A new global consumer survey has found that given the chance to go anywhere on the planet, more people around the world would choose to visit Canada than any other country.
Canada topped the list in two categories, "would make me feel welcome" and "I would like to visit this country if money were no object."

Conducted by Anholt-GfK Roper, the Nation Brand Index asked people from 20 countries to rank 50 nations based on six criteria -- exports, governance, culture and heritage, people, tourism and investment and immigration.

Canada also topped the list for natural beauty, a fact that doesn't surprise Banff Lake Louise Tourism president and CEO Julie Canning. Just under half the annual visitors to the Rocky Mountain resort town come from outside Canada's borders.

"It's certainly an indicator of how Canada is seen around the world and certainly tourism is an important part of that," she said. "We've got a fabulous reputation in terms of our natural landscapes and our national parks system is definitely a jewel in that Canadian iconic perception out there."

Italy and Australia finished second and third in both those categories while New Zealand and Spain were deemed the fourth and fifth most welcoming and Switzerland and France the fourth and fifth most desirable places to visit.

In recent years, Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) has been opened up to make it easier for Canadian employers to hire foreign workers to fill labour shortages in their growing businesses. As a result, the annual number of foreign workers coming to Canada has skyrocketed over the past few years, and a growing proportion of them are unskilled. Foreign worker advocates are now calling for a review of the program to better protect foreign worker rights and to explore avenues to allow them to transition to Canadian Permanent Residents.

Both federal and provincial governments have recognized the need for reforms to Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program. Reports of recommendations have been published and are currently being reviewed by program coordinators.

In Alberta, where the number of foreign workers ballooned in the province to nearly 60,000 in December 2008 up from just under 40,000 a year earlier, the Alberta Federation of Labour (AFL) has been taking measures to better protect foreign worker rights. In December 2007, the AFL established an advisory office and helpline for temporary foreign worker complaints and concerns. It also conducts worksite audits to ensure that Alberta employers are compliant with provincial labour standards.

The AFL recently released a report calling for “the immediate end to the TFWP in its current form” and for the creation of mechanisms to offer Canadian Permanent Residency to all temporary foreign workers currently in Canada.

Additionally, a Parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee report on illegal and temporary foreign workers has recently been tabled in the House of Commons, offering dozens of recommendations to improve the TFWP.

The recommendations include getting rid of a current rule that ties work permits to a specific Canadian employer along with improved measures to protect workers from unscrupulous recruitment agencies and employers.

“I rather suspect that a goodly number of their recommendations will find their way into law when the government implements changes to the program,” stated a spokesperson for Canada’s Immigration Minister, Jason Kenney. “The Minister is currently consulting with cultural communities and employers on how to improve the temporary foreign worker program as well as the live-in caregiver program to better protect foreign workers, with a view to implementing tougher regulations in the upcoming months.”

Last month, Manitoba introduced a new Worker Recruitment and Protection Act to address certain issues faced by temporary foreign workers in the province. The Act requires that all foreign worker recruitment agencies be registered and licensed by the province and prohibits recruitment agencies from charging fees to foreign workers. Manitoba has also implemented an improved regulatory system, requiring both employers and recruitment agencies to submit detailed records about the place of employment, the workers’ duties and wages, and up-to-date contact information for the temporary foreign workers.

Foreign worker advocates are calling for similar legislation across the country.

While these reports and recommendations are being reviewed, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) is currently running an awareness campaign to inform temporary foreign workers and potential Canadian immigrants about how to protect themselves from dishonest and unethical immigration consultants and representatives.

On Sept. 5, 2008, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Diane Finley announced that certain temporary foreign workers and students could apply for permanent residence under the newly created Canadian Experience Class (CEC) starting September 17, 2008.
The Canadian Experience Class is a new program of immigration for qualified temporary foreign workers and foreign student graduates with professional, managerial and skilled work experience in Canada.

Unlike other programs, the program allows an applicant’s experience in Canada to be considered a key selection factor when immigrating to Canada.

WHO CAN APPLY?

To apply for permanent residence under the Canadian Experience Class the minimum requirements are as follows:
plan to live outside the province of Quebec.

be either a temporary foreign worker with at least two years of full?time (or equivalent) skilled work experience in Canada, or a foreign graduate from a Canadian post?secondary institution with at least one year of full?time (or equivalent) skilled work experience in Canada
have gained their experience in Canada with the proper work or study authorization apply while working in Canada B or B within one year of leaving your job in Canada

There are two streams for the Canadian Experience Class:


TEMPORARY FOREIGN WORKER STREAM


Under this category an applicant must have two years of full-time equivalent, skilled-work experience at the National Occupational Classification (NOC) System O, A or B level. (i.e. managerial, professional, or skilled and technical) acquired in Canada within the three years preceding the date the application is submitted in a complete form.


Lower?skilled workers cannot apply under the Canadian Experience Class. However, Provincial Nominee Programs may be available to lower?skilled workers. These are workers in jobs classified at skill levels C and D under the NOC System.

Work experience gained in Canada while waiting for a decision on a refugee claim is not eligible for an application for permanent residence under the Canadian Experience Class

POST-GRADUATION STREAM

Requirements for graduates from a qualified Canadian educational institution.

There are two requirements specific to graduates:

Work experience

Education
WORK EXPERIENCE
As a graduate of a Canadian post?secondary educational institution, applicants must have one year of full?time (or equivalent) work experience in Canada after graduation. The work experience must be gained within two years of applying under the CEC program.

Co?op terms and apprenticeships completed before graduating do not count as skilled work experience as they are considered part of an educational program. Co?op terms and apprenticeships are counted as part of the minimum two?year educational program requirement.

Applicants can get qualified work experience by applying for the Post?Graduation Work Permit after graduation. Under this program Work Permits may be valid for up to three years with no restrictions on the type of work preformed. However, to qualify under the Canadian Experience Class for permanent residence, at least one year of work experience under the permit must be at Skill Type 0, or Skill Level A or B under the National Occupation Classification or (NOC). The work experience must be gained within two years of the time the application is made.

EDUCATION
Education is only assessed if you are applying as a graduate of a Canadian post?secondary educational institution under the Post-Graduation stream.

To qualify the applicant must be either a full?time Canadian post?secondary educational program of at least two years or a one?year Master’s program (certificates and diplomas cannot be counted) and an additional year of education, obtained in Canada, before admission into the one?year program (for a total of two years).

Applicants also must complete a required program of study in Canada and obtain a Canadian educational credential (e.g. a degree, diploma or certificate). Some categories of education are excluded from this program. These include English or French ESL studies; on-line programs completed outside Canada and studies in Canada taken under an award or scholarship program which stipulate return to their home country.

LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS
All applicants are required to be able to communicate and work in one or both of Canada’s official languages.

Applicants must prove their ability in English or French to qualify for permanent residence under the Canadian Experience Class.

The occupation category will determine the language abilities required to immigrate under the Canadian Experience Class. The requirements vary according to job classification under NOC.

The completed application will undergo a detailed review by a Visa Officer. The officer will consider all the information and documentation provided, and will assess it against current selection standards.

Unlike many other Canada Immigration programs there is no residency requirement for landing. If the applicant has temporary resident status when their application is approved, they can be landed in Canada at their local Citizenship and Immigration Canada Office. If the applicant is approved while outside of Canada they will present their visa at a Port of Entry and get landed through that office.

Canadian immigration minister Jason Kenney has announced the need to maintain immigration levels for the second half of 2009.

Having spoke with provincial and territorial departments studying employment demand throughout the country, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) has decided the number of Canadian visas should be maintained at approximately 250,000 new permanent residents.

“Canada is facing a long-term labour shortage so the government is not going to turn off the immigration tap only to have to turn it back on later,” stated Minister Kenney.

The Canadian economy relies heavily on bringing in skilled overseas workers to supplement an ageing population with British Columbia and Alberta requiring an additional 600,000 foreign workers over the next five years, “as ageing workers retire and their economies continue to expand,” said Kenney.

A report by Statistics Canada recently credited the main driver of population and labour force growth with international migration and attracting skilled immigrants to work in Canada.

“There continues to be acute labour market shortages in certain businesses, certain industries and certain regions. And our government believes that the worst thing we could do during this time of economic difficulty is to starve those employers who are growing of the labour they need to fuel their prosperity,” added the Immigration minister.

Earlier this year, Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Canada Minister Jason Kenney announced that Canada was considering a reduction in immigration numbers in 2009, based on economic uncertainty. Having met with his provincial and territorial counterparts to study the demand for immigration in regional labour markets, Minister Kenney has announced that the need for immigration remains strong in Canada. Immigration levels for 2009 will therefore not be reduced.

Though Canada has not been immune to rising unemployment numbers in the current economic downturn, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) has decided that immigration numbers will not be reduced for 2009, maintaining a target of approximately 250,000 new Permanent Residents.

“Canada is facing a long-term labour shortage so the government is not going to turn off the immigration tap only to have to turn it back on later,” stated Minister Kenney. British Columbia and Alberta alone are going to need an additional 600,000 foreign workers over the next five years, he went on to say, as aging workers retire and their economies continue to expand.

Canadian population and labour force growth rely heavily on immigration. A recent Statistics Canada demographic report credits net international migration as the main driver of population and labour force growth.

“There continue to be acute labour market shortages in certain businesses, certain industries and certain regions. And our government believes that the worst thing we could do during this time of economic difficulty is to starve those employers who are growing of the labour they need to fuel their prosperity.”

Nevertheless, as the worldwide economic downturn evolves, so too may Canadian immigration legislation. As evidenced over the past year, Canada’s Immigration Minister has the authority to modify immigration regulations without notice to better respond to Canada’s labour market needs.

Most notably, the list of 38 qualifying occupations for the Federal Skilled Worker category of immigration (having a year of work experience in one of them is the common way to qualify) is based on Canada’s labour market needs, and is currently being evaluated to determine whether changes should be made.

Similarly, the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) has also been revising its list of qualifying occupations for the popular U.S. Visa Holder category, which fast-tracks applicants without requiring a job offer.

Potential applicants who are qualified for either of these programs under current work experience requirements are encouraged to submit their applications as soon as possible, to avoid being subject to new government regulations.

The good news for now is that, according to Prime Minister Stephen Harper, “We have no plans in Canada, nor are we under any pressure, to reduce immigration in any way during the recession.”

Over the past several years, the Government of Canada has been reviewing its citizenship laws, which are considered quite liberal, compared to other countries’. Bill C-37 was created in response to these deliberations and will go into effect on April 17, 2009. Under the new law, certain individuals who lost their citizenship will regain it. Others will receive Canadian citizenship for the first time. The most significant change, however, is to the regulations for granting of citizenship to children born abroad to Canadian parents.

One of the main purposes of Bill C-37 is to restore Canadian citizenship to the tens of thousands of Canadians who have had their citizenship denied or unknowingly allowed it to expire because of several little-known particularities of Canada’s Citizenship Act.

The proposed legislation restores citizenship to anyone born in Canada or who became a Canadian citizen on or after January 1, 1947 (when the Citizenship Act was created), and then lost their citizenship. This includes war brides who have not yet become Canadian citizens.

Some of the people who will have their citizenship reinstated are children who were born abroad to Canadian parents; or they are children born in Canada but whose parents later became citizens of another country. Also receiving citizenship under the new law are foreign-born family members of Second World War veterans, who were granted citizenship when they moved to Canada after the war, but later lost it because they were not aware that it subsequently needed to be reaffirmed.

The new law will retroactively rectify these past problems.

Moving forward, however, citizenship laws will become more restrictive for children of Canadians born abroad.

Canada grants citizenship to anyone born on Canadian soil. If Canadian citizens give birth abroad, their children are automatically accorded Canadian citizenship as well.

Previously, these Canadians born abroad could pass on their citizenship to their children, grandchildren, and so on, regardless of whether the children were born in Canada or not.

The new law restricts this citizenship by descent. Now, if first-generation Canadians (those born in Canada) give birth to their children in another country, they can still pass on their Canadian citizenship. However, if second-generation Canadians (those born to Canadian parents abroad) have children in another country, these children will not qualify for Canadian citizenship.

Essentially, Canadian citizenship by descent will only be accorded to first-generation Canadians living abroad.

Second-generation Canadians can only pass on their citizenship to their children if they give birth in Canada. If they give birth abroad, their children will not be accorded Canadian citizenship.

This means that second-generation Canadians will not possess the same citizenship rights as those born in Canada. This has garnered considerable criticism.

Canada has a vibrant and valuable expatriate community around the world, which proudly represents the country. Critics say that this new law would discourage Canadian citizens from settling abroad.



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Calgary is the top city out of 21 major urban areas in terms of living quality and economic potential, according to a new study released by the Toronto Board of Trade.

The board launched its first-ever study of the world's biggest cities on Tuesday, measuring urban locations in terms of quality of life and economic competitiveness.

"Calgary's blistering economy over the past five years may have powered it to the top, but its overall favourable environment provides a solid basis for attracting and keeping people," according to the report, which was called Scorecard on Prosperity.

Calgary was the only city to earn an overall grade of "A." Dallas was next up, garnering a "B" grade in the report, slightly ahead of another "B" city, Hong Kong.

The report was compiled with information collected before the current economic downturn.

"Calgary's continued domination is currently under threat, as weaker energy prices and tighter credit conditions have slowed oil and gas activity in the province of Alberta. This is likely to be reflected, as data from current conditions becomes available," indicates the report.

Toronto ranked fourth on the list, but only received a "C" for its efforts. Canada's biggest city was tied with Boston, London and New York on the board's listing. In fact, Toronto only managed to beat out Oslo, Rome, Barcelona and Montreal in productivity, a key measure of future economic competitiveness.

"The benchmarking study reveals the Toronto region as 'mediocre' in terms of its current economic competitiveness and at risk of further decline," said the board of trade's chief executive officer Carol Wilding in a press release.

While Toronto's showing is respectable, the city really feeds other, more prosperous areas outside the main core, the study said.

"This confirms what many people believe: that Toronto offers a generally good quality of life that will be in jeopardy without a stronger economic platform," the report said.

Vancouver made the overall list, tied at 8th. Quebec City grabbed the 10th spot while Montreal managed to get a 13th-place showing.

While more immigrants are heading west, some provinces like Nova Scotia are still in need of newcomers to help bolster their growth and economy.

Nova Scotia’s population has only grown eight per cent from 847,000 to 913,000 people, from 1981 to 2006. Whereas Canada’s overall population has jumped by about 30 per cent, from 24.82 million to 32.25 million people, during the same period.

Also, less than four per cent of the province’s population is composed of visible minorities.

The province is suffering from brain drain, where many young people are leaving for opportunities in Alberta and Ontario, further depleting Nova Scotia’s skilled worker base.

The province is calling upon immigrants to choose Nova Scotia as a means of bolstering the economy thanks to their skills and training, as well as open up new export markets between the province and immigrants’ home countries.

Elizabeth Mills, the executive director of the immigration office in Nova Scotia, says that improving language training and ensuring immigrants have good-quality employment opportunities are means that the province is using to attract newcomers.

وزارت مهاجرت و شهروندی اعلام کرد، طی سال 2008، بیش از 80 درصد پرونده متقاضیان مهاجرت در مدت 33 ماه به نتیجه رسید که بطور متوسط ، 4 ماه سریعتر از سال قبل از آن بوده است.
با اینحال ، هنوز مدت زمان انتظار، به میزان سال 2004 نرسیده و برای برخی کشورها ، هنوز در حد هفت سال باقیمانده است.
برخی ناظران هشدار داده اند که عدم اصلاح زمان انتظار برای تصمیم گیری در مورد صدور ویزا، موجب شده، متقاضیان تحصیلکرده و نخبه گان از مهاجرت به کانادا منصرف و به کشورهای دیگر متمایل شوند.
"جیسون کنی" ، وزیر مهاجرت، با پیشرفت خواندن این موضوع گفت:" در طول دو دهه گذشته ، این اولین بار است که مدت انتظار، بجای افزایش ، کاهش می یابد. ما هم کانون در رقابت جدی با استرالیا، نیوزلند و آمریکا ، برای جذب مغزها هستیم، سوال اینست که آیا کسی حاضر می شود مدت 5 سال برای ورود به کانادا صبر کند، در حالیکه آن کشورها در عرض شش ماه ویزا صادر می کنند؟"
وی افزود، ما برای ایجاد تحول در قوانین مهاجرتی و بکارگیری نیروی بیشتر در دفاتر صدور ویزا، دست کم به 109 میلیون دلار بودجه بیشتر نیازمندیم.
رسیدگی به برخی پرونده های موجود در دفتر دهلی ، بدلیل شلوغی و تقاضای بیش از حد، به مکان های دیگر از جمله ورشو در لهستان منتقل می شود.
در حال حاضر تعداد پروندهای موجود به 900،000 مورد رسیده در حالیکه این رقم در اوایل دهه 1990 ، تنها 40،000 مورد بوده .
اما مخالفین چندان از پیشرفت های مورد ادعای وزیر مهاجرت راضی نیستند. گفته می شود طی سال 2008، مدت زمان پذیرش اعضای فامیل مثل فرزندان و یا همسران، بین 20 تا 37 درصد افزایش یافته است.
هشتاد درصد همسران هم اکنون می بایست 11 ماه و فرزندان یکسال تا صدور ویزا صبر کنند ، در حالیکه در سال 2007 ، این مدت بین 7 تا 10 ماه بوده است.
ناظران همچنین از تفاوت فاحش به زمان رسیدگی پرونده متقاضیان در نقاط مختلف جهان نیز ابراز نارضایتی کرده اند. برای مثال ، صدور ویزای مهاجرت برای متقاضیان منطقه آسیا و پاسفیک، سه برابر بیشتر از متقاضیان آمریکایی طول می کشد.
طولانی ترین مدت انتظار، متعلق به هند است. جاییکه 80 درصد متقاضیان ، 72 ماه منتظر می مانند. این مدت برای پاکستانی ها 67 ماه و برای فیلیپینی ها 56 ماه است. که می توان آن را با 14 ماه انتظار برای اتباع شیلی و کوبا، 16 ماه برای کلمبیا و 19 ماه برای برزیل مقایسه کرد.
آنان همچنین ، از بهم خوردن توازن بین تعداد اعضای جوامع نژادی در کانادا هشدار داده اند.

DON’T BE THE VICTIM OF A SCAM. If the offer seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Please go to http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/department/media/notices/notice-fraud.asp to read the message in your language.

What you need to know:

You do not need to hire an immigration representative to apply for a visa or for Canadian citizenship.
Immigration representatives do not have special connections with Canadian government officials and cannot guarantee you a visa.
Only authorized officers at Canadian embassies, high commissions and consulates can decide whether or not to issue a visa.
Don’t be tempted into using false documents as this will result in the refusal of your application.
Beware of internet scams and false websites. The official website of Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) is www.cic.gc.ca.
You will find free application forms and guides for any type of visa on CIC’s website.
Processing fees are the same at all Canadian visa offices around the world. Fees in local currency are based on official exchange rates and correspond with the amount in Canadian dollars.
Canadian visa offices will never ask you to deposit money into an individual’s personal bank accounts or to transfer money through a specific private money transfer company.
If you have questions, contact CIC or the visa office responsible for your area.
To read more, including information on who can legally represent you if you choose to hire an immigration representative, check out CIC’s web pages on Immigration Representatives.