Immigration.ca - Canada Immigration News - March 2007
Canada�s failure to recognize the credentials is harming the economy
The New Democrats are pressing the federal government to address the discrepancies between the immigration application process and the recognition of immigrants' credentials in Canada. Immigrants find their skills and professions often go unrecognized once they relocate to this country after being �enticed to come to Canada� by what Layton refers to as �false promises�.
Fixing Canada�s immigration system has become a prevelant pillar for the NDP party, partily in response to what NDP leader Jack Layton refers to two years of little action on the isuue under the Liberal government. The NDP has stated that it will work towards improving Canada�s immigration and refugee system to make it speedier, fairer and more accountable, and to provide support in major centers to help immigrants gain recognition for their foreign credentials.
Under the direction of the NDP Deputy Immigration Critic Olivia Chow, the NDP has put forward the much anticipated seven-step plan that will make it easier for immigrants to get their foreign degrees and designations recognized. The proposal is a response to �Canada�s failure to recognise the credentials of qualified, skilled and professional foreign-trained immigrants in the workforce is harming the economy and immigrants alike�.This failure in turn has contributed to �exacerbating labour shoratges, limiting the contribution and earnings of potential immigrants, contributing to unacceptable levels of child poverty and putting a strain on social services�.
Chow has argued that many �hardworking immigrant families are desperate for meaningful jobs� and that after many years of empty promises, �it is time for the promised funding to be delivered and for the Agency for Assessment and Recognition of Credentials to be set up immediately�. The NDP proposes to allocate the earmarked consultaions funds of $18 million towards the creation of the Forign Credential Recognition Agency immediately.
The proposal, entitled �Creating Fair Opportunities. A proposal for the recognition of foreign credential�, includes the following recommendations regarding the creation of a Foreign Credentila Reconition Agency:
- The Formation of an agency with a clear, accessible Internet portal and a toll free line which wold act as a one-stop show where new and potentila immigrnays couldd access infirmation on assessment criteria;
- Actively publicize detailed information on the processes surrounding the recognition of foreign credentials and local labour markets made available at orientation sessions at international visa offices so potential immigrants can get assess and accreditation prior to their arrival in Canada;
- To ensure that that agency is integrated with Services Caada so there is help available in diffreent regions across Canada;
- Liasing and coordinating with Citizenship and Immigration and with provincial accreditation offices to disseminate information and facilitate timely and fair accreditation;
- Creating a uniforme assessment recognition process so that a lear statndard is in place throughout the country;
- Creating a special program for proessions or market sectors that face heightend labour shortahges.
The full proposal and recommendations are available online at www.oliviachow.ca
Related Articles can be found at the following links:
http://www.ndp.ca/page/4843/print
http://www.canada.com/topics/news/national/story.html?id=2f39e68c-f047-4c93-980e-48edbd6ac2fc&k=78892
