Minister Hussen concludes visits to New Zealand and Australia

August 31, 2018 – Ottawa, ON – The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, completed successful visits to New Zealand and Australia, where he had the chance to share Canada’s experiences and discuss lessons learned on matters related to immigration.

Minister Hussen met with ministers and high-level officials from both countries. In New Zealand, he met with the Honourable Iain Lees-Galloway, Minister of Workplace Relations and Safety, Accident Compensation Corporation, and of Immigration, and the Honourable Tracey Martin, Minister of Internal Affairs and Minister Responsible for Passport and Citizenship. In Australia, he met with the Honourable Peter Dutton, Minister for Home Affairs. The ministers took the opportunity to discuss matters of mutual interest, such as encouraging immigration to regions outside metropolitan areas, helping refugees integrate successfully and improving client service.

Throughout the trip, Minister Hussen delivered several speeches to both academic and private sector audiences. The Minister spoke at the Victoria University of Wellington, in New Zealand, and at the Kaldor Centre for International Refugee Law, at the University of New South Wales, in Australia, about the integration of refugees and immigrants and the attraction and retention of economic immigrants. At the Canadian-Australian Chamber of Commerce (CACC), Minister Hussen expressed appreciation for the CACC’s support for programs like International Experience Canada and emphasized the importance of the private sector’s role in immigration and integration. He also highlighted how Canada is encouraging economic immigration through initiatives like the Express Entry system, which was partly modelled on Australia’s points system; Global Skills Strategy; and Start-up Visa Program.

During the trip, Minister Hussen had the honour of participating in a pōwhiri, a traditional Māori welcome ceremony. Minister Hussen also announced an increase in the age of eligibility, from 30 to 35, for participants under the Youth Mobility Arrangement with Australia. Along with his colleague, the Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Minister Hussen represented Canada at the Five Country Ministerial meeting of Immigration and Public Safety Ministers of Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States.