Immigration Minister Announces Significant
Investment in Fixing Canada's Immigration System
OTTAWA, November 24, 2005 — The Honourable Joe Volpe, Minister of
Citizenship and Immigration, today announced the Government of Canada will
invest an additional $700 million over five years to make important improvements
to the federal immigration system. These improvements include funding to start
reducing the current inventory of applications at Citizenship and Immigration
Canada, and a new process to allow immigrants with Canadian experience or
Canadian education to apply for permanent resident status under the new In-
Canada Economic Stream in 2007.
“Today’s announcement is an important step toward fixing and improving the
immigration system,” said Minister Volpe. “By beginning to reduce the number of
outstanding applications and moving to actively recruit those who best meet
Canada’s labour market needs—such as temporary foreign workers and
international students already in Canada—we will build on the improvements
already under way to Canada’s immigration system.”
The new in-Canada stream is intended for applicants with experience in Canada’s
labour market or educational institutions. These immigrants are well positioned to
integrate quickly and successfully into Canadian society and the economy, and
this new stream will eventually be an important tool in promoting Canada as a
destination of choice for immigrants. In ensuring that people with significant labour
market or educational experience can make a smooth transition to permanent
resident status, we will help build a more responsive and proactive immigration
system.
“Today’s announcement builds on the major investments already made to help
newcomers integrate more quickly into their local labour market and new
communities,” said Minister Volpe. “These investments include $398 million
announced in the 2005 budget to improve settlement services and to launch the
Going to Canada portal; funding for the Internationally Trained Workers Initiative;
and a $1.3 billion investment in settlement programs announced in the fiscal
economic update of November 14, 2005.”
The $920 million Canada-Ontario agreement announced earlier this week is
funded through the fiscal framework and forms part of the $1.3 billion announced
by Minister Goodale.
This announcement reflects the key priorities identified by federal, provincial and
territorial ministers on November 4, 2005. For further information, visit the CIC
Web site at www.cic.gc.ca.
