Juan Esteban Suarez Castrillón's Camayak portfolio

Foreign workers frustrated, worried about lack of status in Canada

The Draw the Line Rally 2025 brought together a coalition of activists in downtown Toronto on Sept. 20 to support each other’s struggles and show their opposition against some of the federal Liberal government’s agenda ahead of the fall budget. — Photo credit: Juan Esteban Suarez Castrillón

As immigration increases in Durham Region, some labour activists and temporary foreign workers are calling for equal rights, including more workplace protections and access to services available to Canadians. A Mexican woman living in Whitby is one of the 2.5 million people with no status in the country, according to Migrant Workers Alliance for Change (MWAC). The woman, who is...

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FireWolves professional lacrosse team relocates to Oshawa

The Oshawa FireWolves of the National Lacrosse League announced their relocation from MVP Arena in Albany to the Tribute Communities Centre in downtown Oshawa on Sept. 9, 2025. The team also unveiled its new jersey, name and logo. — Photo credit: Juan Esteban Suarez Castrillón

Professional lacrosse is coming to Oshawa. The FireWolves of the National Lacrosse League (NLL), formerly located in Albany, N. Y., will play their first season in Oshawa this year. The announcement of the new professional team was made at a press conference on Sept. 9 at the Tribute Communities Centre (TCC). The move makes the FireWolves the seventh Canadian franchise...

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Durham’s labour market faces shortages, uncertainty amid aging workforce, U.S. tariffs

The Regional Municipality of Durham Headquarters, in Whitby, on March 2025. Simon Gill, the Director of Invest Durham and Durham Tourism for the Region of Durham, shared valuable insights on Durham's labor market in light of the potential threat of U.S. tariffs.

Durham Region, like much of Canada, faces labour shortages, especially in agriculture. U. S. tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump could worsen the situation.“Thousands of local jobs depend on trade with U. S. manufacturers,” said Oshawa Mayor Dan Carter in February 2025. Since the COVID-19 pandemic Canada has struggled with labour shortages, stagnant wages, high inflation and an aging workforce....

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By Juan Esteban Suarez Castrillón (Juan Esteban as photographer) + 1 other for DC-UOIT Chronicle - 6 min read

Ontario’s post-secondary crisis: Overreliance on international students and the path forward

The International Education Office pictured on the Durham College Oshawa Campus on March 18, 2025. The office is the starting point for all international students, who play a central role in the College's funding strategy. — Photo credit: Juan Esteban Suarez Castrillón

With Ontario’s post-secondary system facing financial pressures, experts are urging the provincial government to increase public funding to at least the national average, as Ontario remains the lowest-funded province in Canada. These concerns have been exacerbated by regulatory changes announced in January 2024 by former Immigration Minister Marc Miller. These include the introduction of mandatory Provincial Attestation Letters (PALs) for...

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