The Globe and Mail - Catherine Dauvergne: Refugee rules the end of Canada’s humanitarian tradition

We must let go of the idea that Canada’s refugee system is better, fairer, more generous or more humanitarian than other systems in the world.

It is easy to dismiss the current debate about changes to Canada’s refugee process as the same-old stand-off between the soft liberal left and a strong reformist government. But the tenor of the recent changes has irrevocably altered the terrain. The changes which took effect in December put the finishing touches on a round of reform that has brought a dramatic end to what was once known as Canada’s humanitarian tradition. Whether Canadians like the new system or loathe it, it is important to acknowledge that it is a game changer.

Read the rest of the article here

How to dress in cold weather - update

In a previous post, I let you know what you need to be wearing on a cold day in Toronto (read it here). Since we've had a few days of bitter temperatures here recently, I thought it would be a good time to update my recommendations.

Other than what I've already noted:

•  Base layer - when it's -10C or below, you really are doing yourself a favour if you wear a base layer of long underwear. The wind will cut through your pants, or jeans. I see a lot of women in their fashionable tights in this weather, but they clearly are NOT in a good mood. Base layer. Think about it.
• Heavy socks - even if you have to change out of your boots into dress shoes, wear some heavier socks in this kind of cold. I wear hiking socks and they add a lot of comfort to my feet.
• Think about your nose - Despite all my attempts to stave off the cold and enjoy the outdoors, my nose gets cold and runs in weather like this. I have a couple solutions: My Canada Goose jacket (mine is their Banff model), in what I call "storm mode" allows me to hide most of my face in the coyote fur around the hood (this material was chosen by Canada Goose "because it never freezes, doesn’t hold water, and the uneven hair lengths create a windbreak that protects exposed skin, helping to reduce heat loss from the face"). I can still see out, but have to be diligent at intersections/crosswalks to turn my entire head and look for cars and such. The other solution is a scarf bundled up around my face. This doesn't work as well, because I have to move it when I blow my nose, and the condensation from my breath makes it wet, and then it freezes, and then it gets cold again! But seriously - think about your nose!

That's my update. -24C in Toronto today. Supposedly winters are warmer than ever in Canada, with fewer snow days and fewer days of deep, dangerous cold. But it still gets plenty cold here for a good part of the year, and you need to be prepared to deal with it, unless you want to be a shut-in. 

CIC's "Living In Canada" online tool

The CIC has created an online tool to assist new immigrants in many areas of planning for, or adjusting to their new lives in Canada.

Topics covered in the tool include:

• Language training
• Finding work
• Finding newcomer services in your area 
• Finding a place to live
• Getting to know Canada
• Adjusting to life in Canada
• Locating Government and community services
• Educational needs

All in all, the tool offers a good place to get started with all these topics. While it doesn't answer every question, or even go into great detail in most cases, it will point you on the right path if you are a newcomer, or making plans to settle in Canada. 

You can find the Living In Canada tool here.

CIC News - A Review of Immigration in 2012

2012 saw a number of important changes to Canadian immigration programs across the board. Some have already taken effect, while others will not be effective until various times in 2013. As we embark on a new year, CIC News is pleased to provide a summary of the major changes to some of Canada’s most popular immigration programs.

Read Part 1

Read Part 2

The Globe and Mail - Ottawa to play matchmaker for foreign workers

Jason Kenney's idea of an immigration program,
coming to the CBC in 2014

Does it seem like a good idea for the Federal Government to set up what amounts to a job bank for the nation's skilled worker employers? That's Jason Kenney's plan for the Skilled Worker class of immigrant, as he prepares to launch a system by 2014 where if you are lucky enough to be invited to work by a Canadian employer, and then also invited to immigrate by the government, you will be fast-tracked into the country.

The web-based, "Expression of Interest" system will be, “...like a dating site,” says Kenney. And we all know how well those systems work.

Read the article here 

Happy New Year 2013!

New Years 2013 at Nathan Phillips Square. God bless all my friends and readers in the the new year, and may all your Canadian immigration dreams come true!

Christmas in Canada

Environment Canada's Winter temperature outlook for 2012 does not make me happy

The Weather Channel's Winter temperature outlook for 2012 is the one I'm banking on

This year will mark my second Christmas in Canada. It is truly is hard to believe how quickly time flies. As I imagined, it seems long ago that my hopes and prayers centred around whether My Love and I would be reunited in Canada; whether our immigration application would be successful. That that prayer was answered is certainly enough for me for many Christmases to come.

This year is a mild one and southern Ontario will most likely have a green Christmas. There have really only been a couple of days that were even seasonally cold. I have been looking forward to a cold Winter this year, but Fall, which ends Friday, has not given me a lot of hope. A cold Winter means more time on the ice for me - I don't like to skate when it's 6-7, like it is now: there's too many fresh skaters filling the sheet. Falling is bad enough without taking someone down with you!

Hopefully with the end of Fall, normal temperatures will kick in and I'll get in all the skating I can handle.

Look for the Mind to take our usual Holiday sabbatical, as we travel to see family and generally stay away from the computer. Know that I am grateful for each and everyone of my readers, and especially those who have purchased one of my books in the last year. May you and yours have a Happy Christmas and a wonderful New Year ahead!

New Federal Skilled Trades Stream to Begin Accepting Applications on January 2, 2013

Mississauga, December 10, 2012 — To address Canada’s growing demand for skilled tradespersons, a new Federal Skilled Trades Program is being launched on January 2, 2013, Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney announced today.

“The new Skilled Trades Stream will help address serious labour shortages in some regions of the country, and support economic growth,” Minister Kenney said. “For too long, Canada’s immigration system has not been open to these in-demand skilled workers. These changes are long overdue and will help us move to a fast and flexible immigration system that works for Canada’s economy.”

The program criteria are built around four requirements that ensure applicants will have the right skills and experience needed to succeed here in Canada. In order to qualify, applicants will need to:

• have an offer of employment in Canada or a certificate of qualification from a province or territory to ensure that applicants are “job ready” upon arrival;
• meet a basic language requirement;
• have a minimum of two years of work experience as a skilled tradesperson, to ensure that the applicant has recent and relevant practice as a qualified journeyman; and
• have the skills and experience that match those set out in the National Occupational Classification (NOC B) system, showing that they have performed the essential duties of the occupation.

In order to manage intake, avoid backlogs and ensure fast processing times, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) will accept up to a maximum of 3,000 applications in the first year of the Federal Skilled Trades Program.

Minister Kenney was joined at today’s announcement by Michael Atkinson, President of the Canadian Construction Association. “The introduction of a dedicated and streamlined program for skilled trades addresses many of the shortcomings from the current Federal Skilled Worker Program,” said Michael Atkinson. “The new program ensures greater consideration is given to the needs of industry when processing eligible immigration applications.”

“Ensuring Canada’s immigration system works for small employers in need of skilled trades’ people has been a concern for some time,” said Dan Kelly, President and CEO of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business. “With the shortage of qualified labour in many parts of Canada growing once again, the launch of the Skilled Trades immigration stream is very welcome news.”

Eligible occupations will include electricians, welders, heavy-duty equipment mechanics, and pipefitters, among others. CIC is currently working with the provinces, territories and federal government partners on the list of skilled trades’ occupations that are experiencing acute labour shortages and which will qualify under the program. This list will be announced prior to the program opening on January 2, 2013.

The Federal Skilled Trades Program will complement other avenues already in place for skilled tradespersons to immigrate to Canada, such as the Canadian Experience Class and Provincial Nominee Programs.

“As promised in Economic Action Plan 2012, we are creating a new immigration stream to facilitate entry of skilled tradespersons,” added Minister Kenney. “The Federal Skilled Trades Program will help transform Canada’s immigration system into a fast and flexible system focused on jobs, growth and long-term prosperity.”

Need help to insure your application covers all the bases? Get my e-book, "How to Immigrate to Canada for Skilled Workers - The Authoritative Guide To Federal And Provincial Opportunities" today! See the "How to Immigrate Books" page of this site for more details. 

The Globe and Mail - Study finds Canadian immigrants at a growing disadvantage

A major international study ranks Canada among the world’s leaders in immigrant integration, but there are signs that advantage is on the wane.

Canada sits near the top of most categories in the study, which measures integration of immigrants in the 34 wealthy countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. The report will be released in Paris on Monday. It compares outcomes for immigrants and their children looking at factors such as income, health, education and civic engagement.

Read the article here

Skating season is here!

Last night I was asking my Love, "I wonder when they are going to open the Natrel Rink at Harbourfront Centre?" So I looked on their site at the live webcam (see above), and what did I see? Skaters! This morning I was up at 6am, got bundled up, and walked over to the rink. It took me a little bit to get my feet under me again, and I did take one fall (the right way - on my butt), but after a short period I was skating again! So exciting. Nathan Phillips Square's rink will be open December 2, and I might go there a few times this year too (though it's usually packed), but having my rink open makes me so happy; makes the cold weather worth the struggle. I love skating!

If you are immigrating to Canada, I really encourage you to learn to skate. Want to learn? Hockey Canada has a program for you. It's great, fun exercise, it gets you outside during the long winter, and it's certainly a way to begin your cultural integration.

See you on the pond!