News

Latest news happening in the settlement sector of Ontario.

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

'We are not strangers in the country:' Advocates question why Diwali isn't a public holiday in Canada

Rhythm Sachdeva CTV News Oct. 27, 2022

As millions of South Asians around the world celebrate Diwali this year, a festival symbolizing triumph over darkness and dating back 2,500 years, its strong foothold on regions far from the Indian subcontinent also comes to light.

A five-day celebration enjoyed by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and Buddhists, it is considered a national holiday in India, Fiji, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Nepal and most recently, a city in the United States.

Manitoba becomes 4th province to say it will stop imprisoning migrants

Brigitte Bureau · CBC News · Posted: Oct 24, 2022

The Manitoba government says it will stop incarcerating migrants detained by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), according to information obtained by Radio-Canada/CBC.

The office of Manitoba Justice Minister Kelvin Goertzen told Radio-Canada migrants should not be "languishing" in jail when "they have not been convicted of a crime."

New video from seasonal farmworkers in Niagara-on-the-Lake calls for permanent resident status

Zahraa Hmood St. Catherine’s Standard Wed., Oct. 19, 2022

The Jamaican seasonal farmworkers behind a letter published this summer comparing Canada’s seasonal foreign workers program to “systematic slavery” have released a new video further describing what they say are subpar conditions and mistreatment on two Niagara-on-the-Lake farms.

This comes as a team assembled by the Jamaican government begins a fact-finding mission to investigate the conditions on Canadian farms and speak with workers.

Mei-ling Wiedmeyer and Omar Chu: All people who live and work in Canada should have access to health care

Mei-ling Wiedmeyer and Omar Chu Vancouver Sun Oct 18, 2022  

An estimated one in five British Columbians do not have a primary care provider, and some have gone to desperate lengths to find one. These stories are heartbreaking, and we think that everyone living in B.C. deserves access to health care.

Migrants and supporters in Canada advocate for regularization, permanent status

Griffin Jaeger · CBC News · Posted: Oct 16, 2022

When Samuel Kisitu, a father of three, fled his home in Uganda to come to Canada in 2019, he thought he came to the promised land, where his dreams could be fulfilled. 

Instead, he was met with the reality of living undocumented, unsure of when he could see his family again, and the inability to grow in his professional life.

Ottawa Public Health confronts systemic racism, initiates action plan for reform

By Gail Pope Capital Current October 17, 2022

A report examining systemic racism within Ottawa Public Health has highlighted various challenges faced by racialized employees at the City of Ottawa agency that’s leading local efforts to fight COVID-19 and bring greater “health equity” to the capital’s BIPOC communities.

Newmarket program assists youth experiencing anti-Black racism

Newmarket Today Staff 17 October 2022

On Saturday, MPP Dawn Gallagher Murphy met with the team at the Newmarket African Caribbean Canadian Association (NACCA) to hear more about the impact that a six-month $49,600 Resilient Communities Fund grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) has had on delivering an innovative mental wellness program for Black youth, led by Black youth.

Cap on international students' working hours should be permanently lifted: advocates

 Laura Osman | National Observer | October 12th 2022

A new pilot project to lift the cap on the number of hours international students can work should be made permanent, say advocates who have spent years asking for the change.

Immigration Minister Sean Fraser announced last Friday the federal government would temporarily remove the 20-hour cap on the number of hours international students can work off-campus to address labour shortages.

Quebec wants more immigration powers from Ottawa, but does it really need them?

Cindy Sherwin CTV News Oct. 11, 2022

Even though Canada's prime minister has repeatedly shut the door, Francois Legault keeps on knocking, intent on winning more control over immigration from the federal government.

As with many past leaders in Quebec, it's been a regular refrain of his, dating back well before the provincial election on Oct. 3.

But is there substance to the claim that Quebec needs more autonomy on immigration?