Chandigarh:
India has emerged as one of the top source countries of immigration to Canada and Ottawa is looking forward to more number of talented Indians who can contribute to its development.
"In 2009, India was the top source country of immigration to Canada and obviously Punjab was leading on this front," Canadian Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney told reporters here Thursday evening.
"Over 32,000 permanent resident visas were issued to Indian nationals last year -- an increase of 13 percent over 2008 and nearly 53 percent more than the three-year average from 1997 to 1999," he said.
Kenney said that Canada has put no tab on the new immigrants coming to their country, as was done by other developed countries.
"Diplomatic relations with India are particularly very important and they are growing stronger. Canada is supporting the Indian nuclear industry that will help address its future energy needs. But I believe that most important thing is human connectivity and it is also deepening further every year," said Kenney.
"We are maintaining a unique immigration programme as compared to other developed countries like the US, Britain and Australia. All of them have put a cut on the number of new immigrants but we have not done this," he stated.
Talking about the study visas granted to Indian students, Kenney said: "Study visas have seen a steep rise. By the end of this year, it is estimated that the number of study visas would have tripled over 2008 levels."
"To help Indian students settle in Canada after completing their studies, we have launched Canadian Experience Class (CEC) scheme. Last year, nearly 3,500 students availed this scheme and this year we are expecting around 500 Indian students to go for it," he said.
Kenney said that Canada has been immensely benefited from the talent and hard work of Indians and around one million Canadians can trace their ancestry to India. "We are committed to grant more visas to Indians, who are interested to visit, study and to immigrate to Canada," he said.
To assist residents of Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh, a Canadian consulate opened in Chandigarh in 2004.
"In 2009, Chandigarh-based consulate had issued over double the number of visitor visas than in 2004. In 2004, it issued 3,300 visas whereas this number rose to 10,040 in 2009," said Kenney.