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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.
Sabina Abilova and Andrii Koziura sit at the dinner table in their basement apartment, laptops open, searching for jobs that might help them pay for next month’s rent. The Ukrainian newcomers arrived in Toronto just a few weeks ago, looking to escape the conflict in their country, and have been burning through their savings as they’re faced with the high cost of living in the city.
The cost of housing is proving to be one of the top issues for Ukrainian newcomers arriving under a special federal program announced in March that permits them to work or study in Canada for three years. Ms. Abilova and Mr. Koziura decided to apply to come to Canada since Ms. Abilova’s sister already lived in Toronto. Being approved under the program was relatively easy, but getting information and support on matters like housing, public transit and employment has been tough, Ms. Abilova says.
The tide of the St. Lawrence River fills and empties the moat surrounding the historic Royal Battery in Quebec City’s Petit Champlain neighbourhood. And from now until October, thousands of life vests of all shapes and sizes attached to the old greystone walls of the battery will float with the tide. In all, 2,000 life jackets adorn those walls — part of an exhibition simply called Life Jackets, by Chinese artist and humanitarian activist Ai Weiwei. The display is an effort to raise awareness about the refugee crisis and mass migration, and every single plastic and fabric buoyancy device, neatly aligned in rows, tells one refugee’s story.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/life-jackets-quebec-city-art-1.6515222
Premier Scott Moe said that the province looked for another way to bring Ukrainian refugees to Saskatchewan after a federal government flight was diverted. “At the last minute the federal government diverted it to Montreal,” Moe said. “We don’t know why they did that.” This incident led the province to partner with Enrique Pineyro, a pilot and philanthropist from Argentina.
La guerre en Ukraine n’est pas terminée. Même si les dons pour les réfugiés ont d’abord dépassé les attentes, la mobilisation doit continuer, expriment les organismes d’aide et bénévoles qui sentent un certain relâchement. Plusieurs familles ukrainiennes se sont installées partout dans la province de Québec depuis plus d’un mois, les régions de la Capitale-Nationale et Chaudière-Appalaches ne font pas exception. La grande majorité des réfugiés débarque d’abord à Montréal, la métropole ne convient toutefois pas à tout le monde, et la recherche d’appartements y est déjà tout un défi.
City of Toronto staff have unveiled a plan to lease a North York hotel for more than $68 million and convert it into a temporary home for refugees — just weeks after an auditor’s report slammed the city’s handling of contracts with local hotels it uses as shelters. Coun. John Filion, who represents the area and is also vice chair of the city’s audit committee, said he only found out about the plan to lease the 17-storey Hotel Novotel from city staff less than two weeks ago. Even so, he said he’s committed to ensuring the red flags pointed out by Auditor General Beverly Romeo-Beehler last month are addressed.