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.
Global News — Canada’s international student program to face auditor general probe
The federal auditor general is planning to conduct a review of Canada’s international student program, which has seen a surge in admissions that critics say the country was ill-prepared to handle. A report from the planned audit is expected to be tabled in Parliament in 2026, a spokesperson for Auditor General Karen Hogan’s office told Global News on Monday. The data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada shows the number of international students seeking asylum last year was nearly double the 2023 figures and six times higher than in 2019.
CBC News — Quebec manufacturers urging Ottawa to let temporary foreign workers already here stay
Manufacturing businesses in Quebec are calling on the federal government to allow temporary foreign workers already employed in the province to stay and continue working in the industry. In September of last year, the federal government capped companies’ ability to hire low-wage temporary foreign workers at 10 per cent of their workforce compared to 30 per cent previously. It also limited contracts for these positions to one year. According to Manufacturers and Exporters of Quebec (MEQ) president Julie White, this is not sustainable for the factories in Quebec’s regions that are starting to see the consequences of these changes to the temporary foreign worker program.
Radio-Canada — Limite de travailleurs étrangers : des entreprises de la région réclament 70 M$ à Ottawa
Malgré une pression croissante de la part de nombreux manufacturiers du Québec, Ottawa maintient sa position de limiter l’embauche de travailleurs étrangers temporaires. Craintifs de devoir endosser de fortes pertes, une vingtaine d’entrepreneurs canadiens et cinq travailleurs étrangers temporaires ont intenté une poursuite en dommages et intérêts contre Ottawa de 300 millions de dollars contre le gouvernement canadien. Depuis septembre 2024, le gouvernement fédéral limite à 10 % le nombre de travailleurs étrangers à bas salaires que les entreprises canadiennes peuvent embaucher par rapport à leur effectif total.
The Globe and Mail — Ontario colleges see alarming job losses
A new report has found that 19 of Ontario’s 24 publicly-funded colleges have cut more than 8,000 jobs since January, 2024, when the new limits on international students came into effect. It’s the fullest picture yet of the consequences of the government’s changing immigration policy. Joe Friesen covers post-secondary education in Canada. He explains the details of the report, the reputational damage this sector has suffered and how colleges became so reliant on international student fees.
Radio-Canada — Embauche de travailleurs étrangers limitée : des entreprises du Québec poursuivent Ottawa
Une vingtaine d’entreprises québécoises poursuivent le gouvernement fédéral en lien avec les restrictions concernant l’embauche de travailleurs étrangers temporaires faiblement rémunérés entrées en vigueur en septembre. Dans une demande introductive d’instance déposée en mai, les partis réclament près de 300 millions de dollars à Ottawa. L’embauche de travailleurs étrangers temporaires à bas salaire est la seule solution économiquement viable afin de pourvoir aux postes laissés vacants par la pénurie de main-d’œuvre et de compétence, peut-on lire dans le document daté du 23 mai.
CTV News — 23 Quebec business owners launch $300 million lawsuit over temporary foreign worker permits
A group of Quebec business owners have launched a $300 million lawsuit against the federal government this month, arguing they’re facing bankruptcy if Ottawa goes ahead with its plan to reduce the number of foreign workers coming into Canada. The heads of the 23 businesses, which make everything from steel products to winter jackets and airplane parts, say temporary foreign workers are essential to stay afloat. With Ottawa is pushing to reduce the number of permits it issues, employers are upset. The changes were put in place after growing pressure from Quebec and some conservative organizations who argue Canada can’t sustain such massive temporary immigration.
