Vancouver MP Hedy Fry led a roundtable discussion on the subject of Canada’s recognition of the career credentials of immigrants.
“It is a tall order in a short time,” said Fry, who was given a mandate by Prime Minister Paul Martin in early December to report on the problem of assessing foreign credentials and helping new immigrants transfer their education and skills to Canadian jobs.
Prime Minister Martin told the gathering it is an important issue and one Canada must address if it is to be competitive in a global labour market.
Consultants Contest Regulation
A group of immigration consultants has filed court actions against the federal government in a bid to stop planned regulation of their activities, due to begin on April 1.
The International Association of Immigration Practitioners, which wants current consultants to be allowed to practise without meeting new standards, filed actions in the Federal Court of Canada and the Ontario Superior Court
The association charges that Ottawa has no authority to set up the regulatory body, the Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants.