News

Latest news happening in the settlement sector of Ontario.

Here we post new publications (studies, reports), government notices and more.

Canada plans to welcome millions of immigrants. Can our aging infrastructure keep up?

Tyler Dawson The National Post Published Dec 21, 2022  

The Canadian population just blew past 39 million, and the country is only going to get bigger: Ottawa announced in November it wants to bring in a half-million more immigrants each year. The population grows apace, our infrastructure — governmental and private — is struggling to keep up. And it’s a story playing out across Canada.

New study shows that high rates of workplace injuries in Montreal involve immigrants

The Canadian Press 20 December 2022

A new study from a Montreal research institute for occupational health and safety estimates that up to 80 per cent of people who are injured at work in the city and require rehabilitation are immigrants.

Jessica Dube, a researcher with the Robert-Sauve institute, says the province’s workplace health and safety board reports that the majority of cases involve immigrants – compared to a decade ago when the majority involved Quebecois workers.

The pandemic changed everything for migrants. Now, it’s getting worse

Nicholas Keung The Star Wed., Dec. 14, 2022

Job losses amid a global economic downturn. Skyrocketing prices and food insecurity, due to war and conflicts. Border policies that restrict access to asylum.

The pandemic has created what some experts describe as a perfect storm that has pushed migrants to risk their lives at all costs through treacherous journeys for survival.

Canada reverses immigration decision to make it easier for families to reunite

Sarbmeet Singh · CBC News · Posted: Dec 13, 2022

Thousands of foreign nationals hoping to live in Canada are elated after Immigration Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced changes to how people coming to the country on a super visa can pay for their medical insurance.

Launched in 2011, the super visa program allows permanent residents (PR) and citizens to invite their non-resident parents and grandparents to stay with them in Canada for up to five years at a time.

Here’s how Syrian refugees who came to Canada say they’re doing — seven years later

Nicholas Keung The Star Sat., Dec. 17, 2022

Seven years after Canada opened its doors to Syrian refugees, that first cohort of newcomers say they feel good about their new lives, have remained friends with their sponsors and are hopeful for a better future.

However, many still struggle with finding gainful employment, according to a two-year research project by the Environics Institute.

Federal government to provide more funding for skilled refugee resettlement program

Michael Lee CTV News Tuesday, December 13, 2022

The federal government says it will provide more funding for a program aimed at bringing skilled refugees to Canada.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada announced on Tuesday that it would provide an additional $6.2 million for six projects run by partner organizations through the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot.

In good faith: New initiative promotes inclusion in religious spaces

Dennis Kovtun · CBC News · Posted: Dec 16, 2022

The City of Edmonton has awarded a grant to an interfaith anti-racism initiative run by the Anglican Diocese of Edmonton and Islamic Family and Social Services Association.

The grant, valued at $23,125, will help the grassroots effort called Faith Spaces | Safe spaces, "host conversations and develop a call to action that encourages continued work to eliminate racism in faith communities," according to details announced by city officials on Dec. 8. 

Canada's National Farmers Union wants permanent status for migrants

Toula Mazloum City News Dec 16, 2022

The National Farmer’s Union (NFU) is asking the government to give migrants “full and permanent status.”

It comes as International Migrants Day is marked on Dec.16.

NFU says they asked for equal rights for agricultural workers living, working, and studying in Canada last year.

Some of the demands included obtaining full residency status upon arrival and safe and dignified work conditions.