E-newsletter - Past Editions
Spring 2011
Face-to-face with CIC’s Deputy Minister
CIC Deputy Minister Neil Yeates recently launched the Deputy Minister’s Advisory Council (DMAC), with the goal of exploring program and policy issues from a broader perspective. This group of individuals pulled from a cross-section of organizations provides the DM with strategic advice and diverse perspectives concerning immigration, refugees, multiculturalism and citizenship.
We sat down with Deputy Minister Yeates to find out more about DMAC. Here’s what he told us.
Canada sees more than 250% increase in foreign students from India
Based on preliminary 2010 data, the number of foreign students coming to Canada since 2005 has increased by more than 40 percent, with a total of 96,147 entries last year. A notable increase was seen in students from India, rising by more than three-fold in just two years, from 3,250 in 2008 to 11,530 in 2010.
Great success in increasing the number of students coming to Canada from India can be in part attributed to the Student Partners Program launched in 2009. A collaboration between Canada’s visa offices in India and the Association of Canadian Community Colleges, the program’s goal is to increase the approval rate for study permit applications at participating Canadian colleges while ensuring high rates of compliance with visa regulations. Processing times within the program are faster than the global norm, with an average of about two and a half weeks.
The Government of Canada has also made a number of commitments to give Canadian educational institutions a competitive edge in attracting international students. Recent initiatives include online application services, the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program and the Off-Campus Work Permit Program. Since 2008, Canada has also offered a path to permanent residency to international students through the Canadian Experience Class.
International students in Canada are estimated to contribute more than $6.5 billion to the Canadian economy every year.
Updated Discover Canada citizenship study guide now available
The popular citizenship study guide, Discover Canada: The Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship, has been updated and is now available. Discover Canada is the official study guide for the Canadian citizenship test.
The updated study guide further strengthens its content on common Canadian values such as freedom, democracy, human rights, the rule of law and the equality of men and women. Changes include recognition that gay and lesbian Canadians enjoy the full protection of and equal treatment under the law, including access to civil marriage, and the addition of forced marriage among the practices that are not tolerated in Canada.
Additional questions will be added to the citizenship test over time to cover the new material in the study guide. For now, applicants can study any copy of Discover Canada issued by the Government of Canada since November 12, 2009.
Discover Canada: The Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship can be downloaded or ordered from the CIC website.
Wanted: Outstanding Canadians
Do you know a Canadian who has gone above and beyond to promote Canadian citizenship or help newcomers integrate into Canadian society? Each year our nation celebrates these achievements with Canada’s Citizenship Award. Nominate someone today!
The deadline for nominations is May 31.
Eligibility and nomination guidelines
Celebrating Asian Heritage during the month of May
Join in the celebrations – all across Canada, May is Asian Heritage Month. This is a time to highlight the rich history of Asian Canadians and their contributions to our nation. Over the past decade, many Asians in Canada have celebrated their heritage during the month of May. In December 2001, the Government of Canada signed an official declaration to designate May as Asian Heritage Month.
Download the poster, find out about festivities across the country, write or send photos to tell us your story.
Canadian Black History: an Interactive Experience
As part of this past February’s Black History Month celebrations, we created a virtual museum to preserve and promote black Canadian heritage. Click your way through and discover the many achievements and contributions of black Canadians who, throughout history, have done so much to make Canada the culturally diverse, compassionate and prosperous nation we are today. Once you’ve completed your journey, put your knowledge to the test with an interactive treasure hunt!
For more information on recent activities in our multiculturalism program, see the Annual Report on the Operation of the Canadian Multiculturalism Act 2009-2010.
How Canadian Are You, Eh?...There’s an app for that
How much do you know about Canada? Test your knowledge with the official CIC How Canadian Are You, Eh? mobile application. Available for iPhone, BlackBerry and Android, this tool draws from the Discover Canada: The Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship study guide to help students from grades five to 12 learn about Canada’s history and political institutions through games and activities.
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