Immigration minister wants qualified newcomers to integrate quickly

Kenney set to fast-track foreign students for immigration

2013 immigration targets

Immigration Minister Jason Kenney has announced that he wants to admit more foreign students currently studying in Canada as permanent residents and potential citizens, though he also plans to maintain Canada's overall immigration level at the same tally that's been in place since 2007 — between 240,000 to 265,000 people.

Flanked by young foreign students from Carleton and the University of Ottawa, and fronted by a large sign that said "Faster Immigration," Kenney said Wednesday he is expanding the number of admissions under the Canadian Experience Class, which aims to recruit and retain international students who have studied and graduated in Canada as well as temporary foreign workers who speak one of Canada's official languages and already have Canadian work experience.

Up to 10,000 permanent residents will be accepted next year in the Canada Experience Class, up from 7,000 in 2012 and 2,500 in 2009.

Immigration Minister Jason Kenney has been focused on restructuring Canada's immigration system, with a strong emphasis on finding immigrants likely to integrate and succeed in the Canadian workforce. (Adrian Wyld/Canadian Press)

Last month, Kenney's department marked its 20,000th immigrantunder this class, after five years in existence. Admitting up to 10,000 in a single year represents a big jump.

The minister's annual immigration plan must be tabled in Parliament each year by Nov.1. It sets overall targets for how many newcomers will be issued visas to be admitted to Canada from abroad, as well as how many students and temporary foreign workers already in Canada will be allowed to stay.

Pointing at the students behind him, Kenney said, "These are the kind of bright young people we are trying to recruit." In the past, Kenney said, these kinds of students would be told to leave the country and apply for residency which could take up to eight years.

Kenney said that immigration is a tool to address the problems of Canada's aging population and shortage of certain types of skilled workers. "But we must do a better job of selecting those who can succeed quickly, who can integrate quickly, who can find and keep good employment, who can start successful businesses and add to Canada's prosperity."

"The data tells us [what to do]," continued Kenney. "The reforms we're making are based on evidence, on research and on data that tells us that the immigrants who do better over their lifetimes in Canada are those with a higher level of language proficiency in Canada and those with Canadian degrees and diplomas."

'Under pressure to increase immigration'

Kenney said he was under pressure from some provinces and from some interest groups to increase immigration levels. He accused the NDP of wanting immigration numbers to rise to half a million newcomers a year. But, Kenney said, he was very aware of polls suggesting that Canadians view immigration less favourably than in the past, partially because, he thinks, the unemployment level of immigrants is 14 per cent.

The NDP immigration critic Jinny Sims said she was disappointed that the government was cutting back on the family reunification that allows immigrants to sponsor their parents and grandparent. "This is a government that talks about families, and the importance of families. And yet once again it has abandoned the hundreds of thousands Canadian citizens by not increasing the numbers under the family reunification class."

Kenney said that his department is actually increasing the numbers for family reunification, especially for immigrants' parents, going from 17,000 a year to 25,000 a year. But he added that Canada cannot admit what he called "unlimited numbers of seniors."

Sims also accused the government of being obsessed with temporary foreign employees, such as mining workers, and said that companies, permitted to pay temporary workers lower wages, are actively recruiting them from overseas.

Kenney said that he was disturbed at the number of temporary workers who are often in jobs that can't be filled by Canadians, which he found "bizarre." But he added this was only a "last resort" for companies, and that his government is careful not to do anything that would stall economic growth.

"We are rebuilding our economic immigration programs to get higher levels of employment, higher levels of income, more immigrants realizing their potential contributing at their skill level, rather than coming to Canada and being stuck in survival jobs and being underemployed.

News Release — An Immigration Plan that works for Canada: More immigrants who are already working in Canada to be admitted through Canadian Experience Class

Ottawa, October 31, 2012 — The Government of Canada will maintain record levels of immigration to support economic growth in 2013, Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney announced today.

“Our Government’s number one priority remains economic and job growth,” said Minister Kenney. “Newcomers bring their skills and talents, contribute to our economy and help renew our workforce so that Canada remains competitive on the world stage.”

According to Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC)’s 2012 Annual Report to Parliament on Immigration tabled today, CIC plans to admit a total of 240,000 to 265,000 new permanent residents in 2013, for the seventh straight year. This represents the highest sustained level of immigration in Canadian history.

In particular, the 2013 Immigration Levels Plan makes room for the rapid growth in the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). The CEC, which was created in 2008, facilitates the transition from temporary to permanent residence for those with high-skilled work experience in Canada, including international students and temporary foreign workers. Admissions under the CEC have increased from about 2,500 people in 2009 to more than 6,000 in 2011, with more expected this year than ever before. In 2013, CIC intends to accept a record high of up to 10,000 permanent residents through this popular program.

“Immigration plays a vital role in our country’s long-term prosperity,” said Minister Kenney.“Our 2013 Immigration Plan will build on our economic success by bringing in more of the world’s top talent who already have a successful track record in Canada.”

Every year, CIC consults with provinces, territories and public stakeholders across Canada to develop a balanced immigration plan. Besides stakeholder consultations, the Canadian public is invited to participate through online consultations on immigration levels and mix. This year, for the first time in Canadian history, CIC consulted with key Aboriginal groups.

CIC’s 2013 planned admission ranges for other immigration programs will be released in the coming days.

CIC annual tracking survey, methodological report

Report

Summary

Demo Tables Study 1 Set 1

Demo Tables Study 1 Set 2

Demo Tables Study 2 Set 1

Demo Tables Study 2 Set 2

News Release — “The Jig is Up on Marriage Fraud,” says Minister Kenney

Mississauga, October 26, 2012 — In an ongoing effort to deter people from using marriages of convenience to cheat their way into Canada, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) introduced a new regulation that requires certain sponsored spouses live in a legitimate relationship with their sponsor for two years or they risk losing their permanent resident status.

“There are countless cases of marriage fraud across the country,” said Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney. “I have consulted widely with Canadians, and especially with victims of marriage fraud, who have told me clearly that we must take action to stop this abuse of our immigration system. Sometimes the sponsor in Canada is being duped and sometimes it's a commercial transaction. Implementing a two-year conditional permanent residence period will help deter marriage fraud, prevent the callous victimization of innocent Canadians and help us put an end to these scams.”

The new regulations apply to spouses or partners in a relationship of two years or less and who have no children in common with their sponsor at the time they submit their sponsorship application. The spouse or partner must live in a legitimate relationship with their sponsor for two years from the day on which they receive their permanent resident status in Canada. The status of the sponsored spouse or partner may be revoked if they do not remain in the relationship.

Minister Kenney was joined at today’s announcement by representatives of Canadians Against Immigration Fraud (CAIF). Sam Benet, President of CAIF stated: “We applaud Minister Kenney for taking bold steps to address the growing problem of marriage fraud and for protecting the integrity of our immigration system.”

“I think it is a very good measure,” added Palwinder Singh Gill, founder of the Canadian Marriage Fraud Victims Society. “Canada’s generous family sponsorship program was being abused because many people were marrying only to get a permanent resident card and then leave their partners. With this rule, those abusing the system will think twice.”

The regulations include an exception for sponsored spouses or partners suffering abuse or neglect. The conditional measure would cease to apply in instances where there is evidence of abuse or neglect by the sponsor or if the sponsor fails to protect the sponsored spouse or partner from abuse or neglect. This abuse or neglect could be perpetrated by the sponsor or a person related to the sponsor, whether or not the abusive party is living in the household or not during the conditional period. The exception would also apply in the event of the death of the sponsor.

The conditional measure is now in force, which means that it applies to permanent residents in relationships of two years or less, with no children in common, whose applications are received on or after October 25, 2012.

Conditional permanent residence does not differ from regular permanent residence other than the need to satisfy the two-year requirement.

These regulations bring Canadian policy in line with that of many other countries including Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom, all of whom use a form of conditional status as a deterrent against marriage fraud. The lack of such a measure increased Canada’s vulnerability to this type of unlawful activity. It is expected that by implementing a conditional permanent residence measure of two years as a means to deter marriage fraud, Canada will no longer be considered a “soft target” by individuals considering a marriage of convenience to circumvent Canada’s immigration laws.

“Canadians are generous and welcoming, but they have no tolerance for fraudsters who lie and cheat to jump the queue,” said Minister Kenney. “This measure will help strengthen the integrity of our immigration system and prevent the victimization of innocent Canadians.”

In addition to conditional permanent residence, CIC introduced, in March of this past year, a measure that prohibits sponsored spouses from sponsoring a new spouse for five years following the date they become a permanent resident. Along with a multilingual advertising campaign, CIC released a short video warning people not to be duped into committing marriage fraud. The video directs people to a specific page on the CICwebsite (www.immigration.gc.ca/antifraud) for advice on how to immigrate to Canada “the right way.”

News Release — Minister Kenney Proposes Guidelines on Barring Harmful People from Canada

Ottawa, October 24, 2012 — People who promote terrorist activity or incite hatred which is likely to lead to violence could be barred from Canada, according to proposed guidelines released today by Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney.

The Faster Removal of Foreign Criminals Act, introduced in Parliament on June 20, 2012, includes several proposed changes to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act to protect the safety and security of Canadians. Among the proposed changes is a new ministerial authority to refuse temporary resident status to foreign nationals on the basis of public policy considerations.

“This authority ensures that we do not let in those who, for example, have a track record of promoting hatred and inciting violence against vulnerable groups,” said Minister Kenney. “The intent is that this authority be used very sparingly and with caution. We want to ensure that we strike the right balance in describing the scope of this authority, which is why I’ve tabled the guidelines in Parliament and welcome the feedback of parliamentarians.”

The proposed guidelines, introduced by Minister Kenney before the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration, illustrate scenarios where the Minister may choose to exercise his authority. The proposed guidelines outline two categories of behaviour and activities whereby a foreign national may be refused temporary resident status: 1) individuals who promote terrorism, violence or criminal activity including individuals who incite hatred that is likely to lead to violence against a specific group; and 2) certain foreign nationals from sanctioned countries or corrupt foreign officials.

This new authority would allow the Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism to deny temporary resident status to a foreign national for a period of up to three years, on the basis of public policy considerations. The authority is intended to be used only in exceptional circumstances.

Unlike many of our key international partners, including the United Kingdom, the United States, New Zealand, and Australia, which already have similar measures in place, Canada currently does not have a mechanism to prevent certain foreign nationals who are otherwise admissible from entering Canada, even though it is in the public interest that they be kept out.

“For years, Ministers of Immigration have been asked by members of federal and provincial parliaments, stakeholders, and Canadians to refuse entry to individuals who promoted hateful rhetoric, yet we were powerless to act,” said the Minister. “This authority would apply to the handful of exceptional cases each year where there are no other legal grounds to keep such people out of the country to protect the safety and security of Canadians.”

The Minister will report annually to Parliament on the number of instances the new authority is used.

The new discretionary authority for refusal is meant to be flexible, allowing for case-by-case analysis and quick responses to unpredictable and fast-changing events. It would allow the Minister to make a carefully-weighted decision, taking into account the public environment and potential consequences.

To view the proposed guidelines, consult the Backgrounder.

I have written to the Nobel Peace Prize Committee nominating the brave young Pakistani woman Malala Yousafzai:

News Release — Minister Kenney announces Citizenship Judge Appointment, Reappointments

Ottawa, October 22, 2012 — Roy Wong has been appointed as a Citizenship Judge in Vancouver for a full-time, three-year term, Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney announced today. The appointment is effective October 29, 2012.

Mr. Wong holds a Bachelor of Arts from New York University, a Licentiate in Law from theUniversité de Montréal and the Certificate of Qualification for Common-Law from the University of British Columbia. He had a lengthy career as a lawyer and is a past member of the Law Society of British Columbia and a past member of the Barreau du Québec.

Four other citizenship judges have been reappointed to three-year terms:

• Ann Dillon (Vancouver)
• Renée Giroux (Montreal)
• Anne-Marie Kains (Vancouver)
• Terrence O’Malley (Regina)

Citizenship judges are responsible for making decisions with regard to citizenship applications, presiding over citizenship ceremonies and administering the oath of citizenship to new citizens.