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.
Winnipeg Free Press – Tories to Toughen Rules on Newcomers
New legislation introduced Wednesday by the Conservative government gives greater powers to the immigration and public safety ministers to determine who gets to come and stay in Canada. It’s the latest in a series of changes that have given the immigration minister in particular far more individual say over immigration matters. […] Currently, anyone who is not a Canadian citizen and is sentenced to less than two years in prison can appeal the automatic deportation order that comes along with a jail term. But the new law would see that right cut off for sentences of greater than six months, even for permanent residents who have been in Canada for decades.
Manitoba’s population grew by 16,045 in the past year, exceeding the national growth rate for the third consecutive year, the province announced today. […] The main driver of this growth was the record arrival of 16,074 immigrants from around the world, according to Entrepreneurship, Training and Trade Minister Peter Bjornson. “The Provincial Nominee Program now accounts for more than three-quarters of all new immigrants arriving here,” said Bjornson. “It’s been a Manitoba success story.”
CBC – Immigration Fuelling Saskatchewan Population Jump
Saskatchewan is still growing fast, with immigrants making up virtually all of the people who moved to the province in the first three months of the year, Statistics Canada says. According to the federal statistics agency, Saskatchewan grew by 4,470 people in the first quarter of 2012 — and among provinces its growth rate was second only to Alberta.
CBC – Kenney Defends Cuts to Refugee Health Benefits
Kenney responded to criticism from doctors and refugee advocates who organized a day of action on Monday to protest cuts to the supplementary health benefits refugees receive when they first arrive in Canada. Kenney disagreed with claims the cuts are unfair to a vulnerable group, pointing out what’s being eliminated is not basic care but services that other modest-income Canadians also have to pay for. […] In Wednesday’s interview, Kenney said most of the cost savings will come from eliminating health benefits for failed refugee claimants who are found ineligible to remain in Canada.
CBC – Sweeping Immigration Changes to Give New Power to Minister
Sweeping changes proposed in a new immigration bill would give new powers to the minister of immigration, including the ability to deny entry to visitors for public policy reasons and to override the rules to let otherwise inadmissible people come to Canada.[…] Another measure would let him override the rules to allow entry to someone the minister wants to be allowed in. The example provided in a background document is for a head of state who satisfies the minister that the visit isn’t contrary to the national interest but who would otherwise not be allowed in.
Citizenship and Immigration Canada – Canada Announces Plans to Resettle More Bhutanese Refugees
Through the Faster Removal of Foreign Criminals Act, the Government is delivering on its commitment to streamline the process to deport convicted criminals by limiting their access to the Immigration and Refugee Board’s Immigration Appeal Division. This will reduce the amount of time certain criminals may remain in Canada by up to 14 months, reducing their chances of committing more crime on Canadian soil. […] Other amendments to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act to protect the safety and security of Canadians include a new Ministerial authority to refuse temporary entry in exceptional cases, and increased penalties for those who try to cheat the system.
