The recent study released by Statistics Canada is a grim reminder about the growing prosperity gap between new immigrants and Canadian-born people. NDP Immigration Critic Bill Siksay (Burnaby-Douglas) called the report a reality check for the government and is urging the Conservatives to review the current immigration policies, especially the selection process of skilled applicants to reflect Canada’s labour needs. “We are breaking a promise to new Canadians when we cannot provide them with secure employment, steady income and a stable quality of life,” said Siksay. “Immigrants are hardworking new Canadians who are trying to provide for their families. We must not turn our backs on them.” Statistics Canada reported that “the economic situation of new immigrants to Canada showed no improvement after the turn of the millennium – despite the fact that they had a much higher level of education and many more were in the skilled immigrant class than a decade earlier.”
Siksay said the report highlights the need to ensure skilled and educated immigrants get quick access to jobs that match their skills. It is also important that foreign credentials are recognized since many new immigrants are entering Canada with professional degrees and specialized skills. The immigrant population of Canada is hard working and care about the issues the NDP stands for such as health care, the environment, and the quality of life for their children. The NDP has made many strides on issues specific to immigrants such as the continued call for the full elimination of landing fees and fees for refugees. They have fought for an apology and compensation for Chinese regarding the head tax and to bring forth reforms in immigration such as the ‘Once in a Lifetime Bill’, allowing Canadians to make a once in a lifetime sponsorship of a relative to Canada.
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