News updates

Asma Faizi takes the helm as President of the Canadian Council for Refugees

The Canadian Council for Refugees has appointed Asma Faizi as its new President following the organization's Annual General Meeting in Winnipeg on November 20, 2025.

Faizi brings decades of advocacy experience to the role, having previously co-chaired the Overseas Protection and Resettlement Working Group and currently serving on multiple CCR committees.

A former Afghan refugee, she has led the Afghan Women's Organization Refugee and Immigrant Services since 2008. Basel Abou Hamrah, a settlement practitioner from Edmonton's Newcomer Centre, was elected Vice President. Both leaders emphasized their commitment to protecting refugees' rights amid rising global displacement.

#asma_faizi, #canadian_council_for_refugees

December 12, 2025

Canada invests $1.7 billion to attract world-leading researchers through new global talent initiative

The Canadian Government has announced a major $1.7 billion investment over 12 years to recruit more than 1,000 top international researchers through the Canada Global Impact+ Research Talent Initiative.

This program includes four key streams: the Canada Impact+ Research Chairs program ($1 billion), the Emerging Leaders program ($120 million), the Research Infrastructure Fund ($400 million), and the Research Training Awards ($133.6 million).

The initiative targets critical research areas, including advanced digital technologies, health, clean technology, and climate resilience.

By offering comprehensive support for both researcher salaries and state-of-the-art facilities, Canada positions itself as a premier destination for global scientific talent, aiming to drive innovation and strengthen economic competitiveness during this pivotal moment for international research collaboration.

#canada_research_initiative, #global_talent_recruitment, #scientific_innovation, #research_funding, #canada_impact_plus, #international_researchers, #stem_investment, #academic_excellence, #innovation_economy, #research_infrastructure

December 10, 2025

Alberta dominates the Canadian job market with 28,700 new positions in November

Alberta has once again proven its economic strength by creating 28,700 jobs in November 2025, accounting for more than half of all jobs added across Canada.

This marks the third consecutive month of significant employment growth in the province. Minister of Jobs, Economy, Trade and Immigration Joseph Schow highlighted that Alberta has added over 105,000 jobs since November 2024, demonstrating positive momentum that aligns with the province's rapid population expansion.

Youth unemployment has dropped to 13.5 percent, the fifth lowest rate among Canadian provinces, while the overall unemployment rate matches the national average.

These achievements come despite challenges from high immigration and interprovincial migration.

#alberta_job_growth, #employment, #jobs, #employment_statistics

December 8, 2025

Tim Hortons lobbied the Federal Government for a higher temporary foreign worker cap for 18+ months

Tim Hortons and its parent company, Restaurant Brands International, spent over a year and a half lobbying federal officials and MPs to raise the cap on temporary foreign workers. The campaign included written correspondence and face-to-face meetings with politicians from multiple parties, even as public sentiment on immigration shifted and Ottawa began tightening restrictions. A May 2024 letter to then-Immigration Minister Marc Miller cited "unprecedented labour shortages" in the food service sector and requested the government increase the temporary foreign worker limit from 20 to 30 per cent. The company also sought streamlined visa renewals and explored pathways to permanent residency for existing workers, particularly in rural communities facing acute staffing challenges. #tim_hortons, #temporary_foreign_workers, #tfwp, #labour_shortage, #canada_immigration, #food_service_industry

December 5, 2025