How To Drive Safely As A Newcomer To Canada

Colin Singer
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How To Drive Safely As A Newcomer To Canada

As a new immigrant to Canada, understanding the nuances of Canadian driving is crucial for a safe and enjoyable journey. Here are 10 things to know about driving in Canada to ensure you’re prepared for the road ahead.

1. Familiarize Yourself with Road Signs and Rules

Navigating Canadian roads starts with understanding road signs and traffic rules. While many signs may be similar to those in other countries, there are specific symbols and regulations unique to Canada. Familiarize yourself with common signs such as stop signs, yield signs, and speed limits, and be aware of regional variations.

2. Prepare for Diverse Weather Conditions

Canada is known for its diverse weather, ranging from heavy snowfall in the winter to sudden rain showers in the summer. Prepare your vehicle for all weather conditions by equipping it with appropriate tires, such as winter tires for snowy conditions, and ensure your windshield wipers are in good condition. Stay informed about weather forecasts, especially when embarking on long journeys.

3. Understand Right-of-Way Rules

Understanding right-of-way rules is essential for safe driving in Canada. In general, vehicles must yield to pedestrians at crosswalks and intersections, and at four-way stops, the vehicle that arrives first has the right of way. However, it’s essential to remain vigilant and communicate with other drivers to avoid confusion, particularly in busy urban areas.

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4. Be Mindful of Wildlife

Canada’s vast wilderness is home to a variety of wildlife, including moose, deer, and bears, which can pose hazards on the road, especially in rural and remote areas. Be vigilant, especially during dawn and dusk when animals are most active, and reduce your speed in areas known for wildlife crossings. Additionally, be prepared for sudden encounters and avoid swerving if an animal crosses your path.

5. Keep an Emergency Kit in Your Vehicle

Safety should always be a top priority when driving, and keeping an emergency kit in your vehicle can be a lifesaver in unforeseen circumstances. Your emergency kit should include essentials such as a first-aid kit, flashlight, blanket, non-perishable food, water, and basic tools. Additionally, consider carrying a portable phone charger and a map or GPS device in case of navigation issues.

6. Respect School Zones and Pedestrians

In Canada, school zones are designated areas with reduced speed limits to ensure the safety of children and pedestrians. It’s crucial to obey these speed limits and remain vigilant for school buses and crossing guards, especially during peak school hours. Always yield to pedestrians at crosswalks and intersections, and be prepared to stop if someone is crossing the street.

7. Practice Defensive Driving Techniques

Defensive driving is essential for navigating Canada’s roads safely, especially in high-traffic areas or adverse weather conditions. Always stay focused on the road ahead, maintain a safe following distance, and anticipate potential hazards. Avoid aggressive driving behaviors such as speeding, tailgating, or weaving between lanes, and remain patient and courteous to other drivers.

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8. Know the Basics of Road Etiquette

Understanding road etiquette can help foster a safer and more harmonious driving environment for everyone. Use turn signals to indicate your intentions, yield to faster-moving traffic when merging onto highways, and refrain from blocking intersections or impeding the flow of traffic. Remember to be courteous to other drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists, and always follow posted speed limits and traffic laws.

9. Plan Your Route and Rest Stops

Before embarking on a journey, take the time to plan your route and identify rest stops along the way. Canada’s vast geography means that long stretches of road may lack services such as gas stations or rest areas, particularly in rural areas. Ensure you have enough fuel for your journey and take regular breaks to rest, stretch your legs, and refresh yourself, especially during long drives.

10. Stay Informed About Road Conditions

Road conditions in Canada can vary widely depending on factors such as weather, construction, and maintenance. Stay informed about road closures, construction zones, and traffic advisories by checking local news sources, road condition websites, or mobile apps before and during your journey. Adjust your route accordingly to avoid delays or unsafe driving conditions.

Conclusion

Navigating Canada’s roads can be a rewarding experience, offering stunning scenery and diverse destinations. By familiarizing yourself with the rules of the road, preparing for various weather conditions, and practicing defensive driving techniques, you can ensure a safe and enjoyable journey. Remember to stay informed, stay alert, and always prioritize safety for yourself and others on the road. Whether you’re exploring bustling cities or remote wilderness areas, knowing these 10 things about driving in Canada will help you navigate with confidence and peace of mind.

Refugees From Tanzania and Mexico Eligible For Canada’s Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot

Colin Singer
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Refugees From Tanzania and Mexico Eligible For Canada’s Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot

At least 200 skilled refugees from Tanzania and Mexico will be welcomed to Canada through the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP) under a project launched by the International Rescue Committee (IRC) and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

This project is set to unfold over the next few months and aims to provide the identified individuals with the opportunity to live safely and thrive in their new communities in Canada while directly contributing to the Canadian economy and its cultural diversity.

This helps Canada access durable solutions for skilled refugees while simultaneously filling in-demand jobs to address its labor market needs, according to the news and press release by IRC.

IRC is looking to implement this project in close collaboration with several organizations, such as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Talent Beyond Boundaries (TBB), and key governmental and private stakeholders.

With UNHR and TBB, it will identify and secure the documentation requisite for skilled refugees to settle to Canada and provide on-the-ground support to connect them with Canadian employers and job opportunities.

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“The expansion of the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP) is a pivotal step towards ensuring all individuals are met with the support they need to rebuild their lives,” said Hans Van de Weerd, IRC Senior Vice President for Resettlement, Asylum, and Integration.

“This expansion not only provides a means for refugees to thrive in Canadian society but also directly contributes to the nation’s economy and cultural diversity, exemplifying IRC’s commitment to a comprehensive and effective approach to resettlement.”

TBB’s Canada Director, Lara Dyer, said that “the EMPP not only offers a life-changing opportunity for refugees to rebuild their lives, but also enriches the Canadian workforce with a diverse set of sorely needed skills and perspectives.”

“TBB is proud of its role in advocating for the EMPP and for its collaborations with IRC and other partners to expand the program to serve more displaced people. This expansion is a clear demonstration of how refugee labour mobility is reshaping the global approach to resettlement and workforce shortages.”

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The EMPP, which was launched by Ottawa in 2018, provides Canadian employers with the opportunity to access a talent pool of skilled refugees and other displaced people across the world.

For the EMPP, IRCC works with non-government organizations, communities, provinces, and territories across Canada, and the UNHCR.

The following NGOs help and support with hiring through EMPP:

  • Talent Beyond Boundaries (TBB)
  • RefugePoint
  • TalentLift
  • Jumpstart Refugee Talent
  • HIAS
  • FOCUS Humanitarian Assistance
  • International Rescue Committee
  • World University Service of Canada

British Columbia PNP Draw: Province Issues At Least 213 Invitations

Colin Singer
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British Columbia PNP Draw: Province Issues At Least 213 Invitations

British Columbia has conducted a new draw through the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program, issuing at least 213 invitations.

The February 21 draw saw invitations issued in five different categories.

A general draw, which included tech occupations, saw 69 invitations issued through five BC PNP streams for skilled workers and international graduates. Minimum scores ranged from 96 to 126 points.

In a further targeted draw, 70 invitations were issued to skilled workers and international graduates scoring at least 60 points in a draw targeting childcare workers.

Construction workers received 32 invitations with a minimum score of 75.

A draw targeted at healthcare workers saw 41 invitations issued to skilled workers and international graduates, with a minimum score of 60 points.

Finally, a draw aimed at veterinary care workers saw ‘less than 5’ invitations issued, again with a minimum score of 60. It was listed as ‘less than 5’ to protect the identity of those invited.

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Latest B.C. Immigration Draws

General Draw

Date Category Minimum Score Invitations Issued Description
21-02-24 Skilled Worker 126 69 General draw (includes tech occupations)
Skilled Worker – EEBC 126
International Graduate 126
International Graduate – EEBC 126
Entry Level and Semi-Skilled 99

Targeted Draw

Date Category Minimum Score Invitations Issued Description
21-02-24 Skilled Worker, International Graduate 60 70 Childcare
75 32 Construction
60 41 Healthcare
60 <5 Veterinary care

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Immigration To Yukon Being Made Easier For Internationally Educated Health Professionals

Colin Singer
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Immigration To Yukon Being Made Easier For Internationally Educated Health Professionals

Canada is investing to speed up credential recognition for internationally educated health care professionals (IEHPs) to work in Yukon.

Rechie Veldez, Minister of Small Business, has announced up to $3.65 million in funding to the Government of Yukon through the Foreign Credential Recognition Program, to improve the integration of IEHPs into the Yukon labor market.

“This four-year, transformative project will have a lasting impact by taking steps to create a Yukon territorial licensure regulatory process, which currently does not exist in the territory,” read the news release.

“It will also create a Yukon Foreign Credential Recognition Centre to support both employers and skilled newcomers in navigating career pathways and regulatory processes in Yukon to get more workers into the health care sector.”

150 newcomers will be provided career navigation supports and a targeted nurse bridging program for participating international jurisdictions.

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The project targets key health care occupations with an emphasis on licensed practical nurses, registered nurses, registered psychiatric nurses, nurse practitioners, and midwives.

The announcement aims to further Ottawa’s commitment made to provinces and territories during the October 2023 Health Ministers’ Meeting, to take concrete actions to address challenges faced by Canada’s health, including reducing the time for IEHPs to join the health workforce.

“Choosing Canada to build a new life for one’s family should not come at the cost of being barred from practicing in one’s field of expertise. The Foreign Credential Recognition Program is helping new Canadians thrive in our workforce, and fill labour gaps across the country,” as per the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages, Randy Boissonnault.

Funding will go to key occupations such as nursing, pharmacy, dentistry, lab technicians and respiratory therapy.

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Boissonnault announced similar funding to various organizations across Canada on January 15, 2024. These were aimed at responding to regional labor market gaps in health care.

As per the news release, projects under the Foreign Credential Recognition Program will:

  • Reduce the barriers IEHPs face to foreign credential recognition by improving recognition processes, simplifying steps in credential recognition and offering increased access to practice in the field.
  • Provide IEHPs with relevant Canadian work experience in their fields, while incorporating supports such as child care, transportation costs, mentoring, and coaching.
  • Facilitate interjurisdictional labour mobility for health professionals and IEHPs to reduce barriers for health workers who wish to work in another jurisdiction in Canada.

The Foreign Credential Recognition Program works with provinces, territories, regulatory bodies, and other organizations by funding projects to support faster and more efficient credential recognition systems with the aim of growing the Canadian economy, creating quality employment, and promoting a more sustainable health workforce.

“Health care workers deliver the care that Canadians need. By bringing in new workers and retaining those who are already there, we can help relieve the labour challenges in our health care system,” said Mark Holland, Minister of Health.

“This federal funding supports our government’s work with provinces, territories and stakeholders to have more health care workers enter Canada’s workforce and to streamline that process. Together, this will improve our health care system so Canadians can get the care they need and deserve.”

English-Speaking Asylum Claimants Should Go To Other Provinces, Says Quebec 

Colin Singer
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English-Speaking Asylum Claimants Should Go To Other Provinces, Says Quebec 

Only French-speaking asylum claimants should be directed to settle in Quebec, says the francophone province’s language commissioner.

“A new federal-provincial agreement is needed to support the welcoming and integration of asylum claimants,” wrote French Language Commissioner Benoît Dubreuil in French.

“The agreement should not only include a cost-sharing agreement but also attempt to reduce the costs of linguistic integration. In that way, people who already speak English should be re-directed to one of the eight anglophone provinces which receive very few asylum claimants.”

In Canada, only New Brunswick is fully bilingual at the provincial level. Quebec is officially francophone and the other provinces operate in English.

Quebec Immigration Minister Christine Frechette and other provincial ministers in the province are not closing the door on the language commissioner’s recommendation.

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“It’s something we need to look at. It’s something we need to review,” Jean-François Roberge, the provincial minister of the French language and Canadian relations, reportedly said.

The provincial immigration minister says Quebec has asked the federal government to act on a voluntary basis to distribute asylum seekers across Canada.

“After that, the means it uses to do so are at its discretion,” Fréchette  reportedly said. “What is urgent is to reduce the number of asylum seekers coming to Quebec.”

The provincial government in Quebec sees immigration, particularly that immigration from non-French-speaking countries, as a possible threat to the long-term viability of the Quebecois culture.

Premier François Legault has made it clear his government is deeply-committed to ensuring the survival of the French language and has gone so far as to put forth proposals to limit all economic immigration to the province to French-speaking immigrants by 2026.

“As premier of Quebec, my first responsibility is to defend our language and our identity,” said Legault.

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“During the past few years, the French language has been in decline in Quebec. Since 2018, our government has acted to protect our language, more so than any previous government since the adoption of Bill 101 under the Levesque government.

“But, if we want to turn the tide, we must do more. By 2026, our goal is to have almost entirely francophone economic immigration. We have the duty, as Québécois, to speak French, to daily pass on our culture and to be proud of it.”

Quebec’s French language commissioner wants that francophone province to strike a deal with Ottawa to ensure French-speaking asylum claimants will be directed to settle in Quebec and those who speak only English will be sent to one of the other provinces.

According to the language commissioner’s report, 39.5 per cent of work permit holders in Quebec, 14.1 per cent of study permit holders there, and 5.2 per cent of asylum claimants to the province were unable to function in the French language at the level required by Quebec’s language courses last year.

Many Immigrants To Quebec Can’t Speak French, Report Claims

“In 2021, 33.4 per cent of temporary immigrants were incapable of having a conversation in French, or 60,635 people aged 15 and over,” notes the language commissioner’s report.

His report states the proportion of Quebec residents who cannot speak conversational French has grown from 5.6 per cent in 2016 to 7.2 per cent last year.

“In 2021, 35.5 per cent of temporary immigrants were working primarily in English,” notes the report. “That share of those working in English was highest among those with study permits, at 44.1 per cent, while still being high among those with work permits, at 32.9 per cent and 29.2 per cent among asylum claimants,” notes the report.

More Than A Third Of International Student Allocation Wanted By Ontario Universities

Colin Singer
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More Than A Third Of International Student Allocation Wanted By Ontario Universities

In the wake of Immigration Minister Marc Miller’s cap on study permit applications, Ontario universities say they want at least 35 per cent of the international students allowed into the province.

The Council of Ontario Universities (COU) reportedly wants about 82,250 of 235,000 study permit applications accepted from international students to be given to those who plan to study at the undergraduate level in Ontario’s 23 publicly-funded universities.

The organization also wants those allocations to be made based on each university’s share of the enrolment of these students.

The COU is hoping that will mean the arrival of 28,000 international students into the province in the coming year and help keep the international undergraduate enrollment of international students at roughly 20 per cent of all students in those programs.

Last month, the immigration minister limited study permits to be handed out to international students in the coming year by the IRCC to only 606,250 study permit applications in 2024.

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“The intent of these Instructions is to ensure the number of study permit applications accepted into processing by the Department of Citizenship and Immigration … within the scope of the instructions does not exceed 606,250 study permit applications for one year beginning on the date of signature,” the Canada Gazette reported on Feb. 3.

The cap on study permit applications is expected to reduce the number of study permits by more than a third, The Globe and Mail has reported.

“The cap is expected to result in approximately 364,000 approved study permits, a decrease of 35 per cent from 2023,” the immigration minister has reportedly said. “In the spirit of fairness, we are also allocating the cap space by province, based on population.”

COU president and CEO Steve Orsini has reportedly maintained that the province’s universities are not to blame for the massive growth in international students in Ontario.

“Universities have been very careful and responsible in taking on new students,” he reportedly said.

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“We’ve been very responsible and managing the growth. So when there’s a gold rush for international students, universities didn’t play that game. We were very measured and responsible to ensure that our students were put first.”

The COU’s top exec claims universities properly managed the arrival of international students with housing and mental health services and so are not to blame for any upward pressure on rents and housing costs in the province.

Ottawa’s cap on study permit applications is being put in place in a bid to curb rising housing costs but experts say it will not be enough to stop the inflationary effect on rents due to increasing numbers of international students in Canada.

An RBC Economics report forecasts the cap on study permit applications will only slow down the rate of inflation, not reverse it.

Study Permit Caps Will Not Reverse House Price Inflation, Reports RBC Economics

“Assuming similar enrollment rates and outflow patterns as those observed in the three post-pandemic years, we estimate 391,000 new international students will enter Canada this year and 291,000 will graduate or otherwise see their study permits expire,” wrote RBC economist Rachel Battaglia.

“This means the number of international students in Canada will continue to grow by 100,000, about 55 per cent less than the net increase in 2023.”

With that growth in international students in Canada, the pressure on rents from the international students’ demand for housing will moderate but not drop in the short-term.

“The impact on the rental housing market will run along the same lines,” wrote the economist.

“But even though we’re expecting growth to moderate, this doesn’t translate to an outright fall in rental demand, at least not in the near-term. Given nearly all international students live in rented accommodation – we’re assuming 97 per cent – we estimate this slowdown could cut demand for new rentals by international students in half relative to 2023.”

As Canada struggled with the severe labour shortages in the country during the COVID-19 pandemic, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) removed the 20-hour weekly restriction on work hours for international students, allowing them to work up to 40 hours every week.

That temporary measure was initially intended to be in place until the end of last year but Miller extended that deadline to the end of April this year and wants to scale back international students’ hours in the workplace.

“We have gotten addicted to temporary foreign workers,” Miller has reportedly told Bloomberg News.

“Any large industry trying to make ends meet will look at the ability to drive down wages. There is an incentive to drive labour costs down. It’s something that’ll require a larger discussion.”

The proposed move to cut back on the work hours of international students comes in the wake of the IRCC having processed more than one million study permit applications last year.

“We finalized 1,089,600 study permit applications (including extensions) in 2023, up from 917,900 in 2022,” notes the IRCC website.

Best Records For Immigrant Retention In Ontario, BC and Alberta

Colin Singer
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Best Records For Immigrant Retention In Ontario, BC and Alberta

A Statistics Canada report reveals Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta did the best job of any of the provinces of hanging onto their immigrants who arrived in Canada from 2012 to 2016.

In its Provincial Variation In The Retention Rates Of Immigrants, 2022 report, released on Feb. 14 this year, the statistical and demographic services agency says immigrants who settled in those provinces loved staying there enough to remain there for at least five years.

“Among immigrants admitted from 2012 to 2016, those who intended to reside in Ontario, British Columbia or Alberta were the most likely to stay in those provinces five years after their admission,” notes Statistics Canada.

“Specifically, among immigrants admitted in 2016, the five-year retention rate was 93.1 per cent in Ontario, 87.3 per cent in British Columbia and 84.5 per cent in Alberta.

Quebec’s five-year retention rate was 81 per cent among the 2016 admission cohort.

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The Atlantic Canadian provinces, which have historically had some of the worst immigrant retention rates in the country, saw a marked improvement in their one-year retention rate with the launch of the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP), which was then a pilot project, in 2017.

The arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic, though, hurt the Atlantic provinces’ retention rates even as the public health and travel restrictions greatly reduced the number of new permanent residents coming to Canada in the early days of the pandemic.

“Overall, the one-year retention rate for skilled immigrants in the Atlantic provinces for the 2020 admission cohort was higher than the rate prior to the launch of the AIP,” notes Statistics Canada.

“Nova Scotia experienced the highest increase to the retention rate of skilled immigrants, up 42.4 percentage points from 21.5 per cent for the 2016 cohort to 63.9 per cent for that of 2020.”

New Brunswick saw an improvement in its one-year retention rate from 50 to 65.8 per cent for immigrants who arrived in New Brunswick in 2020 compared to those who arrived four years earlier.

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During that time frame, Newfoundland and Labrador’s one-year retention rate rose from 31.3 per cent for skilled immigrants to 50 per cent. Prince Edward Island retention rate rose from  10 to 40 per cent from 2017 to 2018.

“With the exception of Prince Edward Island, all of the Atlantic provinces experienced slight declines in retaining skilled immigrants admitted in 2020 compared with the 2019 admission cohort,” notes Statistics Canada.

Atlantic Canada’s five-year retention rates also improved for immigrants who arrived in 2016.

“In the Atlantic region, both New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island experienced an uptick in the five-year retention rate for immigrants who were admitted in 2016. New Brunswick … reached its highest five-year retention rate for immigrants admitted in 2016, after being relatively stable for immigrants admitted from 2012 to 2015,” notes Statistics Canada.

Retention Rates Are Improving In Atlantic Canada, Report Shows

“Prince Edward Island, at 30.9 per cent, had the lowest retention rate in Canada for immigrants admitted in 2016, but this was 5.7 percentage points higher than the rate of the 2012 cohort at 25.2 per cent. During the same period, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador had relatively stable trends in the five-year provincial immigrant retention rate, with some fluctuations.”

Outside of Atlantic Canada, British Columbia and Ontario, most provinces and territories saw a decline in their five-year retention rates for immigrants admitted from 2012 to 2016.

“The Prairie provinces of Saskatchewan and Manitoba, along with the territories, experienced the largest drops in the five-year retention rate of immigrants,” notes Statistics Canada.

“In Saskatchewan, the five-year retention rate was down by 14.3 percentage points from the 2012 admission cohort of 72.2 per cent to that of 2016 at 57.9 per cent. In Manitoba, the five-year retention rate fell by 11 percentage points, from” 75.1 per cent among immigrants admitted in 2012 to 64.1 per cent for those admitted in 2016.

In Emigration of Immigrants: Results from the Longitudinal Immigration Database, Statistics Canada reported earlier this year that 82.5 per cent of immigrants to Canada remained in the country 20 years after first settling in Canada.

Those who did choose to leave Canada after immigrating here did so for a wide variety of reasons, including their job opportunities in Canada, their abilities to communicate in either French or English, their age upon arrival in the country, and what is happening back in their country of origin. Many emigrants leave Canada upon the death of a loved one in their home country.

But those that chose leave almost always left within the first few years of immigrating to Canada.

“The probability of emigrating is that immigrants are much more likely to emigrate within the first few years after admission,” noted the report.

Immigrants Who Leave Canada Typically Do So Within The First Five Years

“The annual probability of emigrating reaches the highest level from three to seven years after admission, and peaks at almost 1.4 per cent in the fourth and fifth years after admission. Thereafter, the annual probability of emigrating falls and holds steady at 0.6 to 0.7 per cent.

Through its two-tier immigration system, Canada allows foreign nationals to gain their permanent residency through the federal Express Entry system’s Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) program, Federal Skilled Trades (FST) program and Canadian Experience Class (CEC), as well as the Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) of the 10 Canadian provinces.

Under the Express Entry system, immigrants can apply for permanent residency online and their profiles then are ranked against each other according to a points-based system called the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). The highest-ranked candidates will be considered for an Invitation 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.

Through a network of  PNPs, almost all of Canada’s ten provinces and three territories can also nominate skilled worker candidates for admission to Canada when they have the specific skills required by local economies. Successful candidates who receive a provincial or territorial nomination can then apply for Canadian permanent residence through federal immigration authorities.

Immigration Policy Shift needed To Halt Rural Canada’s Population Decline

Colin Singer
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Immigration Policy Shift needed To Halt Rural Canada’s Population Decline

A researcher at Western University says Canada’s rural communities will continue to face a population decline unless various levels of government make policy changes to direct immigrants to settle in small towns, villages, and hamlets instead of major urban centres.

Rural Canada has been witnessing a declining population trend for more than 55 years now, at a slow but steady rate.

For example, in Ontario in 1966, 2.6 million people inhabited rural communities, making up 37 per cent of the province’s total 7 million people.

In 2021, the rural population remained at 2.5 million people, while the total provincial population increased to 14.2 million people.

Proportionally, rural Ontarians now accounted for only 17 percent of the provincial population.

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Furthermore, rural Canada is becoming older than urban Canada. Since 2016, Ontario’s youth population has shrunk by 1.6 per cent, with the number of working-age adults falling by 4.5 percent and seniors falling by 12.4 per cent.

“The odds of immigrants moving into rural Canada have actually decreased over time rather than increased,” said Lindsay Finlay, PhD candidate in sociology at Western University and the lead author of The Places We’ll Go: Rural Migration in Canada.

“It’s the kind of things like a lack of transportation, a lack of employment, academic opportunities. There’s also the risk of potential discrimination in these areas.”

One of the main reasons for this is the vast number of settlement services and co-ethnic ties available to immigrants in the city, which allows them to feel like they can thrive and integrate into the communities they are landing in.

The problems caused by this trend are immense.

“You’re going to see these communities start to struggle as the older populations leave, one way or another,” said Finlay.

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The Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP)

RNIP is described by the government as a “community-driven program” designed to “spread the benefits of economic immigration to smaller communities by creating a path to permanent residence for skilled foreign workers who want to work and live in one of the participating communities.”

The participating communities are as follows:

Community Community Website
North Bay, ON https://northbayrnip.ca/
Sudbury, ON https://investsudbury.ca/why-sudbury/move-to-sudbury/rnip/
Timmins, ON www.timminsedc.com
Sault Ste. Marie, ON www.welcometossm.com
Thunder Bay, ON https://gotothunderbay.ca/
Brandon, MB www.economicdevelopmentbrandon.com
Altona/Rhineland, MB www.seedrgpa.com
Moose Jaw, SK https://www.moosejawrnip.ca/
Claresholm, AB www.claresholm.ca
Vernon, BC https://rnip-vernon-northok.ca/
West Kootenay (Trail, Castlegar, Rossland, Nelson), BC https://wk-rnip.ca/

RNIP is community-driven, which means that the communities will: 

  • assess prospective candidates who
  • best fit the economic needs of the community
  • have an employment opportunity that meets their community requirements
  • have the intention of staying in the community
  • recommend candidates for permanent residence to IRCC for a final decision
  • connect immigrants with settlement services and mentoring opportunities with established members of the community

Quebec Immigrant Investor Program: How To Immigrate To Canada  From The Ivory Coast

Colin Singer
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Quebec Immigrant Investor Program: How To Immigrate To Canada  From The Ivory Coast

The latest data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) reveals the Ivory Coast was well on track to have supplied Canada with 15 new investors to Canada in 2023.

In the first 11 months of last year, most of the 2,405 Ivorians who chose to immigrate to Canada did so under economic programs, including 1,525 who became new permanent residents through the Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) program and another 30 who immigrated here through the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) program.

A sizable number of Ivorians, 305, immigrated to Canada in the first 11 months of last year through Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP), 335 were sponsored by family members already in the country, and 60 came to Canada as refugees or protected persons.

With the Ivory Coast’s legacy as a colony of France, Ivorians already have certain cultural affinities with Canada and the French-speaking province of Quebec.

That makes the Quebec Immigrant Investor Program (QIIP) a good fit for any Ivorians with the financial means and entrepreneurial bent to settle in Quebec by investing in a business.

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The QIIP is the only passive investment-based immigration program that allows foreign nationals to gain their permanent residence in Canada simply by investing $1 million $1 million with IQ Immigrant Investisseurs Inc., a Quebec crown corporation, without having to establish or actively manage a business in the province.

Ivorians who choose to immigrate to Canada through the QIIP must additionally pay a non-refundable financial contribution of $200,000 and intend to settle in the French-speaking province of Quebec.

Successful applicants are then issued a selection certificate from Quebec for Canada immigration, which allows them to obtain their Canadian permanent residence following health and criminality checks by federal immigration officials.

The eligibility criteria include:

  • language proficiency
  • a legally-acquired personal net worth of $2 million;
  • two years of suitable management or business experience within the five years preceding the application;
  • mandatory Residency;
  • investment of $1.2 million into a passive government-guaranteed investment for a period of five years bearing no interest;
  • a high school diploma, and;
  • the intention to settle in the province of Quebec.

Applicants To QIIP Must Demonstrate French-Language Abilities

The French language proficiency requirement is met by applicants by submitting a Certificate of Test Results (TEF, TEF Canada, TEFAQ, TCF, TCFQ) or a recognized French diploma (DELF or DALF) confirming a B2 level in oral French in speaking and listening along with their application to the QIIP.

Applicants can demonstrate that they have legally acquired the minimum net worth of $2 million by showing the net value of their current assets, as well as their history of acquiring funds over the course of their careers with supporting documentation.

That can be demonstrated using bank statements, investor booklets, real estate evaluations, audited financial statements and other pertinent and up-to-date documentation. Grants received less than six months before submitting an application cannot be included in the net worth calculation.

The principal applicant can share this net worth with a spouse or common-law partner accompanying him or her to Quebec.

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Since the intention of the QIIP is to attract business acumen and investment to Quebec, applicants must also have owned or managed by an active trade or business, which may include professional practices, rather than merely have managed investments.

Gray areas under the QIIP include professionals who don’t manage the business, passive real estate investors and investment managers. Developing real estate may qualify while merely owning real estate may not.

“(The applicant must have) … for at least two years in the five years preceding the application for a selection certificate, duties related to the planning, management and control of financial resources and of human or material resources under the investor’s authority; the experience does not include the experience acquired in the context of an apprenticeship, training or specialization process attested to by a diploma,” state the eligibility criteria.

Quebec Selection Certificate Is Required Under The QIIP

Under the QIIP, applicants first apply for an Avis d’intention de sélection du Québec, after receipt of which they can apply for a three-year work permit from federal Canadian immigration officials.

With that Quebec certificate, the principal applicant and their spouse agree to live in Quebec for a period of at least six months within their first two years of receiving work permits – a requirement that can be completed through simultaneous residency or separate periods of six months each.

Once that is completed, the applicant can apply for the actual Certificat de Selection du Quebec (CSQ) from Quebec. As part of this application, the investor needs to establish a clean source of funds and give an interview in French to convince the officer of his or her intention to stay in Quebec.

Once issued a CSQ, they can apply for permanent residence through the IRCC.

Successful applicants are required to make their investment with Investissement Québec for a period of five years at the end of which the capital is returned without interest. The five-year period begins upon issuance of the selection certificate before the applicant has even landed in Canada.

Proceeds from the investment are used to fund various business and social programs within the province of Quebec.

The QIIP allows applicants to finance the bulk of their investment through designated securities brokerage firms and investment banks. Typically, the financing plans require a down payment before the bank loans the balance of up to $1.2 million.

The applicant then deposits that sum with Investissement Québec. The down payment is not refunded at the end of the five-year period. The bank takes fees and interest from the down payment, the immigration agent takes his or her commissions from the down payment.

The net cost to the investor is the down payment.

Report Says Covid-19 Canada Immigrants Earned More Than Previous Years

Colin Singer
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Report Says Covid-19 Canada Immigrants Earned More Than Previous Years

Statistics Canada has revealed that those immigrants who gained their permanent residence in Canada during the first year of COVID-19 earned substantially more than previous years.

The boost in earnings enjoyed by these immigrants has a very simple explanation: a great many of those immigrants were already in Canada and had previous work experience in the country.

In its report, The Continued Impacts Of The COVID-19 Pandemic: Variations In The Economic Integration Of New Immigrants, the statistical and demographic services agency explains that the bump up in reported earnings by this 2020 wave of immigrants was due to the difference in the composition of that group of new arrivals.

“The 2020 admission cohort was distinguished by immigrants holding pre-admission experience becoming the majority group for the first time in the country’s history,” notes Statistics Canada.

“Among tax filers in this admission cohort of immigrants, a higher proportion had already lived in Canada (55.5 per cent) than those who did not have pre-admission experience (44.5 per cent).

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“In 2020, 22.5 per cent of immigrant tax filers had both work and study permits, 22.3 per cent had a work permit only, 8.5 per cent had asylum claims and 1.9 per cent had a study permit only.

“Such pre-admission characteristics were closely correlated with the outstanding economic performance of this admission cohort.”

With that work and study experience in Canada, that wave of immigrants was able to command higher wages.

“For immigrants admitted in 2020, the median entry wage, earned one year after admission, was the highest compared with the 10 previous admission years,” notes Statistics Canada.

When that wave of immigrants filed their tax returns the following year, their median entry wage was $37,700, or 21.6 per cent higher than the income of those who arrived in 2019, the last full year before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and the border closures.

Those who had arrived in 2019 had a median entry wage of $31,000 when they filed their tax returns in 2020.

Women who became new permanent residents of Canada in 2020 did particularly well in terms of higher incomes reported come tax time.

“In tax year 2021, the median entry wage for women admitted in 2020 increased by 27.1 per cent to $30,500. In comparison, the median entry wage for women admitted in 2019 was $24,000 in tax year 2020,” notes Statistics Canada.

Men who became new permanent residents of Canada in 2020 saw their median entry wage rise by 18.5 per cent, reporting incomes of $44,100 come tax time.

Business Confidence In Canada Is Rising Again, Says Conference Board

With the border closures and public health restrictions of the pandemic now behind it, Canada has rebuilt its economy from the original hit in the first year of COVID-19 and business confidence is riding high.

Last month, the Conference Board of Canada’s Index of Business Confidence rose by 6.2 points to 76.9, marking the end of a historic downturn and signalling the end of a trend that had seen the index fall in nine consecutive quarters.

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“The positive swing was driven by a 9.9 per cent reduction in business executives who believe their financial position will worsen over the next six months, as well as a 9.5 per cent surge in those who believe now is a good time to invest,” reports the Conference Board of Canada.

“A contributing factor to this greater optimism could be firms’ perspectives on prices, with nearly 70 per cent of survey participants expecting Canadian prices to increase at a rate of 3 per cent or less over the next six months, 20 per cent more than our last survey.

“Another contributing factor could stem from firms’ expectations on borrowing costs, with only 13.7 per cent of executives anticipating an increase in borrowing rates in the coming months, down from 28.5 per cent in October.”

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