Federal Election 2008 – Peel Speaks Out
What We Told Them
New Immigrants Are Losing Ground
Each year, about 10.5 per cent of all new immigrants to Canada settle in Peel.
The Federal immigration points system targets highly skilled, better educated workers whose credentials aren’t always recognized when they get here, leaving many underemployed or unemployed.
As a result, Peel’s economy can’t benefit from their skills and experience.
As well, almost 40 per cent of Peel’s economy requires a broader spectrum of workers (manufacturing: 20%; trade: 19%), and therefore is disadvantaged by the current point system.
- New immigrants’ jobless rate in Ontario was almost twice the rate for all Ontario workers (11.9% versus 6.4%) in 2007.
- Ontario is still receiving less per capita settlement funding ($3400/person) than other provinces, e.g., Quebec ($4697/person) (Canada Ontario Immigration Agreement 2009/2010 funding targets).
Revised: Tuesday September 23 2008
