The Governments of Canada and Alberta are investing $3.3 million to launch the Early Childhood Educator Bursary program, aimed at strengthening Alberta’s child-care workforce.
Managed by NorQuest College, the program will provide up to 300 bursaries of $10,000 each over three years to help students cover tuition, books, and living costs while pursuing approved ECE certificate programs.
Funding will be delivered in two instalments: $5,000 upon program acceptance and $5,000 after graduation, employment in a licensed child-care centre, and earning Level 2 certification.
This initiative builds on five years of targeted support for early childhood educators, including higher compensation and professional development.
Since 2021, Alberta has grown its ECE workforce by more than 13,000, reaching 31,200 educators province-wide. The new bursary underscores both governments’ commitment to expanding access to high-quality, affordable child care across Alberta.
#Alberta, #ECE, #NorQuestCollege, #Alberta_education, #bursary
August 19, 2025
According to Statistics Canada data released on August 8, 2025, recent immigrants continue to experience significantly higher unemployment rates compared to Canadian-born residents.
The July 2025 figures reveal that immigrants who landed within the past five years face an 11.2% unemployment rate, compared to just 6.2% for Canadian-born workers.
This substantial 5-percentage-point gap highlights ongoing integration challenges despite overall national unemployment holding steady at 6.9%. The disparity gradually diminishes with time in Canada, as immigrants with more than 10 years of residency show unemployment rates nearly matching Canadian-born citizens.
#canadian_labour_market, #immigrant_unemployment, #statistics_canada, #recent_immigrants, #employment_trends, #workforce_integration, #labour_force_data
August 19, 2025
Canadian citizens in ICE detention: Data reveals alarming numbers, including toddlers
Recent data analysis has uncovered that nearly 150 Canadian citizens have been detained by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) since January 2025, including two toddlers under age four.
One child was held for 51 days — more than double the legal limit for migrant children in US detention. The detentions occurred at a controversial Texas facility facing legal complaints over inadequate access to water, medical care, and legal assistance.
While President Trump's immigration crackdown has primarily targeted Latin American migrants, this evidence reveals Canadians are increasingly affected, with 56 still in custody and detention rates projected to double compared to last year.
#ice_detention, #canadian_citizens, #human_rights, #deportations
August 19, 2025
Conservatives are set to introduce legislation this fall aimed at eliminating judicial leniency for non-citizens convicted of serious crimes.
The proposed Criminal Code amendment would explicitly prohibit judges from considering immigration consequences when sentencing offenders. This follows controversial cases where non-citizens received reduced sentences to avoid deportation, including instances involving sexual offences against minors.
Michelle Rempel Garner argues that adherence to Canadian law should be a fundamental requirement for those seeking residency or citizenship, emphasizing that deportation for serious criminals protects both Canadians and the integrity of the immigration system.
#criminal_justice, #deportations, #conservative_legislation, #non_citizen_criminals, #immigration_law, #judicial_sentencing, #public_safety, #criminal_code_amendment, #citizenship_rights
August 15, 2025
