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Canada’s government to help temporary foreign workers and foreign student graduates become permanent residents
Temporary foreign workers and foreign students are generally spread out across the country and contribute to the growth of smaller communities as well as metropolitan areas. Individuals applying for permanent residence through this new avenue could apply from within Canada while continuing to work and continuing to contribute to their local communities.
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/department/media/releases/
2008/2008-08-12.asp
Immigration: Dream or nightmare?
"We really love this country; there are lots of opportunities," Eduardo said. "I have a good job at a good place. Once our diplomas are evaluated, we can look for work in our field."Even so, their enthusiasm has limits. If they don't get professional jobs, "we will have to rethink. Otherwise, why stay?"
http://www.thestar.com/News/Canada/article/473659
Refugees seek avenue for appeal
Canada has long been criticized by Amnesty International and the United Nations High Commission for Refugees for not providing a way for asylum seekers to appeal a "no" on the merits of their case. The UN said Canada, Italy and Poland are the only industrialized countries that don't allow an appeal.
http://www.thestar.com/News/Canada/article/481862
Playing the immigration card will come with some risk for the Liberals
The Liberals say they want to address skills shortages in the labour market quickly. Immigration will be given a big push under the plan. "It's a focus on nation-building. You'll see the elevation of new Canadians."
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/
LAC.20080804.COMARTIN04/TPStory/National
Temporary foreign workers flood Alberta in record numbers
Temporary foreign workers are streaming into Alberta at breakneck speed to meet labour shortages - and are, for the first time, surpassing the province's yearly intake of permanent immigrants, according to new figures from Citizenship and Immigration Canada.
http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/story.html?
id=7be44535-1902-4c58-98ab-f4e24942613f
More immigrants choosing smaller towns: CIC
While the majority of immigrants traditionally choose to settle in Canada's three largest cities, more and more immigrants are choosing smaller, rural communities, according to figures released by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC).
http://www.hrreporter.com/loginarea/members/
viewing.asp?ArticleNo=6298
Foreign workers scammed
Websites and e-mails are used to lure workers with offers that the "Canadian Immigration Bureau" will give them a free "Canada Health Certificate" and jobs at the "Canadian Hotel," or the "Hotel Omni Mont-Royal," a government website warns.
http://www.edmontonsun.com/News/Canada/2008/08/27/6583596-sun.html
Advocates, unions fighting for migrant labourers' rights
Union reps in construction trades, food and service industries raised concerns over migrants' substandard credentials and displacement of union jobs, while advocates complained about Canada's protected labour market and employers who exploit foreign workers.
http://www.thestar.com/News/Canada/article/486158
A New Immigration Class for Canadian Experience
The Canadian federal government is introducing a new immigration class for some temporary foreign workers and international student graduates who have Canadian work experience. Unlike other classes of Canadian immigration, the Canadian Experience Class will consider the immigration applicant's Canadian work experience as a key factor in the immigration selection process.
http://canadaonline.about.com/b/2008/08/26/
a-new-immigration-class-for-canadian-experience.htm
Language test angers immigration lawyers
All immigrants applying to come to Canada as skilled workers – even those who grew up speaking English or French – could soon be required to take a mandatory language test to prove proficiency in one of Canada's official languages, the Star has learned.
http://www.thestar.com/News/Canada/article/421032
Canada lost track of 41,000 migrants told to leave: watchdog
In a scathing report, Auditor General Sheila Fraser said most of the missing were failed asylum seekers allowed into the country on temporary permits while their immigration or refugee cases were assessed.
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5huioaGfgXJKtSuwjEw9TKnQhwd-Q
Watchdog needs teeth
People who hope to call Canada home often seek advice from immigration consultants to fulfil their dreams. But consultants who are incompetent, negligent or unscrupulous can destroy dreams, tarnish Canada's image, and burden taxpayers by clogging the system with applicants who don't stand a chance. Three years after Ottawa set up a self-regulating body meant to clean up the lucrative industry and protect vulnerable newcomers, a Star investigation finds that little has changed. The regulatory body says the future looks bright, but it lacks a big stick.
http://www.thestar.com/Investigation/article/226476
Canada must toughen its immigration qualifications
He contends that prospective immigrants should also be interviewed "to determine if they hold strong beliefs that make would make it difficult for them to adjust to life in Canada and embrace our basic values such as the rule of law, freedom of speech and religion, separation of church and state, tolerance of others, equality of women, etc. Those who cannot live by these standards should not be accepted.
http://lfpress.ca/newsstand/News/Columnists/Leishman_Rory/
2008/05/03/5459951-sun.html
Open the door on immigration policy reform
The major reform would give the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration authority to "give instructions" regarding the attainment of Canadian immigration goals. Instructions would include "establishing categories," "setting the number of applications," "establishing an order" for processing applications, among other things.
http://www.nationalpost.com/opinion/columnists/story.html?
id=50a37277-a8a9-4679-869b-4c5838b63cb5
PM unconvincing on immigration
Canada's immigration system isn't perfect. If it were, highly educated immigrants wouldn't be waiting years to get into the country or, once here, floundering in low-wage jobs while struggling to get their credentials recognized or the Canadian experience employers demand.
http://www.thestar.com/comment/article/426708
Will immigration plan fix backlog?
Critics see longer waits under proposed changes
If passed, the legislative changes would give Finley the power to reject applications even if they meet all the criteria, and instruct officials to cherry-pick immigrants based on labour market needs.
http://www.thestar.com/News/Canada/article/429915
Immigration policies boosting number of degree holders in Canada: study
The group with the highest proportion of university-educated people were Korean Canadians, where 74.7 per cent of respondents in the age group analyzed had a university degree. Filipino and Chinese Canadians were in second and third place with about 58.6 and 58.4 per cent of their community holding university degrees.
http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/story.html?
id=d3815d11-2584-4b53-90b2-d4aed5461e1f
350,000 jobs available in Canada province over next 12 years
The Canadian province of British Columbia has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Philippines to help fill its need for 350,000 skilled workers over the next 12 years.
http://globalnation.inquirer.net/news/breakingnews/view/20080130-115786/
350000-jobs-available-in-Canada-province-over-next-12-years
Uncertified dentists prey on immigrants: college
Dentists who operate without a licence, sometimes in unsanitary conditions, are targeting newcomers to Canada, says the organization that certifies dentists in Ontario.
http://www.cbc.ca/consumer/story/2008/01/30/ot-dentist-080130.html
244,000 new workers needed by 2017
Nursing and health-care occupations in general are projected to be among the jobs in highest demand in Calgary over the next decade, according to a landmark study and forecast released Tuesday by Calgary Economic Development.
http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/story.html?
id=7f0627ab-d6bf-449a-af30-cbfcfd1c8518
Canada’s Immigration Policy
Canada is among the world's most generous nations for immigrants and has one of the highest per capita admission rates. It has, on average, offered residency to about 200,000 immigrants and refugees a year over the past decade, earning a global reputation for an "open arms" attitude.
http://www.cfr.org/publication/11047/
Canada makes it easier for children adopted overseas to become Canadian citizens
The new legislation allows children adopted abroad by Canadian citizens to obtain Canadian citizenship without first having to become permanent residents. As a result, the difference in treatment between children adopted abroad and children born abroad to a Canadian parent is minimized.
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/department/media/releases/2007/2007-12-20.as