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 – Rights Groups and Opposition Urge LIberals to Help those Fleeing Anti-LGBT Violence in Chechnya
In a statement to CBC News, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada did not specifically mention Chechnya, saying it “cannot speculate on any future policy.” […] However, the statement also said, “in order to be considered for resettlement, individuals must be outside their country of origin,” suggesting a potential difficulty if Chechen asylum-seekers are still in Russia.
Metro News – Hungary Completes 2nd Border Fence Meant to Stop Migrants
A second fence on the border with Serbia meant to stop any surge in the flow of migrants toward Western Europe has been completed, the Hungarian government said Friday. […] Hungary built fences on the southern borders with Serbia and Croatia in late 2015, after some 400,000 migrants and refugees passed through the country. Since then, Hungary has also introduced a series of new rules, the so-called “legal border closure,” such as the summary expulsion to Serbia of migrants who can’t prove their legal right to be in Hungary, which have been disputed by human rights groups.
CBC – Liberals “Doubly Committed” to Tackling Marriage Fraud while Ending 2-Year Spousal Residency Rule
Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen said the federal government is clamping down on marriage fraud even as it scraps a two-year co-habitation requirement for newcomers sponsored by their spouses. Hussen said the conditional permanent residency, which was brought in by the Conservatives in 2012, was leaving some women in harmful domestic situations. […] The Conservative measure required newcomers to live in a conjugal relationship with their sponsoring spouse for two years or face deportation.
Global News – Nine Okanagan Orchardists Suspended from Hiring Mexican Workers Due to Poor Living Conditions
Like most large fruit producers in the south Okanagan and Similkameen Valley, A & M Orchards in Keremeos relies heavily on temporary foreign workers due to a local labour shortage. Now Global News has learned the Mexican Consulate is refusing to send workers to nine Okanagan farms this season, including A & M, over allegations of poor living conditions. […] 233 farms in the Okanagan rely on 2,085 fruit pickers from Mexico who come to Canada under the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program.
Toronto Star – Jailed Seven Years by Canada, Kashif Ali now Walks Free
In a forceful rebuke to Canada’s practice of indefinite immigration detention, an Ontario court has ordered the release of Kashif Ali, a West African man who spent more than seven years in a maximum-security jail because Canada was unable to deport him. […] Unlike some other countries, Canada does not have a maximum length of immigration detention.
Toronto Star – Manitoba, Feds at Odds Over Refugee Funding Amid Influx of Asylum Seekers
The Manitoba and federal governments have been unable to resolve a dispute over refugee funding because they cannot agree on how many claimants walking across the border stay in the province. The Progressive Conservative government asked for federal help in February to provide housing, education and other services for an influx of asylum-seekers entering the country near Emerson, Man. Education Minister Ian Wishart said there have been ongoing discussions but no firm commitments.
