Canadian Immigration News

Canada's Atlantic provinces are set for a boost in immigration numbers after the federal government, together with the Premiers of the Atlantic provinces, announced a new pilot program to facilitate the entry of more immigrants through the Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs). The plan is part of a new Atlantic Growth Strategy.

A Liberal Member of Parliament (MP), Scott Brison, has said that the key to more economic and social growth in Atlantic Canada is attracting more “new Canadians” to the region.

The government of British Columbia, a province situated on Canada's west coast, has issued a total of 319 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) in a draw that took place on June 29, 2016. These ITAs were issued to a range of candidates who had previously expressed an interest in immigrating to the province.

The Canadian province of Manitoba, located in central Canada, has conducted the 18th draw for the Skilled Worker category of the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP). A total of 173 Letters of Advice to Apply (LAAs) were issued to candidates through the Skilled Workers in Manitoba sub-category, while 378 LAAs were issued through the Skilled Workers Overseas sub-category, making for a total number of 551 LAAs issued in this draw.

Candidates for immigration to Canada through the Express Entry selection system with a total of 482 or more Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points were invited to apply for Canadian permanent residence in the latest draw from the Express Entry pool, which tool place on June 29. A total of 773 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) were issued.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced that the government of Canada will lift the visa requirement for citizens of Mexico as of December 1, 2016. This announcement was made on day two of a three-day visit from Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto and comes as proof of Canada’s priority to re-establish a strong relationship with Mexico, one of its most important international partners.

The government of Canada has announced that it is freezing the 20 per cent cap on the number of low-wage temporary foreign workers a company can hire. The cap, which was set to go down to 10 per cent next week, will instead stay where it is.

Individuals who are interested in immigrating to the Canadian province of Quebec, but who have not yet created an account in the online secure space Mon projet Québec, may now create one with a view to the next application intake period, the dates for which are due to be announced shortly. Mon projet Québec is an online immigration application management system used by the Canadian province of Quebec in order to process applications under the Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSWP).

A popular Canadian immigration option in Saskatchewan has reopened for new applications.

The International Skilled Worker: Occupations In-Demand sub-category of the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) — one of Canada’s Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) — allows skilled workers with experience in an in-demand occupation in Saskatchewan to make an application for a provincial nomination certificate, which is then followed by an application for Canadian permanent residence. Interestingly, applicants do not require a job offer in order to make an application.

On June 14, 2016, the Canadian government launched its new innovation strategy, which includes a vow to speed up the immigration process for foreign skilled workers joining rapidly growing tech firms.