CIC Wins Technology Award for the Come to Canada Wizard

Ottawa, November 6, 2012 — The Come to Canada Wizard, which helps people determine if they are eligible to live, work or study in Canada, received a prominent technology award last night for Excellence in Public Service Delivery.

This award, presented at the GTEC Distinction Awards Gala, recognizes outstanding achievements by individuals or teams developing and implementing innovative projects to improve client-facing service delivery, with a specific focus on citizens or businesses as clients of government.

“I commend CIC on the creation of the Coming to Canada Wizard and I am very proud that their hard work is being recognized,” said Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney. “The Wizard helps prospective immigrants assess their eligibility, which in turn helps them save time and money. It also helps the department to be more efficient by helping ensure prospective immigrants to Canada know whether they are able to immigrate to Canada, and helping ensure they apply under the most appropriate program.”

GTEC (the Government Technology Exhibition and Conference) attracts over 7,000 participants annually from around the world with the demonstration of the most advanced technologies that are driving public sector IT initiatives at all levels of government in Canada and other countries.

The Come to Canada Wizard is interactive. It presents users with a series of questions to determine which federal immigration option best suits their specific circumstances. It then leads users through the application steps and provides instructions and forms.

There are more than 4,000 visits to the Come to Canada Wizard every day and since its launch in August 2011 there have been over 1.8M users. Close to 93 percent of users say that the Wizard is easy to use and close to 90 percent of users say they would recommend it to someone they know.

Canada cuts immigration quota for skilled workers

Canada is reducing the number of people given permanent residency through its skilled immigration scheme, as it seeks to free up places for migrants already living in the country.

Canada is cutting the number of people given permanent residency through its most popular immigration scheme by nearly 2,000.

The federal skilled worker programme, a points-based system for skilled migrants, is being squeezed next year to make way for 3,000 more people who have worked or studied in Canada for at least two years.

The changes are aimed at ensuring that foreigners who move to Canada are more able to contribute to the country’s economy.

Immigration minister Jason Kenney said the move would help to attract “more of the world’s top talent who already have a successful track record in Canada”.

Under the plans, the total number of economic migrants admitted in 2013 will remain at between 240,000 and 265,000.

But Canada is expanding its “Canadian Experience Class” scheme, which gives permanent residency to international students and those who have worked there for two years on temporary visas.

Up to 10,000 people will be able to settle permanently in Canada this way next year, compared with 7,000 in 2012.

Meanwhile, the maximum quota for federal skilled workers will drop to 55,300 in 2013, from 57,000 in 2012. In 2011, 57,296 people were admitted through this route. The figures do not include applicants’ families.

The skilled worker programme was frozen in July 2012 due to a massive backlog of applications that now stands at 100,000.

In September, the government announced changes to the scheme that would prioritise English speaking under 35s who had previously worked in Canada. Final details have not yet been released, but any changes are likely to come into effect from January.

Harald Bauder, director of the Centre of Immigration and Settlement at Ryerson University in Toronto, said the changes would benefit those with existing connections or a job offer in Canada.

He said: “One of the big problems foreign workers face in finding a job is that Canadian work experience is often required. It’s very contentious. It’s a catch-22 situation.

“That’s why they’re focusing on foreign workers or students already in Canada.”

The changes come as attitudes towards expats in the country appear to be hardening. Government survey results released last week found only 56 per cent of Canadians felt immigration was having a positive impact on the Canadian economy – 10 percentage points down from 2010.

However, Mr Bauder said his research suggested that support for immigration in Canada was still high compared with other Western countries.

Canada cuts immigration quota for skilled workers

Canada is reducing the number of people given permanent residency through its skilled immigration scheme, as it seeks to free up places for migrants already living in the country.

Canada is cutting the number of people given permanent residency through its most popular immigration scheme by nearly 2,000.

The federal skilled worker programme, a points-based system for skilled migrants, is being squeezed next year to make way for 3,000 more people who have worked or studied in Canada for at least two years.

The changes are aimed at ensuring that foreigners who move to Canada are more able to contribute to the country’s economy.

Immigration minister Jason Kenney said the move would help to attract “more of the world’s top talent who already have a successful track record in Canada”.

Under the plans, the total number of economic migrants admitted in 2013 will remain at between 240,000 and 265,000.

But Canada is expanding its “Canadian Experience Class” scheme, which gives permanent residency to international students and those who have worked there for two years on temporary visas.

Up to 10,000 people will be able to settle permanently in Canada this way next year, compared with 7,000 in 2012.

Meanwhile, the maximum quota for federal skilled workers will drop to 55,300 in 2013, from 57,000 in 2012. In 2011, 57,296 people were admitted through this route. The figures do not include applicants’ families.

The skilled worker programme was frozen in July 2012 due to a massive backlog of applications that now stands at 100,000.

In September, the government announced changes to the scheme that would prioritise English speaking under 35s who had previously worked in Canada. Final details have not yet been released, but any changes are likely to come into effect from January.

Harald Bauder, director of the Centre of Immigration and Settlement at Ryerson University in Toronto, said the changes would benefit those with existing connections or a job offer in Canada.

He said: “One of the big problems foreign workers face in finding a job is that Canadian work experience is often required. It’s very contentious. It’s a catch-22 situation.

“That’s why they’re focusing on foreign workers or students already in Canada.”

The changes come as attitudes towards expats in the country appear to be hardening. Government survey results released last week found only 56 per cent of Canadians felt immigration was having a positive impact on the Canadian economy – 10 percentage points down from 2010.

However, Mr Bauder said his research suggested that support for immigration in Canada was still high compared with other Western countries.

Canadian history deserves to be taught in schools

Canadian history deserves to be taught in schools

Too bad it isn’t

Troy Media – by Michael Zwaagstra

Most schools fail to provide an adequate Canadian history curriculum to public school students.

Former Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King once said that “while some countries have too much history, we have too much geography.” He implied that because of the relatively young age of our country, Canada has less history than most other countries.

However, having a shorter history is no guarantee that our citizens are more likely to know it well. According to a 2009 survey commissioned by the Dominion Institute, less than half of Canadians between the ages of 18 and 35 could identify John A. Macdonald, Canada’s first prime minister, from his portrait. Less than one in 10 could identify former NDP leader Tommy Douglas and barely one in five recognized Métis leader Louis Riel. Even former Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau was unknown by almost half of Canadians in the same cohort.

Last year, federal Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Jason Kenney introduced a new citizenship guide. In order to be granted citizenship, applicants must now demonstrate sufficient knowledge of essential Canadian history. The new 64-page study guide, Discover Canada, devotes 10 pages to a chronological overview of key events in our history. Any applicant who does not master these facts cannot pass the citizenship test.

Since we expect new citizens to be familiar with Canadian history, it makes sense to apply the same standard to those who grow up in this country. This is why most people expect schools to ensure students learn the key events in Canadian history.

While there will always be debate around what historical events are most important, it’s not difficult to identify some fundamental things everyone should know. For example, few would dispute that all Canadians should be familiar with our Confederation of 1867, Samuel de Champlain’s founding of Quebec City in 1608, Canada’s contribution during the two World Wars, and the patriation of the Constitution in 1982. Controversial episodes such as Indian residential schools, the Chinese Head Tax, and the forced relocation of Japanese Canadians during World War II should also be studied.

Understanding our past, warts and all, makes us better able to grapple with the issues confronting our country today. A well-educated and broadly-informed general public is the best protection against misguided government policies. Knowing our past makes it easier for us to build on our successes and avoid repeating our failures.

Because education is a provincial responsibility, there are no national history standards. Unfortunately, most provinces fail to provide an adequate history curriculum to public school students, a fact well-documented by renowned historian Jack Granatstein in his book, Who Killed Canadian History?.

Although every province includes some Canadian history in the elementary grades, most do not require high school students to take a full course on the subject, but prescribe nebulous social studies courses instead. For example, Alberta students take courses in globalization, nationalism, and ideology while British Columbia students take a grade 12 history course in which they look at major world events of the 20th century. Neither province mandates a high school course in Canadian history.

Saskatchewan does require grade 12 students to take a history course called Canadian Studies. Unfortunately, the course is arranged thematically rather than chronologically. Instead of starting at a chosen point and showing how one historical event builds on another, students jump from topics such as “External Forces and Domestic Realities” to “The Forces of Nationalism.”

Interestingly, Manitoba stands out as a bright light among the provinces. Not only are all Manitoba grade 11 students required to take Canadian history, the course content is arranged chronologically. Furthermore, the new textbook that goes with the curriculum provides a useful and easy-to-read overview of key events in Canadian history. Other provinces would do well to follow Manitoba’s example.

Much of the inadequate teaching of history in our schools stems from a faulty educational philosophy. Prospective teachers are told by their education professors not to focus on making sure students learn a core knowledge base, but rather to emphasize the so-called process of learning. As a result, schools focus on abstract concepts such as globalization, nationalism, and social justice at the expense specific knowledge and skills.

Canadian history is too important a subject for us to allow it to fall out of use. No student should graduate from high school without a solid understanding of the events that have shaped our great country.

Statement — Minister Kenney congratulates Bishop Tawadros on being named the new Pope of the Coptic Orthodox Church

Ottawa, November 5, 2012 — The Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, issued the following statement congratulating the new Coptic Pope:

“I wish to congratulate Bishop Tawadros on being chosen as the new leader of Egypt’s ancient Coptic Orthodox Church, becoming the 118^th Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of All Africa in the Holy See of St. Mark the Apostle.

“In a traditional ceremony at St. Mark’s Cathedral in Cairo yesterday, Bishop Tawadros’s name was selected from a crystal chalice containing the names of three short-listed candidates. He succeeds Pope Shenouda III, whom I had the great honour to meet in person, as the spiritual leader of the largest Christian minority in the Middle East, at a challenging and uncertain time for Coptic Christians in Egypt.
“As patriarch, the Pope will provide leadership for the global Coptic Church, will be responsible for protecting the ancient Coptic religious, ritual and cultural patrimony, and will be able to deepen and strengthen ecumenical relations with sister churches throughout the Catholic and Orthodox world. He will also bear the great responsibility of encouraging and protecting the Coptic minority in Egypt as they face ever-increasing threats and persecution.

“As Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, and on behalf of the Government of Canada, I extend my best wishes to Bishop Tawadros as he prepares to assume these heavy responsibilities at his enthronement on November 18 and I offer my heartfelt congratulations to the Coptic community in Canada.”

Message from the Government of Canada – Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism

We are pleased to present Strengthening Canada’s Economy: Government of Canada Progress Report 2011 on Foreign Credential Recognition.

Our Economic Action Plan has helped Canada to weather the global downturn. The Government of Canada’s top priority is economic growth and job creation. As we move forward, immigration will play a key role in strengthening our economy. Ensuring that skilled immigrants participate fully in Canada’s job market is a key part of our growth strategy. We recognize the important role of skilled immigrants in helping to fill labour shortages and in contributing to Canada’s overall competitiveness.

We are committed to removing the barriers to employment faced by newcomers and to fostering their economic success. Improving foreign credential recognition is a key element in achieving these commitments.

Recognizing foreign credentials benefits Canada’s economy by helping newcomers put their education and experience to use in relevant and satisfying employment soon after their arrival. With pre-arrival access to accurate information on assessment and recognition processes, and related tools, skilled immigrants can more quickly integrate into the labour market.

In collaboration with our partners, including provincial and territorial governments and a variety of stakeholder groups, the Government is continually working to improve foreign credential recognition processes. Three federal departments work together on these improvements. These include the Foreign Credentials Referral Office (FCRO) at Citizenship and Immigration Canada, the Foreign Credential Recognition Program (FCRP) at Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC), and the Internationally Educated Health Professionals Initiative at Health Canada.

A good example of this collaboration is the Pan-Canadian Framework for the Assessment and Recognition of Foreign Qualifications. Within the Framework, governments, regulatory bodies, credential assessment agencies, industry associations and employers collaborate to streamline and simplify the process for licensure. This is leading to major improvement in the recognition of foreign credentials

Recent achievements include the launch of the International Qualifications Network website. The site is a virtual space for employers, regulatory bodies, sector councils and immigrant-serving organizations to share innovative practices in qualification assessment and recognition. The Foreign Credential Recognition Loans pilot project, delivered in partnership with community organizations, is helping internationally trained professionals cover the costs of having their credentials recognized. Another example of the Government's effort is Health Canada's support for an innovative assessment and bridging program to help internationally educated nurses meet regulatory requirements for licensure across Canada.

When new Canadians succeed, Canada succeeds. With the improvements we have made to foreign credential recognition, we are ensuring that new Canadians can share in Canada’s prosperity. 

The Honourable Jason Kenney, PC, MP
Minister of Citizenship,
Immigration and Multiculturalism

The Honourable Diane Finley, PC, MP
Minister of Human Resources and
Skills Development

The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, PC, MP
Minister of Health

Canada's skilled immigrants backlog to be eliminated soon

mmigration Minister Kenney says 100,000 applicants are still in the system

The Canadian Press 

 

Posted: Nov 2, 2012 2:00

Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Jason Kenney has said the backlog of skilled immigrant applicants will soon become a "just in time" process. (Adrian Wyld/Canadian Press)

Canada's Conservative government says a backlog of skilled immigrant applications, which has clogged the system for years, is declining rapidly and will be eliminated by the end of next year.

Immigration Minister Jason Kenney says about 100,000 applications are still in the system, down from 640,000 just a few years ago.

Kenney told a news conference that the eradication of the wait list means a new immigrant labour pool from which employers and provinces can choose will be established ahead of schedule.

The backlog was culled by a measure in last spring's contentious omnibus bill, which threw out 280,000 applications filed prior to 2008, a controversial move that saw the federal government refund $130 million in application fees.

Without flushing the system, it was estimated the backlog wouldn't be cleared until 2017, but the decision is being challenged in court by lawyers who plan to launch a class-action lawsuit on behalf of people whose applications were expelled.

Kenney says that by the end of 2013, the government will be able to process skilled immigrant applications within a year, rather than eight years, which had become the norm.

He says the reforms are "finally unshackling Canada from the outrageous backlogs and wait times of the past," and will bring people who are likely to find and keep good jobs into the country.

"The system had become totally dysfunctional. It was broken, and it was getting worse," Kenney said. "Strong action was necessary."

The Conservatives in 2008 imposed limits on the number of skilled immigrant applications they would accept, and with that action alone, Kenney says, the backlog was sliced in half.

Kenney has also announced that Canada plans to admit between 53,500 and 55,300 new Canadians in 2013 under the revamped federal skilled worker program, which will be geared more toward accepting young people.

Overall immigration targets will remain frozen at between 240,000 and 265,000.