Whats New in Canada-Update on CA

[Dr.Hasib]

i guess you're right 10 years but 2 years at a time.but my mom got 5 years. Issued nov. 2011 expire on april 2016 which is one month before pasport expires. could i be wrong on this, this is all stamped in her pasport. you mean if its 2 years at a time, she must apply to extend her visa again after 2 years of stay? but it is already indicated in her pasport the expiry date of the visa which is 5 years from now. this is confusing :

really..it is confusing..but who cares..your mom got her visa ;D

 

[joidiple]

really..it is confusing..but who cares..your mom got her visa ;D

yeah thats the icing of the cake.

 

[L7]

Applicants awaiting immigration Visa have started suing Canada Immigration over visa backlog

November 27, 2011: Applicants waiting for their immigration visa since 7 years have now taken a firm step and are suing against the Immigration department of Canada.

The visa seeking aspirants from all over the world are protesting and suing Canadian government for the long time lags in processing of their visa applications. As a result of which the aspirants have to suffer losses of their financial resources as well as it has led to wastage of their precious time also.

Delay:

According to the stated statistics it has been found that some of the applications have been filed around the years 2002 and 2003 that is around seven years back. It also states that a there is a total of around as much of 9, 00,000 applications have been backlogged leading to loads of problems to the applicants but the province stated in their defense that they had to take this step due to several restrictions.

Immigration Applicants from various countries are logging complaints against the backlogging of the visas.

Cases filed by the applicants:

As per the record produced by the Toronto Star’s Ottawa bureau, around more than 300 backlogged applicants have filed their complaints in Federal Court of Canada against Citizenship and Immigration
Canada as they are taking unreasonably very long time to process their applications.
Most litigants belong to those lot of applicants who filed their applications before 2008 and waiting for long to get it cleared.

According to the lawyers representing their overseas clients said that their applicants are not only facing long time lags but are also losing their financial resources for it. They have already paid the alleged fees asked by the government while filing the application and in spite of this the application processes have not started yet.

The sues from the applicants belonging to Europe, Asia, Middle East and Africa are in increasing with the facility of online appeal at unfaircic.com, though it is not admissible as equivalent to a lawsuit but that they file their grievances through it.

Steps Taken by Government:

The government has taken steps to improve the Visa conditions, as the lawyers representing government confirms that the authorities are paying $2.9 million for settling the issues between 1, 00,000 visa aspirants who have been waiting since 7 years.

The immigration authorities have accepted the receipts of complaints but have not still confirmed charges filed. Even the federal court still has not decided about hearing of cases.

 

[L7]

Interest rate slide gives a slight way to house and home

November 27, 2011: Home sweet home becomes affordable as interest rates on home loans slide said RBC.

There have been some significant changes in the ownership pattern and buying of individual homes in Canada in last few months, thanks to low interest rate provided by banks. According to the recent reports published by bank economists of the country, the residents of the nation are finding the home rates quite within their budget because of the new interest rates. However, Vancouver remains an exception due to the high property prices in the entire real estate market.

According to a quarterly report by the RBC released last week, the affordability rate of housing has improved by little in the third quarter. This was a much needed leap after the first two low quarters of the year.

The lower rate of interest, which also includes mortgage rates, has reduced the cost of house ownership in a noteworthy manner. According to leading economist, Craig Wright, these rates have given a much needed cushioning to the high-sky costs of homes in the entire of Canada and United States.

Although the rate of improvement is less than one percent, the affordability rates have improved in all categories of housing. According to Wright, the improvements are worth mentioning in two storey homes in Montreal and some bungalows in Vancouver. The bank’s affordability rates in Vancouver are lower than the last quarter, but the rate has still been over 90 percent.

The rates in the index given by the bank include names Toronto - 52.1 percent, Montreal - 40.9percent, Ottawa - 40.8percent, Calgary - 37.6percent. According to Wright, Vancouver remains an exception because of the escalated prices of real estate, which makes house ownership unaffordable to most middleclass societies.

The RBC has also forecasted that rate of interests in the market of Canada will continue to be low till mid-2012, after which, there can be an expected rise. The housing demand will level out, forecasts Wright. He also forecasts that there will be relative stability in the affordability trends in the coming year.

In addition to the scenario, BMO capital market has agreed on the fact that low mortgage rates have been responsible in slower growth in jobs and weakening the spirit of consumers in investments and purchasing. According to BMO economists, Robert Kavcic, there will be stable sales in the coming year. Kavcic points out that there have significant sales gains in many parts of Canada during the last month, with Vancouver gain remaining an exception. While on the other side of the country, Toronto has witnessed concrete expansion with sales at a rate of 14.3percent.

However, Canadians who wish to buy and sell their homes have to still get some self assurance about the rates they can afford.

 

[Dr.Hasib]

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/department/media/releases/2011/2011-11-25l.asp

News Release – CIC Goes Paperless
Ottawa, November 25, 2011 — Citizenship and Immigration Canada will make the application process easier while saving $4.2 million over the next three years, by moving more of its business online, Minister Jason Kenney announced today.

This change will simplify the application process and make it more accessible to applicants. On line services allow people to apply whenever and wherever they want, with online tools to help navigate the immigration process and fill out forms. As part of the move to online services, beginning December 1, 2011, CIC will no longer print and mail out forms and application kits. If application forms cannot be completed and submitted electronically, applicants can print the forms themselves from the CIC website.

Service for people with special needs will continue. Braille and large format text forms will still be available.

This will save Canadian taxpayers $4.2 million over three years.

This will also enable CIC to free up resources in some parts of the organization and put them to better use elsewhere while still maintaining a high degree of service.

In constantly trying to find ways to do business better and with less cost, CIC is fulfilling its responsibility of properly managing taxpayers’ dollars.

To view a full list of CIC forms and kits visit Application forms and guides.

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

CIC Media Relations
Communications Branch
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
613-952-1650
CIC-Media-Relations@cic.gc.ca

 

[L7]

Canadian Government helping Young Single Parents to get in job market

November 29, 2011: The Canadian authorities have planned to initiate various training and employment programs for young single parents to get in the job market.

Ottawa government authorities are now initiating new programs for young single parents who are currently facing employment problems. The government is extending a helping hand to them so that they can successfully enter and work in the Canadian job market.

Government’s Initiative:

Department of Human Resources and Skills Development have lately instigated the new employment scheme for unemployed youth of the place. Gail Shea, Minister of National Review and also in-charge for Prince Edward Island, have stated this scheme to its beneficiaries and public. Minister feels that this step will help in generating more opportunities for young people and help them to gain competitive jobs which is quiet difficult in today’s work environment.

The governing authorities will now be offering training sessions and work experience programs to young single parents who are not able to get much required bright employment opportunities. The employment support projects planned are expected to train the youth with new skills that would cater to the required needs of the job market.

The Canadian government’s this initiative will help the unemployed young single parents to regain their confidence and get a good job to support their living.

Project Plan:

The East Prince Youth Development Centre in association with the federal Skills Link program are planning to aid at least 10 young single parents so that they can learn new skills, get the required experience to enter the job market. The project members will attend workshops that will enhance their employability skills and will also be polished on topics like resume writing, job search, child development, how to maintain balance in personal and work life. Such enhancing skills will help the participants get good jobs, gain good experience and also so that they can lead their lives successfully. For this project the centre along with the federal skills link will be allotted around $ 81,000 to support the Parent Power Project.

The association with Skill links will be helping the needy participants to regain their confidence. Young people who are living as single parents, or with disabilities; aboriginal, have dropped their schools and have not able to get decent jobs in the market are helped by them in order to secure a job.

Plans Background:

The Skills Link program is one of the already existing parts of three programs run by Canada’s Youth Employment Strategy. This program extends a helping hand to the young people who are facing employment and career problems. They help them in getting required career information also enhance their employment skills so that they can get an appropriate job.

 

[L7]

Domestic Violence May Lead to Cancellation of Your Canadian Sponsorship Visa

December 2, 2011: To constrict immigration laws, Canada amends its immigration and refugee protection regulations.

In a move to tighten the country’s immigration laws, the government of Canada has amended its immigration and refugee protection regulations by introducing a new rule that would make it impossible to sponsor any family class member to Canada if the person has been convicted of crimes resulting in bodily harm against members back home. The new law has been introduced after the case of a man convicted of killing his brother's wife was allowed to sponsor his own wife made headlines in the Canadian press. The man was allowed to sponsor his wife has sister in-law was not under the definition of relative or family member in the old regulations.

Old Law Vs New Law: According to the old Canada immigration laws to sponsor a family member, the application was not approved only if the sponsor was convicted of a physical abuse or bodily harm against a list of family members or relatives.

The new improved law has now expanded the list covering a large number of relatives, family members and extended family in order to ensure that no person with a history of physical violence or domestic abuse is not allowed to settle in Canada for at least five years following the completion of their sentence. Also any person imprisoned for 10 years due to violence or domestic abuse is now completely barred from sponsoring a member of the family class to come to Canada.

Family Member Spectrum Hiked: The government of Canada introduced the new law since a definition of 'family members' in Canada excludes many relatives that would constituent as family members in South Asia and other countries.

The older list of relationships included spouse, partner, dependent child, or dependent child of a dependent child of the sponsor or the sponsor's partner and brother/sister, parent/grandparent, aunt/uncle or cousin of the sponsor or the sponsor's partner.

According to the new law, the definition of a family member will now include

The sponsor's ex-spouse or ex-partner and their children,
The ex-spouse of the sponsor's current spouse or partner and their children,
The partner or ex-partner of the sponsor's brother/sister, Parent/grandparent, Aunt/uncle, or cousin;
Spouse or ex-spouse of the partner's brother/sister, parent/grandparent, aunt/uncle, or cousin.
Even a foster child under the current or former care and control of the sponsor or their current or ex-spouse or partner and sponsor's current or ex-boyfriend/girlfriend, whether or not they live together, or a family member of that person
Fall Out: The new law would make it tougher for South Asians who are more prone to domestic violence as compared to others. The ban or suspension on sponsorship under the new rule of those convicted would be effective until the convicted person is acquitted on appeal, or where five years have elapsed since the completion of an imposed sentence.

 

[L7]

Booming Canadian Economy Seek Skilled Immigrants

December 4, 2011: Canada is inviting nearly 45,000 new skilled immigrants amid its new law as the country braces itself to fight skilled workforce shortage across various provinces like Alberta.

The federal government of Canada has given a green signal to the proposed planned increase in welcoming skilled immigrants in the country. Under the proposal that has provincially designed programs, provinces like Alberta are now free to bring in higher number of highly skilled immigrants. The initiative also authorizes provinces to nominate individuals meeting domestic market needs for permanent residence in the country.

The new rules announced Monday by Canada’s cabinet minister, Tim Uppal, would make way for Citizenship and Immigration Canada to accept 42,000 to 45,000 new skilled workforce nationwide. With the introduction of the new initiative, labor shortages in Alberta that was one of the biggest problems facing the province could slowly ease out as the newly introduced program has offered one-quarter of its estimated 40,000 vacancies to Alberta alone for the current year while the provinces' percentages for the year 2012 would be determined at a later date.

No Quick Fix Solution: While industry experts including Ben Brunnen, director of policy and government affairs with the Calgary Chamber of Commerce has applauded the government’s decision calling it an effective tool, the provincial government of Alberta wants to be sure. The government is seeking more details from Ottawa to be completely certain on the working and the immigration policy of the federal plan through the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program.

The Canadian federal skilled worker immigration program caters to all aspects of applicants applying under skilled worker category. While every prospective applicant is allowed to earn points under the government policy, there are independent immigration guidelines for the province of Quebec.

Booming Canadian Economy: The booming Canadian economy coupled with massive projects in both government and private sector has the country seeking skilled workers. There have been reports of serious shortfall of skilled workers in companies involved with fisheries, mining, oil and natural gas industries. In this era of global uncertainty not only is the Canadian market a strong emerging market but there are job opportunities across various industries for various skilled and semi skilled positions with wide range of salaries and perks depending on the job and levels of experience.

The standard of living in Canada is quite high as compared to a lot of other nations while there is a range of rented accommodation easily available for the workers. Rents in major Canadian cities start as low as CA$1,000 per month while rents are lesser for most tier 2 cities across the nation.

 

[Seun]

please i need information about child adoption expecially issue on convenience adoption

 

[L7]

please i need information about child adoption expecially issue on convenience adoption

check this

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/department/media/facts/adoption.asp

 

[L7]

Gatineau’s guide to new immigrants

Canada, 7th December: Gatineau, Quebec has released a guide for new immigrants aimed to help newcomers’ successful integration into a new environment.

Released on 28th November 2011, it a 16-point guide containing ‘statement of values’, it is currently available in French version only.

Gatineau’s guide for new immigrants in Quebec--It contains some do’s and don’ts to be followed by newcomers with regard to some of the vital local values of Quebec including avoiding cooking of smelly food, offering bribe to officials and honor killings.

It asks immigrants to refrain from forced labor, willful malnutrition, neglect, excessive punishments, humiliation, corporal and sexual abuse in its page named ‘Children are our most precious good’.

And under its section titled ‘hygiene, cleanliness and quality of life, it advises immigrants to respect others by curtailing strong cooking odors and cigarette smoke. It also asks newcomers to exercise punctuality on appointments.

Guide for newcomers stirs controversy—The recently released guide for new immigrants in Quebec has stirred controversy. It reminds one of the 2007 code of conduct of Heouxville, Quebec that invited global attention for its controversial guidelines.

Critics have maintained that the newly released Quebec guide for new immigrants is a sheer insult since it seems to be treating immigrants as if they have come out of a cave. Head of the Center for Research Action on Race-Relations, Fo Niemi says it singles out newcomers and seems to portray them as Neanderthals.

Guide aims to better integration of newcomers--However, according to the Gatineau municipal councilor for culture and diversity, Mireille Apollon, since Gatineau is growing quite fast and has a highest per capita immigration level by being second to Edmonton in Canada.

Hence it becomes necessary to have documents that provide relevant information to immigrants about Gatineau. She maintained that immigrants come from varied cultures and horizons and this means differences in behaviors which could become irritants.

She asserted that many Canadian cities including Quebec have inherited an obligation to help successful integration of newcomers coming to Canada.

Around 250,000 immigrants are currently living in Gatineau and the rate of international immigration has gone up tremendously in the last couple of years.

So, the new document aims to help new arrivals fit into the new environment in a better way, says, the administration of Mayor Marc Bureua.

 

[L7]

Increased screening for foreigners travelling to Canada

Canada, 9th December: Foreigners from Europe or nations not requiring visitor visas will have to undergo advanced checks before flying to Canada.

This new step comes as Canada enters into a deal with the US for increasing security checks for curbing terrorism.

ETA—The ETA(electronic travel authorization) system forms part of the process to introduce new security checks under the latest Canada-US border deal. It will be applicable to those wanting to come to North America. The new advanced ETA process will apply to travelers hailing from European and other nations not requiring visitor visas for coming to Canada.

Such foreign travelers will have to fill out an electronic form before purchasing an air ticket. Majority of foreigners will be given authority instantly while those involved in fraud or crime will be denied permission to fly to Canada, Canadian officials revealed.

Risk sharing by Canada and the US--Both Canada and the US will join together in sharing risk and target details regarding potential terrorism threats by using a common approach for screening them. Canada will use similar methods for identifying potential threats and refusing entry as adopted by the US.

Both nations will have the facility to counter-check whether any foreigner making application for getting into the nation has been denied entry, visa, faced deportation earlier by the other nation or not.

For this, new computer systems will be created by Canada and the US to seek details from each other’s database. Meanwhile, Canadians or Americans will not be affected by the new move. Some earlier reports had hinted at US checks for everyone wanting to come to Canada. But, there is no truth in such reports.

New Canada-US border deal to expedite entry of legitimate travelers, businesses—While the main motive of the new Canada-US border deal is to crack down on travelers considered a threat to the nation’s security, it will also facilitate entry of legitimate American and Canadian travelers as well as businesses. It will ease security at the US-Canada border by building a greater wall of protection around the Canada-US perimeter.

Highlights of the US-Canada border deal—

• Greater tracking of foreign travelers in both nations;

• Increased opportunities for travelers from Canada to get NEXUS card for faster entry at border crossings;

• Opening up of more lanes for facilitating faster clearance by land and air;

• Grant of trusted status to firms in the US or Canada involved in shipping goods across the border to facilitate pre-screening at the factories itself rather than at the border.

 

[L7]

News Release – Canadian citizenship not for sale: Minister Kenney provides update of investigations into citizenship fraud

Montreal, December 9, 2011 — The Government of Canada is now investigating 6,500 people from more than 100 countries for fraudulently attempting to gain citizenship or maintain permanent resident status, Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney announced today.

“Canadian citizenship is not for sale,” said Minister Kenney. “Canadians are generous people, but have no tolerance or patience for people who don’t play by the rules and who lie or cheat to become a Canadian citizen. The Government will apply the full strength of Canadian law to those who have obtained citizenship fraudulently.”

In July, Minister Kenney announced that Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) was beginning the process to revoke the citizenship of up to 1,800 citizens who obtained it fraudulently; that number has now risen to more than 2,100.

The Department has also been working on cases of those who are not yet citizens. Nearly 4,400 people with permanent resident status who are known to be implicated in residence fraud have been flagged for additional scrutiny should they attempt to enter Canada or obtain citizenship. The majority of these individuals are outside the country.

In typical cases, permanent residents will use the services of an unscrupulous immigration consultant to establish evidence of residence in Canada while living abroad most, if not all, of the time. This fraud is perpetrated so that individuals can maintain their permanent residence status and later apply for citizenship. A family of five may pay upwards of $25,000 over four or more years to create the illusion of residence in Canada.

“My department is working closely with the Canada Border Services Agency, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and Canadian offices abroad to prevent people who are suspected of non-compliance with the permanent residence requirement from being admitted to Canada without proving they meet the requirements and take enforcement action when necessary,” added Minister Kenney.

To date, of the 4,400 permanent residents who have been flagged, nearly 1,400 people have withdrawn or abandoned their citizenship application because of new scrutiny.

Permanent residents must acquire three years of residence out of four years to apply for Canadian citizenship. To retain their status as permanent residents, they must be physically present in Canada for two years out of five.

“I encourage anyone who has information regarding citizenship fraud to call our tip line to report it,” urged Minister Kenney.

Cases involving false representation, fraud or knowingly concealing material circumstances in the citizenship process – for example, pretending to be present in Canada to meet the residence requirements for obtaining citizenship – should be referred to the citizenship fraud tip line at CIC’s Call Centre at 1-888-242-2100 (in Canada only, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. local time, Monday through Friday). Tips may also be reported by e-mail at Citizenship-fraud-tips@cic.gc.ca. Those overseas can contact the nearest Canadian visa office.

All other fraud types related to immigration should be reported to the CBSA’s Border Watch Tip Line at 1 888-502-9060. Tips accepted by the Border Watch Tip Line include, but are not limited to, suspicious cross-border activity, marriages of convenience, misrepresentation in any temporary or permanent immigration application, or the whereabouts of any person wanted on an immigration warrant.

The Government of Canada is taking action to crack down on the actions of crooked consultants during the immigration process. Bill C-35, originally introduced as the Cracking Down on Crooked Consultants Act, came into force on June 30, 2011. The Act imposes penalties on unauthorized representatives who provide, or offer to provide, advice or representation for a fee at any stage of an immigration application or proceeding.

 

[L7]

Study reveals Canadians broadmindedly accepts new immigration levels with opening of new doors

December 6, 2011: Result of a newly conducted study states that the Canadians have adopted more positive attitude towards the increasing levels of immigration.

The Study:

A new research conducted by the Institute for Research on Public Policy found out more than half of the surveyed Canadians holds a very supportive opinion towards increasing the immigration levels of the country which has grown significantly over the years.

Around 2,020 residents were surveyed with this research and as much of 58 per cent answered they are very positive about it.

The report shows that Canadians are quiet tolerant towards increasing numbers of immigration and strongly feels encourages multiculturalism and appreciates their share in economic development of the country.

Different Viewpoint:

The study brings out an all together a different viewpoint of Canadian population. Recently highlighted in various news stories it was believed that the citizens are not very happy with increasing levels of new immigrants, but this study had proved it wrong and has brought different side of country’s public.

The research director Leslie Seidle, from the Institute for Research on Public Policy diversity, immigration and integration programs strongly feels that the positive aspects of immigration should not be ignored just because of some hard incidents that has happened. Rather believing them could create more problems for the citizens as well as the immigrants. The Director also believes that the Canada is doing much better from the other countries in terms of maintaining immigration levels.

Through this research it has also been proved that the majority of people believe that the Canada is having right increase in immigration at right time which will ultimately benefit the country.

Positive Canadians:

Some of the studies conducted also prove the fact that gradually Canadian citizen have high acceptance levels as compared to the people from other countries.

As per a study conducted in year 2010 only 20 per cent of the Canadian citizens feel negative about the increasing standards, this ratio is very low as compared to the people from United Kingdom where more than 60 per cent of citizens are not able to accept the growing number of immigration levels.

As per another poll conducted by German Marshall Fund from the United States that proves that Canadians have high tolerance levels for immigrants as compared to the people in United States, Germany, Italy, France, Spain and other countries.

Initially the Canadians were also not very supportive about the immigrants coming but 1990’s a positive shift in ideology relating to it was noticed among the country people.

Newly Opened Doors:

Statistics shows that around 2, 80,000 immigrants were admitted last year hereby extending more and better opportunities to them as well as for the development of the country.

 

[mycan]

Dear L7,

+1 to you for your regular contributions.
These are very informative & motivating.

mycan