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.
Citizenship and Immigration Canada – Government of Canada to Strengthen Responsibility for Integration of Newcomers
The Government of Canada is resuming the management of federally funded settlement programs in British Columbia and Manitoba, bringing these programs in line with every other province and territory outside Quebec. […] Newcomers in both provinces will continue to receive access to language training and other settlement services they need to successfully integrate into Canada’s economy.
Ottawa Citizen – Feds to Centralize Immigrant Settlement Service
“We’re ending it (Thursday) because we think that the integration services are about nation-building and we want to make sure that every region gets its fair share of funding and that immigrants across the country get consistent services regardless of where they live,” a government source said on condition of anonymity. […] The government indicated last fall that overall funding for settlement services across Canada — excluding Quebec which handles its own immigration program — would dip to $577 million in 2012, from $583 million the year before and $622 million in 2010.
This article is no longer available online. Please contact the media source directly for more information. Original Source: http://www.ottawacitizen.com/Feds+centralize+immigrant+settlement+services/6444071/story.html
CBC – Language Tests to Become Mandatory for Some Immigrants
Starting this July, a number of people immigrating under the provincial nominee program will face language testing, Immigration Minister Kenney announced Wednesday in Saskatoon. “Speaking to Saskatchewan, this is an English-speaking society,” Kenney said. “You can’t succeed in a society if you don’t have the capacity to communicate in it. And it’s unfair, I think, to newcomers to make them believe otherwise.”
London Free Press – Immigration Officials Could Block Import of “Illegal” Cultural Norms
The Admissibility Branch at Citizenship and Immigration Canada is asking immigration officers posted abroad to update head office about applicants’ actions that might be legal in their home country, but not legal in Canada, QMI Agency has learned. […] Immigration officials cite polygamy, cultivating and marketing khat – a drug popular in East Africa — and carrying a concealed weapon as priority issues they’d like to hear about.
Hamilton Spectator – Feds Hope New Program Fills Skilled Trades Void From Abroad
Ottawa has announced a new immigration program that it says will make it easier for Canadian business to hire the workers most urgently needed — skilled tradespeople. The new stream for workers in fields such as construction and manufacturing should be set up later this year, Immigration Minister Jason Kenney said Tuesday in Calgary, the financial heart of Canada’s oil and gas industry and a city all too familiar with skilled labour shortages.
Citizenship and Immigration Canada – Minister Kenney Strengthens Economic Value of Provincial Immigration Programs
Starting July 1, 2012, most Provincial Nominee Program applicants for semi- and low-skilled professions will have to undergo mandatory language testing of their listening, speaking, reading and writing abilities and meet a minimum standard across all four of these categories. In addition, Minister Kenney said that further changes to the program will be made to continue to focus on economic streams.
