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.
Ottawa Citizen – An Attack on Vulnerable Refugees
We are told that refugees are abusing our health care system and that our generous health benefits are encouraging people to seek asylum. The reality is the exact opposite. As a physician dealing with refugees and other stigmatized groups, the main challenge is to connect them with health care services, especially prevention and primary care. Refugees do not come to Canada because they want better health care. In comparison to escaping starvation, torture, and rape, receiving health benefits is never the motivation.
This article is no longer available online. Please contact the media source directly for more information. Original Source: http://www.ottawacitizen.com/opinion/op-ed/attack+vulnerable+refugees/6588508/story.html
Citizenship and Immigration Canada – Amendments to the Protecting Canada’s Immigration System Act
Some critics feared that the measures originally proposed in Bill C-31 with respect to the cessation of permanent residence status might be used in a way never intended by the Government. Others speculated that the Government would seek to remove permanent residence status from refugees who have become well-established in Canada, but whose rationale for refugee status ceases to exist due to improved conditions in their country of origin. The Government is introducing an amendment to clarify this section and to explicitly limit the application of this section of the legislation.
Chronicle Herald – Ottawa, P.E.I. Faced Off Over Immigration
The Prince Edward Island government resisted years of efforts by Ottawa to have it change an immigration program that federal officials increasingly saw as a threat to the integrity of the country’s immigration program. The plan allowed foreign nationals to obtain expedited entry to Canada by making a payment, some of which went to a business in Prince Edward Island. Federal officials eventually took the unprecedented step of using its regulatory power to force a shutdown. This led to a showdown in the spring of 2008 as P.E.I. raced to nominate as many immigrants as it could before the new regulations took effect, while federal officials became increasingly alarmed at what the sudden surge would mean for processing times and due diligence in selecting applicants.
Chronicle Herald – Silent Partners: Inside P.E.I.’s Immigrant Investor Program
The P.E.I. government has always maintained that despite charges of conflict of interest and political favouritism toward those who received money, and the threat of a renewed RCMP investigation into the program, its provincial nominee program was fundamentally sound, brought much-needed capital to the Island and helped increase P.E.I.’s population by establishing new immigrant communities. But an investigation by journalism students at the University of King’s College has found that a decade after it started, the now-defunct program has an uncertain legacy.
Globe and Mail – Should Canada Screen Immigrants Based on Language or Country?
Canadian policy has taken one step in the direction of geographic targeting with Citizen and Immigration Minister Jason Kenney’s announcement earlier this year that the government intends to require higher levels of proficiency in either English or French among immigrants admitted in the future, as part of the selection system that allots prospective new Canadians points for their education, experience and skills. In theory the ability to speak a language is open to everyone. But English or French fluency is much more common in some places than in others.
Winnipeg Free Press – Summer Program Fosters Cross-Cultural Relationships
A summer program in Winnipeg offers families a chance to make new friends and learn about another culture. The Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization of Manitoba (IRCOM) is looking for Canadian families to help newcomer families get off to a good start this summer.The family-to-family program pairs newcomer families with Canadian families to get together three or four times throughout the summer for activities such as a barbecue or picnic, going to The Forks, the beach or a summer event.
