As Omicron Wanes, Canada Jobs Surge Back In February

Colin Singer
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As Omicron Wanes, Canada Jobs Surge Back In February

Canada immigration news: Canada’s labour market surged back in February as the Omicron wave of COVID-19 waned and the economy picked up once again.

The Canada jobs Labour Force Survey showed the addition of nearly 337,000 jobs, for an unemployment rate of 5.5 per cent, eclipsing the pre-COVID rate of 5.7 per cent and approaching the all-time record of 5.4 per cent.

Employment rose and the unemployment rate fell in every Canadian province, spearheaded by the 194,300 jobs added in Ontario and an unemployment rate of 4.5 per cent in Quebec.

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Demographically, men aged 25 to 54 saw their employment rate climb to 88.2 percent, the highest level since November 1981.

Women in the same age-group saw a record employment rate of 81 percent, with gains almost double the losses see in January.

Gains for women were seen in both full and part-time work, while the increases for men were concentrated in full-time work.

In the 15 to 24 age-group, men added 67,000 jobs and women 63,000, erasing January losses. Employment rates of nearly 57 percent for men and 60 percent for women are on a par with pre-COVID figures.

For those aged 55 and older, employment gains were concentrated in part-time work and for women. Employment growth of 42,000 jobs for older women returns the figures to pre-pandemic levels.

What Are The Labour Force Survey Highlights?

Unemployment rate (%)

5.5

Employment rate (%)

61.8

Labour force participation rate (%)

65.4

Number unemployed

1,135,500

Number working

19,512,700

Youth (15-24) unemployment rate (%)

10.9

Men (over 25) unemployment rate (%)

4.7

Women (over 25) unemployment rate (%)

4.5

Source: Statistics Canada

Provincial Canada Jobs Picture

Provincially, Ontario’s employment growth of 194,300 jobs was concentrated in the accommodation and food services and the information, culture and recreation industries. The unemployment rate of 5.5 percent was the lowest since before COVID-19.

Quebec’s employment increase of 81,500 jobs saw the provincial unemployment rate drop to 4.5 percent, the lowest among all the provinces. The largest gains were seen in accommodation and food services; information, culture and recreation; and wholesale and retail trade.

Newfoundland & Labrador saw the largest proportional gain, adding 9,500 jobs for an increase of 4.5 percent. Unemployment fell to 12.3 percent. Further Atlantic Canada gains were seen in Prince Edward Island (3,300 jobs), Nova Scotia (3,700) and New Brunswick (1,200).

Unemployment Rates In Canada’s Provinces

Jobs change in last month

Unemployment rate (%)

British Columbia

21,000

4.9

Alberta

8,200

6.8

Saskatchewan

7,400

4.7

Manitoba

6,400

4.8

Ontario

194,300

5.5

Quebec

81,500

4.5

New Brunswick

1,200

7.9

Nova Scotia

3,700

6.6

Prince Edward Island

3,300

9.0

Newfoundland & Labrador

9,500

12.3

CANADA

336,600

5.5

Source: Statistics Canada

British Columbia, meanwhile, added 21,000 jobs for an unemployment rate of 4.9 percent, with the gains concentrated in the Vancouver census metropolitan area.

Alberta added 8,200 jobs for an unemployment rate of 6.8 percent, Saskatchewan 7,400 for unemployment of 4.7 percent and Manitoba 6,400 jobs for an unemployment rate of 4.8 percent.

Canada Announces $117M Funding For Ukraine Special Immigration Measures

Colin Singer
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0
Canada Announces $117M Funding For Ukraine Special Immigration Measures

Canada immigration news: Canada will spend $117 million for special immigration measures to hasten the arrival of Ukrainians, says Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

In a joint news conference in Warsaw with Polish President Andrzej Duda on Thursday, the Canadian prime minister announced Ottawa will also provide more humanitarian aid in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

“Two million Ukrainians have fled their homes. It is a refugee crisis across this region,” said Trudeau. 

“Even, as we see here today in Poland, people opening up their homes, I want you to know that Canada is here to help.”

Read More Canada Immigration News

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In addition to fast-tracking applications of Ukrainian refugees to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), Canada is also vowing to triple the amount it will spend to match individual Canadians’ donations to the Canadian Red Cross’ Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Appeal.

That means Canada is now pledging up to $30 million, up from $10 million.

Trudeau also took aim at Russian President Vladimir Putin during the press conference. The Russian leader declared war on Ukraine on Feb. 24 and then quickly invaded, triggering the mass exodus of millions of Ukrainians who are fleeing for their lives amid a rising number of civilian casualties.

Trudeau Lambasts Putin’s Disregard For Human Life

“Putin’s callous disregard for human life is absolutely unacceptable,” said Trudeau. “

“It is very clear that he has made the choice to specifically target civilians now,” he said. “Canada has joined the largest referral to the international criminal court in history and offered assistance to expedite this work. The world will continue to make Putin accountable for his war crimes.”

Trudeau’s week-long trip to Europe also included stops in the United Kingdom, Latvia, and Germany. His meetings with other world leaders focused on the global response to the Russia-Ukraine crisis.

The Canadian prime minister’s pledge to invest more to help Ukrainian refugees comes in the wake of Immigration Minister Sean Fraser announcement earlier this month that Canada will accept an unlimited number of Ukrainian refugees.

That Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel pathway is expected to be open starting roughly March 17.

The Russia-Ukraine war is the biggest assault on a European state since the Second World War.

“I am inspired by the courage Ukrainians have displayed as they uphold the democratic ideals that we cherish in Canada,” said Fraser earlier this month.

“While they defend themselves against Putin’s costly war of aggression, we will provide safe haven to those who fled to protect themselves and their families. Canadians stand with Ukrainians in their time of need and we will welcome them with open arms.”

Ukrainian Refugees Can Comes To Canada In Unlimited Numbers

Under the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel, Ukrainians will be able to come to Canada, pending background checks and security screenings, and stay for at least two years, including extensions to that permit.

All Ukrainians who come to Canada as part of these measures will be eligible to apply for open work permits, making it easier for employers to quickly hire Ukrainian nationals.

Until that pathway comes into effect the IRCC is encouraging Ukrainians to apply through all programs and reassuring them that theirs will be the first ones processed.  

Canadian immigration announced last month that Ukrainians already in Canada on a temporary basis are now able to apply to extend their status as a visitor, student or worker.

Among the new immigration measures announced since the start of the Russia-Ukraine war are:

  • a dedicated service channel for Ukraine enquiries that will be available for clients both in Canada and abroad at 613-321-4243, with collect calls accepted. In addition, clients can now add the keyword “Ukraine2022” to the IRCC Webform with their enquiry and their e-mail will be prioritized;
  • urgent processing of travel documents, including issuing single-journey travel documents for immediate family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents who do not have valid passports;
  • an updated web page to provide current information on measures. This page will include content in Ukrainian for ease of reference;
  • permission for Ukrainians currently in Canada to extend their stay or stay longer in Canada by prioritizing the renewal of work and study permits, and extending a policy that allows individuals to apply for a work permit from within Canada. This policy would allow temporary residents who receive a job offer to remain in Canada and start working while they wait for their work permit application to be processed, and;
  • the issuance of open work permits to Ukrainian visitors, workers and students who are currently in Canada and cannot go home, so they can stay longer if they wish. Fees are being waived, retroactive to Feb. 22, for certain travel and immigration documents, such as Canadian passports, permanent resident travel documents, proofs of citizenship, visitor visas, and work and study permits. 

IRCC Provides Additional Resources For Ukrainians

Canadian immigration officials have also upped their game in Ukraine, relocating staff and moving additional supplies and equipment, such as mobile biometric collection kits, in anticipation of an increased volume of requests. 

The IRCC has also adjusted operations in offices across its global network to ensure service continuity for Ukraine. Online options are available for most applications.

The IRCC is also planning to soon put in place a special family reunification sponsorship pathway for permanent residence for the immediate and extended family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents who may want to start a new life in Canada.

Ottawa is working with the Ukrainian Canadian Congress to hammer out the details of that program and expects to unveil it in a few weeks.

“To the people of Ukraine, you have inspired the world with your courage and resilience, and Canada is here to support you,” the IRCC states on its website. “We are actively working to launch these measures and stand ready to welcome more Ukrainians to Canada.” 

Canada’s Best Performing Cities For Jobs Revealed In New Report

Colin Singer
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0
Canada’s Best Performing Cities For Jobs Revealed In New Report

Canada immigration news: Canada’s best provinces and cities for post-COVID-19 labour market recovery have been reveals in a new Bank of Montreal report.

“Canadian employment rose a strong 240,000 in the fourth quarter of 2021, from September to December, leaving total jobs now more than one per cent above pre-COVID levels, and up 4.8 per cent from a year ago,” notes Band of Montreal senior economist Robert Kavcic.

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In his latest Regional Labour Market Report Card: Job Recovery Broadens, the BMO’s director of economics reports that Canada’s jobless rate closed off the year at 5.9 per cent.

Ontario Top Province For Job Recovery, Guelph Top City

“Regionally, seven of 10 provinces have now seen a full employment recovery, or better,” notes Kavcic.

“Despite waves of restrictions, employment in Ontario is 2.1 per cent above the pre-COVID mark, the strongest recovery in the country along with B.C.”

The top 10 best performing cities in terms of their labour market during the last quarter of the year were:

  • Guelph;
  • Windsor;
  • Edmonton;
  • Saskatoon;
  • Barrie;
  • Ottawa;
  • Kitchener;
  • Moncton;
  • London, and;
  • Victoria.

The BMO’s latest labour market report jibes with Statistics Canada’s Payroll Employment, Earnings And Hours, And Job Vacancies, December 2021, which noted there were 896,100 job vacancies in Canada at the start of December, 2.5 per cent or 21,400, higher than at the beginning of November.

“While the number of vacancies remained below the recent peak of 988,300 observed in September 2021, there were 87.9 per cent more vacancies in December 2021 than in December 2020,” noted the statistical and demographic services agency.

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TFWP and IMP Offer Employers Opportunities To Hire Foreign Workers

The bottom line for immigration is that employers are in hiring mode.

Employers hoping to hire a foreign national can avail themselves of this international talent and labour through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP), and; the International Mobility Program (IMP).

It all comes down to whether or not the particular job is one of the many exempt from a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).

That’s a document issued by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) which shows there is both a need for a foreign worker to fill a job and also that no Canadian worker or permanent resident is available to do it.

Jobs that do not require a LMIA are generally those that:

  • are included in an international trade accord;
  • are part of an accord between the federal government and a provincial/territorial government, or;
  • jobs that are deemed in the best interests of Canada.

There are two ways to determine whether a particular position falls under one of the many LMIA exemptions.

Employers can either:

Global Talent Streams Aims For 2-Week Processing

The Global Talent Stream (GTS), a part of the (TFWP), can lead to the granting of Canadian work permits and processing of visa applications within two weeks.

Employers can also bring in foreign nationals to fill available positions through the Express Entry system, which receives immigration applications online.

Applicants who meet eligibility criteria submit an online profile known as an Expression of interest (EOI), under one of three federal immigration programs or a participating provincial immigration program, to the Express Entry Pool.

The candidates’ profiles then are ranked against each other according to a points-based system called the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). The highest-ranked candidates are considered for ITAs for permanent residence. Those receiving an ITA must quickly submit a full application and pay processing fees within a delay of 90 days.

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