News Release

Minister Finley’s India visit highlighted Canada’s immigration programs

Ottawa, November 12, 2007 — The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, returned to Canada after a successful visit to India to review operations and promote Canada’s immigration program abroad. She visited Mumbai, Chandigarh and New Delhi.

“India is a major source of immigrants to Canada, with highly qualified individuals,” said Minister Finley. “Canada wants skilled and talented professionals from India and around the world and is committed to helping them integrate quickly into the Canadian labour market. To this end, we have established the Foreign Credentials Referral Office and just announced the expansion of orientation sessions abroad to help potential immigrants get their credentials assessed and recognized in Canada as quickly as possible.”

While in India, the Minister announced the expansion of overseas orientation services to help immigrants from India and China get their credentials assessed and recognized in Canada. The expansion adds service on a rotational basis in the states of Gujarat and Punjab in India, as well as rotational services in Beijing and Shanghai in China. Until now, orientation sessions were available in three cities in India, China and the Philippines.  A new, centrally-located office was also opened in New Delhi to respond to increased demand in the region. The sessions are funded by Human Resources and Social Development Canada’s Foreign Credential Recognition Program and delivered by the Association of Canadian Community Colleges’ Canadian Immigration Integration Project.

The Minister also addressed representatives of educational institutions at a roundtable in Mumbai. Her speech touched on various initiatives undertaken to attract new immigrants, including the plans to introduce a new Canadian Experience Class in 2008. While details are still being finalized, this new avenue to immigration will help foreign students and skilled workers already living and working in Canada, to apply for permanent resident status from within Canada.

During the visit, Minister Finley took the opportunity to meet with the Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs, the Minister of Home Affairs and other officials of the Indian government.

For further information (media only), please contact:

Tim Vail
Press Secretary
Minister’s Office
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
613-954-1064

Media Relations
Communications Branch
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
613-952-1650