http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/immigration-system-increase-mccallum-1.3812749

Quote

A high-powered group of external advisers is calling for a dramatic increase in Canada's immigration levels, but Immigration Minister John McCallum says that might be too ambitious.

McCallum said Wednesday he's read the report by the Advisory Council on Economic Growth that calls for a 50-per-cent increase in targets to 450,000 people a year.

The measure would target skilled, entrepreneurial newcomers in an attempt to stimulate economic growth.

• McCallum acknowledges internal Liberal debate on immigration file
• Canada wants more Chinese workers, students & tourists, says McCallum
• McCallum wants to 'substantially increase' immigration to fill labour needs

The 14-member panel, chaired by Dominic Barton of the firm McKinsey and Co., is to deliver a set of recommendations to Finance Minister Bill Morneau on Thursday.

McCallum said meeting the target suggested by Barton's group would be costly and might not find broad national support.

"The figure he gives is a huge figure," McCallum said. "But this is not a universal view across the country."

Discussions are continuing and the government will announce immigration targets for 2017 next month, McCallum added.

McCallum's cabinet colleague, Economic Development Minister Navdeep Bains, told The Canadian Press on Wednesday that he's "worked very closely" with Barton's panel, and favours increased immigration levels. But he stopped short of endorsing the target in Barton's report.

"Clearly he's demonstrating an opportunity for Canada," Bains said. "We value our diversity, we value our multicultural society and we recognize immigration is an opportunity to create jobs."

The need for skilled labour

Bains said the government would need to sell the idea of higher immigration levels to the public.

"We, as a government, need to focus on communicating the benefits of growing the economy and part of that growth is investing in people and part of that equation is immigration."

Bains said bringing in more skilled workers is part of the government's broader agenda that includes investing in research and development, creating jobs and helping companies grow.

A survey released by Canadian Manufactures and Exporters said the most pressing challenge facing its member companies is "attracting or retaining skilled labour."

The response came from a survey and roundtable discussions with 1,300 member companies.

Matthew Wilson, the organization's senior vice president, said manufacturers have traditionally looked beyond Canada's border to find skilled workers.

"If we can expand that, that's good," he said in an interview.

Slower growth ahead

But the government needs to do more to make sure the immigrants they allow into Canada actually have skills that are needed, Wilson added.

"Just bringing in more immigrants isn't going to solve the skills-gap problem if they don't have the skills Canadian companies need."

The continuing need to address the country's sluggish economy was underscored Wednesday as the Bank of Canada downgraded its growth prediction.

The bank's latest outlook projected a real GDP expansion of 1.1 per cent this year, down from its earlier 1.3 per cent forecast.

Governor Stephen Poloz listed immigration as "one of the ingredients" for helping to reverse declining growth.

© The Canadian Press, 2016 

I can't believe McCallum had those thoughts. He must be drying out. Has anyone ever explained how "diversity" has helped Canada? I don't ever remember it being mentioned during Oshawa's Fiesta Week during its heydey.

Some talk on the CBC this morning & the reporter said most immigrants settle in the big cities, which doesn't help declining populations in rural & small town Canada. The reason those populations are declining is that there are no jobs there. Why would it make sense to plunk immigrants down in areas of unemployment? In Apsley, Asians already own the motel/restaurant and the "general store". I can't think of any other businesses they'd be interested in.  

TRUMP blame BIDEN for deaths this week in Russia vs Ukraine was

TRUMP has ZERO morals

EPSTEIN IS A HERO

From EPSTEIN FILES to CHEERING PUTIN

TRUMP is #1

RUSSIA HOAX IS THE FOCUS CLINTON MADE IT UP INVESTIGATION HAPPENING

EPSTIEN FILES ARE FOR FOOLS DAM HOAX

TRUMP is a wizard at talking about himself being great PUTIN is his buddy smart guy.....

Art of the DEAL is done except the main part of the deal

TACO TITS removes tariff threats from RUSSIA RUSSIA RUSSIA

The meeting was a success except for a few parts like cease fire, stopping war, stopping the killing

winner was PUTIN

EPSTEIN FILES ARE DEAD only a loser fucking idiot thinks they were real states TRUMP

Trump rated meeting a 10 out of 10

The brainwashing is strong in you Fail.

Elbows up in freefall. Lol.

9 hours ago, ArcticCrusher said:

The brainwashing is strong in you Fail.

Are you not even curious about the PEDO DON involvement? I guess you have been told what to think

9 hours ago, ArcticCrusher said:

Elbows up in freefall. Lol.

You do know AIR CANADA is a private company and not owned by Canada?

You know CARNEY has nothing to do with contracts?

You clearly don't

I think you should be worried about PP election he has coming up

EPSTIEN wife to get pardon from Trump this is payment for her silence on the FILES

She is clearly innocent and set up by BIDEN AND CLINTON

Got a link to these claims in full detail

8 minutes ago, toslow said:

Got a link to these claims in full detail

all you have to do is watch LIVE NEWS to hear DONNY SPEAK and tell people what they can and can not ask, and why TRUMP sent HIS LAWYER to speak with a child trafficer

Your concern is ZERO for a PEDO PRES

11 minutes ago, toslow said:

Got a link to these claims in full detail

It's probably from cupe

PP calls this a BAN ON MOTOR CARS meanwhile normal people realize that 80% of vehicles are GAS COMBUSTION

ONLY THE STUPD FOLLOW THE LIES

Waiting?

1 hour ago, ArcticCrusher said:

It's probably from cupe

Just because you just found out AIR CANADA isn't a government run airline you make youself look foolish daily

3 minutes ago, toslow said:

Waiting?

Keep waiting there is no changing your mind as you have already determine what you will believe to be true

The fact you have no interest in what TRUMP was involved in really shows your character

PP is all behind the Flight Attendant strike - are you too now supporting the strike?

😂 you of all people question someone else’s character 👍

Still Waiting for the list you say is available?

I’m management, don’t matter if I agree with or not.

I’m smart enough to understand all factors and wise enough to shut my mouth 😉

2 hours ago, 1trailmaker said:

Keep waiting there is no changing your mind as you have already determine what you will believe to be true

The fact you have no interest in what TRUMP was involved in really shows your character

PP is all behind the Flight Attendant strike - are you too now supporting the strike?

They should shut down their bank accounts because they're causing a lot of problems for Canadians and they're doing it illegally. How's that for you.

If albertans don't like it in Canada they can leave. If the Air Canada workers don't like their job they can quit. How's the fail logic working

2 hours ago, ArcticCrusher said:

If albertans don't like it in Canada they can leave. If the Air Canada workers don't like their job they can quit. How's the fail logic working

Working every shift 2 to 3 hours with out pay - Like I have said you don't support any workers but PP is right now so you should too

4 hours ago, toslow said:

I’m management, don’t matter if I agree with or not.

I’m smart enough to understand all factors and wise enough to shut my mouth 😉

good for you and TRUMP is President he lies everyday about everything

Your mind is made up of fiction you will never read or understand much about anything so be lucky you have the job you do