may be shortage of [size=10pt]veterinarian[/size] in some of the provinces!!!!
New immigration fast-track rules coming in fall
MEAGAN FITZPATRICK, Canwest News Service
Published: Friday, August 15
Immigration officials can expect their new set of instructions on which categories of applications to fast track in the early fall, Immigration Minister Diane Finley said yesterday.
The minister, who was given new power to issue the instructions as part of a reform to the immigration system contained in the last federal budget, is wrapping up a series of cross-country consultations in Ottawa today and will then start to finalize what categories of occupations will be pushed to the top of the list of applicants.
"We haven't identified specific occupations yet, that's what we're consulting with all of these stakeholders about," Finley said in an interview. Following today's meetings, Finley has one more set of consultations with the provinces in early September.
Once the House of Commons resumes in mid-September, Finley will present her recommendations to cabinet for its approval and she expects to issue the instructions "early in the fall, no question."
The priority list will be published on the website for Citizenship and Immigration Canada and in the department's annual report. "They will be very transparent," Finley said.
Since the budget was passed in June, Finley and officials from her department have met with more than 100 groups across the country to gather input.
Key to the consultations was determining Canada's short, medium and long-term labour shortages in order to decide what applications should be given priority, the minister said. The consultations show workers with different skills are needed in different parts of the country and from among those shortages, the government will devise a national priority list.
"In some places they are crying for engineers, in others for chefs and hotel staff. Other places are desperate for [size=10pt][size=10pt]veterinarians[/size][/size]. There's a shortage of skilled tradespeople and also medical professionals," said Finley.
The minister said she has met with a broad range of groups and individuals including the provinces and representatives from business, labour and ethnic groups.
