Mensaje de Monte Solberg, Ministro de Inmigracion (Toronto Star, Abril 17, 2006)
We must separate fact from fiction about Canada and our policy on undocumented workers
Apr. 17, 2006. 01:00 AM
Recently I met with community, union and business leaders in Toronto, mostly from the Portuguese community, to discuss concerns about the removal of undocumented workers and their families back to their home countries.
While it is true that the people being removed are on the whole good and hard-working, they are here illegally. This is a problem that must be addressed.
I am committed to ensuring that Canada's immigration policy is reoriented to better meet the demands of our labour market. Let met put the undocumented worker issue into context.
Some have claimed that Canadian Border Service Agency removals are increasing and that the Portuguese community has been singled out. These are serious claims. They are also untrue.
Last year, there were almost 12,000 removals from Canada of which 408 were to Portugal.
This year, during the same period ending on March 31, the number of removals to Portugal dropped to 197.
Meanwhile, over the last 12 months, 68 people from Portugal were allowed to stay in Canada on humanitarian and compassionate grounds even though they had entered illegally.
Many others from Portugal entered Canada through proper channels and hundreds more are currently waiting to enter via regular means.
In other words, there has been no change in policy.
Removals have been cut in half and Canada allows many Portuguese to stay on humanitarian and compassionate grounds.
Several groups have raised the idea of offering an "amnesty" or "regularization" to undocumented workers.
This is not a new idea. The previous government said they would investigate the issue, but in the end the Liberals neither agreed to, nor funded, nor even signed a proposed memorandum of understanding to proceed with a pilot project.
Today, more than 800,000 people are waiting in line to come to Canada. Some have been waiting for years. Those waiting argue it's unfair for people who come to Canada illegally to get legal status, while those who play by the rules sit in line.
Others have suggested putting a moratorium on removals.
However, this may lead to speculation that a regularization program is coming.
We have to ask what kind of message that would send to millions of potential newcomers. Even a small increase in the number who decided to come and stay here illegally based on the hope of regularization would simply recreate the very problem the proposal is supposed to fix.
So where does that leave us?
Employers from every sector need workers. One way to start to tackle the shortage is to improve existing programs and drive foreign workers to legal channels.
The Temporary Foreign Workers (TFW) program is designed to respond to local and job-specific needs. Last year, with the help of Human Resources and Social Development Canada, more than 80,000 qualified foreign workers came to Canada.
Participation in the TFW program helps workers improve language skills and integrate into Canadian communities. In turn, it boosts their chances of earning enough points to apply for permanent residence.
Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) also hold the potential to marry newcomers with labour market needs. These programs allow the provinces and territories to bring in immigrants with specific skills and applicants with a Provincial Nominee Certificate are given priority processing by the department.
Manitoba, more than any other participating province, has taken charge of addressing its immigration needs.
Last year the provincial government brought in 4,600 people to meet job demand. By comparison, B.C. brought in 787, and Alberta brought in 614.
All Canadian provinces except Ontario and Quebec have PNPs.
Quebec has its own system, while Ontario is on the cusp of starting a pilot project.
Obviously the PNPs are underutilized, and in a way, that is understandable. The federal government has a history of selecting newcomers to Canada and the provinces and territories are just now testing the waters. It's time to get these programs moving.
After two months as Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, it is clear to me the immigration system needs repair.
Waiting lines are too long, the Temporary Foreign Workers program needs improvement, and the Provincial Nominee Program is underutilized.
But by working with the provinces, business, and labour, I 'm sure we can bring newcomers to Canada legally, more efficiently, and in a way that addresses our labour market needs and gives a fair chance to workers to become citizens of the greatest country on earth.
It's our obligation to do so.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monte Solberg is Canada's Minister of Citizenship and Immigration.
Monte Solberg
Apr. 17, 2006. 01:00 AM
Recently I met with community, union and business leaders in Toronto, mostly from the Portuguese community, to discuss concerns about the removal of undocumented workers and their families back to their home countries.
While it is true that the people being removed are on the whole good and hard-working, they are here illegally. This is a problem that must be addressed.
I am committed to ensuring that Canada's immigration policy is reoriented to better meet the demands of our labour market. Let met put the undocumented worker issue into context.
Some have claimed that Canadian Border Service Agency removals are increasing and that the Portuguese community has been singled out. These are serious claims. They are also untrue.
Last year, there were almost 12,000 removals from Canada of which 408 were to Portugal.
This year, during the same period ending on March 31, the number of removals to Portugal dropped to 197.
Meanwhile, over the last 12 months, 68 people from Portugal were allowed to stay in Canada on humanitarian and compassionate grounds even though they had entered illegally.
Many others from Portugal entered Canada through proper channels and hundreds more are currently waiting to enter via regular means.
In other words, there has been no change in policy.
Removals have been cut in half and Canada allows many Portuguese to stay on humanitarian and compassionate grounds.
Several groups have raised the idea of offering an "amnesty" or "regularization" to undocumented workers.
This is not a new idea. The previous government said they would investigate the issue, but in the end the Liberals neither agreed to, nor funded, nor even signed a proposed memorandum of understanding to proceed with a pilot project.
Today, more than 800,000 people are waiting in line to come to Canada. Some have been waiting for years. Those waiting argue it's unfair for people who come to Canada illegally to get legal status, while those who play by the rules sit in line.
Others have suggested putting a moratorium on removals.
However, this may lead to speculation that a regularization program is coming.
We have to ask what kind of message that would send to millions of potential newcomers. Even a small increase in the number who decided to come and stay here illegally based on the hope of regularization would simply recreate the very problem the proposal is supposed to fix.
So where does that leave us?
Employers from every sector need workers. One way to start to tackle the shortage is to improve existing programs and drive foreign workers to legal channels.
The Temporary Foreign Workers (TFW) program is designed to respond to local and job-specific needs. Last year, with the help of Human Resources and Social Development Canada, more than 80,000 qualified foreign workers came to Canada.
Participation in the TFW program helps workers improve language skills and integrate into Canadian communities. In turn, it boosts their chances of earning enough points to apply for permanent residence.
Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) also hold the potential to marry newcomers with labour market needs. These programs allow the provinces and territories to bring in immigrants with specific skills and applicants with a Provincial Nominee Certificate are given priority processing by the department.
Manitoba, more than any other participating province, has taken charge of addressing its immigration needs.
Last year the provincial government brought in 4,600 people to meet job demand. By comparison, B.C. brought in 787, and Alberta brought in 614.
All Canadian provinces except Ontario and Quebec have PNPs.
Quebec has its own system, while Ontario is on the cusp of starting a pilot project.
Obviously the PNPs are underutilized, and in a way, that is understandable. The federal government has a history of selecting newcomers to Canada and the provinces and territories are just now testing the waters. It's time to get these programs moving.
After two months as Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, it is clear to me the immigration system needs repair.
Waiting lines are too long, the Temporary Foreign Workers program needs improvement, and the Provincial Nominee Program is underutilized.
But by working with the provinces, business, and labour, I 'm sure we can bring newcomers to Canada legally, more efficiently, and in a way that addresses our labour market needs and gives a fair chance to workers to become citizens of the greatest country on earth.
It's our obligation to do so.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monte Solberg is Canada's Minister of Citizenship and Immigration.
Monte Solberg
posted by Tina Kyrtsos and Mario Ferrer at 9:55 AM
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