Ontario, Canada wants to attract foreign students

18 February 2008

Ontario, Canada has expanded a program to grant permanent residence to foreign graduates of Canadian universities and colleges.

Previously, under it's Pilot Provinical Nominee Program, only foreign graduates of Ontario post-secondary educational institutions could qualify. Now the program is open to international students from across Canada who graduate from a Canadian, publicly funded college or university, as long as they have a job offer in Ontario.

"There's a global competition for talent," said Ontario Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Michael Chan. "International students are highly skilled, have Canadian credentials and are familiar with Canadian society. Our province will benefit from their talents for years to come."

Under Ontario's Pilot Provincial Nominee Program, employers can hire skilled migrants, including international students, to fill jobs where labor shortages exist.

Successful migrants under the program will receive permission to work in Ontario and have their application for permanent residency nominated by the provincial government for fast-tracking by federal immigration authorities.

"The Pilot Provincial Nominee Program is helping to spread the benefits of immigration across the province," said Leeanna Pendergast, MPP for Kitchener - Conestoga. "The program will assist employers in the Kitchener-Waterloo region and across the province to capitalize on the skills and experience of Ontario's newcomers."