The decision to shut these streams down was made due to the low retention rate of entrepreneurs.  A major area of concern involved providing permanent residency to approved applicants before they ever entered P.E.I. As a result, many of these entrepreneurs settled in other areas of Canada, contrary to the intention they expressed to operate a business in P.E.I., which formed the basis of the decision to grant them permanent residence. Although unethical, this is not illegal, as Section 6 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms allows for freedom of movement. The P.E.I. government had anticipated this and imposed a $200,000 deposit, refundable upon the fulfillment of the entrepreneurs’ stated intention to operate a business in P.E.I. However, they overestimated the value of this money; last year, 177 applicants did not receive their deposits back, raising a total of $18 million for the province.

The sudden closure of the streams without any warning may seem unfair, however, this is the most practical route from an administrative standpoint. As stated in the Speaking notes for The Honourable Jason Kenney, PC, MP Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, released at a news conference held on 4 November 2011:

“As we redesign the program to make it sustainable, here’s the challenge we have: if we leave the program open for applications during that period of consultation and redesign, we know what will happen – we will get absolutely flooded with a huge increase in applications. Because people will say “if the criteria might change, we need to get our application in right away.”

Although these notes refer to a different program, the principle still stands; prior notice results in an influx of applications under criteria which are meant to be changed, defeating the purpose of the closure. Even with the removal of the two streams, all is not lost for entrepreneurs wishing to operate a business in P.E.I. There is a stream of business immigration which is still operational, under which entrepreneurs receive a work permit, if approved, to set up their business in P.E.I. Only once they meet the terms of a Performance Agreement will a provincial nomination be granted a route to permanent residency opened. One of those terms is the continuous operation of the business for one year, which may prove more effective in retaining entrepreneurs in the region than a sum of money.

The post P.E.I Shuts Down Two Streams of its Business Immigration Program first appeared on Bellissimo Law Group.

Let’s hit the road!

Newfoundland and Labrador – St. John’s, which is Newfoundland and Labrador’s capital, is the oldest city in North America!

Nova Scotia – Halifax, the capital of Nova Scotia, was founded in 1749!

Prince Edward Island – P.E.I. is the smallest province in all of Canada!

New Brunswick – Florenceville-Bristol, located in western New Brunswick, is the French Fry Capital of the world!

Quebec – The Montreal Canadiens, Quebec’s National Hockey League team, has been playing hockey since 1909!

Ontario – There are approximately 250,000 lakes located throughout the province of Ontario!

Manitoba – Churchill, located in northern Manitoba, is the Polar Bear Capital of the world!

Saskatchewan – Currently holds the title of the province with the most roads in Canada!

Alberta – Banff National Park, established in 1885, is the oldest national park in Canada!

British Columbia – The world’s tallest totem pole stands in Alert Bay, located in western BC!

Northwest Territories – Yellowknife, the capital of Northwest Territories, is approximately 3,000 kilometres away from the North Pole!

Nunavut – Frobisher Bay, which is found in eastern Nunavut, has the second highest tides in Canada, right after the Bay of Fundy located in New Brunswick!

Yukon – Carcross Desert, located just outside of Carcross in Yukon, is the world’s smallest desert!

The post Fun Facts from Coast to Coast first appeared on Bellissimo Law Group.

Let’s get started!

British Columbia – The 95^th Annual Vancouver International AutoShow, taking place from March 24^th to March 29^th at the Vancouver Convention Center. For more information, please click here.

Alberta – Western Canada Fashion Week will be celebrating their 10^th Anniversary at the ATB Financial Arts Barn, located in Edmonton, during March 27^th through to April 4^th. For more information, please click here.

Manitoba – At Winnipeg’s Forks Market, during March 28^th to April 5^th, Festival of Fools will be hosted. For more information, please click here.

Saskatchewan – Participate in an Easter Egg Scavenger Hunt at Government House, located in Regina, from April 3^rd to April 5^th between 9AM and 4PM. For more information, please click here.

Ontario – Similar to the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) that is hosted annually in September, comes the TIFF Kids International Film Festival from April 7^th to April 19^th. For more information, please click here.

Quebec – Enjoy Spring Madness between March 28^th to April 26^th at Mount-Sainte-Anne. For more information, please click here.

Prince Edward Island – In Charolettetown on March 29^th at 3:00PM, The Confederation Centre Youth Chorus will be performing the Choral Music Programme: Voices of Spring. For more information, please click here.

Nova Scotia – The 2015 Ford Worlds Men’s Curling Championship will be hosted at the Scotiabank Centre between March 28^th and April 5^th. For more information, please click here.

New Brunswick – Participate in Explorer Saturdays at the New Brunswick Museum, located in Saint John, on March 28^th between 10AM and 4PM. For more information, please click here.

Newfoundland and Labrador – On March 28^th, skiers and snowboarders can participate in the event Great Labrador Loppet. For more information, please click here.

Yukon – Enjoy the 58^th Annual Muskrat Jamboree from March 27^th to March 30^th. For information, please click here.

Northwest Territories – Attend Long John Jamboree in Yellowknife being hosted on March 27^th through to March 29^th. For more information, please click here.

Nunavut – In Iqaluit, the Toonik Tyme Festival will be taking place during April 2^nd to April 10^th. For more information, please click here.

On behalf of BLG Airlines, we’d like to thank you for joining us on this trip and we are looking forward to seeing you on board again soon!

The post From Coast to Coast first appeared on Bellissimo Law Group.