Canada introduces new measures for dealing with the labour shortage

The world is slowly recovering from the grasp of the pandemic. Like most other countries, Canada is also slowly getting economically stronger after the global pandemic for over two years now. Employers across the country are looking for skilled workers. This is because there are thousands of jobs available in various positions across all sectors of the country. The importance of immigration in the current situation is more vital than ever. By accepting immigrants, the country aims at fixing the economy of the country. Besides, it is looking forward to continuing the economic growth in the right direction. The country is already famous as one of the best countries for people around the globe to immigrate and settle.

The government of Canada understands the importance of global skills for businesses and employers in Canada to grow and succeed. In order to ensure the country can get back to its economic stability, the minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship, the Honourable Sean Fraser announced that the country will soon resume the Express Entry draws. It will start accepting invitations from global candidates to apply for permanent residency in early July of 2022.

The size of the processing inventory has grown over the pandemic period. It is because of the countrywide travel restrictions in 2020 and 2021. Not only that has delayed the process of the overseas applications but has also affected numerous other processes. The country took the measure to temporarily pause different applications under federal high-skilled streams. These are the Canadian experience class, federal skilled worker class, and federal skilled trades class. The government of Canada is looking at resuming these invitations in early July. Plus, it is also aiming at processing the new applications in a 6-month time period.

Due to the temporary pause, it had an impact on the high-skilled processing inventory. As a matter of fact, the number has dropped from 111,900 in September 2021 to 48,000 in March 2022. By July 2022, it will hopefully reduce which will help the process become seamless again.

Honourable minister Fraser has promised that a new temporary policy will be introduced for the recent international graduates. International students whose temporary status is already expiring can use this new temporary policy. This will aid them to continue to live and work in Canada. Not only does this helps earn them more work experience but also is going to help the students a better chance of qualifying for permanent residency. From the summer of 2022, students with a work permit expiring between January and December 2022 will get an additional 18 months of open work permit. But there has been no revelation of details regarding this temporary policy. However, it will be a simple and expeditious process, making it easier for both the student and the authorities.

Canada’s labour market shortage needs are filled by these talented and international graduates and students. Moreover, as are already nearing the end of post-graduation, they have a clear understanding of Canada’s labour market. Some of these students also work in key industries across the country. Each year, numerous students earn the permanent residency status in 2021 alone, more than 157,000 former students have got the PR status in Canada. Out of this, more than 88,000 students transitioned directly from post-graduate work permits to permanent status.

With the help of this additional work permit, the country can solve labour shortage needs. In turn, it will also help stabilize the Canadian economy. Furthermore, it will be adding work experience and help the students prepare for Express Entry profiles.

The country is actively looking to resume the immigration processes to bring more skilled workers from across the world to work and stay in Canada. IRCC has doubled the PR decisions in the first quarter of 2022 compared to the first quarter of 2021. In the first three months of 2022, IRCC has made over 156,000 final decisions on the PR applications. Canada welcomed more than 113,000 permanent residents in the first quarter of 2022.

There was an implementation of another temporary public policy in August 2020. This allowed foreign nationals visiting Canada as visitors to apply for employer-specific work permits without needing to leave the country. This temporary policy extension is till February 28, 2023. It will be providing more opportunities for immigration and meaningful employment.

In addition to all these policies, the Minister also had some announcements regarding the residence pathway. As you know, it was launched in 2021 with the aim of inviting individuals who are already working for permanent residency in Canada. Although the pathway is closed and it is not accepting any new applications, the government has ensured the processing of the applications will continue.

With the help of these policies that are going to take effect in the summer of 2022, it will benefit in various ways like

With the help of these steps and efforts, the government can manage the shortage in the Canadian labour market. Finally, it can improve the overall economy of the country.