Immigrants and immigrant service workers in Langley took the opportunity Saturday to tell Canada’s Immigration Minister Jason Kenney what does and doesn’t work with the system, and to give him ideas for improvement.

Langley MP Mark Warawa led a round table discussion on Canada’s immigration system with the minister and with Langley residents who have a vested interest in the subject.

Some of the recommendations from Langley included enhancing integration programs, ensuring that Immigration Canada staff are more understanding of the language barrier, and are more welcoming.

Kenney acknowledged the needs of immigrants to integrate with a better knowledge of one of Canada’s two official languages, which is key to their success. Developing further protection for migrant farm labourers was also discussed and is something the minister is working on.

“Consulting with people in Langley and other communities gives me a practical sense of how policies actually work on the ground,” said Kenney.

Kenney also congratulated the Langleys for welcoming 350 government-assisted Karen refugees who have arrived in the past few years.

“Canada receives the largest number per capita of resettled refugees than any other country, and I intend to increase the funding for refugee assistance programs and ensure those programs are successful,” he told the Langley audience.

He is also working toward an ambitious entrepreneurial immigration program that will benefit both the immigrant and Canada.

“We are working with the provinces on a pan-Canadian framework for foreign credentials. We want highly skilled immigrants certified and working in Canada quickly,” Kenney said.

“It’s imperative that Canada’s immigrants are given every possible opportunity to make the most of their integration into our community, and I appreciate the tremendous work done by Langley Community Services Society who handles the bulk of those services.”

The minister was in Langley as part of the Conservative government’s ongoing consultations with Canadians.