The Canadian government has announced that with employers in the country seeking to fill vacant positions, it has launched a new process to welcome skilled newcomers with work experience in priority jobs as permanent residents.
The Canadian government made this known in a statement on its website on Wednesday, saying that it had seen immigration as a vital piece to solving the puzzle of the workers’ shortage in the country.
And that “Recognising this reality, the Government of Canada is building an immigration system that acts as a catalyst for growth, empowering businesses, helping address their labour needs and strengthening French communities. When combined, these efforts will ensure Canadians benefit from economic and social prosperity for years to come.”
This is coming amid controversy of the United Kingdom government’s recent announcement of ban on Nigerians and other foreign nationals from bringing dependants to the country, a move which has attracted mixed reactions with many analysts saying that it will not only negatively affect foreign nationals in the UK but also gravely affect the British economy.
Recall that SaharaReporters in November 2022 reported that the Canadian government announced that considering the shortage of workforce in the country, it had drafted a 2023-2025 immigration levels plan to recruit 1.45 million migrants from Nigeria and other countries across the world into different sectors of its economy by 2025.
It noted that among the focus areas for employment of migrants are Federal High Skilled Department for Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program, and Canadian Experience Class; Federal Business; Economic Pilots; Caregivers.
On Wednesday May 31, 2023, the Canadian Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, Sean Fraser, announced the first-ever launch of category-based selection for Canada’s flagship economic immigration management system tagged Express Entry.
According to the minister, category-based selection will allow Canada to issue invitations to apply to prospective permanent residents with specific skills, training or language ability.
Fraser said that further details on the timing of invitations for individual categories and how to apply will be announced in the coming weeks.
Fraser stated that this year’s category-based selection invitations will focus on candidates who have a strong French language proficiency or work experience in healthcare; science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) professions; trades such as carpenters, plumbers and contractors; transport; agriculture and agri-food.
The minister said, “Everywhere I go, I’ve heard loud and clear from employers across the country who are experiencing chronic labour shortages. These changes to the Express Entry system will ensure that they have the skilled workers they need to grow and succeed.
“We can also grow our economy and help businesses with labour shortages while also increasing the number of French-proficient candidates to help ensure the vitality of French-speaking communities. Put simply, Canada’s immigration system has never been more responsive to the country’s social or economic needs.”
Fraser further stated that “Category-based selection will make Express Entry more responsive to Canada’s changing economic and labour market needs, while building on the high human capital approach that has been a hallmark of Canada’s successful economic immigration system.
“These priorities maintain the focus on bringing in skilled workers with the potential to integrate and contribute to Canada’s future.”
The minister also said that Express Entry is Canada’s flagship application management system for those seeking to immigrate permanently through the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, the Canadian Experience Class and a portion of the Provincial Nominee Program.
Fraser further explained amongst other things that “In June 2022, the Government of Canada made changes to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act to allow for the selection of immigrants based on key attributes that support economic priorities, such as specific work experience or knowledge of French.
“The categories have been determined following extensive consultations with provincial and territorial partners, stakeholders and the public, as well as a review of labour market needs. A complete list of eligible jobs for the new categories is available on our website.
“The first category-based invitations to apply are expected to be sent this summer.
“Immigration accounts for almost 100% of Canada’s labour force growth, helping to address labour shortages in key sectors.
“According to Employment and Social Development Canada, the number of occupations facing shortages doubled between 2019 and 2021.”