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.
Global News – Alberta Wants Ottawa to Lift Immigration Lid
Alberta wants the federal government to lift the lid on the number of economic immigrants it can nominate each year for permanent residence so it can better meet its growing labour needs. Jobs Minister Ric McIver said the province has sent a letter to federal Citizenship and Immigration Minister Chris Alexander. “I would like the federal government to take the cap off of the maximum number of provincial nominees that we can appoint so that we can bring in the people that we need,” McIver said in an interview Monday. “We think we are going to be 96,000 workers short by 2023 and most of those (are for) skilled and good-paying jobs.” McIver said the number of economic immigrants allowed into Alberta should be driven by labour market evidence and local information so the province can better react to its own circumstances. All of Alberta’s quota of 5,500 certificates under the immigrant nominee program for 2014 have been issued, and they were not enough, he said.
Lethbridge Herald – Halifax Wants to Extend Voting Rights to Permanent Residents
The mayor of Halifax says he wants his city to become one of the first in Canada to grant permanent residents the right to vote in municipal elections. Mike Savage says the proposal, which requires provincial approval, is aimed at making the region more welcoming for immigrants. “We need more immigrants because they come to our country and they create wealth, they create jobs for themselves and for others as well,” says Savage, a former Liberal MP whose father John was premier of Nova Scotia between 1993 and 1997. “From what we’ve heard from immigrants, it’s indisputable that they would consider this something of value and part or being welcomed here.” Permanent residents are immigrants who are not Canadian citizens, but they have been given permission to stay and work in Canada for as long as they want. They have all of the rights of citizens and can take advantage of social programs, but they can’t vote, seek public office, obtain a Canadian passport or hold jobs that require a security clearance. […] Savage says the 14,000 permanent residents in the Halifax region should not be kept from voting while they’re waiting for their citizenship to come through.
Radio-Canada – Travailleurs étrangers : l’Alberta met la pression sur Ottawa
Le gouvernement albertain demande à Ottawa de supprimer le quota de travailleurs étrangers que la province peut sélectionner pour obtenir une résidence permanente chaque année. Le ministre de l’Emploi de l’Alberta Ric McIver a écrit une lettre en ce sens au ministre fédéral de la Citoyenneté et de l’Immigration Chris Alexander. Au titre du Programme des candidats des provinces, la province peut choisir 5500 travailleurs qualifiés et semi qualifiés ainsi que leur famille pour que ceux-ci puissent demander une résidence permanente au gouvernement fédéral. Le ministre albertain dit toutefois que la province a déjà atteint son quota pour cette année et que ce nombre est loin d’être suffisant. « Nous pensons que nous allons avoir un manque de 96 000 travailleurs d’ici 2023, et la plupart sont des emplois qualifiés et bien payés », a souligné M. McIver. Le ministre souhaite que le quota soit complètement supprimé parce que selon lui, les besoins de la province varient en fonction des aléas économiques.
Radio Canada International – CIBC ferme les comptes bancaires d’un étudiant de l’université Concordia parce qu’il est Iranien
« C’était un acte de discrimination. Ce n’est pas acceptable » affirme Arash Khodadadi. Arash Khodadadi affirme qu’il a reçu un message d’erreur le mois dernier, quand il a essayé de transférer de l’argent de son compte de chèques à son compte d’épargne. Il a téléphoné au service à la clientèle, qu’il l’a transféré à son directeur de succursale. « Il m’a dit : “nous fermons votre compte parce que… votre passeport est iranien », déclare Arash Khodadadi. L’étudiant révèle que quand il a demandé une explication, on lui a répondu que c’était “la politique de la Banque CIBC.” Arash Khodadadi dit qu’il n’a utilisé ses deux comptes bancaires à la CIBC, l’une des six grandes banques canadiennes, que pour des transactions en Amérique du Nord. «J’ai été choqué, et je pense que c’était un acte de discrimination. Ce n’est pas acceptable.» L’étudiant de 25 ans poursuit en ce moment des études en maîtrise en génie et en informatique à l’Université Concordia avec un visa d’étudiant international.
Globe and Mail – Business Groups Urge Rethink to Tories’ Foreign-Worker Reforms
Business groups representing employers of entry-level workers are forming a coalition to push back against the Conservative government’s tight restrictions on the use of temporary foreign workers. Nearly six months after Ottawa announced sweeping changes to the controversial foreign worker program, four employer groups have written a joint letter to the government calling for some of the provisions to be softened. The Canadian Federation of Independent Business, Restaurants Canada, the Retail Council of Canada and the Tourism Industry of Canada sent the letter Monday outlining their concerns. […] Employers of low-skilled, entry-level positions were hardest hit by the changes. The accommodation, food services and retail-trade sectors were essentially barred from the program unless they operate in an area where unemployment is below 6 per cent. The employer coalition wants that 6-per-cent rule reconsidered. They also want the government to reconsider a new rule that caps and gradually lowers the percentage of low-wage temporary foreign workers at each work site from 30 per cent to 10 per cent by July 1, 2016.
Ontario News Release – Diverse Communities Take Action on Violence Against Women
Ontario is supporting a new and innovative public education campaign that helps immigrants learn the warning signs of woman abuse. Ontario’s Neighbours, Friends and Families – Immigrant and Refugee Communities Campaign reaches out to diverse communities by developing products and activities that are accessible and relevant to newcomers. The government is investing $836,500 over two years to support 10 programs across Ontario, including COSTI Immigrant Services, which will deliver the program in partnership with St. Stephen’s Community House to students learning English. St. Stephen’s Community House worked with students to develop a photo-based novel that helps students identify the signs of woman abuse and what actions they can take to help. The novel is being incorporated into COSTI’s learning curriculum starting January 2015.
