Push for visa-free migration bloc in Australia, UK, Canada and New Zealand

AUSTRALIA is being called on to join a push for a new visa-free migration bloc with a new poll finding overwhelming public support to be able to live and work freely in “like-minded” nations.

The push to have a “free mobility labour zone” between Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Britain was started by London Mayor Boris Johnson but has now been picked up by several MPs and Lords in Westminster.

A poll in the four nations commissioned by the Royal Commonwealth Society in London and released today found 70 per cent of Australians, 82 per cent of New Zealanders and 75 per cent of Canadians supported the move.

Britain also backed the initiative although to a lesser degree — 58 per cent. The UK is currently in a migration crisis with EU membership ensuring all Europeans have free access to live and work in the UK and receive substantial benefits, all of which is to come to a head in June with a referendum on whether the UK remains in the EU.

Young adults (18-35 years) notably in Australia and New Zealand were the most supportive, 90 and 80 per cent respectively.

(link: http://www.news.com.au/world/europe/push-for-visafree-migration-bloc-in-australia-uk-canada-and-new-zealand/news-story/c854fd6012d1245512f76cf39955b0cf )

Federal, provincial and territorial immigration ministers meet to discuss future immigration planning

Tue, 2016-03-15 08:00

March 14, 2016—Ottawa, ON—Federal, provincial and territorial ministers of immigration met today in Ottawa to talk about the future of immigration in Canada, review the recently tabled immigration levels plan and share experiences resettling and integrating Syrian refugees into their communities.

“The work to resettle and integrate Syrian refugees into our communities has just begun, and the provinces and territories are key partners in ensuring we do it successfully,” said Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Minister John McCallum. “The opportunity to come together, hear about what is working and where the challenges are, will help us further improve services for refugees and all newcomers.”

Minister McCallum spoke to the higher levels of immigration in the 2016 levels plan. All ministers present committed to working together on multi-year levels planning going forward to ensure that future immigration levels reflect the importance of immigration to meet labour market and other needs. Ministers discussed a new Vision Action Plan, that will guide the improvement of immigration and settlement outcomes over the next three years.

(link: http://news.gc.ca/web/article-en.do?nid=1039929 )

Regulatory Body Warns the Public to Be Vigilant of Immigration Scams

Fri, 2016-03-11 08:00

BURLINGTON, March 9, 2016 – March is Fraud Prevention Month in Canada and the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC) is encouraging the public to be aware of unscrupulous immigration practices from individuals posing as authorized immigration service providers. The regulatory body reminds consumers that federal law requires anyone providing Canadian immigration or citizenship advice for a fee or other consideration must be a member in good standing of a provincial or territorial law society (a lawyer or an authorized paralegal in Ontario), the Chambre des notaires du Québec, or ICCRC. Anyone providing any immigration or citizenship services, who is not a member of one of these organizations, is acting in contravention of the law and should be reported. “It is important that as consumers we be vigilant and protect ourselves,” said Christopher Barry, interim President and CEO of ICCRC. “If something seems too good to be true, it probably is, so we ask for the public’s help to ensure that immigrants find safe passage to Canada and that illegal operators be stopped and brought to justice.”

link: https://www.iccrc-crcic.ca/admin/contentEngine/contentImages/file/FPM%20press%20release%20-%20FINAL.pdf

Government of Canada releases its ambitious plan for 2016 immigration levels

Wed, 2016-03-09 08:00

March 8, 2016 – Ottawa, ON – The Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, John McCallum, today announced that Canada will welcome a greater number of immigrants in 2016—with a special emphasis on family reunification.

The Government of Canada has an ambitious plan to bring in between 280,000 and 305,000 new permanent residents in 2016. As we continue to show our global leadership, Canada will reunite families, offer a place of refuge to those fleeing persecution, and support Canada’s long-term economic prosperity.

Through the Annual Report to Parliament on Immigration—which includes the 2016 immigration levels plan—the government outlined how it will increase levels of family class immigration, which will address the application backlog and reunite families more quickly.

The government will meet its commitments to welcome more refugees to Canada, and in the process, it will help diversify the Canadian economy and create sustainable growth.

(link: http://news.gc.ca/web/article-en.do?nid=1038729 )