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.
Toronto Star – Years After Canada Opened Its Doors, Thousands of Syrian Refugees Are Still Waiting to Come Here
As of early December, the Immigration Department said it was still processing applications for 20,000 sponsored Syrian refugees, including 15,927 from private sponsorship groups, 4,006 under government assistance, and the rest through joint sponsorships between the two. Nancy Caron, a department spokesperson, said the department is working toward eliminating the existing backlog of applications for privately sponsored refugees by the end of 2019 and reducing processing times for new applications submitted after 2019 to about 12 months.
CBC News – Association for New Canadians Opening 4 New Satellite Offices Across N.L.
The Newfoundland and Labrador government plans to push ahead in 2018 with several policies meant to attract newcomers to the province, and the Association for New Canadians is preparing for the campaign by opening new offices in areas outside of St. John’s. The association is setting up satellite offices in Corner Brook, Grand Falls-Windsor, Labrador City and Happy Valley-Goose Bay, using funding from both the federal and provincial governments.
CBC News – Quebec Companies Look to Asylum Seekers to Help Fill Labour Shortages
Quebec is in the midst of a labour shortage brought on by an aging population and economic growth. It means employers across several sectors are desperate for both skilled and unskilled workers, and some see an opportunity in the recent wave of asylum seekers. The federal government says it issued nearly 3,000 work permits to asylum seekers between July and November.
Globe and Mail – Federal Report Recommends New Body to Review Canada Border Services Agency
The Trudeau government should create a new watchdog to handle public complaints about the Canada Border Services Agency, says a federally commissioned report. The report, prepared for Public Safety Canada, also recommends the proposed body be able to look into trends and any systemic problems at the border services agency. The new watchdog, the Canada Law Enforcement Review Commission, would scrutinize both the border agency and the RCMP, given the frequent overlap between the two enforcement organizations.
Le Devoir – Des réfugiés syriens dans l’attente d’un parrainage privé au Canada
« C’est comme si l’attente s’était réveillée », dit Sara Hlaibeih. Mais ce n’est pas l’espoir qu’elle sent ravivé pour l’instant, « c’est davantage comme si quelqu’un m’avait dit “ ne t’endors pas, tu attends encore ”». Elle a 28 ans, a fui la Syrie et vit en Turquie depuis bientôt cinq ans. Le cap de la nouvelle année se tournera à nouveau à Antalya […].
La Presse – France : l’accueil des réfugiés « ne peut plus continuer ainsi »
Le patron du parti du président français Emmanuel Macron affirme que la France «peut relever le défi de l’intégration des réfugiés» à condition de réformer son système d’accueil qui «ne peut plus continuer ainsi», dans une tribune publiée dimanche. Face aux critiques suscitées par le projet de loi en préparation sur le droit d’asile, Christophe Castaner, délégué général de La République en Marche […].
