Monthly Archives: July 2013

Diane Francis Says Canada Needs a Silicon Valley

A recent article in the blog of Diane Francis, an editor-at-large for the National Post, argues that Canada needs to create its own version of the American Silicon Valley, and commends Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) for taking a step in this direction with the creation of the Start-Up Visa. Francis says that skilled entrepreneurs can provide the type of economic […]

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StatsCan Report Links Income to Life Expectancy

A new report on the state of health in Canada by Statistics Canada finds a strong link between between life expectancy and income in the country. The report uses data collected from 1991 to 2006 in a Canadian census study on mortality, and measures the age-standardized mortality rates (ASMRs) of Canadians in five income groups. It found that individuals in […]

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Canadian Foreign Service Workers Union Offers Binding Arbitration

The Professional Association of Foreign Service Officers (PAFSO) has offered to enter into binding arbitration with the federal government to end the strike of its members and with it, the disruption to permanent residency and visa issuance. PAFSO is giving the government until Tuesday to accept the offer before it is rescinded. Treasury Board President Tony Clement must decide whether […]

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Nova Scotia Premier to Press for End to Diplomat Strike Citing Visa Delays

Nova Scotia Premier Darrell Dexter says the strike by Canadian foreign service officers is hurting Canadian provinces by delaying the processing of student visas. International students studying in Canada provide a significant economic boost to communities across the country, including several in Nova Scotia, through the spending money they bring with them. A report done last year by University of […]

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Canada to Get New Immigration Minister, Chris Alexander

The federal government announced a major cabinet shuffle on Monday which will see Jason Kenney, the current Citizenship and Immigration Minister, move to the Department of Employment and Social Development, which will be the new name for the Department of Human Resources and Skills Development (HRSDC). Chris Alexander, who is currently the MP for the district of Ajax-Pickering, will become […]

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Centre for Immigration Policy Reform’s Collacott Criticizes “Passports of Convenience” in Vancouver Sun Article

A new story in the Vancouver Sun looks at the issue of recent immigrants obtaining Canadian citizenship and then returning to their home countries. The phenomenon, which it calls ‘passports of convenience’, has critics and defenders within Canada, with a prominent figure from each side interviewed for the article: The Sun articles elicited opposing perspectives from Yuen Pau Woo, head […]

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Canada Has The Best Reputation In The World According To New Survey

A new study on national reputations, called RepTrak, finds Canada has the best reputation of any country in the world. It’s the third year in a row that Canada has taken the top stop in the annual survey. RepTrak, which is conducted by the Reputation Institute, surveyed more than 27,000 people from G8 countries to create its rankings. Explaining the […]

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New Quebec Immigration Rules Announced

Quebec Immigration, which runs two of the most popular Canadian immigration programs, announced on Wednesday that changes will be coming to its immigration rules and procedures. The new rules will affect Quebec skilled worker, investor, business people, and self-employed immigrant applicants, and will be instated in stages from August 1, 2013 to March 31, 2014. The maximum number of applications […]

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Canada Border Services Agency to Use Electronic Bracelets in Place of Detention

The federal government will use electronic tracking bracelets in place of detention for asylum claimants and illegal immigrants who pose a high risk of evading deportation orders, according to a recent report by the Globe and Mail. Ottawa served notice this week that it plans to sign a contract with the U.K. firm Buddi Ltd., used by police forces there […]

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