Want a strong country? Let anyone who puts 50,000 of your currency in a local bank and has a college degree stay there.
I shouldn't need 250K and have a business plan, or 2 million pounds to invest. I certainly shouldn't have to bond myself to a corporation or get married to be allowed to live there and pay taxes. Ban me from public government benefits for 5 years until I'm a citizen, sure...
But you should welcome the young, educated, and reasonably stable. Who else is going to eventually pay to support everyone else?
Really though further ax to grind... How is it that in 2018 the easiest way to move countries is still marriage?!
Agree, though you can't have exclusively a wealthy and educated immigration. Most western countries have a critical age pyramid problem. There is a need for mass immigration too. Though it would probably be wiser to diversify the sources of immigration, and to consider the cultural compatibility too.
Express Entry is Canada's program for granting permanent residency to workers in skills shortage areas (sort of like a H1B and Green Card combo).
It's a points-based system, so there's no guessing involved whether you'll make it; if you don't, you can easily see how you might improve your score.
You can apply from anywhere without first having spent time in Canada as a student or worker (though you do get more points if you do so), aren't dependent on an employer filing for you, and jump straight to permanent residency (akin to Green Card or Indefinite Leave to Remain) within 6 months, which is quicker than the 1+ year Green Card takes.
Unlike the Green Card, where you are from does not determine whether you'll get it; only your points do.
So far it seems to be a huge success; by providing a fair and predictable immigration policy for high-skilled labor instead of one fueled by FUD as in the US.
In general it seems like a system that is designed to help you succeed instead of trying to make you fail.
Edit: you asked about recent developments, Canada just introduced a visa called Global Talent Stream for tech workers that allows you to start working in Canada in 2 weeks, which is crazy-fast for a work visa. You then get more points under Express Entry and might be able to apply sooner.
Want a strong country? Let anyone who puts 50,000 of your currency in a local bank and has a college degree stay there.
I shouldn't need 250K and have a business plan, or 2 million pounds to invest. I certainly shouldn't have to bond myself to a corporation or get married to be allowed to live there and pay taxes. Ban me from public government benefits for 5 years until I'm a citizen, sure...
But you should welcome the young, educated, and reasonably stable. Who else is going to eventually pay to support everyone else?
Really though further ax to grind... How is it that in 2018 the easiest way to move countries is still marriage?!