By Parvinder Sandhu

Canada is one country that clearly and categorically views immigrants as one who are contributing to its economic well being in a major way. It is precisely for this reason that Canada has spelt out its immigration programmes and policies in its statute books very comprehensively and articulately. In fact, Canada is one amongst few countries that encourages immigration and views immigrants as harbinger of country's well being.

Canada's immigration programme, is over 125-year-old and it has been delivered in various configurations. For instance, it was with the department of agriculture at one time; it was with the Interior Ministry at other time. The most bizarre configuration was when it was with Mines and Indian Affairs. And it has also been with Citizenship and Immigration; it's been with Manpower and Immigration and sometime back it was with foreign services. In a nutshell, the Canadian immigration policy is linked to other government programmes or public issues, depending on its time. Citizenship and Immigration today is delivering the same programme but it is delivering it in a different context.

Canada Immigration policy is linked to a more generally stated objective that "we are in the immigration business for the economic interest of Canada". This well stated objective ensures that there is no discrimination over granting immigration on the basis of professions. Whosoever can convince the visa officer about his ability to contribute meaningfully to the economic well being is usually granted entry in Canada as permanent resident if there is no other disqualification. The modern Canadian immigration framework very clearly committed the programme to increase the (demographic) mix to ensure more economic contributions. The programme was formulated in such a manner that it ought to demonstrate to Canadians that it (programme) continues to make an enhanced economic contribution. Even the family component of the programme--family class immigrants--is believed to be contributing to the economy. The perception of the authors of this programme was that the programme should have its basis in family linkages. Spouses and children are the fundamental core of this movement and then there are parents and grandparents. The authors (of programme) felt that there was need to concentrate on providing the opportunities for sponsorship without incurring some of the public expenditures of sponsorship failure that Canada had in the past.

People who are at the helm of affairs of immigration ministry also believe that the trade and immigration are entwined and linked very closely. They believe that human capital that has come to Canada in the past is now increasingly entrepreneurial and from parts of the world which are themselves growing rapidly. That is contributing to Canadian trade relationship. There is the strong example to reinforce this belief. The foremost and glaring example is that of tremendous trade growth Canada has experienced in the Asia-Pacific region. It cannot be just coincidence that the trade growth with Asia-Pacific region was witnessed simultaneously with growth in immigration relationship with the Asia-Pacific region.

This phenomenon, particularly in Asia-Pacific region is being exploited by trade commissioners and immigration officers who are able to market the advantages of Canada together--using the immigration programme to make Canada attractive and create jobs in Canada for Canadians as a result of investments. A scientific survey also found that people in Asia-Pacific don't choose Canada because of comparatively buoyant economy. They choose Canada for overall comparative advantages in certain other areas. A study in 1998 November suggested that 23 per cent of university graduates in Taiwan believed that immigration was in their personal future. And Canada was the number one point of destination followed by Australia and then United States.

The Canadian Immigration Policy as spelt out in Immigration Act of Canada has also ensured that all humanitarian aspects are taken in considerations and the country's (Canada's) international obligations are also fulfilled.

For instance, the clause 'C' of Immigration Objectives says: "It is hereby declared that Canadian immigration policy and the rules and regulations made under this Act shall be designed and administered in such a manner as to promote the domestic and international interests of Canada recognizing the need to facilitate the reunion in Canada of Canadian citizens and permanent residents with their close relatives from abroad" Then it also takes care of people who have been displaced or persecuted in their own country or society.

So to summarize, the Canadian immigration programme not only is in the interest of Canada and Canadian economy but it also fulfills humanitarian as well as (Canada's) international obligations with respect to refugees and other persecuted ones.

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