David Williams can’t hide the frustration he feels while waiting to find out whether he will be approved to emigrate to Canada.
The farmer and businessperson from England submitted an application for a Canadian visa a year ago last summer, but it appears to have gotten lost in the mail.
He submitted a second application in January 2001, but as of mid-November, he hadn’t received a reply from Canadian officials.
“It’s an awful long drawn out process,” said Williams, who has farmed in England since 1986 and established a chain of butcher shops there.
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Other farmers who have emigrated to Western Canada have had similar experiences. They say it can take more than a year for federal immigration officials to make a decision on their visa applications. The result can be a lot of stress and uncertainty.
“Anything that would speed up the process would be welcome,” said Christine Akrigg, whose family emigrated from England in 1999. “It’s been a disappointment to some people we know.”
Robert Young, a real estate agent and immigration consultant from Saskatchewan, says the uncertainty involved can be discouraging.
He said paperwork, unexpected expenses and the threat of rejection can cast a shadow over the process.
Adding to the pressure is the fact that many applicants are simultaneously trying to sell a farm in one country and buy another one half way around the world.
“The time gap that you have (to get these things done ) keeps getting smaller and smaller as the pressure keeps getting greater … so the rosiness of coming here starts to fade away,” Young said.
In most provinces, there are immigrant nominee programs designed to alleviate some of the frustrations foreign farmers feel.
Provinces can nominate people who plan to buy and operate a farm. Candidates who meet the eligibility criteria are identified, coached through the application process and given priority treatment by federal immigration officials.
Under Saskatchewan’s program, there are four eligibility criteria under the farm owner-operator category.
- Applicants must have a net worth of at least $500,000.
- They must have a signed offer to purchase a farm.
- They must visit Saskatchewan before making a signed purchase.
- They must provide proof that they are knowledgeable farm operators.
Eric Johansen, provincial director of immigration, said the program doesn’t guarantee all applicants will be accepted but it can shave several months off processing times.
In Manitoba, Gerald Clement, assistant deputy minister of labour and immigration, said the program has attracted experienced farmers and skilled workers such as hog barn managers, pork production technicians, welders, heavy duty mechanics and veterinarians .
“So far, it’s been very good,” said Clement, citing Manitoba towns such as Winkler and Steinbach, where immigrant populations form the backbone of a thriving local economy that includes intensive farming operations, manufacturing and food processing.
“These people come with the skills and the experience and the attitudes that Manitoba is looking for.”
Chris Giffen, a development officer with the agri-processing branch of Alberta Agriculture, agrees.
Giffen, who is involved in Alberta’s provincial immigration nominee program, says there is ample knowledge and experience to be gained from European farmers with experience in dairy production, hogs and food processing.
Wayne Barsby, another English farmer, hopes to be among those who benefit from Saskatchewan’s immigrant nominee program. Participating in the program helped to ensure that his application was filled out properly. That should result in a faster decision from Canadian Immigration.
“They were more than helpful,” said Barsby. “Obviously they want this program to work.”
