June 2 2005 - Canada and Saskatchewan have signed a new immigration agreement,
replacing the original Canada-Saskatchewan Agreement, signed on March 16, 1998.
The Agreement delineates the roles and responsibilities of both Canada
and the Province of Saskatchewan in relation to immigrants, temporary workers,
students and other people who want to come to Saskatchewan under the Immigration and
Refugee Protection Act. It also incorporates the Agreement on Provincial Nominees,
signed in 2002, which allows the province to identify and nominate immigrant
applicants through the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP).
"Effective immigration is about close partnerships-not only between the
federal government and the provinces or territories, but also with communities
and stakeholders. The Canada-Saskatchewan Immigration Agreement is an
excellent example of a partnership that works," said Joe Volpe, Canada's Minister
of Citizenship and Immigration
"Continuing to expand the population, labour force, culture and economy
of Saskatchewan through immigration is a priority of the Government of
Saskatchewan," Pat Atkinson, Saskatchewan
Minister Responsible for Immigration, said. "This new and enhanced agreement is the
latest demonstration of our commitment to make Saskatchewan a destination of
choice for immigrants from around the world."
Key aspects of the new Agreement are:
- Removal of the nominations cap from the SINP, allowing
Saskatchewan greater flexibility to operate its immigration program and
and attract more skilled workers, business people and
farmers to meet the province's specific labour market and economic needs.
- Providing a
framework for the governments of Canada and Saskatchewan to establish new
initiatives and projects, for example agreements on foreign student employment and
Enhanced Language Training.
- New provisions reflecting Saskatchewan's interest in enhancing the vitality of its French-
language minority communities.
- Continued acknowledgement of the importance of
family reunification
- A shared commitment to the humanitarian
considerations for refugees.
"The Government of Saskatchewan is pleased to renew our partnership with
the federal government and local communities as we strive, together, to
attract more immigrants to our province and enhance our settlement and
integration services," Minister Atkinson said. "From its creation one hundred
years ago, Saskatchewan has always been enriched by the cultures of people the
world over. By creating a province that's welcoming and supportive of
newcomers, we help ensure a prosperous, dynamic future for all Saskatchewan
people."