Canada wants you here, but it will be harder

Two opposing snippets of news the Brits in Toronto crew spotted this week …

Attracting Skilled Newcomers to Canada

“Federal, provincial and territorial (FPT) immigration ministers today reiterated their commitment to actively recruit economic immigrants that have the skills the Canadian economy needs most.

“Canada’s Citizenship and Immigration Minister Chris Alexander and Alberta’s Jobs, Skills, Training and Labour Minister Thomas Lukaszuk co-chaired the meeting of FPT ministers responsible for immigration. Economic immigration was a top priority for all ministers around the table.

“Ministers agreed to continue collaborating on building the new active recruitment model which is known as the Expression of Interest (or EOI) system. It is intended to transform Canada’s immigration system into one that is more responsive to labour market needs.”

Full story here.

Proposed Changes By Canadian Government Will Make Getting Citizenship More Difficult

“On February 6, 2014 Canada’s Citizenship and Immigration Minister Chris Alexander introduced into Parliament the first comprehensive changes to the Citizenship Act since 1977. Following Conservative government’s practice of giving political names to its legislation, Bill C-24, is titled ‘Strengthening Canadian Citizenship Act.’

“According to the Minister Alexander the Bill ‘will protect the value of Canadian citizenship for those who have it while creating a faster and more efficient process for those applying to get it.’ The cost of applying for Canadian Citizenship is also increasing to $400 from $200. This increase is effective immediately.

“Citizenship and Immigration Minister Alexander in a prepared statement also said, ‘Our government is strengthening the value of Canadian citizenship. Canadians understand that citizenship should not be simply a passport of convenience. Citizenship is a pledge of mutual responsibility and a shared commitment to values rooted in our history. I am pleased to bring forward the first comprehensive and overdue reforms of the Citizenship Act in more than a generation.’

Full story here.

So … Canada has programs in place on one hand to attract good people, but makes it harder for them to become citizens? Are we missing something here?