32 PHILIPPINE ASIAN NEWS TODAY April 1 - 15 , 2018
Facilitating travel to Canada while keeping Canadians safe Canadians are invited to provide input on new regulations to expand Canada ’ s Biometrics Program
ABBOTSFORD – The Province is working with the City of Abbotsford on two new supportive housing buildings for people struggling with homelessness , including one building focused on helping women experiencing homelessness transition toward more permanent housing .
“ The combination of the new housing and the work the Elizabeth Fry Society is doing is an important step in responding to the specific housing needs of women who are homeless in the Fraser Valley ,” said Selina Robinson , Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing . “ This building , along
Ottawa , ON – Canada has long had one of the highest per capita rates of immigration in the world and is an attractive destination for immigrants and visitors .
Accurately establishing identity is an important part of immigration decisions and helps keep Canadians safe . For more than 20 years , biometrics ( fingerprints and a photograph ) have played a role in supporting immigration screening and decision-making in Canada .
In 2018 , Canada intends to expand its biometrics program to all foreign nationals applying for a visitor visa , a study or work permit ( excluding U . S . nationals ), and to all those applying for permanent residence .
The Government of Canada encourages all Canadians to consider the importance of expanding biometrics in the context of helping facilitate the entry of travellers with legitimate identities , preventing identity fraud , and keeping Canada safe .
Canada currently collects biometrics from in-Canada refugee claimants and overseas refugee resettlement applicants , individuals ordered removed from Canada and individuals from 30 foreign nationalities applying for a temporary resident visa , work permit , or study permit .
Expanding biometrics will strengthen Canada ’ s immigration programs through effective screening ( biometric collection , verification , and information-sharing with partner countries ). It will also enable Canada to facilitate application processing and travel – while maintaining public confidence in our immigration system .
The expansion of Canada ’ s biometrics program , which includes the
Two new housing projects for people in Abbotsford
with the one operated by Lookout Housing and Health Society , will give people in the community struggling with homelessness the stability and support services they need to make a fresh start .”
The first site will be located at 31399 Livingstone Ave . and will provide up to 39 modular homes for women . The Elizabeth Fry Society owns the land and will operate the building . The units will feature private bathrooms . Residents will have access to amenity spaces like a shared kitchen and laundry facilities . Already , there are 27 units on site for
women and children , who are at risk of homelessness , which will continue to operate .
The second site will be located on city-owned land at 1640 Riverside Rd . and will provide up to 44 modular homes and will include a 40-space shelter operating at the location . The creation of housing on site will allow clients of the shelter , who are able to live more independently , to move to the new supportive housing development . Lookout Housing and Health Society will operate both the modular housing and the shelter .
Residents at both sites will have implementation of new requirements for immigration applicants , an expanded biometrics collection service network and automated fingerprint verification at ports of entry , will be rolled out over 2 years ( 2018 – 2019 ).
The pre-publication and consultation period , from April 7 to May 6 , 2018 , is designed to give the public an opportunity to provide feedback on the text of the proposed Regulations once they are published in the Canada Gazette , Part I .
For more information , please consult canada . ca / biometrics .
access to 24 / 7 support services , which includes meal programs , life and employment skills training , and health and wellness support services to help residents overcome challenges to maintaining their housing .
BC Housing will provide opportunities for public feedback as required by the municipal approvals process .
Read Homes for B . C ., government ’ s 30-point plan to address housing affordability for British Columbians : bcbudget . gov . bc . ca / 2018 / homesbc / 2018 _ Homes _ For _ BC . pdf
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