CIMM Committee Report
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Supplementary Opinion
Our members support much of what is contained within this report, both content and recommendations. We concur with the reports overview of the substantial progress that this government has made towards the recognition of foreign credentials. We appreciate that the recognition that the issue of foreign credential recognition involves both the federal and provincial governments. We are encouraged by some of the innovative recommendations such as those for internship programs and loans to help new immigrants enter the work force in the field of their expertise. Having indicated the support of the overall report and the consistent direction the government has taken for nearly four years, we disagree with some of specific recommendations of this report. We oppose any efforts, however well meaning, that disadvantage Canadians by giving immigrants a special advantage in the hiring process through the use of financial incentives for Canadian businesses. We also oppose the radical change to the Canadian employment market that would be caused by the creation of an appeal mechanism for individuals who are not hired through the job application and interview process. In addition to our view that this idea is misguided, we fail to see how it relates to the subject or content of this report. We are pleased that the report reflects the success of the government’s approach to foreign credential recognition and the cooperative way that the government is engaging the provinces and territories on this issue. We also concur with the witnesses who presented that pre-departure foreign credential screening should receive a greater emphasis. We are happy to see the government moving in that direction. It is clear that the government supports reasonable efforts to bring newcomers into the workforce which are crucial for skilled new immigrants to enter the Canadian economic mainstream. Additionally, we are committed to allocating resources to ensure that foreign trained doctors live up to their full potential and that Canadians have access to quality healthcare. People come from countries across the world to work in Canada. Our government supports this process because it strengthens economic opportunity for individuals and our country within the global competitive framework. There is no room for disincentives that disadvantage one Canadian over another. A policy which would pay businesses to choose one Canadian over another or a new immigrant over someone who has been here for longer is unacceptable. Finally, we strongly oppose the creation of an "ombudsman" for unsuccessful job applicants. This is an unreasonable and unprecedented interference in the hiring practices of firms and government departments. It also creates an unreasonably differentiated job market between federally and provincially regulated sectors. In closing we would like to thank the witnesses who appeared before our committee during this study and the committee members who for the most part worked cooperatively to complete this study and produce this report. Respectfully Submitted,
Rick Dykstra, M.P. |