News
Future of Skilled Immigration from Federal Budget
The days of selection purely based on points could be gone.
On Monday, 19 April 2021 the Federal Government released its 700 page budget. See https://www.budget.gc.ca/2021/home-accueil-en.html. On page 220 there is a statement about new immigration policies that are being planned.
The expectation is that the focus will be on occupation lists, job offers and those with Canadian work experience and less emphasis on a selection purely based points.
This is a good change that Matrixvisa wrote about and supported since March 2017. Here is a quote from page 220 of the budget: “Streamlining Express Entry. Canada’s Express Entry system has been in place since 2015. ……. Streamlining Canada’s Express Entry system will allow the government to ensure our immigration system responds to Canada’s growing economic and labour force needs and help Canada reach its 2021-2023 Immigration Levels Plan. The Government of Canada intends to propose amendments to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act to provide the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada with authority to use Ministerial Instructions to help select those candidates who best meet Canada’s labour market needs from among the growing pool of candidates …
90 000 Foreign Workers and Students Eligible for Permanent Residence
Over 90,000 essential workers and international graduates in Canada can now apply for permanent residence in a new program. This new program is essentially the Canada Experience Class with an occupation list.
Matrixvisa has been predicting occupation lists to become more important in immigration policy since March 2017 when an article appeared in Canada’s Immigration law magazine ImmQuest: See https://www.matrixvisa.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/FundamentalChangeinFSWArticleApr2017-1.pdf The policy announcement is an indication that the days of selection purely based on points will slowly disappear.
To be eligible, workers must have at least 1 year of Canadian work experience in a health-care profession or another pre-approved essential occupation. International graduates must have completed an eligible Canadian post-secondary program within the last 4 years, and no earlier than January 2017. Applicant must also have a Canada Language Benchmark of 4.
Effective May 6, 2021, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will begin accepting applications under the following 3 streams: Temporary workers in health care (20 000), International students who graduated from a Canadian institution (40 000) and Temporary workers in other selected essential occupations (30 000). The streams will remain open until November 5, 2021, or until they have reached their limit. Up to 90,000 new permanent residents …
BC Provincial Nominee Program: points decreased to 95 points
The British Columbia Government sent Invitations to Apply in the Provincial Nominee Class on 13 April 2021. Skilled Worker points decreased to 95 points. Retail Managers (NOC 0621) and Restaurant Managers (NOC 0631) required 113 points.
Source: https://www.welcomebc.ca/Immigrate-to-B-C/B-C-Provincial-Nominee-Program/Invitations-to-Apply
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Ontario Provincial Nominee Program invites Express Entry candidates
On 13 April several applicants with Express Entry points between 456 and 467 were invited in the following occupations:
0213 Computer and information systems managers
2147 Computer engineers
2172 Database analysts and data administrators
2173 Software engineers and designers
2174 Computer programmer and interactive media developers
2175 Web designers and developers
There are 9 streams in the Ontario Provincial Nominee Program:
- French-Speaking Skilled Worker stream*
- Human Capital Priorities stream (HCP)
- Skilled Trades stream
- Entrepreneur stream
- Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills stream
- Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker stream
- Employer Job Offer: International Student stream
- Masters Graduate stream
- PhD Graduate stream
If you were invited to apply and need help with your application click on the following link: Matrixvisa Assessments and Consultations…
Money laundering at $45- $113 billion per annum
“Criminal money laundering in Canada is worth up to $113 billion a year, says a federal report. The mafia is mainly active in three cities while motorcycle gangs operate nationwide. According to a report by the RCMP-led Criminal Intelligence Service, Public Report On Organized Crime In Canada, the extent of money laundering in Canada is estimated between $45 billion and $113 billion. Mob fronts include retailers, trucking companies, contractors and warehouse operators. RCMP Chief Superintendent Rob Gilchrist said that professional money launderers and their networks pose a significant threat to Canada’s financial system.
Source: https://www.blacklocks.ca/money-laundering-at-113b/ (to read the full article you require subscription)…
Canada ‘s budget Deficit More than World War II
The Canadian federal governmet’s spending for 2020/2021 is now projected to exceed the spending at the peak of World War II and the highest in Canadian history at CAD381 billion. There seems to be no end spending as the government is trying to buy votes for the next election: Massive increases in child care and universal income (a basic or guaranteed income would provide a no-strings-attached minimum income to citizens that would amount to a $17,000-benefit for a single person or $24,000 for a couple) are being planned. The universal income will cost about CAD85 billion a year. Immigrants comming to Canada should prepare themselves for much higher taxes for the next few decades. The upside is that it might create more jobs for immigrants as the productivity might decrease (why work if you get no-strings attached guaranteed income)
Sources:
https://torontosun.com/opinion/columnists/opinion-canadians-will-pay-for-trudeau-governments-record-spending
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/09/02/universal-basic-income-canada-wont-do-enough-fix-inequality/
https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/parliamentary-budget-officer-says-basic-income-program-could-halve-poverty-rate-1.5377748…
Canada created 295 000 jobs in Feb 2021 & 303 000 jobs in March 2021
Despite an increase in infections, the Canadian economy created 295 000 jobs in February 2021 and another 303 000 jobs in March 2021. It was also reported that “economy added jobs even in some of the areas hit hardest by the pandemic, including retail, accommodation and food services. There were also gains in health care, construction and education.”
Source: https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/canada-jobless-march-1.5981104…
Canada’s labour recovery got a big boost in March
On April 9 the Globe and Mail published an article saying that: “Canada’s labour recovery got a big boost in March, though progress could prove short-lived as parts of the country enact tighter restrictions to contain a third wave of COVID-19. According to Statistics Canada employment rose by 303,100 last month and the unemployment rate fell to 7.5 per cent from February’s 8.2 per cent. The gain was triple what economists were expecting. The labour surge was driven by six-figure gains in both full-time and part-time work, while the number of self-employed jumped by 56,000 people, the first increase in three months. Around two-thirds of job creation came from the private sector.” Read article here: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/economy/article-canadian-economy-adds-more-than-300000-jobs-in-march-unemployment-rate/ (subscription needed)
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Canadian Federal Government Sued for Quarantine Order
On 15 March 2021, a news organization, Rebel News Network Ltd., sued the Federal Government about it’s requirements to quarantine. The argument was made that Part I of the Canadian Constitution Act of 1982 which is known as the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, are being breached. It was reported by a news organization, Black Locks, that “The order under the Quarantine Act requires air passengers including Canadian citizens to prepay three nights’ stay at airport hotels, meals, cleaning and pandemic tests on arrival in Canada, about $2000 by federal estimate. Rebel News said the order was “not necessary or even effective at reducing the spread of Covid-19,” and the “true motivation for mandating the quarantine provisions was to effect an arbitrary detention to deter travel outside the country by implementing a dangerous, costly, capricious and mandatory quarantine period for air travelers entering Canada.” The argument is further supported by the refusal of the Minister of Health to release the evidence on which this quaratine order are based.
Source: https://www.blacklocks.ca/govt-sued-on-covid-hotels/ Subscription is required.…
Home prices in Toronto up by 22%
The average selling price for homes across the Toronto region reached a record $1,097,565. That is 22 per cent higher than March 2020. More and more experts are predicting a correction (or crash in prices). Some home buyers can not get mortages (Bonds) as the selling prices of homes are more than the appraised value. Immigrants should be carefull before buying property at the moment.
Source: Globe and Mail, 6 April 2021 https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/article-toronto-march-home-sales-blow-past-2016-record/ (For Subscribers only)…
Canada’s economy grew 0.7% in January
The Canadian Press published an article on 31 March 2021 that Canada’s economy grew 0.7% in January and that construction, manufacturing ad real estate contributed to the growth.
Read the full article here: Canada’s Economy…
EE draw: 5000 invitations issued for CEC
An Express Entry draw took place today 1 April, specifically aimed at candidates in the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). 5000 Invitations were issued and the CRS score of the lowest ranked candidate was 432.
To be eligible to apply in the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), you must:
- Have at least 1 year of full-time (or equivalent) skilled work experience in Canada
- Apply within 3 years of obtaining your skilled work experience
- Have had legal status while working, or studying, in Canada
- Meet minimum language levels in English or French; and
- Plan to live outside the province of Quebec
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New quarantine requirements for temporary foreign workers
The Government of Canada announced that after March 21 they will be moving forward with a two-pronged approach to quarantine requirements for Temporary foreign workers (TFWs) based on their final destination.
Asymptomatic TFWs will be able to travel directly to their place of quarantine after getting a COVID-19 test at the airport provided they travel by private transportation and are accompanied only by others who travelled with them to Canada.
TFWs who will need to travel by public means to a secondary location upon arrival in Canada will be required to stay in a Government Authorized Accommodation (GAA) and await the results of their COVID-19 test.
TFWs with visas in agriculture, agri-food, fish and seafood sectors will continue to be exempted from a 3-nights stay in a Government Authorized Accommodation (GAA) while they await the results of their COVID-19 test results, if they are asymptomatic and are not travelling throughout Canada via public means of transportation.
The reason for this is because these sectors were identified to have a direct impact on ensuring Canada’s food supply chain and food security.
This includes the following occupations:
Primary agriculture:
- 0821 – Managers in agriculture
- 0822 – Managers in horticulture
- 8252 – Agricultural
New quarantine requirements for temporary foreign workers
The Government of Canada announced that after March 21 they will be moving forward with a two-pronged approach to quarantine requirements for Temporary foreign workers (TFWs) based on their final destination.
Asymptomatic TFWs will be able to travel directly to their place of quarantine after getting a COVID-19 test at the airport provided they travel by private transportation and are accompanied only by others who travelled with them to Canada.
TFWs who will need to travel by public means to a secondary location upon arrival in Canada will be required to stay in a Government Authorized Accommodation (GAA) and await the results of their COVID-19 test.
TFWs with visas in agriculture, agri-food, fish and seafood sectors will continue to be exempted from a 3-nights stay in a Government Authorized Accommodation (GAA) while they await the results of their COVID-19 test results, if they are asymptomatic and are not travelling throughout Canada via public means of transportation.
The reason for this is because these sectors were identified to have a direct impact on ensuring Canada’s food supply chain and food security.
This includes the following occupations:
Primary agriculture:
- 0821 – Managers in agriculture
- 0822 – Managers in horticulture
- 8252 – Agricultural
EE draw: 5000 CEC candidates invited to apply for PR
Another Express Entry draw took place on March 18. This time it was spesifically aimed at candidates in the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and the CRS score of the lowest ranked candidate was 449.
In the previous express entry draw for candidates in the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) on 13 February, 27 332 candidates were invited to apply for permanent residence. In this draw the CRS score for the lowest ranked candidate was only 75.
To be eligible to apply in the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), you must:
- Have at least 1 year of full-time (or equivalent) skilled work experience in Canada
- Apply within 3 years of obtaining your skilled work experience
- Have had legal status while working, or studying, in Canada
- Meet minimum language levels in English or French; and
- Plan to live outside the province of Quebec
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EE draw: 183 PNP candidates invited to apply for PR
183 Express Entry candidates received an invitation to apply (ITA) for permanent residence in the latest Express Entry draw that took place on March 17.
The minimum CRS score for this draw was 682 and everyone invited had previously received a nomination from a provincial program (PNP). Express Entry candidates who get a provincial nomination are automatically given 600 points on top of their original human capital score.
This was the second PNP-specific draw in a row. 671 PNP candidates received an invitation (ITA) to apply for permanent residence on March 8.
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BC PNP invites 506 candidates to apply for PR
The province of British Columbia issued 506 invitations to apply for a provincial nomination for permanent residence on March 16.
Candidates from the Skills Immigration (SI) and Express Entry BC (EEBC) streams of the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) were issued an invitation.
There were a separate draw specifically for retail and wholesale trade managers (NOC 0621) and restaurant and food service managers (NOC 0631). A total of 78 invitations went to people working in these occupations, and the minimum provincial score requirement was 114.
The remaining 428 candidates who were invited had scores between 81 and 96.
Since the beginning of this year B.C. has invited 2,432 Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates so far.…
Expression of Interest system for the OINP coming soon
The Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development will introduce an Expression of Interest system for the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP). The Expression of Interest system will help to strategically manage intake, increase the OINP’s labour market responsiveness and respond better to regional labour market needs.
The Expression of Interest system will apply to the Employer Job Offer Category streams (Foreign Worker, International Student-and In-Demand Skills), Masters Graduate stream and Ph.D. Graduate stream.
These streams are currently closed to new applicants. They will open for new applicants when the Expression of Interest system launches in the coming weeks.
The Expression of Interest system is a points-based registration system that helps us select skilled economic immigrants to meet the province’s labour market needs.
By registering, you are only expressing an interest to apply to the OINP. It is not an application to the OINP or for permanent residence. You can only apply to the OINP under an Expression of Interest-based stream if you have been invited to apply.
Source: 2021 Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program updates
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IRCC expanding Sydney office to reunite families and improve processing
SYDNEY. – Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is expanding its Case Processing Centre in Sydney, Nova Scotia in an effort to process more applications and reunite families faster. This expansion includes the addition of new office space and the hiring of 62 new employees.
According to a news release published on the Government of Canada’s website on March 5 the new space and additional staff will be primarily dedicated to family class overseas applications. These added resources will help IRCC process more applications and shorten processing times that have been extended during the pandemic.
It is further stated in the news release that due to restrictions related to COVID-19, the Case Processing Centre in Sydney is currently limited to 30% occupancy. The opening of the new office space will significantly increase this capacity and will allow more employees who are currently working remotely to return to the office.
The 1-year lease for the additional space offers IRCC the flexibility to re-evaluate its needs in the years to come.
IRCC will always protect the health and safety of staff while serving Canadians and those who wish to come here.
Source: Government of Canada
Ontario PNP invites Express Entry candidates in 10 targeted occupations
ONTARIO – 754 Express Entry candidates were invited to apply for a provincial nomination in Ontario’s Express Entry Draw on March 2. These candidates all had a CRS score between 463 and 467.
In this draw, the OINP invited Express Entry candidates to apply for the provincial nomination if they had work experience in one of the following 10 occupations:
- Banking, credit and other investment managers (NOC 0122);
- Advertising, marketing and public relations managers (NOC 0124);
- Other business services managers (NOC 0125);
- Corporate sales managers (NOC 0601);
- Financial auditors and accountants (NOC 1111);
- Financial and investment analysts (NOC 1112);
- Human resources professionals (NOC 1121);
- Professional occupations in business management consulting (NOC 1122);
- Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses (NOC 3012); and
- Business development officers and marketing researchers and consultants (NOC 4163).
The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) invited candidates who may be eligible for the Express Entry Human Capital Priorities Stream (HCP). This Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) gives foreign workers the opportunity to launch their careers in Ontario, and make Canada’s most populous province their new home.
Did you receive an Invitation to Apply? Do you need assistance with your application? Follow this link to make an booking with Matrixvisa: …