Caring for immigrants, driver subsidies, protests in Canada and other news

Optimizing immigration policy

Canada continues to revise and streamline immigration policy. They have legalized reasons for reasons for refusing permanent residency on medical grounds. Let's explain how this works. Before receiving immigration visas to Canada, all family members have to undergo a medical examination. This can only be done at special clinics that work with the government of Canada. This check-up is needed so that it is possible to estimate how much money the government will have to spend on treating the new resident.

Now the maximum amount is spelled out in the law. The average cost to the government of treating one Canadian over five years is multiplied by three, and the estimated cost of treating a migrant must fall within that amount. In 2022, that's $24057 CAD.

This does not include special education, such as for blind and deaf children, social and vocational rehabilitation.

Canada also cares about the health of immigrants who live in metropolitan areas. Statistics show that most adult immigrants have poorer health after moving. Nearly a million Canadian dollars will be invested in projects that encourage urban activism. B.C., Ontario and Nova Scotia will launch the Immigrant Bicycle Mentoring Programs. Newcomers will be matched with a local expert, and they'll ride around the city together so the newcomer gets the hang of it faster. There will also be group bike rides and other activities.

For immigrants with a medical degree, they've decided to make it easier to confirm diplomas, licenses and certificates. Nine projects have been announced, for which the Canadian government has allocated money. For example, the Council of Nurse Practitioners of Canada will revise language proficiency criteria for foreign-born nurses. McGill University will expand its physical therapist certification program.

Immigration shenanigans

Manitoba invited Ukrainians who had previously applied for permanent residency. This is the second selection made specifically for them. A total of 16 people were invited. Last time Manitoba invited 71 Ukrainians.

British Columbia separately targeted early childhood educators, health professionals and veterinarians. The province needed 47 early childhood educators, fewer than 15 health professionals and nine veterinarians. The province also conducted a general screening of professionals from various professions, to whom it sent 132 invitations.

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Quebec had a selection process for professionals in specific professions who found work outside Montreal. Candidates who did not have a job offer had to score at least 577 points. This time, Quebec needed IT professionals, nurses, orderlies, teachers, early childhood educators, producers, directors, printing technicians, graphic designers and illustrators. A total of 306 people were invited.

Help for Ukrainians

Quebec was the first to offer Ukrainians who move under a temporary program a full package of free services for immigrants. They will be given free housing for the first time, full health insurance, help to find a job, rent a house and learn the language. But for Quebec, it is crucial that immigrants learn French. Since 2021, Quebec has insisted that French remain the only official language in the province. The federal government has agreed to recognize Quebecers as a separate nation, but will not allow federal airlines and railroads to be fined for their employees not speaking French well. Now, under Quebec law, migrant children can only attend French schools. The Association of English Schools of Quebec has asked to show humanity and make an exception for Ukrainian children, but the issue has not yet been resolved.

Protests in Canada

Ontario banned blocking international trade during protests. During a three-week strike, truckers blocked the Ambassador Bridge in Ontario, on the U.S. border. Businessmen suffered huge losses, and the U.S. government officially expressed displeasure. To stop the protests, the Prime Minister of Canada had to declare a state of emergency. Now Ontario has passed a law giving police the power to destroy barricades on border bridges, arrest people and cars. There are plans to buy tow trucks for the police, since they had to be borrowed from the military and driven across the country during the three-week protests.

Ontario lawmakers say peaceful protests are allowed. But in Alberta, where anti-vaxxers have protested every weekend for nearly two years, a court has imposed a temporary ban on protest marches through downtown Calgary, the region's largest city. In recent months, counter-protesters have started coming out to meet protesters, and there have been fights between them. The court is still figuring out how to balance the rights of citizens to protest peacefully and to live peacefully.

The railroad workers also protested this week, but not for long. The railroad came to a halt over the weekend. Users were given 72 hours' notice. Commissions and associations from various industries demanded that the federal government intervene, because Canada is starting the planting season and the fertilizer must get to the fields on time. In addition, the Canadian economy is already suffering from inflation and rising fuel prices. By Tuesday, the union and railroad management agreed on a timeline for decisions on the disputed issues. Workers returned to their seats.

Satisfying the demands of opponents of vaccination and the mask regime is more difficult. Most provinces have already abolished the mask regime. But Canadians themselves fear the virus and don't want to go to cafes, cinemas and gyms where they don't check vaccination certificates. Half of those surveyed said they would continue to wear masks and disinfect their hands.

Higher fuel prices and subsidies for motorists

Gasoline, diesel and gas prices continue to rise. British Columbia and Quebec have announced one-time subsidies for residents. British Columbia will pay $110 CAD to each driver with a local insurance corporation policy. Commercial drivers will receive $165 CAD each. Quebec will pay $500 CAD to all residents whose income is less than $105,000 CAD per year.

The Canadian government continues to subsidize the electric car industry. State money is being used to modernize the Honda plant, and with state support, the Stellantis plant will be built by 2025. Both are in Ontario. The Ontario Liberals have promised to pay $8,000 CAD to buy an electric car and $1500 CAD to buy a charger if the Liberal party comes to power in Ontario in June.

Alex Pavlenko, founder of the emigration portal Immigrant.Today