WEB - Van People - Vancouver, 11/06/2020 - ARTICLE, Chinese Image Source: Van People website Summary Translation: Yorkbbs - According to IRCC, international student and newcomer numbers have been severely affected due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In the first quarter of 2020, the number of international students arriving in Canada was slowly declining. It has declined by 45% in comparison to the same period last year. China is Canada’s largest source of international students, and the number of Chinese international students has dropped severely. According to IRCC data, there were only 7,055 Chinese international students who obtained study permits in the first quarter, which was a 51% decrease compared to the same period last year. International students bring in most of the revenues for Canadian post-secondary institutions. Aside from textbook and living expenses, international students pay up to $6 billion in tuition fees each year. According to RBC’s prediction, the decrease in the number of international students will directly lead to a significant decrease in the revenue of Canadian universities and colleges. After the COVID-19 outbreak, many institutions have moved their traditional lessons online. RBC expert economic analyst Andrew Agopsowicz predicts that institutions will continue to move more courses to distant learning. With the travel ban issued by the government, the number of international students attending physically will decline drastically in September. Regarding the reason for the decline in international students, Agopsowicz said this is closely related to the federal government’s measures to restrict foreigners from entering the country during the pandemic. In order to prevent further spread of COVID-19, the federal government restricted foreigners from entering the country on March 18. This means only individuals with permits granted prior to March 18 can enter the country. The decline in international students and newcomer numbers will have long-term chain effects in the future. This will not only impact revenue for post-secondary institutions, but will also impact the rental market and businesses. Ultimately, it will impact the economic growth of Canada in general. However, it appears that Canada is still planning to welcome immigrants to the country. Federal Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino has mentioned numerous times that immigration continues to be a key to help revive Canada’s economy after the pandemic. Link to original article: https://info.vanpeople.com/?action-viewnews-itemid-1084720
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Ottawa is looking to grant permanent residence to asylum seekers working in healthcare - Arabic6/12/2020 WEB - Canada Alyoum - Toronto, 10/06/2020 - NEWS, Arabic Image Source: https://canadaalyoum.ca/ Summary Translation: In recognition of their efforts during the outbreak of the coronavirus, the federal government is developing a special program to grant permanent residence to asylum seekers who worked on the front lines during the coronavirus pandemic. This interim measure is expected to cover all regions of Canada. Still, it is unclear how many asylum seekers will benefit from this program, as most of them are likely to be from Quebec. Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino submitted a proposal on this program late Tuesday to the Coronavirus Cabinet Committee. This federal proposal is awaiting approval by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Link to original article:
RADIO - CHIN 91.9 FM Spanish - Toronto, 09/06/2020 - TALK SHOW, Spanish Image Source: https://www.chinradio.com/spanish Summary Description: Fabian Merlo - There is sad news out of Windsor because a young 24-year-old Mexican temporary migrant worker has died. According to radio host Fabian Merlo, there are still some myths surrounding the coronavirus, namely that young people can't get it. Syed Hussan from the Migrant Workers Alliance for Change said that this wasn't an unavoidable tragedy, adding that it's a direct result of provincial and federal immigration laws. Fabian Merlo hopes that there will be a change and that the authorities and media pay attention to this. Rogelio Muñoz Santos, who died on Friday, was diagnosed with COVID-19 just over a month ago. He left the hospital and continued having a lot of complications. They carried out a lot of tests but unfortunately nothing could be done and he died at a hospital in Windsor. Fabian Merlo wonders if his death was preventable. In a recent interview, a representative from the United Food and Commercial Workers union said a call was received about a month ago from workers at Woodside Greenhouses who said they were worried because they didn't have information or adequate equipment to protect themselves against the coronavirus. There are accusations of low pay, overcrowding, inadequate housing, and abuse, according to Fabian Merlo, who hopes that this worker's death will be a breaking point. However, he pointed out that that this worker's death has not made a major headline or impact in the media.
RADIO - 1350 AM Ramz Punjabi - Brampton, 09/06/2020 - TALK SHOW, Punjabi Image Source: https://www.facebook.com/ramz.punjabi/ Summary Translation: Host Harjinder Gill said that the gap between international students, newcomers and established citizens is a very debatable issue. Co-host Prabhjot Kainth called for communication between students and new immigrants and Canadians. She said that we need to listen to all the groups. Most students are very hard working, but any wrongdoing by a student brings a bad label to the whole community. Kainth also hinted how students in Brampton are facing issues in renting an accommodation. Gill emphasized that new immigrants, PRs, refugees or any other group should not be categorized as ‘bad’. Balwinder Gill, a guest, businessman and established citizen, said that 16 international students are working for him. He highlighted their needs and hardships and said that the students need to be supported and guided. He said that almost 90% of students come to Canada after completing grade 12 and have no idea about Canadian society and culture. He talked about language issues and said that many students also do not want to come out of their comfort zones. A former international student said that the Punjabi community in Canada has created a sub-community called international students. He called for an end to this gap. Another guest on the show also echoed the same thoughts and said that the difference between PRs and international students should end. He also highlighted the contribution of students to the Canadian economy.
PRINT - South Asian Post - Vancouver, 02/06/2020 - COMMENTARY, English Summary: Don Curry - Canada offers opportunities for everyone and the COVID-19 pandemic is not going to change that. Some have argued that it’s time to close our borders, but they aren’t looking at the big picture. The pandemic has shown us how much we rely on immigrants—working in nursing homes, hospitals, farmers’ fields, canning factories, meat packing facilities, and driving the transports that deliver our food. They own many of the restaurants that are providing take-out food. The seafood industry in the Maritimes and the agricultural sector across Canada are in peril if travel restrictions seriously affect the number of temporary workers arriving this year. Attempts to hire locally are dismal failures. In a recent interview with Toronto Star journalist Susan Delacourt, Mendicino said: “We are at a moment where we are responding to COVID-19, but we are also planning for the future. The future of this country depends on immigration. We need to continue to grow because we have an aging population, an aging workforce.” In the short term, with our economy in tatters due to the pandemic, it is somewhat understandable that some people feel we should slow down on immigration. But, this too will pass, and the need for more immigration will become more obvious. Image Source: South Asian Post website
Link to original article: https://www.southasianpost.com/article/7649-immigrants-backbone-canadian-prosperity.html RADIO - Red FM 106.7 The Evening Show - Calgary, 03/06/2020 - COMMENTARY, Punjabi Summary Translation: Monica Oberoi - RBC has published a report regarding international students and people who complain about international students should listen to this report carefully. RBC has reported that due to the COVID-19 pandemic there is a lot of strain on Canada's international student sector. There is a drop of 45% in the number of international student permits issued in the month of March 2020 as compared to the number of permits issued in March 2019. What will be the immediate impact of this? The impact of this will be evident in many areas. Higher education institutes will not receive their yearly income of $6 billion. Its ripple effect will be on Canada's GDP as well. The total spending of international students in Canada is $22 billion. Canada's economy benefits from international students even after they finish their degree - 11,000 new permanent residents every year were former students. Immigration is at a standstill and the labour force without immigration is dropping. It will be very difficult for Canada to sustain its economy without introducing new workers. Image: Producer and host Monica Oberoi, Red FM 106.7 Facebook page
International students worry about pandemic as decisions loom on travel to Canada - Chinese6/1/2020 WEB - Dushi.ca - Markham, 30/05/2020 - NEWS, Chinese Image Source: Dushi.ca Summary Translation: Like other international students, Shahbuddin faces uncertainty as universities switch to online classes. She also has financial concerns, worries about a work permit and has fears about her health. “It’s been almost two months now and I’ve been thinking about it every day and still cannot make a decision,” she said in a phone interview. Matthew Ramsey, a spokesman at the University of British Columbia, said it will primarily be offering online classes in the fall so students can participate from around the world. The university will not know enrolment numbers until September because most students who are offered and accept admission sometimes opt out for a variety of reasons, he said. Ijaz Ashraf is from Pakistan and has been accepted at Concordia University to do a master’s degree in industrial engineering. He said he will likely defer enrolment because he’s not satisfied with online classes and wants to experience campus life. David Robinson, executive director of the Canadian Association of University Teachers, said his group has been working with the Canadian Federation of Students. Both groups have suggested tuition waivers or cuts funded through the government. He said there’s an added concern for students in some countries where the course material may be censored.
PRINT - Contacto Directo - Vancouver, 22/05/2020 - EDITORIAL, p.12, Spanish Image Source: Contacto Directo Summary Translation: Canada took a pioneering decision in 1971: the adoption of multiculturalism as a state policy. Over 45 years later, cultural diversity is one of Canada's identity markers. "Our roots reach out to every corner of the globe. We are from far and wide and speak over 200 languages. Our national fabric is vibrant and varied, woven together by many cultures and heritages, and underlined by a core value of respect," said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Like other American countries, present day Canadian society is the result of a mix of Indigenous and colonial cultures, as well as those brought by immigrants during different historical time periods.
RADIO - Red FM 88.9 Good Morning Toronto - Brampton, 28/05/2020 - PHONE IN, Punjabi Summary Description: Dalhousie University will be moving most of its fall courses online as physical distancing restrictions remain in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the international students' program is facing challenges due to a drop in applications. University President Deep Saini spoke with Red FM radio host on this situation. Saini said that the Halifax university closed its campus in March and moved its courses online until its fall semester amid rising COVID-19 concerns. However, Saini said that the university is considering resume in-person classes for some programs requiring experiential learning, like medicine, dentistry, physiotherapy and agriculture, but in a safe environment that abides by Nova Scotia's public health protocols. Saini further said that the university has received more applications than the past year from both domestic and international students and the offers are also being accepted. However, the students are waiting for the travel restrictions to be lifted. He also said that a large number of students come from India and China, but they are unable to travel at this time. According to Saini, the September enrollment is expected to drop, but how much will be clear in June, when the registrations start. Saini said the university is investing more than $1 million on "technology development, additional online instruction training and increased online supports for students" to make the transition easier for students and faculty. Saini also gave an update on the COVID -19 vaccine project at Dalhousie University.
PRINT - Probashi Kantho - Toronto, 23/05/2020 - NEWS, Bengali Image Source: Probashi Kantho website (photo: CBC) Summary Translation: No byline - A national-level survey of Canadian studies was released last Monday. The study is based on people's ability to pay rent, pay other bills and help their families financially. The survey was conducted among 3,700 people between March 26 and April 5. Among the six ethnic groups, the most economically vulnerable Canadians are South Asians. Then there are blacks, Arabs and Chinese. Caucasians will have the least problems. About 45 per cent of South Asians, blacks and Latin Americans say they will have trouble paying rent and mortgage instalments. In comparison, 20 per cent of whites will have such a crisis. Seventy per cent of blacks, Latin Americans, Arabs, and South Asians say it is now difficult to provide financial support for their family members. In comparison, 40 per cent of Chinese and Caucasians say they are in crisis.
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