Family reunification a key issue in battle for the ‘ethnic vote’

Both the Liberals and the Conservatives have identified the 'ethnic vote' as critical to their election aspirations and to date, family reunification seems to be the prevailing issue.

Canadian immigration regulations allow for qualified permanent residents to sponsor their parents and grandparents. The processing times vary, but generally it can take up to seven years to bring parents to Canada.

In a February interview with CBC, immigration attorney Richard Kurland said the Harper Government had quietly decreased the number of family reunification visas for parents and grandparents from 16,000 per year to 11,000.

The new rate, says Kurland, means it could now take up to 13 years to obtain a visa under this category.

In the House of Commons, Canada's Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Jason Kenney has been unapologetic saying, "We need young immigrants who are going to pay taxes and contribute to our health care system."

NDP immigration critic Olivia Chow says Kenney is missing a key point. In an email interview with Yahoo! Canada News, Chow says parents and grandparents can improve Canadian society.

"We would increase the number of visas that are awarded to parents and grandparents which would be a great benefit to Canada as they would look after their grandkids and allow the parents to go out and work, pay taxes and contribute to the Canadian economy," she says.

The Liberals, as part of their platform document released on Sunday, states if elected, they would also increase family reunification targets.

The debate is garnering a lot of attention in the ethnic media across the country.

Umendra Singh, Indo-Canadian radio talk-show host and editor of the Asian Star newspaper, says his listeners and readers are angry about the changes to the family reunification program.

"This policy will definitely take away a lot of ethnic votes from the Conservatives," says Singh.

"Parents and grandparents play a very important role in our lives. They act as emergency daycare providers and tutors to grandchildren and are not a burden on society."

(CBC Photo)