Canada to make foreign qualifications assessment faster

Canadian immigrant s will find it quicker in future to have their qualifications assessed. The new Pan-Canadian Framework for the Assessment and Recognition of Foreign Qualifications will mean that Canadian immigrants will find out within one year whether they can be licensed or registered to work in certain fields. This was announced recently by the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Co-Chair of the Forum of Labour Market Ministers, and the Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism.

"Attracting and retaining the best international talent to address existing and future labour market challenges is critical to Canada's long-term economic success," said Minister Finley. "Ensuring that foreign credentials and qualifications are assessed and recognized in a timely manner will enable newcomers to maximize their talents."

"This framework is another important step in paving the road to success for Ontario's newcomers," said the Honourable Michael Chan, Ontario Minister of Citizenship and Immigration. "This builds on the plan our government already has in place to help newcomers get licensed in their field and get jobs."

The framework states the following:

• Governments across Canada will work towards better pre-arrival services.


• Assessments should be fair, transparent, consistent and timely across Canada


• There should be improved workforce participation services for newcomers.

"A priority of this government has been to make our immigration system more competitive globally and more responsive to Canada's needs," said Minister Kenney. "This framework complements initiatives such as the Action Plan for Faster Immigration, as they make our immigration system better meet the needs of our labour market. We want newcomers to be able to use their skills and work to their full potential. It's good for them and good for the Canadian economy."

Minister Finley and Minister Kenney also met with community leaders in the Greater Toronto area to discuss how to improve the process of assessing the education, skills and experience of recent immigrants.

It is hoped that the Economic Action Plan investment of $50 million will do the following:

• "Develop the principles of timeliness, transparency, fairness and predictability that the federal, provincial and territorial governments set out to guide the process;


• Develop standards for the timely handling of requests;


• Identify the priority occupations for developing recognition standards; and


• Help people who want to come to Canada start the assessment process before they arrive."

Foreign Credential Recognition is a key part of the pan-Canadian implementation of the Framework. Canada as a Country devotes considerable resources to make it easier for immigrants to settle down in Canada and make a contribution to Canadian society.