Current Canadian Immigration News Stories

Last week, the government of British Columbia (BC) announced a new, $7.2-million pilot program that offers young refugee children in BC and their families safe and comfortable places where the needs of the children can be assessed, and where their parents and caregivers can share experiences and learn about early childhood development and learning.

The Canadian government introduced a new program that will facilitate travel through Canadian airports yesterday. Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Canada Minister Jason Kenney, Public Safety Minister Peter Van Loan and International Trade and the Pacific Gateway Minister Stockwell Day announced the Transit Without Visa program, which will allow certain international travelers en route to the United States to pass through Canadian airports without a Canadian transit visa.

A primary concern for most newcomers to Canada is finding employment in their new cities and towns after their arrival. Across Canada, both government and privately-funded organizations recognize the importance of employer-based initiatives in helping new immigrants integrate into the Canadian workforce.

Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Canada Minister Jason Kenney said that the Conservative government is open to creating a refugee appeal board, and that he wants to work with the opposition parties to develop a new model that will alleviate the backlog in the processing of refugee claims.

The provinces of Alberta and Ontario have each recently announced pilot projects that will allow working-age dependent children of temporary foreign workers in those provinces to obtain Open Work Permits.

A detailed report on Canada’s immigration policies, and their impact on the Canadian economic and social landscape, was released on Wednesday by the Maytree Foundation, a Canadian policy research organization.

Small communities across Canada are striving to attract more newcomers, and are working to provide settlement facilities to encourage immigrants to choose smaller communities as opposed to larger metropolitan areas.

Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Canada Minister Jason Kenney has announced that, starting today, Czech and Mexican nationals will have to apply for a Temporary Resident Visa if they wish to enter Canada for a temporary purpose, such as to study, work or visit.

Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Canada Minister Jason Kenney announced on Friday that nine organizations that provide language training to newcomers in Calgary, Alberta are receiving almost $9.5-million in federal funding.
 

A report by Scotiabank, a major Canadian financial institution, has found that immigrants are a major force driving the Canadian housing market.