Capacity To Integrate

"It's not just a question of numbers. It's a question of our capacity to integrate. We would like to ensure there are jobs, there are available opportunities and that our social services, like health care can accommodate the actual numbers." Immigration Minister Jason Kenney

Canada's federal government has determined through Immigration Minister Jason Kenney, that welcoming between 240,000 and 265,000 new immigrants a year will remain the standard for this country. This represents the figures that have been fairly constant for the past six years. The opposition parties feel this number should be increased, claiming that a quarter-million new immigrants brought into Canada on an annual basis is not sufficient to address employment needs.

At the same time this more than generously-inclusive number representing both emigrants from abroad, and refugees, along with foreign students enrolled in Canadian universities, stands foremost among the numbers welcomed through migration by any other country. Absorbing such large numbers of people is costly to the Canadian economy. Not only through social welfare programs extended to new immigrants, but language classes, health and social needs met.

At the present time, Canada has an unemployment rate of approximately 7.3%, so obviously there should be no huge rush to increase that number beyond what we feel comfortable with. It was recently stated that there would be a decrease in the number of family-class reunification immigrants to be received into the country. Clearly, elderly parents and grandparents will not join the labour force. But they will be entitled, as landed immigrants, to make use of the health care system and other social benefits.

The tax-paying immigrant who works for a living supports his immediate family, his wife and children, and presumably also any additional dependents such as parents or grandparents. The taxes that working immigrant pays does represent a deposit toward the withdrawing of various types of social services, but obviously that proportion of the tax paid does not reflect anywhere near the total cost of social services the family will draw upon, so it's a costly venture for Canada.

On the good news side, a new Canadian Experience Class has been unveiled which will expedite permanent residency for qualified temporary skilled foreign workers and international students. That fast track to residency qualification will bring those with needed work experience and professional qualifications, along with university graduates, into the Canadian workforce expeditiously, benefiting both the country and those who wish to take advantage of the new stream.

One thousand international doctoral students yearly will be accepted as permanent residents through the Federal Skilled Worker Program, as well. This represents foreign students who have completed at minimum two years of a PHD program and who are in good academic standing at a provincially recognized university. Application to the program must be done within a year of study completion to qualify.

"All of the data tells us younger newcomers and people with Canadian degrees, Canadian work experience and high levels of English- or French-language proficiency are almost certain to succeed and end up with incomes that are higher than the Canadian average. I would say the Canadian Experience Class will represent what I think will be the future of immigration."

This is precisely what is needed. People who have pursued higher education, who qualify through their work experience within Canada, who have mastered the language, and become accustomed to life in Canada. Enabling them to fit into the social culture, the political system, to benefit from living fruitfully in a country that is tolerant and appreciative of its growing multiplicity of ethnic and cultural backgrounds.

Giving some assurance in the process, that those who accept our hospitality and who are given the opportunity to meet their own social, educational, workplace aspirations have some knowledge of Canadian culture and heritage, and give it due respect.