The Canada Report

To clear immigrant backlog, entry rules loosened

In a move that addresses complaints from potential immigrants, Canada is easing its rules for people entering the country. The move aims to clear a backlog of 100,000 applicants.

A restrictive immigration law came into effect last year requiring backlogged applicants to qualify under the new rules. Immigration Minister Denis Coderre said the applicants will be allowed to apply under former rules that place fewer barriers to entry.

Canada allows between 220,000 and 245,000 people to immigrate each year. New targets are to be set in about a month.

"These proposed changes reflect the principles of fairness, openness and flexibility, which form the core of Canada's immigration program," Coderre said.

The stormy remnants of Hurricane Isabel blew into southern Ontario on Friday, dumping several inches of rain and bringing high winds that cut power to some areas.

Much of the strength of the storm dissipated before it crossed the Great Lakes and followed a line north from Toronto before turning east toward Quebec.

Most schools remained open and there were only minimal delays at Toronto's international airport.

Peter Bowyer of the National Hurricane Center in Halifax said the effects of Isabel in Canada were no worse than those of a thunderstorm.

- Canada's prime minister-in-waiting, Paul Martin, says he would lead a tight-fisted government that lowers taxes and reduces debt. In his first major economic speech since leaving the Cabinet last year, Martin said he wants the national debt to fall drastically. He is the front-runner to succeed retiring Jean Chretien early next year. Chretien believes his successor should favor social spending over tax cuts.

- The Canadian Alliance continues its fight to block expected approval of same-sex marriages. The party narrowly lost a vote in the House of Commons on a motion to preserve the traditional definition of marriage. Now, the alliance is seeking support for a bill calling on Parliament to define marriage as the union of "one man and one woman."

- The federal Conservatives and the right-wing Canadian Alliance are again talking about forming a union to battle the ruling Liberals in the next election, expected in about a year. Conservative Leader Peter MacKay said, however, no one should expect a "shotgun wedding."

- The Liberals under Leader Dalton McGuinty have taken a double-digit lead in public opinion polls as Ontario voters prepare to elect a new government on Oct. 2. Conservative Premier Ernie Eves continued his verbal attacks on McGuinty, accusing all Liberals of being soft on crime.

Canada's dollar rose to 74.16 U.S. cents Friday. The U.S. dollar dropped to $1.3484 Canadian, before bank exchange fees.

The Bank of Canada's key interest rate is unchanged at 2.75 percent and the prime lending rate is 4.5 percent.

Canadian stock exchanges were higher Friday, with the Toronto index at 7,610 points and the Canadian Venture Exchange 1,378 points.

Lotto 6-49: (Wednesday) 6, 11, 13, 30, 31 and 37; bonus 34. (Sept. 13) 12, 21, 26, 37, 43 and 49; bonus 25.

- Manitoba is the sixth Canadian province to sign up for a federal farm aid package. The policy includes disaster relief for such things as drought and the mad cow crisis. Saskatchewan and three other holdout provinces say the aid offers farmers less than previous programs.

- Alberta's government wants to cap auto insurance rates and limit insurance company profits. Rob Renner, who heads a provincial auto insurance review, said proposed legislation would force companies to open their books so the province can determine a "fair price" for premiums and profits.

- The Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization has agreed to drastically reduce the quota for Greenland halibut, also known as turbot, in international waters off Canada's East Coast. The 18 member countries agreed to take fewer fish as a conservation measure. Overfishing in the area sparked the so-called "turbot war" between Canada and Spain in 1995.

© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times 490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111 Contact the Times | Privacy Policy Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright