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New Immigration Agreement between Canada and British Columbia
On April 9, 2010, Dr, Alice Wong, Parliamentary Secretary to Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, and Moira Stilwell, BC Minister of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development, signed a new Canada-British Columbia Immigration Agreement. This agreement will support the integration of newcomers, helping to ensure that they are able to contribute to the Canadian economy and succeed. Minister Kenney also announced the first temporary foreign worker annex to the agreement, which will facilitate the entry of the workers to help BC fill critical labour shortage.
“The agreement will help Canada attract the skilled international workers it needs to meet the needs of the Canadian economy as we emerge from the global economic recession,” said Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development. “It will certainly strengthen BC’s ability to meet its labour market needs both today and in the future.”
It is to Canada’s overall social, cultural and economic benefit for BC to attract more immigrants, retaining and integrating them to address BC’s unique economic and social, cultural and economic benefit. This year, $114 million will be transferred to British Columbia under the agreement to support settlement and integration services and welcoming communities’ initiatives.