A final suite of reforms to strengthen and modernize Canada’s citizenship laws will be fully in force as of June 11, 2015. The changes – part of a package of measures approved by Parliament last year – ensure new citizens can fully and quickly participate in Canada’s economy and Canadian society. More information is available online.
Citizenship and Immigration Minister Chris Alexander (Ajax-Pickering, Ont.) touted the success of the Start-up Visa Program with the announcement of more successful applicants who have been approved for permanent residence in recent months. Alexander also met some of Canada’s newest entrepreneurs at an event hosted by the Toronto Business Development Centre (TBDC), the business incubator working with two of … Read more
Citizenship and Immigration Minister Chris Alexander (Ajax-Pickering, Ont.) announced at the Vancouver International Airport the expansion of the China Transit Program (CTP). This program allows eligible Chinese travellers to fly to and transit through Canada visa-free when they are en route to and from the United States. Starting June 1, 2015, the program will expand to three … Read more
Citizenship and Immigration Minister Chris Alexander (Ajax-Pickering, Ont.) announced the Canadian contribution to support municipal democracy and economic development in Ukraine. Minister Alexander made the announcement while in Kyiv at the International Support for Ukraine Conference. The Partnership for Local Economic Development and Democratic Governance project, to be implemented by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), … Read more
Minister for Multiculturalism Jason Kenney (Calgary Southeast, Alta.) issued a statement on on Israel Independence Day: “Canada was proudly one of the first countries to formally recognize the State of Israel and was one of the 33 countries that voted in favour of the 1948 United Nations resolution which called for the creation of a Jewish state. Those … Read more
Three months after the launch of Express Entry, Citizenship and Immigration Minister Chris Alexander (Ajax-Pickering, Ont.) welcomed three of the first Express Entry candidates to become Canadian permanent residents: Emma Hughes, Yaoyao (Anita) Zheng and Xin (Frank) Zhao. Hughes, from Ireland, applied under the Federal Skilled Worker stream. Zheng and Zhao were both international students who applied under the Canadian Experience Class. 6,851 Express Entry candidates … Read more
At a Canadian citizenship ceremony in Toronto, Citizenship and Immigration Minister Chris Alexander (Ajax-Pickering, Ont.) personally welcomed 100 new citizens from 58 countries who were sworn in as new Canadians. The special sport-themed citizenship ceremony kicked off the 100-day countdown to the TORONTO2015 Pan and Parapan American Games. The full release is available online. Call 613-954-1064.
Citizenship and Immigration Minister Chris Alexander (Ajax-Pickering, Ont.) celebrated International Francophonie Day by reminding Canadians that the federal government is strongly dedicated to sustaining the vitality and diversity of our Francophone communities outside Quebec through immigration. “Thanks to Express Entry, our government will continue to attract the most ambitious and talented Francophone immigrants to ensure that our communities … Read more
Citizenship and Immigration Minister Chris Alexander (Ajax-Pickering, Ont.) congratulated the four winners of the Third Annual Immigrant Entrepreneur Awards on Jan. 29 in Ottawa, which recognizes the entrepreneurial success of newcomers to Canada. This year’s winners include: Anand Aggarwal, Manor Park Development; Abdul Haseeb Awan, BitAccess Inc.; Mona Kalra, Maple Care Physiotherapy Inc.; and Peyman Yazdani, Subway Restaurants. These awards are organized by the City of Ottawa and … Read more
Minister of Employment and Social Development Jason Kenney (Calgary Southeast, Alta.) issued a statement to mark the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the German Nazi Concentration and Extermination camp (1940-1945), and the 10th annual International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust. “This poignant day marks the 70th anniversary of the liberation of … Read more
