More Moldovans to immigrate to Quebec in 2009

The number of Moldovans immigrating to Quebec in 2009 will surge 25%, although the aftereffects of the financial crisis are also felt in that part of the world, said Christina Mirtcheva, an official responsible for communication of the Vienna-based Immigration Bureau of Quebec, at a news conference on Thursday, Info-Prim Neo reports. According to Christina Mirtcheva, 500 Moldovans have immigrated to Quebec in the first three quarters of this year. In 2008, there were 1,200 of them. “The economic crisis has partially hit Quebec, so the Moldovan migrants will be able to find jobs and will integrate into society. Chemists, mechanics, pilots are mostly demanded in Quebec, but also locksmiths, butchers, cooks,” Christina Mirtcheva said. She says, after Romania and Bulgaria joined the European Union, the number of applications from citizens from those countries willing to immigrate to Quebec goes on shrinking. The Canadian official specifies that the Moldovans willing to immigrate to Quebec shall observe certain basic criteria enabling them to be selected. She says the people with higher education and work experience of about 4 years, aged between 18 and 35, have the biggest chances to be accepted. The candidates should also speak French, English, to be aware of the social and cultural life of Quebec. Although there were bachelors applying to immigrate, the families with children are more favored, which is explained through the needs related to the demographic growth, Christina Mirtcheva said. In the opinion of representative of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the people willing to live in Quebec shall pass through several stages to get the permits of permanent stay on the territory of this province. The people having received stay permits benefit from all the rights, except for the right to vote. Three years later they can apply for Canadian citizenship, as the dual citizenship is also accepted. Once established in Quebec, the people can work on the basis of their high education diplomas, except for medicare, architecture and engineering. The specialists in these sectors will have to undergo additional training and pass exams.