Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, this past week, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper outlined a plan for broad and lasting economic change in Canada.
Key to this plan is ‘significant reform of our immigration system’. Standing in front of an international audience of state representatives and private businesspeople, Harper stated: “We will ensure that, while we respect our humanitarian obligations and family reunification objectives, we make our economic and labour force needs the central goal of our immigration efforts in the future”.
Specific details as to how Canadian immigration systems will accommodate a large-scale shift in priorities were not included in his speech. However, Immigration Minister Jason Kenney later quantified some planned initiatives to address Harper’s goal of using the immigration system to directly respond to economic needs. He underscored Canada’s continued commitment to keeping immigration levels high, and was quick to point out that despite the global recession, Canada has accepted more immigrants per capita than any other developed country.
One significant change that Kenney expanded upon referred to the points grid used to assess Federal Skilled Worker applications. It will be changed to “look at younger workers, people with pre-arranged jobs, and also go to a system that’s more proactive; more reaching out and recruiting people who have the skills we need rather than just being an entirely passive system”. Central to this change in the points system will be a renewed emphasis on skilled trades learned through experience rather than higher education. Kenney states that “the skilled worker program basically selects people with advanced university degrees. But a lot of the job shortages in Canada are people with more basic [skills] – skilled trades for example”.
Many Provincial Nominee Programs have already been expanded to accommodate individuals who will contribute to the Canadian economy in this way. It is now hoped that by pursuing a similar structure federally, Canada will be able to use a more flexible immigration program to fill gaps in the job market.
These changes have the possibility to facilitate immigration for workers that were previously unable to qualify for permanent residency. “Skill is not necessarily defined by a college degree,” says Attorney David Cohen. “If this issue is addressed wisely, Canada will have the opportunity to attract valuable immigrants in the international labor pool who have been previously overlooked”. However, he cautions those now seeking to immigrate to Canada, stating that “currently qualified immigrants should not wait until changes take place, as it is unclear how they will stand under the new protocols”.
Kenney finished by noting that additional changes will be made in entrepreneurial and investor programs. Greater attention will be paid to individuals who come to Canada to set up “high tech and research & development-based companies that will create the wealth of the future”.
It is expected that a detailed and comprehensive plan for immigration reform will be presented some time in the spring. Though it targets immigration in skilled worker categories, it is unclear how (if at all) this will affect other streams of immigration such as family class. However, it appears that through these announced (and yet to be announced) changes, Prime Minister Harper is setting the stage for immigration policies that will affect a generation to come.
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
I am grateful that the Canadians authorities are looking in the direction of economic reform for all its citizens. Good luck!
I’m glad that the Canadian immigration is considering to do some considerations regarding the family reunification and find the resource for our economic and labour needs. It was my long time desire to sponsor my children so that we can be united here in Canada but because they are over 19 years of age and married, I can’t do it. They are all University graduates, experienced and ready to enter our work force.
It’s a dream come true for someone like me looking up to immigrate to Canada, high qualification was an hindrance to my top skill of economical resource. However this will give me a chance to contribute to the economic objective of the Canadian prim minister
Switzerland, one of the world’s richest and most successful countries has a system where most young people enter the work force by doing a 2 – 4 year apprenticeship (rather than getting a college degree). During the apprenticeship, the trainee receives extensive on the job training as well as job related schooling. Once gratuated, you get highly skilled labourers who know how to work (rather than just having a theoretical college background). Canada’s current point system does not accommodate such professionals as they are supposedly lacking the necessary schooling. With the proposed changes, Canada will attract highly trained European trades people which will be a great benefit for the economy.
I am delighted that the Canadian government immigrant policy will change .
That’s great because it will led to more and easy means in immigrate to Canada as am also looking t o travel into that country very soon.
Canadian immigration system is the best system which contribute to its economy.
It is my pleasure to express my deep and sincere feelings towards the need of Canada Youth to understand their own values. Canada, the home of fairness and equality, country with no discrimination, color or religion, country of what do you know but not who do know. To preserve these values there is the need that family be reunified as unity is the source of Political, Economical, Social and mental stability. Country’s youth is the source of its economy and labor needed for improving all Canadian standard of life.
I’m very happy to read some of the commenter’s views who pointed out the need of reunification of Canadian family. The desire of the Canadian immigrants to sponsor their children over 19 years of age who might be representative of the Canadian work force are highly needed and appreciated to be reunited.
I’m glad to know that the Canadian immigration ministry’s considerations regarding the long time desire of immigrants to sponsor their children so that they can be united in Canada but because of age limitation they can not do so. I’m very grateful that the Canadian authorities are looking in the direction of reunification and economic reform for all Canadian citizens. CIC NEWS, January, 2012. Harper Announces “Major Transformation” of Canadian Immigration
Am glad that Canadian immigration programs are now upgraded.
I am thanks full to Canadian immigration for looking Labour Force and Skills people to give opportunities to do some thing for their Country from other countries people. i hope that Canadian Government give me a chance to contribute my working experience for developed the work force.
I think this step is in the right direction, if it means attracting skilled traders / laboureres not only academists; but we must bear in mind that this could be a catch 22 situation; why, because for one, the economy has to be healthy enough to offer opportunities for these traders to practice their trade, in the end this shift in immigration policy will invariably be prejudiced toward the service sector of the Canadian economy. but to spread its benefits to other sectors such as manufacturing, this policy has to be accompanied by proactive incentive schemes and less stringent pre quaification / licensing procedures to help these skilled laborers establish their worthiness and enter the market swiftly.
I sincerely hope all the best for Canada; its people (I am one of them) and its economy
…@Segun, you might be glad that Canadian Immigration System is now improved, but to be honest with you, its not meant for Nigerians…..soon as your application is received, it gets tossed into the garbage. I am legally married but my wife and kids stay in Nigeria due to a visa officer’s thought that the relationship was entered into for the purpose of my wife trying to get a residence status in Canada, despite all the documents we provided to prove the relationship is genuine. You might hear an official of Canada preach to the world family is a priority in Canada, they only do so to remain as the most humanitarian country in the world but they act otherwise….and as a skilled worker, be ready to start your career afresh once you come to Canada because no employer would employ you because they’ll all say you lack experience which will definitely force you to start afresh or take on another career. The worst part is, Citezenship and Immigration Canada cares less about what their decision on your application brings you, because no amount of effort you make to appeal their decision faster is taken into consideration….For these, I say Canada never respects the reunification of families into Canada as they have always preached…. there’s nothing like fairness and equity in their decision making
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