IMMIGRATION TO CANADA: RECENT NEWS ITEMS


In this continuing series, we will look at various recent issues and recent events concerning immigration law.

Excerpts from Recent News Items:                                          Updated as of: December 10, 1999:

1. "Solid economic growth to continue, report says," December 8, 1999. Globe and Mail

            Canada's economy in 2000 is set for another year of solid well balanced growth, with e-commerce having a major influence on pushing investment, and forcing changes in the business environment and nature of competition.

            Economic output expected to be 3.8% in 1999 and 3.2% in 2000. Much of the growth in 2000 is expected to come from an improved export market, as a result of improved commodity prices, strong U.S. demand for Canadian products and also stronger demand from other markets. A lower Canadian dollar has also increased the competitiveness of Canadian exports.

            It is also expected that a tight labour market will continue with a drop in unemployment rates to about 7.5% from 7.8% for 1999.

            The only negative news is that inflation is expected to rise from an estimated 1.7% to 2.0% in 2000.

2. "MPs Consider detention plan," December 6, 1999. The Toronto Sun

            A government committee is considering whether to detain all new refugee claimants and illegal immigrants until they're processed. This is measure is being considered to deal with the fact that many people disappear and about one-third of refugee claimants go underground.

3. "Boom pushes jobless rate to 18-year low,: drop another sign that average Canadians are beginning to share in good times," December 4, 1999. Globe and Mail

            Canada's jobless rate fell to an 18-year low in November 1999 while the U.S. rate held steady. It is another sign that personal incomes of Canadians are growing and returning to the levels last experienced in the late 1980's.

            Hiring and retaining staff is difficult given the strong demand for skilled employees, and salaries and bonuses are rising to reflect this strong demand.

4. "Many immigrants Alberta-bound," December 3, 1999. Edmonton Sun

            Alberta is fast becoming a cultural mosaic as more immigrants choose to settle in Alberta. Only Vancouver and Toronto have a larger percentage of visible minorities than Calgary's 15.6% and Edmonton's 13.5%. About 6% of total immigrants intend to move to Alberta, while British Columbia, Ontario, and Quebec top the list of preferred provinces. Once in Canada, however, a greater number of immigrants are moving to Alberta. Edmonton has one of the youngest populations in Canada, with 36% of the population under the age of 25.

            Since 1966, Edmonton's population has grown by 115%, compared to Calgary's 148.5% and Vancouver's 105%, and Toronto's 97%, over the same period.

            Calgary came out on top with its people being the best paid in Western Canada with an average annual income of $28,963, compared to Edmonton's, of $25,728. The average grocery bill in Edmonton was $104 a week, compared to $129.58 in Ottawa, the most expensive city surveyed, and $94.10 in St. John, New Brunswick, the cheapest.

            Average home prices in Edmonton were $111,587, compared to $287,094 in Vancouver.

5. "Incomes rise as economy surges ahead: Standard of living expected to recover to late-'80's level," December 1, 1999. Globe and Mail

            Gains of between 1.5 and 2.0 percent per year are expected in real personal disposable income per person for the next few years. Persons living in Ontario, Alberta, and Newfoundland, are expected to experience the largest jumps in personal income. Alberta, especially Calgary, is expected to do the best due to massive population growth fuelled by immigration, a booming economy, proximity to shoppers from southern British Columbia, and the lack of traffic congestion seem in other large urban centres such as Vancouver and Toronto.

            The economy of Ontario is growing the fastest of any province in Canada and even faster than any other Group of Seven industrialized country.

6. "Ontario Economy Enjoys Export Boom," December 1, 1999. Globe and Mail

            The average annual percent change in exports between 1995-1999:
Ontario auto exports to USA                 10.4%
Ontario non-auto exports to USA             8.9%
Rest of Canada exports to USA               4.2%
USA total imports from all countries         6.9%

            Ontario's exports to the USA are growing faster than USA imports from the rest of the world or from the rest of Canada. This provides strong support for immigrants seeking to do import/export to establish themselves in Ontario. The cheaper Canadian dollar, compared to the US dollar adds a competitive advantage to exporters based in Canada.

7. "Official says Ottawa needs to admit immigrants faster; Ottawa must be 'faster, better, smarter' at admitting immigrants, Caplan says," November 19, 1999. Globe and Mail

            Immigration Minister Caplan stated that immigration intends to be more aggressive in attracting newcomers. A central processing centre is being considered as an alternative to processing of immigration applications at overseas visa posts. The centralized processing centre would be responsible for processing much of the paperwork now done overseas.

            The country is expected to bring in about 180,000 immigrants this year, 20,000 to 45,000 below the government's goal.

            The government is seeking to raise the immigration quota to 300,000 immigrants a year.

            There is currently a backlog of about 370,000 potential immigrants, and at some visa posts the delays can be as much as two or three years before an applicant is approved.

8. "Immigrant numbers declined in 1998: new selection rules to blame," October 28, 1999. Globe and Mail

            Changes in the way government evaluates the occupations of applicants has diminished the number of low-skilled workers who qualify. The changes occurred in May 1997 with the introduction of the National Occupational Classification (NOC) system for selection of skilled workers. Many low-skill occupations became ineligible due to the change in the number of points received. For example a tailor that used to receive a total of 19 points (out of 70 points minimum required to pass), under the NOC receive just 3 points, regardless of the number of years of experience. Due to significant department staff level cutbacks, visa officers have been faced with an increased workload that has led to the visa officers being less likely to use their discretion when evaluating an applicant.

            Of the approximately 180,000 immigrants in 1998, 95,000 were economic immigrants. Skilled workers made up the vast majority of these economic immigrants.

9. "Shortage of skilled workers will get worse: labour experts," September 07, 1999. Globe and Mail

            With the jobless rate at 7.7%, it might be hard to believe that there are labour shortages across Canada. But manufacturers, high-tech employers and resource companies are having trouble finding skilled workers. Technical schools and colleges cannot keep up with the demand from expanding businesses.

            Shortages will become worse as baby boomers start to retire, leaving large gaps in the work force.

            It is not just high-tech persons but also many skilled trades-persons that are in short supply.

            About 40 percent of the more than 500 Canadian companies recently surveyed by the Alliance of Manufacturers and Exporters said their difficulty in finding skilled workers has become a serious constraint on expansion. The companies surveyed especially find it hard to find workers skilled in such fields as management, engineering, and product design.


Final Note:

For further information please contact one of us at Moses & Associates.


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