Paul Henry Citizenship & Immigration Canada Joint WTO-World Bank Symposium on Movement of Natural Persons (Mode 4) Under the GATS April 2002

Paul Henry Citizenship & Immigration Canada Joint WTO-World Bank Symposium on Movement of Natural Persons (Mode 4) Under the GATS April 2002

Citizenship andImm igration Canada

C itoyenneté etImm igration Canada

C an ad a

Mode 4 Through a Canadian

Immigration Policy Lens

Mode 4 Through a Canadian

Immigration Policy Lens

OverviewOverview

Introduction

Policy Contexts Intersect

Role of Immigration & Labour Policy Officials

Immigration Perspective

Answers to WTO Secretariat Questions

Introduction

Policy Contexts Intersect

Role of Immigration & Labour Policy Officials

Immigration Perspective

Answers to WTO Secretariat Questions

IntroductionIntroduction

Objectives:

Better understanding of policy contexts : trade, immigration &

labour market

Avoid zero-sum game/adversarial relationships

Find common interests & ways to increase mode 4

liberalization

Complementary results serving various interests (trade,

immigration, labour market, developing countries,

business)

Objectives:

Better understanding of policy contexts : trade, immigration &

labour market

Avoid zero-sum game/adversarial relationships

Find common interests & ways to increase mode 4

liberalization

Complementary results serving various interests (trade,

immigration, labour market, developing countries,

business)

Policy Contexts IntersectPolicy Contexts Intersect

TradeLabour

Mode 4 Issues

Immigration

Immigration & Labour Policy Officials

Role in Mode 4 DiscussionsImmigration & Labour Policy Officials

Role in Mode 4 Discussions

Important partners

Provide better appreciation of mode 4 issues: Assess commitments Explain ineffective commitments Decipher national regimes on temporary entry Clarify problems cited by business

Help make progress

Important partners

Provide better appreciation of mode 4 issues: Assess commitments Explain ineffective commitments Decipher national regimes on temporary entry Clarify problems cited by business

Help make progress

Immigration Policy Context

CIC Business LinesImmigration Policy Context

CIC Business Lines

Maximizing benefits of international migration

Selection of economic immigrants Family reunification Admission of visitors (tourists, foreign students &

temporary workers)

Upholding Canada's humanitarian tradition (refugee determination) Promoting integration of newcomers (settlement) Managing access to Canada (enforcement)

Maximizing benefits of international migration

Selection of economic immigrants Family reunification Admission of visitors (tourists, foreign students &

temporary workers)

Upholding Canada's humanitarian tradition (refugee determination) Promoting integration of newcomers (settlement) Managing access to Canada (enforcement)

Immigration & Trade Policy Contexts Immigration & Trade Policy Contexts

Immigration Policy

Inward focus

Security & enforcement priorities

Skilled workers for economic viability

Domestic catalysts open rules

International tradeperspective is low

Immigration Policy

Inward focus

Security & enforcement priorities

Skilled workers for economic viability

Domestic catalysts open rules

International tradeperspective is low

Trade Policy

Inward/outward focus

Mode 4 issues

Globalization liberalization

Trade agenda pushing on

immigration doors

Trade Policy

Inward/outward focus

Mode 4 issues

Globalization liberalization

Trade agenda pushing on

immigration doors

Snapshots Snapshots

CIC Views on International Trade AgreementsCIC Views on International Trade Agreements

Support for Canada’s international trade agenda

Concerns:

Support for Canada’s international trade agenda

Concerns:

Special rules in trade agreements Special rules in trade agreements

Lack of transparency of commitments Lack of transparency of commitments

Preference for general provisions & policy flexibility Preference for general provisions & policy flexibility

Willingness to bind for benefit Willingness to bind for benefit

WTO Secretariat’s Questions

Brief AnswersWTO Secretariat’s Questions

Brief Answers

Changes to facilitate mode 4

Problems & solutions

Contribution of GATS members

Changes to facilitate mode 4

Problems & solutions

Contribution of GATS members

Main PointsMain Points

Trade, immigration & labour officials are partners not adversaries

Trade, immigration & labour officials are partners not adversaries

Immigration/labour officials provide insight & progress on mode 4 issues

Immigration/labour officials provide insight & progress on mode 4 issues

Trade officials should involve immigration/labour officials as much as possible

Trade officials should involve immigration/labour officials as much as possible

Main Points Main Points

Objective is more effective commitments: Objective is more effective commitments:

Facilitating temporary entry Facilitating temporary entry

Avoiding increased burden for immigration officials & business people

Avoiding increased burden for immigration officials & business people

Covering more categories of business people Covering more categories of business people Reducing/eliminating labour market tests/work permits Reducing/eliminating labour market tests/work permits

Clearer information for business travelers on application processes & requirements

Clearer information for business travelers on application processes & requirements

Better understanding of policy contexts more effective mode 4 commitments (complementary results)

Better understanding of policy contexts more effective mode 4 commitments (complementary results)