Minister Verdonk visits Canada

Immigration and Integration Minister Rita Verdonk will pay a working visit to Canada from Monday 5 to Wednesday 7 June 2006. The meetings will focus entirely on information about immigration and integration policies and include such issues as integration of newcomers, attracting highly skilled migrants, Canada’s points system for migrants, border control and prevention of radicalisation.

The Immigration Minister will talk in Ottawa to the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, Mr Monte Solberg, and the Minister for Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Mr Stockwell Day. A number of roundtable talks will also be held on immigration, citizenship and safety with the participation of representatives of government organisations, non-government organisations as well as social and political observers.

In Toronto, Ms Verdonk will also be talking to the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration for the Ontario province, Mr Mike Colle, on the province’s immigration and integration policy. She will then visit a high school that has developed a specific programme for newcomers and then pay a visit to a neighbourhood with a large number of immigrants. She will attend a Canadian naturalisation ceremony to conclude her working visit.

Source: Ministry of Justice Press Release, 31 May 2006