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| Canada received more newcomers in 2008 than in any previous year in Canadian history
by Atty. Gregory James |
Over 500,000 newcomers were welcomed to Canada in 2008. Of these 247,000 were new permanent residents, while others were temporary foreign workers and foreign students. Many of these workers and students will eventually become permanent residents too.
Moving to Canada is a complicated process for applicants. Moving across town can be complicated; moving around the world is much more so. Immigrants to Canada give up their jobs, and leave behind friends and family when they move to Canada (although many have friends and family in Canada too). Sometimes there are members of the family who do not speak English or French very well. The children have to be placed in new schools and may have to catch up on some areas of study. The whole family has to get used to Canadian culture (including many simple but basic things like learning about the way we drive here!).
Some new immigrants have a hard time finding suitable work in Canada. Too many end up employed, but not at an appropriate skill level. The transition from the home country to Canada is not always a smooth one.
Canada continues to work hard to make immigration an easier transition for immigrants. We want immigrants to fit in quickly and to find suitable jobs and educational opportunities, so that the immigrants can start contributing to Canadian society and the Canadian economy as soon as possible.
The Canadian government is working to ease the transition to Canada. For example, the Federal government continues to work to make it easier and faster for foreign workers to have their credentials recognized in Canada. Employers are not able to do this on their own, and Canadian licensing agencies sometimes struggle with it too, so the Federal Government is trying to help by setting some national standards and facilitating recognition of foreign credentials and experience. This will make it easier for Canadian employers to understand a new immigrant’s qualifications, thus making it easier for new immigrants to find Canadian jobs and start contributing to the Canadian economy. In some cases, the licensing and other requirements can be sorted out before the new immigrant even arrives in Canada.
A higher proportion of immigrants have university educations than the Canadian born. Immigrants bring wonderful skills to this country. It is waste of their talents, and a missed opportunity for Canada, if they cannot properly apply those skills in the Canadian economy.
Will the Canadian government slow down immigration, given that the economy is doing poorly? No. The Minister has been very clear that immigration to Canada is a long term investment in Canada’s future. The immigrants who arrive now will benefit Canada for years to come, and their children will benefit Canada for decades to come. It makes no sense to slow down immigration now, when we will need those people’s contributions in the near future and for a long time.
Canada continues to look for ways to smooth the transition to Canada. The government continues to look for ways to adjust immigration qualifications so that those most likely to do well here can qualify.
Like any government program, there is always room for improvement. Although I do not always agree with the details, it is reassuring to know that the Canadian government, regardless of which party is in power, is constantly trying to improve the system.
If you would like help with a Canadian
immigration matter, you are welcome to contact Gregory James at
416.538.1301 or 905.502.3502, or at info@GregoryJamesLaw.com. See our
website at www.GregoryJamesLaw.com
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