The Singaporean in his mid-20s is a graphics designer and has about C$40,000 in his bank account.

He speaks fluent English, is in good health, has no criminal record, is unmarried and has a job offer in Richmond based on his work experience.

In addition his uncle, aunt and a grandparent are Canadian citizens.

You would think this would make him an ideal candidate for immigration to Canada.

Think again.

The Singaporean's application to become a Canadian was rejected.

He however has been snapped up by Australia.

Now his parents, who are in their fifties are cashing in their Singapore assets and will be taking about C$500,000 to Australia.

They will be with their son and set up a business that is to hire locals.

This is not a hypothetical situation. It is a real scenario.

A scenario that is seeing immigrant-hungry countries like Australia grab the best and show Canada how to run a successful immigration policy.

A recent study comparing Australia and Canada which have identical immigration policies and a complex points system to assess potential skilled migrants is a rude awakening for Ottawa.

The study showed that six months after their arrival, migrants who came to Australia between September 1999 and August 2000 were much more likely to be employed than those who chose Canada around the same time.

About half the migrants to Australia had found jobs quickly, compared with 44 per cent of those who went to Canada. Male employment was 10 per cent higher and female employment 3 per cent higher than the rates for the migrants to Canada.

Unemployment was 26 per cent for the Canadian group and 10 per cent for the Australian group.

The key reason for Australia's success lies in it being choosy.

Australia sought migrants who were well educated, could settle quickly and get work.

It wanted the best skilled workers and went after them with a selfish policy in the interests of Australia--what a concept.

Next year, Canada will welcome 225,000 new immigrants and there are already rumblings the influx could affect government efforts to reduce the backlogs and delays that have frustrated newcomers.

Under the plan 60 percent of the newcomers will be skilled workers and 40 percent will be families and refugees, with priority given to spouses, partners and children.

In 2003, 221,352 immigrants came to Canada, down slightly from the 229,091 who arrived in 2002.

A recently leaked report said Immigration Canada is currently working on a national framework in conjunction with provinces, territories and other partners to fix our immigration woes.

We can only hope that they peek Down Under to see how being choosy is paying off.