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 – Des réfugiés décrochent leur premier emploi
La vie prend un nouveau virage pour la jeune famille de Berivan Ahmad, réfugiée syrienne issue de la minorité kurde. Elle et son conjoint sont arrivés à Trois-Rivières à l’hiver 2016. Un an plus tard, ils décrochaient leur premier emploi. « Avec le travail, c’est vraiment bien. Pas comme avant, dit Berivan Ahmad. On est plus confiants, on est plus indépendants. »
Toronto Star – Syrian Refugee Truck Driver Challenges MTO over Licensing Wait
Ahmad Al Rasoul has worked as a truck driver in his native Syria, as well as Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Lebanon, where his family had stayed for four years before they arrived in Toronto in 2016 as government-sponsored refugees under Ottawa’s massive Syrian resettlement program. With help from volunteer Omar Khan, Rasoul is taking the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario (MTO) to the human rights tribunal after officials refused to accommodate him and other refugees in similar circumstances.
CBC News Edmonton – Grade 11 Students Get Standing Ovation for Standing Up to Red Deer Protesters
Two high school students from Red Deer were given a standing ovation at the Alberta legislature on Monday to recognize the stance they took against a group of anti-immigration protesters. Grade 11 students Ursella Khan and Thomas Gower stood up last week to a group of about 40 adult protesters who gathered outside Lindsay Thurber Comprehensive High School, after a false rumour involving Syrian refugee students began circulating on the internet.
London Free Press – Politicians Move Closer to Formally Declaring London a Sanctuary City, but Not Without Criticism
On Monday, Coun. Harold Usher urged his colleagues to drop the proposal, arguing it’s created a rift among Londoners and offers the city few benefits. Council voted 8-5 to defeat Usher’s motion to stop the process. It now moves ahead, but city staff say it’ll be the fall before they’ve finalized a recommendation for council’s approval or rejection.
CBC News British Columbia – Syrian Pop-up Dinners Help Refugee Women and Share Delicious Food
A group of Syrian refugee women living in Vancouver has found meaningful work in Canada thanks to their country’s cuisine. They work for Tayybeh: A Celebration of Syrian Cuisine, offering catering services and a pop-up dinner every month or so.
Almasry has experienced blatant Islamophobia in the classroom, on the soccer pitch, on public transit and in fast food lineups. For Almasry, the most threatening aspect of racism isn’t always the in-your-face insults or cruel comments. Rather, it’s the micro-aggressions that she and people of colour experience behind the scenes.
