Canada Immigration Strategy Draws Criticism On Human Trafficking and Exploitation

Colin Singer
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Canada Immigration Strategy Draws Criticism On Human Trafficking and Exploitation

Canada’s immigration strategy has been called a “missed opportunity” to “comprehensively address human trafficking and exploitation of newcomers, international students and migrant workers.”

The strategy in question, titled “An Immigration System for Canada’s Future: A plan to get us there,” is aimed at enhancing the management of the country’s immigration system, reported the Financial Post.

Over the course of last year, the Centre and Covenant House Vancouver worked closely to identify the gaps and challenges with Canada’s immigration system, and praised the Government of Canada’s inclusion of many “actions” that closely align with their research (see below) and labor trafficking and international students policy briefs.

Referring to these measures as “urgent,” the two bodies called on Ottawa to implement them without delay. Herein, they asked that the government work with human trafficking survivors, front-line service agencies, provinces and municipalities to ensure “effective and efficient implementation” of the strategy’s various action proposals.

The Post, however, highlighted the two-fold nature of the new strategy. While it is a “positive step forward,” the Centre and Covenant House Vancouver expressed their “profound disappointment” in the exclusion of critical actions such as Open Work Permits, family reunification, and a pathway to permanent residency for low-wage migrant workers.

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Measures of the like are essential in the protection of temporary foreign workers from abuse and reducing their isolation and family separation.

The Centre and Covenant House Vancouver asserted the creation of a “permanent under-class” of workers in Canada, and urged the federal government to create a system grounded in superior equitability, fairness, and human-rights prioritization.

“We call for the immediate implementation of Open Work Permits, support for family reunification, and the establishment of a clear pathway to permanent residency,” read the Financial Post.

“These measures are not only necessary but also aligned with our commitment to ensuring a just and inclusive society for all.”

About the Centre and Covenant House Vancouver

The Canadian Centre to End Human Trafficking is a national charity aimed at putting an end to all forms of human trafficking in Canada, for which it works with stakeholders and organizations such as non-profits, corporations, governments and survivors/victims of human trafficking.

Covenant House Vancouver, on the other hand, is an organization mandated to support youth aged 16-24 who are homeless and/or at risk of homelessness. Its “carefully designed Continuum of Care includes street outreach, a drop-in centre, (its) residential support programs including (its) Crisis Programs and Foundations Program, and (its) supportive, transitional housing program, Rights of Passage (ROP).”

The Centre’s Research Report on Labor Exploitation Among Migrant Workers During the Pandemic

The research being referred to in the Centre’s statement on Ottawa’s new immigration strategy is titled “It Happens Here,” and deals with the arising chance of migrant labor abuse as the country becomes more dependent on foreign workers to fill critical labor shortages.

Conducted by FCJ Refugee Centre, the Canadian Centre to End Human Trafficking, and Legal Assistance of Windsor, the report focusses specifically on issues such as employer discrimination, unsafe working conditions, and migrants’ limited understanding of their rights during the pandemic period.

Watch video: 

The following recommendations were proposed by the report to different government levels:

  • The federal government should issue Open Work Permits to all migrant workers in Canada, regardless of their occupation or nationality
  • The federal government should update Canada’s immigration legislation to provide a pathway to citizenship for low-wage migrant workers in all sectors, including seasonal workers. Information on available pathways should be shared with migrant workers before, during, and after their arrival in Canada.
  • The federal government should ensure migrant workers have greater access to information on their labour rights before, during, and after their arrival in Canada.
  • The federal and provincial governments, in coordination with service providers, should launch campaigns to raise awareness about labour trafficking.
  • The federal government should expedite the process to relocate migrant workers’ families to Canada; Ottawa should also examine how to make this opportunity available to younger families.
  • Provincial and municipal governments should work with community organizations to fund more on-site services, including healthcare, labour rights education, language training, and social activities.

On top of this, the Centre submitted policy briefs intended to put human trafficking survivors on the priority list for Canada’s public policy discussions.

“Our recommendations were informed through engagement with stakeholders across the country, including survivors, service providers, academics, and various levels of government,” read the Centre website.

“Together, the briefs offer practical solutions to prevent trafficking, support victims/survivors, inform Canadians, and hold traffickers to account.”

Canada Closed Work Permit is Set for Reform, Marc Miller Says

Colin Singer
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Canada Closed Work Permit is Set for Reform, Marc Miller Says

Immigration Minister Marc Miller is looking to reform Canada’s closed work permit after a United Nations special rapporteur’s claim about some of Canada’s temporary workers being “vulnerable to contemporary forms of slavery”.

Tomoya Obokata, UN special rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery, visited Canada in August and September, following which he expressed that “the agricultural and low-wage streams of the Temporary Foreign Workers Programme (TFWP) constitute a breeding ground” for the exploitation of migrants by tying their right to work in Canada to a single employer.

Obokata’s end-of-mission statement said he is “disturbed by the fact that certain categories of migrant workers are made vulnerable to contemporary forms of slavery in Canada by the policies that regulate their immigration status, employment and housing in Canada.”

The fact that they would lose their immigration status if they change roles “creates a dependency relationship between employers and employees, making the latter vulnerable to exploitation.”

The role of the special rapporteur was created in 2007 by the UN, its mandate being to investigate and being a voice against forced or coerced labor, according to CBC.

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Obokata’s comments mirrored those of Jamaican migrant workers who described their working conditions in Ontario as “systematic slavery.” Although a report by the Jamaican labour ministry confirmed issues with the TFWP, the conclusion did not describe the situation as ”slave-like.”

Marc Miller was grilled with questions regarding this issue at the Commons immigration committee on Tuesday, according to the Globe and Mail, respondent to which he said that he was looking for ways to prevent abuse of migrant workers, including relaxing rules that make it hard for some to switch jobs.

He expressed his willingness to examine “a more open form, a more regional form of permit” that would ease certain restrictions on temporary workers.

This would be relevant to agricultural jobs, for example – a field that Obokata highlighted as especially vulnerable to worker exploitation.

Miller, however, also expressed his disagreement with Obokata’s comparison between the closed work permit and slavery. He also said that a majority of farmers and employers put in a lot of money and time to bring in temporary foreign workers, whom they treat “like their family in their own words.”

However, he agreed that bad apples exist and need to be stamped out.

“If there has been one bad actor, we’ve got to crack down on it – we’re Canada.”

He also highlighted that some cases he encountered were very disturbing, owing to which change is requisite. He wants to allow vulnerable workers with employer-specific jobs to change roles faster.

Watch video: 

The committee meeting saw NDP immigration critic Jenny Kwan saying that action was long overdue and workers under this permit often failed to speak up owing to fears of losing their jobs and being deported.

When questioned by her on whether temporary workers should be given a direct path to permanent residence, Miller said that his government was considering such a route for construction workers. However, he does not believe that all temporary workers should have an automatic route to citizenship, and neither does he believe in abolishing the closed work permit.

The Closed Work Permit

The closed work permit (also called the “employer-specific work permit) lets someone work in Canada according to the conditions on their work permit, such as:

  • the name of the specific employer they can work for
  • how long they can work
  • the location where they can work (if applicable)

Before being able to apply for an employer-specific work permit, one’s employer must provide them

  • a copy of their employment contract
  • one of the following:
  • To get this number, their employer must use the Employer Portal.

British Columbia Issues 190 Canada Immigration Invitations In New PNP Draw

Colin Singer
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British Columbia Issues 190 Canada Immigration Invitations In New PNP Draw

British Columbia has conducted new draws through multiple streams of the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program, issuing 190 invitations.

The November 7 draws were targeted at specific occupations.

In a tech draw, 104 invitations were issued to skilled workers and international graduates with a minimum score of 94 points.

A further 61 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.

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A draw targeted at Healthcare workers saw 25 invitations issued to skilled workers and international graduates, also with a minimum score of 60 points.

Latest B.C. Immigration Draws

Date Category Minimum Score Invitations Issued Description
 

 

 

 

07-11-23

  

 

 

Skilled Worker, International Graduate

 94 104 Targeted draw: Tech
60 61 Targeted draw: Childcare: Early childhood educators (NOC 42202)
60 25 Targeted draw: Healthcare

Video:

Prince Edward Island Draw: Province Targets Four Sectors With 42 Canada Immigration Invitations

Colin Singer
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Prince Edward Island Draw: Province Targets Four Sectors With 42 Canada Immigration Invitations

Prince Edward Island has conducted a new provincial draw, issuing invitations to apply to 42 skilled worker Canada immigration candidates.

The November 2 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 Agriculture sectors.

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PEI PNP Immigration Draw

Date Category Invites Issued Minimum Score
02-11-2023 Labour Impact/Express Entry 42 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.

 

Immigrate To Canada As A Natural And Applied Science Policy Researcher: All You Need To Know

Colin Singer
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Immigrate To Canada As A Natural And Applied Science Policy Researcher: All You Need To Know

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.

There are myriad opportunities for qualified foreign nationals with skills and experience as natural and applied science policy researchers to gain their permanent residence here through occupation-targeted Express Entry system draws.

“Over the period 2022 – 2031, the number of job openings arising from expansion demand and replacement demand for natural and applied science policy researchers, consultants and program officers are expected to total 15,700, while the number of job seekers arising from school leavers, immigration and mobility is expected to total 8,000,” reports the Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS) website.

“Although this occupational group has had a balanced market in recent years, projected job openings are substantially higher than projected job seekers, creating a shortage of workers over the 2022 – 2031 period.”

Retiring Baby Boomers will open up a lot of positions for new workers but there will also be a lot of expansion in this field, forecasts the COPS website.

“Employment growth is expected to be stronger than the average for all occupations over the projection period,” notes COPS.

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Attracted by relatively high wages and a growing interest in science and environmental issues, university students are forecast to enter into this field in much higher numbers than they have in the past. Immigrants are expected to make up 10 per cent of job seekers in this field in Canada in the coming nine years.

In May, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (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 natural and applied science policy researchers  – 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.

“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.”

In late September, there were 41 job postings for natural and applied science policy researchers on the federal government’s job-hunting and career-planning website, Jobbank.

It ranked the job prospects of natural and applied science policy researchers as good over the next three years in the Yukon, Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia and Nunavut and as moderate in Quebec, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick, Manitoba, British Columbia, and Alberta.

Occupation-Targeted Draws Started For Express Entry Programs This Summer

In Canada, the median hourly wage for natural and applied science policy researchers,  categorized under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 system with the code 41400, is $40.62 but that varies from a low of $26.64 right up to $59.86, reveals Jobbank.

Based on a standard, 37.5-hour work week, that means these workers could expect to earn a top median annual income of $116.727.

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.

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.

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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.

Canada Immigration Fell To Lowest Level Since April In September

Colin Singer
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Canada Immigration Fell To Lowest Level Since April In September

The latest Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) data reveals immigration to Canada fell for the fourth consecutive month in September, dropping to its lowest level since April.

In September, the country welcomed only 32,065 new permanent residents, down 8.5 per cent from the 35,055 in August.

After rebounding from the lowest monthly immigration to Canada in April, when the country added only 29,550 new permanent residents, the flow of immigration rebounded in May, hitting 46,000 new permanent residents for that month.

Since then, though, monthly immigration to Canada has been steadily falling, first to 42,340 new permanent residents in June, then 40,680 new permanent residents in July, 35,055 in August and 32,065 in September.

That’s a drop in the monthly immigration rate of 30.3 per cent in only five months.

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The monthly level of immigration to Canada in September was also 37 per cent lower than this year’s peak of monthly immigration, the 50,930 new permanent residents who arrived in January.

During the first nine months of this year, Canada saw the arrival of 371,140 new permanent residents, a level of immigration that would put the country on track to welcome 494,853 new permanent residents by the end of this year provided the level of immigration continued through to the end of 2023.

In its 2023-2025 Immigration Levels Plan, Ottawa had set its immigration target for 2023 at 465,000 new permanent residents.

Watch video: 

Under its newly-released 2024-2026 Immigration Levels Plan, Canada is planning to welcome 485,000 new permanent residents in 2024, 500,000 in 2025 and then hold the line on immigration in 2026 with another 500,000 new permanent residents.

That’s a total of 1.485 million immigrants to Canada over those three years.

Given the growth of the Canadian population during those upcoming three years, the 2026 target for immigration to Canada actually represents a slight drop in the rate of immigration to the country, the first such decline in the immigration rate in years.

Ontario Is Attracting The Lion’s Share Of New Permanent Residents To Canada

Ontario, the country’s most populous province, remained the most popular destination for newcomers with 162,820 of them choosing to immigrate there during the first nine months of this year.

The central Canadian province was the destination of choice for 43.9 per cent of all immigrants to Canada in the first nine months of this year.

Economic programs, including the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), Agri-Food Immigration Pilot (AFIP), Canadian Experience Class (CEC), Caregiver programs, Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP), Federal Skilled Trades (FST) and Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) programs, the Start-Up Visa (SUV) and Self-Employed Persons (SEP) programs, and the Temporary Resident to Permanent Resident Pathway accounted for a smidgeon more than half, 50.3 per cent, of all new permanent residents coming to Ontario in the first nine months of this year.

Those programs helped 82,015 new permanent residents arrive in Ontario in the first nine months of this year.

Another 44,390 new permanent residents arrived in Ontario through family sponsorships and 29,245 came to that province through Canada’s refugee and protected persons programs in the first nine months of the year.

The other provinces and territories attracted the following number of new permanent residents each during that period:

  • Newfoundland and Labrador – 4,205
  • Prince Edward Island – 2,790
  • Nova Scotia – 9,020
  • New Brunswick – 8,240
  • Quebec – 44,165
  • Manitoba – 19,765
  • Saskatchewan – 20,020
  • Alberta – 43,575
  • British Columbia – 55,510
  • Yukon – 695
  • Northwest Territories – 265
  • Nunavut – 45

Despite the Quebec government’s repeated insistence that it will cap immigration at 50,000 new permanent residents this year, the francophone province is currently on track to welcome 58,887 new permanent residents based on the trend set in the first nine months of this year.

Manitoba PNP Draw: Province Issues 400 Canada Immigration Invitations

Colin Singer
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Manitoba PNP Draw: Province Issues 400 Canada Immigration Invitations

Manitoba has issuing 400 invitations to apply in a new Canada immigration draw through the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program.

The November 2 draw saw LAAs issued through three MPNP streams.

Skilled Workers in Manitoba candidates in all occupations received 204 LAAs, with a minimum score of 785 points.

International Education Stream candidates received 131 LAAs.

The remaining 65 LAAs went to Skilled Workers Overseas candidates through a Strategic Recruitment Initiative, with a minimum score of 708.

Manitoba stated that 60 of the 400 candidates invited had valid Express Entry IDs and job seeker validation codes.

In a separate draw on November 3, Manitoba issued 36 invitations as part of its special immigration measures for Ukraine.

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To qualify, candidates must:

  • Be a citizen of Ukraine;
  • have a minimum of CLB 4 in each language band;
  • have established connection to Manitoba (close relative, family-like, community, previous employment or studies in Manitoba);
  • have a valid language test; and
  • score at least 60 points according to MPNP assessment criteria.

For detailed requirements of all the streams featured in this draw, please see below.

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 All occupations 204 785
2) International Education Stream 131 –
3) Skilled Workers Overseas Strategic Recruitment Initiative 65 708
4) Special Immigration Measures for Ukraine 36 60

Video

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

Saskatchewan Existing Work Permit Stream Expanded To Include 279 More Occupations

Colin Singer
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Saskatchewan Existing Work Permit Stream Expanded To Include 279 More Occupations

The Existing Work Permit stream of the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) is expanding to make temporary foreign workers in lower and intermediate-skilled jobs eligible for permanent residency.

“Through this expansion, our government is improving worker retention and directly addressing labour market gaps that Saskatchewan employers currently face,” says Martensville-Warman MLA Terry Jenson

“Creating more permanent residency opportunities for displaced Ukrainians and other international workers, is just another way our government is further supporting Saskatchewan’s businesses and economy.”

The Existing Work Permit stream of the SINP has until now only allowed newcomers in high-skilled occupations and designated trades to be eligible for permanent residency.

The expansion of the program on Nov. 1 opens up 279 more occupations in lower- and intermediate-skilled sectors and makes those temporary foreign workers eligible to apply for permanent residency if they have worked in Saskatchewan and meet the remaining program criteria, which include meeting language requirements and having a permanent, full-time job offer.

Read More Canada Immigration News

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Applicants must have an eligible work permit, a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) supported work permit, a francophone mobility work permit, or, for recently-arrived Ukrainians, a Canadian Ukrainian Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) visa.

The SINP program’s expansion was music to the ears of Ukrainians who have fled Russian President Vladimir Putin’s war and come to the safety of Canada on temporary visas.

“The expansion of options for newcomers in today’s announcement is very welcome,” said Elena Krueger, president of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress of Saskatchewan.

“We look forward to continuing our work with the provincial government to enhance opportunities and supports for displaced Ukrainians seeking to build their lives in safety here in Saskatchewan.”

Watch video: 

Saskatchewan is bullish on immigration and has gotten increases for this year and the next two years to its annual allocation of provincial immigration nominees.

The province currently has more than 16,000 job vacancies posted on SaskJobs and Jobbank, the federal job-hunting and career-planning website. A total of 112,260 job openings are forecasted in Saskatchewan over the next five years.

“There is no single answer for the labour shortage, now and into the future (but) the expansion to the SINP program is a good first step as it enables us to support our employees in the immigration process while also helping us fill vital positions,” said Brennen Mills, a partner in Saskatoon Fire and Flood.

Saskatchewan Wants To Grow To 1.4m Residents Over Next Six Years

In the wake of the Forum of Ministers Responsible for Immigration in Halifax earlier this year, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) agreed to cut red tape in the processing of SINP nominations and give the province sole authority over assessing a candidate’s ability to live in Saskatchewan.

The IRCC also agreed to up Saskatchewan’s annual allocation of provincial nominees.

“I am pleased to see that our proposal for a significant increase in our SINP allocation has been accepted by the government of Canada,” said provincial Immigration Minister Jeremy Harrison.

“Saskatchewan is seeing record-high population growth numbers and immigration to the province has played a significant role in that. We are well on our way to our goal of 1.4 million residents by 2030.”

At the forum of immigration ministers, Harrison and his counterpart in the federal government also discussed federal settlement funding. The province wants to have control of those funds which are spent to help immigrants settle within Saskatchewan.

In July last year, the province put forth its Saskatchewan Immigration Accord, modelled after a similar deal between Ottawa and Quebec, which contains measures to give the province more autonomy over immigration. Under the accord, Saskatchewan would set its own immigration levels, select skilled immigrants aligned with labour market needs, re-establish a family class immigration stream and gain control over the design and delivery of settlement and integration services.

“Saskatchewan needs more workers to fill job vacancies in all sectors of the economy,” said Jason Aebig, chief executive officer of the Greater Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce.

“Federal immigration programs and settlement services are not meeting the needs of Saskatchewan’s labour market. We are calling on the federal government to speed up the negotiation process of the Saskatchewan Immigration Accord, enabling Saskatchewan the freedom to dictate immigration levels and deliver services that best support newcomer retention and integration.”

Four Ways To Immigrate To And Work in Canada As A US Tech Worker

Colin Singer
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Four Ways To Immigrate To And Work in Canada As A US Tech Worker

US tech sector workers’ chances of coming to and working in Canada have increased due to the shortage of STEM professionals in the labour market.

Human Resources (HR) giant Randstad reported on this trend back in April, highlighting how a shift towards digital dependency and industrial transformation due to new technologies is initiating change across all industries – and resultantly boosting tech jobs.

Not only that, but it also reported on how “companies continue to report skills shortages, leading to shifts in the average salary expectations for top jobs in tech.”

“Employers are looking for qualified candidates who can develop and refine technology solutions and use data analysis to streamline existing systems. Other trending jobs in the tech sector involve developing security systems that reduce the risk of data breaches and building the architecture to support stable business cloud computing systems.”

The aforementioned labour market shortage has caused not only employers, but even Ottawa itself, to look abroad; for example, foreign STEM workers were included in the Express Entry program’s category-based rounds of invitations, through which the country plans to invite those candidates for permanent residence who can help it achieve its economic goals.

Read More Canada Immigration News

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Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has also accelerated its efforts to fix the aforementioned shortage through many industry-specific work permit pathways.

This article will deal with four ways to come to Canada as a tech worker from the US:

1. Start-Up Visa

The Start-Up Visa Program specifically targets those immigrant entrepreneurs who have the skills and potential to build businesses in Canada (outside Quebec) that are

  • Innovative
  • Able to create jobs for Canadians
  • Competitive on a global scale

Applying for a Start-Up Visa requires entrepreneurs to pitch their qualifying start-up to a designated organization (a venture capital fund, angel investor group, or business incubator organization) and get a letter of support from them.

They also need to meet IRCC’s language requirements (CLB 5 under all proficiencies in either English or French) and bring enough money to settle in Canada.

While waiting on a decision on their permanent residence application through the SUV, candidates might be able to work in Canada if they

  • Show that their business will provide significant economic benefits to Canada
  • Bring enough money to settle in Canada

Note: The province of Quebec manages its own business immigration program that is separate from the SUV.

2. PR With Canada Work Experience

Having a year or more of Canadian work experience could be a huge asset for American STEM workers in acquiring permanent residency in Canada. This is because it reflects very positively for any EE and Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP).

This point, therefore, is broken down into two sections:

  • Express Entry

Express Entry (EE) is IRCC’s online system to manage immigration applications from skilled foreign workers. Broadly speaking, three immigration programs are managed through it:

This pathway is for skilled workers holding Canadian work experience that was gained in the three years before they apply.

This program applies to those workers who have foreign work experience. They must still meet the education and other criteria.

This program is for skilled workers who are qualified in a skilled trade, and have a valid job offer or certificate of qualification.

Express Entry draws under these three programs involve applicants to being ranked against each other through a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). The CRS score is a scoring of one’s immigration profile and its subsequent ranking in the EE pool.

To be sent an invitation to apply (ITA), one needs to have a score above the minimum points score for their round of invitations. Once an ITA has been received, candidates have 60 days to submit their application.

Note: Having acquired Canadian work experience can be the difference between receiving an ITA or not.

  • Provincial Nominee Program

The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) is aimed at those workers who:

  • have the skills, education and work experience to contribute to the economy of a specific province or territory
  • want to live in that province and
  • want to become permanent residents of Canada

Each province carries its own streams (immigration programs targeting specific groups) and requirements. They may, for example, target students, businesses, skilled workers, or semi-skilled workers.

Some streams specifically target tech workers and may be of interest to American STEM talent.

Holding work experience from Canada (and that which shows in-demand skills) can be a huge plus for those looking for PNP eligibility, although it depends on the specific PNP requirements. Most streams ask for a job offer, which can be more easily procured by candidates who are already working in the country.

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3. Global Talent Stream (GTS)

Falling under Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP), the Global Talent Stream “offers timely, responsive and predictable client-focused service to help (Canadian employers) access highly skilled global talent to expand (their) workforce here in Canada and to be competitive on a global scale.”

It does so by allowing skilled workers to acquire their Canada work permits and have their Canada visa applications processed within approximately two weeks.

This program was launched on June 12, 2017, with Quebec unveiling its own version of GTS in September of the same year.

The aim for this stream is to cut processing times for a Canada visa application to help:

  • innovative firms in Canada that are referred to Service Canada by a designated referral partner and that need unique and specialized foreign nationals in order to scale-up and grow.
  • firms in Canada that need to fill an in-demand, highly skilled position on the Global Talent Occupations List.

4. CUSMA’s Intra-Company Transfer

The Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) replaced the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) in 2020 to liberalize trade between the three North American countries and to reciprocally allow their citizens to have access to each other’s country; this was instituted as a means to “sell, provide goods or services or trade and invest.”

The preferential trade agreement thus paves way for temporary entry provisions into Canada, which are to be used in conjunction with the general entry provisions governing foreign workers.

CUSMA’s chapter 16 groups business persons under the following four categories:

  • business visitors;
  • professionals;
  • intra-company transferees;
  • traders and investors.

For the purpose of this article, we are concerned with the “intra-company transferees” category. It deals with individuals employed by an American or Mexican enterprise in a managerial or executive capacity, or in one which involves specialized knowledge, and seeking (or being transferred) to the Canadian enterprise, parent, branch, subsidiary, or affiliate, to provide services in the same capacity.

These transferees are exempt from the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) process but require a work permit.

Unemployment Rises As Canada Jobs Increase In Construction And Tech

Colin Singer
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Unemployment Rises As Canada Jobs Increase In Construction And Tech

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.

Statistics Canada says the country’s job gains in construction, information, culture and recreation in October were offset by losses in wholesale and retail trade and manufacturing as the unemployment rate nudged up 0.2 percentage points to 5.7 per cent.

That’s the fourth monthly increase in the unemployment rate in the past six months.

“In construction, employment increased by 23,000 jobs, up 1.5 per cent in October, more than offsetting a decline of 18,000, or 1.1 per cent in September,” notes Statistics Canada.

“Employment in information, culture, and recreation rose by 21,000, up 2.5 per cent in October, partly offsetting decreases in September, with losses of 12,000 jobs, and July with a loss of 16,000 positions.

“On a year-over-year basis, employment in this industry, which includes telecommunications carriers, broadcasting providers, and amusement and recreation, was up by 7.8 per cent, or 61,000 jobs, in October, outpacing growth across all industries.”

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In the wholesale and retail sector, employment declined by 22,000 or 0.7 per cent in October, the first decline since the same month last year.

Despite the slight increase in Canada’s unemployment rate that month, the number of people holding down jobs actually increased in October as employment rose a bit, by 0.1 per cent or 18,000 jobs.

But the employment rate, defined in the Labour Force Survey as the proportion of the working-age population that is employed, actually fell during that month as Canada added another 85,000 people aged 15 and older.

The biggest improvement in the employment picture in October was for men aged 55 and older. Another 31,000 of them landed jobs that month, the first increase for this group since April.

Women aged 25 to 54 years old also saw a boost to their employment prospects in October as 28,000 more of them landed full-time jobs, many of them moving to full-time from part-time work. There was a drop of 24,000 part-time jobs for women in that age group that month.

Among younger workers, teenaged boys and young men landed 14,000 more jobs, most of them part-time, but teenaged girls and young women that age saw a loss of 19,000 jobs, most of them in full-time work.

Alberta, Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia, And New Brunswick Added Jobs In October

Across the country, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick all saw employment gains in October while Quebec suffered job losses and there was little change in the other provinces.

“Employment increased by 38,000, up 1.5 per cent, in Alberta in October, offsetting the decline in September,” notes Statistics Canada in its latest Labour Force Survey.

“The unemployment rate was little changed at 5.8 per cent. In the 12 months to October, employment in the province rose by 92,000, up 3.8 per cent, with sizable gains in healthcare and social assistance, manufacturing, transportation and warehousing, and natural resources.”

Saskatchewan added 9,100 jobs, up 1.5 per cent, in October, the second consecutive monthly increase, and its unemployment rate fell 0.5 percentage points to 4.4 per cent.

“Employment increased in Nova Scotia, up 8,200 jobs or 1.7 per cent, and New Brunswick added 2,400 jobs, up 0.6 per cent in October,” noted Canada’s statistical and demographic services agency.

Both of these Atlantic Canadian provinces had unemployment rates of 6.6 per cent in October.

“In Quebec, employment fell by 22,000, down 0.5 per cent, in October, after increasing by 39,000 jobs in September,” notes Statistics Canada.

“From January to August 2023, employment in the province varied little.”

Ontario, Canada’s biggest province, saw little change in October for the fourth consecutive month. The employment rate in October was 61.4 per cent, down 0.3 percentage points from September and 0.9 percentage points from the recent high of 62.3 per cent in April 2023.”

One In Three Canadian Workers Is Struggling To Pay For Housing, Food, Clothing And Transportation

Although inflation seems to be coming under control in Canada, with the inflation rate down from its peak of 8.1 per cent in June last year to 3.8 per cent in September this year, many Canadians now report that they are struggling with the higher cost of essential goods and services, reports Statistics Canada.

“In September, for example, increases in the cost of shelter of six per cent and food, up 5.9 per cent, outpaced annual wage growth at five per cent,” reports Statistics Canada.

One out of every three Canadians aged 15 and older was living in a household that had found it difficult or very difficult to meet its financial needs in terms of transportation, housing, food, clothing and other necessary expenses over the previous four weeks, reports Statistics Canada.

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“Nearly half, 48.7 per cent, of those living in lone-parent families in which the parent was employed reported difficulties meeting their financial needs,” notes Statistics Canada. “The proportion increased to almost seven in 10, or 69.8 per cent, among lone-parent families in which the parent was not employed.”

Immigrants seemed particularly vulnerable to these inflationary pressures.

“Among immigrants who had landed in the previous 10 years, 44.7 per cent lived in a household that found it difficult or very difficult to meet its financial needs, compared with 30.8 per cent for people born in Canada,” reports Statistics Canada.

“Among the largest racialized population groups, South Asian … and Black …. Canadians were more likely to be in a household experiencing difficulties meeting its financial needs. The proportion was lower for Chinese Canadians.”

Employers Can Fill Vacant Jobs Through Canada’s Immigration Programs

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.

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