Conservatives | The Conservatives haven't made specific promises regarding immigration, but it seems they will continue with their current way. Bill C-50 gave the Immigration Minister the authority to limit the number of new immigration applicants and to fast track the applications of skilled immigrants. |
Liberals | The Liberal party is promising to:
→ Repeal the changes brought in by Bill C-50, saying that it does not harbor a fair system based on due process
→ Spend $400 million to increase the efficiency of the immigration system. $200 were pledged for enhanced language training and another $200 for a new program for internships, mentorship and work placement opportunities
→ Create an In Canada-Fast Track program to allow temporary workers, international students, and live-in caregivers to apply for permanent residence within Canada
→ Introduce the "Welcome Canada Pass" a five-year renewable multiple entry visa for individuals sponsored by Canadian citizens and landed immigrants |
NDP | Immigration promises made by the NDP is in this election include:
→ Pledges to recognize foreign professionals
→ End application processing fees
→ Speed up family reunification
→ Launch a Refugee Appeal Division
→ Reform the visa program to facilitate family visit
→ Grant refuge to American soldiers refusing to serve in Iraq
→ Demand the system allow for the fair entry of refugees and immigrants on humanitarian compassionate and family reunification grounds
→ Accelerate the recognition of foreign credentials and overseas degrees
→ Increase financial support for the settlement process of new Canadians to assist with literacy, community integration, and orientation |
Green | → Pledges to remove barriers to recognize the professional credentials of immigrants
→ Promises cash transfers to provinces for language training and free night school programs
→ Would start a new process to "lead to full landed immigrant status" for the 200 000 people in Canada without official status
→ Plans to crack down on shady immigration consultants and human smugglers |
| Bloc Québécois | → Wants to create an immigration system that is more efficient and humanistic
→ Calls for a refugee appeal division and a moratorium on deportation to hostile countries, many of which are major sources of immigration to Quebec, such as Afghanistan, Burundi, DRC, Haiti, Iraq, Rwanda and Zimbabwe
→ Believe that provincial and not federal authorities should control immigration in the provinces
→ The Bloc is against Bill C-50 |
sources: Embassy Magazine, the Green Party, the Liberal Party, the NDP.