Canada To Reveal The Immigration Plan In February
Not Later Than Valentine's Day
The Canadian government is expected to announce its Immigration Levels Plan 2022-2024 in February. This plan includes the specific number of immigrants the county is planning to welcome under its various economic, family, and humanitarian programs.
This is the first official immigration-related announcement since October 2020, when the government stated they seek to welcome more than 400,000 new immigrants annually.
Under the current immigration plan for 2021 to 2023, IRCC aims to resettle 241,500 economic class immigrants through Express Entry, the Provincial Nominee Program, and Quebec programs, among other pathways - which would account for almost 60% of Canada's overall immigration target.
The IRCC is also looking to welcome 103,500 family class immigrants through the Spouses, Partners and Children Programs and the Parents and Grandparents Programs, which will make up 26% of the immigration target. The remaining 15% should be accepted as refugees, as well as humanitarians and compassionate immigrants.
While the breakdown of immigration classes have been sustained since the 1990s, the total number of immigrants Canada chooses to target is expected to increase significantly.
Minister Fraser has indicated that he is open to boosting the targets further based on stakeholder feedback. He also noted that he would like to listen to community groups and employers to understand their immigration needs. On the other hand, since the IRCC is dealing with a huge backlog of applications, some could argue that the increase in accepting more immigrants isn't possible yet.
However, taking into consideration the post-pandemic economic recovery, more immigrants are needed to reduce labour shortages. Higher targets may also be necessary to accommodate the government's lofty goal of resettling 40,000 Afghan refugees.
IRCC Still Developing Express Entry Strategy For 2022
Your Submitted Application Is Safe
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is still evaluating its Express Entry strategy for 2022, according to Immigration Minister Sean Fraser.
The recently published IRCC internal briefing memo sparked speculation about Canada's Express Entry strategy for the year ahead. The memo seems to discuss the possibility of extending the pause on Express Entry invitations. That would leave FSWP, CEC and FSTP candidates empty-handed until the middle of the year but give IRCC more time to tackle backlogs since there were 120,000 pending Express Entry. The total number of pending immigration applications in December 2021 was 1.8 million.
Because the memo is so heavily censored, readers are still in the dark when it comes to IRCC's plan about managing Express Entry in the future. Immigration Minister Sean Fraser addressed some of the speculation by stating that IRCC has yet to schedule its next FSWP and CEC draw and is still considering options for the Express Entry draw in 2022. The Minister also explained that IRCC will not cancel and refund already submitted permanent residence applications. That has been the talking point on social media since something similar happened ten years ago.
Minister Fraser noted that IRCC is working on reducing its backlog of applications by stabilizing the application processing process and that the Canadian government has recently allocated an extra $85 million to support this goal.
Occupation-focused Draws in The Future?
The Minister also explained that the IRCC is looking at its possibilities of holding "occupation focused Express Entry draws responding to labour needs" - CIC News reports.
The Canadian government's Budget 2021 mentioned this approach while stating that Express Entry should be adjusted to “select those candidates who best meet Canada’s labour market needs.”
Previously, IRCC would typically invite candidates with the highest CRS scores to apply for permanent residence, regardless of their program of eligibility. That approach was based on the assumption that those with the highest CRS scores would have the greatest chance of integrating into the Canadian labour market.
Both the Budget and the Minister’s remarks indicate that Express Entry invitations with occupation-based criteria will be more widely used, giving IRCC an additional tool for easing labour shortages.
Express Entry is the main way Canada welcomes economic class immigrants. Candidates that meet the eligibility criteria of the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), Canadian Experience Class (CEC), or Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) can upload an Express Entry profile onto IRCC’s website. They get a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score based on their age, education, language skills, and work experience. The IRCC invites candidates to apply for permanent residence on a biweekly basis. Before the pandemic, FSWP candidates were the main recipients of Express Entry Invitations to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence.
Ontario Wants Thousands of Foreign Trained Nurses
Currently Sending 300 Of Them to High-Need Hospitals
Ontario wants to have thousands of internationally trained nurses come work in the province by March 31st.
The government of Ontario is currently sending around 300 nurses, along with 6,000 more healthcare workers, around the province to meet hospital demand. These additional workers include nursing and medical students.
Even before the pandemic, Ontario had been having issues with shortages of medical staff. During COVID, Ontario launched emergency programs and added more than 6,700 healthcare professionals to work in care homes and lighten the load on hospitals. Unfortunately, the situation has gotten direr as the pandemic has persisted.
In its 2021 provincial budget, 2021 Ontario Economic Outlook and Fiscal Review: Build Ontario, the government promised to invest $342 million in recruitment. This investment should add over 13,000 workers, which includes new and up-skilled nurses and personal support workers.
“Our government committed to spare no expense in the fight against the pandemic to protect people’s health and the economy, which is why investing in the front lines of our health care system was one of the key pillars of our plan to Build Ontario,” said Peter Bethlenfalvy, the Minister of Finance in a government media release.
Qualification Doesn't Really Count?
While there are thousands of qualified nurses in Ontario, there are a few roadblocks they must overcome before they are eligible to practice. Each step taken in the registration process takes a huge amount of time and money:
- Education;
- Police criminal record check;
- Evidence of practice;
- Language proficiency;
- Registration examination;
- Health and conduct;
- Authorization to work; and
- Past offences and findings.
Regardless of how qualified they are, they must still receive an education and training at the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO). A teacher at the college, Birgit Umaigba, notices that some of the internationally educated nurses with tons of skills and knowledge are being overlooked because the system is unnecessarily difficult.
CNO explains the process as an effort for promoting safe nursing practice. However, the recently announced policy changes might help move things faster.
In 2020, the percentage of internationally educated nurses eligible to practice in Ontario was 12.2 per cent of Ontario's total nursing workforce, almost 2 per cent higher than in 2010. Considering the government’s efforts, the fact that non-medical healthcare workers are in-demand, and that Ontario is seeking more qualified immigrants, this percentage may increase sooner than expected.
Canada’s Immigration Forecast for 2022
More Than 411, 000 New Permanent Residents By The End of 2022?
As the new year begins, Canada is celebrating and reflecting on its immigration achievements of 2021. Canada set the lofty goal of welcoming 401,000 new permanent residents by the end of the year. Despite the difficult restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the goal was achieved. Not only is this number unprecedented, but it is also the highest in Canadian history.
The accomplishment has energized the Canadian government to establish the goal of welcoming another 411,000 permanent residents by the end of 2022. However, it is predicted that this number may even be higher due to the country’s growing labour shortages, previous application backlogs, and the federal government’s commitment to resettle 40,000 Afghan refugees.
It is impossible to address the forecast of immigration to Canada in 2022 without touching on COVID-19. The pandemic has directly affected immigration in Canada, especially in light of the new Omicron variant. As a result, much like in 2021, the immigration mandate will continue to prioritize economic development, reuniting families, and assisting those with humanitarian needs. However, considering the various travel restrictions, Canada’s is focused on prioritizing employment programs and applicants already within the country.
The Atlantic Immigration Program
Previously called the Atlantic Immigration Pilot, the program was first launched in 2017. As of January 1, 2022, it became a permanent pathway. Atlantic Canada, which comprises four east-coast provinces: Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia, has struggled with labour shortages due to their ageing populations and the pandemic pushing people towards early retirement. This program allows designated employers to hire skilled workers for jobs they have been unable to fill locally. It also ensures job security for immigrants arriving in Atlantic Canada because jobs are already secured before they settle. To mitigate application delays, a digital application system has been implemented.
Changes to the National Occupation Classification (NOC)
Significant changes to the National Occupation Classification (NOC), Canada’s national reference for occupations, will be implemented in Fall 2022. These changes are meant to reflect the country’s evolving economy and labour market. Previously, NOC had four skill type categories, mainly focused on education level. This is set to be replaced by the Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities (TEER) system, which has six categories.
Statistics Canada explains the two reasons why the skill type model is being implemented. First, the TEER system aims to provide a clearer outline of the education and work experience required to work in an occupation. Second, the skill type model creates obvious categorizations between low- and high-skilled jobs.
More information about these changes is expected to come on February 10, when Minister Sean Fraser is scheduled to table Canada’s Immigration Levels Plan 2022-2024.
Express Entry: Canada Holds First Draw Of 2022
The Provincial Nominee Program Only
Canada is starting the new year with 392 new invitations for permanent residence (PR). Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has only invited candidates from the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) whose scores are a minimum of 808. This number may sound high compared to the usual Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points, but since PNP candidates get 600 points as soon as they receive their nomination, they can easily fulfil the Permanent Residence requirements. For a comparison, any points below 400 don't usually get an invitation in Ontario.
Since the IRCC's focus has been dealing with the backlog of application, this is the first draw since September. The immigration department wants to address the accumulation of applications before proceeding with PR invitations for other programs.
How Does the Provincial Nominee Program Work?
Almost every province in Canada welcomes this program, Ontario being one of them. The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) recognizes people with skills and experience, and how they relate to the province's economic needs. Before their nomination, foreign workers, international students, or other people with skills, must apply to the OINP for a nomination. They can do that in three categories:
- Employer Job Offer Category
- Foreign Worker Stream
- International Student Stream
- In-Demand Skills Stream
- Human Capital Category
- International Graduates
- Ontario's Express Entry
- Business Category
- Entrepreneur stream
A potential applicant has to create a profile in the OINP e-Filing Portal and register an expression of interest for a particular category. If selected from the candidate pool, an invitation to apply for permanent residence is sent. The Government of Canada then makes the final decision and approves applications for permanent residence.
The Business category, unlike the other two, doesn't require an expression of interest. For this category, you must be an entrepreneur outside who can contribute to the Canadian economy by implementing a new business idea or buying an existing business in Ontario.
As a part of the process, the applicant must also pass a medical exam, get a police check, and pay the application cost - $1,500 for the Employer Job Offer, or $2,000 and the Human Capital category, or $3,500 for the business stream.
Application Process For PNP
- After you've decided which stream is right for you, make sure you qualify by meeting all of the mandatory requirements.
- Create a Profile in the appropriate system for the stream you chose. Top applicants will receive a notification of interest or an invitation to apply.
- After receiving the invitation to apply or a notification of interest, you may proceed with the process and apply to be nominated by the OINP.
- If your application is successful, you can now apply for permanent residence through the IRCC.
For the Business Category, find the process here.
In the last mandate letter to Minister Sean Fraser, Prime Minister Trudeau has stated he aims to expand permanent residence pathways for international students and temporary foreign workers, as well as waive the fees for citizenship.
With that in mind, Express Entry-eligible occupations may change when the new TEER system comes into effect, which is set for late 2022. For now, Express Entry only recognizes work experience from NOC 0, A, and B occupations. Despite these changes, 2021 was the first year in history that no Federal Skilled Worker was invited to apply. Prior to the pandemic, that program was the main source of new immigrants. This is because usually, skilled workers apply from outside of Canada - and the IRCC was more focused on the individuals already within the country.