Canada immigration must allow access to more foreign workers-CCA

Canada, 8th March: The restriction on number of skilled immigrant workers to be allowed into Canada this year is being criticized by the Canadian Construction Association.

The CCA (Canadian Construction Association) says such a move by CIC(Citizenship and Immigration Canada) will lead to shortage of skilled workforce in the nation.

As per the latest official data obtained from the Canada immigration department-CIC, the nation will allow 55,900 skilled immigrants in the year 2011, reveals Richard Kurland, an immigration lawyer based in Vancouver.

And this is nearly 20 percent less than the number of immigrants allowed into Canada under the Federal Skilled Worker scheme in the year 2010.

Last year, the number of skilled immigrants allowed to come to Canada was said to be around 70,000.

Such reductions are terrible, reveals president of CCA, Michael Atkinson, adding that the Canada immigration department must work towards reforming the system.

No wonder, the CIC, taking a cue from the existing scenario, has already begun consultation from the public in order to introduce reforms in the Federal Skills Worker Program.

Atkinson stated that the CCA is hopeful that public consultations regarding the Canada Skilled Worker Program will result in making the program more favorable for the construction industry of Canada.

The present rules of the Federal Skilled Worker Program give higher preference to post-secondary qualifications and proficiency in either French or English.

And any aspiring immigrant wanting to move to Canada under the skilled worker category will find it quite difficult to get selected under the Federal Skilled Worker program if he fails to get high points in both these categories, Atkinson maintained.

No wonder, many skilled immigrant aspirants fail to get qualified under this program, asserted Atkinson. Meanwhile, the Canada immigration minister Jason Kenney has hinted that the program is set in for a couple of changes soon.

Changes likely to be introduced in the Federal Skilled Worker Program---

• Maximum points for high proficiency in either of the two official languages of Canada will most likely be raised from 16 to 20.

• Reducing the education years needed for getting points for either a trade or non-university credential. • Different language requirements for professionals/managers and trades-people.