Canada Immigration News

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August 10, 2021

COVID-19: Canada’s Ban on Direct Passenger Flights From India Extended to September 21

Canada immigration news: Canada’s Transport Ministry has extended its ban on passenger flights from India until September 21, dashing any hopes of their return.

The extension of the ban, announced August 8, does not apply to cargo-only, military flights or medical transfers.

By the time the latest extension expires, the Canadian ban on flights from India will have been in place for five months.

Read More Canada Immigration News

Canada Continues To Emerge From COVID-19 Crisis As Unemployment Falls
As Economy Rebounds And COVID-19 Wanes, Canada Jobs Are Returning
COVID-19: International Students’ Interest in Immigrating to Canada Grows

Ban On Indian Flights Put In Place When COVID-19 Was Out of Control

When Canada first put a halt to flights from India, that country was struggling with what appeared to be an out-of-control second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Patty Hajdu, Canada’s health minister, said in April that Indian citizens then represented 20 percent of international arrivals, but 50 percent of positive tests conducted by airport staff.

“By eliminating direct travel from (India), public health experts will have the time to evaluate the on-going epidemiology of that region and to reassess the situation,” she said.

While the move has been praised by those grateful for any measures to curb the spread of the variant currently responsible for most of the new cases of COVID-19, others have criticized Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government for what they consider to be an ineffective measure.

“There is absolutely no point to this as they find another way into the country,” said one Twitter user. “So what is the point of the ban if the country will still allow them in via the U.S.?”

Another agreed.

“A co-worker came through Egypt after leaving Canada with his fiancée to go back to India to get married,” he tweeted. “The ban is b******t, there is no ban.”

Twitter Explodes With Allegations of Discrimination

In the Twitterverse, some have gone so far as to suggest the ban on flights from India is arbitrary and discriminatory to Indians.

“Hon. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, we look to your leadership to right this wrong,” wrote one Twitter user. “Indo Canadians and Indians are being singled out and discriminated against while the delta variant exists in many countries, and is, in fact, surging in the USA (but discretionary travel is permitted).”

Another echoed his comments, asking Transport Minister Omar Alghabra why Canada is willing to allow Americans into the country but not Indians.

“Why did you allow Americans to enter Canada when there are more cases of the delta variant in America, and the situation in India is normal now,” he wrote. “You are doing an injustice to Indians. This is literally shameful for you, when you know international students are raising your economy.”

But the ban on direct flights from India is only part of Canada’s strategy to limit the spread of COVID-19.

Transport Canada is also extending the need for travellers from India to get the PCR COVID-19 tests when they leave to come to Canada by any indirect route.

Those Entering Through Third Countries Need COVID-19 Test

“This means that passengers who depart India to Canada via an indirect route will continue to be required to obtain a valid COVID-19 pre-departure test from a third country – other than India – before continuing their journey to Canada,” Transport Canada notes on its website.

Even as Canada slowly opens up in the wake of the third wave of the pandemic, Ottawa is continuing to advise Canadians to avoid non-essential travel outside of Canada.

International travel is thought to increase the risk of exposure to COVID-19 and its variants, as well as the risk of spreading it to others.

Immigrants Are More Likely To Become Entrepreneurs, Here Is Why

Business immigration

Colin Singer

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August 10, 2021

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Immigrants Are More Likely To Become Entrepreneurs, Here Is Why

Canada immigration news: A researcher says immigrants are more likely to become entrepreneurs than the average person because those who leave their countries to start a new life elsewhere are more willing to take risks.

“Voluntary international migrants have a more entrepreneurial personality as a result of self-selection,” writes Peter Vandor, a senior researcher and lecturer at the Vienna University of Economics and Business.

In a paper published in the Journal of World Business, Vandor shows that the remarkably tendency of international immigrants to found companies – often at a much greater rate so than the native-born residents of those countries – comes down to their willingness to assume reasonable risks.

Social Networks, Discrimination Thought To Fuel Immigrant Entrepreneurship

“Prominent among the early answers provided by the literature was the argument that disadvantages in the labor market and discrimination push migrants to become entrepreneurs,” wrote Vandor in his paper, Are Voluntary International Migrants Self-Selected For Entrepreneurship? An Analysis Of Entrepreneurial Personality Traits.

Under that theory, immigrants were thought to set up businesses to create their own jobs because society made it harder for them to enter the labour market.

Another popular theory was that immigrants are somehow able to more easily capitalize on their social networks when they move to another country. This explanation postulated that immigrants’ social networks provided them with ready access to financial capital, knowledge and human resources, all of which are vital for a new business.

But Vandor thinks there’s something much simpler at play: people with entrepreneurial personalities are just also more likely to immigrate.

“Individuals with certain personality traits are more likely to migrate, and that these personality traits also make them more likely to start a business as migrants,” he writes.

“This means that the frequently observed relationship between voluntary international migration and entrepreneurship is partially explained … by personality traits that are more pronounced among voluntary migrants due to self-selection.”

Study Focused On 1,385 Students

After testing that idea with a sample of 1,385 students, Vandor published his paper earlier this year and showered there is a link between voluntary immigration and the willingness to take risks, an important aspect of the entrepreneurial personality.

“Results showed a clear link between (voluntary international migration) and entrepreneurship as measured by behavioural intentions, preparatory activities, and long-term actions,” he wrote.

Immigrant entrepreneurs hoping to gain their permanent residency in Canada can do so through the Start-Up Visa program. Under it, immigrants can get Canadian permanent residence if they qualify as immigrant entrepreneurs.

Three types of private-sector investors are considered: angel investors, venture capital funds, and business incubators.

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. Candidates can also qualify with two or more investments from angel investor groups totalling $75,000.
A designated business incubator must accept the applicant into its business incubator program. It is up to the immigrant investor to develop a viable business plan that will meet the due diligence requirements of these government-approved designated entities.

Business Consultants Help Immigrant Entrepreneurs Be Successful

That investing and the development of the business is usually done with the help of business consultants in Canada’s start-up ecosystem with oversight from experienced corporate business immigration lawyers who can ensure a start-up’s business concept meets all industry-required terms and conditions.

Candidates applying under the Start-Up Visa program can initially come to Canada on a work permit supported by their designated Canadian investor before their application for permanent residence is finalized.

The basic government-imposed candidate eligibility requirements for the Start-Up Visa program are:

a qualifying business;
a commitment certificate and letter of support from a designated entity;
sufficient unencumbered, available and transferable settlement funds to meet settlement funding, and;
proficiency in English or French at the minimum Canadian Language Benchmark level 5. However, it frequently occurs that higher levels of English are needed to meet due diligence requirements imposed by designated entities.

Unlike almost every other federal and provincial-level entrepreneur program which requires a minimum of one or two years of previous experience either owning a business or in top-level management, the Start-Up Visa program does not require previous management experience.

The support of a government-designated entity is enough. That support can be either financial or in the form of accepting the candidate into a business incubator program.

Start-Up Visa a Fast Route To Work Permit, Permanent Residence

Immigrants who avail themselves of the Start-Up Visa program consistently report that it is quick, both for the initial work permit and permit residence application.

With a viable start-up business project, an immigrant entrepreneur can expect it to take about four to six months to secure a commitment certificate or letter of support from a designated entity. Once that letter of support is received, the application for permanent residence can be submitted.

It will then take approximately 18-months to finalize the application through to the issuance of a permanent residence visa. For the candidate to qualify for permanent residence:

The intended business must be incorporated and carrying on business in Canada;
The candidate must own at least 10 per cent of the voting rights in the corporation, and;
No other person can hold 50 per cent or more of the voting rights in the corporation.

As many as five candidates can have their permanent residence application supported by the same business investment. But that can come with a risk. Certain candidates may be designated as essential to the business. If any of the essential candidates withdraw their applications or are refused, all other candidates under the same business investment will see their applications terminated.

Surveys suggest Start-Up Visa candidates usually go on to succeed in Canada, in terms of growing their business, attracting further investment, networking or selling their business for a profit.

Ontario Immigration Masters and PhD Graduate Streams Open For Expressions of Interest

Colin Singer

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August 10, 2021

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Ontario Immigration Masters and PhD Graduate Streams Open For Expressions of Interest

Ontario immigration’s popular Masters Graduate and PhD Graduate streams have opened under the province’s Expression of Interest system.

In an announcement on Monday August 9, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) said: “The expression of interest system will remain open throughout the year and you can register an expression of interest at any time.

“You must carefully review the relevant website pages to ensure that you meet all stream criteria before registering an expression of interest.”

Eligibility Requirements

Masters Graduates Stream

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 Graduates Stream
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.

Expression of Interest Open for Five Streams

Ontario Expression of Interest is now open for five of its most popular streams:

Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker
Employer Job Offer: International Student
Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills
Masters Graduate
PhD Graduate

Before applying to these streams, candidates must submit a profile to the Expression of Interest system.

Each profile is scored based on factors including education, language ability, skill and work experience among others (see below).

Ontario then selects candidates who are issued invitations to submit applications to one of the above streams.

Profiles in the Expression of Interest system can be updated at any time. An EOI profile is valid for 12 months or until an ITA is received.

Invitations to apply are issued periodically by the OINP. Draws are conducted on a general basis, by inviting the overall highest scoring candidates, or on a targeted basis, by targeting candidates who meet specific labour market or human capital requirements.

Candidates who receive an ITA have 14 days to submit a complete application.

Ontario Expression of Interest: Scoring Factors

1) Job Offer: NOC Skill Level

(Not applied to Masters Graduate or PhD Graduate streams.)

NOC Skill Level A: 10 points
NOC Skill Level B: 8 points
NOC Skill Level C: 0 points
NOC Skill Level D: 0 points

2) Job Offer: NOC Type

(Not applied to Masters Graduate or PhD Graduate streams.)

NOC Type 0, 1, 2, 3, 9: 10 points
NOC Type 4, 5, 6, 7, 8: 5 points

3) Job Offer: Wage

(Not applied to Masters Graduate or PhD Graduate streams.)

$40 per hour or higher: 10 points
$20 to $39.99 per hour: 5 points
Less than $20 per hour: 0 points

4) Canadian Work Experience: Length

12 Months or more: 4 points
Less than 12 months: 0 points

5) Canadian Work Experience: NOC Skill Level

NOC Skill Level A: 3 points
NOC Skill Level B: 0 points
NOC Skill Level C: 0 points
NOC Skill Level D: 0 points

6) Canadian Work Experience: Earnings History

$40k or more earnings in a year: 3 points
Less than $40k earnings in a year: 0 points

7) Highest Level of Education

(Only applied to International Student stream)

PhD: 10 points
Masters: 8 points
Bachelors or equivalent: 6 points
College diploma or trade certificate: 5 points
Less than college or trade certificate: 0 points

8) Field of Study

(Not applied to Foreign Worker or In-Demand Skills streams)

Engineering: 10 points
Health care: 10 points
Math and Computer Science: 9 points
Business and Administration: 7 points
Trades: 7 points
Social, Legal, Education and Science: 6 points
Arts and Humanities: 5 points

9) Canadian Education

(Not applied to Foreign Worker or In-Demand Skills streams.)

More than one Canadian credential: 10 points
One Canadian credential: 5 points

10) Language Ability (English or French)

(Not applied to Foreign Worker or In-Demand Skills streams.)

CLB 9 or higher: 10 points
CLB 8: 6 points
CLB 7: 4 points
CLB 6 or lower: 0 points

11) Knowledge of Official Languages

(Not applied to Foreign Worker or In-Demand Skills streams.)

2 Official Languages: 10 points
1 Official Language: 5 points

Regional Immigration: Location of Job Offer

(Not applied to Masters or PhD streams.)

Outside GTA: 10 points
Inside GTA: 6 points

Regional Immigration: Location of Study

(Not applied to Foreign Worker or In-Demand Skills streams)

Outside GTA: 10 points
Inside GTA: 6 points

Strategic Priorities

(To address immediate labour market needs)

As determined by OINP: 10 points

Quebec To See Arrival of More Temporary Workers After Agreement With Ottawa

Colin Singer

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August 10, 2021

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Quebec To See Arrival of More Temporary Workers After Agreement With Ottawa

Canada immigration news: A deal between Quebec and Ottawa makes businesses in some sectors of the economy in the francophone province able to hire twice as many temporary foreign workers.

“The recruitment of temporary foreign workers is one of the options Quebec businesses will now have to deal with the labour shortage,” Quebec Labour Minister Jean Boulet said in French in a statement.

“With this flexibility in the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, we are supporting businesses suffering from an urgent need for workers.”

Read More Canada Immigration News

Advantages for Immigrant Entrepreneurs From Canada’s Strong Start-Up Ecosystem
How The Start-Up Visa Helps Canada Beat US On Attracting Immigrant Entrepreneurs
Prince Edward Island Draw: Province Invites 155 Skilled Workers and Entrepreneurs

In its latest budget, Quebec invested $246 million into programs to attract and retain immigrants.

“Attracting and retaining immigrants to our communities, particularly those in the outlying regions, allows businesses to grow due to these skilled workers and helps resolve labour shortages in several of our economic sectors,” said Quebec Immigration Minister Nadine Girault earlier this year.

Investment in Settlement Services

The money was earmarked to allow Quebec’s department of immigration, the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI), to beef up its processes to better recognize immigrants foreign qualifications, to recruit immigrants to outlying areas, to match the need for immigration to labour market needs, and to improve programs designed to integrate these newcomers into Quebecois society.

Today, the labour minister praised the government’s efforts in providing these services, saying these will make it easier to attract more temporary foreign workers.

Under the deal announced Friday, Quebec businesses in some sectors of the economy will be able to employ temporary foreign workers for up to 20 per cent of their workforce, up from the current limit of 10 per cent, in lower-paying jobs.

The agreement to relax the legal limit on temporary foreign workers in Quebec makes it the first province to do so.

The province is also opening up its simplified application process to more in-demand jobs, including lower-skilled positions and the hard-hit hospitality sector.

Two-Year, Renewable Work Permits For Skilled Workers

Quebec is also offering up Temporary Open Work Permits, (the Permis de travail ouvert transitoire – PTOT) to those who have submitted an application for permanent residence as skilled workers. These will be two-year work permits that can be renewed for an additional year, provided the worker remains in Quebec.

These work permits will also be offered to the applicant’s spouses regardless of that spouse’s type of employment.

On the same day, Quebec also announced it is launching a new pathway to permanent residency under the International Mobility Program that will allow 7,000 workers per year to be brought in without having to complete a Labour Market Impact Assessment.

“We have listened to temporary foreign workers and Quebec businesses,” said Quebec Immigration Minister Nadine Girault. “Today, as a result of these agreements, we have taken an important step in supporting economic development in Quebec, its businesses and its regions, to make things easier for foreign workers applying for immigration.”

The provincial immigration minister reiterated her earlier calls that Ottawa beef up its immigration targets for Quebec.

Labour Shortages Forcing Some Quebec Businesses To Shut On Certain Days

In that province, labour shortages have gotten so severe that many businesses are remaining closed on Sundays for lack of staff.

Although the labour shortage predates the Covid-19 pandemic, it has only gotten worse since then. Many workers, understandably afraid of catching Covid-19, have availed themselves of the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) and left the labour force.

In a letter in May, Quebec’s labour minister defended the changes as necessary for many of the province’s businesses to survive.

“The paucity of workers in the Quebec labour market before the pandemic is again making itself felt in several economic sectors in many regions,” he wrote. “A larger number of employers in Quebec are increasingly crying out as the economy recovers.

“In some cases, the availability of labour will be the deciding factor in whether these businesses survive or are forced to close their doors.”

Fully-Vaccinated Americans Can Now Travel Across Canada-U.S. Border

COVID-19 in Canada

Colin Singer

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August 9, 2021

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Fully-Vaccinated Americans Can Now Travel Across Canada-U.S. Border

Canada immigration news: Canada’s long border with the United States re-opened to fully-vaccinated Americans today, generating excitement at a return to a semblance of normalcy.

Calgarian Mitul Adhiya is among those worried Ottawa is re-opening too fast given the recent finding that even fully-vaccinated people can transmit COVID-19, albeit at a much lower rate than those who are unvaccinated.

“This is a bad and irresponsible step,” Adhiya tweeted on Saturday. “Looking at current delta (COVID-19 variant) spread in the U.S., these people could be very well (be carriers) and can transmit in Canada. Unless Canadians are like 80 per cent vaccinated, doors should be closed for all.”

Anxiety among Canadians over the possible spread of COVID-19 from Americans coming into the country is fairly common in the wake of a USA Today report in mid-July that two Americans attempted to enter Toronto from the U.S. with allegedly fake proofs of vaccination and negative coronavirus tests.

Two Caught And Fined For Using Fake Vaccination Proof

The two travellers were fined almost $20,000 and then allegedly tried to skip out of staying at a Canadian government-approved quarantine hotel.

Canada’s border officials take compliance with the country’s public health restrictions during the pandemic very seriously.

Under the Quarantine Act, anyone who submits false information on their vaccination status could be liable to a fine of up to $750,000 or six months imprisonment or both, and even prosecution under the Criminal Code for forgery.

Violating any quarantine or isolation instructions provided to travellers by a screening officer or quarantine officer when entering Canada is an offence under the Quarantine Act. This can lead to a $5,000 fine for each day of non-compliance or for each offence committed, or more serious penalties, including six months in prison and/or $750,000 in fines.

Non-compliant air travellers may also be subject to fines of up to $5,000 for each offence committed under the Aeronautics Act.

Many Unclear About New Rules

With the partial re-opening of the border today, many in the Twitterverse seem confused about the rules governing exactly who can come in and when.

“The government website should put in brackets which one is the rapid molecular test,” wrote a Montreal whose Twitter handle is Gingy. “It is not clear.

“Last Wednesday, I did a PCR test at a small hospital in Michigan. It appears they are unable to give results in under 72 hours. I am fully vaccinated though. But you will fine me $6,000 for not having a test!”

Across from Detroit, an information radio station, CKLW – AM800, went so far as ask its listeners in an online poll whether Canada should reconsider its decision to re-open the border due to the rise of COVID-19 cases related to the Delta variant south of the border.

Canadians that have been stuck on the other side of the border and Americans wanting to get into Canada for summer vacations, though, are more concerned about possible backlogs at the border.

Will There Be Longer Delays Coming Into Canada?

Krista Wahby, a Canadian who works in Detroit, was reportedly worried ahead of the border re-opening that adding fully vaccinated Americans coming for non-essential trips to the border crossings will slow things down to a crawl.

She spent three hours waiting to cross the border to come home one-day last week.

“I think it’s going to be a lot of added work on customs and I think everyone crossing the border is going to feel it as a result,” she reportedly told AM800 ahead of the border re-opening today.

“I’m a little bit stressed out about it, I’ll be honest, because there’s nothing worse than getting on their [the Ambassador Bridge] and you’re at a standstill for who knows how long and completely at their mercy.”

Canada’s borders re-opened immediately after midnight today to all fully vaccinated travellers who had completed the full course of vaccination with a Government of Canada-accepted vaccine at least 14 days prior to entering Canada and who met any specific entry requirements.

All travellers must use ArriveCAN, either as the app for cell phones or the web portal, to submit their travel information. Those fully vaccinated travellers eligible to enter Canada do not have to quarantine upon arrival.

“Canadians’ safety and security always come first,” Health Minister Patty Hajdu has said. “With rising vaccination rates and fewer cases in Canada, we can begin to safely ease border measures.

“A gradual approach to reopening will allow our health authorities to monitor the COVID-19 situation here and abroad,” she said in a statement. “Canadians have worked hard and sacrificed for each other, and because of that work, we can take these next steps safely.”

Five More Canadian Airports Now Open

With the re-opening of the border, Transport Canada has expanded the scope of its Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) that directed scheduled international commercial passenger flights to only four Canadian Airports: Montréal-Trudeau International Airport, Toronto Pearson International Airport, Calgary International Airport, and Vancouver International Airport.

As of today, international flights carrying passengers are allowed to land at the following five additional Canadian airports:

Halifax Stanfield International Airport;
Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport;
Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier International Airport;
Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport; and
Edmonton International Airport.

The next step into the re-opening of the Canadian border is slated for Sept. 7, provided COVID-19 case counts remain low. That’s when Ottawa is to re-open the border to all fully vaccinated travellers.

“Not only will this make a big difference for Canada’s travel and tourism industry and all those whose jobs depend on it, but it will also make it easier for those with a Confirmation of Permanent Residence letter to come to Canada and play a role in our recovery from the pandemic,” said Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino.

There are no changes to the mandatory testing requirements for unvaccinated travellers.

With this strategy, Canada is hoping to be able to continue monitoring COVID-19 variants in Canada and determine the effectiveness of the variants.

Public Safety Minister Bill Blair described the approach to gradually re-opening the border as one “guided by facts, scientific evidence and the advice of our public health experts.”

The Canadian government’s controversial three-night stay in government-designated hotels while awaiting COVID-19 test results was strapped at the beginning of August.

All travellers, though, still have to provide a quarantine plan and be prepared to quarantine, in case it is determined at the border that they do not meet the necessary requirements.

“The easing of Canada’s border measures is welcome news for tourism businesses across the country, the thousands of Canadians employed by the sector and the communities who rely on it,” said Economic Development Minister Melanie Joly.

“It has been a challenging year as we balance the need to protect both the health of Canadians and our economy but tourism businesses have demonstrated incredible resilience,” she said.

Saskatchewan Immigration Draw Targets 65 Occupations With 452 Invitations

Colin Singer

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August 6, 2021

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Saskatchewan Immigration Draw Targets 65 Occupations With 452 Invitations

Saskatchewan immigration has targeted 65 occupations with 452 invitations to apply across two streams in a new Expression of Interest draw.

In the August 5 Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program draw, Occupations In-Demand candidates received 281 invitations, with a minimum score of 73 points, four lower than the previous draw.

A further 171 invitations went to Express Entry candidates, also with a minimum score of 73 points.

Detailed requirements for the streams featured in this draw are included later in this article.

Latest Saskatchewan Expression of Interest Draws

Draw date

Category

Minimum score

Invites issued

Other considerations

05-Aug-21

Occupations In-Demand

73

281

Invited candidates had Educational Credential Assessments.

NOCs included:

0013, 0014, 0016, 0114, 0121, 0421, 0423, 0621, 0651, 0711, 0712, 0821, 0911, 1121, 1122, 1123, 1221, 1222, 1224, 1241, 1243, 1252, 2131, 2142, 2144, 2151, 2212, 2223, 2225, 2231, 2232, 2241, 2242, 2243, 2244, 2252, 2253, 2254, 2261, 2263, 2264, 3211, 3215, 3234, 4152, 4153, 4156, 4161, 4162, 4164, 4165, 4166, 4169, 4212, 6316, 7202, 7231, 7236, 7237, 7241, 7312, 7321, 7381, 7384, 9232

Express Entry

73

171

Video

What is the Process for Saskatchewan Expression of Interest?

Submit EOI profile.
Enter EOI candidate pool.
EOI candidates selected.
Invitations to Apply issued via regular draws.
Candidates submit full application within 60 days.
SINP officials assess applications and make decision.

What Are the Requirements for The Occupation-In-Demand Sub-Category?

Score a minimum of 60 points on the SINP points assessment grid;
Have a language score of at least Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 4. Employers and regulatory bodies may ask for higher;
Have completed one year of post-secondary education, training or apprenticeship comparable to the Canadian education system. You must have earned a diploma, certificate or degree.
- Degrees and diplomas obtained outside Canada subject to an Educational Credential Assessment;
At least one-year work experience in the past 10 years:
- In your field of education or training occupation, and
- In an eligible occupation in NOC A, B, 0. See the excluded occupations list.
Obtain the appropriate licensure in Saskatchewan if your field so requires, as the authorities will not process an application without the licensure.
Have proof of settlement funds and a settlement plan.
Pay a non-refundable $300 application fee online.

What Are the Requirements for The Saskatchewan Express Entry Sub-Category?

Candidates from outside Canada, or with legal status in Canada, qualify for this Saskatchewan immigration category, provided they are not a refugee claimant.

Additionally, candidates must:

Have a profile in the Express Entry Pool, with profile number and job seeker validation code;
Score a minimum of 60 points on the SINP points assessment grid;
Provide valid language test results from a designated testing agency matching those in the Express Entry profile;
Have completed one year of post-secondary education, training or apprenticeship comparable to the Canadian education system. You must have earned a diploma, certificate or degree.
- Degrees and diplomas obtained outside Canada subject to an Educational Credential Assessment;
Have at least one of the following experience requirements in your field of education or training occupation:
- One year of work experience in the past 10 years in a skilled profession (non-trades);
- Two years of work experience in a skilled trade in the past five years; or
- One year of work experience in Canada in the past three years (trades and non-trades).
Have work experience in a high-skilled, eligible occupation in NOC A, B, 0. See the excluded occupations list.
Obtain the appropriate licensure in Saskatchewan where your profession is regulated, or a skilled trade. For skilled trades, a certificate is required from the Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission.
Have proof of settlement funds and a settlement plan.
Pay a non-refundable $300 application fee online.

Minimum CRS Drops To 300 In New Alberta Express Entry Draw

Colin Singer

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August 6, 2021

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Minimum CRS Drops To 300 In New Alberta Express Entry Draw

The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) draw dropped to 300 as Alberta immigration issued invitations to 148 candidates in a new Express Entry draw.

The July 27 Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program draw saw the CRS drop to one point lower than the previous draw.

Important requirements for the Alberta Express Entry stream are that candidates have stated an interest in immigrating permanently to the province, and are working in an occupation that supports Alberta’s economic development and diversification.

For full details of the requirements for Alberta Express Entry, please see below.

Alberta Express Entry 2021 Draws

Draw Date	NOI Letters Sent	CRS Score of Lowest-Ranked Candidate
27-Jul-21	148	300
14-Jul-21	181	301
29-Jun-21	148	302
16-Jun-21	184	300
05-Jun-21	191	300
18-May-21	250	301
05-May-21	250	300
20-Apr-21	200	301
06-Apr-21	200	302
26-Mar-21	300	301
02-Mar-21	200	301
16-Feb-21	159	352
10-Feb-21	200	301
28-Jan-21	100	360
08-Jan-21	50	406

Source: www.alberta.ca

Video

While federal government nomination limits for 2021 are not yet available, Alberta has 1,375 Alberta Opportunity Stream applications and 300 expression of interest applications in the Alberta Express Entry pool.

High Number of Applications

Alberta says a high number of AINP applications have been received in the following occupations, meaning they may take longer to process:

6311 – Food service supervisors
6211 – Retail sales supervisors
6322 – Cooks
7511 – Transport truck drivers
1241 – Administrative assistants
0621 – Retail and wholesale trade managers
0631 – Restaurant and food service managers
4214 – Early childhood educators and assistants
1311 – Accounting technicians and bookkeepers
1221 – Administrative officers

What are the Requirements for Alberta Express Entry?

In order to be eligible to receive a notification of interest, candidates must:

Have an active Express Entry profile in the federal Express Entry pool.
Have stated an interest in immigrating permanently to Alberta.
Be working in an occupation that supports Alberta’s economic development and diversification.
Have a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System score of 300 points.

Factors that may improve a candidate’s chances of receiving notification of interest:

A job offer from an Albertan employer and/or work experience in Alberta.
Having graduated from a Canadian post-secondary institution.
Having a relative that is living in Alberta: parent, child and/or sibling.

Factors that decrease a candidate’s chances of receiving notification of interest:

The Express Entry profile expires within the next 3 months
You work in an ineligible occupation

Canada Continues To Emerge From COVID-19 Crisis As Unemployment Falls

Colin Singer

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August 6, 2021

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Canada Continues To Emerge From COVID-19 Crisis As Unemployment Falls

Employment rose by 94,000 and the unemployment rate fell to 7.5 per cent as the Canada jobs picture continued to improve in July, in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis.

The Statistics Canada Labour Market Survey shows that two months of growth in June and July totalled 325,000 jobs, putting Canada just 246,000 jobs, or 1.3 per cent, behind the pre-coronavirus February 2020 level.

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Young people aged 15 to 24 and core-aged women aged 25 to 54 spearheaded the gains.

Employment among young people grew by 62,000, all in part-time jobs. The numbers are now at pre-pandemic levels for young men, and nearing that figure for young women.

Core-aged women saw employment rise by 30,000 jobs, with all the gains in full-time work. Overall jobs for both sexes in the 25 to 54 age group are now 124,000 behind pre-pandemic levels.

What Are The Labour Force Survey Highlights?

Unemployment rate (%)	7.5
Employment rate (%)	60.3
Labour force participation rate (%)	65.2
Number unemployed	1,521,400
Number working	18,883,900
Youth (15-24) unemployment rate (%)	11.6
Men (over 25) unemployment rate (%)	7.1
Women (over 25) unemployment rate (%)	6.4

Source: Statistics Canada

Provincial Canada Jobs Picture

Ontario led the way in employment gains in July, adding 72,400 jobs, including 49,000 in the Toronto area. The unemployment rate fell 0.4 percentage points to 8 per cent.

Manufacturing led the gains, while accommodation and food services and wholesale and retail trade also added jobs.

Alberta added 12,300 jobs, for an unemployment rate of 8.5 per cent.

Manitoba saw employment increase by 7,400 in July, and the unemployment rate dropped 1.5 percentage points to 6.1 per cent. Gains were predominantly in accommodation and food services, and information, culture and recreation.

Employment in Nova Scotia increased by 3,700, and the unemployment rate dropped 0.6 percentage points to 8.4 per cent. All of the gains were in full-time work and were mostly in health care and social assistance.

Unemployment Rates In Canada’s Provinces

	Jobs change in last month	Unemployment rate (%)
British Columbia	-3,100	6.6
Alberta	12,300	8.5
Saskatchewan	-4,500	7.0
Manitoba	7,400	6.1
Ontario	72,400	8.0
Quebec	7,500	6.1
New Brunswick	-2,500	9.3
Nova Scotia	3,700	8.4
Prince Edward Island	1,100	9.6
Newfoundland & Labrador	-200	12.7
CANADA	94,000	7.5

Source: Statistics Canada

Canada Jobs By Industry

July’s employment gains were focused on the private sector, where jobs grew by 123,000.

The gains were also mainly in full-time work, where the 83,000 jobs added was the first increase since March 2021. Public sector jobs fell by 31,000.

All of the employment gains were in the services-producing sector (+93,000), with increases recorded in accommodation and food services (35,000), and finance, insurance, real estate, rental and leasing (15,000).

Canada To Raise Limits On Temporary Workers? Quebec Businesses Hope So

Colin Singer

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August 4, 2021

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Canada To Raise Limits On Temporary Workers? Quebec Businesses Hope So

Canada immigration news: Quebec is thought to be only days away from inking a deal with Ottawa to allow businesses to hire twice as many temporary foreign workers.

The French-language daily newspaper La Presse reported today that Quebec businesses would be able to hire enough temporary foreign workers to comprise up to 20 per cent of their workforces under the deal.

That would be twice as many as the current limit of 10 per cent.

Stores In Quebec Close Sundays Due To Labour Shortage

The labour shortage has gotten so severe in some parts of Quebec that many retail outlets are now closing on Sundays.

An agreement to relax the legal limit on temporary foreign workers in Quebec would make it the first province to do so.

An announcement of this deal is expected to be made in Montreal on Thursday ahead of an anticipated request by Trudeau of the governor-general, Mary Simon, to dissolve Parliament and trigger a federal election.

Quebec has been lobbying Ottawa for months to loosen up the regulations to bring in more temporary foreign workers and to simplify the application process for jobs requiring lower-skilled workers and those in the hospitality sector.

“These requests are reasonable and reflect the needs of the labour market and business,” Labour Minister Jean Boulet wrote in a letter in May that was obtained by the French-language daily Le Soleil.

“The paucity of workers in the Quebec labour market before the pandemic is again making itself felt in several economic sectors in many regions,” he reportedly wrote. “A larger number of employers in Quebec are increasingly crying out as the economy recovers.

“In some cases, the availability of labour will be the deciding factor in whether these businesses survive or are forced to close their doors.”

Quebec Invests More Money In Immigration

Quebec is bullish on immigration, pumping $246 million into programs to attract and retain immigrants in its latest budget.

“Attracting and retaining immigrants to our communities, particularly those in the outlying regions, allows businesses to grow due to these skilled workers and helps resolve labour shortages in several of our economic sectors,” said Quebec Immigration Minister Nadine Girault earlier this year.

“These investments announced by the Quebec government will allow us to put in place more measures to effectively integrate immigrants so they can contribute fully to the development and prosperity of our province,” she said.

The money was earmarked to allow Quebec’s department of immigration, the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI), to beef up its processes to better recognize immigrants’ foreign qualifications, to recruit immigrants to outlying areas, to match the need for immigration to labour market needs, and to improve programs designed to integrate these newcomers into Quebecois society.

Quebec Woos International Students With $9.1m Shot In The Arm

The funds are also to be used to boost French-language education programs for immigrants and to attract more international students.

The biggest chunk of the money – $130 million spread out over the coming decade – is to go to programs to recognize immigrants’ foreign qualifications.

Another $57 million of the budgeted funds will be spent over the next two years for programs to entice immigrants to settle in parts of the province with acute labour shortages and to help them integrate into those communities.

As Canada’s sole francophone province, Quebec puts a great emphasis on the French language and intends to invest $50 million over the next two years to teach the language to immigrants and support them financially as they take French language courses.

The province is also planning to inject $9.1 million of the budgeted amount over the next three years through economic development agencies in Montreal, Quebec City and Drummondville to attract foreign students.

New Manitoba PNP Draw Sees 375 Immigration LAAs Issued

Colin Singer

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August 4, 2021

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New Manitoba PNP Draw Sees 375 Immigration LAAs Issued

A new draw through the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program saw the province issue 375 Letters of Advice to Apply to skilled workers and international graduates.

The July 29 draw saw LAAs issued through three MPNP streams.

Skilled Workers in Manitoba received 285 LAAs, with the lowest-ranked candidates scoring 400 points.

International Education Stream candidates received 43 LAAs.

The remaining 47 LAAs went to Skilled Workers Overseas candidates through a Strategic Recruitment Initiative, with a minimum score of 708.

Manitoba stated that 42 of the 375 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 123^rd 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		285	400
2) International Education Stream		43	–
3) Skilled Workers Overseas	Strategic Recruitment Initiative	47	708

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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

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