Government of Canada announces funding to help newcomers settle in Kitchener-Waterloo
Saturday, May 10, 2008

Kitchener, May 9, 2008 Harold Albrecht, Member of Parliament for Kitchener-Conestoga, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, today announced new funding to help five organizations deliver settlement services to an estimated 1,200 immigrants in Kitchener-Waterloo.

Government of Canada to announce new funding to help immigrants in Kitchener-Waterloo
Saturday, May 10, 2008

Kitchener, May 8, 2008 Harold Albrecht, Member of Parliament for Kitchener-Conestoga, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, will make an announcement regarding new funding to help immigrants settle in Kitchener-Waterloo.

Canada's Community Historical Recognition Program focuses on Chinese-Canadians
Friday, May 9, 2008

The Honourable Jason Kenney, Secretary of State for Multiculturalism and Canadian Identity recently announced that $5 million will be made available to the Chinese-Canadian community to go towards commemorative and educational projects about the Chinese immigration experience in Canada and wartime restrictions. .

New group formed to encourage Canadian immigration
Friday, May 9, 2008

A new group has been formed to help people engaging in Canadian immigration to integrate into society. The group is based in the Canadian city of Peterborough and will look to attract more people on a Canadian visa to the area and make the transition to the country smoother for them.

Auditor General requests review of Passport, Citizenship and Immigration service fees
Tuesday, May 6, 2008

According to Canada's auditor general, Sheila Fraser, Canada's Foreign Affairs department is collecting more than it should from Canadian passport applicants. She announced that the $25 consular service fee (which is lumped into the $85 cost of an adult passport) is more than the department should be charging, given the services that passport holder receives in return. .

Job market in Canada relies on more immigration
Tuesday, May 6, 2008

If the rate of Canadian immigration does not increase, the country will not have enough workers in ten years, according to the government. Despite the country's workforce increasing by 200 per cent in the past 50 years, analysts predict this will stay at 11 per cent over the next 50 years, reports Canada.com.

Canadian immigrant author's new book to help young newcomers with integration
Monday, May 5, 2008

Integration into life in Canada can be especially challenging for immigrant children. Rukhsana Khan, herself a Canadian immigrant from Pakistan, experienced this challenge first hand while growing up in Dundas, Ontario in the 1960's. Her new book, Coming to Canada, aims to help your newcomers with the integration process. .

Pier 21, Canada's immigration museum expands exhibits and website
Friday, May 2, 2008

Pier 21, located on the waterfront of Halifax, Nova Scotia , has received new funding to better tell Canada's story of immigration. The $10 million capital expansion of the immigration museum, which began in 2005, will receive an additional $1.5 million from the Government of Nova Scotia. .

Post-grad students set to enjoy streamlined Canadian visa application
Thursday, May 1, 2008

The first students who will be automatically eligible to apply for a Canadian visa without going back to their home country are to graduate this year. The Economic Times has reported that normally students would have to return to their home country before applying for a Canadian visa, but the new rules mean this year's wave of post-graduate students will not have to.

New services to help foreign-trained health professionals in Alberta
Wednesday, April 30, 2008

The government of Alberta 's nine-year Health Workforces Action Plan (released last fall) outlined the need to attract foreign health professionals to Alberta and to create Health Career Centres to help them find work in their field. .

Canadian government pushed on plans to make immigration easier
Tuesday, April 29, 2008

The Canadian opposition government has pushed the immigration minister to confirm plans to fast-track some visa applications. Diane Finely, the minister, has defended the plans to reduce the waiting time for some skilled visa applicants wanting to engage in Canadian immigration.

Foreign Credentials Referral Office: Progress Report
Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Launched less than a year ago, the Foreign Credentials Referral Office (FCRO) is a tool to help newcomers and prospective immigrants obtain the information they need to prepare themselves for work in Canada in their fields. The Government of Canada has recently released a progress report to measure the FCRO’s success. The report describes the information and referral services provided to newcomers and prospective immigrants and outlines the office’s key achievements since..

Canada may reduce visa processing time to encourage immigration
Monday, April 28, 2008

Canada is continuing to encourage highly-skilled people to immigrate to the country. One of the initiatives is to cut the processing time for visa applications of people with particular skills, by allowing them to effectively 'jump the queue'. The processing time for applications has risen by 20 per cent in the past four years, due to the large volume of people requesting to enter the country. John Winter, president and chief executive officer of the BC Chamber of Commerce, said: "Our economy de..

Government of Canada announces funding to help newcomers settle in Hamilton
Sunday, April 27, 2008

Hamilton, April 25, 2008 The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, today announced funding for the St. Joseph Immigrant Womens Centre to deliver settlement services to newcomers in Hamilton and the surrounding area.

New Family Connections category for Newfoundland and Labrador PNP
Friday, April 25, 2008

The government of Newfoundland and Labrador has introduced a new stream into the Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP). Through the Family Connections category, immigrant families living in the province for at least one year can sponsor family members abroad who wish to relocate and work in Newfoundland and Labrador. .

Technical briefing on proposed legislative amendments to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act..
Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Halifax, April 23, 2008 There will be a technical briefing on background only, with the Deputy Minister from Citizenship and Immigration Canada to provide further details on proposed legislative amendments to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.

Work Permits Now More Accessible to International Students in Canada
Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Citizenship and Immigration Canada Minister Diane Finley recently announced changes to work permit requirements for international students in Canada . The new regulations afford more flexibility to international students who wish to contribute to the Canadian workforce upon graduation from eligible programs at certain Canadian post-secondary institutions. .

Prospects for Canadian immigration better as skills shortage worsens
Wednesday, April 23, 2008

A recent survey has found that the skills shortage in Canada is worsening, with employers reporting further difficulties finding skilled workers. This may be good news for people considering Canadian immigration, with Canada.com reporting an employment expert’s prediction that the situation will only worsen over the next ten years. Lori Procher, vice-president of Manpower Canada, said factors like "falling birth-rates, aging populations and increased migration" has led to it being harder to..

Government of Canada releases progress report of the Foreign Credentials Referral Office
Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Calgary, April 22, 2008 The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, today released the Progress Report of the Foreign Credentials Referral Office (FCRO).