A senior figure at one of Canada’s top banks has urged governments and businesses to assist the seamless integration of newcomers, describing immigration as ‘a form of economic stimulus’. Dan Rees, group head of Canadian banking at Scotiabank, believes immigration can be a way out of the economic woe caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Writing in the Globe and Mail, Rees...

The Quebec immigration ministry has announced Quebec Experience Program (PEQ) applications can be submitted online via the Arrima platform as of Tuesday January 12. The Arrima platform – previously used mainly to submit profiles to the Quebec Expression of Interest system – can now be used for applications, supporting documents and to pay required fees. As of January 26, 2021, all...

All invitations to apply for the 2020 Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) have been sent, according to Canada’s immigration department. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced that all the invitations had been sent as of Monday January 11. Candidates who received an invitation now have 60 days to submit a full application. Those who did not receive an invitation must...

A new department of advanced education, skills and immigration has been announced by Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister as part of the Canadian Prairie province’s bid to boost its COVID-19-stricken economy. “Our pandemic recovery plan is focused on getting people back to work and ensuring new job opportunities for young Manitobans and new immigrants we welcome into our province,” said Pallister.  “This...

Thunder Bay in Ontario is seeing great success with attracting immigrants through the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP). Emily Lauzon, workforce development officer with the Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission, praised the RNIP in an interview with CBC News. "We did end up recommending 69 people. Some of them do have spouses and children as well, so it's probably...

Post Graduation Work Permit holders are to get the chance to qualify for an Open Work Permit to help gather the experience they need to qualify for permanent residence, Canada says. A new public policy announced by Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino on Friday January 8 is aimed at former international students who had their opportunity to qualify for permanent residence...

Delays in getting skilled workers into the country are hurting Canadian businesses, says a think tank specializing in labour mobility, urging Ottawa to hire more staff and invest in better tech to process immigration applications.  “Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) should resume normal staffing levels, as we understand that there was a substantial number of employees who were unable...

A white paper released by a post-secondary education organization says international students are going to be vital to Canada’s economic recovery in the wake of the COVID-19 global pandemic.  “Colleges and institutes are ideally placed to support Canadians and help their communities recover in the months ahead,” says Denise Amyot, president and CEO of Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan).  “Through their...

Saskatchewan immigration has started 2021 by issuing 385 invitations targeting 79 jobs in a new Expression of Interest draw. In the January 7 Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program draw, Occupations In-Demand stream candidates with skills and experience in one of 79 National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes received 237 invitations, with a minimum score of 71 points. A further 148 invitations went to...

Canada employment fell for the first time since April as the second wave of coronavirus took its toll on the labour market in December.  In the Canada jobs Labour Force Survey, employment fell by 62,600 during the month, when compared to November. Unemployment also rose slightly, from 8.5 to 8.6 percent, as new restrictions to limit the spread of COVID-19 put...