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.
CTV News – Canada Lowers Citizenship Fee for Minors Applying on Their Own
The federal government has lowered the processing fees for minors applying for Canadian citizenship on their own from $530 to $100. This change brings the fee in line with what it costs for minors who apply at the same time as a parent or who already have a Canadian parent. In a statement announcing the change, the government said that this will make it easier for minors, including immigrant children in the welfare system or in foster care, to become citizens.
CTV News – Where Does Canada Rank on the List of World’s Most Powerful Passports?
According to a global survey released on Tuesday, the Canadian passport strengthened modestly against its travel document rivals last year. The Passport Index, compiled by Montreal-based financial firm Arton Capital, measures the number of nations where each passport guarantees visa-free travel. Canada’s passport ranked fifth, up from sixth last year. The jump puts Canadian travel access on par with the U.S., Switzerland and Ireland. Five countries waived visa requirements for Canadian passport holders in 2017, boosting Canada’s visa-free score to 158.
Ottawa Citizen – Refugee Musicians Will Help Raise Funds for Canadian Blood Services, Inuit Children
Syrians For Peace, an event to be held at the Ottawa Chinese Canadian Heritage Centre, is a fundraiser for Canadian Blood Services and the Ottawa Inuit Children’s Centre. “As the vast majority of Canadians have welcomed Syrian refugees to the country with open arms and hearts, we wanted to have a way to enable Syrians in Ottawa to give back to the larger community,” says the event’s organizer, Jamal Alsharif. In addition to Arabesque, a children’s group — Children for Peace — will perform Syrian songs and dances, artworks by children will be exhibited and auctioned, and a women’s group, Ladies for Peace, will sell Syrian food.
Acadie Nouvelle – Attirer et retenir davantage de main d’œuvre qualifiée
Les élus des provinces de l’Atlantique lancent un programme visant à améliorer l’accès des immigrants aux études postsecondaires. Ils espèrent ainsi attirer et retenir plus de main-d’oeuvre qualifiée dans la région. Quand Nadine Ezzeddine a visité, à l’occasion du Nouvel An, ses filles âgées de 11 ans et de 16 ans, il s’agissait de la première fois qu’elle les voyait […].
Le Devoir – Réfugiés : premier arrivé, premier servi
Accablée par le niveau historique des demandes d’asile, la Commission de l’immigration et du statut de réfugié du Canada (CISR) semble abandonner l’idée de respecter des limites de temps pour tenir les audiences des demandeurs d’asile, tel que l’édictait un règlement fédéral qu’avait adopté en 2012 le gouvernement Harper.
Le Devoir – UE : forte baisse de l’immigration illégale en 2017
Le nombre des franchissements illégaux des frontières de l’Union européenne a baissé en 2017 de 60 % par rapport à l’année précédente mais demeure élevé, a annoncé mardi l’agence des frontières Frontex, citant les chiffres fournis par les pays membres. Le total de ces franchissements détectés a atteint l’année dernière 204 219, contre 511 074 en 2016 et 1,8 million en 2015 […].
