Immigration.ca - Canada Immigration News - August 2008
The Canadian Government has announced plans to implement a new class of fast-track immigration.
The new class will be called the Canadian Experience class and will target foreign students and workers who have already proven their integration potential within the country. An estimated 12,000 to 18,000 immigrants are expected to qualify in the first year.
The new policy follows similar systems that have already been implemented in Australia and the United Kingdom. The Canadian Government is hoping to become a more competitive destination in the eyes of skilled and educated foreigners. The Government is also selling the new policy as a way to reduce the massive immigration backlog in Canada.
“If we’re going to compete for the best and brightest,” said Immigration Minister Diane Finley upon announcing the policy, “we need to improve the way we attract and retain those who want to work in their fields and contribute to Canadian society.”
Previously, foreign workers and students who applied for permanent residency status would have to leave the country, unless nominated for fast-track immigration by a provincial government. Now, temporary skilled workers who have a minimum two years experience, as well as foreign students who have studied in Canada for at least two years (and have at least one year of work experience) are able to apply from within the country.
However, some critics are calling the new policy “elitist” and “unfair” because only certain occupations are eligible, which will leave many temporary workers unable to qualify.
The Government argues, on the other hand, that lower-skilled workers who are not eligible under the Canadian Experience class, can still qualify for fast-track immigration through the Provincial Nominee Programs that are currently running in most provinces.
Source: The Globe and Mail
