Canadian Immigration

• Immigration involves people establishing homes and citizenship in a non-native country.
• It presents both opportunities and challenges for citizenship.
• Most current Canadian families originated from other countries.
• Immigration significantly impacts the quality of life for Canadians and immigrants.

Reasons for Immigration to Canada

• Better quality of life.
• Canada offers refuge to those who may be turned away elsewhere.

Criteria for Accepting Immigrants and Refugees

• Canada has specific criteria.
• Legislation exists related to immigrants and refugees.

Canada's Point System

• Assesses potential immigrants based on:
• Education
• Language Proficiency
• Age
• Work Experience.
• Arranged Employment
• Adaptability
• Factors influence immigration policies.

Immigration and Refugee Protection Act

• Dates from 2002; the most recent legislation since 1867.
• It establishes categories for immigrants to settle in permanent homes.

Objectives of the Act

• Pursuing social, cultural, and economic benefits for all Canadians.
• Respecting Canada's bilingual and multicultural character.
• Supporting minority official language communities.
• Sharing immigration benefits.
• Supporting a thriving economy across Canada.
• Reuniting families.
• Promoting immigrant integration.

Immigration's Role in Meeting Workforce Needs

• Demographics relate to population characteristics.
• Labor force growth reflects an increase in the working population.
• Immigration has substantially shaped Canada and remains a key feature of its history.
• Waves of immigration have transformed the population and contributed significantly to the economy, society, and culture.
• Immigration is vital for Canada's future and economic growth.
• Continued population growth depends on immigration, considering birth and death rates and slowing labor force growth.
• The Canadian labor force would shrink without immigration.

Point System Details

• In effect since 1967.
• Applies to economic immigrants; refugees and family class immigrants are exempt.
• The point system helps determine eligibility for economic immigrants.
• Economic immigrants make up the majority (55%) of those entering Canada.
• Eliminates prejudice and racism from the assessment process.
• Applicants need to score 67 out of 100.

Post-Point System Requirements

• Completing and submitting a formal application.
• Paying an application fee.
• Passing a medical exam to ensure they don't endanger public health or strain the healthcare system.
• Passing a security check.

Health Factors in Immigration

• Economic immigrants must provide proof of good health.
• Rejection may occur if their health:
• Poses risks to Canadians
• Endangers public safety
• Places excessive demand on healthcare services.
• These health requirements do not apply to family class immigrants or refugees.

Changes in Immigration Laws

• The point system is based on skills and education.
• Historically, Canada favored White, English, or French speaking immigrants.
• Asian immigrants were discouraged in the past.
• Racial and ethnic prejudice in Canada
• Canada signed the U.N. Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees in 1951.
• During the 1950s and 1960s, Canada offered refuge during specific world crises.
• In 1976, refugees became a distinct immigration category, leading to steady acceptance instead of crisis-based responses.

Immigration Act of 1976

• Denies entry to individuals involved in espionage or subversion, or those believed to engage in such activities.

Immigration and Refugee Act, 2002

• A person may be denied entry to Canada on security grounds for:
• Espionage or subversion against a democratic government.
• Instigating subversion by force.
• Terrorism.
• Threatening Canada's security.
• Engaging in violence.
• Membership in organizations involved in the above activities.

Influence of Canadian Rights on Immigration

• Of the immigrants entering Canada:
• 5% are French speakers.
• 53% are English speakers.
• 9% are bilingual.
• 33% speak neither (2006 data).

The Singh Decision

• April 4th is recognized as Refugee Rights Day due to a 1985 Supreme Court decision.
• In 1976, Satnam Singh, seeking refugee status.
• Immigration act initially prohibited in-person appeals
• The Supreme Court ruled this violated Section 7 of the CORAF, guaranteeing life, liberty, and security
• Refugee claimants now have the right to an in-person hearing and are afforded basic necessities while awaiting their hearing.

Immigration and Aboriginal Peoples

• Aboriginal peoples are equal partners, holding collective rights under the constitution.
• Canada shares prosperity due to treaties, however health, education, and employment challenges persist.
• These limit First Nations participation, leading Canada to rely on skilled immigrants instead.

Assembly of First Nations (AFN) Resolution 49

• Focuses on immigration versus addressing First Nations issues.
• Canada is wealthy but still faces challenges with First Nations needs.
• Lack of consultation with the AFN on immigration policies.
• Calls to freeze immigration until First Nations issues are addressed in housing, education, health, and employment.

Challenges and Opportunities for Franco-Albertans

• A 5-year plan (est. 2006) to lure French immigrants to Franco minority communities.
• Alberta's Anglophone environment presents community growth challenges.
• Goal is to attract French-speaking immigrants to Canada and keep their French culture rather than joining English schools.

Provincial Influence on Immigration

• Provinces impact immigration, however Canada also faces challenges with FN

• A map of Canada from 2007 indicates that

  • 39% of immigrants settled in the toronto region
  • 15% settled in the Montreal region
  • 14% settled in the Vancouver area.
  • The remaining 32% settled elsewhere in Canada.

• Provinces influence immigration to align it with their needs.

• Provincial Nomination Program (PNP) allows provinces to nominate a percentage of immigrants.

• Provinces establish immigration offices abroad.

• The PNP improves the chances of immigrants settling where they fit best, without forcing them to specific locations.

• Businesses report on worker shortages.

  • Construction (98%)
  • Transportation (91%)
  • Manufacturing (89%).

Canada-Québec Accord

• A specific agreement enabling Quebec to nominate a percentage of immigrants matching its population within Canada.
• Allows Quebec to require immigrants to enroll their children in French-language schools.
• Annually, approximately 75% of French-speaking immigrants choose Quebec.
• Most immigrants residing in Quebec are non-Francophone.