Waking Up Canadian

Obama wrongs a wrong

Sometimes you right a wrong, and sometimes you wrong a wrong. US President Obama's administration is clearly wrong in continuing to bar Mahar Arar from entering the US. Some of you may be unaware of his story, but this is a Canadian man who was wrongly accused of being a terrorist while on a visit to the US, barred from returning home to Canada, then shipped from the US off to be tortured for over a year. A Canadian inquiry found that the suspicions against Arar were without merit.

But the US, even the US of Change, is still predominantly run by bureaucrats that have not changed - and who still maintain Arar is a threat to US security.

I guess because it makes us insecure to be caught doing something very wrong - including violating human rights...they are right - he is a threat.

Google bends the rules?

Maybe you can help me. In this article published on the 13th by the Star, we read the story of a talented technology manager who works for Google in the US, but, because of US visa restrictions, is living in Canada. The article is titled, "U.S. red tape forces gifted workers north".

But that's deceptive. North to live, not to work. North without contributing to Canada - except living here. Now that's the story of the husband of this pair - the wife, also a technology pro, IS actually working and contributing to Canada.

Maybe it's just me, but it really seems like Google - not the family - is the one taking advantage of the immigration system. While the husband is stationed in Toronto, he works in the US, collects a US paycheck, pays US taxes...

I'm just not sure how to think about this, but it seems like an abuse of the skilled worker visa program to me. I'm willing to be wrong about this opinion. Read the article and tell me what you think...

Seasons change

I was thinking today about how the seasons are changing and how the same sorts of changes go on in the world of Canadian immigration issues. In this world of immigration issues, we have seen seasons of need and promotion, where we are wooed and made aware of how badly Canada needs us, how welcome we are and what amazing opportunities await us. There are seasons of caution, where we are informed and helped to make wise choices. There are seasons of fear, where we are undesireable and politicians use us to shore up their support. And there are seasons of rejection, where we are the enemy - not wanted in any way.

Thank goodness these seasons come and go, and that there is, for each of these seasons, one of acceptance as well. No matter what season you are in right now, don't forget that seasons change.

Maddening status

Those of you in the immigration process to Canada like I am are aware that you can check the status of your application online at anytime. The value of this information however, is marginal at best. While there is a schedule of "status" and sub-status categories listed, so you can correlate your progress with them, the only ones that show up are top level ones, as in my case - "In Progress".

My reaction to that is: hasn't it BEEN "in progress" since the day you guys got it? You're not telling me ANYTHING!

The whole thing just makes me crazy.

Can you tell I'm anxious for this to be over?

The Star's "Why I came here" series

The Toronto Star has been running an interesting series the last month titled "Why I came here". This series interviews immigrants to explore the many reasons they chose to make Canada their home. Read about the poet who fled for his family's life; the PhD making a living as a security guard; and even those like me, immigrating for love of a Canadian. Take a moment and learn something about just a handful of the thousands of unique reasons people choose Canada.

New ads target bogus immigration consultants

Immigration Minister Jason Kenney has announced that his department is launching a new advertising campaign to warn people about immigration consultants who are not registered with the Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants (CSIC).

The campaign is meant to inform potential immigrants about the risk associated with unscrupulous immigration consultants who misrepresent their ways to big fees on the backs of eager immigrants.

According to the news report published at GlobalVisas.com, the ad campaign is "set to run until the end of March on the Internet and in mainstream and ethnic press. The adverts will direct people to the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website for more information."

Markham's Mayor says it all

The Star has published an article looking at the issue of immigration in the current recession. It's a nicely rounded piece, with both sides getting their points in (pro and con). To me, the bottom line is in the example noted in the city of Markham, which has seen dramatic growth in it's population due to immigration:

"We are blessed with the diversity of the community and the highly skilled immigrants who came with worldwide experience and strong entrepreneurial spirit," said Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti after a recent meeting with developers of a proposed, $130-million shopping mall near Kennedy Rd. and Hwy. 7

Read the Star article on immigration in a challenging economic climate

So much for Kenny - anti terror laws and the border

There was hope, a small hope that the new Conservative Minister of Immigration, Jason Kenny, would represent a reasonable voice in comparison to the former Minister Diane Finley. Kenny after all had some experience that should've proved valuable - especially his background as Chair of the House of Commons Subcommittee on International Human Rights.

But put anyone to work for Harper and it seems common sense goes right out the door. How else can you explain British MP George Galloway being judged inadmissible to Canada on grounds that he supports Middle East terrorism?

Kenny was simply applying a broad Canadian anti-terror law. One that defines as a criminal anyone who advocates any kind of relationship with an organization defined as "terrorist." Now this law has discretion in its application - but Harper's team will never error on the side of fairness, or looking for context in the application of law.

So much for my hopes for Kenny being a positive change from Finley. He's putting politics in place of border rights.

Read the Star article on the issue

Read about Kenny's new stand on citizenship and language requirements

Minister Kenney Announces Changes To Canada’s Immigration System

In an article published at mondaq.com, a summary of the new Canadian Experience Class for immigrants and the new "Action Plan for Faster Immigration" was summarized:

"For those who have worked in Canada on a work permit for at least two years, the new Canadian Experience Class promises completion within about 6 months, and with only two real criteria (beyond good health and no criminal record). The candidates must have very good/excellent english skills and two years of skilled work experience under a valid work permit in Canada within the three years preceding the application. Previously, under the points system, some excellent candidates had difficulty immigrating due to their age or the fact that they had not earned a bachelor's degree. Now, neither of those criteria would be a factor.

"The second change to the permanent residence system under the Action Plan is that people working in Canada (who don't qualify for the CEC because they have not been in Canada long enough) who apply for permanent residence will be given fast-tracking and improved service (a decision within 12 months), while those who have never worked in Canada may have their applications turned back. Canada no longer wants to hold on to a "backlog" of cases."

This last sentence is troubling: "...while those who have never worked in Canada may have their applications turned back." Is this to imply that for skilled workers, the only way into Canada will be through an employer offering a job in advance? Surely this can't be the case.

Think of the impact on the economy if you have a shortage of labor, need a professional as soon as possible, but have to wait on the CIC for a visa for that worker. I'm hoping the reporter's language here is simply vague, because that sort of change would have to make Canadian employers very, very nervous.