QUESTION PERIOD — Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
Skilled Worker Program
November 18, 2020
Honourable senators, my question is also to the leader of the Senate.
Leader, I would like you to convey my gratitude to the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship for unveiling an ambitious program, encouraging up to 1.2 million immigrants to Canada. The plan will target bringing skilled workers, family members and refugees to Canada.
The minister went on to say that over 60% of the 1.2 million will be from the economic class. Those are skilled workers. To bring in skilled workers, to integrate them into the profession for which they have been selected, for a skilled immigrant to be able to implement their skills in Canada, they have to be taught professional English language.
Leader, I work with many skilled immigrants and understand they would like their professional organizations to recognize their qualifications. The skilled workers that I have been in contact with often say to me that they are not able to integrate into our Canadian society.
My question to you, leader, is: What plan does our government have in place to ensure that when we bring skilled workers to Canada, we make sure that they are able to work in their chosen profession and do not end up working as cab drivers? There is nothing wrong with that, but they didn’t come here and we didn’t bring them here as skilled immigrants to do that.
What does the government have in place to make sure skilled immigrants are able to work in the field for which we brought them here?
I’m sorry, Senator Gold, but the time for Question Period has expired.