Immigration Solution to Canada's Top Problem

Canada's Prime Minister recently held a meeting of all the country's Premier's, intended on addressing what is foreseen as the country's top economic problem. The problem that they were addressing was that of Canada's decreasing labour force: within 10-20 years, there may not be enough of a workforce to meet the country's requirements.

Canada's present Minister of Human Resources, and former Minister of Immigration, provided figures to demonstrate the problem:

* British Columbia will be short 350,000 workers over the next 12 years.
* Alberta will require 100,000 workers over the next 10 years.
* Ontario will need 560,000 more workers by 2030.
* Quebec will have 1.3 million job openings by 2016.

Improvement of training programs and increasing immigration are proposed to avoid what some government strategists called an "economic time bomb." The ability to admit more skilled workers is one of the goals behind recent legislative amendments to change immigration rules to fast-track certain groups of immigrants. Some political opponents to these changes feel that this purpose is not sufficiently clear: 'What we think is that the immigration policies of this country should be designed to help workers come here with their families, use their training and skills and help build the country,' says NDP Leader Jack Layton.

Canada and Alberta Fast Track Immigration

The province of Alberta has instituted a stream for provincial nomination which is based on experience in the USA. Those with H1B, H1B1, H-1C, or E-3 visas and with at least one year of experience in the USA can become eligible for fast-tracked immigration to Canada through this Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). Those who are approved do not have to meet the skilled worker pass mark. An eligible candidate's occupation must be designated by the province.

Those with experience in the USA and who wish to receive a no-charge assessment of eligibility for nomination and fast-track immigration to Canada may complete the following form:

https://ssl.rsscanadaimmigration.com/en/form/alberta.php

Panel Recommends Canadian Immigration Improvements

A government appointed panel has released a report recommending improvements to Canada's immigration system. The panel, chaired by the former CEO of Bell Canada Enterprises, recommended that the Canadian government puts more emphasis on immigration as an economic benefit, being more selective and responsive in addressing labour market demands. In order that Canada can better attract and retain top talent from around the world, the panel suggested that the immigration department should fast-track those applications which offer the greatest benefit to the economy.

The report suggests that 75% of the growth in Canada's workforce is presently derived from immigration; this is expected to reach 100% by the year 2010. Currently, one in five Canadian workers is foreign-born.

Canadian Province Pursues Immigrants

The Canadian province of Alberta, facing an unprecedented shortage of workers to meet the demands of ongoing efforts related to its oil sands projects, is aggressively recruiting foreigners. Government sponsored recruiters for the Province of Alberta and the city of Calgary have been overseas, taking part in an effort to find desperately needed foreign workers who can fill labour shortages. One of the countries targeted is the United Kingdom, where the Alberta Employment and Immigration Minister has been proposing the province as a possible destination.

Alberta has also targeted US citizens and foreign workers in the USA. While Canadian unions feel more may be done to attract US citizens, the province is proposing to Nominate certain foreign workers in the USA - those with H-1B, H1-B1, H-1C, or E-3 status - with at least one year of work experience in that country. If nominated, a candidate who promises to reside in that province can experience faster processing of a permanent resident application.