Skilled-worker immigration program back in business

The controversial Federal Skilled Worker Program, which was temporarily put on hold by Federal Immigration Minister Jason Kenney in July 2012, is once more up and running. The program, which was shut down to revamp the program and eliminate a backlog of about 280,000 people who had applied for permanent residency before Feb. 28, 2008, will reopen today.

The Conservative party’s controversial decision to wipe out the backlog sparked a challenge in Federal Court earlier this year. Lawyers asked the federal court to strike down the legislation that eliminated the backlogs because it breaches the Charter of Rights and the rule of law. The case was later dismissed.

The Conservatives’ revamped program will “ensure not only that Canada can select the immigrants most needed by our economy, but that they are positioned for success,” said Kenney.

Applicants under the new pro- gram must meet at least one of the federal government’s criteria: one year continuous work experience in one of 24 eligible occupations, a qualifying offer of arranged employment, or eligible to apply through the PhD stream.

Applications to the Federal Skilled Workers Program will be assessed against a point grid, with points awarded for language abilities, age, education, work experience, employment already arranged in Canada and adaptability.

The changes will also include the introduction of the educational credential assessment, which will assess all foreign credentials for their Canadian value. There will also be a set number of applicants for each occupation for each year.

Citizenship and Immigration says all new applications will be processed within about one year. The previous backlog for the program was reported to be heading to a 15-year-wait time by 2015 with over 1.5 million applications in the backlog, according to the ministry. With files from Star staff