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Considering how often Canada is mentioned in this article, they don't dwell on why it was so much easier for the engineer and his wife to get into Canada. (A fa

by gamble 18y ago

Considering how often Canada is mentioned in this article, they don't dwell on why it was so much easier for the engineer and his wife to get into Canada. (A fate worse than death, apparently.) The key difference between our systems is that Canada issues residency visas, not temporary work visas. Once you have your Canadian permanent residency visa you can work for any employer. Immigrants aren't shackled to a sponsor, so they don't have the same motivation as H1-Bs to accept below-market wages and working conditions. In addition, the Canadian system is biased in favor of skilled workers. The vast majority of American immigrants are unskilled laborers allowed in through the 'family reunification' program. Canada does have a similar program, but the majority of our immigrants are skilled. There is even a fast-track classification for US H1-B holders. The problem with the immigration debate in the US is that it's fundamentally dishonest. Employers lionize immigrants, but the last thing they want is a system that treats them fairly.

chancho 18y ago
"In addition, the Canadian system is biased in favor of skilled workers. The vast majority of American immigrants are unskilled laborers allowed in through the 'family reunification' program. Canada does have a similar program, but the majority of our immigrants are skilled." Care to speculate on the reason for this discrepancy, given that the US and Canada have similar family reunification programs? I mean, you say that most of the US's unskilled immigrants come through the family reunification program, but then go on to say that Canada has a similar program so I don't see how that explains the difference.
- pcc 18y ago
  Afaik there is a quota, something like 60:40 economically active to non-economically active; so priorities are firstly skilled workers (or where there are shortages), then most immediate family, and lastly other family (eg parents, grandparents). Also should perhaps be pointed out that Canada does in fact issue temporary work visas too (not just residency visas), and then there would in fact be constraints on staying with an employer etc. Depending on where one applies from, this is often a faster process than residency; and from that there are avenues such as the provincial nominee program, that allow for expediting the residency process.
- deleted 18y ago
  [deleted]
- gamble 18y ago
  Canada doesn't have a quota system like the US, but priority is given to skilled immigrants and their immediate relatives. A skilled immigrant can get a permanent residency visa in 1-3 years, whereas a grandparent might need 5-10 years. In the US, the quota system is disproportionately biased in favor of relatives - something like 70% of all immigrants. The only path for skilled immigrants is H1-B, which has an annual cap of 65,000 visas. For example, Canada issued about 250,000 PR visas last year. 150,000 went to skilled workers and entrepreneurs, whereas only 65,000 went to family members. (Of which, 44,000 were spouses) The statistics are here if you're curious: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/statistics/facts2008/permanent/01.asp http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/statistics/facts2008/...
potatolicious 18y ago
I am the textbook example of Canadian immigration done right, I think. My parents came to Canada on the skilled immigration track. My father is a successful DBA in a major Canadian company, and my mother is an entrepreneur for arts and crafts supplies. Both pay oodles of taxes to the government (a lot more than the average Canadian anyhow), and both contribute to their communities. Out of their kids, one is an engineer and the other is a PhD researcher in biology. I remember my parents applying for immigration to the US. It was a long shot, but it was our first choice. Obviously we didn't make it, and looking at how we turned out I honestly believe that it was America's loss.
joe_the_user 18y ago
Double ditto to the parent... "The problem with the immigration debate in the US is that it's fundamentally dishonest. Employers lionize immigrants, but the last thing they want is a system that treats them fairly." Say the above magic incantation three times and the shills turn to smoke and drift away ...

by gamble 18y ago

chancho 18y ago

"In addition, the Canadian system is biased in favor of skilled workers. The vast majority of American immigrants are unskilled laborers allowed in through the 'family reunification' program. Canada does have a similar program, but the majority of our immigrants are skilled." Care to speculate on the reason for this discrepancy, given that the US and Canada have similar family reunification programs? I mean, you say that most of the US's unskilled immigrants come through the family reunification program, but then go on to say that Canada has a similar program so I don't see how that explains the difference.

pcc 18y ago
Afaik there is a quota, something like 60:40 economically active to non-economically active; so priorities are firstly skilled workers (or where there are shortages), then most immediate family, and lastly other family (eg parents, grandparents). Also should perhaps be pointed out that Canada does in fact issue temporary work visas too (not just residency visas), and then there would in fact be constraints on staying with an employer etc. Depending on where one applies from, this is often a faster process than residency; and from that there are avenues such as the provincial nominee program, that allow for expediting the residency process.
deleted 18y ago
[deleted]
gamble 18y ago
Canada doesn't have a quota system like the US, but priority is given to skilled immigrants and their immediate relatives. A skilled immigrant can get a permanent residency visa in 1-3 years, whereas a grandparent might need 5-10 years. In the US, the quota system is disproportionately biased in favor of relatives - something like 70% of all immigrants. The only path for skilled immigrants is H1-B, which has an annual cap of 65,000 visas. For example, Canada issued about 250,000 PR visas last year. 150,000 went to skilled workers and entrepreneurs, whereas only 65,000 went to family members. (Of which, 44,000 were spouses) The statistics are here if you're curious: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/statistics/facts2008/permanent/01.asp http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/statistics/facts2008/...

potatolicious 18y ago

I am the textbook example of Canadian immigration done right, I think. My parents came to Canada on the skilled immigration track. My father is a successful DBA in a major Canadian company, and my mother is an entrepreneur for arts and crafts supplies. Both pay oodles of taxes to the government (a lot more than the average Canadian anyhow), and both contribute to their communities. Out of their kids, one is an engineer and the other is a PhD researcher in biology. I remember my parents applying for immigration to the US. It was a long shot, but it was our first choice. Obviously we didn't make it, and looking at how we turned out I honestly believe that it was America's loss.

joe_the_user 18y ago

Double ditto to the parent... "The problem with the immigration debate in the US is that it's fundamentally dishonest. Employers lionize immigrants, but the last thing they want is a system that treats them fairly." Say the above magic incantation three times and the shills turn to smoke and drift away ...