Amendments to Canadian Immigration Laws Pass Commons

In one stage that is required for Bill C-50 to become part of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, Canada's House of Commons has approved the proposals by a vote of 114-83. The Commons voted three times overall: once on the larger budget bill (C-50), and twice more on NDP amendments that would have stalled the legislation.

Bill C-50 includes numerous changes to the Canadian immigration legislation that is intended to help reduce the backlogs which many feel are crippling the immigration system. Some of these changes include the ability to select cases for processing based on Canadian labour market needs. Although the Canadian opposition parties oppose the changes to the laws, they have not voted against the Bill. Doing so would have automatically triggered an election.

The next step will be a vote in Canada's Parliament, which is expected to take place before the summer break.