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News round-up
Go Northwest, my son
The Northwest Territories has become the latest region of Canada to introduce a provincial nominee programme (PNP). Last week, Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney announced the signing of an agreement to help attract new immigrants to the Northwest Territories. "I am very pleased to announce the very first nominee agreement with the Northwest Territories today," Minister Kenney said. "This pilot initiative will better extend and strengthen the benefits of immigration for the Northwest Territories and allow it to bring in the immigrants it needs faster. Provincial nominee programs are an important part of our government's focus on ensuring that our immigration system aligns with labour market needs." Applicants can be nominated for permanent residency under one of four program categories: Skilled Worker, Critical Impact Worker (Service and Hospitality Sector Occupations), Entrepreneur Business, and Self-Employed Business. The agreement makes the Northwest Territories the 11th region of Canada to introduce a PNP; of the remaining two provinces, Quebec runs its own immigration system, leaving Nunavut as the odd one out.
'Three amigos' in immigration pledge
Earlier this week, at a meeting with his Mexican and Canadian counterparts (collectively referred to as the 'three amigos'), President Obama restated his determination to reform American immigration policy. However, Obama added that reform may have to wait until 2010, as Congress would first concentrate on healthcare reform, energy and financial regulation. Indicating that a draft bill may be ready towards the end of this year, Obama said: "Am I going to be able to snap my fingers and get this done? No, but ultimately, I think the American people want fairness."
Temporary trough down under
Recent figures show that the number of temporary 457 visas granted in June 2009 were 40 per cent down on those awarded in June 2008 - a clear indication of just how much impact the global economic downturn is having on the Australian immigration system.
"The Subclass 457 visa program is a demand-driven scheme that has responded to the slowing economy and reduced demand in the Australian labour market," said Australia's immigration minister Senator Christopher Evans. "The Rudd Government's priority is to provide training and job opportunities for Australians but there will continue to be demand for skills in some sectors, such as healthcare, so there will still be a need for employers to access skilled overseas workers to fill gaps on a temporary basis," he added.
Indeed, of the top 15 occupations for primary 457 visa applications granted, only those for registered nurses increased, up 18 per cent.
New South Wales recorded the biggest decline in use of temporary skilled overseas workers, with a 24 per cent drop in primary applications, followed by Western Australia (9.5 per cent), Queensland (7.5 per cent) and Victoria (7.1 per cent). However, South Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory all recorded increases in applications.
14 October 2009