Unemployment falls for fourth straight month as Canadian job market rebounds, reveals Statistics Canada

Colin Singer
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Unemployment falls for fourth straight month as Canadian job market rebounds, reveals Statistics Canada

Opportunities for prospective economic immigrants to Canada are looking up as the country posts its fourth consecutive month of declines in its unemployment rate.

In its latest Labour Force Survey, Statistics Canada reports unemployment fell for the fourth consecutive month in September to 6.9 per cent, the lowest level since the onset of the pandemic, as more workers rejoined the labour force.

“Increases in employment were concentrated in full-time work, and among people in the core working-age group of 25 to 54,” states the statistical analysis agency in its report released Friday.

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Jobs came back in both the public and private sector in September, Statistics Canada noted on Oct. 8.

The provinces that were the big winners for jobs in September were Ontario, Quebec, Alberta, Manitoba, New Brunswick and Saskatchewan.

“Service-sector increases, of 142,000 jobs, were led by public administration, up 37,000, information, culture and recreation, up 33,000, and professional, scientific and technical services, up 30,000,” states Statistics Canada.

Hotels and restaurants, though, continued to suffer last month due to public health restrictions to curb the spread of Covid-19. Employment in this sector fell in September for the first time in five months, by 27,000 jobs.

Manufacturing and Natural Resources Sectors Add Jobs

Manufacturing saw gains of 22,000 jobs and natural resources added another 6,600.

As Canada gradually rebounds from the economic hit of the pandemic due to rising vaccination rates, immigration continues to play a vital role in the country’s recovery. 

Immigration drove almost three-quarters of Canada’s population growth during the past year despite all the border restrictions of the Covid-19 pandemic, another report by Statistics Canada has revealed.

In its latest Canada Population Estimates report released earlier this year, Statistics Canada revealed the Canadian population grew by only about 208,900 during that year, less than half the almost 436,000 in the previous year.

Immigration, too, suffered a massive slump during that period, falling by 56.8 per cent to just a tad over 156,500.

But that level of immigration was enough to keep Canada growing. 

Immigration Was the Big Driver of Canadian Population Growth Last Year

During a year affected by pandemic restrictions, immigration contributed to 74.9 per cent of Canada’s population growth, Statistics Canada revealed on Sept. 29.

There are also indications immigration to Canada is picking up again.

“Although international migration has not yet returned to its pre-pandemic levels, some signs of recovery have been seen since the beginning of 2021,” reads the Statistics Canada report.

“For example, international migration rose from 24,329 in the second quarter of 2020 to 75,084 in the same quarter of 2021.”

Border restrictions during the pandemic hurt immigration to Canada. Permanent immigration fell from almost 284,200 last year to roughly 226,200 this year.  The number of Temporary Foreign Workers also declined by almost 42,900, after steadily increasing in recent years.

Within Canada, strong interprovincial migration – fueled in part by people moving to areas with lower rates of Covid-19 infection – helped grow the populations of British Columbia, the Yukon and the Atlantic Canadian provinces.

British Columbia saw the largest increase in interprovincial migration of all the provinces during that year, with a boost of 34,277, its biggest gain in population in 37 years.

All four Atlantic provinces posted a net interprovincial migratory increase for the first time in 11 years, with current migration levels at or near record levels.

Even during the pandemic, there are many ways foreign nationals can come to Canada to seek permanent residence.

Express Entry System Allows Applicants for Immigration to Create Online Profiles

Under the Express Entry system, Canada 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.

Candidates’ profiles then are ranked against each other according to a points-based system called the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). The highest-ranked candidates will be considered for an Invitation To Apply (ITA) for permanent residence. Those receiving an ITA must quickly submit a full application and pay processing fees, within a delay of 90-days.

Canada operates a two-tiered immigration system, offering programs for skilled workers, at both federal and provincial levels.

Provincial Nominee Programs Help Select Skilled Workers From Abroad

Through a network of Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP), almost all of Canada’s ten provinces and three territories can nominate skilled worker candidates for admission to Canada with the specific skills required by their local economies. Successful candidates who receive a provincial or territorial nomination can then apply for Canadian permanent residence through federal immigration authorities.

Immigrant investors can also come to Canada under the Start-up Visa program which can grant them Canadian permanent residence.

The program aims to recruit innovative entrepreneurs to Canada and link them with the Canadian private sector businesses, such as angel investor groups, venture capital funds or business incubators, and facilitate the establishment of their start-up business in Canada.

A designated venture capital fund must confirm that it is investing at least $200,000 into the qualifying business. Candidates can also qualify with two or more commitments from designated venture capital funds totalling $200,000. A designated angel investor group must invest at least $75,000 into the qualifying business.

The best bet for students in foreign countries lies in coming to Canada to study. 

International Study Permits Often the First Step to Gaining Permanent Residency

International students can eventually get their permanent residence in Canada by first coming under a Study Permit, then applying for a Post-graduation Work Permit, and finally seeking their permanent residents by applying through the Express Entry system.

Canada usually welcomes more than 350,000 international students every year. To be eligible to study in Canada these students must demonstrate that they:

  • have been accepted by a school, college, university or other educational institution in Canada;
  • have enough money to pay for their tuition fees, living expenses, and return transportation;
  • are law-abiding citizens with no criminal records;
  • are in good health and willing to complete a medical examination, and;
  • can satisfy an immigration officer that they will leave Canada at the end of their authorized stays.

Once issued a study permit, these students can work in Canada under the following categories:

  • on campus without a work permit;
  • off campus with a work permit;
  • in co-op and internship programs, where work experience is part of the curriculum, with a work permit.

Upon graduation, a foreign student may apply for a work permit under the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program. Under this program, the work permit may be issued for the length of the study program, up to a maximum of three years. 

The valuable work experience gained while an international grad works in Canada under a Post-Graduation Work Permit can count towards a permanent residence application through Canada Express Entry system.

Under the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) used by Express Entry system programs, applicants for immigration are assigned points based on:

  • Skills;
  • Work experience;
  • Language ability;
  • 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 for permanent residence, and;
  • Certain combinations of language skills, education and work experience that result in a higher chance of the applicant becoming employed (skill transferability).  

Tech industry association and global non-profit eye refugees for ICT jobs in Canada

Colin Singer
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Tech industry association and global non-profit eye refugees for ICT jobs in Canada

Refugees are being touted as one of the answers to meet the massive labour shortage in Canada’s $230-billion information and communications industry as it partners up with a global non-profit that gets refugees jobs.

Under a deal announced Wednesday, TECHNATION, a Canadian technology industry association, will be working with Talent Beyond Boundaries (TBB), a global non-profit that finds jobs for refugees, particularly those from countries like Afghanistan, Lebanon and Jordan.

 Read More Canada Immigration News

 “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.”

MASSIVE LABOUR SHORTAGE IN CANADA MEANS OPPORTUNITIES FOR SKILLED WORKERS

Canada is facing a massive labour shortage and immigration is crucial pieced of the puzzle for Canada in addressing this issue. 

TBB helps employers by recruiting from a pool of displaced individuals and augmenting their recruitment efforts by giving them access to previously untapped talent. 

The non-profit has 30,000 skilled refugees currently looking for jobs. The organization works to unlock skilled migration pathways to provide them with positions around the globe.

Skilled workers who want to immigrate to Canada can often avail themselves of the Global Talent Stream (GTS) of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) through which Canadian work permits and visa applications are processed within two weeks to fill labour shortages.

They can also apply under economic immigration programs, including the Atlantic Immigration Pilot, Canadian Experience, Caregiver, Skilled Trade and SkilledWorker programs.

Business Is Bullish on Immigration to Fill Jobs Going Begging

Business leaders in Canada are certainly bullish on immigration and see it as a way to help resolve the labour shortage.

In the Atlantic Canadian province of New Brunswick, for example, business leaders told Ottawa to boost immigration ahead of the latest federal election.

“Whichever party forms the government must prioritize policies and investments that enable businesses to access talent and capital they need to recover and grow,” said Alex LeBlanc, chief executive officer of the New Brunswick Business Council in a press conference.

Guylaine Béliveau, LifeWorks’ principal for the firm’s compensation consulting practice, says employers are struggling with a shortage of qualified employees and personnel recruitment is more challenging than ever.

Enter TBB. 

The non-profit is planning to help Canadian tech firms by matching job descriptions with its pool of qualified candidates, facilitating remote interviews, and providing support during the visa application process.

Refugees Are Both a Humanitarian Crisis and Opportunity for Personnel Recruiters

“At a time where the world is seeing both an economic and humanitarian crisis, it is more important than ever for Canada to lead the way on the world stage,” said Patrick O’Leary, TBB’s country director for Canada.

“Making economic pathways more accessible to skilled refugees is not only the smart thing to do for employers, it’s also the right thing to do. TBB looks forward to working with TECHNATION and technology businesses across Canada to support refugees and to address the critical skill shortage in Canada.”

Canada’s information, communications and technology sector generates more than 671,100 jobs and invests $8 billion annually in research and development, more than any other private sector performer. 

Over the past three years, TECHNATION has played a significant role in deploying more than $200 million of government funding and talent in the tech sector. 

It has launched CareerFinder, an artificially intelligent digital platform focused on Canada’s labour market intelligence for the tech sector and also launched programs in artificial intelligence and cyber talent development.

Ontario Express Entry Draw Targets 18 Occupations in Human Capital Priorities with 486 NOIs

Colin Singer
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Ontario Express Entry Draw Targets 18 Occupations in Human Capital Priorities with 486 NOIs

Eighteen occupations were targeted under the latest Express Entry Human Capital Priorities stream draw in Ontario that saw 486 Notifications of Interests (NOI) issued on Wednesday.

The Oct. 6 Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) draw saw NOIs issued to candidates with Comprehensive Ranking System scores between 463 and 467 points.

Read More Canada Immigration News

Candidates were required to have submitted Express Entry profiles within the last year to qualify.

The draw targeted National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes for jobs in finance, advertising, sales, human resources and healthcare. 

Express Entry Human Capital Priorities: Targeted Occupations For Latest Draw

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

Ontario Express Entry: Human Capital Priorities Stream

The OINP issues periodic NOIs 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 a 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 Bachelor’s 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 the director under periodic draws.

Application process

Ontario will select eligible applicants from the Express Entry Pool. Candidates must:

  1. Meet the eligibility criteria for the HCP stream AND
  2. Meet the minimum Comprehensive Ranking System score.

The application for nomination must be submitted within 45 calendar days from the NOI. An application fee of $1,500 is due at this time.

If the application is approved, the candidate will receive a nomination certificate and 600 points under their Express Entry profile.

British Columbia Issues 108 Immigration Invitations Through BC PNP Tech Draw

Colin Singer
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British Columbia Issues 108 Immigration Invitations Through BC PNP Tech Draw

In its latest BC PNP Tech draw, Canada’s westernmost province issued 108 invitations to skilled workers and international graduates.

The Oct. 5 draw featured invitations through four streams of the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program.

Read More Canada Immigration News

Minimum scores were 70 for all four streams, 10 points less than in the previous Tech draw on Sept. 28. The featured streams were:

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

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

Date

Category

Minimum Score

Invitations Issued

Oct. 5

SI – Skilled Worker

70

Total: 108

 

SI – International Graduate

70

 

EEBC – Skilled Worker

70

 

EEBC – International Graduate

70

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.

Canada records third month with higher-than-usual immigration despite seasonal slump

Colin Singer
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Canada records third month with higher-than-usual immigration despite seasonal slump

Immigration to Canada hit another higher-than-usual figure in August for the third consecutive month despite a seasonal slump.

A reported 37,780 new permanent residents came to Canada in August, down 4.5 per cent from the 39,560 in July.

That’s a setback for Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino.

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He said earlier this year that Canada is going to hit its immigration target of 401,000 new permanent residents this year. 

And the total of 222,160 new permanent residents to Canada as of the end of August means Ottawa was then still 178,840 new permanent residents shy of that target. 

Seasonal Drop-in Immigration in August This Year Smaller Than Usual

It would take the equivalent of 44,710 new permanent residents for each of the next four months for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to hit its goal. 

Those immigration numbers Canada has not seen since the end of the last world war.

The drop in new permanent residents in August, though, is notably less than the usual, seasonal fluctuation in immigration levels.

Immigration slumped by 13.7 per cent from July to August in 2019, the last full year before the Covid-19 pandemic. The year before, it had fallen by 12.8 per cent from July to August. And in 2017 the month-over-month drop was 13.8 per cent. 

So, the slump in immigration in August this year is only about a third of the usual seasonal fluctuation. 

And the number of new permanent residents to Canada in August still make it the third month in which the country has brought in a higher-than-usual number of permanent residents.

By comparison, only 11,370 new permanent residents came to Canada in August 2020, during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Ottawa remains bullish on immigration and has raised immigration targets to bring in more than ever.

Canada Wants to Welcome 401,000 Immigrants Into the Country This Year

The federal government wants to welcome more than 1.2 million newcomers between 2021 and 2023. 

There are to be 401,000 new permanent residents to Canada this year, 411,000 next year, 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.”

In its bid to increase immigration, Canada has undertaken several initiatives, including opening its arms to more Afghan refugees.

Mendicino announced last week Canada will accept twice as many Afghan refugees as it had previously announced.

Ottawa Opening Its Arms to Refugees From Around the World, Especially Afghanistan

“At the UN, Canada announced we will double our humanitarian resettlement commitment from 20,000 to 40,000 Afghan refugees,” he tweeted.

“Through our efforts, we will offer a new home for Afghan refugees while upholding democracy and human rights around the world.”

Canada has also relaxed many of the restrictions for those applying for refugee status.

They no longer need to prove that they face torture or death if they are forced to return to their home countries. Refugee claimants can now seek asylum if they have been discriminated against or persecuted for being poor and old, indigenous or having unpopular political views in their home countries.

During the past year, Canada has undertaken several measures to boost immigration and bring valuable skilled workers and international students to the country by introducing a series of reforms to immigration policy and procedures.

Early this year, the IRCC gave visitors, study and work permit holders in Canada affected by the COVID-19 pandemic more time to restore their status with an extension of a temporary public policy first announced in July 2020. 

That policy was later tweaked and broadened to allow visitors to do the same thing provided they had a job even if it the offer was not with the original employer.

In another measure, this one designed to minimize the impact of COVID-19 public health restrictions on the economy, Ottawa granted international students an extension in mid-February to the opportunity to complete their entire programs online from their home countries and still qualify for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).

New Initiatives Boosted Immigration Levels During Pandemic-Stricken 2021

“With the prospect of many international students continuing online learning from abroad for several more months, temporary changes to the PGWP Program put in place earlier in the pandemic are being extended and expanded,” an IRCC statement said.

Immigrants coming to Canada under the Start-Up Visa Program to set up businesses and create jobs continued to be welcomed with open arms during the pandemic. 

So too were business travellers – many of whom were foreign nationals seeking permanent residence in Canada through economic immigration programs – coming to provide critical infrastructure support, economic services, supply chains, or any other activity considered essential by Ottawa.

The IRCC also responded to the immigration challenge during the pandemic by slashing the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores in an Express Entry draw that saw more than five times as many Invitations to Apply (ITAs) issued as usual.

Ottawa then followed that by launching six new pathways to permanent residency for temporary foreign workers and international grads. 

Canada’s immigration department has also taken more steps towards a fully digital and online immigration process.

“My vision for our immigration system going forward is that it is completely virtual and touchless and that each and every one of these steps is integrated so that we become the envy of the world,” said Mendicino earlier this year.

Ottawa hoping to snag 30,000 completed Parents and Grandparents Program applications

Colin Singer
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Ottawa hoping to snag 30,000 completed Parents and Grandparents Program applications

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada is hoping to bring in 30,000 completed applications for the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) after sending out 34,500 Invitations to Apply (ITA) in a little under two weeks.

The applications started going out Sept. 23 and the process was wrapped up by Oct. 4.

“The Government of Canada knows how important it is for families to be together,” an Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (ORCC) spokesperson wrote in an e-mail.

“For the 2021 program intake, IRCC is using the Interest to Sponsor form submissions received in 2020 and randomly inviting more potential sponsors to apply, in order to receive up to 30,000 complete applications.”

Read More Canada Immigration News

Those who have received an ITA have 60 days to submit their PGP applications in the Permanent Residence online application portal.

“If you lost your confirmation number or you no longer have access to the email address used to submit your Interest to Sponsor form, use the Lost My Confirmation Number tool found here,” the immigration department tweeted. 

Canadian Citizens and Permanent Residents Can Sponsor Parents and Grandparents

Under the program, Canadian citizens and permanent residents outside Quebec can sponsor their parents and/or grandparents to become permanent residents of Canada. Canada’s immigration department operates a lottery system for the PGP.

Citizens and permanent residents submit an Interest to Sponsor form, before being placed in a pool. IRCC makes random draws from the pool and issues ITAs.

Sponsors must:

  • Be at least 18 years old.
  • Live in Canada.
  • Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or a person registered in Canada as an Indian under the Canadian Indian Act.
  • Have enough money to support those they want to sponsor by meeting minimum income requirements for the previous three years. Candidates can include a co-signer in their application, allowing the combined income to be considered.

Sponsors must also:

  • Agree to financially support the parent or grandparent for 20 years from the date they are approved for permanent residence.
  • Reimburse the government for any social assistance paid out to the parent or grandparent during that time.

Those who are eligible for sponsorship under the program include:

  • Citizens and permanent residents’ own parents and grandparents, related by blood or adoption.
  • In cases of divorce or separation, the spouses or common-law partners of parents and grandparents are also eligible.
  • A sponsor’s brothers and sisters, or half brothers and sisters, are only eligible if they qualify as dependent children.
  • More than one person or couple can be sponsors if the financial requirements are met.

Those Not Invited for Pgp Can Still Apply for a Parents and Grandparents Super Visa

Not everyone who applies under the program gets selected for an ITA – and that leaves some feeling upset.

“Already six years still did not get the invitation,” complained one applicant on Twitter. “I don’t know how long my parents could wait.”

But there are alternatives to help reunite families.

Those not successful in the PGP process should consider the Parents and Grandparents Super Visa, which allows a parent or grandparent to visit Canada for up to two years at a time. A super visa allows multiple entries for up to 10 years. 

Earlier this year, Ottawa made it a lot cheaper to sponsor a loved one to come to Canada under the PGP by reducing the income the sponsors need to have to only the bare minimum for last year.

“Since many sponsors may have been affected financially by the COVID-19 pandemic, the income requirement for the 2020 tax year has been reduced to the minimum necessary income, instead of the minimum necessary income plus 30 per cent,” noted the IRCC.

That means sponsors under the program can have earned $8,108 less last year, or $32,899, instead of the $41,007 needed in 2019 to qualify to bring two parents or grandparents to Canada. 

Since the amount needed goes up as more people are sponsored, so too did the savings under the program this year for those bringing in more of their relatives. 

A sponsor who wants to bring two parents and four grandparents to Canada needs to have earned only $62,814 last year, or $15,482 less than the $78,296 needed in income in 2019.

Canada Gave Break to Sponsors Under Pgp This Year With Lower Earning Requirements

Not only has Ottawa given sponsors a break on the amount of income they needed in 2020 to qualify as sponsors this year but the federal government has also loosened up the rules as to how that money can have been gotten.

Regular Employment Insurance (EI) and Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) payments now count towards a sponsor’s income as do other temporary COVID-19 benefits provided they were not part of provincial social assistance programs. 

Ottawa is making these temporary changes to the program in recognition of the vast numbers of Canadians who lost their jobs during the lockdowns at the height of the pandemic. 

Ottawa relaxed the income requirements to re-build the program as Canada recovers from the economic blow of the pandemic.

“The importance of family has never been clearer than during the pandemic,” said Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino in announcing the changes earlier this year.

“That is why we are delivering on our commitment to helping more families reunite in Canada. 

“By strengthening the Parents and Grandparents Program, inviting a record number of sponsors to apply, and by adjusting our requirements to adapt to the current times, we are once again proving our commitment to helping Canadian families stay together, and thrive together.”

Healthcare workers, educators targeted with 536 invitations to apply in Quebec

Colin Singer
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Healthcare workers, educators targeted with 536 invitations to apply in Quebec

Healthcare workers and educators in foreign countries were sent 536 invitations to apply for permanent residence in Quebec on Thursday in the francophone province’s second draw of September through the  Arrima Expression of Interest system.

The francophone province’s Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI) required a minimum score of 562 in the Quebec Expression of Interest points system in the latest draw, 63 points higher than the draw on Sept. 2.

Quebec has now issued 2,655 invitations since August 12, having previously issued only 545 invitations in the whole of 2021.

In this latest draw, the province targeted those with skills and experience in one of six National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes:

NOC code

Professions

3012

Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses

3233

Licensed practical nurses

3413

Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates

4031

Secondary school teachers

4032

Elementary school and kindergarten teachers

4214

Early childhood educators

Candidates receiving an invitation have 60 days to submit a full application to the Quebec Skilled Worker Program.

Quebec Expression Of Interest Draws 2021

Date of invitations

Invites Issued

Minimum Score

Date of extraction from Arrima bank

Sept. 30, 2021

536

562

Sept. 29, 2021 at 6:30 a.m.

Sept. 2, 2021

517

499

Sept. 1, 2021 at 6.30am

Aug. 26, 2021

585

517

Aug. 23, 2021 at 6.30am

Aug. 19, 2021

502

548

Aug. 16, 2021 at 6.30am

Aug. 12, 2021

515

591

Aug. 9, 2021 at 6.30am

June 17, 2021

69

N/A

June 16, 2021 at 6.30am

May 27, 2021

90

N/A

May 26, 2021 at 6.30am

Apr. 29, 2021

83

N/A

Apr. 28, 2021 at 6.30am

March 30, 2021

208

N/A

March 29, 2021 at 6.30am

Jan. 26, 2021

95

N/A

Jan. 25, 2021 at 6.30am

Read More Canada Immigration News

Watch the Video

How Does Quebec Expression of Interest Work?

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

Quebec Expression of Interest Points System

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

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

What Are the Requirements for Quebec Expression of Interest?

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

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

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

Lack of workers in Nova Scotia leads province to bet $2.5 million on marketing campaign to attract immigrants

Colin Singer
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Lack of workers in Nova Scotia leads province to bet $2.5 million on marketing campaign to attract immigrants

Nova Scotia’s latest, $2.5-million marketing campaign – announced this week to attract immigrants and those living elsewhere in the country to move to the Atlantic Canadian province – is its latest bid to fix serious labour shortages.

“We need to encourage more people to move to Nova Scotia to help us fill labour gaps, rebuild our economy and set a bold new course for business and financial growth,” said provincial Immigration Minister Jill Balser. 

“A marketing campaign will help us tell our story, show off our natural assets and demonstrate to the world why Nova Scotia is such an amazing place to study, work, live and raise a family.”

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In the 15 months that ended on Apr. 1 this year, the Atlantic Canadian province grew its population by 6,428, to hit 982,326, despite the border closures and travel restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic, largely through immigration and a sudden influx of Canadians moving there from other provinces.

Immigrant and Canadians Outside of Atlantic Canada to Be Shown Beauty of Nova Scotia

The marketing campaign announced this week is expected to see the province’s Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration work with its communications and marketing staff in the Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage.

“People across Canada and beyond are increasingly looking to Nova Scotia as an attractive place to visit, work and live,” said Pat Dunn, Nova Scotia’s minister of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage.

“Drawing on the experience within Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage will let us showcase the diverse beauty of Nova Scotia’s cultures and people as we work with Immigration to help our communities grow and prosper.”

Nova Scotians are eager to welcome more newcomers, including immigrants, to their province, a Narrative Research poll revealed earlier this year.

Margaret Brigley, a partner and the chief executive officer of the Halifax-based Narrative Research, told Immigration.ca that Nova Scotians recognize the important contribution newcomers make to the economy.

Labour Shortages Require That Nova Scotia Turn to Immigrants to Fill Jobs

“We’re becoming much more open that to meet our needs we have to look outside the region,” said Brigley in an interview.

“Much of this is driven by … an aging population. We have more people dying every year than are being born. For our economy to grow, we need more people.”

According to an online poll conducted in the last full week of July, 75 per cent of Nova Scotians feel their province should try to bring in more immigrants from outside the country. 

And even more, support the recruitment of medical doctors from overseas. A whopping 92 per cent of Nova Scotians want the province to recruit doctors from other countries.

Certainly, a quick solution for employers facing labour shortages may be 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.

Population growth in Nova Scotia is unlikely to come from any increase in the size of families in the province which is following the North American trend of becoming smaller, not bigger. 

“With our aging population, we simply don’t have the cohort of women to have a natural increase in population,” said Brigley.

Nova Scotia needs younger workers for a great many positions which require physical stamina, like those in the agricultural and forestry sector, and also needs highly-skilled immigrants to address the labour shortages in the healthcare and information technology sectors. 

As the number of new daily cases of COVID-19 subsides and vaccination levels go up, the province is hoping for an economic recovery, one that will be fueled in part by a return to normal immigration levels.

“Nova Scotia’s recovery should be helped by improved population growth, which in turn will benefit from higher federal immigration targets and the decision to make the Atlantic Immigration Pilot program permanent,” noted TD Economics in their annual economic forecast.

“Population growth has been central to the province’s improved economic performance in recent years and has even held up relatively well thus far.”

TD ECONOMICS HAD FORECAST GROWTH OF 4.2 PER CENT FOR NOVA SCOTIA THIS YEAR

In their provincial economic forecast at the start of this year, the bank’s chief economist Beata Caranci, deputy chief economist Derek Burleton, and economists Rishi Sondhi and Omar Abdelrahman predicted the Nova Scotia economy would grow by 4.2 per cent this year and 2.4 per cent in 2022.

Nationally, immigration drove almost three-quarters of Canada’s population growth during the past year despite all the border restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic, a report by Statistics Canada reveals.

In its latest Canada Population Estimates report released on Wednesday, the country’s statistical analysis agency revealed the Canadian population grew by only about 208,900 during that year, less than half the almost 436,000 in the previous year.

Immigration, too, suffered a massive slump during that period, falling by 56.8 per cent to just a tad over 156,500.

That level of immigration, though, was enough to keep Canada growing. During a year affected by pandemic restrictions, immigration contributed to 74.9 per cent of Canada’s population growth, Statistics Canada revealed on Sept. 29.

There are also indications immigration to Canada is picking up again.

“Although international migration has not yet returned to its pre-pandemic levels, some signs of recovery have been seen since the beginning of 2021,” reads the Statistics Canada report.

“For example, international migration rose from 24,329 in the second quarter of 2020 to 75,084 in the same quarter of 2021.”

Canada’s population growth tremendously buoyed by immigration during the Covid-19 pandemic

Colin Singer
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Canada’s population growth tremendously buoyed by immigration during the Covid-19 pandemic

Canada was still able to grow during the worst of the Covid-19 pandemic due to immigration which provided almost three-quarters of its population growth for the year that ended on July 1, reveals a report by Statistics Canada.

The country’s population growth was cut by half and Covid-19-related deaths played a part in reducing Canada’s population during that time. 

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The biggest factor in reducing population growth during the year that ended July 1, though, was the drop in immigration to the country as travel and border restrictions prevented many foreign nationals from coming to Canada.

Canadian Population Growth Rate Cut in Half but Immigration Helped

In its latest Canada Population Estimates report released on Wednesday, the country’s statistical analysis agency reveals the Canadian population grew by only about 208,900 during that year, less than half the almost 436,000 in the previous year.

Immigration, too, suffered a massive slump during that period, falling by 56.8 per cent to just a tad over 156,500.

That level of immigration, though, was enough to keep Canada growing. During a year affected by pandemic restrictions, immigration contributed to 74.9 per cent of Canada’s population growth, Statistics Canada revealed on Sept. 29.

There are also indications immigration to Canada is picking up again.

“Although international migration has not yet returned to its pre-pandemic levels, some signs of recovery have been seen since the beginning of 2021,” reads the Statistics Canada report.

“For example, international migration rose from 24,329 in the second quarter of 2020 to 75,084 in the same quarter of 2021.”

Permanent Immigration to Canada Fell by More Than 20 Per Cent in Year Ending on July 1

Borders restrictions during the pandemic hurt immigration to Canada. Permanent immigration fell from almost 284,200 in last year to roughly 226,200 this year. 

The number of Temporary Foreign Workers also declined by almost 42,900, after steadily increasing in recent years.

Maritime Provinces and Yukon’s population growth rates showed the most resiliency during the Covid-19 pandemic

Maritime Provinces and Yukon’s population growth rates showed the most resiliency during the Covid-19 pandemic

Within Canada, strong interprovincial migration – fueled in part by people moving to areas with lower rates of Covid-19 infection – helped grow the populations of British Columbia, the Yukon and the Atlantic Canadian provinces.

British Columbia saw the largest increase in interprovincial migration of all the provinces during that year, with a boost of 34,277, its biggest gain in population in 37 years.

All four Atlantic provinces posted a net interprovincial migratory increase for the first time in 11 years, with current migration levels at or near record levels.

Even during the pandemic, there are many ways foreign nationals can come to Canada to seek permanent residence.

Canada’s Express Entry System Allows Applicants to Create Online Profiles

Under the Express Entry system, Canada 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.

Candidates’ profiles then are ranked against each other according to a points-based system called the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). The highest-ranked candidates will be considered for an Invitation To Apply (ITA) for permanent residence. Those receiving an ITA must quickly submit a full application and pay processing fees, within a delay of 90-days.

Canada operates a two-tiered immigration system, offering programs for skilled workers, at both federal and provincial levels.

Provinces Use Pnp to Selected Skilled Workers From Abroad to Work in Canada

Through a network of Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP), almost all of Canada’s ten provinces and three territories can nominate skilled worker candidates for admission to Canada with the specific skills required by their local economies. Successful candidates who receive a provincial or territorial nomination can then apply for Canadian permanent residence through federal immigration authorities.

Immigrant investors can also come to Canada under the Start-up Visa program which can grant them Canadian permanent residence.

The program aims to recruit innovative entrepreneurs to Canada and link them with the Canadian private sector businesses, such as angel investor groups, venture capital funds or business incubators, and facilitate the establishment of their start-up business in Canada.

A designated venture capital fund must confirm that it is investing at least $200,000 into the qualifying business. Candidates can also qualify with two or more commitments from designated venture capital funds totalling $200,000. A designated angel investor group must invest at least $75,000 into the qualifying business.

The best bet for students in foreign countries lies in coming to Canada to study. 

International Students Often Become Permanent Residents After Living and Working in Canada

International students can eventually get their permanent residence in Canada by first coming under a Study Permit, then applying for a Post-graduation Work Permit, and finally seeking their permanent residents by applying through the Express Entry system.

Canada usually welcomes more than 350,000 international students every year. To be eligible to study in Canada these students must demonstrate that they:

  • have been accepted by a school, college, university or other educational institution in Canada;
  • have enough money to pay for their tuition fees, living expenses, and return transportation;
  • are law-abiding citizens with no criminal records;
  • are in good health and willing to complete a medical examination, and;
  • can satisfy an immigration officer that they will leave Canada at the end of their authorized stays.

Once issued a study permit, these students can work in Canada under the following categories:

  • on campus without a work permit;
  • off campus with a work permit;
  • in co-op and internship programs, where work experience is part of the curriculum, with a work permit.

Upon graduation, a foreign student may apply for a work permit under the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program. Under this program, the work permit may be issued for the length of the study program, up to a maximum of three years. 

The valuable work experience gained while an international grad works in Canada under a Post-Graduation Work Permit can count towards a permanent residence application through Canada Express Entry system.

Under the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) used by Express Entry system programs, applicants for immigration are assigned points based on:

  • Skills;
  • Work experience;
  • Language ability;
  • 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 for permanent residence, and;
  • Certain combinations of language skills, education and work experience that result in a higher chance of the applicant becoming employed (skill transferability).  

BC PNP: 422 candidates sent invitations in two draws

Colin Singer
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BC PNP: 422 candidates sent invitations in two draws

Two British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program draws on Tuesday led to the issuance of 422 Invitations to Apply (ITA) to skilled and semi-skilled workers and international graduates.

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In a draw targeting specific National Occupational Classifications (NOC), British Columbia recruited to fill retail and wholesale trade manager (NOC 0621) and restaurant and food service manager (NOC 0631) jobs on Sept. 28.

In that draw, the province sent out 36 ITAs to candidates under the Skilled Worker and International Graduate sub-categories of the Express Entry BC (EEBC) stream and the Skilled Worker and International Graduate sub-categories of the Skills Immigration (SI) stream of its PNP. 

In the general draw, the province drew 386 candidates under the Skilled Worker, Entry-level and Semi-skilled Worker, and International Graduate sub-categories of the Express Entry BC (EEBC) stream and also the Skilled Worker and International Graduate sub-categories of the Skills Immigration (SI) stream.

Latest General B.C. Immigration Draw

Date

Category

Minimum Score

Invitations Issued

Sept. 28, 2021

SI – Skilled Worker

90

Total: 386

 

SI – International Graduate

77

SI – Entry Level and Semi-Skilled

69

 

EEBC – Skilled Worker

86

 

EEBC – International Graduate

75

Source: www.welcomebc.ca

B.C. Draw Targeting NOCs 0621, 0631

Date

Category

Minimum Score

Invitations Issued

17-Aug-21

SI – Skilled Worker

105

Total: 36

 

SI – International Graduate

105

 

EEBC – Skilled Worker

105

 

EEBC – International Graduate

105

Source: www.welcomebc.ca

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