The BC PNP's Skilled Immigration Programs in 2016

English: Mount Robson, Mount Robson Provincial Park, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

On January 27, 2016, the British Columbia Provincial Nomination Program ("BC PNP") re-opened its Skills Immigration and Express Entry BC programs, and introduced the Skills Immigration Registration System.  

The Skills Immigration Registration System is an expression of interest system to manage BC PNP Skills Immigration application intake.  It is similar to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada's (“IRCC”, previously “CIC”) Express Entry system, as only registrants who are invited by the BC PNP to submit full nomination applications can actually apply for nomination certificates.  Simply meeting program requirements does not guarantee an Invitation to Apply for nomination.   

The BC PNP determined that an application intake management system would be necessary in 2016 as the BC PNP had to frequently suspend intake to its programs in 2015.  On March 31, 2015, the BC PNP announced a 90-day pause on intake to its Skills Immigration programs. On July 2, 2015, the BC PNP re-opened its Skills Immigration program to limited intake, and the programs were full within 36 hours.  On September 1, 2015, the BC PNP suspended intake to its Express Entry BC programs, and, with the limited exception of a 50 spot opening in November, the BC PNP has not accepted applications to its programs since. 

While the Skills Immigration Registration System is designed to prevent similar program closures in 2016, it does mean that many individuals who qualify for BC PNP Skills Immigration and Express Entry BC programs will be unable to apply this year.

The Skills Immigration Registration System is open, and is now accepting registrants. Potential applicants must qualify for a BC PNP Skills Immigration program, or an Express Entry BC program, at both the time of registration and application.

Skills Immigration and Express Entry BC

The BC PNP Skills Immigration stream contains the following programs:

• Skilled Workers
• Health Care Professionals
• International Graduates
• International Post-Graduates
• Entry Level and Semi-Skilled
• North East Pilot Project

While the detailed requirements of each program are beyond the scope of this newsletter, a brief summary of each program, including any significant changes from 2015, are as follows.

The Skilled Workers program is for individuals who have an offer of indeterminate, full-time employment with an eligible employer in British Columbia.  The position must be in an occupation classified under National Occupational Classification (“NOC”) Skill Level 0, A, or B. Applicants must have a minimum of two years of directly related full-time (or full-time equivalent) work experience in the occupation for which they are offered a job. 

The BC PNP is now defining “directly related work experience” as paid employment that is classified under the same NOC code as the British Columbia job offer.  Experience in a related occupation at a NOC Skill Level equal to or greater than the NOC code of the B.C. job offer may be considered “directly related” where there is a reasonable explanation, however, experience in a lower skill level NOC occupation will not be. It is important to note that this new definition of “directly related work experience” may negatively impact people who have been recently promoted.

The Health Care Professionals program is for individuals have an offer of indeterminate, full-time employment with a public health authority in an occupation that is an a prescribed list of occupations related to health care, including physicians, nurses, allied health professionals, and, in certain circumstances, midwives. Applicants must have a minimum of two years of directly related full-time (or full-time equivalent) work experience.

The International Graduates program is for recent graduates who have an offer of indeterminate, full-time employment with an eligible employer in British Columbia.  The position must be in an occupation classified under NOC Skill Level 0, A, or B.  Alternatively, if the position is in a NOC Skill Level C or D occupation, then the applicant’s employer must demonstrate that there is a structured career plan in place that will lead to a NOC Skill Level 0, A, or B position.  No previous employment experience is required; however, applicants must have a degree, diploma or certificate from an eligible post-secondary institution in Canada, and must apply to the BC PNP within two years of graduating.

The International Post-Graduates program is for recent graduates who have a masters or doctoral degree from an eligible program at a post-secondary institution in British Columbia.  The program must be in agriculture, biological and biomedical sciences, computer and information sciences and support services, engineering, engineering technology, health professions and related clinical sciences, mathematics and statistics, natural resources conversation and research, or physical sciences. No job offer is required; however, applicants must apply within two years of graduating. 

The Entry Level and Semi-Skilled ("ELSS") program is for individuals who been employed full-time by a B.C. employer in an eligible occupation for at least nine consecutive months immediately prior to applying to the BC PNP, and who have a full-time and indeterminate job offer in that occupation from the same employer who employed them during those 9 months. Eligible occupations are prescribed, and include those in tourism and hospitality, long-haul trucking, and food processing.  In addition to the nine months experience requirement, long-haul trucker drivers must also have at least two years of employment experience as a long-haul truck driver in the three year period before registering Skills Immigration Registration System.

The current occupations that are eligible for the ELSS program in the tourism and hospitality sector are:
 

NOC	Occupation
6525	Hotel Front Desk Clerks
6531	Tour and Travel Guides
6532	Outdoor Sport and Recreation Guides
6533	Casino Operators
6511	Maîtres d’hotel and Hosts/Hostesses
6512	Bartenders
6513	Food and Beverage Servers
6711	Food Counter Attendants, Kitchen Helpers
6731	Light Duty Cleaners at Hotels / Resorts
6732	Specialized Cleaners at Hotels / Resorts
6733	Janitors, Caretakers, and Building Superintendents employed by Hotels / Resorts
6721	Support Occupations in Accommodation, Travel, and Facilities Setup Services at Hotels / Resorts
6741	Dry Cleaning, Laundry, and Other Service Support Occupations at Hotels and Resorts

 
The Northeast Pilot Project is for individuals who have any full-time job offer in an NOC Skill Level C or D occupation, where that job is located in Northeast British Columbia.  This pilot project program will run until March 31, 2016, and may be extended.

The following are additional requirements that apply to all BC PNP Skills Immigration programs above that are based on a job offer:

• The job offer must contain a wage that is competitive with B.C. wage rates for that occupation.


• The job offer must establish an employee/employer relationship between the applicant and the employer. Independent contractor relationships are not accepted.


• If the job offer is for a job in a NOC Skill Level B, C, or D, position, then the applicant will have to complete a language test, and demonstrate English or French language proficiency at a Canadian Language Benchmark 4 level in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. As well, the BC PNP may, at its discretion, require an applicant with a job offer for a job in a NOC Skill Level 0 or A position to complete a language test if the BC PNP has concerns about an applicant’s language ability.


• The applicant cannot own more than 10% of the company that has offered the applicant employment.


• Where the applicant is not already working for the employer, then the employer will have to conduct two weeks of bona fide and reasonable recruitment.


• The employer must have operated in B.C. for at least one year prior to the registration being submitted, and two years for applicants in the ELSS program or the Northeast Pilot Project.


• If the employer is located in Metro Vancouver, then the employer must have five or more full-time (or full-time equivalent) and indeterminate employees. If the employer is located outside of Metro Vancouver, it must have at least three.


• Applicants must demonstrate that they meet the BC PNP's minimum income requirements. This minimum necessary income will depend on an applicant’s family size and area of residence in British Columbia. Applicants who are already working in British Columbia must demonstrate a history of having met the minimum necessary income requirement prior to registering. ELSS applicants must have met the minimum income requirement for the full duration of their 9 qualifying months of employment. A spouse’s income will only be considered  towards the minimum necessary income where the spouse has a valid work permit and is currently employed in British Columbia.


• The BC PNP will not approve applications where there are reasonable grounds to believe that an employer increased an employee’s wage for the purpose of meeting minimum income requirements, or for the purpose of obtaining a higher registration score.

The minimum income cutoff is:
 

Family Income Threshold by area of Residence
Size of Family	Metro Vancouver	Rest of B.C.
1	$21,895	$18,248
2	$27,257	$22,716
3	$33,510	$27,927
4	$40,685	$33,908
5	$46,145	$38,457
6	$52,043	$43,374
7	$57,943	$48,290

 
Finally, in all programs, applicants who are out of status and who have not applied for restoration of status will not be able to apply to the BC PNP.

Applicants who are in IRCC's Express Entry pool should know that the BC PNP also has the following categories.

• Express Entry BC - Skilled Workers
• Express Entry BC - Health Care Professionals
• Express Entry BC  - International Graduates
• Express Entry BC  - International Post-Graduates

The Express Entry BC program requirements are similar to their corresponding non-Express Entry program requirements, with the exception that applicants must be in IRCC’s Express Entry pool at the time of registration, and Express Entry BC - International Graduates program participants require a job offer in a NOC Skill Level 0, A, or B position.  In 2015 the advantage of applying to an Express Entry BC program rather than its corresponding non-Express Entry BC program was that the Express Entry BC programs had faster processing times.  The same will presumably be true in 2016. 

Source:  Larlee Rosenberg

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Link citizenship for immigrants to residence in Atlantic Canada: McKenna

Welcome to Bienvenue à Nova Scotia (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Atlantic Canada is in desperate need of economic and demographic revival, says one former New Brunswick premier, and the recent influx of refugees fleeing conflict in the Middle East presents a golden opportunity for the beleaguered region.

Frank McKenna knows that what he is proposing may raise a few eyebrows, and that there will be challenges to overcome, but the former provincial politician and ambassador to Washington is arguing for a new set of rules that require a certain number of refugees and immigrants to settle in the Atlantic provinces – and remain there for a set amount of time before receiving permanent residency status.

“You know, this is not a perfect idea,” McKenna told The West Block’s Tom Clark. “But if we don’t do that, we suffer a slow and lingering death.”

The population in the Atlantic region, on average, is about eight years older than that in Alberta, said McKenna, and health care costs have increased dramatically and exponentially as the population ages. Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, P.E.I. and Newfoundland and Labrador are desperate for young families and skilled workers.

“We’re closing rural schools. We’re closing rural hospitals. Our universities are desperate for students from outside the region. So we’re the canary in the coal mine for rural communities all across Canada.”

Asked about high unemployment in the region and a possible backlash from locals who will object to available jobs going to newcomers, McKenna acknowledged that’s a possible drawback. But new arrivals often create jobs as well, he noted, and they are accustomed to adapting to tough economic situations.

“They come from cultures where desperation is part of their everyday life. Quite frankly, we’ve gotten away from that to some extent in our region because we’re well supported with important programs, social programs, and we need new blood. We need new energy. We need a hint of that desperation from people who will help create other jobs.”

Source: http://globalnews.ca/news/2473981/link-citizenship-for-immigrants-to-residence-in-atlantic-canada-mckenna/

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Alberta to Begin Accepting new Applications for Immigration to Canada

English: A view from the south of the University Hospital complex on the north campus of the University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Canadian province of Alberta will soon reopen its doors to newcomers who wish to settle in one of Canada’s most beautiful and vibrant provinces. The Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP), one of Canada’s Provincial Nominee Programs, will begin accepting new applications from January 27, 2016.

Alberta has not been accepting new applications to the AINP since August 27, 2015.

The AINP is split into three streams: the Employer-Driven Stream, the Strategic Recruitment Stream, and the Self-Employed Farmer Stream. All streams of the AINP are ‘base’ streams, meaning that they are not aligned with the federal Express Entry system.

Potential applicants should note that, in addition to seeking skilled new immigrants, Alberta is also looking for applicants in certain semi-skilled occupations. Furthermore, while a job offer is required for a number of AINP categories, candidates with prior work experience in Alberta and who have a valid trade certificate in a Compulsory or Optional Trade, as well as those in certain engineering occupations, may be eligible to apply.

The AINP is also beneficial to individuals who have completed their studies in Canada.

The AINP Employer-Driven Stream

The Employer-Driven Stream aims to attract candidates with a permanent, full-time job offer from an employer in Alberta. The stream is divided into three categories:

Skilled Worker Category

This category is for candidates with a permanent, full-time job offer from an employer in Alberta in a skilled occupation (NOC skill level 0, A, or B).

International Graduate Category

This category is for candidates who have recently graduated from a Canadian post-secondary institution and have a permanent, full-time job offer from an employer in Alberta in a NOC skill level O, A, B, or C occupation. Note that this category is open to candidates with job offers in semi-skilled, as well as skilled, occupations.

Semi-Skilled Worker Category

This category is for candidates who have a permanent, full-time job offer from an employer in Alberta in a semi-skilled occupation (NOC C or D) that is eligible under the AINP.

The AINP Strategic Recruitment Stream

The Strategic Recruitment Stream allows Alberta to attract newcomers who may benefit the provincial labour market over the long term. The stream is divided into three categories:

Compulsory or Optional Trades Category

This category is for candidates who have a valid trade certificate in a Compulsory or Optional Trade in Alberta issued or recognized by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training (AIT).

Engineering Occupations Category

This category is for candidates who have credentials as an engineer, designer, or drafter and work experience in Alberta in an eligible engineering occupation, listed below:

• Engineering Managers (NOC 0211)
• Civil Engineers (2131)
• Mechanical Engineers (2132)
• Electrical and Electronics Engineers (2133)
• Chemical Engineers (2134)
• Industrial and Manufacturing Engineers (2141)
• Mining Engineers (2143)
• Geological Engineers (2144)
• Petroleum Engineers (2145)

Post-Graduate Worker Category

This category is for candidates who have graduated from a recognized post-secondary institution in Alberta, are currently working in Alberta in an eligible OCCUPATION, and have a valid Post-Graduation Work Permit.

The AINP Self-Employed Farmer Stream

Given that one of the major industries in Alberta is agriculture and that Alberta is traditionally a province that promotes small- and medium-sized business activity, it is only natural that the AINP also has a Self-Employed Farmer Stream. Candidates for this stream must prove prior farm management skills, invest a minimum of CDN $500,000 of equity in a primary production farming business in Alberta, and submit a proposed business plan.

Read more at http://www.cicnews.com/2016/01/alberta-accepting-applications-immigration-canada-017039.html#rztALxwC7dSCFpxE.99


Read more at http://www.cicnews.com/2016/01/alberta-accepting-applications-immigration-canada-017039.html#rztALxwC7dSCFpxE.99

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Canadian Immigration News: Prepare Now for Major New Entry Requirements Effective March 15, 2016

Photo of a sign in the Canada-United States border. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

On March 15, 2016, The Government of Canada will implement significant new entry requirements for those arriving by air. Currently, citizens of several countries require a Temporary Resident Visa (“TRV”) to enter Canada and can apply for the TRV through a Canadian Consulate, while citizens of visa-exempt countries may arrive at a Canadian border or airport without first applying for the TRV. Beginning March 15, 2016, most travelers, even from some visa-exempt countries, flying into or transiting through Canada will require an Electronic Travel Authorization (“eTA”) prior to boarding a flight to Canada. Travelers of all ages will require an eTA when they fly into Canada, including young children.

Who Will NOT Require an eTA to Enter Canada?

• U.S. citizens
• Travelers with a valid TRV
• Canadian Permanent Residents
• Travelers entering Canada by land or by sea

Who Will Require an eTA to Enter Canada?

• U.S. lawful permanent residents (“green card holders”) entering by air
• Canadian work permit holders traveling by air 
• Visitors to Canada traveling by air 

A comprehensive list of countries and territories whose citizens require an eTA to travel to Canada by air can be found at http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/visas-all.asp.

How To Apply for an eTA

To apply for an eTA, individuals must have a valid passport, a credit card, a scanner, and an email address. In addition to biographical data, the online application form will gather information regarding criminal history, employment information, marital status, and confirmation of funds available for each individual’s stay in Canada. All applications are submitted online through an individualized MyCIC account created by the applicant. The Government of Canada will gather the information to pre-screen travelers’ admissibility to Canada.

The eTA application requires an online fee payment of $7.00 CAD. The eTA will electronically link to the passport and, once granted, will remain valid for a period of five years from the day on which it is issued to the applicant unless the individual’s passport or travel document is set to expire, the eTA is cancelled, or the individual applies for and receives a new eTA valid for a longer duration. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (“IRCC”)’s website projects that most applicants can expect to receive an email response “within minutes” of applying.

Seyfarth Shaw LLP - Pavan Dhillon, Jason E. Burritt and Michelle Gergerian

SOURCE:http://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=4965506f-ea3a-4a41-84aa-689bded1e4bf 

At Davos and beyond, let’s remind the world why it needs more Canada

The Price Building, in the old city of Quebec City. The building is the head office of the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec and the official residence of the Premier of Québec (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

TAWFIK HAMMOUD AND MICHAEL SABIA

DAVOS, SWITZERLAND — Contributed to The Globe and Mail

Tawfik Hammoud is a member of the Boston Consulting Group’s global executive committee, based in Toronto. Michael Sabia is CEO of the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec, based in Montreal.

In our work around the world, we both do a lot of benchmarking – investment returns, operating efficiency, the usual things you see in corporate presentations. We often find ourselves mentally benchmarking the country we’re currently in against Canada – and Canada usually stacks up well. “Best practice” or “top quartile” is what would appear on the PowerPoint slides.

At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, this week, there has been a lot of discussion about technological innovation, failed states, climate change, oil prices and slow growth – big issues playing out against a worldwide backdrop of intensifying ideological beliefs, polarizing identity politics, cultural intolerance and income inequalities. But amid these challenges, Canada represents a different, better path: a blueprint for a country that works. Because the world has a lot to learn from us, Canada has to stand up and speak out.

We may not have the global swagger some others do, but we have what many others wish they had: a successful, relatively harmonious and fair society, respectful and open to all. Canada’s confidence shouldn’t be affected by the price of oil or the value of the loonie, which go up and down. Our confidence should be grounded in who we are as a country.

There is much about our model that sets us apart. Here are three things worth highlighting.

Pragmatism

Canada faces many of the same economic issues as other countries today – slow growth, pressure on middle-income families – but Canadians made clear in the last federal election that they have little appetite for divisive rhetoric and a strong preference for practical, middle-of-the-road answers. We may be the only Western country left without a reactionary populist movement, left or right. By global standards, our politics may be dull, but they work.

We express Canadian pragmatism in so many places: our strong and relatively equal health-care system, our efficient and largely non-partisan system for redistributing income, our world-leading approach to retirement security. Take the latter, which is a time bomb for many countries. We’ve built a system that combines personal, corporate and public savings plans, including highly successful public pension funds. Why successful? Because we’ve allowed them to deliver their public mandate by working on private-sector principles. Today, these funds manage $1.1-trillion, triple what they managed in 2003, with 80 per cent of that growth coming from investment returns. They are among the world’s largest and best infrastructure and real-estate investors. Canada’s public pension funds are among our best-known global brands.

Public institutions

Look beyond the daily show in the House of Commons to the institutions, such as our brand of federalism, that enable diverse interests to work as a country. Look at the paralysis of the euro zone or the political dysfunction plaguing the United States to understand just how hard this can be.

Canadian federalism has allowed us to bridge wide differences and share wealth across regions. The process may be more cumbersome than we would like, but it has given us the tools to be more innovative in a world of changing needs. Its genius is how, by decentralizing, it fosters more pools of experimentation – solutions developed locally are shared nationally.

In a way, our brand of federalism is a manifestation of something deeper in our national temperament – our capacity for constructive dialogue. That’s rarer than you might think in a world dominated by one-way monologues. It’s one reason why we’ve made the compromises needed to build cities with a quality of life admired around the world. Two recently topped The Economist’s list of best places to live.

Inclusiveness

Canada remains an open society. Most leaders we meet view us as a gold standard in building a post-globalization society with a multiplicity of identities and a rejection of fear and “otherness.” Our capacity to foster co-existence is rare and increasingly important given both the migrations that are under way and the proximity of once-distant cultures.

We are also world leaders when it comes to opening our doors to qualified immigration candidates – and we do so without exaggerating security concerns. Canadian opinion polls show a majority in public support for the world’s highest immigration levels. No political party advocates cutting immigration. We should be proud that seven million of our 35 million citizens were born outside Canada, that the federal cabinet has as many women as men and that a few cabinet members arrived here not so long ago as virtual refugees.

None of this is to say that Canada is the promised land. There is work to do. Our pension funds need to think more creatively about how to invest in city infrastructure. On immigration, let’s step up language training and really accelerate foreign-credential recognition to expand the labour force and increase economic growth. We have to invest to rediversify an economy that has grown far too dependent on commodities. And of course, climate change – we have let others shape this debate for too long. There is a real opportunity for Canada to reassert itself as a leader in curbing greenhouse gas emissions, while still taking advantage of our natural resources. The fourth industrial revolution is one of the main themes at Davos this week. Let’s harness all that technology and innovation can offer to sell today’s energy and tomorrow’s new energy technologies.

There is no shortage of Canadian leadership opportunities: public education, health care, financial-system reform, taxation, medical innovation, free trade. We need to be good at these things, and when we excel, we need to make sure the world knows about it.

We are encouraged by the fresh leadership we see across the political spectrum and at various levels of government. These leaders seem committed to reasserting Canada’s place in the world, and they are not alone. Most business and social-sector leaders we meet in Canada are ready to do their part. What we need now is a new level of national ambition and confidence: Let’s stand up and be vocal about what we can contribute to solving the world’s challenges.

SOURCE: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/rob-commentary/at-davos-and-beyond-lets-remind-the-world-why-it-needs-more-canada/article28323650/

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Canada: An immigration example to the world

By R. Michael Warren, Special to Postmedia Network

Friday, January 22, 2016 5:47:24 EST PM

One in five of us were born outside this country. It’s not surprising. Canada has one of the most positive attitudes toward immigrants in the developed world. We lead in promoting rapid labour market integration, a common sense of belonging, and non-discrimination.

The Migrant Integration Policy Index (MIPI) ranked Canada sixth out of 38 countries in its 2014 annual survey — just behind Sweden, Portugal, New Zealand, Finland and Norway.

Being a world leader in integrating immigrants is not a recent phenomenon. Canada is the only country in the world that has welcomed nearly one per cent of its population (250,000) every year, for the past two decades.

We do not have an anti-immigration political party at any level of government. And we attract more newcomers per capita than any other country on the globe.

Our multicultural society makes newcomers feel welcome. No single ethnic, religious or racial group dominates the national dialogue. Newcomers are presented with a positive history of immigrant success. We are a young, tolerant country built by immigrants from all over the world.

Other G7 countries, such as Italy, Germany, France, and Great Britain, rank well behind Canada. But before we congratulate ourselves too readily we should consider the daunting challenges facing these and other European states.

Europe is changing. A few blocks from where my family frequently stays in Nice, France, a new has neighbourhood has sprung up. Walking through it is like entering another world — a world created by mass Muslim immigration.

The shop signs are in Arabic. The women wear head scarves. Indigenous French locals are nowhere to be seen. Idle men dominate the street scene. Unlike most of Canada’s Italian, Chinese, Greek and other ethnic enclaves, this neighbourhood has the feel of a religion-centric ghetto.

Muslim neighbourhoods like this one have grown up in the poorer parts of dozens of cities in Europe. Amsterdam, Marseilles, Stockholm and Birmingham are already one-fifth Muslim.

Paris is surrounded by suburban ghettos populated by over 1.7 million Muslims, mostly from Algeria and Morocco. Every year between 30,000 and 40,000 cars are set on fire in the outskirts of Paris and other French cities where second- and third-generation immigrants live in poverty.

In the past, Europeans have generally rejected criticism of Islam, maintaining immigrants of any faith would assimilate into a multicultural Europe. But in many countries that hasn’t happened.

A Pew Research Center study found 81 per cent of British Muslims considered themselves Muslims first and British citizens second. In France, Germany, and Spain, between 50 and 69 per cent of Muslims identified with their religious affiliation over their national identity.

The British Centre for Social Cohesion reported one-third of British Muslim students are in favour of a worldwide Islamic caliphate.

Some observers feel that integration has been hindered by Muslim leaders who interpret Islam as both a political ideology and a religion. Others maintain that by forcing assimilation, countries like France compel immigrants to make the impossible choice between their cultural identity and their new country.

That was the situation in 2014. Since then more than a million people from Syria, Somalia, Pakistan and Afghanistan — many of them Muslims — have reached Europe. It’s the biggest refugee influx since the Second World War. This latest migrant wave continues with no sign of easing, putting intense pressure on European Union countries to stem the flow and fashion more effective integration programs.

Canada’s commitment to take 25,000 Syrian refugees by the end of February, about 10 per cent of our normal annual intake of immigrants, seems a very modest challenge in comparison.

While Canada ranks high in newcomer integration, several recent developments are worrisome.

First, Canada lost MIPI points in 2014 over previous years. The recent delays and restrictions to family reunion and citizenship introduced by the Harper government are damaging. They undermine one of the basic strengths of our immigration model. Selected immigrants are supposed to arrive as permanent residents with equal rights to invest in their integration and quickly become full Canadian citizens.

Second, recent surveys say distinctly different things about our attitudes toward immigration.

A March Ekos poll found Canadians are becoming more fearful, less compassionate and less welcoming when it comes to immigration. Forty-six per cent of Canadians said too many immigrants are coming — up from 25 per cent in 2005. Stephen Harper tried unsuccessfully to tap into these negative sentiments during the October election.

A June survey by the Environics Institute provides part of the answer to why Justin Trudeau’s more welcoming immigration policies received wider support. Environics found attitudes have held steady or grown more positive over the last five years. Canadians continue to believe immigration is good for the economy. We are more confident about the country’s ability to manage refugees and the possible criminal element. Nearly 95 per cent felt a person born abroad is as likely to make good a citizen as someone born here.

Let’s hope the Environics poll reflects our attitudes, and that Trudeau rolls back Harper’s restrictive legislation so Canada can remain an immigrant integration example to the world.

— R. Michael Warren is a former corporate director, Ontario deputy minister, TTC chief general manager and Canada Post CEO. r.michael.warren@gmail.com

Libraries key to Simcoe County immigrants’ success

English: Town hall of Bradford West Gwillimbury in Bradford, Ontario, Canada (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Barrie Advance

By Jenni Dunning 

Lena Tawana left a life of fear behind in Syria, where her neighbours’ homes were lit on fire and her church bombed.

“We are Christian. Every Christian is killed, killed, killed. No safety,” said the mother of two. “They say, ‘We are coming to kill you.’ We close the door. The men scared; the women never leave the house. Maybe steal the children, maybe steal the woman. Now, nobody is in my village.”

As war continues raging in Syria and refugees flee in a mass exodus to find new homes, Tawana said she is happy to be living in Bradford West Gwillimbury.

“Now we can sleep. Now (my family is) safe, thanks God,” she said. “(It) feels like a bad dream.”

“As a county, we are leading a number of creative and impactful programs that further open our region to immigration, skilled labour and ultimately support our economic, social and community growth.” — Simcoe County Warden Gerry Marshall

Tawana said she loves living in a quiet, small town with her husband, Jony, and young children, George and Gabriella. Key to her success was finding a community with services for newcomers.

Bradford is one of five municipalities in Simcoe County chosen to be part of a provincially-funded pilot project to make local libraries welcoming hubs for new immigrants. The other locations for Library Link are Barrie, Innisfil, Midland and Wasaga Beach.  

The idea is to make libraries a one-stop shop for helping immigrants feel at home, access materials in different languages and find information on the community and referral services.

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READ MORE: Syrian refugee family settles in Bradford West Gwillimbury

READ MORE: Syrian refugees to be housed at CFB Borden, Meaford

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“As a county, we are leading a number of creative and impactful programs that further open our region to immigration, skilled labour and ultimately support our economic, social and community growth,” said county Warden Gerry Marshall in a statement.

Since Library Link began in Midland, no immigrants have come in looking for help, but a family of Syrian refugees recently moved to neighbouring Penetanguishene and a family is expected in Midland.

Midland Public Library circulation assistant Angie Blackwood, who was trained to implement Library Link, said she would complete a needs assessment for all immigrants looking for assistance.

If they need a job, want to better their education or join a conversation circle, library staff can direct them, she said.

Tracy Munusami, manager of the Barrie Public Library’s adult and community services, said staff was taught how to communicate better cross-culturally and be more helpful to newcomers.

She said the library has literature in many different languages, including Chinese, Dutch, German, Hindi, Tagalog and Punjabi as well as a large Basic English section.

The library also hosts a variety of programs for new immigrants, such as a weekly English conversation circle. The winter session begins at the city’s two branches Jan. 30 at 10:30 a.m., she said.

Georgina’s Irina Efimova emigrated from Russia nine years ago. Now, she is the mobile unit facilitator of the Welcome Centre Immigrant Services servicing Collingwood, Wasaga Beach, Orillia, Alliston and upper York Region.

She said increasing the role of libraries to help immigrants is a “great thing” because it should help make their transitions to Canada smoother.

“They’re looking everywhere (for help) when they arrive in Canada. We didn’t have (a welcome hub); we had to do all the searching ourselves,” she said.

Marsida Dine, who emigrated from Albania to Bradford three months ago with her husband, Adriatik, and children, Amanda and Andi, said she often goes to the library.

Dine said it is a great source of community information, where she can learn about local events, many of which her family attends.

“You have to start somewhere. We can get information from here. For the newcomer, how much are they going to know about the country?” she said.

Libraries are important for the success of new immigrants and, if anything, she said they should host more events and activities.

“It would be nice if they add a little bit more,” she said. “Homework buddies, reading buddies — that would be helpful for us and the kids.”

“It’s not easy to live here in Canada,” added Lina Isho, who immigrated to Canada from Iraq in 2012 with her husband, Mohand, and kids, Maryan and Yousif.

Isho met Dine and Tawana at the Bradford Learning Centre, where they take an English as a Second Language (ESL) class.

“The library helps a lot,” Isho said, adding her family has taken advantage of many free activities in town, such as crafts programs and movie nights, which help them socialize in the community.

“It’s a small thing, but it’s nice.”

Thornton’s Yvonne Konrad, who has been working with immigrants for 30 years, is Isho, Dine and Tawana’s ESL teacher. She also runs a book club in Alliston for Syrian refugees and a regular lunch for immigrant women.

The book club includes people from all over the world, such as Germany, Serbia, Korea and Mexico, along with some Canadians new to Alliston, she said.

Konrad is thrilled Simcoe County has created Library Link because she has been trying to expand services for immigrants in South Simcoe, especially in rural communities, for years.

“You don’t have anything that brings people together. If you don’t belong to a church, what else is there?” she said, adding some small municipalities do not have meeting places such as community or recreation centres.

“I would love to see rural libraries in smaller areas doing more. A lot of these things can be very easily initiated. There’s a lot of opportunity.”

In 2014, Ontario was home to about 96,000 permanent-resident immigrants – more than any other province, according to Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

That year, 351 of them resided in Barrie. In comparison, Toronto had 75,821.

Fifty-two per cent of immigrants who have lived in Canada less than five years participate in adult education programs, which is the same as people born here but higher than established immigrants (41 per cent), according to Statistics Canada.

As well, youth who immigrate to Canada before age 15 have higher rates of high school and university completion (40 per cent) compared to third- or higher-generation immigrants (26 per cent).

Immigrants are “very highly motivated to learn. A lot of them are internationally educated people. They want their children to be educated,” Konrad said. “Immigrants need a place. Libraries are critical for helping immigrants settle.”

It is particularly important for immigrant women who do not work to integrate into the community so they do not become isolated, she said.

“A lot of mothers will walk their children to the bus stop and the other mothers will say, ‘Hi, hello’ (and not much more). Libraries provide a place for people to talk and connect,” she said.

Konrad said she sees the involvement of libraries as part of a larger picture to encourage Canadians’ “cultural sensitivity.”

Jenni Dunning is the regional reporter for Metroland Simcoe County. You can reach her atjdunning@simcoe.com . Follow her on Twitter and follow Simcoe.com on Facebook