31 August 2012

Professor urges further changes to Canadian immigration system

The Canadian government has announced several changes to its immigration system in recent months and while details are still emerging, one professor says the changes need to go even further.

Canada visa

Professpr McNiven says Canada needs labourers just as much as it does professors.

Immigration Minister Jason Kenney has cut an unpopular figure in recent months as he has chopped and changed Canada visa and immigration policy. The changes have come as the minister attempts to better fit the system to his much publicised ideal of an immigration system which allows Canada to benefit most from immigration.

The most significant change was the cancellation of as many as 300,000 visa applications made prior to 2008 in order to legislate away a backlog that had overburdened the system. While the move proved extremely unpopular, it will allow the new system, which is due to begin taking applications again early next year, to process applications much quicker.

Changes to the new system are still being announced but priority in the new system will be given to younger immigrants who can 'hit the ground running', meaning those whose understanding and use of English or French is of an acceptable standard and who have certain desirable skills or education required in the Canadian economy or labour market.

While the changes do look set to benefit the Canadian economy, and Mr Kenney has also promised more will be made, one public policy professor says even more should be done.

Speaking at the annual Palmer Conference on immigration at the University of Prince Edward Island, Professor James McNiven, a former provincial minister, says Canada could benefit greatly by essentially opening the doors to a greater range of potential migrants.

"We need old fashioned immigrants who come with minimal skills and lots of drive," said the professor, claiming that the aging Canadian population and declining birth rate means the country will be in greater need of labour far more than it is of skilled professionals in the near future.

"We have a bias towards professionals, and what we need are actually unskilled labour, guys who will come here and be industrious and start businesses."


The Canadian Visa Bureau is an independent migration consultancy specialising in helping people make their application to the Canadian Embassy.

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