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 – Canada Prepared to Welcome an ‘Unlimited Number’ of Ukrainians Fleeing War, Minister Says
Immigration Minister Sean Fraser announced Thursday the federal government has created two new pathways for Ukrainians fleeing their war-torn country to come to Canada — part of a plan to accept an “unlimited number” of people who want to leave. To start, Fraser said his department has created a new visa category that will allow a limitless number of Ukrainians to come to Canada to live, work or study here for up to two years.
Toronto Star – Canada Eases Ukraine Immigration Requirements, Strips Russia’s Trading Status and Increases Military Aid to Ukraine
Immigration Minister Sean Fraser said Ottawa is creating an “authorization for emergency travel” program, and two new streams for Ukrainians who want to come temporarily or who wish to stay on a permanent basis: special work or study permits, and a family reunification sponsorship avenue for permanent residence. It does not drop the visa program, but rather creates two new pathways for speedier entry.
Globe and Mail – Resettlement Agencies in Canada Gear Up for Influx of Ukrainian Arrivals
As more than a million Ukrainians flee the Russian invasion of their home country, resettlement agencies and associations in Canada are organizing donations, assisting with visa applications and compiling lists of available housing while they gear up for an influx of arrivals. Already, the Ukrainian Canadian Congress – locally and nationally – has received offers of temporary and permanent housing for those expected to arrive.
La Presse – Des avocats s’attaquent aux délais « injustes »
Un regroupement d’avocats spécialisés en immigration s’attaque aux délais « injustes » dans le traitement des demandes de résidence permanente des travailleurs qualifiés du Québec et envisage un recours contre Immigration, Réfugiés et Citoyenneté Canada. Plus de deux ans : c’est le délai d’attente moyen pour les travailleurs qualifiés du Québec (TQQ), contre six mois ailleurs au Canada. Et ça, c’est si leur dossier avance. Ce sont 25 000 dossiers de TQQ qui accusent un retard de traitement et un arriéré de la part d’Immigration, Réfugiés et Citoyenneté Canada (IRCC), soit 18 000 en 2020 et 7000 en 2021, selon le plus récent Plan d’immigration du Québec.
University of Toronto News – Researchers Examine Impact of Immigration Status and Racism on Child Welfare System
As someone who works with women and children who have experienced domestic violence, Shaoli Choudhury sees how difficult it can be for them when the child welfare system becomes involved in their lives. If those families are also newcomers to Canada, more problems often arise. To help reduce that uncertainty, she’s partnering with Bordering Practices: Systemic Racism, Child Welfare and Immigration, a collaborative research project funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.
CBC News – Former Syrian Refugee Cries Foul at ‘Racist’ Media Coverage of Ukraine War
A former Syrian refugee living in British Columbia says he’s upset by the way some media outlets are portraying people fleeing the Russian invasion of Ukraine compared to how they speak about refugees from countries in the Middle East and Africa. Hassan Al Kontar, who works with the Red Cross in Fort St. John, B.C., says he feels a great level of solidarity with Ukrainians but doesn’t appreciate what he says are some journalists’ stereotypes that non-European countries are uncivilized.
