WilliesPro

New Roots Immigration Consulting Inc.

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Vancouver, British Columbia
V6Z 1N9
CANADA

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North Vancouver,
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E-mail: info@newroots.ca
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Editorial

Working in the field of Immigration for over 26 years enables me to see things that need to be fixed but inertia keeps regressive policies in place.

This is my section to outline changes that I see as 'common sense', but common sense often does not make it to the government's agenda.

 

1. Allow Spouses of Canadians to Work while they await Approval in Principle for their application.

 

November 10, 2008

 

Two simple scenarios

 

A Canadian marries a non-Canadian. In Canada they decide to submit an application from within Canada - which is permitted under Canadian law. After sending the application to Immigration Canada, they wait - usually for a minimum of five or six months [it has been as high as ten], before they receive 'approval in principle'.

 

While they wait, the non Canadian is not permitted to work. Sometimes the non-Canadian is the primary bread winner for the family, sometimes it simply takes two incomes to run a household - not uncommon in Canada. Because the non Canadian is not working, Canada loses tax revenue, the couple losse income, and a couple often experiences tremendous stress as the non Canadian each day waits for that all important letter. So five or six months of work is lost.

 

Scenario two - A foreign student arrives at an airport to study in Canada with his or her spouse. Neither are citizens or permanent residents of Canada. That spouse of the foreign student is permitted to work immediately in Canada [with a permit that is issued at the airport].

 

So the Canadian who arrived with his spouse waits for months, while the wife of the foreign student starts work the following day. Does this make sense?

 

Immigration Canada will say what if it is a non-genuine marriage. This in spite of the fact that well over 97% of these relationships are genuine. It makes no sense for anyone...but it continues. As usual the very few exceptions create a policy that harms the thousands of honest and law abiding individuals.

 

A simple change of the regulations would permit spouses of Canadian citizens and permanent residents to work while they await the outcome of their applications.

What can you do? Let your Member of Parliament know you want this changed and now.

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THE CANADA EXPERIENCE CLASS

November 12, 2008

Having worked for government, my experience is that legislation is usually about two years behind the economy or political situation in Canada and the world.

 

The new Canadian Experience Class is a case in point.  Although the economy in Canada - or at least Western Canada, remains good, there are dark clouds that have moved from the horizon to overhead.

 

In central Canada, home of General Motors, Ford and Chrysler we see communities already facing higher unemployment.  In western Canada where oil and commodities have been a driving economic force we see plunging commodity prices.  Can significant decreases in employment be far behind?

 

Yet the government has just come out with the Canadian Experience Class.  This class is great if you already meet the requirements.  But what of individuals who are arriving today in Canada on a student permit or an employment permit.  If you plan on using this class be careful.  By the time you reach the two year point of working in Canada - will your job be there?  These are important questions that you should ask yourself before planning on a life in Canada.  Are you prepared to work in Canada for one and a half years, then have your employment disappear and then not qualify for the program.  I am not saying don't do it - only that you should consider the risk very carefully before embarking on your quest or immigration to Canada.

There will always be some skill shortages that involve very specific niches of the employment market.  But clearly in my opinion if you are currently looking at a move to Canada with the idea of qualifying for this program - do it with your eyes open.  The world economy is on the edge [or already  past it] and it is agreed that a recession looms.

Canada is expected to do better than other G8 economies, but with Canada heavily dependent on the U.S. economy caution is warranted and this federal program in my opinion is one that should have been rethought before it was implemented.  Yes it is probably great for schools in Canada, businesses in Canada where foreign students spend money, and yes, immigration consultants and lawyers - but think - is this good for you?

 

The Immigration Department has an entire section for 'strategic planning'. Odd that they do not see a problem with this program. Or perhaps it was written not with the foreign worker in mind but for the short term benefit of Canadian business and post secondary institutions building an empire.