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.
Globe and Mail – Federal Government Pledges $300-Million in Aid to Rohingya; Figure Falls Short of Rae’s Request
The federal government will commit $300-million over the next three years to help respond to the Rohingya refugee crisis that has forced more than 700,000 members of the ethnic minority to flee violence in Myanmar. However, the foreign-aid funding announcement fell short of a recommendation made by Canada’s special envoy to Myanmar, Bob Rae, who recently urged the government to invest $600-million over four years for humanitarian and development efforts in Myanmar and Bangladesh.
Toronto Star – Canada’s Longest Serving Immigration Detainee Appeals His Five-Year Detention
Superior Court Justice Alfred O’Marra ruled in October that the federal government could continue to jail failed refugee claimant Ebrahim Toure because there was still a reasonable prospect he could be deported to his native Gambia. Nearly eight months after the ruling, Toure is still locked up at the Immigration Holding Centre, while the “pending” interview with Gambian authorities has yet to materialize. Toure’s lawyers, meanwhile, were back in court Wednesday to appeal O’Marra’s decision, arguing there is not and never was a reasonable prospect of Toure’s removal from Canada.
Toronto Star – Facing Refugee Influx, Toronto Triggers Emergency Shelter Plan
Starting Thursday, refugee claimants arriving in Toronto without shelter will be housed at the Centennial College Residence and Conference Centre in Scarborough. The 400 beds there will be augmented by another 400 beds at Humber College in Etobicoke but the spaces could be full within 60 to 70 days, city staff told reporters Wednesday. In early August the homeless residents will all have to leave the dorms as students return. The city wants to the province to help steer some refugees to communities outside Toronto.
The Guardian – Canada Rejecting More Refugee Claims Amid Border-Crossing Increase Under Trump
Canada is rejecting more refugee claims from people who crossed its border illegally as Justin Trudeau’s government seeks to dissuade, block and turn back thousands more, according to new data obtained by Reuters. Forty percent of such border crossers whose claims were finalized in the first three months of this year were granted refugee status, down from 53% for all of 2017, according to data provided by Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Board. There were no claims finalized in the first three months of 2017.
Globe and Mail – Canadian Freed from Ethiopian Jail Wants Independent Review of Ottawa’s Role in His Case
A Canadian who says he was unfairly imprisoned in Ethiopia in abysmal conditions for more than a decade wants an independent review of Ottawa’s actions in his case. In his first public comments since being released, Ethiopian-born Bashir Makhtal said Tuesday there were mistakes and lost opportunities in Canada’s efforts to protect him over the years. He was accompanied by lawyer Lorne Waldman and Alex Neve, secretary general of Amnesty International Canada, who fought for years to secure his release.
CBC News – Integration of Newcomers Takes Centre Stage as PQ Leader Unveils His Party’s Immigration Plank
The Opposition Parti Québécois wants more immigrants to settle outside Montreal and to have a good grasp of the French language before they arrive in Quebec. PQ Leader Jean-François Lisée unveiled his party’s immigration policy Tuesday. He said that between 2014 and 2017, up to 45 per cent of immigrants who arrived in Quebec left for other parts of Canada. During the same period, 60 per cent of immigrants to Quebec didn’t speak French, and only 40 per cent of those took French courses, he said.
