NEWS RELEASES
CANADA ANNOUNCES ESTABLISHMENT OF CONSULATE GENERAL IN CHANDIGARH
November 16, 2002 (11:00 a.m. EST) No. 150
CANADA ANNOUNCES ESTABLISHMENT OF CONSULATE GENERAL IN CHANDIGARH
On behalf of the Government of Canada, Herb Dhaliwal, Minister of Natural Resources Canada, announced today that a
Canadian Consulate General will be established in Chandigarh, India.
Minister Dhaliwal made the announcement this morning at a ceremony in Chandigarh, which was attended by official
representatives of the states of Punjab and Haryana, authorities from Chandigarh, and business people.
This enhanced representation will permit the expansion of immigration and visa services, including on-site interviews of
permanent resident applicants and on-site processing of temporary resident applications, offered to people living in the
states of Punjab and Haryana and the territory of Chandigarh. Applications for permanent residents will continue to be
submitted to the Canadian Immigration Office in New Delhi for initial processing. The Consulate General will also provide
consular services (assistance to Canadian citizens) while maintaining existing trade and education information services.
"The opening of a new Consulate General in Chandigarh further demonstrates Canada's commitment to enhancing bilateral
ties with India," said Minister Dhaliwal. "The expanded services will facilitate the flow of people between our countries."
Chandigarh is currently serviced by a small Canadian office. The Canadian Consulate General will offer the additional
services listed above as physical, technological and communications infrastructures are put in place.
India is a major source of immigrants and visitors to Canada, ranking second among the countries that are sources of
immigrants. In 2001, 27,812 Indian nationals became permanent residents in Canada, representing nearly 11 percent of all
new residents. The Indo-Canadian community in Canada is approaching 1 million, meaning that 1 in 30 Canadians trace
their roots to India.
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
Heather Bala
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Natural Resources Canada
(613) 996-7252
Susan Scarlett
Spokesperson
Media Relations Office
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
(613) 941-7035
Media Relations Office
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
(613) 995-1874
This document is also available on the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade's Internet site:
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca
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