TORONTO, April 18 /CNW/ - The Ontario government welcomed today's federal

decision to give international students the chance to gain Canadian work

experience but remains concerned by the gap in immigration and settlement

funds for Ontario, Training, Colleges and Universities Minister Mary Anne

Chambers said today.

    "For over a year our government has been urging the federal government to

allow international students the benefit of being able to work in their

communities, while attending our postsecondary institutions," Chambers said.

"These students can provide Ontario businesses with first-hand expertise and

insight into countries that may not only be potential markets, but also

economic rivals in the global economy."

    Last year, the Ontario government made it easier for newcomers to the

province to access the higher education they need to reach their full

potential by introducing additional flexibility to the 12-month residency

requirement for student assistance.

    "We are encouraged that the federal government has now realized that it

is time to remove restrictions on the ability of international students to

gain Canadian work experience while they are studying in Canada," Chambers

added. "International students choose to study in Ontario because of the

quality of our postsecondary institutions and the diversity of our people. We

are proud of that reputation."

    Each year, about 30,000 international students choose to attend Ontario's

postsecondary institutions.

    "While there is reason to be encouraged by the improvements to Canada's

immigration and citizenship programs, these measures still do not give Ontario

what it needs," said Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Dr. Marie

Bountrogianni.

    "We've been negotiating in good faith for almost a year on a 

Canada-Ontario immigration agreement, but have seen virtually no progress.

What Ontario's newcomers need now is their fair share of immigration and

settlement funds."

    In 2002, almost 60 per cent of all immigrants to Canada settled in

Ontario. According to Statistics Canada, immigrants will account for almost

all of the workforce growth in the province by 2011.