OTTAWA, June 27: Canada will continue its tradition of welcoming people from other countries, Immigration Minister Denis Coderre said on Wednesday, two days before the country’s new laws on immigration come into force.

“The new act will protect us from those who take advantage of Canada’s openness,” said the minister in Toronto.

Mr Coderre dispelled a notion that under the new laws people would find it difficult to get Canadian immigration visas.

He said Prime Minister Jean Chretien desired to welcome more immigrants from across the world. He said that 250,386 immigrants had come to Canada last year and hoped that more people would seek immigration in days to come.

“The success of Canada’s immigration and refugee programme is more than numbers. Immigration is about the people who come to this country to contribute to our economy, to join their families or to start a new life free from persecution. Most of these newcomers will eventually become Canadian citizens to complete the journey they started last year,” Coderre added.

Asked that highly-qualified newcomers generally do not get jobs suiting their skill and vast experience they have in different trades, the minister said different Canadian provinces have different job policies.