Canadians who adopt children abroad will find it easier to have their newest family members become Canadian citizens. The new law allows children adopted abroad by Canadian citizens to obtain Canadian citizenship without first having to become permanent residents. After Dec. 23, 2007, citizenship can be granted to them after the adoption is complete, after submitting an application for citizenship.

Under the new regulation, professionals seeking to work temporarily in Canada under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) can now receive work permits for up to three years and may be renewed thereafter. Earlier. Earlier NAFTA workers were required to renew their work permit every 12 months. By easing the administrative requirements..

Temporary residents in Canada can now apply online for work permits. Temporary residents seeking work permits or an extension of their visit in Canada can now apply online. Apart from applying online, applicants can also pay their application fees, check their application status and change their address online. The new online applications will result in faster processing because online applications can only be submitted if they are complete.

The Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, Diane Finley recently announced new federal funding to assist in the settlement and integration of new comer immigrants to Canada. the new funding of $121.6 million will be provided over the next three years. This funding is in addition to the $1.3 billion provided in Budget 2006, bringing the total investment to more than $1.4 billion over a five-year period.

On December 7, 2007 The Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Canada, Diane Finley announced a $38 million in funding for 15 partner agencies in the Halton and Peel Regions of Greater Toronto Area to deliver settlement and integration services to immigrants in the community. This funding, will help more than 150,000 newcomers access settlement services including help finding a job through employment related services, orientation, translation and interpretation services; help with referrals to community resources; and counselling services.

The Canadian Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism announced that Canada will maintain its immigration level in 2009, welcoming between 240,000 to 265,000 new permanent residents. The 2009 plan includes up to 156,600 immigrants in the economic category; 71,000 in the family category; and 37,400 in the humanitarian category.

National headquarters of Citizenship and Immigration Canada is issuing a national Call for Proposals for the following 2 programs:

• programs and services to support the settlement and integration of newcomers into Canadian society
• refugee resettlement and assistance programs.

Proposed activities must meet the criteria identified in one of the following areas: Overseas Activities; Needs Assessments; Resettlement; Service Bridging; Language/Skills Development; and Social Engagement.

Human Resources and Social Development Canada (HRSDC) recently announced that it will be funding a new initiative through the Foreign Credential Recognition Program for internationally-trained architects (mostly Canadian Immigrants)

Currently profession of architect is regulated differently in all provinces and territories in Canada. This means that, by law, no one can practise the profession of architect without a license.

In 2008, a new stream of Canadian immigration will be available to certain temporary foreign workers and international student with Canadian degrees and Canadian work experience. First announced in the 2007 budget, the Canadian Experience Class will fill gaps the country's labour force shortage. Once the class is established and for the first time, individuals meeting specific criteria will be able to apply for permanent resident status from within Canada.

According to Citizenship and Immigration Canada's 2009 Annual Report, Canada is actually maintaining its immigration levels to meet the country's medium- to long-term economic needs. While other countries have cut back immigration levels as a short-term response to the global economic downturn, Canada is actually maintaining its immigration levels.