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 – Lucene Charles Case is Sign of Overall Immigration Department Dysfunction
Lucene Charles’ protracted battle to stay in Canada is an example of how the country’s dysfunctional and backlogged immigration system is in drastic need of reform, says Immigration Minister Jason Kenney. […] Among the measures he discussed were plans to fast track immigration for people who already have jobs in Canada and for foreign students who are studying at a Canadian college or university. The government would also become involved in creating a data base of potential immigrants who have specific skills that Canadian employers could use when recruiting. People on the list who land a job would then be fast-tracked through the immigration process.
Globe and Mail – Mexican Consulate Issues Warning Over Housing Conditions of Temporary Workers in B.C.
Mexican officials have warned some B.C. farmers that they could lose hiring privileges under the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Program as a result of substandard housing provided for employees. Ten employers have had workers transferred away from their sites to other B.C. operations, mostly as a result of alleged unsatisfactory accommodation, while another 42 employers have been put on “probation” over issues that include not implementing a recent minimum-wage increase.
Toronto Star – Toronto Study Finds “Satellite Babies” Common Across Immigrant Communities
The phenomenon of “satellite babies” — children separated from parents and in care of relatives abroad — is more common across immigrant communities than once thought, says a Toronto study. The custom of temporarily boarding young children with overseas relatives — a strategy that helps newcomers cope with the stress of migration — is not limited to the Chinese, but is also common among South Asian, African and Caribbean immigrants. […] In collaboration with community leaders, service agencies and local health centres, researchers interviewed six mental health service providers and 34 parents from these communities in Greater Toronto, all of whom had suffered separation from their children for at least a year.
Hamilton Spectator – Kenney Tells Businesses Multi-Pronged Solution Needed for Our Employment, Immigration Issues
Kenney told the annual meeting of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Hamilton Sunday that despite polls showing up to 90 per cent of Canadians oppose increased immigration Canada must import more workers to replace retiring Baby Boomers and ensure the country remains economically competitive. […] Kenney noted unemployment among immigrants with university degree is four times that our Canadians with similar qualifications.
Yahoo News – Immigration Minister Jason Kenney Defends the Transformation of Canada’s Immigration System
Since the Conservatives won their majority in May 2011, Canada’s Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism has embarked upon a strategic and systematic transformation of Canada’s immigration system. He has announced moratoriums or suspensions of the immigrant investor program, federal entrepreneur program, federal skill worker program and immigration applications from parents and grandparents. […] His department has also put a greater emphasis on immigrants speaking either English or French: in 2010, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) overhauled the citizenship test, requiring a higher score to pass and a higher language proficiency. More recently, the department proposed a revamp of the immigration point grid which will put more weight on a prospective immigrant’s age and language ability.
Toronto Star – US Election 2012: Barriers Hinder Hispanics from Voting, Report Says
The combined effects of voter roll purges, demands for proof of citizenship and photo identification requirements in several states may hinder at least 10 million Hispanic citizens who seek to vote this fall, civil rights advocates warn in a new report. […] Sixteen states have either adopted or are pursuing citizenship-related purges of their voter rolls, the report said. […] Those states are home to nearly 5.5 million registered Latino voters, and 1.1 million naturalized citizens from Latin America.
