During the budget discussion today, the Federal Government has proposed a “Bridge to Work” program under the new Economic Action Plan. Wherein, the Govern­ment will shoulder the costs of for­eign credential certification. Under this program, foreign trained Canadians and Perma­nent residents will benefit greatly. Todate, there are more than two million foreign trained workers in Canada, 85 percent of which are Immigrants, who encounters huge barriers in completing their cre­dential recognition to finally work in their field. Because of family ob­ligations and other circumstances these workers could not complete their education.

What immigrants do when they migrate to Canada is to study in all together different field, because their profession back home is not recognized here. Although, there’s that incentive of tax refund and Government grants, when one decides to go back to school, it is still not the same as working in the job you have been considered successful before migrating to Canada.

Today’s approved budget is a huge victory for everyone who came to Canada and could not find work in their chosen occupa­tion. This is beneficial to Medical professionals, Engineers, Profes­sors and others who needs certi­fication.

REGULATORY BODY CRE­ATED FOR IMMIGRATION CON­SULTANTS
In a Press Release, Immigration Minister Jason Kenney announced that a new regulatory body is be­ing proposed to oversee Immigra­tion Consultants.
“The Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council – or ICCRC – has committed to enhancing the protection of the Canadian public and those who use the services of immigration consultants,” said Minister Ken­ney. “I am confident that, with the ICCRC’s strong regulation of im­migration consultants, people us­ing our immigration processes will be offered quality consultation, representation and advice.”
Immigration consultants are currently regulated by the Cana­dian Society of Immigration Con­sultants (CSIC). Reports by the Standing Committee on Citizen­ship and Immigration in 2008 and 2009 pointed to governance issues and a lack of public confidence in CSIC. Based on the Standing Committee’s reports, CIC decided to launch this public process.

A selection committee was es­tablished to examine all submis­sions received following a public process requesting submissions from parties interested in being the regulator of immigration con­sultants. The committee reported its conclusions to the Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism. Based on these conclusions, the ICCRC is being proposed as the regulator best placed to govern immigration consultants.

In its submission, the ICCRC committed to a variety of activities to foster a culture of transparency and openness and to protect the Canadian public and those using the services of an immigration consultant, while building a strong relationship with its members. It has also proposed innovative strat­egies to ensure accountability and transparency to its membership, including a hotline for members of Parliament for complaints and questions and a public awareness campaign.

Transitional measures would be put in place to ensure continuity of service for both existing members in good standing of CSIC and their clients during the transition to the ICCRC. This process could take a few months to complete and it is anticipated that the ICCRC could become the regulatory body this summer.

This process is part of a broad­er strategy to protect from immi­gration fraud people wanting to immigrate to or stay in Canada. Included in this strategy is Bill C­35, which aims to crack down on crooked consultants. As well, a multilingual domestic advertising campaign warning prospective immigrants, permanent residents and Canadian citizens not to be taken in by crooked immigration consultants was launched in Feb­ruary and an overseas advertising campaign, with the support of Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States— members of the Five Country Conference—was launched earlier this week. They can be viewed on YouTube.

Minister Kenney raised the issue of immigration consultant fraud in meetings with officials in China, India and the Philippines last fall and more recently in Pakistan. He has urged those governments to protect their citizens from exploi­tation and abuse by crooked im­migration

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