V. 14 I. 8 – Aug 2014

CIEC Endorses: Pradeep Sood

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Pradeep Sood is seeking the Federal Liberal nomination for the Markham-Unionville riding. “I am a strong believer that if given the chance, I can contribute positively to Canada and the riding that I have lived in for over 21 years. I have a proven track record of job creation, fighting for small and medium businesses and supporting our health care through my work with both the Business Chambers and many not for profit organizations.”

Please e-mail [email protected] to find out how you can support his election campaign.

CIEC Endorses: Sabrina Zuniga

CIEC Endorses: Sabrina Zuniga

CIEC Author

Sabrina Zuniga, PhD, is running for TDSB School Trustee in downtown Toronto. “I am running for Trustee because I believe in the power of public education and I want our learners to benefit from the best that our schools can offer. I am a veteran educator, entrepreneur and community volunteer with the knowledge and experience to lead our school communities.”

To learn more about Sabrina Zuniga and how you can support her election campaign, click here.

Immigrant Employment Projects Get Funding from MB, Canada

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Source: Canada News Release via Academica | Aug 21, 2014

The governments of Canada and Manitoba have teamed up to provide $1.1 M to Employment Solutions for Immigrants for 2 projects designed to help immigrant youth reduce barriers to employment. The first project will help 120 immigrant youth gain life and employability skills through workshops and work placements. The second project will provide 20 immigrant youth with job placements in high-demand fields such as manufacturing, transportation, and health care services. “These programs offer newcomer youth with a much better chance of entering the Canadian workplace, not only with enhanced preparation and increased confidence, but also in a field and at a job level that is on a par with their existing skills and experience. In short, these programs set up newcomer youth for career success,” said Executive Director of Employment Solutions for Immigrants Loraine M Nyokong.

Canadian Schools Partner and Lower Language Requirements to Attract Foreign Students

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Source: Globe & Mail via Academica | Aug 14, 2014

Canadian PSE institutions have begun to loosen standards around English-language proficiency in order to attract more foreign students, reports the Globe and Mail. The move is usually part of a partnership between a school board and university or college, as in the case of the Limestone District School Board in Kingston, Ontario, which has partnered with Queen’s University. Queen’s pays part of the board’s recruitment costs, and students are conditionally accepted into the arts and science faculty at Queen’s, with reduced requirements for English-language proficiency. The Toronto District School Board says it is negotiating a similar partnership with the University of Toronto, where the language proficiency exam requirement would be waived for foreign students that have attended 2 years of high school in one of the board’s schools. Many schools at both the secondary and PSE level have begun to recruit heavily in international markets to offset a declining youth demographic. The Vancouver School Board currently has more than 1,300 foreign students attending its schools, with total revenue from foreign student tuition expected to reach $20 M this upcoming year.

Canada Prepared to Capitalize on US Immigration Reform Roadblocks

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Source: Winnipeg Free Press via Academica | Aug 11, 2014

Canadian employment minister Jason Kenney said that Canada is poised to take advantage of the slow immigration reform process in the United States. “We’re seeking very deliberately to benefit from the dysfunctional American immigration system. I make no bones about it,” said Kenney. He believes that Canada will be able to capitalize by luring foreign-born graduates of top US programs with a new start-up visa program and programs that will fast-track some individuals to permanent residency. “If the United States doesn’t want to open the door to permanent residency for them, that door will be opened in principle for them to come to Canada,” Kenney said. He mentioned that the government had installed a large billboard in California that generated “massive interest and buzz” in Silicon Valley. Kenney made his comments while in Vancouver to announce a $3.3-M funding package to help foreign-trained newcomers find work in British Columbia’s energy and resource sectors, part of afederal push to attract skilled employees.

Internationally Trained Lawyers Get Help Transitioning to Canadian Law at uToronto

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Source: uToronto News via Academica | Aug 5, 2014

A University of Toronto program that helps internationally trained lawyers integrate into Canadian law practice is being highlighted as a success. The Internationally Trained Lawyers Program (ITLP), reportedly the only one of its kind in Canada, helps lawyers who are qualified to practice law in their home countries obtain a license to practice law in Ontario while providing a networking and support system to help students connect with the legal system and pursue career opportunities. One recent student complimented the program, including its internship component, noting that she now has a “better understanding of the Canadian legal profession… the internship opportunity was truly very important because now I have acquired some Canadian law experience.”