Canadian Government Promotes Recognition of Immigrants' Qualifications

Canada's government has enacted a number of strategies in the past several years intended to specifically address its effort to improve the integration of immigrants into Canadian society. A large part of this overall effort is the improvement of the recognition of foreign credentials in Canada. By improving the recognition of such international credentials, the government seeks to improve the success of Canadian immigrants quickly finding work in the fields of their expertise.

As part of the effort to improve credential recognition, the government has recently introduced a new resource directed to Canadian employers. Integrated in to the Foreign Credentials Referral Office (FCRO), the Employer's Roadmap is intended to aid employers in meeting their labour needs more effectively, while allowing skilled newcomers to apply their expertise to work in Canada more quickly.The Employer’s Roadmap derives from a partnership between the FCRO, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC), and The Alliance of Sector Councils (TASC).

Speaking about this new resource, Canada's Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism states that “The Government of Canada is committed to improving the labour market integration of internationally trained workers – this is essential to building a strong Canada: socially, culturally and economically. Employers are key partners in helping internationally trained workers find jobs in their areas of training, and this resource makes it easier for employers to assess their qualifications.”

Facilitation of Admission of VANOC Workers

As the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games approach, Citizenship and Immigration Canada is seeking to facilitate the admission of approximately 7000 foreign national through Regulatory amendments. VANOC, or the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, has been given the authority to register and accredit foreign nationals who are performing a specific role or function within the organization, which will allow for the admission of such nationals through deemed multiple-entry temporary resident visas, which are not subject to the normal cost-recovery fees.

These Regulatory amendments to Canada's Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations allow such admission between the dates of December 12th 2009 through March 28th 2010. They are automatically repealed on April 22nd 2010. These amendments were developed though consultations with VANOC and various Canadian government bodies, including Human Resources and Skills Development Canada; The Royal Canadian Mounted Police; Canada Border Services Agency; and the Canadian Security Intelligence Service.

Given the international significance of Olympic and Paralympic Games, these amendments by Citizenship and Immigration Canada are intended to streamline and facilitate the immigration process of VANOC registered members. The consultation of the various organizations ensures that such chagnes do not have a negative impact on Canada's immigration programs or the health safety of Canadians.

B.C. Employers Recognize Benefits of Canadian Immigration

Industry leaders in the province of British Columbia are stating that the employment of skilled Canadian immigrants is a practice which is beneficial to all parties and which should be encouraged within local businesses. Heads of commerce such as the CEO of BC Hydro and the Vice President of Spectra Energy feel that their companies experience numerous benefits through the employment of new Canadians, and that such new arrivals benefit from the experience they receive within Canadian industry.

Bohdan Bodnar, vice president of human resources for Spectra Energy's Canada operations, feels that Canada is able to attract the best and brightest from abroad. He feels that improving the recognition of their credentials once they arrive in Canada should be a primary focus of the Canadian government in order to ensure that they quickly find work in the fields of their expertise. He states that his company seeks to help Canadian immigrants with this challenge by paying for skilled workers to attend cultural and linguistic workplace-preparation programs.

Bob Elton, CEO of BC Hydro, says that his company seeks to aid the integration process by hiring Canadian immigrants to work with more established employees who are accredited. The result of this is that new immigrants gain the work experience required by some accreditation processes and his company may be able to to secure a loyal employee.

Canada's Minister of Citizenship and Immigration has stated that his government recognizes the needs for improved integration, for which substantial funding has been devoted. However, looking to the efforts of Canada's industry leaders may yield some strategies on effective means of achieving this effort.