2011 Canadian Federal Election Results

UPDATE: So the conservatives won, what's in it for Canada's Immigration Program?

If this May 2011 Canadian Election Poll I've done is any indication, it looks like the Liberal will win big.

The 2011 Canadian Federal Election Results may also affect those planning to move to Canada. A change in leadership may also mean change in the immigration regulation.

Dwells God Music Video | Dedicated to OFW Mothers

Here's a tribute to all mothers working abroad.



There's a great number of OFW mothers around the world. Mothers who opted to be physically separated with their children to work abroad and be able to provide the needs of their family.

Working abroad several miles away from one's family is difficult. I salute them!

Here's where Canada's immigration program becomes a great alternative. You don't need to leave your family just to earn in dollars. Live and Work in Canada with your family and enjoy Canada's social benefits for you and your family.

1,000 cap for Restaurant and Food Service Managers has been reached!

Of the 10,840 applications received by Centralized Intake Office (CIO)as of April 19, 2011, 1,000 applications are classified as Restaurant and Food Service Managers. This means the cap for Restaurant Managers has been reached and thus, CIO will no longer accept new applications.

Between June 26, 2010, and June 30, 2011, a maximum of 20,000 complete Federal Skilled Worker applications will be considered for processing. Within the 20,000 cap, a maximum of 1,000 Federal Skilled Worker applications per eligible occupation will be considered for processing within this same time frame.

The list of 2011 priority occupations may be issued on or before July 1, 2011. The cap on the number of applications to be received by Centralized Intake Office (CIO) does not apply if you have an Arranged Employment (Job Offer).

April 2011 Visa Bulletin is now out!

Apology for the delay, April 2011 Visa Bulletin is now out!

6 to 12 months processing period is no April Fools Day Joke - April 2011 Visa Bulletin

Poll: Who do you want to win - Conservatives or Liberals? | May 2011 Canadian Election

The 2011 Canadian federal election is scheduled on May 2, 2011. The next Prime Minister would probably be a choice between Stephen Harper (Conservative) and Michael Ignatieff (Liberal). Now, who's the real pro-immigration?

The future of Canada's immigration program depends on who will be in power after the election.

A bit of background is in order.

Back in 2008, when the proposed bill to modernize the immigration system was being debated, the Liberals were against it. It's the bill that gave the Immigration Minister the POWER to decide who will be prioritized under Federal Skilled Worker program.

Some references about the debate:

Debate at the Parliament
Is Canada closing the door to immigration?
Liberals: All bark, no bite?

The conservatives managed to pass the bill. Then few months after passing the bill, a Snap Election was held. The Liberal vowed to reverse the said measure if they win. Unfortunately, they did not make it. Harper remained in power and the immigration department has been under the control of conservatives since then. Thus, there's already a couple of Ministerial Instructions and another one is expected this coming June 30, 2011.

The current regulation seeks to prioritize occupations that are CURRENTLY in-demand in Canada. Priority occupations are processed within 6-12 months only. But as a consequence, those who filed their application prior to Feb 2008 have to wait longer - about 6 years processing period. [Image Credit: From the Defence]

And now comes the May 2011 Canadian Election. Who do you think should win to have a better immigration system? Do you think the current immigration regulation is fair?

Though it seems immigration is not a hot issue for this election, the result of this election would definitely affect the immigration program. If you are to vote, who will you chose? The Liberals or the Conservatives?

Bridge Training Program Funding from Government of Canada

The province of Ontario is getting a $22 million from the Government of Canada for the Bridge Training Program. You've gotta love this Conservative Government how it supports newly landed immigrants.

The Bridge Training program helps skilled immigrants enter the Canadian labour market and find employment that matches their education and skills. The program funds regional projects in Ontario that help skilled immigrants get a Canadian license in a regulated profession, or the training they need to get work in regulated and non-regulated careers. The program also funds initiatives that reduce barriers to the integration of foreign-trained workers. [Source]

However, it's the same Conservative Government that is the reason why it now takes about 6 years processing period for those who filed immigrant visa application before February 2008. The Canadian Visa Office in Manila is yet to finish 2004 applicants.

The May 2011 Canadaian Election is crucial for those planning to live and work in Canada. Canadian Immigration regulations depends on who's in power - The Conservatives or the Liberals.

May 2011 Election is basically between Harper and Ignatieff. If you are to vote, who will you chose?

How to Obtain Police Clearance

Information on how to obtain police clearance for purposes of Canadian Visa Application is actually available at Citizenship and Immigration Canada website. But for some reason, I often receive an email asking for information on how to get a Police Clearance or Certicate from countries where they worked before. The common problem applicants face is that they seem to think it's impossible to get a police clearance since they are already in their home countries.

I have posted here before information on how to obtain police clearance from selected countries:

- How to get NBI Clearance from outside the Philippines

- How to get Saudi Police Clearance or Certificate

- How to get Canadian Police Clearance

- How to obtain Vietnam Police Certificate

- How to get Police Certificate from Australia

If you need information on how to obtain police clearance from other countries not listed above, you will find information from Citizenship and Immigration Canada website.

If for some reason you can't get a police certificate from a certain country, make sure you tried all options possible before informing the Canadian Visa Office that you can't submit one.

Canadian Embassy Manila Processing Delay | Jason Kenney, Help!

So you are now in the final stage of your application. The Canadian Visa Office Manila requested your original passport for visa stamping and you were told that it will be issued within 90 days. But it's almost 6 months now and you're still waiting. Is there a reason to worry? What should you do?


For some reason, Canadian Embassy Manila is super delayed in processing the applications and appears to be disorganized. There are those who submitted original passports for visa stamping since October 2010 and are still waiting for visa. These are applicants who have done their medical examination, paid the right of permanent resident fee and were advised to submit original passports for visa stamping. You would think that it's because of the volume of the applications they process. But there are those who have just submitted their passports and received the visa within a couple of months. Clearly, it's not just about the volume. Something is not right.

But as an applicant, you can't do anything but wait. Yes, you can make a follow up after the prescribed processing period lapsed. Your representative can make a follow up for you, and we are doing that. But most often than not, you will simply recieve a generic email like this:

This is in reply to the fax we received regarding the current status of your application.

Please be informed that your application is currently queued for review. We will advise you in writing if there are important updates regarding your application or if additional information and/or documents will be required.

In the meantime, your patience is appreciated as we continue processing your application.

Sincerely,

Federal Skilled Worker Unit
Immigration Section, Manila

Now, the question is how often can you make a follow up? Can you do it weekly?

Of course, you can send them even a daily follow up letter via mail, fax and email. But will it help speed up the process? No.

In making a follow up, chose only one form of communication (mail, fax and email). Do not send multiple copies. Successive follow up of the same will not help either. If fact, it may just add up delay in the processing. There is a limited manpower at the embassy and if you make successive multiple follow ups, they may just end up opening your letters and stop processing the applications. Please be reasonable. But I'm with you. It is not right to make you wait unnecessarily.

What's the worst scenario?

Well, if your medical examination results lapsed (good only for one year) and you still haven't got your visa, you may then be required again to undergo another medical examination.

You don't want that, of course.

If you have relatives in Canada, you may also want to ask them to write their Member of Parliament and complain about this delay. Let their MP's write the Canadian Visa Office in Manila. Or better yet, send a letter to the Immigration Minister and complain about this delay. You were promised 6-12 months processing from the time your application is received. Not from the time your passports are received for visa stamping. That is simply unacceptable.

Here's how to contact the Hon. Jason Kenney, Citizenship and Immigration Canada Minister:

Constituency Office:

1168 137 Ave SE
Calgary, AB
T2J 6T6
P. 403-225-3480
F. 403-225-3504

Ottawa Office:

325 East Block
House of Commons
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6
P. 613-992-2235
F. 613-992-1920

Email:
kennej@parl.gc.ca

So there. It's either you just wait and accept that you may undergo another medical examination or do something to get your application processed without delay.