Canada's Best Diversity Employers

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  Now entering its fourth year, Canada's Best Diversity Employers recognizes employers across Canada that have exceptional workplace diversity and inclusiveness programs. This competition examines a range of diversity initiatives covering five major employee groups: (a) Women; (b) Members of visible minorities; (c) Persons with disabilities; (d) Aboriginal peoples; and (e) Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered/Transsexual (LGBT) peoples. This competition replaces our two annual rankings of the top employers for women and visible minorities, which we published as an appendix to our book between 2002 and 2007, when the present competition was launched. Winners may use the competition's official logo for recruitment purposes until next year's winners are released. Read the press release announcing the 2010 winners
Agrium Inc.
Alberta-Pacific Forest Industries Inc.
BC Hydro
Bell Aliant Regional Communications
Blake, Cassels & Graydon
Boeing Canada Operations Ltd.
Bruce Power Limited Partnership
Business Development Bank of Canada
Cameco Corporation
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
Canada Safeway Limited
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Catholic Children's Aid Society of Toronto
Corus Entertainment Inc.
Diavik Diamond Mines Inc.
Ernst & Young LLP
George Brown College
Health Canada - Santé Canada
Home Depot Canada, The
HSBC Bank Canada
KPMG LLP
L'Oréal Canada Inc.
Manitoba Lotteries Corporation
McGill University
Mount Sinai Hospital
MTS Allstream Inc.
Nexen Inc.
Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc.
Ontario Public Service
Port Metro Vancouver
Procter & Gamble Inc.
Royal Bank of Canada
Saskatchewan Gaming Corporation
Saskatchewan Government Insurance / SGI
SaskPower Corporation
Scotiabank Group
Shell Canada Limited
Stantec Consulting Inc.
Statistics Canada
Stikeman Elliott LLP
Telus Corporation
Toronto Police Service
TransCanada Corporation
University of British Columbia
University of Toronto

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International Experience Canada/Working Holiday Program - Ireland

Image via WikipediJanuary 17 2011

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The International Experience Canada (IEC) initiative in Ireland is now officially open for 2011. Administrative changes have been made to the IEC for 2011. Most notably, for the first time in Ireland, Applicants will be able to apply directly to the Government of Canada. These changes are being introduced in order to re-align the IEC-Ireland with its counterparts in participating countries around the world.   
The Changes:
1. Student and non-student sub-categories will be amalgamated into one overall Working Holiday Program category. As of 2011, everyone who applies to the IEC will do so under the Working Holiday Program (WHP). The WHP enables citizens from Ireland aged 18-35 to travel and work in Canada. It is the ideal formula for students and non-students who want to supplement their travel experiences with temporary work;
2. Applicants who have a spouse or partner and/or dependents will be permitted to travel to Canada as well although they will be required to obtain their own individual status document;
3. Finally, program participation has been expanded for up to two one-year periods. Applicants will need to re-apply if they wish to repeat as a participant, but this change means that they may continue their stay in Canada after one year or travel again several years apart.
For assistance with preparing an application under the Working Holiday Program and/or how to transition from this program into becoming a Canadian Permanent Resident, contact our office and ask to speak with one of our immigration lawyers.

Source: 

• Bomza Law Group - Immigration Lawyers
• Donna Habsha

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Immigrants staying in Atlantic Canada: study

Image via WikipediaNew research indicates immigrants are no longer using the Atlantic provinces merely as an entry point to Canada but are making the region a long-term home.
A study of Statistics Canada information at Saint Mary's University in Halifax found newcomers who settle in Newfoundland, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island fare better than people who settle in traditional immigration hubs such as Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver.
The East Coast immigrants are more likely to have work and earn more than recent immigrants in Ontario, the study found.
Dr. Ather Akbari, an economics professor at St. Mary's University who was involved in the research, said the Atlantic provinces are more likely to see immigrants who have been targeted for specific jobs, than immigrants who simply choose this part of Canada for a new life.
"People who come here, because they are intended to fill in specific jobs, chances are that they will get fair market value for their work, [better] than in other provinces."
The Atlantic provinces tend to recruit professionals to staff hospitals and similar high value positions, while immigrants who aren't targeted in this way tend to go to Ontario, primarily to join their families.

Good jobs means people stay

Once living on the East Coast and holding good jobs, an increasing number of immigrants decide to stick around rather than take the traditional path west, Akbari said. In fact, more immigrants are now trying Toronto first and then moving to Atlantic Canada than the reverse.
In 2001, about 54 per cent of immigrants who arrived in the Atlantic provinces in the previous five years were still in the region. This figure had risen to about 65 per cent by 2006, Akbari said.
At a meeting of the Association for New Canadians on Friday in Newfoundland, a class full of newcomers shared stories and discussed settling into a new country.
Natalia Volkozha moved to Canada from Israel with her family a decade ago. They tried to settle in Montreal, but it did not work out. She heard good stories about life in Newfoundland and so she and her family moved to the island.
Her background in education gave her a foot in the door as a daycare teacher. Eight years later, she is a few months away from completing her master's degree in education.
"We are planning to stay here," she said. "We are new homeowners so I have roots, growing roots here."

Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/nova-scotia/story/2011/01/23/ns-immigrants-staying-atlantic-canada.html#ixzz1ButkdqVu

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Information for students educated abroad who want to study in Canada

Image via WikipediaEvery year, thousands of students come to Canada to study in a variety of postsecondary and higher-education institutions. They acquire valuable skills and knowledge, as well as the enriching experience of living and studying in a new and different environment. When they return home, these students expect that their newly acquired skills and knowledge will be recognized for purposes of further study or for practising their chosen profession or trade.
Ensuring that the Canadian program or institution you select will meet your objectives will help you to avoid a potential loss of time and money. Before seeking admission to a Canadian university, college, school, or other type of postsecondary or higher-education institution, it is important to have answers to a number of questions:

1. Will the studies I would like to pursue at a Canadian institution allow me to reach my goals?
It is advised that you enquire with the competent authorities (e.g., professional organizations, higher-education institutions, government bodies, regulatory agencies governing professions) about the recognition of foreign studies in your country or in the country where you intend to continue your studies or to practise your profession. While no authority can guarantee acceptance of a foreign degree or credentials, it is a good idea to verify the probable value of such a credential before seeking admission to a university, college, or school (in Canada or elsewhere).
2. How do I find the program/institution that interests me?
A number of provinces and territories, as well as membership associations, maintain databases of the programs offered by their institutions. Some provinces also provide a centralized on-line registration system for prospective international students. We list all such resources at http://www.cicic.ca/679/postsecondary-programs.canada.
Our Directory of Universities, Colleges and Schools in the Provinces and Territories of Canada, at http://www.cicic.ca/395/directory-of-universities-colleges-and-schools.canada, lists Canada's recognized, authorized, registered, and licensed institutions, with links to their Web sites, program listings, and information for international students, when available.
The Imagine Education au/in Canada Web site, a joint initiative of the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada (CMEC), and the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT), at http://www.educationau-incanada.ca/, contains information about study programs, visa requirements, and more.
The nearest Canadian diplomatic mission (embassy or consulate) in your country can also assist you in your search.
3. Is the institution/program I chose recognized in Canada?
What is recognition? In Canada, education is the responsibility of provincial and territorial governments. Provincial legislation gives universities the right to operate as degree-granting institutions and regulates the establishment of colleges.
To verify whether an institution is recognized or authorized to grant degrees, diplomas, or certificates, consult our Directory of Universities, Colleges and Schools in the Provinces and Territories of Canada, at http://www.cicdi.ca/395/directory-of-universities-colleges-and-schools-in-canada.canada.
Which are the best universities in Canada? There is no formal ranking of universities and colleges in Canada. In fact, it is widely recognized that, across the country, postsecondary programs are remarkably uniform in quality. For a more in-depth study of recognition and accreditation procedures in Canada, see our publication Quality Assurance Practices for Postsecondary Institutions in Canada.
Distance education: Many Canadian universities and colleges offer courses and programs on-line. This means you can get a head start on a Canadian education before coming to Canada by taking one or two on-line courses. If you are not able to come to Canada, you can earn a recognized Canadian degree, diploma, or certificate without leaving home. More information about on-line and distance education is available at http://www.cicic.ca/668/online-and-distance-education.canada.
4. What do I do once I have decided to enroll in a program at a Canadian institution?
IMPORTANT: The admission application process can take considerable time; you should start at least one year in advance to compile the necessary information and documentation.
How to get your credentials assessed: Once you have decided which universities or colleges you wish to apply to for admission, you should write directly to the institution's office of admissions (for undergraduate and college programs) or office of graduate admissions (for graduate programs) and ask for detailed application information and forms. The office of admissions will inform you of the documentation, translation, and visa requirements. The institution's decision is usually announced four to six months after the application deadline, although this can vary from one institution to another.
In some jurisdictions, applications can be submitted electronically. Visit the following Web sites for more information:
Alberta: Alberta Learning Information Service - Electronic Application Service http://www.alis.gov.ab.ca/learning/ao/postsecondary.asp
British Columbia: Post-Secondary Application Service of British Columbia (PASBC) https://portal.bccampus.ca/render.userLayoutRootNode.uP?uP_tname=Login_and_Apply_for_Admission
Ontario: Ontario Universities Application Centre: http://www.ouac.on.ca/ Ontario Colleges Application Service: http://www.ontariocolleges.ca/
Quebec (cégeps) Montreal region: http://www.sram.qc.ca/ Quebec City region: http://www.sraq.qc.ca/ Saguenay/Lac St-Jean region: http://www.srasl.qc.ca/
Language requirements: Most institutions in Canada require demonstration of proficiency in their language of instruction (either English or French), usually through the achievement of a certain minimum score in a standardized language test. You should confirm the details of the language requirement with the office of admissions of the university or college to which you are applying.
Student visas: It is advised that you contact the nearest Canadian visa office (embassy or consulate) in your country for information about entry requirements. You can obtain information about student authorizations on Citizenship and Immigration Canada's Web site, at http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/study/index.asp.
Cost of education: The Imagine Education au/in Canada Web site, a joint initiative of the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada (CMEC), and the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT), at http://www.educationau-incanada.ca/, will help you to calculate the cost of studying in Canada. It also contains information about study programs, visa requirements, and more.
5. Financial assistance
You should contact the government of your country of citizenship or the financial aid office of the university or college you wish to attend to obtain information about scholarships and other award opportunities. You can find more information about academic exchange and financial aid programs for permanent residents and foreign students at http://www.cicic.ca/389/student-financial-assistance.canada.
Working while studying in Canada: You may be able to work on or off campus in Canada while you are here as a student. There may also be limited employment opportunities for graduate students, such as teaching assistantships or research assistantships; if you are studying for a master's degree or a Ph.D., you may be able to work at your institution as a teaching or research assistant. You should enquire about this possibility when you apply for admission. Consult the Studying in Canada: Work permits for students site, at http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/study/work.asp, for details.
The Canadian Experience Class: Once you have graduated from a Canadian postsecondary institution, you may apply to stay in Canada permanently. Consult the Canadian Experience Class: Who can apply – Requirements for graduates Web site, at http://www.cic.gc.ca/english//immigrate/cec/graduates.asp, for more information.

If you need additional advice, please visit www.nexuscanadaimmigration.com

Source: http://www.cicic.ca/392/admission-to-universities-and-colleges.canada

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Canada Immigration Processing Times Dropping

Image via WikipediaDue to the recent efforts of Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC), processing times for a number of immigrant application tracks to Canada have been significantly reduced.
Processing times for the Federal Skilled Worker track (allowing Permanent Residency via the economic class in the Asia and Pacific offices have been reduced as follows:

2010	Processing Times in Months
Beijing ( China)	42	9
Hong Kong (China)	51	13
Islamabad (Pakistan)	77	11
New Delhi (India)	79	10
Colombo (Sri Lanka)	57	11
Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia)	44	10
Manila (Philippines)	70	11

Processing times for the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) track in Asia and Pacific offices are also currently operating at a similar pace:

Visa Office	Processing Times in Months
Beijing ( China)	11
Hong Kong (China)	21
Islamabad (Pakistan)	23
New Delhi (India)	6
Colombo (Sri Lanka)	25
Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia)	-
Manila (Philippines)	11

Processing times for the Investor track however, remain unacceptably high. This explains why the CIC has recently indicated that, after lifting the moratorium on this class last month (after imposing it to clear its backlog), it will be working to reduce processing times in the coming term:

Visa Office	Processing Times in Months
Beijing ( China)	38
Hong Kong (China)	37
Islamabad (Pakistan)	43
New Delhi (India)	28
Colombo (Sri Lanka)	-
Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia)	-
Manila (Philippines)	44

There is also a significant difference in processing times as between paper applications versus online applications:

Type of Application (Paper)	Processing Times
Canada Visitor Visa	115 days
Canada Work Permit (Same employer)	94 days
Canada Work Permit (New employer)	31 days
Canada Study Permit	58 days
Canada Off-Campus Work Permit	31 days
Protected Person Status Document	16 days

Type of Application (Online)	Processing Times
Canada Visitor Visa	48 days
Canada Work Permit (Same employer)	48 days
Canada Work Permit (New employer)	48 days
Canada Study Permit	48 days
Canada Off-Campus Work Permit	20 days
Protected Person Status Document	Not Applicable

The reduced processing times ought to be of significant importance for, and an important appeal to, those persons considering immigrating to Canada through any of the above immigrant application tracks.


By Manjit Singh, Associate, Cambridge LLP International Legal Services Group

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Immigration to Canada Through Family Sponsorship

Image by United Way of the Lower Mainland via Flickr By Katherine at Legal Language
Posted 01/19/2011
In Immigration

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.

Who Is Eligible for Family-Based Immigration to Canada?

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

Who Is Eligible to Become a Sponsor?

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:

• Guide to Sponsorship of a Spouse, Common-Law Partner, Conjugal Partner or Dependent Child Living Outside Canada
• Sponsorship of Parents, Grandparents, Adopted Children and Other Relatives – The Immigrant’s Guide
• Guide to Applying for Permanent Residence from Within Canada – Spouse or Common-Law Partner Class

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Canada increases new visa allocation

Image via Wikipedia

By Jason O'Brien

Thursday January 20 2011

IRISH emigrants just can't get enough of Canada. And it seems the feeling is mutual.
Under new rules, Canada has increased its working holiday visa allocation to Ireland by 1,000 and will now also allow Irish people to apply for a second visa.
The unexpected changes will benefit those applying for the one-year visa programme for 18-35 year olds.
Last year, when the Irish quota of 4,000 was filled, Ireland was allocated extra visas that were not taken up by other countries.
This year, there will be 5,000 visas on offer, but it's arguably the opportunity to apply for a second one-year visa that will have the biggest impact.
Eligible
It is anticipated that thousands of Irish people who are already in Canada on a one-year holiday visa are expected to apply to stay for a second year.
"I'm here for the foreseeable future," Seamus Blake (25), one of those in line to benefit, told the Irish Independent from Toronto last night.
"My family is at home but there is no work to go back to. Once I've been here for two years and working, I'm eligible for permanent residency. When that time comes, it is something I will be looking into."
Mr Blake, from Liscannor in Clare, has been in Toronto since last April and has secured work as an insurance consultant.
Tonight, 300 Irish newcomers to Toronto will gather for an 'information meeting' organised by the local Irish chamber of commerce.
"The majority of Irish people who emigrate to Canada hit Toronto first," Marguerite Bourke, of Enterprise Ireland in Toronto, said. "It's the biggest city, there's more jobs, more opportunities."
The Irish Ambassador to Canada, Ray Bassett, said Canada was "more high profile" in Ireland than ever before. "Canada is very much flavour of the month," he said.
The Canadian government has indicated that -- because of its booming economy and relatively small population -- its labour force will be boosted solely through immigration in the coming years.

- Jason O'Brien

Irish Independent

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You’re leaving already?

Image via WikipediaSix out of 10 business-class immigrants who land in Quebec quickly take their money elsewhere

When your province’s birth rate is hovering at replacement level, and when nearly a quarter of the population is nearing retirement, language politics tend to take a back seat to more pressing matters—like how to sustain the economy. No surprise, then, that Quebec has assumed a prominent spot on the immigration bandwagon, treating newcomers as a key to its economic future rather than a threat to its identity. By any measure, its efforts have paid off: in the last decade, the province has jacked up its intake of immigrants by more than 50 per cent, welcoming almost 49,500 last year.
The question now is how to keep the most wealthy and productive newcomers from flying the coop. A recent internal report by the federal immigration department suggests more than six out of 10 of the coveted business-class immigrants who declared Quebec as their destination during the early 2000s quickly fled to other provinces, taking their investment dollars and entrepreneurship potential with them. The big winners? Ontario and the two westernmost provinces. B.C. saw a 22 per cent net gain in the number of business-class immigrants who called it home, due to migration from other provinces. Ontario enjoyed a 14.5 per cent bump while Alberta saw a 9.5 per cent increase.
The report, which was obtained under Access to Information by Vancouver immigration lawyer Richard Kurland, calls into question the widespread belief in Quebec that newcomers will provide much of the province’s future economic momentum. The theory, promoted in policy circles and at all levels of government, assumes a heavy influx of business immigrants—an umbrella term for investors, entrepreneurs and the self-employed who are admitted to Canada on the basis of the wealth they will generate (investor-class immigrants to Canada must be willing to spend more than $800,000 in this country, and their net worth must exceed $1.6 million; entrepreneurs must have a $300,000 net worth and two years of business experience).

Immigration drives construction and the B.C. economy

Image by bfraz via Flickr

by Philip Hochstein, President, Independent Contractors and Businesses Association of B.C

In Alberta, the price of oil is the economic sign of the times. In Saskatchewan, it’s a mix of key agricultural and mining commodity prices. In Ontario, manufacturing and financial services dominate.

These indicators provide a snapshot of their economies and signposts of the health of what is driving provincial economies.

A recent report by the Independent Contractors and Businesses Association (ICBA) of B.C. shows something different drives B.C. – immigration.

Though forestry, mining, and tourism remain important, it’s the in-flow of individuals and families from the rest of Canada and from other countries that’s at the heart of our economy.

With construction adding more than $9 billion a year to GDP, and driving nearly 10 per cent of the jobs in the province, the health of the industry matters to everyone.

View from the Board

Philip Hochstein

Residential construction is more important in British Columbia than any other province.

More than nine per cent of our GDP comes from the sector. Quebec’s residential construction sector has the second largest impact in Canada – and its share of GDP is 25 per cent less than in B.C.

What drives residential construction? Population growth.

What drives population growth? Here in B.C., it’s international immigration.

B.C., like the rest of the Western world, has declining birth rates. British Columbians are doing little to bump up our population.

In-migration from other provinces has been strong for the past few years – a recovery from the 1997 to 2004 period, when more people moved away than moved here. International immigration now drives B.C.’s population increases.

There is a direct link between population growth and residential construction. There was solid growth and high housing starts up until the mid-1990s.

Population growth slowed from 1997 to 2000 – mirrored by a decline in housing starts.

When the population started increasing again in 2001, housing starts began rising to levels surpassing the mid-1990s.

It’s not just numbers that are important.

It’s the attitude the immigrants bring – a strong attachment to home ownership. In an assessment released last year, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation looked at immigrants six, 24 and 48 months after arrival.

While less than one-in-five owned their home at the end of six months, (an already impressive proportion, CMHC noted) more than half did by the 48-month mark.

B.C. booms when more people decide to call this province home. Far from taking away jobs, immigrants, and Canadians heeding the call to head west, generate them. In particular, new British Columbians drive the construction sector – in homebuilding, in multi-family construction and in expanding the commercial and institutional infrastructure that a growing population requires.

Think of it this way – in Alberta, they’re building homes for oil workers, in Ontario for folks working in manufacturing plants.

In B.C. we’re building new homes for the people who are building homes for the people moving to B.C.

In addition to all immigration does to make this a more vibrant and interesting place to live, it’s also key to the economic well-being of all British Columbians.

Philip Hochstein is the president of the Independent Contractors and Businesses Association (ICBA) of B.C. Philip is also a member of the Journal of Commerce Editorial Advisory Board. Send comments or questions to editor@journalofcommerce.com.

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