Speaking Notes - Notes for an Address by The Honourable Diane Finley,P.C., M.P. to Announce the new Canada-Alberta Framework Agreement

Calgary, Alberta, May 11, 2007

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Ladies and gentlemen, Premier Stelmach, Minister Evans, my colleague Jim Prentice, thank you for coming.

It’s so good to be once again in the great province of Alberta!

Today’s announcement is further proof of what can happen when governments agree to work closely together toward a common and mutually beneficial goal.

It is proof that Canada’s new government and the government of Alberta are committed to working as partners—as a team—on immigration matters, and that we recognize the important role that immigration has played, and will continue to play, in shaping Canada’s future and Alberta’s.

Newcomers to our country bring new ideas, new skills, and above all, a new vibrancy and energy.

Newcomers have built our country.

Newcomers will build our future.

On this occasion today, I want to take a moment and reflect on what I believe is the characteristic that perhaps most defines us as Canadians and Albertans.

I believe that characteristic is welcoming.

This was generally true for those who first came to this country, and it has been a constant ever since.

For decades, Canada has welcomed immigrants from Europe first and then from all around the world. Here immigrants found freedom, opportunity and tolerance.

This was also the sentiment of Prime Minister Harper who said earlier this year:

“The characteristic that most defines Canadians is welcoming…. East and West, French and English, immigrant and Native-born, we are all proud champions of these founding values—of the Canadian way.”

Almost every one of us is here because we, or someone we know and love, made a choice—that choice was Canada.

That choice was Alberta.

As Minister, I am amazed by the many stories I’ve heard of the courage, perseverance and sacrifice that many (of you) as newcomers have demonstrated in coming to this country.

With us today is the Executive Director of the Calgary Catholic Immigration Society—Fariborz Birjandian. Fariborz came to Canada as a refugee himself, and is an example of what hard work and tenacity can achieve.

He and the organization that he leads have been very much involved in assisting the settlement of refugees and immigrants in Calgary.

In 2001, Fariborz received the Queen’s Jubilee Commemorative Medal for “outstanding exemplary contribution to the community and Canada as a whole.”

And in 2003, he received Citizenship and Immigration Canada’s Citation for Citizenship, an award recognizing those who help newcomers integrate into Canadian society.

This is what it’s all about, ladies and gentlemen.

To remain competitive, Canada needs that vital and constant infusion of skill and commitment such as Fariborz’s.

That is why today, Minister Evans, Premier Stelmach and I will be signing a new Canada-Alberta framework agreement for cooperation on immigration.

This new agreement reflects a mutual commitment to flexibility and innovation. And it builds on the progress that our governments have made together so far.

For example, we’re making improvements to the provincial nominee program. The provincial nominee program has not changed since 2002.

It gives Alberta a more direct role in selecting immigrants with the skills and talents that the province needs.

With this new agreement, we’re removing the limit on the number of immigrants that Alberta can nominate to live in the province each year. Removing the limit offers Alberta a better opportunity to meet the province’s growing demand for labour.

We’re very pleased to build on the cooperative relationship that has made the provincial nominee program in Alberta successful.

The agreement also includes specific measures to meet the province’s need for health care professionals. We’ve designed a pilot project that will speed up the entry of foreign health-care professionals who’ve indicated that they want to come to Alberta.

Ladies and gentlemen, this agreement will help ensure that our shared immigration programs are successful and responsive to your needs—Alberta’s needs and those of all Canadians.

This government has made significant progress on immigration matters in the short time since we took office.

We have made it a fundamental goal to make our shared immigration programs more responsive to the unique economic, social and labour-market needs of each province and territory.

And we have committed 1.3 billion dollars over five years in settlement funding to help immigrants succeed once they get here.  That’s a significant increase in funding. The kind of cooperation that we are talking about here today will ensure that these funds are well invested.

Cooperation with the province of Alberta. And cooperation with organizations such as the Calgary Catholic Immigration Society.

In closing, I want to add that this agreement is a solid example of what is possible when governments work together towards a common goal—a goal that was identified and met through cooperation and teamwork.

Together, we are getting the job done!

I can guarantee you that such efforts will not go unnoticed by those who are thinking of offering their skills to Canada and perhaps becoming citizens of this great country.

So, once again, thank you.

Thank you, Minister Evans and Premier Stelmach. I offer my congratulations to you, your teams and to all Albertans.