Canada Immigration Highest in 75 years

[Carlawarla 1]

http://ca.today.reuters.com/news/newsArtic...GRATION-COL.XML

[neiks 19]

The small town just across the border on the Canadian side had a population around 300. In the past 2 years they have had 60 immigrant families move in. It's a small drop in a large bucket but it is great to see the rural areas getting revitalized. Helps the local businesses, organizations, schools that have struggled to make a go of it. Brandon, MB which has a poplulation of 40,000 has exploded with immigrant families as well. The fact of the matter is that the economies are booming and there just isn't the work force to supply the growth of the businesses and the communities have been activity recruiting from other countries. Many of the locals have moved on out to Alberta to flourish in it's boom or just to other larger urban areas. I know that most of the immigrants are going to urban cities but it's a nice welcome when they come into the smaller cities and rural areas.

[trailmix 77]

I just saw a segment on the news on immigrants to Calgary. They showed this couple that arrived from China 3 days ago. It was a Husband (probably in his 40's I would say), wife and their son, visiting the immigrant center.

The poor man was just short of tears. They have been here 3 days and have spent $1000 dollars. He is a petroleum engineer and said he would take any job that would pay the bills.

Then they interviewed this woman who said that the immigration points system is out of whack. We are graduating enough engineers and what we need is trades people.

That is the problem that I see, it is an out of date system which should be reviewed all the time to make sure that these poor people don't end up here with their great education working at - whatever. They also said it takes an immigrant, on average, 10 years to work up to the pay level of a non-immigrant.

Being an immigrant is tough and I don't think that Calgary, in particular, is in any position to be encouraging people to come here. Housing is astronomical, it's crowded, the amount of crime is amazing etc etc etc, why they would encourage anyone to come here right now is beyond my understanding.

Edited December 5, 2007 by trailmix

[Carlawarla 1]

I think that's part of the whole problem. Where immigrants go. I think that Toronto is tops on the list, then Calgary. Vancouver I think it's one of the high points now. Not because of the weather though. haha I know we didn't have,or don't have many in Saskatchewan. I met several from Ethiopia, who were refugees sponsored by a church. They had a heck of a time adjusting. I felt so sorry for them. Most were happy to be in Canada, but were not very happy in Saskatchewan. There was some work for them. I guess it depends on what type of visa you come in on whether it is work related or not.

I agree the whole system needs to be updated.

Carla

[Emancipation 2]

I know they have trouble on PEI attracting and retaining immigrants. I think it's gotten better over the past few years. but there is so little diversity in my home province it's hard for them to really find people to relate to, plus because of the nasty winters, it's tough to retain say a refugee coming from Africa.. There have been many churches and organizations who have supported and sponsored many families to come to PEI, and I think it's fabulous and speaks volumes of our country and her ideals!

[Melyssa 0]

That's funny because PEI is so beautiful. But I guess it is also really small!