Deveaux Calls For Fee To Be Waived For Immigrants From Katrina States
By NDP News Release
Sep 21, 2005, 17:54
Halifax - NDP Immigration Critic, Kevin Deveaux, is calling on the Minister responsible for Immigration, Rodney MacDonald, to direct the province’s private sector immigration administrator to waive the $5,500 fee the company charges to handle applicants to the province’s nominee program.
“It is time to honour our historic ties,” says Deveaux. “When the Acadians were expelled they found refuge in Louisiana.”
“Now that disaster has hit that area and so many are left with no where to go, we should remember who we are and open our doors.”
“I have been waiting for this Minister to react, to reach out to the people of New Orleans and area, and quite frankly I am surprised and a little embarrassed that we have heard nothing from him on this.”
Under Nova Scotia’s Nominee Program immigrants that fall outside the category of the economic investor, refugee, or family settlement, are required to pay Cornwallis, the private contractor that administers the Nominee Program, a $5,500 fee as part of their application to settle in the province. It is this $5,500 fee that Deveaux would like to see waived for immigrants from the hurricane area.
Deveaux notes that PEI Premier Pat Binns offered two weeks ago to coordinate a Maritime-wide program to offer shelter to the disaster victims. Deveaux says he admires Binns’ initiative, and suggests that Minister MacDonald could show the same leadership by removing one practical barrier for immigrants from the area.
“I think we would all feel proud of this Immigration Minister if he stepped forward and met this challenge,” say Deveaux. “After all, aren’t Nova Scotians supposed to be famous for their compassion and hospitality?”
Permalink Comments off
