Canadian Immigration News

In recent years, the Canadian healthcare system has experienced a shortage of nurses, as many experienced professionals retire. To ensure fair treatment and to ease the burden on the healthcare system, the Government of Ontario is taking steps to help foreign-trained nurses work in Ontario.

The Ontario government has introduced the Ontario Pilot Provincial Nominee Program(PNP) designed to help Ontario employers to attract and retain the skilled immigrants needed in the provincial labour market.

The leaders of some of Atlantic Canada's largest industry organizations are looking to work with Citizenship and Immigration Canada to encourage more immigrants to come to their region.

Nearly a fifth of Canada's total population was born elsewhere in the world. Many of these individuals immigrated to Canada because of the promise of living freely in a democratic, peaceful and multicultural society. Studies have shown however, that immigrants to Canada have low levels of political participation. A new program being run by The Maytree Foundation aims to change that by encouraging civic engagement among immigrants.

Canada's new immigration minister says the Conservative Government does not plan to change the overall immigration target number, or restrict family reunification.

Citizenship and Immigration Canada will not be allowing an amnesty for undocumented workers despite calls from community groups, unions and industry associations.

Gulf residents applying for Canadian permanent residency in pre-defined categories will be processed through the Abu Dhabi Embassy, instead of the previous London (UK) Visa Office beginning on January 1, 2006.

Beginning January 23, 2007, Canadians travelling to and from the United States by air will require a passport. While the rule will apply to those who cross the border by land in the future, this regulation will not take effect until at least 2008.

The Nova Scotia Office of Immigration recently introduced a new division of its Provincial Nominee Program. The International Graduate stream was launched in response to the immigration strategy consultations that the Office of Immigration has been conducting with employers around the province.

The Government of Canada is acting to help immigrants work in their chosen fields in Canada. In order to overcome the delays and difficulties of getting foreign credentials recognized in Canada, a new government office will provide services to newcomers to assist in navigating the credential recognition process.