Four draws have been conducted since March, with the number of invitations issued most often listed as ‘less than five’ due to the province’s policy of protecting the identity of candidates.
The draws have seen invites issued through both the general category and the regional pilot category of the program.
The key differences between the two streams are that the net worth and investment requirements are halved for the regional pilot category, which focuses on attracting entrepreneurs to communities outside major population areas.
Full candidate requirements for both streams are listed below.
Entrepreneur Immigration General Category: Eligibility Requirements for Candidates
The personal net worth of minimum $600,000, legally obtained.
Invest minimum $200,000 in an eligible new business or to purchase and improve an existing business in BC.
Create at least one new full-time job in your business for a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident.
Canadian Language Benchmark Level 4 In English or French in each of the four competencies: listening, speaking, reading and writing, BY THE TIME OF NOMINATION.
Suitable business and/or management experience.
Have, or be eligible for, legal temporary immigration status in Canada.
Have been lawfully admitted to the country where you currently reside.
Entrepreneur Immigration Regional Pilot: Eligibility Requirements for Candidates
Net worth of minimum $300,000.
Minimum of $100,000 in eligible business investments.
Minimum of 51% ownership in the new business.
Canadian Language Benchmark Level 4 In English or French in each of the four competencies: listening, speaking, reading and writing.
Create at least one new full-time job for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
Conduct an exploratory visit in the target community
Entrepreneur Immigration Regional Pilot: Eligibility Requirements for Communities
A population of fewer than 75,000 people.
Located beyond 30km of a municipality of more than 75,000 people.
Demonstrate capacity to support the entrepreneur through a network of established settlement and business support agencies.
Invitations were issued to individuals working in the healthcare, manufacturing, food processing, construction, hotel/accommodation and agriculture sectors.
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.
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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.
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 will stay the course and maintain or increase its record-breaking immigration targets because the country’s aging workforce is creating serious labour shortages, Immigration Minister Marc Miller says.
“I don’t see a world in which we lower it, the need is too great,” Miller reportedly told Bloomberg News.
“Whether we revise them upwards or not is something that I have to look at. But certainly I don’t think we’re in any position of wanting to lower them by any stretch of the imagination.”
The newly-minted immigration minister, who picked up the portfolio during Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Cabinet shuffle on July 26, is expected to unveil Canada’s new immigration targets on Nov. 1.
In its 2023-2025 Immigration Levels Plan, Ottawa has set its immigration target for 2023 at 465,000 new permanent residents. The country is also to welcome 485,000 new permanent residents in 2024 and another 500,000 in 2025.
That’s a total of 1.45 million immigrants to Canada over three years.
But the latest data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) reveals the country had already welcomed 220,810 new permanent residents by the end of this May.
That puts the country on track – if that level of immigration is maintained throughout the rest of the year – to welcome 529,944 new permanent residents by the end of this year, almost 14 per cent more than this year’s immigration target.
The current level of immigration this year could see Canada exceed even the much-higher immigration target for 2025 by almost six per cent.
In the wake of massive inflation in the housing market in the past few years, TD Economics issued a report in late July, Balancing Canada’s Pop In Population, in which economists Beata Caranci, James Orlando, Rishi Sondhi note that higher immigration has put a strain on the housing supply.
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“Continuing with a high-growth immigration strategy could widen the housing shortfall by about a half-million units within just two years,” the economists wrote. “Recent government policies to accelerate construction are unlikely to offer a stop-gap due to the short time period and the natural lags in adjusting supply.”
Leader of the Opposition Pierre Poilievre has used the housing crisis to take shots at Trudeau, blaming too-high levels of immigration for the housing crisis and vowing to both build much more housing and take what he describes as a common-sense approach to immigration. He has also pledged to improve credential recognition for immigrants for professionals and tradespeople.
Miller Ways It’s Wrong To Scapegoat Immigrants For Housing Crisis
The Conservative leader says immigration targets should be driven by the number of vacancies that private sector employers need to fill, the number of charities that want to sponsor refugees, and the families that want to reunite quickly with loved ones,” he said.
Miller rejects the notion that immigrants are somehow to blame for the housing crisis.
“We have to get away from this notion that immigrants are the major cause of housing pressures and the increase in home prices,” he reportedly said.
“We tend not to think in longer historical arcs or in generational terms, but if people want dental care, health care and affordable housing that they expect, the best way to do that is to get that skilled labour in this country.”
The immigration minister also shot back at his political opponents.
“Politicians look in electoral cycles. But in my role, we have to look in generational cycles,” Miller reportedly said.
“Canada needs to address that in a smart way, and that means attracting a younger segment of the population to make sure that people can retire with same expectations and benefits that their parents had. That’s the stark reality of it.”
A report highlighting racism faced by employees of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), its views on racism in policies, programs and practices, and ways in which it could improve has been released by the federal immigration ministry.
It found that although IRCC has made progress, 63 per cent of participants gave a rating of seven or more when asked how much of a problem racism is at the ministry.
Experiences of racism in IRCC’s foreign postings are much more prevalent than at its local office.
Participants reported incidents of managers mocking the accents of Locally Engaged Staff (LES, who are involved in IRCC’s foreign offices), asking them to repeat themselves, and pretending not to understand them and ignoring them at work.
Managers at foreign postings also made demeaning comments and hurtful jokes about employees’ racial or ethnic origins, and made derogatory associations between employees and applicants.
“What I encountered overseas was outright racist Canadian staff in a way that I was shocked,” said one IRCC employee.
“In Canada, you don’t vocalize those things. But if you have been overseas a long time or posted in places where it wasn’t a big deal, you develop a level of comfort expressing these things.”
Participants in the study also feel that the small and somewhat hierarchical organizational structure in foreign postings means that managers shy away from removing problematic employees, as that could cause a disruption in operations.
The research in question – titled IRCC 2022-23 Anti-Racism Employee Qualitative Research – was conducted by Pollara Strategic Insights. It was designed to allow the IRCC to further explore employees’ experiences with racism outside of departmental anti-racism surveys.
A total of 62 IRCC employees – from various levels of the department – were surveyed through 15 two-hour online focus groups and an additional six, 20 to 40 minute online interviews. These sessions were conducted from February 6 to 21.
The participants included two indigenous or aboriginal employees, 21 black employees, 26 non-black racialized employees, and 11 white employees. Two of the participants were non-specified.
Incidents of systemic racism in the IRCC have surfaced in the past too, with African students having been subject to unfair selection criteria when applying to study permits. This further showcases the need for strong intervention going forward.
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The study falls under IRCC’s Anti-Racism Strategy 2.0 (2021-2024), which outlines the government’s many commitments towards continuing to identify the unjust and harmful impacts of systemic racism in IRCC and to remove barriers to equity and inclusion.
Although the employees involved in the study believe that there are “numerous signs of progress” since 2021, the organization still needs critical transformation in order to achieve better racial equality at the workplace.
For one, they feel that IRCC needs to ensure a baseline level of bias awareness and intercultural competency throughout the organization, which – along with a commitment to upholding the Department’s anti-racism values – is a pre-requisite for hiring and promotions.
They also feel the need for an independent body which can anonymously receive and investigate complaints and is given the power to impose consequences and report on case numbers, case progression, and high-level outcomes.
Lastly, employees believe that there needs to be an urgent requirement for bold action to investigate and deal adequately with employees and managers in the International Network whose racist behaviours and communications continue to create a toxic work environment in offices abroad and impact how the Department is represented in foreign postings.
The July and August draws saw invitations issued in two different categories.
On July 18, 14 invitations were issued to Designated Healthcare Pathway candidates with a job offer. The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System score was 311.
A further 11 invitations were issued in the same category on August 1, this time with a minimum score of 317.
A final batch of 32 invitations went to candidates in agricultural occupations with a job offer, with a minimum CRS score of 322 points.
Internationally-trained construction millwrights and industrial mechanics are in massive demand in Canada, meaning foreign nationals can immigrate here, take those Canada jobs and get their permanent residence.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced earlier this year that Canada’s Express Entry system will begin targeting 82 jobs in healthcare, technology, trades, transport and agriculture this summer – including construction millwrights and industrial mechanics.
The flagship Express Entry selection system has previously only conducted draws based on immigration programs, not by targeting specific occupations.
Immigration Minister Sean Fraser is hoping that opening up the Express Entry system to these occupation-targeted draws will help alleviate Canada’s labour shortages.
“Everywhere I go, I’ve heard loud and clear from employers across the country who are experiencing chronic labour shortages,” said Fraser.
“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.”
Job Bank, the federal job-hunting and career-planning website, is forecasting a shortage of 1,900 workers to fill these jobs in Canada over the coming nine years.
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“For construction millwrights and industrial mechanics, over the period 2022 – 2031, new job openings arising from expansion demand and replacement demand are expected to total 35,900, while 34,000 new job seekers arising from school leavers, immigration and mobility are expected to be available to fill them,” notes Job Bank.
“Although the labour shortage conditions seen in recent years were expected to be temporary, the projected number of job seekers is not expected to be large enough to return this occupation to balance conditions over the projection period. As a result, the shortage conditions will become more structural, continuing over the 2022 – 2031 period.”
Construction Millwrights And Industrial Mechanics’ Job Prospects Forecast To Be Good In Four Provinces
Job Bank is forecasting the job prospects for construction millwrights and industrial mechanics to be good in Saskatchewan, Quebec, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador over the next three years.
The job-hunting website forecasts job prospects for this occupation to be moderate in all the remaining provinces for which there is data.
Foreign nationals seeking to get their permanent residence through an occupation-targeted Express Entry draw will 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.
If you are a candidate looking for a Canada job, or an employer looking to recruit foreign talent from abroad, immigration.ca can help. Access our expertise through our in-house recruitment enterprise skilledworker.com, “the leader in foreign recruitment”.
That experience can have been gained while working in Canada as temporary foreign workers with work permits or as international students with a student visas.
The opportunities are certainly there.
There were already 635 job listings for construction millwrights and industrial mechanics, categorized under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 system with the code 72400, posted on Job Bank in July, some of them from employers hoping to hire more than one employee .
Most of those jobs were in Ontario and Quebec. As Canada’s most populous province, Ontario had 229 openings for construction millwrights and industrial mechanics while the francophone province of Quebec had 192 such job postings.
Construction Millwrights And Industrial Mechanics Can Earn Up To $88,725 Per Year
British Columbia had 64 jobs for construction millwrights and industrial mechanics, Alberta 33, New Brunswick 38, and Saskatchewan 35.
In Canada, the median hourly wage for construction millwrights and industrial mechanics is $32 but that varies from a low of $20 right up to $45.50, reveals Job Bank.
Based on a standard, 37.5-hour work week, that means construction millwrights and industrial mechanics could expect to earn a top median annual income of $88,725.
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.
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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.
Are you ready to live and work in Canada? Fill out our free evaluation form to find out if you are eligible.
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The Express Entry Skilled Trades Stream targets skilled trades workers in the construction and agricultural sectors but could be expanded in the future.
To qualify applicants must have:
Active profile under the Federal Express Entry system.
At least 12 months, cumulative or continuous, of full-time paid work experience in Ontario, within the last two years prior to the Notification of Interest, in NOC major groups 72 (excluding occupations under transportation officers), 73, 82, 83, 93 (excluding aircraft assemblers and aircraft assembly inspectors) or minor group 6320 (excluding cooks).
Proof of Ontario license or certification if an occupational requirement.
A valid work permit and residing in Ontario at the time of application.
Minimum language CLB/NCLC level 5 or above in English or in French.
The August 1 draws were targeted at specific occupations.
In a tech draw, 132 invitations were issued to skilled workers and international graduates with a minimum score of 88 points.
A further 39 invitations were issued to skilled workers and international graduates scoring at least 60 points in a draw targeting Early Childhood Educators and Assistants under NOC 42202.
A draw targeted at Healthcare workers saw 23 invitations issued to skilled workers, international graduates and entry level and semi-skilled workers, also with a minimum score of 60 points.
A batch of less than 5 invitations went to skilled workers and international graduates in a draw aimed at other priority occupations under NOCs 31103, 32104, also requiring 60 points. The number was recorded as less than 5 to protect the identity of those invited.
Latest B.C. Immigration Draws
Targeted Draw
Date
Category
Minimum Score
Invitations Issued
Description
01-08-23
Skilled Worker, International Graduate
88
132
Targeted draw: Tech
Skilled Worker, International Graduate
60
39
Targeted draw: Childcare: Early childhood educators (NOC 42202)
Skilled Worker, International Graduate
60
23
Targeted draw: Healthcare
Skilled Worker, International Graduate
60
<5
Targeted draw:
Other priority occupations (NOCs 31103, 32104)
Points are awarded based on the following attributes:
Level and field of education and where they completed their studies.
Proficiency in English or French.
Intention to settle outside of the Greater Toronto Area.
Skill and work experience level, earnings history, other factors relevant to prospects in Ontario job market.
Labour market needs in the province or region of the province.
Masters Graduate 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 Graduate 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.
Your passport is the key that unlocks the door to your new life in Canada. Before you embark on your journey, ensure that your passport meets the following requirements:
Validity: Make sure your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your planned stay in Canada.
Name Consistency: Double-check that your passport name matches the name you used on your visa application and other official documents.
It’s a good idea to keep copies of your passport in a safe place, both in digital and physical formats, as a backup in case of loss or theft.
2. Canadian Immigrant Visa or Confirmation of Permanent Residence
To settle in Canada as a permanent resident, you will need either an immigrant visa or a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) document.
Here’s what you need to know:
Immigrant Visa: If you were granted a permanent resident visa outside of Canada, you should have it in your possession when you arrive. Ensure it’s valid and not expired.
Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR): If you applied for permanent residency within Canada, you will receive a COPR document, which you must carry with you. Ensure it is signed and not damaged.
3. Permanent Resident Card (PR Card)
Once you arrive in Canada, as a new immigrant, you should apply for your Permanent Resident (PR) card. This card serves as your official proof of your permanent resident status in the country.
Here’s what you need to know:
Eligibility: You are eligible to apply for a PR card if you are a permanent resident who has fulfilled the residency requirement.
Application Process: Submit the application form, supporting documents, and the processing fee to the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Renewal: The PR card is valid for five years. Ensure that you renew it before it expires to maintain your status as a permanent resident.
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4. Proof of Funds: Ensuring Financial Stability
The Canadian government requires new immigrants to have sufficient funds to support themselves and their families upon arrival. You may be asked to provide proof of funds, indicating that you have the financial means to settle in Canada.
Required Amount: The specific amount depends on the number of family members accompanying you. It’s important to stay updated with the current financial requirements set by the government.
Acceptable Documents: Generally, you can provide bank statements, investment statements, or proof of a government scholarship or sponsorship.
5. Education and Employment Documents
When you start your new life in Canada, having your educational and employment documents readily available will help you navigate the job market and educational institutions.
Ensure you have the following:
Educational Credentials: Gather your diplomas, degrees, and transcripts. It’s wise to have them translated into English or French if they are in another language.
Employment Records: Bring reference letters, resumes, or any other documents that showcase your work experience and qualifications.
Professional Certifications: If you have professional certifications, licenses, or trade qualifications, ensure you have them with you as they can enhance your job prospects.
Be Prepared
By ensuring you have the required documents before your departure, you’ll be well-prepared to settle in your new home. Remember to check the official government websites and consult with relevant authorities to stay updated on any changes or additional requirements.
While the process may seem daunting, proper preparation and having the necessary paperwork in order will help smoothen your transition. So, gather your documents, double-check their validity, and get ready to embrace the opportunities that await you in the welcoming land of Canada!
