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.
Vancouver Sun – B.C.’s Share of Skilled Immigrants Decreased by Ottawa: Report
B.C. is being constrained by the federal government in its efforts to attract the number of immigrants it needs to support economic growth in the face of a looming labour shortage, a new report finds. The province’s share of economic immigrants, determined by the federal government, has shrunk in recent years, even as B.C. plays an increasingly important role in driving national growth, said the report, prepared by the province’s immigration task force and released on Tuesday.
Calgary Herald – Foreign Workers “Will Hurt” Alberta Employees, Labour Leader Says
Overreliance on temporary foreign workers to remedy Alberta’s labour shortages will hurt both domestic and imported workforces, local labour and immigration organizations said. The federal government introduced several changes to its temporary foreign worker program last month, including measures that would allow employers to pay wages up to 15 per cent below the average in their region. Demand for workers as industries in Alberta continue to expand should lead to higher wages, but the province’s largest union organization said the federal government’s moves will do the opposite.
This article is no longer available online. Please contact the media source directly for more information. Original Source: http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/alberta/Foreign+workers+will+hurt+Alberta+employees+labour+leader+says/6656100/story.html
Calgary Herald – Truscott: Alberta Depends on Temporary Foreign Workers
More than half of Alberta’s small businesses identify a shortage of skilled labour as a major operating constraint, making it the No. 1 operating challenge. Another one-third say a shortage of low and semi-skilled workers is a serious problem. Unfortunately, the situation is likely going to get a lot worse over the next few years. By the Alberta government’s own estimates, there will be 114,000 more jobs than qualified workers by 2021.
This article is no longer available online. Please contact the media source directly for more information. Original Source: http://www.calgaryherald.com/opinion/op-ed/Truscott+Alberta+depends+temporary+foreign+workers/6661486/story.html
Toronto Star – Nannies Waiting Longer for Open-Work Permits in Canada
Kay Manuel, of Toronto’s Caregivers Action Centre, said the advocacy group has received a growing number of calls from nannies complaining wait times for the open permit have been creeping up — after a drop at the start of 2012 when Ottawa issued 10,000 permits to desperate caregivers. “Some of our members called the immigration phone line and they are told to get a new (live-in) employer because CIC doesn’t know how long the open-work permit will take,” said Manuel, who submitted her own application last August and is still waiting.
Vancouver Sun – Nixed Applications Show Canadian Immigration Policies are Unjust, says Skilled Worker
Singh is part of a group called the Canadian Back Loggers Pre-2008 Association, a reference to the immigration department’s decision to return all federal skilled worker applications made before Feb. 27, 2008. The group, which Singh says has about 20,000 members – and counting – is calling on Immigration Minister Jason Kenney to reverse the decision and to process the applications.
This article is no longer available online. Please contact the media source directly for more information. Original Source: http://www.vancouversun.com/Nixed+applications+show+Canadian+immigration+policies+unjust+says+skilled+worker/6656106/story.html
Vancouver Sun – Sun Sea Migrants Still Moving Slowly Through Legal Pipeline
Almost two years after a derelict cargo ship with 492 Tamil migrants arrived on the B.C. coast, five of the asylum-seekers remain in the custody of police or border authorities – their cases illustrating the convoluted, rough-and-tumble course refugee claims can sometimes take. Take the cases of migrants “B001” and “B072.” In recent weeks, the Immigration and Refugee Board ordered their release from Canada Border Services Agency custody. The government quickly moved to block their release and get a second opinion from the Federal Court.
This article is no longer available online. Please contact the media source directly for more information. Original Source: http://www.vancouversun.com/sports/migrants+still+moving+slowly+through+legal+pipeline/6649494/story.html
