NEW SAFE COUNTRIES FOR ASYLUM SEEKERS

Citizenship and Immigrations Canada (CIC) continued vow to streamline its overall system has announced a new formal list of countries designated as safe for persons to claim asylum in. As of May 31st 2013 the list will be comprised of a total 37 countries.

HOW IS THIS DETERMINED?

Designated Countries of Origin (DCOs) are determined by the Canadian government whom produce low amounts of refugee claimants.

MINISTER OF IMMIGRATION SAYS THIS IS KEY

Minister of Immigration Jason Kenney has states that “the ability to designate countries is a key part of the new system”. This has proven to be true as there has been a 91 percent decrease in asylum seekers coming to Canada compared to the same period some six years ago.

WHICH COUNTRIES ARE LISTED?

The total list comprises of the following countries:
Australia Hungary New Zealand
Austria Iceland Norway
Belgium Ireland Poland
Croatia Israel Portugal
Cyprus Italy Slovak Republic
Czech Republic Japan Slovenia
Denmark Latvia Spain
Estonia Lithuania Sweden
Finland Luxembourg Switzerland
France Malta United Kingdom
Germany Mexico United States
Greece Netherlands

A report that was issued in the Beijing news agency in 2011 reported that there were some 6,000 immigration visas to Canada, United States and Australia granted to Chinese nationals.

More specifically the Business Visa to Canada allows foreign nationals such as the Chinese to invest in Canada. The report went on to show that 27% of rich Chinese holding investible assets of 100 million Yuan have been granted visas and with a growing number Chinese nationals (47%) considering to immigrate.

When asked as to why Chinese nationals wish to come to Canada the most popular response is a better future for one’s children.

GO CANADA

So you think you know Canada, eh?
In celebration of Canada’s Birthday we challenge you to answer the following questions about the best country in the world!
1. What is Canada’s highest mountain?
2. Which famous Canadian rap artist named his first mixtape Room for Improvement?
3. The first mosque in Canada was built in which province?
4. What was the 10th province to join the Canadian confederation in 1949?
5. Which famous general was killed in the Battle of Queenston Heights on October 13, 1812, during the War of 1812?
6. Which Canadian province has the largest land size?
7. Which Canadian province is named after Queen Victoria’s fourth daughter?
8. Which Canadian city is known as the Paris of the Prairies?
9. Which French-Canadian prime minister famously proclaimed: “I think that we can claim that it is Canada that shall fill the 20th century.”
10. Which (Member of Parliament) MP from Montreal West was assassinated in Ottawa in 1868?
11. The face of which past Canadian prime minister is on the $100 bill?
12. Canada has two national sports. What are they?
13. When did “O Canada” officially become the national anthem?
14. Canada, a name derived from the Huron-Iroquois word “kanata,” meaning “village,” was adopted by which French explorer?
15. Which famous DC Comics superhero character was co-created by Canadian Joseph “Joe” Shuster?
16. Who was the first female doctor to practice medicine in Canada?
17. Which Canadian boxer won a gold medal at the 1988 Olympics?
18. What year did Canada eliminate the one-dollar bill and replace it with the loonie?
19. Who was prime minister of Canada during the Second World War?
20. Canada is part of the voluntary association of countries that (for the most part) used to belong to the British Empire. What is this association called?
21. Canada is comprised of how many time zones?
22. Which Canadian town has the longest freshwater beach in the world?
23. What Canadian province has the longest tunnel on the continent?
24. In what year did all Canadian women aged 21 and over become eligible to vote in federal elections?
25. Who was the former slave who petitioned for the creation of an all-black unit during the War of 1812?
26. Which French president fuelled separatist tensions in 1967 when he proclaimed “Vive le Québec libre!”during a speech in Montreal?
27. What was Canada’s worst epidemic, which killed 50,000 Canadians and was spread by troops returning from service overseas during the First World War?
28. In what year will Canada celebrate its sesquicentennial birthday?
29. Who was the first Canadian to walk in space?
30. Louis Riel, a Metis leader, is considered the father of which Canadian province?
————
ANSWERS
1. Mount Logan, Yukon
2. Drake
3. Alberta
4. Newfoundland
5. Isaac Brock
6. Quebec
7. Alberta
8. Saskatoon
9. Wilfrid Laurier
10. Thomas D’Arcy McGee
11. Robert Borden
12. Hockey and lacrosse
13. July 1, 1980
14. Jacques Cartier
15. Superman
16. Emily Howard Stowe
17. Lennox Lewis
18. 1987
19. William Lyon Mackenzie King
20. The Commonwealth
21. Six
22. Wasaga Beach, Ont.
23. British Columbia (Mount Macdonald Tunnel)
24. 1918
25. Richard Pierpoint
26. Charles de Gaulle
27. Influenza
28. 2017
29. Chris Hadfield
30. Manitoba

Canadian Minister of Immigration Jason Kenny is requesting the Canadian peoples help in regards to feedback on the levels of Immigration to Canada. This public consultation will help the government guide its targets and policy for 2014 and onward.

WHAT IS THE PROCESS?

This process will consist of a series of cross country meetings with various stakeholders and special interest groups able to voice their concerns at an open forum hosted by Parliamentary Secretary Rick Dykstra. Participants in these consultations will be able to voice their views on the increasing role that economic immigration is playing in the prosperity of Canada and to the Governments move towards a faster and more flexible immigration process.

WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES?

This process is not only fraught with great challenge as a balance must be struck between the government’s ability to process proposed increases in applications and various government commitments to the provinces / territories and other economic conditions that still plague the 2008 recovery.

IMMIGRATION IS KEY TO OUR ECONOMIC GROWTH!

Minister Kenney stressed that “since 2006, the Government of Canada has welcomes the highest sustained levels of immigration in Canadian history and given the importance of immigration to our economic growth, we are especially keen to hear the views of Canadians as we prepare for the years ahead.”

WHAT ISSUES WILL CIC BE LOOKING AT?

These consultations are a fantastic opportunity for the government to raise awareness of the benefits that immigration brings to Canada including the multitude of options that are available via CIC for the economic and social benefits of Canada.
The consultations shall be exploring a number of issues related to three main questions:

• What is the appropriate level of immigration for Canada, this year and beyond?
• What is the best ratio – or mix – between the number of economic immigrants, family class immigrants and the refugee/humanitarian class?
• Economic immigration is a key immigration goal for Canada’s long-term economic growth. What role can immigration play to support Canada’s economy?

According to Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney more than 20,000 Parent and Grandparent Super Visas have been issued to Canada since the start of the program in late December 2001.

This innovative way of giving parents and grandparents the ability to travel back and forth between their home country and Canada allows loved ones to stay connects without the trouble of going through visa applications upon every entry etc.

CIC reports that this has become the most popular program with an average 1,000 Super Visas being issued monthly with an approval rate as high as 85%!

The super visa allows for multiple entries for parents and grandparent of children and grandchildren living in Canada. The super visa is valid for a period of ten years while offering the holder the option of staying in Canada for two years at a time.

The process for the super visa is incredibly easy and requires the following:

- Applicant for the super visa must provide proof that the host child or grandchild meets a minimum income level.
- Demonstrate that they have purchased comprehensive Canadian medical insurance.
- Undergo immigration medical examination

The Federal Minister also noted that to date some 99% of applicants who meet the above requirements have been approved.