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Canada has unveiled an innovative approach to streamline its immigration process and ensure a better match between newcomers and the country’s labor market needs. The highly anticipated “category-based selection,” popularly known as “targeted draw,” was launched by Immigration Minister Sean Fraser on Wednesday. This new system focuses on selecting skilled immigrants with expertise in five key sectors: healthcare, science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), trades, transport, and agriculture and agri-food. These changes aim to address chronic labor shortages faced by employers while also supporting French-speaking communities and boosting the overall economy.
A Response to Labor Shortages
In response to the widespread labor shortages experienced by employers across the country, Canada has introduced changes to the Express Entry system. Immigration Minister Sean Fraser believes that these changes will ensure that businesses have access to the skilled workers they need to thrive. The targeted draw system will identify and invite candidates with backgrounds in 82 specific occupations within the five sectors mentioned earlier. This includes a diverse range of professions such as nurse aides, orderlies, installers, repairers, servicers, truck drivers, and agricultural workers.
Alignment with Labor Market Needs
The categories for the targeted draws were determined through public consultations and a comprehensive review of labor market demands. This process ensured that the selected occupations aligned with Canada’s current and future needs. The Ministry of Labor, Training and Skills Development, in collaboration with Statistics Canada, conducted an analysis of job vacancies in various industries and occupational groups. The aim was to identify sectors experiencing the most significant shortages and tailor the immigration system to address these gaps effectively.
Benefits for Employers and French-Speaking Communities
The revamped immigration system not only aims to assist employers in overcoming labor shortages but also emphasizes the vitality of French-speaking communities. By attracting candidates with strong French language proficiency, Canada can ensure the preservation and growth of these communities. The new system is designed to be more responsive to the country’s social and economic needs, promoting overall economic growth while fostering linguistic diversity.
Process and Eligibility
Under the targeted draw system, applicants must have a minimum of six months’ work experience in one of the occupations listed within a specific category. The experience should have been acquired within the last three years. Only top-ranking candidates will be invited to apply for permanent residence. This selection process will replace the previous ranking system that solely relied on attributes such as age, educational achievements, language proficiency, work experience, and job offers.
Addressing Job Vacancies and Future Invitations
The recent decline in job vacancies across multiple sectors, as reported by Statistics Canada, highlights the urgency of addressing labor shortages. The number of unfilled positions decreased in various industrial sectors, including accommodation and food services and administrative and support services. Furthermore, the decline was observed in occupational groups like trades, transport, and equipment operators. However, job vacancies in health occupations remained stable, reflecting the ongoing demand in this sector.
As of May 24, over 226,800 candidates were in the Express Entry talent pool, with the majority having scores below 450 points. The maximum score achievable is 1,200. While the immigration department has not provided specific data on the number of candidates eligible for the targeted draws, further information regarding invitation timings and application procedures will be announced in the coming weeks.
Canada’s new category-based selection system represents a significant shift towards addressing labor shortages and aligning immigration with the country’s labor market needs. By targeting skilled workers in key sectors such as healthcare, STEM professions, trades, transport, and agriculture, Canada aims to support businesses, strengthen its economy, and promote linguistic diversity. The implementation of this new system is expected to benefit both employers and aspiring immigrants, ensuring a better match between available jobs and the skills of those
Source: Toronto Star
