Ottawa to play matchmaker for foreign workers
STEVEN CHASE 
OTTAWA — The Globe and Mail
Published Tuesday, Jan. 01 2013, 9:35 PM EST
Last updated Wednesday, Jan. 02 2013, 6:05 AM EST

The next step in the Harper government’s transformation of Canada’s immigration system will turn Ottawa into an online matchmaker, connecting would-be migrants with employers who want to hire them.

In a year-end interview, Immigration Minister Jason Kenney described the coming Web-based “Expression of Interest” system – to be in place by 2014 – as the culmination of more than five years of reform. It will be an invitation-only route for economic immigrants where prospective arrivals advertise their skills and qualifications on a Canadian government database that will be perused by employers looking to hire more than just temporary workers.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s government is on the right track in tailoring Canada’s immigration policy to the country’s growing needs, today’s editorial says. (THE CANADIAN PRESS)

Harper government shows foresight in immigration reform
January 2, 2013 – 4:15am THE CHRONICLE HERALD | EDITORIAL

Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s government is on the right track in tailoring Canada’s immigration policy to the country’s growing needs, today’s editorial says. (THE CANADIAN PRESS)

WHAT do immigrants want most from Canada? There are as many answers to that question as there are applicants, although freedom and prosperity are obviously top attractions.

But what does Canada want from immigrants? In the midst of an overhaul of immigration policy, Ottawa’s unequivocal answer is skilled labour.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s response to skills shortages at home, and stiff global competition for skilled immigrants, has been to move from a “passive” system that operated on a first-come, first-served basis. Under the new “activist” paradigm, the priority is to receive, and even recruit, immigrants whose résumés correspond with Canada’s economic priorities.