Canada Immigration News

A crackdown on marriage fraud is preventing genuine spouses from settling in Canada, lawyers fear. One Toronto based lawyer, Jacqueline Bart, said earlier this week, 'No question, decisions on spousal sponsorships are getting tougher.'

Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) has issued a call for proposals for language training and other settlement and resettlement services to help newcomers transition into their new life in the country. Various groups can submit proposals including non-profit organizations, businesses, community groups, and educational or other public Institutions.

We would like to remind you that there are several job openings available in Canada that need to be filled immediately. Some employers already have an approved Labour Market Opinion (LMO) for their shortage skills vacancies. Other employers' vacancies are in the process of receiving approval; Some employers are also waiting until after they have found suitable employees before they start the Labour Market Opinion process. The LMO assesses how the offer of employment would likely affect Canadian jobs and Canada's labour market.

As part of Canada's Economic Action Plan 2012, the federal government has launched online consultations to engage the public on ways to improve the federal Immigrant Investor Program. "We can no longer be a passive player in the global competition for talent and investment. That is why we need to review our immigration programs to create dynamic opportunities that enable immigrants' investments to directly benefit the Canadian economy," said Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney.

Citizenship and Immigration Canada's (CIC) Parliamentary Secretaries Chungsen Leung and Rick Dykstra have begun a series of consultations on Canada's immigration issues. The two Parliamentary Secretaries will meet with stakeholders and the public to discuss the appropriate level of immigration for Canada in the coming years. Meetings will take place in Toronto, Windsor, Vancouver, Halifax, and Ottawa. Additionally, online consultations are open to the public and stakeholders for input.

Sudbury, Ontario MP Glenn Thibeault believes the closure of Canada's Citizenship and Immigration Canada office in Sudbury this spring is making it harder for mining companies to deal with the severe skilled labour shortage.