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Home2021December

Month: December 2021

Uncategorized

More than stolen Christmas kisses: a history of mistletoe

December 25, 2021 Diversity Reporter 0

By: Michael Riley, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Bancroft Times Kissing under the mistletoe has been around for hundreds of years, but the plant itself […]

Uncategorized

Local volunteers host live Nativity scene for Christmas

December 24, 2021 Diversity Reporter 0

By: John Watson, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Strathmore Times Returning for a second set of shows, a live depiction of the Nativity scene was performed […]

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Russia urges West to move quickly to guarantee Ukraine won’t join NATO

December 24, 2021 Diversity Reporter 0

Russian President Vladimir Putin turned up the pressure ever so slightly on Thursday by restating his demands for security guarantees, including rolling back NATO’s eastward expansion […]

Uncategorized

Major airlines are cancelling Christmas Eve flights as their crews call in sick

December 24, 2021 Diversity Reporter 0

At least three major airlines have reported cancelling dozens of flights as illnesses largely tied to the Omicron variant of the coronavirus take a toll on […]

Uncategorized

Previous high of 4,812 came on April 16, 2021

December 23, 2021 Diversity Reporter 0

Ontario reported 5,790 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday, the most ever logged on a single day in the province by a considerable margin. The […]

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Cowessess First Nation gets federal funding for gravesite monitoring

December 23, 2021 Diversity Reporter 0

By: Marc Lalonde, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Iori:wase The federal government will partner with a nation in Saskatchewan to try to bring some closure for […]

Uncategorized

Canadian air force commander relieved of duties in Kuwait after claims of inappropriate comments

December 23, 2021 Diversity Reporter 0

Canada’s military relieved an air force commander of his post in Kuwait on Dec. 7 amid an investigation into claims he made inappropriate comments, CBC […]

Uncategorized

Full-court press on climate in mandate letters, but environmentalists will wait and see

December 22, 2021 Diversity Reporter 0

By: John Woodside, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Canada’s National Observer The cabinet ministers’ mandate letters published last week hint at a whole-of-government approach to tackling […]

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Federal government expands lockdown supports to people, businesses affected by capacity limits

December 22, 2021 Diversity Reporter 0

The federal government is expanding access to pandemic financial supports, as much of the country grapples with surging COVID-19 infections and new restrictions are implemented […]

Uncategorized

Reduce contacts now or hospitals will be overwhelmed by Omicron, says Tam

December 21, 2021 Diversity Reporter 0

Canada’s chief public health officer says this will not be the holiday season Canadians were hoping for, warning people that if they don’t reduce their […]

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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
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