FIGHTING FOR FAIRNESS: Create fair opportunities by recognizing foreign credentials

Creating Fair Opportunities: foreign credentials must be recognized

Over the last decade various governments have promised to act on getting foreign credentials recognized. By 2015, 100% of the growth in our labour forced will be derived from immigration. According to a study by the Conference Board of Canada, an additional 5 billion dollars could be pumped into our economy if the education and skills of the under-employed were formally recognized.

But we still have not seen a plan from our Government on how to recognize foreign credentials. Instead of acting, the Conservatives want to study the issue further. They even have 18 million dollars they want to use to consult on the much touted promise to create an agency to oversee the recognition of foreign credentials.

Enough is enough. Hard-working Canadians don’t want another study. New Canadians who face poverty at nearly double the rates of those who have been here more than a decade don’t want another study. We don’t need another study.

Fairness would be to establish an agency to do this work. Not study how to set up that agency. The money is there. We have all heard the stories: doctors, nurses, lawyers, engineers coming to Canada because of their skills but not able to use them and practice their trade or profession here.

Hard working immigrant families are desperate for meaningful jobs, after many years of empty promises, repeat announcements and hot air, there is no time to waste. The promised funding should be delivered and the Agency for Assessment and Recognition of Credentials should be set up immediately.

We in the NDP have a plan. We know this issue does not need further study. Our 7-Point Plan among other points would include a transparent, accountable and accessible Agency where information on assessment criteria, education and licensing bodies and recognition processes would be available.

Our plan is to let New Canadians use the skills that brought them to this country. Simple.

Wayne Marston, MP Hamilton East - Stoney Creek

This opinion was submitted to all area print media on February 27th 2007