Monday January 23, 2006 - The votes are in and Canadians have chosen a new Prime-Minister in Stephen Harper, and a new direction for Canada.

The Conservative party critic on Immigration, Diane Ablonczy, is considered among political observers as the “front-runner” for the position of Citizenship and Immigration Minister. Ablonczy has been the Conservative party’s Citizenship and Immigration critic since 2002.

Canada’s aging population, coupled with the current economic boom, leaves key Alberta growth industries clamoring for skilled workers .

Q: I have submitted my application for permanent residence under the Federal Skilled Worker category. I have since left my employment and have started my own business. Will this affect my application status, and how?