1,800 Canadians to lose citizenship

 Canada is stripping 1,800 people of their citizenship, Immigration Minister Jason Kenney announced here Wednesday, in a first step of this scale by any western nation.

Canadian citizenship will be revoked from these 1,800 people for obtaining it fraudulently, he stated. The minister said the government will be "revoking their citizenship because Canadian citizenship is not for sale.''


Calling it "the first tranche'' of revocation, the minister said more people could be deprived of their Canadian citizenship as the authorities widen their net to catch those who acquired it fraudulently.


But the minister said the revocation process could be long-drawn out as most of those who acquired it with the help of local crook consultants don't live in Canada.

"Most of these people, we believe, have never really lived in Canada and are still overseas. We frankly have got them dead to rights with the proof that we have, and I don't think a lot of these people want to go through a long, protracted public court battle where it's clear they fraudulently obtained our citizenship,'' Kenney said.


As the debate over the immigration issue hots up, the government is holding nationwide consultations to ascertain whether current levels of admitting newcomers should be maintained.


Canada admits more than 250,000 new people each - per capita more than any other nation in the world. But because of its lax laws, thousands others enter the country illegally each year.


Further, a large of number of people acquire Canadian citizenship only to return to their country of origin. Called 'citizens of convenience,' they don't pay taxes here but come only to claim free medical and social benefits.


"For those who simply touch down and try to get a Canadian passport as a ... passport of convenience, who don't pay our taxes but who do consume our social benefits, I think that's dishonourable,'' according to the immigration minister.

--IANS

Ottawa Canada launches skilled immigration strategy

Ottawa, Canada has launched a new skilled immigration strategy aimed at attracting more immigrants by providing better integration and support services to newcomers and immigrants already in Canada.

The plan will bring together 12 Canadian immigration and settlement agencies, as well as employers, and social service providers to help migrants settle into the community.

The aim is to create more opportunities for immigrants to form social connections, to encourage more small and medium sized businesses to hire foreign workers. It is also hoped that Ottawa will become a more attractive destination for businesses in sectors such as education and health care.

Recent statistics show that approximately 6,300 immigrants move to Ottawa each year, which represents 100% of the net growth in the city's labour force. There are an additional 2,700 who enter as temporary migrant workers and another 2,300 who are students.

The considerable number of immigration settlement services is seen as confusing, a problem that the initiative hopes to solve.

Canada is one of the most popular destinations for skilled migrants. Many come under the federal skilled worker category, a Canada-wide immigration scheme, while others take advantage of schemes such as the Provincial Nominee scheme and the Quebec points system.

Upcoming Canadian immigration changes

Canada is expected to update its points based skilled immigration scheme; There will be new English language requirements and higher points thresholds. If you think you may be affected by the changes, it may be best to apply now for skilled immigration to Canada.

Currently, there is no minimum score required under the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). This means that as long as you score at least 67 points overall, you will qualify. However, new rules that will go into effect shortly will create a minimum mandatory IELTS score.

The total points necessary to qualify under the federal skilled worker program are expected to increase as well, from anywhere between 16 and 20 points.

Older people will find it more difficult to gain points under the new Canadian immigration system. Up to age 35, applicants will score more points. Then the points score for age criteria will gradually be reduced up to age 50, after which no points will be awarded at all.

Canada also prioritizes applications based upon the skills needed by the Canadian labour market. When the new changes are enacted, it's expected that the occupations in demand list will also be updated.

Canada skilled migration applications - Only 500 visas per occupation

Canada has limited the number of federal skilled worker applications to 10,000 per year. Canada immigration hopes that reducing immigration numbers will help Canada deal with its backlog of immigration applications.

The Canadian federal skilled worker scheme allows skilled migrants to obtain a permanent residence visa for themselves and their family if they can score enough points on a points test similar in some respects to those used by other countries such as Australia and Denmark.
 

Applicants must have experience in an occupation listed on the National Occupation Classification (NOC) list; No more than 500 applications per year can be lodged for any one occupation out of the 10,000 visas available each year.

This makes applying for Canadian skilled immigration a double-edged sword for many applicants; While fewer people can apply due to the reduced quota, the new rules should allow Citizenship and Immigration Canada to reduce the backlog that causes some migrants to wait a long time before obtaining their visa.

The federal skilled worker program is not the only scheme available for skilled migrants wishing to live and work in Canada. The country also offers the Provincial Nominee Program and the Quebec Skilled Workers scheme. These immigration routes may be a better way into Canada for some skilled migrants.