Somebody here asked whether Canada needed truckers! Here it is!

[getmeouttahere]

An interesting email I received today...

Canada to attract 40 per cent more immigration

Canada's current immigration levels would rise 40 per cent within five years under a plan that will soon be presented to the federal cabinet. Prime Minister Paul Martin described immigration in a speech this week as key to Canada's economic success in an era defined by low birth rates an aging population and an ever-deepening shortage of skilled workers.

Immigration Minister Joe Volpe confirmed that he is preparing a proposal for the cabinet to decide on in October that includes those elements and “many more people ” although he declined to give details. Government sources say his proposed target would see immigration levels rise to one per cent of the Canadian population within five years - or about 328 000 per year and growing.

That would represent an increase of about 40 per cent from last year's level of 235 824 people who became permanent residents of Canada - which fell within the government's current target range of 220 000 to 245 000 new residents per year.

Although it will not scrap the current immigration system which emphasizes university degrees French and English-language skills and ties to Canada the new proposal would make more openings for tradespeople in part through an expanded local and provincial role in selecting immigrants.

Economic growth is being hampered in places like Edmonton Calgary and Fort McMurray because they can't fill jobs fast enough Volpe said. About 6 000 long-haul trucks are sitting empty in New Brunswick because there aren't enough truckers to fill the available spots he said. Volpe said he also heard that 5 000 skilled jobs needed to be filled in Saskatoon. In Abbotsford B.C. the need was for 1 000 computer engineers for graphic-and video-game design. "It doesn't matter if it's Edmonton or Calgary small towns like Trail (B.C.) or smaller major cities like Fredericton. The issue is the same: 'We want more immigration'."

Proposals presented to cabinet will be aimed at improving programs to attract foreign university students and keep them here. Better ways to spread immigration across the country and reducing the bureaucratic backlogs that slow down the application process will also be put forward.

Speeding up the bureaucratic machine will be another challenge. Some estimates peg the average backlog of permanent-residence visas at 700 000 - more than triple the number approved each year and a cause of frustratingly long waiting times for people applying through the system.

The prime minister laid out the challenges facing the immigration system in a speech this week to Ottawa civil servants. He also said Canada must do a better job getting immigrants to apply their skills on this country's job market. "Canada needs more immigrants plain and simple and we need them to succeed " Martin said.

[Maple]

1. Exactly!

We need immigrants in every walk of life.

And we welcome them.

[Vincardog]

2. PM me and tell me how to get there

[getmeouttahere]

3. I can give you the email address for my immigration attorney...

he's the one who sent me the email

[ret5hd]

5. i believe you go north...

;)

[getmeouttahere]

4. Ah, there you are, Maple....

I saw that conversation you were having on another thread. Seems someone you were arguing with didn't think it was any easier to emigrate to Canada then it was 5-10 years ago.

[Name removed]

7. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[iverglas]

9. psst ... over here ...

Were you, like, wanting to quote someone?

I don't recall someone saying that, actually. Can you point it out?

Oh, and did you have a point to make about an issue, with some sort of facts or arguments that might be interesting to someone, or were you just gossiping?

Just wondering.

[Maple]

10. Well it's much easier

and dated information is useless.

Immigrants are very welcome in Canada

[ret5hd]

6. Machinists? (me) microbiologist?(s.o.)

[Maple]

8. Yes indeedy

Please...by all means!

Canada has opened the doors...bigtime!

Welcome eh...

[CHIMO]

11. What really fuels immigration

What really fuels immigration
Murray Dobbin says globalization chickens coming home to roost

The word out of Ottawa that the Liberal government intends to increase immigration by 300,000 is a good news story that hides the bad. Canadians, to their credit, strongly support immigration, especially when compared to Americans. Seventy-three per cent of us have a favourable view, compared to just 42 per cent of Americans.

There is obviously nothing wrong with increased immigration. But we should be aware of what's actually driving it.

The immigration numbers aren't being increased out of any altruistic goal of enhancing our cultural diversity. It's driven by the social impact of Liberal economic policies.

Maybe we should try imagining a race to the top.

http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1128117013118&call_pageid=968256290204&col=968350116795

[getmeouttahere]

12. Thanks for this CHIMO...

I always thought it was tragic that the doctors and engineers from Pakistan had to drive cabs in TO and Montreal. I've met so many of them and they really had a hard time making a living. I always tipped them big.

If any country should be starting a race to the top, it should be Canada. Will the liberals take the lead? It certainly wouldn't be the tories!

[CHIMO]

13. Thanks For The Thanks

However, I would suggest a second and third reading of the article.

I don't know if you relay approve , what some would term, stealing educated people from underdeveloped countries where the governments have in perhaps most cases funded their education and training.

But thanks anyways. And perhaps one might want to think of who they want operating on them and how they can be assured they will receive that quality, as well as having the assurance that a high rise won't fall with some insurance company backtracking on their coverage because they obviously couldn't know that would happen.

Just some thoughts on the subject before we end up going madly off in all directions.