Caribbean: Pardon is not enough Vaughan’s weekly print newspaper, Share, reports on the controversy: Several activists have recently discussed how the legalization of marijuana in Canada has affected Caribbean communities both in Canada and in the region and what lies ahead for the community. The discussion took place at Ryerson University in connection with the mixed reactions evoked by the easing of laws governing the use of cannabis in Canada. The recreational use of marijuana was legalized in the country last October, with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau promising that his government will consider pardoning people convicted in the past of marijuana possession. However, activist Donisha Prendergast is among those who think that a simple pardon is not enough. She and her fellow panelists addressed many people who have suffered in the past when using or possessing cannabis was against the law. They emphasized how mothers and fathers were arrested, imprisoned and separated from their children, negatively impacting families and their mental health. Prendergast said that marijuana, previously criminalized and presented to society as an illegal drug, has been rebranded for people like former police officers, involved in what is now known as the cannabis industry. (21/03/2019) MIREMS monitors ethnic media sources and provides valuable insight into the dominant opinions of different cultural communities. These stories are collected and cross-culturally translated by MIREMS multilingual consultants from coast-to-coast.
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Every day MIREMS consultants are reading, watching and listening to Canada's multilingual and multicultural media. We bring you the day's must-read story. Peel Region is home to one of Canada's most linguistically diverse populations. In the 2016 Census, 12.6 percent of the population reported speaking more than one language at home, and four percent of residents reported speaking no English or French at all. Today's story features Masood Khan—who speaks Hindi, Punjabi and English—and is up against former PC leader, Patrick Brown. Peel Regional Chair candidate Masood Khan expected to win with record majority - UrduPublished by Urdu Times Canada an Urdu source with an audience of 15,000 based in Toronto. "Former Mississauga mayoral candidate Masood Khan, a real estate broker, has registered to run for Peel Regional Chair. Khan is known in the community for his volunteer work and fiery speeches. He ran against former Mississauga Mayor Hazel McCallion. Khan has served on many committees in Mississauga and Brampton. He is seen by community members as a candidate who will win with a record majority as Chair of Peel Region."
Every day MIREMS consultants are reading, watching and listening to Canada's multilingual and multicultural media. We bring you the day's must read story. Social Planning Toronto: Report on LanguageA new report released by Social Planning Toronto released this week has been picked up by Canada’s multilingual and multicultural media. There’s no surprise why. The findings are a reflection of the communities that read, write for and advertise in these sources. The report revealed that more Torontonians are speaking multiple languages than in previous years and shows that Tagalog, Farsi and Bengali and have seen the largest increases in the number of speakers, while Italian, Tamil and Urdu experienced the largest decreases. As well, an interactive mapping element shows that in some areas of Toronto more than 70 percent of residents speak a language other than English or French, and lets the viewer explore the city’s neighbourhoods by language. The most surprising finding speaks directly to MIREMS’ mandate. The report “Taking Access & Equity: A Profile of City of Toronto Residents Who Speak Neither Official Language explains that over 130,000 people—a population the size of a small city—do not speak English.
Chinese online news source 51.ca reported on the study along with the Epoch Times and Sing Tao Vancouver. Epoch Times highlighted the language barrier as an impediment hindering residents’ ability to find a job. Sing Tao Vancouver highlighted the fact that nearly five percent of Toronto’s population can’t hold a conversation in English or French. Only two mainstream news sources, Global TV and the Toronto Star have covered the report to date. MIREMS knows well the importance of looking at and listening to language demographics as a way to ensure all members of a community are being listened to and reached by decision makers. Every day MIREMS consultants are reading, watching and listening to Canada's multilingual and multicultural media. We bring you the day's must read story. Millions for Difficult Youth: Subsidies from Trudeau Published by Russian Express, a weekly newspaper and web news source from Toronto, Ontario. At the end of June, Trudeau's government announced a $9-million fund that aims to help black youth fully and equally participate in Canadian society.
Canadian Heritage said in a press release "Canada’s diversity is a source of strength and an important factor in our success as a country. However, our success has not been equally shared by all members of our society. Unfortunately, Canada’s Black community faces unique and significant challenges, such as an overrepresentation in the criminal justice system and a higher prevalence of low income." The commentary in Russian Express noted that the allocation has come as "A response to the wave of murders in Toronto committed mostly by young members of the Black community." The author says that subsidies from the Trudeau government for the needs of the Black community speak of several things. "First, despite all previous efforts and costs, a certain segment of Black youth remains inadequately integrated into Canadian society. Second, this problem is of a cultural nature: A criminal subculture cannot be integrated into a traditional Canadian culture that is based on other values. Finally, it is worth recalling that the existing problems are largely the result of certain immigration and social policies in Canada. The press release from Canadian Heritage also quoted Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen saying "Racism and discrimination are real challenges faced by some Canadians every day, including Black Canadian youth. With this new funding, Black Canadians and communities across Canada will receive support to help fund projects that overcome these issues through education and understanding.” One out of every five Canadians is a part of a visible minority, and Canada's Black population is the third largest visible minority. The funding will be spent over three years, and fund projects that respond to key concerns of Black Canadians to help address issues faced by Black youth that affect their full and equitable participation in our society. |
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