On Sat Jun 3 13:12:31 PDT 2006, Eugene Correia wrote:
> There's been a lot of debate over immigration --
> local and foreign. As the US is in the midst of a > crisis and Canada
under the Conservative Stephen > Harper is also turning into anti-minority,
> immigration is come under fire from the right-wing
> forces.
>
Mario thereby retorted by providing his opinion with respect to the issue of
immigration as it applies to the U.S.
As far as i can tell, a similar retort was not provided with respect to
Canada. When the Conservative government wrestled power from the clutches
ofthe Liberal government, the Canadian media argued that the new government
would not be immigrant friendly.
The fact of the matter is that immigration is what helps fuel the Canadian
economy.
Recently, Guidy Mamann, a immigration lawyer located in Toronto wrote a
piece that stated a few facts concerning Immigration policies under the
Liberal government. Here are a few facts he mentioned:
(1.) "In terms of numbers, the Liberals are letting in fewer immigrants now
than when they assumed power in 1993.
(a.) In 2004, they admitted 235,824 immigrants, which is about 20,000 fewer
than when they took charge.
(b.) In the same period, they drastically slashed family-based immigration
from 112,679 per year to 62,246, while increasing economic migrants from
105,667 to 133,746."
(2.) "The numbers suggest the Liberals have been kinder to refugees: in
2004, they landed 32,686 refugees, compared to 30,629 in 1993. However, this
is clearly not the case. By implementing the Safe Third Country Agreement
with the United States, a huge percentage of refugees that would otherwise
have sought protection in Canada will now be stranded in the U.S. Refugee
landings in Canada are expected to drop by at least half."
For those not aware, the Third Party Agreement prevents a claimant from
filing a claim in Canada if he or she transited through the United States.
Similarly, if a claimant filed a claim in the United States, recieves a
negative decision, and then he or she attempts to file a claim in Canada,
that person would be prevented from doing so. Mamann was on the ball when he
mentioned that the number of refugee cases dropped in half.
(3.) "In terms of efficiency, there is no doubt that everything is moving
more slowly. For example, applicants in the entrepreneur and investor
categories routinely wait an unprecedented 50-60 months to see their
applications processed. Our office in Damascus processes 80 per cent of such
cases in no less than 76 months. Remarkably, 20 per cent of those cases take
even longer! It is no wonder that so many potential business applicants no
longer bother to apply and simply take their investment dollars elsewhere.
Canadians who wish to bring their parents and grandparents here are waiting
so long they are now launching class-action suits hoping the courts will
compel the government to process these applications without further delay."
Again Guidy Mamann notes how inefficient the current system is. With respect
to Indians filing their Application at the Canadian Consulates, processing
times are currently 5 years +. This is totally rediculous and it is an issue
that the Indian Business Association should raise with the Conservative
Government. If you examine processing times of Canadian Embassies located in
Western Countries likethe U.K., processing times are ALOT faster!
In the end, Mamann, like most media outlets, conceded that he would prefer a
"ineffective Liberal system versus an unknown future under Conservative
stewardship".
A few months have passed since then and an Immigration Minister has been
appointmed: Monte Solberg now holds carriage of the immigration portfolio.
So what has he done ? 6 months have passed. This is what Solberg has done
thus far:
(1.) Monte Solberg has introduced amendments to the Citizenship Act on
Monday that will facilitate the granting of citizenship for children adopted
overseas by Canadian parents. The question is whether the House of Commons
will allow the amendments to come into fruition.
(2.) The Right of Permanent Residence Fee was cut by half from $975 to $490.
The reduction applies to immigrants who become permanent residents under
all social, humanitarian and economic classes, on or after May 3, 2006. If
you paid the Right of Permanent Residence Fee, but did not become a
permanent resident until after 12:00 a.m. EDT on May 3, 2006, you are
entitled to a refund. This is excellent news to newly landed immigrants who
will now be able to use the few extra dollars to building a new life in
Canada.
(3.) The budget also provides over $300 million in additional settlement
funding over two years as well as funding to address the assessment and
recognition of foreign credentials, in consultation with provinces and
territories. Time will determine whether this allocation of money will
improve the lives of immigrants who hold foreign credentials.
(4.) Immigration officers will issue temporary resident permits (TRPs) for
up to 120 days to victims of human trafficking. The permit will enable
victims to begin to recover from the impact of this crime.
(5.) Foreign students studying in Canada can now apply for off-campus work
permits. Until recently, foreign students could only work on campus. Under
the new policy, foreign students can now apply for off-campus work permits,
provided that the Applicant:
(a.) obviously, has a valid study permit;
(b.) studied full time at an eligible institution for at least six months
out of the 12 months before he/she applies;
(c.) maintains satisfactory academic standing;
(d.) be enrolled in an academic program of study
(e.) comply with the conditions of your study permit and your work permit.
Why is this important? For those students who hae a long term goal of
immigrating to Canada, this brings them one step closer to obtaining the
necessary points needed in term of "Canadian experience". 100,000 students
will now qualify for a work permit authorizing up to 20 hours of off-campus
work per week while classes are in session and full-time work during school
breaks.
the above facts speak for themselves. Even though the media is still
cracking the whip on the back of the Tories, the current goverment (and a
minority government at that) is delivering.
Regards,
Politico RODRIGUES
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