April 19, 2012

Transformational Changes to Canada’s Immigration System

Minister Kenney has announced additional changes that will make Canada’s immigration system faster and more flexible. The purpose is to attract younger people with Canadian work experience that will contribute to our economic growth as soon as they arrive to Canada.

One proposed change would help CIC ensure FSW applicants meet current labour market needs. It would allow new rules set out in Ministerial Instructions to apply to people who have already submitted an application. For example, instructions could place a priority on a specific occupation, such as doctors, and have existing applications from doctors processed first, regardless of where they are in the queue.

A similar change would allow new regulations, once approved, to apply retrospectively to people who have already submitted an application. These changes would help ensure that immigrants are chosen based on Canada’s current needs and priorities.