Archive for the ‘Canada’ Category

Recently I read an article by Toronto journalist and author, Joe Clark called The Web is like Canada. The article touches on the paradigm and similarities that the web and Canada have to each other. Mr. Clark states: “like the web Canada defines itself by what it is not”.

“Only Canadians could assert themselves by explaining what they aren’t. Even the West and East Germans; the North and South Koreans; the New Zealanders and the Australians; the Scottish, the Welsh, the Irish, the Northern Irish, and the British; or the Walloons and the Flemish – all identifiable in relation to someone else – don’t take definition by negation to such lengths”. 

I thought how right Clark is. We hear very little of Canada and when we do hear about them they are either “requesting” (I use the word request and not need for good reasons) for skilled immigrants, or on its picturesque perfection and maybe sometimes if we are lucky we may hear a bit on sporting events.

But generally we hear very little of this diverse country and its inhabitants and yet many desire to move to there. Canada has become almost like a myth, it exist only when you want to get to it but it somehow manages to remain in hibernation until its needed to come out to make some announcement to the world or defend itself from Americans.  

Let’s take a look at what is happening in the world at the moment, politically (US presidential candidates elections), socially (earthquakes in China and famine in Ethiopia) and economically (mortgage crashes and economic downfalls of the super-powers (America and UK)). Why have we not heard anything from the world’s biggest immigration country? Could Canada be so perfect as to not get affected by the rest of foreign policies and market crashes?  Is it so invincible? 

Every year millions of UK immigrants flock to this country for a better lifestyle. Canada is truly Zion. Is this the reason we should all move to Canada because its so kept itself away from all the chaos of the world?  

This wonderland seems unattainable yet it is. Even though Canada and its inhabitants live in a bubble, we do know Canada has opened its borders to the world, housing refugees or opening up for students and workers. Clark states that Canada is struggling to find its own identity yet Canada has a solid reputation internationally making it the Hallmark of the world.  I couldn’t agree. 

Maybe I’ll ask the boss to move me to our  www.globalvisas.ca offices! (TM)

The highly controversial Canadian immigration proposals were past in the Commons last night, this legislation will now go to the Senate for a final vote.

These amendments will give the minister of immigration power to fast-track certain applications based on skills that are in need. She would also have the power to refuse certain applications.

These amendments have been proposed to speed up the immigration process and reduce the massive backlog. However many criticise the new policy labeling it a “politicisation” of the immigration system.

This Bill is a budget-implementation bill that contains immigration reforms. If it is voted against this will result in an election. This will not benefit anyone in government circles; therefore it is inevitable for this new policy to become law soon.

Branded a hero by the majority of the Canadian population, it has been reported by the Canadian press that David Igali, an Olympic Champion Wrestler has had visas denied for his fellow Nigerian training team members.

Used to daily facing physical and mental challenges on the wrestling mat, Igali was stunned when finding out he will now have to face similar challenges, this time however with the Canadian government.

Igali who won a gold medal for Canada at the 2000 Summer Olympics applied for 6 visas so that his team members could accompany him to the country for an important tournament.  The high commission however subsequently refused the visas on the grounds that the athletes don’t make enough money or have family ties with the country.

It is now thought that the team which was scheduled to fly to Canada in order to participate are likely to miss the event altogether.

This issue is sparking public outrage amongst many Canadian citizens who think that the country should be doing more to support its Olympic talent.

However, the sad truth of the matter  is that even if the government have a change of heart, with the competition rapidly looming the likely hood of the team partcipating is now very slim.

CN