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.
Hamilton Spectator – Post-SISO Hamilton Still Welcoming
The shutdown of Settlement and Integration Services Organization – combined at the same time with a significant reduction in federal support for settlement services – has unquestionably had a huge impact in the city. It has provoked not only an extraordinary level of scrutiny and reporting requirements on the part of funding agencies but some massive rethinking about the manner in which services to newcomers should be provided.[…] Responding to the needs of newcomers is increasingly being considered as a normal part of doing business for everyone in the city. Newcomer needs and services are being integrated and mainstreamed into the core responsibilities of many more organizations in Hamilton.
Radio-Canada – Multiculturalisme : Marois dit qu’elle ne voulait pas offenser
La première ministre Pauline Marois affirme ne pas avoir eu l’intention d’être offensante dans ses commentaires suggérant que le multiculturalisme est à l’origine d’attentats en Grande-Bretagne. Dans un communiqué rendu public samedi, Mme Marois a tenu à réagir « aux accusations » du chef libéral Philippe Couillard, qui a demandé à la première ministre de s’excuser pour des remarques qu’il qualifie « d’inacceptables ». Lors d’un entretien sur la charte des valeurs québécoises avec un journaliste du Devoir, Mme Marois avait comparé le multiculturalisme à l’anglaise au modèle français de laïcité. « En Angleterre, ils se tapent sur la gueule et s’envoient des bombes parce que c’est le multiculturalisme et qu’il n’y a plus personne qui se retrouve dans cette société-là », a-t-elle affirmé dans l’article publié vendredi.
La Presse – Réfugiés syriens: le Canada accusé d’inaction
Le gouvernement canadien fait «très, très peu» pour accueillir les réfugiés syriens victimes de la guerre qui fait rage dans le pays. C’est en tout cas ce que croit le Conseil canadien pour les réfugiés (CCR), qui affirme que la réaction canadienne «ne répond pas à la réalité” syrienne. «Il y a une grosse frustration par rapport à l’annonce du Canada, qui laisse croire qu’il ouvre sa porte aux réfugiés, alors qu’il s’agit d’une annonce plus ou moins vide», a dit à La Presse Janet Dench, directrice générale du CCR. Citoyenneté et Immigration Canada a annoncé en juillet que le Canada pourrait recevoir jusqu’à 1300 réfugiés syriens d’ici l’an prochain. Ottawa ne s’engage cependant à prendre en charge que 200 de ces réfugiés.
Colorlines – Study Finds Growing Racial Divide Among Young People on Immigration [in U.S.]
On the whole, young people — particularly young people of color — are supportive of comprehensive immigration reform, according to a new study from the Chicago-based Black Youth Project. But while young people of color were generally supportive of immigration reform, they often had varying ideas of how immigration is changing the country’s landscape.
A group in Charlottetown looking to sponsor three refugee families and help them escape the violence in Syria is frustrated by delays that have so far gone on for 18 months. […] In an email to CBC News, Citizenship and Immigration Canada said it’s working as fast as it can to process refugee applications, but there are challenges. Canada shut down its visa office in Syria a year a half ago due to the violence there at that time. The department says, as the dangers have escalated, processing applications has become even tougher.
Toronto Star – Province Challenges OHIP Coverage to Injured Workers
Kenroy Williams and Denville Clarke, who came to Canada under the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Program (SAWP), were among nine Jamaican migrant workers caught in a car accident in August 2012 while being driven by their employer to a farm in Oakland, Ont. […] Williams and Clarke have remained in Canada on visitors’ visas past their contract expiry in order to receive treatment. The Health Services Appeal and Review Board of Ontario ruled last month that the province must continue to provide health coverage to the duo in medical emergencies. On Thursday, the Ontario government filed a notice asking the tribunal to reconsider and reverse the decision. A health ministry spokesperson confirmed the information but declined further comment.
