Canadian Immigration News

Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney has announced that Canada will substantially increase its foreign student targets in 2009.

As of February 1, 2008, Canadians and Americans crossing a land border from Canada to the US will need to show both an official document with photo ID, as well as proof of citizenship. This decision to toughen requirements, announced by American Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, comes less than a month after US Congress delayed a more stringent passport requirement. The requirement that Canadians and Americans carry their passports across US land borders has been postponed by one year until June 2009.

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper is in Guadalajara, Mexico, meeting with President of the United States Barack Obama and Mexican President Felipe Calderon in the annual North American Leaders Summit.

Canada and Slovenia signed a Youth Mobility Agreement today that will make it easier for Canadians and Slovenians aged 18-35 to spend up to a year in each other's countries for travel or work.

It was the first time that the Europe-wide immigration index included Canada in its 28-nation study, which explores how countries integrate newcomers into mainstream society. Grading nations based on their immigration policies and legislative frameworks for peaceful integration, the index ranked Canada in fifth place overall, tied with Finland.

For the second year in a row, the World Economic Forum has ranked the Canadian banking system the soundest in the world in its annual report on global competitiveness.

Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Canada Minister Jason Kenney has announced that, starting today, Czech and Mexican nationals will have to apply for a Temporary Resident Visa if they wish to enter Canada for a temporary purpose, such as to study, work or visit.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper has recently designated an immigration museum located at Pier 21 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, used as a point-of-entry for immigrants for almost 43 years, a National Historic Museum.

Federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty delivered the new Canadian budget in Parliament yesterday. Regarding immigration, the new budget pledges 22 million over two years, including legislation to speed up the processing of Permanent Resident applications and to make Canada's immigration system more competitive.

Canadian Finance Minister Jim Flaherty is stressing the importance of keeping skilled workers in Canada and of recruiting talented immigrants to offset Canada's chronic labour force shortages.