Changes coming?

phsantos · Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2007 11:45 am Post subject: Changes coming?

Something interesting I came across... May be of interest to some...

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The biggest losers
By Guidy Mamann

Skilled workers lose big under recently announced 2008 immigration plan, while temporary residents gain new chances.

Recently Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Diane Finley tabled her annual report with parliament announcing that Canada will be accepting between 240,000 and 265,000 new immigrants in 2008. Although Minister Finley acknowledged our aging and shrinking population in her report, she will not be bringing in any more immigrants than we have in the past.
Her target is pretty much the same number that we let in last year, i.e., 251,000, and is not too far off of our 10-year average of 225,000 new immigrants.

However, what makes this year’s numbers interesting is the distribution of those immigrant visas, the way that immigrants will be chosen, and by whom.

Clearly, the big winners will be those who apply under one of our provincial nominee programs. These applicants are not chosen by the federal government, but by a particular province based on its own selection criteria. In 2008, their numbers will rise dramatically from 13,336 to as high as 22,000. This suggests that the feds are becoming more comfortable with the provinces choosing our future citizens. Winners will also include up to 2,000 more nannies and up to 7,000 more sponsored spouses and common-law partners, etc.
At whose expense will these visas be issued?

Losers will include parents and grandparents of Canadians who will miss out on up to 2,000 visas. Refugees who are landed from within Canada may drop from 15,892 to 9,400. Those accepted on humanitarian grounds will also feel the hurt when their numbers drop from 10,223 to as little as 6,900.

Surprisingly, the absolute biggest losers will be the professionals who apply under our federal skilled workers class. They could see their numbers drop from 106,000 to as few as 67,000. This hammering of 39,000 skilled workers is contemplated at the same time that the minister declares that “immigration will be a key source of labour growth in the future.”

The department will partially offset this drop through the creation of a Canadian experience class, which will allow up to 12,000 individuals with Canadian skilled work experience, or with a combination of Canadian work and studies, to apply for permanent residence from within Canada. No additional details are available.

This shift from our points-based system, which attempts to predict the employability of an intending immigrant, to a system that relies on actual Canadian employability may be the wave of the future. If so, that would suggest we will be increasingly turning toward our foreign students and foreign workers already here as our pool of future immigrants.

If this is what’s planned, this would be a good thing. Let’s wait and see.

Guidy Mamann practices law in Toronto at Mamann & Associates and is certified by the Law Society of Upper Canada as an immigration specialist. Reach him confidentially at 416-862-0000 or at metro @ migrationlaw.com

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Source: www.thecanadianimmigrant.com

Cheers,
Phill...

Cornishlad_2007 · Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2007 7:08 am Post subject: Re: Changes coming?

Interesting......I'm glad my permanent residency as a skilled worker was finalised in August! .......doesn't sound great for the SW category.......LOL

Cornishlad_2007 · Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2007 7:50 am Post subject: Re: Changes coming?

I SAY SACK DIANE FINLEY!

phsantos · Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2007 10:39 pm Post subject: Re: Changes coming?

Actually I must say I agree with the measures, the fact is if you already have people here working or studying who know how things work and still want to stay, they're more likely to adapt as permanent residents then bringing people from overseas often with a misconception of what is waiting for them here...

Still I don't think the SW category will see much change from low volume regions such as central/south america and europe, the impact may be more to people coming from asia and south-east asia as they make the bulk of immigration now. In fact it may actually be a plus for many people on work permits or thinking of coming to study...

shazza151 · Newbie Joined: Jan 26, 2008 Posts: 1 Location: Canada

Hi,
My husband and I now live in Alberta, Canada. We came over through the PNP in June 2007. My husband, is the only of us who is sponsored by a company. Very Happy

We pay for our own visa's and permits out of our own pocket.
Two of the conditions of our stay are that:
1, We cannot claim benefits of any kind.
2, That I am not allowed to work for at least one year, unless for a non-profit organisation as a volunteer.
I volunteer my time, which is my way of giving back to and intergrating into our local community. Smile