Being Canadian Isn't Good Enough I Guess...

I rarely post in this forum, because quite honestly Iam not very much into politics, and admittedly cannot wrap my brain around most of the policies used to control our country and keep up democratic relations with others. It all seems to lack common sense. Not many issues get my attention, let alone get me fired up. I used to think as a Canadian we had a pretty good life here compared to most of the world. But this issue, keeps rearing it's ugly head more and more, and every time I read a new headline in direct relation to it, it burns my ass over and over again.
Now, if you live in Canada, or are familiar with our unemployment rates,perhaps you will agree at the craziness of this.
Canada Unemployment Rate
This is the most recent headline:
Skilled immigrants to be offered 'express entry' to Canada in 2015
Full Article

The Canadian government is forging ahead with a new immigration system that will offer "express entry" to qualified immigrants starting in January 2015 as a way to help fill open jobs for which there are no available Canadian workers. Express Entry, formerly known as Expression of Interest, will be "a swifter path to Canada that will select immigrants based on the skills and attributes that Canada needs based on those identified by government but also by employers," said Immigration Minister Chris Alexander during a news conference in Richmond Hill, Ont., on Tuesday

Alexander said Canadian employers would be able to bring in workers through the Express Entry system with the long-term view that they would remain in Canada. "You can bring your labour market opinion, your job offer, to the Express Entry system and ensure that the person you need comes to Canada as an immigrant, not as a temporary foreign worker. Not as someone who is here with an uncertain future and likely to go back, but as a full immigrant to Canada," Alexander said on Tuesday.

The government will invest $14 million over two years and $4.7 million per year ongoing to ensuring the successful implementation of Express Entry. Qualified applicants can expect faster processing times of six months or less when invited to come to Canada, down from a wait of up to two years.

Now, I don't have an issue with immigrants coming to Canada, as I have stated on the forum before, especially if they can fill a need for jobs that as Canadians we are not filling, such as doctors and nurses in outlying areas. However,when it seems the government is favoring to streamline immigrants into the country, without putting money into training it's own citizens first, I have a problem with that. Even more so, because this announcement is hot on the heals of the controversy surrounding the temporary foreign worker program, and employers abusing it and keeping Canadian youth from doing the jobs that decades ago were almost a right of passage.Not to mention, having current employees forced out of their jobs by employers favoring participation/abuse of bringing in foreign workers.
McDonald's Boycott Over Temporary Foreign Workers
Waitress Loses Job To Temporary Foreign Worker
This is what makes my head spin. We have the Minister of Employment and Social Development, openly investigated the abuse of the temporary foreign worker program, and then we have the Immigration Minister stating that Canada can streamline the complete immigration process and fill the "gaps" in skilled workers with immigrants instead of training Canadian citizens. They state the foreign worker policy has nothing to do with the permanent immigration policy.

YES IT DOES!
You are taking jobs from Canadians when we need them the most. Baby boomers are retiring, factories are closing, our youth cannot find even part time jobs. The majority of the country is experiencing this with the exception of Alberta, which is filled with Maritimers who cannot find work and commute back and forth to the oil fields.Temporary foreign workers take away the minimum wage jobs for their required time period, then they are replaced by a whole new set. No natural born Canadian can even get their foot in the door, and now the country wants to bring in Permanent residents? This is just too much. I even personally wrote a letter to the Minister of Employment and Social Development,Jason Kenney, to address the temporary foreign worker issue. Here it is with identifying information removed:

First off, I applaud you and your office for tackling this issue that has been going on for quite some time, and has caused many Canadians adverse feelings towards our government, it's policy on foreign workers, and sadly on the immigrants themselves in some cases. I would like to report a personal experience with a McDonald's location in Nova Scotia. I am sure you are aware that our province is already struggling with a high rate of unemployment, and it is most disturbing to us that our local government has sought out to increase the cap size of immigrants coming into our province to deal with the high rate of locals leaving for employment opportunities elsewhere in Canada. Our youth here, have zero job opportunity, due to most of the jobs in fast food industry, part time retail, and even seasonal farm workers being given strictly to foreign workers. These workers are definitely TEMPORARY, because they stay in Nova Scotia long enough to realize the grass is greener in Alberta, and they move on. Just as quickly as they leave, new ones take their place, and locals are left in the cold. The people of Nova Scotia have become quite jaded to outsiders, even those who come from other parts of Canada. I was told, in person, that the McDonald's location in question EXCLUSIVELY hired immigrants. No locals..NONE. In a province with one of the highest rates of unemployment in the country Mr. Minister that is utterly unacceptable.Neither my husband or I are intolerant of immigrants in any way, racially, or religiously, but certainly demographically speaking,that is our issue. In closing I sincerely hope that your inquiry leads to radical changes to the foreign worker program, not just for McDonald's employees, but straight across the board to employment for all natural born Canadians. I thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak out,

Is there anyone on ATS, that can explain to me WHY our government is making these decisions which they say overall benefit Canada but certainly do not benefit it's people. I have read it, and heard it spoken that foreign workers are hired because they are more dependable, more reliable, have a greater work ethic.I say Mr. Alexander, YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR!

originally posted by: AccessDenied
Is there anyone on ATS, that can explain to me WHY our government is making these decisions which they say overall benefit Canada but certainly do not benefit it's people.

Because it's good for business, and Dear Leader Steve is all about that because our blessed job creators have taken a real hit in this economy.

a reply to: AccessDenied

Im going to be brutally honest after all YOU asked for anyone on ATS to answer.

Foreign invasion is not new in western countries. Just look at the US and UK and Germany. Full of foreigners brought in to fill the vacant Jobs no one else can or wants to do.

To be honest on the world stage Canada doesn't contribute much, not achieved much and doesnt compete much with any great success.

The government wants to implement some form of diversity in the skill sectors and bring in something it feels it is lacking...plus some money must be exchanging hands..after all its Canada and being a monopoly these big companies love to keep it that way. Cheaper for them!!

Look at it as, Canadians getting the shaft and foreigner with their "culture and different standards" getting in easy!!

Enjoy

I think it is because it is too dam cold up there. Most Canadians are looking of ways to get out.... or away at least.

My relatives are always going to Cuba, Florida & Southern USA etc.

I live in PA and that isn't good enough for them.. meaning warmth, as if I want to see them I have to go to Florida!

But, I hear you. It seems like the govt's have lost faith in its people already here.

Look at England. In about 10 years, you won't find a majority of any white people (in the cities).

a reply to: projectbane

I know it isn't new,and I fear this thread may open up old wounds. I don't understand how moving forward the goverment believes this to be the best for Canada. Johnny Canuck you stated this was good for business. Canadians ARE the backbone of business in Canada. I can believe this is some kind of foriegn relations thing,but nothing else. You shouldn't be stating you act in the best interest of your people,when they rate second if at all.

a reply to: AccessDenied I will make this short and give a example . I think that what is happening is that the Govt. is surrounding themselves with people that don't know the history and so can be easily explained in a distorted way as to gain support for their position .I recently went to a MP's office to help a friend clarify a issue with Revenue Canada .The staff worker was from (your guess is as good as mine ) any how she seemed to be very unaware as to what Revenue Canada was needing . The questions she asked me never addressed the issue that was at hand . To sit down with a foreigner and explain the whole situation out would have been a painful experience for them and a very frustrated one for me .I think that is what our present Govt. is about .They can keep the power by disenfranchising most of the electorates while maintaining most of their base and splitting the vote on the other side . imo

Hiel Harper supports nazis in Ukraine, and puts Israel before the country he is paid to manage.
He, like any top politician in a Nato country, is a Globalist
Globalists is what globalists do

I love Canada, the people, the scenery, the culture and have considered moving there for many years now.
Given this information I am going to apply and see what happens, maybe they will relocate me?
I am an architect and have an associates degree in art, lived in the USA my whole life but have many issues with this country and where I believe it's headed.
Having 2 kids a huge move would be out of the question but being near NYC it's not that far away at all.

I always considered Canadians as 'the good neighbors', nobody is building a fence between USA and Canada. Even when Canadians come to the US it's almost like they belong here to begin with. Is it like that with americans in Canada?

PS - Please take back J.Bieber!

Its not just canada ... every country does it ..
With the right skills you can live / work anywhere in the world a good thing especially if theres more freedom and privacy than your country of origin .. worked all over the world as a physician (mostly in war zones and disaster areas where most refuse to go ..) before I retired.

a reply to: anon72

Well if it's too cold,I would like to know why my Tim Horton's is being served by a temporary worker from the Philippines,and Iam fighting my way through the mall around bus loads of farm workers brought in from Barbados. I don't see it that Canadians are trying to leave. We just want a country that supports our quality of life first and foremost.

a reply to: AccessDenied

Research what the federal government takes in as fees from both the temporary workers and those employing them.

You might then have an answer as to why it's being pushed.

a reply to: AnteBellum

I can't speak for everyone,but I have no issue with Americans, nor any other nationality. My issue is simply that jobs should be offered to Canadians first. Period. I do not see that happening.I cannot say whether there is a shortage of architects,however my son in law and his father are both architects in Ontario,and switched to real estate management. As for Bieber,put him on the next shipment to the space station.

originally posted by: masqua
a reply to: AccessDenied

Research what the federal government takes in as fees from both the temporary workers and those employing them.

You might then have an answer as to why it's being pushed.

That would make the inquiry into it's abuse a farce then? All for show perhaps to convince people that hiring permanent skilled workers is better. Pffft.

a reply to: AccessDenied

*lost for a response*

Anyways, Here's a nice link to see how the Canadian Labour Congress regards the issue.

YMMV

a reply to: AccessDenied

The same problem is here in the US for architects. They fractured our industry for reasons of economics, now engineers and contractors can often build without our services. All we have to blame is ourselves(AIA) for that!
I worked for the top 10 architectural firms in NJ, all of which are bankrupt or disbanded now.

As for Bieber,put him on the next shipment to the space station.

I still think that's too close. How about the one way Mars mission?

Agree the job should be given to the Citizen's first, UNLESS if we cant fill the shoe, then sure get someone who is better for it.

Also screw harper for taking the cap of retirement age.... i working with my "superior" co worker who has half the education as me, also outdated education, moves slower than a turtle, takes 2-3 as long to finish a job. All because they can;t be fired.

Did i tell you they make 4x my amount for doing less than me? the difference? that person been doing the exact same monotonous work for 15 yrs. They don't know anything any more, they are like robots, read SoP and do work, no thinking.

Offer any advice, they will treat you like some young snob with new education.

Government better kick them out and get me a job or they give me back my tuition payments!

a reply to: AnteBellum

Only difference would be...


You will pay more tax,

You get free healthcare.

Guns are not favoured(yes i spelled with an extra U, same as Colour, Armour, Neighbour) so please leave them in states.

Actual Freedom.

Expect to say "Your Welcome "and "Thanks" for almost any interaction with others.

I dare not, but our immigrants are more skilled compared to States.

Expect many multi coloured people, interracial relations(just not white and black alone), if you live in Toronto or Vancover..

Cops are nicER.

a reply to: masqua

Thanks for the link. Informative,and disgusting at the same time. Least I know now that the immigrants can be treated badly as well. All the information I read claimed full time hours for higher than minimum wage. Sounds well and good,unless it equates to working 50 hours a week and your pay is garnished by your employer for the "privilege" of serving up fast food to those disgruntled about being on the wrong side of the counter. I still completely disgree with it,but now I will show more empathy for the workers.

To be honest on the world stage Canada doesn't contribute much, not achieved much and doesn't compete much with any great success.

Well there was this time in Canada i was also out trolling one day...........

Just google Canada achievements

a reply to: ThoughtIsMadness

Please explain why both of these statements have any relation to the thread topic.