News Release — Minister Kenney Hits the Reset Button: Sets the Foundation for New, Faster, More Flexible Immigration System

Calgary, June 28, 2012 — Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney today announced the latest step in re-designing Canada’s economic immigration system.

Effective July 1st, 2012, Citizenship and Immigration Canada will place a temporary pause on new applications to the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) and federal Immigrant Investor Program (IIP).

“We have been making lots of changes to our economic immigration system,” said Minister Kenney. “We will take the next six months to do a lot of the heavy lifting to get us closer to a fast and flexible immigration system.”

The pause will allow CIC to make important changes to its economic immigration programs before accepting more applications. This is an important step in moving towards a faster, more flexible immigration system, while immigration levels are at a historic high.

Since the launch of Canada’s Economic Action Plan 2012, Minister Kenney has announced a series of changes to CIC’s economic immigration programs. They include:

• eliminating the backlog of old FSWP applications;
• improving the selection of FSWs;
• creating a new Federal Skilled Trades Program;
• modifying the Canadian Experience Class to help transition successful skilled temporary workers to permanent residence;
• changing business immigration programs to target more active investment in Canadian growth companies and more innovative entrepreneurs; and
• moving towards a new application management system, to develop a pool of skilled workers who arrive in Canada ready to begin employment.

“This temporary pause on new Federal Skilled Worker applications will allow us to set the program on a new course as we intend to launch revised selection criteria soon,” said Minister Kenney. “The pause has no impact on the number of workers Canada admits into the country, as CIC continues to process applications already received. Current immigration remains at historically high levels.”

Application intake is expected to resume in January 2013, when the proposed FSWPregulatory changes – which will be published in the Canada Gazette in the coming months – are expected to come into force.

The Immigration and Refugee Protection Act allows the Minister to issue special instructions to immigration officers to enable the Government of Canada to best attain its immigration goals. Since the 2008 Action Plan for Faster Immigration, four sets of “Ministerial Instructions” have been issued relating to Economic Class applications.

Under this fifth set of Ministerial Instructions, CIC will also introduce a pause on new federal IIP applications. This pause will remain in place until further notice, allowing the Department to make progress on processing its existing inventory.

As Minister Kenney announced earlier in April, CIC will be consulting with provinces, territories and stakeholders on ways to reform the current IIP in order to maximize the economic benefit to Canada. The Department is also consulting on whether to create a new investor program on a short-term basis, to promote growth in the Canadian economy.

The temporary pause on FSWP applications does not apply to candidates with offers of arranged employment or those applying under the PhD eligibility stream. The full set of Ministerial Instructions will be available online in the Canada Gazette tomorrow.

General Employee Entitlements and Redundancy Scheme

How your GEERS claim will be assessed

You are here: Workplace Relations > Programs > Employee Entitlements > GEERS > Common to all areas > How your GEERS claim will be assessed

The General Employee Entitlements and Redundancy Scheme (GEERS) is a basic payment scheme designed to assist employees who have lost their employment as a result of the insolvency of their employer and are owed certain employee entitlements.

The Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations administers the Scheme in accordance with the GEERS Operational Arrangements. The GEERS Operational Arrangements are used to determine the eligibility of employees and the amount of any GEERS advance.

• Printable - ‘How your GEERS claim will be assessed’ ( PDF 29KB | RTF 123KB)

Who is eligible?

You may be eligible for GEERS assistance if you:

• lost your employment because your former employer became bankrupt or a liquidator was appointed and are owed employee entitlements, and
• lodge your claim within 12 months of losing your job or the date of which your former employer became bankrupt or went into liquidation, whichever is the later, and
• are entitled to reside permanently in Australia.

You may also be eligible for GEERS assistance if you:

• resigned following the appointment of an Insolvency Practitioner (IP), or
• resigned or your employment was terminated within six months before the appointment of an IP.

Who is not eligible?

You are not eligible to receive GEERS assistance if:

• your former employer is under the control of an administrator, a receiver manager, or is subject to a Deed of Company Arrangement, a Trust, a Personal Insolvency Agreement, or a Debt Agreement
• you were not an employee, i.e. if you were a contractor, sub-contractor or agent
• you lodge your claim more than 12 months after your employment was terminated or the date on which your former employer became bankrupt or entered into liquidation, whichever is the later
• you were employed by a partnership and not all partners are subject to insolvency.
• you were an ‘excluded employee’ (including company directors, principals of bankrupt employers and their relatives) in the 12 month period before the appointment of the IP.‘

What you may be eligible for?

You may be eligible to receive assistance under GEERS for the following employee entitlements:

• up to 3 months unpaid wages for the period prior to the appointment of the insolvency practitioner (including amounts deducted from your wages, such as for superannuation, but not passed on to your superannuation fund)
• unpaid annual leave
• unpaid long service leave
• up to a maximum of 5 weeks unpaid payment in lieu of notice, and
• up to a maximum of 4 weeks unpaid redundancy entitlement for each completed year of service you have with your employer.

If you earn more than the GEERS maximum annual wage ($118,100.00 for 2011–2012) at the date that your employment ceased, your GEERS advance will be calculated as if you earned that amount. The maximum annual wage is indexed annually.

What is an eligible entitlement?

GEERS only covers the entitlements you are legally entitled to receive. Your assistance under GEERS will be calculated in accordance with your entitlements under legislation, an award, a statutory agreement or a written contract of employment, or otherwise as confirmed in writing at the time of the appointment of the IP.

For example, you will not necessarily receive redundancy pay of 4 weeks per year of service – the assistance you receive will be based on the redundancy entitlement provided for in your legal instrument.

Please contact the Fair Work Infoline (or your local state service), to assist you in determining your correct conditions of employment and entitlements — Fair Work Infoline 13 13 94 (toll free).

Processing your claim

After receiving your Claim Form, the department will contact the IP who is managing the affairs of your former employer. The IP will be asked to verify your entitlements using the employer’s records.

• If the IP cannot verify your details, the department may ask an independent GEERS contractor to do this, or you may be asked to complete a statutory declaration and provide the department with supporting documents.

Once your employment and entitlements have been verified, the department will process your claim.

The department aims to process your claim as quickly as possible. The time taken to determine your eligibility for GEERS may depend upon the department's ability to obtain sufficient information from you, the insolvency practitioner who is managing your former employer's affairs or any third party, where relevant.

The department will make your GEERS advance to the IP, who will deduct tax and forward the GEERS advance to you. In some cases the amount paid to you may differ from the amount you have put on your Claim Form. This may depend on the information received from the IP and your legal entitlements.

If you receive any payments towards your entitlements from any source connected with your employment, it will be taken into account when calculating your GEERS advance. You must advise the department if this happens.

GEERS advances are treated as advances under the Corporations Act 2001. This means that if funds become available during the insolvency process the department will seek to recover payments from the insolvent employer up to the amounts you received under GEERS.

Where the department’s recovery rights are not protected, for example where your employer is subject to bankruptcy under the Bankruptcy Act 1966, you will be required to sign a Deed of Undertaking prior to payment being released.

The department informs Centrelink of any advances made; this may affect your Centrelink entitlements. To discuss the effect of GEERS payments please contact Centrelink on 13 10 21.

Requests for information

The department may require additional information from you to assess your claim. It is important that you reply to the department’s requests, or contact us to make other arrangements within 28 days from the date of our request. If you do not respond within the required timeframe, you may be deemed ineligible for GEERS assistance.

It is also important that you update your details if you change your postal address or if any of the details provided in your original GEERS Claim Form change.

Pacific Seasonal Worker Scheme

Overview

This scheme is part of the department's Special Program and requires Approved Employers to invite people from the eligible Pacific countries to participate as Pacific seasonal workers.

About this Scheme

On this page

• Who is this scheme for?
• How much does this scheme cost?
• What does this scheme let me do?
• More information

Who is this scheme for?

Only citizens of Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Tonga and Vanuatu who have been invited by an Approved Employer can participate in the scheme as a Pacific seasonal worker.

How much does this scheme cost?

Pacific seasonal workers will be required to pay a visa application charge for a Special Program (subclass 416) visa. This charge is usually not refunded if the application is unsuccessful.
See: Specialist Entry Visa Charges

What does this scheme let me do?

With this visa, Pacific seasonal workers:

• are able work in Australia for four to six months
• are permitted multiple travel to Australia during this period
• may return to work in future years, if they comply with visa conditions
• are limited to working with Approved Employers
• must maintain private health insurance during their stay
• are not permitted to apply for another visa while in Australia
• need to pay for own living expenses, other incidentals and part of their international and domestic travel
• are not be able to bring dependants with them.

If you are a temporary foreign worker

Canadian Experience Class

If you are a temporary foreign worker or a foreign student who graduated in Canada, you often have the qualities to make a successful transition from temporary to permanent residence. You are familiar with Canadian society and can contribute to the Canadian economy. You should have knowledge of English or French and qualifying work experience.

Applying to stay in Canada permanently in your case is simple. You can do this under the Canadian Experience Class. All the guides, information and forms you need to apply are included here.

Before you apply, make sure you get to know the requirements and current application procedures. After you apply, make sure you return to this website to find out about the steps that follow.

Learn about:

• Who can apply
• How to apply
• After applying
• Frequently asked questions
• Canadian National Occupational Classification (NOC)

More Detail

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Employer Sponsored Workers

Overview

For lawfully operating Australian and overseas employers to sponsor and employ skilled workers who have recognised qualifications and skills/or experience in particular occupations required in Australia.

Visa Options

For skilled people to be employed in Australia on a temporary or permanent basis. Applicants for these visas seeking to work for an Australian employer must be sponsored by their employer.

Temporary Visas

For lawfully operating Australian and overseas employers to employ approved skilled workers for temporary vacancies in particular occupations required in Australia. Temporary visas can offer a pathway to a permanent visa.

Permanent Visas

For lawfully operating Australian employers to sponsor skilled workers in particular occupations required in Australia.

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Student Visa Holders in People's Republic of China Travelling to Australia

From 1 April 2012, the department implemented arrangements that allow Chinese and other nationals in the People's Republic of China to travel to Australia on a Student visa without a visa label in their passport (a 'label-free' visa). These arrangements have been agreed with the Ministry of Public Security of the People's Republic of China.

The department requires all airlines to undertake an electronic check of departmental databases to ensure that a person holds an Australian visa before allowing a person to board a flight to Australia. This means that airlines should only allow a person to travel on a flight to Australia (whether direct from China or through a transit airport) when they are satisfied the person has permission to travel to and enter Australia as a result of this electronic check.

To ensure that a person understands the validity and conditions of their Student visa, the department will continue to issue all Student visa holders with a grant notification letter informing them of these details. The department does not consider the letter as evidence of the grant of a Student visa for the purpose of travel. In the absence of a confirmation through the electronic check, airlines have been advised not to rely on any letter as evidence of a person's permission to travel to and enter Australia.

The Ministry of Public Security has advised that they will only allow a person who has been granted a 'label-free' Student visa to depart China where they depart:

• from an airport in mainland China travelling on a flight or flights, directly or indirectly, to Australia and hold a boarding pass for their final flight to Australia
• mainland China transiting by land or ferry through the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in order to travel on a flight or flights to Australia.

The Ministry of Public Security has advised that any person granted a label-free Student visa to travel to Australia will not be able to transit through the Macau Special Administrative Region, by land or ferry, to board an onward flight in Macau or Hong Kong.

If any person holding a Student visa has any queries about their visa conditions they should follow the advice in their grant notification letter.

More Detail

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News Release — Amendments to the Protecting Canada’s Immigration System Act

Ottawa, May 9, 2012 — Minister of Citizenship, Immigration, and Multiculturalism Jason Kenney today announced that the Government is proposing amendments to Bill C-31, the Protecting Canada’s Immigration System Act.

“Over the past few weeks, I’ve listened to parliamentarians and witnesses,” said Minister Kenney. “We have always said that we were open to amendments that make Bill C-31 stronger and help us to fight human smuggling and to protect Canada’s immigration system. These amendments do just that, and make for a stronger bill.”

For example, some critics feared that the measures originally proposed in Bill C-31 with respect to the cessation of permanent residence status might be used in a way never intended by the Government. Others speculated that the Government would seek to remove permanent residence status from refugees who have become well-established in Canada, but whose rationale for refugee status ceases to exist due to improved conditions in their country of origin. The Government is introducing an amendment to clarify this section and to explicitly limit the application of this section of the legislation.

The proposed amendment would make it clear that where the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB) determines that an individual’s protected person status has ceased to exist solely due to a change in country conditions, that individual would not automatically lose permanent resident status. This was the original purpose of the provision in the bill, and the new language should make that purpose clearer.

Under the Balanced Refugee Reform Act, individuals with a final negative decision from the IRB were barred from applying for a pre-removal risk assessment (PRRA) for 12 months. This is because a PRRA is duplicative of the IRB decision, and a core purpose of the bill was to reduce redundancy and unnecessary delays in the removal process for failed asylum seekers.

The government is proposing to amend this provision so that the 12-month bar will apply as soon as Bill C-31 receives Royal Assent. There is no reason to delay the application of this provision, and the proposed amendment ensures there will be no such delay. The effect of this proposed amendment will be that individuals who received a negative decision from the IRB, or abandoned or withdrew their refugee claim, or received a negative PRRA decision within the 12 months prior to the date of Royal Assent would be barred from applying for a PRRA until 12 months after that decision.

The proposed amendment would also increase the temporal bar from 12 to 36 months for those from designated countries of origin who have received a previous negative decision from the IRB, abandoned or withdrew their refugee claim, or received a negative PRRAdecision. This change will discourage failed asylum seekers from going underground and evading removal for 12 months, and recognises that country conditions and the threat of real persecution in a presumptively safe country are not likely to change in the course of 36 months. There is, however, a provision in the Balanced Refugee Reform Act that would allow the Minister to make exceptions to the bar on PRRA to quickly respond to sudden changes in country conditions.

Under the Protecting Canada’s Immigration System Act, the Government had initially proposed mandatory detention without review for up to 12 months for those who arrive as part of a designated irregular arrival. This would allow for the determination of identity, admissibility, or any other investigations to take place before members or irregular mass arrivals are released into the community. Persons would, however, be released from detention before 12 months, if they are found to be genuine refugees.

Opposition members have asked for amendments to this detention review schedule, so that these individuals would receive a review of their detention much sooner than initially proposed. They have, for example, suggested that a first detention review should occur within 14 days of detention, with subsequent reviews every 30 days. Other witnesses and critics of this provision of Bill C-31 have suggested other time periods, including an initial review shortly after detention, followed by subsequent reviews at least every 6 months.

After listening to parliamentarians, the Government is proposing a compromise, which would see a first detention review within 14 days and subsequent reviews after every 180 days. As before, a person would be released before this time, upon being found to be a genuine refugee. As an additional safeguard, the government will also propose an amendment to allow the Minister of Public Safety, on his own initiative and at any time, to release a detained individual when grounds for detention no longer exist.

"I believe that these amendments show that the Government is open to reasonable suggestions that improve our Bills," said Minister Kenney. "We have listened to parliamentarians on Bill C-31 and, as a result, we have a stronger bill that will continue to protect genuine refugees, while ensuring that bogus asylum seekers are detained, processed, and swiftly removed, and sending the message to human smugglers that targeting Canada will no longer pay."

More Detail

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Business Skills Program Reforms – 1 July 2012

On 25 May 2012, the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, the Hon Chris Bowen MP announced changes to the Business Skills visa program - now named the Business Innovation and Investment program. These changes will be implemented from 1 July 2012.

The changes are the result of a comprehensive review which was conducted during 2011.
See:
Reforms to the Business Skills Program ( 69KB PDF file)
Frequently Asked Questions Reforms to the Business Skills Program (139KB PDF file)
Diagram of Changes for the Business Skills Program (115KB PDF file)
Innovation Points Test ( 72KB PDF file)
Significant Investor ( 61KB PDF file)

More Detail
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Visas, Immigration and Refugees

• Professionals and other skilled workers seeking work or business in Australia
• People moving permanently to Australia or returning from overseas
• Tourists, working holiday, people transiting, visiting family or friends, or visiting for business or an event
• People studying or seeking study, training, or skills development in Australia
• Education agents and providers
• Employers who sponsor skilled people to work in Australia
• Australia's Refugee and Humanitarian programs
• Important information people should know about Australian visas

More Detail

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Why should I become a citizen?

Australian citizenship is an important step in your migration story. Becoming an Australian citizen means that you are making an ongoing commitment to Australia and all that this country stands for. It is also the beginning of your formal membership of the Australian community. It is the step that will enable you to say ‘I am Australian’.

Australian citizenship is a privilege that offers enormous rewards. By becoming an Australian citizen, you are joining a unique national community. Our country has been built on the combined contributions of our Indigenous people and those who came later from all over the world. We celebrate this diversity and at the same time, strive for a unified and harmonious nation.

The strength of the Australian community means that we work together to solve problems and to make Australia the great country that it is. We have a stable system of government and Australians respect the authority and laws of the government. Our stability, our culture and our laws have been shaped by our history. By joining the Australian community, you will inherit this history and you will be in a position to contribute to it.

Responsibilities and privileges of Australian citizenship

As a permanent resident of Australia, you have already enjoyed living in a free and democratic society. When you become an Australian citizen, you will have new responsibilities. You will also have a range of new benefits.

Responsibilities – what you will give Australia.

As an Australian citizen you must:

• obey the law
• defend Australia should the need arise
• serve on a jury if called to do so
• vote in federal and state or territory elections, and in a referendum
  See: Australian Electoral Commission  

Privileges – what Australia will give you.

As an Australian citizen you have the right to:

• vote in federal and state or territory elections, and in a referendum
• apply for work in the Australian Public Service or in the Australian Defence Force
• seek election to parliament
• apply for an Australian passport and re-enter Australia freely
• receive help from an Australian official while overseas
• register children born overseas as Australian citizens by descent.

Australia’s democratic beliefs, rights and liberties

At the citizenship ceremony, you pledge that you share Australia’s democratic beliefs and that you respect the rights and liberties of the people of Australia. 

Our democratic beliefs:

• Parliamentary democracy
• The rule of law
• Living peacefully
• Respect for all individuals regardless of background
• Compassion for those in need

Our freedoms:

• Freedom of speech and freedom of expression
• Freedom of association
• Freedom of religion and secular government

Our equalities:

• Equality in Australia
• Equality of men and women
• Equality of opportunity

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More Information About Business People

Children born to a permanent resident of Australia

Children born in Australia automatically acquire Australian citizenship if at least one parent is an Australian citizen or permanent resident at the time of the child's birth.

Children born outside Australia to parents who are not Australian citizens do not automatically acquire Australian citizenship, nor are they eligible for citizenship by descent.
See: Proof of Citizenship

Children born outside Australia to permanent resident parents will need to apply for and be granted a permanent residence visa to be able to enter and remain in Australia with their parents.

Most children born outside Australia to permanent resident parents will need to apply for a Child (subclass 101) visa. The current processing time for the Child (subclass 101) visa is approximately 14 months.

All people who apply for a visa, including applicants who are the children of permanent residents, must meet the eligibility requirements and pay the associated charges for the relevant visa.
See: Applicant Eligibility

Further information about applying for citizenship is available.
See: Becoming an Australian Citizen

Further information about applying for a Child (subclass 101) visa is available.
See: About the Child Visa

More Detail

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Immigration consultants, lawyers, and other representatives – Choose carefully

Immigration consultants, lawyers, and other representatives give immigration advice and help to visa applicants, usually for a fee.

You do not need to hire an immigration consultant. It is up to you. Your application will not be given special attention or guaranteed approval if you use a consultant.

All the forms and information that you need to apply for a visa are available for free on this website. If you follow the instructions in the application guide, you can complete the application forms and submit them on your own.

Who can represent you
Types of representatives and what they are allowed to do for you

Tips on choosing a consultant, lawyer, and other representative
Helpful advice for potential immigrants

Don’t be the victim of a scam
How to protect yourself from dishonest immigration consultants (available in multiple languages)

How to file a complaint
How to get help if you have problems with an immigration consultant.

More Detail

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Annual Update of Skilled Occupation List - 1 July 2012

The Skilled Occupation List (SOL) will change from 1 July 2012, with four occupations 
to be added to the list and four occupations to be removed. The SOL determines 
which occupations are eligible for independent and family sponsored skilled migration.  
The updated SOL is based on expert advice from the independent body, Skills  
Australia. The list of occupations reflects the Australian Government’s commitment to 
a skilled migration program that delivers skills in need in Australia. The SOL will 
continue to deliver a skilled migration program tightly focused on high value skills that 
will assist in addressing Australia’s future skills needs.

Visa applications that will be affected by the updated SOL 
The updated SOL will apply to all new independent (unsponsored) and family 
sponsored skilled migration applications lodged on or after 1 July 2012 unless they are 
from applicants eligible for transitional arrangements.


www.immi.gov.au/skilled/_pdf/updated-sol.pdf


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Come to Canada temporarily

Work in Canada

This application is for people who are not Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada and who wish to work temporarily in Canada. A work permit is issued if the application is accepted.


A temporary resident visa may also be required. Check the list of countries and territories that require a visa.


NEW: We have introduced a new Application for a Work Permit Made Outside of Canada [IMM 1295] form. It comes with additional forms and an instruction guide. Please read the guide carefully as it contains important information on how to complete the form.


All applicants must complete and sign their own individual form, including persons travelling as a family. Applicants who are under the age of 18 years must have their form signed by a parent or guardian.


Many visa offices have specific local instructions about which documents you must submit with your application. Consult the list of Canadian visa offices abroad to find the office responsible for your country and what requirements and procedures you must follow when you apply.



Study in Canada

This application is for people who are not Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada and who wish to study temporarily in Canada. A study permit is issued if the application is accepted.


A temporary resident visa may also be required. Check the list of countries and territories that require a visa.


You may be able to submit your application electronically. Consult our Online services to verify if you are eligible to submit an application electronically.


NEW: We have introduced a new Application for a Study Permit Made Outside of Canada [IMM 1294] form. It comes with additional forms and an instruction guide. Please read the guide carefully as it contains important information on how to complete the form.


All applicants must complete and sign their own individual form, including persons travelling as a family. Applicants who are under the age of 18 years must have their form signed by a parent of guardian.


Many visa offices have specific local instructions about which documents you must submit with your application. Consult the list of Canadian visa offices to find the office responsible for your country and what requirements and procedures you must follow when you apply.


All Applicants must include the fee payment. To verify acceptable methods of payment, consult the Canadian visa office website responsible for your country.



Visit Canada

You have two options to obtain a fees receipt:
Payment of fees on the Internet
If you have PDF Reader software, a printer, and a Visa, MasterCard or American Express credit card, you can pay your fees online.
Payment of fees at a financial institution in Canada
If you cannot or do not wish to pay online, you must obtain an original receipt form IMM 5401 in order to pay at a financial institution. This form is not available on the website because an original receipt with a unique serial number must be used. You may order an original receipt by mail.

Instruction Guide [IMM 5256]
This application is for people who reside outside of Canada and need a temporary resident visa (TRV) to visit Canada for a temporary purpose such as tourism, visiting family or friends, or business trips.
 
Effective May 29, temporary residents (students and temporary foreign workers) currently residing in Canada with valid status can submit their application for a new temporary resident visa to the Case Processing Pilot Office in Ottawa (CPP-O).


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Why credential recognition matters

If your education, work experience or professional credentials were obtained outside Canada, they may not be equivalent to Canadian credentials. To work in Canada, you will need to have your credentials assessed to see whether they meet Canadian standards or whether you need more training, education or Canadian work experience.


Foreign credential recognition is the process of verifying that the education, training and job experience you obtained in another country are equivalent to the standards established for Canadian workers.


Work Detail
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Resident Return visa label requirements

Australia does not require you to have a Resident Return visa label or stamp in your passport to remain in or enter Australia. However, if you are travelling through other countries, you may be required by those countries to have an Australian visa label or stamp in your passport.


If you intend travelling though any country which may require you to have an Australian visa label or stamp in your passport, we recommend that you get a visa label in your passport.


A visa label may be obtained by attending any office of the department with your current passport, or by sending in your passport by registered post to your nearest office.
Note: The first label of a Resident Return visa is free, however, a fee applies for an additional label.


Information on Resident Return visa charges is available in the Fees and Charges pages.
See: Returning Resident Visa Charges


Your visa is linked electronically to the passport details provided in your visa application. You can view your visa online using Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO). VEVO is a free internet service available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It allows you, and your employer or education provider, to view your visa details online.


See: Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) for Visa Holders


More Detail
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Canada’s Economic Action Plan 2012 – Proposed changes to Canada’s Economic Immigration System

Immigration was featured prominently in the recent federal budget. Economic Action Plan 2012 highlighted a number of proposed changes to Canada’s economic immigration system to make it more proactive, targeted, fast and efficient in a way that will sustain Canada’s economic growth and deliver prosperity for the future. Minister Jason Kenney made several announcements in the days following the budget to expand on his vision for a system that is flexible enough to get Canada the skilled people our economy needs, where and when they are needed. To make progress on this vision, a number of necessary legislative amendements were recently introduced with the Budget Implementation Act.


Economic Action Plan 2012 initiatives include:


Eliminating the backlog of old applications in the federal skilled worker category. CIC plans to refund fees and close applications from nearly all those applicants who applied before new rules were brought in February 27, 2008. Eliminating the backlog of old applications will allow CIC to focus on applicants with skills and talents that our economy needs today. The goal is to move to a just-in-time system where immigrants with needed skills can be selected from a pre-qualified pool.
Reforming the federal skilled worker point system used to select immigrants to better reflect the importance of younger immigrants with Canadian work experience and better language skills.
Creating a new Federal Skilled Trades program, to make it easier for them to immigrate to Canada and fill labour market needs. The goal is to move to a just-in-time system where immigrants with needed skills can be selected from a pre-qualified pool.

Modifying the Canadian Experience Class to make it easier for highly skilled temporary foreign workers to transition to permanent residence.

Consulting with industry on a “start-up” visa for innovative entrepreneurs. The aim would be to attract immigrant entrepreneurs and link them with private sector organizations that have experience and expertise working with start-ups.

Strengthening the overseas verification of education credentials of applicants to the Federal Skilled Workers Program. An independent, third party assessment of their education before they arrive would let applicants know how their education credentials compare to Canadian credentials and how Canadian employers are likely to value their education. It will also help screen out people without proper education levels.

Consulting on possible reforms to the Immigrant Investor Program with stakeholders and provinces and territories.

Working with provinces, territories, and employers to create a just-in-time pool of skilled workers who are ready to begin employment in Canada.

Strengthening the Provincial Nominee Program by establishing minimum language requirements and ensuring an economic focus.