More funds for foreign worker program
Government has allotted $50.5 million for foreign worker services in Ontario and Atlantic Canada to help employers meet labour market needs. This will be used to reduce processing delays and to establish ways in which employer compliance with the terms and conditions of the program can be monitored. Some of the resources will be given to help address non-compliance.

New Class of Immigration introduced
Persons will be allowed to file for immigration under the new Canadian Experience Class. This stream of permanent residency will be available to temporary foreign workers and international students with Canadian degrees and relevant work experience. Persons in can apply from within Canada. Citizenship and Immigration Canada’s goal for 2008 is to admit between 10,000 and 12,000 new immigrants under the Canadian Experience class of immigration.

CIC increases funding for Immigrant-helping services in Toronto
The $30 million is to help provide newcomers to Canada more access to settlement services in the city. These services include communication training, translation and interpretation, referrals to community resources, and counseling. Newcomers can also look to the Foreign Credentials Referral Office for help in finding information needed to get foreign credentials assessed and recognized.

Immigrants Keep Canada’s Population Growth Alive
Canadian population is increasing due to new immigrants. 400, 000 Canadians were born between 2001 and 2006 but 1.2 million immigrants settled here in the same number of years. The 2006 census data placed Canada’s population at 31.6 million. The data shows that population rates have increased by 5.4% which was the highest among the G8 nations. Immigration is the main reason for Canada’s healthy growth.