Trees and tulips were in full bloom last week in Canada's capital Ottawa as re-elected Prime Minister Stephen Harper unveiled his new Cabinet of ministers.
Mr Harper’s Conservative Party won a solid victory in the May 2nd Canadian federal election, taking 166 ridings out of the 308 comprising the House of Commons. This was Canada’s fourth election in the last seven years, and the first majority government since the 2000 victory by then Liberal PM Jean Chretien. The only sour note for the Conservatives was its showing in the province of Québec, where support declined, and its total of elected MPs fell from 10 down to five. Read More
The government of Canada is seeking to implement major changes to the Immigration rules governing sponsorship. Two of the proposals deal with sponsorship of spouses, common law and conjugal partners. The third would modify rules pertaining to the sponsorship of any member of the “family class”. Read More
Canada is well into our federal election campaign, which came about after the opposition parties united to adopt a motion of “non-confidence” against the minority Conservative Party government of Prime Minister Stephen Harper. Voting takes place on the 2nd of May 2011.
Canada follows the British model of parliamentary democracy. Thus we do not get to vote directly for Mr Harper, Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff or NDP chief Jack Layton unless we happen to live in their particular riding. Citizens may vote for the official local party candidate of our choice for Member of Parliament (MP) to the House of Commons. The party winning the most number of ridings or “seats” in the House (regardless of total national popular vote) has the opportunity to form a government. Read More
This blog serves in part to update the previous article Canada toughens its Immigrant Investor Program: will a counterintuitive strategy succeed? which we posted on July 14, 2010.
Under the Canadian immigration system, a person who qualifies for and is accepted under the Immigrant Investor route automatically becomes a Permanent Resident of Canada. Other than maintaining residency requirements applicable to all Permanent Residents, no conditions are attached. The immediate family of the Investor obtains Permanent Resident status at the same time. The program has proved very popular over the years and significant benefit to Canada has resulted from the investments made by the approved candidates. Read More
In early 2004 the Canadian government started issuing Permanent Residency Cards (PR Cards) also called by many persons “Maple Cards” or “Maple Leaf Cards”. A PR Card normally has a five-year validity. There are many hundreds of thousands of PR Cards in circulation, of which large numbers are close to expiring, or have already done so. (See image of a specimen PR Card at left.)
Our experience is that many permanent residents of Canada do not spend the necessary time and effort when applying to renew their PR Card. In fact, there are many possible negative consequences that can result from this process. PR Card renewal is very important business which must not be taken lightheartedly. Read More