70 years of historic official records of Canadian immigration now indexed and made available online

In a world first, Canada's leading family history website www.ancestry.ca has launched 70 years of historic official records of Canadian immigration by ship and overland that is now fully indexed and searchable online.

The website has launched Canadian Passenger Lists between 1865 and 1935, which contains more than 7.2 million names, including 5.6 million of those who traveled from around the world to start a new life in Canada. These lists, which are originally held by the Library and Archives Canada (LAC), are the official records of arrival of the majority of people accepted as immigrants in Canada during the key immigration period of 1865-1935.

An estimated 11.6 million Canadians or 37 per cent of its current population have ancestors included in this collection, which also includes records for many vacationers and travelers, business people, crew members and historical figures such as foreign leaders, scientists and celebrities.

The collection includes passenger lists from all the major ports of arrival including Halifax, Saint John, North Sydney, Quebec City, Montreal, Vancouver, Victoria and even east coast ports in the US where many arrived before proceeding directly to Canada overland.

The main immigrant nationalities arriving in Canada during this period of rapid growth were British, Irish, Ukrainian, Russian, German, Chinese and Polish (the majority of French immigrants, the second largest Canadian immigrant population, arrived prior to 1865).

Contained in the collection are records for a number of ships which tragically never made it to their final Canadian destinations, including that of RMS The Empress of Ireland, a passenger ship which was rammed in dense fog on the St. Lawrence River near Quebec on the 29th of May 1914 and sank in just 14 minutes. 1,012 passengers and crew drowned - a larger loss of life than when RMS Titanic sank.

Individual records include information such as the passenger's first and last name, estimated birth year, year of arrival, port of arrival and departure, ship name, occupation, final destination in Canada and other family members listed with their relationship indicated.

The collection is fully indexed by name, month, year, ship and port of origin, and arrival of more than 4,000 ships, and includes original images for more than 310,000 pages of historical records. It is the first time that these records have been indexed and made available online.

Digitizing and indexing the collection took approximately 83,000 man hours, or the equivalent of a person working 24 hours a day, seven days a week for almost 10 years.

www.ancestry.ca was launched in January 2006 and has 400 million Canadian names in such collections as the 1851, 1891, 1901, 1906 and 1911 Censuses of Canada, Ontario and British Columbia vital records from as early as 1813, Quebec vital records (The Drouin collection), 1621-1957 and U.S. / Canada Border Crossings from 1895 to 1956.

The website is part of the global network of Ancestry websites (wholly owned by The Generations Network Inc.), which contains seven billion names in 26,000 historical record collections. To date more than 6.5 million family trees have been created and 650 million names and 10 million photographs uploaded. 6.5 million Unique visitors logged on to an Ancestry websites in June 2008.

The Ancestry global network of family history websites: www.ancestry.ca in Canada, www.ancestry.co.uk in the UK, www.ancestry.com.au in Australia, www.ancestry.com in the US, www.ancestry.de in Germany, www.ancestry.it in Italy, www.ancestry.fr in France, www.ancestry.se in Sweden, and www.jiapu.cn in China.

Manitoba removes another immigration barrier for skilled workers in regulated professions and trades

Manitoba has announced to make its Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) more accessible to a wider range of internationally skilled workers by removing "occupational licensing requirements list" from the MPNP so that skilled workers from all occupations with a strong connection to Manitoba are eligible to apply now.

The Occupations with Additional Requirements List was introduced in 2004, when Manitoba redesigned its provincial nominee program, to provide potential applicants with the information they needed to know and the steps they needed to take to improve their chances for employment in Manitoba, before they applied to the MPNP.

The purpose of the list was to ensure that potential applicants received the information they needed before coming to Canada concerning licensing requirements which could present barriers to employment for them.

The removal of the list of occupational requirements not only shows Manitoba’s strong commitment to reducing barriers to employment for newcomers and their families but it will also streamline the program to make it more accessible for applicants with strong connections to Manitoba to apply.

Now MPNP would consider applicants in occupations which used to be on now-removed Occupations with Additional Requirements List by assessing on a case-by-case basis and each applicant must demonstrate his/her potential for employability in Manitoba, based on factors such as age, education and training, work experience, language ability, pathways to certification, transferable skills and available settlement supports.

For example nurses living overseas will be assessed based on the strength of their close family ties to the province, documented past education and work experience, together with English skills, allowing them to challenge licensing exams in Manitoba.

However, live-in caregivers must still apply through the specific Government of Canada program created for them and cannot apply under that occupation to the MPNP.

An updated application kit is now available at http://www.immigratemanitoba.com/, a new website to help interested applicants make informed decisions about immigration to Manitoba.

The website includes information and tools to assist newcomers to gauge if they will get jobs and successfully settle in one of the dozens of Manitoba communities that together welcome close to 11,000 immigrants each year. Visitors to the site can explore employment possibilities with the Working in Manitoba Canada Career Research Tool. The tool provides applicants information to help them assess, plan and prepare for employment in Manitoba including job searches.

In addition, Manitoba continues to introduce positive changes for immigrants such as The Fair Registration Practices in Regulated Professions Act, Worker Recruitment and Protection Act, and a new Settlement Strategy. All of these changes to the MPNP involve providing safer, fairer, clearer and more efficient information and opportunities to immigrants to encourage better settlement and labor market outcomes for those who choose to build their future in Manitoba.

According to Tom Carter, a Canada Research Chair in Urban Change and Adaptation at the University of Winnipeg, MPNP is one of the world’s best immigration program. Tom Carter concluded this after a review of MPNP for a recent issue of the Journal of International Migration and Integration.

The Manitoba PNP was established in 1999 and has brought in two thirds of Manitoba’s immigrants since then. It is the most successful PNP in the nation, having attracted 60 per cent of all nominees over the 1999-2006 periods.

Liberals vow to reverse Conservative immigration changes, promise a fairer and faster system worth $800M

Running up their bill of election promises, Liberals have vowed to reverse the controversial immigration amendments implemented by Conservative government this year, and pledged to overhaul country’s immigration system through an $800-million strategy.

The Conservative-legislation, Liberals are promising to repeal, was written into the 2008 budget bill C-50 in an attempt to tackle a backlog of nearly one million applications and, consequently, excessively long processing times. Critics have taken aim at the law for the authority it assigns to Minister of Citizenship and Immigration to hand-pick immigrants. Although Liberals called these ministerial powers "unfair, sweeping discretionary" but they were abstained in the House of Commons at time of voting on this legislation perhaps to defeat Conservatives in Parliament that could trigger an election.

The Liberals also pledged to invest a total of $800 million in federal funding to deal with the immigration backlog, bring in a new business and visitors’ visa system, set up a new program for temporary workers and students to apply for permanent residence status, set up a more efficient refugee-determination system, raise immigration quotas "significantly" and introduce a series of programs to help new Canadians learn one of the country’s official languages and have their professional credentials recognized.

A breakdown of this investment, over four years, would be as follows:

• $400 million to modernize the immigration system, process applications more efficiently and support the admission of significantly more permanent residents to Canada.


• $200 million in New Beginnings Canada – an enhanced language training initiative designed to help newcomers master the language necessary to get jobs that match their qualifications.


• $200 million for a Bridge to Work plan – a new initiative that will better prepare newcomers for the workplace through the use of internships, special training and work placement opportunities.

Other measures will include (a) revamping the immigration points system to give greater weight to skilled trades, better aligning immigration policy to the Canadian labour market; (b) creation of an In-Canada Fast Track program that will accelerate the process for temporary workers, international students and live-in caregivers to apply for permanent residence within Canada; (c) direct financial assistance to help foreign professionals obtain recognition of their credentials; (b) introduction of Welcome Canada Pass – a five year renewable, multi-entry visitor’s visa for individuals sponsored by Canadian citizens and landed immigrants; (c) Creation of a so-called Canada Express Pass for frequent business visitors to reduce processing times and promote trade and commerce; and (d) strengthening provincial nominee programs.

Liberal party has declared immigration a "critical component" of its election platform and believed that a successful immigration plan is built on the sound principles of fairness, accountability and opportunity.

Canadians head to the polls next month for country’s 3rd national election in 4 years

On September 7, 2008, Canada’s federal government was dissolved the country’s 39th Parliament and October 14 was set as the date of next 40th general election.

The vote on October 14 is announced about a year earlier than the date Conservative’s minority goverment had specified in its electoral legislation after assuming power on January 23, 2006. It will be the third national election for Canada in just over four years.

The current Conservative Party government, like the Liberal one it succeeded, did not control a majority in Parliament. It was captured just 36 per cent of the popular vote in last election but successfully managed the longest uninterrupted minority government in Canadian political history. Conservatives are now chancing an early election to exploit their current strenghts and to face the voters before the negatives, mainly the economy, get worse.

However, critics and opponents retorted that the early vote was exactly the sort of political manipulation the prime minister had promised to eliminate.

Although the key focuses of this election campaign would be the economy and the environment but any formation in government after October 14 would certainly have to deliver a straightforward policy for overhauling the country’s immigration system. The issues of reducing the current backlog, modernizing the immigration system and standardizing the recognition of foreign credentials would be a top agenda for the immigration plan for 2009.

Moreover, the future of recent Conservative-sponsored immigration amendments is also directly related with the results of October 14 elections. Mainstream opposition parties have already pledged that they would repeal these new amendments should the Conservatives fail to win this election.

The Conservative-legislation, opposition is promising to repeal, was written into the 2008 budget bill C-50 in an attempt to tackle a backlog of nearly one million applicaitions and, consequently, excessively long processing times. Critics have taken aim at the law for the authority it assigns to Minister of Citizenship and Immigration to hand-pick immigrants. However, it does not seem possible to throw this legislation entirely due to its idea to move away from a first-come first-served system to one that selects immigrants based on labor market requirements. Rather than scrapping it, the new government may improve transparency in it.

Before dissolution the Conservatives held 127 seats, the Liberals 95, the Bloc Quebecois 48, and the New Democrats 30 seats in the Parliament of 308 Members. Four seats were vacant while Independents held another four seats. To win the majority, any one party would be needed 155 seats but most pundits believe it will be difficult for a single party to win the majority and future government would be another coalition.

Opinion polls in the past year have suggested only a slight difference between support for the Liberals and Conservatives.

Canada to start rolling out Canadian Experience Class with a slight amendment in original proposal

The Department of Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) has announced to start accepting applications under the newly proposed Canadian Experience Class (CEC) starting September 17, 2008.

This new immigration category under Economic Class will allow certain temporary foreign workers and international graduates with Canadian degrees and Canadian work experience to apply for permanent residence from within Canada, which was not possible at federal level previously.

The final implementation of the Canadian Experience Class, however, reflects a minor change which was proposed originally earlier in August.

Under the proposal, CIC had suggested that applicants would be required to have temporary resident status and be present in Canada to be eligible to apply. However, it was determined that this residency restriction is taking away those who have left Canada, but otherwise meet the requirements as workers or graduates. In its final implementation, therefore, the CEC has made eligible to apply those who have left Canada, but otherwise meet the requirements as temporary foreign workers or international graduates, provided they do so within "one year" of leaving their job in Canada.

This change in original proposal also confirming the objectivity of the program that considered an applicant’s experience in Canada a key selection factor.

It has been estimated that if the potential of CEC is properly addressed, this program will not only help address the immediate shortage of workers with specific trade skills but also expand the benefits of immigration to smaller communities across Canada wanting to attract immigrants and take ownership of their settlement and integration.

Canadian Experience Class is part of national strategy on international graduates and temporary foreign works, and key element of government’s long-term immigration plan. Through the Canadian Experience Class, newcomers will be more likely to make the most of their abilities while undergoing a more seamless social and economic transition to Canada. And, in turn, their cultural and economic contributions will enrich Canada.

This initiative, combined with recent changes to the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program (PGWP), the establishment of Foreign Credentials Referral Office (FCRO), increased investment in essential settlement services and recent amendments to Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA), will not only enhance Canada’s ability to compete with other countries to attract and retain the best individuals with diverse skills from around the world, but also assist employers across the country to capitalize on the skills and experience of these individuals.

Newcomers streaming to mid-sized cities mainly due to emerging economic and employment prospects

According to a new statistics by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC), the mid-sized cities are now attracting increasing number of immigrants than large urban centers where stream of newcomers is either flatlined or even declined in recent years.

The figures show the number of immigrants taking up residence in Toronto dropped to 87,136 last year from 99,293 a year earlier, a decline of roughly 12 per cent, while the number coming to Vancouver slipped to 32,920 from 36,273, a drop of just over nine per cent. Montreal was up slightly to 38,710 from 38,391.

Meanwhile, Charlottetown was up 73 per cent to 801, Moncton 31 per cent to 343, Saskatoon 40 per cent to 1,618, Winnipeg 10 per cent to 8,472 and Red Deer 93 per cent to 567. It was a mixed picture in British Columbia's smaller centers, with gains in Kelowna, Chilliwack, Nanaimo and Victoria and declines in Kamloops, Abbotsford and Prince George.

The change reflects shifting economic and employment prospects across the country and efforts made by comparatively smaller centers to attract and retain newcomers. Various successful regional initiatives such as expansion in provincial nomination programs (in terms of extended family members and international students) and federal programs designed to encourage immigrants to settle in diverse areas of country are some of the reasons attributed to this shift.

In their efforts to spread newcomers across the country, CIC has been encouraging smaller communities to benefit from immigration for their growth and sustainability. For this purpose, CIC is providing them with enhanced guidelines and increased funding to help develop their own immigration strategy and build an inclusive settlement plan for newcomers.

Major urban cities like Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal are often cited as a preferred destination for newcomers because of their established ethnic communities and greater economic opportunities for individuals who do not have a high proficiency in English or French. These three largest metropolises absorb around 67 per cent of newcomers to Canada each year.

However, the recent figures have shown that newcomers who settle in smaller cities often enjoy a more successful economic integration. Labor force participation is highest in areas outside Canada’s threes largest metropolises, unemployment rates are lower, incomes are higher, and housing is less crowded. Moreover, immigrants have begun to appreciate the advantages of living in a smaller city, away from the congestion, pollution, noise and stress of a big city.

This influx of immigrants is very beneficial to small and mid-sized cities in terms of increasing the labor pool, raising the municipal tax base, and adding greater cultural diversification to the communities.

Saskatchewan introduces pilot project for occupations within the hospitality and foodservice sector

The Saskatchewan Immigration Nominee Program (SINP), in consultation with the Saskatchewan Hotel and Hospitality Association (SHHA) and the Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association (CRFA), has recently introduced a new pilot project to address labour challenges faced by the hospitality and foodservices industry in Saskatchewan.

The Hospitality Sector Project will allow employers in the hospitality and foodservices industry to select qualifying foreign workers to be considered for provincial nomination that are currently working in Saskatchewan in one of the following categories: Food/Beverage Server (NOC 6453); Food Counter Attendant/Kitchen Helper (NOC 6641); or Housekeeping/Cleaning Staff (NOC 6661) for a minimum of six (6) months on a temporary work permit issued by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC), supported by Service Canada's (SC) Temporary Foreign Worker labor market confirmation.

Under the Saskatchewan PNP Hospitality Sector Project, workers in the categories listed must first begin working in Saskatchewan for an approved Saskatchewan employer on a temporary foreign work permit. If an approved business offers the worker permanent employment, after a minimum of 6 months employment, then he/she may apply to the SINP for permanent resident status. Applicants must have a minimum of Grade 12 education (or equivalent) and the necessary English language abilities to continue to work in their occupation.

To be approved, employers are required to meet Service Canada criteria. For example, they must offer wages within industry norms and demonstrate that they are unable to fill the positions locally. Employers must also submit a recruitment and settlement plan to the SINP.

In addition to the Hospitality Sector Project, the Saskatchewan PNP has specific categories for foreign skilled workers, international students, family members who are overseas, health professionals, long-haul truck drivers, farmers, and entrepreneurs. The province has set a target of 2,800 nominations under the SINP for 2008-2009, an 85 per cent increase over this year’s target of 1,500.

After the evaluation of pilot project, based on a number of criteria and factors, additional allocations may be made available.