Immigration ministers from the provinces and territories held a meeting in Ottawa yesterday with federal Immigration Minister Jason Kenney to discuss ways to improve Canada’s immigration system given the importance of immigration to Canada’s future competitiveness and prosperity. The Ministers discussed the status of several key issues including the common goal of ensuring foreign credentials and qualifications are recognized consistently and fairly, the ability of the provincial nominee programs to respond to local labour market needs, and the support newcomers need to join and help build vibrant communities.

Ministers discussed work to date on the Pan-Canadian Framework for the Assessment and Recognition of Foreign Qualifications. As the Framework states, all governments are collectively working towards ensuring that foreign qualifications are recognized in a fair, consistent, transparent and timely manner.

Within the next few years, the growth of Canada’s labour force will depend on immigration. Ministers discussed ways to make immigration more responsive to economic and regional needs. This necessitates the increased involvement of provinces and territories in jointly managing the immigration system. Minister Kenney reported on progress made in reducing the backlog for federal skilled worker applications under the Action Plan for Faster Immigration. The federal and provincial governments are working together to address the ongoing backlog.

All the ministers agreed that the future of immigration would depend on Canada’s capacity to embrace, welcome, and support newcomers top contribute to building inclusive, diverse and vibrant communities in Canada.

“If Canada wants to succeed in the global economy, our country must be able to attract and retain immigrants with the skills it needs today while preparing us to face the challenges of the future,” said Jason Kenney, federal Immigration Minister. “I am confident that our governments’ combined efforts will help position Canada as a destination of choice for the world’s best and brightest.”