Meeting to improve Canadian immigration system involves federal, provincial and territorial governments

Federal, provincial and territorial ministers held a meeting in Ottawa to discuss ways to improve the Canadian Immigration system as the country sees increasing importance of attracting new skills and a younger workforce.

The Canadian Immigration minister Jason Kenney said: “If Canada wants to succeed in the global economy, our country must be able to attract and retain immigrants with the skills it needs today while preparing us to face the challenges of the future”.

“After today’s discussion, I am confident that our governments’ combined efforts will help position Canada as a destination of choice for the world’s best and brightest, while continuing to maintain our humanitarian tradition.”

The ministers agreed that the future of Canadian immigration would embrace welcoming and supporting newcomers, with increased involvement of provinces and territories in managing the immigration system. Also discussed was the importance of planning immigration levels on a long-term basis to make immigration and the issuing of a Canadian Visa for a needed worker more responsive to economic and regional needs.

The ability of immigrants to succeed in Canada’s labor market is also critical to building an Canadian immigration system that is responsive to Canada’s economy, and the ministers discussed work done on the Pan-Canadian Framework for the Assessment and Recognition of Foreign Qualifications that will help foreign workers be recognized for their training and commence skilled work sooner.

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