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.
Government of Ontario Newsroom – Helping Over 6,000 Skilled Immigrants Find Jobs
Ten new Ontario Bridge Training projects have launched to help more than 6,000 internationally trained people find jobs that match their skills and experience. […] The projects are part of more than 80 active Bridge Training projects across the province that support a wide range of professions such as engineering, health care, business and information technology. Maximizing Ontario’s immigration programs is part of the government’s economic plan for Ontario. The four-part plan is building Ontario up by investing in people’s talents and skills, building new public infrastructure like roads and transit, creating a dynamic, supportive environment where business thrives and building a secure savings plan so everyone can afford to retire. Ontario has invested $9.4 million in these 10 new projects, as part of a three-year investment of $64 million.
The Guardian (Charlottetown) – PNP: A Time for Regeneration
Let’s take a closer look at Canadian Immigration policy and how the P.E.I. PNP can find ways to welcome new working class immigrants. Migrant workers, once they arrive here should no longer be “migrant.” They should be granted an opportunity to apply for permanent residency. They deserve to enjoy social benefits, such as healthcare coverage and Employment Insurance. They deserve to live in dignity. What is happening now to migrant workers is a reflection of a two-fold attitude problem with Canadian and P.E.I. immigration policy: the preference for investors over workers, regardless of origin; and a preference for locals over foreigners. P.E.I. needs immigration to increase its population, but P.E.I. officials are accepting without protest that Canadian Immigration is closing its doors ever tighter. New requirements for acceptance as a permanent resident implies that only the well-heeled and well-educated are welcome. Since low income people have little access to education they are the ones, on two grounds, who face closed doors. […] We need to challenge both P.E.I. and Canadian Immigration to find openings for immigrant workers from low income backgrounds.
Peterborough Examiner – Support Grows for Group Bringing a Refugee Family from Syria or Iraq to Peterborough
The Peterborough Refugee Sponsor Committee is planning to bring a displaced family – most likely from Syria or Iraq – to Peterborough in a few months. Co-chairs Murray MacAdam and Suzanne McMillan say people have given about $15,000 toward a goal of $25,000 needed to help support the family financially while they get settled, learn English and look for work. MacAdam said people have also offered to help when the family gets here. Both a doctor and a dentist have offered their services, for example, and others will drive the family around to appointments upon arrival in the city. […] Meanwhile MacAdam said the local committee is working with AURA (Anglican United Refugee Alliance), a Toronto organization that helps with the sponsorship of refugees, to find a family who’d like to come to Peterborough. AURA is expected to have news for the local committee later this spring about the family, its country of origin and when they can be expected to arrive.
Globe and Mail – Ottawa’s New Express Entry Immigration System Slow Off the Mark
Less than half of immigrants to Canada this year will be selected through the much-vaunted new Express Entry system. So far, slightly more than 6,850 prospective immigrants have been invited to apply for permanent residency …According to Citizenship and Immigration Canada, it will not be until 2017, two years after its launch, that a majority of immigrants are processed through the new system.
Acadie nouvelle – Pêche: les usines de transformation «sur le bord du précipice»
Alors que les saisons de pêches au homard et au crabe des neiges approchent, les usines de transformation de fruits de mer du Nouveau-Brunswick travaillent d’arrache-pied pour s’adapter à la réforme du programme fédéral des travailleurs étrangers temporaires. «L’impact va être immédiat. Cette année, il va y avoir un impact, ça c’est clair», affirme Nat Richard, porte-parole de Westmorland Fisheries à Cap-Pelé. Depuis des années, les usines de transformation du Nouveau-Brunswick dépendent des travailleurs de l’étranger pour répondre à une hausse des débarquements et à une baisse de la main-d’oeuvre locale. Certaines d’entre elles embauchent près de 50 % de leurs employés saisonniers par le biais du programme fédéral des travailleurs étrangers temporaires, selon M. Richard. Cette année, en raison de la réforme, elles devront limiter à 30 % leur main d’oeuvre provenant de l’étranger. En 2016, ce chiffre passera à 20 %, et en 2017, à 10 %. La capacité de traitement de l’ensemble des usines pourrait ainsi chuter de 15 à 20 % en 2015, fait savoir Jerry Amirault, président de l’Association des transformateurs du Nouveau-Brunswick et de la Nouvelle-Écosse.
Acadie nouvelle – Élections fédérales: l’immigration, le nerf de la guerre
Les élections fédérales n’auront peut-être lieu que dans six mois, mais déjà différents groupes y vont de leurs revendications. Parmi ceux-ci, les communautés francophones vivant en milieu minoritaire. Et comme les élus cesseront de siéger en juin, le temps presse pour ceux qui souhaitent que leurs préoccupations deviennent des enjeux électoraux. D’autant plus que le parlement actuel ne reviendra pas à la Chambre des communes en septembre, campagne électorale oblige. C’est donc dire que ce n’est qu’après l’élection du prochain gouvernement, le 19 octobre, que les activités reprendront sur la colline parlementaire. Au sein de la francophonie canadienne, il ne fait nul doute que la prochaine campagne électorale s’articulera autour du thème de l’immigration francophone. Les dirigeants des organismes représentant les francophones en milieu minoritaire soulèvent d’importantes lacunes à ce chapitre et croient que l’avenir des communautés en dépend. «Les différents acteurs au sein du milieu francophone semblent s’entendre pour dire que le gouvernement fédéral n’en fait pas assez pour favoriser le recrutement et l’intégration des immigrants», observe Linda Cardinal, professeure à l’École d’études politiques de l’Université d’Ottawa et titulaire de la Chaire de recherche sur la francophonie et les politiques publiques de cette même institution.
