The two-year conditional permanent resident status for sponsored spouse is now lifted

The two-year conditional permanent resident status for sponsored spouse is now lifted.  This change applies to anyone who was subject to the requirement, as well as to new spouses and partners who are sponsored as permanent residents.

IRCC NEWS RELEASE: Changes to Regulations Will See Age Increased for Dependent Child

The Government of Canada has published regulatory changes to increase the maximum age of a dependent child which will allow more families to stay together. This change showcases the Government’s commitment to family reunification.

Ontario Basic Income | Free Money Up to $16,989 per year for a single person

Ontario will soon be launching a pilot project to provide basic income in selected Ontario regions: Thunder Bay, Hamilton and Lindsay.  Through this experiment Ontario will make an assessment wether a basic income can better support vulnerable workers, improve health and education outcomes for people on low incomes.

Global Talent Stream: Canada's Global Skills Strategy to Attract Highly Skilled Workers Abroad

Global Talent Stream is part of  Canada's Global Skills Strategy to help businesses in Canada to hire highly skilled workers.  There will be a list of eligible occupations under this stream which is expected to be implemented mid of 2017.  

Woman from Philippines, visiting family on Vancouver Island, slammed with $20K hospital bill

Traveling to Canada to visit your family or for a short vacation?  Do not forget to buy a travel insurance.  You might get a lesson or two from this experience of Ms. Roema Talosig, who travelled from the Philippines to visit family in Canada.

Did you know that the late Ferdinand Marcos Sr also has a bank account in Canada?

We often read about the Swiss bank accounts of the Ferdinand Marcos Sr. But did you know about his bank account in Canada?  These are the allegedly ill-gotten wealth that are yet to be recovered by the Philippine government. Where are these cash in feign bank account now?

That is the $10bn question.

Canada Targets to Accept 300,000 Immigrants for 2017

This is another good news for those planning to live and work in Canada.  Canada needs more immigrants to address its labor shortage and underpopulation problem.

From CBC News: Canada to open door to more skilled workers, immigrant families in 2017

Sen. Leila De Lima and Refugee Protection in Canada

According to this report from The Philippine Star, Sen. Leila De Lime no longer feels safe.  She is receiving a barrage of threats obscene messages through SMS.  Is she eligible to apply Refugee Protection in Canada? How to be eligible for Refugee Protection in Canada?

Comprehensive Nursing Act of 2016 - Justice for Nurses!

The Comprehensive Nursing Act of 2016 was already approved both by the Lower and Upper House.  The only thing that is needed in order for this to become a law is the signature of President Aquino.  Hopefully, it will not be vetoed by the President like he did with the SSS Pension Hike.

How to Move to Canada?

Because Donald Trump may soon to be the next president of the United States of America, it looks like many Americans are now thinking of moving to Canada.  At least according to this Washington Post article.  

Common Sense is not common in Canada? | Manny Pacquiao on Same Sex Marriage

Same-sex marriage is legal in Canada through the Civil Marriage Act, which was passed in 2005.  It was anchored in two fundamental Charter principles:

• the right of every Canadian to equality without discrimination, 
• the right to religious freedom. 

Civil Marriage Act protected the rights of same-sex couples without removing rights from anyone else, and without subordinating one right to another.  It makes perfect sense.

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

Canada's Saskatchewan province needs more Pinoys

The labor agreement between Saskatchewan and the Philippine Governmnt was recentlt renewed.  This mean more Filipino workers will be needed in Saskatchewan.  This memorandum of agreement is expected to benefit Filipino migrants in Saskacthewan.

“If you talk to not only Saskatchewan employers, but (the) Saskatchewan community, they would all tell you that our communities are so much better for the immigration of great people from the Philippines,” added Wall, who signed the MOU with Philippine Labor undersecretary Danilo Cruz

The MOU renewed a labor agreement earlier inked by the Philippines and Saskatchewan. The country also has the same MOUs with British Columbia and Manitoba.

Cruz said the implementation of laws formed from this agreement can only be effective if both sides were in synergy.

He said the challenge faced by Filipino workers abroad “cannot be addressed through unilateral means.”

“We highly believe that countries of origin and destination have a shared responsibility to work together in addressing the issues affecting the management of regulation of migrant workers,” he said.

The highlights of the MOU include skills training and matching for working immigrants, increased transparency and equability of Saskatchewan immigration rules, and the protection of labor rights, which gives migrant workers the right to information regarding recruitment policies and how they may be protected.

Under the MOU, projects are set to be enacted to implement and sustain these measures. [GMA News Online]

Please note that there is No Placement Fee for Canada-bound OFWs.  Avoid illegal recruiters.

Canadian Immigration Consultancy - Proactive Immigration Advisers Corp (PIA Corp) is not a recruitment agency.  Here's how to find jobs in Canada.

Foreign service workers reach tentative agreement with federal government

Looks like the Professional Association of Foreign Service Officers (PAFSO) Strike Action is now over. According to this report, Foreign service workers reach tentative agreement with federal government.

After staging the longest strike in public service history, Canada’s diplomats have reached a compromise with the Conservative government, bringing an end to a dispute that battered the country’s economy and its reputation abroad and may forever change the job action tactics of striking public servants. [Ottawa Citizen]

Hopefully, this development will address the delays in visa processing.

Reason for Delayed Visa Processing: Professional Association of Foreign Service Officers (PAFSO) Strike Action

Citizenship and Immigration Canada posted this notice last June 11, 2013. The notice is regarding Professional Association of Foreign Service Officers (PAFSO) Strike Action.  If you visit the Application Processing Times page of CIC website, you will be greeted with this alert message:

Strike Action

The Professional Association of Foreign Service Officers (PAFSO) union is currently taking strike action. PAFSO union members responsible for processing visa applications have been walking out of offices in Canada and overseas.

Posted processing times for both temporary and permanent resident visa applications do not take into account work stoppages.

Anyone applying for a visa should anticipate delays and submit their application as far in advance as possible. 

Contingency plans are already in place to ensure all offices remain open and are providing at least a minimum level of service. Priority will be placed on urgent humanitarian applications.
CIC continues to closely monitor the situation.

This explains the delay in visa processing.  We will keep you posted.

Canada gives P10M for 'Pablo' relief | Thank You!

 Just want to share this news: Canada gives P10M for 'Pablo' relief!

MANILA, Philippines - The Canadian government is giving Cad$ 250,000 (10 million pesos) to help victims of typhoon Pablo (international codename Bopha) in the Southern Philippines.

In a statement, Canada's Minister for International Cooperation Julian Fantino said Canada is "deeply concerned about the devastation caused by Typhoon Bopha and its impact on the people of the Philippines."

The Canadian government, through the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), is providing the amount to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to support the Philippine Red Cross in its efforts to address the emergency needs of some 50,000 people affected by the impact of Typhoon Pablo. [Source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com]

Read full story here:  Canada gives P10M for 'Pablo' relief

Do you also want to help?  Visit Rappler.Com for the list of #PabloPH evacuation and donation centers.

PM Harper in Manila | Manila Jeepney Ride

Prime Minister Harper's Jeepney Ride in Manila (Photo credit:Facebook.com)

Canada's Prime Minister Stephen Harper was in the Philippines last week for an official visit. He was given a tour of Manila's Fort Santiago. He was also welcomed with a protest against Canadian mining corporations in the Philippines.

55,300 persons Traget for the Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) Category in 2013

Citizenship and Immigration Canada targets to admit 55,300 persons in the Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) category in 2013 according this latest news release.  It could translate to 20,000 new applications to be accepted for the year 2013 for this program. The final regulatory changes will be available in the Canada Gazette later this year.

Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) announced today it will admit up to 55,300 persons in the Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) category in 2013. Combined with previous actions taken to manage the backlog, this means by the end of 2013 we will be able to process new applications as they are received – a “just in time” system – and aim to process them in less than a year, instead of up to eight years under the old FSW program. In addition, CIC expects to clear the FSW applications received to date by the end of 2014, three years earlier than originally expected.

This will allow for the introduction of an Expression of Interest (EOI) system to be put in place for FSW and possibly other economic immigration streams. CIC is moving to a just-in-time system that recruits people with the right skills to meet Canada’s labour market needs, fast tracks their applications, and gets them working in a period of months, instead of years. [Source]

It looks like that by 2015, Canada's immigration program would be just like the Australia's immigration program, which uses Expression of Interest (EOI) system.

This may be good and bad depending in your circumstances. That is why if you are eligible today, you should waste no time. Apply now!

Tagalog is fastest-growing language in Canada, data show

According to this report, Tagalog is the fastest-growing language in Canada, with 64% more Canadians calling it their first choice for conversations at home in 2011 compared with five years earlier. Filipino language the fifth most common non-official language spoken in Canadian households.

Read full story from The Globe and Mail.

According to the same report, the Philippines surpassed both India and China and was the biggest source country for permanent residents in 2010 and 2011. 

However, with the new Federal Skilled Worker program that requires education credentials evaluation,  a dramatic decline of immigrants from the Philippines in 2013 is a highly possible.

CIC plans to admit a total of 240,000 to 265,000 new permanent residents in 2013

Citizenship and Immigration Canada recently announced its immigration target for the year 2013. According to Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney, the Government of Canada will maintain record levels of immigration to support economic growth in 2013.

“Our Government’s number one priority remains economic and job growth,”" said Minister Kenney. "“Newcomers bring their skills and talents, contribute to our economy and help renew our workforce so that Canada remains competitive on the world stage.”"

According to Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC)’s 2012 Annual Report to Parliament on Immigration tabled today, CIC plans to admit a total of 240,000 to 265,000 new permanent residents in 2013, for the seventh straight year. This represents the highest sustained level of immigration in Canadian history.

For more details, read: An Immigration Plan that works for Canada: More immigrants who are already working in Canada to be admitted through Canadian Experience Class.

Of this target, CIC intends to accept a record high of up to 10,000 permanent residents through Canadian Experience Class, targeting those already in Canada - Temporary Foreign Workers and International Students.

The new Federal Skilled Worker program is expected to be introduced early 2013.