Canada’s prospects outshine realities challenging U.S.
Canadians have long tended to define themselves by what they are not: Americans. As Finance Minister Jim Flaherty prepares to deal with the fiscal cost of the recession, that distinction is taking on new meaning. Facing the biggest budget deficit since the Second World War and none of the spirit of political compromise necessary to […]
Downtown to become a fortress for G20 summit
In four months, Steve Bovair’s downtown neighbourhood will be transformed from cosmopolitan high life to a barricaded no-man’s land. On a normal day, the network engineer can look outside his 17th-floor window to find a typical urban scene. Cars drift through his intersection at Lower Simcoe St. and Bremner Blvd. Customers dash into take-out restaurants […]
Proof of Language Ability and Improved Processing Times
Citizenship and Immigration Canada has announced that, effective April 10, 2010, visa officers will only consider the evidence of language proficiency provided at the time of application. It used to be that applicants in the Federal Skilled Worker Class and Canadian Experience Class could file any kind of documentary proof to substantiate their language abilities […]
Luminato literary program focuses on Africa, Iran
Toronto arts festival Luminato will focus on Africa in its literary program this year, bringing influential African writers, including Kenya’s Ngugi wa Thiong’o. Ngugi, who was exiled from his native land in 1977, has advocated for Africans writing in native languages and suggested rejecting European styles of writing in favour of a fresh approach. In […]
Seven spectators to Olympics seeking to stay in Canada with refugee status
Seven people who told officials they entered Canada as spectators to the Vancouver Winter Olympics are seeking refugee status in Canada. Citizenship and Immigration Canada says six of those people come from countries that don’t require special visas to enter the country. Owing to privacy law, a spokeswoman says she can’t divulge further identifying information […]
Feds to Help Immigrants Adapt to Workforce
Getting a job when you get to Canada is about to get easier for more immigrants, says Citizenship and Immigration Minister Jason Kenney. The Canadian Immigration Integration Project (CIIP), which began in 2007 as a pilot program, is getting $15 million over the next three years to expand its services in India, China and the […]