Closure of Citizenship Immigration Canada Offices

WHEREAS Citizenship and Immigration Canada offices in Nanaimo, Victoria, Kelowna and other regional communities have been closed, and the Vancouver office will not be available to immigrants and the community for in person service; AND WHEREAS BC is the third largest receiving province of immigrants yet will not be represented with a head office in this province: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Union of British Columbia Municipalities urge the federal government to reconsider changes which will see the closure of 19 small Citizenship and Immigration Offices four in BC and a relocation of the Vancouver regional office to Calgary as it will have a negative effect on communities around the country and on Canadas place in the competitive market of attracting immigrants.