China News Service, October 22. According to a comprehensive report from the Canadian "Sing Tao Daily", Ontario plans to pass legislation to make it easier for new immigrants to obtain professional jobs.
The Minister of Labor of Ontario, McNaughton, said that the proposed legislation, if passed, will prevent many regulatory agencies from requiring new immigrants to have Canadian work experience before they can obtain job positions and licenses.
He also said that he would require standardization of English tests and ensure faster processing of applications for occupational permits.
McNaughton said that these changes will help eliminate immigrants’ difficulties when trying to pursue their profession.
He said: "When you think that only 25% of immigrants in Ontario can actually work in their trained profession, it is very unfair"; "All this is to improve their lives and ensure that they receive higher pay and security. ".
McNaughton said that Ontario is facing a labor shortage problem because about 293,000 jobs are vacant in the province.
The proposed legislation will apply to licensing agencies such as management engineers, architects, teachers, accountants and social workers; however, it will not affect the supervision of the medical industry, such as those holding doctor and nurse licenses.
In addition, the legislation also helps 23 occupations with international training, including electricians, plumbers and crane engineers.
McNaughton said that organizations can still apply for exemptions that may require Canadian work experience, but they must obtain government approval.
He said that the applying institution must submit a health and safety case, and then submit it to the minister for approval; he emphasized that he hopes that the changes brought about by the legislation will take effect within two years.
The engineering training program director of ACCES Employment, an organization that assists new immigrants in finding suitable jobs, said that the abolition of Canadian work experience requirements will help new immigrants who have worked as engineers in the past to obtain employment and licenses more quickly.