Immigration.ca - Canada Immigration News - February 2010
This month, the government of Saskatchewan has announced the launch of a new federally funded program designed to shorten delays in foreign credential recognitions for new arrivals.
The $1.6 million in funding is part of a broader initiative on the part of the federal government to ease the process of foreign credential recognition for new immigrants across the country. However, Saskatchewan is demonstrating its strong desire to attract newcomers by being the only province to enter into a contributing agreement under the Ottawa program.
“We are obviously very pleased this morning to receive over $1.6 million in federal funds to implement our plan to improve foreign qualification and credential recognition," said Saskatchewan’s minister of advanced education, employment and labour Rob Norris.
Saskatchewan has recently been experiencing vast growth, which has caused labour shortages in certain industries such as mining and health care workers. The roadblocks in getting recertified in their professions have forced many new immigrants away from such sectors into lower-skilled positions.
The problem has been recognized as such across Canada, and the governments have now begun strategizing ways to address the issue. Initiatives such as this new program in Saskatchewan will allow professional organizations and employers to work with governments to develop new methods of credential assessment.
“This project will facilitate and accelerate the integration of new Canadians into the Saskatchewan workforce," said Lynne Yelich, Canada’s minister of Western Economic Diversification. “We know that investing in international talent is important to Canada's long-term economic success."
Source: Saskatoon Star-Phoenix
