The City of Mississauga has been named one of Canada's top 100 "Best Employers for New Canadians" in a fifth annual national survey. Mississauga was one of just two municipaliies across the nation to make the list. The other was the Region of Halton. The list, which identifies the best employers for recent immigrants, is a joint initiative of two charitable foundations: The Maytree Foundation and The J.W. McConnell Family Foundation. "These employers offer interesting programs to assist new Canadians in making the transition to a new workplace — and a new life in Canada," said the sponsors. The list was published in this week a special supplement ofThe Globe & Mail. The City of Mississauga was cited for "addressing the practical challenges that new Canadians face when seeking employment." Through the Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council (TRIEC) Mentoring Partnership, City of Mississauga employees connect with skilled immigrants to provide them with career support and guidance. The City also hires interns through Career Bridge, an internship program for internationally qualified professionals. More than half of those interns have gone on to secure permanent jobs with the City. Mississauga also helps internationally-trained engineers develop their English skills through a program sponsored by ACCES Employment. "We are so pleased that our partnerships ... have been recognized in this way," said City Manager Janice Baker. "Mississauga has benefited from the arrival of thousands of immigrants, and today, almost 50 per cent of our citizens were born in another country. We are working to do our part to give new Canadians relevant work experience and the best possible start in their adopted country." Also on the best employers list was Xerox Corp., which has a major research facility in the Sheridan Technology and Science Park. It was also recognized for participating in the TRIEC mentoring partnership and the Career Bridge programs, for including new Canadians on its interview teams and for working directly with the Dixie-Bloor Neighbourhood Centre to connect with new Canadians who are seeking jobs. jstewart@mississauga.net
Partnership with ACCES Employment to roll out a national Speed Mentoring program: Example of important initiatives that enhance employment and career opportunities for immigrants.
TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - March 28, 2011) - BMO Financial Group has been named one of Canada's Best Employers for New Canadians by Mediacorp Inc.
"This award is a reflection of BMO's longstanding commitment to fostering diversity, equity and inclusion in our workforce, and to creating a work environment in which all employees can truly reach their full career potential," said Sonya Kunkel, Director, Diversity and Inclusion, BMO Financial Group.
"Skilled newcomers bring vast knowledge, experience, creativity, and innovation to the Canadian workforce and it is incumbent upon every employer to do everything they can to open their doors to this talented pool of skilled professionals," she added.
Judges took particular note of the seminal work BMO has undertaken with ACCES Employment to introduce a nationwide Speed Mentoring program. The program gives newcomers opportunities to network with established professionals in their fields of expertise. BMO is the exclusive industry sponsor.
Already, more than 1,900 immigrants have benefitted from contacts established through Speed Mentoring sessions. Overall, ACCES has an 80 per cent success rate in helping new Canadians enter the workforce.
"Our first year of Speed Mentoring in partnership with BMO Financial Group has been extremely successful," said Allison Pond, Executive Director, ACCES Employment. "Together, we are helping new Canadians meet professionals and expand their networks. These connections are vital in helping newcomers successfully integrate into their fields. The tremendous response from both mentors and mentees provides us with the opportunity to share Speed Mentoring, with organizations doing similar work across the country, so that more new Canadians can benefit from Speed Mentoring and accelerate their success."
"We do this not just because it is the right thing to do for the bank and for our customers, but because it is also the right thing to do for our communities," said Ms Kunkel. NOTE: UPCOMING SPEED MENTORING EVENT
BMO is holding its next Speed Mentoring event at the bank's new Customer Contact Centre in Mississauga, Ontario on April 15, 2011, between 2:00-4:00 pm. The event will pair mentees interested in call centre careers with BMO mentors working at the bank's new contact centre. Media are welcome to attend:
At 15, Tina Tehranchian graduated from high school and left her native Iran to study at an American university. After receiving a BA in political science and commerce and a masters in communications, she and her new husband returned to Iran. When their son was born, the couple decided to relocate again, to Canada, to build their son’s future.
The 1990 recession was a difficult time to find a job in communications, and even more so for a new immigrant. Tehranchian wasn’t familiar with any employment agencies and “all I kept hearing the same old excuse all the time, ‘You need Canadian experience’ — even though I had U.S. experience.
“But it didn’t seem to count for much.”
To make ends meet, she snagged a job in the financial industry and hoped for the best. “It suited my personality,” she said. She retrained as a Certified Financial Planner and a Chartered Financial Consultant and started building her new career.
About 10 years ago, Tehranchian began volunteering with Family Service Association of Metro Toronto, which was examining employment issues in the Iranian community.
She was thrilled to learn about the many employment agencies helping new immigrants learn the ropes in Canada.
Soon after the Iranian-Canadian Network for Employment and Entrepreneurship Mentoring (ICN) was born, uniting newly-arrived Iranians with Iranian-Canadian business owners and professionals to provide mentoring and help them secure employment.
“One of the biggest challenges immigrants face is how to translate their experiences and their education from back home to the realities of the job market in Canada, and that’s why having a mentor who’s got the exact same background as themselves can be a big help,” says Tehranchian. “It takes all of the cultural differences into account.”
Today, Tehranchian is a branch manager and financial advisor at Assante Capital Management Ltd. in Toronto.
She also sits on the advisory committee for the Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council’s Professional Immigrant Network (PIN), a collection of volunteer-run groups for internationally-educated and experienced professionals. Tehranchian is PIN’s co-chair.
The 70 groups collectively represent more than 25,000 people, and host lectures, workshops and social events throughout the year to help immigrants network with their peers, find jobs in their area of expertise, and give back to the community.
Elizabeth MacIsaac, TRIEC’s executive director, says one of the obstacles new Canadians struggle with is leaving behind their professional connection, and that’s why it’s critical they build a new one quickly.
TRIEC reaches out to immigrants through community agencies, she says.
Yet few immigrants avail themselves of those services when they arrive.
They connect first with professional colleagues who share their culture, history and experiences. It’s about familiarity and trust, says MacIsaac.
This is why TRIEC united all of the groups under the Professional Immigrant Network banner recently.
“Just as one group might be doing mentoring, another might be linking to affinity groups at big corporations,” says MacIsaac. “Another might be holding regular networking and information sessions.
MacIsaac says companies have expressed interest in tapping into the groups to recruit employees.
Paula Calderon, president of the Canadian Colombian Professionals Association, came to Canada from Bogota in 2001. She urges new immigrants to spend time researching opportunities and programs outside their own communities, too. She mentions TRIEC’s “networking-beyond-boundaries” event at the Toronto Board of Trade Mar. 31, which unites many Hispanic groups to network with human resource departments from top corporations.
“Nothing has the magic formula, but [researching] will definitely help them save time on how to do things and how to best approach employers,” says Calderon, client relations manager and applicant screener at Career Edge Organization.
“Doing the research on presentation and job search skills is definitely something that takes time. Being well prepared actually saves time in the search. The better prepared you are, the better you present yourself, and the easier it is to secure employment.”
Tehranchian recommends prospective new Canadians start their research well before arriving.
“Do as much homework as possible to find the community groups, to find the service agencies and the programs that you could benefit from, because there are so many free programs available!” she says.
“Try to leverage your contacts and build a network as soon as you get to Canada!”
A new website in 11 different languages is set to make it easier for expats in Canada to find the kind of information they need on community services when they arrive.
The In My Language site has been developed by the Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants (OCASI), which represents more than 200 settlement agencies in Ontario provides an electronic library of translated content which will assist newcomers in adapting to life in Canada.
‘The In my language website is an excellent resource for newcomers to Ontario. Newcomers now have a website where they can get the information they need in the language of their choice,’ said Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration, and Multiculturalism.
The Government has invested $1.4 million in the site which is regarded as one of the best in the world and much needed as expats often find it difficult to find out what services they are entitled to and language can be the first barrier.
‘This multilingual website will give newcomers to Ontario a head start on accessing information on housing, health care, legal advice, schooling, community services and language training across the province,’ said MP Paul Calandra.
The website has content in English, French, Chinese, Punjabi, Urdu, Spanish, Tagalog, Arabic, Gujarati, Tamil and Russian.
‘Helping newcomers get settled is vital. Settlement information needs to be accessible, and this initiative is a significant step in fulfilling that aim,’ said MP Bob Dechert.
Besides immigrants, other users of the website include community organizations, school boards, police services, and the healthcare industry.
Key sections include how to look for a job, different types of housing available, the different stages of schooling, immunisation for children, paying taxes, getting a driving licence and private health insurance.
Government funding of the new website was made possible through the Canada-Ontario Immigration Agreement (COIA), which was signed in 2005. Through this agreement, the Government of Canada is investing $428 million in Ontario for settlement services for immigrants.
Canada, 7th March: Jason Kenney, Canadian immigration minister has launched an educational and a fun Facebook and mobile application in a bid to attract new audiences.
The application takes tour of the ‘Discover Canada: The Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship’, the Canada immigration guide, and checks your knowledge regarding values, history, symbols and political institutes of Canada.
Learn through fun-Helpful for new immigrants to know facts about Canada--
This new online fun and educational tool was launched by Kenney on 3rd March, 2011.
This will prove to be of great help for new immigrants wanting to learn basic facts about Canada.
The initiative by Canada immigration minister has been aptly named ‘How Canadian are you, EH!’ It comprises of 122 queries which can be taken time and again as long as you wish to on your Android, iPhone or your Blackberry.
Every time you play this application, you will be asked 20 questions selected at random from a total of 122 questions.
You need to select one answer out of different answers provided for each question in the quiz. Speaking about the application, minister Kenney said that the application can be downloaded for taking the quiz and it can also be shared with your friends.
It’s a way to find how Canadian any person living in Canada is, added Kenney. Basically, this new tool is targeted to provide basic facts about Canada’s past and its politics to students currently enrolled between grade five till grade 12, yet, it is beneficial for many.
Everyone can gain from CIC guide--
It’s not just for newcomers in Canada, even if you are an immigrant living in Canada for quite some time but don’t have thorough knowledge about your new nation, then this new online tool is appropriate for you as well.
The application draws its material from ‘Discover Canada: The Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship’, the Canada citizenship study guide.
Its part of the ongoing initiative named “A Fun Path to Learning”, an online tool launched by Canada immigration department-CIC (Citizenship and Immigration Canada) way back in April last year. It can be found easily within Facebook, in Android marketplace, in Blackberry app and even at the app store of iTunes.
Image via WikipediaCHANDIGARH: People who do not possess university degrees or have not cleared language proficiency tests but have the skills in required trades will now find seeking immigration to Canada a little easier, an immigration consultant said Friday.
B.S. Sandhu, chairman and managing director of the World Wide Immigration Consultancy Services (WWICS) group, said that as per the new proposed immigrant selection system, the newcomers whose skills are in demand in Canada will be allowed to enter the country.
"They may not have university degrees or language proficiency. The new changes would accommodate skilled workers who do not have university degrees and are not equipped with full language proficiency to qualify under the federal skilled programme.
"By this way, more potential workers would reach Canada and this is a step in the right direction," said Sandhu, who heads one of the biggest immigration consultancies in the country.
The Canadian government has indicated the "points grid" system for immigrant selection is likely to be changed to accommodate skilled workers required in the country.
Sandhu said that Canadian Immigration Minister Jason Kenney had recently said that last year (2010), Canada touched record figures in admitting the highest number of immigrants.
"Permanent Residency (PR) figures in Canada have touched an all-time high since the last 57 years. Immigrants to the tune of 280,600 attained Permanent Residency and this figure is the highest in the country since the last 57 years," Kenney had said.
The Canadian minister had called for more flexiblity in the immigration rules, saying that "the skilled trades people who don't have university degrees or who have very limited English or French language proficiency typically cannot make it through the points grid, but we have a huge and growing need for such skilled trades people".
Sandhu said that the main criteria that is being considered include requiring a minimum level of language proficiency, making the programme more accessible to skilled trades people and redirecting points from work experience to other factors.
While laying emphasis on allowing younger skilled workers to immigrate, the proposed changes aim at selecting people who are most likely to succeed once they reach Canada.
According to a recent research, labour shortages prevalent in the food and beverage industry in the mid 2000s will once again emerge as the Canadian economy continues to recover.
Staff writer CanadianImmigrant.ca
The Canadian Tourism Human Resource Council (CTHRC) recently published a compendium of “best practices” used in recruiting and retaining new Canadians as one potential solution to difficulty finding employees.
According to a recent research, labour shortages prevalent in the food and beverage industry in the mid 2000s will once again emerge as the Canadian economy continues to recover. Projected shortages in the Food and Beverage industry could reach more than 142, 000 year-around jobs by 2025, the study indicates. Lessons learned during the previous labour shortages will be a valuable tool to Canadian businesses as new shortages emerge.
A&W Food Services of Canada Inc. has already begun acting, learning from those lessons, thanks to a meeting organized by the Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association (CRFA.) It was in the fall of 2007, during the height of the national labour shortage. At the meeting where stakeholders and the government congregated, workforce solutions were explored. Instead of targeting temporary foreign workers from overseas, restaurants were encouraged to consider the large pool of immigrants already in Canada.
Thus the opportunity emerged to work with immigrant teens already in Canada with their families and A&W restaurants in Manitoba quickly acted upon it. It started working with a local immigrant and refugee agency to address labour shortages.
While the restaurant chain has found a solution for its workforce shortage, the teen immigrants take pride in starting their Canadian careers as well as help their families make ends meet.
The idea really took off when Newcomers Employment Education and Development Services (N.E.E.D.S.) Inc. — a local nonprofit agency that offers services to immigrant and refugee youth — created a training program in hospitality industry that would offer newcomers to Canada an opportunity to acquire essential workplace skills.
It seemed like a natural partnership that would benefit both sides: A&W commits resources and employment opportunities, while N.E.E.D.S. Inc. manages the pre-employment training and placement process. “We realize that for most of our employees, working at A&W is not a career,” admits Dean, Fuller Restaurant Franchisee responsible for four restaurants in Winnipeg. “But our young immigrant employees take full advantage of how much they learn about Canadian customer service and work culture while in our employment.“
“This employment program has had a dramatic positive effect on the families and communities that have participated,” states Robyn Andrews, N.E.E.D.S. Inc. Employment Program Coordinator. “Immigrant-serving agencies are always looking to identify employers where there is an awareness that internationally trained workers (ITWs) make a significant contribution to the labour market. Getting involved in a work training program allows your company to be more competitive in hiring and retaining ITWs.”
Image via WikipediaBy David Cohen Canada Immigration Expert
This guide is aimed to help you understand the process in place for you to live and work in Canada.
There are two main paths to Canada. One way is to obtain a permanent residence visa. The other way is to come to Canada on a temporary work permit.
What does it mean to be a Canadian Permanent Resident? Once you are issued a Canada Immigration Visa for permanent residency, you have most of the same rights and obligations as Canadian citizens. As the name suggests, you may hold this status indefinitely, so long as you accumulate 2 years of residency days in each 5 year period. After 3 years of Canadian residency, you may apply for Canadian citizenship. Canada recognizes dual citizenships, so you do not have to give up your current passport.
There are a few differences in practice between permanent residency and citizenship in Canada. The first is that as a permanent resident you may not vote in elections. The second is that while citizenship is a right that may not be taken away, as a permanent resident you may be deported if you commit a serious crime.
There are 6 main categories of Canadian Immigration. The categories are Federal Skilled Worker, Quebec Skilled Worker,Provincial Nominee Program, Family Sponsorship,Business Immigrant and Canadian Experience Class. Each category caters to a slightly different group of immigrants, and comes with its own set of requirements. You can also come to Canada under the Asylum category or the Temporary Foreign Worker Program. Read below to find out about which category applies to you.
The requirements of the skilled worker category are intended to assess applicants, who are likely to become economically established in Canada after arrival.
To be eligible, applicants must either:
Have at least one year of continuous full-time or equivalent paid work experience in the past 10 years in one of the 38 qualifying occupations; or
Have been living in Canada with legal status as a Temporary Foreign Worker or an international student for at least one year; or
Qualify for Arranged Employment with a full-time permanent job offer from a Canadian employer.
In addition to that, there are three other characteristics an individual must possess in order to be eligible to immigrate under the skilled worker category. The first is a minimum level of work experience. A skilled worker must have at least one year of continuous full-time employment (or the equivalent in part-time). This work experience must be of a skilled nature, satisfying either Skill Type 0 or Skill Level A or B in Canada’s National Occupation Classification (NOC) system. This work experience must have come within the 10 year period prior to applying.
The second element of the skilled worker category is one of financial resources. This is a straightforward requirement – an applicant must demonstrate that they have sufficient financial resources to support themselves and their dependents for 6 months after arrival in Canada. If you have an approved job offer, this requirement is waived.
The third element of the skilled worker category is a points-based assessment. Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) uses a points-based system to measure an applicant’s potential for establishing themselves in Canada. Applicants are awarded points based on six different selection factors. An individual must reach 67 points on this assessment to qualify for immigration to Canada. A satisfactory score on this evaluation does not however guarantee approval, as Canadian Immigration Visa Officers may use their discretion to approve or refuse an application based on a substituted evaluation.
The selection factors that make up the assessment are:
Education (maximum 25 points)
Ranges from 5 points for completing high school to 25 points for completing a master’s or Ph.D.
The system also gives credit for trade certificates or apprenticeship programs.
Language Skills (maximum 24 points)
Canada uses both English and French as official languages, and you may receive credit for proficiency in either one, or both.
Marks are awarded separately for abilities to listen, speak, read, and write each official language.
Experience (maximum 21 points)
Full points for four or more years of experience at an appropriate level.
Age (maximum 10 points)
Full points for being between the ages of 21-49.
Arranged Employment (maximum 10 points)
If you hold a permanent job offer from a Canadian employer, or are applying from within Canada and hold a temporary work permit you may receive credit for your Canadian employment.
Adaptability (maximum 10 points)
This category brings in a number of factors related to an applicant’s ability to adapt to living in Canada, including previous experience working or studying in Canada, or having family in Canada.
Altogether these three elements, along with other requirements such as security clearances and medical examinations, make up the bulk of the requirements to come to Canada under the Skilled Worker category. If you are applying to live or work in Montreal, or elsewhere in Quebec however, you must meet the selection criteria of the Province of Quebec, outlined below.
According to an agreement between the Province of Quebec and the Government of Canada, the Province of Quebec has its own selection process for the skilled worker category of immigration. If you intend to live in Quebec upon arrival in Canada you will be assessed based on the Quebec Selection criteria and not the evaluation used by CIC. The application process for immigration to Quebec uses a similar points-based system but with slightly different criteria.
Like the federal system, Quebec uses a points-based system to assess potential immigrants. To qualify for a Quebec Selection Certificate, single applicants must score at least 60 points from the ten selection criteria, while an applicant with a spouse or common-law partner must score a minimum of 68 points.
The selection factors for immigration to Quebec as a skilled worker are:
Training (maximum 29 points):
Points are awarded separately for both education and job-related training.
Additional points are awarded for having more than one area of specialty.
Validated Employment Offer (maximum 10 points)
Points are awarded for having a job offer from an employer in Quebec, with greater points awarded for a job outside of the area of Montreal.
Experience (maximum 9 points)
Full points are awarded for four or more years of experience at the appropriate skill level according to the NOC.
Age (maximum 18 points)
Full points are awarded for being between the ages of 18-35.
Language Proficiency (maximum 22 points)
French is the official language of the Province of Quebec. The Quebec selection criteria place value on oral language abilities rather than written comprehension. Up to 16 points are available for oral interaction in French, with an additional 6 available for oral interaction in English.
Stay and Family in Quebec (maximum 9 points)
Having previously spent time living, working, or studying in Quebec, as well as having family in the province will help a prospective immigrant establish themselves more easily. Points are awarded for both of these areas.
Spouse’s Characteristics (maximum 18 points)
If an applicant is accompanied by a spouse or common-law partner, points may be awarded for the spouse’s education, training, work experience, age and language.
Children (maximum 8 points)
Up to the maximum, 4 points are awarded for each child under 12 years of age, and 2 points for each child between 13 and 21.
Financial Self-Sufficiency (1 point)
One point is awarded for having sufficient funds for financial self-sufficiency upon arrival. However without satisfying this requirement the application is automatically refused.
Adaptability (maximum 8 points)
This category uses an overall assessment of the applicant’s ability to adapt to life in Quebec.
Satisfying these requirements will lead to the issue of a Quebec Selection Certificate, which is recognized by CIC for immigration to Quebec. The applicant must still pass a security clearance and medical examination.
One way to speed up the process of immigration to Canada is through the Provincial Nomination Program (PNP). The PNP consists of partnerships between the Government of Canada and provincial governments to select individuals who wish to immigrate to Canada and settle in that particular province. Most provinces in Canada have agreements in place to participate in this program. Under the terms of these agreements, provinces may nominate applicants who are in occupations in high demand, or who will otherwise make important contributions to the province.
To immigrate to Canada under the PNP, an individual must first apply for a Provincial Nomination Certificate to the provincial government where they would like to reside. Each province has different requirements based on their particular needs. To learn more about each province’s requirements, click here. After receiving the Provincial Nomination Certificate, an individual then must apply for a Canadian Permanent Resident Visa. Provincial nominees receive priority processing for their permanent residency applications.
The following provinces currently participate in the Provincial Nomination Program:
Alberta
British Columbia
Manitoba
New Brunswick
Newfoundland and Labrador
Nova Scotia
Ontario
Prince Edward Island
Saskatchewan
Yukon
Provincial nominees are not assessed on the six selection criteria of the Federal Skilled Worker Program.
Family Class Sponsorship
The Family Class Sponsorship program allows Canadian citizens or permanent residents who are at least 18 years of age to sponsor close family members, who wish to immigrate to Canada. To sponsor a relative for Family Class immigration to Canada, a Canadian citizen or permanent resident must sign a contract promising to support the family member who wishes to immigrate for a period of three to ten years after their arrival. The length of the agreement depends on the age of the family member being sponsored, and the nature of the relationship. To apply for Family Class immigration, the sponsored relative must also sign a contract promising to make every effort to be self-sufficient.
To be eligible to sponsor a relative, a Canadian citizen or permanent resident must demonstrate financial ability to provide for the essential needs of the sponsored relative, should that be necessary. As a general rule, the sponsor must also be physically residing in Canada in order to sponsor. An exception is made for Canadian citizens, who wish to sponsor a spouse, common-law partner or children if the sponsor can demonstrate an intention to reside in Canada by the time the sponsored relative lands in Canada.
Family members eligible for sponsorship are:
Spouses or common-law partners.
Parents or grandparents.
Dependent children (must be under 22 years of age unless substantially dependent for financial support because they are a full-time student, or because of disability).
Children under 18 whom you plan to adopt Orphaned brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews whom are under 18 and unmarried.
A relative of any age if you do not have any of the family members listed above.
The Province of Quebec, according to its agreement with the Government of Canada on immigration, has a role in determining the eligibility of sponsorship applicants for residents of Quebec. This role however takes effect only after CIC has completed its initial assessment of the sponsorship application.
The Business Immigration Program is designed to seek out individuals who are in a position to contribute to Canada’s economic development through their investment and managerial skills. Individuals who apply under this category have financial resources that will strengthen the Canadian economy and help create more jobs. Individuals with business experience and relatively high net worth may apply under one of three categories of the Business Immigration Program. Each of these categories targets a different contribution to the Canadian economy, and has its own requirements.
Immigrant Investor Program: This program seeks to attract experienced businesspeople willing to make substantial investments in the Canadian economy. Applicants under this program must establish a net worth of at least CAD$1600,000, and demonstrate that this wealth was legally obtained. In addition, Immigrant Investors must make an investment of CAD$800,000, which the government of Canada will return to them at the end of five years, with no interest. To qualify as an Immigrant Investor the applicant must also have managed a qualifying business, as defined by Canadian Immigration authorities. Applicants destined to province of Quebec may qualify under a similar Investor Program administered by that province.
Entrepreneur Program: The Entrepreneur Program is geared towards business immigrants who plan to have a hands-on role in their contributions to the Canadian economy. The net worth requirements for the Entrepreneur Program are lower than for Immigrant Investors (CAD$300,000 rather than CAD$800,000). Applicants under this category of the Business Immigrant Program must commit to both managing and owning at least one third of a Canadian business, which will create or maintain employment, within three years of landing in Canada. Applicants destined to province of Quebec may qualify under a similar Entrepreneur Program administered by that province.
Self-Employed Persons Program: The Self-Employed Persons Program is in place for individuals with relevant experience and skills in business, culture, athletics or farming who are able willing to support themselves and their dependents through self-employed income. To apply under this program an individual may need to demonstrate experience, net worth and/or artistic qualifications depending on the criteria under which they are applying. Applicants destined to province of Quebec may qualify under a Self-Employed Program administered by that province.
Canadian Experience Class The Canadian Experience Class caters specifically to Temporary foreign workers and international students who wish to become Canadian Permanent Residents. Having obtained a Canadian education and/or Canadian work experience, these individuals have already settled into Canadian society and have established important networks in their communities and their careers.
The Canadian Experience Class requirements are based on a pass or fail model. There are separate minimum requirements for the two types of applicants:
International Graduates with Canadian Work Experience
Applicants must have:
Successfully completed a program of study of at least two academic years at a Canadian post-secondary educational institution;
Obtained at least one year of skilled, professional or technical work experience within 24 months of the application date; and
Moderate or basic language skills, depending on the skill level of their occupation.
Temporary Foreign Workers
Applicants must have:
Obtained at least two years of skilled, professional or technical work experience within 36 months of the application date; and
Moderate or basic language skills, depending on the skill level of their occupation.
An applicant who has met the minimum requirements and is still in Canada on either a Post-Graduate Work Permit or a Temporary Work Permit may apply from within Canada. For individuals no longer in Canada, the applications must be submitted within one year of leaving their job in Canada.
Asylum
As a world leader and champion of human rights issues, Canada also recognizes a responsibility to grant asylum to refugees who face danger, persecution and violations of their human rights in their country of nationality or habitual residence. Canada’s refugee system offers protection to thousands of such individuals each year. Refugees may be government-assisted or may be privately sponsored by individuals or organizations in Canada.
There are two main components to this program:
Refugee and Humanitarian Resettlement Program: This program is aimed at refugees currently outside of Canada who seek resettlement. CIC selects refugees seeking resettlement, determining first if they may be safe to remain where they are currently located or to return to their country of nationality. Selection depends heavily on recommendations from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, but also requires security and medical screening.
Asylum in Canada: This program offers protection to individuals currently in Canada who fear returning to their home country. These cases are assessed by Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Board.
For individuals who wish to come work in Canada, they may apply for a temporary work permit through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program. As a general rule these work permits require a valid job offer from a Canadian employer, though there are exceptions. In most cases it is possible to extend work permits from within Canada, but some work permits have a maximum duration.
In many cases work permits require that the employer obtain Labour Market Opinion from Human Resources and Social Development Canada which confirms that the employment will not adversely affect Canadian workers. There are a number of exemptions to this rule.
Spouses and common-law partners of individuals who hold a Canadian work permit may accompany the work permit holder to Canada. In many cases spouses are eligible to apply for an open work permit, which allows the holder to work for any employer in Canada.
Canadian citizens as well as permanent residents are eligible to sponsor most family members who wish to start the immigration process to Canada.
While the regulations governing family immigration to Canada are more lenient than the regulations surrounding family-based green cards in the United States, there are still plenty of rules to keep in mind before you start filling out legal forms.
Family members who are eligible to be sponsored include:
Spouses
Common-law or same-sex partners 16 years of age or older
Parents
Grandparents
Dependent children under the age of 22, including children to be adopted, if they are not married or in a common-law relationship
Children over the age of 22 if they are full-time students at accredited institutions of higher learning or if they are mentally or physically challenged
Orphaned relatives, including brothers, sisters, nephews and nieces
Family members who wish to be immigration sponsors must reside in Canada and have valid legal status as a citizen or permanent resident. Canadian permanent residents who are eligible to become immigration sponsors typically include students and workers.
Sponsors typically reside in Canada, while the family member being sponsored for the immigration process lives in his or her home country. Only spouses or common-law partners of Canadian citizens or permanent residents can apply from within Canada.
If you are living in Canada with your spouse or partner and wish to begin the family immigration process, your partner faces some stricter rules governing whether or not he or she can be a sponsor. He or she must:
Have valid legal status in Canada as a visitor, student or temporary worker
Have lived with you for at least one year
Be living with you in Canada
Have a valid passport or travel document
Be 16 years of age or older
Be your bona fide spouse or common law partner for genuine reasons (not just for the purpose of receiving permanent residence in Canada)
Additional Family Sponsorship Requirements
Sponsors must make a pledge to the Canadian government that they will support their family members for at least three years so that they can establish themselves in Canada. Dependent children must be supported for 10 years or until they turn 25. This is similar to the United States’ I-864 Affidavit of Support that is required for family green card cases.
To be a sponsor, you must meet an income requirement. Like the US, the Canadian government does not want to be responsible for public charges — people who require government assistance. Medical documents must be obtained and included in the application, especially where adopted children are concerned.
If in the past you have sponsored a family member, and that relative is currently receiving money or other assistance from the government of Canada, you may not be eligible to sponsor another person.
What Is the Family Immigration Process?
One of the first things to do is download and read a guide to assist you in applying. Legal Language has the following three guides available:
Image by SEDACMaps via FlickrOTTAWA — Canada’s population in the third quarter of 2010 was driven forward by the highest immigration rates seen in four decades, Statistics Canada reported.
Canada’s population was estimated at 34,238,000 as of Oct. 1 — an increase of 129,300 since July. The federal agency said 65 per cent of that growth came from new Canadians during the three-month period, as 84,200 immigrants arrived in the country, reported Postmedia news service.
The influx reached most provinces and territories, some of which had their highest quarterly immigration levels since 1971. Prince Edward Island recorded the highest growth rate, with its population increasing by 0.7 per cent. The increase was largely driven by the 1,200 immigrants who arrived in the province, Statistics Canada said, the highest number since 1971.
Quebec, too, welcomed its highest number of immigrants in the last four decades, with 16,800 people arriving from other countries during the quarter. Manitoba also surpassed records set in 1971, with 4,700 new Canadians arriving in that province.
While not breaking a record, immigrants made up 70 per cent of Ontario’s new arrivals during the period.
Alberta was the only province that had third-quarter growth driven by a “natural increase,” which made up 60 per cent of the growth. Newfoundland and Labrador, on the other hand, actually faced a population decline in the third quarter, losing about 500 residents.
Growth driven by immigration is a trend the federal government said it expects to continue — at least through the end of 2010.
“In 2010, we should be landing the largest number of permanent residents in 50 years,” said Kelli Fraser, a spokeswoman for Citizenship and Immigration Canada.
Canada expects to welcome between 240,000 and 265,000 newcomers by the end of this year.
Fraser said that number is driven largely by a June announcement that Canada would open its doors to more immigrants, especially those in the economic category.
“The reason the announcement was made was because the post-recession economy is now demanding a high level of legal immigration to keep the workforce strong,” she said, adding that there also has been a high number of family reunification immigrants and refugees.
To date, the department said it has already made more decisions, issued more visas and admitted more people to Canada over last year.
It expects the numbers to stabilize at 2010 levels in 2011.
Toronto, Dec 8 (IANS) 'Ghost' immigration consultants in India, who dupe people desperate to migrate to Canada, will be put out of business with the passing of new legislation by the Canadian parliament.
Canadian Immigration Minister Jason Kenney said the legislation to crack down on crooked immigration consultants has received final approval Tuesday in the House of Commons.
The new Act will crack down on crooked immigration consultants who undermine the integrity of Canada's immigration system, the minister said.
'In their quest for personal gain, crooked consultants have displayed a wanton disregard for our immigration rules and bilked too many people out of their hard-earned dollars,' said Kenney.
'They are a menace, posing a costly threat not only to their victims, but also to the integrity and fairness of our immigration system. When crooked consultants encourage prospective immigrants to cheat the system, it slows down the immigration system for those following the rules,' the minister said.
The new Act makes immigration services provided by any unauthorised immigration agent illegal.
'This includes services offered or performed before an application is submitted or a proceeding begins, thus closing a loophole in the current framework. It would also give the minister the authority to designate a body to govern immigration consultants and authorize the Governor in Council to make regulations to enhance the government's oversight of this body.'
According to Canadian authorities, India-based 'ghost' immigration consultants -- who operate in collusion with their Canada-based fraud partners -- pose a major challenge to this country's immigration system.
Operating out of the purview of law, these 'ghost' immigration consultant cheat thousands of prospective immigrants each year, defrauding them up to $30,000 each.
Such operators are rampant, especially in Punjab, as migrant families from that state in Canada want to bring their relatives here by hook or by crook.
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