Image via WikipediaBy Dave Steward on The Guardian Prince Edward Island’s business community opened its arms on Wednesday to welcome more than 200 Chinese Islanders in the first-ever Chinese Islanders Business Summitt.
The summit was designed to give newcomers a chance to learn about operating a business in Canada and provide an opportunity for matchmaking between new Islanders from the Chinese-Canadian community and members of the established Island business community.
Sherry Huang, a business operator and president of the P.E.I. Chinese Association, said the transition for Chinese immigrants is much smoother now than it was when she arrived seven years ago.
“Prince Edward Island has a vibrant business community,’’ Huang said. “This is a great opportunity to meet and get to know opportunities.’’
Premier Robert Ghiz said one of the more exciting parts of the summit was the chance for everyone to network.
“By bringing together new Chinese Islanders with business people interested in selling or expanding their businesses we can open up the Island business environment to new participants and get new resources,’’ Ghiz said. “I do believe there are opportunities for our new Islanders to work with existing businesses here on Prince Edward Island.’’
Jamie Brown, who owns Brown’s Volkswagen, said he knows first-hand how valuable Chinese Islanders have been to the local economy.
Since purchasing the dealership six years ago, he’s doubled the number of new models each month on his lot and sales have skyrocketed.
“Why? Because of Chinese immigrants,’’ Brown said.
“There is absolutely no doubt in my mind our economy did not participate in the recession due to the dollars spent by our Chinese immigrants.’’
Brown said not only has the dealership set a new sales record every year but it has also tripled its market share. Brown even hired one of his customers after finding out the Chinese man was a factory-trained technician.
Mike May, with the Bank of Montreal in Charlottetown, said his branch has added the Chinese language to its automated teller machine, website and has hired two Chinese employees since 2010.
“And that led to a huge increase in traffic flow,’’ May said.
Craig Mackie, executive director of the P.E.I. Association for Newcomers to Canada, said the numbers of Chinese immigrants and interest made an idea like a summit important.
“They’re looking for opportunities here and that’s why we set this up,’’ Mackie said
Image via Wikipedia(CIC) recently announced they are consulting with relevant stakeholders about changing various aspects of the Federal Skilled Worker Program. CIC is considering changing the number of points awarded in three of the six selection factors. CIC is also proposing changes to educational requirements and stricter rules for assessing the validity of Canadian job offers. According to CIC, these suggested changes are meant to reflect the current needs of the Canadian economy and enable immigrants to better integrate into the Canadian economy.
Points Changes in Selection Factors
Applicants will still be required to attain at least 67 points out of 100, in addition to meeting eligibility requirements, in order to qualify for the Federal Skilled Worker Program. CIC is proposing to change the maximum number of points applicants can receive in the following three selection factors: language, age, and work experience. Currently, applicants can receive a maximum of 24 points for their first and second official Canadian language, a maximum of 10 points for age if an applicant is between the ages of 21 and 49, and a maximum of 21 points for paid skilled work experience within the past 10 years. i. Language
One proposed change would increase the number of points applicants can receive for a first official Canadian language (English or French) to 20 points, rather than the current 16. CIC is also considering establishing minimum language requirements for certain occupational skill levels. A higher minimum language requirement would be required for applicants with work experience in professional occupations, such as doctors, nurses, and engineers. Applicants with work experience in skilled trades would have a lower minimum language requirement. ii. Age
CIC is proposing to increase the number of points in the age factor from 10 to a maximum of 12 points. Rather than maximum points being awarded until age 49, the suggested change will only allow applicants to gain maximum age points until the age of 35. iii. Work Experience
CIC is proposing to lower the maximum points for work experience from 21 to 15 points and increase the years of experience required to obtain maximum points. CIC has noted that foreign work experience is not a strong indicator of success in the Canadian labour market and the additional points would be more beneficial in the language and age factor. Other proposed changes
In order to make the Federal Skilled Worker Program more accessible to applicants with trade skills, CIC is proposing to reduce the number of years associated with education for those with a trade or non-university certificate. Currently, applicants who have a one year trade diploma must have also completed 13 years of full-time education in order to claim maximum points for that diploma under the education factor. Applicants who have a two year trade diploma must have completed 14 years and those with a three year trade diploma must have completed 15 years of education. If the proposed change is accepted, applicants with trade diplomas would be able to claim maximum points for their education with fewer years of full-time education.
CIC is also considering requiring applicants to prove their credentials are recognized by the appropriate Canadian authorities if their profession is regulated in Canada. For example, engineering is a regulated profession in Canada. Under the proposed change, any applicant who has work experience as an engineer would be required to have their credentials recognized by a Canadian professional licensing body before they submit their application for Canadian permanent residency.
Finally, CIC is proposing to establish clearer regulations for assessing employers and assessing whether a job offer is genuine. The Arranged Employment factor is an important aspect of the Federal Skilled Worker Program and CIC has noted that applicants who have Arranged Employment fare better upon arrival in Canada compared to those who do not have Arranged Employment. There have been numerous cases of fraudulent job offers from employers looking to exploit immigrants for money. With clearer guidelines for assessing job offers and employers, CIC is hoping to deter potential fraud. Attorney David Cohen warns of a potential challenge with the proposed changes, “CIC will not be giving advanced warning of when these proposed changes will come into effect. If these changes are made to the program, applicants who are over the age of 35 and have lower language proficiency levels could have difficulties qualifying for the Federal Skilled Worker Program. If you qualify now for immigration under the current Federal Skilled Worker Program, you should submit your application as soon as possible as you may not qualify once the changes have been implemented.”
While CIC has not announced when they expect to change the Federal Skilled worker Program, Canadavisa.com and CICNews.com will report on any information as soon as it is revealed.
Image via WikipediaBy Dave Steward on The Guardian 
