Ontario's new law will make it easier for immigrants to find work
The provincial government will facilitate immigration for students and adjustment for newcomers.
The Ontario government will soon present a bill that should simplify the processes of legalization and adaptation of certain categories of migrants.
Work experience
Requiring "Canadian" work experience in the province is officially recognized as discriminatory. When the pending legislation is passed, Ontario will become the first province in Canada to prohibit the listing of Canadian work experience as a requirement on job vacancies or application forms.
This change will help even more internationally educated immigrants work in their professional fields in Ontario. The province's Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, David Piccini, has been an enthusiastic supporter of the new law:
"For far too long, too many people arriving in Canada have been funnelled toward dead-end jobs they’re overqualified for. We need to ensure these people can land well-paying and rewarding careers that help tackle the labour shortage."
Permanent residence for graduates of one-year programs
Ontario colleges offer more than 900 programs that award an Ontario College Graduate Certificate and most are one-year programs..
The province has decided to reform its own immigration program, making it easier for foreign students enrolled in one-year programs to obtain permanent residency.
Qualifications of international specialists
The government is also proposing changes to improve oversight of organizations that assess the qualifications of overseas professionals.
Canada currently has a list of regulated professions (for example, accountants, architects and geologists). In order for professionals in these fields to get a job in Canada, they need to have their qualifications verified. The Ontario government insists that this process needs government oversight.
Monitoring the selection of migrants
The Ford government insists, not unreasonably, that Ontario is the leader in Canada in terms of the number of newcomers. As such, local governments want to have more influence over the selection of economic immigrants.
This year, Ontario is nominating 16,500 immigrants for permanent residence through its provincial immigration program (OINP). The nominees represent a variety of critical sectors for Canada: health care and skilled trades.
The law enshrining these changes will take effect as early as December 2023.
