How Immigrant Workers Can Help Curb Canada’s Rising Inflation By Easing Labour Shortages

Colin Singer
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0
How Immigrant Workers Can Help Curb Canada’s Rising Inflation By Easing Labour Shortages

Canada immigration news: Inflation in Canada is reaching record highs driven at least in part by a serious labour shortage that is leading employers to offer higher and higher wages in desperate attempts to outbid one another for the few workers who are available.

“Wages for newly-hired employees are accelerating even as employers are accepting less-qualified workers,” wrote Philip Cross, a senior economist and Munk senior fellow at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute, in December last year.

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“Hiring workers at higher pay may seem positive for the economy, but can often translate into lower productivity which raises unit labour costs,” wrote Cross. “This reinforces the upward pressure on inflation while eroding our ability to compete with firms in the United States.”

The economist’s words have proven to be prophetic. 

Squeeze On Labour Drives Up Wages And Contributes To Inflation

When Cross penned his commentary, entitled Tightening Labour Markets Fuel Inflationary Pressures, the country’s unemployment rate was 5.9 percent. 

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government had then just brought in a record number of immigrants, 405,970 new permanent residents in a single year, and was eagerly trying to attract immigrants and temporary foreign workers to come to Canada to fill jobs going begging for a lack of qualified candidates. 

Within two months, Immigration Minister Sean Fraser announced Canada would again try to attract a record number of immigrants this year – and for the next two as well.

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Under the immigration levels plan presented by the immigration minister, Canada plans to welcome 431,645 permanent residents this year, 447,055 next year, and 451,000 in 2024.

“We are focused on economic recovery, and immigration is the key to getting there,” said Fraser in February after announcing the latest immigration levels plan. “Setting bold new immigration targets, as outlined in the 2022-2024 Levels Plan, will further help bring the immeasurable contribution of immigrants to our communities and across all sectors of the economy.”

Three months after Cross warned of the inflationary pressure of too-tight a labour market, Canada’s unemployment rate dropped to only 5.3 percent in March, the lowest level since comparable data started being kept in 1976.

Canada’s Unemployment Rate Falls To Lowest Level In More Than 50 Years

People Nearing Retirement Outnumber Those Old Enough To Enter Labour Market

Source: Trading Economics

Canada now has the tightest labour market in more than half a century. And the country is also experiencing its highest rate of inflation in more than 30 years. 

“In March, Canadian consumer prices increased 6.7 percent year over year …. This was the largest increase since January 1991 (when inflation hit 6.9 percent),” reported Statistics Canada.

Inflation Rises To More Than 30-Year High In Canada

Inflation Rises To More Than 30-Year High In Canada

Source: Statistics Canada

In its Consumer Price Index report for March, the statistical and demographic services agency provided analysis of some of the underlying causes of this inflation. 

Statistics Canada blamed the high inflation rate on soaring housing costs and supply chain woes due to the Russia-Ukraine war which are driving up energy, agricultural, and commodity prices. 

But the impact of severe labour shortages on inflation did not go unnoticed.

By March This Year, Canadian Wages Had Risen 3.4% In Past Year

“Employment continued to strengthen in March, as the unemployment rate fell to a record low,” noted Statistics Canada. “In March, average hourly wages for employees rose 3.4 percent on a year-over-year basis.”

Labour is commonly regarded as one of the most significant costs for a business. Manufacturers can expect labour costs, which include not only wages but also benefits, payroll deductions and applicable taxes, to be almost 30 percent of their total costs. 

A service business can expect labour costs to be roughly 50 percent of costs – and, in some cases, up to as much as 70 percent of costs. 

When wages rise, those businesses have little choice but to pass on those costs or make drastic cuts elsewhere in their operations.

In many parts of Canada, those pay hikes are rising faster than inflation. In Nunavut, the median hourly wage rose by 12.5 percent in the past year. In Nova Scotia, the increase in median hourly wages was 10 percent, in New Brunswick 8.3 percent, and in the Northwest Territories almost 8.6 percent for the comparable period.

A big part of the reason for the labour shortages is the retirement of so many baby boomers, the huge chunk of Canadian society born between 1946 and 1964. They’re now aged between 58 and 76 years old and are gradually leaving the workforce, taking with them their education and work experience.

Baby Boomer Retirement A Ticking Time Bomb That Has Exploded

In a report released Apr. 28, Statistics Canada noted the impact of the steady stream of boomer retirements.

“Canada’s working-age population has never been older,” Statistics Canada reported. “More than one in five persons (21.8 percent) are close to retirement age (between 55 and 64 years), an all-time high in the history of Canadian censuses. 

“The aging of many baby boomer cohorts, the youngest of whom are between 56 and 64 years today, is accelerating population aging. There are challenges associated with an older workforce, including knowledge transfer, retaining experienced employees, and workforce renewal.”

People Nearing Retirement Outnumber Those Old Enough To Enter Labour Market

People Nearing Retirement Outnumber Those Old Enough To Enter Labour Market

Source: Statistics Canada.

Employers cannot expect Canadian-born workers to resolve these labour shortages anytime soon. There just aren’t enough children being born in Canada right now to make up for those boomers hitting retirement age.

“From 2016 to 2021, the number of children younger than 15 grew six times slower than the number of persons aged 65 and older,” reports Statistics Canada.

There are also fewer people aged 15 to 24 years of age who are likely to enter the workforce soon than there are boomers nearing retirement age.

Immigrants Rejuvenate Workforce And Help Alleviate Massive Labour Shortages

In a rapidly-aging workforce, immigration has a rejuvenating effect on the population, notes Statistics Canada. 

When immigration to Canada dropped to just under 185,000 new permanent residents in 2020, the share of young adults in the country’s population fell because immigrants and temporary residents are often young adults in their twenties or thirties when they arrive in 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).

Under normal circumstances, 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.

Saskatchewan Invites 54 Canada Immigration Candidates In New Entrepreneur Draw

Colin Singer
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Saskatchewan Invites 54 Canada Immigration Candidates In New Entrepreneur Draw

Canada immigration news: Saskatchewan immigration has issued 54 invitations in a new Entrepreneur stream draw through the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP).

The May 5 draw required a minimum score of 90 and an average score of 110 points.

Saskatchewan Entrepreneur Stream 2022 Draws

Date

Lowest score

Average score

Highest score

Number of invitations

05-May-22

90

110

130

54

03-Mar-22

80

90

135

58

06-Jan-22

90

105

140

51

Source: https://www.saskatchewan.ca

Entrepreneur Stream Future 2022 Draw Dates

  • September 1
  • November 3

Saskatchewan prioritizes three selection factors to separate candidates with the same score on the Entrepreneur stream points grid.

The three factors, in order of priority, are:

  1. Official language ability.
  2. Those with businesses planned for a key economic sector.
  3. Completion of an exploratory visit.

Read More Canada Immigration News

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New List Of 2022 Draw Dates Published For Saskatchewan Entrepreneur Category

The Saskatchewan immigration Entrepreneur stream is a three-stage process:

  1. Expression of interest
  2. Invitation to submit application
  3. Nomination

The expression of interest must meet the following minimum entry requirements:

  • Minimum net worth of $500,000 legally acquired.
  • Minimum of three years of entrepreneurial or relevant management experience.
  • Investment of at least $300,000 in Regina or Saskatoon, or $200,000 in any other Saskatchewan area.

Candidates enter a pool where they receive a score. The top scoring candidates are invited to submit an application.

Applications must include:

  • Business Establishment Plan confirming figures in expression of interest, and including at least one third ownership of a company in Saskatchewan, unless investment is $1 million or higher.
  • Commitment to be active in day-to-day management of business.
  • Creation of two or more jobs for Canadian citizens or permanent residents if the business is located in Regina or Saskatoon.

 

New Saskatchewan Draw Sees Province Issue 198 Canada Immigration Invitations

Colin Singer
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New Saskatchewan Draw Sees Province Issue 198 Canada Immigration Invitations

Canada immigration news: A new Expression of Interest draw through the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program saw the province issue 198 Canada immigration invitations.

The May 5 draw featured 197 invitations through the province’s Occupations In-Demand and Express Entry streams, which targeted 41 National Occupational Classification codes and required a minimum score of 85.

A single invitation went to a candidate who listed their country of residence as Ukraine, as a direct response to the Russian invasion of the country.

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Latest Saskatchewan Expression of Interest Draw

Draw date

Category

Minimum score

Invites issued

Other considerations

05-May-22

Occupations In-Demand

85

91

NOCs included: 1221, 1122, 1241, 1123, 0621, 4033, 0014, 4164, 4212, 0121, 4169, 2212, 0421, 9232, 8222, 4216, 0911, 1243, 2241, 2263, 0821, 4152, 0423, 7237, 9212, 2142, 2151, 2242, 7251, 0712, 7283, 4166, 2144, 2243, 7271, 2252, 1313, 2253, 4161, 7232, 1222

Express Entry

85

106

71

1

Invited candidates listed

country of residence as Ukraine.

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 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.

New Manitoba PNP Draw Sees Province Invites 315 Canada Immigration Candidates

Colin Singer
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New Manitoba PNP Draw Sees Province Invites 315 Canada Immigration Candidates

Canada immigration news: A new draw through the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program saw the province issue 315 Letters of Advice to Apply to Canada immigration candidates. 

The May 5 draw saw LAAs issued through three MPNP streams.

Skilled Workers in Manitoba received 249 LAAs, with the lowest-ranked candidates scoring 651 points.

International Education Stream candidates received 32 LAAs.

The remaining 34 LAAs went to Skilled Workers Overseas candidates through a Strategic Recruitment Initiative, with a minimum score of 691.

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Manitoba stated that 48 of the 315 candidates had valid Express Entry IDs and job seeker validation codes.

For detailed requirements of all the streams featured in this draw, please see below.

This was the 145th draw in the history of the MPNP.

What Were the Details of the Latest Manitoba Draw?

Stream

Sub-Stream

Letters of Advice to Apply

Score of Lowest Ranked Candidate

1) Skilled Workers in Manitoba

249

651

2) International Education Stream

32

–

3) Skilled Workers Overseas

Strategic Recruitment Initiative

34

691

Video

How Do I Qualify For The Skilled Worker in Manitoba Stream?

The Skilled Worker in Manitoba Stream (SWM) is based on the specific needs of Manitoba employers. SWM selects foreign-trained workers with the required skills and nominates them for Canada permanent residence. The stream prioritizes candidates with a strong attachment to Manitoba, with two pathways to Manitoba immigration.

a) Manitoba Work Experience Pathway

For applicants currently working in Manitoba on temporary work permits, through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program or as international graduates from any province. Candidates do not need to be working in In-Demand Occupations.

b) Employer Direct Recruitment Pathway

For applicants from overseas with job offers from approved Manitoba employers.

How Do I Qualify For The Skilled Worker Overseas Stream?

The Skilled Worker Overseas Stream (SWO) includes both a dedicated Canada Express Entry Pathway and a direct provincial pathway.

It is aimed at international skilled workers with skills and training in Manitoba’s In-Demand Occupations. Priority is given to applicants and spouses with close family connections, plus the language proficiency, training and experience to find jobs quickly.

a) Manitoba Express Entry Pathway

For international candidates eligible under another MPNP stream, who also meet Express Entry criteria and have an active Express Entry profile. Candidates need skills, training and experience in one of Manitoba’s In-Demand Occupations, and a strong family connection to the province.

b) Human Capital Pathway

For international skilled workers with skills, training and experience in one of Manitoba’s In-Demand Occupations. Candidates must demonstrate the potential to find employment soon after they arrive in Manitoba.

What Are The Requirements For the International Education Stream?

The International Education Stream (IES) is dedicated to international graduates from Manitoba colleges and universities. Under IES, candidates are no longer required to work for six months in their field before applying for an MPNP nomination. It has three pathways:

1) Career Employment Pathway  

Eligibility requirements include:

  • Completed a one-year or longer course from an eligible post-secondary Manitoba institution within three years of submission of application.
  • Have a full-time job offer in a Manitoba In-Demand occupation related to the completed degree
  • Resident of Manitoba

2) Graduate Internship Pathway

Masters and Doctoral degree holders who have completed Mitacs Accelerate or Elevate internships can apply for nomination through internships even without a job offer in the province.

3) Student Entrepreneur Pathway

Eligibility requirements include:

  • Completed a two-year or longer course from an eligible post-secondary Manitoba institution
  • Six months of business operation experience in Manitoba
  • A resident of Manitoba since graduation.
  • No specific minimum personal net worth requirement

Canada Unemployment Falls To New Record Low Of 5.2%, Spearheaded By Quebec

Colin Singer
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Canada Unemployment Falls To New Record Low Of 5.2%, Spearheaded By Quebec

Canada immigration news: The latest official Canada jobs figures show Canada’s already record-low unemployment edged down further to 5.2 percent in April.

The Statistics Canada Labour Force Survey, released Friday, revealed a more consolidatory set of jobs figures, after the significant employment increases of the last two months.

A major highlight was Quebec, where unemployment fell to 3.9 percent, the lowest of all the provinces and an indication of how tight the labour market has become in the French-speaking province.

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 enterprises, www.grnmontreal.com and our newest asset, www.skilledworker.com, “the leader in foreign recruitment”.

Canada’s employment rate held firm at 61.9 percent in April.

Demographically, the unemployment rate for 25 to 54-year-olds fell to 4.3 percent, the lowest since records began in 1976.

Women in the age-group saw employment rise by 43,000 jobs, offset by a 36,000 decline for men.

For both younger people aged 15 to 24 and the 55 and older age-group, employment held steady in April.

Read More Canada Immigration News

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What Are The Labour Force Survey Highlights?

Unemployment rate (%)

5.2

Employment rate (%)

61.9

Labour force participation rate (%)

65.3

Number unemployed

1,085,800

Number working

19,600,500

Youth (15-24) unemployment rate (%)

10.1

Men (over 25) unemployment rate (%)

4.5

Women (over 25) unemployment rate (%)

4.5

Source: Statistics Canada

Provincial Canada Jobs Picture

In Quebec, despite a decrease of 26,500 jobs, unemployment continued to plummet. The province saw employment declines in construction and educational services.

New Brunswick, meanwhile, saw employment increase by 6,700 jobs, beating its pre-COVID level for the first time since pandemic restrictions eased. The province’s unemployment rate dropped to 7 percent.

Further gains in Atlantic Canada were seen in Nova Scotia, which added 5,900 jobs for an unemployment rate of 6 percent, and Newfoundland & Labrador, where unemployment fell to 10.8 percent after 2,500 jobs were added.

Alberta was another solid performer, adding 16,000 jobs in its first notable increase since December 2021. The province’s wholesale and retail industries were the strongest performers, as it saw unemployment drop 0.6 percentage points to 5.9 percent.

Ontario was the only other province to see increased employment, adding 14,300 jobs for an unemployment rate of 5.4 percent.

Unemployment Rates In Canada’s Provinces

Jobs change last month

Unemployment rate (%)

British Columbia

-2,000

5.4

Alberta

16,000

5.9

Saskatchewan

-900

5.5

Manitoba

-500

5.0

Ontario

14,300

5.4

Quebec

-26,500

3.9

New Brunswick

6,700

7.0

Nova Scotia

5,900

6.0

Prince Edward Island

-200

8.1

Newfoundland & Labrador

2,500

10.8

CANADA

15,300

5.2

Source: Statistics Canada

Canada Jobs By Industry

Looking at the data by industry, the top performer in April was professional, scientific and technical services.

The industry added 15,000 jobs, adding to the 121,000 increase in the last year, at a rate of 7.3 percent, which is higher than total employment growth.

Public administration also saw growth, for a second consecutive month, this time adding 17,000 jobs, most notably in Quebec. This industry includes those working for federal, provincial, territorial, local, and Indigenous governments, as well as employees of courts and protective services.

Canada Has More Jobs Than Before COVID-19, BMO Economist Says

Colin Singer
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Canada Has More Jobs Than Before COVID-19, BMO Economist Says

Canada immigration news: There are now more jobs in Canada than before the COVID-19 pandemic, in good news for foreign nationals eyeing moving here to work, according to the Bank of Montreal’s latest labour market report.

“Canadian employment rose 209k,000 in (the first quarter of 2022), continuing the strong run of job creation and leaving employment more than two per cent above pre-COVID levels,” wrote Robert Kavcic, senior economist and director of economics at the Bank of Montreal, in his Regional Labour Market Report Card.

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Underscoring the strength of Canada’s labour market, that labour market report, released earlier this month, is titled Fully Completely Recovered.

Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland Only Two Provinces Not To See Job Growth

“All provinces saw job growth in (the first quarter of the year),” wrote Kavcic. “Jobless rates are also down sharply almost everywhere (Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador are the exceptions), highlighting that strong conditions are largely a national, not regional, story,” noted Kavcic.

Early this year, Canada entered the sixth wave of the pandemic with the highly-transmissible Omicron variant driving up case counts to unprecedented levels, albeit often with sufferers exhibiting milder symptoms.

Governments swung into action with another round of public health restrictions at that time in several provinces. Despite those restrictions, employment soared.

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“Employment in Ontario rose by 84,000 in the quarter, and is 4.8 per cent above year-ago levels,” wrote Kavcic.

The jobless rate is lowest in the francophone province of Quebec, at 4.1 per cent, which is also seeing massive labour shortages and desperately trying to lure foreign workers to its shores.

Alberta, home to Canada’s oil patch, is benefitting from record-high oil prices and jobs there are up 4.3 per cent year over year. That’s a record for job growth for the province.

The Top 10 Canadian Cities For Labour Market Performance in the first quarter of this year were:

  1. Saskatoon;
  2. Guelph;
  3. St. Catharines;
  4. Peterborough;
  5. Regina;
  6. Oshawa;
  7. Victoria;
  8. Sudbury;
  9. Moncton, and;
  10. Winnipeg.

The Bottom 10 Cities in Canada Based on Labour Market Performance in the first quarter of this year were, starting with the worst:

  1. Kelowna;
  2. Kingston;
  3. Saguenay;
  4. Windsor;
  5. Hamilton;
  6. Brantford;
  7. Saint John;
  8. Trois-Rivieres;
  9. Ottawa, and;
  10. Barrie.

Ottawa Saw Poor Job Performance During Truckers’ Convoy

“At the city level, performance is mixed across the country and among smaller and larger centres,” noted Kavcic. 

“Guelph, St. Catharines, Peterborough and Oshawa continue to highlight strength further outside the core of Toronto (partly reflecting the pandemic shift out by households). But, the largest cities themselves have again moved up the performance ranking in recent months.”

Ottawa, which came in second-last place for labour market performance in the first quarter of this year was the site of the Canadian truckers’ Freedom Convoy which clogged up the city’s downtown streets from Jan. 22 through to Feb. 23.

Normal traffic flow in the nation’s capital was restored when Prime Minister Justin Trudeau invoked the highly-controversial Emergencies Act to clear the truckers out, confiscate their rigs, and freeze the bank accounts of those involved.

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)

Employers Can Hire Foreign Nationals Through Express Entry

Under normal circumstances, 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 payment processing fees within a delay of 90 days.

British Columbia, Quebec and the Yukon Hit Hardest By Canada Labour Shortages

Colin Singer
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0
British Columbia, Quebec and the Yukon Hit Hardest By Canada Labour Shortages

Canada immigration news: Canada’s latest job vacancy rates show British Columbia, Quebec and the Yukon territory in northwestern Canada are the regions most hurting for a lack of workers.

Statistics Canada’s latest figures for February show British Columbia had a job vacancy rate of 5.8 per cent, Quebec’s rate was 5.6 per cent and the Yukon’s only marginally better at 5.4 per cent.

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Ottawa calculates the job vacancy rate by dividing the number of open job postings on the last business day of the month by the total number of positions, including both those that are filled and those that are still open, and then multiplying by 100 to get a percentage.

Newfoundland Had Lowest Job Vacancy Rate In Canada In February

That means that in British Columbia, Quebec and the Yukon, more than one in 20 jobs was open, in some cases going begging for a lack of qualified applicants.

The provinces with the lowest job vacancy rates in February were Newfoundland and Labrador, with a rate of 2.9 per cent, followed by the territory of Nunavut at 3.1 per cent and its neighbour to the west, the Northwest Territories, with a rate of 3.3 per cent. 

Saskatchewan and Nova Scotia each had a job vacancy rate of 3.7 per cent.

Statistics Canada’s data also shows the country’s labour shortage seems to be getting worse, not better, despite the record-breaking level of immigration last year. 

The statistical and demographic services agency crunches the numbers every month to come up with a ratio of the number of unemployed people for each job vacancy in Canada. The lower the ratio, the tighter the labour market is deemed to be.

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In February that ratio dropped to 1.4 unemployed people for each job vacancy in the country, down from 1.7 in January. 

In Quebec and British Columbia, the labour shortages were even greater with the ratio for La Belle Province at only 1.0 and for the West Coast province at only 1.1.

A report produced by a Quebec think tank, the Institut du Québec, shows the labour market in Quebec might actually have been even tighter than that at the end of last year. 

In a study on job vacancies and salaries during the fourth trimester of last year, the think tank claimed there were just not enough people in Quebec looking for work at that time to fill the available jobs.

“There were fewer people looking for jobs in the labour market than there were jobs to fill in the period from September through to December 2021,” noted the report.

Restaurateurs And Hoteliers Hurt By Lack Of Workers To Fill Jobs

In February this year, Canadian restaurateurs and hoteliers were once again facing the brunt of labour shortages across the country.

“There were 115,200 vacant positions in accommodation and food services in February, up 22.6 per cent, or 21,200 jobs, from January, coinciding with the easing of public health restrictions in many provinces,” notes Statistics Canada. 

“The job vacancy rate (in this sector) was 9.8 per cent in February 2022, the highest across all sectors for the tenth consecutive month.”

Even though 6.2 per cent more people were working in the healthcare and social assistance sector in February this year than during the comparable month in 2021, job vacancies remained high with 133,200 jobs still up for grabs.

That’s virtually unchanged from the all-time high for job vacancies in this sector recorded in January. 

Other sectors where there are still a lot of job openings are construction, manufacturing and the retail trade. 

“Along with healthcare and social assistance as well as accommodation and food services, these five sectors accounted for more than half, 57.2 per cent, of total job vacancies in February,” reports Statistics Canada.

TFWP And IMP Allow Employers To bring Foreign Workers To Canada

The Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP), and; the International Mobility Program (IMP) are the two main programs for employers hoping to bring foreign nationals to Canada to temporarily fill jobs which are going begging for a want of applicants.

The Global Talent Stream (GTS), a part of the TFWP, can under normal circumstances 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. 

Parents and Grandparents Super Visa: The Alternative For Bringing Family Members To Canada

Colin Singer
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0
Parents and Grandparents Super Visa: The Alternative For Bringing Family Members To Canada

Canada’s Parents and Grandparents Super Visa is a useful backup for citizens and permanent residents unsuccessful in bringing their family members here through the Parents and Grandparents Program.

Canada’s Parents and Grandparents Program – which offers permanent residency to qualified candidates – is highly popular and operates using a lottery system.

However, the last window for submitting an ‘Interest to Sponsor’ form came in 2020, and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) recently said it was still processing applications from invitations to apply issued to those candidates.

Read More Canada Immigration News

Eight Things To Know About Canada’s Parents And Grandparents Program
Canada Set To Grow Parents and Grandparents Program Intake By More Than A Third to 32,000
IRCC Says Still Processing Applications Already Received For Parents and Grandparents Program

IRCC officials do not know when a new window will open for submitting the form to express interest in bringing family members to Canada.

The lack of certainty surrounding the Parents and Grandparents Program is forcing many to consider the Parents and Grandparents Super Visa.

This 10-year, multiple entry visa can be used to bring family members here with temporary status, while efforts to get permanent residency are ongoing.

Super Visa holders can remain in Canada for periods of up to two years. In comparison, a regular visitor visa is usually valid for a maximum period of six months.

Parents and Grandparents Super Visa: Requirements

The parent or grandparent must:

  • Show that they are the parent or grandparent of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident;
  • Obtain medical insurance from a Canadian insurance company that is valid for at least one year, providing a minimum coverage of $100,000 for health care, hospitalization and repatriation;
  • Undergo a medical examination.

The parent or grandparent’s family member in Canada must:

  • Demonstrate that they are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident;
  • Provide the applicant with a letter of invitation. This is a letter that provides information about the applicant’s planned visit, about the child or grandchild’s occupation and economic situation in Canada. Most importantly, this letter must include a written and signed promise of financial support for the applicant for the duration of their visit;
  • Demonstrate their income is above a predetermined minimum level.

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Immigration Levels Plan For Parents and Grandparents Program

Canada’s annual immigration intake through the Parents and Grandparents Program is set to rise by more than a third in the next three years.

Ottawa’s latest Immigration Levels Plan targets 25,000 newcomers through the program in 2022, 28,500 in 2023 and a 2024 intake of 32,000.

That is a 36 percent increase on the 2021 target of 23,500 PGP newcomers.

Parents and Grandparents Program Intake Targets

The increases are an encouraging sign for those wishing to bring their family members to Canada through this highly-popular program. However, in the meantime the most timely option is the Parents and Grandparents Super Visa.

New British Columbia Draw Sees Province Issue At Least 178 Canada Immigration Invitations

Colin Singer
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New British Columbia Draw Sees Province Issue At Least 178 Canada Immigration Invitations

Canada immigration news: A new draw through the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program saw the province issue Canada immigration invitations to at least 178 candidates.

The May 3 draws were split into two categories: general and targeted.

In the general draw, which included tech occupations, 141 invitations were issued through five BC PNP streams for skilled workers and international graduates. Minimum scores ranged from 77 to 123 points.

In the targeted draw, a further 28 invitations were issued to skilled workers and international graduates scoring at least 65 points in a draw targeting Early Childhood Educators and Assistants under NOC 4214.

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A draw targeted at Healthcare workers saw 9 invitations issued to skilled workers, international graduates and entry-level and semi-skilled workers, also with a minimum score of 65 points.

The final set of less than 5 targeted invitations went to skilled workers and international graduates under NOCs 3114 and 3213 for veterinarians and animal health technologists and veterinary technicians respectively, with a minimum score of 65.

Latest B.C. Immigration Draws

General Draw

Date

Category

Minimum Score

Invitations Issued

Description

03-May-22

 

 

 

Skilled Worker

109

141

General draw (includes tech occupations)

Skilled Worker – EEBC

123

International Graduate

97

International Graduate – EEBC

107

Entry Level and Semi-Skilled

77

Targeted Draw

Date

Category

Minimum Score

Invitations Issued

Description

03-May-22

 

 

 

Skilled Worker, International Graduate

65

28

Targeted draw: Childcare: Early childhood educators (NOC 4214)

Skilled Worker, International Graduate, Entry Level and Semi-Skilled

65

9

Targeted draw: Healthcare

Skilled Worker, International Graduate

65

<5

Targeted draw:

Other priority occupations (NOCs 3114, 3213)

Video:

 

COVID-19: Canada Scraps Pre-Entry Tests For Under-12s, Expands List of Accepted Vaccines

Colin Singer
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COVID-19: Canada Scraps Pre-Entry Tests For Under-12s, Expands List of Accepted Vaccines

Canada immigration news: Canada has scrapped the need for pre-entry COVID-19 tests for children aged five through to 11 and expanded its list of accepted vaccines for exemption from travel restrictions.

On Apr. 25, the federal government dropped the need for these test results for children that age who are less than fully vaccinated against the coronavirus provided they are accompanied upon their entry to Canada by a fully-vaccinated adult.

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“They (are) exempt from quarantine, without any limitations on their activities,” notes the government on its travel website. 

“This means, for example, they don’t need to wait 14 days before attending school, camp or daycare. However, they will need to wear a mask in public settings, including school, for 14 days after arrival to Canada.”

Travellers Chosen at Random Must Use Self-Swab Kits to Test for COVID-19

The only caveat is these children can still be required to undergo a COVID-19 test upon arrival if their parent is randomly selected for testing him or herself.

“When you arrive at a land border crossing, if you’re selected you’ll be given a self-swab kit to complete,” notes the federal government’s COVID-19 travel website. 

“You’ll need to follow the instructions in your self-swab kit to complete the test at your destination. Use only the test kits that you received at the border, not any other test kits you may have. The instructions, weblinks and telephone numbers are all provided in the kit.”

Children under five years old are exempt from Canada’s vaccination requirements, pre-entry testing, arrival testing and quarantine.

On the same day, Ottawa dropped the pre-test requirement for these children, it also began accepting travellers into Canada who was fully vaccinated with Medicago’s plant-based Covifenz vaccine. 

“(You) have the option to select this vaccine when submitting your proof of vaccination in ArriveCAN,” notes the federal government’s travel website.

With the addition of Covifenz, the country now accepts travellers as fully protected against the coronavirus with any one of nine vaccines. 

They are:

  • AstraZeneca’s COVISHIELD;
  • Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin;
  • Janssen/Johnson & Johnson;
  • Medicago’s Covifenz;
  • Moderna’s Spikevax;
  • Novavax’s Nuvaxovid;
  • Pfizer-BioNTech’s Comirnaty;
  • Sinopharm’s BIBP, and;
  • Sinovac’s CoronaVac.

All Travellers to Canada Need to Use ArriveCAN

Ottawa considers travellers fully vaccinated when they have had at least two doses of one of these approved vaccines or a mix of two accepted doses, or at least one dose of the Janssen/Johnson & Johnson vaccine at least two weeks prior to the day of travel.

The latest easing of travel restrictions came less than a month after Ottawa started allowing fully-vaccinated travellers to come into Canada without getting tested for COVID-19 unless randomly chosen for that testing on Apr. 1.

All travellers must still use the ArriveCAN app within 72 hours of their arrival in Canada to update their information.

“Travellers who arrive without completing their ArriveCAN submission may have to test on arrival and quarantine for 14 days, regardless of their vaccination status,” states Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) on its website. 

“Travellers taking a cruise or a plane must submit their information in ArriveCAN within 72 hours before boarding.”

Some Canadians Call For Dropping Of All Public Health Travel Restrictions

Failure to use the ArriveCAN app can result in a $5,000 fine.

On social media, many suggested Canada’s easing of COVID-19 public health restrictions does not go far enough.

“How about we negate the restrictions completely?” suggested one Twitter user. “More and more people, both vaxed and unvaxxed are testing positive with zero symptoms.”

Another complained that the unvaccinated who have already contracted and recovered from COVID-19 already have natural immunity and so should not be required to be vaccinated to travel. 

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