Klaudios Mustakas – Pace Law Firm: A quality of life survey by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) confirms Canada’s reputation as one of the best countries in the world in which to live.
The OECD’s findings confirm why millions of immigrants from around the world have chosen to make Canada their new home over the years. Canada’s need for qualified immigrants has driven an explosive growth in visa applications by international students, professionals and investors all seeking to obtain status as permanent residents and ultimately citizens of Canada.
The OECD’s Better Life Index found that Canada performs exceptionally well in measures of well-being, ranking it no. 2 overall among 34 developed countries. The survey went beyond the usual economic indicators such as GDP, comparing the lives of citizens across 34 OECD countries based on such elements as housing, income, jobs, community, education, environment, governance, health, life satisfaction, safety, and work-life balance.
Canadian employers, including all levels of government, plan to fill hundreds of thousands of job vacancies with qualified immigrants
It is no wonder that immigrants and investors like Canada. It is one of the world’s wealthiest countries. Its economic prosperity is tied to many factors: the abundance of natural resources; the strength of its manufacturing and construction industries; the health of the financial and service sectors; investment in education; the ability to span distances using communications and transportation technologies; dynamic trade relationships with other nations; and the ability to compete in the global market place.
Job prospects are also very good. An aging population, economic growth and an inadequate supply of qualified labour in many sectors of the economy are all factors leading to a dependence on the recruitment of foreign-trained professionals and workers. During the next ten years or more, Canadian employers, including all levels of government, plan to fill hundreds of thousands of job vacancies with qualified immigrants.
Although Canada offers many incredible job and investment opportunities, getting to Canada is not easy. The immigration process is weighed down by many arcane and cumbersome visa requirements. To succeed, applicants need an effective strategy that must take into consideration all of the available visa options, before settling on the one option best suited to the individual’s circumstances. Getting professional advice is often the first step in developing that strategy, but beware of unqualified individuals who are not accredited under Canadian law.
Klaudios Mustakas is a retired senior government official who served with the Canada Border Services Agency. He is now a Senior Government Relations Advisor with Pace Law Firm. He can be contacted here.