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.
CBC News – Surge of Refugee Claimants Overwhelming Some Ottawa Shelters
Ottawa homeless shelters are seeing a surge of asylum seekers showing up at their doors, raising fears that the refugee housing crisis overwhelming Toronto shelters could be spreading to the capital. Peter Tilley, CEO of the Ottawa Mission, said a record number of migrants have come to the shelter on Waller Street in recent weeks. Tilley was “floored” when he saw the data.
Global News – Toronto Is in a Housing ‘Crisis’ Leaving Newcomers, Residents in the Lurch
Toronto is in the midst of a serious housing crisis — one that is having an impact on both new and longtime residents. And experts say the city could risk seeing an exodus of diversity and talent if all levels of government don’t work together to fix the issue — and fast. The glaring lack of housing options in the city has compounded in recent weeks, with hundreds of asylum seekers and refugees left without a safe place to stay.
Hamilton Spectator – Hamilton Woman Named One of Canada’s Leading Immigrants
Nearly three decades ago, Florence Ngenzebuhoro arrived in Canada with her family — nothing else. It was 1994. Fast forward to 2023, Ngenzebuhoro is now the CEO and executive director of the Francophone Centre of Greater Toronto, which offers health care, housing assistance, mental health resources and resettlement support to thousands of people each year. And this year, she’s been named one of the country’s leading newcomers in the 15th annual Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Awards presented by Canadian Immigrant magazine.
CBC News – Immigration Policy Change Brings Hope to Calgary Hong Kongers Still Worried About Chinese Backlash
On Tuesday, Canada eased the requirements for Hong Kong citizens applying for permanent residency. Hong Kongers with one year of full-time work experience in Canada or 1,560 hours of part-time experience in the last three years are now eligible through a temporary immigration pathway created in 2021 after China began arresting pro-democracy protestors. Previously, only those who graduated from a Canadian or qualified foreign institution within the last five years qualified for permanent residency through the program, in place until August 2026.
CityNews – Jamaican Migrant Worker Granted Federal Health Care After Being Fired from N.S. Farm
Kerian Burnett arrived from Jamaica in April 2022 to work on a Colchester County strawberry farm. She told a news conference in Halifax on Monday that after falling ill, she was fired and forced to navigate a cancer diagnosis without medical coverage. Her lawyer, Thiago Buchert, said that after nearly eight months, Burnett was granted health insurance under the interim federal health program.
Globe and Mail – Two Years After Taliban Takeover, Many Afghans Who Helped Canada’s Military Remain in Limbo
An Islamabad hotel room has begun to feel more like a jail cell for an Afghan man who once worked as an interpreter for the Canadian military, as his long wait for Canada’s promised help enters another year. After the Taliban takeover, Western governments offered resettlement to people like the interpreter, who had worked for those countries’ diplomatic and military missions in Afghanistan. But, two years later, many Afghans who qualify for Canada’s programs remain in limbo.
