VANCOUVER – At a roundtable at Langara College in Vancouver today, Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff committed to reversing five years of short-sighted Conservative cuts to family reunification.
“For five years, Stephen Harper has slashed family reunification, turning his back on the important role families play in helping new Canadians succeed,” said Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff. “Along with their cuts to immigration settlement and language programs, Conservatives have shown once again that they don’t understand – and don’t accept – the important contribution of new Canadians to Canada.
“While Mr. Harper may dismiss certain communities as ‘very ethnic’, Liberals believe a Canadian is a Canadian. In fact, ‘very’ Canadian,” he added.
Mr. Ignatieff was joined by Liberal Vancouver South candidate Ujjal Dosanjh at today’s roundtable, along with a number of local advocates and community groups.
“Family reunification is a major factor in attracting skilled workers from around the world, but the Harper Conservatives have drastically reduced the numbers of family reunification immigrants since 2006,” said Mr. Dosanjh.
“Families take care of one another – which is why a Liberal government will return family class visas to the same proportion of overall immigration as in 2006,” he added.
At an announcement earlier today, Mr. Ignatieff also committed to a $1-billion Canadian Learning Passport that will provide at least $4,000 in tax-free, non-repayable assistance to every student who goes to university, college or CÉGEP.
“This election is about fighting for equal opportunity for our children and all Canadians,” said Mr. Ignatieff. “Investing in learning is essential to prepare Canadians for the jobs of the future. The Learning Passport will help give every young person – including those new to Canada – the opportunity to reach their full potential. And it will increase the flow of highly skilled workers into the Canadian economy.”
“Canadians face a clear choice in this election,” said Mr. Dosanjh. “It’s time to bring hope and opportunity back to new Canadians and their families. That’s why a Liberal government will focus on what really matters: giving every Canadian the tools to succeed in the years ahead.”
