News of the week: opening of borders and immigration records

The most important things for the week of June 21-27.

Immigration news

This past week has been generous with immigration selections:

British Columbia selected 395 candidates;
Alberta sent 200 invitations;
1,002 applicants with provincial nominations were the lucky ones in the Express Entry selection;
Another 6,000 candidates called in the Express Entry drawing for professionals with Canadian experience;
583 professionals with in-demand professions were selected by the province of Ontario;
Quebec shared the results of an earlier selection in which it invited 69 people.

A long-awaited development: Canada has begun easing restrictions on vaccinated travellers and allowing entry for immigrants with confirmed permanent resident status. We've compiled in one article all the border changes that have affected vaccinations and the lifting of quarantine upon arrival in the country. Despite the positive trend, the ban on international travel without a valid reason was extended until July 21. But don't give up hope: Canada's prime minister expects an imminent opening of the border with the U.S.

In 2021, Canada is not just targeting immigrants, but also refugees. The immigration minister announced three initiatives that will help the country accept more asylum seekers. And for working professionals, immigration has become more difficult. The only province where such workers didn't have to be licensed is implementing mandatory certification. It means that now representatives of some professions will have to retrain and pass an exam to be able to work in Canada.

Express Entry selections for qualified individuals have been out for a long time. Canada's 2021 budget, released in April, says the system will be modernized. I asked my wife Ivanna, as an immigration consultant, to record a video with me and comment on what exactly might change in Express Entry in the near future.

Pandemic

The COVID-19 situation in Canada continues to improve. Provinces are implementing their plans to remove restrictions. Saskatchewan and Alberta have already announced that they are ready to fully lift all bans soon, while Quebec and Ontario are doing so only partially for now.

When COVID-19 vaccines first began to be distributed globally, Canada faced serious supply disruptions. The situation made it clear that the herd had to be ready for anything and not depend on imported drugs. Therefore, Canada's first vaccine production plant was built in Montreal. It will be able to produce about 24 million doses per year.

Unfortunately, vaccinations do not always go away without side effects. An Alberta resident faced a rare neurological condition after being vaccinated with AstraZeneca. Now the man is hoping to receive compensation from the government under a new support program.

Life in Canada

It's no secret that Canada is a country with a high quality of life index. In one week, several provincial governments have passed measures that are sure to please residents. The province of Ontario is introducing a new code of ethics that toughens quality standards in home construction. That way, homebuyers will be more protected. Alberta authorities have implemented new payments to such employees as a thank you to those who are exposed to COVID-19 on a daily basis because of the nature of their work. British Columbia intends to improve transportation infrastructure across the province, including providing safe sidewalks, improving lighting, creating multi-use lanes and providing access to community centres. Even small cities and towns will be affected by the programme.

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The big news of the week: the Canadian hockey team Montreal Canadiens advanced to the Stanley Cup finals by beating the Vegas Golden Knights Americans 3-2 in their last game. Huge numbers of people watched the game in the stadium and on street screens. The win was such a joyous occasion for the Canadiens that fans staged a raucous celebration right in the streets of Montreal, with some going as far as they should have.