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| Subject: Minister suggests influx of workers |
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Canada must almost double immigration levels to expand workforce - Minister
By Sandra Cordon
The Canadian Press, October 30, 2004
OTTAWA (CP) -- Canada´s labour minister says the country may need to
consider doubling immigration levels to help fill enormous gaps in its
skilled workforce.
And even that won´t be enough to cope with the shortage of trained workers
and lagging productivity, Joe Fontana said Friday.
As part of a broader review of workforce issues, Canadians must look at
dramatically boosting the number of workers it brings in from overseas as
well improving skills training for underutilized employees, Fontana told The
Canadian Press.
´We will have to attract many more immigrants, and the country and the
government already knows that,´ said Fontana, minister of labour and social
housing.
´But even if we move to 300,000 to 400,000 to 500,000 (new) people - that
ain´t going to do it.´
Workers already on the job must upgrade their skills and employers have to
make better use of the existing pool of employees, many of whom are
underutilized, he said.
´There are a whole bunch of under-employed people and therefore, we have to
do an awful lot of training of the existing people-force that we have to
make sure that they are in fact going to be able to do the jobs.´
Canada would essentially have to double its current immigration levels if it
were to reach that level of 500,000 new workers.
Canada admitted just over 221,000 permanent residents this year, Immigration
and Citizenship Minister Judy Sgro said in her annual report to Parliament
this week.
Next year´s target is 220,000 to 245,000 new permanent residents.
But many newcomers still struggle to get their professional credentials
recognized in Canada, Sgro noted.
´We recognize that it is vital that Canada continu es to be a destination of
choice for immigrants,´ she said.
´To achieve this, we must remove any barriers.´
Sgro couldn´t be reached for further comment on Fontana´s suggestions
Friday.But critics were quick to respond !
[21-11-2004,14:54]
Najib |
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to romantic warrior (in reply to: Minister suggests influx of workers)
this article should make you relax about them raising the pass mark.
[21-11-2004,15:47]
sharon |
(in reply to: Minister suggests influx of workers)
Has there been a study to analyze the possible benifits of new immigrants vs the cost?
[21-11-2004,18:35]
Anonymous |
(in reply to: Minister suggests influx of workers)
I am sure they have figured it out somewhere. From most news articles I read, Canada has an aging and declining population that all are expecting pensions and health care. They need new people to pay taxes so I can retire!
[21-11-2004,18:53]
sharon |
(in reply to: Minister suggests influx of workers)
canada just posted a 9 billion dollar budget surplus. I think they can spend a few million dollars helping some folks move from a 25% tax bracket to a 50% tax bracket. Seems like a good investment to me!
the minister was giving a generalized opinion. I prefer to listen to the economists and experts about logistics and long term results...not the politicians looking to the next election.
[21-11-2004,19:56]
sharon |
To sharon and ANAONYMOUS (in reply to: Minister suggests influx of workers)
First Sharon, Yes I think the article shoule make me relax but I want u to know that, we used to hear from officials the opposite of what is intending to be done, so when they say that, oil prices will not be raised, we understand that OIL PRICES IS THE FIRST THING WILL GO UPP SOONNNNNNNNNN. This how it goes at least in out countrise, Hope Canadian are not the same!!!.
Also if the Canadian governmnet really wants to secure it´s budget and financial situation for immigration purposes, it should get a program for assessing the foreign credintials. I know a DOCTOR who has been working for 15 years and is a proffessor in faculty of medcine he is very rich in his country and wants to migrate to Canada the first thing I told him is that u forget all about medcine in Canada coz even if your Dr. Frankshtine, u will never be a doctor in Canada may be a doctor for ANIMALS ONLY. Is that reasonable Mr. ANONYMOUS a very professional DR when he goes to CANADA will work a TAXI DRIVER or some thing like that. I´m sure if there is any direct assessment this man would kick out alot of DOCTORS IN canada.
THis is the point for CANADIAN GOVERNMNET.
REGARDS, ALL MY FRIEND
[22-11-2004,05:03]
Romantic Warrior |
exactly (in reply to: Minister suggests influx of workers)
I am told (by my doctor) that it is a little more complicated than we see it, but you are exactly right. The outcome of the meetings said what experts have been saying accross the country all year... there are too many new Canadians not doing what they are trained for and Canada needs to spend some money and energy to change it. Language training is only one part of it.
[22-11-2004,06:42]
sharon |
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