Government of Canada Helps Internationally Trained Engineers Get Jobs

Canada's Economic Action Plan is helping new canadians find work in their fields

OTTAWA, ONTARIO, Dec 05, 2011 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) -- Please note that HRSDC now provides audio quotes of Minister Finley at the end of some of its news releases, for your use.

The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, today announced a Government of Canada investment to help foreign-trained engineers get jobs in Canada faster. Engineers Canada received over $785,000 to improve the application process for engineers educated in other countries.

"Our government's top priority is jobs and the economy. This is why we are helping newcomers find meaningful work that contributes to Canada's long-term growth, competitiveness and overall prosperity," said Minister Finley. "Through Canada's Economic Action Plan, we are working with partners to improve foreign credential recognition so that newcomers can put their skills and experience to work sooner."

Verifying work experience can be a significant barrier to employment for foreign-trained professionals. With the support of the Foreign Credentials Recognition Program, Engineers Canada will compare foreign work experience with Canadian standards so applicants can demonstrate that they have the experience necessary to obtain a provincial or territorial licence. This builds on the progress that Engineers Canada has already made to help foreign-trained engineers get jobs in their fields faster.

Under the Pan-Canadian Framework for the Assessment and Recognition of Foreign Qualifications, the Government of Canada is working with the provinces and territories and other partners, such as regulatory bodies, to improve foreign credential recognition.

In 2010, service standards were established so that internationally trained professionals in eight priority occupations, including engineers and nurses, can have their qualifications assessed within one year, anywhere in Canada. This year, the Government has started streamlining foreign qualification recognition for six more target occupations, including physicians and dentists.

This project is an example of how the Framework is bringing meaningful change to the way that newcomers' qualifications are assessed in Canada.

Additionally, Budget 2011 announced that Human Resources and Skills Development Canada and Citizenship and Immigration Canada will test ways to help internationally trained professionals cover costs associated with the foreign credential recognition process, with specific details to be announced shortly. This initiative will complement the already significant investments the Government of Canada has made to support the labour market integration of newcomers to Canada.

For an audio quote of Minister Finley (for your use), please click here.

IF THERE IS A DISCREPANCY BETWEEN ANY PRINTED VERSION AND THE ELECTRONIC VERSION OF THIS NEWS RELEASE, THE ELECTRONIC VERSION WILL PREVAIL.

TTY (Telecommunications device for the hearing impaired)

This news release is available online at: www.actionplan.gc.ca .

Follow us on Twitter

BACKGROUNDER

With the Economic Action Plan's $50-million investment, the Government is:

        
        --  developing the principles that will guide the process of foreign
            credential recognition;
        --  establishing standards for the timely handling of requests;
        --  identifying key occupations that will be the priority for developing
            recognition standards; and
        --  helping people who want to come to Canada understand what they need to
            know before they arrive.
        
        

Under the Pan-Canadian Framework for the Assessment and Recognition of Foreign Qualifications, recognition of foreign credentials and experience is being streamlined for key occupations.

The following is the first set of target occupations in the Framework:

        
        --  architects
        --  engineers
        --  financial auditors and accountants
        --  medical laboratory technologists
        --  occupational therapists
        --  pharmacists
        --  physiotherapists
        --  registered nurses
        
        

The next set of target occupations in the Framework is the following:

        
        --  dentists
        --  engineering technicians
        --  licensed practical nurses
        --  medical radiation technologists
        --  physicians
        --  teachers (K-12)
        
        

Under the Framework, internationally trained professionals who submit an application to be licensed or registered to work in certain fields, along with all fees and relevant documents needed to process the application, will be advised within one year how their credentials compare to Canadian standards. They may also be advised of additional requirements or be directed to alternative occupations that would benefit from their skills and experience.

The Foreign Credential Recognition Program aims to improve the integration of internationally trained workers into the workforce. The Program provides funding to and works with the provinces and territories and with stakeholders, including regulatory bodies, post-secondary institutions, sector councils and employers, to implement projects that facilitate the assessment and recognition of qualifications acquired in other countries.

The Foreign Credentials Referral Office (FCRO) was established in May 2007 to help internationally trained workers receive the information, path-finding and referral services, in Canada and overseas, to have their credentials assessed quickly so they can find work faster in the fields for which they have been trained. The FCRO works with federal, provincial and territorial partners, as well as foreign credential assessment and recognition bodies, to strengthen foreign credential recognition processes across the country. Internet services for internationally trained workers can be found on the FCRO website at www.credentials.gc.ca .

Engineers Canada is the national organization of the 12 provincial and territorial associations that regulate the practice of engineering in Canada and license the country's more than 234 000 professional engineers.

        
        Contacts:
        Alyson Queen
        Press Secretary
        Office of Minister Finley
        819-994-2482
        
        Media Relations Office
        Human Resources and Skills Development Canada
        819-994-5559
        
        
        

SOURCE: Human Resources and Skills Development Canada and Next Phase of Canada's Economic Action Plan

Copyright 2011 Marketwire, Inc., All rights reserved. 

'Super Visa' Program Launches

A program that allows Canadians to apply for so-called super visas launches Thursday, but the NDP immigration critic is worried that the new 10-year visa for parents and grandparents may be hard to obtain.

The new visa is part of the Conservative government's plan to battle an enormous backlog of about 165,000 parents and grandparents who are trying to join family in Canada.

The so-called super visa will be good for 10 years, but will have to be renewed every two years.

People applying to sponsor a parent or grandparent will have to show they can support their visiting relatives. To be accepted, the visitors will be required to have private health insurance coverage during their stay in Canada.

NDP immigration critic Don Davies likes the new super visa for parents and grandparents, but he wants assurances that they will be easy to get, unlike a five-year visitor's visa that has been available for years.

"I have cases in my office in Vancouver where someone's sponsoring their parents, say from New Delhi, and their application is in the lineup for 10 years," Davies said.

"So they apply for a visitor visa to come and they're turned down because they have a permanent resident application in the queue and the officials think that they won't leave."

Immigration Minister Jason Kenney says that won't be a problem — people who have applied for permanent residency will definitely be eligible for the visa.

"The department informs me that they're confident that the approval rate for these parent super visas will actually be very high," Kenney said last week at an appearance before a parliamentary committee.

Kenney said the new health insurance requirement may make it easier for visa officers to say "yes."

'Really good way forward'

"One of the reasons we are requiring that people demonstrate they have health insurance when they come into Canada, is to add greater certainty for our visa officers that admitting people is not going to end up representing a net cost to Canadian taxpayers," he told the committee last week.

Debbie Douglas, the executive director of the Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants, said that overall, the new program is a "really good way forward" in terms of serving parents and grandparents.

She also said the new program would give the government a chance to create a more transparent system.

"It also gives us a chance to ensure that our visa posts are being consistent and fair and transparent in terms of who it is that they're granting visas to," Douglas said.

But she noted that there are still concerns about how visas will be allocated, as well as the health insurance requirement.

"We really do have to pay attention to the fact that the requirement for private health insurance is not disproportionately affecting who we let into Canada," Douglas said.

The new super visa program was announced in early November as part of a broader plan to try and clear the backlog.

Canada Tax Advantages

Information on prospective tax advantages in Canada.

People are attracted to Canada for many reasons: stable political climate, safety and security, free universal health care, good job opportunities, excellent educational facilities, clean air and a well deserved reputation for quality of life are just some of them. Tax benefits, however, are not usually included on this list. They should be.

To begin with, the following principles of taxation apply:

• Canada taxes individuals on the basis of their residence and not their citizenship. A Canadian Permanent Resident may apply for Canadian citizenship and a Canadian passport after three years.
• Canada taxes its residents on their worldwide income, but allows offshore trusts for new permanent residents.
• Canadian citizens who are non-residents of Canada do not pay Canadian tax on their worldwide income. Non-residents pay Canadian tax only on certain Canadian sourced income and capital gain.
• There are no estate duties or succession duties in Canada.

New Canadian Permanent Residents can significantly reduce or even eliminate Canadian taxes with proper planning in advance of their arrival. They are permitted to establish a properly structured offshore trust to shelter non-Canadian sourced income and capital gain for up to five years after their arrival in Canada. During this five-year tax holiday the individual can acquire Canadian citizenship and choose to become a non-resident for Canadian tax purposes. In this manner the income and capital gain generated by the trust never falls into the Canadian tax net.

Taken all together, Canada is the right choice even from a taxation point of view.
 Source: Canadavisa.com

Wealth outflow: Most of China's rich seeking to emigrate

According to the Private Banking White Paper 2011 released on Oct. 29 by the China-based Hurun Research Institute together with the Bank of China, one of the country's big four state-owned commercial banks, more than half of the individuals in China whose assets exceed 10 million yuan (US$1.57 million) plan to emigrate abroad.

The white paper showed there are 960,000 people in China whose assets exceed 10 million yuan, while the number of the people with assets over 100 million yuan (US$15.7 million) is 60,000. 60% of these wealthy individuals intend to emigrate or are already completing immigration applications. Among them, 70% are from eastern and southern parts of China.

A manager surnamed Zhou at an agency handling immigration affairs in China told a reporter from the Shandong-based Luzhong Morning News that emigrating does not mean these individuals have to renounce their Chinese nationality. It should be clarified that many Chinese who emigrate abroad actually only want to become permanent residents in foreign countries and still retain their Chinese nationality. The difference between being a citizen and a permanent resident lies in having or not having the right to vote, stand for election and the obligation to undertake military service if it exists.

Among the more than one thousand cases of immigration processed by Zhou, 80% chose not to become a citizen of the country to which they emigrated.

Zhou said that it is not permitted in China to have dual nationality, and thus it is difficult for those who move overseas to make the decision to renounce their Chinese nationality. "Of course, we don't encourage them to, either," Zhou said.

One of the motivations for Chinese people to emigrate is the desire to give their children the advantage of an overseas education. According to the National Business Daily, a news agency mainly for small and medium enterprises in China, statistics offered by a company for studying abroad and immigration showed that the purpose of the 58% of investment immigration was to allow their children receive an overseas education.

The United States, Britain and Canada are seen to provide better education systems and resources. Moreover, it is easier for a permanent resident of these countries to gain entry to their famous universities. What is more, being a permanent resident allows one to spend less on studies than a foreign nation holding a student visa.

A woman in Beijing who said she is applying to emigrate to Canada told the National Business Daily that studying abroad would allow her children to avoid the great pressure and limitations of studying in China while at the same time they would be able to grow up learning both English and French in Quebec.

Another purpose for emigrating is for the security of one's assets. Many emigrants transfer their families abroad first and then their assets, Zheng Zhuo, a successful businessman who moved to Singapore, told the National Business Daily. He said only when people feel secure about their assets will they start to pursue educational and social benefits. Many wealthy Chinese people transfer their assets abroad in order to increase them through more lucrative leveraging opportunities in other countries.

References

Hurun 胡潤

Zheng Zhuo 鄭卓

Source: Want China Times

Surge in Rich Chinese Who ‘Invest’ in U.S. Citizenship

By Robert Frank

Despite all the talk of class warfare and punishing success, the U.S. remains a highly desirable place for the world’s rich. Especially for the rich Chinese.

Reuters

Newly minted U.S. citizens

According to data from the Immigration Service, thousands of wealthy Chinese have applied for the EB-5 Visa, also known as the “green-card-for-money” program.

Under the program, foreign investors must finance commercial projects in the U.S. by investing either $500,000 or $1 million and create at least 10 full-time jobs. The investors have to undergo a background check, identify the source of their wealth and create and sustain 10 full-time jobs. The investors and their families can get citizenship after five years if they fulfill the requirements.

Lots of rich people around the world apply. But the Chinese have become far and away the biggest users and beneficiaries.

In 2011, 2,969 Chinese citizens applied for the program and 934 were approved, according to the Immigration Service. (Approval doesn’t mean they get citizenship, it just means they can start the program).  Their numbers represented more than three quarters of the total number of applicants and approvals.

It’s also a huge increase from previous years. In 2007, only 270 Chinese citizens applied and only 161 were approved, accounting for only about a third of the totals.

Why the huge increase?

The obvious reason is that China has a lot more millionaires and billionaires.

But the other reason is that these newly rich want out – or at least an escape hatch and presence in another country in case they have to flee.

A recent survey from the Bank of China and wealth researcher Hurun Report found that more than half of China’s millionaires are either considering emigrating or have already taken steps to do so.

The survey found that the most common reason cited by respondents for emigrating was their children’s education, followed by a desire for better medical treatment and the fear of pollution in China.

The top destination among those emigrating was the U.S., accounting for 40%, followed by Canada with 37%, Singapore with 14% and Europe with 11%, the survey showed.

The EB-5 program has stirred controversy for years, with some saying it’s brought welcome investment, and others saying it’’s a mercenary citizenship program that does little for actual employment.

Fort McMurray gains new Canadians

By Morgan Modjeski

Posted 3 hours ago

Fort McMurray recently wel­comed just under 300 new Canadian citizens, as three citi­zenship ceremonies—two held on Thursday and one today—recently took place here in Wood Buffalo.

The first two ceremonies held on Thursday at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., with 97 individuals taking the oath at the ceremony and 111 individuals taking the oath at the second, were held at West­wood Community High school.

Citizenship Judge Sonia Bitar with Citizenship and Immigra­tion Canada said she's always happy to participate in these events as those becoming Cana­dians are usually overwhelmed with happiness.

"It's really nice to see their faces, the happiness and the excitement when they're becom­ing a Canadian Citizen," said Bitar.

She also said that the impor­tance of a diverse community is unmeasurable as it symbolizes what Canada is all about.

"Diversity is so important, and you see it, it's not like you have to talk about it, if you look at this room now, you see how many people are from different cultures," said Bitar.

"Even coming to this school, I was surprised to see the word 'welcome' in all different lan­guages. (When) you look at these students, you can see they are from a diverse background, and all of them working together in harmony. This is what Canada is all about, to accept each other and to respect each other."

Mike Allen, deputy mayor of the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo was also on hand at the ceremony to congratu­late the new Canadian citizens saying he was excited about the fact they've decided to make Fort McMurray their home.

"We have almost 300 people who have chosen to call Canada and Wood Buffalo home today and tomorrow, and it's a compli­ment to this community, that out of thousands of jurisdictions that we have across Canada, that you have chosen Wood Buffalo to be your home."

Nargis Zaid, a Wood Buffalo resident and vice-president of Pakistan Canada Association Fort McMurray, was one of the people who participated in the 10 a.m. ceremony on Thursday and she said she was excited about her new citizenship.

"I feel very grateful to be Canadian," said Zaid. "Canada is a fully multicultural country, so I feel very proud and very happy."

She continued, "It feels very good, because I consider Canada as my home, especially Fort McMurray. I feel like (it's) my home country—like my birth country."

Zaid also said she was pleased with the entire ceremony saying she felt very welcome by the municipality.

"I feel like all the councillors cared for me, and it just feels great to be part of the cere­mony," said Zaid.

"There was a lot excitement and a lot of cheering."

The third and final ceremony will be held at the Oil Sands Dis­covery Centre today and roughly 50 people are expected to take the oath.

morgan.modjeski@fortmcmurraytoday.com

carol.christian@fortmcmurraytoday.com

What is a Super Visa?

This is a multiple entry visa lasting 10 years which allows parents and grandparents the right to stay in Canada temporarily. This new extended visa makes it easier to travel back and forth to Canada.

Which qualifications are required by myself, my parent or my grandparent?

Child/Grandchild:

In order to comply with Canadian immigration regulations on the parent and grandparent supervisa, you must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. You will also need a valid birth certificate listing your parents' names. Next is proving your able to financially support your parent or grandparent with your own Canadian income source(s). The "minimum income threshold" will change every year and depends on the size of your family. With these documents in hand, you will need to get writing: an invitation letter to your relatives is needed. Finding reliable health insurance for your parent or grandparent is also necessary since they must own a current private Canadian health insurance policy covering a minimum 12-month period.

Parent:

You must provide official documentation listing your name (or maiden name, if applicable) and this name should match the name on your child's birth certificate. You will need to take the Immigration Medical Exam. Furthermore, you will need to own a current private Canadian health insurance policy covering a minimum 12-month period.

Grandparent:

You must provide official documentation listing your name (or maiden name, if applicable) and this name should match the name on your child's birth certificate. In turn, you should be able to prove that your child is the parent of your grandchild. You will need to take the Immigration Medical Exam. You will also need to own a current private Canadian health insurance policy covering a minimum 12-month period.

What does a Super Visa look like?

Essentially, it's just a letter! The supervisa issue date and expiration date will be printed on it. You must show this letter at the port of entry when arriving in Canada. The Canada Border Services Agency officer will stamp your passport or national travel document and authorize your stay for up to two years once shown this letter.

How long will it take for my application to be processed?

The government and its international visa offices are dedicated to processing all applications within 8 weeks. The more complete your application, the more likely your application will be done within this time frame. Incomplete submissions will slow down process and your application may even be denied. Avoid this problem by contacting us for help bringing your parent or grandparent to Canada.

How long will my parent or grandparent be able to stay in Canada with a valid Super Visa?

While successful applicants can hold a valid supervisa for 10 years, they will only be able to stay in Canada for 24 months at a time. After that, their visitor status will need to be renewed by submitting an application for potential renewal/extension.

The maximum extension is 24 months and there may be an additional fee involved. The only exception to this rule is for parents and grandparents currently in Canada who already hold a valid visitor visa. A two-year extension may be granted by submitting an application.

When can my parent or grandparent apply for a Super visa extension?

The application for renewal should be submitted no later than 30 days before the 24 month period is complete.

If my parent or grandparent lives in a country with a visa exception can we still get a Supervisa?

The application for renewal should be submitted no later than 30 days before the 24 month period is complete. Yes, however the process will be slightly different since they will first need to get Temporary Resident Visa. A medical exam is still needed as well as proof of financial support from a child or grandchild.

What happens to standard sponsorship applications?

If you submitted your application before November 5, 2011, then the application will be reviewed in due time. Any sponsorship applications received after this date will be returned to the applicant with all fees refunded. You may be able to submit standard sponsorship applications by late 2013.

Source: http://canadim.com 

Getting started In Canada

MoneySense offers tips on what newcomers should do when they first arrive to Canada

By Sarah Efron | From MoneySense Magazine, November 2011

This article was first published in theNovember 2011 issue of MoneySense.

Current issue:

What to do during your first few weeks in Canada:

• Apply for your Social Insurance Number (SIN). You will need this to get a job and to get access to government programs and benefits.
• Apply for the Canada Child Tax Benefit, a tax-free monthly payment given to parents caring for children under the age of 18.
• Apply for a provincial health card. If there is a waiting period in your province before coverage starts, take out private medical insurance to cover you for the first few months.
• Find an immigrant settlement agency close to your home and inquire about employment and English language programs.
• If possible, set up your Canadian bank account before you leave your home country. Ask if the bank will waive fees for new immigrants in the first year.
• When wiring large amounts of money from your home country, ask your bank for a preferential exchange rate, says Ngoc Day, a financial planner at Macdonald, Shymko & Co. For smaller amounts, shop for the best rate on currency exchange company websites.
• Wealthy immigrants might want to consider setting up an Immigration Trust, which allows you to shelter investments from taxes during your first five years in Canada.

Starting from scratch

Millions of immigrants come to Canada and quickly discover that getting established financially isn’t easy.

By Sarah Efron | From MoneySense Magazine, November 2011

This article was first published in theNovember 2011 issue of MoneySense.

Current issue:

Last year, Canada welcomed more than half a million newcomers to our country as immigrants, international students and temporary foreign workers. The number one source for new permanent residents is now the Philippines, followed by India, China, the U.K. and the States. Canada may be the best country in the world to live in, but that doesn’t mean that it’s easy to get established. People come to Canada dreaming of obtaining greater financial security and opportunities for themselves and their families, but they often spend years struggling to build up credit, find a decent job and grow their wealth.

As Canada’s personal finance magazine, MoneySense wants to help newcomers get established as quickly and painlessly as possible. In the pages that follow, we provide a quick overview of the most important things you need to know to build a strong financial future here. We’ll tell you the essential things to do during your first days in the country, and show you how to get a head start on getting a job, building credit, buying a home and investing. Along the way, you’ll meet people who have been through the immigration process already, who share their tips for making the transition easier.

Even if you’re a long-time citizen, if you’re new to investing, or buying insurance, or you’re trying to establish a strong credit history for the first time, this report is for you. When it comes to our finances, we’re all beginners at one time or another, and every beginner can use a helping hand.

Check back during the week for the latest article in MoneySense‘s personal finance guide for newcomers.