Indo-Canadians applaud immigration reforms

Indo-Canadians applaud immigration reforms which will eliminate 900,000 backlogged cases, prioritize skilled immigrants, while continuing to support for family reunification and humanitarian cases

Toronto, Canada -In the coming days, Bill C-50 will be voted on by Parliament as part of the budget. Canada India Foundation (CIF) supports the reforms proposed in the Bill.

“Bill C-50 is good for Canada and good for Canadian employers,” said Ajit Someshwar, CIF Convener.  “By choosing to prioritize skilled labourers, while protecting family class immigrants and refugees, the Minister is striking the right balance.”

Bill C-50 seeks to expedite processing of the over 900,000 applicants currently in the backlog with significant new funding. It empowers the Minister to designate skilled immigrant categories which will be prioritized in consultation with employers. Moreover, the Minister has stated that family re-unification, refugees and humanitarian cases will not be affected by this Bill.

While we are pleased with these steps to reform our immigration services, CIF urges the Minister to take steps to improve immigration services in India by establishing two new visa processing centres, in Mumbai and in Chennai.

“In comparison to China and Pakistan, India on a per capita basis, is disproportionately serviced by Immigration Canada,” said Someshwar.

“More can and must be done to facilitate skilled accreditation of immigrants if Canada is serious about attracting the best and the brightest.”

CIF will continue to keep a vigilant eye on the actions of the government to ensure that Canada’s best interests are served by our immigration policies.

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For more information contact
Naresh Raghubeer, CIF
(613) 216-2095

About Canada India Foundation (“CIF”)
Canada India Foundation (“CIF”) is a national not for profit organization established in 2007 and dedicated to promoting bi-lateral relations between Canada and India, while working to secure and promote the interests of Canada’s dynamic Indo-Canadian community within the Canadian mosaic.