globeandmail.com: Ottawa rules out amnesty for illegal workers

globeandmail.com: Ottawa rules out amnesty for illegal workers: "Ottawa has ruled out amnesty for the estimated 200,000 undocumented workers toiling in Canada's underground economy, saying it would not be fair to those who have applied legally and are waiting in line, according to a letter obtained by The Globe and Mail.
Allowing illegal workers to stay would likely “encourage more illegal immigration,” noted Linda Arseneau of Citizenship and Immigration Canada's ministerial enquiries division in an Oct. 18 letter to the Universal Workers Union.
“Even a small increase in the number who decide to come here and stay here illegally based on the hope of regularization would simply recreate the very problem the proposal is supposed to fix,” the letter says.
The decision is a bitter disappointment to Portuguese and Hispanic groups, home-builder associations and unions in Ontario that have lobbied CIC to allow undocumented workers in the construction industry to regularize their status."
Source: The Globe and Mail

Canada attracts skilled immigrants

Canada attracting skilled immigrants: Canadian immigration policy is doing a good job of attracting skilled immigrants to this country, a Queen's University expert said.

CIC Canada | News Release 2006-13 - Citizenship and Immigration Canada Changes Visa Requirement for Estonian Citizens

CIC Canada | News Release 2006-13 - Citizenship and Immigration Canada Changes Visa Requirement for Estonian Citizens: "Citizenship and Immigration Canada Changes Visa Requirement for Estonian Citizens
OTTAWA, September 27, 2006 – The Honourable Monte Solberg, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration (CIC), announced today that Estonian citizens no longer require a temporary resident visa to visit Canada.
“Canada’s analysis of Estonia indicates that they are ready for a visa exemption,” said Minister Solberg. “Canada has the largest community of Estonians outside of Estonia and we enjoy strong trade and tourism ties. This decision will help build on that relationship.”
Citizenship and Immigration Canada regularly reviews the visa requirements we place on citizens from other countries who want to visit Canada. These reviews are done on a country by country basis to see if they warrant potential visa exemptions or the removal of an exemption. Country reviews weigh the risks and benefits of visa-free travel to Canada. Possible risks to Canada include abuse of Canada’s tradition of refugee protection, passport fraud or organized crime in the country under review. Some of the benefits to Canada may include increased trade and tourism.
By law, all visitors to Canada require a temporary resident visa, except citizens of countries where an exemption has been granted.
Visa requirements are Canada’s first line of defence in maintaining the safety and health of Canadians where travellers to Canada are concerned. The visa is also an effective way to protect the integrity of Canada’s immigration and refugee programs while facilitating the entry of legitimate visitors.
For a complete list of countries whose citizens require a visa, please visit CIC’s Web site at www.cic.gc.ca/engl"