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 – English Language Classes for Newcomers Looking to Expand as Program Sees Growth in Fort McMurray
The Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) program is a national, federally-funded program that provides free language classes. The LINC program saw a dip in use over the pandemic, which was likely due to a slow down in immigration and digital literacy barriers as the program was only online, Glenda Little-Kulai, chair for LINC at Keyano College, said. But now, as classes return to full-time in person, there are 60 people on the waitlist. She said the waitlist hasn’t been this long since 2015.
CBC News – Holiday Hosts Wanted for Program Connecting Islanders and Newcomers
For the first time since 2019, Prince Edward Island’s Immigrant and Refugee Services Association is bringing back its Holiday Host program, and organizers are looking for Islanders to volunteer their time. The program, which has a history dating back more than 20 years, encourages established Islanders to invite newcomers, international students or people with work permits to be a part of their holiday traditions. Birt said this year, the number of hosts signing up has been lower than usual.
La Presse – Ottawa veut éliminer les obstacles pour les travailleurs de la santé formés à l’étranger
Espérant remédier aux importantes pénuries de main-d’œuvre dans le secteur de la santé au Canada, Ottawa a annoncé lundi une enveloppe de 90 millions pour des projets qui élimineraient les obstacles qui empêchent les nouveaux Canadiens qualifiés de travailler dans leur profession ou leur champ d’études. Le ministre de l’Immigration, Sean Fraser, a annoncé lundi l’ouverture d’un appel de propositions dans le cadre du Programme de reconnaissance des titres de compétences étrangers.
Radio-Canada – De plus en plus d’étudiants africains francophones acceptés au Canada
Le gouvernement Trudeau a revu ses procédures après avoir avoué la présence de « racisme » au sein de son ministère de l’Immigration. Petit à petit, les choses commencent à changer dans les établissements québécois. Après la vive dénonciation des importants taux de refus de permis d’études visant les étudiants africains francophones, des améliorations ont récemment été constatées. Désormais, plus de 4 demandes sur 10 provenant d’Afrique francophone sont maintenant approuvées. Une augmentation de 14 points de pourcentage en seulement un an.
Globe and Mail – Federal Immigration Minister Announces Program to Aid Internationally Trained Health Workers
Sean Fraser said Ottawa’s call for proposals is aimed at tackling major health labour shortages and the underemployment of internationally trained health professionals. The government will put $90-million toward projects that streamline medical credential recognitions or that provide Canadian work experience to internationally trained health workers. The minister said immigrants make up about a quarter of all health-care professionals in Canada, but 2020 reporting from Statistics Canada shows that about 47 per cent of skilled immigrants with education in a health field are unemployed or underemployed.
Global News – Chinese Immigration to Canada Hits New Peak as Some Flee Zero-COVID Restrictions
Immigration from China has bounced back from pandemic lulls to hit a new peak, according to Canadian government statistics, and immigration consultants report an ongoing surge of inquiries. Vancouver immigration lawyer Ryan Rosenberg, co-founder and partner at Larlee Rosenberg, said COVID restrictions have been a new motivator for potential Chinese immigrants.
