Building a stronger Canada one story at a time

Luz Marina

Mississauga — Luz Marina, from our Mississauga office, reviews applications like Mario’s to sponsor his wife and two children. People who are part of the family class of immigrants are sponsored by Canadians or permanent residents. The family class includes spouses, common-law partners, dependent children, parents and grandparents, and certain other relatives.

Paula

Vancouver — Paula helped Carolina find an English-language class at a CIC-funded welcome centre for newcomers to Canada. CIC funds organizations to provide language training to newcomers and helps them prepare for employment.

Corinne

Ottawa — Corinne hired Madut for the Young Newcomers Internship Program at CIC. Madut came to Canada through the World University Service of Canada’s Student Refugee Program and accepted the CIC internship once he finished his university degree. He is now a permanent employee of the Department. The Young Newcomers Internship Program is an eight-month internship program that provides valuable Canadian work experience to newcomers. The successful program is now expanding to other departments and agencies in the Government of Canada.

Suzanne

Kingston — Suzanne, a citizenship judge, presented Caesar with his citizenship certificate. The ceremony was an important milestone in Caesar’s journey to become a Canadian. Eighty-five percent of eligible immigrants acquire Canadian citizenship. Every year, approximately 170,000 people become new Canadians at almost 3,000 citizenship ceremonies across Canada.

Gary

South Pacific — Gary guided Arturo through the process of applying from the Philippines to work as a welder in Alberta. The Province of Alberta nominated Arturo through the Provincial Nominee Program. Provinces and territories can nominate people who have the skills to meet their economic and labour market needs.

Laurie

Burma — Laurie works for a settlement organization funded by CIC in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. She helped Hay and his family settle in Canada. A CIC visa officer at a Karen refugee camp in Thailand selected them to come to Canada under the Government-Assisted Refugee Program. Canada is recognized around the world for its leadership in resettling refugees and providing refuge to people seeking asylum. On average, Canada welcomes 20,000 to 30,000 refugees every year.

Heidi

Turkey — Heidi coordinates the program that helps international students like Haluk apply to remain in Canada permanently, after their studies are completed. Haluk had applied for a temporary admission from his native Turkey to complete a degree at the University of Ottawa. Some 70,000 people come to Canada to study every year. Students may want to stay in Canada. They can apply to become permanent residents under the Canadian Experience Class.

Sylvie

Halifax — Sylvie recognized Ada at the “Mathieu Da Costa Challenge” award ceremony in Halifax. CIC’s Multiculturalism Program works with newcomers and established Canadians to build an integrated, socially cohesive society by fostering intercultural understanding, civic memory and pride, and respect for core democratic values, and by promoting equal opportunity for all Canadians.

Tom

Ukraine — Tom processes requests in the Ukraine mission in Kiev from people like Slava, who wanted to work as an ironworker in Alberta’s oil patch. Canada accepts temporary foreign workers to address short-term labour market shortages. Workers who may want to stay in Canada can apply to become permanent residents under the Canadian Experience Class.

Craig

South America — Craig approved the application submitted by Luis and his family that allowed them to get their permanent resident visas at CIC’s immigration office in Venezuela. Luis is a fully trained geophysicist. More than half of Canada’s immigrants are admitted because they are likely to make an economic contribution to Canada.

Kueki

Ghana — Kueki received Elizabeth's application for a visitor visa so that she could attend her nephew's wedding. Her nephew was born in Canada and this will be the first time she will meet him. All visitors to Canada require a visa except where an exemption for certain countries has been granted.