Changes announced to Saskatchewan immigration changes, newcomers upset

Canada, 16th May: Canadian province Saskatchewan has announced some major changes to its immigration program earlier this month.

The changes were announced by Saskatchewan immigration minister Rob Norris on 1st May, 2012 at the Regina Newcomer Welcome Center.

Changes to Saskatchewan immigration nominee program—Giving details about the new rules for Saskatchewan immigration program, Norris said the aim is to make the application process more open and fair.

Sponsorship limited to one family member --As per the changes, immigrants will be permitted to sponsor only one family member provided that family member has a permanent offer of skilled job position. So, Saskatchewan immigrant nominee program will accept one application from each household until the main applicant along with his family has settled down in the province.

For better integration of newcomers in Saskatchewan--The good thing is that such changes will help in immigration of immediate families together. The additional requirement of job offer will make sure to establish a better connection between high-skilled jobs and high-skilled immigrants.

Speaking about the new requirements, Norris said Saskatchewan has seen families making multiple applications. And this is ruining chances of Saskatchewan immigration for other families, informed Norris.

So, the changes will help to avoid such a happening under Saskatchewan immigration nominee program, he clarified.

Newcomers upset by changed Saskatchewan immigration program--Prior to the new Saskatchewan immigration rules, immigrants enjoyed the ability to offer sponsorship to an unlimited number of family members for joining them in Saskatchewan subject to fulfillment of various eligibility conditions of SINP (Saskatchewan Immigration Nominee Program).

And to make things worse for newcomers in Saskatchewan, these changes were announced before any prior hint or a timeframe.

According to PCCA (Pakistan Canada Cultural Association), changes introduced to Saskatchewan immigration program are hurting newcomers. Syed Mozzam, general secretary of PCCA, says the move to cap the total number of family nominations to be made at one time is not welcoming.

Many newcomers have moved from Toronto, Vancouver and Calgary to Saskatchewan and set up businesses and purchased big houses here to prepare for the arrival of their family members, Mozzam states.

But, with changed Saskatchewan immigration rules, families will be compelled to choose whom they want to bring to Canada, he maintained. Newcomers in Saskatchewan have called upon the urgency to address the new changes at the earliest.