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 – Calgary Syrian Refugee Never Gives Up Hope for His Dad’s Freedom
Waill Tatari sips tea outside his duplex in northeast Calgary, taking a break from his work as a graphic designer, and thinks back on the journey that brought him to Canada in July 2020. He says it wasn’t an easy transition when he and his mother fled Syria in 2013. Now he wants to do what he can to help his 65-year-old father, Ragheed Al Tatari, find that same sense of peace — and freedom. According to a human rights advocacy group, al Tatari is the longest serving political prisoner in Syria.
CBC News – N.B.’s Municipal Reform Could Bring Voting Rights to Some Recent Immigrants
For the past seven years, Moncef Lakouas has spoken to just about every municipal council and politician willing to listen. He’s been pushing the idea of allowing immigrants with permanent resident status the right to vote in municipal elections in New Brunswick. The recently released local governance reform paper suggests his efforts could finally pay off. Buried in the New Brunswick government’s white paper are plans to consult stakeholders about allowing the estimated 30,000 permanent residents to vote before the general municipal elections in 2026.
Global News – Afghanistan Refugees Have Begun to Arrive in Waterloo Region
About 200 Afghan refugees have arrived in Waterloo Region. And more are expected in the coming days. A new task force has been launched to help resettle them, says the Waterloo Region Immigration Partnership (WRIP). The Waterloo Region is one of 34 resettlement locations across Canada selected by the federal government for government-assisted refugees. A total of 40,000 refugees will be making new homes in Canada.
Toronto Star – Newmarket Welcomes Afghan Family That Fled Taliban and Lived in Indonesian Refugee Camp
There was barely a dry eye at a gathering to welcome the family to Canada as Ehsan Noori went on to translate for his mom. She told the crowd of about two dozen gathered at a home in Whitchurch-Stouffville, a temporary stopover before the family moves to Newmarket, she had made personal sacrifices in her homeland, had had friends killed and now is happy her grandchildren will grow up safely in Canada.
Globe and Mail – Immigration Minister Sean Fraser Offers No Timeline on Resettling Afghan Refugees as Desperation Grows
Immigration Minister Sean Fraser cannot say when the 40,000 Afghan refugees the government has promised to resettle in Canada will arrive, citing the limited referral capacity of partners and saying it would be irresponsible to give people the false hope of a firm date. Afghans still waiting to leave the country have said the Canadian government has abandoned them. Many worked alongside the Canadian military and with the embassy in Afghanistan, and now they are terrified of Taliban reprisals.
Immigration Canada utilise un système informatique opaque pour analyser les multiples demandes de permis d’études, provoquant la colère d’élus québécois. Le taux de refus des demandes destinées au Québec est nettement plus élevé que celles émises dans les autres provinces canadiennes, a appris Radio-Canada. Il atteint ou dépasse même les 80 % selon certains pays d’Afrique francophone.
