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.
CBC News – Ottawa stops funding temporary accommodations for Afghan migrant applicants waiting in Pakistan
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has stopped subsidizing temporary accommodations in Pakistan for people applying through a special immigration program for Afghans who worked for the Canadian government or armed forces. Special measures for Afghans trying to move to Canada were introduced by the federal government in summer 2021, after the Taliban swept to power and sent many former employees of western governments into hiding. The federal government began covering the cost of accommodations for Afghans who crossed over into Pakistan while they waited for their applications to be processed.
The Globe and Mail – Concerns mount over new federal immigration policy that would grant permanent residency to low-wage workers
Economists and policy experts are expressing growing concern over a potential new federal immigration program that would immediately grant permanent residency to temporary residents who are in low-wage jobs. The program, if launched, would target people who already have Canadian work experience in what Ottawa classifies as TEER 4 and TEER 5 occupations – delivery service drivers, caregivers, food production workers and retail staff, to name a few.
Le Devoir – Un laboratoire du CHU Sainte-Justine se mobilise contre une décision en immigration
S’opposant au « mur » des services d’immigration, le soutien et la solidarité. Des collègues d’une technicienne de laboratoire du CHU Sainte-Justine ont amassé des fonds pour lui permettre de survivre au refus d’Ottawa de renouveler son permis de travail. Une décision déconcertante et inconcevable pour ce laboratoire spécialisé, qui tourne déjà au ralenti, faute de personnel. Après avoir perdu tout statut en avril, la femme en question a refait d’urgence une demande de permis de travail. Cette nouvelle demande a été acceptée dans les heures suivant les questions du Devoir à Immigration, Réfugiés et Citoyenneté Canada (IRCC).
The Globe and Mail – The sudden rise of temporary foreign workers in entry-level office jobs
Temporary foreign workers are no longer a rare presence in entry-level office roles. Last year, employers were approved to hire more than 3,500 administrative assistants via the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, up from just 112 of those roles approved in 2016, according to figures published by the federal government. In addition, companies were authorized to hire nearly 2,000 administrative officers in 2023.
Government of Canada – Temporary public policy to facilitate continued access to open work permits and study permits for foreign nationals in Canada who arrived under the Canada-Ukraine authorization for emergency travel measures
The goal of this public policy is to continue our commitment to the thousands of Ukrainian nationals and their families who have sought temporary safe haven in Canada under the CUAET program and who continue to need to support themselves and their families while the war in Ukraine remains ongoing.
CTV News – Quebec government seeks power to limit international students
The Quebec government plans to table a bill in the fall that would allow it to limit the number of international students coming to the province to study. Premier François Legault told reporters Tuesday the measures are necessary because some private colleges are abusing the system by charging high tuition fees to international students who are trying to obtain permanent residency. When asked, Legault refused to say whether the bill would impact Montreal’s two English-speaking universities, McGill and Concordia, but did say he does not believe the two institutions have engaged in unethical recruitment practices.
