Canada discussed the future of the immigration system
The second immigration forum of the year was held in Halifax. Provincial programs and refugees from Ukraine were discussed.
On March 10, the Canadian Immigration Museum in Halifax, Nova Scotia, hosted a forum of ministers responsible for immigration to Canada. Representatives from federal, state, and territorial agencies noted the importance of working together and expanded on the goals set last summer.
At their previous meeting, held on June 28 in New Brunswick, the ministers sought to make the immigration system more effective for the economic and regional needs of the nation. They also sought input on modernizing the Express Entry system and increasing funding for provincial immigration programs.
What is so special about that meeting?
The ministers discussed cooperation to achieve immigration goals, provincial immigration programs, and the plan for the Atlantic Immigration Program and noted that the ability of communities to accept new migrants into their environment must be studied.
They also discussed how Ukrainian families coming to Canada are being supported due to the current situation between Russia and Ukraine. Ministers called on Canada to clarify the terms of The Canada-Ukraine authorization for emergency travel and to extend the Canada-Ukraine Transitional Assistance Initiative and temporary hotel accommodations to help Ukrainian citizens coming to Canada. Further goals included discussing permanent residency for those Ukrainians who want to stay in Canada or cannot return back home to Ukraine.
"Through today’s meeting we looked to build momentum to further clarify the roles and responsibilities of our respective governments to successfully attract, integrate, and retain immigrants", said New Brunswick's Minister responsible for Immigration Arlene Dunn. — Partnership, collaboration, and a shared vision for enhancing Canada’s immigration policies and programs are at the centre of how federal, provincial, and territorial governments navigate the ever-changing immigration landscape".
Ministers also acknowledged emerging setbacks. For example, the problem of finding affordable housing for new immigrants, as well as the current strain on settlement services across the country.
The ministers confirmed that they are ready to work together to create a more flexible system of economic immigration. One goal is to increase the involvement of provinces and territories in the selection of economic immigrants. Not least of these are health professionals with an international degree.
You can find more about other immigration programs here.
