Proposed Changes to Canada’s Economic Immigration System

Spring 2012

Canada’s Economic Action Plan 2012 

Immigration was featured prominently in the recent federal budget. Economic Action Plan 2012 highlighted a number of proposed changes to Canada’s economic immigration system to make it more proactive, targeted, fast and efficient in a way that will sustain Canada’s economic growth and deliver prosperity for the future. Minister Jason Kenney made several announcements in the days following the budget to expand on his vision for a system that is flexible enough to get Canada the skilled people our economy needs, where and when they are needed. To make progress on this vision, a number of necessary legislative amendements were recently introduced with the Budget Implementation Act.

Economic Action Plan 2012 initiatives include:

• Eliminating the backlog of old applications in the federal skilled worker category. CIC plans to refund fees and close applications from nearly all those applicants who applied before new rules were brought in February 27, 2008. Eliminating the backlog of old applications will allow CIC to focus on applicants with skills and talents that our economy needs today. The goal is to move to a just-in-time system where immigrants with needed skills can be selected from a pre-qualified pool.
• Reforming the federal skilled worker point system used to select immigrants to better reflect the importance of younger immigrants with Canadian work experience and better language skills.
• Creating a new Federal Skilled Trades program, to make it easier for them to immigrate to Canada and fill labour market needs. The goal is to move to a just-in-time system where immigrants with needed skills can be selected from a pre-qualified pool.
• Modifying the Canadian Experience Class to make it easier for highly skilled temporary foreign workers to transition to permanent residence.
• Consulting with industry on a “start-up” visa for innovative entrepreneurs. The aim would be to attract immigrant entrepreneurs and link them with private sector organizations that have experience and expertise working with start-ups.
• Strengthening the overseas verification of education credentials of applicants to the Federal Skilled Workers Program. An independent, third party assessment of their education before they arrive would let applicants know how their education credentials compare to Canadian credentials and how Canadian employers are likely to value their education. It will also help screen out people without proper education levels.
• Consulting on possible reforms to the Immigrant Investor Program with stakeholders and provinces and territories.
• Working with provinces, territories, and employers to create a just-in-time pool of skilled workers who are ready to begin employment in Canada.
• Strengthening the Provincial Nominee Program by establishing minimum language requirements and ensuring an economic focus.

 

Canada Celebrates ASIAN HERITAGE MONTH!

 

May is Asian Heritage Month. This acknowledges the long and rich history of Asian Canadians and their contributions to Canada. It also provides an opportunity for Canadians across the country to reflect on and celebrate the contributions of Canadians of Asian heritage to the growth and prosperity of Canada. Read a statement from the Minister on Asian Heritage Month 2012.

Canada’s cultural diversity strengthens the country socially, politically and economically in innumerable ways. Asian Heritage Month is an ideal occasion for all to celebrate the beauty and wisdom of various Asian cultures.

Asian Heritage Month has been celebrated in the United States since 1979. Over the past decade, many Asians in Canada have begun to celebrate their heritage during the month of May. In December 2001, the Senate adopted a motion proposed by Senator Vivienne Poy to officially designate May as Asian Heritage Month in Canada. In May 2002, the Government of Canada signed an official declaration to designate May as Asian Heritage Month.

Canadians are invited to take part in the events that honour the legacy of Canadians of Asian heritage. It is a time to participate in festivities across the country that celebrate the many achievements and contributions of Canadians of Asian heritage, who, throughout history, have done so much to make Canada the culturally diverse, compassionate and prosperous nation we know today.

 

July 2012 – June 2013 Application Period Soon to Open!

Dear friends,

The application period July 2012 – June 2013 is fast approaching. If you fall under and have credentials for any of the 29 IN-DEMAND OCCUPATIONS FOR SKILLED WORKERS, please send your complete and updated resume to us at aamac.consultancy@yahoo.com for initial evaluation/screening of your qualification level.

If you are an applicant seeking to qualify under the LIVE-IN CAREGIVER PROGRAM under our sister company handling such applications (AAMAC International Services, Inc.), please send your complete and updated resume to us at canada.aamac@gmail.com.

Thank you for choosing us to be your partner in your quest to immigrate to and work in Canada. We hope to hear from you soon!

AAMAC International Consultancy Firm & Services, Inc.

 

Making Integration Into the Economy Easier for Immigrants

(Ottawa, April 12, 2012)

The Government of Canada is moving to strengthen national responsibility for the delivery of settlement services across Canada, Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney announced today.

This change means that the Government of Canada is resuming the management of federally funded settlement programs in British Columbia and Manitoba, bringing these programs in line with every other province and territory outside Quebec.

“Our government is not only committed to ensuring that each region of Canada receives a fair share of funding, but also that immigrants have access to a more consistent level of services regardless of where they choose to settle in Canada,” said Minister Kenney.

The agreements with British Columbia and Manitoba were signed at a time when the federal government was reducing its investment in settlement services. However, since 2005–2006, the Government of Canada has tripled its investment in settlement services outside of Quebec, increasing them by three times in British Columbia and four times in Manitoba.

In keeping with the terms of each existing agreement, the change will happen in one year’s time in Manitoba and in two years’ time in British Columbia. The transition will ensure that services being provided to newcomers continue without disruption.

This change will not affect a single cent of basic settlement funding for either province. In fact, settlement funding for newcomers in British Columbia and Manitoba will increase significantly in 2012–2013 compared to the previous year. Increases in funding have allowed for a tremendous expansion in the availability and range of settlement services in both provinces.

Newcomers in both provinces will continue to receive access to language training and other settlement services they need to successfully integrate into Canada’s economy.

“The vast majority of Canadians agree that integration programs for newcomers are an essential part of nation building. While we look forward to working closely with the provinces in delivering these programs, we believe it is important to avoid the development of a patchwork approach to the important work of settling new Canadians,” said the Minister.

 

A New Skilled Trades Program in the Making

(Calgary, April 10, 2012)

To fill Canada’s growing labour shortages in construction, natural resources and similar industries, Citizenship and Immigration Minister Jason Kenney announced plans today to make it easier for skilled tradespersons to immigrate to Canada.

The announcement is the latest in a series Minister Kenney has made about transforming Canada’s immigration system into a fast and flexible system focused on jobs, growth and prosperity.

“Our Government recognizes that our country faces a critical shortage in certain skilled trades,” said Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney. “That’s why we are taking concrete steps to address this problem at a national level.”

Under the modernized Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) to be unveiled later this year, CIC intends to create a separate and streamlined program for skilled tradespersons. Skilled trades include occupations in construction, transportation, manufacturing and service industries. Skilled tradespersons are in high demand in Canada particularly in the natural resources and construction sectors.

Currently, FSW applicants are assessed against a 100-point grid, with a pass mark of 67. The grid takes into account the candidate’s official language ability, education, work experience, age, whether they have a job offer in Canada (arranged employment), and their overall adaptability (which awards points for things like previous work or study in Canada, spouse’s education and relatives in Canada).

Some criteria in the FSW grid, such as years of education, have traditionally favoured professionals and managers more than skilled trades, and thus skilled tradespersons only make up 3 percent of all FSWs entering Canada. During CIC’s consultations on FSWP modernization over the past year, stakeholders also agreed that changes were necessary to make the program more accessible to tradespersons.

The proposed FSWP Skilled Trades program would create a means for skilled tradespersons to be assessed based on criteria geared towards their reality, putting more emphasis on practical training and work experience rather than formal education. The new skilled trades stream would avoid some of the complexities of the traditional points grid. Skilled trades applicants will, however, need to meet minimum language requirements, given the importance of language as a determinant of immigrant success.

“Above all, our Government remains focused on promoting economic growth and long-term prosperity,” said Minister Kenney. “Attracting skilled tradespeople is important for maintaining Canada’s momentum in the global economy.”

If approved, further details about the Skilled Trades program and the revised FSWP are expected to be announced later in 2012. The full regulatory changes to the FSWP will also be published in the Canada Gazette in due course.

 

Skilled Workers’ Transition from Temporary to Permanent Residence to be Expedited

(Winnipeg, April 16, 2012)

To meet Canada’s labour market needs more quickly, highly-skilled temporary foreign workers could soon transition to permanent residence faster than before, Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney announced today.

“Thousands of highly-skilled foreign nationals are working successfully in Canada on a temporary basis,” said Minister Kenney. “Expediting their transition to permanent residence would help Canada retain bright and talented people who already have Canadian work experience and the ability to communicate in English or French. In many cases, they already have a job lined up. Such newcomers are set for success.”

To make Canada’s immigration system more flexible and even more responsive to our labour market needs, Citizenship and Immigration Canada intends to reduce the work experience requirement for eligible temporary foreign workers applying to stay permanently. One major benefit of the change would be to make it easier for skilled tradespersons working in Canada to transition to permanent residence as their work is often project-based and can be seasonal.

Currently, to be eligible to apply, applicants under the temporary foreign worker stream of the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) must have acquired 24 months of full-time work experience within the last 36 months. Under the proposed regulatory changes, the requirement would be reduced to 12 months of experience.

The announcement is the latest in a series Minister Kenney has made about transforming Canada’s economic immigration program into a fast and flexible system focused on jobs, growth, and prosperity.

Launched in 2008, the CEC offers a pathway to permanent residence – and eventually Canadian citizenship – for international students and temporary foreign workers with highly-skilled Canadian work experience. The CEC aims to support the economic success of immigrants by selecting those who are most likely to succeed in Canada’s labour market.

In 2011, a record number of people were admitted to Canada under the CEC. According to preliminary admissions data, 6,022 immigrants were welcomed under the CEC last year, a significant increase in admissions of more than 50 % from 2010. In 2012, 7,000 permanent residents are expected to be admitted through the CEC – more than ever before.

“The CEC is a key part of our plan for the future of immigration in Canada, and so it is gratifying to see the dramatic growth in the program since its inception,” said Minister Kenney.

Further details about the proposed changes to the Canadian Experience Class will be announced later in 2012.

 

AAMAC on Core TV’s Let’s Talk

AAMAC TV Guesting in Vigan City Core TV’s morning show Let’s Talk

Featuring:
AAMAC CEO, Mr. Francisco Alegre
AAMAC Head Consultant for Philippine Operations, Dr. Elise Aguilar
AAMAC Regional Marketing Director for Ilocos Region, Mr. Manny Balanza

 

AAMAC on Core TV’s Let’s Talk

AAMAC TV Guesting in Vigan City Core TV’s morning show Let’s Talk

Featuring:
AAMAC CEO, Mr. Francisco Alegre
AAMAC Regional Marketing Director for Ilocos Region, Mr. Manny Balanza

 

JOB TITLES under PHYSIOTHERAPISTS

PHYSIOTHERAPISTS

• clinical co-ordinator, physical therapy
• clinical co-ordinator, physiotherapy
• clinical physical therapist
• clinical physiotherapist
• consultant physical therapist
• consultant physiotherapist
• physical rehabilitation therapist
• physical therapist
• physical therapist, research
• physical therapy clinical co-ordinator
• physical therapy clinical specialist
• physical therapy supervisor
• physiotherapist
• physiotherapist, research
• physiotherapy clinical co-ordinator
• physiotherapy supervisor
• registered physical therapist
• registered physiotherapist
• research physical therapist
• research physiotherapist
• supervisor, physical therapy
• supervisor, physiotherapy
• therapist, physical rehabilitation

 

JOB TITLES under CONTRACTORS & SUPERVISORS, CARPENTRY TRADES

CONTRACTORS & SUPERVISORS, CARPENTRY TRADES

• cabinetmakers foreman/woman
• cabinetmaking contractor
• carpenter supervisor
• carpenter-contractor
• carpenters foreman/woman
• carpentry contractor
• carpentry foreman/woman
• carpentry supervisor
• concrete form builders foreman/woman – carpentry
• contractor, cabinetmaking
• contractor, carpentry
• contractor-carpenter
• finish carpenters foreman/woman
• finish joiners foreman/woman
• foreman/woman, cabinetmakers
• foreman/woman, carpenters
• foreman/woman, carpentry
• foreman/woman, concrete form builders – carpentry
• foreman/woman, finish carpenters
• foreman/woman, finish joiners
• foreman/woman, form builders
• foreman/woman, framers
• foreman/woman, general carpenters
• foreman/woman, maintenance carpenters
• foreman/woman, residential construction
• foreman/woman, ship joiners
• foreman/woman, stair builders
• foreman/woman, wood patternmakers
• form builders foreman/woman
• framers foreman/woman
• general carpenters foreman/woman
• general foreman/woman – building construction
• general foreman/woman, residential construction
• general supervisor – building construction
• general supervisor – residential construction
• maintenance carpenters foreman/woman
• residential construction foreman/woman
• residential construction supervisor
• ship joiners foreman/woman
• stair builders foreman/woman
• supervisor, carpenters
• supervisor, carpentry
• supervisor, residential construction
• wood frame building foreman/woman
• wood patternmakers foreman/woman