Archives for July 2005

For Canadians, the beginning of July is marked by our national holiday: Canada Day. Across the country people spend July 1st relaxing, celebrating, and being with family and friends.

Some 1500 permanent residents, who had made Canada their home over the past few years, proudly joined in the celebration with ceremonies of their own. Citizenship ceremonies were arranged across the country to welcome hundreds of new Canadians and to provide an opportunity for everyone to celebrate Canada together. Canadians mark July 1 each year as the day the country was formed. In the years to come, many people will also be marking July 1, 2005 as the day they officially became Canadian citizens.

Manitoba is one of Canada’s central provinces, with a high standard of living and pride in its cultural diversity. Less known to new immigrants than British Columbia and Ontario, Manitoba has taken a pro-active approach to attracting Skilled Worker immigrants with its Provincial Nominee Program.

In the past Manitoba has targeted skilled persons in particular occupations and trades. Beginning this July, the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program is open to all immigrants that would be employable in Manitoba and meet the requirements of an assessment stream, regardless of their occupation.

Manitoba offers six different streams through which Nominees can qualify. The streams are: Employer Direct, International Students, Family Support, Community Support, Strategic Recruitment, and General. This flexible approach allows candidates from all backgrounds and experience to be welcomed by the province. Generally, some social or employment ties to the province are necessary.

In 2004, approximately 7400 new immigrants made Manitoba their home. Of these, over 4000 were Provincial Nominees. In same year, Manitoba Nominees represented close to two thirds of all Nominees issued permanent resident visas by Canada. It is one of the strongest programs of its kind in the country. Nominees that are selected by Manitoba are thoroughly supported by the Province, both during the application process and after they arrive in Canada.

Improving languages skills is not only a way that Skilled Workers can earn more points in their permanent residency application; it is an important way to increase your employability and to integrating into your new community in Canada.

New Permanent Residents will find that the Government of Canada and provincial governments support a variety of language classes for newcomers.

Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada is one program offered to all new immigrants. The program is designed to help people build stronger language skills in either French or English. Basic classes are offered free of charge in many locations across the country. Other levels of instruction are available through colleges, high schools, community organizations, and privately.

Parents often find that their children quickly pick up English or French at school. Improving the language abilities of everyone in the family will help you communicate and support one another during this phase of your new lives. Seek out language programs in your new community to find help suitable to your needs.

Question: I am in Canada visiting family. Now that I’m here, I would like to stay and work. My Aunt can get me a job at her office. Do I need a work visa first?

Answer: Before you can begin working at any job in Canada, you need to determine if you require a work permit. In general, only Canadians and Permanent Residents can work in Canada without a work permit. The Canadian government considers work to be an activity for which compensation, wages or another form, are paid. Also, if the activity is something for which a Canadian would normally be paid or from which they would gain job experience, then it is probably work.

Unfortunately, while you can continue to visit your family in Canada until the end of your allowed time, you will not be allowed to work without a work permit. Even if you are willing to take the position without pay, it is probably a job that Canadians consider work and would expect to be paid for. The Canadian Government expects that employment opportunities will be made available to Canadians and permanent residents first.

Now that you know you need to get a work permit, you will need to find out if you can qualify for one. To find out more about who can qualify for work permits, and how, visit www.CanadaWorkVisa.ca.