Immigration Minister Jason Kenney puts moratorium on skilled labour program

CALGARY – Federal Immigration Minister Jason Kenney is putting the brakes on new applications under two programs popular with people wanting to come to Canada from abroad.

Kenney told a Calgary business audience that the government is placing a moratorium on the Federal Skilled Worker Program and the Immigrant Investor Program.

Both were scheduled to reopen for applications at the end of the month.

He says he hopes the programs will be revamped by the end of the year.

Ottawa has already legislated away a seven-year backlog of people who applied to get into Canada before rules were rejigged.

Kenney had already announced plans to overhaul the investor program in the spring and his intention is to consult with stakeholders, the provinces and territories on how best to reform it.