Released on November 14, 2002
The Honourable Denis Coderre, Minister of Citizenship and ImmigrationCanada and the Honourable Ron Osika, Saskatchewan's Minister of Government
Relations, have signed a new agreement on the Saskatchewan Immigrant
Nominee Program.
The five-year Canada-Saskatchewan Agreement on Provincial Nominees, which
replaces an earlier pilot agreement, allows Saskatchewan to fuel social and
economic growth by nominating up to 200 economic immigrant candidates each
calendar year.
"The Government of Canada is committed to helping Saskatchewan achieve its
immigration objectives," Coderre said. "This agreement speaks to the
priority that Saskatchewan places on using immigration as an economic
tool. A priority that was voiced clearly at the recent immigration
ministers' meeting where we agreed to enhance federal-provincial co-
operation," he added.
"This agreement is a positive step for Saskatchewan," Osika said. "It
provides the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program with a stable
foundation to build partnerships with businesses and communities that will
attract and keep immigrants with the skills we need. We want immigrants to
know that their future is wide open in Saskatchewan."
Saskatchewan will nominate potential immigrants based on their ability to
contribute to the provincial economy and their likelihood of successful
settlement. Canada will remain responsible for issuing immigrant visas to
provincial nominees and their accompanying dependants after they have met
all legislative requirements, including those with respect to health,
criminality and security.
The agreement also includes clauses related to supporting the development
of the Francophone minority language community and involving the community
in the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program.
The two ministers commented that agreements such as the one signed today
respond to the wishes of Canadians who have indicated their desire for
governments to collaborate in the delivery of social and economic programs.
The Government of Canada has also concluded provincial nominee agreements
with Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, New
Brunswick, Manitoba, British Columbia, Alberta and Yukon.
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Visit the Citizenship and Immigration Canada Internet site:
http://www.cic.gc.ca
Visit the Saskatchewan Government Relations and Aboriginal Affairs
Internet site: http://www.immigrationsask.gov.sk.ca/
For more information, contact:
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
Sarah Bain
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister
Phone: (613) 954-1064
René Mercier
Media Relations
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
Phone: (613) 941-7042
Government of Saskatchewan
Anna Arneson
Government Relations and Aboriginal Affairs
Phone: (306) 787-8008