Madam Speaker, I am pleased to have this opportunity to join the debate today on Bill C-10.
Canada's immigration system plays an important role in meeting the needs of our economy. That is because immigrants bring with them the skills that our economy needs.
The temporary foreign worker program helps employers fill short-term needs when suitable Canadian candidates are not available. A common misconception is that temporary workers are only hired to fill low skilled positions. However, if we look closely at the numbers, we find that the majority enter the workforce in professional, managerial or trade occupations.
In 2010 more than 67,500 temporary foreign workers were issued work permits.