Hon. Alice Wong, P.C.

Vancouver, March 18, 2011 — In order to improve the integrity of the immigration system, Dr. Alice Wong, Parliamentary Secretary for Multiculturalism, on behalf of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney, today announced that a new regulatory body is being proposed to oversee immigration consultants.

“The Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council – or ICCRC – has committed to enhancing the protection of the Canadian public and those who use the services of immigration consultants,” said Dr. Wong. “I am confident that, with the ICCRC’s strong regulation of immigration consultants, people using our immigration processes will be offered quality consultation, representation and advice.”

A notice has been published on the website of the Canada Gazette, Part I, proposing to amend the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations so that the ICCRC becomes the regulator of immigration consultants. The official Gazette publication will be available on March 19, 2011.

The proposed amendments are open for public comment for a 30-day period. The current intention is that the final regulations would be published in the Canada Gazette, Part II, and would come into effect.

This proposed regulatory amendment is the culmination of a process that began in June 2010 when Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) announced its intention to launch a transparent public selection process to identify a body that could be recognized as the regulator of immigration consultants.

Immigration consultants are currently regulated by the Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants (CSIC). Reports by the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration in 2008 and 2009 pointed to governance issues and a lack of public confidence in CSIC. Based on the Standing Committee’s reports, CIC decided to launch this public process.

“I anticipate that the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council will not only help ensure public confidence in the integrity of the immigration program, but also that immigration consultants provide their services in a professional and ethical manner,” said Minister Kenney.

A selection committee was established to examine all submissions received following a public process requesting submissions from parties interested in being the regulator of immigration consultants. The committee reported its conclusions to the Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism. Based on these conclusions, the ICCRC is being proposed as the regulator best placed to govern immigration consultants.

In its submission, the ICCRC committed to a variety of activities to foster a culture of transparency and openness and to protect the Canadian public and those using the services of an immigration consultant, while building a strong relationship with its members. It has also proposed innovative strategies to ensure accountability and transparency to its membership, including a hotline for members of Parliament for complaints and questions and a public awareness campaign.

Transitional measures would be put in place to ensure continuity of service for both existing members in good standing of CSIC and their clients during the transition to the ICCRC. This process could take a few months to complete and it is anticipated that the ICCRC could become the regulatory body this summer.

This process is part of a broader strategy to protect from immigration fraud people wanting to immigrate to or stay in Canada. Included in this strategy is Bill C-35, which aims to crack down on crooked consultants. As well, a multilingual domestic advertising campaign warning prospective immigrants, permanent residents and Canadian citizens not to be taken in by crooked immigration consultants was launched in February and an overseas advertising campaign, with the support of Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States—members of the Five Country Conference—was launched earlier this week. They can be viewed on YouTube.

Minister Kenney raised the issue of immigration consultant fraud in meetings with officials in China, India and the Philippines last fall and more recently in Pakistan. He has urged those governments to protect their citizens from exploitation and abuse by crooked immigration consultants.

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For further information (media only), please contact:

Alykhan Velshi
Minister’s Office
Citizenship and Immigration Canada

Media Relations
Communications Branch
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
613-952-1650
CIC-Media-Relations@cic.gc.ca

Backgrounder

* Proposing a regulatory body to govern immigration consultants
* Transitioning to a proposed new regulator for immigration consultants

The Government of Canada helps Lower Mainland youth prepare for the job market

RICHMOND, BRITISH COLUMBIA, March 16, 2011 – Local youth who face barriers to employment will get job preparation training and work experience through the Government of Canada’s support for an employment project. Dr. Alice Wong, Parliamentary Secretary for Multiculturalism and Member of Parliament for Richmond, and Mr. Ed Fast, Member of Parliament for Abbotsford, made the announcement today on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development.

“For many young Canadians, making the transition to the job market is a challenge, especially in today’s environment,” said Dr. Wong. “That’s why our government is creating opportunities for youth to succeed through support for initiatives like the Kaleidoscope project.”

“This contribution will enable the Mennonite Central Committee of British Columbia to help 36 youth develop the skills and experience needed to find a job,” added Mr. Fast. “This is one example of how our government is taking action to create more and better opportunities for Canadians through skills development.”

The project participants will benefit from a range of activities to increase their employability, including skills workshops, job placements, and a community service assignment. The workshops and job placements will be tailored to their individual interests and strengths, and will focus on developing skills such as communication, problem solving and teamwork. At the end of the project, the participants will put what they have learned into practice and produce a video to help promote tolerance and understanding of different cultures and generations in their community.

Skills Link helps youth facing barriers to employment, such as single parents, Aboriginal youth, youth with disabilities, recent immigrants, youth living in rural and remote areas, and youth who have dropped out of high school.

The Mennonite Central Committee of British Columbia will receive over $447,000 in federal Skills Link funding to support its Kaleidoscope project.

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This news release is available in alternative formats upon request.

For further information (media only):

Ryan Sparrow
Director of Communications
Office of Minister Finley
819-994-2482

Media Relations Office
Human Resources and Skills Development Canada
819-994-5559
Backgrounder

As part of the Government of Canada’s Youth Employment Strategy, the Skills Link program is one of three programs that help young Canadians, particularly those facing barriers to employment, obtain career information, develop skills, gain work experience, find good jobs and stay employed. The other two programs are Summer Work Experience and Career Focus.

Skills Link helps youth between 15 and 30 years of age who are not receiving Employment Insurance benefits develop basic and advanced employment skills. It assists participants through a coordinated, client-centred approach that offers longer term supports and services tailored to their specific needs to help them find and keep a job.

Through the 2010 “Jobs and Growth Budget,” the Government of Canada committed an additional $60 million to the Skills Link and Career Focus programs. This additional one-time investment will enable more young Canadians to gain the experience and skills they need to successfully participate in the job market while the economy recovers.

Youth employment programs are also part of the Government of Canada’s strategy to create the best educated, most skilled and most flexible workforce in the world. The Government underscored its commitment to this strategy in Canada’s Economic Action Plan. A key component of the Plan is to create more and better opportunities for Canadian workers through skills development. To learn more about Canada’s Economic Action Plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.

The Skills Link program is delivered by Service Canada, which provides one-stop personalized services for Government of Canada programs, services and benefits. For more information about this program, visit servicecanada.gc.ca, call 1 800 O Canada or drop by your local Service Canada Centre.

MP Alice Wong Tours Library at Kwantlen’s Richmond Campus
Canada’s Economic Action Plan Creates Jobs and Strengthens Knowledge Economy

[RICHMOND, BC, March 15, 2011]—The Harper Government has invested in the renewal and expansion of laboratories, learning commons and student facilities at colleges and universities across Canada, including an important investment in Kwantlen’s library.

The project, which will enhance the learning experiences of many students, received a Government of Canada investment of $559,000 through the Knowledge Infrastructure Program. The Program, one of many job creation programs launched in 2009 under Canada’s Economic Action Plan to help respond to the global economic recession, enabled Kwantlen to receive an additional $656,000 in B.C. Provincial funding for the library expansion.

“Our government is investing in research and training facilities at campuses across the country to create jobs, help our economy recover quickly, and improve the quality of life of Canadians,” said Dr. Alice Wong. “This investment is promoting local employment now and will provide the research infrastructure Kwantlen needs for years to come,” she added.

The renovation and expansion of the library at the Richmond campus will allow Kwantlen to meet the increased requirements that come with being granted university status.

Improvements to the building will allow an increase in the number of reading and research materials that can be housed on campus and will improve the learning environment for students.

Through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the government is bolstering Canada’s knowledge economy by injecting an additional $6.3 billion into the economy through investments in science, technology and innovation.

“As Canada begins to emerge from the global recession, investments in state-of-the-art research labs, libraries and learning commons are essential to creating and securing valuable, skilled jobs, both now and in the future,” said Dr. Wong, the Member of Parliament for Richmond.

As part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the Government of Canada introduced the Knowledge Infrastructure Program, a $2-billion economic stimulus measure to maintain and improve research and training facilities at Canadian universities, colleges and CEGEPs. The program is providing economic stimulus, creating jobs and generating the advanced technological infrastructure needed to keep Canadian institutions at the forefront of scientific advancement and ensure economic growth in the future.

For more information on the Knowledge Infrastructure Program, visit the Knowledge Infrastructure Program website (www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/696.nsf/eng/home).

For information on Canada’s Economic Action Plan, visit the Canada’s Economic Action Plan website (www.actionplan.gc.ca/eng/index.asp).

Picture (left to right): Cathy MacDonald – Head Librarian, Alice Wong – Member of Parliament for Richmond and Parliamentary Secretary for Multiculturalism, Barbara Duggan – Dean of Kwantlen’s Faculty of Design, and Mary Jane Stenberg – Special Advisor to the President on Strategic Initiatives.

For further information (media only), please contact:

Office of Alice Wong, MP
Tel: 604-775-5760

Media Relations
Industry Canada
613-943-2502

Joanne Saunders
Director, Marketing and Communications
Kwantlen Polytechnic University
604 599 2243

Richmond, B.C., March 11, 2011 — Parliamentary Secretary Dr Alice Wong today announced financial support for the Youth Symposium, Recitation and Peace Forum on the theme of “Compassion.”

“By funding events like this one, we help showcase the diversity of our country, and the many talents of younger Canadians,” said PS Wong on behalf of Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

The Interfaith for World Peace Society is receiving $8,500 for the event under Citizenship and Immigration Canada’s Inter-Action program.

This support from the Inter-Action program will help people from all communities in Canada to celebrate their diversity as well as our shared values, history and institutions.

The event aims to provide an opportunity to foster intercultural and interfaith understanding by creating a platform to share beliefs, thoughts, and experiences.

The final Youth Symposium, Recitation and Peace Forum will take place on March 13 from 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm at Richmond Secondary School, in Richmond BC. It is open to the public and everyone is encouraged to attend.

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For further information (media only), please contact:

Celyeste Power
Minister’s Office
Citizenship and Immigration Canada

Media Relations
Communications Branch
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
613-952-1650
CIC-Media-Relations@cic.gc.ca

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today issued the following statement on the earthquake and the tsunami that struck Japan on Friday, March 11:

“On behalf of Laureen and myself, I offer our heartfelt condolences to the Japanese people. The thoughts and prayers of all Canadians are with all those affected by the powerful earthquake, its aftershocks, and the tsunami that have struck Japan.

“Our Government is also closely monitoring the potential impact of the tsunami warnings affecting the wider Asia-Pacific region, including Canada’s west coast. We are working closely with local first responders, municipal and provincial officials in order to address the immediate needs of citizens and ensure their safety.

“Our diplomats at the Embassy of Canada in Tokyo are working with Japanese authorities to determine whether any Canadians have been injured in the earthquake or tsunami. Earlier today, I spoke with Japan’s Ambassador in Canada and offered Canada’s support and assistance. Canada stands ready to help and support Japan in responding to this disaster.

“Friends and relatives in Canada seeking information on Canadian citizens believed to be in the affected areas should contact the Emergency Operations Centre at the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade by calling 1-800-387-3124 or 613-943-1055. They may also send an e-mail to sos@international.gc.ca.”

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PMO Press Office: 613-957-5555
This document is also available at http://pm.gc.ca

Dr. Alice Wong will attend the grand opening of the Burnaby Service Canada Centre

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Dr. Alice Wong, Parliamentary Secretary for Multiculturalism and Member of Parliament for Richmond, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, will attend the grand opening of the Burnaby Service Canada Centre.

Dr. Wong will be available for a photo op and to answer questions from the media following the announcement.

Please note that all details are subject to change. All times are local.

DATE:
Friday, March 11, 2011

TIME:
1:00 p.m.

PLACE:
Burnaby Service Canada Centre
100–3480 Gilmore Way
Burnaby, British Columbia

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FOR INFORMATION (media only):

Michelle Bakos
Press Secretary
Office of Minister Finley
819-994-2482

Media Relations Office
Human Resources and
Skills Development Canada
819-994-5559

Please note that the public is invited to comment on the following proposed changes to the regulations concerning the cheque holding period and negative option billing:

===================================================

The Honourable Ted Menzies, Minister of State (Finance), and the Member of Parliament for Lévis–Bellechasse, Steven Blaney, today announced the Harper Government is taking decisive action to protect the interests of Canadian consumers of financial products and services.

The Access to Funds Regulations would reduce the maximum cheque hold period for consumers and small- and medium-sized enterprises. The maximum hold period is currently seven business days for all cheque amounts. This would be reduced to four business days for cheques of $1,500 or less. The regulations would also provide consumers with immediate access to the first $100 deposited by cheque.

The Negative Option Billing Regulations would require federally regulated financial institutions to obtain consumers’ express consent before providing a new optional product or service. Consumers would receive in advance a summary of key information, including related fees and costs, before granting their express consent. The regulations would also prescribe additional disclosure when a consumer agrees to an optional product or service, and require financial institutions to refund charges on a prorated basis following cancellation.

The regulations will be published in the Canada Gazette on March 12 for a 30-day comment period. Contact information for forwarding comments is provided with the proposed regulations.

For more information, http://www.fin.gc.ca/n11/11-022-eng.asp

Government of Canada supports Celebrating the Roles of Multicultural Women event in Calgary

Calgary, March 1, 2011 — Dr. Alice Wong, Member of Parliament for Richmond and Parliamentary Secretary for Multiculturalism, today announced financial support for the Celebrating the Roles of Multicultural Women event taking place at the Village Square in Calgary, Alberta.

“By funding events like this one, we help showcase the diversity of our country, and the many talents and skills of multicultural women,” said MP Wong on behalf of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney.

The Women’s Voice organization is receiving $1,350 for the event under Citizenship and Immigration Canada’s Inter-Action program.

“The Government of Canada is delivering significant funds to people from various cultural backgrounds to celebrate different cultural and faith communities and help them to integrate with all Canadians,” added MP Wong.

The event will take place on March 13 from 1 pm to 4 pm at the Village Square in Calgary, alongside celebrations marking the centenary of International Women’s Day. It is open to the public. Everyone is encouraged to attend.

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For further information (media only), please contact:

Celyeste Power
Minister’s Office
Citizenship and Immigration Canada

Media Relations
Communications Branch
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
613-952-1650
CIC-Media-Relations@cic.gc.ca

ECONOMIC ACTION PLAN CONTINUES TO CREATE JOBS AND ECONOMIC GROWTH FOR CANADIANS

Harper Government Celebrates Significant Progress Made on Nelson Road Interchange

(Richmond), February 24, 2011 – “Jobs and economic growth continue to be created by Canada’s Economic Action Plan,” announced Alice Wong, Member of Parliament for Richmond and Parliamentary Secretary for Multiculturalism. Dr. Wong was in Richmond today to tour the construction site and celebrate the significant progress made on the Nelson Road Interchange project.

“Our government’s top priority is the economy, which is why we are continuing to implement Canada’s Economic Action Plan,” she added. “These upgrades to the Nelson Road Interchange have created local jobs and economic growth, and will improve the lives of residents in the area so that Canadian families continue to prosper for years to come.”

The Harper Government is demonstrating the job creation and benefits of Canada’s Economic Action Plan. MP Alice Wong’s visit to Nelson Road Interchange is just one of over eighty (80) events happening across the country today.

The new Nelson Road Interchange will provide an alternate route for traffic using Westminster Highway as an east-west connector from Richmond, Highway 99, and Knight Street.

The Harper government is committed to stimulating the economy and creating quality, new jobs. Canada’s Economic Action Plan continues to create jobs and economic growth with more than 26,000 job-creating projects underway or completed from coast to coast to coast.

The results are clear: Since July 2009 Canada’s economy has created over 460,000 new jobs and the economy has grown for five straight quarters.

“The economic recovery is still fragile,” said Alice Wong. “That is why we must stay on track and continue to focus on the economy.”

Canada’s Economic Action Plan provides close to $16 billion to modernize a broad range of infrastructure including roads, bridges, public transit, parks and water treatment facilities, and to support home ownership, help stimulate the housing sector, and improve housing across Canada.

To learn more about Canada’s Economic Action Plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.

For more information, contact:
Constituency office of MP Alice Wong:
Tel: 604-775-5790
E-mail: WongA1@parl.gc.ca

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Pictures below can be clicked for more detail:

Pilot project launches in British Columbia to offer more opportunity to international graduates

Vancouver, February 22, 2011 — International students at some of British Columbia’s private educational institutions will have the opportunity to gain Canadian work experience after graduation, thanks to a new pilot project.

The announcement was made today by Alice Wong, Parliamentary Secretary for Multiculturalism and Member of Parliament for Richmond, and B.C. Minister of Regional Economic and Skills Development Ida Chong. It marks the next step in the Government of Canada’s strategy to attract international students. Since 2005, the number of foreign students coming to Canada has increased by 25 percent, with a total of 85,140 entries in 2009.

“We remain steadfast in our commitment to attract international students to Canada and retaining them after they graduate,” said Parliamentary Secretary Wong. “With this pilot project, we are continuing to build Canada’s standing as a destination of choice for international students.”

“In the next decade, B.C. will have more than a million job openings, and immigration is going to be a key factor in our ability to fill them,” said Minister Chong. “By expanding this program to private institutions, we’re giving more international students an opportunity to work and potentially to choose British Columbia as their place to call home.”

The Post-Graduation Work Permit Program already allows students who have graduated from an eligible program at a post-secondary institution to gain valuable Canadian work experience. Under the program, graduates can apply for open work permits for up to three years, depending on the length of time they studied. Until now, only international students at public universities and colleges and private degree-granting institutions were able to apply.

With the implementation of this two-year pilot project on January 31, graduates of private post-secondary institutions with career training programs that have received the British Columbia Education Quality Assurance (EQA) designation are also able to apply for an open work permit.

“International graduates with Canadian education, Canadian work experience, and an ease and familiarity with Canadian society are often excellent candidates to apply for permanent resident status through the Canadian Experience Class,” stated Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney.

The Government of Canada is committed to giving Canadian educational institutions a competitive edge in attracting international students and recent initiatives, including online application services, the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program and the Off-Campus Work Permit Program, have been very successful in doing so.

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For further information (media only), please contact:

Celyeste Power
Minister’s Office
Citizenship and Immigration Canada

Media Relations
Communications Branch
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
613-952-1650
CIC-Media-Relations@cic.gc.ca

Lisa Tees
Director of Communications
Ministry of Regional Economic and Skills Development
250-952-6508
250-888-3466 (cell)