Latest NEWS – Page 4

27Sep

3 New LMIA Rules In Effect from September 26,2024

Key Changes to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program Now in Effect

Effective today, the following changes have been made to the TFW Program:

Suspension of LMIAs in High Unemployment Areas: The government will no longer process LMIAs under the low-wage stream in census metropolitan areas with unemployment rates of 6% or higher.
- However, exceptions will be made for critical sectors, including primary agriculture, food processing, fish processing, construction, and healthcare.
10% Cap on Foreign Workers: Employers can now hire only 10% of their total workforce through the TFW Program, down from the previous 20% cap.
- Exceptions to this cap will apply to essential industries like agriculture, food processing, construction, and healthcare.
Reduced Employment Duration: The duration of employment for workers hired through the Low-Wage stream is now limited to one year, reduced from the previous two-year maximum. In a related update, the government recently approved Quebec’s request to temporarily freeze new TFW approvals in Montreal’s low-wage stream, suspending LMIA processing for job offers below the province’s median hourly wage of $27.47.

24Sep

Alberta Advantage Immigration Program – Updates

As of September 30, 2024, candidates must submit a Worker Expression of Interest (EOI) if they are interested in receiving an invitation to apply to one of the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program’s (AAIP’s) worker streams.

There is no fee to submit a Worker EOI.

Candidates will self-declare information about themselves through an online Worker EOI form in the AAIP portal. Each Worker EOI will be scored and ranked using the Worker EOI points grid. Candidates who successfully submit a Worker EOI will be placed into the Worker Stream pool to be considered for selection.

The AAIP will conduct ongoing draws from the Worker Stream pool for specific worker streams and pathways. The AAIP will select and invite candidates from the Worker Stream pool based on candidate EOI score rankings and provincial labor market needs and priorities, available AAIP nominations, and application levels. Individuals who are selected will receive an invitation to apply by email.

It is important to note that while the new system will be available on September 30, 2024 at 10 am, there is no need to rush to submit a Worker EOI as the AAIP will not conduct draws from the Worker Stream pool until mid or late October 2024.

19Sep

New PGWP rules 2024

Starting November 1, 2024, new language proficiency requirements will be introduced as part of the PGWP application process. These updates aim to improve the integration of international graduates into Canada’s workforce, ensuring they possess the necessary language skills to succeed in the country’s labor market.

New Language Proficiency Requirements

One of the most significant changes to the PGWP program is the introduction of language proficiency requirements.

The Canadian government has decided to implement this change to ensure that graduates have the necessary language skills to thrive in their post-graduate work experience and make a smoother transition to permanent residency.

University Graduates: Graduates from universities will be required to meet a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level of 7.
College Graduates: Graduates from colleges will need to meet a CLB level of 5.

The introduction of these language requirements aims to enhance the communication skills of graduates, helping them adapt more effectively to the Canadian workplace and society at large.

This will also make it easier for graduates to qualify for immigration programs like the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), which often require language proficiency as part of the selection criteria.

19Sep

Alberta Labor Market

Alberta, August 2024 – Job market snapshot

Get a snapshot of key facts about the state of Alberta’s labor market in the past month.

Employment increased in August, as part-time employment growth (+29,100) offset job losses in full-time employment (-16,400). Over the month, job growth across Alberta was due to strong employment gains among women (15 years and over), whereas employment among men (15 years and older) remained relatively unchanged. The provincial unemployment rate increased to 7.7% in August, as Alberta’s labor force also increased and new participants were unable to find work immediately.

Industries in focus-

Construction

Number of jobs increased 3.2%

July’2024 August’2024

236,800 244,300

Employment in construction saw an increase in August. The Government of Alberta awarded a construction contract for the $1.8B Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre redevelopment project. Site preparation work is already underway, with construction expected to begin in early 2025.

Agriculture

Number of jobs decreased -2.6%

July’2024 August’2024

35,100 34,200

Some farmers have begun to harvest their crops, yet challenges loomed over Alberta’s agriculture industry, including prolonged drought concerns and the Canadian National Railway Co. and Canadian Pacific Kansas City temporary lockout affecting grain transport. Now, Alberta canola farmers are concerned with China’s anti-dumping investigation into Canadian canola imports.

Health care and social assistance

Number of jobs decreased -1.6%

July’2024 August’2024

338,000 332,600

The demand for healthcare workers is ongoing, as the healthcare system remains under pressure due in part to the province’s growing population. Indeed, there have been reports of partial or complete closures of emergency departments or acute care beds across the province. The transformation of the healthcare system is well underway with the official launch of Recovery Alberta on September 1, 2024. The new health agency, staffed by roughly 10,000 former Alberta Health Services workers, will focus on delivering public mental health and addiction services.

19Sep

Latest IRCC Processing Times As Of September 2024

The Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) recently revised their processing times for various immigration applications on September 17.

Staying informed about these updates is crucial for applicants to effectively plan and manage their immigration process.

Monitoring the latest processing times from IRCC can greatly assist applicants in setting realistic expectations and preparing for their journey ahead.

These updates reflect the IRCC’s continuous efforts to enhance and streamline the immigration process.

Below is a detailed overview of the most recent processing times across different immigration categories and what they mean for applicants.

Overview of Processing Time Updates

Starting in May 2024, IRCC began providing monthly updates on the average processing times for citizenship applications, family sponsorship, and economic immigration.

Meanwhile, processing times for business immigration, temporary residency applications, and permanent resident (PR) cards are updated weekly.

These timelines offer applicants a clearer understanding of how long it may take to receive a decision on their applications.

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