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.

Canadian Government Funds Immigration Support Services

Canada's Citizenship and Immigration Minister has announced $950,000 in funding to provide new immigrants in the city of Hamilton, Ontario settlement services. These will include a variety of services, including language training, job search assistance, and help locating day-care for children.

"We want more immigrants to come to Canada and we are committed to helping immigrants begin their new lives in our country,' said the Haldimand-Norfolk MP. 'Their success is good for Hamilton and good for Canada as a whole."

Canada funds immigration programs

Canada's immigration department announced increases in funding to the provinces by more than $121 million over a three year period. The increases in funding are aimed at the provinces outside Quebec and Ontario and are intended to help immigrants settle into Canadian society. The increases in funding will bring the total investment to over $1.4 billion over five years.

The province of Saskatchewan is receiving a 40% increase in funding to help close the gap between it and the provinces which traditionally attract more immigrants. The funding, which is used for programs and services such as language and skills training, will help keep immigrants in the smaller provinces and should promote future immigration.