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.
Citoyenneté et Immigration Canada – Communiqué – Célébrez la fête du Canada dans le cadre d’une cérémonie de citoyenneté près de chez vous
Consultez la carte interactive de Citoyenneté et Immigration Canada et joignez-vous aux nouveaux Canadiens dans le cadre d’une cérémonie de citoyenneté prévue près de chez vous dans le cadre de la fête du Canada. Le 1er juillet de chaque année, Citoyenneté et Immigration Canada organise des cérémonies de citoyenneté spéciales partout au pays; celles-ci permettent de célébrer la culture, l’histoire et le pluralisme du Canada. C’est aussi l’occasion de réfléchir à notre héritage collectif et à notre double régime de gouvernance, soit une monarchie constitutionnelle et une démocratie parlementaire.
Guelph Mercury – “Hope and Hardship” Common Elements of New Immigrant Experience in Guelph
In many ways, the story of how Amer Sattar and Samia Naz came to Guelph from Pakistan is like so many immigration stories — hard, humbling, confusing, uncertain. […] Their experience is not uncommon. In fact, it’s very typical, said Alex Goss, project manager at the Guelph Wellington Local Immigration Partnership. “We know that getting the job that matches their skills is one of the biggest hurdles,” Goss said. Immigrants can generally find work, “but they are survival jobs. Finding a job within their skill set helps with settlement.” Goss’s organization is a partnership of 100 different businesses, agencies and organizations in Guelph and Wellington County who come together to try to solve issues for immigrants who land in the region. “We want to make it a supportive, welcoming and attractive community for immigrants,” he said. Approximately 250,000 people come to Canada every year and for about 700 of those, Guelph is their destination of choice. But Guelph is also a popular secondary migration destination and Wellington County often sees immigrants settling there, preferring rural areas after living in larger centres.
Toronto Star – Meagre EU Refugee Deal Exposes Divisions
The European Union decided Friday to share 40,000 of the refugees landing in Italy and Greece but foot-dragging and verbal sniping over the move exposed deep divisions about how to deal with Europe’s massive migrant influx. While the size of the challenge is daunting, the EU’s response has been underwhelming. More than 114,000 migrants fleeing wars or poverty have been plucked from the Mediterranean so far this year as they try to cross in unseaworthy smugglers’ boats. Some 2,600 have died or are missing along the route, according to the International Organization for Migration. […] Greece and Italy have been swamped by the arrivals, while Hungary and Bulgaria are also under pressure from thousands of migrants travelling over land. Things are likely to get worse amid the summer high season for migrant crossings.
Globe and Mail – Why Newcomers are Beginning to Bypass Canada’s Big Cities
There is a growing effort by many mid-sized, post-industrial cities to spark a new wave of immigration. Also struggling, places such as Moncton, Trois-Rivières and Kitchener are doing everything they can to open their doors, from adopting their own de facto immigration policies to, in some cases, even going abroad to recruit new residents. While the great majority of Canada’s immigrants still settle in greater Toronto and Vancouver, secondary cities have begun to grab an increasingly larger share. In Canada’s rust belt, mass immigration is increasingly seen as the hope for recovery. A thriving destination for newcomers in the twentieth century, Hamilton has been in a long period of decline since its heavy industry dried up. To city manager Chris Murray, a revived immigration program was the only way out. […] So, in 2012, Global Hamilton was created – a new department dedicated to making Steel City an immigrant city once again. The following year, the department’s head, Sarah Wayland, published a two-volume Immigrant Attraction Action Plan that was enthusiastically adopted by a majority on city council.
Radio-Canada – Une résidente de Gatineau se bat pour obtenir sa carte soleil
Épuisée et enceinte de huit mois, Rosa Callalli est à bout de souffle. Depuis plusieurs mois, elle livre une bataille contre le gouvernement du Québec pour obtenir sa carte d’assurance maladie. La Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ) refuse de lui donner une carte santé, même si Mme Callalli, d’origine péruvienne, réside au Québec depuis 2013, possède un emploi et paie ses impôts. La situation est particulièrement stressante pour cette jeune dame de 35 ans, car elle ne connaît pas l’état de santé de son enfant à naître. En effet, même si elle a plus de 30 semaines de grossesse, elle n’a pas consulté de médecin. Rosa Callalli n’a pas les moyens d’assumer les frais pour de telles visites médicales.
La Presse canadienne – Un avocat critique les règles fédérales sur l’immigration
Beaucoup d’immigrants qui sont arrivés au Canada par le Quai 21, à Halifax, ne seraient pas autorisés à entrer au pays aujourd’hui à cause des politiques gouvernementales plus restrictives, affirme un avocat en droit de l’immigration. D’après Lee Cohen, un avocat de Halifax, les nombreux millions de dollars qu’Ottawa a investis dans le Musée canadien de l’immigration sont une forme de «priorité mal placée», étant donné les efforts que le gouvernement met à resserrer les règles et les critères pour les immigrants et les réfugiés. Il affirme que les récents changements aux politiques favorisent un certain profil d’immigrant qui est très instruit, en bonne situation financière et qui maîtrise un minimum le français ou l’anglais — ce qui ne correspond pas à la description de bon nombre des immigrants arrivés par le Quai 21.
