Phl raises migration issues with Canada
The Philippines has raised migration issues with the Canadian Immigration Parliamentary Secretary, including the non-recognition of migrants’ academic credentials.
Philippine Ambassador to Canada Petronila Garcia met with Parliamentary Secretary Serge Cornier, MP, of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Garcia shared her concern on the challenges faced by newly arrived Filipino migrants to Canada, including the non-recognition of their academic credentials and reunification programs for family members left behind in the Philippines.
Cornier acknowledged the contribution of Filipino migrants to Canada and shared his intention to improve his ministry’s awareness campaigns to inform migrants of the settlement services available to them when they arrive in Canada.
The two officials agreed to work together on programs which would benefit the growing Filipino diaspora in Canada.
The Philippine Consulate General in Toronto earlier thanked the Canadian government for their positive action in the reunification of Filipino caregivers and their families.
Filipino caregivers in Canada were reunited with their families after waiting for almost a decade
During the appreciation event organized by Filipino caregivers, Philippine Consul General in Toronto Rosalita Prospero thanked Minister Ahmed Hussen, minister for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for the action in the reunification of the Filipino caregivers.
Prospero highlighted in her speech that the family is the core of Philippine society and a valuable support system of an individual, and that it is ironic if those who care and give support to others are far away from their very own support system.
Hussen, who attended the appreciation event, said in his speech that he alone cannot accept the award and recognition; that it should likewise go to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau who supported his work, as well as all the members of the Parliament who championed the cause of caregivers.
He announced that since he assumed office, they were able to decrease the backlog in the caregivers and spousal programs to 21,000 and that the present government is committed to eliminate the backlog by the end of 2018.
The minister added that they have eliminated the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) processing fees of CA$1,000 for families or individuals seeking to hire foreign caregivers and whose income is less than CA$150,000/ year.