Current Immigration System
In the current system, individuals interested in immigrating to Canada must identify which program is best suited for them to apply to (see Exhibit 1 below). Applications have a number of requirements (See Exhibit 2 below), which are checked for completion then put into processing.
Categories of Canadian Immigration (Exhibit 1)
1. Skilled workers and professionals
2. Quebec-selected skilled workers
3. Canadian experience class (for those who have lived in Canada for a period of time)
4. Investors, entrepreneurs, and self-employed
5. Family sponsorship
6. Provincial nominees
7. Live-in caregivers
8. Refugees
Immigration Application Requirements
(Exhibit 2)
· Signed provincial nomination forms
· Identity and civil status documents
· Documents supporting your educational and employment qualifications
· A letter from your current employer (if required for your nomination category)
· A job offer from an employer in the province (if required by your nomination category)
· Proof of relative in the province (if required for your nomination category)
· Proof of language proficiency (if required for your nomination category)
· Photocopies of completed, signed Canadian Immigration Visa application forms
A provincial nominee program officer then assesses application forms, and in some requests an interview. Applications are then submitted to the Central Intake Office in Sydney, Nova Scotia, and transferred to the Canadian Immigration Visa Office. Medical instructions are issued, a passport request is made and a permanent residence fee is then due. According to the Canadian government, “any unsponsored immigrants who had the requisite education, skill, or other qualifications were to be considered suitable for admission, irrespective of colour, race, or national origin” (Citizenship and Immigration Canada 2006).
According to the official Canadian discourse, immigration is an excellent way to help bolster the labour market to boost the economy, and promote the Canadian value of “multiculturalism”. As Canadian Minister of Public Safety Vic Toews says, “Canada is well-known for its reputation as a tolerant nation, one that welcomes newcomers from all parts of the globe” (Carmichael 2012). The government’s policy on immigration recognizes that Canadians believe immigration is integral to both Canadian culture and the economy, and therefore has what can largely be considered as an “open” policy on immigration.
The idea of having a national strategy that promotes immigration and newcomers is meant to strengthen “Canada’s economic, social and cultural prosperity, and help ensure Canadian safety and security”, according to Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) (Pavlich 2013). All cultures and nationalities are welcome under Canadian immigration, so long as those trying to immigrate meet certain requirements based on education, job experience and qualifications, and family status.
As Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism said this past year on Multiculturalism Day, “On Canadian Multiculturalism Day we renew our shared commitment to equality before the law for all Canadians, whatever their race or creed” (CIC 2012). In fact, according to an article written by Will Kymlicka and commissioned by the Canadian state, there is “evidence that the process of immigration and minority integration is working better in Canada than other countries” (Kymlicka 2010; 7).
On top of having diversity as a core Canadian value, Canada is internationally recognized for being committed to the fight against all forms of discrimination, including racism. In 1997, the Canadian Race Relations Foundation was established, a charity that operates “within arm’s length” of the government. The Canadian government places a strong emphasis on being a “tolerant”, “welcoming” nation, and has mandated that “Multiculturalism is not simply a government program: it is the day-to-day reality of our country” (CIC 2012).
Source:
Quote in header - Citizenship and Immigration Canada. 2013. "Immerse yourself in Canadian History." Retrieved March 25, 2013. (http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/multiculturalism/index.asp?utm_source=www.cic.gc.ca/multi/index eng.asp&utm_medium=brochures&utm_campaign=ENG_Multiculturalism)
Carmichael, Julie. 2012. “Minister of Public Safety makes first designation of irregular arrival under Protecting Canada’s Immigration System Act”. Public Safety Canada News Releases 2012. Retrieved March 3, 2012 from http://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/media/nr/2012/nr20121205-eng.aspx
Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC). 2012. “Statement – Minister Kenney issues statement on Multiculturalism Day” Retrieved March 3, 2012 from http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/department/media/statements/2012/2012-06-27.asp
Citizenship and Immigration Canada. 2006. Forging Our Canadian Legacy: Canadian Citizenship and Immigration, 1900-1977. Retrieved March 3, 2012 from http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/publications/legacy/chap-6.asp
Kymlicka, W. 2010. “The New Evidence on Multiculturalism and Integration” in The Current State of Multiculturalism in Canada, pp. 7-11. Ottawa: Minister of Public Works and Government Services Canada.
Pavlich, Alexis. 2013. “Canada Continued to Welcome Highest Sustained Level of Immigration in Canadian History in 2012”. Citizenship and Immigration Canada News Releases 2013. Retrieved March 3, 2012 from http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/department/media/releases/2013/2013-02-27.asp
Categories of Canadian Immigration (Exhibit 1)
1. Skilled workers and professionals
2. Quebec-selected skilled workers
3. Canadian experience class (for those who have lived in Canada for a period of time)
4. Investors, entrepreneurs, and self-employed
5. Family sponsorship
6. Provincial nominees
7. Live-in caregivers
8. Refugees
Immigration Application Requirements
(Exhibit 2)
· Signed provincial nomination forms
· Identity and civil status documents
· Documents supporting your educational and employment qualifications
· A letter from your current employer (if required for your nomination category)
· A job offer from an employer in the province (if required by your nomination category)
· Proof of relative in the province (if required for your nomination category)
· Proof of language proficiency (if required for your nomination category)
· Photocopies of completed, signed Canadian Immigration Visa application forms
A provincial nominee program officer then assesses application forms, and in some requests an interview. Applications are then submitted to the Central Intake Office in Sydney, Nova Scotia, and transferred to the Canadian Immigration Visa Office. Medical instructions are issued, a passport request is made and a permanent residence fee is then due. According to the Canadian government, “any unsponsored immigrants who had the requisite education, skill, or other qualifications were to be considered suitable for admission, irrespective of colour, race, or national origin” (Citizenship and Immigration Canada 2006).
According to the official Canadian discourse, immigration is an excellent way to help bolster the labour market to boost the economy, and promote the Canadian value of “multiculturalism”. As Canadian Minister of Public Safety Vic Toews says, “Canada is well-known for its reputation as a tolerant nation, one that welcomes newcomers from all parts of the globe” (Carmichael 2012). The government’s policy on immigration recognizes that Canadians believe immigration is integral to both Canadian culture and the economy, and therefore has what can largely be considered as an “open” policy on immigration.
The idea of having a national strategy that promotes immigration and newcomers is meant to strengthen “Canada’s economic, social and cultural prosperity, and help ensure Canadian safety and security”, according to Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) (Pavlich 2013). All cultures and nationalities are welcome under Canadian immigration, so long as those trying to immigrate meet certain requirements based on education, job experience and qualifications, and family status.
As Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism said this past year on Multiculturalism Day, “On Canadian Multiculturalism Day we renew our shared commitment to equality before the law for all Canadians, whatever their race or creed” (CIC 2012). In fact, according to an article written by Will Kymlicka and commissioned by the Canadian state, there is “evidence that the process of immigration and minority integration is working better in Canada than other countries” (Kymlicka 2010; 7).
On top of having diversity as a core Canadian value, Canada is internationally recognized for being committed to the fight against all forms of discrimination, including racism. In 1997, the Canadian Race Relations Foundation was established, a charity that operates “within arm’s length” of the government. The Canadian government places a strong emphasis on being a “tolerant”, “welcoming” nation, and has mandated that “Multiculturalism is not simply a government program: it is the day-to-day reality of our country” (CIC 2012).
Source:
Quote in header - Citizenship and Immigration Canada. 2013. "Immerse yourself in Canadian History." Retrieved March 25, 2013. (http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/multiculturalism/index.asp?utm_source=www.cic.gc.ca/multi/index eng.asp&utm_medium=brochures&utm_campaign=ENG_Multiculturalism)
Carmichael, Julie. 2012. “Minister of Public Safety makes first designation of irregular arrival under Protecting Canada’s Immigration System Act”. Public Safety Canada News Releases 2012. Retrieved March 3, 2012 from http://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/media/nr/2012/nr20121205-eng.aspx
Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC). 2012. “Statement – Minister Kenney issues statement on Multiculturalism Day” Retrieved March 3, 2012 from http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/department/media/statements/2012/2012-06-27.asp
Citizenship and Immigration Canada. 2006. Forging Our Canadian Legacy: Canadian Citizenship and Immigration, 1900-1977. Retrieved March 3, 2012 from http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/publications/legacy/chap-6.asp
Kymlicka, W. 2010. “The New Evidence on Multiculturalism and Integration” in The Current State of Multiculturalism in Canada, pp. 7-11. Ottawa: Minister of Public Works and Government Services Canada.
Pavlich, Alexis. 2013. “Canada Continued to Welcome Highest Sustained Level of Immigration in Canadian History in 2012”. Citizenship and Immigration Canada News Releases 2013. Retrieved March 3, 2012 from http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/department/media/releases/2013/2013-02-27.asp