New Canadian immigration minister welcomed by immigration advocates

A cabinet shuffle within the Canadian government has resulted in controversial immigration minister Jason Kenney being replaced by newcomer Chris Alexander.

The change in immigration ministers is being linked with a possible change in policy by advocates of a more sympathetic attitude to the both the needs of immigrants and the immigrant needs of the country. Kenney’s sweeping reforms have attracted much criticism over his term of office, and many are glad to see him go.

The new man on the job has wide overseas experience as a member of the Canadian Foreign Service for a full 18 years, including a stint as the country’s first resident Ambassador based in Kabul, Afghanistan. Subsequently, he served with the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan as a deputy special representative for five years.

Kenney’s move to Employment and Social Development will bring him into contact with his successor at immigration as he’ll be dealing with the controversial temporary workers’ programme. The results are expected to be interesting.

Many saw Kenney’s reassignment as a step in the right direction, with head of the Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants, Debbie Douglas, saying that a new perspective had been badly needed. She adds that Kenney’s changes need to be examined for their impact on the system itself, immigrants and refugees.

Toronto immigration lawyer Lorne Waldman states that Kenney may well be seen as one of the country’s most controversial ministers of immigration and citizenship. According to Waldman, no other tenant of that position has been the target of so much criticism, especially in the field of refugee health.

As regards Alexander, Waldman hopes a new attitude towards immigration may be the result of a new face. He adds that he and his advocate colleagues will be more than happy to work with him to blunt the sharp edges of the present immigration policy.