Originally Posted by
Canadian Visitor
There are so many problematic issues here.
First off, nurses.
There are several types.
However, RNs in Canada.... [[all of them) have a 4-year Hon. B.A. in nursing.
Further, nurses w/additional training such as Nurse Practitioners [[can issue a variety of prescriptions and referrals) and those w/other specialty training have 4 yrs +
Unto itself that doesn't entitle them to work in the US or anywhere else for that matter.
But they are qualified for the jobs they seek, and we do produce a disproportionate number here, hence why quite a few are available to work across the border [[it is not strictly a salary issue, as RNs are quite well paid here).
There is, however, a lot of part-time rather than full-time work at the moment for them. There are a myriad reasons for that, but it certainly makes a F/T offer in the US more tempting, especially if you still get to live at home.
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I have no difficulty w/the argument that foreigners should obtain correct VISAs; though, its worth saying, anyone caught up in this particular discussion would easily qualify for an H1B so unless you're terribly exited about the hassle for the applicant or the extra 2k and change that that visa brings the gov't; it hardly makes a difference.
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I also have no difficulty w/the argument that large organizations take advantage of global labour markets to lower costs, at least in some, and sometimes in many cases.
That's simply true.
Is it wonderful? Or a panacea for local labour markets? No.
However, a few things are worth noting here.
These nurses are crossing the border [[in this particular case) for six-figure pay cheques.
This is not a case of 'cheap labour' causing harsh local conditions.
Know any Americans who are both qualified and willing to do this job for 100k? If so, there will be no more Cdn hires.
Turns out you're a tad under-supplied in this particular category.
Wanna change that? Great! But you'll have to increase student places available and probably lower tuition in order to fill them.
Not sure whose gonna pay for that............
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Let's then move on to 'entry to Canada'
I keep hearing how awful we are for turning down convicted criminals.
Ergo, you should deny entry to specialized nurses.
Really?
No one would be fussed if you turned down a nurse convicted of a serious crime.
That's not what was happening.
We don't refuse people w/legal work visas in Canada. [[and we dont' give those out to people w/serious criminal convictions) .
These nurses all had legal visas. [[and as such had passed background checks).
Sigh......
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Finally, yes, we refuse entry to people from time to time at the border, who do NOT have legal visas, and who also have criminal convictions.
But just as a matter of fact.....for better or worse.........we don't automatically deport people for entering the country illegally.
If you apply for refugee status.....we give you a hearing.....and consider the facts before deciding whether or not to deport you.
* [[only applies if you do not use a legal border crossing)