SNIP
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>One of the basics of any immigration policy is that you try not to take jobs away from people in the country already. i.e., if there are people qualified to do the job, and they are already here, you often will not be able to import the talent. For example, in the US, there is a shortage of nurses. So if you need work visas for a nurse, it is far easier to get that as opposed to an occupation where we have a surplus of talent. There is also the educational requirements you have to fulfill as well.

I believe that you are 100% CORRECT - in theory and in principle.
However, particularly in the U.S. but also in Canada, practisae varies from theory!
Look at the alleged shortage of programmers that was established 8-10 years ago or so. It was bigus and specifically designed to bring in a lower paid labour pool. And look what's happening now, as a result of that (in some part)... former imports are returning to their homelands and opening up companies to make outsourcing a breeze and very cheap.
Look at President Bush's proposal for temporary work permits for illegal immigrants, which WILL be abused to lower wage rates, then claim the there are no U.S. takers and so justifies temporary work permit labour.

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>I am not familar with the specifics of Canada's Immigration Policy...

In Canada there is an easy route if you have in excess of 1.5 million dollars (I think that's the number) in cash and bank it here. The rest is a hodge-podge that few actually understand.

Jim