News

Latest news happening in the settlement sector of Ontario.

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

Hundreds of asylum seekers arrive in Windsor via the U.S., Ottawa confirms

TJ Dhir · CBC News · Posted: Feb 16, 2023

Hundreds of asylum seekers are staying in hotels in Windsor, Ont., this month after arriving via the U.S., the Canadian government has confirmed.

The Windsor arrivals come as hundreds of people are entering Canada through Quebec, some with tickets purchased by agencies in some Republican states to send people northeast, and then from New York City to a small town near the Quebec border.

Advocates say migrants must be welcomed by Quebec, not sent to other provinces

CBC News · Posted: Feb 21, 2023

Migrants crossing from New York into Quebec at Roxham Road should not be seen as a burden, according to the executive director of a Montreal-based non-profit organization that offers support to refugee claimants.

"What if some of these asylum seekers coming in have family here? What if they do speak French? Wouldn't you want them as part of our workforce?" Dina Souleiman asked.

Local Immigration Partnership calls for federal support with ongoing Ukrainian resettlement effort

Galen Simmons Stratford Beacon Herald Published Feb 16, 2023  

As donor and volunteer fatigue begins to take its toll and international news outlets warn of the potential for renewed Russian aggression in Ukraine, the Multicultural Association of Perth Huron and a collective of community groups in the region that assist with refugee resettlement are calling on the federal government for more support.

Term ‘refugee’ carries negative connotation, says multicultural organization head

Allan Benner St. Catherine’s Standard Tue., Feb. 21, 2023

Janet Madume said says she doesn’t care where they came from, the circumstances that brought them to Canada — or the stigma and negativity associated with the term “refugee.”

The Welland Heritage Council and Multicultural Centre executive director said the only thing important to her and her team is that they are people in need of help.

Ukrainian children stuck in Mexico after visa issues will be able to return to Canada soon, guardian says

Julia Wong · CBC News · Posted: Feb 16, 2023

The legal guardian of three Ukrainian children who became stuck in Mexico during a trip learned Thursday she will be able to get the kids back to Canada where they fled during the war, after CBC News made multiple inquiries with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). 

'A new face entirely': northern Ontario's growing Black community looks to the future during history month

Erik White · CBC News · Posted: Feb 21, 2023

February is Black history month, but with the Black population of northern Ontario growing rapidly in recent years, the present and the future deserve just as much attention. 

More than 5,000 people in the region describe themselves as Black in the 2021 census, double what it was 10 years earlier.

"I think Sudbury is experiencing a new face entirely," said Adebola Adefioye, who came to the city two years ago.

Asylum seekers facing uncertainty as they navigate immigration process

Sarah Kester · CBC News · Posted: Feb 21, 2023

Nigeria and hopes to continue his studies to become a teacher. (Sarah Kester/CBC)

David Olorunleye has been in Canada since last August, living as a refugee in Cornwall, Ont. 

Olorunleye said he left his home in Nigeria in March, ending up in the United States before walking across the border into Canada. 

Federal government announces details of new Black justice strategy

David Fraser The Canadian Press 16 February 2023

OTTAWA — Canada's long-awaited Black justice strategy will be developed by a committee of community leaders.

The Liberal government committed to creating the strategy in the 2021 election campaign after advocacy groups and the United Nations pointed out systemic racism in the criminal justice system.