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.
Citoyenneté et Immigration Canada – Communiqué – Amélioration du processus entourant les demandes de citoyenneté
Le ministre de la Citoyenneté, de l’Immigration et du Multiculturalisme, Jason Kenney, a annoncé aujourd’hui que les demandeurs de la citoyenneté qui échouent à l’examen pour la citoyenneté auront maintenant la possibilité de passer l’examen de nouveau au lieu de devoir attendre de rencontrer un juge de la citoyenneté. […]Dans le passé, les personnes qui échouaient à l’examen des connaissances devaient attendre un certain nombre de mois pour obtenir un rendez-vous avec un juge de la citoyenneté, qui rendait une décision définitive relativement à leur cas. Toutefois, à compter d’aujourd’hui, les demandeurs seront informés de leur résultat immédiatement après avoir passé l’examen.
Citizenship and Immigration Canada News Release – Call for Proposals for Settlement Services in British Columbia
Citizenship and Immigration Canada has issued a Call for Proposals for the delivery of settlement services in British Columbia, which assist newcomers to succeed in their new lives in the province. The Call for Proposals will be open for a period of five weeks, beginning today and ending July 8, 2013. Following a review of all received proposals, CIC will determine which organizations or individuals will receive funding to provide settlement services in B.C, starting in April 2014, when the Government of Canada resumes management of federally-funded settlement programs in the province.
Citizenship and Immigration Canada News Release – Improving the Citizenship Application Process
Citizenship applicants who fail their first citizenship test will now have the opportunity to rewrite the test rather than wait for an appointment with a citizenship judge, Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney announced today. […] In the past, individuals who failed their knowledge test would be required to wait a number of months for an appointment with a citizenship judge, who would make a final decision on their case. However, as of today, applicants will be informed of their results immediately following their test. Individuals who fail but have met all other criteria will be provided with a date to rewrite the test a few weeks later. Those who pass their test will be scheduled for a citizenship ceremony.
Inside Toronto – Language Classes Link Newcomers with Confidence
[Chandra Kafle], who worked as a nurse in Nepal, began taking Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada courses in Scarborough in September, and it has helped to improve her language skills and understanding of Canadian culture, she said. […] Now, she hopes those in similar situations take advantage of courses such as LINC to help build language skills and confidence. Kafle was on hand Friday, May 31 for the official opening of LINC’s new flagship centre at Centrepoint Mall. The centre, funded by Citizenship and Immigration Canada and run by the Toronto District School Board, is spread out over 26,000 square feet. Sixteen classes are offered for part-time and full-time students, and clients must be assessed for eligibility and language level by the YMCA Assessment Centre before being placed in a class. The LINC program is open to landed immigrants (not Canadian citizens or visitors), convention refugees (not refugee claimants) and must be 18 years of age or older.
Globe and Mail – Foreign Nationals to Have Harder Time Getting Pardoned in Wake of VIA Terror Plot
The Harper government is tightening access to criminal pardons for foreign nationals after reviewing the files of two men accused of scheming to attack a VIA Rail train. Raed Jaser, one of the men arrested by the RCMP in April, became a landed immigrant after obtaining pardons for several offences in Canada including fraud and uttering threats. The Conservatives have asked officials to prepare legislation that would prevent foreign nationals without status in Canada from availing themselves of the pardon system.
La Presse – Immigration clandestine: rendez-vous avec la mort
Depuis le début de l’année, 63 cadavres d’immigrants clandestins ont été retrouvés près de la frontière américano-mexicaine, dans le désert du sud de l’Arizona – et la saison des chaleurs mortelles ne fait que commencer. Une situation tragique, alors que le rebond de l’économie américaine attire de nouveau les immigrants – légaux et illégaux, rapporte notre correspondant. […] « C’est ici qu’ils aboutissent, explique le médecin légiste en chef du comté de Pima, Gregory Hess, qui tient l’étiquette orange entre le pouce et l’index. Quelqu’un les trouve et compose le 9-1-1. C’est nous qui les recevons. » L’arrivée de l’été marque le début de la saison mortelle dans le sud de l’Arizona, le point de contact avec le Mexique le plus fréquenté par les immigrants clandestins.
