Ontario Targets Skilled Trades, Health and Tech Occupations With 2,637 Invitations

Ontario has conducted new draws through the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker stream, issuing 2,637 Canada immigration invitations.

The invitations targeted different categories of workers and were issued on December 5.

In a targeted draw for skilled trades occupations, 761 invitations were issued to candidates scoring 34 or above on the Ontario Expression of Interest system. They also required a job offer in one of the following occupations:

  • NOC 22212 – Drafting technologists and technicians
  • NOC 22301 – Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians
  • NOC 22302 – Industrial engineering and manufacturing technologists and technicians
  • NOC 22311 – Electronic service technicians (household and business equipment)
  • NOC 22312 – Industrial instrument technicians and mechanics
  • NOC 70010 – Construction managers
  • NOC 70011 – Home building and renovation managers
  • NOC 70012 – Facility operation and maintenance managers
  • NOC 72010 – Contractors and supervisors, machining, metal forming, shaping and erecting trades and related occupations
  • NOC 72011 – Contractors and supervisors, electrical trades and telecommunications occupations
  • NOC 72012 – Contractors and supervisors, pipefitting trades
  • NOC 72013 – Contractors and supervisors, carpentry trades
  • NOC 72014 – Contractors and supervisors, other construction trades, installers, repairers and servicers
  • NOC 72020 – Contractors and supervisors, mechanic trades
  • NOC 72021 – Contractors and supervisors, heavy equipment operator crews
  • NOC 72022 – Supervisors, printing and related occupations
  • NOC 72024 – Supervisors, motor transport and other ground transit operators
  • NOC 72100 – Machinists and machining and tooling inspectors
  • NOC 72101 – Tool and die makers
  • NOC 72102 – Sheet metal workers
  • NOC 72103 – Boilermakers
  • NOC 72104 – Structural metal and platework fabricators and fitters
  • NOC 72105 – Ironworkers
  • NOC 72106 – Welders and related machine operators
  • NOC 72200 – Electricians (except industrial and power system)
  • NOC 72201 – Industrial electricians
  • NOC 72203 – Electrical power line and cable workers
  • NOC 72204 – Telecommunications line and cable installers and repairers
  • NOC 72205 – Telecommunications equipment installation and cable television service technicians
  • NOC 72300 – Plumbers
  • NOC 72301 – Steamfitters, pipefitters and sprinkler system installers
  • NOC 72302 – Gas fitters
  • NOC 72310 – Carpenters
  • NOC 72311 – Cabinetmakers
  • NOC 72320 – Bricklayers
  • NOC 72321 – Insulators
  • NOC 72400 – Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics
  • NOC 72401 – Heavy-duty equipment mechanics
  • NOC 72402 – Heating, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics
  • NOC 72403 – Railway carmen/women
  • NOC 72404 – Aircraft mechanics and aircraft inspectors
  • NOC 72406 – Elevator constructors and mechanics
  • NOC 72410 – Automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics and mechanical repairers
  • NOC 72422 – Electrical mechanics
  • NOC 72423 – Motorcycle, all-terrain vehicle and other related mechanics
  • NOC 72500 – Crane operators
  • NOC 73100 – Concrete finishers
  • NOC 73101 – Tilesetters
  • NOC 73102 – Plasterers, drywall installers and finishers and lathers
  • NOC 73110 – Roofers and shinglers
  • NOC 73111 – Glaziers
  • NOC 73112 – Painters and decorators (except interior decorators)
  • NOC 73113 – Floor covering installers
  • NOC 73200 – Residential and commercial installers and servicers
  • NOC 73201 – General building maintenance workers and building superintendents
  • NOC 73202 – Pest controllers and fumigators
  • NOC 73209 – Other repairers and servicers
  • NOC 73400 – Heavy equipment operators
  • NOC 73402 – Drillers and blasters – surface mining, quarrying and construction
  • NOC 82031 – Contractors and supervisors, landscaping, grounds maintenance and horticulture services
  • NOC 92100 – Power engineers and power systems operators

In a targeted draw for health and tech occupations, 1,663 invitations were issued to candidates scoring 43 or above on the Ontario Expression of Interest system. They also required a job offer in one of the following occupations:

Health occupations

  • NOC 30010 – Managers in health care
  • NOC 31100 – Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine
  • NOC 31103 – Veterinarians
  • NOC 31110 – Dentists
  • NOC 31111 – Optometrists
  • NOC 31112 – Audiologists and speech-language pathologists
  • NOC 31120 – Pharmacists
  • NOC 31121 – Dietitians and nutritionists
  • NOC 31201 – Chiropractors
  • NOC 31202 – Physiotherapists
  • NOC 31203 – Occupational therapists
  • NOC 31204 – Kinesiologists and other professional occupations in therapy and assessment
  • NOC 31209 – Other professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating
  • NOC 31300 – Nursing coordinators and supervisors
  • NOC 31301 – Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses
  • NOC 31302 – Nurse practitioners
  • NOC 31303 – Physician assistants, midwives and allied health professionals
  • NOC 32100 – Opticians
  • NOC 32101 – Licensed practical nurses
  • NOC 32102 – Paramedical occupations
  • NOC 32103 – Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists
  • NOC 32104 – Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians
  • NOC 32109 – Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment
  • NOC 32110 – Denturists
  • NOC 32111 – Dental hygienists and dental therapists
  • NOC 32112 – Dental technologists and technicians
  • NOC 32120 – Medical laboratory technologists
  • NOC 32121 – Medical radiation technologists
  • NOC 32122 – Medical sonographers
  • NOC 32123 – Cardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists
  • NOC 32124 – Pharmacy technicians
  • NOC 32129 – Other medical technologists and technicians
  • NOC 32200 – Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners and acupuncturists
  • NOC 32201 – Massage therapists
  • NOC 32209 – Other practitioners of natural healing
  • NOC 33100 – Dental assistants and dental laboratory assistants
  • NOC 33101 – Medical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations
  • NOC 33102 – Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates
  • NOC 33103 – Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants
  • NOC 33109 – Other assisting occupations in support of health services

Tech occupations

Candidates only received an invitation if they had a score of 43 and above, and a job offer in one of the national occupational codes (NOC) below:

  • NOC 20012 – Computer and information systems managers
  • NOC 21211 – Data Scientists
  • NOC 21220 – Cybersecurity specialists
  • NOC 21221 – Business system analysts
  • NOC 21222 – Information systems specialists
  • NOC 21223 – Database analysts and data administrators
  • NOC 21230 – Computer systems developers and programmers
  • NOC 21231 – Software engineers and designers
  • NOC 21232 – Software developers and programmers
  • NOC 21233 – Web designers
  • NOC 21234 – Web developers and programmers
  • NOC 21311 – Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers)
  • NOC 22220 – Computer network technicians
  • NOC 22221 – User support technicians
  • NOC 22222 – Information systems testing technicians

Another draw saw 13 further invitations issued through the Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker stream to an Economic Mobility Pathway candidate, Canada’s skilled worker stream for refugees.


Read More Canada Immigration News

Ontario Express Entry Draw: Province Targets Healthcare Jobs With 1,052 Canada Immigration Invitations
Rise In Enrolment To Schools In Ontario’s North-East Thanks To Immigration
Immigrant Retention Highest In Ontario Out Of All Canadian Provinces Or Territories


Ontario Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker Stream Expression of Interest Draw

Date issued Number of invitations issued Date profiles created Score range Notes
 

 

 

5-12-2023

761  

 

December 5, 2022 – December 5, 2023

34 and above Targeted draw for skilled trades occupations
1,663 43 and above Targeted draw for health and tech occupations.
13 N/A Targeted draw for Economic Mobility Pathways Project candidates.

Video


Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker Stream Eligibility Requirements

To qualify under this stream, applicants must have:

  • A permanent and full-time job offer under NOC TEER category 1, 2 or 3 that meets the median wage levels for Ontario, and in a position that is necessary to the business;
  • For those already working in the position, the proposed wage must be equal or greater than the current wage being paid
  • Two cumulative years of relevant work experience in the previous five years before the date of application;
  • Relevant mandatory licensing in Ontario, if the position so requires;
  • Live abroad, or be working, studying or visiting Canada on a valid permit;
  • Intention to settle in Ontario.

Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot’s Popularity Soars Before Expiration

The Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP), which expires in February next year, has witnessed a sharp uptick in application numbers.

The city of Thunder Bay’s Community Economic Development Commission (CEDC) has received an unprecedented rise in demand from those looking to settle in the region after immigrating to Canada.

CEDC – which is responsible for administering the Pilot in the city and area – provided applicants with a final opportunity to submit their qualification on November 17.

However, more than 200 applications had been submitted in just one hour of the web portal’s opening, forcing the commission to close further submissions due to the 115-strong application limit on available spots.

“Obviously, candidates were anticipating that this is the final draw for the program,” said CEDC CEO Jamie Taylor.


Read More Canada Immigration News

Make Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot Permanent, Urge North Bay Business Leaders
Rural And Northern Immigration Pilot: Sudbury Gets Boost To Its Allotment
Student Population Growth In Manitoba Schools Fuelled By Rural And Northern Immigration Pilot


“They were all ready to submit their applications as soon as the portal opened. Having only 115 recommendations left for the 2023 and 2024 year, we received more than what we have in terms of space available.”

“The response to this final draw show that there is a great appetite for economic immigration in our region, both from the candidate and the employer side.”

The Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot

RNIP is a community-driven program that is designed to spread the benefits of economic immigration to smaller communities by offering a pathway to Canada permanent residence (PR) for skilled foreign workers.

It was initiated three years ago, with the number of applicants accepted locally for the program going from 67 in 2020 to 475 in 2023.

A further 100 spots have been allocated by the government to the region for 2024.


Watch Video


The steps for applying to this program can be broken down into four parts:

  1. The candidate checks that they meet both
  2. IRCC eligibility requirements and
  3. the community-specific requirements.
  4. The candidate finds an eligible job with an employer in one of the participating communities.
  5. Once they have secured a job offer, they submit their application for recommendation to the community.
  6. If a community recommends them, they can apply for permanent residence.

Each community will also have its own

  • additional eligibility requirements
  • job search process
  • community recommendation application process

Participating Communities Under The Pilot

Community Name Community Website
North Bay, ON https://northbayrnip.ca/
Sudbury, ON https://investsudbury.ca/why-sudbury/move-to-sudbury/rnip/
Timmins, ON www.timminsedc.com
Sault Ste. Marie, ON www.welcometossm.com
Thunder Bay, ON https://gotothunderbay.ca/
Brandon, MB www.economicdevelopmentbrandon.com
Altona/Rhineland, MB www.seedrgpa.com
Moose Jaw, SK https://www.moosejawrnip.ca/
Claresholm, AB www.claresholm.ca
Vernon, BC https://rnip-vernon-northok.ca/
West Kootenay (Trail, Castlegar, Rossland, Nelson), BC https://wk-rnip.ca/

Fast Uptake of Applications Shows Appetite for Economic Immigration

Since October 1, more than 160 new applications from local employers have been processed by CEDC. These recruiters are willing to make full-time job offers to immigrants, showing what Taylor calls a “great appetite” for economic immigration in Thunder Bay.

This makes the impending expiration of the program all the more disappointing – a feeling that was expressed by CEDC in a statement reflecting employers’ and candidates’ attitude towards the candidate portal’s closure.

Thunder Bay Has Benefitted Enormously from the Program

As other communities have not been using their quotas fully, writes Rinne, Thunder Bay has benefited from an increased quota for itself the past two years.

“I am absolutely in awe of the immigrants that have come to Thunder Bay in hopes of a better life,” wrote Suzanne Tighe of Nurse Next Door.

“They offer a new perspective, intense dedication, and work especially hard to prove themselves. Employers who do not try to attract foreign workers are missing out on a huge pool of talent.”

RNIP, in fact, helps fill upwards of 300 jobs for Thunder Bay, according to a research paper from the Northern Policy Institute.

Bryanne de Castro Rocha (the paper’s author) found that in a year, RNIP in Thunder Bay generated $11.6 million in wages in the local economy and offered 229 jobs to its applicants; this, in turn, generated an additional 92 jobs in the local economy for 321 jobs after one year.

The paper wrote that immigrants benefit the local economy, as they pay taxes that fund public services, spend their money on “goods, housing and transportation,” stimulating the economy, and provide employers qualified workers.

Therefore, the loss of this program would have multisectoral repercussions – within Thunder Bay and beyond.

The geographic boundary of the RNIP Thunder Bay and Area encompasses Thunder Bay and Rainy River Districts, including the following communities:

  • City of Thunder Bay
  • Town of Atikokan
  • Town of Fort Frances
  • Town of Rainy River
  • City of Dryden
  • Town of Emo
  • Municipality (town) of Greenstone
  • Town of Marathon
  • Township of Dorion
  • Township of Manitouwadge
  • Township of Nipigon
  • Township of Schreiber
  • Township of Terrace Bay
  • Township of Red Rock
  • Municipality of Sioux Lookout
  • Township of Ignace

Immigration Is Helping Keep Inflation In Check, Conference Board Of Canada Experts Say

Two of the Conference Board of Canada’s top analysts say record-breaking immigration to Canada has alleviated – not exacerbated – inflation in this country by helping employers get the workers they need and so helping to resolve labour shortages.

In an opinion piece published in the Financial Post, Conference Board vice-president Mike Burt and chief economist Pedro Antunes argue the availability of these extra workers has more than offset any upwards pressure on housing due to extra demand.

During the year that ended in March, the country added 1.2 million new permanent and temporary residents and this year Canada is expected to surpass even that record-breaking number.

In political circles, that’s led many to question the wisdom of high immigration levels to Canada since there have been strains on the country’s housing and social services infrastructure and home prices and rents have gone up dramatically during that time.

Burt and Antunes recognize that burp up in demand for these services due to immigration.


Read More Canada Immigration News

Canada’s International Students Want To Keep Working More Than 20 Hours Per Week
Prince Edward Island Draw: Province Issues 69 Canada Immigration Invitations
Canadian Population Growth Outstrips Increase In Jobs As Unemployment Nudges Up


“Of course, immigration has also added to demand. Strong hiring supported income growth, and immigrants coming to Canada need places to live and spend money on all the necessities of life,” the acknowledge.

“This adds to demand pressures and is especially concerning for rental housing affordability. Such strength in underlying demographic demand is inflationary when there is so little slack in the economy. Taking in so many in such a short period of time has stretched our ability to provide settlement services, affordable housing  and other necessities.”

But the two Conference Board experts point out immigration into Canada has helped keep rapidly-rising wages in check and so served to soften inflation.


Watch Video


“By the end of 2021, Canada’s economy had more than recovered from pandemic job losses, and by mid 2022, the unemployment rate had fallen to a record low of 4.9 per cent, while job vacancies surpassed a million,” they note.

“Inflation was also surging. At first from pandemic-induced effects (supply-chain problems, lagging oil production and unexpectedly strong demand for durable goods) and later from the commodity price surge that followed Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

“The combined effects of rising inflation expectations and super-tight labour markets became a major concern for our central bank. Given the risk of a wage-price spiral, the Bank of Canada began a series of rapid and sharp interest rate hikes, knowing that inflation would not settle at two per cent with labour markets so tight.”

By providing employers with a pool of workers, immigration dampened the upward pressure on wages.

“The rise in immigration has helped fix our labour market challenge in another way,” they note.

Immigration Provides A Boost To Canada’s Economic Growth

“Rather than beating back consumer spending to slow hiring, we added to the supply of labour. Over the past seven months, despite robust job gains, the unemployment rate edged up from five to 5.7 per cent in October. As well, job vacancies have fallen by nearly a third.”

The two experts conclude that Canada must continue to maintain high immigration levels for the sake of its economic growth.

“Without immigration, Canada’s labour force would be in decline, especially over the next five years as Canada’s Baby Boomers retire in growing numbers. Steady immigration adds to our productive capacity, our GDP and our tax take — enough to offset public-sector costs and modestly improve government finances,” they maintain.

“One thing is certain, if immigration is aligned with our capacity to welcome those who are arriving, it will continue to drive economic growth and enrich our society through diversity, as it has through most of our history.”

In Canada, employers can hire foreign nationals who can gain their permanent residency in the country through Express Entry system’s three federal immigration programs, the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSW), Federal Skilled Trades Program (FST), and Canada Experience Class Program (CEC),  or a participating provincial immigration program.

Through a network of Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP), almost all of Canada’s 10 provinces and three territories can nominate skilled worker candidates for admission to Canada when they have the specific skills required by local economies. Successful candidates who receive a provincial or territorial nomination can then apply for Canadian permanent residence through federal immigration authorities.

Canadian employers can also recruit and hire foreign nationals through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) and the International Mobility Program (IMP).

The Global Talent Stream (GTS), a part of the TFWP, can under normal processing situations lead to the granting of Canadian work permits and processing of visa applications within two weeks.

Here Are 2024’s Top 10 Highest Paying Jobs in Canada

0

Canada’s labor market presents highly lucrative opportunities for career growth across various industries, which is made possible through factors that consistently allow Canada to be ranked among the best nations for employment opportunities, annual earnings, and career growth for international graduates.

Those factors include the country’s relatively stable political system, strong and optimistic economic growth, breadth of immigration pathways, and commitment to promoting innovation.

International Migration Accounted for Nearly All Growth Between July 1, 2022, to July 1, 2023

Immigrants are responsible for close to all (98 percent) the population growth that took place in the span of a year, between July 1, 2022, to July 1, 2023.

This shows their obvious need in the Canada labor market, as young immigrants are providing replacement for the old and retiring Canadian population.

Ottawa acknowledges this need, having set the immigration levels targets at historic highs of nearly 500,000 per year from 2024 to 2026.


Read More Canada Immigration News

Top 10 Most In-Demand Occupations in Calgary, Alberta
Immigrate To Canada As A Medical Laboratory Assistant: All You Need To Know
Immigrate To Canada As A Nursing Co-Ordinator Or Supervisor: All You Need To Know 


With such welcoming opportunities to come to Canada, it becomes important for skilled foreign workers to know about their earning potential in the country if they do decide to move.

In this article, we highlight the top ten highest earning professions in Canada for 2024.

1. Medical Anesthesiologist (NOC 31100)

Annual average base salary: $391,568 

Healthcare leads the list, with medical anesthesiologists enjoying the highest earning potential in Canada for the coming year.

The Canadian Anesthesiologists’ Society defines them as “doctors who administer the drugs that prevent patients from feeling pain or sensation during surgery. But that’s not all that these specialists do. They are responsible for the well-being of the patient before, during, and after surgery.”

Before the surgery, they meet with patients to assess their medical history, conduct any requisite exams, and decide on the anesthetic to be used. Decisions on anesthetics are based on the type of surgery and the patient’s health.

They are also responsible for monitoring patients during surgery, and observing the patient to make sure they are responsive to any emergencies. After, they are responsible for safely awakening the patient from anesthesia and, if needed, prescribing pain-reliving medication.

2. Cardiologist (NOC 31100)

Annual average base salary: $386,757 

Cardiologists diagnose, assess, and treat patients with defects and diseases of the heart and the blood vessels; overall, they are doctors of the cardiovascular system.

They work with either an independent practice or a medical institution.

Some responsibilities under this profession are:

  • Assessing new patients via a medical interview
  • Ordering test to confirm suspected conditions
  • Diagnosing patients via lab and test results
  • Designing a treatment plan for all patients
  • Prescribing appropriate medications and therapies to patients
  • Coordinating with patients PCP and Surgeon
  • Providing ongoing care and checkups on all patients
  • Pursuing ongoing and continuing education to stay on top of the latest research findings

3. Surgeon (NOC 31101)

Annual average base salary: $378,634

Surgeons are types of physicians who perform surgical procedures on patients to treat a variety of illnesses. They can perform general surgery, but many specialize in a specific area of medicine, writes Indeed.

While their primary duty is operating on patients, they have other responsibilities as well, including examining patients to diagnose whether they need surgery, creating a surgical and treatment plan based on the patient’s medical history, and researching new surgical techniques.

4. Psychiatrist (NOC 31100)

Annual average base salary: $333,976

Psychiatry, according to the Canadian Medical Association, is the medical specialty that deals with the diseases of the mind.

Psychiatric patients have illnesses and problems that require a comprehensive biological, psychological, and social evaluation to understand their illnesses and needs. This is provided by a psychiatrist, who comprehensively assesses the patient, diagnoses them, and creates a treatment plan for their care and rehabilitation.

Psychiatrists work in different setting, and their roles might vary in each.

For example, a psychiatrist at a general hospital would be responsible for the care and treatment of psychiatric inpatients, and providing consultation and liaison to the medical/surgical units and patients.

One working at a community office practice, on the other hand, would place emphasis on working individually with a patient using a multitude of management, rehabilitative, and psychotherapeutic techniques.


Video


5. Orthodontist (NOC 31110)

Annual average base salary: $269,126

The Canadian Association of Orthodontists defines these professionals as dentists who have completed an addition two to three years of university education to specialize in orthodontic treatment.

“Orthodontics is the branch of dentistry that specializes in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of dental and facial irregularities.”

“The technical term for these problems is ‘malocclusion,’ which means ‘bad bite.’ The practice of orthodontics requires professional skill in the design, application and control of corrective appliances (braces) to bring teeth, lips, and jaws into proper alignment and achieve facial balance.”

Orthodontists are different from dentists, however, as they are specialists in diagnosis. They first become dentists through a 4-year dental school training at a school or institution accredited by the Canadian Dental Association (CDA), following which they must complete a two-to-three-years’ master’s program, accredited by the CDA, for advanced education specializing in orthodontic treatment.

6. Controller (NOC 00012)

Annual average base salary: $207,155

Financial controllers are eyeing very optimistic pay trends in 2024. Their role as the leader of the accounting team puts them at the forefront of a company’s financial health, where they maintain, manage, and analyze financial statements, payroll, budgets, tax compliance issues, etc.

As per LinkedIn Business, a financial controller’s salary varies based on company size. While they often supervise a team of accountants and report to the CFO in a large corporate setting, they may be the sole accountant at a smaller firm, working with clerks and reporting to the owner or CEO.

7. Cloud architect (NOC 21231)

Annual average base salary: $147,474

A cloud architect is an IT professional who oversees a company’s cloud computing strategy, including cloud adoption plans, cloud application design, and cloud management and monitoring.

These individuals oversee application architecture and deployment in cloud environments, including public cloud, private cloud, and hybrid cloud.

They may also be involved in certain legal areas of cloud computing and may negotiate contracts and work with legal and procurement departments.

8. Software Engineering Manager (NOC 20012)

Annual average base salary: $143,044

Software engineering managers are the leaders of software program and application development and creation. They will also be the contact point for different departments to ensure that qualifications of the application are met.

Not only do they need to have a technical understanding of applications but they also need to be able to explain the same to other company executives in simplified language.

According to Job Bank, they have very good prospects in New BrunswickOntario, and Quebec.

9. Data scientist (NOC 21211)

Annual average base salary: $134,960

LinkedIn Business outlines a data scientist’s duties as involving the extraction of meaning from and interpreting data.

This requires the aid of statistical methods and machinery, but “largely relies on analytical brain power.”

Raw data’s unreliability calls for data scientists to use their technical expertise and clean, collect, and validate their data through a process requiring persistence and software engineering skills.

They understand data, find patterns, and use their knowledge to help build and improve a company’s products or services.

10. Corporate Lawyer (NOC 41101)

Annual average base salary: $109,631

This space of law deals with the “formation, governance, and operations of corporations and how shareholders, directors, employees, creditors, and other stakeholders interact with a corporation and one another,” according to Best Lawyers.

Corporate lawyers thus concern themselves with the laws governing the incorporation, dissolution, and registration of corporations, which may be formed under Canadian federal or provincial laws.

Immigrate To Canada As A Specialist In Clinical And Laboratory Medicine: All You Need To Know

0

Are you a candidate with skills and qualifications in one of Canada’s 82 jobs for occupation-specific Express Entry draws? We want to help you move to Canada. Please submit your CV here.

Canada has a shortage of specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine, providing opportunities for qualified foreign nationals to gain their permanent residence here through occupation-targeted Express Entry system draws.

“The difficult working environment created by the COVID-19 pandemic led to the burnout of many medical professionals. Moreover, the rapid spread of COVID-19 left many healthcare practitioners out sick or in isolation, creating substantial bottlenecks in the health system,” notes the Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS) website.

The situation is not expected to be resolved anytime soon with the labour shortage projected to last at least eight more years.

“Over the period 2022 – 2031, the number of job openings arising from expansion demand and replacement demand for specialist physicians are expected to total 29,800, while the number of job seekers arising from school leavers, immigration and mobility is expected to total 24,000,” reports the COPS website.


Read More Canada Immigration News

Canada Job Vacancies Fell In September
Report Says Canada Currently Needs 20,000 Truck Drivers
Immigrate To Canada As A Medical Laboratory Assistant: All You Need To Know


“The labour shortage conditions seen in recent years is expected to persist into the 2022 – 2031 period and could even become more acute as the projected number of job openings are substantially higher than the projected number of job seekers over that period.”

The aging of the Canadian population is expected to further drive demand for specialists.

“As the Canadian population ages, the demand for health services is expected to only continue rising. The number of complex health conditions as well as those requiring additional follow-ups is expected to grow, increasing the need for specialist physicians,” notes the COPS website.

“Consequently, the employment growth rate for these workers is projected to be significantly higher than the average of all occupations.”


Video


Although there were already many ways for specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine to immigrate to Canada, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) added one more pathway for them in May.

That month, the IRCC changed Canada’s Express Entry system to allow it to target 82 jobs in healthcare, technology, trades, transport and agriculture starting this summer – including specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine – and so opened the door to a new pathway to immigration for them.

The flagship Express Entry selection system had previously only conducted draws based on immigration programs, not by targeting specific occupations.

“Everywhere I go, I’ve heard loud and clear from employers across the country who are experiencing chronic labour shortages,” said then-Immigration Minister Sean Fraser.

Occupation-Targeted Draws To Help Resolve Labour Shortages

“These changes to the Express Entry system will ensure that they have the skilled workers they need to grow and succeed.  We can also grow our economy and help businesses with labour shortages while also increasing the number of French-proficient candidates to help ensure the vitality of French-speaking communities.”

The federal government’s job-hunting and career-planning website, Jobbank, ranks the job prospects of specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine as good in Quebec and Alberta and very good, its highest rating, throughout the rest of the country over the coming three years.

In Canada, the median annual income for these workers,  categorized under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 system with the code 31100, is $273,510 but that varies from a low of $100,694 right up to $557,366, reveals Jobbank, the federal government’s job-hunting and career-planning website.

That NOC category includes healthcare professionals with the following occupations:

  • anatomical pathologist
  • anesthetist
  • cardiologist
  • dermatologist
  • diagnostic radiologist
  • emergency physician
  • endocrinologist
  • gastroenterologist
  • general pathologist
  • geriatrician
  • hematologist
  • hematopathologist
  • medical biochemist – physician
  • medical microbiologist
  • nephrologist
  • neurologist
  • neuropathologist
  • oncologist
  • pediatrician
  • physiatrist
  • pneumologist
  • psychiatrist
  • radiation oncologist
  • respirologist
  • rheumatologist

Candidates hoping to immigrate through Express Entry occupation-targeted draws need at least six months of continuous work experience in Canada or abroad within the past three years in one of these occupations to be eligible, experience that can have been gained while working in Canada as temporary foreign workers with a work permits or as an international student with a student visa.

Provinces Have Been Conducting Occupation-Targeted Draws For Years

Under the changes announced at the end of May, the Express Entry streams, including the Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) program, Federal Skilled Trades (FST) program and Canadian Experience Class (CEC), as well as parts of the Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) are now more responsive to labour market needs.

Canada first signalled its intention to start occupation-specific draws through Express Entry in June last year, when changes were made to the Immigration, Refugee and Protection Act to allow invitations based on occupations and other attributes, such as language ability.

The majority of Canada’s provinces have been issuing occupation-specific invitations for several years.

Under the changes to the act, the immigration minister is required to consult provinces and territories, members of industry, unions, employers, workers, worker advocacy groups, settlement provider organizations, and immigration researchers and practitioners, before announcing new categories.

IRCC must also report to parliament each year on the categories that were chosen and the reason for the choices.

Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) says the number of occupations facing shortages doubled between 2019 and 2021. From 2018 to 2022, federal high skilled admissions accounted for between 34 and 40 per cent of overall French-speaking admissions outside Quebec, which manages its own immigration intake.

Canadian Population Growth Outstrips Increase In Jobs As Unemployment Nudges Up

0

Canadian population growth continued to outstrip any increases in employment meaning its unemployment rate nudged up again to hit 5.8 per cent in November even though 25,000 more people landed jobs.

The latest rise in the unemployment rate brings the total increase since April this year to 0.8 per cent.

Although the unemployment rate has trended up for all major age groups, increases have been more pronounced among youth,” reveals Statistics Canada.

“From April to November, the unemployment rate increased by two percentage points, to 11.6 per cent, among youth aged 15 to 24. Over the same period, it increased by 0.6 percentage points among people aged 25 to 54, to 4.9 per cent, and by 0.7 percentage points among people aged 55 and older, to 4.6 per cent.”

The tougher times for workers this year are reflected in the growth of the number of people laid off from a previous job in 2023 compared to last year, the November Labour Force Survey reveals.


Read More Canada Immigration News

Canada’s International Students Want To Keep Working More Than 20 Hours Per Week
Ontario Express Entry Draw: Province Targets Healthcare Jobs With 1,052 Canada Immigration Invitations
Manitoba PNP Draw: Province Issues 268 Canada Immigration Invitations


“Of those who were unemployed in November and had worked in the previous year, more than two-thirds, 68.7 per cent, had been laid off from their previous job, compared with 62.6 per cent in November 2022,” notes Canada’s statistical and demographic services agency.

Immigrants, who are playing an increasingly important role in Canada’s labour market, unfortunately continue to face barriers when trying to integrate into the workforce, including those with post-secondary credentials or work experience acquired abroad.

“Among recent immigrants (those who had arrived in Canada in the previous five years) who had work experience or post-secondary credentials from abroad, nearly six in 10, or 58.2 per cent, had faced difficulties finding work related to their foreign work experience or credentials in the past two years,” reveals Statistics Canada.

“In comparison, fewer than half, or 47.6 per cent, of those who had arrived from five to 10 years earlier had faced such difficulties.

“The most common difficulties encountered by recent immigrants with credentials or experience were not having enough Canadian job experience, at 22.7 per cent, having no connections in the job market, at 20.3 per cent, and lacking enough references from Canada, at 18.5 per cent.”

Manufacturing And Construction Sectors Hired More Workers In November

Across the Canadian economy, the manufacturing sector employed an additional 28,000 people in November and the construction sector added 16,000.

But wholesale and retail trade shed 27,000 workers and the finance, insurance, real estate, rental and leasing sector dropped 18,000 people from its workforce.

“Employment increased in New Brunswick by 2,400 or 0.6 per cent and declined in Prince Edward Island by 1,300 or 1.4 per cent (while) employment was little changed in all other provinces,” reports Statistics Canada.


Watch Video


Total hours worked fell 0.7 per cent in November but were still up 1.3 per cent on a year-over-year basis.

“On a year-over-year basis, average hourly wages rose 4.8 per cent, up $1.57 to $34.28, in November, similar to the increase recorded in October,” notes Statistics Canada.

The employment rate has decreased in four of the past five months and has generally trended down since January when it reached a recent high of 62.5 per cent.

Private Sector Jobs Are Up, Public Sector Growth Is Flat

“The number of private sector employees rose by 38,000 or 0.3 per cent in November, the first increase since June,” notes Statistics Canada.

“Meanwhile, the number of self-employed workers decreased by 25,000, down 0.9 per cent, partly offsetting cumulative increases of 76,000, or 2.9 per cent in August and September. The number of public sector employees was little changed in November.”

Canadian employers hoping to attract workers through economic immigration can recruit them through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) and the International Mobility Program (IMP).

The Global Talent Stream (GTS), a part of the TFWP, can under normal processing situations lead to the granting of Canadian work permits and processing of visa applications within two weeks.

Employers can also bring in foreign nationals to fill available positions through the Express Entry system, which receives immigration applications online.

It powers the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSW), Federal Skilled Trades Program (FST), and Canada Experience Class Program (CEC) which all draw from the Express Entry pool of candidates. Those with the required Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores are then sent Invitations to Apply (ITAs) in regular draws.

Public Opinion On Immigration Changing In Canada

A new poll by Abacus Data says a majority of Canadians believe the country’s immigration targets to be “too high”. This could possibly have repercussions for the Trudeau government in the upcoming federal elections.

Canada released its 2024-2026 Immigration Levels Plan on November 1, 2023, as per which Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will take in 485,000 new permanent residents in 2024, 500,000 in 2025, and 500,000 in 2026. The plan’s emphasis on economic growth is complemented by its aims to support family reunification, and its willingness to respond to humanitarian crises.

The high range is 532,500 for 2024, 550,000 for 2025, and 550,000 for 2026.

However, two-thirds – or 67 percent – of Canadians say that they oppose the aforementioned immigration targets. Moreover, two in five Canadians deem immigration numbers as “way too high,” and only 2% believe them to be too low.


Read More Canada Immigration News

Canada’s International Students Want To Keep Working More Than 20 Hours Per Week
Ontario Express Entry Draw: Province Targets Healthcare Jobs With 1,052 Canada Immigration Invitations
Manitoba PNP Draw: Province Issues 268 Canada Immigration Invitations


“The public opinion has shifted in Canada to a point where if a political leader wanted to make this an issue, they could,” said Abacus chair and CEO David Coletto.

“We’re headed into a period where there’s going to be friction.”

Coletto and Eddie Sheppard’s report, titled Thresholds and Tensions: Unmasking Public Unease with Canada’s Immigration Goals, conducted a national survey of 2,000 Canadians (aged 18+) to assess their perceptions of immigration in Canada today.

They found a strong correlation between age and perceptions of immigration targets, with older Canadians more likely to think immigration targets are too high compared to their younger counterparts.

Political affiliations form another cleavage of opinion.

Although 82 per cent of Conservative voters in the 2021 elections said that immigration targets were too high, it was not the only party whose majority supporters held that view. 63 percent of NDP voters and 61 percent of Liberal voters echoed a similar sentiment. This demonstrates the formation of a cross-partisan consensus on immigration levels.

4 in 10 Canadians Think That the Immigrant Population in Their Community is Rising

There is a perceived growth of immigrant numbers in Canadians’ communities, with 4 in 10 believing that they are growing significantly (up from 35% in July), and 23% noting a moderate rise (a little less than 24% in July) in immigration.

Only 5% say that immigrant numbers are not rising at all.

The perception about an increase in immigrant population in community was most pronounced in Atlantic Canada and Alberta, with 43 percent of people surveyed in both provinces reporting that it is “increasing significantly.”

Partisan politics created a very sharp cleavage in this regard, with 47 percent of Conservative Party supporters citing a significant increase in immigrant numbers in their community, and 28 percent of Liberal supporters saying the same.

Despite Canadians Having Been Largely Pro-Immigration, a Shift is Being Seen

Coletto said that Canadians have largely supported immigration in the past, without having seen it as a cause for concern. For example, a fall 2022 survey reported that seven in ten Canadians supported the country’s immigration levels, which was the largest ever majority recorded by Environics in the past 45 years, according to the Star.

This was also in contrast with the remainder of the Global North, with countries such as the US, UK, and European states having very polarizing political debates on immigration.

However, Canadians’ pro-immigration stance is reversing, with 70 percent of Albertans and Ontarians saying they were unhappy with current immigration levels, followed by Atlantic respondents, at 68 percent, and Manitoban and Saskatchewan poll takers, at 67 percent.

British Columbians and Quebecers were next, at 64 percent and 60 percent respectively.


Watch Video


The reversal, as per Coletto, was initiated around six to eight months ago, when conversations surrounding the cost of living, the housing crisis, and the healthcare scarcity came to the forefront.

“For a long time, it was conventional wisdom that Canada is unique among peer nations in our openness and acceptance of immigration. But as this survey highlights, conventional wisdom is being challenged.”

“As a scarcity mindset sets in, concerns about the availability and affordability of housing, capacity of the healthcare system, and possibly a recession approach are causing people to reassess the appropriateness of such ambitious immigration targets. This survey highlights the fluidity and dynamism inherent in public opinion.”

“(This polling data) proves that we can’t assume that Canadians are just different from the rest of the world.”

The Trend in Canada’s Immigration Levels

Over the years, successive federal governments in Canada have maintained a high immigration level, at 250,000 per year since the end of the 1990s. This was a strategy to boost the economy and the country’s population.

However, none of that was comparable to the Liberal government’s immigration targets, which have – since late 2015 – skyrocketed the number of newcomers to Canada. The number surpassed 300,000 at the outset, but then reduced significantly during COVID-19.

Since border restrictions have eased, numbers have gone beyond even pre-pandemic levels; 431,645 immigrants came in 2022, and 465,000 are to come in 2023.

Coletto said that immigrants are a requisite driver of Canada’s economy and for taking care of its ageing population. It is thus very important to change public perception of immigration.

“It’s essential we get this right and that Canada’s population continues to grow,” he said.

“But they have to back it up with a plan that lays out how they’re going to mitigate the negative effects that people believe this level of immigration is having.”

Prince Edward Island Draw: Province Issues 69 Canada Immigration Invitations

Prince Edward Island has conducted a new provincial draw, issuing invitations to apply to 69 skilled worker Canada immigration candidates.

The November 30 draw saw invitations issued through the Labour Impact and Express Entry Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP) stream.

Invitations were issued to individuals working in the Healthcare, Manufacturing, Food Processing and Construction sectors.


Read More Canada Immigration News

Prince Edward Island PNP Draw: Province Issues 141 Canada Immigration Invitations
Prince Edward Island Draw: Province Targets Four Sectors With 42 Canada Immigration Invitations
Prince Edward Island Issues 104 Canada Immigration Invitations In New PNP Draw


PEI PNP Immigration Draw

Date Category Invites Issued Minimum Score
30-11-2023 Labour Impact/Express Entry 69 N/A

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


Watch Video


PEI issued a total of 1,853 invites during 2022, compared to 1,933 in 2021.

Of the 2022 invites, 1,729 went to Labour Impact and Express Entry candidates, with the remaining 124 going to Business Impact candidates.


Prince Edward Island Express Entry Stream

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

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

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


Prince Edward Island Labour Impact Category

1) Skilled Worker Stream

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

  • A full time employment offer from a Prince Edward Island business in an occupation classified as TEER category 0, 1, 2 or 3 of the National Occupational Classification (NOC);
  • Completion of a post-secondary education, with a minimum of 14 years of formal education;
  • Between 21 and 55 years of age;
  • At least 2 years of full time work experience in the past 5 years;
  • Sufficient proficiency in English or French to occupy the employment offered;
  • Sufficient settlement funds;
  • Demonstrated intention to settle in Prince Edward Island.

2) Critical Worker Stream

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

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

Canada Immigrants Who Don’t File Tax Returns In First Year Miss Out On Benefits

A study has revealed that those who immigrate to Canada often miss out on benefits they could get from the government because they fail to file their income tax returns in the first year or two after arriving in Canada.

In Tax-Filing Rates Of Newly Landed Immigrants In Canada: Trends And Insights, researchers Tahsin  Mehdi, Ying Gai, Ping Ching Winnie Chan, René Morissette, Jason Raymond, Rubab Arim and Dylan Saunders discovered newly-landed immigrants in Canada sometimes delay filing tax returns as they settle in and so miss out on tax benefits for which they are eligible.

“Providing them with a financial support structure helps ensure that they become contributing members of society, especially at a time when Canada is relying on immigration to address labour supply issues,” note the researchers.

“For example, one of the most accessible benefits available to families with young children is the Canada child benefit, which is a tax-free payment that was introduced in 2016. The child tax benefit is available to all families with children younger than 18 years, as long as parents or guardians file income tax returns.”

In their study, the researchers found that 15 per cent of couples where both spouses were aged 25 to 64 years and had landed in Canada from 2017 to 2019 with children younger than 18 years had not filed T1 income tax returns in their landing year or the following year.


Read More Canada Immigration News

Top 10 Most In-Demand Occupations in Calgary, Alberta
Immigrate To Canada As A Medical Laboratory Assistant: All You Need To Know
Immigrate To Canada As A Nursing Co-Ordinator Or Supervisor: All You Need To Know 


“Among immigration classes, families whose principal applicant was a refugee had the highest filing rates at 96 per cent, while those whose principal applicant was a Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) had the lowest, at 74 per cent,” reports Statistics Canada.

“Families where the principal applicant had no university degree at landing were more likely to file at 91 per cent than those with a graduate degree at landing at 79 per cent.”

Access to settlement services, which varies somewhat from province to province and by immigration program may account for some of the differences in the tax filing rate of newly-arrived immigrants.

Refugees More Apt To File Income Tax Returns Than Immigrants Arriving Under The FSW

Refugees, who are the most likely to file income tax reports soon after arriving, are also the only class of immigrants which have access to the Resettlement Assistance Program (RAP).

The researchers suggest more study needs to be done to identify potential beneficiaries of Canadian tax benefits among newly-arrived immigrants – but the study also admits this will not be an easy task.

“Establishing a pool of beneficiaries is not a straightforward process by any means. Some immigrants may move back to their country of origin or get jobs outside Canada, so emigration of immigrants poses a significant challenge,” the researchers note.

“Moreover, international migration has become increasingly fluid and the line between temporary and permanent migration has become blurred … This raises the question of whether to include immigrants who leave Canada as part of the target population of beneficiaries.”

The tax filing rate of newly-arrived immigrants has been improving since the mid-1990s.

“Around 89 per cent of immigrants from the 2017-to-2019 landing cohort filed an income tax return in the year of landing or the year after,” note researchers.

“This is markedly higher than the rate (of 83 per cent) observed for the 1993-to-1996 landing cohort … and marginally higher than the rates observed for most of the subsequent cohorts.”

Ontario Express Entry Draw: Province Targets Healthcare Jobs With 1,052 Canada Immigration Invitations

Ontario has issued 1,052 invitations targeting healthcare occupations in a new draw through its Express Entry Human Capital Priorities stream.

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) draw took place on November 30 and invited candidates with Comprehensive Ranking System scores between 404 and 430.

The draw targeted the following occupations:

  • NOC 30010 – Managers in health care
  • NOC 31100 – Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine
  • NOC 31101 – Specialists in surgery
  • NOC 31102 – General practitioners and family physicians
  • NOC 31103 – Veterinarians
  • NOC 31110 – Dentists
  • NOC 31111 – Optometrists
  • NOC 31112 – Audiologists and speech-language pathologists
  • NOC 31120 – Pharmacists
  • NOC 31121 – Dietitians and nutritionists
  • NOC 31201 – Chiropractors
  • NOC 31202 – Physiotherapists
  • NOC 31203 – Occupational therapists
  • NOC 31204 – Kinesiologists and other professional occupations in therapy and assessment
  • NOC 31209 – Other professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating
  • NOC 31300 – Nursing coordinators and supervisors
  • NOC 31301 – Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses
  • NOC 31302 – Nurse practitioners
  • NOC 31303 – Physician assistants, midwives and allied health professionals
  • NOC 32100 – Opticians
  • NOC 32101 – Licensed practical nurses
  • NOC 32102 – Paramedical occupations
  • NOC 32103 – Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists
  • NOC 32104 – Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians
  • NOC 32109 – Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment
  • NOC 32110 – Denturists
  • NOC 32111 – Dental hygienists and dental therapists
  • NOC 32112 – Dental technologists and technicians
  • NOC 32120 – Medical laboratory technologists
  • NOC 32121 – Medical radiation technologists
  • NOC 32122 – Medical sonographers
  • NOC 32123 – Cardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists
  • NOC 32124 – Pharmacy technicians
  • NOC 32129 – Other medical technologists and technicians
  • NOC 32200 – Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners and acupuncturists
  • NOC 32201 – Massage therapists
  • NOC 32209 – Other practitioners of natural healing
  • NOC 33100 – Dental assistants and dental laboratory assistants
  • NOC 33101 – Medical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations
  • NOC 33102 – Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates
  • NOC 33103 – Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants
  • NOC 33109 – Other assisting occupations in support of health services

Candidates selected from the Express Entry pool receive a Notification of Interest via their Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) account.

They then have 45 days to submit a full application.


Latest Ontario Human Capital Priorities Draws

Date Number of NOIs issued CRS score range Express Entry profiles created Notes
30-01-23 1,052 404-430 November 30, 2022 – November 30, 2023 Targeted draw – Health draw

Read More Canada Immigration News

Rise In Enrolment To Schools In Ontario’s North-East Thanks To Immigration
Immigrant Retention Highest In Ontario Out Of All Canadian Provinces Or Territories
Immigrants Account for Most of the Growth in Ontario’s Labour Force, Report Reveals


Video


What Are The Requirements For the Ontario Express Entry: Human Capital Priorities Stream?

To qualify 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 TEER Category 0, 1, 2 or 3 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 degree or higher.
  • Show language proficiency of minimum CLB/NCLC level 7 in English or in French.
  • Intention to reside in the province of Ontario.
  • Residing with legal status in Canada, if applicable.
  • Proof of required settlement funds.
  • Minimum Express Entry Comprehensive Ranking System score as determined by director under periodic draws.

Latest News