Abramovich & Tchern Immigration Lawyers are pleased to share the latest edition of the Weekly News Review. The fourth week of October was marked by several significant events in Canadian immigration. There were Express Entry and Provincial Nominee Program draws, as well as a few important announcements. Here is a summary of the most important news items.
Express Entry scores dropped below 500
On October 26, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) invited 4,750 candidates under Express Entry’s all immigration programs. In this draw, the cut-off score was finally below 500 points at only 496. As of October 24, there were 234,981 profiles registered in the Express Entry pool. This year, Canada issued 37,038 ITAs under the Express Entry immigration programs.
Express Entry is a fast and easy pathway to permanent residence in Canada for skilled workers in Canada and abroad. With processing times of six months or less, Express Entry is the quickest way to get your foot in the door. Express Entry is responsible for managing applications under the three federal economic immigration programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, and the Canadian Experience Class. Furthermore, provinces and territories can use Express Entry applications to fill local labour market needs through their Provincial Nominee Programs. Abramovich & Tchern Immigration Lawyers is a full-service immigration firm that can help you with your Express Entry application. If you are interested in applying for permanent residence in Canada, contact Abramovich & Tchern Immigration Lawyers today. Our immigration lawyers are here to help you every step of the way.
The Government of Canada sent invitations to potential sponsors under the Parents and Grandparents Program
On October 24, the Government of Canada invited potential sponsors to apply under the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP). Between October 12 and October 20, 2022, IRCC sent 23,100 invitations to apply (ITA) to accept 15,000 PGP sponsorship applications. The latest update from IRCC states that invitations have been sent to the remaining pool of 182,113 potential sponsors who submitted an interest to sponsor form in 2020. Applicants who did not receive an invitation may still be eligible to apply for a super visa, which would allow their parents or grandparents to stay in Canada for up to 5 years per visit with an option for an additional 2-year extension.
Canadian citizens and permanent residents can sponsor their parents and grandparents to live in Canada permanently. Those who are approved under this program receive Canadian permanent residence and may eventually be able to apply for citizenship. Parents and grandparents of Canadian permanent residents can work in Canada, get free healthcare, receive protection from the law, and enjoy other benefits of living in Canada. The application process to sponsor a parent or grandparent can be long and complicated, so it is important to make sure that everything is done correctly. If you are interested in sponsoring a parent or grandparent to come live in Canada, you can contact one of our immigration lawyers. We can help you with the application process.
Ontario invited candidates under three OINP streams
On October 25, the Ontario Immigration Nominee Program (OINP) issued 535 ITAs for the Master’s Graduate stream to candidates with a minimum score of 35 points. On that same day, 106 candidates under the PhD Graduate Stream were invited with a minimum score of 24 points. Consequently, the province invited a single candidate in the particular draw for the federal Economic Mobility Pathways Project under the OINP’s Foreign Worker stream. By now, Ontario has sent invitations to 20,025 candidates under all streams.
The OINP is the province’s economic immigration program working in partnership with the Government of Canada through IRCC. Skilled foreign workers, international students and others who meet the requirements have to apply to OINP to obtain a nomination. The OINP recognizes the skills and experience needed by the Ontario economy and nominates people for permanent residence. However, only the Government of Canada makes the final decision on applications for permanent residence. If you are a prospective OINP applicant and need assistance with your application, you may want to consider consulting with an immigration lawyer. An immigration lawyer can provide you with expert advice and guidance on the OINP application process and help you prepare your application.
Canada has had the largest immigrant population share in the last 150 years
The sixth round of the Census data report, published by Statistics Canada on October 26, 2022, pointed out that immigrants made up almost a fourth of the Canadian population —the largest share in over 150 years. In 2021, 8.3 million people in Canada were landed immigrants or permanent residents – it is about 23% of the population. Since Canada’s Confederation, this number has been growing and is currently the highest among all G7 countries. With fewer people being born and an aging population, immigration is the primary driver for population growth in Canada.
As Canada’s population increases, so do the number of immigrants. In 2021, 23% of all Canadians were immigrants. With a birth rate of 1.49 children per woman on average and a population increase of 4,049,402 in the past decade alone, this growth is mostly due to immigration policies. In two decades, the share of immigrants may potentially rise to 34%. Just this year, 430,000 became permanent residents of Canada. The top countries that new immigrants come from are India, China, and the Philippines, while Ontario is the most popular destination province.
Remote areas continue inviting immigrants
On October 20, Prince Edward Island held the tenth round of invitations under the Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP). In this round, the province invited 204 skilled workers and businesspeople in the Labour Impact and Express Entry streams and the Business Work Permit Entrepreneurs stream. So far, in 2022, PEI has invited 1,463 candidates. The PEI PNP is a way for people to become permanent residents of Prince Edward Island. Individuals nominated by the government have to show an intention to live and work in PEI, as well as the ability to establish themselves economically. Currently, the province prioritizes entrepreneurs and individuals who can fill skills shortages in the labour market.
On October 27, the City of Greater Sudbury sent out invitations to 31 more candidates in the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot program (RNIP). Out of those applicants, three have been accepted under the Francophone Stream. These successful applicants had a score of at least 180 points and an eligible occupation with a minimum hourly wage of $20. This year, Sudbury considered 74 candidates under the RNIP. The RNIP is an economic pilot program accepting foreign nationals with a recommendation from a participating community who have obtained a job offer within the recommending community’s boundaries. Additional requirements include meeting the minimum education and work experience qualifications, being proficient in English or French, and having enough funds to settle in Canada. If you also want to settle in Canada but do not know how to begin, our immigration lawyers can help you with the process.
Many businesses in Canada rely on immigrant workers to fill their labour needs
Immigrants are a vital component of the Canadian economy, helping to fill labour shortages and prevent wage inflation. In fact, 84% of Canada’s labour force growth from 2010-2020 was due to immigration, according to Statistics Canada research. By admitting more immigrants in the coming years, Canada would not only be helping those immigrating to our country but also provide a much-needed boost to the economy. There are many job vacancies throughout the nation that newcomers could help fill, thus benefiting both themselves and Canadian society.
The most recent Focus Canada survey on Canadian immigration attitudes presents growing support for immigration overall. With the exception of Quebec, governments, businesses, and other groups have been successful in their demographic and economic convincing. Despite admitting 400,000 immigrants yearly, 70% of Canadians still favour current immigration rates – the highest number seen in 45 years. The over-arching view is that immigration strengthens the economy, and Canada needs more people from other countries to maintain population growth.
Manitoba refused to keep immigration detainees in provincial jails
Manitoba will soon terminate its contracts with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), making it the fourth Canadian province to end immigrant detention in provincial jails. British Columbia’s Civil Liberties Association stated in their tweet that “as more provinces continue to follow British Columbia’s example by terminating their immigration detention agreements with CBSA, it is time for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to speak up to abolish this practice altogether.”
Earlier this year, British Columbia ended the housing of migrants in provincial jails for the CBSA, with Nova Scotia and Alberta following closely behind. After years of campaigning, advocates finally see results from their efforts to get Provincial jails across Canada to end housing detainees under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA). The latest CBSA data showcases that 3,668 migrants have been detained in Canada from March 31st, 2021, to April 1st, 2022. In the first quarter of 2022, there has been a decrease in migrant detainees when compared to late 2021.
Abramovich & Tchern Immigration Lawyers are dedicated to helping clients navigate the complex immigration system. Our immigration lawyers are experienced in all areas of immigration law and can provide the knowledgeable and effective representation you need. We have a deep understanding of the laws and regulations governing immigration in Canada, and we are here to help you every step of the way. Whether you are looking to move to Canada permanently or temporarily, we can help you with all aspects of your application. Contact us for more information.
