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Home2021December

Month: December 2021

Uncategorized

As provinces limit PCR testing, should Canadians be able to report rapid test results?

December 31, 2021 Diversity Reporter 0

As more provinces scale back PCR testing for COVID-19 and the Omicron variant continues to surge, many people in Canada are relying on results from take-home […]

Uncategorized

‘God seemed to have other plans’

December 30, 2021 Diversity Reporter 0

By: Peter Jackson, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Telegram When I get where I’m going There’ll be only happy tears I will shed the sins […]

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Betsy McGregor named to the Order of Canada

December 30, 2021 Diversity Reporter 0

By: Brendan Burke, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter,  Peterborough Examiner Lakefield’s Betsy McGregor has been appointed to the Order of Canada for her  contributions to women […]

Uncategorized

Staying afloat the goal for local business

December 30, 2021 Diversity Reporter 0

By: Sara Beth Dacombe, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Niverville Citizen For two years, local businesses have been asked to endure the challenges of the […]

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Waning protection from 2 doses shows need for COVID-19 boosters, says head of Ontario’s science table

December 28, 2021 Diversity Reporter 0

Protection provided by COVID-19 vaccines against infection by the novel coronavirus has waned dramatically since the highly infectious Omicron variant started spreading across Ontario, according […]

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Canada-based Pakistani filmmaker faces death threats in home country over blasphemy-related work

December 27, 2021 Diversity Reporter 0

By: Laura Steiner/Local Journalism Initiative Police in Pakistan are investigating threats to a Halton area journalist, who has been vocal against the draconian blasphemy laws […]

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A place for everyone at the Norfolk County library

December 27, 2021 Diversity Reporter 0

By: J.P. Antonacci, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Hamilton Spectator Heather King says she is loath to give any advice to Norfolk County council about […]

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Quebec’s Jean-Marc Vallée, director of Big Little Lies, Dallas Buyers Club, dead at 58

December 27, 2021 Diversity Reporter 0

Quebec filmmaker and producer Jean-Marc Vallée, who won an Emmy for directing the hit HBO series Big Little Lies and whose 2013 drama Dallas Buyers Club earned multiple Oscar nominations, […]

Uncategorized

Work for yourself? Canada has fewer and fewer people like you — and here’s why

December 25, 2021 Diversity Reporter 0

On the surface, Canada’s labour market has made a complete comeback (new window) since losing nearly three million jobs at the start of the pandemic, but dig a […]

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Canada welcomed more Immigrants in 2021 than it has ever before in its history

December 25, 2021 Diversity Reporter 0

By Shazia Nazir / Local Journalism Initiative Canada has welcomed 401,000 permanent residents in 2021.  The historic high was announced by Immigration Minister Sean Fraser […]

Posts pagination

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  • Migrant Worker Community Program hosts annual Health and Information Fair with strong community turnout
  • Sikh celebrations bring together families from Tilbury to Wallaceburg
  • Taste of Chatham‑Kent launches month‑long celebration of cultural diversity
  • 21:20 Apr 30, 2026 ONT-LJI-Migrant-workers-TR‑to‑PR Migrant workers call for clarity on stalled TR‑to‑PR plan By: Saeed Akhtar, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Tilbury Times Reporter Source: Tilbury Times Reporter Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab had said the federal government’s new Temporary Resident to Permanent Resident (TR‑to‑PR) pathway would launch in April. But as the month ends, no program has been released, leaving migrant workers, international students and advocacy groups calling for clarity. On Thursday morning, the Migrant Rights Network, Canada’s largest migrant‑led coalition, sent the minister a list of minimum requirements for the promised program. The group warned that any new pathway must avoid the pitfalls of previous immigration pilots and must serve as a step toward permanent resident status for all migrants. The federal government has committed to accelerating the transition of up to 33,000 temporary workers to permanent residency in 2026 and 2027. But migrant‑rights advocates say a narrow or highly restricted program could create panic, confusion and exploitation among workers who have been waiting months for details. Past programs have shown how demand can overwhelm limited pathways. When the Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots opened in 2025, more than 40,000 care workers attempted to apply for just 5,500 spots, crashing the website and leaving thousands without answers. Many remain in limbo today. At the same time, more than 2.3 million people on study and work permits have faced permit expiries in 2025 and 2026. Many have remained in Canada on maintained status, hoping the TR‑to‑PR pathway would offer a route to stability. The closure of the Agri‑Food Immigration Pilot, one of the few permanent residency options for agricultural workers, has further heightened pressure on the upcoming program. Despite the federal commitment, the government has not released full eligibility criteria, application rules or timelines through official channels. Instead, partial details have circulated through interviews, social‑media posts and consultant advertising, leaving many migrants to make major life decisions based on speculation. “Thousands are shut out and the most vulnerable are exploited when the government launches narrow, time‑limited programs with limited information,” said Syed Hussan of the Migrant Rights Network Secretariat.  “A pathway for 33,000 people cannot solve a crisis affecting millions. Canada needs permanent resident status for all migrants.” In Chatham‑Kent and Essex counties, where agri‑food operations, seafood‑processing plants and greenhouse farms rely heavily on temporary foreign workers, many say the uncertainty is affecting their ability to plan for the future. A seafood‑processing worker in the region, who asked not to be named for fear of employer repercussions, said the lack of information has created anxiety. “We’ve been waiting every day for news,” he said.  “Many of us have families back home depending on us. Without clear rules, we don’t know if we should renew permits, save money for applications, or prepare to leave.” A seasonal agricultural worker from the Leamington area, Carlos Hernández, said many long‑time workers feel they are being left behind. “I’ve been working so hard in the greenhouses,” Hernández said.  “We help keep the food supply going, but we still don’t know if this program will include us. People are stressed because everything is rumours.” Another worker, María López, who came from Mexico and works at a large greenhouse operation outside Leamington, said the lack of official information has created fear among her co‑workers. “Some of us renewed our permits, others are waiting, and no one knows what is the right choice,” López said.  “We just want clear rules. Many of us want to stay here permanently, but we don’t know if we will even qualify.” The Migrant Rights Network is calling for a TR‑to‑PR pathway that includes seasonal agricultural, food‑processing and seafood workers; undocumented people and those who have lost status; workers in all regions including major urban centres; workers in all TEER categories including low‑wage roles; and people currently excluded by language tests, education requirements, employer‑controlled permits or permit type. Advocates say these measures are necessary to ensure the program does not repeat past failures and to prevent further exploitation of workers who have few or no other pathways to permanent residency. As April closes without the promised launch, migrant‑rights groups say they will continue pressing Ottawa for transparency, fairness and a program that reflects the scale of the need.
  • Jr. RetroFest a hit at this Chatham high school
  • Change is in the works at C-K police
  • Chatham‑Kent newcomers feel strain as Bank of Canada holds rates steady
  • New federal trades program could open doors for Chatham‑Kent’s immigrant workforce
  • Broncos driver’s deportation stay divides opinion in Chatham‑Kent newcomer communities
  • What Bill C‑12 Means for Asylum Seekers in Chatham‑Kent: An Explainer
#cdnpoli #COVID19 vaccines #COVID19Canada #COVID19Ontario #elxn44 Canada Canadian History Canadian Politics candian Chatham-Kent COVID-19 COVID19 Halton COVID19 Milton Ontario Halton Ontario Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) Halton Region Chair Gary Carr Local Journalism Initiative Milton Ontario ontario Ontario Health Minister Christine Elliott Ontario Premier Doug Ford Prime Minister Justin Trudeau The Tilbury Times Tilbury Tilbury Times
  • PhillipseEfe: Эти преимущества делают вывод из запоя на дому с медицинским контролем оптимальным решением для тех, кто хочет быстро и безопасно…
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  • EdwinunorB: Нарколог на дом в Москве — это формат медицинской помощи, который рассматривают при состояниях после употребления алкоголя, когда больному требуется…
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