Important changes in Canada's immigration program
The government will provide a new opportunity to obtain a permanent residence permit.
Immigration Minister Sean Fraser has announced a new pathway to permanent residency in Canada. Under the Economic Mobility Pilot Program (EMPP), companies will be able to hire skilled workers who need international protection and plan to find it in Canada.
Changes will allow companies to hire refugees for in-demand jobs: teachers, specialists in tourism, truck drivers, engineers, programmers, construction workers, web-designers, electricians and others. Thus, people will receive a work permit and later be able to apply for a permanent residence permit.
To qualify for the program, you have to:
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obtain refugee status;
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have the right to be in Canada;
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be outside Canada and outside the country of persecution at the time of application;
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qualify for either of these three economic immigration programs: Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP), the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) or the Rural and Northern Immigration Program (RNIP).
Fraser drew attention to the poor state of the labor market, which lacks a labor force — the new changes are designed to improve the situation. He also noted that the changes are not only economic, but also social and influential on demographics of Canada. Fraser told several stories of people who settled in Canada through the program, getting jobs and permanent residency, starting families and becoming full members of the community.
According to the minister, expanding the program is not only an opportunity to help people who have had their political and economic rights taken away, but also to benefit their own country.
The changes will take effect this summer.
