Abramovich & Tchern Immigration Lawyers present a weekly news review focused on Canadian immigration, covering recent news and providing updates on changes to immigration policies and procedures. Follow us for more immigration news.
IRCC Accelerates the Processing of Spousal TRVs to Assist More Families in Reuniting
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has significantly improved the processing of spousal Temporary Resident Visas (TRVs). In the past, applicants for permanent residency in Canada had to wait months in their home countries to receive a decision from IRCC on their TRV application. However, IRCC now processes spousal TRVs in just 30 days, meaning applicants no longer need to be separated from their loved ones for an extended period. Instead, they can come to Canada and wait for the processing to be completed. This is a significant positive development for Canadians or permanent residents with spouses and dependents living abroad, as they can be reunited with their families faster and begin settling in their communities.
It is important to note that while TRV holders can be in Canada with their loved ones, they can only work or study once they are approved for permanent residency or obtain a work or study permit. This is a crucial distinction that applicants must understand before making any decisions. The process for obtaining permanent residence can still be lengthy, and applicants should know the requirements and timelines. Overall, the improvements to the spousal TRV processing time are a significant step forward for IRCC and the families it serves. By reducing the time applicants must wait for a decision, IRCC is helping to ensure families can be together sooner and start building their new lives in Canada.
Experts Call On the Government of Canada to Accept More Immigrants
As Canada’s population ages, a new report suggests that the country may need to increase its immigration rate to balance the demographic shift. The report indicates that to maintain the same old-age dependency ratio as in 2022, the working-age population would need to grow by 2.2% annually through 2040. This means that Canada needs to have more young adults entering the workforce to balance the growing number of elderly citizens who are no longer working. However, returning to the average ratio between 1990 and 2015 would require an even more significant increase in the working-age population, with the same group growing by 4.5% yearly. This is a considerable challenge and will require a concerted effort to encourage more people to come to Canada to work and settle down.
Although the possibility of increasing immigration levels has resulted in discussions on whether the country can handle more newcomers, advocates contend that the labour market can absorb more workers. Additionally, there is a need for more working-age Canadians to support the tax base. In fact, an increase in immigration could help to fill labour shortages in certain industries, such as healthcare and technology. Additionally, immigrants are highly motivated and entrepreneurial, which could help to drive economic growth in Canada. In 2022, the population of Canada increased by more than one million people, representing the highest growth rate since 1957.
Ontario Continues to Target Skilled Immigrants Through the Human Capital Priorities Stream Draws
The Human Capital Priorities Stream targets highly skilled workers with work experience in in-demand occupations in the province, allowing Ontario to nominate eligible candidates for permanent residence and deal with the ongoing labour shortages. On July 20, 2023, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) held two draws under the Human Capital Priorities Stream, with a focus on the province’s thriving tech and healthcare industries. In the targeted tech draw, the OINP issued 902 Notifications of Interest (NOIs) to candidates with work experience in tech occupations. Similarly, the healthcare draw resulted in the issuance of 159 targeted NOIs.
The OINP is an immigration program that allows the government of Ontario to nominate individuals for permanent resident status. The program is designed to help meet the province’s economic needs by attracting skilled workers and entrepreneurs to live and work in Ontario. The OINP offers several streams through which individuals can apply for nomination, including but not limited to the Express Entry-aligned streams and the Business streams. Each stream of the OINP has its own eligibility requirements and application process. Successful applicants receive a provincial nomination, which they can use to apply for permanent resident status with the federal government. Abramovich & Tchern Immigration Lawyers assist individuals interested in applying for the OINP. Contact us to schedule a consultation and learn how we can help you with your immigration needs.
Canadian Provinces Welcomed Over 32,000 Tech Professionals in 2022
Canada’s technology sector has been experiencing impressive growth in recent years. A report on Tech Workforce Trends by the Technology Councils of North America (TECNA) and Canada’s Tech Network (CTN) suggests that highly-skilled workers worldwide are attracted to Canada due to its immigration policies and cost advantages. As a result, the country has seen a significant increase in tech workers immigrating to Canada, with 32,115 arriving in the past year alone.
Interestingly, the growth in tech workers is not limited to larger provinces like Ontario. Smaller provinces such as Saskatchewan, Newfoundland, and Labrador have also experienced a rapid increase in tech workers. This is excellent news for these regions, as it demonstrates their increasing competitiveness in the tech industry and their ability to attract top talent. By attracting highly skilled workers, Canada can continue to bridge the gap in tech workers for available jobs and strengthen the tech industry, ensuring that Canada remains a global leader in technology innovation.
Canada’s Immigration Bounced Back in May Following a Slow Month in April
According to the latest data from Statistics Canada, immigration to Canada saw a sharp increase of 55.1% in May 2023. During this period, 45,825 new permanent residents entered the country. This is a significant change from the previous three months, which experienced a decline in the number of immigrants arriving in Canada. April was the worst-performing month during this period. However, the monthly rate of immigration has now risen slightly, surpassing the levels observed in March of the same year. Despite this increase, the total number of new permanent residents is still down by 10% compared to January’s peak of 50,910.
Based on current trends, Canada is projected to welcome approximately 529,932 new permanent residents by the end of the year. This not only surpasses the country’s immigration targets for 2023 and 2025 but also indicates that Canada remains an attractive destination for individuals worldwide. Ontario was the most sought-after province for newcomers, accounting for 44.4% of the total number of immigrants who moved to Canada. This suggests that Ontario offers a hospitable environment for immigrants and boasts a strong economy that provides numerous job opportunities and a high standard of living for its residents.
Canadian Provinces Continue Inviting Candidates Through the PNPs
On July 20, 2023, Manitoba and Prince Edward Island held new draws in Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs). Manitoba held a new draw under the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) and invited 595 skilled candidates through the Skilled Workers Overseas stream. On the other hand, Prince Edward Island invited 97 candidates through the Labour Impact and Express Entry streams of the Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEIPNP) and nine candidates under the Business Work Permit Entrepreneurs stream. Manitoba invited 8,433 candidates under the MPNP this year, while PEI accepted 1,693 candidates.
PNPs allow each Canadian province and territory to nominate individuals who wish to immigrate to Canada and are interested in settling in a particular province or territory. The PNPs are designed to help meet each province or territory’s specific economic and demographic needs. Each PNP has its eligibility criteria, which vary depending on the province or territory and the stream through which the individual applies. Successful applicants are awarded a provincial nomination, which they can use to apply for Canadian permanent residence. PNPs have become an increasingly popular immigration pathway for individuals who may not qualify for other Canadian immigration programs. Abramovich & Tchern Immigration Lawyers can assist you with determining the eligibility criteria for each PNP and which stream an individual should apply under. With our assistance, individuals can increase their chances of successfully obtaining a provincial nomination and achieving their goal of immigrating to Canada.
Do the Increased Immigration Levels Cause Inflation in Canada?
The relationship between immigration and inflation has been debated among economists and policymakers in several countries, including Canada. While some experts believe that an increase in immigration can lead to higher inflation rates, others argue that the impact of immigration on inflation is not significant. Despite a fall in the inflation rate, prices for many essential goods continue to rise in Canada. The Bank of Canada raised interest rates to 5% in July due to sticky inflation, but the economy and demand for goods and services continue to grow, which could be a cause for concern.
In 2022, Canada accepted over a million immigrants to address job vacancies and labour shortages across the country. However, the impact of immigration on inflation is a complex issue that needs to be analyzed nuancedly. According to the Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem, the effect of immigration on inflation is expected to be neutral overall. However, it could still affect different parts of the economy in various ways. For instance, the increased demand for goods and services by immigrants may be driving up prices for essential goods, especially in areas with labour shortages. Additionally, the increase in the population due to immigration may lead to a rise in housing demand, which could lead to higher housing prices in certain areas.
Abramovich & Tchern Immigration Lawyers is a highly regarded Canadian immigration law firm that offers personalized services to individuals seeking to immigrate to Canada. With extensive experience in the field, our immigration lawyers can assist you in navigating the complex Canadian immigration system and provide you with tailored advice on the best pathway to achieve your Canadian dream. Whether your goal is to come to Canada as a skilled worker, business immigrant, or family sponsor, Abramovich & Tchern Immigration Lawyers can help you achieve your immigration goals with ease.
