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.
The Atlantic – Canada Returns to Airlifting Refugees
The first planeload of Syrian refugees arrived late Thursday in Toronto where they were welcomed by Justin Trudeau, the Canadian prime minister, and members of his Cabinet. “We really would like to thank you for all this hospitality and the warm welcome and all the staff—we felt ourselves at home and we felt ourselves highly respected,” said Kevork Jamkossian, who was among the first to emerge from the plane with his wife and their daughter, Madeleine.
The Guardian – Trudeau Greets Syrian Refugees as Canada Prepares for More Arrivals
Of the more than 75 Canadian communities that will open their doors to 25,000 Syrian refugees in the coming weeks, Whitehorse is among the most far flung. Across Canada, government departments, NGOs and local groups are scrambling to lay the groundwork for the country’s most ambitious refugee resettlement programme since the Vietnam war.
CBC – Syrian Refugees Will See Free Arts, Cultural Events in Canada Council Initiative
Syrian refugees arriving in Canada will be treated to a taste of Canadian culture — watching a stage play, taking in a concert or visiting an art exhibit, for instance — through a new initiative spearheaded by the Canada Council of the Arts. The national arts body and Sun Life Financial have teamed up to create a program to provide refugees free access to a performance, exhibition or arts event in their new communities.
The Globe and Mail – Conservative Critics Seek Details About Canada’s Refugee Airlift
Conservative MP Michelle Rempel said the speed of the operation – and the emphasis on “arbitrary” deadlines – is raising some unanswered questions. She said she was left unsettled by the “shiny and glossy” event in Toronto at which Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his team welcomed the first wave of refugees when they arrived on Thursday night on a Canadian Forces flight. As Tory critic for immigration issues, Ms. Rempel attended the event, along with the NDP critic.
CTV News – Tears, Smiles as Syrian Refugees Unite with Canadian Sponsors
There were tears, tight embraces and beaming smiles as newly arrived Syrian refugees united Friday with the Canadians who helped bring them to the country some called the best in the world. Most of the 163 refugees who arrived late Thursday on the first of several government flights are Christians who fled the war and have spent the last few years in Lebanon.
The New York Times – Syrian Refugees Greeted by Justin Trudeau in Canada
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau greeted a planeload of weary Syrian refugees landing in Toronto early Friday, telling the first to disembark that “you’re safe at home now” as he handed them winter coats. “Tonight they step off the plane as refugees, but they walk out of this terminal as permanent residents of Canada,” Mr. Trudeau told government employees gathered at the airport.
