I want to rant a little about one of our immigration laws that just do not make sense, more so during these times. I will only talk about a personal experience where I have enough information, and can give you the case as it stands.
My nephew was accepted as a new immigrant along with his young wife and son aged 2, about three years ago. They arrived here in Toronto and got all their papers done, got their new Canadian passports, got their driving licences, etc.etc. and then after a month or so returned to their jobs in Dubai so they could work there for the 3-year grace period which new immigrants are given by Canada Immigration to finalize their affairs overseas before making Canada their home once and for all.
I advised them at that time that they should save mightily during the 3-year period and have enough money in their account to tide them over for at least 6 months just in case they both remained unemployed for that long, after their arrival in Canada.
That was then. Now with the recession in full swing, all bets are off.
My nephew approached the Canadian Consulate in Dubai with a request to extend the "grace period". The reason he gave was, as both husband and wife are presently holding good jobs, and as Canada is going through a recession, it would be foolhardy to resign from their employment to come to Canada and be left high and dry here for who knows how long. He was refused outright. Rules are rules, he was told. Everyone has the same excuses, he was told.
Does this make sense to you? I understand that rules are rules and I am all for following rules if they make sense to me. This particular one does not make sense given the recession we are going through.
Does Immigration Canada want to stand by this rule which does not make sense now given the recession, and let new immigrants come to Canada leaving their jobs and then going on welfare here because they cannot find any? I simply don't get it.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
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The idea of being able to go back for three years is what does not make any sense. If someone wants to come to Canada and make this their home, then they shoud be prepared to come and make it so. However, if our immigration policy is to allow such nonsense, then they shoud hold to the three year. SO WHAT IF THERE IS A RECESSION ON IN CANADA???? The rest of us are going through it and seem to be surviving. If it's not convenient for them to come now then let them stay where they are. Revoke their immigrant status and be done with it.
ReplyDeleteKen - when an application for immigration is accepted, you might be one of the lucky ones where it happens so quickly that you find that you need time to finalize your affairs in your home country. Matters of selling your property, your house,etc in the country you are migrating from is not something that can be done within a short time frame. There are lots of loose ends that immigrants have to tie up and tie up efficiently before they can migrate here and settle in without the worry of having to go back for lengthy periods of time to settle the things they left unsettled in their haste to get here.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Ken. The intent of the rule was to allow people some time to close a business, sell a home, make schooling arrangements etc. It was NOT to maximize family coffers. I would call your nephew/family "Canadians of Convenience" at the moment, who took advantage of the generous rules. They should have moved about 2 1/2 years ago and become settled and learned the culture etc. They have contributed absolutely nothing to Canada in the past 3 years and their immigration adds no value. There is no reason why their extention should be granted. You see - immigration is not about them; it is about us.
ReplyDeleteL - you said "They have contributed absolutely nothing to Canada in the past 3 years and their immigration adds no value."
ReplyDeleteAnd by coming here at the height of unemployment, chances are they will not be able to contribute anything for a long time if they do not find work. Instead, it will be the Govt via the taxpayers who will have to contribute to them if their money runs out before they find employment. Under such circumstances, what would you rather do? I can see two reasonable solutions: 1)Give an extension of say 6 months thus giving the economy a chance to recover somewhat and that would give the new incoming immigrants a better chance of finding employment; 2) additionally, the extension of 6 months would mean they would have more money to bring into Canada as they will be earning salaries during those 6 months, whereas if they come here now, what are the chances of getting jobs, especially for new immigrants during this recession?
You seem to think that immigrants are a burden, and by not coming to Canada during a recession, they're doing us a favour.
ReplyDeleteFrom the government's perspective, immigrants coming to Canada helps the economy. Why? Because immigrants come to Canada with money, need a place to stay, and buy things in order to get settled. Some of them start their own business. During a recession is when we need them the most.
Keep in mind that a new immigrant is required to have the financial means to support himself and his family for 8 months.
If you're right - that immigrants can't find work within 8 months (nomatter how poor the economy) and therefore serve no purpose - and the government is wrong, then we should end immigration entirely.
sawebb - Maybe a survey is needed to check on how new immigrants are faring in this economy. Are they getting jobs within 6 months?
ReplyDeleteAlso, where did you read that new immigrants are supposed to have the means to support themselves for 8 months? Just asking so I can send the info to people concerned.
To add to this discussion, I looked up the unemployment rate in Ontario and according to statcan.gc, in early August we were sitting at 8.6% with analysts saying it is probably much higher because statcan does not take into account people who have fallen off the EI wagon, but who are still unemployed. Ontario is the hardest hit as you know. In this sort of environment what are the chances that new immigrants will find employment within 6 months? I think, because of the recession we are going through, Immigration Canada could bend their rules a bit in favor of incoming immigrants.
ReplyDeleteAs I noted, these people made their choice 2 1/2 years ago. MariaS, the goals of immigration policy and rules are NOT to maximize the opportunities for individuals or to accommodate them, as they have thousands of identical twins. Don't be so soft on people who take advantage of our generosity. There are so many deserving and talented immigrants that Canada has a huge backlog. Some of those who were committed to Canada with them 3 years ago are in. Rules MUST be made, as people cheat, lie and take advantage of others.
ReplyDeleteIt is sad for this family, but they made a choice to continue making big money in Dubai vs. becoming real citizens. Tough! They can apply again, if they really care. It is a very good lesson for this young family that Canadian Citizenship is a privilege, not a right, and it comes with obligations and RULES!
My ancestors immigrated in 1782-1830 and their hand-out was NOTHING except their personal labour (no free land), so I totally object to bending the extremely overly-generous rules of 2009.
BTW, I often enjoy your blog, as it covers a lot of subjects of interest to those of us who have a "c"onservative approach to policy and value open debate.
ReplyDeleteL - in my case, my family and I were so thrilled we were accepted some 15 yrs ago, that we got here within a year. And, Canada was going through a recession at that time too, if you remember. Jobs were hard to find, but we managed to find past-time work within a couple of months.
ReplyDeleteHope we get out of this recession soon and everyone is back at work. Me included.
I am happy that you made the choice to become a Canadian. Industrious people are the kind of immigrants who have always made Canada successful.
ReplyDeleteI do sooo remember the 1990s recession - it hit all of us who were paying HUGE mortgage rates for nothing! It was a disaster and important stores closed. So far, this recession in not the same ballpark (yet), but it will worsen, I fear.
I do think we need to seriously review our immigration policies and legislation (and especially the refugee aspect), as it is not clear that this is in our national best interests.
I am firm though on the right and wisdom of the government to not allow even more immigrants who might become welfare recipients into the country at this time. Hello, we are PAYING for these people! Sorry, but I like the RULES, as we can not afford to support people who did not commit before the recession.
It would be my retirement money, so I do not think that I should give it to this couple.