Mr.D.Russ Makepeace

Canadian immigration authorities have implemented a new program called the Canadian Experience Class to attract foreign students who want to make Canada their home.

With this in mind, Canadian Immigration authorities have implemented radical changes to the country's immigration law in order to increase the number of foreign students in Canadian Colleges and universities.

The move was initiated to attract foreign students, especially South Asians to stay permanently in Canada with a fast track process that allows them to apply for permanent residency while residing in the country.

Mr. D.Russ Makepeace an eminent Canadian immigration lawyer who is down in Sri Lanka to create awareness about the new policy and its wide ranging benefits says "as a result of the new program being implemented since summer 2008 foreign students are now permitted to work off campus during their studies and summer holidays. The students are also granted open work permits for 3 years after their graduation. The new program moves away from the norm where applications for permanent residency were to be made from outside Canada, and students were expected to return to their homeland on completion of their studies. Potential students can enroll themselves at a Canadian Community College; get a two year educational experience along with a one year work experience making them eligible to apply for permanent residency in Canada."

Explaining as to why the country initiated the Canadian Experience Class, Mr. Makepeace noted "with Canada's ageing population increasing, there is a need to fill the void that would be created due to labour shortages. Previously, the Canadian immigration system laid more emphasis on the applicants’ work experience instead of the educational qualifications, and more often than not, these applicants didn't have the required qualifications expected by Canadian employers. With the new policy in place, effective measures will be taken to ensure that the labour requirements will be fulfilled as Community colleges offer practical progammes, which include co-op terms where students are placed with employers to add some real world experience into their education. This makes the foreign students on par with others vying for employment, in the job market."

He further added that the Canadian Experience Class which had a direct approach would be an ideal opportunity for Asian parents to explore. "With the new policy in place a family which wants to make a living in Canada, can send their children for higher education to the country and after three years once the children secure their permanent residency they can sponsor the family. Comparatively Canadian tuition fees are lower than those in Australia, the UK or the US which is another incentive for Sri Lankan students."

Mr. D.Russ Makepeace who is visiting the country to create awareness about this highly attractive foreign study option for Sri Lankan students will conduct a series of seminars and one on one discussions with student hopefuls, who wish to use this opportunity to realize their dreams of living a better life.Mr .Makepeace's visit to the country was coordinated and facilitated by George Steuart Educational Institute, which is in the forefront of the effort to bring to light the advantages of the Canadian Experience Class to local students who wish to purse their higher education at internationally recognized universities and education intuitions in Canada.

(Shabnam Farook)