This section of our web site offers information on Canada Immigration Visa, Canada Temporary Residence Visa, Canada immigration law and requirements, CIC immigration news, Canada job links and employment resources.
Since 1867, Canada’s immigration programs have helped build a community of citizens respected throughout the world. Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) was established in 1994 to link immigration services with citizenship registration, to promote the unique ideals all Canadians share and to help build a h2er Canada.
Immigration stimulates Canada’s growth, prosperity and cultural diversity. It reunites families and offers protection to refugees. Canada benefits from the talents, experience and energy of immigrants, whether they are skilled workers, business people, refugees, relatives of Canadian citizens and residents, foreign students, temporary workers or others. All stimulate economic growth and enrich Canada’s social and cultural life.
The Government of Canada, in consultation with the provinces, the territories and key stakeholders, establishes an annual range for the number of immigrants who will be admitted into Canada. In the past 10 years, Canada has welcomed, on average, 220,778 immigrants and refugees a year
In 2002, Canada welcomed 229,091 immigrants and refugees as new permanent residents and is aiming to meet the low end of the 2003 target range. For 2004, working within existing resources, CIC is planning to maintain the same target range as the previous year – 220,000 to 245,000 new permanent residents.
Traditionally, most new immigrants to Canada come from the following countries: China, India, Pakistan, Philippines, South Korea, USA, Iran, Romania, UK and Colombia.
Each year, approximately 160,000 people become Canadian citizens (representing about 85 percent of all immigrants) and take an oath of citizenship at ceremonies across the country. The oath is a personal commitment to accept the responsibilities and privileges of Canadian citizenship.
The aim of this web page is to provide potential immigrants to Canada with detailed and complete immigration information, free Canada immigration assessment, Canada immigration consultation and general knowledge on the benefits, which Canada offers to its residents. Canadian immigration resources include information on the Canada Skilled Worker Class Immigration Visa, Canada Business Class Immigration Visa and Canada Family Class Immigration Visa.
From its Aboriginal beginnings, to French and British colonization, to its large, modern-day immigration communities of Latin Americans, Canada has always sustained an ethnically and culturally diverse population. Canada absorbs more immigrants per capita than any other country. Although it is the second largest country in the world after Russia, an average of only three people inhabit each square kilometer. Known for its cold, sprawling northern frontier, Niagara Falls, and maple-leafed flag, Canada is a complex, multicultural nation with some important differences from its southern neighbor, the United States.
The North American Free Trade Agreement, involving Canada, the US and Mexico, has brought a trade boom for Canada. But thorny issues abound and often relate to the issue of subsidies. American moves, which impact on Canadian exports – in the form of tariffs on Canadian timber and increased subsidies for US farmers – have created particular tension.
The nation sustains an affluent, high-tech industrial society with a market-oriented economic system and high standards of living. Since World War II, the impressive growth of the Canadian manufacturing, mining, and service sectors has transformed the nation from a largely rural economy into one that is primarily industrial and urban. Real rates of growth have averaged nearly three percent since 1993. However, private sector forecasters estimated a slight slowdown in growth to 2.4 percent in 2000. This slowdown in growth is due in part to concerns of record high consumer debt and a low savings rate (2.3 percent in 1998). Nevertheless, low interest rates, net wage and employment gains, and fiscal stimulus may be impetus for growth.
Canada’s unemployment rate has hit its lowest levels in recent history, dropping from 9.6 percent to seven percent. In the latter half of 2000, the Canadian labor market witnessed the creation of 187,000 new job openings. In the last few years, Canada has faced a critical shortage of skilled workers. Some industry experts call this a “brain drain,” as the best and brightest Canadian workers are flocking to the United States in search of higher salaries. Experts fear that the shortage of skilled workers in some sectors could grow to one million by 2020.
Immigration has helped to make Canada one of the world’s richest countries, and the country is largely free of racial tension. Many recent newcomers hail from Asia. Canada’s indigenous peoples make up less than two per cent of the population. The way in which provincial governments share land and natural resources with native groups is an ongoing issue. To increase the skilled labor pool in Canada, the government has introduced legislation to make it easier for immigrants to enter Canada. A recent bill would eliminate the “occupations list” that awards points to immigrants with specific skills. The changes would also put a higher premium on family reunification by increasing the dependent-children category to include youths as old as 22. The age limit is currently 19.
Canada’s government is a confederation with parliamentary democracy. Queen Elizabeth II serves as the head of state under a constitutional monarchy. A democratically elected parliament is chosen at least every five years with the prime minister, chosen from the majority party or coalition, serving as head of the government.
Above information provided by: how2immigrate.net/canada/
