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.
Radio Canada International – La charte québécoise provoquera-t-elle une nouvelle crise constitutionnelle avec le Canada?
La charte québécoise des valeurs dénoncée par le gouvernement central canadien. […] Les milieux politiques à Ottawa n’ont pas tardé à réagir et pour une des rares fois, de mémoire récentes, les trois principaux partis partagent des préoccupations très similaires. Le gouvernement du premier ministre Stephen Harper se dit préoccupé « par les propositions qui limiteraient le droit de toute personne de pratiquer sa religion » et entend « contester vigoureusement » toute loi qui serait jugée inconstitutionnelle par le ministère canadien de la Justice.
Gazette des femmes – Travailleuses domestiques étrangères – assignées à résidence
Au Canada, les travailleuses domestiques étrangères doivent résider chez leur employeur. Une obligation qui ouvre la porte à diverses violations de leurs droits. Diane-Valérie Bilala, diplômée en sciences politiques et étudiante en droit à l’Université Laval, se penche sur la question dans Tout accepter pour la résidence permanente. [Cliquez le lien ci-dessous pour accéder à l’entrevue].
Quebec Reveals Religious Symbols to be Banned From Public Sector
The Parti Québécois government is leading Quebec into a wrenching debate over faith and the future place of minorities in the province by unveiling a charter of values that would ban Muslim headscarves, Sikh turbans, Jewish kippas and other “overt” religious symbols from the public service. Details of its long-awaited charter confirm what has been leaked in the media in recent weeks: if adopted, Quebec would become the only government in Canada seeking state secularism by restricting religious-based clothing for public employees.
Huffington Post – Ezra Levant’s “Gypsies” Comments Condemned by Broadcast Standards Council
Sun News host Ezra Levant violated the broadcasting ethics code when he portrayed Gypsies as being criminals, the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council (CBSC) has ruled. […] Levant’s comments were “in violation of the Canadian Association of Broadcasters’ Code of Ethics and Equitable Portrayal Code,” the CBSC announced Monday. Levant’s segment was “abusive and unduly discriminatory against an ethnic group, and violated other provisions of the [code] regarding negative portrayal, stereotyping, stigmatization and degradation,” the CBSC said.
Portage Daily Graphic – Province to Help New Canadians
The Government of Manitoba has earmarked $1.4 million over two years to improve the recognition of foreign credentials by funding pilot programs designed to recognize professional qualifications in order to get immigrants into the workforce sooner. “The Manitoba government has been working to improve the recognition of foreign credentials, allowing new Manitobans the ability to put their education and experience to use sooner and establish successful careers in our province,” stated Advanced Education and Literacy Minister Erin Selby. Selby added the province would provide support for universities and colleges as they work with new Canadians in implementing their skills.
Toronto Star – Foreign Service Job Action Threatens Canada’s Annual Immigration Target
Permanent residency applicants appear to be taking the biggest hit from ongoing job action by foreign affairs officers, prompting concerns about whether Ottawa’s 2013 immigration target can be met. According to government data obtained by the Star, the number of immigrant visas granted from May to July of this year has dropped 7.5 per cent, to 60,416 individuals. […] The numbers appear to bolster claims by the foreign service workers’ union that staff are being diverted to process temporary resident visa applications — for applicants like tourists and international students — at the expense of permanent resident files, which the government denies.
