Citizenship and Immigration Minister Chris Alexander (Ajax-Pickering, Ont.) announced that in the year since comprehensive reforms to Canada’s asylum system took effect, the number of new asylum claims from safe countries has decreased to historic lows, ensuring that genuine refugees – truly vulnerable people from some of the world’s most volatile areas – receive faster and … Read more
Citizenship and Immigration Minister Chris Alexander (Ajax-Pickering, Ont.) announced improvements to passport services for Canadians living and working outside Canada. When the improvements take effect on Dec. 9, 2013, Canadians living and working outside Canada will have the option of choosing as a guarantor: an adult with a valid or recently expired Canadian passport (less than a year); … Read more
Minister of Employment and Social Development Jason Kenney (Calgary Southeast, Alta.) invited Canadians to submit nominations for the sixth annual Paul Yuzyk Award for Multiculturalism. The award commemorates the legacy of the late senator Paul Yuzyk, who was a member of the Senate of Canada from February 1963 to July 1986 and played a key … Read more
Building on the momentum of the launch of Canada's Start-Up Visa (SUV) Program earlier this year, Citizenship and Immigration Minister Chris Alexander (Ajax-Pickering, Ont.) spoke to members of Canada's startup community and industry leaders as part of Startup Canada Day on the Hill. Startup Canada Day on the Hill is organized by Startup Canada, which … Read more
Citizenship and Immigration Minister Chris Alexander (Ajax-Pickering, Ont.) announced that Czech nationals no longer require a temporary resident visa to visit Canada. Czech nationals can now stay in Canada for up to six months visa-free, which is consistent with all other visa exempt nationals. A recent visa policy review of the Czech Republic has revealed that it now meets the criteria for … Read more
Citizenship and Immigration Minister Chris Alexander (Ajax-Pickering, Ont.) pledged aggressive action to reunite more families in 2014. Alexander also announced that the backlog of Parent and Grandparent (PGP) program applications will be almost 50 percent lower by the end of 2013 than it was just two years ago. The PGP program will start accepting applications … Read more
Citizenship and Immigration Minister Chris Alexander (Ajax-Pickering, Ont.) joined 21 of Canada's newest citizens as they took the Oath of Citizenship in a special ceremony at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa prior to an Ottawa Senators hockey game. This special ceremony capped off a week-long celebration of Citizenship Week that featured special events across … Read more
Citizenship and Immigration Minister Chris Alexander (Ajax-Pickering, Ont.) personally delivered the one millionth 10-year ePassport to Mark Walker of Mississauga, Ont. The 10-year ePassport was launched on July 1, 2013. The government projects it will issue more than 5.2 million passports this fiscal year. The full release is available online. Call 613-954-1064.
Citizenship and Immigration Minister Chris Alexander (Ajax-Pickering, Ont.) announced the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) has reached a consensus on a working definition of Holocaust denial and distortion at a Canada-led meeting in Toronto. "I'm very pleased with the progress made at the IHRA meetings, which demonstrates the Government of Canada's dedication to Holocaust remembrance, … Read more
Citizenship and Immigration Minister Chris Alexander (Ajax-Pickering, Ont.) announced federal support for newcomers to Calgary as they acquire language skills, find work and integrate into the community. The investment announced will help Bow Valley College's Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada, or LINC program, offer full and part-time training to almost 1,200 students. Federal support … Read more
