Canadian immigration to speed residency for immigrant workers to Quebec

The Quebec government has announced a new program to accelerate permanent residency status for foreign-trained workers, a move that has been applauded by Montreal technology firms.

Immigration and Cultural Communities Minister Yolande James made the announcement earlier this week at the Science Centre in Montreal’s Old Port accompanied by the executives leading technology firms, Electronic Arts, and CGI.

During the announcement Minister James said the technology industry was one example of an industry that suffers from a lack of skilled workers and must rely on Canadian immigration to alleviate the shortage.

Bernard de Jaham, the vice-president of mobility for Montreal International, said the new program will help Montreal retain foreign workers who are recruited to work here.

“It makes the process very easy to get a certificate of selection, which is the first document you need to become a permanent resident,” Mr De Jaham said.

Mr De Jaham said it will now take a few days or weeks to obtain the certificate, taking several weeks off the previous waiting time.

Those eligible for the program must have worked for at least one year in Quebec, and must have an intermediate knowledge of French.

The Canadian Visa Bureau is an independent consulting company specialising in helping people with their Canadian Visa applications to the Canadian Embassy.