New Canadians and the Preservation of Diversity
Minister Mark Woo
The statistics paint an exceedingly clear picture. Approximately 140 000 immigrants choose to settle in Ontario every year, more than double the number welcomed by all the other provinces combined. Currently, over 200 ethnicities, 130 languages and 3 million immigrants call Ontario home. It is thus apparent that the issues of immigration, integration and diversity have perhaps the greatest impact on this province. Immigrants have played a vital role in Ontario’s past prosperity and must continue to contribute to this province in order to ensure a prosperous future.
This is the exact reason for Ontario’s stance on immigration. It is no secret that the province has fallen on hard times as of late and recession only exacerbated the problem. However, there is a recovery in the works and necessary for the recovery to succeed are skilled workers. Yet despite the shortage of this precious human capital, Canada continues to turn away immigrants who would fill this role.
It is thus Ontario’s stance that the point system to assess eligibility for permanent residence is in need of reform; more specifically, it needs to be relaxed. An applicant requires 67 points, which are awarded for level of education, language, work experience, age and adaptability. This is much too high. A skilled worker, one who has a moderate proficiency in English and multiple years of work experience can still fall far short of this target. This is unacceptable and ultimately detrimental to Canada if this continues. The recovery must also be fuelled by new investment, the reasoning behind another proposed reform. There is no provision that grants points for plans to start up a business or invest in one, even though this would be a great boon to the economy. It is Ontario’s position that this provision be added.
Too often skilled workers are admitted to Canada but unable to contribute due to a lack of recognition of their education. In 2006, the Fair Access to Regulated Professions Act was passed. It requires professional associations to provide fair and impartial registration for foreign-trained professionals. This is to be taken even further with a system of foreign credential assessment and funding allocated for the retraining of those who do not meet the qualifications. The province is to also take a more forward step of accrediting foreign schools who are up to Canadian standards.
Canada has often referred to as a “cultural mosaic”, and this is exemplified by the diversity seen across Ontario. It would be a travesty to eliminate this simply because of a need for “integration”. The position of Ontario is that integration should thus be an exercise in freedom. While programs for learning either of Canada’s official languages are to be made readily available, there is to be no compulsion to learn them.
Ontario will continue to promote diversity but in a more equal fashion. Though the learning of another language is excellent for a child’s mental development, it is not necessary for children to learn French in school if it has little bearing on them. Children will merely be required to participate in at least one language class per year. Funding will also be available to provide free education in languages that are not available in the school system.
Arts and culture are of prime importance to Ontario, and the province will support increases in funding to both create and promote awareness of these items. Tourism in much of Ontario, especially Toronto, revolves around arts and culture, whether it is theatres, galleries or museums. Future prosperity relies on this industry returning to the levels it once enjoyed, and increased funding should accomplish this.
Ontario is prepared to work together with the other delegates to make these goals a reality, and this conference a success.
Minister Mark Woo
The statistics paint an exceedingly clear picture. Approximately 140 000 immigrants choose to settle in Ontario every year, more than double the number welcomed by all the other provinces combined. Currently, over 200 ethnicities, 130 languages and 3 million immigrants call Ontario home. It is thus apparent that the issues of immigration, integration and diversity have perhaps the greatest impact on this province. Immigrants have played a vital role in Ontario’s past prosperity and must continue to contribute to this province in order to ensure a prosperous future.
This is the exact reason for Ontario’s stance on immigration. It is no secret that the province has fallen on hard times as of late and recession only exacerbated the problem. However, there is a recovery in the works and necessary for the recovery to succeed are skilled workers. Yet despite the shortage of this precious human capital, Canada continues to turn away immigrants who would fill this role.
It is thus Ontario’s stance that the point system to assess eligibility for permanent residence is in need of reform; more specifically, it needs to be relaxed. An applicant requires 67 points, which are awarded for level of education, language, work experience, age and adaptability. This is much too high. A skilled worker, one who has a moderate proficiency in English and multiple years of work experience can still fall far short of this target. This is unacceptable and ultimately detrimental to Canada if this continues. The recovery must also be fuelled by new investment, the reasoning behind another proposed reform. There is no provision that grants points for plans to start up a business or invest in one, even though this would be a great boon to the economy. It is Ontario’s position that this provision be added.
Too often skilled workers are admitted to Canada but unable to contribute due to a lack of recognition of their education. In 2006, the Fair Access to Regulated Professions Act was passed. It requires professional associations to provide fair and impartial registration for foreign-trained professionals. This is to be taken even further with a system of foreign credential assessment and funding allocated for the retraining of those who do not meet the qualifications. The province is to also take a more forward step of accrediting foreign schools who are up to Canadian standards.
Canada has often referred to as a “cultural mosaic”, and this is exemplified by the diversity seen across Ontario. It would be a travesty to eliminate this simply because of a need for “integration”. The position of Ontario is that integration should thus be an exercise in freedom. While programs for learning either of Canada’s official languages are to be made readily available, there is to be no compulsion to learn them.
Ontario will continue to promote diversity but in a more equal fashion. Though the learning of another language is excellent for a child’s mental development, it is not necessary for children to learn French in school if it has little bearing on them. Children will merely be required to participate in at least one language class per year. Funding will also be available to provide free education in languages that are not available in the school system.
Arts and culture are of prime importance to Ontario, and the province will support increases in funding to both create and promote awareness of these items. Tourism in much of Ontario, especially Toronto, revolves around arts and culture, whether it is theatres, galleries or museums. Future prosperity relies on this industry returning to the levels it once enjoyed, and increased funding should accomplish this.
Ontario is prepared to work together with the other delegates to make these goals a reality, and this conference a success.
