Jul 24, 2014 | Caregiver Program
The Ontario Filipino Ministerial Fellowship (OFMF), a group of 70 pastors with 40,000 parishioners, is outraged over recent comments made by Minister of Multiculturalism Jason Kenney about Canada’s Live-In Caregiver Program (LCP).
Rev. Teck Uy, Ministerial President of the OFMF, said Kenney has unfairly branded the LCP participants with his statements.
“Characterizing LCP participants in general in such a negative light by claiming that they are using and abusing the program to the extent that it has mutated into a family reunification program is grossly unfair,” he said.
Rev. Teck Uy was referring to Kenney’s comments in June, where Kenney said the LCP has become “an extended family reunification program” where the majority of entrants were “actually coming to work for relatives.”
Kenney said he had met with 70 nannies at a seminar in Manila who were “all” going to work for relatives in Canada, but his claim doesn’t align with the findings of a two-year research project led by Gabriela Ontario, a Filipino women’s rights group.
The project surveyed more than 630 current and former live-in caregivers in six cities, followed by 55 focus groups, to explore the demographic profile of the caregivers and their transition into Canada.
It found that 88 percent of the Filipino caregivers who arrived in Canada over the past five years were hired through recruitment agencies directly or by unrelated employers through referrals. Of those who arrived more than 10 years ago, only 36 percent came in through recruiters, and 47 percent through a direct hire.
Rev. Teck Uy said the majority of the Filipinos who came to Canada via the program “came through legitimate employment contracts and have become successful immigrants who are actively contributing together with their families in making Canada a better country.”
Jul 21, 2014 | Working In Canada
Following Friday’s announcement by minister of employment Jason Kenney and citizenship and immigration minister Chris Alexander, the federal government will be improving foreign credential recognition for 10 priority occupations including those in the fields of skilled trades and health care.
The new priority occupations include: geoscientists, carpenters, electricians, heavy duty equipment technicians, heavy equipment operators, welders, audiologists and speech language pathologists, midwives, psychologists and lawyers.
Kenney said that occupations in the skilled trades were selected because they’re in demand in certain regions of the country. Occupations in health care were emphasized because they help address shortages in skills and improve the quality of life of Canadians.
“Skilled newcomers help fill shortages in key occupations and make an important contribution to Canada’s economy. That is why we are speeding up foreign credential recognition for 10 more occupations, including jobs in the skilled trades and health care. This means that even more new Canadians can put their skills to work sooner across Canada,” said Kenney.
These occupations are part of a national framework that aims to streamline foreign credential recognition for priority occupations. For these jobs, service standards are established so internationally trained professionals can have their qualifications assessed within one year, anywhere in Canada.
The government is building a more flexible immigration system to attract newcomers who can contribute to their communities and the economy, said Alexander. This includes the launch of Express Entry next January, “which will revolutionize the way we attract skilled immigrants and get them working here faster.”
Jul 18, 2014 | Working In Canada
Employment Minister Jason Kenney will announce an agreement with the provinces today to recognize 10 new occupations, including welders, carpenters and electricians, to improve foreign credential recognition.
The precise occupations include several skilled trades, a government official has said.
Kenney will provide the details this afternoon in Vancouver, while Immigration Minister Chris Alexander will make an announcement in Toronto.
The news was discussed at a meeting with provincial and territorial labour ministers last week in Charlottetown.
At the meeting, Kenney said he sought a clear commitment on apprenticeships and a specific timeline to facilitate labour mobility between provinces for skilled tradespeople.
The discussions in Charlottetown were a success and the provinces were “very positive,” a government official noted.
Last fall, there was little interest by the provinces and territories to move forward with a national approach on apprenticeships, but Kenney has been able to convince them otherwise by relaying what he learned during his trip to Germany and the UK earlier this year.
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Kenney announced a major overhaul of the government’s temporary foreign worker program last month, but western premiers have complained the crackdown is unduly hurting their provinces, where there is a shortage of skilled workers in some industries.
Jul 17, 2014 | Working In Canada
On July 16, Chris Alexander, Canada’s Citizenship and Immigration Minister, welcomed the first two successful applicants under the Start-up Visa Program, which is designed to attract more entrepreneurs and create jobs for Canadians.
Minister Alexander met with the entrepreneurs at GrowLab Ventures Inc. of Vancouver, the Canadian business incubator that is supporting Stanislav Korsei and Oleksandr Zadorozhnyi, formerly of Ukraine, in the development of their company, Zeetl Inc.
“As part of our government’s focus on job creation, economic growth and long-term prosperity, it is critical for Canada to attract the best entrepreneurs and innovators from around the world. Our government is proud to welcome the first successful applicants of the Start-up Visa Program and we look forward to the success of their venture and other opportunities that will help create more jobs for Canadians,” said Minister Alexander.
“We are very proud and excited for the founders of Zeetl as they enter this new chapter in their life here in Canada. The Start-up Visa Program enables talented foreign entrepreneurs like Stanislav and Oleksandr to grow their businesses, and is a great way for Canada to build a strong, vibrant economy.”
The Start-up Visa Program, launched in October 2013, is the first of its kind in the world. It brings together Canadian venture capital funds, angel investors and business incubators with entrepreneurs from abroad. Entrepreneurs present their business plan to Canadian private-sector firms and, if they receive support, they can apply for permanent residence in Canada.
With the Start-up Visa, Canada is targeting a new type of immigrant entrepreneur who has the potential to build innovative companies that can create jobs for Canadians and compete on a global scale. The program is part of the government’s plan to build a fast and flexible economic immigration system.
Minister Alexander said the government aims to persuade talented business people from India, Latin America and Europe to move to Canada.
“Our doors are open, our programs have integrity and we’re focusing immigration as never before on our economic needs as a country. And our reputation in the world for doing immigration well, for choosing incredible people and for helping them create successful lives in Canada … has never been stronger.”
Jul 14, 2014 | Immigration, In the News
According to a recent article in the Globe and Mail, the Conservative government has adopted new powers to share Canadian immigration files with foreign governments. This practice could have widespread consequences for individuals who wish to cross borders.
The changes alter the Citizenship Act to allow the government to draft regulations “providing for the disclosure of information for the purposes of national security, the defence of Canada or the conduct of international affairs,” including under international deals struck by Citizenship and Immigration Minister Chris Alexander.
The government will also be permitted to allow the “disclosure of information to verify the citizenship status or identity of any person” to enforce any Canadian law “or law of another country.”
The final regulations are still being developed, but critics warn the changes could lead to Canada sharing citizenship and immigration details with foreign countries, whether verified or not.
Bill C-24, wherein the powers are included, has drawn attention for giving the Minister the independent ability to strip Canadian citizenship in extreme cases, even from those born in the country.
Mr. Alexander’s office said the bill’s added information-sharing powers are “in line” with existing laws under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.
Lawyers interviewed by The Globe warned that potentially damaging personal information could move quite easily and without adequate oversight.
Immigration lawyer Barbara Jackman said federal officials could pass along citizenship applications and background checks, particularly in relation to Canadians involved in extremist movements abroad.
