BURNABY, Bristish Columbia - The overhaul of Canada's economic immigration system continues following the announcement of a revised selection criteria for federal skilled workers.
Beggining 2013, the new criteria seeks to rebalance the weight allotted to factors that are believed to result in a more successful integration.
Number one in the selection criteria is the ability of the applicant to speak, read, write and understand English.
Higher points will also be given to younger applicants who are expected to be more productive for a longer time.
Another change is the educational credential assessment, where points will be awarded depending on how well the applicant's education compares with Canadian standards.
Immigration Canada said they want applicants who can "hit the ground running" once they're in the country.
But Mabel Elmore, a Member of Legislative Assembly for Vancouver-Kensington, warned about the language proficiency requirement. She said this will be disadvantageous to Asians.
“Previously to Canada, the top three countries with sending immigrants are China, India and the Philippines. With these new requirements on English language, we’re gonna see those numbers dropping and possibly immigrants from Europe and other countries, increasing,” Elmore said.
The federal skilled program saw various changes this year. Last March, some 300,000 unprocessed applications were returned, while new applications were temporarily stopped this July to allow government to make more changes to the program.
But there are still other avenues open to those determined to enter Canada. One is with the Provincial Nominee Program or the PNP.
In BC, workers can apply to the PNP as long as employers sponsor their application for permanent residency.
“We are allowed to select skilled workers of our own--entry level skilled workers of our own and its a really good avenue. It’s fast and it’s easy,” said Salima Jethani, manager, Program Development & Promotion of the BC Provincial Nominee Program.
Jethani added that even those in their home countries can get in with PNP as long there's an offer from a BC employer.
source: abs-cbnnews.com
