Speaking Notes - Statement by the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, on foreign credential recognition

Ottawa, Ontario, February 18, 2007

Canada’s new government, through Citizenship and Immigration Canada and Human Resources and Social Development Canada, is committed to establishing an office that will help qualified foreign-trained professionals become accredited so they can practice in their chosen fields in Canada.

The 2006 Federal Budget set aside $18 million over two years to take the first steps toward establishing this entity, and Advantage Canada reaffirmed that the Government will move forward on this commitment. Improved labour market integration is critical so that Canada can continue attracting and retaining the skilled immigrants it needs.

All levels of government have a role to play in integrating immigrants into Canadian society and the economy. My colleague Monte Solberg, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development Canada, and I are engaging our partners as we move forward, including provinces, territories, 440 separate regulatory agencies each provincially or territorially regulated, post secondary institutions, sector councils, and employers across the country.

We look forward to making future announcements about our progress in the coming weeks.