| More people have been immigrating to Canada than | | | | being able to speak either English or French and |
| ever before. According to The Monitor, the number | | | | meeting work experience requirements. In the |
| of new permanent residents in Canada in 2004 grew | | | | system, points are awarded for each of the |
| by 7% from the previous year. | | | | qualifications an applicant meets. The number of |
| You may be wondering why so many people are | | | | accumulated points determines whether or not an |
| deciding to move to Canada now. The answer is | | | | application will be approved. |
| simple. | | | | Prior to September 18, 2003, the minimum number of |
| If you've considered immigrating to Canada as a | | | | points needed to have a permanent resident |
| Skilled Worker yourself, then you may already know | | | | application approved was 75. With the passing score |
| about the Pass-Mark system. If not, let me give you | | | | being so high, most applicants failed to meet that |
| a little information about this system. | | | | level unless they had already secured employment in |
| Basically, the Pass-Mark system allows Canada to | | | | Canada, had a degree beyond the bachelor's level, or |
| control who is allowed to become permanent | | | | already had family members living in the country. As a |
| residents of the country. There are different | | | | result, many applicants were turned away. |
| qualifications that applicants have to meet, such as | | | | |