Canada Immigration News

Thousands of the best and the brightest living in Lebanon have been displaced by the recent conflict. Canada has stepped forward immediately to offer refuge status and, in some cases, asylum to many in hopes of bringing in some of the most educated and skilled.

At the beginning of the summer, Canada introduced a new simplified application process for federal skilled workers and business immigrants (the Skilled Worker and Business Class categories). On Friday, 01 September 2006, many immigrants in the Federal Economic Class of applicants will only be required to provide the modified application form (IMM 0008SW or IMM 0008BU).

A number of recent initiatives by the Canadian federal government, provincial governments and nursing unions have boosted the profession. Increased wages, increased benefits and educational funding are among some of the changes.

In a search of a "better life" and all things associated with that dream, Cindy Zhao says she moved to British Columbia from China this year for more money, cleaner air, an easier place to grow old. Her husband settled here a year earlier.

An American woman arrested in Canada after two years on the run with her young daughter is expected to appear before an immigration hearing in the near future.

Citizenship and Immigration Department officials, citing privacy laws, would not confirm or deny that Claudia Librett, of Norriston, Pa., has applied for refugee status.

Canada's immigration department has responded to the Middle East crisis by publicizing a special program designed to speed up processing of applications for family-class immigration involving people directly affected by the situation in Lebanon.