According to a report by the Canadian newspaper Ming Pao, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Chris Alexander stated that the Federal Immigrant Investor Program, which was scheduled to reopen last year but was delayed, will definitely reopen within this year. Regarding reports that the Ministry of Immigration might set English or French language proficiency requirements for applicants under the federal or provincial nominee investment programs, Alexander believes that investment immigrants are different from skilled workers. While skilled workers require a certain level of English or French proficiency, wealthy investors do not necessarily need to be proficient in these languages; therefore, there is no need to impose language requirements on them.
Alexander stated that he is aware that successful Chinese investors with significant capital may not be proficient in English or French, but this does not affect their financial capability. However, he hopes that investment immigrants will strive to learn English or French after their arrival, as mastering the country's official languages will help immigrant families better utilize government services and ensure long-term stability in their local lives.
He noted that after taking over the role from former Immigration Minister Jason Kenney, he has resumed consultations on the investment immigration program. Preparatory work is now largely complete, and the program will certainly reopen this year. Although he emphasized that the investment amount will be increased, he did not clarify whether it would be raised to 1.6 million, 2 million, or higher. He pointed out that increasing investment thresholds for immigration programs is a global trend, not unique to Canada.