News of the week: immigrant protections, major selections and new Canadian targets
During the last week of October, there were many positive developments for potential immigrants in Canada.
Immigration selections
Canada held several immigration selections in one week, inviting more than 2,500 applicants:
- Ontario called 1,408 candidates with in-demand professions and 20 entrepreneurs;
- BC called 358 professionals and graduates;
- Canada conducted an Express Entry selection and invited 888 participants from provincial programs.
Two other provinces shared the results of earlier draws:
- Alberta sent invitations to 293 candidates;
- Quebec selected 23 professionals with provincial job offers.
Immigration news
Canada has shared new immigration goals for the near future. After last September's election, the ruling party formed a cabinet and selected a new immigration minister to work on implementing the plans.
New Brunswick announced three job fairs in October. One of them is now closed, but the other two are still open for application. For one of the fairs the list of appropriate professions has been expanded, so more candidates will now be able to participate.
The new immigration programs, which launched in May and will be open through November, may extend. For some streams, most of the available places to apply are left unfilled. Also, Canada may start accepting refugees under these streams.
In 2019, and then before this year's election, the Canadian government discussed launching a new immigration program. If launched, the program would allow candidates to relocate to one of the municipalities where there is a particular labour shortage.
Quebec has announced a new plan to welcome immigrants. In 2022, the region intends to invite about 70,000 candidates who are in demand in the local job market. That number includes professionals, entrepreneurs and those who move through family reunification programs. The province has also set limits for the admission of immigrants in new flows.
Jobs in Canada
The province of Ontario has decided to become a better region to work in Canada. The province is about to pass law that will better protect the rights of foreign workers and also make it much easier for them to be employed through simplified licensing.
A similar initiative is being considered by Alberta. The province plans to make it easier for certain professions to get a licence — but only for those who are already licensed in another Canadian province.
It's a great time to be hiring for seasonal jobs in Canada, especially for retailers and shipping companies. These employers are always hiring seasonal employees, but this year about 80% of them say workers are hard to find.
A Canadian city has been voted best in the world for working women. It was ranked number one in a ranking by the American Business Journal. It was judged on indicators such as safety, equality, potential earnings and other factors.
Canada is also great for self-employed. Freelancers can earn a good income and pay less tax than those who work for hire, because taxes can be deducted for all business-related expenses — up to and including mortgage payments if you work from home.
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Alex Pavlenko, founder of the emigration portal Immigrant.Today