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.

Tapping into overseas work pool key to growth

Denise Deveau, Postmedia News · Nov. 30, 2011 | Last Updated: Nov. 30, 2011 3:11 AM ET

Like any business professional on the move, Jamie Rogers, a recruitment specialist at Calgary-based engineering firm Hatch, likes to network. But his sphere of influence is a little out of the ordinary.

Mr. Rogers is a firm believer that international experience is a terrific advantage in the Canadian workplace. That's why he spends a lot of time working with immigration agencies, colleges and other associations to meet, greet and mentor new Canadians.

His passion for helping immigrants find employment goes back to the time he spent working abroad after graduating from university. "That experience gave me real insight into how businesses work out there and the many similarities," he says.

Mr. Rogers considers it an important opportunity to find talent that might otherwise be overlooked. "There's been a belief that a person needs Canadian experience before they can be hired. But overseas experience is solid. The language and cultural differences are easy to overcome if you have the credentials."

Tapping into this work pool is quickly becoming a business imperative. Lynn Merrithew, corporation relation liaison for CCIS (Calgary Catholic Immigration Society), says 24,000 new Canadians from 120 countries arrive in Alberta alone each year. "That's a large number. And given the trends - older workers retiring, lower birthrates, etc. - we have to depend on immigration to sustain our corporate growth here."

This is far from being a local phenomenon. Teresa Gonzalez, director, gateway for international professionals at Ryerson University's G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education in Toronto, says "immigrants are expected to account for all of Canada's labour force growth this year. For that reason, access to this pool of talent has become a pressing issue for employers."

The challenge for many employers lies in knowing where to find the right qualifications and talent for the job. Mr. Rogers says he likes to work with organizations such as CCIS and Bow Valley College, who offer a range of networking, professional development and placement services designed to encourage business leaders to connect with new immigrants. "These programs are a great tool for anyone in HR staffing, because you are able to reach out and find new ways to bring in highly skilled talent."

CCIS is one of several likeminded agencies in the Calgary region that have built an extensive network for immigrants and business partners. Over time it has developed a full roster of opportunities to connect, ranging from bimonthly meetings at the Chamber of Commerce and information lunches to workshops and skills building.

"A lot of businesses are just becoming aware of the infinite talent pool that can be found through agencies like ours," Ms. Merrithew says. "Engineering, accounting, IT, HR, business management - we're able to link those types of skills with employers at these sessions."

The numbers show these efforts are having a significant positive effect on the labour picture: in a three-year period, CCIS alone placed 105 engineers in the oil and gas industry.

"Some of the people we placed when we started in 2003 are now in senior and executive positions just because we managed to convince employers to take these people on for their projects," Ms. Merrithew says.

New Canadians can also help themselves enormously by putting themselves in the networking picture and working on building "soft skills" to augment their credentials, Ms. Gonzales says.

"Aside from technical skills many of these professionals have, employers are looking for communication, critical thinking and analytical skills." To that end Ryerson is developing bridging programs in collaboration with industry stakeholders to ensure new Canadians develop the right skills to fasttrack into the workplace.

Whether it's bridging programs or meet and greets, networking is becoming a business necessity given that new Canadians will play a major role in helping employers address staffing shortfalls in future.

"Networking is always a huge focus point in my discussions," Mr. Rogers says. "It opens up opportunities for immigrants to reach out to professionals. At the same time it lets employers connect with a high percentage of internationally trained individuals and establish a common ground for conversations. It's definitely helping me see how I can help my company today."