‘What if we rattle his f—n’ cages?’ Government Officials Overheard Discussing How to Cross-Examine Mentally Ill Detainee
The conduct of two bureaucrats working for Canada’s border police is under investigation after they were overheard strategizing about how to “rattle” a mentally ill immigration detainee. During a break in the proceedings Monday, Andrej Rustja, a hearings officer for the Canada Border Services Agency, was talking to his colleague John Oliveira as they prepared to cross-examine Ebrahim Toure, a failed refugee claimant who has spent more than five years behind bars. After the Star sent questions to the CBSA about the overheard comments, the agency said it was investigating.
