CANADIAN IMMIGRATION NEWS

Canada to Develop More Competitive Global Immigration Policy

Thursday, 3 July 2008

A panel recently appointed by the federal government reported that Canada must develop service standards in its immigration system if it is to compete globally for investors and skilled talent.

"Our immigration policies impact Canada's attractiveness to investment and, particularly, as a site for corporate and divisional head offices," said the panel chaired by Lynton (Red) Wilson, a former CEO of Bell Canada Enterprises (BCE) Inc.

Reaffirming a trend already adopted by Citizenship and Immigration Canada in increasing the proportion of economic-class immigrants let into the country each year, the panel recommended that Canada put more emphasis on immigration as an economic tool by making the system more selective and responsive in addressing labour market needs.

The panel said immigration officials should fast-track processing of visa applications under the yet-to-be launched Canada Experience Class program for "skilled" temporary foreign workers and visas for students with Canadian credentials and work experience to ensure Canada can attract and retain top international talent.

According to the report, 75 per cent of Canada's workforce growth now comes from immigration and this is expected to reach 100 per cent by 2010. Currently, one in five Canadian workers is foreign-born. While recent immigrants are better educated, their incomes relative to their Canadian-born counterparts have eroded over the past 25 years. In 2001 alone, more than 340,000 Canadians held unrecognized foreign credentials.

"Part of the answer is for employers to show greater openness to immigrants with foreign education and experience," the report argued. "But systemic change is also required."

"Canada's immigration system should develop service standards related to applications for student visas and temporary foreign workers, and should be more responsive to private employers and student needs by fast-tracking processing and providing greater certainty regarding the length of time required to process applications," it said.

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