Q. I am a software consultant employed by a large software company based in the United States. I was hoping to transfer to the company’s Canada office for various reasons. Is this possible?

Q. I am wondering if my current work as a research assistant in a university in Canada can fetch me some points under the working experience factor as well as points for having worked for at least one year full-time in Canada since I have been on this job for up to 2 years part-time.

Montreal, buoyed by a robust economy and aggressive recruitment strategies, vaulted past Vancouver last year among top Canadian destinations for immigrants.

OTTAWA — Immigration to Canada fell by about 8.5% between 2001 and 2002, says a new study, adding the downward trend was most significant in Toronto, which barely retained its position as the top North American destination for newcomers.