Canadian Immigration News

Statistics Canada recently released population growth numbers for the last quarter of 2008. The 0.19 per cent increase is the fastest fourth-quartergrowth rate since 1992 and can be largely attributed to net international migration, says the agency.

Canada's population grew by 129,000 people between July 1 and October 1, 2008, representing the largest third quarter growth since 1990. A large proportion of this growth was due to the 71,300 people who came to Canada from abroad during that time.

Every year, the Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council (TRIEC) recognizes individuals and Canadian employers who have made outstanding contributions to helping newcomers integrate into the workforce in Toronto, Ontario. Five awards were presented.

This year, 22,000 workers from around the world arrived in Canada under the Canadian government's seasonal work agriculture program. Created in 1974, this program, along with local agencies, assists farmers in bringing in foreign workers to do the planting, pruning, weeding, and picking of fruit and vegetable crops across the country. The government monitors working and living conditions and sets wages.

With a growing Muslim population in Canada, retailers are learning that there is a very significant consumer market in search of halal products. Many local stores are reporting recent increases in halal sales by as much as 80 per cent and many large retailers, such as Loblaws and Wal-Mart are now carrying a selection of halal products. The prevalence of halal products in Canada allows Muslims an easier way to maintain religious rituals.

A recent bill introduced in the United States Senate, if passed, would prohibit American firms that receive federal bailout money from hiring H1B workers. H1B holders are temporary foreign workers in the United States. The bill seeks to protect the jobs of Americans by minimizing the number of foreign workers in the country during the current economic troubles.

Governor General of Canada Michaëlle Jean has honoured a New Brunswick woman for helping newcomers with their settlement in Canada.

Human Resources and Social Development Canada (ESDC) recently announced an investment of $800,000, in collaboration with the Maytree Foundation, which willhelp immigrant skilled workers integrate into the Canadian workforce.

Both the provincial government of Quebec and the federal government of Canada have been investing in French language training in order to reinforceFrench-speaking cultural communities across Canada.

Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) has recently signed a Youth Mobility Agreement with Poland which allows young people from Canada and Poland to travel and work in each other’s country for a one-year period.