Canada Immigration News

Canada is holding an online consultation on appropriate levels of immigration, announced Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney.

Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) said that Canada has one of the highest per capita rates of permanent immigration in the world at roughly 0.8 percent in recent years. CIC said that it has welcomed over 3.5 million immigrants in the last 15 years.

It is hoped that a new initiative in Canada will lead to the creation of a startup visa which would allow easier immigration for skilled migrant entrepreneurs and employees. This is similar in many ways the US Start Up Visa initiative.

Startup Visa Canada is an initiative aimed at encouraging global entrepreneurial talent open businesses in Canada. The hope is that these companies will create jobs and stimulate investment.

Alberta Employment and Immigration Minister Thomas Lukaszuk is traveling to the US to look for skilled workers for the province's energy industry.

Lukaszuk says the US has similar health and safety standards to Canada; Therefore, US workers should feel at home in Canada.

Lukaszuk also mentioned that Alberta needs more geologists, geochemists, and engineers.

Family members of temporary workers in British Columbia will be granted permission to work under a new pilot project launched on 15 August 2011.

The announcement was made by Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney and British Columbia Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation Pat Bell.

"Since I became Minister, I have heard from workers, employers, labour advocates and others who have asked me to make Canada more welcoming for working families coming to Canada as temporary residents," Kenney said.

On 29 July, 2011, Canada swore in 1,140 new citizens from 104 countries in ceremonies across the Country."For new Canadians, the day they take the oath of citizenship and join our dominion as full citizens is a special day," said Canadian immigration minister Jason Kenney."During these citizenship ceremonies, we are reminded of the value of our citizenship. We celebrate our many freedoms and rights, as well as our history, symbols, events, people, institutions and values that define us as Canadians and give us our identity," he added.

Canada is set to accept a record number of skilled migrants under Provincial Nominee Programs.

Immigration Minister Jason Kenney says that his government recognizes the importance of nominee programs to help provinces and territories obtain the skilled migrants they need to fill labor shortages.