Canada will conduct targeted Express Entry draws next year
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will implement targeted Express Entry draws in the first quarter of 2023. The recently passed Bill C-19 allows the immigration minister to conduct Express Entry draws targeting specific National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes, based on criteria that support regional economic needs. In other words, the minister will be able to hold Express Entry invitation rounds based on a candidate’s occupation, language, or educational attainment, rather than their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score.
In an interview with the Reuters global news agency, Immigration Minister Sean Fraser said that Canada will conduct the draws for skilled immigrants for the first time in 2023. He also said that a key focus will be on recruiting more doctors and nurses. But, this is only for provinces that make it easier for health workers to validate their foreign credentials and start practicing when they arrive.
“We can do a targeted draw beginning in 2023. That will allow us to select workers by the sector that they work in and the part of Canada that they are going to,” said Fraser. He added “This means we will be able to bring a greater focus to welcome more healthcare workers (…) in jurisdictions that will allow them to practice.” “I’m not interested in conducting a targeted draw for healthcare workers that are going to come to Canada and not be permitted to practice their profession,” Fraser said.
The new legislation also states that the minister must engage in a public consultation process. He should also report the draw details to parliament annually, including the economic goals.
<<Also Read: Immigration Levels Plan 2023 -2025>>
Background
On May 19, Philip Somogyvari from IRCC presented the proposed changes to the Standing Committee on Immigration and Citizenship. This committee monitors some federal policies, as well as the immigration department and refugee board.
Somogyvari told the Committee that “the proposed amendments being sought will build upon Express Entry’s existing flexibility and support Canada’s economic recovery and future growth by permitting the department to more easily select candidates that meet a range of economic needs and priorities.” “More specifically, the amendments authorize the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration to invite foreign nationals to apply for permanent residence through Express Entry on a new basis.”
“Eligibility requirements to be a member of a category would be established by the minister and could be based on factors such as work experience, educational background or language skills,” Somogyvari said at the time.
Bill C-19, tabled in the House of Commons on Apr. 7 and known as the Budget Implementation Act, 2022, received royal asset on June 23, 2022.
Canada struggles with an acute shortage of workers
The latest job vacancy and wage survey report revealed that employers from all sectors in Canada were actively looking to fill 958,500 job vacancies in August 2022. The job vacancies increased in Saskatchewan (+11.2% to 23,800) and New Brunswick (+11.3% to 16,300). Also, Quebec (5.9%) and British Columbia (6.1%) continued to have the highest job vacancy rates among all provinces.
One of the reasons why Canada has so many job vacancies is because more people are retiring than young Canadians are entering the job market. In addition, Canadians are living longer and having fewer children. This also translates into fewer workers paying taxes to support social services. That’s why Canada has an immigration plan.
Immigration is an important part of Canada’s plan to keep the economy growing. If it weren’t for immigrants, many employers would have trouble finding enough qualified workers to fill available jobs.
Every year, Canada sets targets for the number of immigrants they allow into the country for each immigration category. In 2022, the target is 431,645 immigrants. Moreover, the Immigration Levels Plan for 2023-2025 includes the following:
- 465,000 new permanent residents in 2023,
- 485,000 in 2024, and
- 500,000 in 2025.
Express Entry in 2022: all-program draws continue in the meantime
Express Entry is an online system that Canada uses to manage applications for permanent residence under 3 programs:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP): skilled workers who want to become permanent residents based on being qualified in a skilled trade. Applicants are normally young, highly educated, have some work experience, and know English or French.
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP): skilled workers with foreign work experience who want to immigrate to Canada permanently. Applicants in this group are normally licensed plumbers, welders, etc.
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC): skilled workers who have at least one year of full-time Canadian work experience in a professional capacity.
On June 6, 2022, IRCC finally resumed Express Entry draws under the federal high-skilled streams, after a pause of over 18 months. On that day, IRCC invited a total of 1,500 Express Entry candidates to apply for permanent residence. Canadian Experience Class candidates and Federal Skilled Worker Class candidates were included in that draft.
To compare all the Express Entry programs, please visit:
<<Also Read: The Express Entry process in Canada>>
Relevant Articles
Last but not least, consider reading the following articles:
- Proof of funds for Express Entry 2022
- Minimum Requirements for Express Entry Canada
- Minimum Language Requirements for Express Entry
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