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 – Un serment de citoyenneté révisé demandera aux nouveaux Canadiens d’honorer les ententes avec les autochtones
Dans un avenir rapproché, les nouveaux citoyens canadiens porteront allégeance à la reine Élisabeth II ainsi qu’aux traités signés avec les Premières Nations. Le texte proposé se lirait comme suit : « Je jure (ou j’affirme solennellement) que je serai fidèle et porterai sincère allégeance à Sa Majesté la reine Élisabeth II, reine du Canada, à ses héritiers et à ses successeurs, que j’observerai fidèlement les lois du Canada, dont les traités avec les peuples autochtones, et que je remplirai loyalement mes obligations de citoyen canadien. »
Globe and Mail – New Citizenship Oath to Reference Treaties with Indigenous Peoples
A revised oath of citizenship that will require new Canadians to faithfully observe the country’s treaties with Indigenous Peoples is nearly complete. The proposed new text was put to focus groups held by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada in March, following months of consultation by departmental officials. The language comes from the 94th and final recommendation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which examined the legacy of Canada’s residential schools.
National Post – More Than 32,000 Asylum Seekers Have Arrived in Canada So Far in 2017
More than 32,000 asylum seekers have arrived in Canada so far this year, and roughly 80 staff from the immigration department have been reassigned to help with the influx of irregular border crossers in Quebec, a joint House of Commons committee heard Thursday. On average, $15,000 to $20,000 is spent by different levels of government on each asylum claimant, according to Michael MacDonald, director general of the operations sector of the citizenship and immigration department, though “it very much does vary.”
Global News – 32,000 Asylum Seekers Entered Canada, 6,000 Work Permits Awarded, 9 Deported: Officials
There were 32,000 asylum seekers who arrived in Canada since the beginning of 2017, according to figures provided to the House of Commons public safety committee on Thursday. That’s up from last year’s total of around 24,000. A total of 13,211 of those asylum seekers entered the country illegally, mostly through the Quebec border. Around 5,600 of the asylum seekers were awarded temporary health coverage and another 6,000 have received expedited work permits, according to Michael McDonald of the IRCC.
CBC News – Border Agency Reports Big Drop in Number of Long-Term Detainees
The number of people being held for more than 90 days in immigration detention centres has declined by almost a third this year over last year, according to statistics from the Canada Border Services Agency. The figures show that the number of detainees being held for three months or longer dropped by 29.9 per cent in 2016-17 compared with 2015-16. They also show a decline since 2012-13 of 35.3 per cent. The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) told CBC News that it is using federal funding announced last year to expand the use of alternatives to detention.
Toronto Star – Refugee Judge’s Decision to Accept Wife and Reject Husband ‘Defies Logic,’ Lawyer Says
In a rare decision an adjudicator has rejected the refugee claim of a Sudanese man, finding it not credible, but granted asylum to his wife and their three children. Normally, the negative decision against Nasreldin Ali Akad Himad would not have mattered since he would be included in the permanent residence application with the immediate family members who were recognized as protected persons.
However, by law the 49-year-old Toronto man is considered “removable” by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).
