The former Premier of Ontario and Liberal shadow cabinet minister Bob Rae criticised the Conservative government’s recent announcement to create a $6 million loan fund for immigrants enrolling in credential recognition studies, calling it far too modest to make any impact.
“There is a need for much greater cooperation between Ottawa and the provinces on this issue,” he stated. “Without an over-arching program, these measures will not address the real problem of educated immigrants getting stuck into low wage jobs and then not having access to the resources needed to have their credentials recognised.”
He added that better communication was required with Canada’s foreign embassies and consulates where prospective immigrants seem to be hearing one message about the validity of their credentials only to learn otherwise when they land in Canada.
On the matter of family re-unification, he again was critical of the Harper government’s record and the current situation where immigrants are waiting for over a decade to have their parents join them.
“The Conservatives are making a mistake by seeking more independent investor immigrants and restricting the family class,” Rae said.
”One of the reasons we can attract quality people to Canada is because they think they can re-unify with their loved ones. We stand to lose out on this important group.”
More on Bob Rae go to www.bobrae.liberal.ca.