Whats New in Canada-Update on CA

[jadwig]

Ottawa have come up with new tip line to crackdown immigration fraud

The Ottawa government is offering the new tip line to the public where they can inform about any citizenship fraudulent cases.

To check the growing number of fraudulent activities happening in the country, the federal government has taken a step keep a check on it by the help of general public.

As per the immigration authorities of the place they have more than 2000 immigrants belonging to different countries who have most probably got the Canadian citizenship through the fraudulent sources and now they are looking forward to find them and for those who will be found guilty will be punished with cancelling of their citizenship.

Action Taken by Government:

They have set up a new a tip line in which general people could come and report about anything that seems little doubtful to them. According to the government authorities this will help them control the growing citizenship frauds.

Here the citizens will be informing the government authorities about the suspected frauds this will help the government to increase their sources.

The Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney strongly supporting this new policy states that the Canadian citizenship should not be taken as a joke and it is not for sale and everyone could not get it easily. The minister is also encouraging the general public to serve their country by using the tip line to inform the authorities about the doubtful cases of the citizenship fraud. He is also confident that the department responsible for this work will properly consider and investigate the reported case properly and the suitable action will be definitely taken.

As per the minister the strict action will be taken against those who will be found guilty that is it might be as hard as cancelling of their citizenship rights and they might have to move back to their initial country. While supporting this strict action he stated that these actions will also be sending a very straight message to those who work for such fraudulent citizenships that now they would not be accepted at all and they won't be spared easily and would be dealt very severely.

Cases to be Informed:

The cases related to the miss-representation, about the fraud, if there is any known hiding of information or material during the citizenship process or if somebody is pretending to be in the country and is falsely meeting the requirements for getting the country's citizenship, any such above related doubts should be reported to the tip line as the numbers and timings given by the authorities. The number 1-888-242-2100 (in Canada only, 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday). For the ones out of country can contact the nearest Canadian visa office. IT may also be reported by e-mail at Citizenship-fraud-tips @ cic.gc.ca

While the intention behind this initiative may be laudable, it is controversial. We are gradually turning to a police state where citizens are encouraged to snitch on their neighbours. In recent weeks, this approach had been successful in apprehending some immigration offenders. However, it should be used with caution as too much of a good thing can be get out of hand and be bad...

 

[haral]

i think what they suggest is going to happen.. CIC cant possibly decrease the backlog in near future with current FSW levels only with capping new intakes...so they must increase the federal skilled worker levels and keep the cap at 10,000/ till 2013 to have chance of eliminating FSW backlog...that will give them felxibility to bring in new innivative point system criteria to bring in low skilled workers as well as more young highly qualified resource in FSW program.

Canada must focus on economic immigrants-Researchers

Canada, 31st August: Canada must give priority to economic immigrants, researchers have revealed in a latest study.

The study asserts Canada immigration department must focus on allowing skill-assessed economic immigrants whose levels of earnings are greater than other immigrants.

 

[mayankpandya]

Fast application processing time for Canada immigration

Canada, 12th September: Canada immigration processing time has been becoming fast, thanks to the steps taken by Canada immigration department recently.

In the last few years, CIC (Citizenship and Immigration Canada) has introduced several reforms in the Canada immigration system leading to significant reductions in immigration processing time. Prior to these changes, there have been long backlogs in processing of Canada immigration applications.

A.) Processing time for Canada immigration applications submitted in Canada(Paper application)—

Type of application Processing time

Canada visitor visa 163 days

Canada Study Permit 74 days

Canada off-campus work permit (OCWP) 79 days

Work Permit (same employer) 128 days

Work Permit (new employer) 79 days

Protected Person Status Document 13 days



B.) Processing time for Canada immigration applications submitted in Canada(Online application)—

Type of application Processing time

Canada visitor visa 81 days

Canada Study Permit 81 days

Canada off-campus work permit (OCWP) 18 days

Work Permit (same employer) 81 days

Work Permit (new employer) 81 days

Protected Person Status Document Not applicable



C.) a.)Processing times for Federal Skilled Worker applications (processed outside Canada)—ASIA and PACIFIC---



Visa office Processing times for applications recd before 27th Feb 2008 Bet 28th Nov 2008-25thJune

(in months)

Beijing (China) 48 18

Hong Kong (China) 57 18

Islamabad (Pakistan) 87 26

New Delhi(India) 87 15

Colombo(Sri Lanka) 55 15

Kuala Lumpur(Malaysia) 51 16

Manila (Philippines) 76 15



b.)Processing times for Provincial Nominee applications (processed outside Canada)—ASIA and PACIFIC---

Visa Office Processing times(in months)

Beijing (China) 11

Hong Kong (China) 27

Islamabad (Pakistan) 31

New Delhi(India) 8

Colombo(Sri Lanka) 25

Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) -

Manila (Philippines) 11



c.)Processing times for Investor class (processed outside Canada)—ASIA and PACIFIC---

Visa Office Processing times in months

Beijing (China) 42

Hong Kong (China) 42

Islamabad (Pakistan) --

New Delhi(India) 35

Colombo(Sri Lanka) --

Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) -

Manila (Philippines) 48



d.)Processing times for entrepreneur class (federal) applications processed by visa offices outside Canada

Visa Office Processing times in months

Beijing (China) 45

Hong Kong (China) 83

Islamabad (Pakistan) --

New Delhi(India) 84

Colombo(Sri Lanka) -

Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) -

Manila (Philippines) 68



e.)Processing times for self-employed class (federal) applications processed by visa offices outside Canada

Visa Office Processing times in months

Beijing (China) 51

Hong Kong (China) 74

Islamabad (Pakistan) --

New Delhi(India) 84

Colombo(Sri Lanka) -

Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) -

Manila (Philippines) -

 

[mayankpandya]

Better protection urged for temporary foreign workers in Alberta

Canada, 13th September: Temporary foreign workers in Alberta must be extended better protection in order to prevent them from exploitation by the employers, findings of a new report assert.

The report by a parliamentary assistant for the Tories brings forth the vulnerability of newcomers in Alberta coming to work here as temporary workers.

Better laws for temporary immigrant workers in Alberta--According to Thomas Lukaszuk, Alberta Employment and Immigration Minister, there is a need for not just upgrading but also strengthening immigration laws for the making the process of recruitment more smooth.

Speaking during a press conference held in Calgary last week while unveiling the report, Lukaszuk said the rules govern an industry bringing around 25,000 foreign workers in Alberta last year. There is a lot of pressure on temporary foreign workers to get jobs after coming to Alberta, Lukaszuk stated.

Moreover, many such workers try their best to stay here as longer as they can since their jobs offer middle-class existence to their families back home, he maintained.

Alberta businesses misuse labor laws--Out of the total employers hiring temporary foreign workers coming to Alberta, around 75 percent were found to be misusing labor regulations, as per the government records pertaining to last two years.

And majority of the abuse by Alberta businesses hiring temporary foreign workers involved failure in paying premium for work done on statutory holidays or wages for overtime.

And this is definitely a cause of serious concern, states president of Alberta Federation of Labor, Gil McGowan. He cited the example of another Canadian province Manitoba that was exemplary in terms of abiding by labor standards as well as rules pertaining to workplace safety before registrations for recruiting temporary foreign workers.

Manitoba has a requirement for all employers in the province to possess license as immigration advisors and does not allow them to charge any fees for finding them suitable jobs here.

McGowan was all praises for Lukaszuk saying the its really good that the minister understands the plight of temporary foreign workers.

He said the minister even accepts that Alberta temporary workers program needs immediate changes. McGowan further added that Alberta needs to have tougher enforcement and inspection if it really wants to curb widespread abuse of temporary foreign workers (TFWs) in Alberta.

Every year, around 280,000 immigrants come to Canada while the number of temporary foreign workers coming to Canada each year is said to be 350,000.

 

[mayankpandya]

Cities urged to do more for Canada immigrants

Canada, 15th September: Canadian cities have been asked to extend more help to immigrants coming to Canada to help them integrate successfully in their new homes.

Broader focus for integration of new immigrants in Canada--The report unveiled by the FCM(Federation of Canadian Municipalities) states that some of the very basic needs of the new immigrants arriving in Canada are ignored by the federal government.

These include assuring public transportation and affordable housing for newcomers in Canada. The report further asserts that the federal focus is on recognition of foreign credentials and language training to new immigrants in Canada and this is quite narrow.

There has been almost negligible change in the immigration settlement schemes by federal government, the report asserts.

According to a city councilor in Kitchener and a president of the FCM, Berry Vrbanovic, municipalities happen to the first in terms of providing support to issues concerning new immigrants.

So, there is an imminent need on a partnership between federal government and municipalities for delivering such services to newcomers in Canada, he added.

Meanwhile, CIC (Citizenship and immigration Canada) has invited public views on the appropriate mix of immigrants as well as the levels of Canada immigration needed by the nation for sustaining its labor force.

Housing, public transit must for newcomers in Canada—An important point worth consideration is that immigrants not only need help in learning French or English along with help in finding suitable jobs in Canada. In fact, two basic infrastructure issues including affordable houses and public transportation are indispensable for newcomers as they are for Canada-born workers.

And despite this, there has been tremendous pressure on some Canadian cities to reduce funding to transportation service.

The federal and provincial governments must make sure that the services for settlement of new immigrants in Canada last longer than three years since immigrants need between five to ten years for integrating fully into their new country, Mr. Vrbanovic stated.

And keeping in view the significance of new immigrants to Canadian economy, the governments, both the federal and provincial, must focus on quick settlement of new immigrants in Canada to save them from lagging behind from their Canada-born counterparts.

 

[mayankpandya]

Canada becomes a favorite work destination

Canada, 14th September: Canada is becoming an increasing favorite destination for working abroad, thanks to the stagnancy in the US employment market.

Its being seen that more and more Americans are flocking to Canada to find jobs as the scene back home seems to be worsening. For them, Canada appears to be a land of opportunities.

Rate of joblessness is sky-high at 9.1 percent and economy is passing through a tough time due to onset of recent financial turmoil.

In such a time, Canada seems to be an obvious choice for many Americans considering the fact that it is not only is close proximity to the US but also having a low unemployment rate of 7.3 percent.

Increasing Americans seeking Canada temporary work visas—Latest official figures by Canada immigration department Citizenship and Immigration Canada show a noticeable hike in the number of applicants from America for Canada temporary work visas.

Since the global economic downturn about three years ago, the number of such applicants has increased two-fold. As compared to just 2,115 applications from Americans for Canada temporary work visas in the year 2008, the number of applications for the year 2010 was stated to be 4,109.

As per the immigration advisors in Toronto and other regions, there has been a dramatic rise in the number of applicants from the US showing interest to move to Canada for working.

Moreover, the number of Americans wanting to become Canada permanent residents has also increased in the recent years, the immigration lawyers maintain.

Americans second largest group of temporary foreign workers in Canada--US efforts to boost job market seem to be falling back on the ground. This becomes evident seeing the increased rates of immigration of Americans to Canada.

The recent immigration of Americans to Canada has made the second largest group of foreign workers coming to Canada. Filipinos happen to be the largest group of temporary foreign workers coming and working in Canada.

More and more Americans seem to have lost their faith in the American leadership and hence prefer to start their life afresh in a civilized society of Canada.

Canada attracts foreigners for its sustained levels of economic development and its ability to keep its banking sector regulated even during the worst financial meltdown engulfing the global economy in the year 2008.

 

[mayankpandya]

News Release

Consultation sessions on the Temporary Foreign Worker Program announced for October

Calgary, AB, September 16, 2011 — Consultation sessions on the hiring of temporary foreign workers will take place in Calgary next month, Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney announced this morning in a speech to the Calgary Chamber of Commerce.

“Over the summer, I held consultations across the country on our overall immigration levels. From what we heard, primarily in Alberta, there is also a need to seek input specifically on temporary foreign workers,” said Minister Kenney. “We took major steps towards protecting foreign workers from mistreatment with the adoption of new regulations on April 1st. To build on that work and to address other issues that have been raised, this fall, we will be reaching out to those with an interest in the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.”

The Temporary Foreign Worker Program allows for the hiring of foreign workers for temporary employment to support economic growth in Canada. In many cases, employers must demonstrate that they are unable to find suitable Canadians or permanent residents to fill the jobs, and that the entry of these workers will not have a negative impact on the Canadian labour market.

Human Resources and Skills Development Minister Diane Finley will co-host this consultation. Invited participants will include employers from the oil and gas, construction, agriculture and hospitality sectors, as well as labour representatives.

“We are currently working on a number of initiatives that, when implemented, should help make the Temporary Foreign Worker Program more responsive to labour market needs,” said Minister Finley. “I look forward to considering ideas coming out of the consultations to ensure that the program continues to support economic growth, while at the same time protecting employment opportunities for Canadians.”

The Temporary Foreign Worker Program is jointly managed by Citizenship and Immigration Canada and Human Resources and Skills Development.

Photo of Minister Kenney will be available later today at: www.cic.gc.ca/english/department/media/photos/high-res/index.asp

 

[mayankpandya]

Program helps new immigrants with linguistic skills

Canada, 16th September: New immigrants coming to Canada are being helped for bridging language skills.

Canada has a host of programs that help newcomers build their language skills for successful integration in Canada’s society and way of life.

Free English lessons for newcomers to Canada—One such program is the Lower Similkameen Community Services Society for those residing in Keremeos and surrounding communities. A weekly language program, it is a part of the contract with British Columbia Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation. It helps new immigrants accomplish not just short-term but long term targets after coming to Canada.

The society has a large number of volunteers who are well trained to assist new immigrants develop their language skills for pursuing day-to-day activities in their new homes including going to a hair saloon, opening bank accounts or even getting an appointment with a doctor.

Apart from daily events, language skills thus attained also go a long way in getting knowledge about life in Canada and in becoming responsible citizens of Canada.

Simple ways to teach language skills to newcomers in Canada—The language program focuses on equipping newcomers to Canada with language skills including listening, speaking, reading and writing.

Learner new immigrants are given exercises in pronunciation and grammar. Tutors use simple and effective means to help teach newcomers with language skills.

They help newcomers practice simple things including ordering dinner in a restaurant among other things. Aim of such learning lessons is to build confidence in new immigrants and help them overcome barriers to successful integration in their new home.

Participating in such language classes can help newcomers perform day-to-day tasks including attending a parent teacher meeting, reading child’s report card or getting an appointment with a physician with ease and confidence.

Canada’s other immigrant programs for bridging language barriers—Canada has several other programs working successfully in different provinces. One such is Niagara’s EQAO(Education Quality and Accountability Office) for new immigrants to Canada and children whose native language is other than English.

Giving details about the program, the superintendent of school support services of the board, Carol Germyn said different ways are used to enable new immigrants learn English language skills.

The welcome center of the board helps assess the linguistic skills of new immigrants in Canada and provides support for them. Immigrant initiatives for Canada newcomers Canada has several initiatives to help settlement of newcomers into Canada's society and way of life.

 

[mayankpandya]

Canada to launch e-passports by 2012

Canada, 16th September: At last, Canada’s much awaited e-passports will be a reality in 2012.

Canada has plans to begin issuing e-passports by the end of 2012. This was revealed by Christine Desloges, CEO of Passport Canada.

Canada’s biometric passports by 2012--Canada will roll out full-scale delivery of e-passports by next year, Desloges stated while addressing a conference at the United Nations International Civil Aviation Organization at the Montreal HQ.

The new move will include Canada among other G8 nations having increased high-tech security measures on Canada immigration documents.

Also known as biometric passport, e-passport is a part of the National Security Policy of the federal government announced in 2004.

What is an e-Passport –An electronic passport or e-passport is similar to the traditional Canada passport with the inclusion of an electronic chip having name, date & place of birth, sex and the digital photo of the person encoded on it. This will facilitate border guards to easily identify any screen threats and verify fraudulent passports.

Why Canada e-passport was delayed--Canada’s e-passports were long awaited by many but the nation has been quite late in initiating this biometric document. It may be mentioned that around 350 million e-passports have already been issued by around 95 nations the world over.

The reason for delays in implementation of e-passports by Canada has been due to redesigning of the application process for Canada passports, informed Beatrice Fenelon, an official spokeswoman of Passport Canada.

This included late completion of printing of overseas passport, she stated while adding that the process was underway since 2004.

Moreover, new technologies pertaining to facial recognition had to be implemented for launching e-passports in Canada, she added.

It may be worth mentioned here that since the year 2009, around 40,000 diplomatic as well as special Canada e-passports have already been issued successfully by Passport Canada through its pilot project. There have been no reports of any difficulties encountered with regard to such passports.

The agency was flooded with a large number of applications for Canada passports between the years 2007 and 2009 after the US Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative made it mandatory for all Canadians to have passports for traveling to the US.

 

[mayankpandya]

Tech sector urges ‘start up visa’ scheme

Canada, 19th September: Several technology businesses in Canada have called for ‘start up visa’ program to help the nation become an international business hub.

This is keeping in view the fact that several other countries are attracting increased number of foreign entrepreneurs with relaxed immigration norms while Canada seems to be loosing out by not doing anything worthwhile for benefiting the economy.

Allure foreigners with technology and science skills to Canada—Canada must work towards allowing eased Canada immigration process for foreigners with science and technological skills to move to Canada for setting up businesses here, stated an advocacy group based in BC (British Columbia).

The group has certain proposals in this regard. They have urged the federal government to pass a ‘Startup Visa Bill’ for bringing reduction in the requirement of personal funds(current amount is $300,000) needed by foreign entrepreneurs for becoming Canadian residents.

In addition, the business group has also called for reducing the minimum work experience of two years required by foreign entrepreneurs for beginning any business in Canada.

New proposals for Canada Startup Visa—As per the new proposals made by the group, the federal government must fix the personal funds requirement by foreign entrepreneurs to $150,000 apart from creating a minimum of three full-time jobs over the period of two years while being actively involved in managing the company.

Canada seems to be lagging behind in the global competition for attracting and inviting more foreign investors to come to Canada and begin businesses here.

On the other hand, several nations including Chile, the UK and Singapore have introduced easier immigration laws for making the process of immigration easier for foreign entrepreneurs.

Moreover, the neighboring nation United States also has a bill likely to make the nation a destination for immigrant investors.

Already, the US has a significant number of engineering and tech firms established by immigrant entrepreneurs.

So, the need of the hour is to have active support from Canadians as well as the federal government, states Eric Brooke, an official spokesperson of the group.

People of Canada have already expressed their support for a ‘Startup Visa Bill’ in Canada through a recent survey. And now, the onus lies on the government of Canada to put this initiative into a legislation.

 

[mayankpandya]

Foreign medical specialists not getting jobs in Canada

Canada, 20th September: Foreign medical specialists in various fields are not finding work in Canada despite a high demand for such professionals in the nation.

Contradictory it may seem, but it’s a fact. Patients suffering from cancer in Canada still need to wait for a month or so before getting an appointment with the concerned medical specialist. On the other hand, many trained doctors in oncology are facing tough times in finding work for which there is a high demand.

Long waiting lists but no employment for fresh trained doctors—The list of unemployed doctors with fresh training is long and endless. Its not just unemployment for newly trained doctors but a high rate of underemployment too, medical organizations in Canada admit.

In fact, those on the list of high unemployment specialties of Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons include orthopedics, nephrology, oncology, cardiac surgery, plastic surgery, otolaryngology, neurosurgery and public health and preventive medicine.

According to 36-year-old physician who has just completed his five-year tenure of radiation oncology residency, Dr. Shaun Loewen, the long list of unemployment is extremely frustrating. Dr. Loewen expresses his eagerness to start giving treatment to the patients in Canada.

But, he says it is very unfortunate that despite having skills and qualifications to do so, he can’t get work. If the scene does not show any improvement, many including Dr. Loewen will feel compelled to seek employment opportunities abroad.

No money to recruit medical specialists—Several experts have tracked the problem to lack of funds with health regions and hospitals. Paucity of cash is not allowing hospitals in Canada to hire medical specialists in different fields even though provincial governments have been investing to provide training to an increased number of specialists in different fields of medicine due to an ever-growing demand for such professionals.

Apart from cash-crunch, there seems to be some sort of disconnection between the demand for doctors and the inability to provide related employment to such specialists. It’s really paradoxical, admits the health policy director of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons.

Findings of a recent survey by the Royal College reveal the number of newly trained medical specialists compelled to accept temporary or part-time jobs or get back to sub-specialty training after failing to get full time work as doctors is said to be one in five.

It would be shameful if recent medical graduates, after failing to find employment as medical specialists in Canada, choose to move overseas forever.

 

[mayankpandya]

News Release

Canada becomes first country to sign the Ottawa Protocol

Ottawa, September 19, 2011 — Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney and Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird today signed the Ottawa Protocol on Combating Antisemitism.

The Protocol is an action plan developed during the second annual conference of the Inter-parliamentary Coalition for Combating Antisemitism (ICCA) which took place in Ottawa in November, 2010. Signing it demonstrates the Government of Canada's support for it and a commitment to its goals.

“The Government of Canada is a leader in the fight against anti-Semitism,” said Minister Kenney. “The Ottawa Protocol complements what Canada is already doing to combat hatred and discrimination, including anti-Semitism. We are a member of the Task Force for International Cooperation on Holocaust Education, Remembrance and Research. Here at home, we have launched programs to promote integration and social cohesion of Canadians from all backgrounds.”

The Protocol will help nations to measure and articulate their progress in combating anti-Semitism. It calls for leaders of faith groups to combat hatred and discrimination, including anti-Semitism; governments to reaffirm and implement the United Nations’ 1948 Genocide Convention; the establishment of an international task force to identify and monitor hate on the Internet and the development of a comprehensive system to record all hate crimes, including anti-Semitic ones.

“Signing the Ottawa Protocol signals our continued commitment to leading a coordinated global effort to fight anti-Semitism,” said Minister Baird. “Just as Canada is moving ahead to develop and build a National Holocaust Monument in the National Capital Region, we also plan to take our commitment to parliamentarians around the world and suggest that they join us in signing the Protocol.”

The Ministers added that the Government of Canada’s commitment to combating anti-Semitism is why Canada will not participate in the events later this month to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the adoption of the Durban Declaration and Program of Action, sometimes called Durban III.

“Our government has lost faith in the Durban process and will not take part in this event, which commemorates events that have promoted racism rather than combat it,” noted Minister Kenney.

Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/CitImmCanada and www.twitter.com/@DFAIT_MAECI

 

[mayankpandya]

Choosing Hotel in Canada made easier for first time travelers

Traveling to a new destination for the first time and locating a hotel that fits in your budget and is in desired location can be a harrowing experience. Fortunately, in Canada, locating a good hotel and which is near to sporting attraction is made easier with this Canada Hotel Guide

Choosing a hotel is simple. Just click on the state where you plan to travel and as the cities show up, select the city you would wish to travel. Refine your selection of hotel based on your choice of nearby attraction, amenities, price range, nearby airports or address.

If you are sports freak, the site helps you locate a hotel near a desired sporting attraction. Just click on the sporting league of your choice and hotels located near the stadiums and arenas affiliated with sporting league would show up

Its city and destination guide section makes the travel to a city really a rich and memorable experience
Have a look at this Vancouver City Guide or London City Guide. Here you have brief yet concise details about the city and its attractions. You can search for a hotel room based on nearby cities, destination city of preferred hotel chain. You can book the hotel online or call toll free at the given number.

 

[mayankpandya]

Mentoring session for new Canadians to provide speedy employment

Canada, 27th September: Newly arrived immigrants in Canada are being provided an opportunity to get career-related guidance to jump-start their careers here.

The new pilot mentorship program acts as a program for linking established Canadian business professionals with new Canadians.

New immigrant settlement program in Toronto--The speed mentorship program was launched last month in West Toronto by CultureLink, an immigrant settlement organization. The program helps newcomers to Canada get an opportunity to choose and interact with a career mentor in Toronto to get on the right employment track in Canada.

Speed-mentoring sessions for newcomers in Canada--The speed-matching session for newcomers in Canada includes mentions from a range of sectors including engineering and IT, real estate, teaching, nursing, banking, performing arts and finance.

A vital difference of this new speed-mentoring program from other mentoring programs for newcomers in Canada is that it is not just a single meeting session. In fact, it acts as a first and foremost step in making a long-lasting relationship between a foreign trained professional wanting to get a chance in Canadian job market and a mentor, stated Fei Tang, manager of mentorship program from CultureLink.

Tang further informed that the organization aims to extend long-term commitment to participants through this three-month program. The program divides foreign trained job seekers into small groups and provides them around seven minutes for providing information about themselves to their chosen mentor and interchange information about their prospective career aims.

So, the process of such exchange of information gets repeated after the expiry of seven minutes between each party. An immigrant herself, Tang said the onus of getting job lies on the immigrant and not on the program since it’s a two-way process.

She said that she found her first job four years after her arrival in Canada once she improved her English proficiency.

Who is eligible for enrollment in speed-mentoring program—To be eligible for this mentor-mentee speed mentoring program in west Toronto, Canada organized by CultureLink, the individual must either needs to be a landed immigrant or should be a Convention Refugee.

In addition, he must have attained a minimum of 19 years of age and should possess employment-ready level of proficiency in English language.

 

[mayankpandya]

Changes in Canada foreign worker rules mean more employer obligations

Canada, 29th September: Canada government has changes regulations for foreign workers seeking employment resulting in changes for employers in Canada.

A human resources lawyer, Loreta Bouwmeester informs this while referring to the job losses suffered by a large number of temporary foreign workers in Alberta during global recession in 2008.

New rules for Canada temporary foreign workers--The Canadian government announced new rules for foreign workers coming to work in Canada on 24th May, 2011.

As a result, employers in Canada will have to abide by new stricter rules, she adds. This could even lead to long waiting times for bringing temporary foreign workers into Canada, she informs.

Canada is facing a shortage of workers and employers are requiring more and more foreign workers to fill the gap between increasing demand and restricted supply, states an immigration lawyer in Canada, Miller Thomson.

So, a large number of companies in Canada are acting fast to get access to skilled foreign workers while keeping in view the new regulations, she maintains.

According to partner of Thomson, Veronica Choy, there is no option for employers as they cannot go to Mexico to hire workers.

Changes in Canada temporary foreign worker rules--

• Stricter assessment of the genuineness of the employment offer;

• Any employer failing to meet LMO criteria will face two-year ban from employing temporary foreign workers.

• Maximum time period for stay in Canada has been fixed to four years for temporary foreign workers.

LMO needed by employers to hire foreign workers in Canada—So, before hiring any skilled, unskilled or technical worker in Canada, all employers will have to seek LMO(Labor Market Opinion) from Edmonton’s Service Canada office. In order to get a positive reply, the company or the concerned employer in Canada needs to prove that it has given ads for the job positions for a period of fourteen days or even more in a minimum of two mediums like local newspaper, trade union website, company website, industry website or Canada Job Bank.

Stringent rules for filling lower job positions--The lower job positions will require even greater proof to make sure that no suitable Canadians were found for the job, Choy adds.

All prospective employers in Canada wanting to hire temporary foreign workers in Canada for filling low-paying job positions will have to provide affordable housing including rented accommodation based on total emoluments as well as to and fro airfares from country of origin to Canada, Choy informs.

All applications for jobs will have to clearly specify various terms and conditions of employment related to pay etc. and all such terms will be written in the LMO and the Canada work permit of every temporary foreign worker coming to Canada.