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.
London Free Press – Immigrants Struggle to Access Canada’s Legal Services: Western University Study
Newcomers arriving in London, and elsewhere in Canada, need better information about legal services — and affordable options to tap into them — to adjust to life in their new land. Those are among the conclusions stemming from a study led by a Western University researcher looking at the legal challenges immigrants face when arriving in Canada. As part of the study, researchers interviewed 21 newcomers in London and Toronto who faced legal challenges about their experiences accessing services and getting support.
Toronto Star – Protesters Rally to Support Egyptians Refused Asylum by Border Officers
Demonstrators gathered at Minister of Public Safety Marco Mendicino’s constituency office on Saturday to protest what they say is Islamophobia in the Canada Border Services Agency. “We are protesting because we have a group of CBSA officers who are meant to represent the minister of public safety,” said Mostafa Mahmoud, a Toronto representative of the Egyptian Canadian Coalition for Democracy, noting the group believes CBSA agents wrongly denied refugee status to Egyptians based on Islamophobia.
Le Devoir – Des anges gardiens au Québec s’impatientent
Plus d’un an après l’ouverture du programme spécial de régularisation, de nombreux demandeurs d’asile ayant travaillé au Québec dans le milieu de la santé durant la première vague de la pandémie s’impatientent devant la lenteur à obtenir leur résidence permanente. Sur 2275 dossiers (représentant 4535 personnes) déposés depuis le début du processus, à peine 28 % ont été finalisés, selon les plus récentes données fournies par Immigration Canada au Devoir. La plupart des dossiers (69 %) ont été approuvés, mais sont dans le camp du gouvernement fédéral, à la dernière étape du processus.
Près d’une décennie après l’emprisonnement de Raif Badawi en Arabie saoudite, sa femme compte les jours avant sa libération, qui devrait avoir lieu dans un mois, selon elle. De son côté, Amnistie internationale Canada francophone affirme n’avoir eu aucune confirmation que la libération se ferait en février. Le 17 juin 2012, Raif Badawi a été arrêté puis condamné à 10 ans de prison pour avoir publié un blogue discutant des questions sociales en Arabie saoudite. Mme Haidar espère que son mari aura bientôt la citoyenneté canadienne, une source « d’espoir » pour elle.
CBC News – Migrants, Asylum Seekers Face Uphill Battle to Legally Enter Canada and U.S., Experts Say
In the wake of the discovery of four people, including a baby, found frozen after attempting to cross the Manitoba-U.S. border, a Winnipeg lawyer says some migrants may make the move south because of Canada’s “broken” immigration system. It’s not known what prompted the group that died near Emerson, Man., nor the seven others who went on ahead to make the perilous journey, but Shimon Segal, a criminal defence and immigration lawyer at the firm of Gindin Segal in Winnipeg, said they might have encountered considerable challenges trying to settle in Canada.
Global News – Snow Problem? That’s No Problem for New Canadians Seeking Work: Refugee Coordinator
The massive dumping of snow that Winnipeggers are trying to dig themselves out of may seem like a burden to many, but for one local organization dedicated to finding work for refugees and other new Canadians, it’s an opportunity. Hire A Refugee‘s Omar Rahimi told Global News that clearing snow has been an excellent entry for newcomers wanting to get into the workforce.
