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.
Journal de Montréal – Kenney et Suzuki s’affrontent
Le ministre de l’Immigration, Jason Kenney, a dénoncé les propos de l’environnementaliste David Suzuki qui, dans une entrevue accordée à l’hebdomadaire français L’Express, a dit que le Canada affichait complet et ne devrait plus accepter d’immigrants. «Que vous soyez un environnementaliste ou quiconque d’autre, si vous dites que l’immigration est dégoûtante et folle et que notre gigantesque pays est plein, je vais vous confrontez», a indiqué le ministre Kenney lors d’une entrevue avec l’Agence QMI. Dans l’entrevue publiée le 1er juillet, […] lorsque l’intervieweur a demandé David Suzuki s’il se dit d’accord avec certains environnementalistes australiens qui s’opposent à la croissance de la population et à l’immigration, parce que les humains accentuent la pression sur les ressources naturelles, il a répliqué : «Oh, je crois que le Canada est complet aussi».
Journal de Montréal – Les banquiers font la cour aux nouveaux arrivants
Plusieurs institutions financières, dont Desjardins et la Banque Nationale, courtisent les milliers de nouveaux arrivants qui foulent le sol québécois pour les attirer dans leurs rangs. Le Mouvement Desjardins est particulièrement actif auprès des immigrants, car il déploie une campagne publicitaire au Québec et dans plusieurs pays d’Europe, comme en France et en Belgique. […] La clientèle immigrante est attrayante pour les institutions financières car elle est nombreuse. De 50 000 à 55 000 résidents permanents et environ 35 000 travailleurs étrangers temporaires s’établissent au Québec chaque année.
Montreal Gazette – Jason Kenney Calls David Suzuki “Xenophobic” Over Magazine Quotes
Prominent environmentalist David Suzuki, in remarks published earlier this month in the Paris-based publication L’Express, is quoted as saying Canada’s immigration policy is “disgusting” because “We plunder southern countries by depriving them of future leaders, and we want to increase our population to support economic growth.” […] Suzuki could not be reached Thursday to elaborate on his comments. But Immigration and Citizenship Minister Jason Kenney was quick to rip into them. In a series of tweets in recent days, he used terms such as “xenophobic” and “anti-immigration” to describe Suzuki. In one French-language tweet, he said he is “sorry for xenophobic David Suzuki, who calls immigration ‘crazy’ because ‘Canada is full.’ ” […] The green activist also said Canada continues to have a “responsibility to those who struggle to survive elsewhere” and that “Canada will always open its doors to those who suffer oppression or emergency.”
Toronto Star – Same-Sex Couple Makes U.S. History After Green Card Petition
Tom Smeraldo and Emilio Ojeda are ecstatic the U.S. government now recognizes what Ontario has recognized for years: the love between them. The two are the first gay couple living outside the States to have their green card petition approved after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the Defence of Marriage Act — a federal law against same-sex marriage — last month. The notice of permanent visa approval came late Tuesday via a phone call to Ojeda, 50, a Venezuelan immigrant who lives with his husband Smeraldo, 46, in Warkworth, Ont. While Smeraldo is a U.S. citizen, the couple had been exiled in Canada after Ojeda’s previous green card application was rejected in 2011 because of DOMA.
Citizenship and Immigration Canada News Release – Super Visa Keeps Getting More Popular – 20,000 and Counting!
More than 20,000 Parent and Grandparent Super Visas have been issued since the program’s launch in December 2011, Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney announced today. […] With over 1,000 Super Visas being issued monthly, this has become one of Citizenship and Immigration Canada’s most popular programs. The approval rate remains high at 85 per cent. The Super Visa is a multiple entry visa that is valid for up to ten years, while offering holders the option of staying in Canada for up to two years at a time. This reduces the need for frequent visitors to renew their status during an extended family visit.
Kamloops Daily News – New Canadians to Lose Support with Government Shuffle
Some new Canadians are out in the cold now that the federal government is doling out the funding for immigrant services, say non-profit agencies. For the past 15 years, the provincial government has determined priorities for the federal money, which goes to non-profits dedicated to helping immigrants with settlement. That responsibility is now in federal hands and of topmost concern is a partial loss in client base now that federal requirements render naturalized citizens ineligible for these services.
