The Canadian Press is reporting that Canada's Conservative government is pushing forward with a controversial plan to fast track the immigration process for 38 different classes of skilled workers.

Among the groups that would get fast track service: university professors, pipefitters, medical specialists, mining engineers, nurses, and chefs. (You can find a more complete list here.)

The plan is controversial for a number of reasons. Canada's opposition has described the criteria for skilled labor as "absurd." They also allege that the plan would double the number of temporary workers in Canada over the next five years - and that, according to the opposition, would drive down wages.


Photo courtesy of iStockphoto, Donald Erickson