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"Rebecca Cohn" |
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ARTICLE: THE GLOBE & MAIL
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| Envoyé: |
May 24th, 2007 - 11:17:15 |
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Immigrants and Canada aren't getting the best from each other
NAOMI ALBOIM AND ELIZABETH MCISAAC
Special to Globe and Mail Update
May 24, 2007 at 1:29 AM EDT
The federal government has set immigration levels for 2007 at between
240,000 to 265,000 new permanent residents, up about 15,000 over last
year's target. This is largely a result of expected labour shortages in
the context of an aging population.
Recent evidence, however, indicates skilled immigrants to Canada face
significant barriers to finding employment commensurate with their
experience and education.
The trouble partly stems from too many cooks spoiling the broth. The
multiplicity of stakeholders involved in the task of improving
employment opportunities for skilled immigrants makes finding and
implementing policy solutions a complex task. Likewise, the existence of
separate areas of responsibility and accountability between federal and
provincial departments and ministries produces challenges in
co-ordination at every jurisdictional level. In short, confusion reigns.
Another part of the problem derives from the "policy silos" at the
federal level created by the division of responsibilities between the
departments of Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) and Human
Resources and Social Development Canada (HRSDC). The former is
responsible for selection and settlement of immigrants - though not
specifically their labour market integration. The latter is responsible
for labour market programming in general, though not specifically
targeted at immigrants. The end result is that no department is
specifically tasked with the issue of immigrant labour market
integration. As a result, this important responsibility falls between
the silos.
Sorting this confusion will not be easy. There appears to be a will, if
not yet a way. The past two federal budgets made explicit investments
aimed at improving labour market outcomes for skilled immigrants. Most
recently, the proposed Foreign Credential Referral Office, with a
$13-million investment over two years, represents yet another response
to an already cluttered mix of policy instruments, funding arrangements
and jurisdictional complexities. As such, it could either become a
useful tool to help clarify the landscape and improve its coherence, or
it could add to the noise and confusion.
In a study published by the Institute for Research on Public Policy, we
outline a variety of policies and directions that would improve the
employment outcomes for skilled immigrants.
CLARIFY FEDERAL ROLE
First and foremost, the federal government's role in immigrant
employment needs to be sharpened and clarified. It is the critical
player in sorting through the confusion and thus needs to play a role as
a funder, co-ordinator and facilitator. Ottawa will be integral in
efforts designed to improve services for language assessment and
training, employer outreach, mentoring, bridge training, student loans,
and subsidized work-experience programs.
CLARIFY LABOUR NEEDS
Second, federal/provincial agreements need to be enhanced so that the
specific labour market needs of different regions and how these align
with immigration can be more effectively addressed. There is also a need
to recognize municipalities' roles and improve their capacity and
resources for planning and for providing services.
CLARIFY CREDENTIALS MANDATE
Also of great importance will be clarifying and enhancing the stated
mandate of the new Foreign Credential Referral Office.
More specifically, the office should encourage the creation of networks
among employers and prospective immigrants while the immigrants are
still overseas. It should also provide a one-stop referral service that
requires the federal government to work closely with provinces and
stakeholders to organize a national clearing house to provide
information on occupational requirements, programs and services, with a
clear point of access.
Finally, the new Office should develop tools to improve credentials and
skills recognition in Canada. This means better involving the
institutions that have direct responsibilities in this area such as
assessment service providers, occupational regulatory bodies,
postsecondary institutions and employers.
Canada has been a major beneficiary of immigration in the past. If
Canada is to continue reaping the immense benefits of immigration today
and into the future, changes to our policy and program architecture need
to be made, led by the federal government in collaboration with
provinces, cities, employers and other major stakeholders.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20070524.wcomment0524
/BNStory/National/home
Rebecca Cohn
Communications Officer/Agente des Communications
United Nations Association in Canada/Association canadienne pour les
Nations Unies
300-309 rue Cooper Street
Ottawa, Ontario
K2P 0G5
+1(613) 232-5751x.245
www.unac.org
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