The Conservative government has launched a massive, nationwide ethnic media blitz to promote its proposed immigration reforms to wary immigrant communities.
Billed as "public notice" ads, the campaign has just begun in ethnic radio and print media to amplify the message of the big speech Prime Minister Stephen Harper made Friday to a who's who of the Indo-Canadian community.
Several sources said it is a government, not a Conservative party, initiative, and is not "political advertising" but an attempt to get the facts out to new Canadians. The Toronto Star could not determine how much the blitz will cost.
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Senior government and department officials believe debate over the proposed changes has become too political. A decision was made to speak directly to immigrant communities – voters the Conservative party is keen to woo.
Conservatives believe that, among second-generation immigrants and more affluent newcomer communities, there is support for a more economically strategic approach to immigration policy.
The Liberals and NDP say many immigrant communities are nervous the reforms will block efforts to reunite families if applicants don't have certain skills or don't meet the government's "priorities."
The advertising campaign stresses three "F's" – a more fair, flexible and fast system. It also argues the backlog is growing, family reunification is being delayed and the government is committed to "fixing this," as Harper said in Toronto.
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Read all of Tonda MacCharles' article.
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