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 – International Student Says He’s a ‘Cash Cow’ for Brandon College
Some international students enrolled in Assiniboine Community College’s hospitality program say they had to sacrifice class time this winter to serve at events, including fundraisers for the school. Changnam Lee paid more than $16,100, double what Canadian students pay in tuition and fees, for the first year of a two-year hotel and restaurant management diploma program at the college in Brandon, Man. Lee contacted CBC, saying he wanted to talk about what he calls “poor education service” so other international students know about his experience.
Globe and Mail – Report Highlights Increase in Entrepreneurship Among Syrian Refugees in B.C.
Many of the 4,400 Syrians who settled in British Columbia as part of a wave of refugees that began in the fall of 2015 have excelled in self-employment and entrepreneurship, a new report from the Immigrant Services Society of BC concludes. The agency surveyed 241 households representing more than 1,000 Syrians who moved to the province as government-assisted refugees. The report says the number of refugees working has doubled over the past year with 27 per cent working full-time and 13 per cent part-time.
National Post – Nova Scotia Chocolate Company Founded by Syrian Refugees Names First Bar After Indigenous Word for Peace
Peace by Chocolate of Antigonish, N.S., revealed Wednesday its new milk chocolate and hazelnut bar is to be called Wantaqo’ti (pronounced Wan-tahk-oo-di), the Mi’kmaq word for peace. Founder Tareq Hadhad said it is his company’s mission to translate the family’s concept of peace to all Canadians, starting with the Mi’kmaq of his home province. He said he and his company felt the need to be part of the “noble process” of truth and reconciliation so they reached out to Mi’kmaq leaders to help translate and guide them during the process.
CTV News – Immigration Raid in the Leamington Area
CTV News has learned several people in the Leamington area have been arrested for possible violations of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. The Canada Border Services Agency confirms a number of people were arrested on Tuesday. CBSA spokesperson Tim Armaly tells CTV Windsor the investigation is ongoing and he can’t comment further. In an email to CTV News, the Consulate of Mexico in Leamington says it has been informed of two Mexican nationals who were working in this region without the proper permits.
Global News – Terminally Ill Refugee Claimant from Lebanon Desperate to Bring Family to Canada
A refugee claimant from Lebanon is pleading with Ottawa to give his family permission to come to visit him while he receives treatment for terminal cancer. His request was turned down once already but his lawyer and doctors are now calling on the immigration minister to make an exception out of compassion. El Taha is a stateless Palestinian who was living in Lebanon. He flew to the United States last fall and ended up crossing into Canada on foot through Roxham Road in December.
CTV News – Feds Confirm Delays with Permanent Residency Applications from Iranian Nationals
Iranians across Canada believe they are being discriminated against and they have pressured the government to take action on the matter. Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale has since admitted that there is a backlog in the process as background checks involving Iran have proven laborious. “We don’t have the on-the-ground consular services in Iran to be able to pursue the security issues and get the information that we need,” said Goodale in Regina on Friday. “We are working on the backlog as rapidly as we can.”
