Whats New in Canada-Update on CA

[mayankpandya]

Elections Canada works to engage students to vote

Canada, 13th April: Elections Canada is all set to woo students and youth voters for the upcoming elections in Canada

Taylor Gunn, the Chief Election Officer of Student Vote, and March Mayrand, the Chief Electoral Officer of Canada, announced launch of general election program for students titled Student Vote.

Student Vote is a good way for enabling students in Canada know about important facts related to democracy of the nation.

Online voting—best for winning votes of youth in Canada--Voter turnout in Canada can be increased many-fold through online voting facility for tech-savvy youth, stated Mayrand. Votes from the youth are just a mouse click away and they hold the key to the future of Canada’s elections, he asserted. He felt assured that approval to online voting will be given by Parliament for the by-elections in 2013. Concept of online voting is going to allure a large number of youth to join the polls, added Mayrand.

The youth is tech-savvy and is not interested in filling out paper forms, he maintained. Online voting will help in making the process of inviting more and more youngsters to vote a lot more easier due to the convenience involved in the process, he asserted.

Percentage of youth voters quite low in 2008 Canada elections---Youth Citing the 2008 general election statistics, Mayrand was quoted saying that the percentage of voters in the age group between 55 and 64 years was 65.5 percent while for the Canadians aged below 40 years, the percentage was merely 37.4 percent. And this barrier among youth for voting can be reduced to a great extent through the use of technology, Mayrand suggested.

Student Vote—A good way of reaching student community in Canada—By the use of Student Vote, elementary, middle as well as secondary school student can be taught about various issues related to elections. The young students practice voting on the Student Vote day by casting their voters before the actual day of elections, that is, 2nd May, 2011.

Elections Canada along with different education groups and the Ministry of Education funds the Student Vote program. Presently, throughout Canada, there are around 3,000 schools registered under Student Vote.

 

[Dr.Hasib]

NOC 0213: Computer and Information Systems Managers might be included in july 2011 occupation list (FSW1)

A recent report, entitled Outlook for Human Resources in the ICT Labour Market, 2011-2016, states that there will be a labour shortage of qualified applicants for IT related jobs in Canada within the next few years. The report was released by the Information and Communications Technology Council (ICTC).

According to the report, over 106,000 IT related positions will become available between 2011 and 2016 in Canada; however there may not be enough people to fill those positions. The report has also indicated that the most shortages will occur for positions which require five or more years of experience.

In order to address the concerns regarding labour shortages, the report is suggesting five recommendations:

Post-secondary students should be encourages to take IT-related courses;
Foreign-education workers should be better integrated into Canada’s IT workforce;
Making post-secondary education more cross-disciplinary; and
Making the IT industry more accessible for various skill levels and diverse employees.
Another important suggestion made by the report is to bring more foreign skilled workers to Canada. The IT industry will be looking for skilled workers with many different skills, rather than a specific technical expertise.

The Government of Canada has not indicated how these shortages will affect their immigration strategies. Canadavisa.com will report on any changes to the Canadian immigration programs once they have been announced.
Source: http://www.canadavisa.com/news/entry/canadas-it-industry-to-face-labour-shortages-110404.html

Regards,
Dr.Hasib

 

[mayankpandya]

Canada Conservatives counting on Asians vote


The Conservatives this time are also counting on Asian votes for their success in coming elections.
As the elections are coming nearer and nearer, every party with their leaders has started making their policies, promises to the public, in order to gain their confidence and trust.

The big competition day 2nd May is quiet close and the support for Canadian minorities also adds up when the winning comes up from the total majority in parliament.

The parties are leaving no stone unturned during their campaigning. This time in elections Asians also have a major part to play. Being the number migrants roused to the highest last year, by around 2, 80,636 additions, and the election results also counts on them.

The present Canadian Prime Minster has been working on to attract the Asian voters and win the elections.

Conservatives have been also campaigning in the areas concentrating with thick population of Asians to gain their confidence.

The party leaders have also been trying to interact with them in going through with their culture and adopting their language while addressing them by it.

Recently Immigration Minister Jason Kenny, made a public appearance in Chinese supermarket in Mississauga, Toronto to ask for their support to his party. He tried interacting with them in their language “Xie xie” extending his thanks to the Asian Chinese public. The public was also found appreciating his efforts and joyfully participated with him in his campaign.

Kenny telling about his appearance “As the Conservatives enjoy a strong support in Calgary my electoral district, I have been given a chance to delegate the campaign in Mississauga”

Conservatives, that faced non-confidence motion last month, should require 12 more seats for gaining sure majority in coming elections.

According to the voter’s polls, it is expected that party the party which rules in minority have a high chances of winning.

It has been of sheer importance even the Stephen Harper has successfully powered two minority governments consecutively, since 2006. According to the current situation he needs approximately 40 per cent of the voters support this time.

But during the early phase, Tories got only got 38 per cent of the support, now the Conservatives are gearing up and taking up their chances to gain votes from the Asians in Toronto area. Out of the total population of Toronto, around the one third consists of Canadians, the migrants from the Asian countries. So, they are basically concentrating to win their confidence and get through the elections successfully.

 

[mayankpandya]

Family reunification visas top concern for ethnic voters

Canada, 14th April: Majority of ethnic voters in Canada have family reunification visas as the top priority.

Family reunification visa program helps reunites children and spouses of Canadian citizens as well as Canada permanent residents.

In addition, parents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada can visit the nation on multiple-entry visas.

Earlier in 2011, documents revealed by Richard Kurland, an immigration lawyer based in Vancouver, had stated that the Harper government intended to reduce the family reunification visas for parents as well as grandparents from India by around 50 percent.

Another fact that seemed to irritate many Indo-Canadians was that the government also had plans to increase the family reunification visas for Chinese to Canada two times.

Reacting to the issue of family reunification visas likely to be reduced by Harper government, Harjinder Thind said that Indo-Canadians are extremely angry and want the government to immediately reverse such reductions.

MP Navdeep Bains, a Liberal candidate for Mississauga-Brampton South, has reiterated to reverse the cuts announced to the family reunification visas.

He also maintained that the focus of the Liberal Government will be on families. Reacting to the visa cuts, Bains stated that Mr. Stephen Harper had cut family reunification visas along with immigration settlement programs and language programs.

No wonder, this has invited the wrath of several New Canadians since the move is a serious blow to the successful integration of such Canadian families in the Canadian society. Hence, the main focus of the Liberal Government will be to reinstate family reunification visas along with other priorities on the list including education, home care and provision of secure pensions, he asserted.

Although, CIC (Citizenship and Immigration Canada) has been asserting that reunification of families with Canadians is the top concern, but, every senior is not lucky enough for getting a Canada visa, not to talk of multiple-entry visas. Several elderly applicants for Canadian visas are rejected, mainly those hailing from India, Pakistan, China, and Philippines.

And this causes anger among the new immigrants in Canada since their parents are not allowed to come to Canada even as visitors, states an immigration lawyer based in Toronto, Max M. Chaudhary.

 

[canadian.dream]

Thanks for the information. All the best!

 

[kavya]

NOC 0213: Computer and Information Systems Managers might be included in july 2011 occupation list (FSW1)

A recent report, entitled Outlook for Human Resources in the ICT Labour Market, 2011-2016, states that there will be a labour shortage of qualified applicants for IT related jobs in Canada within the next few years. The report was released by the Information and Communications Technology Council (ICTC).

According to the report, over 106,000 IT related positions will become available between 2011 and 2016 in Canada; however there may not be enough people to fill those positions. The report has also indicated that the most shortages will occur for positions which require five or more years of experience.

In order to address the concerns regarding labour shortages, the report is suggesting five recommendations:

Post-secondary students should be encourages to take IT-related courses;
Foreign-education workers should be better integrated into Canada's IT workforce;
Making post-secondary education more cross-disciplinary; and
Making the IT industry more accessible for various skill levels and diverse employees.
Another important suggestion made by the report is to bring more foreign skilled workers to Canada. The IT industry will be looking for skilled workers with many different skills, rather than a specific technical expertise.

The Government of Canada has not indicated how these shortages will affect their immigration strategies. Canadavisa.com will report on any changes to the Canadian immigration programs once they have been announced.
Source: http://www.canadavisa.com/news/entry/canadas-it-industry-to-face-labour-shortages-110404.html

Regards,
Dr.Hasib

very good one

 

[kavya]

NOC 0213: Computer and Information Systems Managers might be included in july 2011 occupation list (FSW1)

A recent report, entitled Outlook for Human Resources in the ICT Labour Market, 2011-2016, states that there will be a labour shortage of qualified applicants for IT related jobs in Canada within the next few years. The report was released by the Information and Communications Technology Council (ICTC).

According to the report, over 106,000 IT related positions will become available between 2011 and 2016 in Canada; however there may not be enough people to fill those positions. The report has also indicated that the most shortages will occur for positions which require five or more years of experience.

In order to address the concerns regarding labour shortages, the report is suggesting five recommendations:

Post-secondary students should be encourages to take IT-related courses;
Foreign-education workers should be better integrated into Canada's IT workforce;
Making post-secondary education more cross-disciplinary; and
Making the IT industry more accessible for various skill levels and diverse employees.
Another important suggestion made by the report is to bring more foreign skilled workers to Canada. The IT industry will be looking for skilled workers with many different skills, rather than a specific technical expertise.

The Government of Canada has not indicated how these shortages will affect their immigration strategies. Canadavisa.com will report on any changes to the Canadian immigration programs once they have been announced.
Source: http://www.canadavisa.com/news/entry/canadas-it-industry-to-face-labour-shortages-110404.html

Regards,
Dr.Hasib

Will that benifit to IT lecturers or instructors or now? I mean indirectly, They mean to encourage universities to keep good IT courses. So that might be benifit to we IT trainers/lecturers...

 

[mayankpandya]

Lets see..kavya on June/July 2011.

Regards,
Mayank

Will that benifit to IT lecturers or instructors or now? I mean indirectly, They mean to encourage universities to keep good IT courses. So that might be benifit to we IT trainers/lecturers...

 

[mayankpandya]

Corporate Tax Cuts not delivering on job creation

The corporate tax cuts have not proved as beneficial as they were expected by the government.

A surprising result have turned up, according to latest reports of Canadian Center for Policy Alternatives (CCPA), the deductions introduced in corporate taxes, has no doubts benefited the Canada’s business organizations, but have disappointedly not helped in generating more jobs for the country.

In a study conducted by David Macdonald, the CCPA Research Associate, he took the study for around 198 of business organizations out of 245 operating ones on the Sand P/TSX composite and its took its year end data from the year 2000 to 2009.

The study resulted in the findings that these sample 198 companies have increased their profit margins by 50 per cent as compared to the taken period and now is paying 20 per cent less tax what they used to pay a decade ago.

The study further analyzed that if these 198 corporations have paid tax with the previous scenario as in the year 2000, the government tax collection would have experienced a rise by $ 12 billion in the year 2009 as in revenues. Accounting all the loss from 245 corporations has been much more.

According to the Macdonald this the most expensive program, where the government suffering huge losses without much growth through it.

The organizations have more gone the profit way rather benefitting the economy by generating more jobs in order to control unemployment rates.

“ In spite of the growth in profits and huge tax savings, the Canadian corporations disappointed by not generating the expected growth rate in producing more jobs, they rather pulling down the Canada’s employment growth rate.” Comments, Macdonald.

According to the available statistics, in last five years that is 2005 to 2010 the jobs created by the business organizations rose by just 5 per cent but whereas the employed population rose more significantly by 6 per cent. In figures the number of jobs generated by these business organizations rose from 2 million to merge increase of 2.1 million. They even could not reach the average rate of employment growth and hence could not help in the economic development as it was expected to be.

The analysis and results of the study have also helped in the working the National Union of Public and General Employees. They were helped in the undertaking from the year back in their campaign “All Together Now”, which is meant for promotion of tax fairness and also deal with the issue of quality public services. With around 6000 supporters, they have been busting all the myth issues regarding the concerned matter.

 

[mayankpandya]

First time buyers leading property revival in Canada

The first time buyers plays a major role in booming the real estate market in Canada.

As the real estate market his on gaining ground these days in Canada. As per the current scenario, real estate market is in most booming stage in Canada as compared to the other nations.

According the reports, all thanks goes to the first time buyers of the country, from whose help the sector is able to experience a sudden rise and momentum.

This sudden boom in the sector is mostly the result of now low borrowing rates which have encouraged the first time buyers to invest in the real estate market. The first time buyers are taking an advantage of it and are interested in these investments before there is any change in mortgage lending scenario that may tighten the rules for the new buyers.

Recent Statistics shows that the market has grown it sales by great number as compared to the sales in the year 2010 around one third of the 19 main markets confirm it.

According to the facts brought forward by the Real Estate Agency RE/MAX, around 70 per cent of the average selling rates have been increased during this year sale.

Elton Ash, regional executive vice president, RE/MAX in Western Canada, commented “The residential real estate is strongly gaining its pace and now this a busy spring market, it is growing day by day with the customers confidence as new buyers are increasing at a rapid rate.”

According to the recent reports Vancouver has experienced most profits out it as their the prices as increased by as much as by 20 per cent the next comes in by Hamilton Burlington shows a rise of 8 per cent in profits, then followed by Quebec City, Winnipeg and Toronto.

According RE/MAX, affordability is also in the minds of the builders and the dealers, as it is the one the major matters of concern for the lower income buyers and the first timers. More compact and small houses are most preferred by the buyers in Greater Vancouver, Victoria, Calgary, London –St Thomas, Hamilton Burlington, Greater Toronto, the Island of Montreal and Kelowna where the average rates have witnessed an increase recently.

The new change has come up with a turn towards small houses or condominium units. As the demand for reasonable rated properties is on the rise, a shift in housing trend is expected in coming times, as the builders are keeping in concern with the buying power and requirements of the purchaser.

 

[mayankpandya]

Canadians hate more immigrants coming in

The Canadians are now of point of view that government should control the increasing number of immigrants.

Currently the statistics say the number of immigrants is increasing at a high rate. The increase is either, due to the Temporary foreign workers increasing or on the study basis. But maximum increase is the result of increase in number of Temporary foreign workers.

The Canadians are of point of view that the increase in number of outsiders to their country is affecting their privileges. They strongly feel the immigrants are taking more advantage of their countries resources rather than giving to its economy.

They also find them responsible for the increasing rate of unemployment of the country. They feel there should be check on the number of skilled labors coming to the country, but politicians have reasoned that, increasing number of temporary workers, are those who people who already have jobs waiting for them here according to their qualifications and experience. Continuing with it they finally settle down and hence get the permanent residence ship.

Their settling down is what that create more and objectionable problems for the Canadians, as most of them enters as temporary labors as low skilled ones and then finally remains the country for the coming times. There worry is further justified by the statistics that turned up as the number of such workers in Canada grew by 2, 83,096.

As most them cannot get permanent residence unless they get approval from the province they are working in, still they try and remain after their visas have expired.

The locals also criticize the loose government policies, as they have no proper records as how many of those who visas are expired are still here. They don’t find it right that those whose stay duration has been ended in the country should work or stay here.

They want reforms in the border exit system so that clear picture should be studied and taken care off.

But according to the current needs Manitoba specifically wants more people to enter so as to fill the vacant positions, as it is going a phase of underemployment and there is a need for total professionals which immigrants can serve the purpose. Some leaders find it baseless to be against the immigration.

Another reason why the original Canadians are worried is, they think they are losing their own culture. Only few leaders oppose the viewpoint regarding multiculturalism, other politician’s support it has as they provide the original culture with lot of flavors.

 

[mayankpandya]

Migrant workers face difficulties in health care in Canada

Canada, 19th April: Foreign migrant workers arriving in Canada face several barriers to health care services, findings of a recent analysis by two researches.

Migrant workers not only face poor health care services after their arrival in Canada, moreover, they also face poor access to housing, workplace safety and lack of appropriate job standards, stated co-coordinator of the Coalition for Migrant Workers Justice B.C., Janette McIntosh.

As a result of their inability in getting access to proper health care in Canada, migrant workers in Canada, majority of whom hail from developing nations including the Philippines, Mexico and Jamaica, health of such workers takes a serious blow.

Migrant workers have to work in grueling conditions in farms of Ontario and British Columbia.

The research published in the CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal) further maintains that migrant workers develop stress, skin and eye disorders, back pain and mental health ailments.

Rigorous work conditions, poor housing, stress takes toll-The researchers have written in one of the papers that some of the basic conditions faced by international migrant workers in Canada include living in overcrowded houses, long working hours, poor knowledge of their health care rights and stress are some of the factors that pose a serious threat to their health.

The workers fail to approach health care services in Canada primarily because either they don’t have time to reach health care clinic or they have the constant fear of becoming jobless, states one of the co-authors of the papers, Jenna Hennebry.

Other health problems highlighted during the research---The survey conducted between 2007 and 2009 in Ontario on nearly 600 migrant workers that migrant workers suffered from some sort of health problem due to their farm jobs, Hennebry reiterated. Other health problems suffered by migrant workers in Canada included heat exhaustion, water-borne diseases, gastro-intestinal disorders, back problems and exposure to pesticides, she maintained.

Monotonous work throughout the day resulted in musculoskeletal injuries to nearly 85 percent of migrant workers while nearly 80 percent of workers stated having to work in extreme heat conditions in Canada.

No access to clean, safe drinking water, fans, bedding in Canada—Migrant workers admitted not having access to safe and clean drinking water, inadequate fans and poor bedding in Canada. Uncomfortable living conditions do result in psychological problems for migrant workers in Canada.

Fear inhibits migrant workers from reporting matters to their employers in Canada--A social researcher with Wifrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, Hennebry said that nearly fifty percent of migrant workers included in the studies admitted that fear restricted them from expressing their matters with employers in Canada.

 

[mayankpandya]

Canada best nation to live in –British Expats

Canada, 21st April: British expats have rated Canada as the best nation to live in during a recent British expatriates’ survey

British expatriates give a range of reasons for Canada being the favorite immigration destination during the latest survey. It offers best healthcare, banking services and high standards of education which contribute to make quality of life in Canada best among different nations.

Undertaken by NatWest International Personal Banking, the survey included more than 1,000 British expats living in different parts of the world.

While Canada emerged as the top nation for immigration in the world, New Zealand and Australia followed it. France and South Africa came at the fourth and fifth positions respectively.

Other nations coming in the list of top ten destinations for immigration were Portugal, Spain, the US, the UAE(United Arab Emirates) and Singapore.

Best quality of life for British expats in Canada—Out of the total British expats participating in the survey, around 92 percent were all praises for the excellent working environment offered by Canada and nearly 90 percent rated Canada as best for the financial security offered by the nation. High standards of education, good health care system in Canada and beautiful natural bounties attracted majority of British expats to choose Canada as the top nation for living.

Canada rated best for the second consecutive year---Canada has been chosen as the best nation in the NatWest IPB (International Personal Banking) Quality of Life Index for the second year in a row, stated head of the NatWest IPB, Dave Isley. The reputation of being a peaceful nation along with best working conditions ensuring maximum financial security made Canada come at the top place in the survey, Isley asserted.

Well-organized society, high pay in Canada--Canada’s society is well-organized, and the average salaries in the nation are quite good enabling high quality of living for the people. That’s exactly what makes living in Canada a happy experience, admitted a British expat living in Toronto, Stephen Davis.

Average salary earned by nearly 50 percent of British expats in Canada is stated to be between £50,000 and £100,000.

Another British expat living in north-western Ontario, Stephanie Ash, echoes that the quality of life offered in Canada is, indeed, superior to any other nation the world over. It has beautiful living environment, abundant business opportunities and top-class education standards.

 

[mayankpandya]

Federal Immigration policies left Ontario with few skilled workers, says McGuinty

The change in Immigration policies to promote other provinces have left Ontario with the few number of skilled workers coming in.

The immigration policies brought in by the federal government, has resulted Ontario as the most populous province of the country, but still has lost in gaining skilled workers for it. The Ontario tried to build reconstruct its economy but have lost a large number of the skilled workers due to the policies which government have initiated.

This situation have turned up due to better job prospects are available for the skilled migrants in other provinces as compared to the Ontario. The Federal government has tried boosting number migrants to other provinces by attracting them with new jobs availability.

Some years back Ontario enjoyed being the dream destination of the professionals and skilled workers who wished to turn up to Canada, but the policies initiated by the government favored Western provinces.

Mr. McGuinty has brought up the problem just before the federals elections of the country, as according to him it is the ideal time to take care of the important concerns. He also brought forward the health issue of the country and put it as topic for discussion.

Basically Mr. McGuinty , feels that government has been promoting three provinces that is British Columbia, Manitoba and Quebec by giving them better control on the designing and administrative part and language training sessions. Some of them also enjoy the power of selecting their immigrants to make them their residents.

The Liberal governments also initiated the program to the boost migration rate in Greater Toronto Area. The same policies were followed by the Immigration Minister Jason Kenney to promote the other provinces and attract more skilled workers there.

The topic brought by him had little effect because the successive federal government has applied these immigration policies to get in to the ethnic groups and gain their support.

Still Ontario plays a magnetic role for bringing in the immigrants to the country, each year it enjoys largest share of new entrants to the country. With the change in policies, now only 18 per cent of new entrants are economically viable class as compared to the before when 25 per cent consists of such class.

The Ontario after the elections is hoping that the immigration policies will change and the province will granted with more powers and attractions, so that in future they are able to select the talented new migrants and can initiate program to add them into Canadian group for betterment of the country.

 

[mayankpandya]

Alarming obesity levels lead to poor health of Canadians

Canada, 22nd April: Obesity is rising among Canadians and is becoming a leading cause of several other ailments.

Health levels of Canadians are declining at an alarming rate as obesity increases the risk of developing several other diseases including cardiovascular ailments, stroke, breast cancer, kidney, and colon cancer, osteoarthritis, Type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure.

Obesity top contributor to other diseases--As per the latest official statistics, nearly 25 percent of Canadian children and around 60 percent of Canadian adults happen to be obese. And it’s the leading cause of death of nearly 25,000 Canadians annually.

Scientific director of CON-RCO (Canadians Obesity Network-Reseau canadien en obesite), Dr. Arya M. Sharma, states that overweight or obesity is the top contributor to death, disease, low productivity levels and health care costs in Canada.

Health Strategy Innovation Cell’s Neil Seeman, in the April 2010 issue of Macleans states nearly 60 percent of chronic ailments are due to obesity. Nearly one out of 10 premature deaths of Canadian adults in the age-group between 20-64 years are due to obesity. Obesity is significantly affecting Canadians and hence the epidemic can be reversed through effective policy solutions, he asserted.

Obesity- top health-issue of Canada--Findings of a recent survey show that nearly one-third of Canadians admit obesity to be the top health-concern engulfing the nation. Nearly 35 percent of Canadian youth and 37 percent of Canadian adults say obesity is top health issue.

The survey findings are not going to surprise the Canadians keeping in view the high costs of health care on obesity and overweight in Canada cost a whopping $6 billion dollars in the year 2006. Not to ignore several indirect expenses involved with high obese levels among Canadians including psychological expenditure and low productivity.

Obesity-related costs going up in Canada--Health care costs involving obesity were stated to be nearly $1.25 billion in the year 2005. And if we take into account the percentage of Alberta’s population out of the total population of the nation which is just 11 percent, then the obesity-related health care costs of Canada may come out to be around $10 billion.

Canada needs to ponder in terms of action and advocacy to control the most significant health concern of the nation, states an obesity physician in Ottawa and president of RCC (Reality Coalition Canada) Dr. Yoni Freedhoff.