Whats New in Canada-Update on CA

[mayankpandya]

Increasing waiting lists for Canada immigration applications

Canada, 1st October: Waiting lists for Canada visa applications have been becoming longer and longer.

As per Canada immigration department-CIC (Citizenship and Immigration Canada), the waiting list for Canada immigration applications has gone up to around one million names. This is despite several efforts by Canadian government to cut inefficiencies in the system and to make it fast and efficient.

Long backlogs for Canada immigration application process--Even Jason Kenney, Canadian immigration minister, has admitted the issue as a big problem for the nation. No wonder, his concern is justified keeping in view the risk involved to the reputation of Canada in the international competition for attracting skilled immigrants.

Longer waiting lists for processing of Canada visa applications also mean longer periods of uncertainty for the applicants as well as their families.

It’s not for the first time that Kenney has expressed his concern about the increasing waiting times for Canada visa processing.

But, this time, the issue is at the prime of his agenda. The matter is going to be discussed in the House of Commons immigration committee next week with Kenney highlighting the issue of cutting down Canada visa backlogs as top priority.

Canada is going to announce a detailed review of the appropriate mix of immigrants as well as the level of immigration into Canada shortly.

Reduced Canada immigration limits increasing waiting lists—Meanwhile, several critics have named the recent cutback in the annual Canada immigration intake as one of the reasons behind increasing backlog of Canada visa application processing.

According to Don Davies, an NDP immigration critic, slashed Canada visa levels is taking the government away from its aim of allowing immigrants to increase Canada workforce.

By doing so, the government of Canada is contradicting its own projections, adds Mr. Davies while referring to the statement of Kenney to increase labor force of Canada through immigration in the coming five years time.

Kenney's future plans do not include any significant increase in Canada immigration levels.

This becomes evident from the email of an official spokeswoman of Mr. Kenney, Candice Malcolm. The email while giving a subtle indication towards cutting down on the number of Canada visa applications states that Canada needs to manage its population carefully despite being a welcoming nation for immigrants.

 

[mayankpandya]

Helping immigrants settle in Canada

Canada, 30th September: Canada’s immigrant integration and bridging programs help newcomers get prepared and trained for the job market of the nation.

By joining immigrant integration programs in Canada, newcomers gain confidence and overcome barriers quite common in Canadian job market including cultural differences and language barriers.

Immigrant programs vital for settlement of newcomers in Canada—The role of immigrant initiatives is crucial to the successful integration of newcomers in Canada.

Considering the example of Ms. Aileen Raquel, a social worker from Philippines arriving in Canada in 2003 for better job prospects and higher quality of life, would make things clearer.

37-year-old Raquel says she lived below the poverty line in Canada for around three years before a bridging program helped her get a permanent job with the Catholic Children’s Aid Society of Toronto in 2006.

She informs that she joined an immigrant bridging program at Ryerson University, Toronto which helped her gain the much needed confidence to settle in Canada. Such immigrant programs in Canada have helped many newcomers like Raquel.

Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council--Canada needs to provide such immigrant integration programs to help fast recognition of foreign credentials and bring potential job seekers in contact with employers and companies, states Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council’s (TRIEC) Joan Atlin.

Ms. Atlin says that making right connections between the companies and the talented immigrants and integration of such immigrants into the Canadian workplace at the earliest are the two most common challenges.

Immigrant programs help newcomers overcome barriers to settlement in Canada--According to director of diversity strategies at Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, Toronto, Matt Peterson, it is a big myth that all immigrants searching jobs in Canada must possess Canadian work experience.

There is a need for a change in the thinking process and this can be done by navigating the process of job interviews for newcomers in Canada, Peterson adds.

Having immigrant integration programs that help newcomers get knowledge about behavior in a business meeting are needed for success of immigrants here, states a human resources recruiter at Questrade, Toronto, Zuleika Sgro.

She adds that Questrade helps skilled newcomers get connected with established professionals in Canada.

 

[mayankpandya]

Helping newcomers succeed in Canada

Canada, 4th October: Immigrants coming to Canada are offered a few indispensable tips for successful integration in Canadian society and way of life.

Such tips offer newcomers answers to obstacles faced while settling in their new homes in Canada.

Like many other immigrants wanting to make it big in Canada, Shairose Shamji-Karmali also came with dream in her eyes. Now, the owner of Safari Snack House and Grill in Burnaby, she wants to share her experiences in Canada to provide solutions to the queries of many immigrant parents coming to Canada.

Success follows struggle after coming to Canada--She says her family was fortunate to get sponsorship from Canada. And once they reached Quebec, it was full of struggle adjusting to new life, new languages and a completely new culture in Canada, adds Shamji-Karmali.

She admits her father had a tough time getting used to working in a factory keeping in view his past position of being an owner of a transportation company in Uganda.

However, adjustment for children was relatively simpler, she maintains, since children pick up faster than grown-ups.

Nonetheless, her family got better fortune after relocating to Toronto since her father became self-employed, finally and that was a great moment for their family, Shamji-Karmali.

Overcoming language and culture barriers in Canada—Parents of Shamji-Karmali had to struggle for adjusting in an altogether new culture in Canada. In the beginning, it was difficult but with time, they adopted a more relaxed approach to Canada’s culture, says Shamji-Karmali.

And that’s a point she wants other newcomers coming to Canada to take heed. Opportunities are vast and the point lies in opening windows to your kids to help them carve a niche in this new nation, she advises newcomers in Canada.

She wants new immigrant parents to help easy adjustment of their children in Canada by encouraging them in their individual talents, be it music, sports or anything else.

Love what you want and want what you love-tip for new immigrants—Each year, Canada welcomes a high number of immigrants to this land of dreams.

According to the figures for 2010, a total of 281,000 new residents came into Canada. And she has a piece of advice for succeeding in the new land of opportunities. Love what you want and pursue it with all perseverance is the key to striking it big in Canada.

 

[mayankpandya]

News Release

Come to Canada Wizard a continued success

Ottawa, October 3, 2011 — The Come to Canada Wizard, which helps people determine if they are eligible to come to Canada, has recorded over 200,000 visits since being launched this summer.

“By helping potential immigrants and visitors to understand the immigration process, this tool is reducing their dependence on immigration consultants,” said Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney. “It demonstrates how CIC is creating a responsive and efficient immigration system that benefits applicants, immigrants and Canadians alike.”

Drawing over 100,000 visitors a month, the Come to Canada tool presents users with a series of questions and, based on their answers, matches them with the federal immigration option that best suits their specific circumstances. It then leads them to a page that breaks down the application steps and provides instructions and forms.

Based on comments from users, over 90% have found Come to Canada to be user friendly and almost the same number say they would recommend the tool to someone they know. “It was simple and to the point,” wrote one user.

“It’s good, it’s fast and very helpful, especially for those who really want to evaluate their status before making any decisions,” noted another.

To use the Come to Canada Wizard, go to www.cic.gc.ca/cometocanada.

Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/CitImmCanada

For further information (media only), please contact:

Candice Malcolm
Minister’s Office
Citizenship and Immigration Canada

 

[mayankpandya]

Accept challenges, succeed in Canada-Newcomers advised

Canada, 5th October: Most of immigrants coming to Canada are successful in casting a niche in this new land despite facing several challenges initially.

This becomes clear from experiences of different immigrants after moving to Canada and beginning their lives afresh. Canada is, indeed, a land of great opportunities and each newcomer has his own story to tell. In this article, we will talk about different success levels of immigrants after coming to Canada and their lives becoming an inspiration for all Canadians.

Be open to change—Advice to newcomers in Canada--Newcomers coming to Canada discover a vast difference in the Canadian values and way of life when compared to their own. But, those who are willing to become a part of the Canadian culture find it easier to make adjustments here, states an immigrant to Canada, Nitin Dhora, while relating his experiences.

That does not mean leaving your Indian culture and values, laughs Dhora. He launched an immigrant mentoring program in Mississauga -Employment Service and Mentoring Program- that helps around 1,600 newcomers get jobs offering good pay-packages in the range between $44,000 and $56,000.

He states the success rate of the immigrant initiative for newcomers to have gone up from around 70 percent in 2007 to around 85 percent in the year 2008.

Don’t give up and success will follow--He admits of undergoing struggle and facing difficulties initially after coming to Canada in 2004.

His first job was working in a factory where he was required to work as a laborer, a job which was far below his education and his experience keeping in view that he was a marketing whiz and a management professor in Ahmadabad, India.

At the age of fifty, he had to slog by working in a call center during the first winter in Canada.

But he did not give up and that’s what he wants other immigrants to follow. Although, he was cautioned by his uncle that getting a job in Canada could be tough for immigrants, but he was firm in his decision to move to Canada.

He applied for several jobs and admits each was a learning experience for him to pave the way for success in the new nation.

 

[mycan]

+1 for such collection
mycan

 

[mayankpandya]

Thanks mycan for +1,

Enjoy reading this thread.

Regards
Mayank

+1 for such collection
mycan

 

[mayankpandya]

Canada adds 60,900 jobs, easing fears of recession

Jobless rate lowest since 2008; hourly wages up 1.5%

Ottawa: Canada's economy added the most jobs in eight months in September, led by hiring at schools, bringing the country's jobless rate to its lowest since 2008 and adding to evidence the country is averting a new recession.

Employment rose by 60,900 after a decline of 5,500 in August, Statistics Canada said Friday in Ottawa. The unemployment rate fell to 7.1 per cent, its lowest since December 2008. Bloomberg News surveys called for a job gain of 15,000 and unemployment to remain at 7.3 per cent.
The rise marks a recovery for the country's labour market after the economy added a net 1,600 workers in the previous two months, bringing the average monthly gain in the third quarter to 20,833. The world's 10th-largest economy shrank in the second quarter, two years after its last recession.
"It helps to allay some of those fears that Canada does get dragged down into a recession," said David Tulk, chief macro strategist for Canada at Toronto-Dominion Bank's TD Securities unit in Toronto. "This helps to maybe force the market to reconsider its current pricing of Bank of Canada cuts."

Two-year government bond yields rose three basis points to 0.97 per cent in Toronto on Friday. The Canadian currency fell 0.2 per cent to C$1.0392 per US dollar from C$1.0371 Thursday. It touched C$1.0658 on October 4, the weakest level since August 2010. One Canadian dollar buys 96.23 US cents.
Growth prospects
Finance Minister Jim Flaherty said in an e-mailed statement yesterday the jobs data reflect the country's growth prospects.

"September's job growth shows Canada is on the right track for steady, modest job creation and economic growth," Flaherty said in the statement. He also said the unemployment rate still remains too high.
The jobs report is the last before the Bank of Canada's next interest-rate decision on October 25. The central bank has held its key rate at 1 per cent since September 2010, and Senior Deputy Governor Tiff Macklem said in a September 27 speech policymakers would be "prudent" with interest-rate increases during a slow economic rebound threatened by weak US demand and Europe's debt crisis.
Some investors are betting the central bank's next move will be a cut. The three-month overnight index swap rate, which is based on what investors expect the central bank's rate will average during that period, rose to 0.936 per cent, from 0.934 per cent Friday. That's below the central bank's 1 per cent target for overnight loans between banks. It traded as low as .908 per cent earlier this week.
Headwinds

Friday's jobs report also highlights some of the "headwinds" faced by the economy, Tulk said. Half of the 16 industries tracked by Statistics Canada recorded declines, which were offset by boost from a "statistical quirk" in the data for education services.
The monthly gain was led by 38,400 new jobs in education services, and a 35,600 increase for professional and scientific services. Public sector jobs rose 36,900, while employment in the private sector was down 14,900.

Employers recorded the lowest quarterly job gain over the past three months since the fourth quarter of 2010.

The report was "better than expected for sure, and I'll take that," said Stewart Hall, a currency strategist at RBC Dominion Securities in Toronto.
"But a game changer? I don't think so."

The finance, insurance, real estate and leasing industries saw 35,300 jobs lost in the month. Construction companies added 11,600 new jobs during the month, while natural resources firms hired 17,100 workers.
Canada's jobless rate has been below the US since October 2008. The Labour Department in Washington Friday reported payrolls climbed by 103,000 workers in September, compared with a median forecast of 60,000 in a Bloomberg News survey.

In Canada, full-time employment rose by 63,800 in September, while part-time jobs fell by 2,900.
Canadian average hourly wages rose 1.5 per cent in September from a year earlier, the report said. Wages rose at a 1.4 per cent pace in July and August, the slowest June 2003.

 

[mayankpandya]

Millionaires left out due to Canada immigration backlog

Canada, 8th October: Canada immigration officials admit around 22,500 international millionaires are left out of Canada due to long immigration backlogs.

These international potential immigrants could have helped Canadian economy by providing around $9 million into the nation, the immigration officials maintained.

Foreign investors face long Canada immigration backlogs—As a result of long waiting periods in Canada immigration processing, around 22,491 millionaire foreign investors have no option but to wait for getting Canada visa, stated a federal immigration program manager at Canadian consulate in Hong Kong, Jim Versteegh.

And these international millionaires are going to bring along 77,800 family members in Canada.

However, Canada still needs some plan to help them come to Canada, he quipped. He informed that in Hong Kong alone, around 16,400 millionaires await the opportunity to move to Canada due to long immigration backlogs.

As per the information obtained by advocate Richard Kurland under the request for Access to Information, it’s going to take another 12 years before such a long immigration backlog of foreign investors can be cleared.

Huge immigration backlogs mean losing millionaires to other nations--Every year, Canada immigration department processes just 2,000 applications under the Canada investor visa program each year. And the number of Canada investor visa applications awaiting approval is 16,400.

Losing millionaires who are going to bring $9 billion cash for Canadian economy is a big loss, Kurland stated, keeping in view the fact that Canada is facing a tough competition from neighboring nations trying to allure foreign investors.

Since, many foreigner millionaires are not willing to keep waiting for such a long time before getting Canada visas, so, they are opting to move to other nations like the US, Australia or some other European nations, Kurland maintained.

Every foreign investor coming to Canada has to bring $400,000 in cash for getting Canada visa for his family members subject to their clearing of background and medical checks, Kurland informed.

Such hard cash brought in by immigrant investors could help in cutting back deficit and creating new jobs in Canada, Kurland informed. But, the predicament of Canada immigration officials is that they cannot process more than 2,000 Canada immigration applications in a year due to time involved in verifying the source of funds.

 

[hmisabpk]

Thank you for nice post, +1


hmisabpk

 

[mayankpandya]

Thank you for your +1.

Regards
Mayank

Thank you for nice post, +1


hmisabpk

 

[AspirantCanada]

Thanks for your efforts, my salute with +1

Regards,

 

[L7]

Canada a favorite employment hub for jobless Americans

As per immigration lawyers in Canada, more and more Americans are showing interest to move to Canada for getting jobs here.

Record number of Americans seeking Canada temporary work visas--- In fact, last year’s figures revealed by Canada immigration department are a proof that Canada witnessed a record number of applications for Canada temporary work visas from Americans. And this clearly signals the widening gaps between the labor markets of these two neighboring nations.

Canada is reportedly facing shortage of skilled workforce while the neighboring US is failing to deal with soaring rates of joblessness.

The scenario in America has already worsened with the recent financial crisis engulfing the nation.

Taking a look at the jobless rates of both these nations shows the differences between both these nations. While Canada has a jobless rate comfortably stable at 6.3 percent, the US, on the other hand, is fighting to control its unemployment rate of 9.1 percent thereby rendering around 14 million Americans jobless.

Meanwhile, Canadian province Alberta has admitted shortage of skilled workers in oil sector and is chalking out ways to allow higher number of skilled workers from America to fill the skills gap.

Canadians returning from America for better prospects---A large number of Canadians who had shifted to America several years ago are considering returning back to Canada once again in search of better employment opportunities especially in finance and law, admits Sergio Karas, an immigration lawyer from Toronto.

And, more and more Americans are looking to immigrate to Canada keeping in view increased employment opportunities and better quality of living there.

Canada boasts of stable housing market, quality and affordable healthcare facilities and a strong banking system.

This is nothing but a reverse brain drain from America to Canada, adds Karas. Canada has managed to remain unscathed from the 2008 global economic recession and this has resulted in increasing its stability in the global market.

It has been ranked as among the best nations for living and doing business abroad. No wonder, Canada is planning to tap the vast skilled potential of American workforce.

According to Canadian immigration minister, Jason Kenney, Canada is looking to its solve labor shortage by alluring Americans into the nation.

 

[L7]

Free health care for foreign students in Manitoba

Foreign students studying in post-secondary of high schools in Manitoba will be offered free health care with effect from April 2012 onwards.

Apart from foreign students, their dependents will also be extended such a service by Manitoba. This move by Manitoba will result in an annual savings of around $400 for each foreign student in this Canadian province.

Presently, Manitoba has around 3,200 foreign students studying in various high school or post-secondary institutes who, along with their dependents including spouses, will be eligible for free health coverage.

Manitoba’s free healthcare to allure more foreign students—The latest move of offering free health care by Manitoba is aimed to provide the province an edge in attracting increased number of international students. The government hopes that majority of foreign students opting to study in Manitoba will choose to stay here permanently.

According to vice-president advocate of University of Winnipeg Students’ Association, Tyler Blashko, Manitoba is following British Columbia, Newfoundland and Saskatchewan in providing free health care to international students.

Such a step will facilitate foreign students studying in Manitoba since foreigners are required to pay around two to three times the tuition fee paid by local students, he added. It is an essential requirement for all foreigners studying in Manitoba and students are happy to know about such a facility, affirmed Blashko.

Free healthcare will strain Manitoba’s budget--Meanwhile, Manitoba director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation has criticized such a move by the Canadian province for attracting more foreign students.

According to Colin Craig, Manitoba must work towards attracting more international students, but not at such a high cost. The province must keep in view the fact that its debt is already piling up by $50 per second and any decision to provide free health care to international students will complicate financial matters for the province, Craig claimed.

Currently, all foreign students studying in various post-secondary or high schools in Manitoba are required to enroll themselves in private Manitoba International Student Health Insurance Plan.

A fair step—The move to provide free healthcare to foreign students in Manitoba will not cost much and its being regarded as totally fair by chairman of Canadian Federation of Students, Marakary Bayo.

He added that the province must go with the move since foreign students create jobs in the economy and make positive contributions.

 

[L7]

Canada job proposals for new immigrants

Canada, 19th October: Canada is coming up with a project to help newcomers in the nation find jobs in accordance with their skill-sets and experience.

The aim of this project is to formulate innovative ideas to provide a platform for skilled immigrants and SMEs in Canada since this could result in providing jobs for skilled immigrants and provide manpower for SMEs.

What are Canada job proposals for skilled newcomers—Following are the eight job proposals for enabling newcomers possessing skills get jobs in Canada—

• Online database of pre-screened immigrants—This program is aimed to provide pre-screened skilled immigrants to SMBs at any time and from any place. Any employer in Canada will be facilitated with qualified candidates for meeting industry-specific needs.

• Single platform for recruitment and hiring of candidates for support services—It is a one-stop shop for the company having job opening and the potential employee in need of work in Canada.

• Online HR resources—This program by Canada will help provide SMBs with all the related HR information from any location.

• Orientation and wage subsidies—By providing provincial or national wage subsidies to skilled newcomers in Canada, the program will act as a stimulus for SMBs to hire jobseekers from anywhere, especially those who are reluctant to provide training and orientation to a newly hired employee.

• Marketing and communication program—Since, strong and effective communications are the very basis for bringing potential employees and employers looking for jobseekers, hence all the above programs need to be supported with communication and marketing.

• Education and information by financial institutes—The aim of this program is to provide information with regard to the potential jobseekers possessing skills to SMBs when the latter are planning extension of their business. The program will provide guidelines on recruitment, integration as well as retaining skillful immigrants.

Vital hiring practices—After hiring any skilled immigrant in Canada, the next job on hand for the employer is to introduce the new employee to the culture of the new workplace. This can go a long way in increasing productivity levels of the company or the business and help in retention rate of employees.