Great workshop reports relevant to immigrants and settlement issues

This link has information on accreditation of foreign credentials, fairness commission, immigrant supports and labour market

http://www.irpp.org/Canada-Australia_roundtable/Canada-Australia_roundtable.html?utm_source=Thinking+Ahead+February&utm_campaign=Thinking+Ahead+July+EN&utm_medium=email

For immediate distribution – October 23, 2012
NEWS RELEASE The effects of precarious legal status on
immigrants’ economic outcomes are long lasting Montreal – Immigrants with precarious legal status – for example, temporary foreign workers – often end up in precarious work situations that undermine their economic prospects. Moreover, according to Luin Goldring and Patricia Landolt, the authors of a new study published by the Institute for Research on Public Policy (IRPP), these effects are long lasting, even for those who subsequently become permanent residents. Given recent major changes in Canada’s immigration system, such as large increases in the number of temporary foreign workers and new pathways to permanent residence, this finding has important implications. In
The Impact of Precarious Legal Status on Immigrants’ Economic Outcomes, the authors define precarious work as employment that is insecure and of lower quality. They point out that immigrants with these types of jobs are often exposed to labour practices that "erode, violate or evade employment standards." This is especially of concern in a context where "a growing number of newcomers spend time navigating various forms of temporary and probationary legal status before they can apply for permanent residence," while others remain in a temporary category or stay in Canada without work or residence authorization. The authors’ quantitative and qualitative analyses are based on original data from a sample of 300 Latin American and Caribbean immigrant workers in the Greater Toronto Area. A key finding is that exposure to precarious work during the initial period in Canada had a lasting negative impact on these workers. As they put it, the effects of living with precarious legal status can be "sticky"; the transition to secure status "does not put people on par with those who entered with secure status."
In light of this, Goldring and Landolt identify a number of ways to mitigate the effects of precarious status on immigrant economic outcomes, including faster transitions to secure legal status and permanent residence, open work permits for temporary migrant workers, improvements in workplace equity and broader access to settlement services.
The Impact of Precarious Legal Status on Immigrants’ Economic Outcomes, by Luin Goldri

A primer on Credit Card

When newcomers arrive one of the things they are told is to establish a credit rating and you do that by borrowing money, or buying something on credit and repay bit by bit then you establish credit rating. The more you borrow and repay the higher your credit rating.  However, some can fall into a trap of borrowing because as many say, it does not feel like real money until it is time to pay back.
This article came into my email this morning and I found it interesting enough to pass it on to you. Hope you find it interesting.
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WHEN "taking advantage" of a too-good-to-be-true promotion, really, really read the fine print.
Katie Ross, education and development manager for American Consumer Credit Counselling highlights five credit card fine print traps that you don't want to fall for. [More from Forbes: Why student debit cards are wolves in sheep's clothing]
THE 0% INTRODUCTORY APR
Most 0% APR offers are for balance transfers only. Any new purchases or cash advances will be subject to a much higher interest rate. If the offer does include new purchases, the rate typically expires very quickly, says Ross. Also, you only get the 0% APR if the card issuer decides you are worthy enough to receive it (good credit standing usually) — typically you don't find out your APR until after the card is issued.
What the fine print says: If your monthly payment is late one time, the 0% APR jumps (depending on the card, it may even have multiple options to which the card issuer can choose on their own will, like 12.99% or 15.99%). Two late payments and you likely will be charged the APR ceiling of 29.99%. [More from Forbes: Top 10 credit card choices from college to retirement]
LATE FEES
Not only can the card issuer double your APR because of a late fee, but they can also charge you late/penalty fees.
What the fine print says: Card issuers can charge different fees depending on the "price" of the late payment (how much was due) or how much you have run over your credit limit — this can range anywhere from $15-$39, says Ross. Each time you are late the card issuer can reset your APR to the default APR or ceiling APR. [More from Forbes: 10 things you should know before buying a gift card]
FIXED RATES
Credit card issuers can change the interest they charge to lend you money at any time and unfortunately for whatever reason they want, says Ross. The term "fixed APR" gives you the right to be notified if the lender changes the interest for reasons other than those specified in their terms (for example, the card issuer doesn't have to let you know if your introductory period has ended.).
What the fine print says: "We reserve the right to unilaterally change the rates, fees, cost, and other terms at any reason," Ross offers as an example from a credit card statement. [More from Forbes: A study ranks the top cash-back credit cards]
INACTIVITY AND ANNUAL FEES
You've seen all those offers, "No annual fees". Some people straightaway make the conclusion that the credit card wont cause them a penny for ownership, says Ross. But the truth is, issuers now impose an annual fee if you don't reach a set level of annual spending, she adds. These fees usually range from $35-$50. With a rewards card, you should ensure that the benefits of the mileage or points program outweigh the cost of the annual fee.
What the fine print says: The annual fees for the credit card will be waived for the first year. Thereafter the annual fee will be $45 for the Basic Card. And if you default on repayments for a certain period, the Annual fees will apply instantly, she ward. Any waivers, or benefits will cease instantly.
MINIMUMS
While you won't find info about paying the minimum on your disclosure statement, you will on your actual statements. However, unless you pay your bills the old fashioned way, snail mail, you may not catch this one. Online payment typically provides a link to "Minimum Payment Warning" but who knows how many people actually read it. Very small payments on a loan mean you will spend a very long time paying the loan, thus paying way more for something than it was actually worth because of interest charges. "It's to the credit issuer's advantage to keep you indebted as long as possible." [More from Forbes: Bad news: Credit card debt is down]
What the fine print says: Each card can be different, but generally speaking, the minimum payment is simply a set percentage of your balance. Some cards are as low as finance charges plus 1% while others may base the minimum amount upwards of 4-5% of the balance. But more important than that, know that often only making the minimum payment every month will take you approximately four times as longer than making a fixed payment, wasting money on interest and carrying debt for a longer period of time, says Ross.
When it comes to credit cards, always think yellow light — proceed with caution.

Have your say please

Tom Denton a long time passionate activist for refugees and former executive director of the International Centre in Winnipeg Manitoba, and currently a part of the Refugee Hospitality House ministry, has responded to Minister Kenny's cuts to refugees health program in a letter to the  Winnipeg Free Press below.  The minister recently announced cuts to refugees health care. Many Manitobans have taken a stand against these cuts seen as discriminatory and divisive. To say that refugees should not get more health benefits than Canadians pits Canadians against refugees and does not encourage harmony.

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/letters_to_the_editor/kenneys-refugee-claims-pander-to-prejudice-159837685.html

Please read this letter and say your piece, how do you think this would affect refugees in your community? Do you think the Minister's argument is fair? Is Mr. Denton, bi-partisan? What is the truth and what do refugees really deserve? Thanks for participating

Immigrants fare better in rural areas

Although many immigrants like to settle in urban areas where they have more access to all kinds of services, community support and jobs opportunities, research shows that immigrants who live in small urban centres and rural areas tend to achieve economic integration much faster than immigrants living in large cities. The study by Stats Canada, also indicated that the income gap between immigrants and Canadians living in similar areas closed faster over time in smaller communities.
Think about that people.

Websites of interest to immigrants

This website gives current information  on the latest breaking news on Canadian Immigration!  I encourage you to check it out every now and then. Let your voice be heard.
http://www.cicnews.com/

Canadian Immigration news - has information about visas, employment, business opportunities
http://www.migrationexpert.com/canada/visa/canadian_immigration_news.asp