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Canada's Prime Minister
announces improvements in immigration policies
On May 12, 2006, Prime Minister
Stephen Harper announced several new initiatives that will make immigration
to Canada faster, less expensive, and more desirable. He made these comments
following a speech in Mississauga, Ontario.
Harper said that immigration applications
must be processed more quickly in the future.
He also announced that the federal
government would introduce a bill to ease restrictions on foreign adoptions.
This will make it easier for children from overseas to become Canadian
citizens.
The Prime Minister explained that
his government has reduced the Right of Permanent Residence Fee from $975
to $490. The reduction applies to all immigrants who become permanent
residents under all social, humanitarian and economic classes, on or after
May 3, 2006.
Harper also announced a new government
agency that will help new immigrants have their foreign credentials recognized.
"The agency will do just that by working with our partners, the provinces,
professional and licensing bodies, employers, and immigrants, to make
sure newcomers' skills, training and credentials are recognized," he said.
The recent 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.
This funding will support services that immigrants need as they settle
into their new lives in Canada.
"The goal for all of us will be to get those who are trained and ready
to work in their fields of expertise into the workforce more quickly,"
said the Prime Minister.
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