Media Alert - How will changes to immigration policies affect Canada's future? A new Maytree report explores

Online press conference on Thursday, October 4, 2012, at 10:00 a.m. EST: Release of the Maytree report "Shaping the future: Canada's rapidly changing immigration policies," written by Naomi Alboim and Karen Cohl.

TORONTO, Oct. 2, 2012 /CNW/ - From 2008 to July 1, 2012, the federal government has made changes to every aspect of immigration policy. The federal government is changing who we select to immigrate, the supports newcomers have when they arrive, and how they can become citizens. What's more, the government's use of expanded ministerial powers and omnibus bills to make the changes is problematic.

The pace and scope of changes in Canada's immigration system in recent years are unprecedented.

Join Maytree for an online press conference as report author Naomi Alboim discusses the individual and cumulative impact of recent changes and proposes how the government can create a better immigration system.

When:
Thursday, October 4, 2012
10:00-11:00 a.m. EST (Toronto)
7:00-8:00 a.m. PST (Vancouver)

Where:
From your desktop.

How to attend:
Please RSVP at http://immigrationchanges.eventbrite.com/ to receive your access code to attend the webcast. Please direct inquiries to [email protected].

A recording of the event and the PDF of the report will be available online at http://www.maytree.com/policy.

To set up an interview with Naomi Alboim and for more information contact:

Markus Stadelmann-Elder, 416-944-2627 ext. 284, [email protected].

About Naomi Alboim:
Naomi Alboim is a Senior Fellow at Maytree, and a fellow, adjunct professor and Chair of the Policy Forum at the School of Policy Studies at Queen's University in Canada. Naomi is the Vice-Chair of the Board of the Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council (TRIEC), and chairs its Intergovernmental Relations Committee. She also serves on the Steering Committee for ALLIES (Assisting Local Leaders with Immigrant Employment Strategies). Previously, Naomi worked at senior levels in the Canadian federal and Ontario provincial governments for twenty-five years, including eight years as Deputy Minister in three different portfolios. Naomi is a recipient of Queen Elizabeth II's Gold and Diamond Jubilee Medals for Public Service and is a member of the Order of Ontario.

About Karen Cohl:

Karen Cohl is an independent consultant providing advice and assistance to governments, agencies and non-profit organizations. Her services include public policy development, strategic planning and stakeholder engagement. Trained as a lawyer, Karen was called to the Ontario bar in 1982. She began her career as legal counsel for the Ontario government and was assistant deputy minister of citizenship for seven years. Karen served as chief writer of "Fulfilling the Promise: Integrating Immigrant Skills in the Canadian Economy" by Naomi Alboim and Maytree and a follow-up paper entitled "Adjusting the Balance." She also co-led an independent review of access to postgraduate programs by international medical graduates in Ontario.

About Maytree:
Established in 1982, Maytree is a private foundation that promotes equity and prosperity through its policy insights, grants and programs. The foundation has gained international recognition for its expertise in developing, testing and implementing programs and policy solutions related to immigration, integration and diversity. www.maytree.com.

SOURCE: Maytree Foundation