Manitoba Issues 507 Canada Immigration Invitations In New Provincial Draw

Colin Singer
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Manitoba Issues 507 Canada Immigration Invitations In New Provincial Draw

Manitoba has issued 507 invitations to apply in a new Canada immigration draw through the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program.

The April 20 draw saw LAAs issued through three MPNP streams.

A batch of 249 invitations with the lowest score of 615 went to Skilled Workers in Manitoba candidates currently employed in Manitoba in one of the following major group occupations:

  • 63 – Occupations in sales and services
  • 64 – Sales and service representatives and other customer and personal services occupations

Meanwhile, Skilled Workers in Manitoba candidates in all occupations received 194 LAAs, with a minimum score of 651 points.

International Education Stream candidates received 38 LAAs.

The remaining 26 LAAs went to Skilled Workers Overseas candidates through a Strategic Recruitment Initiative, with a minimum score of 719.

Read More Canada Immigration News

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Manitoba stated that 91 of the 507 candidates invited had valid Express Entry IDs and job seeker validation codes.

In a separate draw on April, Manitoba issued 28 invitations as part of its special immigration measures for Ukraine.

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 Occupation-specific selection 249 615
All occupations 194 651
2) International Education Stream 38 –
3) Skilled Workers Overseas Strategic Recruitment Initiative 26 719
4) Special Immigration Measures for Ukraine 28 60

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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

Canada Eagerly Recruiting Internationally-Trained Nurses And Other Healthcare Workers

Colin Singer
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Canada Eagerly Recruiting Internationally-Trained Nurses And Other Healthcare Workers

As healthcare authorities recruited abroad to resolve a serious labour shortage, immigration to Canada by internationally-trained nurses, orderlies and other healthcare workers boomed last year. 

Through the Express Entry system, the number of new permanent residents who came to fill healthcare openings jumped by 28.1 per cent last year, to 2,595, compared to 2,025 the previous year, the latest data reveals.

Under Canada’s National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 system of categorizing occupations, these include the following job titles and occupational codes:

  • nurse aide or orderly – (NOC) 33102
  • medical chemist – (NOC) 21101
  • medical archivist – (NOC) 12111
  • medical examiner – (NOC) 41310
  • medical secretary – (NOC) 13112
  • medical biochemist – (NOC) 21101
  • medical physicist – (NOC) 21100
  • health care assistant – (NOC) 33102
  • medical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations – (NOC) 33101
  • other assisting occupations in support of health services – (NOC) 33109

Ottawa has recognized that demand is still very high this year for these highly-skilled workers and so last year the Canadian immigration department included nurse aides and orderlies among the workers who can immigrate to Canada under the Express Entry Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) program.

Read More Canada Immigration News

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The change to the FSW which made that possible came on Nov. 16 when IRCC added 16 new jobs to its list of eligible occupations under that worker immigration program. That increased the number of eligible occupations under the FSW on the same day the (NOC) 2021 came into effect at the IRCC to 359.

The full list of newly-added jobs on the list of eligible occupations under the FSW includes:

  • payroll administrators – (NOC) 13102
  • dental assistants and dental laboratory assistants – (NOC) 33100
  • nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates – (NOC) 33102
  • pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants – (NOC) 33103
  • elementary and secondary school teacher assistants – (NOC) 43100
  • sheriffs and bailiffs – (NOC) 43200
  • correctional service officers – (NOC) 43201
  • by-law enforcement and other regulatory officers – (NOC) 43202
  • estheticians, electrologists and related occupations –  (NOC) 63211
  • residential and commercial installers and servicers – (NOC) 73200
  • pest controllers and fumigators – (NOC) 73202
  • other repairers and servicers (NOC) 73209
  • transport truck drivers – (NOC) 73300
  • bus drivers, subway operators and other transit operators – (NOC) 73301
  • heavy equipment operators –  (NOC) 73400
  • aircraft assemblers and aircraft assembly inspectors –  (NOC) 93200

Healthcare worker can also immigrate to Canada through the Express Entry system’s Canadian Experience Class program.

Provinces And Territories Can Recruit Healthcare Workers Through Provincial Nominee Programs

Through their Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP), provinces and territories can also nominate healthcare workers for permanent residence if they meet particular regional labour market needs and intend to settle in that province or territory. Provinces can recruit candidates from the Express Entry pool or they can nominate individuals under their non-Express Entry paper-based streams.

Nurse aides and orderlies are the lifeblood of any hospital or nursing home as they are the people who help nurses, physicians and other hospital staff in the basic care of patients. In Canada, they earn a median annual income of $40,950 based on a standard, 37.5-hour work week, according to data from the Job Bank federal job-hunting and career-planning website.

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 www.skilledworker.com, “the leader in foreign recruitment”.

That same website ranks the job prospects for nurses and orderlies as “good” or “very good” throughout the country until at least 2031 with 21,000 more jobs opening up than there will be people in Canada to fill them. 

“For nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates and other assisting occupations in support of health services, over the period 2022-2031, new job openings (arising from expansion demand and replacement demand) are expected to total 191,000, while 170,100 new job seekers (arising from school leavers, immigration and mobility) are expected to be available to fill them,” notes the Job Bank website.

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The Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) called on Ottawa last year to prioritize human resources in the healthcare sector and help address nursing shortages across the country.

“We are seeing patients in Canada facing longer and longer wait times for medical and surgical procedures, while also facing increasing challenges to access the care they need,” said Sylvain Brousseau, president of CAN, last year.

“Just over these past few weeks, we have witnessed many stories of emergency departments shutting down or reducing their hours of operation in many parts of the country. The reason for this crisis is very clear: Canada is facing a severe health workforce crisis and nursing shortages.”

The nurses’ association went so far as to state the sustainability of Canada’s healthcare system could not be maintained without further investment in the healthcare workforce.

Immigration Minister To Use All Tools To Tackle Canada’s Labour Shortages

By making these occupations eligible under the FSW, Ottawa is attempting to plug that hole in the country’s healthcare system.

“We are using all of the tools at our disposal to tackle labour shortages, particularly in key sectors like healthcare, construction, and transportation,” said Immigration Minister Sean Fraser.

“These changes will support Canadians in need of these services and they will support employers by providing them with a more robust workforce who we can depend on to drive our economy forward into a prosperous future. I’m thrilled to announce expanded pathways to permanent residence in Canada for these in-demand workers.”

Foreign nationals hoping to apply for permanent residence through the FSW must have one year of paid work experience within the last decade in jobs categorized as TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 of the (NOC) 2021 system.

Applicants under this program must also take a language test to prove that they possess sufficient language skills to successfully establish themselves in Canada. Language tests evaluate an applicant’s abilities with regards to:

  • listening
  • speaking
  • reading
  • writing

In order to be eligible for the FSW, an applicant needs to obtain at least the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 7 in all categories and show that he or she has enough money to support him or herself and any relatives upon arrival in Canada.

Saskatchewan Issues More Than 1,000 Canada Immigration Invitations In New PNP Draw

Colin Singer
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Saskatchewan Issues More Than 1,000 Canada Immigration Invitations In New PNP Draw

Saskatchewan has conducted a new Expression of Interest draw through the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program, issuing 1,067 Canada immigration invitations.

The April 20 draw featured 444 invitations through the province’s Occupations In-Demand stream and 623 via its Express Entry stream. 

The invitations targeted 38 National Occupational Classification codes and required a minimum score of 69.

Read More Canada Immigration News

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Latest Saskatchewan Expression of Interest Draw

Draw date Category Minimum score Invites issued Other considerations
20-04-23 Occupations In-Demand 69 444 NOCs included: 13201, 20012, 21203, 21211, 21220, 21221, 21222, 21223, 21230, 21231, 21232, 21233, 21234, 21301, 21321, 22220, 22221, 31203, 32102, 32103, 32120, 32121, 32122, 32123, 41301, 62100, 70012, 72024, 72100, 72106, 72201, 72310, 72400, 72401, 72410, 73102, 82030, 92100
Express Entry 69 623

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What is the Process for Saskatchewan Expression of Interest?

  1. Submit EOI profile.
  2. Enter EOI candidate pool.
  3. EOI candidates selected.
  4. Invitations to Apply issued via regular draws.
  5. Candidates submit full application within 60 days.
  6. SINP officials assess applications and make decision.

What Are the Requirements for The Occupation-In-Demand Sub-Category?

  • Score a minimum of 60 points on the SINP points assessment grid;
  • Have a language score of at least Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 4. Employers and regulatory bodies may ask for higher;
  • Have completed one year of post-secondary education, training or apprenticeship comparable to the Canadian education system. You must have earned a diploma, certificate or degree.
    • Degrees and diplomas obtained outside Canada subject to an Educational Credential Assessment;
  • At least one-year work experience in the past 10 years:
    • In your field of education or training occupation, and
    • In an eligible occupation in NOC A, B, 0. See the excluded occupations list.
  • Obtain the appropriate licensure in Saskatchewan if your field so requires, as the authorities will not process an application without the licensure.
  • Have proof of settlement funds and a settlement plan.
  • Pay a non-refundable $300 application fee online.

What Are the Requirements for The Saskatchewan Express Entry Sub-Category?

Candidates from outside Canada, or with legal status in Canada, qualify for this Saskatchewan immigration category, provided they are not a refugee claimant.

Additionally, candidates must:

  • Have a profile in the Express Entry Pool, with profile number and job seeker validation code;
  • Score a minimum of 60 points on the SINP points assessment grid;
  • Provide valid language test results from a designated testing agency matching those in the Express Entry profile;
  • Have completed one year of post-secondary education, training or apprenticeship comparable to the Canadian education system. You must have earned a diploma, certificate or degree.
    • Degrees and diplomas obtained outside Canada subject to an Educational Credential Assessment;
  • Have at least one of the following experience requirements in your field of education or training occupation:
    • One year of work experience in the past 10 years in a skilled profession (non-trades);
    • Two years of work experience in a skilled trade in the past five years; or
    • One year of work experience in Canada in the past three years (trades and non-trades).
  • Have work experience in a high-skilled, eligible occupation in NOC A, B, 0. See the excluded occupations list.
  • Obtain the appropriate licensure in Saskatchewan where your profession is regulated or a skilled trade. For skilled trades, a certificate is required from the Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission.
  • Have proof of settlement funds and a settlement plan.
  • Pay a non-refundable $300 application fee online.

Serious Labour Shortages Mean Employers In Canada Increasingly Recruit Tech Workers Abroad

Colin Singer
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Serious Labour Shortages Mean Employers In Canada Increasingly Recruit Tech Workers Abroad

Tech jobs in Canada are increasingly being filled by foreign candidates as employers turn to international recruiting to fill positions going begging for a lack of qualified candidates to fill them. 

This means there are opportunities for foreign nationals seeking to immigrate through the Express Entry system.

“As digital dependency increases and new technologies drive change across all industries, tech jobs are rising,” reports human resources giant Randstad. “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.”

In its Best IT and Tech Jobs in Canada for 2023 report on its website, Randstad lists the eight tech jobs that are in greatest demand in Canada this year.

They are, with their corresponding National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes:

  • Developer/Programmer (NOC 21232)
  • Business System Analyst/Administrator (NOC 21221)
  • Data Analyst /Scientist (NOC 21223)
  • Quality Assurance Analyst (NOC 21222)
  • Security Analyst/Architect (NOC 21220)
  • Cloud Architect (NOC 20012)
  • IT Project Manager (NOC 21311)
  • Network Engineer (NOC 22220)

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In April, the Indeed.ca job-hunting website listed 3,094 jobs for software developers across the country, 368 for data analysts, 634 for cloud architect, and 775 for network engineers alone.  And the federal government’s Job Bank job-hunting and career-planning website rates the prospects for jobs in this sector as “good” to “very good” across the country for at least the next three years.

“Salaries are very competitive in the tech sector, in part due to severe skills shortages,” notes Randstad.

“In 2022, average salaries ranged from $51,900 to $154,300, though certain positions might pay even more. Expectations for salaries in 2023 have shifted slightly, with an average range of $74,000 to $130,600 and a median of $100,100.”

IT Jobs Among The Most In-Demand Through The Express Entry System

IT professionals are among the most often sought-after by employers looking to recruit foreign nationals through the Express Entry system. 

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) data reveals software engineers and designers, information systems analysts and consultants, and computer programmers and interactive media developers were the top three occupations of new permanent residents immigrating to Canada under the Express Entry system in 2019 and 2020. 

During the COVID-19 pandemic, immigration to Canada was greatly affected due to travel and public health restrictions but those three occupations remained in the top six in 2021, the IRCC data shows.

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In November last year, the Canadian immigration department adopted the National Occupational Classification 2021 and, then, earlier this year, upgraded its immigration plan to allow even more foreign nationals to become new permanent residents of Canada.

In its 2023-2025 Immigration Levels Plan, Ottawa has set the target for 2023 at 465,000 new permanent residents. The country is 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.

Foreign nationals who want to immigrate to Canada can do so through one the three Express Entry system programs and apply for permanent residency online if they meet the eligibility criteria. 

Canada’s Express Entry System Has Three Federal Programs For Immigration

Those three Express Entry programs are the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSW), the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FST) and Canada Experience Class Program (CEC).

There are also participating provincial immigration programs which use the Express Entry system.

Candidates’ profiles are ranked against each other according to a points-based system called the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). The highest-ranked candidates will be considered for an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence. Those receiving an ITA must quickly submit a full application and pay processing fees, within a delay of 60 days.

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 www.skilledworker.com, “the leader in foreign recruitment”.

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

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

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

British Columbia Issues At Least 203 Canada Immigration Invitations In New PNP Draw

Colin Singer
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British Columbia Issues At Least 203 Canada Immigration Invitations In New PNP Draw

British Columbia has issued at least 203 invitations in new draws through multiple streams of the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program.

The April 18 draws were split into two categories: general and targeted.

In the general draw, which included tech occupations, 158 invitations were issued through five BC PNP streams for skilled workers and international graduates. Minimum scores ranged from 85 to 107 points.

In the targeted draw, a further 29 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.

Read More Canada Immigration News

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A draw targeted at Healthcare workers saw 16 invitations issued to skilled workers, international graduates and entry level and semi-skilled workers, also with a minimum score of 60 points.

A final batch of less than 5 invitations went to skilled workers and international graduates in a draw aimed at other priority occupations under NOCs 31103, 32104, also requiring 60 points. The number was recorded as less than 5 to protect the identity of those invited.

Latest B.C. Immigration Draws

General Draw

Date Category Minimum Score Invitations Issued Description
18-04-23 Skilled Worker 104 158 General draw (includes tech occupations)
Skilled Worker – EEBC 104
International Graduate 107
International Graduate – EEBC 107
Entry Level and Semi-Skilled 85

Targeted Draw

Date Category Minimum Score Invitations Issued Description
18-04-23 Skilled Worker, International Graduate 60 29 Targeted draw: Childcare: Early childhood educators (NOC 42202)
Skilled Worker, International Graduate, Entry Level and Semi-Skilled 60 16 Targeted draw: Healthcare
Skilled Worker, International Graduate 60 <5 Targeted draw: Other priority occupations (NOCs 31103, 32104)

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Canada Has Now Welcomed 30,000 Afghan Refugees

Colin Singer
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Canada Has Now Welcomed 30,000 Afghan Refugees

Canada has welcomed its 30,000th Afghan refugee and is now three-quarters of the way to its goal of bringing 40,000 of these foreign nationals from under the clutches of the Taliban.

“Today, Canada marks a milestone in its long-standing humanitarian tradition by welcoming over 30,000 vulnerable Afghans to their new home,” tweeted Immigration Minister Sean Fraser. 

“This is an ambitious achievement as we work towards our goal of resettling 40,000 Afghans by 2023.”

The latest newcomers landed in Toronto on a charter flight from Pakistan and included Afghans who supported Canada’s mission in Afghanistan, family members of former Afghan interpreters, and privately-sponsored refugees arriving through the humanitarian stream. 

Under Canada’s humanitarian resettlement program, those deemed to be the most vulnerable among the Afghans, including women leaders, human rights defenders, persecuted and religious minorities, 2SLGBTQI+ individuals and journalists, are given priority.

Read More Canada Immigration News

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“Although the Afghanistan resettlement effort is one of the largest and most difficult in Canada’s history, we remain committed to maximizing every opportunity to support these vulnerable Afghans in their transition to a better life in Canada,” said Fraser. 

“This milestone is a testament to the incredible work of governments, stakeholders and non-governmental organizations and underscores our belief that welcoming refugees is an integral part of who we are.”

The IRCC has developed several special programs and measures to bring Afghan to Canada out of recognition for the help they provided during Canada’s combat role and, later, its peacekeeping missions in Afghanistan from 2001 through to 2021.

During those missions, 158 Canadian Armed Forces members died in the cause of peace and freedom in Afghanistan.

After the Taliban fundamentalist Islamic group finally seized control of the country in mid-August, 2021, many Afghans sought to escape out of fear of retribution for their help of Canada’s missions and support for western democratic freedoms.

International Organization For Migration Working With Canada To Resettle Afghan Refugees

The IRCC has made it easier to sponsor Afghan refugees through the humanitarian program, allowing groups of five and community sponsors to sponsor Afghan refugees without having to submit a refugee status determination document if this document isn’t available.

“The safe and dignified resettlement of refugees globally has been a central part of International Organization for Migration’s (IOM) work for more than 70 years and we are proud to be part of Canada’s efforts to provide a new home for tens of thousands of vulnerable Afghans,” said IOM director general António Vitorino.

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“We continue to work closely with the government of Canada and other partners to ensure Afghan refugees are given the opportunity to restart their lives in safety.”

As they have arrived in Canada, the Afghan refugees have been welcomed in more than 170 communities across the country. More than half of those who are being accepted as refugees were those who helped Canada, including 18,000 spaces for the Special Immigration Measures (SIMs) program for Afghan nationals and their families who assisted the government of Canada. 

Family Members Of Afghan Interpreters Welcomed

Canada, one of the first countries to launch a special humanitarian resettlement program for vulnerable Afghans, is also welcoming up to 5,000 extended family members of Afghan interpreters who came to Canada as part of earlier programs.

Upon their arrival in Canada, the Afghan refugees get a minimum of 12 months of income support under the Resettlement Assistance Program (RAP) and also have access to settlement services, including language training and the Interim Federal Health Program for medical coverage.

A reported 35 million Afghans have been displaced, an estimated 80 per cent of whom are women and children. Roughly one million children are thought to be at risk of starving to death.

“The message delivered by Afghans, aid groups and witnesses before Parliament is clear,” Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino has reportedly said. “The situation in Afghanistan is dire.”

Canada’s Immigration Processing Capabilities Hit By Government Worker Strike

Colin Singer
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Canada’s Immigration Processing Capabilities Hit By Government Worker Strike

The processing of applications by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) could be slowed by a strike by Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) workers that started Wednesday, April 19.

The PSAC represents about 159, 000 government workers and the strike may affect the IRCC’s ability to:

  • process applications;
  • get in-person appointments or attend events including citizenship ceremonies;
  • contact IRCC staff via email, phone or social media;
  • get consular citizenship and passport services, and;
  • obtain passport services in Canada.

Online And Settlement Services Are Still Being Offered During TStrike

The federal immigration department is, however, reassuring everyone that it is still possible to:

  • apply online;
  • mail applications to IRCC;
  • use online accounts, and;
  • access some emergency services.

Services provided by non-governmental organizations that are still available include:

  • settlement services from IRCC partner organizations;
  • healthcare through the Interim Federal Health Program, and;
  • visa application centres outside of Canada.

The government workers’ union had been in negotiations with the Treasury Board and Canada Revenue Agency but talks broke down and the union’s membership voted overwhelmingly to strike.

“We truly hoped we wouldn’t be forced to take strike action, but we’ve exhausted every other avenue to reach a fair contract for Canada’s federal public service workers,” said Chris Aylward, PSAC national president. 

Read More

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“Now more than ever, workers need fair wages, good working conditions and inclusive workplaces. And it’s clear the only way we’ll achieve that is by taking strike action to show the government that workers can’t wait.” 

Picket lines went up at more than 250 locations across the country Wednesday putting nearly a third of the entire federal public service workers on strike.

Union Warns Travellers To Expect Slowdowns At The Border As Staff Strike

Canadians were told ahead of the strike by the union to expect slowdowns or complete shutdowns of services nationwide, including a complete halt of the processing of tax returns; disruptions to employment insurance claims, immigration and passport applications as well as interruptions to supply chains and international trade at the country’s ports. There are also expected to be slowdowns at the border with administrative staff on strike. 

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“As we begin this historic strike, PSAC bargaining teams will remain at the table night and day as they have been for weeks,” Aylward said. “We’re ready to reach a fair deal as soon as the government is ready to come to the table with a fair offer.” 

Negotiations between PSAC and Treasury Board began in June 2021 but reached an impasse in May 2022. 

The PSAC is Canada’s largest federal public service union, representing nearly 230,000 workers in every province and territory in Canada, including more than 120,000 federal public service workers employed by Treasury Board, and more than 35,000 employed by the Canada Revenue Agency. 

Alberta PNP Changes Aimed At Healthcare Workers, Refugees And Entrepreneurs

Colin Singer
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Alberta PNP Changes Aimed At Healthcare Workers, Refugees And Entrepreneurs

Alberta has made a series of changes to its Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) to encourage more immigration to the province for healthcare workers, refugees and entrepreneurs willing to operate businesses in rural areas.

Foreign nationals hoping to immigrate to Canada under the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) will now have to make a minimum investment of only $100,000, half of the previously-demanded $200,000 under the program’s Rural Renewal Stream change announced on April 3. 

But the need for communities to demonstrate proper settlement plans remains in place. 

“Communities are still required to complete a settlement plan as part of the designation application process to demonstrate adequate supports are in place to effectively welcome newcomers,” notes Alberta immigration on its website.

The westernmost Prairie province, which has recently been given the green light by Ottawa to grow its provincial nominations by 67 over the coming three years, is also actively recruiting healthcare workers through the AAIP.

Read More Canada Immigration News

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Earlier this month, the province also announced it is going to use up to 30 per cent of its available Express Entry allocations this year to nominated healthcare workers under its Dedicated Healthcare Pathway. 

“Physicians, registered nurses, nurse practitioners, licensed practical nurses, physician assistants, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, psychologists, and clinical social workers are eligible,” notes Alberta immigration.

“Eligible healthcare professionals must have an Alberta job offer with an employer in the healthcare sector in Alberta, and must have verifiable proof of meeting the minimal requirements prescribed by the applicable regulatory organization to be able to practice in Alberta.”

In its bid to grow immigration to the province through its AAIP, Alberta is also now participating in the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP) which helps refugees with the skills and qualifications needed in Canada immigrate through existing economic programs.

AAIP-EMPP Partnership Details To Be Unveiled In The Coming Months

“The AAIP is working with the federal government to implement the pilot and supplement its annual nominations through this unique opportunity,” notes Alberta immigration.

The province is going to be releasing details of exactly how the EMPP will work in tandem with its PNP in the coming months. 

A new phone line, 780-644-7534, has also been set up to answer questions about Alberta immigration processes but that new line was already busy and callers could only leave messages at midday on Apr. 17, only two weeks after it first went into effect.

Alberta immigration notes the phone line is to complement “the existing comprehensive suite of AAIP information and contact forms available online, including the self-serve application portal which guides and updates applicants interactively.”

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Last year, immigration to Alberta rose by 25.6 per cent as the province welcomed 49,505 new permanent residents, up from 39,410 in 2021. 

And immigration to Alberta is off to a strong start this year with 11,790 new permanent residents in the first two months, a rate of immigration that, if continued throughout the year, would result in 70,740 new permanent residents for 2023.

That’s got Alberta Premier Danielle Smith smiling as her government is bullish on immigration as a way of resolving labour shortages there.

Alberta Premier Bullish On Immigration To Fill Jobs Going Begging For A Lack Of Workers

“Alberta is still calling,” the premier wrote on her LinkedIn page in March. 

“Right now there are over 100,000 job vacancies to fill in Alberta. We need more skilled workers to keep our economy firing on all cylinders!”

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Alberta remained bullish on immigration, launching two new programs to attract international graduate entrepreneurs during the first year of the pandemic.

The International Graduate Entrepreneur Immigration Stream and the Foreign Graduate Start-Up Visa Stream, which is aimed at graduates from American universities, opened early during the pandemic.

“With this new stream, international graduates can apply to stay and launch new ventures and start-ups, creating new jobs for Albertans and bringing much-needed investment to our province,” said then-Alberta Immigration Minister Jason Copping.

The two Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AAIP) streams were designed to assist Alberta’s economic recovery from the coronavirus crisis.

The new International Graduate Entrepreneur Stream works on an Expressions of Interest system and is aimed at international graduates from Alberta post-secondary institutions who want to establish or operate a business in the province.

The other new stream, the Foreign Graduate Start-up Visa, is to attract talented international graduates from top American universities and colleges to start businesses and settle in Alberta communities.

In addition to these streams, the AAIP also offers the Alberta Opportunity Stream, the Express Entry Stream, and the Self-Employed Farmer Stream.

Simplified Immigration Process

Alberta Opportunity Stream is designed to simplify the AAIP application process, reduce wait times and make the system fairer for candidates who meet the residency, work permit and occupational requirements and their employers.

The Express Entry Stream allows the province to nominate a limited number of qualified candidates from the federal Express Entry pool through periodic draws.

In its first Express Entry draw in six months, Alberta issued invitations to 50 candidates with Comprehensive Ranking System scores as low as 406 in early January this year. It was the first draw under this stream since mid-June last year.

The Self-Employed Farmer Stream is managed by the AAIP in close collaboration with Alberta Agriculture and Forestry and targets applicants with farm management skills and sufficient financial resources to invest in a farming business in Alberta.

How To Immigrate To Canada To Work In Senior And Middle Management Jobs

Colin Singer
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How To Immigrate To Canada To Work In Senior And Middle Management Jobs

The latest data reveals Canadian businesses recruited more senior and middle managers, administrative staff and other professionals through the Express Entry system last year than they did before the pandemic.

Last year, 21,530 foreign nationals became new permanent residents of Canada through the Express Entry system to fill those kinds of positions, up from 22,015 new permanent residents in 2019.

As COVID-19 led to travel and public health restrictions in 2020, only 13,820 foreign nationals were able to get their permanent residency by filling such jobs. 

But as those restrictions were relaxed and immigration soared to record-breaking heights in 2021, so did the number of business people able to take jobs in Canada through Express Entry immigration. In 2021, IRCC data shows 32,645 new permanent residents settled here through Express Entry after landing those kinds of jobs.

In the National Occupational Classification (NOC) system, these occupations come with the following codes:

  • Senior government managers and officials – (NOC) 00011
  • Senior managers – financial, communications and other business services – (NOC) 00012
  • Senior managers – health, education, social and community services and membership organizations – (NOC) 00013
  • Senior managers – trade, broadcasting and other services – (NOC) 00014
  • Senior managers – construction, transportation, production and utilities – (NOC) 00015
  • Financial managers – (NOC) 10010
  • Human resources managers – (NOC) 10011
  • Purchasing managers – (NOC) 10012
  • Other administrative services managers – (NOC) 10019
  • Insurance, real estate and financial brokerage managers – (NOC) 10020
  • Banking, credit and other investment managers – (NOC) 10021
  • Advertising, marketing and public relations managers – (NOC) 10022
  • Other business services managers – (NOC) 10029
  • Telecommunication carriers managers – (NOC) 10030
  • Financial auditors and accountants – (NOC) 11100
  • Financial and investment analysts – (NOC) 11101
  • Financial advisors – (NOC) 11102
  • Other financial officers – (NOC) 11109
  • Human resources professionals –  (NOC) 11200
  • Professional occupations in business management consulting – (NOC) 11201
  • Supervisors, general office and administrative support workers – (NOC) 12010
  • Supervisors, library, correspondence and related information workers – (NOC) 12012
  • Supervisors, supply chain, tracking and scheduling coordination occupations – (NOC) 12013
  • Administrative officers – (NOC) 13100
  • Property administrators – (NOC) 13101
  • Administrative assistants – (NOC) 13110
  • Legal administrative assistants – (NOC) 13111
  • General office support workers – (NOC) 14100
  • Engineering managers – (NOC) 20010
  • Managers in health care – (NOC) 30010
  • Government managers – health and social policy development and program administration – (NOC) 40010
  • Government managers – economic analysis, policy development and program administration- (NOC) 40011
  • Government managers – education policy development and program administration – (NOC) 40012
  • Other managers in public administration – (NOC) 40019
  • Administrators – post-secondary education and vocational training – (NOC) 40020
  • Managers in social, community and correctional services – (NOC) 40030
  • Corporate sales managers – (NOC) 60010
  • Retail and wholesale trade managers – (NOC) 60020
  • Restaurant and food service managers – (NOC) 60030
  • Accommodation service managers – (NOC) 60031
  • Managers in customer and personal services – (NOC) 60040
  • Construction managers – (NOC) 70010
  • Managers in transportation – (NOC) 70020
  • Postal and courier services managers – (NOC) 70021
  • Managers in natural resources production and fishing – (NOC) 80010
  • Managers in agriculture – (NOC) 80020
  • Managers in horticulture – (NOC) 80021
  • Managers in aquaculture – (NOC) 80022
  • Manufacturing managers – (NOC) 90010
  • Utilities managers – (NOC) 90011

Read More Canada Immigration News

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In its 15 Top Jobs for 2023 list, Randstad Canada mentions four management or administrative function-related jobs that the human resources leader forecasts will be in high demand this year: human resources manager, accounting technician or bookkeeper, administrative assistant, and construction project manager.

In November last year, the Canadian immigration department adopted the National Occupational Classification 2021 and, then, earlier this year, upgraded its immigration plan to allow even more foreign nationals to become new permanent residents of Canada.

In its 2023-2025 Immigration Levels Plan, Ottawa has set the target for 2023 at 465,000 new permanent residents. The country is 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.

Express Entry Programs

Foreign nationals who want to immigrate to Canada can do so through one the three Express Entry system programs and apply for permanent residency online if they meet the eligibility criteria. 

Those three Express Entry programs are the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSW), the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FST) and Canada Experience Class Program (CEC).

There are also participating provincial immigration programs which use the Express Entry system.

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 www.skilledworker.com, “the leader in foreign recruitment”.

Candidates’ profiles are ranked against each other according to a points-based system called the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). The highest-ranked candidates will be considered for an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence. Those receiving an ITA must quickly submit a full application and pay processing fees, within a delay of 90-days.

Network Of Provincial Programs

Through a network of Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP), almost all of Canada’s ten provinces and three territories can also nominate skilled worker candidates for admission to Canada when they have the specific skills required by local economies. 

Successful candidates who receive a provincial or territorial nomination can then apply for Canadian permanent residence through federal immigration authorities.

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

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

New Brunswick Express Entry Draws See 186 Invitations To Apply Issued In March

Colin Singer
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New Brunswick Express Entry Draws See 186 Invitations To Apply Issued In March

The 186 Invitations to Apply (ITA) issued by New Brunswick in March brought the total number sent out this year by the Atlantic Canadian province to 330.

The number of ITAs sent out in March in the province was up 29.1 per cent from the 144 it issued in February.

The bilingual province in Atlantic Canada does not post the results of its immigration draws but does publish the monthly results of those draws.

The latest monthly results reveal New Brunswick issued 74 ITAs through its Express Entry  Occupations In Demand Connection (OIDC) program and another 70 such invitations through its New Brunswick Employment Connection (EC) program last month as well as 42 through its New Brunswick Student Connection program.

So far this year, the province has sent out 156 ITAs through the NB Employment Connection program, 93 through NB Student Connection, and 81 through NB Occupations In Demand.

Read More Canada Immigration News

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Since the start of February, New Brunswick has stopped accepting Expressions of Interest (EOI) through its EC program for four categories of workers, those with the  National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes:

  • 62010 – Retail sales supervisors
  • 60030 – Restaurant and food service managers
  • 62020 – Food service supervisors
  • 63200 – Cooks

Those workers can still apply, though, through the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) and New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP) Skilled Worker stream.

Applicants under the EC must meet the minimum work experience, language proficiency, and educational requirements and demonstrate proof of sufficient funds.

Under that program, the work requirement is at least one year of full-time paid work (1,560 hours total) or an equal amount of part-time work. That work experience must be in the NOC TEER categories 0, 1, 2 or 3 and must be in the same type of job as indicated on the immigration application.

NB Express Entry Applicants Must Pass A Valid Language Test In French Or English

All applicants submitting an application through that NB Express Entry stream must also have a valid language test in English or French, administered by an agency designated by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

That language test must be less than 18 months old at the time the application is submitted to the province of New Brunswick and the applicant must have obtained a minimum score of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 for English or Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) 7 for French.

Applicants who have not graduated from a Canadian educational institution must also provide a copy of an Educational Credential Assessment completed by a designated organization.

Settlement funds are not required for open work permit holders with a minimum one-year work experience in TEER 0,1, 2, or 3 occupations in Canada.

Through the OIDC program, applicants are issued a Letter of Interest (LOI) from the federal Express Entry system and must have a valid Express Entry profile.

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Upon receiving that LOI, the applicant can create an Expression of Interest (EOI) in the INB Portal, the province’s immigration portal, and has 45 days from the date of receiving the LOI to do that.

The minimum work experience required under the OIDC is at least one year of full-time paid work (1,560 hours total) or an equal amount of part-time work in occupations with NOC codes in the 0,1,2, or 3 categories.

That work experience can be in Canada or abroad but must be paid work and in the same occupation as used on the immigration application.

Since this is an NB Express Entry stream application, it must also meet the language and educational requirements and the applicant must demonstrate that he or she intends to live in New Brunswick and have sufficient funds to do so.

NB Student Connection Applicants Do Not Need A Valid Job Offer

Settlement funds are not required for open work permit holders with a minimum one-year work experience in Canada.

Those applying through the NB Student Connection program do not need to have a job offer but must have completed their studies within the last six months in a program that qualifies for a Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP), be living in the province, and actively looking for work.

Graduate students in thesis-based programs can apply once that school work has been officially submitted for an evaluation.

The grads applying through this program must also meet the same work experience and language proficiency requirements as for the other two programs and intend to live in New Brunswick.

They do not, however, have to demonstrate proof of funds provided they are already open work permit holders and have the required work experience.

Applicants under this program provide a copy of at least two of the following documents showing successful completion of a PGWP-eligible program of study in New Brunswick within the past six months:

  • final transcripts;
  • diploma or certificate, or
  • a letter of completion from the institution.

Those who have completed their education in Canada do not need to provide Educational Credential Assessments (ECA) but post-grads applying at the point of the submission of their thesis do need to provide such an ECA by a designated organization.

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