Premier Christy Clark has created the B.C. Immigration Task Force to review key government programs in order to increase the number of skilled immigrants and investors in B.C.
“We’ve laid out an ambitious plan to create jobs in the BC Jobs Plan and we will need skilled immigrants to help fill more than one million job openings expected over the next decade,” said Clark.
“The goal of this task force is to assess all of the immigration programs currently available to B.C., address their effectiveness and recommend ways to improve the system so that B.C. can successfully attract more skilled workers every year.”
The task force will be chaired by Richmond-Steveston MLA John Yap and will be made up of business and community leaders, including former federal minister, Stockwell Day, and Tung Chan, former CEO of S.U.C.C.E.S.S.
It will examine the current system of economic immigration to Canada and B.C., including a review of the provincial nominee program, the federal skilled worker program, the Canadian experience class and the federal immigrant investor program.
Members will also engage with employers, industry and sector associations, settlement service providers, community associations and other relevant groups.
“The immigration task force is the first step in realizing our goal of a more efficient and effective immigration system,” said Yap.
Work will start immediately and a final report to be made public will be submitted to the premier by March 31, 2012.
Jennifer Harrison
@JHarrisonBIV