Canada launches online consultations regarding the Immigrant investor program

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As part of Canada's Economic Action Plan 2012, the federal government has launched online consultations to engage the public on ways to improve the federal Immigrant Investor Program.

"We can no longer be a passive player in the global competition for talent and investment. That is why we need to review our immigration programs to create dynamic opportunities that enable immigrants' investments to directly benefit the Canadian economy," said Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney.

The Economic Action Plan announced that business immigration programs will be reformed to target more active investment for Canadian growth companies. Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) is now inviting online submissions from stakeholders and the public on how the department can:
  • Increase the economic benefit that immigrant investment capital brings to Canada;
  • Attract experienced, international investors with the skills and resources needed to ensure they integrate into Canada's economy; and
  • Develop efficient and cost-effective ways of delivering an investment program.
CIC stated the goal of these consultations is to determine how best to target high value global investors and to increase the economic benefit that immigrant investment capital brings to Canada. The current Immigrant Investor Program allows immigrants to apply for permanent residency if they meet specific criteria and are able to make an CAD$800,000, five-year, interest-free loan to provincial and territorial governments.

"I am open to creative ideas and suggestions from the business community on how to maximize the economic benefits of such programs to Canada," said Kenney.

Last month on 1 July 2012, CIC announced they were temporarily pausing accepting any new Immigrant Investor Program applications in order to review the program. However, even before 1 July 2012, you could not apply to the Immigrant Investor Program because the cap had been reached.

As of 1 July 2012, CIC also placed a temporary pause on new applications under the Federal Skilled Worker Program. However, the temporary pause on Federal Skilled Worker Program applications does not apply to candidates with offers of arranged employment or those applying under the PhD eligibility stream.

The online consultations are open for input until 4 September 2012.

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