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.
Toronto Star – Canada’s limits on international students’ postgrad work permits are ‘elitism,’ Ontario colleges say
A group representing all Ontario public colleges is urging the federal government to reconsider the decision to end automatic work permits for their international students, citing “elitism” favouring their university counterparts. In an open letter to Immigration Minister Marc Miller released Tuesday, Colleges Ontario said the new policy that will kick in on Nov. 1 fails to take into account regional economic needs and won’t better align the international student program with Canada’s labour market.
Government of Canada – Canada and Yukon partner to support workers through Territorial Nominee Program
The federal government is committed to supporting critical sectors in regional economies while providing skilled workers with clear pathways to permanent residence. Today, the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, announced that the federal government has reached an agreement with the Government of Yukon to help temporary workers crucial to economic development in the territory eventually become permanent residents. This temporary measure will give new work permits to up to 215 temporary workers identified and supported by the Government of Yukon to continue working while they process their permanent residence applications under the Yukon Nominee Program. Eligible individuals have to demonstrate that they meet the criteria and are expected to transition to permanent residence in 2025 and 2026. These skilled workers are filling key job vacancies in Yukon and are actively contributing to Canada’s economy and social diversity.
Radio-Canada – Immigration au Québec : des zones d’attente comme en France?
Le gouvernement Legault exhorte Ottawa à mettre en place un réseau d’hébergement temporaire pour les demandeurs d’asile. Toutes les options devraient être analysées, selon lui. Par exemple, des « zones d’attente » pourraient être créées et servir au transfert de migrants vers les autres provinces. Sur les demandeurs d’asile, il n’y a aucune avancée! Aucune, aucune, aucune! déplorait le ministre de l’Immigration Jean-François Roberge, samedi dernier. Dans une lettre datée du 22 juillet dernier et dont Radio-Canada a obtenu copie, le gouvernement Legault cite la France en exemple.
City News – Vast majority of residents want to keep Canada’s door open for immigrants: CityNews poll
The vast majority of residents across four major cities in Canada say they want to keep the door open for immigrants to enter the country, according to a new poll. However, the poll, conducted by Maru Public Opinion exclusively for CityNews, found that almost half would opt for reducing the level of immigrants welcomed over the next two years. Moreover, 22 per cent of those polled in Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver want the government to fully shut the door to allowing any new applicants into Canada for the foreseeable future. Residents surveyed were split on those who agree that new immigrants are having a positive impact in their city versus those who disagree with the sentiment highest in Vancouver with 54 per cent agreeing. Forty-nine per cent of those surveyed in Toronto and Calgary agreed followed by 48 per cent in Edmonton.
Radio-Canada – Analyse | Politisation de l’immigration : une responsabilité partagée
Justin Trudeau reproche à François Legault d’avoir politisé la question de l’immigration. « C’est désolant de voir le premier ministre du Québec partager des déclarations qui, sur l’immigration, sont carrément fausses. […] Nous travaillons et nous avons travaillé d’ailleurs avec le gouvernement du Québec sur cet enjeu que M. Legault semble vouloir politiser à tout prix », s’est-il exclamé. Ses propos ont été d’autant plus remarqués qu’il les a tenus devant Emmanuel Macron, qui était reçu la semaine dernière au Canada.
CBC News – As immigration numbers decline in Sask., experts express concern
Experts say they’ll be closely monitoring Saskatchewan’s population and immigration trends as the province experienced a drop in international immigration and continues to lose residents to other provinces. According to the latest data from Statistics Canada, in the second quarter of 2024, Saskatchewan welcomed 7,720 newcomers from abroad — a 20 per cent decrease from the 9,681 who arrived during the same period last year. “We’re trying to manage immigration levels and the impact that it might have on our infrastructure. But on the other side of the same coin, we need to be very careful in terms of looking at how that might impact the economy,” said Ali Abukar, CEO of the Open Door Society in Saskatoon.
