Immigration News

Glen Hodgson is the author of 'Canada’s Future Labour Market: Immigrants to the Rescue?' published in the July-August issue of Policy Options (www.irpp.org). He is senior vice-president and chief economist at the Conference Board of Canada.

In this article, Hodgson argues that immigration is essential to the future prosperity of Canada, but he argues that the current migration policy should be modernised, integrated and well-managed to meet the country's needs.

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The baby boom generation in Canada is about to start retiring in growing numbers. Who will replace the boomers in the workplace? The answer, increasingly, will need to be more immigrants.

The economic situation is only going to get more demanding for Canadian employers. We expect that over the next three years the national unemployment rate will decline back toward 6 per cent, which is effectively full employment. Finding workers and containing wage pressures are already resurfacing as key issues for Canadian employers in some regions and sectors.

The role of immigration in Canada’s economic development over many centuries is generally appreciated by most other Canadians. Less well understood is the role that immigration will have to play in the coming years if Canada’s economic development and growth are to be sustained.

Around the world, there are significant differences in attitudes and policies toward immigration, with clear economic consequences. At one end of the spectrum is Japan, whose total population is already in decline. The share of its population over the age of 65 is expected to increase from 22 per cent in 2010 to more than 30 per cent by 2030. However, Japan has yet to introduce broad policies that actively encourage immigration. Although some controls on foreign workers have been relaxed, its underlying economic growth potential is being steadily eroded by this aging phenomenon and by a shrinking workforce.

Similarly, there are numerous countries in Europe that are now suffering the negative effect of an aging workforce and weak labour force dynamics. Much of Europe is struggling to find the right balance between economic and social objectives in its approach to immigration.

At the other end of the spectrum are Canada, Australia and the U.S. All three countries are actively encouraging immigration as one means of building their labour forces and economies over time.

The born-in-Canada population will continue to grow. Although the fertility rate rose slightly during the 2000s, to 1.66 in 2007, it is still well below what is needed to maintain the population through natural increase, which is 2.1 children per woman. Canada will need more immigrants if the labour force is to grow and remain vibrant. Other demographic groups that will be called on to contribute to Canada’s labour force stability are mature workers, aboriginal people, women, people with disabilities and youth.

If Canada is to increasingly rely on immigrants, obviously it needs a modernized, integrated and well-managed immigration policy.

What, then, should be the key attributes of that policy?

 • Increase the weight given to economic factors. A reinvigorated immigration policy will need to recognize the importance of skills-based immigration to address Canada’s labour market needs and to unlock immigrants’ potential for making a long-term economic contribution.

 • Ensure that we have an immigration system that is streamlined, coordinated and well-managed. Canada cannot afford to have an immigration system, or any national policy for that matter, where there is misalignment between the federal and provincial levels.

 • Be prepared to expand the use of temporary foreign worker (TFW) programs to fill short-term gaps in labour markets. As a matter of public policy, Canada should develop an array of tools to balance short-term labour market needs with the longer-term objectives of a growing and skilled labour force. TFW programs, delivered by provincial governments through their close contact with local business, are one such policy tool.

 • Increase employers’ upfront involvement. If a renewed immigration policy is to address Canada’s labour market needs appropriately, it stands to reason that employers need to be included in the decision-making and delivery process.

 • Create new and improved pathways to permanent residency for TFWs and foreign students.

 • Improve foreign credential recognition, access to language training, settlement services and opportunities to gain meaningful work experience. To be fully effective in the labour force, immigrants will need the same hard and soft skills and demonstrated competencies that other participants in the Canadian labour market have.

Labour supply is more plentiful now in many industries than it was two years ago, but the recession has provided only temporary reprieve from the tight labour market conditions faced during 2007 and much of 2008.

Failure to adequately plan for the coming deceleration in labour supply growth will likely leave organizations short of skilled employees and could dampen growth prospects for the entire Canadian economy.

Immigrants can come to the rescue, but only if the policy framework and the supporting infrastructure create the right conditions for success.

Glen Hodgson

A source within the office of Chris Evans, the Minister for Immigration in Australia, has revealed that the minister may resign later this year.

Regardless of the eventual conclusion of the current electoral stasis, Mr Evans is said to be evaluating his future options and is looking at other portfolios, a move that he has been considering for some time.

The possibility of a new immigration minister is generating considerable debate within the migration community - some within the industry have already talked about the possibility of an improved migration service and an injection of new ideas.

Any change in minister should not affect the day to day processing of applications, which will continue as normal.

The Australian federal election has resulted in the first hung parliament since 1940. Neither Labor nor the Liberal/National coalition have the majority of 76 seats to form a government in their own right. Three returned independents - Tony Windsor, Rob Oakeshott and Bob Katter - therefore, will share the balance of power with the Greens Member of Parliament Adam Bandt.

The subject of Australian immigration has been a hot topic during the run up to the Australian election, with both candidates showing a resolve to protect the Australian way of life by reducing immigration intake if elected.

Liberal leader, Tony Abbott pledged to reduce net migration to 170,000 a year, which is a huge decrease from the peak of 300,000 in 2008, and he also said a review of migration in general was necessary.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Julia Gillard has been promoting her view of 'a sustainable and small Australia' in line with her objective to protect the Australian culture.

'I assume that they (the independents) will lean toward restricting immigration. but they comes from regional Australia, where the population is falling, or at least not increasing, and increased immigration is a way to address that', said Political Analyst Dr Ian Cook from Murdoch University.

According to Dr. Richard Herr, political expert from University of Tasmania, the fact that the three independents are from rural and regional areas should lead to a much bigger focus on regional development.

That is likely to create opportunities for some entrepreneurs, as the mining tax may be diminished. While there is also probability of an increase of skill immigration intake for those resource-rich states facing skills shortages.

'Labor seems to take a harsher line on illegal immigration, and in response to some of the concerns of West Australia and other main urban area with regard to large intake of non-European migrants', said Dr Richard Herr.

'Given that large of support, a Labor government may have to reevaluate the stand they have taken on towards immigration, and soften their attitude in order to win support to form a minority government.'

However, one political analyst speculated the hung Parliament would not have much impacts on the immigration policy, due to the fact that the trio independents are all regarded conservative.

'Both (Parties) wished to play into mainstream white, suburban thinking on social issues. I'm afraid that pandering to prejudicial instincts will continue because the electoral culture is not likely to change', said Dr Graeme Orr.

'Immigration levels and policy are largely set by the executive government, not by parliamentary law, so the hung parliament will not affect it much.'

Negotiation has begun between the party leaders and the independents. Three independents in talks over minority government on Wednesday released a list of seven demands to secure their support.

The list included access to the latest Treasury advice on election promise costings and the economic outlook for Australia. The independents also want changes to political donations, advertising regulations, and electoral funding.

From the BBC website:

Three independent MPs who may hold the balance of power following Saturday's inconclusive election in Australia say they will negotiate as a bloc.

With some votes still to be counted, both the ruling Labor party and the opposition conservative coalition appear to have fallen short of the 76 seats needed for a majority.

Both are now lobbying for support from the independents.

Trading was down as financial markets opened, amid the political limbo.

The Australian dollar and government bonds both fell in value. The Australian dollar lost almost 1% against the US dollar in early trading, before recovering somewhat.

Australia has not elected a hung parliament since 1940.

But the latest figures from Australian public broadcaster ABC give Labor 72 seats and the coalition 69 seats. The Greens secured one seat and independents won three. Five seats have not yet been called.

On Monday, both Prime Minister Julia Gillard and opposition leader Tony Abbott flew into Canberra to start working to try to secure a majority. Both have opened talks with the independents.

"It's my intention to negotiate in good faith an effective agreement to form government," Ms Gillard told journalists on Sunday.

Attention is focusing on three independent MPs - Bob Katter, Tony Windsor and Rob Oakeshott - who represent rural and regional constituencies.

Mr Oakeshott said the trio would stand "shoulder to shoulder" during the negotiating process, so they did not "get picked off by political interests and vested interests".

Another independent, Andrew Wilkie, looks on course to win the Tasmanian seat of Denison, while Adam Bandt secured one seat for the Greens.

Mr Abbott claimed the current government had lost its legitimacy.

"It's almost inconceivable that any Labor government emerging from this election could deliver competent and stable government," he said.

The election came two months after Ms Gillard ousted Kevin Rudd in a controversial leadership challenge.

Correspondents say Mr Abbott has tried to exploit the Labor party's divisions after the departure of Mr Rudd, trying to portray the opposition coalition as a stable answer to a government beset by in-fighting.

In his campaign he has pledged to tighten immigration and has hit out at government spending. He has also toned down his well-known climate change scepticism.

Ms Gillard, a former lawyer who called a snap election shortly after coming to office, was hoping to be rewarded for the government's handling of the economy, which weathered the global recession remarkably well.

But support for Australia's first female prime minister has fallen in the two months she has been in office.

What happens next:

• Counting of postal votes could continue for up to two weeks, with four seats too close to call
• Rivals to negotiate with up to four independents and one Green MP expected to hold the balance
• Deadlock could lead to new elections - though analysts believe this is unlikely to happen quickly.

Immigration has proved to be a critical election issue for all the main parties.

Read the full article here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-11054923

The permanent population of New Zealand increased by 1,000 people due to immigration in the month of July, while the nation experienced an overall increase of 15,200 for the year, according to a new report by Statistics New Zealand.

The department said the net permanent and long-term arrivals for the year was higher than the annual average of 11,900 for the years 1990-2009, though the figure masks outflows to Australia.

For the year July 2010, a net 16,500 people crossed the Tasman permanently, made up of 32,300 departures and 15,800 arrivals, the majority of migrants in both directions being New Zealand citizens. In the July 2009 year, the net outflow was 26,900 people.

'The trouble is people often default to the annual averages, and don’t look at the underlying month on month figures', said BNZ senior economist Craig Ebert. 'The net monthly figure was very dangerously flirting with zero.'

Part of the trend over the past year has been an increase in permanent departures, which tended to freeze as people waited the outcome of the global financial crisis.

'What we may be seeing is a stabilising permanent arrival figure that stays at a low level, instead of going negative', Ebert said.

The figures for July also show a net inflow of 900 migrants from India, 400 from China and 200 each from Germany and the Philippines. The net outflow of 1,400 permanent migrants to Australia was up from 900 in July 2009, but down on the net outflow of 2,700 in July 2008.

Visitor arrivals for July 2010 compared to July 2009 were up 4% at 182,900, with 3,900 more visitors from China, 2,800 extra from Japan, and 1,800 more from Australia.

'The visitor trends are patchy', Ebert said. 'European, U.K., Ireland and North American numbers are still weak to weakening. But we’re seeing a very aggressive bounce back in arrivals from Asia.'

Ebert said this demonstrates how much more New Zealand is part of a global economy, somewhat moving away from the old allies and creating greater exposure to Asian markets.

The figures may also help dispel negative commentary around New Zealand’s economic recovery, which Ebert said is still predicted to be slow. According to Ebert, its overall direction is still much more positive than portrayed by the media.

From the BBC website:

The election campaign in Australia has reached its final day with the two main parties neck and neck.

An opinion poll suggested the governing Labor Party had lost its narrow lead to be tied with the opposition coalition.

Julia Gillard, Australia's first female prime minister, is facing a fight to the finish with conservative coalition leader Tony Abbott.

Ms Gillard became prime minister in June after ousting her predecessor, Kevin Rudd.

But correspondents say she faces a backlash at the ballot box over a range of issues including the way she replaced Mr Rudd and her policy direction on climate change.

According to the survey by Newspoll for The Australian newspaper on Friday, voters were split 50-50 between the two main parties.

A Newspoll survey on Monday had put Labor at 52% and the Liberals at 48%.

However, most analysts still expect Labor to hang on to power for a second three-year term with a narrow majority.

In the run-up to Saturday's poll, Mr Abbott - who leads the Liberal Party - vowed to campaign non-stop for 36 hours to woo more voters away from Labor.

"I am running for the biggest job in the country, and if you're running for a big job, you've got to make a big effort," he said.

Welsh-born Ms Gillard has warned that the election will be "a real cliffhanger" and urged voters to turn out.

"There is a very, very real risk that (voters) will wake up on Sunday and Mr Abbott will be prime minister," she said. "So, tomorrow is the day for choosing."

Ms Gillard has been hit by a series of damaging - apparently internal - leaks during the campaign, something that Tony Abbott has cited as evidence of disarray with the Labor ranks.

Before taking office, she had been Kevin Rudd's deputy and her sudden leadership challenge in June stunned many Australians.

The challenge came as the Labor Party's popularity was sliding in opinion polls.

Mr Rudd surrendered without a fight after realising his support among government colleagues had collapsed.

Immigration has proved to be a key issue in the election campaign, with both main parties promising to 'tighten up' Australia's migration policy.

Read the full article here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-11033157

The Canadian Government has issued new rules for the Temporary Foreign Worker Program in order to protect workers.

'The government is taking action to protect temporary foreign workers, including live-in caregivers, from potential abuse and exploitation', said Canadian Immigration Minister Jason Kenney.

'We owe it to them, their employers and all Canadians to ensure that the program is fair and equitable. After all, they are an essential element of Canada’s economic success.'

Temporary foreign workers are critical in order to fill the skills gap that Canadian citizens and permanent residents are unable to bridge.

The changes will come into effect on April 1, 2011 and will include the following measures:

• A more rigorous assessment of the genuineness of the job offer;
• A two-year prohibition from hiring temporary foreign workers for employers who fail to meet their commitments to workers with respect to wages, working conditions and occupation; AND
  A limit on the length of time a temporary foreign worker may work in Canada before returning home.
• Employers seeking to hire temporary foreign workers, including live-in caregivers, will now be assessed against past compliance before authorisation can be granted, and employers found to have violated worker rights may be refused authorisation to hire a foreign worker.

The Canadian Government has agreed to ease restrictions on the number of migrants that can permanently immigrate each year after pressure from the provinces.

The Canadian Government has increased the number of Canadian Visas available for provincial nominees. Provinces, such as Alberta, have been lobbying the Harper government to scrap its plans to impose a Canadian Visa cap on the number of migrants arriving through the provincial nominee program.

Many provinces are experiencing permanent labour shortages and have asked for an increase in the numbers of workers they can nominate to fill permanent jobs. Alberta’s cap imposed by the government initially sat at 4,400 - well short of the 5,000 places Alberta had requested this year.

Canadian immigration officials initially indicated in June that the number of visa places under the provincial nominee programme will be reduced, but on Tuesday they announced they will increase the numbers after reviewing their case loads and immigration targets for the year.

The provincial nominee programme is considered a good solution for labour shortages as migrants must already have obtained work in Canada before arriving, and therefore are almost immediately paying taxes and contributing to the economy.

Alberta Immigration Minister Thomas Lukaszuk said the additional nominees would be critical to sustaining the short-term economic turnaround as well as long-term growth.

However, he said the number was just a start and still doesn't address Alberta's long-term economic and immigration needs. Alberta will now receive 5,000 provincial nominees this year up from the 4,400 initially approved.

British Columbia will now receive 3,500 provincial nominees, a slight increase from the initial 3,200.
Saskatchewan has been allocated 4,000 up from 3,700, and Manitoba will now get 5,000 places increased from 4,600.

If you are planning to visit New Zealand in 2011 for the Rugby World Cup you may need a visa.

Applications will be accepted from September.

If you are from a country that is not on Immigration New Zealand's visa-free list you will need to apply for a visitor visa before you come to New Zealand.

If you are from a visa-free country, you do not need a visa. On arrival in New Zealand you will need to have evidence of funds for the length of your visit, and an onward ticket. If you have ever been deported from any country or have criminal convictions you may be stopped from entering New Zealand.

Regardless of whether you require a visa or not, you will also need to meet health requirements and character requirements, and be considered to be a genuine visitor, before you will be allowed entry to New Zealand.

If you are concerned about your eligibility to enter New Zealand because you do not meet the health or character requirements (such as criminal convictions or previously being deported from another country), please contact your nearest Immigration New Zealand (INZ) branch.

You should check the INZ website regularly, as policies are subject to review and may change.

Important note for those from the United Kingdom and Australia:

British citizens and other British passport holders who produce evidence of the right to reside permanently in the UK can visit for up to six months without a visa.

Australian citizens and people who hold a current Australian permanent residence visa or a current Australian resident return visa do not need a New Zealand visa to enter New Zealand.

More information can be found on the official website: http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migrant/stream/visit/rugby/