Immigration policy wasn’t always about economics alone: Brender | Toronto Star

2013/08/17 Leave a comment

Good reminder of some of the broader issues and objectives around immigration by Natalie Brender, along with the concomitant need for refugee and family class advocates to develop more rigorous reasoning and rationales.

Just saying that these categories are important and valuable is not enough. After all, even some of the economic arguments that everyone ‘accepts’ have also been criticized by some as simplistic (i.e., Collacott, Paquet) or wrong.

It should be possible for advocates for more refugees and family class to argue more convincingly on the comparative benefits between economic, family class and refugees, than stating what they believe to be an article of faith.

Immigration policy wasn’t always about economics alone: Brender | Toronto Star.

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The trouble with birth tourism

2013/08/13 Leave a comment

Robert Sibley of The Citizen on birth tourism. As per my earlier post (‘Birth tourists’ believed to be using Canada’s citizenship laws as back door into the West | National Post), while the CIC consultations earlier this year were helpful in clarifying the nature of the problem, and suggesting that it was more widespread among more communities, it was not ‘hard’ evidence with ‘hard’ numbers. It was rather ‘informed anecdote’ without the due diligence of applying more rigorous statistical analysis based on medicare billing and other records.

It may be adequate to give the government cover to change Canadian legislation – and there is, in today’s globalized world, a case to be made. However, CIC has not managed well previous policy and program changes, with the result that the number of  Canadians granted citizenship fell 37 percent in 2012 (from an average of 172,000 during 2007-11 to 113,000 in 2012), and the waiting period increased to 25 months (Australia’s is 6 months). And like all changes, the linkages between citizenship and related federal and provincial policies (e.g., vital stats) require detailed attention to get the balance right between improved citizenship integrity (needed) and efficient service to Canadians.

So a note of caution to Sibley and others: current implementation problems in citizenship can undermine the policy rationale.

The trouble with birth tourism.

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The Franco-American Flophouse: Not Everyone Wants to Be A Citizen

2013/08/09 Leave a comment

In debates about citizenship, the default assumption is that all wish to become citizens of the country in which they live. A good piece on the exceptions and related reasons. As always, individual situations vary, and the degree to which someone has an accepted citizenship (i.e., not from a country where visa and other restrictions make life and travel a pain), the greater the flexibility to choose.

Part of the longer-term trend towards instrumental citizenship, rather than being fundamental to identity.

The Franco-American Flophouse: Not Everyone Wants to Be A Citizen.

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In defence of Jason Kenney | National Post

2013/08/02 Leave a comment

A good overview putting some of the critiques in a broader context. Yes, the changes have been significant and, in many cases overdue, and a number of others less defensible. But his great political skill has been able to operate at two levels at the same time: developing and encouraging support among the numerous ethnic communities in Canada while pursuing some major policy changes that make immigration more restrictive for non-economic immigrants.

One of my own ‘tests’ of how immigration and the related issues of citizenship and multiculturalism are perceived in a country is the presence or absence of strong anti-immigration lobbies or political parties. While we have a range of critics of immigration policies, naturally enough, we have no major organized opposition to Canada as an immigrant-based country.

All Canadian political parties are engaged with immigrants and new Canadians, with any wedge politics to increase support among ethnic communities, not to create a split with the ‘mainstream’.

The dynamic in Quebec is different, and more influenced by European debates and tensions.

In defence of Jason Kenney | National Post.

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Memo to Chris Alexander, Canada’s new immigration minister | Toronto Star

2013/07/26 Leave a comment

The contrary view to Minister Kenney’s achievements as Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism. Not a balanced take, but highlights the challenges of defining and finding balance given the range of interests and perspectives.

Memo to Chris Alexander, Canada’s new immigration minister | Toronto Star.

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Jason Kenney to have greater say over controversial foreign-workers program – The Globe and Mail

2013/07/24 Leave a comment

Formal cabinet shuffles and where the real influence lies.

Jason Kenney to have greater say over controversial foreign-workers program – The Globe and Mail.

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Chris Alexander has ‘big shoes to fill’ as Immigration Minister – The Globe and Mail

2013/07/20 2 Comments

One of the initial pieces on the challenges facing Minister Alexander.

Chris Alexander has ‘big shoes to fill’ as Immigration Minister – The Globe and Mail.

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A Message from Minister Jason Kenney to all CIC employees « Jason Kenney – Calgary Southeast

2013/07/17 Leave a comment

A good summary of the extensive policy renewal and reset that has taken place over past years. Whether or not one agrees with all of the policy changes and directions, and how they have been characterized, a remarkable record of achievement.

And genuine, warm recognition of the work that officials played in implementing this agenda.

A Message from Minister Jason Kenney to all CIC employees « Jason Kenney – Calgary Southeast.

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Why immigration and jobs were the most important changes in the cabinet shuffle – The Globe and Mail

2013/07/16 Leave a comment

Lots of media comment on the Cabinet shuffle. Some initial points of note from where I sit:

  • The focus at CIC will largely be on implementation, given the remarkable breadth and depth of Minister Kenney’ legislative, policy, program and service resetting;
  • As a result, Minister Alexander will likely find himself dealing more with implementation issues, some foreseen, some not foreseen, given that the impact of policy changes take time to show themselves (e.g., the temporary foreign workers file and perverse incentives to companies for outsourcing);
  • While the pillars of citizenship renewal are sound (more rigorous study guide, test, language and residency requirements), poor implementation has resulted in a 37 percent drop in new Canadian citizens in 2012. While the influx of new money in Budget 2013 should improve things, it does signify a systemic and ongoing issue regarding program management that will require Ministerial involvement.
  • One gap in CIC policy renewal remains citizenship legislation, given the act dates from 1977 and has long needed a major revamp and modernization. A mini-package fell on the order paper in 2011 and it will be interesting to see whether something more ambitious emerges this fall under the Speech from the Throne.
  • Multiculturalism continues its decline given the nature of CIC’s structure and centre of gravity. It will be interesting over time to see if some of Ministerial language shifts somewhat, given that some clearly had a very personal stamp by Minister Kenney.
  • While the article below suggests the all important ethnic community outreach file will be Minister Alexander’s, subsequent articles suggest that it will remain with Minister ‘Curry in a Hurry’ Kenney,

Why immigration and jobs were the most important changes in the cabinet shuffle – The Globe and Mail.

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Temporary immigrants mean temporary loyalties – The Globe and Mail

2013/05/22 Leave a comment

Good observations on some of the impacts on changes to immigration policies.

Temporary immigrants mean temporary loyalties – The Globe and Mail.

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