Canada Immigration Visas

Canadian Immigration Minister Jason Kenney has announced streamlining procedures to enable applicants to have their French and English language tests processed more quickly – the language requirements themselves, however, will not be changed.

‘But beginning April 10th, 2010, prospective immigrants will be required to prove their English and French language abilities at the time they apply. This requirement supports our commitment to fast, fair and efficient application processing’, said Mr Kenney.

Under the previous arrangements for Canadian visa applications, applicants could submit a third-party test, or a written submission could be provided to a visa officer.

The written submission was intended for English or French speaking applicants. A problem arose with those whose first language was not English or French – they also provided written submissions, but, as the submission itself was not enough, further evidence would be required, resulting in long delays.

‘Now, applicants in these categories will have only one opportunity to prove their language ability’, said Mr Kenney. ‘They can still make a written submission to a visa officer if they wish, but only once.’

All migrant applicants are still encouraged to submit third-party language test results because the results give a clear indication of language ability before they apply – this can greatly speed up applications.

With written proof submissions on the other hand, applicants don’t know their results until their application is lodged and assessed by a Canadian visa officer.

‘We strongly encourage applicants whose first language isn’t English or French to take a language test’, said Minister Kenney.

‘We don’t want immigrants to be surprised if their written submission doesn’t match their reported ability, and they don’t get the desired assessment.’

Federal Skilled Worker immigration applicants can be awarded up to 24 points for language ability results.

A new report by Statistics Canada predicts that between 25% and 28% of Canada’s population will be foreign-born by 2031.

Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal will see the biggest changes. Apparantly, 71% of all visible minorities in Canada will live in these areas by 2031.

The estimates suggest that first or second generation migrants will form 63% of Toronto’s population by 2031 – increasing from 43% recorded in 2006. Vancouver’s population will be 59% – an increase from 42% recorded in 2006.

Montreal’s migrant population is expected to rise to 31%, up from 16% in 2006.

The figures show that Canada is becoming ever more diverse as time goes by, and this diversity will greatly benefit the cities. However, experts also caution that greater steps will be required to assist new migrants with integrating into their communities.

Immigration Minister Jason Kenney has announced that more skilled migrants to Canada will be able to obtain assistance to jump-start their credential recognition process via expanded overseas orientation services.

‘We want newcomers to be able to use their skills as soon as possible in Canada. This funding will help them jump-start the credential recognition process before they arrive in Canada. It’s good for them and good for the Canadian economy’, said Kenney.

The Association of Canadian Community Colleges (ACCC) operates the Canadian Immigration Integration Project (CIIP) which will receive additional funding of $15 million over the next three years to expand services in the UK, with a new office to open in London in the Autumn of 2011. The service will also be available to India, China and the Philippines.

According to Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development,’Our government is committed to helping newcomers succeed in Canada. Through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, our government is improving foreign credential recognition so that newcomers can maximize their skills. Attracting the best international talent is important to Canada’s long-term economic success’.

The CIIP, overseen by the ACCC, began offering a pilot orientation service in the Philippines, China and India in 2007. These existing offices – and the new London office, will offer access to more than 70% of the selected federal skilled workers around the world. These locations will also offer access to approximately 44% of selected provincial nominees globally.

According to James Knight, President and CEO of ACCC, ‘To date, close to 7000 people have graduated from the CIIP pilot program overseas. As a result, they are better prepared to contribute to Canada’s prosperity through employment or by starting a new business. ACCC will work with our member institutions and our many partners to expand and enrich CIIP, bringing even greater benefits to newcomers and to Canada’.

Foreign credential recognition is cited by new migrants as one of their biggest challenges upon arriving in Canada. The Government’s Economic Action Plan has earmarked $50M over two years (2009-2010) to support a common approach to foreign credential recognition, with the aim being to more successfully integrate migrants into the labour market in Canada.

Minister Kenney also spoke of the recent announcement of the Pan-Canadian Framework for the Assessment and Recognition of Foreign Qualifications – this is an agreement made between the federal government and the administrations of the provinces and territories to speed up foreign credential recognition for new migrants.

A continued shortage of skilled labour will mean that more than 700,000 people in Ontario will be unemployable by 2021, according to Seneca College President emeritus Rick Miner.

That figure would add to the 5% of people who are traditionally unemployed, boosting the total of jobless to 1.1 million, he said in a speech to the Canadian Club of Toronto.

Although Miner’s study focused on Ontario, a similar trend has been noted in separate studies Canada-wide. A lack of skills coupled with the retirement of the baby-boomer generation may mean the country will have to rely on immigration to fill the available jobs, reports have found.

‘The reality is that immigration could account for virtually all labour force growth in Canada within the next decade’, Immigration Minister Jason Kenney said recently.

Miner says immigration alone won’t be enough to fill in the employment gaps and that more education is needed.

The study said it can be conservatively estimated that at least 75% of workers in Ontario will need postsecondary education and/or training by 2021 if they are to be employable in Ontario’s new innovation economy.

However, if current trends continue, only about 64% is actually expected to have acquired postsecondary credentials by that point.

Miner said Ontario must begin taking action now to address this challenge.

‘We need to make significant changes’, he said. ‘If we don’t, the result will be an economy that can’t complete globally and a society that can’t provide opportunities for people to find employment.’

Canada may be vast beyond the imaginings of many Europeans, but for Anna, a science student who migrated there from Slovakia, the scale of the country is just another part of what makes Canada so special.

‘I remember coming here and being amazed at how big Canada is’, says Anna. ‘In Europe, travelling two hours gets you into a whole other country. In Canada, it’s a quick trip in the same province, sometimes just to the town next door.’

Anna spent six months learning English upon her arrival, at which point she embarked on an outstanding academic career made possible by the opportunities the county’s education system has to offer.

Anna joined University of Victoria’s microbiology program and graduated with top grades. She went on to win the University of Victoria Jubilee Medal for Science, the National Research Council Women in Science and Engineering Award, and a National Millennium Excellence Award.

Outside of academia, Anna cites volleyball as her passion and spends a lot of time coaching and refereeing for the game.

If this wasn’t enough Anna has also volunteered as a clinical geneticist, and has carried out tutorial work at the University of Victoria.

‘I truly enjoy everything Canada has brought me—opportunity, sports and study’, says Anna.

Memories of the citizenship ceremony are still vivid in her mind and she remembers the time spent studying for the test.

‘I do think of myself as a Canadian while always remembering my Slovakian roots. Becoming a citizen seemed a natural step after our move here, and while I was only a teenager, I remember it as a solemn occasion.’

Anna is now embarking on a Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council Postgraduate Scholarship, and she plans to study medical genetics at the University of Calgary on her way to a professional career.

Anna’s story highlights the opportunities that Canada offers to those who wish to work hard and develop their potential in one of the most dynamic and multicultural countries in the world.