Neil Armstrong, Toronto Editor
Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper. - REUTERS
TORONTO:
PRIME MINISTER Stephen Harper has announced that the federal government will make it easier for parents to obtain Canadian citizenship for children they adopt overseas.
Speaking in Mississauga at a venue he spoke at during his election campaign in January, he said this week legislation will be introduced in parliament that will make it easier for citizenship to be granted to children adopted by Canadian parents.
Citizenship and Immigration Minister Monte Solberg will introduce amendments to the Citizenship Act. This is the fourth immigration promise the government has delivered on since it was elected in January.
"In opposition we said what we would do, in power we are doing," said Prime Minister Harper about his government's priorities to a room stacked with supporters and journalists.
In the budget earlier this month, the Right of Permanent Residence Fee was cut by half from $975 to $490. The reduction applies to immigrants who become permanent residents under all social, humanitarian and economic classes, on or after May 3, 2006.
MORE MONEY
"This means that immigrants and their families will get to keep more money in their pockets when they're starting a new life in Canada," said Harper.
The budget also provides over $300 million in additional settlement funding over two years as well as funding to address the assessment and recognition of foreign credentials, in consultation with provinces and territories.
The Government says the settlement funding will support services that immigrants require as they settle into their new lives in Canada while the earmarked funding for credentials assessment and recognition will help newcomers achieve their full potential in Canada.
"The goal for all of us will be to get those who are already trained and ready to work in their fields of expertise into the workplace more quickly," said the Prime Minister.
