It's gonna take some immigrants!

In an article for the August 29th Star:

"Many Canadians are using information and communications technology devices these days, but not enough Canadians are entering the field of ICT. And that has left the country with a shortage of qualified workers, according to a national survey conducted for the Canadian Coalition for Tomorrow's ICT Skills (CCICT)."

(ICT stands for "Information and Communication Technologies")

"So where will the new ICT workers come from?

"CCICT research indicates there are three main feeder sources for this field: young people planning a career; immigrants; and people in the existing workforce who are looking to upgrade skills."

Good news - I work in tech. Hire me, Canada!

My love will be very pleased you have a job for me.

WHTI-less policy drives Canadian tourism down

The Globe and Mail reports that samoe-day cross border visits between the US and Canada for June dropped 26% this year upon implementation of WHTI (the Western Hempisphere Travel Initiative).

"The dramatic drop in travel across the Canada-U.S. border shows that the fears of many in the tourism industry in both countries are coming to pass. After the tougher passport rules were announced in 2005 as part of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, many industry groups warned that the regulations would further discourage Americans already reluctant to travel due to the high dollar and gas prices."

Leave it to the US to make our best international friend an enemy in the name of security. This program, and its lack of real-world context (fear of terrorist attack FROM Canada? Is this 1812?) illustrates the worst of US political pandering and electioneering. And it illustrates the immediate need for the elimination of the Department of Homeland Security (my gosh but that has such a totalitarian ring to it...no wonder in a republic where we call our department heads "Czars").

People are (not) having sex

From an article by Carol Goar in The Star:

"Our fertility rate has fallen below the population replacement level. Within two years, the growth of our labour force will be entirely dependent on immigrants. Within six years, seniors will outnumber children."

A little context - the other direction

My love asked me to look into the potential of her immigrating to the US today, and frankly, it's been a topic that just hasn't come up. Surprising isn't it, but we have been focused on the Canadian side of the equation, and she hasn't had much of a desire to immigrate here.

As usual, what I quickly found out is that the US makes it even more of a burden for spouses to come to the country in many ways.

First off, you must meet a minimum financial requirement (the poor cannot sponsor their spouses unless they get a co-signer).

Next, the while your spouse can immediately come to the country, they have to apply for a work permit (which can take up to 3+ months to acquire, and is not guaranteed).

Finally, if they want to leave the country for any reason (maybe to go home and sell the condo, take care of a sick relative, etc.), they must get permission from the government to do so. Again - fill out a form and wait. If they don't get permission, they can be denied entry into the country again, AND the application is considered abandoned.

Think of the personal implications of all of these policies together. Now remember, that this isn't even a fraction of the process...

In comparison, the Canadian process seems downright humane and fair-minded.

One more for the missing

Ok - this trend wont last. Next post will definitely be back to immigration news, politics, sightseeing...something other than sadness and self-pity. But right now I'm feeling it, and as a friend says, "it doesn't do any good to bottle that crap up."

I miss...

• Seeing my Love's face at YYZ
• The view of downtown coming in on the Gardiner from the west
• Shopping for cheese at St.Lawrence Market
• Seeing a movie at the Paramount
• Getting lost in PATH
• Walking up Younge Street to The Bay
• Philosopher's Walk
• The AGO
• The wading pool at College Park
• Street hot dogs
• Watching storms roll in from the west
• Sunday paper with brunch on Queen Street West
• The farmer's market at Nathan Phillips Square
• Pineapple Fried Rice at Spring Rolls
• Hockey puck checkers at Indigo
• The restaurants on Baldwin Street
• Figuring out where to put everything after a Costco run
• Lunch at IKEA in Etobicoke
• Walks along the Lakeshore
• Summer evenings in The Beaches
• Waking up to CP24 news
• Drooling over guitars at Capsule
• Poutine from the truck at Nathan Phillips Square
• Wedding pictures in front of the mansion on Queen Street West

What do you miss?

Nights when faith comes and goes

Today I have to acknowledge that I miss my love a lot. This separation is hard. The last week when we talk via Vonage (thank God for Vonage) each evening, all we can ask each other is for reassurance that we will be together soon, and each bedtime prayer is capped with us asking God to end this separation by allowing us to be togther and for this immigration saga to end. I can't say we don't both lose faith at times - we do. But not for long. Deep in our hearts we still believe God has a plan for our lives that doesn't include a border dividing us.

Shout out to Toronto Life

Every big city nowadays has a magazine or two to call its own that take on the job of informing residents and outsiders on the inside scoop for culture, news, restauants, trends, and on and on. Think, New York Magazine and Seattle Magazine...While never exactly accurate, they do have a certain pulse on what's going on.

Toronto's version of this is Toronto Life. I have been a subscriber to this monthly and I can recommend the magazine on a number of levels. First off, they cover news of the city in both a high and in depth manner. Always giving you an overview of the month's happenings as well as particular insight into topics ranging from the real estate market to health care to the arts, and on and on. You get to know the cultural movers and shakers and through their "Urban Decoder" section, even learn some interesting facts about the Big Smoke.

Additionally, the magazine has an extensive online presence where their articles are republished and that acts as far more than just a front for gathering new subscriptions.

If Toronto is your home or home to be, I encourage you to check them out at www.torontolife.com and pick up a subsciprion too. Their little red book guides to the best of the city are worth the price of admission alone.

Seasons of change

Ok, so usually I use this blog to comment on immigration matters and border politics and US and Canadian news of interest to those in the immigration process, but, as news is sort of slow and because I don't want to go silent for the summer...let's talk about the weather!

So here in Seattle it's been miserable hot for days and is supposed to continue in this manner for the week. Yesterday we had temps around 30C and thunderstorms - by the middle of the week, we're looking at closer to 32C! And that's not even counting what you Canadians know as the humidex reading. For Seattle - that's HOT.

Meanwhile, in Toronto, my love informs me of flooding downtown, and in general it's been unusually cool and rainy this summer too.

I like to think that the heavens bring signs, and this changed season will bring a season of change in my life. That change being, of course, that I am reunited with my love in Toronto.

If you have a moment, say a little prayer for us. And keep an eye on the weather too.

US Homeland Security gone wild!

Canadian border news from an article in The Canadian Press:

"Montana Rep. Julie French, D-Scobey, said the federal government is pouring $15 million in economic stimulus funds into upgrading a border crossing in her district that caters to about 10 cars a day.

"They need to be updated, yes. Fifteen million? No. I mean, common sense is what is lacking for all of this," she said."

Doing the math, that equals almost $411.00 in border security spending for every car that crosses at this remote Montana border station.

Read all about it here.

Fortress America's impact at the Canadian border

Paul Berton, in an editorial in the Winnipeg Sun, writes about the increasing difficulties trade and visitors encounter at our mutual border. Here's an excerpt:

"It is often proudly called the world's longest undefended border, but it's not exactly true. There may be no military presence between Canada and the United States, but the border is increasingly defended by law enforcement and government officials.

"The trend bodes ill for Canada's economy, and is perhaps best symbolized by the rising wall of security and bureaucracy for cross-border tourists.

"As if the recession weren't enough, citizens (with a few exceptions) of both countries must now carry a passport to cross the border.

"Before the new rules came into effect this spring, tourism was already in a tailspin -- spending fell 1.3% in the first three months of this year, the third straight quarterly decline, making it the most prolonged downturn since 9/11.

"In fact, it was as a result of the 9/11 terrorist attacks that both countries started spending millions to beef up border security, causing longer wait times, bigger line-ups, and a growing series of bureaucratic obstacles for visitors to both countries.

"Late last year, the number of trips into Canada from the U.S. plummeted by 5.9% to 2.2 million visitors, the lowest in more than a decade. How much worse will it get now?

"The problem is bad enough for travellers, but it's particularly acute for Canadian businesses that rely on American tourists, because relatively speaking, fewer Americans feel the need for a passport -- 30% compared to 54% of Canadians. "

Read the entire editorial here.