Canada can't meet
immigration targets WebPosted Tue Aug 17
22:12:14 1999
OTTAWA - Two ships full of Chinese
citizens caught trying to sneak into Canada recently have raised
fears that the country is being overwhelmed by immigrants.
But statistics show that
the federal government can't even meet its own immigration targets.
Last year, Ottawa said it wanted between 200,000 and 225,000
immigrants let into the country. The actual level didn't even come
close -- with only 174,100 immigrants recorded.
The Minister of Immigration, Elinor Caplan, says hitting those
targets is a priority, because with an aging population, Canada
needs more people to maintain the current standard of living.
"What we want to do is achieve the levels that we've set," Caplan
says. "It's realistic, and needed for the future prosperity of the
country."
Although the country may need more immigrants, some academics say
it will be difficult to attract people with resources and skills
unless Ottawa is willing to spend more money.
"It's a consequence of a lack of resources," says Jeffrey Reitz,
at the University of Toronto.
"We'll need additional resources in the immigration program just
to make the current targets," Reitz says.
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