Canada Immigration Backlog Reduces To 1.2 Million – New IRCC Data

Last Updated On 16 November 2022, 8:56 PM EST (Toronto Time)

Canada immigration backlog reduced from 1.49 million as of September 30, 2022 to 1.2 million as of October 31, 2022. This new data has been updated by IRCC today (November 16, 2022).

Additionally, 1.04 million applications are still processing within service standards. So, in total, there are now 2.2 million applications under processing at IRCC.

IRCC minister clarified on August 24, 2022 that backlog data is different from the service standard data. For e.g., spousal sponsorship has processing time of 12 months, then an application under processing within 12 months is “NOT” a backlog. Rather it will fall under normal processing data.

However, if it exceeds the 12-month service standard, then it is called backlog. It is important to note that IRCC’s target is to processing 80% of the applications within service standards. Click here for category-wise IRCC’s service standards. Click here for latest category-wise IRCC processing times.

Below are the category-wise Canada Immigration backlog projections by IRCC

1. Federal High Skilled Backlog

2. Provincial Nominee Program (Express Entry) Backlog

3. Spouses, Partners and children applications Backlog

4. Citizenship Backlog

5. Study Permits Backlog

6. Work Permits Backlog

**As per IRCC, approximately 74% of work permits applications are from the Canada-Ukraine authorization for emergency travel.

7. Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or Visitor Visa Backlog

**As per IRCC, approximately 16% of temporary resident visa or visitor visa applications are from the Canada-Ukraine authorization for emergency travel.

Source: IRCC official website

New Canada Workers Benefit Payment 2023 Is Now Rolling Out

• 
  India Canada Latest News and Updates | Ongoing Diplomatic Issue

  This page enlists all the India Canada latest news and updates related to the ongoing diplomatic issue between the two countries.

  We (INC – Immigration News Canada) are updating this page in real-time, as the situation is unfolding with LIVE, official verified updates from both countries.

  Navigation

  September 22 Update

  Canadian PM Justin Trudeau continues his stand, asking India to work constructively to get to the bottom of this matter.

  https://www.youtube.com/live/a8GXc28VYao?si=vTxAZhfNta-vfZQv&t=3003

  PM Trudeau said, “Canada has shared the credible allegations that I talked about on Monday with India. We did that many weeks ago and we are there to work constructively with India. We hope that they engage with us so that we can get to the bottom of this very serious matter.”

  Morning update:

  Canadian government sources are saying that Canada is weighing a response to the visa suspension by India but has made no decision yet.

  It is being reported that India is making an effort to get the U.S. on its side by inviting Joe Biden to be the guest of honour at India’s Republic Day.

  Joe Biden has not yet accepted that invitation, but the Financial Times has reported that Biden did raise the Nijjar murder with Indian PM Narendera Modi directly when he met with him at the G20 Summit.

  CBC News reports that there were several efforts to talk to India even before Prime Minister Trudeau travelled to India and met with Modi at the G20 summit.

  Canada’s national security adviser, Jody Thomas, went there for four days in August and then again a couple of days before the G20.

  Canadian government sources are saying that contrary to what the Indian government is saying in public, Indian authorities have not denied these allegations in private meetings.

  Previous Updates

  September 21 New Canadian Update

  New Update: According to the latest report by CBC News, the Canadian government sources claim there is human and signal intelligence to back up the allegation, including messages between Indian officials and intelligence from an unnamed Five Eyes alliance member, but as of September 21, 2023, the Canadian government has not made the allegation public.

  The U.S. has now said some words as a sigh of relief for Canada, urging India to cooperate with the Canadian investigation.

  U.S. National Security Advisor Mr. Sullivan stated that the United States has requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government to work with Canada to apprehend those responsible for the gangland-style death of Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

  https://www.youtube.com/live/Dwruq4RucUE?si=J3d298mSfoUvSIAJ&t=317

  He also said, “We are in constant contact with our Canadian counterparts. We are consulting with them. We support the efforts that they are undertaking in this investigation and we have also been in contact with the Indian government.”

  Mr. Sullivan told reporters. “I firmly reject the idea that there is a wedge between the U.S. and Canada. We have deep concerns about the allegations and we would like to see this investigation move forward and the perpetrators held to account.”

  Morning Update:

  Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau continues his stand on asking India to work with them in the investigation of Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s case and Indian involvement.

  Trudeau reiterated his government’s claim that it has “credible” intelligence that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government was involved in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

  https://www.youtube.com/live/GGM6FuV2oMc?si=gWj2c-QxbeIwiFZp&t=491

  PM did not provide a definite answer on whether they will also stop processing Canadian visas in India.

  The Canadian government is decreasing personnel levels at its diplomatic posts in India, citing concerns for the safety of its employees as bilateral tensions remain high.

  The Department of Global Affairs also stated that it expects the Indian government to continue to protect its diplomatic staff.

  “In light of the current environment of heightened tensions, we are taking steps to ensure the safety of our diplomats.”

  With some ambassadors receiving threats on various social media platforms, Global Affairs Canada is examining its personnel complement in India, according to Global Affairs spokesman Jean-Pierre Godbout.

  “As a result, and out of an abundance of caution, we have decided to temporarily adjust our staff presence in India.”

  Mr. Godbout stated that Canada’s high commission, or embassy, in New Delhi, as well as Canadian consulates throughout the South Asian country, remain open.

  “In the context of respect for Vienna Convention obligations, we expect India to provide for the security of our accredited diplomats and consular officers in India, just as we do for theirs here,” he said.

  “Global Affairs Canada will continue to take all necessary precautions to protect the health and safety of all our personnel, including locally employed personnel, as well as our operations in India. Decisions are made based on a variety of considerations, including an employee’s professional profile and personal circumstances.”

  Mr. Godbout refused to say how many Canadian employees are being reassigned from Canada’s embassies and consulates in India.

  September 21 New Indian Update

  The Indian High Commission and Consulate in Canada have temporarily halted processing visa applications for Canadians.

  This is due to ongoing security threats being faced by Indian High Commission and Consulate in Canada, causing disruptions in normal functioning

  An Indian government spokesman says this situation will be reviewed on a regular basis.

  Furthermore, the Indian government has informed Canada to have parity in its mutual diplomatic presence.

  https://www.youtube.com/live/6K5jYjUCNjs?si=jDVCKE8GVjfqjazO&t=447

  The number of Canadian diplomats in India is very much higher than the number of Indian diplomats in Canada.

  Details are being worked out and India expects Canada to reduce its diplomatic presence in India.

  Our opinion on this latest update: It will be important to see the Canadian government’s response to India’s commentary on halting visas for Canadians.

  If diplomatic presence in India is reduced, then it will definitely affect the processing of Canadian visas for Indians, including study visas, visitor visas, work visas, and permanent residency visas.

  Stay tuned for the latest news and updates.

  September 20 Canadian update

  On September 20, Immigration Minister Marc Miller corrected his statement on date of Hardeep Singh Nijjar becoming a Canadian citizen, saying that Mr. Nijjar became a Canadian citizen on May 25, 2007.

  He said, “Mr. Nijjar became a Canadian citizen on May 25, 2007, earlier than I stated below. The error in dates is my responsibility to assume. Again, nothing justifies the killing of Mr. Nijjar.”

  Liberal Ministers face questions on the possible link between the Indian government and the June 2023 killing of Canadian Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey, B.C.

  https://youtu.be/kGiR7sthZKI?si=QpVas3DkJjRuxm0a&t=7

  Indian update on September 20

  The Indian government issues a travel advisory for Indian nationals and Indian students in Canada, urging them to exercise the utmost caution in view of growing anti-India activities, politically-condoned hate crimes, and criminal violence in Canada.

  The advisory said, “Given the deteriorating security environment in Canada, Indian students in particular are advised to exercise extreme caution and remain vigilant.”

  

  They also asked Indian nationals and students from India in Canada to register with the High Commission of India in Ottawa or Consulates General of India in Toronto and Vancouver through their respective websites or the MADAD portal, madad.gov.in

  Canadian update on September 19

  On September 19, Canadian PM Justin Trudeau said they were not looking to provoke or escalate the situation with India but to encourage the Indian government to cooperate in the ongoing investigation.

  https://youtu.be/6-YX5W5dcfI?si=HVeeHtMbvh6yjyJ_&t=137

  PM Trudeau also asked the Indian government to take things seriously in this matter.

  There was an ongoing viral question by people in Canada saying that Hardeep Singh Nijjar was not a Canadian citizen.

  In response to this, Canadian Immigration Minister Marc Miller first confirmed that Hardeep Singh Nijjar became a Canadian citizen on March 3, 2015.

  In an interview, Stephen Brown, CEO of the National Council for Canadian Muslims and Balpreet Singh, legal counsel for the World Sikh Organization of Canada, called on the Canadian Government to do four more things

  1. Immediate recall of Canada’s Ambassador
  2. Start the process to expel India’s ambassador to Canada
  3. Cease all discussions of trade negotiations with India
  4. Immediate banning of the RSS organization in Canada and the expulsion of all of its Agents from the country

  India’s First Response and September 19 update

  The Indian government released an official statement rejecting all the allegations made by the Canadian government.

  

  Furthermore, they also asked a senior Canadian diplomat in India to leave within the next five days.

  

  Situation Worsens on September 18

  The situation caught fire when Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly announced that they had expelled a top Indian diplomat from Canada.

  Canada also updated their travel advisory for India, asking Canadians to “exercise a high degree of caution” due to the threat of terrorist attacks throughout the country.

  Previously, this issue got viral when Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced possible allegations against Indian interference in Canada, with already fumes around Canada-India relations at the G20 summit.

  https://youtu.be/HHEXaPfCh64?si=05s-eozu-RGSchhh&t=26

  On the first day of the House of Commons on September 18, he said that Canadian intelligence is actively pursuing credible allegations of a potential link between agents of the Indian government and the killing of Canadian citizen and Khalistani activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

  Diplomatic Commentary Began on September 10

  The Canada-India issue of Khalistani Sikhs has always been a topic of discussion, but the situation got highlighted at the September G20 summit in India.

  Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau raised the issue of Indian interference in Canada, especially in relation to the killing of Sikh leaders on Canadian soil.

  https://www.youtube.com/live/1ZqMUn_SRs8?si=Mjdw02lAt7Ip1OtW&t=494

  The situation was still good at that time, with the Canadian PM saying, “We recognize that India is an extraordinarily important economy in the world and an important partner to Canada.”

  Who was Hardeep Singh Nijjar?

  Hardeep Singh Nijjar was a Sikh separatist from India who was active in the Khalistan movement. Nijjar was wanted by Indian authorities and declared a terrorist under India’s Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act after allegedly plotting the murder of a Hindu priest in Punjab. On June 18, 2023, Nijjar was shot and killed in British Columbia.

  How will the Canada-India issue affect immigration?

  The Canada-India issue may impact immigration between the two countries. It is advisable to stay updated with the latest news and official statements from the governments involved to understand the specific effects and any changes in immigration policies or procedures.
  
  India has already indicated that they are halting the visa processing for Canadians in Canada due to service disruption.
  
  Canada is yet to respond on this situation.

  Is Canada suspending visas for Indians?

  As of now, Canada has not suspended visas for Indians. According to Canadian government sources, Canada is considering a response to India’s visa suspension but has not yet made a decision.

  ---

  canada immigration news, immigration news canada, canada india news today, canada travel advisory, india travel advisory, india suspends canada visa, india suspend visa services for canada, canada visa suspended, indian visa suspended, india suspends visa, india visa services suspended, what is happening between canada and india, why is india mad at canada, india canada,

• 
  Universal Eye Care Deemed Essential for Canadians 

  Today, Canadians are facing a unique health crisis that continues to baffle researchers and plague the nation’s healthcare system.

  Over eight million citizens are living with at least one of the following major blinding eye diseases: age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma.

  But despite 75% of visual impairment being avoidable when detected and treated early, over 1.2 million Canadians are living with vision loss.

  This has spurred the country’s vision health stakeholders to urge the Government of Canada to support eye care in its federal budget, seeing as the total cost of vision loss in Canada was $32.9 billion in 2019 and is expected to balloon to $56 billion in 2050.

  More importantly, blindness can negatively impact a person’s financial health and sense of independence.

  Jump To

  So, if a simple and typically inexpensive eye exam can prevent a debilitating and expensive condition such as blindness, why are more and more Canadians suffering from it?

  There are various factors at play here, such as the ripple effects of the global pandemic, accessibility to doctors, and the country’s rapidly aging population.

  There is a clear and immediate need to bridge the gap between those at risk for vision loss—older adults aged 55 and above—and the eye care programs they sorely need.

  Vision issues faced by Canadians 

  Most of Canada’s population is concentrated in urban areas, resulting in an uneven distribution of eye doctors.

  A 2020 study found that the average distribution of optometrists was only 1.70 per 10,000 people.

  In some remote areas, low vision care was attributed to a lack of access to government-insured eye doctors.

  Because optometrists can detect and diagnose vision problems before they progress, it’s critical to address this issue.

  That said, even adding more eye doctors and access to available coverage in certain areas may not help matters.

  According to Clearly’s study on Canadian vision care, almost half of Canadians regularly experience vision issues, but 34% of Canadians are long overdue for an eye exam.

  Their reported symptoms included blurred vision, floaters, and glare at least a few times per month.

  This is concerning because plenty of eye diseases can progress without one noticing vision changes; seeing actual changes in vision merits an eye exam all the more.

  However, there is an even more vulnerable group that the health sector needs to pay closer attention to: Canadian immigrants.

  Immigrants and eye care 

  There are several reasons Canadian immigrants, in particular, need eye care. First, it’s important to note that diabetes is linked to vision loss, particularly macular edema and retinopathy.

  Second, the number of Indians who became Canadian permanent residents increased by 260% from 2013 to 2022.

  In a study of over 1.7 million immigrants to Canada for ethnic differences in prediabetes incidence, South Asians were the highest risk group, with 47.9% incidence in the 50-64 year age range.

  That means this ethnic group has a significantly higher risk of eye problems among the current pool of immigrants.

  Therefore, governments should not only make blanket changes to eye care policies but also provide special attention to minorities and the Canadian provinces where their population incidence is higher.

  Some provinces give Canadian immigrants access to primary healthcare as soon as they land, while in major cities, it may take up to three months.

  Nevertheless, it appears that access is not a concern. New research published in BMC Primary Care has found that recent immigrants are less likely to have a family doctor, which means a lack of familiarity in a new country may impact people’s willingness to see even a general physician, much less an eye doctor.

  To avoid further burdening the healthcare system and worsening the country’s vision crisis, addressing seemingly minor barriers like language, transportation, and a sense of belonging may be necessary to encourage immigrants to prioritize their eye health.

  ---

  

  eye care in canada, universal eye care in Canada,

• 
  New Report On International Students in Canada

  Today, Canadian Senate members issued a report describing ways to improve the integrity of the program for international students in Canada.

  While the survey reveals that international students benefit Canada’s economy as well as its social and cultural landscape, there are a slew of integrity challenges inside Canada’s international student program.

  The report emphasizes, “While the Canadian government is being forthright about the highly competitive nature of the permanent residence application process, it could do more to be forthright about the immigration benefits of studying in Canada.”

  https://youtu.be/C6iOJleqw3s?si=NtX3u93kDjxlc-JD

  The report makes the following major recommendations

  National review of the financial sustainability of DLIs

  The report suggests that the Canadian post-secondary education sector is too vulnerable because of its reliance on foreign students for funding.

  If there are any future downward “shifts in global international student trends” away from Canada, or if there are any “diplomatic disputes” that reduce international student enrollment in this country, Canada could be negatively impacted.

  Greater oversight on DLIs including private colleges

  This report suggests that oversight of Canada’s educational institutions could positively impact the lives of international students in this country by ensuring DLIs across the country work tirelessly and constantly to provide international students with a “positive on- and off-campus experience.”

  This is because such scrutiny can result in pro-student policies such as requiring DLIs to demonstrate how they will assist international students in finding housing and jobs, as well as handle other settlement difficulties such as mental health.

  According to the Senate report, “DLIs that do not meet the standard should be subject to losing their ability to welcome additional international students.”

  Raise awareness among international students

  As mentioned above in the section about education brokers, enrolling in PGWP-ineligible programs is a major issue for international students.

  To that end, the research contends that the Canadian government at all levels can do a better job of informing students about which programs are and are not eligible for a PGWP.

  This is significant because “strong motivation exists among international students to obtain PGWPs and permanent residence” after graduation.

  Housing supply for international students

  This recommendation, which necessitates an initial discussion about educational institutions’ ability to support themselves financially outside of international student enrollment, requests that the federal government take the following steps to ensure adequate international student accommodation:

  • Obtaining federal statistics on student housing is critical for making educated decisions.
  • Creating a dedicated funding stream for postsecondary institutions to develop affordable housing choices for students is part of the National Housing Strategy.

  Increase international students’ understanding of their legal rights

  According to the report’s authors, DLIs, as the initial point of contact for many international students in this country, and the Canadian government both need to do a better job of informing international students about their rights regarding housing, employment, and sexual abuse.

  Because many of these infractions occur and go unreported due to a lack of understanding, informing students of their rights and what they can do if they are a victim of these issues will help mitigate future concerns.

  National policy approach for temporary resident to permanent resident paths

  When expressed clearly, this type of national strategy can help limit disappointment among international students while also informing them of the realities of Canadian permanent residence (PR), namely that there are a much smaller number of PR spots in Canada than students may have been told when planning their studies and life in Canada.

  National policy on international student settlement assistance

  This report, like the other national policy suggestion, highlights various advantages of implementing the same method with settlement help for international students. These are some examples:

  • Better care for international students and a better overall experience
  • Addressing the issues raised earlier in the report
  • Providing a means to better educate and prepare international students for life as permanent citizen in Canada
  • Recommendations from the federal government

  Nationwide linguistic standard for DLI entrance

  Standardizing how DLIs convey admission standards will reduce uncertainty among international students and assure more success–both academically and otherwise–when they arrive to Canada.

  Following in the footsteps of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), a uniform baseline for international student admission standards could be helpful to all stakeholders.

  Improve the LOA verification process

  This report recommends that IRCC strengthen the verification process for Letters of Admission (LOAs), as this would “strengthen the integrity of the international student program while also saving trouble and resources down the line,” such as IRCC spending time and other resources on court proceedings and deportations later on.

  According to the research, this process can be accelerated by utilizing current technology, such as those presently available in the private sector.

  Amending IRPA and IRPR to further control the conduct of education agents

  A fresh look at reforming Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR) can help introduce federal policies to regulate the conduct of unsuspecting and desperate students by overseas education agents and post-secondary institutions.

  This research, for example, advises that “stronger penalties, such as fines and the revocation of DLI status, should be considered for those who violate” new policy measures enacted following the reform of IRPA and Canada’s IRPR.

  Look at further regulations governing international student tuition

  Increased regulations in this situation, according to the report, should take into account factors like lowering the cap on tuition increases for international students.

  This is in line with the report’s first recommendation because it is only possible to do so by reducing DLIs’ reliance on international student fees to pay for operational costs.

  Increase education agent restrictions and sanctions

  To the same extent as recommendation 10, other provinces and territories should follow Manitoba’s lead in adequately regulating foreign educational agents/international student recruiters.

  Manitoba’s International Education Act outlines a variety of measures that govern behaviour and penalties placed on parties who demonstrate poor behaviour, including fines and a code of conduct that can serve as a teaching tool for Canada’s other provinces and territories.

  Will there be a cap on international students in Canada?

  Four members of Canada’s Senate released a report on improving the international student program in Canada and clearly ruled out any question of putting a cap on international students coming to Canada.

  Click here to view full report.

  ---

  

  canada immigration news, immigration news canada, new ircc update, new ircc news, new senate report, study visa, study permit,

• 
  New Express Entry Draw For 10 Transport Occupations Is Out Now

  Today, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship (IRCC), announced the first transport Express Entry draw as part of its new category-based selection.

  This round of invitations emphasizes applicants with transportation experience, such as commercial truck drivers, pilots, and aircraft assembly workers, to help the industry attract the competent talent it requires across the country.

  • Number of invitations issued: 1,000
  • Rank required to be invited to apply: 1,000 or above
  • Date and time of round: September 20, 2023 at 14:04:14 UTC
  • CRS score of lowest-ranked candidate invited: 435
  • Tie-breaking rule: June 17, 2023 at 06:44:01 UTC

  Jump To

  The Express Entry system in Canada is now customized to provide a simplified and fast pathway for those with significant subject expertise.

  Canada aspires to fulfill the increasing demand for talent and fill essential positions that contribute to the nation’s economic growth and advancement by prioritizing the invitation of qualified newcomers with work experience in transportation occupations.

  This targeted Express Entry draw is focused on profiles with at least six months of experience in one of the below-listed 10 occupations.

  10 Occupations eligible for Transport Express Entry draws

  1. 93200: Aircraft assemblers and aircraft assembly inspectors
     • Example titles: Aircraft assembler
     • Aircraft assembly inspector
     • Airframe assembler
     • Bench and structural assembler
     • Bench fitter mechanic – aircraft assembly
     • Rigger – aircraft assembly
     • Wing tank mechanic – aircraft assembly
  2. 73300: Transport truck drivers
     • Example titles: Bulk goods truck driver
     • Dump truck driver
     • Flatbed truck driver
     • Heavy truck driver
     • Logging truck driver
     • Long haul truck driver
     • Moving van driver
     • Shunt truck driver
     • Tow truck driver
     • Tractor-trailer truck driver
     • Transport driver
     • Truck driver
  3. 72604: Railway traffic controllers and marine traffic regulators
     • Example titles: Chief rail traffic controller
     • Marine traffic regulator
     • Rail traffic controller
     • Train operator
  4. 72603: Engineer officers, water transport
     • Example titles: Chief engineer – water transport
     • Engineer officer – water transport
     • Fourth engineer – water transport
     • Marine engineer officer
     • Second engineer
     • Third engineer – water transport
     • Tugboat engineer
  5. 72602: Deck officers, water transport
     • Example titles: Coast Guard vessel first watchkeeping officer
     • Coast Guard vessel navigation officer
     • Coast Guard vessel watchkeeping officer
     • Deck officer – water transport
     • Ferryboat master
     • Master mariner
     • Ship first mate
     • Ship pilot
     • Ship second mate
     • Ship third mate
     • Ship’s captain
     • Ship’s mate
     • Tugboat captain
  6. 72601: Air traffic controllers and related occupations
     • Example titles: Air traffic controller (ATC)
     • Airport air traffic controller
     • Enroute air traffic controller
     • Flight dispatcher
     • Flight service specialist (FSS)
     • Instrument flight rules air traffic controller
     • Terminal air traffic controller
     • Visual flight rules air traffic controller
  7. 72600: Air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors
     • Example titles: Air pilot
     • Captain – air transport
     • Check pilot
     • Chief flying instructor
     • Chief pilot
     • Co-pilot
     • Flight engineer
     • Flying instructor
     • Helicopter pilot
     • Pilot instructor
     • Relief pilot
     • Second officer – air transport
     • Test pilot
  8. 72404: Aircraft mechanics and aircraft inspectors
     • Example titles: Aircraft gas turbine engine technician
     • Aircraft hydraulics mechanic
     • Aircraft inspector
     • Aircraft maintenance engineer (AME) (except avionics)
     • Aircraft mechanic
     • Aircraft repair and overhaul inspector
     • Aircraft repair shop inspector
     • Aircraft structural repair technician
     • Aircraft systems inspector
     • Aviation mechanical component shop technician
     • Certified aircraft technician
     • Flight test inspector
  9. 72403: Railway carmen/women
     • Example titles: Rail vehicle mechanic
     • Railway car inspector
     • Railway carman/woman
     • Railway carman/woman apprentice
     • Streetcar and subway car mechanic
  10. 70020: Managers in transportation
      • Example titles: Bus company manager
      • Distribution manager – logistics
      • Flight operations manager
      • Freight forwarding manager
      • Marine superintendent
      • Rail operations superintendent
      • Railway freight manager
      • Traffic manager – transportation
      • Transport department manager
      • Transportation manager
      • Urban transit system manager

  Canada confirms its commitment to attracting top global talent and assisting in meeting the economy’s need for transportation workers through category-based selection.

  These category-based selection rounds, as well as general and program-specific invitation rounds, will continue throughout the year.

  Things to Watch out

  It will be important to see the size of this Express Entry draw targeted for transport occupations since it will determine the CRS cutoff score.

  We are expecting the CRS cutoff score to be between 350 and 400, similar to what we saw in targeted trades draw.

  Furthermore, it will be interesting to watch out to see if IRCC will be holding other targeted draws as well as the no program specified draw since there hasn’t been any round of invitations since August 15.

  What is Express Entry?

  Express Entry is an online system used by the Canadian government to manage applications for permanent residence from skilled workers.
  
  It is a points-based system that ranks candidates based on factors such as age, education, language proficiency, work experience, and adaptability.
  
  The highest-ranking candidates are invited to apply for permanent residence through regular draws conducted by the Canadian government.

  ---

  

  express entry draw, express entry draw today, new express entry draw, transport express entry draw,

• 
  New Ontario-OINP Draw On Sep 19 Sent Out 608 PR Invitations

  On September 19, 2023, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program-OINP draw issued 608 invitations to apply for permanent residency (PR) in general draws under two different streams.

  537 invitations have been sent under the Masters Graduate Stream to all the Expression of Interest (EOI) profiles with a score of 41 and above.

  Furthermore, 71 invitations to apply are issued under the PhD Graduate stream to all the EOI profiles with a score of 40 and above.

  Jump To

  Expression of Interest (EOI) profiles created under the above mentioned streams between November 22, 2022, and September 19, 2023, were considered for the OINP draw today.

  Summary of OINP Draws today

  Stream	Invitations	Score range
  Masters Graduate Stream	537	41 and above
  PhD Graduate Stream	71	40 and above

  Invited candidates will now have 14 days to submit their application in support of the information mentioned in their Expression of Interest profile to get permanent residency (PR) in Ontario.

  Reiterating our suggestion for Canada permanent residency aspirants in times of increasing Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores in Express Entry draws.

  Rather than purchasing LMIAs or running payrolls, international students seeking PR in Canada can enroll in a Masters degree at one of the qualifying universities, which will:

  • boost their academic performance for future career opportunities
  • offer them the right to remain in Canada as students, and
  • offer a significantly better chance of obtaining permanent residency.

  Because no job offer is required for the OINP Masters Graduate Stream, it is better to spend your money developing your career profile rather than buying employment offers/LMIAs/Payrolls.

  OINP Masters Graduate Stream Draws 2023

  Date	Invitations	Score range
  September 19, 2023	537	41 and above
  August 30, 2023	772	44 and above
  August 1, 2023	755	48 and above
  June 6, 2023	1,175	46 and above
  April 4, 2023	752	52 and above
  January 25, 2023	692	44 and above

  All The OINP Draws 2023

  OINP’s Expression of Interest has issued a total of 12,954 invitations for permanent residency so far.

  The Masters Graduate stream is the largest stream, bagging nearly 4,683 invitations, followed by the Foreign Worker stream with 4,032 invitations so far.

  OINP Streams	Number of Invitations
  Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker stream	4,032
  Employer Job Offer: International Student stream	2,963
  Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills stream	807
  Masters Graduate stream	4,683
  PhD Graduate stream	420
  Total 2023 EOI invitations	12,905

  When was the last draw for the Ontario PNP?

  The most recent draw for the Ontario Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) was on September 19, 2023, which sent 608 invitations to apply for permanent residency under the Masters Graduate Stream and PhD Stream.

  ---

  https://www.youtube.com/live/5Fw6q7kiPBc?si=6asxRPjOXfeRi4Q6

  

  ontario immigrant nominee program, oinp draw, ontario pnp draw,

• 
  New Express Entry Draw Today Invites 3,200 Profiles For PR

  IRCC sent out 3,200 invitations to apply (ITAs) in a new Express Entry draw today, considering profiles from all the programs.

  The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score jumped significantly by 35 points from 496 to 531 because of the absence of any round of invitations since August 15, 2023.

  Below are the details of the Express Entry draw today:

  • No Program Specified
  • Number of invitations issued: 3,200
  • Rank required to be invited to apply: 3,200 or above
  • Date and time of round: September 19, 2023 at 15:04:11 UTC
  • CRS score of lowest-ranked candidate invited: 531
  • Tie-breaking rule: September 12, 2023 at 12:16:31 UTC

  IRCC will also be unveiling its first targeted draw for transport occupations. You can check for updates here.

  Jump To

  IRCC has invited a total of 80,948 profiles in 26 Express Entry draws this year.

  In 2023, the CRS threshold ranges from as low as 375 in the Francophile draw to 463 for 35 Healthcare occupations, 486 for 24 STEM occupations, and 531 in the recent no program specified draw today on September 19, 2023.

  CRS Score Distribution in the Pool: September 19

  CRS score range	Number of candidates
  601-1200	2,637
  501-600	3,091
  451-500	58,838
  491-500	3,596
  481-490	8,510
  471-480	19,326
  461-470	15,170
  451-460	12,236
  401-450	54,240
  441-450	11,331
  431-440	11,601
  421-430	9,813
  411-420	10,414
  401-410	11,081
  351-400	60,575
  301-350	31,418
  0-300	5,236
  Total	216,035

  What is Express Entry?

  Canada Express Entry is an online application management system, that IRCC uses to select candidates for permanent residency based on their Comprehensive Ranking Score (CRS).
  
  Express Entry is in charge of administering the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, and the Canadian Experience Class.
  
  When determining who to invite to apply for Canadian permanent residency, the CRS considers factors including work experience, industry, language skills, education, age, and more.
  
  When an eligible Express Entry candidate creates their profile on the IRCC website, they are assigned a CRS number and placed in a classification pool with other candidates based on these factors.
  
  Candidates with high CRS Scores have the best chance of receiving an invitation to apply (ITA) for permanent residency.

  What occupations are being targeted by Express Entry system in 2023?

  In 2023, new occupation based Express Entry draws are focusing on candidates who have at least 6 months of work experience in the last 3 years in one of the following sectors:
  
  1. healthcare
  2. science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) professions
  3. trades, such as carpenters, plumbers and contractors
  4. transport
  5. agriculture and agri-food
  
  You can obtain a comprehensive list of occupations with NOC codes for each sector by clicking on the links above.

  https://youtu.be/IzfJ8QidomM?si=qQzXnFK5GUjatSp1

  Always stay updated with the latest Canada Immigration News with INC – Immigration News Canada – INC News

  ---

  

  express entry draw, new express entry draw today, canada immigration news, immigration news canada, new ircc update,

• 
  Migrants March On Streets Demanding New Permanent Residency Pathway

  Migrants, including undocumented persons, students, and refugees, marched in cities throughout Canada on Sunday to seek permanent residency status for all before the federal parliament reconvenes on Monday.

  In Toronto, migrants and sympathizers marched across downtown, including past the intersection of Yonge and Dundas Streets, causing police to post on social media that traffic had been delayed in the area.

  Protesters are urging the government to establish an uncapped program that will offer permanent residence status to all migrants and illegal immigrants, with no exceptions.

  The protest comes after a United Nations expert called Canada’s temporary foreign worker program a “breeding ground for contemporary forms of slavery” earlier this month.

  The UN Special Rapporteur on Modern Forms of Slavery, Tomoya Obokata, has urged the federal government to provide all temporary foreign workers with a path to longer-term or permanent residency.

  

  According to Sarom Rho, an organizer with the Migrant Workers Alliance for Change, the demonstrators are asking the government to develop an unlimited program that would offer permanent residency status to all migrants and undocumented persons without any exclusions.

  According to Rho, there are 1.7 million people in Canada with temporary study or work permits without any clear pathway to permanent residency.

  She claims they are raising Canada’s food, caring for children, and working in front-line jobs.

  Rho said that without permanent resident status, undocumented people face massive exploitation at work, are denied life-saving medical treatments, and live in daily fear of deportation and the agony of family separation.

  At the time, a representative for Immigration Minister Marc Miller’s office refused to comment on whether such a permanent pathway would be implemented.

  “That’s one in every 23 people, and it hurts all of us when a segment of our society is denied the same rights and protections as everyone else,” Rho explained.

  Jane, who has been living in Canada illegally for six years, says she wants permanent status so she can acquire a good job and be treated fairly.

  “A fair job where you will not be discriminated against, where you will earn a decent wage, where you will be free to go wherever you want, to reunite with your families,” she continued. “Without status, you can’t do anything in this country.”

  “We cannot make predictions about future policies.” “All new policies will be made public,” a spokesman from IRCC told CBC News in an email.

  Source: CBC News

  ---

  

  canada immigration news, immigration news canada, migrants protest, migrants march in Canada, migrants march in toronto,

• 
  Top 5 High Demand Skilled Trade Jobs In Canada

  Canada has more than 300 occupations designated as skilled trade jobs and most of them are in-demand across the country and offer attractive careers.

  On top of this, Canada is now focusing even more on skilled trades by offering an easy pathway to permanent residency for individuals with experience inside or outside Canada in one of these.

  Furthermore, Canada has a labour shortage in most of the skilled trades, with an estimated 256,000 new apprentices needed over the next 5 years to meet this demand.

  Given the high number of occupations designated as skilled trades in Canada, individuals often get confused when selecting their career path or which one will fit them better.

  This article lists high demand skilled trades jobs in Canada as well as all the provinces so that our readers can make an informed decision when choosing their career path.

  As per the official Canadian estimate, listed below are the top in-demand skilled trades expected from 2022 to 2026:

  Top 5 High Demand Skilled Trades

  https://youtu.be/YF-0ZmWuSsU?si=uJWrw0AKbKqVunOM

  Top 5 High-Demand Skilled Trade jobs in Canada

  1. Cooks

  Cooks have the National Occupation Classification (NOC) code of 63200. They prepare and cook a wide range of dishes.

  Cooks work in a variety of enterprises, including restaurants, lodging facilities, hospitals and other healthcare facilities, central food commissaries, and educational institutions.

  Cook job titles

  • Apprentice cook
  • Cook
  • Dietary cook
  • First cook
  • Grill cook
  • Hospital cook
  • Institutional cook
  • Journeyman/woman cook
  • Licensed cook
  • Line cook
  • Second cook
  • Short order cook

  2. Industrial Electricians and Electrical Contractors

  Industrial electricians and electrical contractors have the NOC code 72201.

  Industrial electricians maintain, test, diagnose, and fix industrial electrical machinery as well as the electronic and electrical controls that go along with it.

  Electrical contractors, as well as the maintenance divisions of factories, plants, mines, shipyards, and other industrial facilities, employ them.

  Industrial Electrician job titles

  • Industrial electrician
  • Industrial electrician apprentice
  • Marine electrician
  • Mill electrician
  • Mine electrician
  • Plant electrician
  • Plant maintenance electrician
  • Shipyard electrician

  3. Industrial Mechanics (Millwrights)

  Industrial mechanics and construction millwrights have the NOC code 72400, and they install, maintain, diagnose, overhaul, and repair mechanical equipment and stationary industrial machinery.

  Industrial textile machinery mechanics and repairers are included in this unit group. Contractors for millwrighting work in the construction industry.

  Manufacturing facilities, utilities, and other industrial establishments all employ industrial mechanics.

  Industrial Mechanics job titles

  • Card fixer
  • Card grinder
  • Construction millwright
  • Industrial mechanic
  • Industrial mechanic apprentice
  • Industrial sewing machine mechanic
  • Knitting machine mechanic
  • Loom fixer
  • Loom setter – textile manufacturing
  • Loom technician
  • Maintenance millwright
  • Millwright
  • Millwright apprentice
  • Open-end technician
  • Plant equipment mechanic
  • Spinning fixer
  • Textile fixer
  • Textile machine mechanic
  • Textile machinery fixer
  • Treatment plant maintenance mechanic

  4. Painters and Decorators

  Painters and decorators have the NOC code 73112, and they cover the inside and exterior surfaces of buildings and other structures with paint, wallpaper, and other finishes.

  They work for construction firms, painting contractors, and building maintenance firms, or they may be independent contractors.

  Painters and Decorators job titles

  • Construction painter
  • Maintenance painter
  • Painter
  • Painter and decorator
  • Painter and decorator apprentice
  • Paperhanger

  5. Welders

  Welders have the NOC code 72106, and they use welding equipment to join ferrous and nonferrous metals together.

  Machine operators who operate already-set-up production welding, brazing, and soldering equipment are also included in this unit group.

  They can work for enterprises that make structural steel and platework, boilers, heavy machinery, aircraft and ships, and other metal products, as well as welding contractors and welding shops, or they can work for themselves.

  Welders job titles

  • Aviation welding technician
  • Brazing machine operator
  • Brazing machine setter
  • Electric arc welder
  • Journeyman/woman welder
  • Laser welding operator
  • Pressure vessel welder
  • Production welder
  • Soldering machine operator
  • Spot welder
  • Submerged arc welder
  • Welder
  • Welder apprentice
  • Welder-fitter

  https://immigrationnewscanada.ca/full-trade-occupations-list-canada-2023/

  https://youtu.be/PNjYTG9hv6c?si=GZX_pE4fP6UPVM_P

  What are in-demand skilled trades in Ontario?

  Here are some in-demand skilled trades in Ontario:
  
  1. Electricians
  2. Plumbers
  3. Carpenters
  4. Welders
  5. HVAC Technicians
  6. Bricklayers/Masons
  7. Industrial Mechanics
  8. Heavy Equipment Technicians
  9. Construction Managers
  10. Elevator Mechanics
  
  These trades have a strong demand in Ontario due to ongoing construction projects and infrastructure development.

  What are in-demand skilled trades in British Columbia?

  Some in-demand skilled trades in British Columbia include electricians, carpenters, plumbers, welders, heavy equipment operators, and automotive service technicians.

  What are in-demand skilled trades in Alberta?

  Some in-demand skilled trades in Alberta are:
  
  1. Electricians
  2. Welders
  3. Heavy-duty equipment technicians
  4. Plumbers
  5. Carpenters
  6. Steamfitters and pipefitters
  7. Refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics
  8. Industrial mechanics (millwrights)
  9. Instrumentation and control technicians
  10. Sheet metal workers

  ---

  

• 
  New Working Holiday Visa Draws Sent 4,955 Work Permit Invitations

  International Experience Canada (IEC) sent out 4,955 invitations to apply for open work permits in the new Working Holiday Visa rounds of invitations in the last 2 weeks.

  15,819 spots are still available for candidates from 33 eligible countries interested in applying for a Working Holiday Visa to work and explore Canada.

  Updates on the IEC 2023 rounds of invitations have been updated every week since the beginning of this year, but there was no update last week.

  Country-specific quotas are also being redistributed among various categories of International Experience Canada (IEC).

  In addition to the Working Holiday Visa category, 316 new closed work permit invitations have been sent in the Young Professional category, with 1,527 spots still available for candidates from eligible countries.

  Jump To

  The International Co-op (Internships) category sent out only 83 closed work permit invitations, with 815 spots still open for graduates from eligible countries.

  The IEC 2023 season processing time is 9 weeks, according to the most recent IRCC processing time update.

  The tables below provide extensive information on the number of invitations sent in the last 2 weeks, the overall number of invitations sent in 2023, candidates in the pool, the number of open spots, and the possibility of receiving an invitation the next week.

  Working Holiday Visa 2023 Invitations

  Country	Invitations Issued In Last two weeks	Total Invitations 2023	Candidates In Pool	Available Spots	IEC 2023 Quota	Chances of receiving an invite next week
  Andorra	2	26	0	14	25	Excellent
  Australia	475	10,028	143	unlimited	unlimited	Excellent
  Austria	3	277	37	0	168	Very Low
  Belgium	87	1,457	74	28	950	Excellent
  Chile	901	4,690	8,518	1,459	4,118	Very Low
  Costa Rica	2	2,054	924	2	1,150	Very Low
  Croatia	13	177	2	168	275	Excellent
  Czech Republic	62	1,171	19	301	1,000	Excellent
  Denmark	23	438	5	37	350	Excellent
  Estonia	11	141	0	29	110	Excellent
  France	0	16,885	14,167	76	12,700	Very Low
  Germany	254	5,650	56	819	4,490	Excellent
  Greece	21	415	7	104	378	Excellent
  Hong Kong	11	473	172	6	200	Very Low
  Ireland	264	8,084	74	5,887	10,500	Excellent
  Italy	209	2,942	52	309	1,855	Excellent
  Japan	298	8,238	332	100	6,500	Low
  Korea Republic	475	12,937	102	1,064	8,500	Excellent
  Latvia	1	79	33	0	40	Very Low
  Lithuania	0	398	86	0	185	Very Low
  Luxembourg	5	50	0	43	80	Excellent
  Netherlands	56	1,269	12	67	880	Excellent
  New Zealand	99	2,878	38	595	2,500	Excellent
  Norway	8	163	4	38	130	Excellent
  Poland	27	1,004	14	99	635	Excellent
  Portugal	69	1,282	28	928	1,750	Excellent
  San Marino	0	4	0	22	25	Excellent
  Slovakia	16	555	24	6	323	Low
  Slovenia	0	60	2	53	80	Excellent
  Spain	162	2,590	43	459	1,845	Excellent
  Sweden	37	529	6	306	580	Excellent
  Taiwan	583	5,951	1,494	527	3,425	Fair
  United Kingdom	781	14,347	215	2,273	10,000	Excellent
  Total	4,955	107,242	26,683	15,819	75,747

  https://youtu.be/HFasfNBpD7U?si=iC2md0VKidDVH2VC

  Young Professionals Category Invitations

  Country	Invitations Issued in last 2 weeks	Total Invitations 2023	Candidates In Pool	Available Spots	IEC 2023 Quota	Chances of receiving an invitation next week
  Australia	8	186	3	unlimited	unlimited	Excellent
  Austria	0	14	0	7	10	Excellent
  Chile	46	517	11	67	130	Excellent
  Costa Rica	1	218	4	10	98	Excellent
  Croatia	1	13	2	16	20	Excellent
  Czech Republic	17	291	2	2	145	Excellent
  Estonia	1	16	0	0	10	Excellent
  France	152	3,545	33	495	2,550	Excellent
  France via Volontariat international en entreprise (VIE)	33	534	55	116	600	Excellent
  Germany	30	559	9	74	350	Excellent
  Greece	11	161	1	36	120	Excellent
  Ireland	9	147	6	123	150	Excellent
  Italy	1	198	0	60	130	Excellent
  Latvia	1	10	0	6	8	Excellent
  Lithuania	2	25	0	3	13	Excellent
  Luxembourg	0	3	0	8	10	Excellent
  Netherlands	7	170	2	20	120	Excellent
  Norway	0	11	0	9	15	Excellent
  Poland	2	90	1	74	110	Excellent
  Portugal	3	44	0	186	200	Excellent
  Slovakia	1	59	3	3	25	Excellent
  Slovenia	0	15	0	6	15	Excellent
  Spain	-24	188	6	61	150	Excellent
  Spain via ICEX Vives	0	10	0	44	50	Excellent
  Sweden	4	41	0	85	100	Excellent
  Switzerland	8	287	3	5	200	Excellent
  Taiwan	2	171	1	11	73	Excellent
  Total	316	7,523	142	1,527	5,402

  https://youtu.be/fQtFKc1PcEY?si=Zf_cweXFv-ww2k1J

  International Co-op (Internship) invitations

  Country	Invitations Issued in last 2 Weeks	Total Invitations 2023	Candidates in pool	Available spots	IEC 2023 Quota	Chances of receiving an invite next week
  Australia	1	1	0	Unlimited	Unlimited	Excellent
  Austria	0	2	0	0	2	Excellent
  Chile	0	7	0	1	2	Excellent
  Costa Rica	0	2	0	2	2	Excellent
  Croatia	1	1	0	4	5	Excellent
  Czech Republic	0	1	0	4	5	Excellent
  Estonia	0	0	0	5	5	Excellent
  France	69	4,033	16	489	3,150	Excellent
  Germany	5	120	1	99	160	Excellent
  Greece	1	1	0	1	2	Excellent
  Ireland	0	18	0	38	50	Excellent
  Italy	0	27	0	7	15	Excellent
  Latvia	0	0	0	2	2	Excellent
  Lithuania	0	0	0	2	2	Excellent
  Luxembourg	0	3	0	9	10	Excellent
  Norway	0	0	0	5	5	Excellent
  Poland	1	3	0	49	50	Excellent
  Portugal	0	3	0	49	50	Excellent
  Slovakia	0	0	0	2	2	Excellent
  Slovenia	0	0	0	5	5	Excellent
  Spain	0	5	0	3	5	Excellent
  Sweden	0	16	0	19	20	Excellent
  Switzerland	5	53	1	18	50	Excellent
  Taiwan	0	19	0	2	2	Excellent
  Total	83	4,315	18	815	3,601

  What is a Working Holiday Visa for Canada?

  The Working Holiday Visa for Canada is a program that allows young individuals from 33 participating countries to work and travel in Canada for any employer.
  
  It is designed to promote cultural exchange and offer temporary employment opportunities for international visitors.
  
  Participants can engage in various types of work during their stay, allowing them to support themselves financially while exploring Canada.

  What is International Experience Canada?

  International Experience Canada (IEC) is a program run by the Government of Canada that allows young individuals from eligible countries to work and travel in Canada for a specific period of time.
  
  It provides opportunities for youngsters (mostly aged 18–35) to gain valuable work experience, explore Canadian culture, and broaden their horizons.

  ---

  working holiday visa, canada immigration news, immigration news canada, international experience canada, international experience canada program 2023, international experience canada (iec) program, iec 2023 canada, iec rounds of invitations, new iec round of invitations, new working holiday visa round of invitations, new ircc news, new ircc update, expérience internationale canada,

  

• 
  Cap On International Students – Here Is The Latest Update

  New Housing Minister and former Immigration Minister Sean Fraser takes a kind of step back on the concept of placing a cap on international students.

  Like we initially reported, it is not as easy as it sounds because there will be a lot of pushback from the Canadian education lobby given the amount of business international students bring.

  In an interview with CTV, Minister Fraser was asked whether the Canadian government would proceed with the idea of capping international students.

  Fraser stated that the federal government, along with its provincial and institutional partners, must ensure that international students are supported and that communities have the ability to “absorb them” when they arrive in Canada.

  “My preference is to continue to welcome a significant number of international students because the program is good for Canada; both in the short term and the long term.” he said

  Jump To

  Fraser highlighted the need for the federal government to address some deficiencies in its temporary immigration programs, which now function “uncapped,” instead relying on demand as the determining factor.

  The host asked the question, If he hasn’t had consultations with the institutions and provincial government, then why did he float the idea of a cap on international students in the first place.

  The minister responded, “Sometimes I have a bad habit of answering questions directly. Realistically, if you go back and watch the tape of my original answer, you’ll see that I indicated that it may be premature to do something like that because we need to have conversation with our partners first.’

  It is imperative for the federal government to thoroughly deliberate on immigration targets in collaboration with other levels of government.

  This is because the responsibility of determining which institutions are open to international students falls under the jurisdiction of the provincial government.

  Additionally, institutions that have a responsibility to provide housing for newcomers should also be involved in this decision-making process.

  Minister Fraser said, “It’s important that when we’re looking at the answer to our housing challenges, we also focus on what we can do to increase the supply. I think it’s essential that we remember that immigration remains one of Canada’s strongest competitive advantages in the global economy.”

  Many of these students have reported struggling to find affordable and adequate housing in this country.

  Canada may reconsider immigration level plan

  When it comes to solving the housing crisis in Canada, the housing minister and former immigration minister say they are not ruling out changes to its ambitious immigration targets.

  The new immigration levels plan for 2024–2026 will be announced in November this year and we will have to see if there are any major changes.

  Previously, new Immigration Minister Marc Miller said there is no question of reducing the targets; rather, they will need to consider whether to maintain these levels rather than increase them further.

  During a recent interview on CTV’s Question Period, Sean Fraser expressed the importance of considering the absorptive capacity of communities, which encompasses various factors such as housing, healthcare, and infrastructure, when planning future immigration levels.

  Fraser emphasized the need to maintain ambitious immigration targets while ensuring that immigration policies are better aligned with these community resources.

  When Fraser was the immigration minister in November 2022, he unveiled Canada’s ambitious immigration plans, which included a target of bringing in 465,000 permanent residents in 2023, 485,000 in 2024, and 500,000 in 2025.

  He claimed at the time that the action was required to ensure Canada’s economic growth by assisting employers in filling employment vacancies and attracting the skills needed in important industries including healthcare, skilled crafts, manufacturing, and technology.

  However, policy experts, opposition politicians, commercial banks, and academics have been warning the federal government that Canada’s high-growth immigration strategy is causing the country’s housing issue to worsen.

  According to TD economists, Canada’s housing shortage might increase by roughly 500,000 units in just two years if the current immigration policy is maintained.

  To attain any form of housing affordability, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. estimates the nation needs to build 3.5 million more homes by 2030 than it is currently on schedule for.

  Minister Fraser said, “If we were going to shift the way that we operate, to set a target or to align the numbers with the housing capacity, it’s a monumental change in the way that Canada does immigration.”

  ---

  

  canada immigration news, immigration news canada, new ircc update, cap on international students,

• 
  Canada Announces New Measures To Tackle Housing Crisis & Rising Grocery Prices

  On September 14, 2023, the prime minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, announced a comprehensive set of new initiatives aimed at tackling the housing crisis and containing rising grocery prices.

  This encompasses initiatives aimed at increasing the supply of rental accommodation, offering assistance to small company proprietors, and reducing grocery prices.

  https://youtu.be/ZKSAq5eXOyY?si=rKxx8Z2g0jDz0tRa

  New Measures Announced Today

  Housing Crisis In Canada

  To continue taking immediate action to reduce housing costs across the country, including for renters, the federal government:

  • will encourage the construction of much-needed rental dwellings by presenting legislation to repeal the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on new apartment buildings for renters.
  • is encouraging provinces that already impose provincial sales taxes or the provincial share of the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) to match the federal government’s refund for new rental homes.

  In order for their Housing Accelerator Fund applications to be granted, local governments should abolish exclusionary zoning and stimulate the construction of flats near public transportation.

  Initiative to Support of Small Business Owners

  The Prime Minister also announced today that the government will support small company owners and their employees by:

  • making adjustments to the Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) program by giving a 1-year extension for the term loan repayment, which was initially introduced during the pandemic to help small businesses stay afloat.

  For Rising Grocery Prices

  To combat the rising cost of groceries, the Prime Minister said that the government has called the heads of Canada’s top grocery chains for an immediate meeting in Ottawa to begin discussions toward this goal.

  Furthermore, they are urging these big grocery store chains to keep grocery costs stable in the short term.

  The Feds are also considering all available tools, including tax measures, in order to restore the grocery price stability that Canadians expect.

  Additionally, the Canadian government is also looking forward to taking urgent actions to boost competition across the Canadian economy, with a focus on the grocery sector, lowering costs for middle-class Canadians.

  The government intends to introduce a first set of legislative amendments to the Competition Act to:

  • give the Competition Bureau the authority to require the submission of material in order to undertake effective and comprehensive market analyses
  • abolish the efficiencies defence, which currently allows anti-competitive mergers to survive challenges if corporate efficiencies offset the harm to competition, even when Canadian consumers would pay higher prices and have fewer choices; and
  • empower the Bureau to take action against alliances that impede competition and customer choice, particularly when giant grocers block smaller competitors from setting up shop nearby.

  Source: PM Official News Release

  ---

  

• 
  Canadians Unhappy With PGP 2023 Not Opening For New Sponsors

  The new round of PGP 2023 (Parents and Grandparents Program) will open on October 10, 2023, sending out invitations to apply for 24,200 prospective sponsors.

  IRCC is targeting to accept 15,000 complete applications, but PGP 2023 is not opening for new sponsors who want to participate in this lottery.

  In fact, this is the third year that IRCC is only considering the interest of sponsors submitted in 2020 and not giving a chance to any new sponsors.

  Most Canadian citizens and permanent residents expected that IRCC would open PGP 2023 for new sponsors, but they were disappointed with the same old approach that was introduced during the pandemic.

  Hanieh Toossi from Montreal says, “Why not giving parents of canadian citizens an equal opportunity in 2023. We have been waiting for this for 3 years and the draw has been equally done from 2020 pool for three years now! Very unfair”

  Canadians eagerly waiting to participate in PGP 2023 expressed their disagreement with the IRCC’s approach of not opening the program to new sponsors.

  Another Canadian from Manitoba, Hira Mallows comments, “this is ridiculous! Why arent you giving an opportunity to new people putting in an interest to sponsor? We’ve been waiting for three years now! This is enough, everything is freaking delayed and none of the programs are designed to help.”

  Jump To

  PGP 2023 Targets

  Annually, the IRCC publishes its Immigration Levels Plan, which outlines its objectives for welcoming immigrants to Canada.

  In 2023, Canada aims to welcome 465,000 new permanent residents, including 28,500 parents and grandparents.

  By 2025, Canada intends to increase its target for newcomers to 500,000, with 36,000 spaces reserved for parents and grandparents.

  These immigration levels are set to be revised in November 2023 for the next 3 years, 2024–2026, and we will have to see whether the federal government increases or keeps the quota for family sponsorship at the same levels.

  Super Visa Is The Only Option Left

  With PGP not opening for new sponsors, Canadians are now left with only one viable option: applying for a super visa for their parents or grandparents.

  The Super Visa allows parents or grandparents to stay up to 5 years in Canada, with the option to extend it further by 2 years.

  Another option that we all discuss is parents or grandparents permanent residency based on H&C or Humanitarian and Compassionate grounds.

  However, H&C has a quite low success rate and is only approved in exceptional circumstances.

  https://immigrationnewscanada.ca/parents-and-grandparents-program-here-are-two-alternatives/

  How much is the income requirement for sponsoring parents in 2023?

  IRCC is yet to update the income requirement for sponsoring parents or grandparents in 2023, but below is what we expect the income requirements could be:

  Size of Family	2022 Tax Year	2021 Tax Year	2020 Tax Year
  2 persons	$44,530.20	$32,898	$32,270
  3 persons	$54,730.00	$40,444	$39,672
  4 persons	$66,466.40	$49,106	$48,167
  5 persons	$75,384.40	$55,694	$54,630
  6 persons	$85,020.00	$62,814	$61,613
  7 persons	$94,658.20	$69,934	$68,598
  More than 7 persons, for each additional person, add	$9,635.60	$7,120	$6,985

  How long is the processing time for PGP (Parents or Grandparents) sponsorship?

  As of the most recent official IRCC processing update, applications for parent or grandparent (PGP) sponsorship are being processed in an average of 23 months across Canada, excluding Quebec.
  
  However, the current average IRCC processing time for parents or grandparents (PGP) intending to reside in Quebec is 45 months.

  ---

  

  parents and grandparents sponsorship 2023, pgp 2023, canada pgp 2023, canada immigration news, immigration news canada, new ircc update,

• 
  Know About MELT Program For Truck Drivers In Canada

  The MELT program or course stands for mandatory entry-level training that is required to apply for a license to become a truck driver in Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba.

  Licensing in Canada is a provincial responsibility, and there are different requirements based on the province you are in.

  In this article, we delve into MELT program or course in Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba.

  MELT Program Ontario

  In Ontario, an individual needs Class AZ driving license to operate any truck/tractor trailer combination with gross weight between 4,600 kg and 11,000 kg and has air brakes.

  Breaking it further Class A means you are fluent in driving a truck and ‘Z’ stands for endorsement of air brake or an air-over-hydraulic brake system (which is separate program).

  Moving forward to MELT in Ontario. It consists of at least 103.5 hours of instruction and covers the basic knowledge and skills required to operate a large vehicle safely on Ontario’s roads.

  MELT is the mandatory requirement to get a full Class A licence with no restrictions and is needed to give road test to get licensure.

  Provincial Ministry of Transportation is the official regulatory authority overseeing the licensing in Ontario.

  Click here for more information on how to become truck driver in Ontario.

  British Columbia MELT Course

  MELT officially started in British Columbia on October 18, 2021.

  In British Columbia (BC), an individual needs Class 1 driving license to operate any truck/tractor trailer combination with gross weight between 4,600 kg and 11,000 kg with air brakes.

  Duration of MELT course in BC is 140 hours and includes theory learning, practical training at driving school and on-highway driving and includes learning about the operation of air brakes.

  There is no separate air brake endorsement in BC since it is already included in MELT course for Class 1 driving license.

  To enroll in MELT course, an individual needs to be at least 19 years old, but in Ontario you need to be at least 18.

  Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) is the regulatory authority in BC for driver training industry, not the Ministry of Transportation.

  Click here for more information on how to become truck driver in British Columbia.

  Click here for FAQs on MELT in B.C.

  Alberta MELT Program

  In Alberta, MELT came into effect on March 1, 2019.

  Similar to British Columbia, license required to operate a truck trailer is called Class 1 commercial license.

  To file for a commercial driver’s license, Class 1 (tractor trailer) license applicants must complete Mandatory Entry-Level Training (MELT).

  Training includes a government-mandated number of training hours for in-class, in-yard and in-vehicle modules with standardized curriculums being taught at all licensed Alberta driver training institutions.

  Duration of the Class 1 MELT program in Alberta is 113 hours plus additional 8.5 hours to include Air Brake program.

  These hours are split as 40.5 hours of classroom training, 15.5 hours of in-yard training, and 57 hours of practical training.

  Unlike Ontario and British Columbia, Alberta has set a cap of up to $10,000 for MELT. This is the maximum amount a driver training school or organization can charge.

  Click here for more information on how to become truck driver in Alberta.

  Saskatchewan MELT

  MELT came into effect in 2019 in Saskatchewan.

  Drivers seeking a Class 1 commercial license must first complete the mandatory entry-level training (MELT) required in Saskatchewan. MELT includes 121.5 hours of training:

  This includes 47 classroom hours, 17.5 yard hours, and 57 in-cab hours. It includes basic driving techniques, professional driving habits, vehicle inspections, and air brakes.

  Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI) is the regulatory authority responsible for issuing driving licenses and registration of vehicles.

  Click here for more information on MELT in Saskatchewan.

  Manitoba MELT

  Public Insurance Manitoba administers a registry of MELT providers. On September 1, 2019, MELT became a requirement for truck driver licensing in the province.

  Before that date, drivers with valid licenses were not required to reapply or take MELT.

  The Professional Vocational Institute Branch of Manitoba monitors the operations of driving schools that offer vocational courses and the administration of the province-approved 121.5-hour MELT course.

  Click here for more information on MELT in Manitoba.

  Does the MELT program qualify for a certificate of qualification for Express Entry?

  As of now, MELT is not a certificate of qualification but rather just one of the requirements needed to apply for a truck driver’s AZ license.
  
  To become a truck driver in Ontario, you need to:
  
  a) be 18 years of age or older
  b) hold a valid license in Ontario other than G1, G2, M, M1 or M2
  c) valid medical report and pass a vision test
  d) pass a knowledge test on operating large trucks and tractor-trailers
  e) complete a 103.5 hours of mandatory entry level training (MELT) course  
  f) pass a road test 

  How much is the cost of MELT course?

  MELT cost can vary from $8,000 to $20,000 depending on the province you are in.
  
  The driver training school industry establishes its own competitive price for the cost of MELT course and it varies from school to school, except for Alberta.
  
  Alberta has set a cap of $10,000 for MELT course.

  ---

  https://youtu.be/17iRbhloLgM?si=eTfmtErgNTqyiiFM

  melt course canada, melt course alberta, melt course manitoba,melt course cost,melt course bc,melt program 50 points, melt program cost, melt program ontario cost,melt certification,melt certificate ontario,melt certificate of qualification, canada immigration news, immigration news canada

  

• 
  New Express Entry Certificate of Qualification Occupation List

  The IRCC officially updated the list of trade occupations eligible for Express Entry certificates of qualification on September 8, 2023. This list now has a total of 101 occupations.

  The best thing about this is that there is no need for previous work experience in any of these occupations; you just need to get a certificate of qualification for one of these 101 occupations.

  Jump To

  A certificate of qualification awards up to 50 additional Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points to an Express Entry profile.

  Furthermore, there is no need for a job offer from a Canadian employer to get these additional points.

  So if you are someone inside Canada with a valid Express Entry profile or are planning on making one, then we can suggest enrolling in one of these skilled trades programs.

  Once getting fluent in one of these trades, you can then clear an examination to get a certificate of qualification from one of the Canadian provinces.

  There are also high chances that we could now see Express Entry draw for Transport and/or Trade occupations.

  Full List of 101 Occupations Eligible for Express Entry Certificate of Qualification

  1. Landscape and horticulture technicians and specialists – 22114
  2. Drafting technologists and technicians – 22212
  3. Electronic service technicians (household and business equipment) – 22311
  4. Industrial instrument technicians and mechanics – 22312
  5. Chefs – 62200
  6. Cooks – 63200
  7. Butchers – retail and wholesale – 63201
  8. Bakers – 63202
  9. Hairstylists and Barbers – 63210
  10. Contractors and supervisors, machining, metal forming, shaping and erecting trades and related occupations – 72010
  11. Contractors and supervisors, electrical trades and telecommunications occupations – 72011
  12. Contractors and supervisors, pipefitting trades – 72012
  13. Contractors and supervisors, carpentry trades – 72013
  14. Contractors and supervisors, other construction trades, installers, repairers and servicers – 72014
  15. Contractors and supervisors, mechanic trades – 72020
  16. Contractors and supervisors, heavy equipment operator crews – 72021
  17. Supervisors, printing and related occupations – 72022
  18. Supervisors, railway transport operations – 72023
  19. Supervisors, motor transport and other ground transit operators – 72024
  20. Supervisors, mail and message distribution occupations – 72025
  21. Machinists and machining and tooling inspectors – 72100
  22. Tool and die makers – 72101
  23. Sheet metal workers – 72102
  24. Boilermakers – 72103
  25. Structural metal and platework fabricators and fitters – 72104
  26. Ironworkers – 72105
  27. Welders and related machine operators – 72106
  28. Electricians (except industrial and power system) – 72200
  29. Industrial electricians – 72201
  30. Power system electricians – 72202
  31. Electrical power line and cable workers – 72203
  32. Telecommunications line and cable installers and repairers – 72204
  33. Telecommunications equipment installation and cable television service technicians – 72205
  34. Plumbers – 72300
  35. Steamfitters, pipefitters and sprinkler system installers – 72301
  36. Gas fitters – 72302
  37. Carpenters – 72310
  38. Cabinetmakers – 72311
  39. Bricklayers – 72320
  40. Insulators – 72321
  41. Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics – 72400
  42. Heavy-duty equipment mechanics – 72401
  43. Heating, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics – 72402
  44. Railway carmen/women – 72403
  45. Aircraft mechanics and aircraft inspectors – 72404
  46. Machine fitters – 72405
  47. Elevator constructors and mechanics – 72406
  48. Automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics and mechanical repairers – 72410
  49. Auto body collision, refinishing and glass technicians and damage repair estimators – 72411
  50. Oil and solid fuel heating mechanics – 72420
  51. Appliance servicers and repairers – 72421
  52. Electrical mechanics – 72422
  53. Motorcycle, all-terrain vehicle and other related mechanics – 72423
  54. Other small engine and small equipment repairers – 72429
  55. Crane operators – 72500
  56. Water well drillers – 72501
  57. Other technical trades and related occupations – 72999
  58. Concrete finishers – 73100
  59. Tilesetters – 73101
  60. Plasterers, drywall installers and finishers and lathers – 73102
  61. Roofers and shinglers – 73110
  62. Glaziers – 73111
  63. Painters and decorators (except interior decorators) – 73112
  64. Floor covering installers – 73113
  65. Residential and commercial installers and servicers – 73200
  66. General building maintenance workers and building superintendents – 73201
  67. Pest controllers and fumigators – 73202
  68. Other repairers and servicers – 73209
  69. Transport truck drivers – 73300
  70. Bus drivers, subway operators and other transit operators – 73301
  71. Railway and yard locomotive engineers – 73310
  72. Railway conductors and brakemen/women – 73311
  73. Heavy equipment operators – 73400
  74. Printing press operators – 73401
  75. Drillers and blasters – surface mining, quarrying and construction – 73402
  76. Supervisors, logging and forestry – 82010
  77. Supervisors, mining and quarrying – 82020
  78. Contractors and supervisors, oil and gas drilling and services – 82021
  79. Agricultural service contractors and farm supervisors – 82030
  80. Contractors and supervisors, landscaping, grounds maintenance and horticulture services – 82031
  81. Underground production and development miners – 83100
  82. Oil and gas well drillers, servicers, testers and related workers – 83101
  83. Logging machinery operators – 83110
  84. Fishing masters and officers – 83120
  85. Fishermen/women – 83121
  86. Supervisors, mineral and metal processing – 92010
  87. Supervisors, petroleum, gas and chemical processing and utilities – 92011
  88. Supervisors, food and beverage processing – 92012
  89. Supervisors, plastic and rubber products manufacturing – 92013
  90. Supervisors, forest products processing – 92014
  91. Supervisors, textile, fabric, fur and leather products processing and manufacturing – 92015
  92. Supervisors, motor vehicle assembling – 92020
  93. Supervisors, electronics and electrical products manufacturing – 92021
  94. Supervisors, furniture and fixtures manufacturing – 92022
  95. Supervisors, other mechanical and metal products manufacturing – 92023
  96. Supervisors, other products manufacturing and assembly – 92024
  97. Power engineers and power systems operators – 92100
  98. Water and waste treatment plant operators – 92101
  99. Central control and process operators, mineral and metal processing – 93100
  100. Central control and process operators, petroleum, gas and chemical processing – 93101
  101. Pulping, papermaking and coating control operators – 93102

  To receive skill transferability factor CRS points for a certificate of qualification in a trade occupation, the certificate must be issued by a province or territory’s governing body for trades.

  What is a certificate of qualification?

  A certificate of qualification demonstrates that an individual is qualified to work in a particular skilled trade, i.e., that they have passed a certification exam and satisfy all requirements to practice their trade in that province or territory.

  How to get a certificate of qualification in Canada?

  In Canada every province or territory has its own certification process and certificate of qualification requirements.
  
  You can visit the below listed websites of the regulatory authority based on your province or territory of interest:
  
  Alberta
  British Columbia
  Manitoba
  New Brunswick
  Newfoundland and Labrador
  Northwest Territories
  Nova Scotia
  Nunavut
  Ontario
  Prince Edward Island
  Saskatchewan
  Yukon
  
  You can also visit the official website of Canada for federally regulated skilled trades.

  ---

  https://youtu.be/5g72-UXz24A?si=C5AJIni9sytzVo__

  

  certificate of qualification from a canadian province, new canada updates, new ircc updates, new ircc news, ircc new update, new program delivery updates, certificate of qualification ontario,

• 
  New Canadian Passport Ranking Is Now Number 6, Higher Than U.S.

  The new Canadian passport has recently achieved a global ranking of 6 in the Henley Passport Index, surpassing the United States, which is now ranked number 7.

  This significant improvement in passport rank highlights Canada’s strong international standing and reflects the country’s commitment to facilitating global mobility for its citizens.

  With this enhanced passport, Canadian travellers can enjoy expanded visa-free access to 186 countries around the world.

  Canada unveiled the new passport design in May 2023 with complete redesigning and cutting-edge security measures which is now being rolled out.

  Year	Rank	Number of Countries Accessible
  2023	6	186
  2022	8	185
  2021	8	184
  2020	9	183
  2019	6	184
  2018	6	185
  2017	6	171
  2016	6	172
  2015	4	170
  2014	2	173
  2013	4	170

  Full List of Visa-Free Countries for Canadian Citizens

  Full List of Visa-Free Countries for Canadian Citizens

  Albania

  American Samoa **

  Andorra

  Anguilla

  Antigua and Barbuda

  Argentina

  Armenia *

  Aruba

  Australia **

  Austria

  Bahamas

  Bahrain *

  Bangladesh *

  Barbados

  Belarus

  Belgium

  Belize

  Bermuda

  Bolivia

  Bonaire; St. Eustatius and Saba

  Bosnia and Herzegovina

  Botswana

  Brazil

  British Virgin Islands

  Brunei

  Bulgaria

  Burkina Faso *

  Burundi *

  Cambodia *

  Cape Verde Islands *

  Cayman Islands

  Chile

  Colombia

  Comoro Islands *

  Cook Islands

  Costa Rica

  Croatia

  Curacao

  Cyprus

  Czechia

  Denmark

  Djibouti *

  Dominica

  Dominican Republic

  Ecuador

  Egypt *

  El Salvador

  Estonia

  eSwatini

  Falkland Islands

  Faroe Islands

  Fiji

  Finland

  France

  French Guiana

  French Polynesia

  French West Indies

  Gabon *

  Georgia

  Germany

  Gibraltar

  Greece

  Greenland

  Grenada

  Guam

  Guatemala

  Guinea-Bissau *

  Guyana

  Haiti

  Honduras

  Hong Kong (SAR China)

  Hungary

  Iceland

  Indonesia *

  Iraq

  Ireland

  Israel

  Italy

  Jamaica

  Japan

  Jordan *

  Kazakhstan

  Kiribati

  Kosovo

  Kuwait *

  Kyrgyzstan

  Laos *

  Latvia

  Lebanon *

  Lesotho

  Liechtenstein

  Lithuania

  Luxembourg

  Macao (SAR China)

  Madagascar *

  Malawi *

  Malaysia

  Maldives *

  Malta

  Marshall Islands *

  Mauritania *

  Mauritius

  Mayotte

  Mexico

  Micronesia

  Moldova

  Monaco

  Mongolia

  Montenegro

  Montserrat

  Morocco

  Mozambique

  Myanmar *

  Namibia

  Nepal *

  Netherlands

  New Caledonia

  New Zealand **

  Nicaragua

  Niue

  North Macedonia

  Northern Mariana Islands

  Norway

  Oman

  Pakistan **

  Palau Islands *

  Palestinian Territory

  Panama

  Paraguay *

  Peru

  Philippines

  Poland

  Portugal

  Puerto Rico

  Qatar

  Reunion

  Romania

  Rwanda

  Samoa *

  San Marino

  Sao Tome and Principe

  Saudi Arabia *

  Senegal

  Serbia

  Seychelles *

  Sierra Leone *

  Singapore

  Slovakia

  Slovenia

  Solomon Islands *

  Somalia *

  South Africa

  South Korea

  Spain

  Sri Lanka **

  St. Helena *

  St. Kitts and Nevis

  St. Lucia

  St. Maarten

  St. Vincent and the Grenadines

  Suriname

  Sweden

  Switzerland

  Taiwan (Chinese Taipei)

  Tajikistan *

  Tanzania *

  Thailand

  The Gambia

  Timor-Leste *

  Togo *

  Tonga *

  Trinidad and Tobago

  Tunisia

  Turks and Caicos Islands

  Tuvalu *

  Ukraine

  United Arab Emirates *

  United Kingdom

  United States

  Uruguay

  US Virgin Islands

  Uzbekistan

  Vanuatu

  Vatican City

  Zambia *

  Zimbabwe *

  *visa on arrival
  **eTA

  The Canadian passport ranked highest at second position on the Henley Index in 2014.

  In 2016, however, it fell to sixth place and remained there for four years.

  During the pandemic, the passport fell from sixth to 8th and 9th position due to the public health restrictions and border closures.

  Now the Canadian passport ranking has regained its pre-pandemic standing at number 6.

  Canada allows 13 more countries to visit visa-free

  Canada added 13 more countries to list of their visa-free nations on June 6, 2023 that can travel to Canada visa-free or with an eTA.

  New countries eligible for visa-free travel to Canada are Panama, Caribbean island states of Antigua and Barbados, St. Kits and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad & Tobago, Costa Rica, Uruguay, Argentina, Morocco, Seychelles, Thailand, and Philippines.

  Canada now allows 66 countries and territories to have travel visa-free, or eTA, access.

  How powerful is the Canadian passport 2023?

  The Canadian passport is ranked as one of the most powerful passports in the world. As of 2023, it provides visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 186 countries and territories, allowing Canadian passport holders to travel to these destinations without the need for a visa or with a visa obtained upon arrival.

  What is the rank of the passport of Canada?

  The passport rank of Canada is at number 6 as per the latest data updated on Henley’s index.

  

  ---

  Jump To

  canada passport power, worlds most powerful passports, a canadian passport, henley passport, canada passport ranking 2023,

• 
  New Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship 2023 To Open In October

  New Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship 2023 News: The IRCC will start accepting up to 15,000 complete applications for the Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship 2023 in October 2023.

  Beginning on 10 October 2023, IRCC will start sending invitations to apply to 24,200 prospective sponsors, with the goal of receiving up to 15,000 complete applications.

  These invitations will be sent over the period of two weeks starting on October 10, 2023.

  Instead of opening a new interest to sponsor form, IRCC will send invitations to apply to arbitrarily selected potential sponsors from the remaining 2020 pool of submissions.

  Jump To

  This strategy was utilized for the 2021 and 2022 intakes. So if you submitted an interest to sponsor form in 2020 but did not receive an invitation to apply in 2021 or 2022, please check the email account you provided in 2020.

  Those invited to apply for the 2023 intake will have to submit their applications electronically via the Permanent Residence Portal or the Representative Permanent Residence Portal.

  https://immigrationnewscanada.ca/parents-and-grandparents-program-here-are-two-alternatives/

  Canada Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship General Eligibility

  If be eligible to sponsor your parents and grandparents for Canadian permanent residency (PR), you must be:

  • at least 18 years old and a a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident of Canada, or a person registered in Canada as an Indian under the Canadian Indian Act
  • having enough money to support the family you want to sponsor with valid proof of income for last 3 years meeting the IRCC financial requirements.

  Income Requirement For Canada PGP 2023

  Below listed is the 3-year income requirement that we anticipate may be considered by IRCC.

  Size of Family	2022 Tax Year	2021 Tax Year	2020 Tax Year
  2 persons	$44,530.20	$32,898	$32,270
  3 persons	$54,730.00	$40,444	$39,672
  4 persons	$66,466.40	$49,106	$48,167
  5 persons	$75,384.40	$55,694	$54,630
  6 persons	$85,020.00	$62,814	$61,613
  7 persons	$94,658.20	$69,934	$68,598
  More than 7 persons, for each additional person, add	$9,635.60	$7,120	$6,985

  Canada Super Visa Continues To Be The Best Option

  Those who wish to reunite with their parents and grandparents in Canada but are unable to participate in this sponsorship since 2020 can apply for a super visa, which is valid for up to 10 years and allows multiple entries.

  The super visa permit super visa holders to remain in Canada for a maximum of 5 years at a time, with the option to extend their stay by up to 2 years without departing the country.

  These modifications facilitate longer reunifications between Canadian citizens and permanent residents and their parents and grandparents.

  https://immigrationnewscanada.ca/canada-super-visa-here-is-all-you-need-to-know/

  When will Canada Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship 2023 open?

  On September 8, IRCC officially announced and confirmed that they will be sending 24,200 invitations to apply for permanent residency under the Canada Parents and Grandparents Program beginning October 10, 2023 with a target of accepting 15,000 applications for 2023.

  What is the processing time for Canada PGP (Parents or Grandparents) sponsorship?

  As per latest official IRCC processing update, Parents or Grandparents (PGP) sponsorship applications are currently being processed with an average 23 months across Canada except for Quebec.
  
  However, for parents or grandparents (PGP) having intention to live inside Quebec, the average IRCC processing time is currently at 45 months.

  https://youtu.be/7EsexD-WfsM?si=iEUHHR0R5ZZZ7RiJ

  ---

  

  canada immigration news, immigration news canada, canada pgp 2023, canada parents and grandparents program 2023,

• 
  New Jobs Report: Unemployment Rate In Ontario Is Now At 5.9%

  According to a recent jobs report from Statistics Canada for the month of August 2023, the unemployment rate in Ontario has risen to 5.9% from 5.6%.

  So the unemployment rate is now up by 1% from 4.9% in the month of April 2023 and is currently above the national average of 5.5%.

  Employment in Ontario during the month of August 2023 was 7,940,000, which declined slightly (-0.1%) from 7,949,300 in July 2023.

  As per Statistics Canada, the increase in Ontario’s unemployment rate is due to an increase in the size of the working-age population (15 and older) by 45,000 with little change in employment.

  Geography	Unemployment Rate August 2023	Monthly Change
  Canada	5.5%	No Change
  Ontario	5.9%	⬆️ 0.3%
  Alberta	5.7%	⬇️ 0.4%
  British Columbia	5.2%	⬇️ 0.2%
  Manitoba	5.7%	⬆️ 0.8%
  Saskatchewan	5.4%	⬆️ 0.3%
  Quebec	4.3%	⬇️ 0.2%
  Prince Edward Island	7.6%	⬇️ 0.5%
  New Brunswick	7.7%	⬆️ 1.5%
  Newfoundland and Labrador	8.9%	⬆️ 0.2%

  Jump To

  https://immigrationnewscanada.ca/new-minimum-wage-in-ontario/

  Unemployment rate also increased in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland and Labrador in August 2023.

  However, unemployment rate declined in Alberta, British Columbia, Quebec, and Prince Edward Island in August.

  Check out the below interactive chart reflecting official August 2023 survey key points.

  Toronto Unemployment Rate Is Highest Among MTV

  Unemployment rate in Toronto is now highest at 6.6% among the 3 major metropolitans of Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver collectively known as MTV.

  Metropolitan	Unemployment Rate
  Toronto	6.6%
  Vancouver	5.8%
  Montreal	5.2%

  Canada Employment statistics

  Employment rose in professional, scientific, and technical services (+52,000; +2.8%) and construction (+34,000; +2.2%), while it fell in educational services (-44,000; -2.9%) and manufacturing (-30,000; -1.6%).

  In August, the number of self-employed employees increased by 50,000 (1.9%), the first significant increase in nine months.

  The number of employed men and women aged 25 to 54 increased by 33,000 (+0.5%) and 21,000 (+0.3%), respectively, while the number of employed women aged 55 and older decreased by 27,000 (-1.3%). Female youth employment increased (+32,000; +2.4%), while male youth employment decreased (-29,000; -2.1%).

  Job Seekers May Face Even More Difficulty In Finding New Work

  As per Statistics Canada, among those who were unemployed in July, 57.8% remained unemployed in August.

  The increase indicates that job seekers may have had a more difficult time obtaining employment than they did a year ago.

  In August, 0.4% of employees who remained employed from one month to the next but switched jobs between months comprised the job-changing rate.

  This was below the 0.8% apex recorded in January 2022 and the 0.7% average observed from 2017 to 2019 prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

  A lower rate of job-hopping may indicate that workers are settling into their positions or that the job market has become less favourable for those pursuing new opportunities.

  In August 2023, 0.8% of young adults aged 15 to 24 changed jobs, compared to an average of 1.6% from 2017 to 2019.

  How much is the unemployment rate in Canada?

  As of August 2023, the unemployment rate in Canada is 5.5%.

  Which Canadian province has the lowest unemployment rate?

  According to the latest data, the province with the lowest unemployment rate in Canada is Quebec (4.3%) followed by British Columbia (5.2%) and Saskatchewan (5.4%).

  Which Canadian province has the highest unemployment rate?

  Atlantic provinces (Newfoundland and Labrador 8.9%, New Brunswick 7.7%, and Prince Edward Island 7.6%) has the highest unemployment rate among Canadian provinces followed by Ontario 5.9%, Alberta (5.7%), and Manitoba (5.7%).

  ---

  

  New jobs report: Unemployment Rate Ontario, Unemployment rate Canada, canada immigration news,

• 
  New OINP Express Entry Draw Invite Profiles With CRS Score 308-434

  The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) has conducted a new Express Entry draw, issuing 300 Notifications of Interest (NOIs) for provincial nomination.

  This draw specifically targeted Express Entry profiles created between September 7, 2022, and September 7, 2023, with a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score ranging from 308 to 434.

  Only those profiles meeting the eligibility requirements for Ontario’s French-Speaking Skilled Worker stream were invited to apply.

  Jump To

  So if you are determined to obtain Canadian permanent residency as soon as possible, you should learn French.

  The ability to speak French will also increase your chances of being selected in new Express Entry targeted rounds of invitations being announced by IRCC.

  OINP French Speaking Skilled Worker stream eligibility

  To be eligible to be considered for OINP French Speaking Skilled Worker draws you must have valid Express Entry profile under Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) or Canadian Experience Class (CEC).

  Furthermore, you must have an education level equivalent to Canadian bachelor’s degree or above.

  Additionally, you must have Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 7 or higher in French language proficiency test (TCF/TEF Canada) PLUS Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level of 6 in English language proficiency test (IELTS/CELPIP).

  • Moreover, you must demonstrate enough settlement funds with one or combination of the following:
    • funds as demonstrated by the balance listed in bank statements, or statements of accounts showing other investments such as non-locked in, fixed term deposits, mutual funds, etc.
    • annual earnings from ongoing employment in Ontario
    • a job offer in Ontario

  • Intention to live in Ontario which can be proved with one or more of the following:
    • current employment or previous employment history in Ontario
    • getting job offers or applying/ interviewing for jobs
    • studying
    • volunteering
    • leasing or owning property
    • having professional networks and affiliations, family ties and personal relationships

  OINP French Speaking Skilled Worker stream 2023 summary

  In total, Ontario has offered 1,427 provincial nominations under the French-Speaking Skilled Worker stream so far in 2023.

  Date	Invitations	CRS score range	Description
  September 7, 2023	300	308-434	General draw
  July 25, 2023	95	321-374	General draw
  June 5, 2023	278	312-487	Targeted draw for Health, Education and Finance occupations
  June 5, 2023	139	348-487	Targeted draw for Tech, Trades and Other Priority occupations
  March 16, 2023	271	291-489	Targeted at Tech, Trades and Other Priority occupations
  March 16, 2023	344	400-489	Targeted at Health, Education and Finance occupations

  When was the OINP Latest draw 2023?

  The latest draw for the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) in 2023 was held on September 7.
  
  It was a general draw inviting Express Entry profiles with CRS score range of 308-434 meeting the requirement of Ontario French-Speaking Skilled Worker stream.

  ---

  

  oinp latest draw 2023, oinp draw today, oinp draws, oinp express entry draw,