While the Provincial government of Quebec is intending to ease the immigration rules under the family class category, the federal government is determined not to alter the definition of the aforementioned category. The existing definition of the ‘family’ states that Canadians can sponsor family members including parents, grandparents, spouses, and dependent children. It does not allow them to sponsor members like cousins, nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles.

The federal government’s decision not to expand the family sponsorships has already caused protestation from Haitian community in Canada. The federal government is reluctant to do so, because it thinks it would be unfair on the part of other groups or communities who have experienced massive destruction in the past.

However, Canadian government’s unwillingness to expand the family sponsorship definition will mean that it’s concerns about the Haitians in the Caribbean nation as well as their family members in Canada, may be questioned. The government has already introduced new rules in order to make the immigration easier for Haitians. As part of the action, Immigration Canada is going to give priority to family class immigrants. Canadian Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister said that applications from family members who have been directly affected by the earthquake in Haiti are most likely to get the government response. Thus, in order to get the clearance from the Immigration Canada, applicants must require proving that they have been affected directly by the disaster, besides meeting the other standards under the family sponsorship.

The Province of Quebec is more likely to use the ‘power of selection’ clause of the immigration agreement that exists between the federal and provincial governments in order to expand the definition of the family class category, thereby allowing more Haitians to enter the province. Reportedly, ninety percent of the total Haitian community in Canada is hosted by Quebec!

A new and detailed study guide has been launched by the Canadian government. This guide was released by the Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney. The guide aptly named as Discover Canada: The Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship consists of all aspects regarding Canada. This includes on the common values such as democracy, freedom, law and equality for both men and women, human rights and so on. The guide aims at both Canadians as well as the immigrants. The book also enlightens on the country’s history and the notable institutions demonstrating its culture and ethnicity along with the Canadian veterans.

The guide aims to make one and all aware of what it takes to be a citizen of Canada. With this, people are expected to understand the rights and responsibilities of each and every citizen and the resident of the country. This way, people would know of the place where they are living and intend to live.

While developing this guide, many prominent figures in Canada were contacted. Post development, it was again evaluated by different organizations and institutions. Some such institutions include the Historica – Dominion Institute, the Institute of Canadian Citizenship, the Association of Francophone and the Acadian Communities and so on.

The guide has been subject to change after a long gap of almost 15 years. This guide is said to be the one book for all the immigrants to know about Canada. Also, as it is mandatory for all the applicants to demonstrate their knowledge on Canada, this guide simply comes handy.

This initiative could be considered as another feather in the country’s cap, showing its support to all the immigrants and helping them to know more.

Above all, those applicants who are scheduled for an interview or a test before February 2010 must study the older version of this guide which is known as “A Look at Canada”. For those appearing post the above date must read the new version of the same. To know more, contact an Immigration and Visa expert for the details.

In its efforts to show gratitude to all the immigrants in Canada, an immigration partnership has been announced. This would be aimed at improving the level of services for the immigrants and help them be a better part of the society. This partnership is in collaboration between the MP of Kitchener Centre – Stephen Woodworth and the Regional Chair for the Region of Waterloo – Ken Seiling.

The Government of Canada would be providing funds of around $175,779 to the Region of Waterloo. A council would be set up which would be looking into the various aspects of developing strategies for initiatives to be taken to guide the new immigrants. The council members would include the members from the local municipality, people from the school board, social service agencies and so on. According to the reports, more than 26,081 have immigrated to Waterloo.

This partnership is an effort to improve the quality and access of services offered to the new members of Waterloo. This in turn would be beneficial to all the citizens of Ontario as well.

As a result, the Canada – Ontario Immigration Agreement which is a partnership between the Citizenship and Immigration Canada and the Ontario Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration would cater to a funding of $3 million to the local municipalities and the service providing agencies in Ontario.

This clearly proves that the Canadian government is very particular with the quality of settlements being offered to its immigrants. There has been a constant rise in the amount of funding being offered for the immigrant settlement programs. Those provinces which are outside Quebec would receive an additional amount of $1.4 billion.

It has to be noted that Quebec offers it own settlement services which are different from the rest of the federal Canada. These are offered via the Canada – Quebec Accord.

With such wide range of programs being offered to the immigrants, it would be a wise decision to immigrate to Canada at this point of time. This is because immigrants are considered an asset and welcomed with open arms. Thus, if you intend to immigrate, contact an immigration and visa veteran to know more about the same.

Recent changes have been executed by the Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney to the Canadian Temporary Foreign Worker program.

The Canadian government believes that the immigrants on temporary work permit are an asset to the country contributing to its economy. Hence, the government feels that in return they should ensure that these work permit programs do allow any form of exploitation or discrimination. The amendments include the following:

• The job standards would be raised to emphasize the importance and what it takes to get such a job in Canada. Also, this would see to it that the employer offering a job has stuck to the norms with reference to the Federal and the Provincial Labor Laws. For instance, the Canadian law does not permit the employers to levy any fee on the workers.
• Duration of the work visa would be restricted. Thus, under the new scheme, an immigrant residing in Canada for 4 years is not permitted to work in the same country for 6 years.
• All the employers hiring the immigrants would also be mentioned on the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website. Also, there would be a prohibition of 2 years for all the employers who have offered different incomes, work environment etc. apart from that offered in the conditions.

These changes have been executed after a thorough research and in consultation with the main aspects that were found to be having voids in the process.

During these times of recession, the Canadian economy has stood firm which has been due to the immigrants still considering it a great place to work and invest. These steps could be considered as welcoming which would ensure the immigrants on an equal plate with the local citizens. Also, it would better look into those needs where the Canadian economy is deficient in human resources.

As per the government, the temporary work permits are to ensure that all the deficits are filled by the immigrants. In addition, these skills are imparted to the local professionals who in turn could train many more and overcome this deficiency in the market. Thus, only those immigrants needed on a short term basis are hired.

So, if you think that you have those skills which could help you land with a job in Canada. we suggest this is right time to apply. To know more, consult an immigration and visa specialist since he would be updated with all the latest in this regard.