WEB - (Vancouver) - Vancouver, 11/05/2020 - NEWS, Chinese Image Source: http://www.mingshengbao.com/ Summary Translation: No byline - In the recently published International Education Strategic Plan, the federal government stated that international students contributed approximately $21.6 billion to Canada's GDP in 2018 and from 2014 to 2018, the number of international students studying in Canada increased by 68%. The COVID-19 pandemic in Canada has posed a threat to the number of international students to be enrolled at post-secondary colleges and universities across the country this fall, and therefore many colleges and universities in Canada are expected to cut their budgetary spending substantially this fall to cope with the decline in revenues contributed by the international students.
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NCM reviewed COVID-19-related coverage in ethnic media in collaboration with MIREMS, a media monitoring service. Overshadowed by the steady stream of mainstream media coverage, a content analysis of ethnic media outlets shows how they have kept their audiences informed during the pandemic. Compra Y Venta is one of several Latin American newspapers available in the Greater Toronto Area. Image Credit: Shan Qiao/NCM Stock Photo For the past two months, the story of COVID-19’s spread across Canada has been the primary focus of mainstream news organizations. While this story has garnered much attention from media critics, little attention has been paid to how Canadian ethnic media outlets have covered the coronavirus outbreak. This analysis has been produced with the recognition of this fact in mind. The review of hundreds of media clips from February 28 to May 1, 2020, shows that ethnic media has been effective in keeping its audiences informed during the COVID-19 outbreak. When it comes to conveying government messages, particularly those of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, the tone of the coverage has been neutral and balanced. Furthermore, media across the ethnic spectrum have likewise reported many of the key government announcements to fight COVID-19, such as orders to self-isolate, coupled with the threats of criminal penalties, in a neutral manner. Did the federal government downplay early warnings? Did Canada’s federal government take too long before declaring a crisis and did it downplay suggestions that urged it to act sooner? A number of reports published and aired in ethnic media have addressed this matter reflecting on what they considered as a long time for Canada to respond to the crisis and how it handled the urge to close the borders. There seems to be a growing consensus, in particular among the Chinese community media, that Canada reacted slowly in its response to COVID-19. In particular the Chinese media in Canada have insisted that the pandemic was downplayed. Other reports point out to some form of disregard for the tips and warnings offered by health authorities. Others, including Italian and Polish ethnic media, have reflected on the COVID-19 experience in Europe and have drawn comparisons between Canada and European countries reactions to COVID-19. Much like the Chinese ethnic media, these examples were more assertive in urging Canada’s governments to take more radical steps. Reporting on messages from other government agencies: controversies Generally speaking, the coverage across ethnic media was more contentious when reporting on the messages from other government agencies. Central figures in Canada’s fight against COVID-19, such as Dr. Theresa Tam, Canada’s top doctor, have shouldered most of the burden and pressure given their prominent public roles during the pandemic. The public communications from the federal Minister of Health, Patty Hajdu, and to an extent the Minister of Public Safety, Bill Blair (both sitting on the government’s special COVID-19 committee) have also received considerable media scrutiny. Comments made by Hajdu, in particular, when she suggested that Canadians “stockpile food and medicines in their homes” appears to have been controversial in ethnic media. Many outlets reported that Hajdu’s message lead to panic-induced buying sprees. “Chinese people in Metro Vancouver snap up grain,” wrote Chinese media Sing Tao Daily in its web edition following Hajdu’s advice to store food and medicine at home. It cited people saying they had no confidence in the market supply and the government’s ability to manage and control. A wide range of ethnic newspapers available for pick-up at B Trust supermarket in Toronto. Image Credit: Shan Qiao/NCM Stock Photo. In a similar fashion, the Russian web publication Knopka wrote that: “As panic over coronavirus heightens, Canadians and Americans stock up on goods at Costco” chronicled how consumers flocked stores as panic over the spread of the coronavirus intensified. The article further reported that the same thing was happening in California, claiming that over 500 people visited one Costco store in the first half-hour of its operation. However, it cautioned readers that according to Health Canada such a panic was unjustified, and there was no need to stock up on goods for weeks ahead. Hajdu later clarified that her advice was intended to be practical because people should always be ready for emergency situations. Minister Hajdu was also subject to criticism on another comment made before the House of Commons on March 12, 2020, when she said that between “30 and 70 per cent of Canadians could become infected with coronavirus.” In the wake of these comments, some ethnic media outlets reflected a deep concern with such predictions, some considered them “unexplained and doubtful” with little scientific basis. Others, by contrast, attempted to reassure their readers and calm the situation. “Panic will only help the pandemic to spread” wrote the Chinese Canadian Times. Another Chinese publication remarked that the federal Health Minister should not be making panic-stirring comments. The strongest praise and criticism observed in this analysis of ethnic media content was focused on Dr. Theresa Tam, Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer. Tam was scrutinized about contentious issues such as whether it is better that the public wear the masks, or not, as highlighted in the Italian Corriere Canadese with the headline: “Does it really help to use the masks? Yes, no, maybe.” These criticisms were brought forward after Tam earlier had claimed that masks were useless in protecting people shopping or walking in the streets. In this analysis, her role is seen as very important but controversial. Other areas that have stirred debate have been her hesitation to suggest closing borders, and her reliance on advice provided by the World Health Organization. At worst, some ethnic media outlets have insisted that she resign or be fired. COVID-19 as a political ballgame Besides being a human tragedy on an unseen scale, COVID-19 has become akin to a political ballgame between the government and opposition. Whereas in some countries the political bickering was left aside during crisis, this has not been the case in Canada. Whether Canada relied too much, too little or just about right on World Health Organization advice, this will be more a matter of further debate and emerging scientific evidence. The good news is that Canada’s coronavirus outbreak has slowed down and ethnic media most of the time have successfully accomplished their role of public information through these unprecedented times. This analysis has been created by New Canadian Media as a service to readers who wish to follow news and commentary in languages other than English and French, in partnership with MIREMS. Mirems monitors 600 outlets and 30 language groups daily, by far the most comprehensive read of multicultural media available in Canada. Link to original story: https://newcanadianmedia.ca/analysis-how-ethnic-media-is-covering-the-pandemic/ PRINT - Hamdard Daily - Toronto, 07/05/2020 - NEWS, p. 1, Punjabi Image Source: Hamdard Daily website Summary Translation: At least ten taxi drivers who operate taxis from Pearson International Airport in Toronto have lost their lives due to coronavirus infection so far. The president of the Airport Taxi Association, which has 350 taxis and 700 member drivers, Rajinder Aujla, has expressed anguish at the tragedy saying no effective measures have been taken for the safety of drivers while we know people from all over the world have been landing at the airport.
PRINT - Contacto Directo - Vancouver, 01/05/2020 - NEWS, Spanish Image Source: Contacto Directo Summary Translation: No byline - In Montreal North, a culture of helping others, combined with close living quarters, has led to the creation of a hot spot in Quebec for COVID-19. Almost a quarter of the 1,100 people infected are health workers. The area is home for many new immigrants attracted to working as assistants for nurses and caregivers. The residents of the city have been sent in recent weeks to long-term care homes without staff in the province where the virus has been the worst. "These people arrive in Canada and Quebec and want to work, and it's the first job that is offered to them. And then the government, or the placement agencies for which they work, send them to seniors' homes, often totally unprotected, and then they get infected and return to their small apartments. It's very sad," said Paule Robitaille, MNA for Bourassa-Sauve and opposition critic for international relations and La Francophonie.
WEB - Sing Tao Vancouver - Vancouver, 06/05/2020 - News, Chinese Image Source: Sing Tao Vancouver website Summary Translation: No byline - The Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Centre Society has been tapped by the province to help communities deal with hate activity and racism amid what the B.C. government describes as a rise in attacks against people of Asian heritage. Executive director David Lau said the group "is very proud to lead the important work being done in B.C. communities to stop the spread of racism and end the recent spikes in hate crimes." The society has been given $240,000 for the year. The group hopes to meet with community leaders from around the province. B.C.'s Minister of Citizens' Services Anne Kang said recent allegations of racially motivated attacks toward people of Asian heritage during the COVID 19 pandemic have been very concerning.
WEB - Van People - Vancouver, 04/05/2020 - ARTICLE, Chinese Image Source: Van People website Translated Summary: Wu Wei - Every May is Canada’s Asian Heritage Month. Unlike in previous years, May this year coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic, causing celebrations, exhibitions and performances to be cancelled. Cabinet Minister Bardish Chagger issued a statement on May 1 announcing the start of Asian Heritage Month. The theme of this year's Asian Heritage Month is "Asian Canadians: Unity in Diversity." Chagger’s statement said that Asian Canadians come from more than 20 countries and each has a unique culture. Chagger also said she was disturbed by the reappearance of discriminatory and racist words and actions. All Canadians should fight back and resist xenophobia and racial discrimination, whether online or in real life. She said that despite being unable to participate in or organize events, we can still work hard to understand the history of Asian Canadians.
Canadian universities are preparing to start the Fall semester with online classes - Russian5/6/2020 WEB - Knopka - Toronto, 05/05/2020 - NEWS, Russian Image Source: https://www.knopka.ca/ Summary Translation: no byline - According to the latest updates from universities across Canada, many post-secondary institutions are looking at offering at least some of their classes online this September. While Canada is officially flattening the curve, experts are already gearing up for a second wave of the coronavirus in the fall, which could delay in-person instruction until January 2021. Ontario universities are exploring different options for conducting classes depending on the situation with the coronavirus. Online classes are part of the solution to the problem. At the University of Toronto, some classes may be delivered fully or partially through remote instruction. The University of Alberta is also preparing for the possibility of online classes. The University established a Fall 2020 Planning Group, who have developed three scenarios in anticipation of the September semester. The University's most optimistic scenario involves limited in-person classes and international students being allowed in Canada; the worst scenario involves no in-person instruction and international borders remaining closed. Canadian universities are also bracing themselves for a potential budget crunch this fall as the future of international students, who contribute billions of dollars in tuition, is unclear. It is not known whether foreign students will be allowed to study in Canada in the fall.
PRINT - E-desinews - Newmarket, 04/05/2020 - Article , 1 page , p.14, English Image by TREVOR COLE from Unsplash Summary Translation: Dr. Vicki Bismilla - The world has come to a standstill and billions of people across the globe are in lockdown. Most are experiencing this lockdown from positions of privilege in their middle-class or better homes with ample access to food, water, entertainment and comforts. However, large swaths of people are experiencing the desperation of poverty. Marginalized migrant workers, construction workers, house cleaners, nannies and a range of service sector workers are left without wages to feed their families. Refugee centres are reporting hundreds of appeals from people in a precarious immigration status who have been laid off and are in need of food and shelter. Their fridges are empty, and their families face eviction from apartments. The co-director of FCJ Refugee Centre in Toronto reports that, “Migrant workers, non-status people, international students and temporary residents are the most vulnerable because there’s a lack of language and understanding of the system, and they have no idea of what resources are out there for them, if any.”
PRINT - Danestaniha Magazine - Vancouver, 24/04/2020 - NEWS, Farsi Image Source: Danestaniha Magazine April 24 Translated Summary: The IMF projects the global economy will contract by three per cent in 2020, in what it calls the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression. Just days before it announced travel restrictions to help contain the spread of COVID-19, Canada said it would welcome over one million immigrants between 2020-2022, mainly to help grow its economy. Of course, little did Canadian government officials know at the time of the announcement that the global economy would be heading towards such a major contraction. Canada’s economy is facing tough times, but immigration will play a pivotal role in supporting Canada’s economic recovery since immigrants will help to fill newly-created jobs and also support job creation in other ways.
TV - OMNI News: Punjabi Edition - Toronto, 10/04/2020 - FEATURE, 6 min, Punjabi Translated Summary: A lot of Canadians were detained in India because of the lock-down, but a number of Canadians have returned on recent repatriation flights. However, the odyssey from booking the flight to arrival in Canada will remain in their memory for life. One of the travelers, Dr. Dilbag Rana, said there were a lot of management problems. Entry to the airport was very slow. Ri Sihota is the moderator of the Facebook group 'Bring Canadians Home from Punjab.' Her father traveled on 6 April. She said the booking process was a lot of work and she was sleeping during the day [in Canada] to sort things out in India at night. Rana said they had to deposit the money for a non-refundable booking and then didn't hear anything for a long time. They traveled to New Delhi on a chartered bus that was quite chaotic in terms of luggage storage. Gurkirat Kular, who traveled on 6 April, said they were promised social distancing but the flight was over-booked. MP Ruby Sahota said emergency flights are negotiated with each country. The rules and protocols in each country keep changing. They tried to negotiate direct flights, but this was not possible. She said everybody coming from every country is paying a fee, not just people from India. The government is not making money on this, it is the cost of the airline. Sihota said the flights from India to London and from London to Toronto or Vancouver were 100% packed, without social distancing. Kular and Rana confirmed that the flight was fully booked. Sahota said they did consider social distancing and she knows the process wasn't perfect. Sihota said the repatriation was poorly organized and not safe. They are speaking out to ensure other Canadians stuck in India will not have the same experience.
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