Offer PGWP to International Students at Canada’s Private Career Colleges, Says Expert

Colin Singer
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Offer PGWP to International Students at Canada’s Private Career Colleges, Says Expert

Canada immigration news: The chair of a national organization says thousands of additional international students would study at private career colleges every year and help resolve Canada’s labour shortages if Ottawa made these students eligible for Post-Graduate Work Permits (PGWP).

“We don’t have enough Canadians to fill the demand for personal support workers but if we could offer the work permits, we could bring in more students,” said George Hood, chair of the National Association of Career Colleges (NACC), in an interview.

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Under the current rules, international students who complete their courses at private career colleges – unless these offer degrees or are in Quebec – have to return to their home countries. 

Third of International Students Want To Immigrate To Canada

But those who graduate from public universities and colleges are eligible for PGWPs, allowing them to stay in Canada, work, and eventually apply for permanent residence. In a recent survey, roughly a third of international students who planned to attend college or university in Canada said they hoped to do just that.

“When an international student finishes the program and has to go back home, often they have regrets,” said Hood.

He estimates that private career colleges in Canada could see their enrolment jump by at least 10 per cent if Ottawa were to allow students at these designated learning institutions to qualify for PGWPs.

“It’s something we’ve been working on for years,” says Hood.

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated many labour shortages, including the demand for personal support workers, which are also called healthcare aid workers and homecare workers. 

In Ontario, private career colleges provide up to 80 per cent of the new grads for programs to do this kind of work every year. According to Hood, increasing enrolment by offering PGWPs to international students at private career colleges would go a long way to resolving this labour shortage.

It would also help the private career colleges’ bottom lines.

The loss of revenue to private career colleges of not allowing international students who enrol there to get PGWPs has been estimated at $120 million. 

Canada and Australia Tied For Stop As Favourite Destination For International Students

Canada is a top destination for international students, ranking with Australia as their favourite place to study, a poll from IDP Connect revealed earlier this year. 

The biggest chunk of the surveyed students – 38 per cent of whom were Indian – wanted to study in Canada or Australia, followed by the United Kingdom, the United States and then New Zealand. 

Mirroring the countries of origin for international students in Canada, significant numbers of the survey sample consisted of students from the Philippines, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Nepal, Indonesia, Kenya, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, and China.

Half had either received at least one offer to study in Canada or had a pending offer, 18 per cent had already begun their studies, and 20 per cent had not yet applied. Twelve percent had put their studies on hold.

The results of that latest poll mirrored those of Navitas’ survey of international students’ view of Canada’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic in September last year.

The Australian expert in international education trends revealed then that international students looking for a place to study abroad thought Canada handled the global pandemic very well.

“In May, 2020 Navitas surveyed its global agent network to explore how COVID-19 was changing the fortunes of international study destinations,” said Jon Chew, head of strategic insights and analytics at Navitas.

“Findings from that initial survey showed that Canada’s reputation as a study destination had been enhanced by its government’s handling of the pandemic. At that time, New Zealand, Australia and Canada were leading the pack.”

In September, Navitas repeated its survey and got similar results. If anything had changed during the height of the pandemic, it was that Canada’s handling of the pandemic had further enhanced its reputation as a favourable place to come and study.

During the pandemic, Canada allowed international students to take all of their courses via distance education in their home countries without losing their study permits and the benefits that come with them.

Canada’s Permanent Residence Program For Temporary Workers May Be Extended

Colin Singer
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Canada’s Permanent Residence Program For Temporary Workers May Be Extended

Canada immigration news: Canada is thinking of extending a program due to expire on Nov. 5 that gives temporary foreign workers an opportunity to become permanent residents, says Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino.

That new pathway was announced in May and was for up to 90,000 international students, health care workers and other workers in essential occupations who want to get their permanent residency in Canada.

The new pathway opened the door for up to 20,000 new permanent residents in the healthcare sector but more than 14,000 of those spots so far remain unfilled, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) data shows.

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Mendicino is now mulling over the idea of extending the program and opening it up to refugees.

“I think we should keep an open mind as to whether or not we should extend (the deadline),” Mendicino reportedly told Reuters in an interview.

“I am always going to keep an open mind about searching for whatever policy promotes the greatest outcomes for our refugees, our immigrants and our country and its economy.”

Immigration Falling Short of 401,000 Target

Canada is bullish on immigration and is hoping to welcome more than 1.2 million newcomers between 2021 and 2023 with 401,000 new permanent residents to Canada in 2021, 411,000 in 2022 and 421,000 in 2023.

“Immigration is essential to getting us through the pandemic, but also to our short-term economic recovery and our long-term economic growth,” Mendicino has said. “Canadians have seen how newcomers are playing an outsized role in our hospitals and care homes, and helping us to keep food on the table.

“As we look to recovery, newcomers create jobs not just by giving our businesses the skills they need to thrive, but also by starting businesses themselves,” he said. “Our plan will help to address some of our most acute labour shortages and to grow our population to keep Canada competitive on the world stage.

Despite its open arms to foreign nationals seeking to immigrate to Canada, Ottawa has so far fallen far short of its intended target.  There were only 222,275 new permanent residents to Canada in the first eight months of 2021, a year plagued with Covid-19 border closures and travel restrictions.

At this rate of 27,784 new permanent residents to Canada per month, Canada could close the year with only 333,412 new permanent residents, or about 16.9 per cent short of its goal. 

Majority of New Permanent Residents Were Temporary Workers

During the first eight months of this year, about 70 per cent of new permanent residents to the country have been Temporary Foreign Workers. 

 Under the pathway to permanent residency announced earlier this year, international students who graduated from a Canadian institution, health care workers and those in other designated essential occupations can get their permanent residency in Canada. 

But they have to be legally working in Canada at the time of their application and maintain their temporary resident status until a decision is made on their permanent residence application. 

In its bid to keep these people in Canada, many of whom had temporary work permits set to expire, Ottawa agreed earlier this year to issue them new open work permits.

“This new open work permit ensures that those who have been playing critical roles throughout the pandemic can continue their extraordinary service,” said Mendicino at that time. “Our message to them is simple: your status may be temporary, but your contributions are lasting – and we want you to stay.”

Open Work Permits Under New Pathway Valid Until End 2022

The open work permits so far issued under this temporary policy are valid until the end of next year.

To qualify for this one-time open work permit, applicants must show that they:

  • have successfully submitted an application under one of the new permanent residence pathway’s streams;
  • held a valid work permit, or were authorized to work without a work permit, at the time their permanent residence application was submitted;
  • hold a valid work permit that is set to expire within the next four months;
  • have temporary resident status, maintained status or were eligible to restore their status at the time their open work permit application is submitted;
  • are in Canada at the time their open work permit application is submitted;
  • were employed in any occupation at the time their permanent residence application was submitted, and;
  • meet the language requirements of the stream under which they applied at the time their permanent residence application was submitted.

The applicant’s spouse or common-law partner and dependent children 18 years or older are also eligible to apply for an open work permit under this policy, if they are already in Canada. 

The new pathway to immigration accepts:

  • 20,000 applications for temporary workers in health care;
  • 30,000 applications for temporary workers in other selected essential occupations, and;
  • 40,000 applications for international students who graduated from an eligible Canadian institution.

In all, the new streams draw on workers in 40 healthcare occupations and 95 other essential jobs, including caregiver, food production, and distribution worker.

Ontario To Break Down Barriers To Employment For Several Regulated Professions

Colin Singer
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Ontario To Break Down Barriers To Employment For Several Regulated Professions

Canada immigration news: Ontario is ready to end the Canadian work experience requirement for foreign-trained lawyers, accountants, architects, engineers, electricians and plumbers under a proposed new provincial law.

“Ontario is facing a generational labour shortage with hundreds of thousands of jobs going unfilled. However, all too often, newcomers in this province struggle to find jobs in their regulated profession for no other reason than bureaucracy and red tape,” said Ontario Labour Minister Monte McNaughton in a statement.

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“These are folks who often have the training, experience, and qualifications to work in booming industries where Ontario desperately needs help but are being denied a chance to contribute,” he said.

“If these proposed changes are passed, Ontario would become the first province in Canada to help level the playing field in certain regulated professions so that workers coming here have the opportunity to build a better life for themselves and their loved ones, and build stronger communities for us all.”

Proposed Legislation to Remove Canadian Work Experience Requirement

In the legislation to be introduced this autumn, the province is expected to propose that:

  • Canadian work experience requirements for professional registration and licensing be eliminated unless an exemption is granted based on a demonstrated public health and safety risk.
  • The duplication for official language-proficiency testing be reduced, so people with foreign credentials in these occupations will not have to complete multiple tests for the purposes of immigration and professional licencing, and;
  • Speed up the licensing process which can now take 18 months or more to help internationally-trained immigrants start working in careers that match their skillset.

The requirement of Canadian work experience often leaves immigrants stymied because they don’t have it and so cannot practice their professions. In 2016, only one-quarter of internationally-trained immigrants in Ontario were employed in the regulated professions for which they trained or studied.

Through its Ontario Bridge Training Program, the province is investing $67 million over three years on programs and services to connect internationally-trained immigrants with in-demand jobs in their communities.

Irwin Glasberg, the province’s fairness commissioner, has already given his two thumbs up to the proposed changes.

Newcomer Associations Applaud Ontario’s Move To Streamline Credential Recognition

“These proposed changes would help to improve registration practices, address unfair Canadian experience requirements and remove related barriers for internationally-trained professionals and tradespersons,” he said in a statement. “I want to thank Minister McNaughton for his leadership on this important initiative.

“Our office looks forward to working with the government, professional regulators, and other parties to advance these initiatives and improve fair access to the regulated professions and compulsory trades.”

Sharaf Sharafeldin, executive director of the Muslim Association of Canada, said the proposed changes would allow immigrants to Ontario to contribute in a more meaningful way to the provincial economy.

“Newcomers to Ontario are an important part of our economy and represent a diversity of skilled trades and professional vocations essential to Ontario’s success,” said Sharafeldin. “The Muslim Association of Canada appreciates the initiative of the Government of Ontario that will make it easier for newcomers to match their foreign qualifications and skills to available jobs in Ontario, allowing newcomers to enact their agency and contribute to our vibrant economy in a meaningful way.”

Tonie Chaltas, the chief executive officer of the newcomer association Achēv, said the streamlining of the credentialing process for skilled immigrants is important as it helps make it easier for newcomers to find jobs and settle into their communities.

New Manitoba Immigration Draw Sees Province Invite 459 Candidates

Colin Singer
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New Manitoba Immigration Draw Sees Province Invite 459 Candidates

Canada immigration news: A new draw through the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program saw the province issue 459 Letters of Advice to Apply to skilled workers and international graduates.

The October 21 draw saw LAAs issued through three MPNP streams.

Skilled Workers in Manitoba received 388 LAAs, with the lowest-ranked candidates scoring 375 points.

International Education Stream candidates received 37 LAAs.

The remaining 39 LAAs went to Skilled Workers Overseas candidates through a Strategic Recruitment Initiative, with a minimum score of 716.

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Manitoba stated that 94 of the 459 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 128th 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

388

375

2) International Education Stream

37

–

3) Skilled Workers Overseas

Strategic Recruitment Initiative

39

716

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 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

Prince Edward Island Issues Immigration Invites To 204 Candidates

Colin Singer
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Prince Edward Island Issues Immigration Invites To 204 Candidates

Canada immigration news: Prince Edward Island immigration has issued invitations to apply to 204 skilled worker and entrepreneur candidates in a new provincial draw.

The October 21 draw saw invitations issued through the Labour Impact, Express Entry and Business Impact Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP) streams.

It saw 195 invites issued to Labour Impact and Express Entry candidates, while Business Impact candidates received 9 invitations.

Business Impact candidates required a minimum score of 72 points.

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PEI PNP Immigration Draws 2021

Date

Category

Invites Issued

Minimum Score

21-10-2021

Labour Impact/Express Entry

195

N/A

Business Impact

9

72

16-09-2021

Labour Impact/Express Entry

129

N/A

Business Impact

14

72

19-08-2021

Labour Impact/Express Entry

152

N/A

Business Impact

9

72

15-07-2021

Labour Impact/Express Entry

118

N/A

Business Impact

9

75

17-06-2021

Labour Impact/Express Entry

101

N/A

Business Impact

12

60

20-05-2021

Labour Impact/Express Entry

138

N/A

Business Impact

17

80

15-04-2021

Labour Impact/Express Entry

140

N/A

Business Impact

16

75

18-03-2021

Labour Impact/Express Entry

140

N/A

Business Impact

10

70

18-02-2021

Labour Impact/Express Entry

102

N/A

Business Impact

19

82

21-01-2021

Labour Impact/Express Entry

196

N/A

Business Impact

15

80

PEI launched its Expression of Interest system at the start of 2018 and has made monthly draws ever since, with some disruption due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Video: How PNP Immigrants Can Move Anywhere in Canada

PEI issued a total of 1,955 invites during 2020, up from 1,629 in 2019.

Of the 2020 invites, 1,742 went to Labour Impact and Express Entry candidates, with the remaining 213 going to Business Impact candidates.

Anticipated 2021 Prince Edward Island Expression of Interest Draw Dates

November 18
December 16 

Prince Edward Island Express Entry Stream

PEI’s Express Entry category operates by considering candidates already in the federal Express Entry Pool for a provincial nomination.

Such a nomination adds 600 points to a candidate’s Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score and effectively guarantees an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Canadian immigration.

The PEI Express Entry Category features two pathways to Canadian permanent residence, one for candidates with a job offer and one for those without.

Prince Edward Island Labour Impact Category

1) Skilled Worker Stream

This employer driven stream allows skilled workers with an employment offer in PEI to be nominated for Canadian Permanent residence if they meet the following criteria:

  • A full time employment offer from a Prince Edward Island business in an occupation classified as skill level “0”, “A” or “B” of the National Occupational Classification (NOC);
  • Completion of a post-secondary education, with a minimum of 14 years of formal education;
  • Between 21 and 55 years of age;
  • At least 2 years of full time work experience in the past 5 years;
  • Sufficient proficiency in English or French to occupy the employment offered;
  • Sufficient settlement funds;
  • Demonstrated intention to settle in Prince Edward Island.

2) Critical Worker Stream

This category is designed to resolve labour shortages and is open to foreign workers already in PEI with employment in specific critical demand occupations. The primary criteria for nomination are:

  • A full time offer of employment from a Prince Edward Island business in one of the following occupations:
    • Truck driver;
    • Customer service representative;
    • Labourer;
    • Food & beverage server;
    • Housekeeping attendant.
  • 6 months of work experience with the Prince Edward Island business offering employment;
  • Current valid Canadian work permit;
  • High school diploma and minimum of 12 years of formal education;
  • Between 21 and 55 years of age;
  • At least 2 years of full-time work experience in the past 5 years;
  • Demonstrate basic proficiency in English or French language;
  • Sufficient settlement funds;
  • Demonstrated intention to settle in Prince Edward Island.

Prince Edward Island Business Impact Category

Work Permit Stream

Individuals applying under the P.E.I. Work Permit Stream must obtain a Canadian work permit and work for a P.E.I. business for a certain amount of time as designated in a Performance Agreement.

After the Performance Agreement is fulfilled, the applicant must make a minimum $150,000 investment in the business and commit to managing the business on a daily basis from within P.E.I.

Previously, Prince Edward Island operated direct permanent residence business streams, but these were closed in September 2018 over immigration fraud concerns.

 

New Ontario Immigration Draws See 537 ITAs Issued Through 3 OINP Streams

Colin Singer
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New Ontario Immigration Draws See 537 ITAs Issued Through 3 OINP Streams

Canada immigration news: New draws through three streams of the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) saw the province issue a combined 537 Invitations to Apply.

The draws, through the streams for Masters Graduates, PhD Graduates and the Employer Job Offer: Foreign Workers, took place on October 20.

In the Masters Graduate draw, the province issued 470 Expression of Interest ITAs, with a minimum score of 35 points.

The PhD graduate draw saw 63 ITAs issued and a minimum score of 25 points.

Lastly, the Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker stream draw saw 4 ITAs issued aimed at Economic Mobility Pathways Project candidates.

“You may apply to these streams if you received an invitation to apply on October 20,” an OINP statement said.

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Masters Graduate Stream Draw

Date

Invitations issued

Date profiles created

Score range

Notes

20-Oct-21

470

April 28, 2021 – October, 2021

35 and above

General draw

PhD Graduate Stream Draw

Date issued

Invitations issued

Date profiles created

Score range

Notes

20-Oct-21

63

April 28, 2021 – October 20, 2021

25 and above

General draw

Ontario Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker Stream Draw

Date issued

Number of invitations issued

Date profiles created

Score range

Notes

20-Oct-21

4

April 28 – October 20, 2021

N/A

Targeted draw for Economic Mobility Pathways Project candidates.

Masters Graduate Stream: Requirements

This stream offers an opportunity to obtain permanent residence to international students who obtained a masters degree in Ontario without requiring a job offer.

To be eligible to apply, a candidate must meet the following criteria:

  • Graduated from a Master’s degree program from an eligible institution in Ontario, that was at least one-year full-time.
  • Obtained minimum language CLB/NCLC level 7 or above in English or in French.
  • Resided legally in Ontario for at least one year in the last two.
  • Have sufficient settlement funds.
  • Intend to live and work in Ontario.
  • Must have legal status in Ontario or abroad.
    • Applications from elsewhere in Canada will not be accepted.
  • Application must be submitted within two years of completing the requirements to graduate from the master’s degree.

PhD Graduate Stream: Requirements

This stream offers international students an opportunity to become a permanent resident for who hold a PhD degree from Ontario without requiring a job offer.

To be eligible to apply, a candidate must meet the following criteria:

  • Graduated from a PhD degree program in an eligible institution in Ontario, and have completed at least two-years full-time.
  • Resided legally in Ontario for at least one year in the last two.
  • Have sufficient settlement funds.
  • Intend to live and work in Ontario.
  • Application must be submitted within two years of completing the requirements to graduate from the PhD degree.

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.

Canada Launches Vaccine Passport As It Targets Return To Normal Post-COVID-19

Colin Singer
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Canada Launches Vaccine Passport As It Targets Return To Normal Post-COVID-19

Canada immigration news: A nationally-standardized vaccine passport system is being launched by all the provincial and territorial governments in Canada, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on Thursday.

“All provinces and territories have confirmed that they will be moving forward with a national standard of proof of vaccination,” said the Canadian prime minister on Oct. 21.

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Those vaccine passports will all have the same look and feel and the cost will be covered by Ottawa but they will be issued by each province and territory in Canada. 

They will be used for several things, including international and domestic travel.

“Effective Oct. 30, all travellers 12 years of age and older departing from Canadian airports, and travellers on VIA Rail and Rocky Mountaineer trains, will be required to be fully-vaccinated in order to travel,” states the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website.

“To allow travellers time to become fully-vaccinated, there will be a short transition period where they will be able to travel if they show a valid COVID-19 molecular test within 72 hours of travel as an alternative to providing proof of full vaccination. If travellers have not already started the vaccination process, or do not start soon, they risk not qualifying for travel as of Nov. 30.”

On Thursday, Trudeau said Ottawa would cover the cost of these vaccine passports.

Federal Government To Cover Costs

“We will be picking up the tab for it at the federal level so that all the provinces can move forward with it,” said Trudeau.

Canada has recovered 100 per cent of the jobs it lost during the pandemic. There are sectors, though, that are still hard hit, especially restaurants, bars and hotels. Vaccine passports are being heralded as a way for Canada to return to normal operations.

“We can end this pandemic and move forward to the thing we love … Avoid further lockdowns,” said Trudeau.

Under a deal with Pfizer, Canada has secured millions of doses of Covid-19 vaccine to be administered to children aged five to 12 years old. That vaccination program is controversial, with many in Canada insisting the country should not be vaccinating such young children against Covid-19.

“I do not agree with the vaccine being given to kids under 12,” said one Twitter user within minutes of the announcement. “Nobody has looked into the long-term effects of these vaccines … i will not stand by this.”

The country, whose Covid-19 assistance programs for individual Canadians and businesses will end on Oct. 23 as scheduled, is putting a new set of Covid-19 assistance programs that are to be more targeted to those sectors that need it most.

Economy Has Regained All Jobs Lost During Pandemic

“The fourth wave seems to be coming under control in most parts of the country,” said Chrystia Freeland, the country’s deputy prime minister and minister of finance, today. “Our economy has rebounded and we are winning the fight.”

In its bid to rebuild its economy, Canada’s federal government remains firmly committed to immigration.

Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino has said the country is planning to welcome more than 1.2 million newcomers between 2021 and 2023 with 401,000 new permanent residents to Canada in 2021, 411,000 in 2022 and 421,000 in 2023.

“Immigration is essential to getting us through the pandemic, but also to our short-term economic recovery and our long-term economic growth,” said Mendicino. “Canadians have seen how newcomers are playing an outsized role in our hospitals and care homes, and helping us to keep food on the table.

“As we look to recovery, newcomers create jobs not just by giving our businesses the skills they need to thrive, but also by starting businesses themselves,” he said. “Our plan will help to address some of our most acute labour shortages and to grow our population to keep Canada competitive on the world stage. 

Spotify To Boost Canadian Workforce As Tech Industry Growth Continues

Colin Singer
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Spotify To Boost Canadian Workforce As Tech Industry Growth Continues

Canada immigration news: Digital media streaming service Spotify is planning to follow in the footsteps of Amazon by hiring hundreds more employees in Canada, as well as Europe and Australia, in its bid to beef up its advertising revenues. 

That giant online retailer announced in September it would expand its workforce in Canada by 15,000 this autumn.

Now, Spotify is following suit and expanding its own workforce in the Great White North.

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“We are increasing our ads business marketing workforce by over 70 per cent in Europe, Australia and Canada … and that’s off a pretty sizable base,” Lee Brown, Spotify’s head of advertising business, reportedly said in an interview.

“We’re investing in our advertising business. As far as long-term strategy, I think gone are the days of advertising being less than 10 per cent of our overall revenue.”

Spotify, Amazon Part of Canada’s Tech Expansion Trend

Spotify has reportedly already snagged an ad industry exec to lead its international sales to boost the money it makes from its 210 million ad-supported users from about 12 per cent of its total revenues. The company also has 155 million paying subscribers.

The new Spotify jobs in Canada are part of a trend of tech companies choosing the country to expand their operations. 

As those tech firms expand in Canada, they are increasingly looking to hire foreign nationals under Canada’s economic immigration and refugee programs. 

Earlier this month, the $230-billion information and communications industry in Canada partnered up with a global non-profit that finds jobs for refugees, particularly those from countries like Afghanistan, Lebanon and Jordan.

Under that deal, TECHNATION, a Canadian technology industry association, is working with Talent Beyond Boundaries (TBB), a global non-profit.

TECHNATION Looking To Attract Skilled Refugees

“TECHNATION is honoured to support this important initiative, alongside Canada’s commitments to support the immigration of refugees from around the world,” said Angela Mondou, president and chief executive officer of the industry association.

“My own experience working in the Canadian military in war-zones, forever changed my view as to why Canada must continue to step up and lend a helping hand,” she said.

“The need for skilled tech talent in Canada is real, and this partnership with TBB is another important way we can make a difference, helping both employers and job seekers.”

Tech industry watchers say Canada is increasingly getting a bigger share of the tech industry due to restrictive immigration policies south of the border that are limiting the ability of companies in the United States to bring in foreign talent. 

Venture capitalist Chris Albinson, the CEO of Communitech, first saw the writing on the wall and warned American policymakers in an opinion piece in The Globe and Mail earlier this year.

Canada’s Progressive Immigration Policies Attracting Investment

“As the United States has tightened immigration and become less welcoming, Canada has made shrewd policy moves to attract top global talent and capital,” wrote Albinson.

“Canada now has six times as many skilled immigrants, as a percentage of the population, as our American neighbours do – a significant stat when you consider half of the founders of America’s tech unicorns (private companies worth $1-billion or more) were born outside the U.S.” 

The venture capitalist warned U.S. policymakers that Canada stood poised to dominate the tech sector because of its immigration policies and its “strong advantage in the next wave of technology (think artificial intelligence, machine learning, quantum computing, 5G, Medtech, and advanced manufacturing), our relative cost advantage, and parity in access to markets and capital.”

There are many pathways for highly-skilled tech workers to gain permanent residency in Canada, including the Global Talent Stream (GTS) of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) under which Canadian work permits and visa applications are processed within two weeks.

As vaccination rates rise and the Canadian economy recovers, the country is seeing huge job growth and opportunities for new Canadians and temporary foreign workers.

That’s providing new opportunities for those who want to immigrate to Canada.

Many immigrants coming to Canada under economic immigration programs can benefit from the Atlantic Immigration Pilot, Canadian Experience, Caregiver, Skilled Trade and Skilled Worker programs, which greatly increase their employment prospects.

New BC PNP Tech Draw See British Columbia Issue 85 Immigration Invitations

Colin Singer
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New BC PNP Tech Draw See British Columbia Issue 85 Immigration Invitations

Canada immigration news: A new BC PNP Tech draw saw British Columbia immigration issue 85 invitations to skilled workers and international graduates.

The October 19 draw featured invitations through four streams of the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program. 

Minimum scores were 75 for all four streams. The featured streams were:

  • SI – Skilled Worker
  • SI – International Graduate
  • EEBC – Skilled Worker
  • EEBC – International Graduate

Read More Canada Immigration News

British Columbia Issues Up To 15 Invitations In New Entrepreneur Draw
British Columbia Draw: Province Invites 409 Immigration Candidates Through BC PNP
British Columbia Issues 108 Immigration Invitations Through BC PNP Tech Draw

Did You Get Invited in the Latest B.C. Immigration Draw?

Date

Category

Minimum Score

Invitations Issued

19-Oct-21

SI – Skilled Worker

75

Total: 85

 

SI – International Graduate

75

 

EEBC – Skilled Worker

75

 

EEBC – International Graduate

75

Source: www.welcomebc.ca

Video: Insights on Express Entry

The BC PNP Tech Pilot has been renamed BC PNP Tech and converted to a permanent immigration stream. It was initially launched in 2017. It has a list of 29 target occupations with relaxed duration requirements.

BC PNP draws aimed specifically at technology workers started in May 2017. The province has a thriving technology industry with some big names of the tech world basing themselves in Canada’s westernmost province.

What Are The BC PNP Tech Job Requirements?

  • Job offer must be for one of the 29 targeted occupations (see below)
  • Job offer must be for at least one-year duration
  • Job offer must be valid for at least 120 days at time of application

What Are The 29 Target Occupations Under BC PNP Tech?

NOC Code

Job Title

0131

Telecommunication carriers’ managers

0213

Computer and information systems managers

0512

Managers – publishing, motion pictures, broadcasting and performing arts

2131

Civil engineers

2132

Mechanical engineers

2133

Electrical and electronics engineers

2134

Chemical engineers

2147

Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers)

2171

Information systems analysts and consultants

2172

Database analysts and data administrators

2173

Software engineers and designers

2174

Computer programmers and interactive media developers

2175

Web designers and developers

2221

Biological technologists and technicians

2241

Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians

2242

Electronic service technicians (household and business equipment)

2243

Industrial instrument technicians and mechanics

2281

Computer network technicians

2282

User support technicians

2283

Information systems testing technicians

5121

Authors and writers

5122

Editors

5125

Translators, terminologists and interpreters

5224

Broadcast technicians

5225

Audio and video recording technicians

5227

Support occupations in motion pictures, broadcasting, photography and the performing arts

5226

Other technical and coordinating occupations in motion pictures, broadcasting and the performing arts

5241

Graphic designers and illustrators

6221

Technical sales specialists – wholesale trade

A coveted provincial nomination effectively guarantees selection under the Canada Express Entry System, worth 600 Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points.

Requirements For Express Entry

Colin Singer
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0
Requirements For Express Entry

Canada immigration news: Covered below are the basic requirements for Canada Express Entry immigration programs, namely the Federal Skilled Worker, Federal Skilled Trades and Canadian Experience Class.

Canada’s Express Entry system is the main route for skilled workers to immigrate to Canada.

It is not an immigration program in its own right but manages the intake of applications for three federal programs, plus parts of the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).

Those three federal programs are:

Basic requirements differ for each of the three programs. However, meeting basic requirements does not guarantee an Invitation to Apply (ITA). 

Instead, the Express Entry system is designed to select the highest scoring candidates based on a number of factors, including language ability, age, job offer, work experience and education.

Read More Canada Immigration News

New Alberta Express Entry Draw Sees Province Invite 275 Candidates, Minimum CRS of 300
Ontario Express Entry Draw Targets 18 Occupations in Human Capital Priorities with 486 NOIs
Canada Express Entry: 761 ITAs sent to PNP candidates in latest draw

Federal Skilled Worker Minimum Requirements

The Federal Skilled Worker Program has minimum requirements for:

Work Experience

Candidates must have at least one year of paid full-time work experience (or equivalent part-time experience) in the last 10 years in skill type 0 or skill level A or B under the National Occupational Classification (NOC).

Language Ability

Candidates must have a minimum of Canadian Language Benchmark 7 in English or French in writing, reading, speaking and listening, assessed by an approved language test.

Education

Candidates must have a certificate, diploma or degree from or equivalent to a Canadian high school or post-secondary institution. Foreign education is subject to an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA).

Once applicants meet the minimum requirements, they are assessed and scored on the following factors:

  • Age.
  • Education.
  • Work experience.
  • Job offer.
  • Language ability.
  • Adaptability.

Watch: Applying Under Canada Express Entry Immigration Programs

Federal Skilled Trades Minimum Requirements

The Federal Skilled Trades Program has minimum requirements for:

Work Experience

Candidates must have at least two years of paid full-time work experience (or equivalent part-time experience) in the last five years in a skilled trade.

NOC

Candidates must meet requirements for the skilled trade as per the National Occupational Classification.

Job Offer

Candidates must have:

  • A full-time job offer lasting at least one year, OR
  • A qualification certificate for the skilled trade issued by a Canadian authority.

Language Ability

Candidates must meet the following Canadian Language Benchmarks in English or French:

  • Listening (level 5).
  • Speaking (level 5).
  • Writing (level 4).
  • Reading (level 4).

Canadian Experience Class Minimum Requirements

The Canadian Experience Class has minimum requirements for:

Canadian Work Experience

Candidates must have at least one year of paid full-time skilled work experience in Canada (or equivalent part-time experience) in the last three years in skill type 0 or skill level A or B under the National Occupational Classification (NOC).

The work experience must have been gained while in Canada as a temporary resident with authorization to work.

Language Ability

Candidates must have Canadian Language Benchmark 7 in English or French in reading, writing, speaking and listening for NOC 0 or A jobs.

Candidates must have Canadian Language Benchmark 5 in English or French in reading, writing, speaking and listening for NOC B jobs.

Proof of Funds

Candidates applying under Federal Skilled Worker or Federal Skilled Trades are required to show proof of funds unless they have a valid job offer and are authorized to work in Canada.

Candidates for the Canadian Experience Class are not required to show proof of funds.

Proof of funds show that a candidate has enough money to settle in Canada.

It is important to note that the above are only the minimum requirements for the federal programs that come under Express Entry.

The system is such that only the highest scoring Express Entry profiles will be selected and issued with Invitations to Apply to one of the above programs.

It is therefore advisable for candidates to include all the information they can in the following areas in their Express Entry profile. 

  • Skills and work experience.
  • Education.
  • Language ability in English and/or French.
  • Language ability and education of the applicant’s spouse or common-law partner.
  • Possession of a job offer supported by a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment.
  • Possession of a provincial government nomination.
  • Certain combinations of language skills, education and work experience that result in a higher chance of the applicant becoming employed.
  • Having a sibling in Canada.

More Information

Canada Express Entry: How Can I Increase My CRS Score?

 

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