Ontario immigration has issued Notifications of Interest to 95 candidates in a new draw through the Express Entry-linked French Speaking Skilled Worker stream.
The July 25 Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program draws saw NOIs issued to candidates with a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score between 321 and 374.
To qualify, candidates also needed work experience in TEER Category 0, 1, 2 or 3 of the National Occupational Classification (NOC).
To qualify for both draws, candidates had to submit Express Entry profiles within the last year.
Candidates must have a minimum of Canadian Language Benchmark 7 in French and 6 in English to qualify for the FSSW program.
The July 20 draw targeted two categories of candidates.
The first category featured candidates with a French language speaking ability of level 7 or higher on the Quebec proficiency scale, and who scored 596 points or above in the Quebec Expression of Interest points system.
Candidates with a job offer outside of the Montreal metropolitan area were targeted in the second category. There was no minimum score for these candidates.
Candidates and their spouse or common-law partner can score up to 1,320 points based on human capital and Quebec labour market factors.
What Are the Requirements for Quebec Expression of Interest?
The Quebec Expression of Interest points system involves points in two categories, with some including points for the spouse of common law partner of the principal candidate.
Human capital factors:
French language ability.
French and English combined.
Age.
Work experience.
Education.
Quebec labour market factors:
Work experience in a field with a labour shortage.
Qualifications in one of Quebec’s areas of training.
Here are the top 10 tips for new immigrants in Canada. From finding a job to adapting to the Canadian culture, these tips will set you on the right path to success.
Tip 1: Embrace the Cold
Canada is notorious for its freezing winters, so be prepared for some serious snow and ice, depending on where you settle. Don’t forget to bundle up in layers, invest in a good winter coat, and get yourself a toque (that’s a Canadian word for a knitted hat). Oh, and never leave your house in winter without gloves and warm boots.
Tip 2: Get Your Documents in Order
Before you can fully immerse yourself in the Canadian lifestyle, you’ll need to make sure your paperwork is in order.
Here are a few important documents you should have:
Permanent Resident Card or Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR)
Social Insurance Number (SIN)
Health Card (Provincial Health Insurance Card)
Driver’s License (if you plan on driving)
These documents are essential for accessing healthcare, obtaining employment, and opening bank accounts.
Canada is a vast country with diverse cities and regions, eh? Research different provinces and cities to find the one that suits your lifestyle and career aspirations the best. Once you’ve chosen your new Canadian abode, start looking for a place to live. Rental websites, local classifieds, and social media groups can help you find affordable housing options.
Tip 4: Work on Your Canadian Resume
When in Canada, it’s essential to tailor your resume according to Canadian standards. Highlight your relevant skills and work experience, and ensure your resume follows the Canadian format. You can find numerous resources online to guide you in crafting an impressive Canadian resume that will catch employers’ eyes.
Are you an employer looking to hire foreign workers in Canada? Immigration.ca can help through its sister company, skilledworker.com. We provide a comprehensive recruitment package to help you identify and hire the best individuals from abroad. Contact us now.
Tip 5: Network, Network, Network
In Canada, networking plays a crucial role in finding employment opportunities. Attend job fairs, professional events, and join industry-specific associations to expand your professional network. Remember, it’s not just what you know, but who you know.
Tip 6: Embrace Canadian Politeness
Canadians are known for being polite. So, learn to say “please,” “thank you,” and “sorry” (even when it’s not entirely your fault). Embracing Canadian politeness will help you integrate into the local culture and make friends along the way. And don’t be shy to join the infamous Canadian “sorry” game.
Tip 7: Discover Canadian Cuisine
Poutine, butter tarts, Nanaimo bars, and maple syrup—Canadian cuisine has some delicious surprises in store for you! Don’t miss out on exploring local delicacies and regional specialties. Venture out to food festivals, farmers’ markets, and local eateries to tantalize your taste buds.
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”.
Tip 8: Learn the Lingo
While English and French are the official languages of Canada, many immigrants bring their languages and cultures with them. Take the opportunity to learn or improve your language skills, whether it’s English, French, or any other language spoken in your community. Language proficiency opens doors to better job prospects and deeper connections with locals.
Tip 9: Embrace Diversity
Canada is a multicultural mosaic, with people from all walks of life calling it home. Embrace the diversity and respect the cultural differences you encounter. Attend cultural festivals, engage in intercultural activities, and be open to learning from others. Remember, Canada’s strength lies in its diversity, and you’re now a part of it.
Tip 10: Take Time to Explore
Canada’s beauty extends far beyond its cities. Take advantage of your new surroundings and explore the great outdoors! From stunning national parks to breathtaking hiking trails, there’s no shortage of adventures waiting for you. So, pack your backpack, grab your camera, and get ready to create memories that will last a lifetime.
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Congratulations on embarking on this exciting new journey as a new immigrant in Canada! Remember, adapting to a new country takes time and patience, but by following these top 10 tips, you’ll be well on your way to a successful and fulfilling life. Embrace the culture, make connections, and explore the wonders this beautiful country has to offer.
There will be great demand across Canada for acupuncturists and practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine for the next nine years, it has been predicted.
The Job Bank federal Canada jobs and career-planning website estimated there will be a shortfall of 7,700 qualified applicants to fill jobs during that time period.
Job Bank gives its highest rating of “very good” to the job prospects over the next three years of acupuncturists and practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine in Manitoba, Quebec and Saskatchewan and ranks their job prospects as “good” in Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia.
The federal websites does not have a ranking for the job prospects of acupuncturists and practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine for the other Canadian provinces and territories.
Lumping acupuncturists and practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine in with other practitioners of natural healing, including massage therapists, Job Bank notes there will be thousands of those jobs going begging from now through to 2031 for a want of qualified people to fill those positions.
“For practitioners of natural healing, massage therapists and other technical occupations in therapy and assessment, over the period 2022-2031, new job openings arising from expansion demand and replacement demand are expected to total 36,000, while 28,300 new job seekers arising from school leavers, immigration and mobility are expected to be available to fill them,” states Job Bank.
“Although this occupational group has had a balanced market in recent years, projected job openings are expected to be substantially higher to job seekers, creating a shortage of workers over the 2022-2031 period.”
Are you an employer looking to hire foreign workers in Canada? Immigration.ca can help through its sister company, skilledworker.com. We provide a comprehensive recruitment package to help you identify and hire the best individuals from abroad. Contact us now.
With Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announcing earlier this year that Canada’s Express Entry system will begin targeting 82 jobs in healthcare, technology, trades, transport and agriculture this summer – including acupuncturists and practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine – foreign nationals hoping to immigrate to Canada are now looking at a new opportunity to get their permanent residence here.
The flagship Express Entry selection system has previously only conducted draws based on immigration programs, not by targeting specific occupations.
British Columbia Has The Most Jobs For Acupuncturists In Canada
Candidates 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, 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.
The opportunities are there.
There were already 229 job listings for acupuncturists and practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine, categorized under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 system with the code 32200, posted on the Indeed.ca job-hunting website in July, some of them from employers hoping to hire more than one employee.
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”.
Most of the jobs for acupuncturists and practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine listed in July on Job Bank, 41 per cent, were in British Columbia.
In Canada, the median hourly wage for acupuncturists and practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine is $29.67 but that varies from a low of $22 right up to $55, reveals Job Bank.
Based on a standard, 37.5-hour work week, that means acupuncturists and practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine could expect to earn a top median annual income of $107,250.
Canada Opens Up 82 Occupations To Targeted Express Entry Draws
“Everywhere I go, I’ve heard loud and clear from employers across the country who are experiencing chronic labour shortages,” said 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.”
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.
The latest data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) shows the number of new permanent residents to Canada under the Start-Up Visa (SUV) immigration program more than doubled in May from April.
In May, 75 foreign nationals became new permanent residents to Canada under the entrepreneurship program, up 114.3 per cent, or 40 additional new permanent residents, from the 35 during the month of April.
In the first five months of this year, the SUV welcomed 250 new permanent residents, or 4.2 per cent more than the 240 during the comparable period last year.
At the current rate of new arrivals through the SUV, the program could welcome 600 new permanent residents by the end of this year if the current levels continue throughout 2023.
That level would be slightly more, 4.3 per cent more, than the 575 new permanent residents who made Canada their home with the aid of the SUV last year.
As overall immigration to Canada dipped by 34.6 per cent in April compared to the previous month, so too did the number of new permanent residents arriving through the SUV fall that month. In April, the SUV welcomed 30 per cent fewer new permanent residents to Canada, only 35, compared to the 50 in March.
But then immigration to Canada roared back to life in May, spiking back up 55.1 per cent to 45,825 new permanent residents, far above the 29,545 new permanent residents to the country in April. And the SUV’s figures followed in tandem.
Ontario And British Columbia Are SUV Hot Spots
The most popular destinations for immigrant entrepreneurs arriving under the SUV so far this year have been British Columbia and Ontario.
The West Coast province of British Columbia had welcomed 105 new permanent residents through the SUV by the end of May while Ontario had received 110 new permanent residents through the program.
Alberta added 15 new permanent residents through the program during the comparable period this year. Manitoba welcomed 30 immigrant entrepreneurs through the SUV in the first five months this year. Nova Scotia added 10.
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None of the other provinces or territories added any new permanent residents through the SUV in the first five months of this year.
Due to these smaller numbers, the monthly fluctuations in the number of new permanent residents under the SUV can sometimes seem exaggerated when examined in percentage terms.
Work Permits Allow SUV Candidates To Come To Canada While Application Being Processed
Candidates applying under the SUV program can initially come to Canada on a work permit supported by their designated Canadian investor before their application for permanent residence is finalized.
The entire process of applying for permanent residence to Canada through the SUV is currently estimated by the IRCC to take 33 months.
A designated venture capital fund must confirm that it is investing at least $200,000 into the qualifying business. Candidates can also qualify with two or more commitments from designated venture capital funds totalling $200,000.
A designated angel investor group must invest at least $75,000 into the qualifying business. Candidates can also qualify with two or more investments from angel investor groups totalling $75,000.
A designated business incubator must accept the applicant into its business incubator program. It is up to the immigrant investor to develop a viable business plan that will meet the due diligence requirements of these government-approved designated entities.
Immigrant Entrepreneurs Often Use Services Of Business Immigration Lawyers To Set Up Companies
That investing and the development of the business is usually done with the help of business consultants in Canada’s start-up ecosystem with oversight from experienced corporate business immigration lawyers who can ensure a start-up’s business concept meets all industry-required terms and conditions.
The basic government-imposed candidate eligibility requirements for the SUV are:
sufficient unencumbered, available and transferable settlement funds to meet settlement funding, and;
proficiency in English or French at the minimum Canadian Language Benchmark level 5. However, it frequently occurs that higher levels of English are needed to meet due diligence requirements imposed by designated entities.
Canada is seeking a more user-friendly platform to access Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) services by investing $85.4 million.
“Procuring this new client platform is an important step in our efforts to build a stronger immigration system for Canada for years to come,” said Immigration Minister Sean Fraser.
“It will be key to providing clients with a simpler, more consistent, intuitive and transparent experience as they embark on one of the most significant changes in their lives.”
The investment by the federal government consists of two contracts, one for $10.5 million to Salesforce Canada Corp., and another $74.9 million contract to Accenture Inc., a systems integrator.
The work on the new platform is expected to start later this summer with an initial rollout to the first group of participants this autumn.
“Our government is procuring what is needed to continually improve how we deliver programs and services,” said Public Services and Procurement Minister Helena Jaczek.
“Completion of this competitive procurement process for the client experience platform marks an important step towards better meeting the needs of Canadians and clients of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.”
Under the terms of the two deals, Salesforce, a software-as-a-service publisher, will provide the core technology, licensing, support and maintenance for the platform in a five-year contract with an option for the deal to be renewed for as much as 15 more years.
Accenture is to provide services as needed to support configurations, customizations and implementation of the new platform over two years with an option to extend the contract for an additional five years.
Ottawa Looking To Also Invest In A Case Management Platform Next Year
Canada’s First Nations are expected to benefit from Accenture’s commitment to set aside 15.1 per cent of the contract’s annual value for indigenous participation.
In addition to the costs which may arise if the options to extend the contracts are exercised, the federal government is also looking to invest more money into the IRCC’s online processing capabilities with a separate procurement process for a case management platform to complement the client experience platform and manage application processing.
That contract is expected to be handed out next spring.
In a statement, Public Services attributed the need for this new client experience platform and its accompanying case management platform to the much-higher levels of immigration to Canada
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“Canada continues to receive unprecedented interest from people around the world who want to come here to work, study and build lives with their families,” the government noted in that statement.
“To improve that experience, the government of Canada is modernizing its immigration platform to help ensure Canada remains a destination of choice.”
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 the coming three years.
The Canada Job Bank, the federal government’s job-hunting and career-planning website, shows an on-going shortage of landscape architects with demand expected to continue for at least eight years.
“The labour shortage conditions seen in recent years is expected to persist into the 2022 – 2031 period,” notes Job Bank.
That means opportunities for foreign nationals hoping to get their permanent residence here through Express Entry occupation-targeted draws.
Under the changes announced by IRCC at the end of May Express Entry will now be more responsive to labour market needs through occupation-targeted draws.
“Everywhere I go, I’ve heard loud and clear from employers across the country who are experiencing chronic labour shortages,” said 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.”
Landscape architect, categorized under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 system with the code 21201, is one of the 82 occupations that will now be targeted under these new Express Entry draws.
That opens up opportunities for foreign nationals to immigrate to Canada through the Express Entry system if they can land any of the 37 jobs available for landscape architects Indeed.ca had listed in Canada in early June – or any future such jobs that may open up.
Are you an employer looking to hire foreign workers in Canada? Immigration.ca can help through its sister company, skilledworker.com. We provide a comprehensive recruitment package to help you identify and hire the best individuals from abroad. Contact us now.
The greatest demand for landscape architects is undoubtedly in Canada’s most populous province, Ontario, where Job Bank ranked job prospects for these professionals as “good” and in Alberta and British Columbia where job prospects were deemed to be “moderate” over the coming three years.
Fuelling the growth in the landscaping sector is government investment in parks. The City of Edmonton is opening a new, 190-acre park this summer. British Columbia is investing $100 million in its Safety Rest Area Improvement program to improve amenities along its highways, including upping its game with landscaping and maintenance.
Ottawa is investing $40 million to plant 275,000 trees in two regions, Montreal and the Montérégie, while Winnipeg is hiring hundreds for seasonal jobs, including maintenance of its municipal-owned properties.
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Landscape Architects Can Earn Up To $94.23 Per Hour In Canada
In Canada, the median hourly wage for these jobs is $41.35 but that varies from a low of $27.40 per hour right up to $94.23 per hour, reveals Job Bank.
Based on a standard 37.5-hour work week, that would be $183,748 at the upper end of the annual wage scale for landscape architects in Canada.
Foreign nationals eyeing Canada as an immigration destination and hoping to work as landscape architects must keep in mind that the profession is regulated here with provincial regulatory bodies responsible for assessing qualifications and issuing licenses to practise.
Those provincial organizations are the:
Architectural Institute of British Columbia (AIBC);
Alberta Association of Architects (AAA);
Saskatchewan Association of Architects (SAA);
Manitoba Association of Architects (MAA);
Ontario Association of Architects (OAA);
Ordre des architectes du Québec (OAQ);
Architects’ Association of New Brunswick (AANB);
Architects Association of Prince Edward Island (AAPEI);
Nova Scotia Association of Architects (NSAA), and;
Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Architects (NLAA).
Until this year, the flagship Express Entry selection system has previously only conducted draws based on immigration programs, not by targeting specific occupations.
Candidates 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, 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.
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.
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”.
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.
The number of international students in Canada – foreign nationals who hold study permits – is on track to hit one million by the end of this year.
The latest data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) reveals there were 807,260 study permit holders in Canada on Dec. 31 last year, up almost 30.8 per cent from the 617,250 study permit holders in 2021.
Since then, the IRCC has issued 201,155 study permits in the first five months of this year, or almost 20.4 per cent more than in the comparable period last year.
“Studying in Canada is a wonderful student experience,” notes Yocket, an online platform for students seeking to study abroad.
“Canada welcomes immigrants and provides them with benefits without much ado. So, if you are keen on studying in Canada, you can choose one of the best student cities in Canada and apply. After your graduation, you can live by getting a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) in Canada.”
The education gleaned from Canadian universities is consistently ranked as among the best in the world.
Three Canadian universities, the University of Toronto (UofT), the University of British Columbia (UBC), and McGill University, were deemed last year to be among the 100 best in the world in the ninth annual Best Global Universities rankings. Another 15 Canadian universities made it into the top quarter of the 2,000 universities ranked.
Before an international student even steps onto the plane – or boat or car or bus – to come to Canada to study, he or she should have a basic understanding of the educational system here.
Study Permit Applicants Need To Be Accepted To A DLI
In Canada, each of the 10 provinces and three territories runs its own educational system and so a good way to get information about schools in each of those provinces and territories is by contacting the individual education ministries.
Another good source of information about schools and educational systems in Canada is EduCanada, the federal government’s website for international students looking to study in Canada. It helps international students search for study programs, get cost estimates, apply for scholarships and plan their lives in Canada.
Canada generally has primary schools for students up to Grade 6, then middle schools for Grades 7 and 8, and secondary schools for Grades 9 through to 12. This varies somewhat from province to province.
After secondary school, students in Canada can go to:
colleges;
universities;
private career colleges, or;
vocational and technical schools.
“Each post-secondary school has its own set of rules on how to apply, including the level of English or French you need to be accepted,” notes Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) on its website.
Perhaps one of the most important things an international student has to know is that the school to which they are applying must be a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) for their study permit to be accepted.
These DLIs are schools approved by the provinces and territories to enrol international students and automatically include all primary and secondary schools in Canada.
International students can search a list of the post-secondary schools, such as colleges and universities, and language schools that are DLIs in each province and territory on the federal government’s website here.
Since many international students want to work in Canada upon graduation with a PGWP, it is important for them to know before they start their studies that not all DLIs and programs make them eligible for this work permit.
Changes To PGWP-Eligible DLIs In Quebec Coming In September
“Along with graduating from a PGWP-eligible designated learning institution, you need to meet all other criteria to get a post-graduation work permit,” notes the IRCC.
Every so often there are changes to the eligibility requirements for the PGWP, such as those which are to take effect this coming school year for some programs at DLIs in Quebec. Those changes do not affect those who will have completed their programs by Sept. 1 this year.
But those who began their programs after that date will only be able to apply for a PGWP if they graduate from a subsidized program of study that remains eligible for the PGWP after Sept. 1, 2023.
“If you are studying in a program that will no longer be eligible for the PGWP after Sept. 1, 2023, the time you spent studying in the program prior to that date may be counted towards a PGWP in the future,” notes the IRCC.
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Once an international student has chosen a school, college or university, they must apply to go there and follow that school’s admission requirements. The admission fees can vary considerably from one school to another.
“Application fees for universities in Canada range between $50 to $250,” notes Yocket. “These are non-refundable fees which means if you are not selected, or you do not wish to confirm your offer at a particular college, you will not recover the application fee once paid.”
Canadian immigration officials suggest applying at least six months in advance to study at a primary or secondary school and one year in advance for a post-secondary program at a university or college.
“Contact the school where you want to study to learn how to apply,” notes the IRCC. “They’ll give you the list of all the documents you need to send them. They’ll also be able to tell you about: the cost to apply; tuition fees; health insurance; rent and how much it costs to live in Canada, and; language tests.”
Schools in Canada send international students acceptance letters once they have been admitted and that letter is a very important part of the application process for a study permit.
It’s at the point that a college or university has accepted an international student that he or she should apply for a study permit.
That is usually done online but those who suffer from a disability or some other barrier that prevents them from applying online or makes applying online unreliable can be exempted from this requirement and submit a paper application.
International students applying to a school in Quebec, will also receive, along with their acceptance letter, a Certificat d’Acceptation du Québec (CAQ) and must include this document in their study permit applications.
International Students Urged To Get Adequate Health Insurance
International students are responsible for their own healthcare costs as neither Canada nor the provinces pay for the medical costs of foreign students. Health coverage for foreign students varies between provinces.
It is very important for international students to ensure they have adequate medical and health insurance and can in an emergency situation pay those costs up front as many clinics and hospitals will insist on those payments being made upon treatment and insurance companies may only reimburse those costs later.
International students are advised to contact their schools to get more information about medical coverage and health insurance.
In order to successfully gain entry into Canada under the Student Direct Stream (SDS), every international student will also have to prove proficiency in English or French.
The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is the preferred test for proficiency in English and students must score 6.0 or higher in each language skill: listening, reading and speaking.
For francophone students, a Test d’Évaluation de Français (TEF) score that is equivalent to a Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) score of at least seven for each ability is required.
A recent report by Desjardins has highlighted the significant role immigration plays in filling labor shortages considering near-term economic and labor market conditions.
A clear indication of this finding is the number of job vacancies in Canada, which have steadily fallen from more than one million in the first half of 2022 to 800,000 in April 2023 because of newcomers to the country.
The trend in question aligns with the stability of the seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate, which currently stands at a near-record low of 1.3%, compared to the pre-pandemic average of 2.2%.
This can be attributed to the fact that a significant proportion of newcomers are non-permanent residents who enter Canada to fulfill specific labor market demands as requested by local employers.
Despite experiencing a recent decline, however, the job vacancy rate remains at levels above the average, while unemployment remains historically low.
According to Desjardins’ Senior Director of Canadian Economics, Randall Bartlett, the gap between the two would be even wider if it were not for the recent surge in immigrants filling job vacancies.
This warrants that Canada admits more overseas workers in the short-term.
Furthermore, when considering the long-term economic implications of immigration, the report found that Canada needs foreign workers to offset the impact of an ageing population, which burdens economic activity while simultaneously increasing healthcare costs.
In fact, according to the Parliamentary Budget Officer’s latest Fiscal Sustainability Report, provincial government healthcare spending per capita is expected to double between 2020 and 2040.
It is vital for Canada to increase revenue to match this spending, to avoid debt-financing the rising healthcare cost.
This could be done by increasing the size of the working-age population (peoples aged 65 and over) in relation to the elderly population (those aged 15 to 64).
As per Bartlett’s findings, the 1.6% increase in the working-age population in 2022 was the fastest pace of growth for this age-group since 1989, and was almost completely driven by a surge in immigration and temporary foreign workers.
To reach the desired old age dependency ratio (OADR, which is the ratio of the elderly population to the working-age population), however, the population gains need to be even higher than they currently are.
This requires an increase in the current rates of immigration (which are already above historical averages), without which the OADR would continue rising.
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In terms of economic impact, the report found that immigration is also imperative for maintaining – or increasing – long-term potential GDP growth and potential GDP per capita, while also ensuring the sustainability of government financing.
Economic immigrants – who make up the largest proportion of immigrants to Canada – also earn higher real wages compared to their Canadian counterparts. Therefore, not only are they more likely to be employed by Canadian employers, but they are also more productive as a working-age economic group.
The importance of economic immigrants is evidenced through Canada’s 2023-2025 immigration levels plan, according to which it plans to attract 266,210 economic immigrants in 2023 alone. This number is set to increase to 301,250 by 2025, showing Canada’s efforts at boosting applications from this group.
Prince Edward Island has conducted two new provincial draws, issuing invitations to apply to 106 skilled worker and entrepreneur Canada immigration candidates.
It saw 97 invites issued to Labour Impact and Express Entry candidates, while Business Impact candidates received 9 invitations. Business Impact candidates required a minimum score of 80 points.
Invitations under the Critical Worker Stream, which falls under Labour Impact and Express Entry, were issued to candidates working for a PEI employer with a minimum score of 50.
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.
Prince Edward Island Business Impact Category
Work Permit Stream
Individuals applying under the P.E.I. Work Permit Stream must obtain a Canadian work permit and work for a P.E.I. business for a certain amount of time as designated in a Performance Agreement.
After the Performance Agreement is fulfilled, the applicant must make a minimum $150,000 investment in the business and commit to managing the business on a daily basis from within P.E.I.
Previously, Prince Edward Island operated direct permanent residence business streams, but these were closed in September 2018 over immigration fraud concerns.
