Speaking in Vancouver today, Monte Solberg, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, commented that it is not surprising that many Canadians are looking to immigration to address the country’s shortage of skilled workers.

However, he acknowledged that, for many migrants, the journey here is only half the battle.

First of all, before migrants can even move to Canada they have to wait - sometimes for years. Then they need to pay a $975 Right of Permanent Resident Fee before landing documents are issued.

Mr Solberg said that processing new applications, quickly and effectively is his primary focus.

In the meantime, the government has committed to cut the $975 Right of Permanent Resident Fee in half. Not only will that mean more money in the pockets of newcomers to provide for their settlement, it will also send a clear message that Canada wants and values immigrants.

The minister also said that Canada needs to ensure that it attracts the best and the brightest — and they should be able to work in their designated field.

It’s not right that a foreign-trained doctor should spend years charting a course through a maze of rules and regulations before he or she can find any work at all in the medical field, despite a growing shortage of nurses, doctors, and medical professionals of all kinds. The same applies in dozens of other fields. The government is working to speed up the process.

26 Mar 2006