News Release
Ontario Introduces Legislation to Maximize Benefits of Immigration
Newcomers’ Global Connections Boost Ontario’s Economy
Ontario is reintroducing its first-ever Immigration Act that would, if passed, assist the province in working with Ottawa to maximize the economic benefits of immigration.
Immigrants help grow a stronger economy by leveraging their networks and forging new global connections that will keep Ontario competitive in international markets.
Building on the government's Immigration Strategy, the proposed Ontario Immigration Act would:
- Facilitate Ontario's work with the federal government on the recruitment, selection and admission of skilled immigrants.
- Strengthen the province's ongoing efforts to reduce fraud by protecting the integrity of our immigrant selection program and improve accountability.
- Increase transparency and information-sharing with our immigration partners.
The province will also redesign the Provincial Nominee Program to respond to expected increases in the federal government's allocation of economic immigrants.
Maximizing Ontario's immigration programs is part of the government's economic plan for Ontario. The four-part plan is building Ontario up by investing in people's talents and skills, building new public infrastructure like roads and transit, creating a dynamic, supportive environment where business thrives and building a secure savings plan so everyone can afford to retire.
Quick Facts
- Ontario remains the number one destination for newcomers to Canada, receiving more immigrants than the combined total of all the provinces and territories west of here.
- Newcomers make up 30 per cent of Ontario's labour force.
- Over the next 25 years, immigration will account for all of the increases in Ontario’s working-age population and is expected to be a major source of future labour force growth.
- Federal decisions over the decade have reduced the proportion of economic immigrants coming to Ontario to 46 per cent, while other provinces on average receive 65 per cent (2013). In 2011, 97 per cent of Ontario’s provincial nominees remained in the province.
Quotes
“This proposed legislation is about making Ontario’s economy stronger through immigration. Immigrants bring with them connections to international economies, which is why the Premier reassigned International Trade to the immigration ministry. It’s important that we recognize not only the value of a diverse workforce but also the advantages of having an Ontario economy that is globally connected.”
“The diversity of our people is one of Ontario’s strengths. Capitalizing on this advantage is vital to our economy’s future growth. Immigrants connect people, ideas and understanding. Ontario is showing its commitment to ensuring that the economic opportunities that immigrants expect are delivered.”
Matthew Mendelsohn
The good news is
that Ontario, after 147 years, has taken the first baby step in fulfilling its
constitutional responsibility concerning immigration.
The bad news is that
our economy will not survive another generation if Queen’s Park fails to build
on its existing foreign worker strengths
My concern is that
Ontario’s new Immigration Act will not be matched with a concurrent political
commitment to action.
I realize that
things take time. Nevertheless, first principles are important.
Hopefully, there
will be no backsliding under the cover of new legislation. "
Richard Boraks Nov 27,2014.
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