E-newsletter
Winter 2011
Engaging Employers on Immigration
This winter, Deputy Minister Neil Yeates and Associate Deputy Minister Peter Sylvester will be holding roundtable meetings with Canadian employers to seek input that will help inform CIC’s economic immigration programs and policies. CIC’s outreach to employers is aimed at getting a better understanding of their challenges, particularly related to workforce planning, hiring and recruitment, and how they use the immigration system.
New Citizenship Certificate: Protecting the Value of Canadian Citizenship
The document CIC issues to prove Canadian citizenship has changed. As of February 1, 2012, CIC will no longer produce the plastic wallet-size citizenship certificate. Instead of the wallet-size card, new citizens and those applying for a proof of citizenship will receive a letter-sized citizenship certificate, which will display information that can be validated through a new electronic validation system.
The new certificate will contain a unique number and basic information about its holder, such as name, date of birth and gender. This will allow other government departments to validate citizenship information via an electronic validation system, reducing the possibility of citizenship fraud.
The portal will be made available to Passport Canada, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Service Canada this month.
More informationSpecial citizenship ceremonies to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee
Citizenship ceremonies taking place across the country over the course of 2012 will mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, which celebrates the 60th anniversary of the reign of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. This is only the second time Canada has celebrated a Diamond Jubilee of a reigning monarch – the first occasion was for Queen Victoria in 1887.
Special ceremonies will feature items with the Diamond Jubilee emblem, including commemorative pins that all new citizens will receive. Citizenship Judges and other presiding officials will highlight the importance of the Diamond Jubilee in their remarks.
Regional ceremonies will be organized in partnership with Lieutenant Governors and Territorial Commissioners where feasible.
To find out about Diamond Jubilee events taking place across the country, including citizenship ceremonies, consult the calendar of events at www.pch.gc.ca.
Canadian Citizenship is Not for Sale
The Government of Canada is now investigating 6,500 people from more than 100 countries who are suspected of fraudulently attempting to gain citizenship or maintain permanent resident status.
In July, Minister Kenney announced that Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) was beginning the process to revoke the citizenship of up to 1,800 citizens who obtained it fraudulently; that number has now risen to more than 2,100. The Department has also been working on cases of those who are not yet citizens. Nearly 4,400 people with permanent resident status who are known to be implicated in residence fraud have been flagged for additional scrutiny should they attempt to enter Canada or obtain citizenship. The majority of these individuals are outside the country.
It will take time to work through all the cases and take appropriate action. However, the government has already made significant progress in dealing with residence fraud. We have prevented a number of permanent residents from fraudulently obtaining citizenship as a result of these investigations.
Important Change for Live-In Caregivers
In December, CIC announced a change in the processing of open work permit applications for live-in caregivers. In the past, open work permit applications from caregivers would only be processed after the caregiver had received approval-in-principle on their application for permanent residence. Open work permits are now available to live-in caregivers as soon as they have completed their work obligations and applied for permanent residence. By December 11, 2011, CIC processed all applications for open work permits from live-in caregivers who had also submitted applications for permanent residence but had not yet received approval-in-principle.
Provincial Nominee Program Evaluation Released
CIC released its national evaluation of the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) on January 26, 2012. The study focused on the economic outcomes and mobility of provincial nominees (PNs) admitted between 2005 and 2009. The evaluation found that the majority of immigrants nominated by provinces and territories are succeeding in Canada and evidence supports a continuing need for the PNP.
The PNP allows participating provinces and territories to nominate potential immigrants who they believe will meet their particular economic and labour market needs. The PNP has grown almost sixfold since 2004 and currently accounts for over 36,000 new permanent residents a year.
The evaluation highlighted certain areas of the PNP in need of improvement, such as some aspects of program design, delivery and accountability. CIC agrees with the report’s recommendations as they represent concrete and practical ways to improve the overall functioning of what is now the second largest economic immigration program.
In 2012, CIC will work with provinces and territories to move forward on minimum language standards for PNs and on joint measures to strengthen program integrity and service delivery. As immigration is a shared responsibility, the Government of Canada will continue to partner with the provinces and territories in order to make the PNP a continued success.
Now Taking Nominations – 2012 Paul Yuzyk Award for Multiculturalism
Tell us about someone you know who has made an exceptional contribution to multiculturalism and integrating cultural communities and new Canadians. Each year, the Paul Yuzyk Award for Multiculturalism commemorates the achievements of the late Senator Yuzyk’s pioneering legacy establishing multiculturalism as one of the fundamental characteristics of the Canadian heritage and identity.
Nominate an individual or a group who you think deserves to be recognized. A $20,000 grant will go to an eligible, not-for-profit organization of the winner’s choice. The deadline for nominations is March 1, 2012.
Paul Yuzyk Award for Multiculturalism
Online Resources for Black History Month
During the month of February, join us in honouring the legacy of black Canadians, past and present. We take this time to celebrate 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. This year, there will be a special recognition of the contributions of black soldiers during the War of 1812.
Click your way through the Canadian Black History Virtual Museum, watch video clips, and download or order free copies of the 2012 Black History Month poster. The Teachers and Youth Web Corner is also a great resource for teachers and a fun place for kids.
Coming Soon: 2011 Preliminary Admissions Data
Each year, CIC releases preliminary and final admissions data for the previous year. In February, CIC plans to release preliminary admissions data for 2011. Posted as part of CIC’s Facts and Figures publication, the data will highlight immigration in 2011 by category and intended destination, as well as total entries and the total number of temporary foreign workers and foreign students present on December 1, 2011.
The 2011 preliminary admissions data is scheduled for release in the coming weeks. You can find Facts and Figures in the Statistics section of the CIC website.
New! CIC Web Widget
Get and share the latest from CIC directly on your website or social media networks with the What’s New at CIC web widget. Currently, the widget features the Come to Canada Guide, tips on how to avoid crooked immigration consultants and an interactive map of immigrant services. With this tool, immigration partners, service organizations and mission sites around the world can quickly and easily stay up to date with Canada’s latest immigration news.
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