World Education Services (WES) is a non-profit social enterprise dedicated to helping international students, immigrants, and refugees achieve their educational and career goals in the United States and Canada. The weekly roundup includes research, stories, and events of interest to the Canadian immigration and settlement community. This content has been created by WES and is reproduced here with their permission, in partnership.
Citizenship Acquisition and Active Presence of Immigrants in Canada (Stats Canada)
Contrary to longstanding perceptions, Canadian citizenship is a sign of immigrants’ satisfaction and commitment to a country than a convenience, researchers find. A new Stats Canada report explores the dynamic of acquiring Canadian citizenship and maintaining active presence in Canada amongst immigrants. The proportion of immigrants active after 10 years in Canada, was much higher among those who were citizens than among immigrants were not. The research found that immigrants who choose to become citizens generally have a greater commitment to the country they move to and often plan to settle long-term, demystifying, according to the report, the notion that many immigrants are “Canadians of convenience”, taking advantage of citizenship for the privilege of a Canadian passport but have no intention to remain and pursue long term settlement. Researchers note that the tendency for immigrants either those who are citizens or not, to have an active presence may differ bases on several characteristics. Highly educated immigrants, with increased opportunity for international mobility, may have higher inactivity for those who are less educated. Contrastingly, those who may come from developed countries where better economic opportunities are prevalent may migrate more regularly.
To Read Further:
OPINION | There’s no building without belonging (Hill Times)
Canada’s economic prosperity relies heavily on ensuring that immigrants with much needed skills are feeling socially and economically supported as they seek to chart new futures. Renewed plans from the Liberal government to stabilize immigration numbers along with building a stronger economy, risk overlooking critical talent shortages in areas including the skilled trades. Within trades, there are nearly 64,000 vacancies across the industry with 700,000 workers set to retire by 2030. The scaling of incentives including apprenticeship and upskilling programs must be expedited to ensure that the addition of tradespeople to the workforce keeps pace with those outgoing. Greater attention must also be placed on attracting and retaining internationally trained tradespeople, prioritizing a sense of belonging for individuals who provide the expertise that the economy desperately needs.
Can Mark Carney reconcile Canada’s growing divides? (The Hub)
After a politically charged election cycle, Canadians across party lines are concerned about growing social and ideological divides within the country. Experts worry that this signals the collapse of a shared national experience and identity that is central to Canada’s social fabric. Post election results indicate that Canadians are divided more than ever, by metrics including age, gender, race, religion, economic class, and even immigration status. In order to foster reconciliation within the public, policy makers and civilians alike, will need to get comfortable with having “uncomfortable” conversations; learning how to approach each other’s fears and challenges with engagement as opposed to condescension. The Carney government will need to overcome this division by a platform rooted in equity and opportunity for all.
Prime Minister Carney appoints new Immigration Minister (The PIE)
In a sweeping cabinet overhaul, Canadian Prime Minister has appointed Nova Scotia’s Lena Diab as the new minister overseeing Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada. As one of two dozen new Members of Parliament joining Carney’s cabinet, Diab is joining the immigration department, tasked with restoring public confidence in the system. Sectors including higher-ed are welcoming Minister Diab to the role, and are feeling optimistic, given her previous experience in serving for 8 years as Nova Scotia’s Immigration Minister until 2021. Diab is replacing Rachel Bendayan who was in the post for two months following the removal of previous minister Marc Miller, upon Carney becoming leader of the Liberal party.
Further Reading:
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