Immigration Canada

6 things that will change on Canada Day weekend

CBC News

Posted: Jun 29, 2012 10:55 AM ET

As the midpoint in the calendar year, and a nationally symbolic one at that, June 30 and July 1 are dates on which new regulations or tax changes often come into effect or current ones expire and quarterly adjustments are made to some government programs.

This year, Canada Day weekend will see some of the country's richest people (at least in Ontario) get a little poorer, the poorest seniors get a tiny bit richer, refugees and would-be immigrants perhaps a little frustrated and MPs come out ahead, as usual.

Here's a look at some of the changes coming into effect this holiday weekend:

1. Seniors get a bit more money

The maximum basic Old Age Security benefit paid to people age 65 or older rises $4.86 a month to $544.98 for people making less than $69,562 a year.

Guaranteed Income Supplement payments for low-income seniors also increase, by $6.60 to $738.96 a month for a single person or the spouse of a non-pensioner, and by $4.37 a month to $489.98 for the spouse of a pensioner. And the monthly allowance for low income seniors between the ages of 60 and 64 rises by about $10 a month.

2. Rich Ontarians' pay cheques shrink

As part of a budget deal between the minority Ontario Liberal government and the NDP, Ontarians face a new marginal tax rate of 13.168 per cent on income over $500,000. The "tax on the rich" means more tax will be withheld from pay cheques for those upper-income earners effective July 1.

3. Refugees lose some health benefits

With cuts to the Interim Federal Health Program, announced by Citizenship and Immigration Minister Jason Kenney, refugees will no longer receive dental and vision care and will have reduced prescription drug coverage. The government says the cuts will bring refugees' health-care coverage on par with what is paid to other Canadians and will save $20 million a year over the next five years. Critics, including doctors who work in community health, say the changes threaten the health of some of the world's most vulnerable people.

4. MPs' pension fund will be $23M richer

A quarterly interest payment of 10.4 per cent will be paid into the parliamentary pension fund on June 30, adding $23 million to the fund, according to the Canadian Taxpayers Federation. Changes are coming that will see MPs paying more for their pensions and waiting longer to collect, but the CTF says Canadians still pay more than $100 million annually into the fund through set quarterly interest payments and annual contributions, while MPs themselves contribute about $4.5 million. The fund now stands at $950 million.

5. New immigrant workers face language tests

Starting July 1, most applicants for semi- and low-skilled professions under the Provincial Nominee Program will have to undergo testing and meet mandatory minimum language standards in English or French. The PNP, which is managed by the provinces in accordance with federal guidelines, is the second-largest economic immigration program in the country and is expected to bring 42,000 people into Canada this year.

6. Foreign skilled workers and entrepreneurs need not apply

Immigration Minister Jason Kenney this week announced an immediate freeze on applications under the Skilled Worker Program and the Immigrant Investor Program to reduce the backlog of applicants seeking to come to Canada under those programs. Kenney had already announced that applications from skilled workers made before 2008 would be cancelled and fees returned. New applications for skilled workers will be accepted again in January, but the investor program freeze is indefinite as the government overhauls a program some see as a way to buy entry to Canada.

Federal government seeks comments on tighter rules for foreign students

BY THE CANADIAN PRESS JUNE 29, 2012 5:30 PM

OTTAWA - The Immigration Department is looking at tightening the rules covering foreign students, and wants to know what Canadians think.

A notice in the latest Canada Gazette asks for written comments from interested parties on proposals that would ensure students from overseas actually go to school, and would prevent them from staying here legally if they quit their studies.

New rules would also ensure that schools drawing foreign students are legitimate operations.

The proposal says the present rules are loose compared with other countries.

There is no formal requirement that students actually go to school once they get here, nor are there rules about what kinds of schools qualify.

The notice says students can attend any kind of institution, regardless of whether it is accredited, or regulated or overseen by a provincial or territorial government or a recognized standard-setting body.

The new regulations would require international students to actually attend school and to leave the country if they drop out. The proposals would also limit the kinds of institutions eligible to take such students.

The notice says the federal government is consulting provinces and territories on eligibility requirements for such institutions.

Foreign study in Canada is growing. The Immigration Department says 98,378 international students entered the country in 2011, an increase of 34 per cent from 2007.

A 2010 study commissioned by Foreign Affairs said international students contributed more than $6.5 billion to the economy in 2008.

The Immigration Department, though, says the international student program is vulnerable to abuse both by phoney students who just want a job; and by phoney schools that want to rip off foreigners with sub-standard courses.

"The goal is to strengthen the integrity of Canada's immigration system by reducing fraud in the international student movement, while improving Canada's standing as a desirable study destination," the Gazette notice said.

Anyone interested in commenting has 30 days to write to the department.

"The proposed changes to the International Student Program are in line with reforms implemented by Canada's key competitor countries for international students," department spokesman Bill Brown said in an email.

"Strengthening aspects of the program that could be abused by fraudulent schools or non-genuine study permit applicants is vitally important to protect Canada's reputation abroad and to ensure that Canada continues to enjoy the tremendous social and economic benefits that the ISP provides."

Brown added: "International students enrich the life of every campus by bringing new ideas and cultures with them."

Legislation to Protect Canada's Immigration System Receives Royal Assent

OTTAWA, ONTARIO, Jun 29, 2012 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) -- Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney today welcomed the final passage and Royal Assent of legislation that will protect and improve Canada's immigration system.

"This legislation will help stop foreign criminals, human smugglers and those with unfounded refugee claims from abusing Canada's generous immigration system and receiving taxpayer funded health and social benefits," said Minister Kenney. "Canada's immigration and refugee system is one of the most fair and generous in the world and will continue to be so under the new and improved system."

The Protecting Canada's Immigration System Act brings further reforms to the asylum system. These changes will provide faster protection to those who genuinely need it by reducing the time it takes to review and decide a refugee claim. There will be faster removal of those who don't require protection and limited access to appeal mechanisms for failed refugee claimants who come from generally non-refugee producing countries.

With the Balanced Refugee Reform Act and today's legislation, the provinces and territories are expected to save in the range of $1.65 billion over five years in social assistance and education costs.

The new measures also address the heinous crime of human smuggling by making it easier to prosecute human smugglers and impose stiffer penalties.

"Human smuggling is one of the most dangerous forms of migration," said Minister Kenney. "Every year people die in human smuggling operations around the world. These new measures send a clear message to human smugglers that Canada's generosity will not be abused, that we will enforce our immigration laws against human smugglers."

Under the new measures, the Minister of Public Safety will be able to designate the arrival of a group of persons into Canada as an irregular arrival, and make those involved subject to the Act's measures such as detention for individuals aged 16 and older.

These individuals may be released from detention by the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada when it conducts detention reviews within 14 days and every six months thereafter, or following acceptance of their refugee claim. Individuals may also be released from detention by the Minister if he/she is satisfied that the reasons for detention no longer exist or that there are exceptional circumstances that warrant release.

The changes also prevent people who come to Canada as part of a designated irregular arrival from applying for permanent resident status for a period of five years. This means that they would be unable to sponsor family members during that time.

The new measures also require biometric data to be included as part of a temporary resident visa application, work permit, and study permit. Travellers, students and workers from certain visa-required countries and territories will be required to provide their fingerprints and have their photo taken before they arrive in Canada.

"With these changes, the integrity of Canada's immigration programs and the safety and security of Canadians will be protected," said Minister Kenney.

Some of these new measures come into effect immediately, while others will come into effect later this year at a date that will be determined by the government. The new biometric measures will come into effect in 2013.

See the Summary of Changes backgrounder for more information on timing.

For more information on this legislation, visit the CIC website at www.cic.gc.ca .

Backgrounders:

Refugee Reforms:

        
        --  Overview of Reforms to Canada's Refugee System
        --  Designated Countries of Origin
        --  Summary of Changes in the Protecting Canada's Immigration System Act

Human Smuggling

        
        --  Overview: Ending the Abuse of Canada's Immigration System by Human
            Smugglers
        --  Protecting Our Streets and Communities from Criminal and National
            Security Threats
        --  Tougher Penalties for Ship Owners and Operators Who Fail to Comply with
            Canada's Marine Security Legislation
        --  Deterring Abuse of the Refugee System
        --  Designating Human Smuggling Events
        --  Cracking Down on Human Smugglers Who Abuse Canada's Immigration System
        --  Better Tools to Successfully Prosecute and Impose Mandatory Prison
            Sentences on Human Smugglers

Biometrics

        
        --  Biometrics in Canada's Temporary Resident Program
        --  Five reasons why we need biometrics

Photo of Minister Kenney will be available later today 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.

Reciprocal work permit agreements for Canadian and international youth travelers

Canada's International Youth Program encourages young Canadians to travel and work abroad; to acquire the skills, training, and cultural experiences that are so valuable in Canada and in the global marketplace. Canada has coordinated reciprocal work permit arrangements with close to 40 countries in which qualifying Canadians and international youth can visit each others' countries to experience a new culture and different work environment.

Just this month, Poland became the most recent country to sign a youth mobility agreement with Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC). The agreement will allow young Canadians and Poles (between 18 and 35) to travel and work in each other's country for a one-year period.

"The Agreement will serve to actively engage our youth to learn about our respective countries, develop skills for global careers and build networks to ensure an even stronger relationship between Canada and Poland for the future," stated Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs David Emerson.

More than 22,000 young Canadians travel abroad every year through Canada's various youth mobility agreements, and about 36,000 international youth choose to travel and work in Canada. Beyond its reciprocal work permit arrangements, Canada has formal agreements for youths with close to 20 countries, through which four specialized programs are available for Canadians.

The first is the Working Holiday program, which is geared towards non-students visiting participating countries. The program allows them to work in order to finance their travel expenses. Then there is the Young Workers' Exchangeprogram which allows Canadians to acquire professional work experience and training in a foreign culture. The SWAP Working Holiday program (short for Student Work Abroad Program) is geared toward students. Canadian youth traveling to participating countries can receive assistance with finding accommodation and work from SWAP's partner organizations abroad. Finally there is the Co-op Education program which aims to provide students with valuable foreign work experience related to their current academic field of study.

Participating countries may partake in all or some of these programs. The full breakdown is available on the Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada website.

To apply for one of these programs, Canadian youth must have a valid Canadian passport, a reasonable amount of money, and a pre-purchased round-trip airline ticket.

By promoting world travel to young Canadians, the government is encouraging international network-building and cultural discovery. Those who participate can gain the skills and work experience to succeed in an increasingly globalized world.

International Experience Canada (IEC) manages Canada’s youth mobility arrangements and agreements with different countries around the world. These arrangements and agreements make it easier for you to obtain a work permit to travel and work in Canada for up to one year.

Work permits under IEC are available to young people aged 18-35* who are from one of the countries that have a bilateral reciprocal youth mobility arrangement or agreement with Canada. Consult the list below for participating countries to see if your country of origin has a bilateral reciprocal youth mobility arrangement or agreement with Canada. Click on the name of your country to be redirected to the corresponding Embassy of Canada website for specific application details.

Can’t find your country in the list? Connect with one of these recognized organizations for other travel and work opportunities in Canada.

Over the age of 35?* Contact Citizenship and Immigration Canada for information on other work permit options.

Country Territory	Working Holiday	Young Professionals	International Coop
Australia	Yes	Yes	Yes
Austria	No	Yes	Yes
Belgium	Yes	No	No
Chile	Yes	Yes	Yes
Costa Rica	Yes	Yes	Yes
Croatia	Yes	Yes	Yes
Czech Republic	Yes	Yes	Yes
Denmark	Yes	No	No
Estonia	Yes	Yes	Yes
France	Yes	Yes	Yes
Germany	Yes	Yes	Yes
Hong Kong	Yes	No	No
Ireland	Yes	No	No
Italy	Yes	No	No
Japan	Yes	No	No
Korea, Rep.	Yes	No	No
Latvia	Yes	Yes	Yes
Lithuania	Yes	Yes	Yes
Mexico	Yes	Yes	Yes
Netherlands	Yes	Yes	No
New Zealand	Yes	No	No
Norway	Yes	Yes	Yes
Poland	Yes	Yes	Yes
Slovakia	Yes	Yes	Yes
Slovenia	Yes	Yes	Yes
Spain	Yes	Yes	Yes
Sweden	Yes	Yes	Yes
Switzerland	No	Yes	Yes
Taiwan	Yes	Yes	Yes
Ukraine	Yes	Yes	Yes
United Kingdom	Yes	No	No

Are you a Canadian citizen looking to travel and work abroad for up to one year? Find out more about international travel and work abroad options for Canadian citizens.

* In some countries the age limit is 18-29, or 30

Financial crisis causes Greeks to move to Canada

March 25 - Greece Independence Day (Photo credit: Aster-oid)

June 28 2012 by Paul Jones

With Greece’s economy and its political life in turmoil, more Greek nationals are considering living and working in Canada.

Peter Kletas, President of the Hellenic Community of Vancouver, says after Greece imposed drastic austerity measures, he has received many inquiries about immigration to Canada.
He told Canadian radio station News 1130, "In the past month with the strictest austerity measures, we're getting a lot of telephone calls and emails from people in Greece and they're asking about how they can immigrate to Canada and what the job prospects are like.
Inquiries are coming from people with different backgrounds, he explains.
"We're seeing people with university degrees that are looking to move their family for a better future here in Canada; from labourers to university professors."
Mr Kletas is not the only Greek community leader who has received inquiries from nationals wanting to obtain work visas in Canada. Other Hellenic organizations have also been inundated.
John Yannitos, President of the Hellenic Society of Calgary, told the Metro News newspaper, “A while ago, it was in the dozens [of calls]. Now we’re approaching a hundred-plus inquiries, and that’s just in Calgary.”
This year, Canada plans to admit 250,000 immigrants and to target those who have a good grasp of English or French and have studied at higher education levels.
This is good news for those Greeks who have received a good education subsidised by the state. With more than 1 in 4 Greeks unemployed, rising to 2 in 4 young Greeks, it is no wonder that many are looking to Canada, where the economy has remained relatively strong.
In fact, the financial news service Bloomberg says 53% of university age Greeks plan to emigrate and 17% are already taking active steps to do so. At the same time, the National Technical University of Athens says 4 out of 10 of the current graduating civil engineers are aiming to emigrate.
Former Greek restaurateur George Varvarigos has begun a new career in car sales in Toronto after immigrating from Greece 7 months ago.
He told the Vancouver Sun newspaper, "Everybody works hard for every daily expense... and the bills they have to pay. Nobody is lazy... So they're fighters.
"[Canada] is a better environment with better chances for people who would like to do something in their life, to have a family, to have their job and to get paid for that and to look straight to the future.”
According to John Yannitsos, a few dozen Greek residents are arriving in Calgary every week. The majority are Greek citizens with Canadian relatives, along with some Canadian citizens who had been living in Greece and are now starting to return.
"You can sense the desperation in their voices and in the inquiries. [They say] “can you help us with opportunities? How can we get there? We'll take our chances when we get there.”

Source: http://www.globalvisas.com