Massive Canada Labour Shortages Outlined In Latest Jobs Numbers Report

Colin Singer
-
0
Massive Canada Labour Shortages Outlined In Latest Jobs Numbers Report

Canada immigration news: Canada has massive labour shortages, offering opportunities for economic immigration, with employers still in hiring mode as they rebuild in the wake of the COVID-19 global pandemic. 

“There were 896,100 job vacancies in Canada at the start of December, 2.5 per cent or 21,400, higher than at the beginning of November,” notes Statistics Canada.

Read More Canada Immigration News

Immigrate To Canada In 2022: 5 Pathways To Permanent Residence
Top 10 Source Countries Of Immigration to Canada in 2021
Top 10 Best Cities For Technology Jobs in Canada

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

Paid Employment Rises To Pre-Pandemic Levels

In its Payroll Employment, Earnings And Hours, And Job Vacancies, December 2021, the statistical and demographic services agency of the federal government noted employers in many sectors are still very much looking for employees even as they bring workers into their workforces.

“The number of employees receiving pay or benefits from their employer, measured by the Survey of Employment, Payrolls and Hours (SEPH) as payroll employment, rose by 122,200 or 0.7 per cent in December, the seventh consecutive monthly increase,” notes Statistics Canada.

“The gains in December brought payroll employment above its pre-pandemic level for the first time, surpassing the February 2020 level by 60,400 or 0.4 per cent.”

Watch Video

Unsurprisingly given the existence of the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare workers continue to be a particularly hot commodity in Canada.

The number of workers being paid for jobs in the healthcare and social assistance sector rose by 25,600 or 1.2 per cent in December. The number of employees in the educational sector also saw an uptick of 23,100, or 1.7 per cent.

As public health restrictions, which are now being lifted throughout most of Canada, continued in December last year, restaurants, bars and catering services continued to struggle and the number of jobs in that sector remained below pre-pandemic levels.

“In December, healthcare and social assistance, up by 121,800 paid jobs or 5.9 per cent, was furthest above pre-COVID employment, while accommodation and food services, down by 170,500 jobs or 12.7 per cent was furthest below,” reports Statistics Canada.

Restaurants, bars, gyms and other services that were held back by public health restrictions during the pandemic are expected to boom as those restrictions are lifted.

Healthcare, Education, Construction and Manufacturing Booming

Construction and manufacturing in Canada continued to rebound in December, returning and even surpassing their pre-pandemic levels of employment.

Compared with November, job vacancies were up in five provinces in December with the largest increases were in Saskatchewan, New Brunswick, and British Columbia.

In both Quebec and British Columbia, there were more jobs going begging for a want of workers than there were unemployed people who could potentially fill them.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Global Talent Stream Aims For 2-Week Processing

Employers can either:

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.

Quebec Targets Nursing Shortage With $65M Foreign Worker Recruitment Initiative

Colin Singer
-
0
Quebec Targets Nursing Shortage With $65M Foreign Worker Recruitment Initiative

Canada immigration news: Quebec is aiming to recruit 1,000 foreign-trained nurses from francophone countries over the next two years with a new $65 million initiative, says provincial Immigration Minister Jean Boulet.

“I am very proud to announce this project to recruit nurses which is part of our action plan to recognize the foreign credentials of immigrants,” said Boulet.

Read More Canada Immigration News

These Quebec Employers Can Now Hire More Temporary Foreign Workers
Quebec Labour Shortage: Top 10 Most In-Demand Quebec Jobs
All You Need To Know About Immigrating To Canadian Province of Quebec

“This project will allow us to speed up our international recruitment efforts and the recognition of the credentials of these nurses who will quickly help resolve labour shortages in our health network and social services.”

The immigration minister says the initiative will include settlement services to help newcomers integrate into Quebecois society and the provincial labour force.

Quebec Recruiting Nurse From Francophone Countries

“This is a win-win for Quebec and for skilled immigrants who are ready to lend their skills to improve our health network,” he said in French.

Quebec is hoping to recruit these nurses from the heavily-francophone countries of Algeria, Cameroon, Morocco, Tunisia, and Mauritius Island and have them work in the outlying areas of the province, including the Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Côte-Nord, Bas-Saint-Laurent, Gaspésie, Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean, Baie James and Outaouais regions.

Watch Video

Successful candidates will be paid $500 weekly for up to a year during their training at a local CEGEP, a community college in Quebec, while they work to get their credentials recognized by Quebec’s Order of Nurses. 

While in school for those nine months to a year, the candidates will also be allowed to work as nurses’ aides for up to 20 hours per week while in training and full-time during school holidays.

The cost of the program is being covered by Quebec’s immigration department, the Ministre de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI).

This immigration program doesn’t just allow the prospective nurses to come to Quebec. It also allows them to bring their spouses, who will be given open work permits, and their children.

Quebec and Ottawa Working To Speed Up Processing Times

Education Minister Danielle McCann said the new immigration initiative will allow the province to quickly boost the number of healthcare workers in Quebec. 

The first group of nurses to come to Quebec are expected to arrive this autumn with more settling in the province throughout 2023.

During the past year, Quebec has become even more bullish on immigration as a means to resolve its massive labour shortages. 

Earlier this year, Boulet echoed the sentiment of his predecessor as immigration minister, Nadine Girault, who described Ottawa’s processing times for immigration applications “deplorable” last year.

According to the new immigration minister in Quebec, the Canadian government still has a long way to go when it comes to its processing times for applications for economic immigration and study permits for international students.

The processing times for applications for permanent residency in Quebec were reported last year as being more than two years long, 27 months, compared six months in the rest of the country. The situation was also getting worse, not better.

In 2019, the processing time for applications to Quebec was 19 months.

Last month, Canada’s new immigration minister, Sean Fraser, took action on the file and met with Boulet. Although no details of the outcome of that meeting have been released, the Quebec politician described it earlier this month on Twitter as a “good meeting”.

Immigration To Quebec Outstrips Pre-Pandemic Levels

“I reminded him that Ottawa must speed up the process of admitting economic immigrants selected by Quebec and the issuance of study permits for francophone international students,” tweeted Boulet in French. “My counterpart has assured me of the cooperation of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).”

Canada’s immigration minister also expressed hope following the meeting.

“Canada and Quebec are continuing to work together to move forward on our joint priorities,” tweeted Fraser. “Canada is committed to protecting the French language by welcoming more francophone immigrants to Quebec and the rest of the country.”

The most recent IRCC data shows immigration to Quebec almost doubled last year compared to 2020.

As Canada rolled out its vaccine program and put in vaccine passports at the border to allow international travel to resume, Quebec welcomed 50,170 new permanent residents in 2021 compared to only 25,225 the previous year when the COVID-19 pandemic slowed immigration to Canada to a trickle.

Despite successive waves of COVID-19 affecting Canada, Quebec’s boom in immigration allowed it to welcome almost 23.7 per cent more new permanent residents last year than the 40,565 that arrived in 2019, the last full year before the pandemic.

New Ontario Express Entry Skilled Trades Draw Sees Province Issue 818 Canada Immigration NOIs

Colin Singer
-
0
New Ontario Express Entry Skilled Trades Draw Sees Province Issue 818 Canada Immigration NOIs

Canada immigration news: Ontario has conducted a new draw through the Express Entry Skilled Trades Stream, issuing 818 Canada immigration Notifications of Interest.

The February 24 draw targeted candidates with Comprehensive Ranking System scores in the range of 359 to 600.

Candidates were required to have submitted Express Entry profiles into the federal pool within the 12 months preceding the draw date to qualify.

Read More Canada Immigration News

Canada Needs To Reform Immigration System To Help Skill Trades, Says Ontario Organization
All You Need To Know About Immigrating To Canadian Province Of Ontario
Ontario Labour Shortage: Top 10 Most In-Demand Jobs In Canada’s Most Populous Province

Express Entry Skilled Trades Stream 2022

Date

NOIs 

CRS Score Range

Express Entry profile submission date

24-Feb-22

818

359-600

February 24, 2021 – February 24, 2022

27-Jan-22

1,032

381-461

January 27, 2021 – January 27, 2022

Video

Ontario Express Entry: Skilled Trades Stream

The Express Entry Skilled Trades Stream targets skilled trades workers in the construction and agricultural sectors but could be expanded in the future.

To qualify applicants must have:

  • Pending application under the Federal Express Entry system;
  • At least 12 months of paid cumulative or continuous Ontario work experience with the last two years prior to your Notification of Interest in National Occupation Classification 633, or major groups 72, 73 or 82;
  • Proof of Ontario license or certification if your occupation so requires;
  • A valid work permit and be resident in Ontario at the time of application;
  • English or French-language level of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 5 or above in reading, writing, listening and speaking;
  • Proof of settlement fund to cover you and your dependents, with the minimum amount determined by official Low-Income Cut-Offs.

 

New Manitoba Draw Sees Province Invite 278 Canada Immigration Candidates

Colin Singer
-
0
New Manitoba Draw Sees Province Invite 278 Canada Immigration Candidates

Canada immigration news: A new draw through the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program, saw the province issue 278 Letters of Advice to Apply to Canada immigration candidates.

The February 24 draw saw LAAs issued through three MPNP streams.

Skilled Workers in Manitoba received 206 LAAs, with the lowest-ranked candidates scoring 612 points.

International Education Stream candidates received 33 LAAs.

The remaining 39 LAAs went to Skilled Workers Overseas candidates through a Strategic Recruitment Initiative, with a minimum score of 685.

Read More Canada Immigration News

Here Are The Top 10 Most In-Demand Jobs In Canadian Province of Manitoba
All You Need To Know To Immigrate To Canadian Province Of Manitoba
New Manitoba Advisory Council To Help Revamp Provincial Nominee Program

Manitoba stated that 66 of the 278 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 137th 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

206

612

2) International Education Stream

33

–

3) Skilled Workers Overseas

Strategic Recruitment Initiative

39

685

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 business operation experience in Manitoba
  • Resident of Manitoba since graduation.
  • No specific minimum personal net worth requirement

New Measures To Help Ukrainians Embroiled In War With Russia Come To Canada

Colin Singer
-
0
New Measures To Help Ukrainians Embroiled In War With Russia Come To Canada

Canada immigration news: Applications from Ukraine will be fast-tracked as Canada steps in to help Ukrainians and Canadian citizens in the war-torn region, says Immigration Minister Sean Fraser.

“Canada is steadfast in its support of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine,” Fraser tweeted on Thursday. 

“For over a month, we have been priority-processing applications from Ukraine,” he tweeted. “Today, we announced new measures to support Ukrainians and Canadian citizens in the region.”

Read More Canada Immigration News

New Canada Permanent Residence Pathway For Families Of Ethiopian, Ukraine Air Disasters
How to Apply for Canadian Permanent Residence From Ukraine
Canada-Ukraine Deal Set To Boost Immigration Post-COVID-19

Ukraine, a former part of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), is embroiled in battle with Russia, fighting that country on three sides yesterday after Russian President Vladimir Putin declared war shortly before dawn. 

Russia’s Putin Declares War On Ukraine

Gunfire and explosions were heard on Thursday morning in Kyiv, a city of three million people, in what is now the biggest assault on a European state since the Second World War. 

Tens of thousands of people have fled from their homes. 

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is stepping in to support Ukrainians and others living in that country, and working to make it easier and faster for Canadian citizens, permanent residents and their accompanying immediate family members to return to Canada.

Those Canadians, permanent residents and their family members in Ukraine who need new and replacement travel documents are being put at the front of the line. 

Canada has already been prioritizing for the past month citizenship grant applications for adoption, as well as permanent and temporary residence applications for people with a primary residence in Ukraine who want to reunite or travel with family, study, work, or start a new life in Canada. 

“Ukrainian nationals currently in Canada on a temporary basis can apply to extend their status as a visitor, student or worker,” states the IRCC on its website. “Since Jan. 19, IRCC has approved nearly 2,000 applications from Ukrainian nationals and people residing in Ukraine across various programs.”

IRCC Launches Initiatives To Help Ukrainians Come To Canada

Now, Canada is pledging to do more. Among the new immigration measures are:

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

Immigration Minister Says Canada Will Do Even More

“We’re implementing urgent processing of travel documents, including issuing single-journey travel documents, for Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and their immediate family members,” tweeted Fraser. “We’re also ensuring that Ukrainians currently in Canada do not have to leave.”

Until the situation in Ukraine stabilizes, Ottawa is not even deporting back to Ukraine those in Canada illegally or found guilty of criminal activity, human rights violations, or who pose a security threat. The Canada Border Services Agency has put a stop to all these deportations.

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

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

“Let me be clear: we will not stop here,” tweeted Fraser. “As the situation unfolds, we are preparing additional measures and will increase our efforts to welcome Ukrainians in Canada.” 

Nova Scotia Immigration Triples Number Of Newcomers In 2021

Colin Singer
-
0
Nova Scotia Immigration Triples Number Of Newcomers In 2021

Canada immigration news: Nova Scotia almost tripled the number of new permanent residents it welcomed to its shores in 2021 compared to the previous year, setting a provincial Canada immigration record.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) figures released earlier this month reveal the Atlantic Canadian province welcomed 9,020 new permanent residents in 2021, an increase of 157 per cent over the 3,510 that settled in Nova Scotia in 2020 – and 19 per cent more than the 7,580 new permanent residents in 2019.

Read More Canada Immigration News

Canada’s Nursing Shortage Targeted In New Nova Scotia PNP Draw
Nova Scotia Sets New Record For Immigration In 2021
Nova Scotia Entrepreneur Draw: Province Issues 22 Invitations

That was the last full year before the Covid-19 pandemic and it then represented an immigration record for Nova Scotia.

Provincial politicians are smiling over the new immigration record set last year.

“Nova Scotia is a welcoming province filled with opportunities and it has helped us become one million strong,” said Jill Balser, the provincial immigration minister. 

Nova Scotia Hoping To Double Population By 2060

“Newcomers help to fill labour needs, fuel our economy, create new businesses and jobs and enhance our quality of life,” she said. “We are so glad that they have chosen Nova Scotia to be their home.”

Immigration to the province had been steadily rising since 2015 when the pandemic caused a temporary setback.

IRCC figures show the number of new permanent residents settling in Nova Scotia in 2021 was almost three times as high as the 3,405 who came seven years ago.

The province is hoping to build on its record-setting immigration levels to double its population to two million by 2060. Doing that would mean attracting 25,000 new permanent residents every year, or almost three times as many as Nova Scotia brought in last year.

The province is also turning to immigration to resolve its labour shortages, particularly in the healthcare sector and skilled trades.

In the six years that ended in December 2021, Nova Scotia approved 1,542 registered nurses and continuing care assistants, making them the top two healthcare professions approved by province’s immigration department. 

Lamis Alhassan, who came to Nova Scotia through the Economic Mobility Pathways pilot, is one of them.  A foreign-trained nurse currently working as a continuing care assistant in New Glasgow, she is hoping to get her foreign credentials recognized so she can work in Canada as a registered nurse.

“I’ve been in Nova Scotia for seven months and I’m loving the nature, clean environment, peace, quiet and the many recreational activities offered here in the province,” she said.  

Settlement Services A Valuable Tool In Retaining Immigrants

Last year, the top five countries of origin for immigrants to Nova Scotia were India, China, Philippines, South Korea and Nigeria. Many of those newcomers benefit greatly from settlement services offered by the Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia (ISANS).

Certainly, the province credits those services for allowing it to boast the highest retention rate in Atlantic Canada, 71 per cent.

“Settlement services such as language, employment, and community integration supports are key to the effective engagement of immigrants in our workplaces and our communities,” said Jennifer Watts, ISANS’ CEO.

“Through our programs and services, we welcome new talent, perspectives, and opportunities to the province.”

Economic programs continue to be the most popular route for immigrants to settle in Nova Scotia. Last year, they brought in 7,600 new permanent residents to the province, or almost 84.3 per cent of all newcomers to Nova Scotia.

The Nova Scotia Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) accounted for 2,275 of those new permanent residents and another 920 got their permanent residency through the one-time temporary-to-permanent-resident program put in place by Ottawa last year. 

It was worker programs, though, and most particularly the Atlantic Immigration Pilot (AIP) program and Canadian Experience Class (CEC), which brought in the most immigrants to the province. The AIP helped 2,670 new permanent residents settle in the province and the CEC another 1,670.

Fifty new permanent residents came to the province under the Skilled Worker program and 10 under business programs. Family sponsorships resulted in 730 new permanent residents and 625 came to Nova Scotia as refugees or protected persons. 

Immigration to Nova Scotia last year represented slightly more than 2.2 per cent of the total 405,330 new permanent residents to Canada in 2021.

Quebec Refugee Collective Sponsorship Program Application Window Closes

Colin Singer
-
0
Quebec Refugee Collective Sponsorship Program Application Window Closes

Canada immigration news: The one-month period during which organizations in Quebec could apply to sponsor refugees is now over.

Previous Quebec Immigration Minister Nadine Girault announced in late October last year that province would be accepting sponsorship applications under Quebec’s Collective Sponsorship program from Jan. 18 and running through to Feb. 16.

Read More Canada Immigration News

Quebec Targets 21 Jobs In Largest Canada Immigration Draw Of 2022
Ottawa, Quebec Work Together To Speed Up Canada Immigration Application Processing
First Quebec 2022 Draw Sees 512 Canada Immigration Invitations Issued

Last week, that deadline came and went. 

Quebec is now advising all organizations that applied to sponsor a refugee that changes can no longer be made to their applications on the Arrima Express Entry-style online platform.

“The minister of immigration, francization, and integration could proceed to undertake one or several draws if the number of applications submitted and admissible exceeds the maximum number of applications that are allowed from … sponsors,” MIFI states in French on its website.

Quebec To Accept 825 Sponsored Refugees This Year

Quebec Immigration announced late last year it would accept 825 applications for the sponsorship of refugees in 2022, including 400 from organizations and 425 from groups of two to five people. In the eventuality that immigration officials receive more applications than that, the province will hold a random draw to select those applications it will consider.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) figures released last week show Quebec welcomed 1,610 refugees last year, down 6.9 per cent from the 1,730 that settled in that province in 2020. 

In 2019, the last full year before the Covid-19 pandemic, Quebec welcomed 4,815 refugees. 

The announcement that Quebec would resume its Collective Sponsorship program was greatly welcomed last year by non-profits in the province. 

In November, 2020, the Gazette Officielle du Québec had published a decision barring organizations from sponsoring refugees for one year. The decision referred only to “serious concerns” which had to be examined. At that time, Quebec’s immigration minister had not expanded on that to the news media and refugee advocacy groups lambasted the government for that decision.

Action Réfugiés Montréal executive director Paul Clarke reportedly then told the French-language daily newspaper La Presse the province was tarring all refugee organizations with the same brush and described Quebec’s decision as unfortunate.

“They are using a hammer when they should be using a scalpel (to do a job which requires surgical precision),” he said in French.

Return Of Quebec Collective Sponsorship Program Greeted With Relief

Quebec’s issues with the sponsorship of refugees by organizations under that program, officially known as the Programme des personnes réfugiées à l’étranger (Parrainage collectif), was resolved late last year.

“We have reached an important milestone in our collective sponsorship program in terms of ensuring the protection and well-being of refugees as we receive them here in the very welcoming society that is Quebec,” said Girault in French in October.

In its bid to ensure the integrity of the program, Quebec has banned organizations that have submitted false or misleading information in the previous two years from being able to sponsor refugees in the coming year.  

Sponsorship groups can send a maximum of two applications but a Quebec citizen or permanent resident cannot be part of more than one sponsorship group. Those sponsors pledge themselves to provide for the basic needs of the candidate and his or her family for 12 months.

Those responsibilities include providing for:

  • costs of getting settled in Quebec, including housing, furnishings, travel, food and clothing;
  • expenses for health care, health services and drugs not covered or reimbursed by a public insurance plan, and;
  • costs related to helping the candidate enter the job market or look for a job that are not covered by a government program.

The sponsor must also offer the candidate and his or her family help with integration, including:

  • assistance in finding a job;
  • help with school registration;
  • support in accessing public services, and;
  • support for participation in community life.

To qualify, the candidate must be a convention refugee or a member of the Country of Asylum Class. 

New Ontario Express Entry Draw Targets 18 Occupations With 773 Canada Immigration NOIs

Colin Singer
-
0
New Ontario Express Entry Draw Targets 18 Occupations With 773 Canada Immigration NOIs

Canada immigration news: Ontario has conducted a new Canada immigration draw through the province’s Express Entry Human Capital Priorities stream, issuing 773 Notifications of Interest.

The February 22 Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program draw targeted 18 high-demand occupations with a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score range of 455 to 600 points.

On the same day, Ontario also conducted a draw under its Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker stream, targeted at the Economic Mobility Pathways Project (EMPP). The draw saw eight invitations issued.

The federal EMPP is designed to help skilled refugees immigrate to Canada through existing economic programs to support Canadian labour market needs.

Read More Canada Immigration News

New Ontario Draw Sees Province Issue 206 NOIs Through French Speaking Skilled Worker Stream
New Ontario Draws See Province Issue 749 Employer Job Offer Canada Immigration Invitations
Ontario Tech Draw: Province Issues 622 NOIs To Canada Immigration Candidates

Ontario Express Entry: Human Capital Priorities Stream Draw

Date issued

Number of invitations issued

Date profiles created

Score range

Notes

Feb 22, 2022

773

February 22, 2021 to April 29, 2021

455-600

Targeted draw – Priority Occupations

NOCs Target In Ontario Human Capital Priorities Draw 

  • 0114 Other administrative services managers
  • 0122 Banking, credit and other investment managers
  • 0124 Advertising, marketing and public relations managers
  • 0125 Other business services managers
  • 0211 Engineering managers
  • 0311 Managers in health care
  • 0601 Corporate sales managers
  • 0631 Restaurant and food service managers
  • 0711 Construction managers
  • 0731 Managers in transportation
  • 0911 Manufacturing managers
  • 1121 Human resources professionals
  • 1122 Professional occupations in business management consulting
  • 2161 Mathematicians, statisticians and actuaries
  • 3012 Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses
  • 3211 Medical laboratory technologists
  • 3231 Opticians
  • 3233 Licensed practical nurses

Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker Stream Draw

Date

ITAs Issued

Date Profiles Created

Score Range

Details

February 22, 2022

8 (Economic Mobility Pathways Project)

October 22, 2021 – February 22, 2022

N/A

Read full article

Ontario Express Entry: Human Capital Priorities Stream

The OINP issues periodic Notifications of Interest (NOI) throughout the year.

This stream is designed for skilled workers who wish to live and work in Ontario, and who have proven skills and abilities to successfully establish themselves in the province.

To qualify under this stream, 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.
  • Minimum Express Entry Comprehensive Ranking System score as determined by director under period draws.

Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker Stream

To qualify under this stream, applicants must have:

  • A permanent and full-time job offer under NOC 0, A or B that meets the median wage levels for Ontario, and in a position that is necessary to the business;
    • For those already working in the position, the proposed wage must be equal or greater than the current wage being paid
  • Two cumulative years of relevant work experience in the previous five years before the date of application;
  • Relevant mandatory licensing in Ontario, if the position so requires;
  • Live abroad, or be working, studying or visiting Canada on a valid permit;
  • Intention to settle in Ontario.

 

New British Columbia Draws See Province Issue 198 Canada Immigration Invitations

Colin Singer
-
0
New British Columbia Draws See Province Issue 198 Canada Immigration Invitations

Canada immigration news: British Columbia has issued Canada immigration invitations to a total of 160 candidates in two new draws through the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program.

The February 22 draws featured a general draw, and a second draw targeting two NOC codes: 0621 for Retail and Wholesale Trade Managers and 0631 for Restaurant and Food Service Managers.

In the general draw, the province issued 145 invitations across five streams, with minimum scores ranging from 77 to 125.

In the NOC-specific draw, 15 invites were issued through four streams, all featuring minimum scores of 125.

Read More Canada Immigration News

New British Columbia PNP Draw Sees 198 Canada Immigration Invitations Issued
New Tech Draw Sees British Columbia Invite 126 Canada Immigration Candidates
New British Columbia PNP Draw Sees Province Issue 289 Canada Immigration Invitations

Latest General B.C. Immigration Draw

Date

Category

Minimum Score

Invitations Issued

22-Feb-22

SI – Skilled Worker

112

Total: 145

 

SI – International Graduate

98

SI – Entry Level and Semi-Skilled

77

 

EEBC – Skilled Worker

125

 

EEBC – International Graduate

111

Source: www.welcomebc.ca

B.C. Draw Targeting NOCs 0621, 0631

Date

Category

Minimum Score

Invitations Issued

22-Feb-22

SI – Skilled Worker

125

Total: 15

 

SI – International Graduate

125

 

EEBC – Skilled Worker

125

 

EEBC – International Graduate

125

Video:

New Manitoba Advisory Council To Help Revamp Provincial Nominee Program

Colin Singer
-
0
New Manitoba Advisory Council To Help Revamp Provincial Nominee Program

Canada immigration news: Manitoba is aiming to attract more foreign nationals to immigrate there and international students to choose it as a place to pursue their post-secondary education by setting up an advisory council in a bid to revamp its Canada immigration practices. 

“This new advisory council will help us look at new and innovative ways to continue to be a welcoming new home for all newcomers, including refugees and international students, a dynamic destination for immigration and business investors, and an attractive place for people to come to build a life of opportunity and prosperity for themselves and their family,” said Manitoba Premier Heather Stefanson.

Read More Canada Immigration News

Here Are The Top 10 Most In-Demand Jobs In Canadian Province of Manitoba
All You Need To Know To Immigrate To Canadian Province Of Manitoba
New Manitoba PNP Draw Sees 273 Canada Immigration Candidates Invited

The fledgling Immigration Advisory Council is co-chaired by Immigration Minister Jon Reyes and Dr. Lloyd Axworthy, a former Canadian minister of foreign affairs, ex-chancellor of the University of Winnipeg, and current chair of the World Refugee and Migration Council.

‘Immigration An Issue Of Great Importance’

The advisory council, which was announced last week, is being tasked with reviewing Manitoba’s entire continuum of immigration policies and practices, from its promotion to retention of newcomers, and then providing clear recommendations and concrete actions to the provincial government.

“Immigration is an issue of great importance to the province, and we all have a common interest in an effective and efficient system,” said Axworthy.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) figures for 2021 were released Friday.

They reveal Manitoba attracted less than 4.1 per cent, or only 16,560, of the 405,330 new permanent residents to Canada in 2021. 

The province fared a bit better in getting its share of temporary to permanent residency applicants last year. Slightly more than 4.5 per cent of the 23,885 new permanent residents to Canada under that program last year, or 1,080, chose to settle in Manitoba.

Economic Immigration Programs Bring In Three-Quarters Of New Immigrants

The vast majority, or almost 77.4 per cent, of new permanent residents to Manitoba last year arrived through economic immigration programs. 

The 12,815 new permanent residents to Canada that chose to come to that province through economic immigration programs include 1,185 who arrived though the Canadian Experience Class, 15 under the Caregiver program, 50 through Rural and Northern Immigration, and 145 as Skilled Worker applicants.

Twenty new permanent residents immigrated to Manitoba by starting their own businesses in 2021.

The province’s Provincial Nominee Program helped 10,315 foreign nationals become new permanent residents in Manitoba.

“This program brings thousands of qualified skilled workers to Manitoba each year, and more than 165,000 nominees and their families have immigrated to Manitoba from all over the world since the program began,” said Reyes. 

“This year’s number of nominees is the highest since the program was established, and we know these new Manitobans will use their skills and training to contribute to the long-term economic recovery and growth of our province.”

Family Sponsorship programs brought in 2,330 new permanent residents to Manitoba in 2021 and another 1,235 arrived as Refugees or Protected Persons. 

Smaller Manitoba Cities Attract 21% Of PNP Nominees

Last year, about 21 per cent of nominees chose to settle outside the Winnipeg capital region, with the top regional immigration destinations being Brandon, Neepawa, Steinbach, Winkler, Thompson and Portage la Prairie.

Those who came to fill jobs last year primarily became transport truck drivers, food-counter attendants, food service supervisors, cooks and other customer service representatives.

In announcing the new advisory council, the province’ premier called on the need for more immigration to resolve labour shortages in Manitoba.

“There are different areas of the labour market that need people with very specific skills to enable them to grow further,” she said. 

“The advisory council will be reviewing the current Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program criteria and offer suggestions to help streamline processes to get people to Manitoba and have them join the workforce and their communities as soon as possible.”

1...137138139...246Page 138 of 246

Latest News

© Newspaper WordPress Theme by TagDiv