A Message from our President

As Covid related restrictions have eased in Canada, we are finally seeing some light at the end of the tunnel and beginning to return to a more “normal life”.  This is certainly good news and I sincerely hope that things continue to move in the right direction.

In immigration news, while the Canadian government made it easier for temporary foreign workers to stay in Canada during the pandemic, new invitations to apply  for Permanent Residence were paused, and the processing of overseas applications for federal high-skilled streams were negatively impacted during this time period.  Sean Fraser, the Minister of Immigration, Refugee, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), recently announced that Express Entry draws will resume shortly and new invitations for candidates to apply for Permanent Residence will begin in early July of this year.  In anticipation of the upcoming draws, I want to encourage potentially eligible Permanent Residence candidates to prepare and/or update their online profiles to improve the chances of receiving an invitation to apply. Now is the time to make sure that your language proficiency exams and Educational Credential Assessments are up-to-date. 

Here at Solutions, we look forward to assisting our valued clients in achieving their immigration goals.  Please don’t hesitate to set up a consultation if you have any questions relating to the Express Entry Draws or any other immigration programs  

Kind Regards,

Cari Gombinsky

2022 Budget - Commitments for Immigration

On April 7, Canada’s Minister of Finance, Chrystia Freeland, unveiled the 2022 Federal Budget which included the following statements about the vital importance of immigration to Canada:

“Immigration is vital to our economy, our communities, and to our national identity as a country that is diverse and welcoming of everyone.  Indeed, multiculturalism is one of Canada’s great success stories and an example to the world….

In Budget 2022, the federal government is proposing investments to enhance our capacity to meet the immigration demands of our growing economy; to create opportunities for all newcomers; and to maintain Canada’s world-class immigration system.”

The budget allocates $2.1 billion over the next 5 years to fix and maintain the current system of processing applications.  While Canada welcomed more than 405,000 new Permanent Residents in 2021, the greatest number of newcomers in a year in Canadian history, the federal immigration department (IRCC) recently confirmed that there is currently a backlog of over 2 million applications across all categories.

Highlights of the 2022 budget relating to immigration include*:

§  $385.7 million over five years, and $86.5 million ongoing, for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), and the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) to facilitate the timely and efficient entry of a growing number of visitors, workers, and students.

§  $1.3 billion over the next five years, and $331.2 million ongoing, to support the long-term stability and integrity of Canada’s asylum system.

§  $43.5 million in 2022-23 to maintain federal support for immigration and refugee legal aid services.

§  $187.3 million over five years, and $37.2 million ongoing, for IRCC to invest in the technology and tools required to better support people using their services.

§  $115 million over five years, with $30 million ongoing, to expand the Foreign Credential Recognition Program and help up to 11,000 internationally trained health care professionals per year get their credentials recognized and find work in their field.

§  $29.3 million over three years to introduce a Trusted Employer Model that reduces red tape for repeat employers of foreign workers.

§  $48.2 million over three years, with $2.8 million in remaining amortization, to implement a new foreign labour program for agriculture and fish processing operations.

§  $64.6 million over three years to increase capacity to process employer applications within established service standards, and

§  $14.6 million in 2022-23, with $3 million in remaining amortization, to make improvements to the quality of employer inspections and hold employers accountable for the treatment of workers.

*Source: New Canadian Media, April 7, 2022

Temporary Policy regarding Post Graduate Work Permit Holders

The Post-Graduation Work Permit Program (PGWPP) allows students who have graduated from eligible Canadian designated learning institutions (DLIs) to obtain an open work permit to gain valuable Canadian work experience. Skilled Canadian work experience in National Occupational Classification (NOC) skill type 0 or skill level A or B that is gained through the PGWPP can help graduates qualify for permanent residence in Canada through the Canadian experience class within Express Entry.

On April 22, the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, Sean Fraser, announced a new temporary policy that will give recent international graduates with expiring temporary status an opportunity to stay in Canada longer.  The rationale given for this policy was described as follows:

- These graduates can play a vital role in addressing our labour shortage; and

- Individuals nearing the end of their post-graduation work permit are already well-integrated into Canada’s labour market and work in key industries across the country

This additional open work permit will allow applicants to continue contributing to the Canadian economy while gaining valuable work experience and preparing their Express Entry Profiles.

This temporary program will start this summer and will apply to international students who are in Canada and have a post-graduation work permit expiring between January and December 2022.

Canadian Citizenship

While Canada was established in 1867 through the enactment of the British North America Act, it is only since 1947 that anyone could be granted Canadian Citizenship.  Prior to 1947, the people of Canada were referred to as British Subjects.

 “Seventy five years later, the importance of Canadian citizenship endures. It remains a commitment to Canada, and to our fellow Canadians. Today, we honour the ideals of our common citizenship by promoting democracy, diversity and community.“  - The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refuges and Citizenship Canada

While Canada grants significant fundamental rights to Permanent Residents, there are a number of advantages of attaining citizenship.  In addition to being able to vote and run for public office, Canadian citizens can leave Canada for as long as they want and still retain their citizenship. They may be eligible for dual citizenship as well.  Travelling with a Canadian passport also gives you the comfort of having  diplomatic support from embassies and consulates abroad, if ever the need arises. 

To apply to become a Canadian citizen, most applicants must:*

• be a permanent resident
• have lived in Canada for at least 3 out of the last 5 years (1,095 days)
• have filed their taxes
• pass a citizenship test (for those 18-54 years old)
• prove their language skills in English or French (for those 18-54 years old)

*Other requirements may apply

Please do not hesitate to contact us for assistance with your Citizenship Application.

Business Immigration Opportunities

Starting  or buying an existing business?

If you or someone you know would like to come to Canada with the goal of obtaining Permanent Residence, business immigration programs might be an exciting option for qualified candidates. 

Government Business Programs Include:

• Self Employed
• Start-Up Visa
• Provincial Entrepreneurial Programs
• Significant Benefit Work Permits
• Intra-Company Transfers
• Treaty Investors

If you have business ownership or management experience and are interested in coming to Canada to open or purchase a business, please contact our office for a consultation to determine the program that would best suit you.