Liberals unveil new plan for immigration focused on family reunification, middle class growth

Justin Trudeau, leader or Liberal Party, will be Canada’s next leader as a result of recently concluded Canadian election. For quite long now, the Conservatives are in power and imposed several changes in Canada's immigration policies. 

Here's some good news about Canada's immigration program now that Canada's new Prime Minister is from the Liberal Party. 

“Immigration is critical to job creation and long-term economic growth for the middle class. In so many ways, Canada is what it is today thanks to the entrepreneurial spirit of those who chose to build their lives here,” said Mr. Trudeau. “During the Harper decade, our immigration system has been mismanaged, politicized, and re-oriented away from welcoming those who choose to make Canada their new and permanent home. Liberals will reform our immigration system, and make family reunification a core priority of our government.” 

Liberals will significantly improve the current immigration system to, among other things, ensure that families can stay together and successfully integrate into their new communities. We will immediately double the number of applications allowed for parents and grandparents to 10,000 each year. To help make that happen, and to restore processing times to levels that existed before the Harper decade, we will nearly double the budget for processing family class applications. In addition, we will provide greater access to applicants who have Canadian siblings, and we will restore the maximum age for dependents to 22 from 19, to allow more Canadians to bring their children to Canada. A Liberal government will also change the rules so that spouses immigrating to Canada receive immediate permanent residency, getting rid of the current two-year waiting period.

 Read the full article from the Liberal Party website.

What does it mean for those planning to live and work in Canada? What does it mean for those in Canada who have been struggling to get their family to be reunited with them in Canada?  This could only mean good news.

Then again, you need to be ready.  Immigration rules as you know changes from time to time. What is important is that when the opportunity presented itself to you, you are ready in a heart beat.

Planning to live and work in Canada? Let us help you get ready. Send your resume to canada@proimmigrationadvisers.com

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.

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?

PM Stephen Harper duets with Maria Aragon | May 2011 Canadian Election

Following the dissolution of The Parliament after a vote of no confidence against the government of Prime Minister Stephen Harper, a decision was reached to have election on May 2, 2011.

It is now campaign period.

PM Stephen Harper recently went to Winnipeg to sway the big Filipino community there. He ended up singing with a Filipina-Canadian youtube sensattion Maria Aragon.


10-year-old YouTube sensation Maria Aragon joins Prime Minister Stephen Harper in a rendition of "Imagine" during a tour stop on March 29 in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Apparently, politicians in Canada are just like local politicians here in the Philippines who will sing, dance and what have you, just to win votes.

Let's see what the leader of Liberal Party, Michael Ignatieff, will do to win votes from Filipino community. Will he dance ocho-ocho or itaktak mo? Let's see. :-)

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

By the way, the outcome of this election will determine the future of Canadian Immigration Program. Under the current regulations, it is in the power of the Immigration Minister to decide who can immigrate to Canada. The Liberals don't want that. In the past, a law is needed to before a change in the regulations may be implemented.