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.
Al Jazeera – What the World Can Learn from Canadian Multiculturalism
Across much of the West, it seems as though the appeal of multiculturalism has lost its lustre. A 2011 poll of European countries showed that 65 percent of Spaniards, Italians and Brits believed there were “too many immigrants in their country”. The rising popularity of anti-immigration parties across the continent is a testament to the depth of this feeling, and even mainstream politicians like Angela Merkel and David Cameron have expressed similar sentiments. […] In major cities such as Toronto and Vancouver, roughly half the population consists of visible minorities, yet the type of social segregation and alienation prevalent in Europe is nonetheless conspicuously absent. While immigrants tend to settle in the same neighbourhoods upon arrival, they also partake in Canadian society to a far greater degree than their European counterparts. Immigrants to Canada tend to achieve economic success, high levels of education, and social integration at a level unseen in European societies. Correspondingly, Canadians also tend to have a much more positive opinion of immigration than Europeans.
La Presse – Le tiers des immigrants allophones en rétention culturelle
Dans le Grand Montréal, 30% des nouveaux arrivants allophones vivent en situation de rétention culturelle et communautaire, fidèles à la langue, aux valeurs et au mode de vie de leur société d’origine, selon une nouvelle étude du Laboratoire de recherche sur la santé et l’immigration de l’Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM). Une large majorité – 58% des immigrants allophones – s’intègre en adoptant des valeurs proposées par la société québécoise, mêlées à d’autres provenant de leur société d’origine. Environ 10% s’assimilent en épousant complètement les comportements en vigueur ici, abandonnant du coup leur mode de vie prémigratoire. Le Québec reçoit 50 000 nouveaux arrivants par an, dont 38% ne comprennent pas le français.
Radio-Canada – Une délégation veut placer des travailleurs francophones en Saskatchewan
Les employeurs qui souhaitent embaucher du personnel francophone peuvent rencontrer une délégation de trois ambassades canadiennes de passage en Saskatchewan. Ses membres, des représentants des ambassades canadiennes en France, au Maroc et en Tunisie, effectuent une tournée pancanadienne pour tisser des liens avec les institutions publiques, communautaires et privées du pays. Ils proposent des ateliers aux entreprises et aux institutions, lundi à Regina et mardi à Saskatoon. Le but de ces ateliers est de promouvoir les services offerts par les ambassades du Canada. L’Assemblée communautaire fransaskoise (ACF) et le Réseau en immigration francophone de la Saskatchewan sont chargés de recevoir les membres de la délégation dans la province.
The Tyee – Immigrants are Staggeringly Costly? Nice Try, Fraser Institute
The report bases its conclusions on a study of recent immigrants to Canada between 1986-2004, whose average incomes and thus contributions to the Canadian tax base are allegedly lower than non-immigrant Canadians. The report claims that each immigrant presents an average net drain of $6,329 per year, and thus if we multiply this number by the 4.2 million immigrants in the country who arrived between 1987 and 2010, the annual “cost” to Canadians is $26 billion. What can we learn from this supposed swindle? Nearly nothing, it turns out. Not only are the numbers exaggerated and then applied dubiously, but the “solutions” proposed would be actively harmful, both to immigrants and to Canada more broadly.
CBC – Mexico “Really Mad” at Canada for Imposing Travel Visas
Ambassador Francisco Suarez told The Canadian Press in an exclusive interview that Mexico is so upset that if the issue isn’t resolved by next year, Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto might have to postpone a planned visit to Canada. That would cast a shadow over the festivities that Mexico and Canada are planning for 2014 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the North American Free Trade Agreement and the 70th anniversary of bilateral relations. […] While Mexico’s relations with Canada are generally very good, the visa issue could become an obstacle to deepening economic co-operation in areas such as energy and natural resources, the envoy said.
Toronto Star – Ontario Human Rights Commission Eases Way for Foreign Professionals in Canada
A policy recently released by the Ontario Human Rights Commission could make gaining professional accreditation and finding a job easier for foreign-trained Canadian immigrants. It tries to remove the Canadian experience barrier. The policy shifts the onus to employers and regulatory bodies to show that a requirement for prior work experience in Canada is a bona fide requirement that cannot be satisfied by a more flexible and individualized approach to assessing an applicant’s qualifications and skills. […] Since 2007 Ontario’s Office of the Fairness Commissioner has challenged both regulators and governments to address barriers to professional licensing, but Fairness Commissioner Jean Augustine says it’s still a work in progress.
