Minister Kenney outlines his government’s policy on immigration and recounts newcomers’ integration efforts

Canada’s newly appointed Minister for Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, Jason Kenney, has avowed his government’s commitment for delivering a "dynamic" immigration program and integrating newcomers successfully.

Speaking at his first presentation on "Immigration & Integration: Keys to Canada’s Future" to Winnipeg’s Canadian Club on Thursday, Minister Kenney outlined his government’s philosophy behind modernization of the immigration system and highlighted some of the recent efforts that government has undertaken to facilitate the successful integration of newcomers.

"Just as immigration has been essential to Canada’s economic development, it is an indispensable part of our future economy," Minister Kenney told the audience when describing the background of recent changes in Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) through Bill C-50 earlier this year. "But let me be clear: our government inherited some very serious challenges in the immigration system that must be fixed if we are to ensure that immigration works well for Canada, and for newcomers, in the future."

Minister Kenney declared these changes a big step to better aligning immigration with labor market needs, and to reducing the massive backlog and unacceptable wait times. He also disclosed that, in a little while, he is releasing a list of those professions and trades which are most urgently in need of new workers, so immigrants abroad who apply to come to Canada as Skilled Workers, and whose experience or training match these categories, will have their applications processed on a priority basis.

He also noted recently announced Canadian Experience Class and the improvements in Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program as part of his government’s modernization of the immigration system.

When recounting the range of actions his government has taken in recent years to help new Canadians succeed, Minister Kenney highlighted the (a) improvements made in Provincial Nominee Programs; (b) Foreign Credentials Referral Office (FCRO) established last year; (c) 50 per cent cut in Right of Permanent Residence Fee; (d) strategic plan to encourage immigration in Francophone minority communities; (e) five-year, $1.4 billion plan to improve settlement services across the country; and (f) reduction in taxes to allow both new and established Canadians to prosper and make the best choices for their families.

"Newcomers will continue to be a source of growth and strength. And we must keep up our end of the bargain by doing what we can to ensure their successful integration into Canadian society," Minister Kenney told the Canadian Club of Winnipeg. "I think we can all agree that our immigration policy is a success when newcomers choose to become Canadian citizens because they know in their hearts that we live in a great country."

At the end, Minister Kenney announced the creation of annual Paul Yuzyk Award, which will be presented each year to an individual or organization that has demonstrated excellence in promoting the multiculturalism in Canada.