Federal and provincial officials say the number of people coming to Canada is at an all-time high and more and more are heading to Ontario. It's predicted 1.2 million people will apply to come here this year, the majority of them to Ontario. There were more than 1.1 million applications abroad to come to Canada last year in all non-immigrant categories, including visitor, student and temporary workers. Immigration statistics also show 262,228 refugees and immigrants were allowed in last year, compared with 235,823 a year before. In addition, there were 156,300 economic immigrants, such as skilled workers and businessmen, compared with 133,745 in 2004. Rick Byun, a spokesman for Ontario Immigration Minister Michael Colle, says 140,000 newcomers settled in the province last year, up from 125,000 in 2004. "This is the highest rate of immigration we have had in recent years," Byun said. "It doesn't look like it will slow down." The immigrants shouldn't put a strain on services since Ottawa has promised $182 million in funding, he said. "The success of newcomers will be Ontario's success," Byun said. "We have to have that labour force."
Alberta & Saskatchewan short of Doctors & Nurses
Over the past several months there have been reports of shortages for doctors and nurses in several regions of Canada. In some cases, hospitals have been closing down beds on some days and some surgeries have been rescheduled. The Calgary Health Region needs to close about 30 beds on most days due to a staff shortage, particularly of nurses. The chief executive of the health authority, Jack Davis, has reported that as many as 70 beds might be closed on any given day to ensure patient safety. "We have to have a certain ratio of nurses to patients. When we have vacancies that don't allow us to maintain that ratio, we take beds out of commission." The shortage has also resulted in a "small number" of elected surgeries being rescheduled. In Saskatchewan, several hospitals have temporarily closed as a result of nursing and doctor staffing problems. Broadview hospital is only the most recent, located in the rural southeast part of the province, which closed from 11 December until 12 January of 2007 because its two doctors needed to be away. Other facilities in Kamsack, Canora, Big River, Spiritwood, Bengough, Coronach, Preeceville, Shellbrook, Central Butte and Vanguard have all closed for short periods, with Broadview being one of the longest closures announced. In some cases, health regions say, doctors are at risk of burnout and need weekends off. In other cases, evening hours are being cut back. "In 2007, people should expect long waits when the system is under pressure," Davis said. "Our waits are generally better than in other major centers in Canada, but they are still too long." This offers strong opportunities for trained professionals from around the world. Canada is recruiting nurses in particular for immigration into the country. During this year, there have been a number of initiatives to negotiate higher wages, better working conditions and benefits, and to offer more educational and training opportunities as incentives.
The governments, both federal and provincial, don't distinguish strongly between foreign health professionals and native-born citizens. The country has more than enough need to accept as many immigrant professionals as are interested. The major nursing unions also are working to increase the number of nurses, and they are in a strong bargaining position to negotiate for better working conditions and wages. Davis said the health region is trying to solve the problem by recruiting nurses internationally, as well as from nursing schools. The province should put more money into training nurses in Alberta rather than poach from other short-staffed provinces, said Michelle Senkow, spokeswoman for Alberta's nurses union. "I really feel we need to train in Alberta and keep in Alberta," she said. Nurses also need better working conditions to avoid burnout, she said, referring to the current shortage. With more nurses, schedules would become better for everyone. "We are losing senior nurses, we are losing junior nurses to competition which is not only nursing fields, but to the airlines, Tim Hortons, places like that. Where they feel respected and feel they can do a good job with what they are provided." Health Minister Len Taylor in Saskatchewan, meanwhile, is looking for temporary doctors to immediately solve the potential crises in his province. Taylor said the temporary closures are caused by a strain on the system that is affecting other Canadian communities. "There are frequently shortages of physicians or nurse practitioners in health facilities across Canada." He also said his department's efforts to recruit new doctors are paying off, with 310 new physicians billing the province for the first time over the last two years. While there has been a net gain of doctors, some have left the province. About one-quarter of the new doctors are in rural areas. And there is plenty of room among Canada's 33 million people to bring in more. Persons interested in Canada as a career choice in health should also note that not only are there many incentives if they are already trained, but there are many incentives for students coming to Canada, too. Most countries are developing policies to encourage students to attend universities and to then find jobs and remain in the national economy.
Unprecedented Legislation Breaks Barriers!
Bill 124, Fair Access to Regulated Professions Act (2006) Passes. Legislation to break down barriers so that internationally trained professionals can work in their fields sooner was passed late yesterday in the Ontario Legislature, Ontario Citizenship and Immigration Minister Mike Colle announced today. "This legislation is long overdue," said Colle. "It will go a long way to ensure that newcomers are a brain gain for Ontario, not a brain waste." The Fair Access to Regulated Professions Act, 2006, the first legislation of its kind in Canada, would require Ontario's regulated professions to ensure their licensing process is fair, clear and open. They would also be required to assess credentials more quickly. "This bill represents one of the boldest attempts by a provincial government to address inequities that confront newcomers," said Madina Wasuge, Executive Director of the Hamilton's Centre for Civic Inclusion. The Fair Access to Regulated Professions Act, 2006, would: Require 34 regulated professions in Ontario to have a licensing process that has fair, open and timely assessment of credentials of foreign trained professionals. Establish the Office of the Fairness Commissioner who would be responsible for assessing registration and licensing practices, and ensure compliance. Create an Access Centre for Internationally Trained Individuals, a new one-stop resource centre that would help people navigate through the complex systems when seeking to enter regulated professions, and promote internships and mentoring programs.
Breaking Down Barriers: Ontario's Comprehensive Plan for Newcomers. The Fair Access to Regulated Professions Act, 2006, is a key component of the McGuinty government's comprehensive plan, Breaking Down Barriers, for newcomers to integrate successfully into Ontario's economy. Other initiatives include: Negotiated the first-ever Canada-Ontario Immigration Agreement, which quadruples federal spending on language training and settlement services and brings an additional $920 million to assist Ontario newcomers over five years; Developed All About Ontario, a new citizenship curriculum resource to be added to language and citizenship classes in early 2007 to help newcomers learn about Ontario's history, geography, their roles and responsibilities, and to promote civic participation from voting to volunteering; Invested over $34 million in more than 60 Bridge Training Programs, helping thousands of newcomers work in over 100 trades and professions; Launched immigration web portal, www.OntarioImmigration.ca which is designed to support newcomers both in Ontario and abroad, prior to arrival; Established the first Provincial Internship for the Internationally Trained. Administered by Career Bridge, newcomers with a minimum of three years international work experience will be placed for six-month paid assignments within the Ontario Public Service and Crown Agencies; Created a Foreign Trained Professionals Loans program of up to $5,000 per person to cover assessment, training and exam costs, in partnership with the Maytree Foundation; and, Total annual investment of $130 million, more than any other province in Canada, on programs to help newcomers upgrade their language skills, settle and find work. Our government is keeping its commitment to break down the barriers that prevent newcomers from entering the workforce. We are determined to ensure that Ontario's newcomers have every opportunity to succeed and participate in our economy, said Colle.
Breaking Down Barriers: Ontario's Comprehensive Plan for Newcomers. The Fair Access to Regulated Professions Act, 2006, is a key component of the McGuinty government's comprehensive plan, Breaking Down Barriers, for newcomers to integrate successfully into Ontario's economy. Other initiatives include: Negotiated the first-ever Canada-Ontario Immigration Agreement, which quadruples federal spending on language training and settlement services and brings an additional $920 million to assist Ontario newcomers over five years; Developed All About Ontario, a new citizenship curriculum resource to be added to language and citizenship classes in early 2007 to help newcomers learn about Ontario's history, geography, their roles and responsibilities, and to promote civic participation from voting to volunteering; Invested over $34 million in more than 60 Bridge Training Programs, helping thousands of newcomers work in over 100 trades and professions; Launched immigration web portal, www.OntarioImmigration.ca which is designed to support newcomers both in Ontario and abroad, prior to arrival; Established the first Provincial Internship for the Internationally Trained. Administered by Career Bridge, newcomers with a minimum of three years international work experience will be placed for six-month paid assignments within the Ontario Public Service and Crown Agencies; Created a Foreign Trained Professionals Loans program of up to $5,000 per person to cover assessment, training and exam costs, in partnership with the Maytree Foundation; and, Total annual investment of $130 million, more than any other province in Canada, on programs to help newcomers upgrade their language skills, settle and find work. Our government is keeping its commitment to break down the barriers that prevent newcomers from entering the workforce. We are determined to ensure that Ontario's newcomers have every opportunity to succeed and participate in our economy, said Colle.
Dual-citizenship Review Worries MPs
When newly elected Liberal Leader Stéphane Dion recently bowed to pressure and said he may renounce the French citizenship he inherited from his mother, fellow Liberal MP Ujjal Dosanjh considered it an act of courage. MP Omar Alghabra saw Dion as a cornered man responding with sincerity and realism to unjustified questions about his loyalty to Canada. MPs Jim Karygiannis and Lui Temelkovski were disappointed; they wished he had stood his ground and defended his dual citizenship. The four Liberal MPs are among 41 members of Parliament who were born in other countries. Each of them differs in their attachment to their country of birth. But all are concerned about the message to fellow immigrants that such incidents send from Parliament Hill, especially on the heels of a government plan to review the rights and responsibilities of dual citizens. And all are concerned about undermining the idea that Canadians need to embrace global opportunities.
“We have an increasingly mobile world, and you can't contend with these new realities by building walls,” said Dosanjh, a Vancouver MP and former B.C. premier. “I just think it’s a shame that people are even raising this issue.” “This is not rocket science,” said Temelkovski, an Ontario MP who didn’t speak a word of English when he immigrated to Canada at age 13 four decades ago. “The world is getting smaller. When my dad took a ship from Macedonia to Australia it took him 33 days. He came to Canada in 167. Now people fly. “You have breakfast in Ottawa, lunch in Paris and dinner in Moscow. We should be encouraging people to travel the world and work and fall in love. They may become citizens of other countries but they’re still Canadians.” Dosanjh, who immigrated to Canada from India in 1968, holds only Canadian citizenship and is not interested in a second citizenship in India which would ease his travel and allow him to live there but not to vote or run for public office. “I have very strong connections with India spiritually and heritage wise and I go back whenever I have a chance,” he said. “I love the place. But for now, Canada is where I am.” At first, when Dion’s loyalties were questioned by Prime Minister Stephen Harper and New Democrat Pat Martin, the new Liberal leader appeared taken aback. He does not live or vote in France.
Within days, however, he conceded he would take the “sad” step of renouncing his French citizenship if “it's a problem for a significant number of Canadians and if it's a liability that may keep Mr. Harper in power.” Karygiannis had been getting calls from constituents supporting Dion’s “refreshing approach.” After Dion changed his tune, Karygiannis received calls from people outside his constituency taunting him to give up his Greek citizenship. “Well, I ain’t about to do it,” Karygiannis said. “My constituents don’t want me to do that. I’m very proud of my roots.” Karygiannis links the pressure on Dion with Immigration Minister Monte Solberg’s announcement last month of a review of the responsibilities of dual citizens, sparked by the mass evacuation last summer of Canadians in Lebanon. Solberg singled out those who live abroad for many years and return to use health care and social benefits. “We hear about it everywhere we go,” Solberg told a Parliamentary committee.
“This is a Conservative government trying to pit one Canadian against another Canadian in order to fulfil their Reform legacy of saying to the rednecks of this country that first and foremost we don't like the immigrants,” Karygiannis charged. Statistics Canada says nearly four million of Canada’s 5.4 million immigrants have Canadian citizenship, but only 691,310 Canadians report that they have dual citizenship or citizenship in more than two countries. Temelkovski, who immigrated to Canada from Macedonia at age 13, was disappointed and angry when Dion backtracked. “Is that what Canada’s all about?” he asks. “Renouncing citizenships? He should stand firm. My advice to him would be don’t back off. I would never do it.” Alghabra, who immigrated to Canada at age 19, was born in Saudi Arabia, a country which does not grant citizenship unless both parents are from the country. His parents are from Syria, a country which does not allow citizens to renounce their citizenship. Not that Alghabra would anyway. “My parents, my heritage and my background is a part of my identity,” he said. “It played a significant role in shaping who I am as much as Canada has.” While he has Syrian citizenship, he does not have a Syrian passport “because I’m a Canadian.” Alghabra is skeptical about the government’s review of dual citizenship rights. “We already deny benefits to Canadians that live abroad and we have tax agreements with many countries around the world,” he said. “I don’t think the relationship between a citizen and his or her country should be a linear financial transaction. And I don’t think we should make people feel guilty about making personal or professional decisions to work abroad.”
“We have an increasingly mobile world, and you can't contend with these new realities by building walls,” said Dosanjh, a Vancouver MP and former B.C. premier. “I just think it’s a shame that people are even raising this issue.” “This is not rocket science,” said Temelkovski, an Ontario MP who didn’t speak a word of English when he immigrated to Canada at age 13 four decades ago. “The world is getting smaller. When my dad took a ship from Macedonia to Australia it took him 33 days. He came to Canada in 167. Now people fly. “You have breakfast in Ottawa, lunch in Paris and dinner in Moscow. We should be encouraging people to travel the world and work and fall in love. They may become citizens of other countries but they’re still Canadians.” Dosanjh, who immigrated to Canada from India in 1968, holds only Canadian citizenship and is not interested in a second citizenship in India which would ease his travel and allow him to live there but not to vote or run for public office. “I have very strong connections with India spiritually and heritage wise and I go back whenever I have a chance,” he said. “I love the place. But for now, Canada is where I am.” At first, when Dion’s loyalties were questioned by Prime Minister Stephen Harper and New Democrat Pat Martin, the new Liberal leader appeared taken aback. He does not live or vote in France.
Within days, however, he conceded he would take the “sad” step of renouncing his French citizenship if “it's a problem for a significant number of Canadians and if it's a liability that may keep Mr. Harper in power.” Karygiannis had been getting calls from constituents supporting Dion’s “refreshing approach.” After Dion changed his tune, Karygiannis received calls from people outside his constituency taunting him to give up his Greek citizenship. “Well, I ain’t about to do it,” Karygiannis said. “My constituents don’t want me to do that. I’m very proud of my roots.” Karygiannis links the pressure on Dion with Immigration Minister Monte Solberg’s announcement last month of a review of the responsibilities of dual citizens, sparked by the mass evacuation last summer of Canadians in Lebanon. Solberg singled out those who live abroad for many years and return to use health care and social benefits. “We hear about it everywhere we go,” Solberg told a Parliamentary committee.
“This is a Conservative government trying to pit one Canadian against another Canadian in order to fulfil their Reform legacy of saying to the rednecks of this country that first and foremost we don't like the immigrants,” Karygiannis charged. Statistics Canada says nearly four million of Canada’s 5.4 million immigrants have Canadian citizenship, but only 691,310 Canadians report that they have dual citizenship or citizenship in more than two countries. Temelkovski, who immigrated to Canada from Macedonia at age 13, was disappointed and angry when Dion backtracked. “Is that what Canada’s all about?” he asks. “Renouncing citizenships? He should stand firm. My advice to him would be don’t back off. I would never do it.” Alghabra, who immigrated to Canada at age 19, was born in Saudi Arabia, a country which does not grant citizenship unless both parents are from the country. His parents are from Syria, a country which does not allow citizens to renounce their citizenship. Not that Alghabra would anyway. “My parents, my heritage and my background is a part of my identity,” he said. “It played a significant role in shaping who I am as much as Canada has.” While he has Syrian citizenship, he does not have a Syrian passport “because I’m a Canadian.” Alghabra is skeptical about the government’s review of dual citizenship rights. “We already deny benefits to Canadians that live abroad and we have tax agreements with many countries around the world,” he said. “I don’t think the relationship between a citizen and his or her country should be a linear financial transaction. And I don’t think we should make people feel guilty about making personal or professional decisions to work abroad.”
Newcomers face Government Barriers in Ottawa
Citizenship requirements and security checks put many foreign-trained professionals out of the running for federal government jobs, say those who help immigrants find work. Immigrant services providers such as Anca Sultana say immigrants in Ottawa have a tougher time finding work than do newcomers in other cities. "[The] federal government … remains the biggest employer and new Canadians can't have access to the biggest employer," said Sultana, who heads the employment programs and other services at Vanier Community Services Centre. Many government job postings specify that Canadian citizens will be given preference. According to Citizenship and Immigration Canada, newcomers cannot apply for Canadian citizenship until they have lived in Canada for at least three years. By then, Sultana says, they have worked outside their field for so long that their professional skills may be considered out of date.
Tom Kelly, the spokesman for the Public Service Commission of Canada, says the citizenship requirements for public service jobs are embedded in the Public Service Employment Act, and they do affect immigrants. "It's going to provide a challenge for them," he said. But he said that doesn't mean it is harder for newcomers to find jobs in Ottawa than in other cities, as there are non-public service jobs in the city. "I'm guessing that most people who are immigrating to Canada aren't immigrating to get a government job," he added. But it's not just the citizenship requirements that pose a challenge for foreign-trained workers. Newcomers such as Cristina Pulido say security checks can also be a big hurdle in their job hunt. Pulido was a journalist in Venezuela before she immigrated to Canada 18 months ago. After arriving in Ottawa, Pulido was offered a short-term contract doing communications work with the government. But she lost the contract because her security check took too long — six months later, she is still waiting for the security check results. "The most frustrating part is that I don't know why and I don't know what to do to make it easier," she said. Security checks easier after 6 years in Canada: CSIS
A spokesperson for the Canadian Security Intelligence Service said people must live for six years in Canada before the organization can easily check their background, references, work history and criminal history. If the agency needs to get information from foreign governments, that can affect the amount of time it takes to complete the check. A CSIS spokesperson said the regular security checks that newcomers go through when they immigrate are not as rigorous as those required by most jobs, and the security check process starts from scratch when they apply for a position with the government. The agency confirmed that it is getting more and more security check requests, especially since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in the U.S. The checks are required for many jobs for which the employer is a government department or on contract with the government. Kelly said an increase in the number of jobs that require security checks is to be expected. "Security all around town is more stringent now," he said.
Tom Kelly, the spokesman for the Public Service Commission of Canada, says the citizenship requirements for public service jobs are embedded in the Public Service Employment Act, and they do affect immigrants. "It's going to provide a challenge for them," he said. But he said that doesn't mean it is harder for newcomers to find jobs in Ottawa than in other cities, as there are non-public service jobs in the city. "I'm guessing that most people who are immigrating to Canada aren't immigrating to get a government job," he added. But it's not just the citizenship requirements that pose a challenge for foreign-trained workers. Newcomers such as Cristina Pulido say security checks can also be a big hurdle in their job hunt. Pulido was a journalist in Venezuela before she immigrated to Canada 18 months ago. After arriving in Ottawa, Pulido was offered a short-term contract doing communications work with the government. But she lost the contract because her security check took too long — six months later, she is still waiting for the security check results. "The most frustrating part is that I don't know why and I don't know what to do to make it easier," she said. Security checks easier after 6 years in Canada: CSIS
A spokesperson for the Canadian Security Intelligence Service said people must live for six years in Canada before the organization can easily check their background, references, work history and criminal history. If the agency needs to get information from foreign governments, that can affect the amount of time it takes to complete the check. A CSIS spokesperson said the regular security checks that newcomers go through when they immigrate are not as rigorous as those required by most jobs, and the security check process starts from scratch when they apply for a position with the government. The agency confirmed that it is getting more and more security check requests, especially since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in the U.S. The checks are required for many jobs for which the employer is a government department or on contract with the government. Kelly said an increase in the number of jobs that require security checks is to be expected. "Security all around town is more stringent now," he said.
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