Employers Have Access to More Online Information to Hire Workers Needed to Fill Labour Shortages

OTTAWA, ONTARIO, Mar 07, 2012 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) -- Employers can now access more information online about Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) programs to hire permanent and temporary foreign workers, Minister Jason Kenney announced today.

In keeping with the government's focus on the importance of immigration to Canada's economy and growth, the CIC website has been redesigned to include a new section to guide employers to the most suitable program.

"The economy and job growth remain the number one priority of the Government," said Minister Jason Kenney. "Labour shortages are becoming a growing problem in many regions, and this website will help employers access information that will help them hire permanent or temporary foreign workers when no Canadians are able to fill a position."

Employers can learn the steps involved in hiring temporary foreign workers, helping to bring a worker to Canada permanently and hiring international students studying in Canada.

In addition to the enhanced website, the Department is reaching out directly to employers through public consultations.

"Immigration is becoming increasingly important to meeting our labour market needs," said Minister Kenney. "I want to strengthen the partnership with employers to ensure our economic immigration program better meets the needs of our economy."

This new website, a work in progress, builds on the success of other online tools for employers, such as the Employer's Roadmap, available at http://www.credentials.gc.ca/employers/roadmap/index.asp

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Photo of Minister Kenney available at: www.cic.gc.ca/english/department/media/photos/high-res/index.asp .

Building a stronger Canada: Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) strengthens Canada's economic, social and cultural prosperity, helping ensure Canadian safety and security while managing one of the largest and most generous immigration programs in the world.

        
        Contacts:
        Citizenship and Immigration Canada
        Minister's Office
        Ana Curic
        613-954-1064
        
        Citizenship and Immigration Canada
        Communications Branch
        Media Relations
        613-952-1650
        CIC-Media-Relations@cic.gc.ca
        
        
        

SOURCE: Citizenship and Immigration Canada

Kenney points to 'transformational' changes to immigration system

BY TOBI COHEN, POSTMEDIA NEWS

OTTAWA — Immigration Minister Jason Kenney is calling for a "transformational change" to Canada's immigration system that emphasizes the need for skilled newcomers who can fill gaps in the country's labour market.

In a speech to business leaders Wednesday at an Economic Club of Canada luncheon, Kenney outlined several pilot projects and strategies the federal government is considering to reduce the backlog of nearly one million applications while making the system more economically focused.

Noting New Zealand "legislated an end" to its backlog in 2003 by creating a "pool" from which all applicants could be selected based on specific criteria as opposed to time spent in the queue, Kenney said Canada is looking at a similar option.

Meanwhile, a new pilot project, he said, is now in place to give provinces the opportunity to "mine the backlog" for newcomers who meet local labour force needs.

Applicants "stuck" in the backlog are also being urged to pull their applications and consider re-applying through the much faster provincial nominee program.

"We are also considering ways to obtain consent from applicants in the backlog to be considered directly by Canadian employers for employment," he said. "With job offers in hand, applicants would see their applications processed on a priority basis."

High level consultations are also taking place with employers across the country, he said, to discuss ways of creating a more "active" immigration system in which employers play a greater role in recruiting people from abroad.

NDP immigration critic Don Davies said he has grave concerns about the government's overall direction and it may be time for a national debate.

"There's two very different visions of immigration in this country. One is the Statue of Liberty: give me your poor, your oppressed, your weak and tired, yearning for freedom. That's what built the U.S. and Canada. It wasn't give me your rich, give me your educated, give me your wealthy investors," he said.

"I think this transformation is moving more toward the latter and I think we need to have a healthy Canadian debate about that because I'm not so sure that's the way to build your economy."

tcohen@postmedia.com

Twitter.com/tobicohen

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