Reshaping Canada’s Immigration System – Changes To Temporary And Permanent Resident Immigration Categories

Earlier this year Canada's Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney, conducted nationwide consultations with the purpose of improving Canada's current immigration system. As a result, Citizenship & Immigration Canada ("CIC") has enacted multiple new programs intended to make immigration to Canada easier, faster and more responsive.

Some of the more notable changes include:

• An increased number of skilled workers will be admitted to Canada under the Federal Skilled Workers Program in 2012;
• An increased number of Provincial nominees will be admitted to Canada under Canada's various Provincial Nominee Programs ("PNP") in 2012;
• A two year moratorium on sponsorship of parents and grandparents;