Quebec Election: Implications For Immigration After CAQ Victory

Colin Singer
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Quebec Election: Implications For Immigration After CAQ Victory

Quebec immigration is unlikely to rise sharply anytime soon after Premier François Legault’s ruling Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) won a decisive majority in the provincial election on Monday.

In a landslide victory, the CAQ took 90 ridings, making that win the most decisive in Quebec provincial politics since 1989 when the Liberals led by Robert Bourassa won in 92 ridings.

The win solidifies the CAQ’s hold over Quebec politics. The party went into the election with 76 seats and grew that by 14.

Read More Canada Immigration News

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In Quebec politics, 63 seats are needed to form a majority government.

The election results give the Legault government carte blanche when it comes to immigration policy – and Legault has clearly indicated he will not be substantially increasing immigration.

“With 50,000 immigrants per year, we are already one of the few places in the world that receives proportionately as many immigrants,” the premier reportedly said in French in early June. 

In the week ahead of the election, he described a substantial increase in immigration to the province as something that would be cultural suicide for the Quebecois. 

“Until we have stopped the decline of French,” the premier told business, “I think that, for the Quebec nation, which wants to protect French, it would be a bit suicidal to increase (immigration).”

The Liberals were much more bullish on immigration than the ruling party but they suffered a political setback on Monday, dropping to only 21 seats.

Liberals Wanted Immigration Increased To 70,000 New Permanent Residents Annually

Provincial Liberal leader Dominique Anglade had called in mid-May for a massive increase in immigration to Quebec, up to 70,000 new permanent residents annually.

“This year, Quebec will on the whole welcome that many,” she reportedly said in French. “This is the policy of François Legault, 70,000 people. If we have the capacity to welcome 70,000 immigrants, I think that we should base ourselves on that figure and we are discussing that in all the regions of Quebec.”

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Even that target was far short of the level immigration desired by many business groups in the province whose members struggle to find workers during a serious labour shortage.

Véronique Proulx, president of the Manufacturiers et Exportateurs du Québec (MEQ) manufacturing and exporting industry association, reportedly called for the province to receive as many as 90,000 immigrants annually ahead of the election.

“We know the labour shortages cannot be fixed in the blink of an eye and it will take a series of strategies working in tandem to reduce the impact of the lack of workers,” Proulx said in a statement in French.

Jean Boulet Will Be Leaving Immigration Portfolio Due To Anti-Immigrant Comments

Ahead of the campaign period for the provincial election, MEQ and three other business associations, the Conseil du Patronat du Québec (CPQ) employers’ group, the Fédération des Chambres de Commerce du Québec (FCCQ) association of chambers of commerce, and the Fédération Canadienne de l’Entreprise Indépendante (FCEI) association of independent businesses, lobbied the provincial political parties to take a series of measures to resolve the labour shortages, including a massive increase in immigration.

But the ruling CAQ refused to budge.

In the final weeks before the election, Immigration Minister Jean Boulet went so far as to utter a comment critical of immigrants during a debate.

The immigration minister for the province reportedly said: “80% of immigrants go to Montreal, do not work, do not speak French or do not adhere to the values of Quebec society.”

He later backtracked on those comments which drew an immediate but the damage to Boulet’s reputation as immigration minister was by then already done.

The very same day those comments came to light, the premier reportedly distanced himself from Boulet and indicated the immigration minister had effectively “disqualified” himself from that ministerial position “for reasons of perception and confidence.”

That means the only immigration-related outcome of this provincial election campaign in Quebec is likely to be a new immigration minister – but one following the same policies as his or her predecessor.

Jean Boulet’s Quebec Election Debate Comment To Cost Him Post As Immigration Minister

Colin Singer
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0
Jean Boulet’s Quebec Election Debate Comment To Cost Him Post As Immigration Minister

Jean Boulet will no longer be immigration minister no matter the outcome of the provincial election in Quebec on Monday, says Premier François Legault.

In the final days before voters go to the polls, Boulet drew fire when he said during a debate that “80 percent of immigrants go to Montreal, do not work, do not speak French or do not adhere to the values of Quebec society.”

The provincial immigration minister later backtracked on those comments which drew an immediate backlash from his political opponents, the mayor of Montreal, and immigration advocates.

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But the damage to Boulet’s reputation as immigration minister has been done.

The very same day those comments came to light, the premier reportedly distanced himself from Boulet and indicated the immigration minister had effectively “disqualified” himself from that ministerial position “for reasons of perception and confidence.”

Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante blasted the immigration minister in tweet, saying his comments flew in the face of the city’s effort to welcome and integrate newcomers.

“Montreal is a welcoming place for immigrants, people who contribute to its economic, social and cultural vitality and the strength of the French language,” she tweeted in French.

The immigration minister’s faux pas on the campaign trail comes as the political party to which he belongs, the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) is coming under fire for the premier’s own comments on immigration as well.

Earlier this year, Legault clearly stated he is dead set against increasing immigration to Quebec to 58,000 new permanent residents per year.

Increasing Immigration Levels To Quebec Would Be “Suicide” For The French Culture, Claims Premier

“With 50,000 immigrants per year, we are already one of the few places in the world that receives proportionately as many immigrants,” the premier reportedly said in French in early June. 

During the election campaign, Legault has remained steadfast on holding the line on immigration. 

But his choice of words in speaking about that cap on immigration in a talk before the Montreal chamber of commerce drew harsh criticism this week.

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“Until we have stopped the decline of French,” the premier told business people during that appearance on Wednesday, “I think that, for the Quebec nation, which wants to protect French, it would be a bit suicidal to increase (immigration).”

Polls during the campaign have barely budged for the CAQ, still giving them a wide lead and putting the party on track to not only win this election but to do so with an even bigger majority than in 2018.

Second place, though, is up for grabs with three parties jockeying for the opportunity to become the Official Opposition.

Pollster Reveals The Race For Official Opposition Status Is A Dead Heat

An Angus Reid poll released Wednesday shows the Conservatives at 19 per cent of the voting intentions of decided and leaning voters and Québec Solidaire and the Liberals each having a 16 per cent share. One-in-eight say they will vote for the Parti Québécois.

The immigration issue has given those parties ammunition to fire back at the incumbent CAQ.

“What we need in Quebec is a leader who brings people together,” reportedly said Québec Solidaire’s choice for premier, Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois. 

“Look at what is happening around the world. Look at the rise in conflict and tensions. It seems to me Quebec deserves to be led by someone who brings Quebecers together no matter what your religion or the colour of your skin or how your name sounds – you are a Quebecer.”

Liberal leader Dominique Anglade dismissed Boulet’s characterization of immigrants as both false and as dividing Quebecers.

Business groups in Quebec have been very outspoken about the need for more immigration to resolve the province’s acute labour shortages.

The consensus among industry groups is for Quebec to welcome 80,000 immigrants every year.

Boost Immigration To Quebec To 90,000, Says Exporters Association

Véronique Proulx, president of the Manufacturiers et Exportateurs du Québec (MEQ) manufacturing and exporting industry association, has reportedly called for the province to receive as many as 90,000 immigrants annually.

“We know the labour shortages cannot be fixed in the blink of an eye and it will take a series of strategies working in tandem to reduce the impact of the lack of workers,” Proulx said in a statement in French.

Ahead of the campaign period for the provincial election, MEQ and three other business associations, the Conseil du Patronat du Québec (CPQ) employers’ group, the Fédération des Chambres de Commerce du Québec (FCCQ) association of chambers of commerce, and the Fédération Canadienne de l’Entreprise Indépendante (FCEI) association of independent businesses, lobbied the provincial political parties to take a series of measures to resolve the labour shortages.

Immigration was among them.

“The issue of the availability of workers is the No. 1 issue invoked by businesses when they’re asked about the risks or obstacles to their growth and even the risks for the eventual survival of the business,” said Michel Leblanc, president of the Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal, earlier this year.

Quebec Conducts Second Large Arrima Draw This Month, Issuing 1,009 Canada Immigration Invites

Colin Singer
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0
Quebec Conducts Second Large Arrima Draw This Month, Issuing 1,009 Canada Immigration Invites

Quebec immigration has issued invitations to 1,009 candidates in a second large Arrima Expression of Interest draw in a month, this time targeted at technology, health and education occupations.

It follows a week after the French-speaking province issued 1,202 invitations in it largest-ever draw.

The latest draw, on September 15, required a minimum score of 563 points on the Quebec Expression of Interest points system. Candidates also had to have a valid job offer outside the Montreal area.

Quebec has now issued 2,211 invitations in September, compared to 2,641 in the whole of the rest of 2022.

Quebec Expression Of Interest Draws 2022

Date of invitations Invites Issued Minimum Score Date of extraction from Arrima bank
Sept 15, 2022 1,009 563 September 13, 2022 at 6.30am
Sept 8, 2022 1,202 620 September 6, 2022 at 6.30am
August 11, 2022 58 – August 9, 2022 at 6.30am
July 7, 2022 351 551 to 624, dependent on category June 28, 2022 at 6.30 am
May 5, 2022 30 – May 2, 2022 at 6.30am
Apr 7, 2022 33 – April 3, 2022, 6.30am
Mar 10, 2022 506 577 March 7, 2022 at 6.30am
Feb 24, 2022 306 630 Feb 22, 2022 at 6.30am
Feb 10, 2022 523 592 Feb 07, 2022 at 6.30am
Jan 27, 2022 322 647 Jan 25, 2022 at 6.30am
Jan 13, 2022 512 602 Jan 9, 2022 at 6.30am

Read More Canada Immigration News

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Video

How Does Quebec Expression of Interest Work?

  1. Candidates submit an online expression of interest profile via Arrima.
  2. Profiles enter into an Expression of Interest pool, where they are ranked against each other using a points system and are valid for 12 months.
  3. The highest-ranking candidates are invited to apply for a Quebec Certificate of Selection under the Quebec Skilled Worker Program via periodic draws.
  4. Candidates receiving an invitation have 60 days to submit a complete application.
  5. Approved candidates who receive a nomination certificate (CSQ) may then apply to the federal government for Canadian permanent residence.

Quebec Expression of Interest Points System

The Quebec Expression of Interest points system is used to rank profiles submitted via Arrima to the Expression of Interest bank, with the highest-ranked profiles invited to apply for Quebec immigration under the Quebec Skilled Worker Program.

Candidates and their spouse or common-law partner can score up to 1,320 points based on human capital and Quebec labour market factors.

What Are the Requirements for Quebec Expression of Interest?

The Quebec Expression of Interest points system involves points in two categories, with some including points for the spouse of the common-law partner of the principal candidate.

  • Human capital factors:
    • French language ability.
    • French and English combined.
    • Age.
    • Work experience.
    • Education.
  • Quebec labour market factors:
    • Work experience in a field with a labour shortage.
    • Qualifications in one of Quebec’s areas of training.
    • Level of Quebec education.
    • Professional experience in Quebec.
    • Professional experience in the rest of Canada.
    • Job offer inside or outside Greater Montreal.

Quebec publishes lists of High Demand Occupations and Areas of Training that weigh considerably in the assessment.

Canada Aims To Bring In Many More After Surpassing Goal Of 20,000 Afghan Refugees

Colin Singer
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0
Canada Aims To Bring In Many More After Surpassing Goal Of 20,000 Afghan Refugees

Canada is doubling down on bringing in Afghan refugees by aiming to bring in 40,000 by the end of the next year after surpassing its original goal of resettling 20,000.

Many Afghans, particularly those who worked closely with Canadian military personnel in Afghanistan, came under the threat of reprisals by the Taliban when it took over that Central Asian country.

“Canada has now welcomed over 20,350 Afghan refugees, with more arriving every week,” tweeted Immigration Minister Sean Fraser on Wednesday. 

“This afternoon, another charter flight with 300 privately-sponsored refugees landed in Toronto from Tajikistan.”

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Canada is working with the United States, the United Arab Emirates and Pakistan as well as international organizations including the International Organization for Migration, the United Nations Refugee Agency, Frontline Defenders and ProtectDefendersEUu to bring in Afghani refugees.

Maryam Masoomi, one of the refugees who arrived in Saskatoon in the Prairie province of Saskatchewan in October last year is making a new life for herself. 

Since she arrived in Canada, she has won an award for her leadership skills, met with King Charles III, begin hosting a local radio show and is working with newcomer youth.

Ghousuddin Frotan, an Afghan journalist, is another who has made a home for himself and his family in Windsor since arriving in Canada earlier this year, winning a fellowship from the University of Toronto.

“These newcomers will enrich the communities that have embraced them,” said Fraser. 

“The situation in Afghanistan and neighbouring countries remains very challenging, and we truly appreciate all that our partners at home and abroad have done to bring Afghan refugees to safety in Canada.”

Ottawa Helps Out Afghan Refugees With Income Support For A Full Year

Upon their arrival in Canada, the Afghan refugees get a minimum of 12 months of income support under the Resettlement Assistance Program. They also have access to settlement services, including language training and the Interim Federal Health Program for medical coverage. 

“The safe and dignified resettlement of refugees globally has been a central part of the work of the International Organization for Migration for decades,” said António Vitorino, director general of the International Organization for Migration.

“We continue to work closely with the government of Canada and others to ensure thousands of vulnerable Afghans are provided the opportunity to restart their lives in a secure and welcoming environment.”

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The program through which Canada is resettling these Afghans offers them the opportunity to live in one of 137 communities across the country.

The humanitarian program is targeting vulnerable Afghans, defined by the Canadian government as including women leaders, human rights defenders, persecuted religious or ethnic minorities, member of the LGBTQ community, journalists and those who supported Canadian journalists.

In the past few months, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) have sped up the rate at which these Afghan refugees are coming to Canada. 

During the first 10 months, starting in August last year, Canada welcomed 15,000 new permanent residents through the Afghan resettlement program or a rate of 1,500 per month. 

In the last three months, Canada has provided refugees to an additional 5,350 people, a rate of 1,783 per month, or an increase of 18.9 per cent in the arrival rate of Afghan refugees to the country.

Applicants With Job Offers Favoured For Quebec Immigration Program

Colin Singer
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Applicants With Job Offers Favoured For Quebec Immigration Program

Quebec’s immigration department conducted a general draw through the Regular Skilled Worker Program in September, something it had never done before.

The September 8 draw did not require a job offer inside or outside Montreal, and it did not target any list of occupations. Simply, if a candidate was in the Arrima Expression of Interest pool with a score of 620 points or higher, they received one of 1,202 invitations.

That has not happened since the Ministry of Immigration, Francisation and Integration (MIFI) began issuing invitations in July 2019.

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Considering the province is in the grip of a chronic labour shortage, worsened by the Covid-19 pandemic, this lack of invitations is remarkable in itself.

But it also sends a clear message to immigration candidates considering Quebec: if you do not have skills and experience in quite a narrow list of occupations (think technology and healthcare), you will probably need a job offer to qualify.

Since July 4, 2019, 35 draws have been conducted by Quebec, and 34 of them have required candidates to either have a job offer or meet occupation requirements, aside from early invitations that went to candidates who had applied under the old first-come, first-served system.

It means that a highly skilled candidate of tangible worth to the Quebec economy, who happens not to be on the list of target occupations, will just sit in the Arrima pool waiting for an invitation.

That is unless they can secure a qualified job offer from a Quebec employer, and plenty of those are available.

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Statistics Canada’s latest jobs figures for July 2022 show 246,300 vacancies in Quebec, the second highest of any province behind Ontario’s 360,500. The difference is that Ontario receives thousands of Express Entry immigrants, whereas Quebec operates its own economic system for newcomers.

The main way to immigrate to Quebec is through the Regular Skilled Worker Program.

In May, Quebec announced it was going to welcome up to 71,275 new permanent residents this year, up more than 41.7 per cent from the 50,285 last year, in a bid to make up for immigrants who were unable to come to the province at the height of the pandemic.

But the governing Coalition Avenir Quebec (CAQ), set to keep power after Monday’s provincial election, says this number will return to the 50,000 range next year. This is despite calls from businesses throughout the province for increased immigration to make up for labour shortages. 

With the CAQ holding on to power, it seems immigration candidates can expect more of the same in terms of immigration policy.

And that means the fastest way to get to Canada through Quebec is with a job offer.

How Immigration.ca Can Help

Through our sister operation, SkilledWorker.com, we can offer a comprehensive set of tools for job seekers.

Skilled Worker’s modular training package, the Employment Enhancement and Coaching Package (EECP), helps candidates find jobs in Canada.

EECP: Module 1

The first module teaches students how to prepare a Canadian-style resume and cover letter and develop a comprehensive database of prospective employers.

Recruiters spend under 7.5 seconds on the first page of each resume – and a poorly-formatted one with even a single serious job-hunting faux pas can quickly get trashed.

Even for seasoned job hunters, there can be many pitfalls when it comes to preparing a proper resume for a Canadian job because the “proper format” for a resume tends to change with the times and also from country to country.

The same applies to cover letters.

These provide additional information to employers, above and beyond what is in the resume. Effective cover letters highlight achievements, education and work experience. They must be well written to make the applicant stand out from the crowd.

SkilledWorker.com’s human resources experts help applicants produce winning resumes and cover letters tailored to Canadian opportunities.

The first module of the EECP provides a database of 350 leads of companies – with complete contact information – who are potentially hiring in the applicant’s chosen profession in Canada. This allows the student enrolled in the module to quickly develop a professional network and land a job.

EECP: Module 2

The second module of the EECP cranks the job-hunting skill level up a few notches and includes information on how to optimize a LinkedIn profile. This module also offers real-time coaching and customized online coaching to smooth out any wrinkles.

LinkedIn is one of the best networking tools available for professionals. The trick is to use it to develop a professional profile and branding to stand out on the social media platform.

Most headhunters and talent acquisition managers use LinkedIn to find their best candidates. It only takes a few seconds for them to screen suitable candidates and make a decision about who to contact for a first interview.

In this module, a team of experts helps job hunters target industries, get endorsements, create job alerts and much more during the coaching sessions.

Human resources experts take students step by step through the process during these coaching sessions and closely follow up on their progress, updating them on the current labour market and trends. By using proven strategies in customized online courses as well, job hunters can avoid costly mistakes.

EECP: Module 3

Perhaps the most exciting step in the EECP training is the third module, when all the hard work comes together with the creation of a visual CV, top-level and customized professional online courses on preparing for interviews.

The final version of the one-way video interview is then made available on the program’s platform for a full year for the student to use during his or her own job search.

This is the opportunity to develop invaluable skills such as:

  • developing a commanding presence;
  • raising verbal and non-verbal communication and presentation skills;
  • building confidence;
  • natural speaking with effective eye contact;
  • audience interaction;
  • speaking effectively from notes;
  • setting a virtual stage and technical equipment, and;
  • how to deliver complex information both verbally and non-verbally.

In addition to the online training, an extra database of potential employers is also provided to give the student the possibility of connecting with a total of 500 leads with e-mails during his or her job search.

The final part of the training prepares students for live interviews. It includes everything from preparing technical equipment for Zoom interviews to learning how to behave professionally and handle stressful interview questions.

Canada Immigration Detainees To Continue To Be Held In Provincial Jails In Five Provinces

Colin Singer
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Canada Immigration Detainees To Continue To Be Held In Provincial Jails In Five Provinces

Canada immigration detainees will continue to be held in provincial jails in Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Alberta and Saskatchewan under deals with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).

Under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA), migrants can be and are kept in these provincial jails across Canada even when they are not accused of a crime.

In mid-September, Nova Scotia announced it would be ending the practice which has come under fire from advocates for migrant rights and not renew its deal with the CBSA. 

Read More Canada Immigration News

British Columbia Cancels Immigration Detention Deal With CBSA
Nova Scotia To Stop Housing Immigration Detainees In Provincial Jails

That move came on the heels of a similar decision by British Columbia, making Nova Scotia only the second province in Canada to take steps to stop the practice.

Advocates who have been calling on Ottawa to end housing of IRPA detainees in provincial jails across Canada praised the East Coast province’s decision.

“Nova Scotia has confirmed it is terminating its immigration detention contract with CBSA,” tweeted Samer Muscati, the associate disability rights director at Human Rights Watch. 

“With two provinces canceling their contracts within weeks, the federal government should show leadership by canceling the rest.”

So far, though, at least five provinces are saying they will continue their agreements with CBSA, reports CBC News. 

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Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have teamed up to fight the detention of newcomers in provincial jails across Canada in a campaign dubbed #WelcometoCanada.

On the campaign website, the human rights activists claim that between April 2017 and March 2020, more than a fifth of immigration detainees, about 5,400, were held in 78 provincial jails across Canada, many of which are maximum security facilities. 

These people were held in small spaces and were under constant surveillance and, in provincial jails, many are confined in dangerous environments where they might be subjected to violence, the campaign claims.

‘Shocking’ Conditions Of Detained Migrants In Canada Can Lead To Mental Health Woes

“It’s extremely shocking, it’s even outrageous that we can treat human beings this way in a country like Canada,” France-Isabelle Langlois, executive director of Amnesty International Canada’s francophone branch, reportedly told the CBC.

According to the national broadcaster, Ottawa pays the provinces to detain these migrants in provincial jails with Ontario reportedly receiving $356.69 per day for each migrant and Quebec $301.18 per day for women and $270.28 for men.

Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International claim that, since 2016, Canada has held more than 300 immigration detainees for longer than a year.

“Canada prides itself on welcoming refugees and newcomers with open arms, even though it’s one of the few countries in the global north where people seeking safety risk being locked up indefinitely,” said Muscati.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Has Pledged More Help For Refugees

“This leaves many without the certainty – or even hope – of knowing when they will be free again, which can have a devastating impact on their mental health.”

Earlier this year, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau pledged another $26.9 million to migration and protection-related projects in the Americas and professed Canada’s willingness to accept an additional 4,000 refugees from those two continents by 2028 at the 9th Summit of the Americas in Los Angeles.

“Canada values its deep and longstanding partnerships with countries across the Americas, which are crucial to improving peoples’ lives by driving economic growth that benefits everyone, advancing gender equality, and fighting climate change,” said Trudeau.

“At this productive Summit of the Americas, we recommitted to continue working together to build a better future for people across the hemisphere.”

Saskatchewan PNP Targets 94 NOC Codes With I1,146 Canada Immigration Invitations

Colin Singer
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0
Saskatchewan PNP Targets 94 NOC Codes With I1,146 Canada Immigration Invitations

Saskatchewan has conducted a new Expression of Interest draw through the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program, issuing 1,146 Canada immigration invitations.

The September 28 draw featured 507 invitations through Saskatchewan’s Occupations In-Demand stream targeting 94 National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes, with a minimum score of 81.

The draw also featured 639 invitations targeting 82 NOC codes through the province’s Express Entry stream, requiring a minimum score of 83.

Read More Canada Immigration News

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Latest Saskatchewan Expression of Interest Draw

Draw date Category Minimum score Invites issued Other considerations
28-09-2022 Express Entry 83 639 NOCs included: 0013, 0014, 0016, 0111, 0112, 0113, 0114, 0121, 0122, 0124, 0125, 0131, 0212, 0213, 0421, 0423, 0601, 0621, 0711, 0714, 0731, 0821, 0911, 1112, 1114, 1121, 1122, 1123, 1211, 1212, 1213, 1215, 1221, 1222, 1223, 1224, 1241, 1242, 1243, 1251, 1252, 1254, 1313, 2112, 2121, 2161, 2171, 2172, 2211, 2212, 2223, 2231, 2233, 2252, 2255, 2263, 2264, 2282, 2283, 4011, 4021, 4033, 4153, 4161, 4162, 4163, 4165, 4166, 4169, 4211, 4216, 6221, 6222, 6235, 6313, 6316, 6342, 8222, 8252, 9212, 9213, 9241
Occupations

In-Demand

 81 507 NOC included: 0013, 0014, 0016, 0111, 0112, 0113, 0114, 0121, 0122, 0124, 0125, 0131, 0212, 0213, 0421, 0423, 0601, 0621, 0631, 0651, 0711, 0712, 0714, 0731, 0821, 0911, 0912, 1112, 1114, 1121, 1122, 1123, 1211, 1212, 1213, 1214, 1215, 1221, 1222, 1223, 1224, 1225, 1241, 1242, 1243, 1252, 1313, 2112, 2121, 2161, 2171, 2172, 2211, 2212, 2231, 2232, 2233, 2241, 2252, 2253, 2262, 2263, 2281, 2283, 3214, 3223, 4011, 4021, 4033, 4153, 4162, 4163, 4165, 4166, 4167, 4211, 4216, 6211, 6235, 6313, 6315, 6316, 6321, 6331, 6342, 6345, 7245, 7313, 7315, 7384, 8222, 8252, 9212, 9213

Video

What is the Process for Saskatchewan Expression of Interest?

  1. Submit EOI profile.
  2. Enter EOI candidate pool.
  3. EOI candidates selected.
  4. Invitations to Apply issued via regular draws.
  5. Candidates submit full application within 60 days.
  6. SINP officials assess applications and make decision.

What Are the Requirements for The Occupation-In-Demand Sub-Category?

  • Score a minimum of 60 points on the SINP points assessment grid;
  • Have a language score of at least Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 4. Employers and regulatory bodies may ask for higher;
  • Have completed one year of post-secondary education, training or apprenticeship comparable to the Canadian education system. You must have earned a diploma, certificate or degree.
    • Degrees and diplomas obtained outside Canada subject to an Educational Credential Assessment;
  • At least one-year work experience in the past 10 years:
    • In your field of education or training occupation, and
    • In an eligible occupation in NOC A, B, 0. See the excluded occupations list.
  • Obtain the appropriate licensure in Saskatchewan if your field so requires, as the authorities will not process an application without the licensure.
  • Have proof of settlement funds and a settlement plan.
  • Pay a non-refundable $300 application fee online.

What Are the Requirements for The Saskatchewan Express Entry Sub-Category?

Candidates from outside Canada, or with legal status in Canada, qualify for this Saskatchewan immigration category, provided they are not a refugee claimant.

Additionally, candidates must:

  • Have a profile in the Express Entry Pool, with profile number and job seeker validation code;
  • Score a minimum of 60 points on the SINP points assessment grid;
  • Provide valid language test results from a designated testing agency matching those in the Express Entry profile;
  • Have completed one year of post-secondary education, training or apprenticeship comparable to the Canadian education system. You must have earned a diploma, certificate or degree.
    • Degrees and diplomas obtained outside Canada subject to an Educational Credential Assessment;
  • Have at least one of the following experience requirements in your field of education or training occupation:
    • One year of work experience in the past 10 years in a skilled profession (non-trades);
    • Two years of work experience in a skilled trade in the past five years; or
    • One year of work experience in Canada in the past three years (trades and non-trades).
  • Have work experience in a high-skilled, eligible occupation in NOC A, B, 0. See the excluded occupations list.
  • Obtain the appropriate licensure in Saskatchewan where your profession is regulated or a skilled trade. For skilled trades, a certificate is required from the Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission.
  • Have proof of settlement funds and a settlement plan.
  • Pay a non-refundable $300 application fee online.

Ontario Express Entry Tech Draw: Province Issues 1,179 Canada Immigration NOIs

Colin Singer
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0
Ontario Express Entry Tech Draw: Province Issues 1,179 Canada Immigration NOIs

Ontario has issued 1,179 Notifications of Interest to Canada immigration candidates in a new Tech Draw through the province’s Express Entry Human Capital Priorities stream.

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) draw took place on September 28, with the invited candidates scoring 496 or more Express Entry Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points.

Candidates must submit Express Entry profiles within the last 12 months.

Tech Draws targets six technology occupations:

  • 0213 – Computer and information systems managers
  • 2147 – Computer engineers
  • 2172 – Database analysts and data administrators
  • 2173 – Software engineers and designers
  • 2174 – Computer programmer and interactive media developers
  • 2175 – Web designers and developers

Ontario announced it would be starting Tech Draws in July 2019.

The draws are designed to address labour shortages in the technology sector in Canada’s largest province.

Candidates must meet existing HCP requirements (see below) as well as have work experience in one of the stated occupations.

Candidates selected from the Express Entry pool receive a Notification of Interest via their Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) account.

They then have 45 days to submit a full application.

Read More Canada Immigration News

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What Are the Ontario Express Entry Requirements: Human Capital Priorities Stream?

To qualify applicants must have:

  • Ongoing profile under the Federal Express Entry system and be qualified for either the FSWP or the CEC.
  • Hold minimum of 1-year of full time, or full-time equivalent work experience under NOC occupation level 0, A or B, in the past five years if applying under the FSWP or in the past three years if applying under CEC.
  • Hold the equivalent of a Canadian Bachelors degree or higher.
  • Show language proficiency of minimum CLB/NCLC level 7 in English or in French.
  • Intention to reside in the province of Ontario.
  • Residing with legal status in Canada, if applicable.
  • Proof of required settlement funds.

 

Canada Job Vacancies Hit All-Time High As Employers Struggle In Second Quarter Of 2022

Colin Singer
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Canada Job Vacancies Hit All-Time High As Employers Struggle In Second Quarter Of 2022

Canadian employers are desperate for qualified candidates and many are turning to foreign nationals through immigration with almost a million jobs begging for a lack of workers to fill them.

“In nearly every Canadian industry and across every sector, a historic labour shortage is hitting companies hard,” noted RBC in a report earlier this year.

In Proof Point: Canada’s Labour Shortages Will Outlive A Recession, economists Claire Fen and Nathan Janzen and economics writer Naomi Powell outlined the grim reality for Canadian employers in late July.

Read More Canada Immigration News

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“As of June 2022, businesses posted almost 70 per cent more job openings in Canada than pre-pandemic,” they noted. “But these firms were competing for 13 per cent fewer unemployed workers than were available in February 2020. 

“The impact is severe: more than half of Canadian businesses say labour shortages are limiting their ability to increase production – up from 40 per cent before the pandemic and 30 per cent a decade ago.”

On the streets in Canada, it seems like business as usual – except for the plethora of help wanted signs which are seemingly everywhere and the number of entrepreneurs who are limiting their company’s hours for a lack of qualified labour.

In its latest quarterly job vacancies report, Statistics Canada reports that Canadian companies were trying to fill 997,000 vacant positions during the second quarter of this year.

That is the highest number of job vacancies in any quarter of any year on record in Canada.

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“Vacancies were up 4.7 per cent, with 45,000 more vacancies, from the first quarter, and 42.3 per cent, 296,500 jobs, higher than in the second quarter of 2021,” notes Statistics Canada.

Those figures are seasonally adjusted. 

“The job vacancy rate, which corresponds to the number of vacant positions as a proportion of total labour demand (the sum of filled and vacant positions), was 5.7 per cent in the second quarter, also an all-time high,” notes Statistics Canada. 

Employers Are Offering Higher Wages To Lure Workers But Inflation Is Working Against Them

“Since the first quarter of 2020, growth in labour demand, up 4.2 per cent, has exceeded growth in payroll employment, which is up 1.7 per cent, resulting in record high job vacancies.

It’s a bidding war out there in many sectors with employers trying to outbid one another for the best employees.

Despite those sweeter salaries, though, employees are still falling behind this year as inflation takes a bigger bite out of their purchasing power.

Hourly wages rose 5.3 per cent during the second quarter of this year in Canada but inflation rose to 7.5 per cent during the same period.

If you are a candidate looking for a Canada job, or an employer looking to recruit foreign talent from abroad, immigration.ca can help. Access our expertise through our in-house recruitment enterprise www.skilledworker.com, “the leader in foreign recruitment”.

There are winners, though. 

Employees in the five sectors saw their wages go up faster than inflation, including those in professional, scientific and technical services who received average pay hikes of 11.3 per cent, to $37.05 per hour, and those in the wholesale trades who saw their average pay jump by 10.6 per cent to $26.10.

Workers in other sectors weren’t so lucky. Wages were lower than inflation in the remaining sectors, including retail trade, construction, and healthcare and social assistance.

The vast majority of jobs employers are struggling to fill are those where the pay increases have only just kept pace with inflation. No better and no worse.

Across the country, six provinces saw job vacancies go up during the second quarter from the previous one.

Ontario, Nova Scotia, British Columbia, Manitoba, Alberta And Quebec All See Rises In Job Vacancies

Ontario saw job vacancies rise by 6.6 per cent to 379,700. Nova Scotia’s job vacancies climbed by six per cent to 22,400, British Columbia’s by 5.6 per cent to 163,600, and Manitoba added 5.2 per cent to hit 29,300 while Alberta’s job vacancies grew by 4.4 per cent to 100,900. In La Belle Province of Quebec, job vacancies climbed by 2.4 per cent to 248,100. 

“The number of vacancies decreased in New Brunswick by 6.1 per cent to 15,200 and was little changed in the remaining provinces,” notes Statistics Canada.

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).

The Global Talent Stream (GTS), a part of the TFWP, can under normal processing situations 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 Invitations to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence. Those receiving an ITA must quickly submit a full application and pay processing fees within a delay of 90 days.

British Columbia PNP Draw: Province Issues At Least 260 Canada Immigration Invitations

Colin Singer
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British Columbia PNP Draw: Province Issues At Least 260 Canada Immigration Invitations

British Columbia has issued invitations to at least 260 candidates in a new draw through the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program.

The September 27 draw saw invitations issued in five different categories.

Skilled workers and international graduates with a minimum score of 100 points received 215 invitations through the BC PNP Tech stream.

A draw targeted at Early Childhood Educators under NOC 4214 saw 28 invitations issued to skilled workers and international graduates, with a minimum score of 60 points.

A further 15 invitations were issued to skilled workers, international graduates and entry-level and semi-skilled workers scoring at least 60 points in a draw targeting Healthcare workers.

Next, a draw aimed specifically at Healthcare Assistants under NOC 3413 saw less than 5 invitations issued to entry-level and semi-skilled workers scoring at least 60 points. The number was recorded as ‘less than 5’ to protect the identity of those invited.

A final batch of less than 5 invitations went to skilled workers and international graduates in a draw aimed at other priority occupations under NOCs 3114 and 3213.

Read More Canada Immigration News

British Columbia Skills Immigration To Pause As It Switches To NOC 2021
British Columbia PNP Draw: Province Issues At Least 353 Canada Immigration Invitations
British Columbia Issues At Least 292 Canada Immigration Invitations In New PNP Draw

Latest B.C. Immigration Draw

Date Category Minimum Score Invitations Issued Description
27-09-22 Skilled Worker, International Graduate 100 215 Targeted draw: Tech
Skilled Worker, International Graduate 60 28 Targeted draw: Childcare: Early childhood educators (NOC 4214)
Skilled Worker, International Graduate, Entry Level and Semi-Skilled 60 15 Targeted draw: Healthcare
Entry Level and Semi-Skilled 60 <5 Targeted draw: Healthcare: Health care assistants (NOC 3413)
Skilled Worker, International Graduate 60 <5 Targeted draw: Other priority occupations (NOCs 3114, 3213)

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