01-05-2006, 06:40 AM
Conservatives would reduce immigration barriers
http://www.cbc.ca/story/canadavotes2006/...ation.html
Last Updated Wed, 04 Jan 2006 11:33:11 EST CBC News
Stephen Harper courted the immigrant vote on Wednesday, promising to cut the immigration landing fee, and work to have foreign credentials recognized in Canada.
![[Image: harper_am060104.jpg]](http://www.cbc.ca/gfx/pix/harper_am060104.jpg)
[FONT=verdana,arial]Stephen Harper, Wednesday.[/FONT]
"Immigrants and their families should be allowed to keep more of their own money in their pockets to start a new life in Canada," Harper said.
The announcement comes a day after Liberal Leader Paul Martin said he would eliminate the landing fee, which he himself introduced in 1995.
Harper accused the Liberals of making up policy on the fly, and said Martin is now running against his own record.
Saying immigrants deserve better than the treatment they have received in recent years, Harper promised the Conservatives would reduce barriers to immigrants trying to build a better life for themselves.
"The biggest barrier to new Canadians is the frequent failure of Canada to recognize legitimate foreign credentials," he said.
"Wherever this happens, not only are the dreams of individuals and families shattered, but Canada as a whole is deprived of all they have to offer."
Harper said his government would create a new agency for the assessment and recognition of foreign credentials, working eventually to have those credentials recognized even before the immigrants arrive in Canada.
There are many people who left jobs as doctors or other professionals in their own countries to come to Canada, where they end up working as janitors or driving taxis. Harper bristles at patriotism question
Harper also responded to accusations that he is less patriotic than other leaders.
Responding to reporters' questions, Harper said Martin is the leader who has been musing about a Parti Québécois victory in Quebec, and said the Liberal leader had avoided paying taxes in Canada while running Canada Steamship Lines.
Martin, he said, lived much of his corporate life under the flags of Barbados and Liberia for tax purposes.
Martin was head of the shipping company until 2003. Its operations were kept in a blind trust after he entered politics.
His three sons now control the firm. Its ships have often flown the flags of foreign countries.
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http://www.cbc.ca/story/canadavotes2006/...ation.html
Last Updated Wed, 04 Jan 2006 11:33:11 EST CBC News
Stephen Harper courted the immigrant vote on Wednesday, promising to cut the immigration landing fee, and work to have foreign credentials recognized in Canada.
- COMMENTARY: New Canadians and the political process
[FONT=verdana,arial]Stephen Harper, Wednesday.[/FONT] "Immigrants and their families should be allowed to keep more of their own money in their pockets to start a new life in Canada," Harper said.
The announcement comes a day after Liberal Leader Paul Martin said he would eliminate the landing fee, which he himself introduced in 1995.
- FROM JAN. 3, 2006: Martin to scrap immigration fee
Harper accused the Liberals of making up policy on the fly, and said Martin is now running against his own record.
Saying immigrants deserve better than the treatment they have received in recent years, Harper promised the Conservatives would reduce barriers to immigrants trying to build a better life for themselves.
"The biggest barrier to new Canadians is the frequent failure of Canada to recognize legitimate foreign credentials," he said.
"Wherever this happens, not only are the dreams of individuals and families shattered, but Canada as a whole is deprived of all they have to offer."
Harper said his government would create a new agency for the assessment and recognition of foreign credentials, working eventually to have those credentials recognized even before the immigrants arrive in Canada.
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There are many people who left jobs as doctors or other professionals in their own countries to come to Canada, where they end up working as janitors or driving taxis. Harper bristles at patriotism question
Harper also responded to accusations that he is less patriotic than other leaders.
Responding to reporters' questions, Harper said Martin is the leader who has been musing about a Parti Québécois victory in Quebec, and said the Liberal leader had avoided paying taxes in Canada while running Canada Steamship Lines.
Martin, he said, lived much of his corporate life under the flags of Barbados and Liberia for tax purposes.
Martin was head of the shipping company until 2003. Its operations were kept in a blind trust after he entered politics.
His three sons now control the firm. Its ships have often flown the flags of foreign countries.
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