Canada’s new government has launched a new government office geared specifically towards helping trained professionals who intend to live and work in Canada have their skills assessed and recognised more quickly. As promised in the 2007 Budget, $32.2 million has been pledged towards the running of the Foreign Credential Referral Office (FCRO) over the next five years.

Dianne Finley, Canada’s Minister of Citizenship and Immigration commented:

“Too many newcomers can’t get jobs they have been trained for. That’s a terrible waste, for them and for the country. Today, we are delivering on our commitment to do something about it. In our first phase, the Foreign Credentials Referral Office will help newcomers access what they need to become accredited, both in Canada for those newcomers already here, and abroad for those waiting for an opportunity to come to our country.”

Wai Young, Interim Executive Director of the Canadian Immigrant Settlement Sector Alliance, added: “Canada needs immigrants, and initiatives such as the FCRO will help attract newcomers and capitalize on their skills.”

The new initiative is set to include the following:

• In-person services and a dedicated phone service operated by Service Canada at 320 outlets across the country by Autumn 2007.

• An expanded online service that will help individuals identify occupations in Canada for which they may be qualified, provide them with detailed labour market information, and refer them to the appropriate regulatory body.

• Increasing employer awareness of the processes for, and benefits of, hiring internationally trained and educated professionals.

Other additional movements by the new Canadian government will include a speeding up of the processing of foreign applications for healthcare positions in Canada and an effort to develop new online resources that will help migrants integrate themselves into Canadian society.