Hon. Alice Wong, P.C.

Canada welcomes highest number of legal immigrants in 50 years while taking action to maintain the integrity of canada’s immigration system

Ottawa, February 13, 2011 — In 2010, Canada welcomed the highest number of legal immigrants in more than 50 years, at 280,636 permanent residents, Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism and Parliamentary Secretary Dr. Alice Wong announced today in Toronto and Vancouver.

“While other Western countries cut back on immigration during the recession, our government kept legal immigration levels high. Canada’s post-recession economy demands a high level of economic immigration to keep our economy strong,” said Minister Kenney. “In 2010, we welcomed the highest number of permanent residents in the past 50 years to support Canada’s economic recovery while taking action to maintain the integrity of Canada’s immigration system with the introduction of the Preventing Human Smugglers from Abusing Canada’s Immigration System Act.”

According to preliminary data, last year Canada admitted 280,636 permanent residents, about six percent more than the government’s planned range of 240,000 to 265,000 new permanent residents for 2010. This is in line with Minister Kenney’s announcement in June of last year that Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) would adjust its 2010 immigration plan to meet the need for economic immigration. The 280,636 number is about 60,000 higher than the average annual intake of permanent residents the Government of Canada admitted in the 1990s.

“It’s important to understand that the ranges are for planning purposes only. The key number is how many immigrants Canada actually admits. For 2010, that number is 280,636, with the growth coming mostly from skilled economic immigrants,” said Parliamentary Secretary Wong.

The high number of economic immigrants in 2010 has helped CIC decrease application backlogs in the federal skilled worker category, reduce wait times under the Action Plan for Faster Immigration, and better meet labour market needs. Before the Action Plan for Faster Immigration, which Minister Kenney announced within one month of becoming Immigration Minister in November 2008, Canada was obliged to process every immigration application it received, even if it meant creating large application backlogs in popular immigration categories. For example, in 2008 Canada had a backlog of over 640,000 people in the federal skilled worker category waiting as long as six years to be processed.

“Last year, the backlog of people who applied before the Action Plan was drawn down to 335,000 applicants, which represents close to half the number of people who were awaiting a decision in 2008,” said Minister Kenney. “I’m very pleased that a higher number of admissions in 2010 means that more people are now out of the lineup and well on their way to beginning a new life in Canada.”

A recent evaluation confirmed that immigrants selected under the federal skilled worker program are faring well in Canada and filling gaps in the work force. It found that skilled workers who already had a job offer when they applied for permanent residence fared best of all, earning on average $79,200 three years after arriving in Canada. About two thirds of those admitted in 2010 in the permanent resident category were economic immigrants and their dependants.

At the same time, we did our part to meet the needs of provinces and territories through a record number of immigrants in the provincial nominee program, representing an increase of 20 percent from the previous year.

“Since 2006, our government has allowed for the provincial nominee program to expand significantly, from 8,047 people in 2005 to 36,419 in 2011,” said Minister Kenney.

Canada continued to welcome a high number of temporary residents, including 182,322 temporary foreign workers and 96,147 foreign students. That is 28,292 more foreign students than in 2005. And with the creation of the Canadian Experience Class in 2008, eligible foreign students can apply for permanent residency from within Canada. According to a study commissioned by the Government of Canada entitled Economic Impact of International Education in Canada, foreign students are estimated to contribute more than $6.5 billion to Canada’s economy every year.

“We continued to admit an increasing number of foreign students to Canada last year through joint efforts among the federal government, provincial governments and other partners,” said Minister Kenney. “Our government’s initiatives such as the Student Partners Program have also helped to attract and admit a high number of foreign students, particularly from China and India.”

In 2010, Canada also maintained its humanitarian tradition by welcoming 7,265 government-assisted refugees and 4,833 privately sponsored refugees. This represents 63% more privately sponsored refugees than in 2005.

“These refugees played by the rules and came to Canada through legal streams,” noted Minister Kenney. “It is important to note that while Canada is maintaining its humanitarian tradition of providing a safe haven for legitimate refugees, we will not stand by while our immigration system is being abused by queue jumpers and human smugglers. Bill C-49, the Preventing Human Smugglers from Abusing Canada’s Immigration System Act, sends a clear message that the abuse of our immigration system will not be tolerated.”

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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

You can influence Budget 2011 by taking a few minutes to fill out the online questionnaire created by the Finance Department, at http://www.fin.gc.ca/prebudget-prebudgetaire/1-eng.asp.

The Government is seeking responses from Canadians on a number of questions, including:

* The Canadian economy is on the right track—we are on the road for both economic recovery and balanced budgets. But the global economy is fragile and too many Canadians are still looking for work. Without throwing Canada off track for balanced budgets, what cost-neutral or non-spending steps can the federal government take in the next budget to help create jobs and promote economic growth?

* Canada is on track for balanced budgets in 2015–16. Is this timeframe appropriate? Should the federal government try to get back to balance sooner? Or should the timeline be delayed until later on?

* Government should always carefully manage taxpayers’ money to ensure the best value for money. The federal government is always focused on keeping spending in check and ensuring spending is as efficient and effective as possible. In what areas do you think the federal government can be more efficient and effective?

* What should Canada’s priorities be for the short and long term to encourage private sector growth and leadership in the economy?

The Government is also asking Canadians for any other ideas they care to submit.

The 7th report on Canada’s Economic Action Plan was released on January 31, 2011.

HIGHLIGHTS

• The first phase of Canada’s Economic Action Plan, a $60-billion fiscal stimulus package, is steering the economy on a recovery from the deepest global recession since the 1930s and is positioning Canada to succeed in a highly competitive global economy.

• Canada’s labour market is performing better than its Group of Seven (G-7) peers, with Canada posting the strongest employment growth among G-7 countries since June 2009. In addition, Canada has now more than fully recouped all of the loss in output experienced during the recession.

• This strong economic performance reflects the timely and effective implementation of Canada’s Economic Action Plan.

• On average, the Economic Action Plan is estimated to have boosted Canada’s gross domestic product (GDP) growth by 1.3 percentage points per quarter since the second quarter of 2009.

• In its first year of implementation, the Economic Action Plan delivered close to $32 billion in timely stimulus to the economy. The Action Plan is on track to deliver $28 billion in further stimulus in its second year.

• More than 26,000 projects have been completed or are underway under the Economic Action Plan. These projects are putting Canadians across the country to work, contributing to the strong labour market recovery.

• The Government has demonstrated flexibility in responding to the needs of Canadians:

o The Government acted to strengthen Employment Insurance (EI) benefits and limit the increase in EI premiums to 5 cents per $100 of insurable earnings for 2011 and 10 cents for subsequent years. This will help businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, to continue to create jobs in the recovery.

o The Government has extended the deadline for infrastructure projects under four Economic Action Plan funds, from March 31, 2011 to October 31, 2011. This extension should allow sufficient time for the completion of remaining infrastructure projects, and will also extend construction activity and the associated economic benefits into the next fiscal year.

• Because of the Economic Action Plan’s emphasis on temporary measures, Canada is well-placed to retain its fiscal advantage and is on track to return to balanced budgets over the medium term.

• Although the global economic recovery remains fragile, Canada’s domestic economy is performing well and private sector demand is poised to take over as the primary engine of growth creation while the Government continues to promote long-term prosperity.

• The Economic Action Plan will continue to benefit Canadians in the long run by ensuring that the economy recovers from the recession with a more modern public infrastructure, a renewed science and research base, a highly skilled workforce, lower taxes and a more competitive economy.

Canadian citizens in Egypt requiring emergency consular assistance should contact the Canadian Embassy in Cairo at 20 [2] 2791-8700 or, call the DFAIT Emergency Centre at 613-996-8885. Staff at the Emergency Centre have been doubled in order to manage wait times.

Friends and relatives in Canada seeking information on Canadian citizens believed to be in Egypt should contact the Department of Foreign Affairs Operations Centre by calling 1-800-606-5499, or by sending an email to sos@international.gc.ca.

Government of Canada supports youth leadership project in Vancouver

Vancouver, January 10, 2011 – Dr. Alice Wong, Member of Parliament for Richmond, joined Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson today in announcing support for citizenU, an innovative youth leadership project being launched by the City of Vancouver.

“On behalf of the Government of Canada, Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Citizenship and Immigration Canada, I’m happy to join Mayor Robertson in supporting citizenU and its commitment to teaching young people skills to combat racism,” said Dr. Wong. “By supporting this kind of project, the Government of Canada is demonstrating our commitment to helping new and established Canadians succeed and build a strong, socially integrated society.”

CitizenU will receive $905,000 over three years from the multiculturalism grants and contributions program of Citizenship and Immigration Canada. It will focus on some 2,000 at-risk youth from a diverse range of ethnic communities.

The project will train and engage young people, between 15 and 20 years old, in efforts to combat racism and discrimination. It will include workshops to teach leadership training, citizenship education, and intercultural and interfaith activities.

Youth completing the program will also be able to take part in a mentorship/internship program, where they can put their learning to work in various programs run by the City of Vancouver, community organizations, businesses and government agencies.

“This program exemplifies our efforts to build a strong multicultural city, free of racism and discrimination,” said Mayor Gregor Robertson. “As with the City’s Dialogues Project and YouthPolitik, the program will provide opportunities to involve youth and their families in identifying solutions to issues, and improve inter-cultural understanding and communication to help address discrimination. It will benefit not just the young people involved, but also their families, communities and schools in Vancouver.”

CitizenU will also help to create anti-discrimination and intercultural leadership curricula for schools, community programs and YouthPolitik, the City of Vancouver’s civic education and civic leadership development program.

The annual report of the House of Commons was released on December 10, 2010 and can be found by clicking here.

The report is an annual, non-partisan publication that presents detailed information on the work of Members and the activities and initiatives of the House Administration.

Mississauga, November 28, 2010 — Language Training Vouchers are increasing immigrant enrollment in English and French language classes, Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney announced today at the Punjabi Community Health Services Centre.

Preliminary results from the Language Training Vouchers pilot project show that more than twice the number of immigrants who received vouchers enrolled in free language training compared to those who did not receive vouchers, and that immigrant women were those most likely to enroll in language classes after receiving a voucher.

Language training in English or French has historically been provided free of charge for immigrants and still is. Since 2006, the Government of Canada has tripled immigrant settlement funding for organizations that provide services to newcomers such as English and French language training. Unfortunately, despite the tripling in funding since 2006, enrollment in language classes has not significantly increased. Only 25 percent of immigrants sign up for settlement services.

Under the Language Training Vouchers pilot project, which was launched in October 2009, 2,000 immigrants, chosen randomly in Ontario, Nova Scotia and Alberta, were mailed vouchers that they could take to an immigrant settlement service centre provider of their choice. This gave them the same right as those not in the pilot: the ability to enroll in free, federally-funded language training known as Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC). The difference was, those in the pilot received a special voucher that they could redeem at the immigrant settlement provider of their choice for language classes. Within six months of the vouchers being sent, immigrants selected to take part in the pilot were more than 100 percent more likely to enroll in free language classes than those who were not part of the pilot.

“I have always believed in the ability of vouchers to encourage competition, promote accountability, and empower the recipients,” said Minister Kenney. “The success of our Language Training Vouchers pilot project shows that, when it comes to immigrants, not only do vouchers work in theory, they also work in practice. No initiative undertaken since I have been minister has so radically and fundamentally increased enrollment in English and French language training among immigrants.”

Among those immigrants who were sent vouchers and subsequently enrolled in free language classes, 60 percent were women, compared to 40 percent in the control group that did not receive the vouchers.

“Language Training Vouchers are empowering immigrant women, who are enrolling in language classes in even greater numbers than men,” said Alice Wong, Parliamentary Secretary for Multiculturalism, and a former ESL teacher with a PhD in Instruction and Curriculum. “Vouchers are empowering immigrant women in their homes and at work by giving them the tools they need to speak English or French. Vouchers will better help them integrate into Canada.”

The objective of the project was to test if vouchers could increase enrollment in free, federally funded language training. The project will run until January 2011.

Through the LINC program, immigrants learn not only how to speak, read and write English or French, but also important aspects of integration, such as their rights and responsibilities as future Canadian citizens.

CIC funds a number of programs that help newcomers settle, adapt and integrate into Canadian society.

For more information on CIC programs, consult our website at www.cic.gc.ca.

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For further information (media only), please contact:

Alykhan Velshi
Minister’s Office
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
Alykhan.Velshi@cic.gc.ca

Media Relations
Ontario Region
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
416-954-7868
Ont-Communications@cic.gc.ca

The Ministry of Finance is holding a consultation with Canadians with regards to how Canada’s Economic Action Plan will continue to shape the country’s economic future in Budget 2011.

As part of efforts to listen to a wide variety of opinions, the Government is also conducting online consultations, which begins today (November 19, 2010). Those wishing to make submissions can do so by visiting http://www.fin.gc.ca/prebudget-prebudgetaire/1-eng.asp.

You can also view the original Ministry of Finance press release on the matter by clicking here.

RICHMOND, BRITISH COLUMBIA, October 9, 2010—Richmond youth will have the opportunity to meet local employers and explore career possibilities in their community thanks to support from the Government of Canada. Dr. Alice Wong, Parliamentary Secretary for Multiculturalism and Member of Parliament for Richmond, made the announcement today on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development.

“In today’s environment, it is more important than ever that young Canadians have the skills and information they need to participate and succeed in the job market,” said Dr. Wong. “Our government is proud to support activities like this one that benefit both employers and youth.”

The Richmond Youth Service Agency will receive over $19,000 through the Government of Canada’s Youth Awareness program to organize the 4th annual U‑Connect Career and Community Fair. The event will introduce youth to a variety of local employers and community agencies, as well as employment opportunities and career possibilities available in the region.

“It is critical that young people, and those that support them, are able to connect with opportunities that help them identify and achieve their education, career and life goals,” said Mr. Marshall Thompson, Executive Director of the Richmond Youth Service Agency. “Our agency believes that connecting youth to employment, education and community supports will ensure that all youth are prepared to succeed both today and tomorrow. We are pleased to partner with the Government of Canada to support youth, our community and local employers in reaching these goals.”

The federal government is working with the provinces and territories, community organizations and other stakeholders to provide Canadians with the training, skills and opportunities they need to participate in the workforce and contribute to their communities.

Youth Awareness is 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 Youth Awareness 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 www.servicecanada.gc.ca, call 1 800 O-Canada or drop by your local Service Canada Centre.

As autumn is nearly upon us, many Canadians will escape the cold weather by traveling to sunnier and warmer climates, including Mexico. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has just issued the following warning to entering Mexico by land (attached below). Please note you can read the full travel report for Mexico at this link.

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Thinking of travelling overland to Mexico? Think again!

Please note that the Government of Canada has just issued an official warning against non-essential travel to the border areas between the United States and Mexico, due to continuing high levels of violence linked to drug trafficking.

Canadians should avoid crossing Mexico’s northern border by land, as shootouts, attacks, and roadblocks may occur at any time. Criminals especially target SUVs and full-size pickup trucks for theft and carjacking along highways of the states of Nuevo León, Tamaulipas, Baja California, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Durango, Sonora, and Sinaloa. Travellers are advised to reconsider their need to travel to these border states. They should do so only if it is absolutely necessary and after making appropriate arrangements to ensure their personal safety.

To help you prepare for a safe trip, be sure to consult the Travel Report for Mexico on the Consular Services website at www.travel.gc.ca, or call 1-800-267-6788 (in Canada and the United States) or 613-944-6788.