Immigration To Canada and The Provincial Nominee Program

CBC Prince Edward Island

2009-04-05T06:28:00.000-07:00

Former Tory deputy, liquor CEO to return PNP money

Last Updated: Friday, April 3, 2009 | 5:29 PM AT Comments12 Recommend8

CBC News

Two of three senior civil servants identified as having received money from P.E.I.'s Provincial Nominee Program will return it.

Peter MacQuaid, who was chief of staff for former premier Pat Binns, and Brooke MacMillan, who was deputy minister of innovation — the department responsible for PNP — during much of 2008, and was moved to be CEO of the P.E.I. Liquor Commission shortly before making his PNP application, have both said the money they received will be returned.

In a statement faxed to CBC News, MacQuaid said he received money from the immigrant partner section of the PNP for MacQuaid Motors, which he held shares in.

Robert Ghiz Cover Story

2008-10-27T11:25:00.000-07:00

Cover Story

Island in the Stream
By Alec Bruce

As Canada's least populous province, Prince Edward Island stands at a crossroads. The question is: Does it have the stuff to build a sustainable economy? The answer has everything to do with courage, creativity and economies of scale in a place where small really could be beautiful.

Prince Edward Island Investments - Family Immigration swicki

2008-10-24T11:15:00.000-07:00

Prince Edward Island Investments - Family Immigration swicki

Provincial Treasurer Wes Sheridan

2008-10-24T09:06:00.000-07:00

CHARLOTTETOWN, PEI -- Standard and Poor’s Rating Services today affirmed its ratings, including its 'A' long-term issuer credit rating, on the Province. The outlook remains positive.
“This is our first rating by Standard and Poor’s since the credit crisis started south of the border, so we’re very pleased it’s such a positive one,” said Provincial Treasurer Wes Sheridan. “The long-term credit rating of 'A' is a signal to investors, that the Island’s capacity to meet its financial commitments is strong.”
Standard and Poor’s based its decision on a number of factors, including the solid growth in PEI’s economy, with robust output and employment growth in recent years. From 2002-2006, its real gross domestic product (GDP) grew 2.8 percent per year on average. Real GDP grew another 2 percent in 2007. The province is forecasting real GDP to rise 2.2 percent in 2008. The province’s net tax-supported debt was also considered in the rating. That is equated to an estimated 33 percent of GDP at fiscal year-end 2008 (March 31), down from 35 percent the previous fiscal year. PEI continues to have solid access to the capital markets.
“Last year, we had the highest-ever numbers of Islanders out in the workforce,” said Minister Sheridan. “Our Government is building PEI’s economy and it’s nice to see that recognized through this rating.”

The Provincial Nominee Program

2008-10-21T18:26:00.000-07:00

P.E.I.'s $400M question

Was there insider dealing in the Provincial Nominee Program, or is it just bad optics?

Last Updated: Friday, October 10, 2008 | 3:21 PM AT Comments0 Recommend2

CBC News

It started with one curious businessman: a packet of documents dropped anonymously into his mailbox has raised serious questions about the biggest business investment program in the history of Prince Edward Island.

The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), signed by the province and the federal government in 2001, operated without controversy up to the time it ended on Sept. 2, 2008. The agreement allowed people interested in immigrating to Canada to put up money for a new or existing P.E.I. business, and move to Canada if they passed health and security checks.

The price tag, by the time lawyer and agent fees and various deposits were added on, was $200,000 a head. The program was moderately successful, attracting a few hundred immigrants a year.

A final rush of applicants

Businessman Rob McEachern launched his own investigation of the Provincial Nominee Program. (CBC)

Until, that is, 2008. Early in the year the federal government announced an end to the program and put a quota on the number of immigrants the province could nominate: 2,000. The government got to work and met that quota, raising a staggering $400 million, an amount equal to one third of the provincial government budget.

Such an unprecedented amount of money raised for investment in Island businesses would seem to be good news, as would the impending arrival of 2,000 new immigrants and their families — increasing P.E.I.'s population through immigration is a stated goal of the government — but nothing was made of it at the time.

Local businessman Rob McEachern applied for some of the PNP funds. "It was just too good to be true," he said. His application, filed late, was rejected.

His interest piqued, McEachern started an investigation into the program, and that caught the interest of someone with access to high-level correspondence between Citizenship and Immigration Canada and PEI Business Development, the agency charged with qualifying companies for the money.

That someone dropped some of that correspondence into McEachern 's mailbox, correspondence that outlined CIC's serious concerns about the quality of the investments approved for the PNP, specifically the high number of new companies involved.

McEachern took the correspondence to the media and interest in the story began to grow.

PNP good for P.E.I.: government

Provincial Innovation Minister Richard Brown defended the program, saying while lists of companies and immigration were approved by the province, the actual investment was a deal between a private individual and a private company.

It then came out that some government MLAs haPrvd taken advantage of the program for their own businesses, and one immigrant professed ignorance of the company he had invested in.

Premier Robert Ghiz stepped in, saying he agreed that having government MLAs involved in the program did not look good. But he said when the issue came up earlier this year he decided to pass the question on to the conflict of interest commissioner, who cleared the deals.

The controversy shows little sign of going away, with the provincial auditor general announcing he is launching an investigation of the PNP, one that could go back to its inception in 2001.

CBC Reporting - Provincial Nominee Program swicki - powered

2008-10-01T18:48:00.000-07:00

CBC Reporting - Provincial Nominee Program swicki - powered

Optics of nominee program did concern premier

2008-10-01T18:45:00.000-07:00

Optics of nominee program did concern premier: "P.E.I. Premier Robert Ghiz says he was concerned how it would look for companies owned by MLAs to receive money from potential immigrants,

EarthLink KK

2008-09-30T07:46:00.001-07:00

This is my home . I live On Prince Edward Island.

One of the main reason I like living here is you know everybody .

You can walk down the street and discuss island events and it's a safe place to live.

Our schools are great and our hospitals are filled with qualified workers who care for you.
They go the extra mile for you and your loved ones.

Our government serve the people and are accessible.

EarthLink KK
Video sent by geopicks

Youpicks geopicks geogoogle earthlinks hub buypei

Island Investment Development Act

2008-09-30T07:26:00.000-07:00

Island Investment Development Act

Island Investment Development Inc. - Provincial Nominee Prog

2008-09-28T14:54:00.000-07:00

Island Investment Development Inc. - Provincial Nominee Prog: "Search for Island Investment Development Inc"

PEI Election Issue - Provincial Nominee Program swicki - pow

2008-09-28T13:46:00.000-07:00

PEI Election Issue - Provincial Nominee Program swicki - pow: "2008 PEI Election Issue"

Officials on hot seat for failed immigration program

2008-08-29T14:25:00.000-07:00

Officials on hot seat for failed immigration program: "Two weeks ago, the Office of Immigration quietly offered to refund $100,000 to hundreds of people who signed up for the program but were not assigned to a company.
An internal report about the nominee program has gone to cabinet, but the government is refusing to make it public."

Visa and Immigration Assistance

2008-07-16T11:45:00.000-07:00

Visa and Immigration Assistance: "Visa and Immigration Assistance is a truly online immigration and visa assistance service entity engaged in the business of providing full range of immigration and visa assistance services to local residents, overseas Filipinos and foreigners or international clients. We boast of ten (10) years experience of providing competent, efficient, reliable and personalized service to our clientele. Our workforce is composed of a committed team of result driven immigration experts and in-house immigration attorneys, available 24/7 to assist you, your fiancée, spouse or relative with their immigration and visa problems.

We specialize in fiancée/spouse visa assistance, and family sponsored visa applications."

Instruction

2008-07-07T08:43:00.000-07:00

This site or Blog can be used in many ways.

Bookmark this blog.

immigration forms - Family Immigration swicki - powered by eurekster

2008-07-07T06:59:00.000-07:00

immigration forms - Family Immigration swicki - powered by eurekster

Agreement for Canada – Prince Edward Island Co-operation on Immigration

2008-07-07T06:32:00.000-07:00

Agreement for Canada – Prince Edward Island Co-operation on Immigration: "Agreement for Canada – Prince Edward Island
Co-operation on Immigration
General Provisions"

Fertile ground for biotech firms - National Research Council Canada

2008-07-07T06:30:00.000-07:00

Fertile ground for biotech firms - National Research Council Canada: "Fertile ground for biotech firms

On July 9, 2007, Chemaphor Inc. officially opened its research quarters, the first of four biotech startups to reside in NRC's latest industry partnership facility (IPF). The new facility is located at the NRC Institute for Nutrisciences and Health in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island.

When new firms rent space, they 'incubate' in a full-service R&D laboratory with access to NRC expertise, technical information, business planning services, and opportunities to benefit from research collaborations. The four current occupants of the Charlottetown facility are Chemaphor, Neurodyn, the Atlantic Centre for Bioproducts Valuation, and Nautilus Bioscience Canada. Each is focusing on a different but complementary aspect of health-related research."

'Double dipping' with foreign workers to be made illegal: minister

2008-07-07T06:28:00.000-07:00

'Double dipping' with foreign workers to be made illegal: minister: "Brown said his department is examining a bill passed this spring in Manitoba that is designed to protect foreign workers from being exploited by third-party recruiters by prohibiting the recruiters from charging the workers.

Out West, some workers have been paying thousands of dollars to come to Canada. On P.E.I., some Russian workers at the Ocean Choice plant in Souris paid a recruiter in Russia more than $500 each.

Brown said with employers on P.E.I. and across the country turning more to foreign labour, P.E.I. has to make a good impression on workers to ensure they stick around."

Invest PEI

2008-07-04T12:53:00.000-07:00

Invest PEI: "Invest PEI - Business Climate - Economy

Some Economic Facts about PEI:

< close>

* Exports have increased by 76.5% between 1997 and 2007.
* Between 2006 and 2007, PEI and New Brunswick were the only provinces in the Atlantic region with a growing population.
* Statistics Canada reports that PEI's economy grew by 2.6 percent in 2006, following growth of 1.3% in 2005.
* Manufacturing shipments on Prince Edward Island reached an all time high of $1,489.9 million in 2006, an increase of 8.8 percent over 2005. This followed 5.5 percent growth in 2005.
* In Statistics Canada Business Conditions Survey, for the first quarter of 2008, 40% of PEI's manufacturing industries surveyed reported production prospects higher, 33% reported production prospects about the same.
* In the aquaculture industry, when inputs are subtracted from outputs, the gross value added rose from $22,445,000 in 2005 to $29,065,000 in 2006.

(Source: Statistics Canada, CANSIM Table 228-0034, 051-0001, 384-0002, 304-0015, 302-0008, 003-0003.)"

Economy

2008-07-04T12:45:00.001-07:00

The economy is changing dramatically in Prince Edward Island to full time year round employment. Strategic sectors such as Aerospace, IT, Financial Services, and Bio-Science are growing rapidly. Prince Edward Island had the second highest employment growth in the third quarter of any province in Canada.

Some Economic Facts about PEI...

http://www.investpei.com/english/index.php?text=business_economy&page=business

Invest PEI

2008-07-04T07:45:00.000-07:00

Invest PEI: "There's No Better Place To Be

When it comes to business, there’s no better place than Atlantic Canada. Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) can assist with investment opportunities.

Your business will find:

* a welcoming, low-cost environment;
* well-trained workers;
* excellent communications and business infrastructure;
* and a highly developed transportation network to make
doing business that much easier.

KPMG 2006 Competitiveness Index
(Comparison of business costs in 128 cities in 9
countries in North America, Asia Pacific and Europe.)

* Canada is the leader among G7 Countries, with a cost index of 94.5, representing business costs 5.5 percent below those in the United States;
* Prince Edward Island has one of the lowest costs in North America relative to food processing, precision components, biomedical R&D and shared services."

Invest PEI

2008-07-04T07:30:00.000-07:00

Invest PEI

op07be.pdf (application/pdf Object)

2008-02-25T21:23:00.000-08:00

op07be.pdf (application/pdf Object)

Prince Edward Island: Development and Technology / Island Investment Development Inc.

2008-02-25T21:14:00.000-08:00

Prince Edward Island: Development and Technology / Island Investment Development Inc.

ISPNPIP08.pdf (application/pdf Object)

2008-02-25T21:01:00.000-08:00

ISPNPIP08.pdf (application/pdf Object)

Provincial Nominee Program - Important Terms

2008-02-25T13:08:00.000-08:00

Provincial Nominee Program - Important Terms: "Investee or Investee Company"

Train Provincial Nominee Program

2008-01-29T19:26:00.000-08:00

Train Provincial Nominee Program

Immigration: Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program

2008-01-29T18:40:00.000-08:00

Immigration: Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program

History

2008-01-29T18:28:00.000-08:00

Canada is a nation built by immigrants and we're one of the world's great success stories. Through hard work, creativity and strength of character, Canadians enjoy peace, prosperity and freedom unequalled anywhere else on earth.

Prince Edward Island has a special place in Canada as its smallest province and as the birthplace of our country in 1864. We also have a vision for Prince Edward Island in the twenty first century. We hope to draw immigrants who are highly skilled, ingenious and hard working to join us as Canadian citizens and new "Islanders" in building our future together.

The Agreement for Canada-Prince Edward Island Cooperation on Immigration was entered into by the federal and provincial governments in 2001. Under this accord, the Government of Prince Edward Island may select, or nominate, foreign nationals for permanent resident status to achieve certain socio-economic goals. The Government of Canada retains final approval over immigrants nominated by the Province of Prince Edward Island.

Immigration To Canada and The Provincial Nominee Program

CBC Prince Edward Island

Former Tory deputy, liquor CEO to return PNP money

Last Updated: Friday, April 3, 2009 | 5:29 PM AT Comments12Recommend8

CBC News

Robert Ghiz Cover Story

Cover Story

Prince Edward Island Investments - Family Immigration swicki

Provincial Treasurer Wes Sheridan

The Provincial Nominee Program

P.E.I.'s $400M question

Was there insider dealing in the Provincial Nominee Program, or is it just bad optics?

Last Updated: Friday, October 10, 2008 | 3:21 PM AT Comments0Recommend2

CBC News

A final rush of applicants

PNP good for P.E.I.: government

CBC Reporting - Provincial Nominee Program swicki - powered

Optics of nominee program did concern premier

EarthLink KK

Island Investment Development Act

Island Investment Development Inc. - Provincial Nominee Prog

PEI Election Issue - Provincial Nominee Program swicki - pow

Officials on hot seat for failed immigration program

Visa and Immigration Assistance

Instruction

immigration forms - Family Immigration swicki - powered by eurekster

Agreement for Canada – Prince Edward Island Co-operation on Immigration

Fertile ground for biotech firms - National Research Council Canada

'Double dipping' with foreign workers to be made illegal: minister

Invest PEI

Economy

Invest PEI

Invest PEI

op07be.pdf (application/pdf Object)

Prince Edward Island: Development and Technology / Island Investment Development Inc.

ISPNPIP08.pdf (application/pdf Object)

Provincial Nominee Program - Important Terms

Train Provincial Nominee Program

Immigration: Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program

History

Last Updated: Friday, April 3, 2009 | 5:29 PM AT Comments12 Recommend8

Last Updated: Friday, October 10, 2008 | 3:21 PM AT Comments0 Recommend2