CANADA: Ageing Population Creates Need For More Immigrants

CHANDIGARH, India (The Times Of India), December 3, 2007: 'Ageing' Canada wants more Indians. Noting that his country was on the path of "ageing", British Columbia Premier Gordon Campbell told the press here in North India today there was an acute shortage of manpower in Canada. "India has the youngest population whereas our country is ageing fast so we need people as there is an acute shortage," he said. Around one million new jobs were likely to be created in the Canadian Province of British Columbia soon, he said adding that there was a shortfall of about 3,50,000 people in the province. Immigrants have lot of scope in the rental, retail, mining and energy sectors, he said adding that the stress was on skilled labour as there was a "real shortfall". He said that a two-way exchange of students and teachers was also in the pipeline as it would help in understanding the larger world. Speaking about Non Resident Indians deserting Indian brides, he said that "innocent young women are being used by people by misusing the immigration system." The Federal government in Canada was doing its best to apprehend those who are involved in such cases. "Such people go underground and grossly misuse the immigration system," he said. "This problem is the priority of the government, and all possible measures are taken to strengthen the immigration system," he said. Campbell, who is in India till December 7, with a 30-member delegation, said that the British Columbia was in favour of building relations with India. Copyright © 2007 Times Internet Limited.