Province must have immigration role, new critic says

Linda Johnson, Staff Writer

08/27/05 00:00:00
The province is not doing enough to remove restrictions facing foreign-trained professionals, says Frank Klees, the new opposition immigration and citizenship critic.

The Oak Ridges MPP and education critic was asked to assume the additional duties by Conservative leader John Tory, it was announced Wednesday.

Immigration and citizenship policies are important in the Greater Toronto Area and his new role will allow him to continue to advance issues concerning new citizens, he said.

"It's my intention to continue to press the government to do more than simply talk about bringing foreign-trained professionals into the mainstream in Ontario," he said.

There are many new citizens in the GTA and Ontario, who emigrated here assuming they could practise their professions, but were misled by the immigration system, Mr. Klees said in an interview Wednesday.

"The hurdles that are put in place for these people are making it virtually impossible for them to carry on their professions. I consider that an absolute priority," he said.

Though immigration is a federal responsibility, he believes Ontario should have a much larger role to play in shaping policy, including making sure people considering emigrating to Canada fully understand opportunities available here and removing barriers to new Canadians.

As well, he said, much of the training for professional accreditation people undertake should be done in their country of origin so they can start practising their profession as soon as they arrive.

In addition to citizenship and immigration, Mr. Klees said he is looking forward to continuing in his role of education critic.

Calling education a priority policy issue, Mr. Klees said his main concern is raising academic standards so students become competitive on an international level.

"I am going to challenge on behalf of our party this current government on this dummying down of the curriculum and education system," he said, citing a recent announcement to make math tests easier. "I want to see much more emphasis on helping our students improve and raise the bar."

He also believes more alternatives should be offered to students.

Promoting trades and providing practical training at an early stage would lower the drop-out rate and provide good careers for many young people, he said.

Mr. Klees was elected an MPP for the first time in 1995.

Since then, his responsibilities have included chief government whip, deputy House leader, Minister of Tourism and Recreation and Minister of Transportation.