The next show in the Old Schoolhouse Art Gallery promises to be a treat. Vijen Vijendren is a retired art teacher, whose resume includes nine years at the Royal Palace in Brunei. He was also an elementary school teacher serving First Nations communities in Northern Alberta. ‘My Life in Three Chapters’ is his artistic autobiography, covering the period from his time abroad to settling on Cortes Island.
Continue reading Vijen Vijendren: ‘My Life in three Chapters’
By Zak Vescera, The Tyee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Susan MacRae wants to talk about what happened to her, but she can’t.
As a young girl, MacRae signed a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) that prohibits her from discussing sexual abuse she suffered, even with family members or therapists.
Continue reading Greens Take Lead to Stop NDAs from Silencing Victims
By Fabian Dawson, New Canadian Media, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Canada’s plan to open its doors to hundreds of thousands of immigrants will be a “trainwreck” if the Trudeau Liberal government does not come up with a comprehensive housing solution for the newcomers who are needed to fill jobs in the country, experts say.
Housing affordability and availability are the key issues of concern for Canadians, who are generally in favour of immigration, said pollster Nik Nanos. The results of his organization’s latest survey shows over half of Canadians polled believe an increase in immigrants as permanent residents will have a positive or somewhat positive impact on the economy.
Continue reading Canada has jobs and public support for immigrants but it doesn’t have the housing
By Zak Vescera, The Tyee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
B.C. businesses are hiring a record number of temporary foreign workers as they struggle to fill jobs.
The latest federal data show there were more than 32,200 people in B.C. under the federal government’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program at the end of 2022, more than Ontario, which has more than twice B.C.’s population.
Continue reading Temporary Foreign Workers Hit Record Levels in BC
Editor’s Note: According to the State of Campbell River (2021), only about ½% of the immigrants to Campbell River came from outside Canada. The percentage was 2½% on Quadra Island. The Cortes Island Profile does not differentiate between immigrants from ‘another province or another country.’
By Isabel Inclan, New Canadian Media, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Refugees, undocumented migrants, international students and caregivers will rally Monday outside the federal government’s winter retreat in Hamilton.
Organized by the Migrant Rights Network (MRN), demonstrators want a national immigration regularization program for the 500,000 undocumented migrants in Canada.
Continue reading Migrants call on Trudeau to fulfill his promise to regularize the undocumented
