Abramovich & Tchern Immigration Lawyers presents the latest immigration news that has been making headlines across Canada during the first week of December. Last week saw some changes and updates to immigration policies and procedures. Follow us to stay up-to-date on all the recent news.
Canada may start targeted Express Entry draws as early as March 2023
As part of its sustainable long-term economic growth strategy, the Canadian Government will launch Express Entry‘s targeted draws in Spring 2023. This is expected to provide more flexibility when meeting changing government priorities and objectives. Through this initiative, individuals with a wide range of special talents and expertise can contribute significantly towards Canada’s future development. As the Government collaborates with provincial and territorial partners, categories for divisions and classifications will gradually be established. Immigration Minister Sean Fraser emphasized that Express Entry draws would become increasingly region-specific.
In June 2022, the Canadian Government passed Bill C-19, an omnibus bill establishing targeted Express Entry draws. This measure allowed for more precise targeting of skilled immigrants to Canada’s labour force. Before this law, Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) could only adjust points assigned by their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) or hold program-specific draws. In 2021, primarily Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) and Canadian Experience Class candidates were invited to apply for permanent residence. This year, IRCC invited 46,538 Candidates under the Express Entry system. With the successful passage of Bill C-19, IRCC can invite candidates for economic reasons. This means applicants can be targeted based on their work experience, skills, and occupation. If you are a prospective Express Entry candidate, now is the time to start preparing your application. Abramovich & Tchern Immigration Lawyers can help you navigate the Express Entry system and maximize your chances of success. Get in touch with us today to learn more about how we can assist you.
British Columbia invited almost 200 skilled immigrants and Tech workers
On December 6, British Columbia invited qualified Skills Immigration candidates and Tech workers under the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BCPNP). In this round, the province issued 144 invitations to candidates working in the tech sector. BC also invited 32 candidates in the Childcare-targeted draw and 12 healthcare workers. Additionally, the provincial government issued up to five invitations to candidates working under NOCs 31103 and 32104. With the newly invited 193 candidates, British Columbia issued 8,618 invitations in 2022.
The BCPNP allows employers to recruit and nominate skilled workers who wish to immigrate permanently to Canada. To begin the process, applicants must have a job offer in BC and create a profile on the online submission and registration system – BCPNP Online. Once the registrations are submitted, applicants receive an individualized score based on the information provided. Using this data to analyze each application thoroughly, the province identifies the most in-demand candidates and issues them invitations accordingly. If you are thinking of applying to the BCPNP, you can retain the services of an experienced and qualified immigration lawyer. Abramovich & Tchern Immigration Lawyers provide knowledgeable guidance on all aspects of the BCPNP application process and will ensure that your application is completed to the highest standard, giving you the best chance of success.
Ottawa allocated $90 million to facilitate the recognition of qualifications held by immigrant healthcare workers
On December 5, Immigration Minister Sean Fraser declared an investment of up to $90 million in projects to help foreign-educated immigrants gain recognition for their credentials. Proposals for the initiatives could receive grants ranging from $500,000 to a maximum of $10 million each. Canada is currently struggling with a severe scarcity of qualified medical personnel, including doctors, nurses, paramedics and therapists. Statistics Canada reported two years ago that many immigrants with the qualifications for these positions remain unemployed or underemployed, working in jobs requiring minimal education instead of utilizing their skills to work within healthcare.
Year after year, Canada provides roughly $27.1 million to its Foreign Credential Recognition Program to assist in integrating knowledgeable newcomers into the labour market. These funds are allocated through agreements with territories and provinces, numerous regulatory bodies, and other stakeholders. Since 2015, the program has invested over $129 million in 92 projects across Canada. With its most recent budget, Ottawa promised additional funding of $115 million over five years beginning 2022-2023 and sustained resources at a rate of $30 million each year to continue this invaluable program. If you meet the criteria of one of three federal immigration programs or a participating provincial program, you can apply for permanent residency in Canada through Express Entry. These programs include Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSW), Federal Skilled Trades Program (FST) and the Canada Experience Class Program (CEC). Contact us today to learn more about your eligibility and how you can apply for permanent residency in Canada.
Canada still has severe labour shortages despite employment being up in November
Canada’s labour market saw an influx of new jobs in November. However, despite the encouraging job growth, Canada still faces a severe shortage of skilled workers. On December 2, 2022, Statistics Canada released the results of their Labour Force Survey for November. There was an impressive increase in employment, with 19,666 more jobs added to Canadian markets! The most remarkable growth was observed among females aged 25-54, where the rate hit a record high of 81.6%. On the other hand, young men between 15 and 24 experienced a decline in employment, but all other demographic groups stayed at similar levels as before.
A shift in employment occurred with finance, insurance, real estate, rental and leasing services, manufacturing information dissemination, and cultural and recreational activities all experiencing a boom. Meanwhile, construction, along with wholesale and retail trade, both experienced a decrease. To meet the high demand of labour shortages, IRCC will hold targeted Express Entry draws as early as next spring as well as gradually increase quotas for Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) across Canada. Forecasts suggest that PNP will continue to be a more significant focus than Express Entry in regard to welcoming foreign nationals in the government’s effort to bridge specific labour market deficits throughout all of Canada’s regions with active PNPs.
IRCC introduced updates for the Home Child Care Provider Pilot and Home Support Worker Pilot
On December 7, IRCC unveiled modifications to the Home Child Care Provider Pilot and Home Support Worker Pilot programs. The two categories of these pilots are now recognized as the Gaining experience category (Category A) and the Direct to permanent residence category (Category B). Furthermore, IRCC has added more criteria for assessing admissibility and updated the process of evaluating job offers. In addition, the government has clarified language and educational requirements and completeness checks for incomplete applications and mandatory forms.
The former live-in caregiver program has been replaced by two pilot programs: Home Child Care Provider Pilot and Home Support Worker Pilot. Once foreign national earns 24 months or more of qualifying work experience within the last three years, they can apply for permanent residence under these pilot programs. If you do not have any Canadian work experience but can demonstrate a valid job offer from an employer, you can apply for both permanent residence and a work permit. Our experienced immigration lawyers can help determine which of these programs is best for you and provide guidance throughout each step of the process. Contact us today to learn how we can help you immigrate to Canada.
Canada is the most-educated G7 country
Outstripping every other G7 member nation, Canada stands out with the highest ratio of university graduates. Compared to its peers – France, Germany, Italy, Japan, United Kingdom and the United States – Canada’s educational excellence is unmatched! Canada was the leader among all G7 countries in terms of college or university credentials rate, coming at a staggering 57.5%. The United States followed close behind with 50.3%, and the UK maintained its status with 50.1%. France had 40.7%, Italy 20%, Germany 31% and Japan 55%. With such high numbers, Canada has set an example for other nations to strive towards!
Canada’s educational success is no surprise, with its commitment to investing in postsecondary education and providing quality research opportunities. With affordable tuition and world-renowned universities, many international students choose Canada as their destination. If you are a prospective student and looking for immigration services, Abramovich & Tchern Immigration Lawyers can help. We have a highly experienced team of professionals who are well-versed in all aspects of Canadian immigration law. Whether you are applying for a study permit or other Canadian visas, we can assist you with the paperwork and filing requirements for your application.
Ottawa introduced more funding to support racialized newcomer women
On December 9, 2022, IRCC announced a generous $5.8 million investment in projects to help racialized newcomer women. As part of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence campaign, the funding will be allocated towards ten initiatives under the Racialized Newcomer Women Pilot that support equal participation opportunities for all women across Canada. The Racialized Newcomer Women Pilot has successfully launched 21 projects, with some already reaching completion. From January to June 2021, Statistics Canada reports showed a considerable gap in employment between newly immigrated women and those born in Canada (15.2% vs 8%). Still, the pandemic only exacerbated pre-existing issues that impact racialized newcomer females’ labour participation. To ensure the safety and well-being of all newcomers to Canada, the government collaborates with numerous organizations to end gender-based violence. A special project – The Gender-Based Violence Settlement Sector Strategy – has been created to bridge the settlement and anti-violence sectors for increased prevention efforts. This collaboration amplifies action, awareness and sectoral partnerships that address gender-based violence.
Canada is committed to delivering meaningful initiatives that promote gender equality worldwide. It is proud to be a champion country of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration, which prioritizes gender-responsive migration management. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused immense suffering among women, particularly racialized migrant women. Canada is an avid supporter of the gender-sensitive implementation of the GCM and has dedicated itself to sustaining the operations of its Canada-funded Gender+ Migration Hub, which intends to assist countries in developing gender-inclusive programming for immigration and integration.
Abramovich & Tchern Immigration Lawyers are proud to offer top-notch legal services in all areas of immigration law. Our experienced team of immigration lawyers provides a comprehensive range of legal services, from family sponsorship to complex business visas. We are committed to providing our clients with practical solutions that meet their unique needs.
