Here you will find summaries of recent articles about Canadian immigration and topics related to living in Canada. At the end of each news summary, you will have the option to click on a link to read the full offsite article. Please note that Canadian Visa Professionals does not have any association with these other websites and is not responsible for their content. This information is made available as a service to people who are interested in living and working in Canada and who want to learn more about Canadian immigration and relevant issues.

 

CANADA’S MOST POPULAR TRAVEL DESTINATIONS

Canada is a large country with a variety of incredible places to visit. One of the most popular Canadian vacation destinations is Banff, which is located in the province of Alberta. This picturesque mountain town provides easy access to the Canadian Rockies, Banff National Park, and a range of outdoor activities, such as canoeing on scenic Lake Louise. Jasper National Park is also situated in Alberta and is a great place to go whitewater rafting as well as view other natural wonders. A visit to Vancouver, the largest city in British Columbia, offers opportunities to enjoy museums, fine dining, and a vibrant night life, along with the beauty of Stanley Park, the Pacific coast and nearby mountains. Of course, thunderous Niagara Falls in Ontario is a must-see place to visit in Canada, whether at a distance from one of the many panoramic vantage points or up close on the famous Maid of the Mist cruise. Other top vacation spots in Canada include Quebec City (Quebec), Whistler (British Columbia), Prince Edward Island, Gros Morne National Park (Newfoundland & Labrador), Montreal (Quebec), Victoria (British Columbia), and Toronto (Ontario) – among other great vacation locations. To read more, click here!

 

BASIC FACTS ABOUT THE CANADIAN IMMIGRATION SYSTEM

Canada is one of the world’s top destinations for immigrants, with approximately 471,000 newcomers approved for Canadian permanent residency in 2023. Canadians are generally known for supporting immigrants, immigration and multiculturalism. This has helped to give Canada a good reputation as being a welcoming country for immigrants to move to. During 2022, the top 10 countries of origin for Canadian immigration were India, China, Afghanistan, Nigeria, Philippines, France, Pakistan, Iran, the United States, and Syria; however, people immigrate to Canada from countries all over the world. The majority of people who immigrate to Canada in any given year are skilled foreign workers and their families, however, Canadians also welcome thousands of refugees as well. Between 2016 and 2021, Toronto was the #1 destination for new immigrants moving to Canada, followed by Montreal, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton and Winnipeg. Canada’s economic immigration programs seek skilled immigrants who are young, speak English or French, and possess the education and work experience that Canadian employers are looking for. Most Canadian immigration applications filed by economic immigrants are processed through the Express Entry management system. To read more, click here!

 

SURVEY OF 17,000 PEOPLE WORLDWIDE RANKS CANADA #2 BEST COUNTRY 

An international survey of 17,000 people around the world has found that Canada is considered to be the #2 best country overall for 2023. Canada was also ranked #3 in the world for best quality of life. The survey was conducted between March 17th and June 12th of 2023 by US News & World Report, the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School and the WPP company. The 17,000 survey participants rated countries around the globe based on 73 attributes which were then grouped into 10 sub-rankings: Quality of Life, Power, Social Purpose, Open for Business, Entrepreneurship, Cultural Influence, Adventure, Movers, Agility, and Heritage. Each country received a sub-ranking score as well as an overall score. The top 10 best countries overall for 2023 were: #1 Switzerland, #2 Canada, #3 Sweden, #4 Australia, #5 United States, #6 Japan, #7 Germany, #8 New Zealand, #9 United Kingdom and #10 Netherlands. To read more, click here!

 

TIPS ON HOW NEW IMMIGRANTS CAN BECOME CANADIAN HOMEOWNERS

The ‘Canadian Dream’ of owning a home has become a reality for many immigrants living in Canada. One example is a 31-year-old immigrant from India named Gokul who relocated to Canada at the start of 2021 and purchased his first Canadian home in May 2022. Gokul says that some of his friends from India rented apartments and bought new cars after moving to Canada, but he thinks they should have become Canadian homeowners first. One important reason to become a Canadian homeowner as soon as possible is that the housing market is very tight, partly because of the large influx of immigrants moving to Canada each year.  According to two Canadian real estate professionals, their #1 recommendation for immigrants seeking to purchase a first home in Canada is to build their credit score. It is also crucial to have stable full-time employment in Canada. Another top tip is to take advantage of government incentives, such as the Canadian Home Buyer’s Plan.  Gokul suggests hunting for housing in the suburbs where prices are lower, rather than buying a more expensive home in a large city like Toronto. To read more, click here!

 

IMMIGRATION HELPS CANADA’S POPULATION CLIMB TO 39.6 MILLION RESIDENTS

More than one million people were added to Canada’s population in 2022, raising the country’s population to a record 39,566,248 residents, according to Statistics Canada. Canadian immigration was responsible for 96% of that historic population growth, with 437,000 people arriving in Canada as new permanent residents and an additional 607,782 individuals moving to Canada as temporary legal residents, such as international students and temporary foreign workers. As a result, Canada had the fastest-growing population among the G7 countries during 2022 and was also #1 in population growth that year among the 38 countries of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). With almost one million Canadian job vacancies to fill, the government wants 465,000 immigrants to move to Canada in 2023 and 485,000 to arrive as permanent residents in 2024. To read more, click here!

 

465,000 IMMIGRANTS CAN BECOME CANADIAN PERMANENT RESIDENTS IN 2023

Here is good news for anyone thinking about immigration to Canada. The annual number of immigrants who can become Canadian permanent residents has been raised to 465,000 in 2023, which is a big increase over the goal of 431,645 for 2022. Skilled foreign workers and their families will account for most of these new immigrants who will be moving to Canada. The government’s updated plan for immigration to Canada, released on November 1, 2022, also authorizes 485,000 people to receive Canadian permanent residency in 2024 and 500,000 in 2025. There is broad support for raising Canadian immigration levels from the key political parties, business leaders and the public. Nonetheless, some people are saying that these record Canadian immigration numbers are not high enough, since there are one million unfilled jobs in Canada. Speaking about Canada’s new three-year immigration plan, the Canadian immigration minister, Sean Fraser, declared, “There were a million jobs available in the Canadian economy at a time when immigration already accounts for nearly all of our labor force growth. He further stated, “We cannot maximize our economic potential if we don’t embrace immigration.” To read more, click here!

 

RETIRING WORKERS CREATE CANADIAN JOB OPPORTUNITIES

According to economists, there are approximately one million unfilled Canadian job openings, not as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, but because millions of Baby Boomers are retiring. This is the decade that millions of Canadian workers born between 1946 and 1964 will be retiring, yet, there are not enough younger workers living in Canada to replace them. Furthermore, economic growth is creating new jobs in Canada and the unemployment rate is at a record low 4.9 percent, so all of this is combining to produce a severe worker shortage in Canada. Statistics Canada reports that every Canadian employment sector is experiencing a shortage of workers. The construction and manufacturing industries are having a particularly difficult time finding qualified new employees. Economists also say that Canadian job seekers are enjoying an employees’ market as a result of the worker shortage and can, therefore, enjoy greater leverage over employers in regards to bargaining for higher wages, better benefits, etc. To read more, click here!

 

GLOBAL LIVEABILITY INDEX LISTS 3 CANADIAN CITIES IN THE TOP 10

The Economist has released its Global Liveability Index for 2022 and listed three Canadian cities among the world’s top 10 best places to live. For its annual evaluation, the Economist Intelligence Unit rated 172 cities around the globe, based upon specific “liveability” measures which included healthcare, education, stability, infrastructure, and culture & environment. Each country could receive a rating on a scale that ranged from a maximum of 100 to a minimum score of zero. First place went to the Austrian city of Vienna which  had a score of 99.1 out of 100. The Danish city of Copenhagen was given a score of 98.0 to earn second place. The Canadian city of Calgary and the Swiss city of Zurich tied with 96.3 each to share third place. Vancouver, Canada, was awarded with a score of 96.1 to take the fourth top position, while another Swiss city, Geneva, had a score of 95.9 to place fifth in the world for liveability. The German city of Frankfurt was raked seventh with 95.7 and the Canadian city of Toronto achieved a score of 95.4 to place 8th on the Global Liveability Index. Rounding out the 10 best places to live in the world this year were #9 Amsterdam in The Netherlands (score = 95.3) , while the Japanese city of Osaka and the Australian city of Melbourne each received scores of 95.1 to tie for the 10th most liveable city in the world. Several times during the past 10 years, Calgary, Vancouver and Toronto have been included with the world’s 10 most liveable cities. In the 2022 evaluation, all three Canadian cities received perfect scores of 100 for education and for healthcare, both of which are important for high quality of life. To read more, click here!

 

CANADIAN JOB VACANCIES SOAR ABOVE ONE MILLION

For the first time in history, there are more than one million jobs in Canada that workers can apply for. StatCan also reported on May 27, 2022, that the number of Canadian job openings increased in each of Canada’s provinces, however, Nova Scotia, Saskatchewan and Newfoundland and Labrador had the largest gains. There are 158,000 Canadian job openings in the accommodation and food services industry; 154,000 in the healthcare sector; 109,000 in retail; and 82,000 in the construction industry. People working in Canada are also earning an average of 4.3% more money compared with a year earlier, according to the data. Canada currently has a historically high labor participation rate of 88.6% and a record low unemployment rate of 5.3 percent, which has contributed to a major worker shortage across the country. To read more, click here!

 

EMPLOYMENT IN CANADA REACHES THE HIGHEST RATE ON RECORD

Data released by StatisticsCanada on April 8, 2022, shows that the Canadian unemployment rate of 5.3% in March is the lowest in the country’s history. In regards to gender, 4.8% of women over 25 years of age did not have work in Canada and 4.4% of men 25 years of age or older did not have Canadian employment. Quebec has the lowest unemployment rate (only 4.1%) of any Canadian province or territory, followed by 5.0% for Saskatchewan, 5.1% for British Columbia, 5.3% for Ontario and 5.3% for Manitoba. It is forecast by economists that the record low unemployment rate in Canada will decrease further during the rest of 2022. People working in Canada were also making 3.4% more money in March 2022 that they were 12 months earlier, according to the government’s latest statistics. To read more, click here!

 

CANADIAN IMMIGRATION SUCCESS STORY OF TWO BROTHERS FROM NIGERIA

In May 2015, twin brothers were able to immigrate to Canada from Nigeria and although the young men faced some challenges after their arrival, today they have an inspiring Canadian immigration success story that they can tell. Mokutimabasi and Uwakmfonabasi settled in Ontario after moving to Canada as teenagers. The identical twins were excited to be living in Canada, despite it being cold when they arrived. Some of the students at their high school teased them about their accents and this made the brothers try even harder to fit in. Once they decided that they were going to just be themselves, however, then the other other kids accepted them more and thought they were cool. The twins found a passion for photography and received positive responses from their classmates when they posted their photos on social media. Mokutimabasi and Uwakmfonabasi, who were also known as Mo and Whak, began getting offers to model from photographers who admired their photographs. This led them to apply to Canadian modeling agencies, but they received one rejection after another. Mo and Whak didn’t give up on their new found ambition to become models. They put on an art show in 2019 and were able to model for Vogue Italia later that year. Finally, in 2020, the two brothers from Nigeria signed with one of the top Canadian modeling agencies, NEXT Canada. Today, there is a massive 21-meter billboard with images of the twins covering the side of a building in Toronto’s city center and the brothers are now successful Canadian models. According to Uwakmfonabasi, if a person believes in himself and his ideas and remains authentic, he can accomplish anything. To read more, click here!

 

IMMIGRANTS ARE EARNING HIGHER SALARIES WORKING IN CANADA

The median salaries for immigrants working in Canada increased significantly between 2010 and 2019, according to a Statistics Canada report released on December 7, 2021. Male immigrants working in Canada generally saw their median annual salaries soar 10.2% during the 2010-2019 time frame, rising to $62,300 CAD. Female immigrants working in Canada enjoyed a 9.3% growth in yearly median salaries from 2010 to 2019, which climbed to $44,900 CAD. The report also points out that immigrants approved for Canadian permanent residency in 2018 received the highest median starting salaries for immigrants in 40 years. Statistics Canada further noted that immigrants who had previously been living in Canada (for example, as international students or temporary foreign workers) had higher median paychecks than immigrants working in Canada without prior residence. For instance, the median starting salary for an immigrant working in Canada without previous residence was $25,700 per year, while the median entry salary for an immigrant who had lived in Canada before was $44,600 CAD annually. To read more, click here!

 

CANADA’S JOB MARKET IS EXPANDING RAPIDLY AFTER END OF LOCKDOWNS

The Canadian job market is expanding rapidly after the end of the pandemic lockdowns, producing 230,700 new jobs in Canada during June 2021. This was significantly higher than the 175,000 new Canadian jobs that economists were expecting. Statistics Canada also reported that the unemployment rate in Canada dropped to 7.8% in June. Many economists believe that this stellar Canadian jobs report is one more sign that Canada’s economy is preparing to take off. In fact, economists predict that the Canadian economy will grow by an amazing 9.1% annual rate during July-September 2021, producing thousands of additional jobs in Canada along the way. The Canadian economy’s strong rebound is being attributed to the nationwide vaccination program, which is allowing businesses to re-open and giving consumers confidence to go out and make purchases. It is predicted by economists that Canadian employment and economic losses from the pandemic will be completely recovered before the end of 2021. To read more, click here!

 

GOVERNMENT LOOKS TO CANADIAN IMMIGRATION TO BOOST THE ECONOMY

Experts and government officials who are planning Canada’s strategy for post-pandemic economic recovery are depending on Canadian immigration to give a big boost to the economy. Immigrants living in Canada play a major role in the country’s multicultural society, accounting for 22% of the country’s 38 million residents. The biggest sources for immigration to Canada are Asia, Africa and Europe (in that order). In addition to over eight million immigrants living in Canada, there are also more than 500,000 international students attending its world-class schools and universities. As more Canadian residents get vaccinated against Covid-19 and the economy continues to open up, the demand for skilled immigrants is expected to skyrocket. There is already a labor shortage and immigrants are needed to help fill thousands of jobs in Canada. An expert from Canada’s Ryerson University said that Canadian immigration is needed to “jump-start” the country’s economy and that the federal government has indicated that it shares that view. In fact, the Canadian government’s website declares, “Immigrants contribute to our economy, not only by filling gaps in our labor force and paying taxes, but also by spending money on goods, housing and transportation.”  Thus, it is anticipated that immigration to Canada is going to soar later in the year as the vaccinations expand, the economy re-opens and the pandemic travel restrictions are lifted. To read more, click here!

 

CANADIAN EMPLOYMENT IN THE CLEAN ENERGY SECTOR IS GROWING RAPIDLY

A new report released in March 2021 reveals that 34,600 new jobs in Canada were created in the environmental sector during 2020, despite the disruptions from the global pandemic. The ECO Canada report also predicted that 173,000 workers will be needed over the next four years to fill Canadian job vacancies in the clean energy sector. Approximately 98,300 of these Canadian job openings will be due to workers retiring and another 74,400 jobs in Canada will be generated by growth of the sustainable energy industry. There are currently 689,900 people working in Canada’s environmental workforce. During 2020, 35,704 of the new clean energy jobs in Canada were filled in the province of Ontario; 11,460 were in Quebec; plus many workers were also hired on Prince Edward island, in New Brunswick and in the Canadian territories. Some of the reasons given for the rapid expansion of Canadian employment in the clean energy sector are that there is increasing interest in more efficient and sustainable sources of energy, as well as growing consumer demand for “green” energy in Canada. According to a report issued by RBC Economics in March 2021, Canada has advantages in the clean energy field, but the country will need to invest further in skills training plus Canadian immigration will be important in helping to fill all of these new jobs in Canada. To read more, click here!

 

GLOBAL SURVEY FINDS CANADA IS THE #1 COUNTRY FOR EXPAT WORKERS

The results of a worldwide survey released in March 2021 revealed that Canada is the most popular destination for expat workers. Boston Consulting Group and its global partners surveyed 209,000 individuals in 190 countries to determine where people would most desire to live and work abroad. Canada was the #1 relocation destination, replacing the United States. Key reasons that expats would prefer to work in Canada rather than the USA include the Canadian government’s effective handling of the coronavirus pandemic, its more open culture and its social system. According to the survey results, the top 10 most desired destinations for expat workers are: #1 Canada; #2 United States; #3 Australia; #4 Germany; #5 United Kingdom; #6 Japan; #7 Switzerland; #8 Singapore; #9 France; and #10 New Zealand. To read more, click here!

 

CANADIAN IMMIGRATION IS KEY TO SUCCESSFUL TECHNOLOGY SECTOR

In the competition to attract global tech talent, Canada has enjoyed many advantages over the United States, not least of which is Canadian immigration policy. Canada’s competitive edge over the US only accelerated during the four years that Donald Trump was President of the United States, especially because of his anti-immigrant rhetoric and policies. By contrast, Canadian immigration policies have welcomed hundreds of thousands of immigrants, foreign workers and international students to relocate to Canada each year. Canada also has a good reputation as one of the most immigrant-friendly countries in the world. Thus, thousands of international students and talented professionals decided to move to Canada instead of the USA, which helped to fuel the healthy growth of the Canadian economy in general and Canada’s technology sector in particular. For example, Toronto has been producing technology jobs at the fastest rate of any city in North America. Thousands of the Canadian jobs created in the tech industry were filled by foreign professionals. Canada has even been attracting technology giants like Google, which plans to triple the number of its employees who are working in Canada. Now that Joseph Biden is the new President of the United States and has already taken steps to promote US immigration, the question is: Will Canada continue to prevail over the USA in attracting the “best and brightest” tech talent? There are some who believe that Canada will maintain its competitive edge over the United States because of Canadian immigration policies, the country’s diversity and inclusiveness, costs advantages for firms to hire tech workers in Canada, among other reasons. As one Canadian explained, much of Canada’s success in the technology industry relies significantly on smart individuals arriving from around the world. To read more, click here!

 

WHERE JOB-SEEKERS CAN FIND CANADIAN EMPLOYMENT THIS YEAR

A new survey has discovered that a significantly higher percentage of employers expect to increase hiring in Canada during 2021 compared with January of last year before the start of the pandemic. Back in January of 2020, when Canada’s unemployment rate was the lowest in more than 40 years, 16% of employers surveyed were anticipating boosting hiring that year. By comparison, 31% of employers who were surveyed in January 2021 indicated they expect to increase hiring of new employees this year. That is good news for job-seekers searching for Canadian employment during 2021. According to the survey, large companies with more than 100 employees are more likely to add new Canadian jobs in 2021 than small firms with less than 100 workers. Furthermore, certain business sectors are already filling thousands of jobs in Canada at the start of the New Year, lead by the manufacturing, supply-chain, logistics, transportation and packaging industries. Experts are indicating that there are likely to be growing Canadian job opportunities in 2021 for warehouse workers, medical professionals, construction workers, accountants, delivery drivers, project managers, customer service representatives, information technology specialists, architects, essential retail employees, digital marketers, social media managers, and human resources administrators, among other jobs in Canada. To read more, click here! 

 

PEOPLE LIVING IN CANADA BECAME WEALTHIER DURING 2020

There is growing confidence that strong consumer spending will be a catalyst for healthy economic growth in Canada during 2021, according to a report released on January 7, 2021. The Economic Club of Canada held its yearly outlook conference and it was reported that people living in Canada enjoyed substantial growth in average net household wealth during 2020, despite the global pandemic and economic disruptions caused by lockdowns. Data shows that the average disposable income of Canadians increased by 12 percent in 2020. Since many restaurants, stores and other businesses were closed, however, Canadians were able to save a lot of money and pay down their credit card debts. Economists say that with pent up demand, low interest rates, and consumers having lots of cash to spend, economic growth in Canada is forecast to be quite robust during 2021. It is believed that once most of the people living in Canada have been vaccinated against the novel coronavirus and people feel safe to go shopping or dine at restaurants, Canadian consumers will be going on a big spending spree. This surge in consumer spending will further stimulate economic growth and the creation of more jobs in Canada. To read more, click here!

 

CANADIAN DRIVES AMERICAN FAMILY STRANDED IN SNOWSTORM 1,600 KM TO ALASKA

There are nice people all over the world in every country and culture, but people who live in Canada are especially friendly. For example, the news recently reported about a Canadian ranger who drove a stranded family 1,600 kilometers from British Columbia to Alaska in a snowstorm during November 2020. An American woman drove a pickup truck with her son and daughter, along with the family’s cat and dog, plus a rented U-Haul trailer towed behind them, all the way from their home in Georgia, crossed the US-Canada border at Saskatchewan and made it to northeastern British Columbia without any problems. Their destination was Fairbanks, Alaska, where they intended to join her husband who is stationed at a US military base there. Unfortunately, they encountered a snowstorm near the small Canadian town of Wonowon in British Columbia. The American woman thought she had all-weather tires on her pickup truck, but it turned out that they were not and had problems getting good traction on the icy roads. The American family stopped at a gas station in the little town, where a nice Canadian drove her to a local tire store to get all-weather tires installed on her truck. Nonetheless, the American mother of two was exhausted and didn’t think she could complete the long trip, so the family spent the night in a motel in town. Meanwhile, the friendly Canadians in Wonowon put out a call for help on social media. A Canadian ranger came to the rescue and offered to drive the American woman, her children and pets, 1,600 kilometers in the snow to join her husband in Fairbanks, Alaska. To read the full story, click here!

 

MORE THAN 400,000 CANADIAN IMMIGRATION VISAS PLANNED FOR 2021

On October 30, 2020, the Canadian Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino announced the country’s new three-year plan for immigration to Canada. The Canadian government’s ambitious plan calls for a record 1.2 million new immigrants to move to Canada between 2021 and 2023. Canadian immigration visas available in 2021 will be increased significantly to 401,000, which is 50,000 more than previously planned for next year. During 2022, the government has set a goal of approving 411,000 people for immigration to Canada, while 421,000 Canadian immigration visas will be available in 2023. One reason that Canadian immigration levels will be raised by an additional 50,000 new immigrants per year over the next three years, above the already historic numbers that were revealed in March 2020, is to compensate for reduced immigration to Canada this year due to the global pandemic. Another important reason for increasing Canadian immigration levels is that Canada is experiencing an ongoing shortage of skilled workers in many different high-demand occupations. According to Canadian Immigration Minister Mendicono, “Put simply, we need more workers, and immigration is the way to get there.”  To read the full article, click here!

 

CANADIANS HAVE THE MOST POSITIVE ATTITUDES TOWARD IMMIGRANTS

According to the results of a Gallup global survey published on September 23, 2020, people who live in Canada have the most positive attitudes toward immigrants in the world. Gallup surveyed people living in Canada and 144 other countries regarding their acceptance of immigrants using its Migrant Acceptance Index. Participants of the survey were asked three questions. One question asked if someone thought it was good or bad that immigrants are living in their country. Another question asked if individuals thought it was good or bad to have an immigrant as their neighbor. A third question inquired as to whether a person thought it would be good or bad if an immigrant married into their family. Results of the survey found that people living in Canada are the most accepting of immigrants, with 94% of Canadians saying immigrants are good for the country; 95% stating that having immigrants living in their neighborhood was a good thing; and 91% indicating that they think it would be good if an immigrant married into their family. The Gallup international survey discovered that there is less acceptance of immigrants worldwide, but that Canadians have been consistent over time in their positive attitude toward immigrants. To read more, click here!

 

NEW REPORT PROVIDES GOOD OVERVIEW OF CANADIAN IMMIGRATION

The Council on Foreign Relations released a backgrounder report on August 3, 2020, which provides a good overview of Canadian immigration which could be useful for anyone interested in relocation to Canada. The report starts by stating that Canada is a top immigration destination, because the Canadian immigration system is regulated efficiently and is relatively open. It also says that Canada has developed a good reputation during the past five decades as a country that welcomes immigrants and values multiculturalism. By embracing multiculturalism and opening its doors to immigrants from around the world, Canada has benefited in many ways. For example, Canadian immigration has contributed significantly to the growth of the country’s economy and also helped to give Canada one of the youngest populations in the developed world. According to the report, a record 340,000 people were approved for immigration to Canada in 2019, the largest number in over 100 years. The top countries of origin for Canadian immigration in 2019 were India, with more than 85,000 of its citizens moving to Canada as new permanent residents, followed by China with over 30,000; Philippines (almost 28,000); Nigeria (more than 12,000); the United States (close to 11,000); Pakistan (almost 11,000); Syria (just over 10,000); Eritrea (about 7,000); South Korea (more than 6,100); and Iran (over 6,000 receiving Canadian visas). When immigrants relocate to Canada, where do they settle? The report provides a map of Canada and reveals that 45% of new Canadian permanent residents made their homes in the province of Ontario during 2019, with most of the new immigrants moving to the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). The map shows that the top cities where new immigrants settled after moving to Canada in 2019 were Toronto (117, 770), Vancouver (39,950), Montreal (34,630), Calgary (19,625), Edmonton (16,420), and Winnipeg (14,745). The report then details how the Canadian immigration procedure works, noting that 58% of the people who immigrate to Canada are approved through the economic stream (i.e., foreign workers and their families); 27% arrived via family sponsorship; 14% were refugees; and 1% were approved to become a Canadian permanent resident for humanitarian reasons. The Canadian immigration programs for skilled foreign workers has been a successful model for other countries to follow. The significant level of support that new immigrants receive after moving to Canada has contributed to high rates of immigrant satisfaction and helped to make Canada one of the prime destinations for immigrants worldwide. To read the full report, click here!

 

IMMIGRANT FROM UGANDA WILL BE CANADA’S FIRST MUSLIM LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR 

In June 2020, Canadian Prime Minster Justin Trudeau appointed Salma Lakhania, a businesswoman from Edmonton who is originally from Africa, to become the next lieutenant-governor of Alberta, making her the first Muslim to hold this high office in Canada. This Canadian immigration success story was born in Uganda, but had to flee her country of origin in 1972, eventually moving to Canada and settling in Edmonton, Alberta. She has lived in Edmonton for over four decades where she has mentored young students, supported new immigrants, and promoted women’s rights, education, and healthcare. Salma Lakhania earned an honors degree in clinical biochemistry from the University of Manchester and is the owner of an early childhood education center in Edmonton, as well as a philanthropist who helps various causes. She was awarded the Alberta Centennial Medal in 2005 and received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal  in 2012 for her community work. In a written statement, Prime Minister Trudeau declared, “Ms. Lakhani is devoted to supporting people in her community, from new immigrants and young people, to women and families,” He also stated, “As lieutenant-governor of Alberta, I know she will serve the people of her province and our country well, and continue to be a source of inspiration for all Canadians.” In Canada, the lieutenant-governor is a province’s highest-ranking official and acts as the representative of Queen Elizabeth II in the province, performing official functions, such as signing bills into law, swearing in the province’s premier and cabinet, and opening the provincial assembly. She is a prime example of how someone can immigrate to Canada, achieve success and make their dreams come true.  To read more, click here!

 

FOREIGN TECH PROFESSIONALS WHO CAN’T GET US WORK VISAS MOVE TO CANADA

America’s loss is Canada’s gain as foreign technology professionals apply for Canadian relocation after the United States suspended the granting of Green Cards and several different US work visas until the end of 2020. Thousands of foreign tech workers have already made the move to Canada to work in its booming high-tech sector, with many finding Canadian employment in Vancouver, Toronto, Ottawa and other technology hubs. On June 22, 2020, however, US President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order that temporarily restricts new immigrants from receiving Permanent Resident Green Cards or H-1B and L-1 work visas until December 31, 2020. The reason given for the temporary restriction on granting US Green Cards and certain work visas was so that foreign workers would not compete with Americans for jobs in the USA. The President issued the foreign worker restrictions, despite many requests made by business leaders in the United States and even the US Chamber of Commerce not to do so, since immigrant workers are needed for the American economy. By contrast, Canadian employers are encouraging skilled foreign workers to relocate to Canada instead to live and work in its technology sector that needs engineers, software developers and many other professionals. Some Canadian companies are even assisting skilled foreign workers with relocation to Canada. For example, the Founder and CEO of the Canadian firm Shopify posted on Twitter that foreign workers affected by the US work visa suspension should, “consider coming to Canada instead. Shopify is hiring all over the world and we have lots of experience helping with relocation.” Canadian business leaders are actively recruiting skilled foreign talent and value their knowledge and innovation that help Canada’s growing technology sector. The Canadian government has also said that skilled immigrants and their families are important to the country’s economy and welcomes thousands of them to live and work in Canada each year. To read the full article, click here! 

 

CANADIAN IMMIGRATION MINISTER SAYS IMMIGRATION IS “VITALLY IMPORTANT”

Canadian Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino said in a news interview on May 15, 2020, that foreign workers are important to Canada right now and will continue to be crucial to the country in the post-pandemic era. He said that immigrant workers have helped to keep Canada going during the novel coronavirus pandemic and this is a good reason why “robust immigration” to Canada “must continue” as the crisis comes to an end. During the interview, the Canadian Immigration Minister explained, “Immigration is fundamentally about people coming together to build a stronger country, and that is an enduring value that I believe in, that I have faith in Canadians that they believe in, that we will see endure long after COVID-19 is behind us.” He recently told a government committee that the goals for the Canadian immigration plan may be adjusted later in 2020 to account for the current situation; however, he also said the pandemic has highlighted the essential role played by immigrants working in Canada. The current goal for immigration to Canada in 2020 is 341,000 new Canadian permanent residents, while the target level for 2021 is 351,000 new immigrants. The Canadian Immigration Minister declared, “So it’s vitally important that we continue to immigrate today in a manner that is safe and orderly and also to drive that future that we all believe will be underpinned by immigration as it has been in the past.” To read more, click here!

 

INTERNATIONAL SURVEY SAYS CANADA HAS THE BEST QUALITY OF LIFE

On January 15, 2020, US News & World Report, in collaboration with the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School and BAV Group, published their annual ranking of the best countries in the world which declared Canada as the top country for quality of life in 2020. An international survey of 20,548 participants from 36 countries located in Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, North America and South America, asked people to evaluate countries around the globe according to various categories that were based on certain criteria. According to the results, individuals who live in Canada enjoy a better quality of life than people living in Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Australia, Netherlands, Switzerland, New Zealand, Finland and Germany, which rounded out the top 10 countries in the quality of life category. Canada also received high rankings on several other categories. For example, Canada is rated as the #1 country for transparency (i.e., in open government and business practices, low corruption, etc.); considered the #2 best country to live overall; the 2nd preferred country for having citizenship; the #2 best country to locate a corporate headquarters; the 3rd top country for education; the 4th best country to raise children; the #5 favorable country for women to live and work; the 6th top location for comfortable retirement; as well as 6th leading location for entrepreneurship; the 10th best country to start a business; and the #10 top place on the planet for “green” living. It should be noted that Canada was also rated #1 in the world for quality of life in 2019, however, it moved up in the ranking of best countries overall, coming in 3rd place in 2019, but placing second in 2020 after Switzerland. To read more, click here!

 

CANADIAN ECONOMY CREATED MORE THAN 320,000 NEW JOBS IN 2019

Strong economic growth produced 320,300 Canadian jobs in 2019 (282,800 of which were full-time positions), according to a report released by Statistics Canada on January 10, 2020. This included an impressive 35,200 Canadian jobs that were filled in December, which helped the country’s unemployment rate fall to only 5.6 percent at the end of the year (the lowest in decades). The number of new Canadian jobs generated in 2019 was the second largest increase since 2007. Ontario and Quebec generated the most new jobs in Canada during December, while British Columbia boasted the lowest unemployment rate (4.8 percent) of any Canadian province or territory, followed by Manitoba (5.0 percent), Ontario (5.3 percent), Quebec (5.3 percent), and Saskatchewan (5.7 percent). Several cities across Canada enjoyed extremely low unemployment rates, including Victoria, British Columbia (3.4 percent); Quebec City, Quebec (3.5 percent); Ottawa, Ontario (4.2 percent); and Vancouver, British Columbia (4.8 percent). The unemployment rate in Toronto, Canada’s largest city, remained unchanged at just 5.7 percent. Not only were more people working in Canada during 2019, but Canadian workers saw their wages increase by an average of 3.6 percent between December 2019 and December 2019. To read more, click here!

 

TORONTO IS CANADA’S TOP CITY FOR HIGH-TECH TALENT

The most talented technology professionals in the world are relocating to Canada for employment opportunities and Toronto is their #1 destination in the country, according to the 2019 Canadian Tech Talent Report issued by CBRE. The report ranks the top 20 tech talent cities in Canada and reveals that 228,500 high-tech workers are employed in Toronto, which had an amazing 54% growth in its high-tech workforce during the 2013-2018 time frame. Second place went to Ottawa, the national capital of Canada, which has 64,500 tech workers who make up 10% of the city’s labor force (one of the largest percentages of any city in North America). Vancouver was named as Canada’s third top tech talent city, with 75,000 workers employed in the technology sector. Over the past five years, Canadian jobs in the technology field have risen by 42.6% in Vancouver, which has also been attracting major high-tech firms such as Amazon, Apple and Microsoft. There are 20,400 technology workers in the Waterloo region of Ontario, which was rated #4 in Canada and had an impressive 40% increase of jobs in the tech sector from 2013 to 2018. Montreal has the second highest number of technology jobs in Canada (130,200), but was ranked as the #5 city for tech talent since technology-related employment grew by a modest 14.6% between 2013 and 2018. To read the full article, click here!

 

MOST PEOPLE LIVING IN CANADA HAVE A POSITIVE VIEW OF IMMIGRATION

The results of a poll of 2,008 Canadians conducted October 7-20, 2019, found that the majority of people living in Canada support Canadian immigration and also think immigrants are good for the country’s economy. Support for immigrants and immigration to Canada has remained strong, despite the rise of anti-immigrant attitudes and rhetoric in some countries, as well as the attempts of some politicians to make Canadian immigration a divisive issue during the recent national election. For example, the survey discovered that only 2% of the people living in Canada consider Canadian immigration to be the most important problem facing the country (climate change and the environment was the #1 concern at 24%). This is in stark contrast to what polls have found in the United States, where immigration is viewed as one of the top issues to address. When asked if they thought there was too much immigration to Canada, 63% of the poll participants said they disagreed with that statement. A majority of Canadians from a range of political parties also believe that immigrants are good for Canada’s economy, including: 68% of respondents who support the Conservatives,  77% backing Bloc Québécois, 82% favoring the Greens, 89% affiliating with the New Democrats, and 90% of  Liberals. To read more, click here! 

 

SEVERAL REASONS TO STUDY IN CANADA FOR A UNIVERSITY DEGREE

There are several reasons why Canada is one of the top destinations for international students. During the 2018-2019 school year, more than 570,000 foreign students were studying in Canada at various academic levels with a Canadian study permit. One reason to study in Canada for an undergraduate or graduate degree is that Canadian universities are ranked year-after-year among the world’s best institutions of higher learning (examples include the University of Toronto and University of British Columbia). Another incentive to study in Canada is that international students can receive scholarships to help pay for their education, which are made available from funds provided by the university and/or the Canadian government. The procedure to receive a Canadian study permit is also relatively easy and does not take very long. In fact, qualifying international students from certain countries (e.g., China, India, Morocco, Pakistan, Philippines, Senegal and Vietnam) can enjoy expedited processing of their Canadian study permit applications through the Student Direct Stream. Furthermore, foreign students are allowed to work in Canada under specified conditions (a Canadian work permit is often required). There are also options for international students to work in Canada after they complete their study abroad program and to apply for Canadian permanent residency once they meet the criteria. In addition to the potential pathway to Canadian permanent residency and citizenship, many foreign students want to live in Canada because it is a welcoming, safe and stable country that is actively recruiting international students and skilled foreign workers. Currently, the largest number of foreign students enrolled in Canadian educational programs are from China and India. The Canadian government would like to further diversify international enrollment and, therefore, will be spending $30 million CAD over five years to recruit more students from countries such as Brazil, Colombia, France, Indonesia, Mexico, Morocco, Philippines, Thailand, Turkey, Ukraine and Vietnam. To read more, click here! 

 

WAGES AND JOBS IN CANADA INCREASE SIGNIFICANTLY

An additional 53,700 people were working in Canada during September 2019, according to data released by the federal government’s statistics agency on October 11, 2019. This healthy boost to the Canadian job market was fueled largely by employment gains made in the healthcare and education sectors. Statistics Canada also reported that the national unemployment rate dropped from 5.7% in August to just 5.5% in September, which is among the lowest levels in the last 40 years. British Columbia and Quebec had the lowest unemployment rate of any Canadian province or territory (both only 4.8 percent), followed by Manitoba (5.0 percent), Ontario and Saskatchewan (both 5.3 percent). Since December 2018, strong economic growth has created 358,100 new jobs in Canada and if this hiring trend continues, many economists believe 2019 could be the best year on record for Canadian employment. Economic data also shows that between September 2018 and September 2019, there were 456,000 new Canadian jobs generated. Furthermore, the average hourly wage for individuals working in Canada went up 4.3% in September 2019 compared with 12 months earlier. By comparison, Canadian workers earned an average of 3.7% more per hour in August 2019 than they did in the same month of the previous year. To read more, click here!

 

NEW CANADIAN CITIZENS THANKFUL TO VOTE IN FEDERAL ELECTION 

Three former refugees from Syria who were approved for immigration to Canada are thankful to vote for the first time as new Canadian citizens in the federal election taking place during October 2019. Mohammed was a Syrian refugee living in Lebanon when he received a telephone call from the Canadian Embassy informing him that he was approved for relocation to Canada. In September 2014, he arrived in Vancouver as one of the first of more than 45,000 Syrian refugees to immigrate to Canada. On October 10, 2019, Mohammed took the oath to become a Canadian citizen, just in time to vote in the national election. Canadian permanent residents who live in Canada at least three years during a five-year time period and satisfy other requirements have the opportunity to apply for Canadian citizenship. After casting his vote during advanced polling, Mohammed exclaimed, “This is amazing. Democracy is awesome, and it’s so empowering.” To read more, click here!

 

CANADIAN BUSINESSMAN HELPS TO SAVE 300 SYRIAN REFUGEES

A Canadian businessman spent $1.5 million of his own money to personally sponsor 300 Syrian refugees for relocation to Canada. He did this through the Private Sponsorship of Refugees Program, which allows private citizens to sponsor refugees for Canadian immigration with the stipulation that they cover the costs for the newcomers during their first year living in Canada. The businessman invited several of the Syrian refugees to live in his home near Toronto and helped others secure housing in the community. He also hired 28 of the new immigrants to work at his company and assisted several in finding jobs in Canada. Additionally, the Canadian businessman provided the refugees with access to mentors who speak Arabic and English to assist them with opening bank accounts, enrolling their children in schools, etc. His efforts to help 89 Syrian families to escape civil war and get a fresh start living in Canada did not go unnoticed. In March 2019, he was awarded the Order of Canada, which is the second highest honor granted by the Canadian government. During a news interview, he explained, “These families just want to be happy, just like everyone else. They want a future without fear and violence. And we should be welcoming them, since 99.9% of Canadians are immigrants in some way too.” To read the full article, click here!

 

REASONS WHY IMMIGRATION TO CANADA NEEDS TO INCREASE 

An analysis published on October 3, 2019, provides practical reasons why immigration to Canada needs to increase. Currently, approximately 300,000 immigrants relocate to Canada each year as permanent residents and that number is forecast to rise to 350,000 annually by 2021. Nonetheless, many economists believe that Canadian immigration levels should be raised even further in order to fill vacant jobs in Canada due to the aging workforce. Another reason given for boosting Canadian immigration levels is to have enough people working in Canada and paying taxes to help keep healthcare costs down as more “baby boomers” retire from the workforce. Studies have shown that immigration to Canada is generally good for the economy and the country overall. For example, immigrants who are working in Canada make a significant contribution to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). To read the full article, click here!

 

IMMIGRATION TO CANADA PUSHES POPULATION PAST 37.5 MILLION

On September 30, 2019, Statistics Canada reported that record-breaking Canadian immigration had sent the country’s population soaring to 37.6 million. Between July 1, 2018, and July 1, 2019, the Canadian population grew by 531,497. Immigration to Canada accounted for 313,580 of that historic population growth. This influx of new immigrants has also boosted the number of people working in Canada and has helped to fill the 350,000 Canadian jobs added to the economy during that 12-month period. Immigrants between the ages of 25-29 were the largest demographic group moving to Canada in 2018-2019, with more women than men approved for Canadian immigration in this age range. The next largest demographic group to relocate to Canada consisted of immigrants between 30 and 34 years of age, with men slightly outnumbering women. To read more, click here!

 

REPORT SAYS CANADA HAS THE WORLD’S MOST WELCOMING WORKPLACES 

Canada has the world’s most welcoming workplaces for employees, according to a report published on September 17, 2019. A survey of 18,000 workers conducted in 14 countries between April and June 2019 rated employers based on such factors as discrimination, sense of belonging, and negative behavior in the workplace to determine which countries have the most inclusive, welcoming work environments. Canada came in first place on the “inclusion index” ahead of the USA, Germany, Italy, Spain, The Netherlands, Brazil, UK, France, Poland, Japan, Australia, Singapore and Mexico. The researchers found that most of the people who work in Canada think their employer is trying to create an open and more inclusive workplace. Canadian employers also received high marks for the large number of women who hold higher positions in companies. The most welcoming business sectors of the economy were also assessed, with health and pharmaceuticals ranked #1, education #2 and professionals services rated third. To read the full article, click here!

 

DAUGHTER OF IMMIGRANTS HAS BECOME A CANADIAN TENNIS SUPERSTAR

The daughter of immigrant parents from Romania has become a Canadian tennis superstar after winning the 2019 U.S. Open women’s championship in New York on September 7, 2019. Bianca Andreescu was born 19 years ago to immigrant parents living in Mississauga, Ontario, which is a large city near Toronto. After Bianca defeated US tennis superstar, Serena Williams, in the final match, a journalist asked her if it was difficult growing up in Canada as the daughter of immigrants. She replied without hesitation, “Definitely not” and went on to say, “Canada is such an amazing country. It’s so multi-cultural. I had no trouble growing up having Romanian parents whatsoever. That’s why I love my country so, so much.” Her parents, Nicu and Maria, had been able to relocate to Canada during the mid-1990s in pursuit of a better quality of life. Their daughter commented that she thinks “they made the right decision.” This is only one of the countless Canadian immigration success stories about immigrants and their children who find better opportunities after moving to Canada. To read more, click here!

 

ECONOMY CREATED 81,100 NEW JOBS IN CANADA DURING AUGUST 2019

Statistics Canada (StatCan) reported on September 6, 2019, that a net 81,100 new Canadian jobs were filled during August 2019. The Canadian government’s statistics agency also reported that the national unemployment rate in Canada remained at 5.7 percent, which is the lowest in four decades. Data released by StatCan also showed that people working in Canada were earning 3.7 percent more money in August 2019 compared with 12 months earlier. Although this was a significant growth in average hourly wages, it was less than the 4.5 percent year-over-year increase reported for July 2019, which was the highest boost in pay since January 2009. According to the StatCan report, 42,000 of the new Canadian jobs were filled by younger workers. Ontario led all other provinces and territories by generating 58,000 new jobs, while Quebec filled an impressive 20,000 new positions. These two provinces have Canada’s largest populations and biggest economies. Between August 2018 and August 2019, the economy produced 471,300 new jobs in Canada. One economist remarked that the economy is on track to add 450,000 new jobs in Canada during 2019, if the current trend continues. During the past six months, an average of 30,000 workers were hired each month to fill Canadian job openings. To read the full article, click here!

 

MOVE TO TORONTO – THE SIXTH SAFEST CITY IN THE WORLD!

The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) has named Toronto as the sixth safest city in the world in its 2019 Safe Cities Index, which was published in August 2019. Canada’s largest city was also rated as North America’s #1 safest city in the report. Sixty major cities on five continents were evaluated by the EIU researchers based on 57 factors that were grouped into four main categories: personal safety, health, infrastructure and digital safety. Toronto received its highest rating for personal safety. According to the 2019 Safe Cities Index, the top 10 safest cities in the world are: #1 Tokyo, #2 Singapore, #3 Osaka, #4 Amsterdam, #5 Sydney, #6 Toronto, #7 Washington, DC, #8 Copenhagen, #9 Seoul and #10 Melbourne. To read more, click here!

 

CANADIAN CITIZENSHIP CEREMONIES REFLECT GENUINE SUPPORT FOR IMMIGRANTS

An immigrant family from Mauritius and over 180 other permanent residents of Canada received a warm welcome from 10,000 NHL hockey fans at a special Canadian citizenship ceremony held recently in a stadium in Ottawa. After living in Canada for five years as permanent residents, they were ready to take the oath to become new Canadian citizens. When they first arrived at the hockey stadium, the family from Mauritius was a bit nervous, but then they walked down the red carpet that was rolled out onto the rink for them and thousands of Canadians stood to their feet applauding and yelling, “Welcome to Canada!” The wife recalled that she and her family felt an unforgettable sense of belonging, while her two teenage sons expressed their appreciation by saying, “That was so nice!” Approximately 15% of the Canadian citizenship ceremonies held each year are extra special like the one that took place at the Ottawa hockey stadium in February 2019. Back in October 2018, Canadian Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen (who is himself an immigrant from Somalia) joined six permanent residents on top of Toronto’s iconic CN Tower for their unique ceremony to become citizens of Canada. According to experts, these extraordinary events reflect the genuine support of the majority of people living in Canada for progressive immigration policies, multiculturalism and being an immigrant-friendly country. To read the full article, click here!

 

RANKING OF THE BEST PLACES TO LIVE IN CANADA FOR 2019

On August 8, 2019, the Canadian publication, Macleans, released its ranking of the best places to live in Canada for 2019. This annual evaluation examined 415 communities across Canada based on 10 factors: access to healthcare, affordability, amenities, commute, crime, culture, population growth, taxes, wealth and economy, and weather. According to this assessment, the community of Burlington in the province of Ontario is the #1 place to live in Canada this year and also the top spot to raise a family. Burlington was rated highest for it amenities, low crime rate, and culture. Ontario actually boasted nine of the top 10 best places to live in Canada for 2019. Second place went to Grimsby (Ontario), which was also rated as the best community for new immigrants to live in Canada. Grimsby received its highest marks for wealth and economy, culture and weather. The national capital of Canada, Ottawa (Ontario), came in third place. Ottawa’s highest ratings were for amenities, commute and access to healthcare. Other Canadian communities listed among the top 10 best places to live in Canada for 2019 include: #4 Oakville (Ontario); #5 New Tecumseth (Ontario); #6 Salmon Arm (British Columbia); #7 Brant (Ontario); #8 Niagara-on-the-Lake (Ontario); #9 Russell (Ontario); and #10 Tecumseh (Ontario). In addition to its overall ranking of 415 Canadian communities, Macleans also evaluated the best places to live in Canada for families, new immigrants, affordability, healthcare, weather, retirement, wealth, and the top locations in each region. To read more, click here!

 

TECHNOLOGY FIRMS AND WORKERS RELOCATE TO CANADA FOR OPPORTUNITIES

Several technology companies located in the United States are opening offices in Canada, because Canadian visa regulations make it easier and faster for them to hire the skilled foreign workers that they need. Furthermore, many technology professionals from around the world are also choosing to relocate to Canada rather than the USA for similar reasons. Applying for Canadian work visa programs is relatively simple and approval can be much quicker than going through the lengthy procedure to apply for a US work visa. Relocation to Canada is also more attractive to foreign technology workers since less time is required to become a Canadian citizen than in the United States. Both Canada and the USA are enjoying their lowest unemployment rates in four decades, but this has increased competition among technology companies on both sides of the border to find qualified workers. The ability of Canada to attract skilled foreign professionals and US-based high-tech companies gives it a key advantage over the US and helps the country to remain a global leader in technology and innovation. To read more, click here!

 

THOUSANDS OF TRADESPEOPLE NEEDED FOR HIGH-PAYING JOBS IN CANADA

There is a growing demand for qualified tradespeople to fill thousands of good-paying jobs in Canada that are vacant because of a shortage of skilled workers in the country. According to Statistics Canada, the government research agency,  there were 60,170 Canadian jobs left unfilled in Red Seal trades during the first three months of 2019. This was a 14% increase in the number of Canadian job openings in skilled trades compared with the same time period in 2018. The Red Seal Program is a partnership among the Canadian national, provincial and territorial governments that cooperates with industry to establish common standards for people working in Canada’s skilled trades. The Canadian Apprenticeship Forum and Statistics Canada recently reported that 167,739 apprentices will be needed during the next five years in order to fill all of the Canadian job openings in the various skilled trades. Some of the high-demand jobs in Canada that have experienced incredible growth over the past five years include metal fabricators (41.6 percent),  agricultural equipment technicians (32.8 percent),  insulators (25.9 percent), and tilesetters (25.2 percent), among many others.  Supply and demand is sending salaries soaring for many high-demand trades in Canada. For example, heavy duty equipment technicians earn an average yearly salary of $107,220 four years after receiving their Red Seal certification. Pipefitters and steamfitters working in Canada make an average annual income of $105,620 four years following Red Seal certification. To read the full article, click here!

 

CANADA CELEBRATES ITS 152ND BIRTHDAY WITH PARADES AND FIREWORKS

On July 1, 2019, Canadians celebrated their country’s 152nd birthday at various “Canada Day” events, which included picnics, bar-b-ques, parades, fireworks and Canadian citizenship ceremonies. At Canada Day festivities held on Parliament Hill in the capital Ottawa, a large crowd of 16,000 people dressed in red and white and waving Canadian flags gathered to listen to speeches by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Canadian actor Ryan Reynolds and others; watch a fly-by from the Snowbirds; and enjoy a fireworks spectacular in the evening sky. During his speech, Prime Minister Trudeau noted that one-million Canadian jobs have been created since 2017 and he expressed his support for diversity and pride in belonging to a country that embraces multiculturalism. At one of the Canada Day celebrations held in Toronto, a recent immigrant from Mexico said that she feels a part of her new country and declared, “I think it’s very easy to live here and be part of the culture and society because you have people from all around the world.” Many other Canada Day events took place across the country, including 42 ceremonies in which over 1,800 immigrants took the oath to become a Canadian citizen. To read the article and watch the videos, click here!

 

CANADIAN COMPANIES INVEST IN TRAINING AND WORKER WELL-BEING

More companies in Canada are increasing the amount of money they spend to train employees and to enhance worker satisfaction, according to a bi-annual report released on June 26, 2019. The report, Navigator: Made for the Future, surveyed decision-makers at 200 companies across Canada and found that 47% of the respondents said their business plans to boost spending for employee training. The survey also discovered that 42% of Canadian companies are planning to increase spending to promote the well-being and satisfaction of their employees. According to the director of skills and immigration policy at the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, there are around 500,000 vacant jobs in Canada because there are not enough workers available to fill them all. Thus, employers are spending more money to provide their employees with the jobs skills they need, as well as to improve the well-being of their workers so they can retain them. To read more, click here!

 

STUDY SAYS IMMIGRANTS WHO MAKE FRIENDS FAST EARN MORE MONEY 

According to a study released by Statistics Canada in June 2019, immigrants who make friends quickly after they move to Canada tend to earn higher incomes over time than immigrants who did not establish new friendships soon after arrival in their new country. For example, the data shows that women who immigrate to Canada and make new friends within six months after arrival earn incomes that are $6,000-$8,000 higher than female immigrants who did not quickly establish new friendships following their Canadian relocation. The statistics also indicate that immigrants who have friends from diverse ethnic backgrounds while living in Canada make more money than immigrants whose friends tend to be from their same ethnic group. For example, men who immigrate to Canada and make friends with individuals from diverse ethnic backgrounds tend to earn income that is about $8,200 higher than male immigrants whose friends are from their same ethnic group. Apparently, the data suggests that immigrants who have a diverse pool of friends while living in Canada can access a greater range of Canadian employment opportunities. A co-author of the study declared, “The message here to new immigrants is to make friends as soon as you can, and also be open to making friends of different origins, because you’ll be able to learn much more than if your friends are of similar profiles as you.” To read the full article, click here!

 

IMMIGRANTS FROM INDIA SEEK BRIGHTER FUTURE LIVING IN CANADA

Canadian immigration is considered the preferred pathway toward a brighter future for thousands of immigrants from India. In the past, the United States was viewed as the prime destination for professionals and international students from India, but recent US policies have helped to make immigration to Canada a more attractive option. The United States has been increasing restrictions on immigration during the past few years. By contrast, the Canadian government wants one-million immigrants to move to Canada by 2021. More foreign students and immigrants choose Canada because of the high-quality education they can receive, Canadian job opportunities are plentiful and it is easier to become a permanent resident. Both immigrants and international students report feeling welcomed living in Canada, whose people are generally known for their friendliness. To read more, click here!

 

MIDDLE CLASS NIGERIANS IMMIGRATE TO CANADA FOR A BETTER LIFE

Thousands of middle-class families living in Nigeria are relocating to Canada in search of opportunities. Many Nigerians immigrate to Canada because they want a better life for their family in general and a high-quality education for their children in particular. Living in Canada as permanent residents allows Nigerians to give their children access to excellent educational opportunities for a relatively low cost and provides them and their children with incredible career options that are not currently available in Nigeria. A new immigrant from Nigeria recently said that moving to Canada will give her children “a chance to experience life in an environment that ‘works'”. Nigerian newlyweds from Lagos were able to immigrate to Canada through a skilled worker program in early 2019 and are enjoying living in Ottawa, Ontario. This young couple found Canadian employment after living in the country only two months and they believe that moving to Canada was the right choice. To read the full article, click here!

 

ONE-HUNDRED OF THE BEST CANADIAN JOBS FOR 2019

A new report was published on May 14, 2019, which includes information about the 100 best Canadian jobs for 2019 that may be of interest to anyone looking for work in Canada. The report contains details about each occupation’s ranking, median yearly salary, wage growth during the past five years, Canadian job growth for the last five years, and projected outlook for 2024. According to the evaluation, the top job in Canada for 2019 is a nurse practitioner, which has a median yearly salary of $104,000 CAD, enjoyed a 35% rise in wages during the past five years, and experienced a 75% increase of new jobs in Canada during the previous five years. The Canadian government also forecasts that by 2024, the number of openings for nurse practitioner jobs in Canada will be higher than the number of people seeking Canadian employment in this field. Some of the other top jobs in Canada for 2019 (along with their median annual salaries) include #2 dentist ($93,600), #3 utilities manager ($114,130), #4 power systems electrician ($85,758), #5 mining and quarrying supervisor ($83,200), #6 pipefitting supervisor ($81,120), #7 engineering manager ($105,997), #8 scientific research manager ($102,003), #9 public administration director ($109,533), and #10 construction manager ($83,200). To read more, click here!

 

ADDITIONAL 106,500 PEOPLE WORKING IN CANADA DURING APRIL 2019

Statistics Canada reported on May 10, 2019, that employers hired 106,500 additional workers during April 2019, which was the largest increase of new Canadian jobs for a single month since 1976. This record-breaking rise in Canadian employment included 73,000 full-time positions that were filled. The spectacular spike in Canadian job creation lowered the national unemployment rate to 5.7 percent. British Columbia continued to boast the lowest unemployment rate (only 4.6 percent) of any Canadian province or territory, followed by Quebec at 4.9 percent, Manitoba with 5.2 percent, Saskatchewan at 5.4 percent, and Ontario with 6.0 percent. Several cities in Canada have an extremely low unemployment rate. For example, the unemployment rate was just 3.1% in Victoria and 3.3% in Quebec City. By comparison, the unemployment rate was 4.4% in Vancouver, 4.5% in Regina, 5.1% in Halifax, 5.2% in Winnipeg, 5.4% in Montreal, and 5.5% in Ottawa – all below the national average. The data also revealed that 95.3% of women and 94.8% of men who are 25 years of age or older have jobs in Canada. To read the full article, click here!

 

IMMIGRANTS NEEDED TO REPLACE RETIRING CANADIAN WORKERS

The demand for skilled foreign workers to fill Canadian jobs continues to grow, according to a report published by the Conference Board of Canada on May 3, 2019. Even when new graduates and other demographic groups are taken into account, the study says there will not be enough workers for all of the available jobs in Canada without more immigrants. The Conference Board of Canada says that foreign workers are necessary for sustained economic growth, particularly as the number of Canadian workers who are retiring continues to rise. Right now, around 17% of the Canadian population is 65 or older, but that is forecast to climb to 25% by 2040. Thus, foreign workers will play a vital role in maintaining healthy economic growth in Canada as more “baby-boomers” retire from the labor force and new Canadian jobs are created. Statistics reveal that a larger percentage of foreign workers living in Canada have a university degree compared with Canadian-born workers, so immigrants will have many excellent career opportunities, especially for highly-skilled jobs in Canada. To read more, click here!

 

COMPANIES STARTED BY IMMIGRANTS CREATE MORE CANADIAN JOBS

New research released by Statistics Canada on April 24, 2019, says that businesses owned by immigrants produce more Canadian jobs than companies owned by people born in Canada. The report focused on a 10-year period between 2003 and 2013 and declared, “Based on the raw data, immigrant-owned firms had a higher level of net job creation per firm, and were more likely to be high-growth firms than those with Canadian-born owners.” A major reason why immigrant-owned businesses create more net jobs in Canada than companies owned by Canadian-born entrepreneurs is that firms owned by immigrants are newer and research indicates that new businesses tend to  grow faster and generate more new jobs than older companies. The study found that over 75% of Canadian firms owned by immigrants were under 10 years old, compared with a little more than 50% of companies owned by individuals born in Canada. To read the full article, click here!

 

VANCOUVER ATTRACTS THOUSANDS OF IMMIGRANTS RELOCATING TO CANADA

An average of 30,000 people each year move to the Vancouver metropolitan area and 79% of these new arrivals are immigrants. The Vancouver region, located on Canada’s Pacific coast in the province of British Columbia, has much to offer individuals and families. Vancouver was ranked the #1 city in North America for quality of life (and rated #7 in the world) in the 2019 Mercer Quality of Life Index. For the past several years, Vancouver has also been named among the top 10 most livable cities in the world by The Economist. Thousands of people who immigrate to Canada choose to live in Vancouver because of its scenic location and the many outdoor activities available. Others are seeking Canadian employment opportunities in British Columbia’s booming economy. British Columbia has boasted one of the lowest unemployment rates in Canada (only 4.7% in March 2019) and many of the new jobs in Canada are being created in the Vancouver metropolitan area. Some immigrants enjoy the freedom they have, while some are attracted by the cultural diversity of the Vancouver region. One immigrant family originally from China decided to settle in the Vancouver metropolitan area because they wanted to live in a less stressful environment. To read more, click here!

 

NUMBER OF IMMIGRANTS MOVING TO CANADA INCREASES SIGNIFICANTLY

In March 2019, Statistics Canada reported that Canadian immigration has surged to its highest level in more than 100 years. During 2018, the number of immigrants moving to Canada increased significantly to 321,065. This was the most people to immigrate to Canada since back in 1913, when approximately 401,000 foreign nationals became new Canadian residents. It was also the fourth biggest influx of immigrants to move to Canada since 1852. Overall, the country’s population grew by 528,421 during 2018, with Canadian immigration accounting for 321,065 of these new residents and births adding another 207,356 individuals to the population. Furthermore, it was reported that immigrants are helping to boost Canadian employment. To read the full article, click here!

 

FIRST TWO MONTHS OF 2019 ENJOY BEST CANADIAN JOB GROWTH SINCE 1981

The Canadian economy is enjoying its best two-month job growth at the start of a new year since 1981. Statistics Canada reported on March 8, 2019, that 55,900 new Canadian jobs were filled in February 2019, which followed the creation of 66,800 jobs in Canada during January of this year. This was also the strongest two-month period of Canadian job growth since 2012. The majority of these 122,700 Canadian jobs that were filled in the first two months of 2019 were full-time positions. Ontario led the other Canadian provinces and territories in boosting Canadian employment by producing 36,900 new jobs in Canada during February. The Canadian provinces with the lowest unemployment rates in February 2019 were British Columbia (4.5 percent), Quebec (5.3 percent), Manitoba (5.3 percent), Ontario (5.7 percent), and Saskatchewan (5.8 percent). Thus far during 2019, the Canadian economy is maintaining a low national unemployment rate of only 5.8 percent. Additionally, people working in Canada saw their wages increase an average of 2.3% between February 2018 and February 2019. To read more, click here!

 

IMMIGRANTS MOVING TO CANADA’S NEW BRUNSWICK PROVINCE

New Brunswick has established a successful Canadian immigration strategy which is attracting thousands of skilled foreign workers to the province. Just in the past four years, over 4,500 new immigrants have settled in Moncton (the provincial capital) and the surrounding area. This includes around 1,800 new permanent residents of Canada who moved to Moncton during 2018. Skilled foreign workers and their families who immigrate to Canada enjoy living in the Moncton area, which has retained 77% of the permanent residents who settle there. Two key goals of the Canadian immigration strategy that Moncton has implemented are to attract more skilled foreign workers to the area and boost entrepreneurship, both of which stimulate the provincial economy. Local leaders are currently developing Moncton’s Canadian immigration strategy for 2019-2024. To read the full article, click here!

 

ECONOMY CREATED 66,800 NET JOBS IN CANADA DURING JANUARY 2019

The Canadian economy produced a net 66,800 new jobs in January 2019, according to data released by Statistics Canada (StatCan) on February 8, 2019. StatCan also reported that an additional 327,000 people were working in Canada in January 2019 compared with January 2018. Canada ended the first month of the New Year with an unemployment rate of only 5.8 percent, but several regions of the country were lower than the national average. British Columbia continued to boast the lowest unemployment rate (4.7 percent) of any Canadian province or territory, followed by Quebec (5.4 percent), Manitoba and Saskatchewan (both 5.5 percent), and Ontario (5.7 percent). Ontario and Quebec has the largest number of Canadian jobs filled in January 2019. To read more, click here!

 

CANADA INCREASES SPENDING FOR IMMIGRANT SETTLEMENT SERVICES

On January 3, 2019, Canadian Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen announced that the government will boost spending in order to help new immigrants find jobs in Canada. He said that 16 organizations will receive a total of $113 million in government funding through 2023 to provide immigrants with settlement services to make it easier for them to relocate to Canada. Some of the services available to new immigrants can be accessed before they actually immigrate to Canada. For example, Canadian employment services that are specific to a new immigrant’s career are offered, such as providing guidance to those who need to obtain a special license before they can work in Canada in their profession. This extra assistance can give new immigrants a head start on their relocation to Canada and increase their likelihood for a smooth transition in their new country. According to data released by Statistics Canada in December 2018, immigrants account for a growing percentage of all people working in Canada  To read the full article, click here!

 

CANADIAN EDUCATION PROGRAMS ATTRACT MORE FOREIGN STUDENTS

The number of international students living in Canada keeps going up each year, rising 60% between 2015 and 2018, according to a report published in January 2019. For example, there were 350,130 foreign students attending Canadian educational institutions in 2015, but this surged to 410,400 during 2016, soared to  494,525 in 2017, and spiked to around 570,000 during 2018. Many international students choose to study in Canada because of its world-class educational institutions, the warm welcome given to people from other countries, the high standard of living in Canada, and employment opportunities available there, among other reasons. To read more, click here!

 

MANY REFUGEES FROM SYRIA READY TO APPLY FOR CANADIAN CITIZENSHIP  

Some of the first Syrian refugees to relocate to Canada only three years ago have already satisfied the residency requirement to apply for Canadian citizenship. It was back on December 10, 2015, that Prime Minster Justin Trudeau, along with other officials and a large crowd of Canadian citizens, greeted the 163 Syrian refugees who arrived at Toronto’s international airport, welcoming them as new permanent residents of Canada. They were part of the first wave of 58,600 refugees fleeing the Syrian Civil War who would be welcomed to join the Canadian family over the next several months. Fast-forward to December 2018 and many of those immigrants have now been living in Canada for the three years required of permanent residents before they can apply for Canadian citizenship. To read more, click here!

 

HIGHEST PERCENTAGE OF PEOPLE WORKING IN CANADA SINCE 1976

The percentage of working age adults with jobs in Canada is now at the highest level in four decades, according to data released by Statistics Canada on December 7, 2018. In November 2018, Canada’s already low unemployment rate of 5.8% dropped down to just 5.6% after more than 94,000 Canadian jobs (89,900 full-time) were added to the world’s 10th largest economy. Quebec led the other provinces and territories in job creation with 26,000 new positions filled in November 2018, followed by Alberta with 24,000; Ontario with 20,000; and British Columbia which added 16,000 Canadian jobs to the country’s workforce. The Statistics Canada Labour Force Survey for November 2018 also reported that British Columbia had the lowest unemployment rate of any province or territory (4.4 percent), followed by Quebec (5.4 percent), then Saskatchewan (5.5 percent), Ontario (5.6 percent), Manitoba (5.7 percent), and Alberta (6.3 percent). To read the full article, click here! 

 

MAJOR INCREASE PLANNED FOR CANADIAN IMMIGRATION ADMISSIONS

On October 31, 2018, the Canadian government announced a major increase in the number of people who will be authorized for immigration to Canada during the next three years. According to the updated Canadian immigration plan, approximately 330,800 people will be permitted to move to Canada as new permanent residents in 2019. This is much higher than the goal of 310,000 Canadian visas authorized for new permanent residents during 2018. The target set for immigration to Canada soars to 341,000 in 2020, and climbs even further to 350,000 Canadian visas for permanent residency in 2021. According to Canadian Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen, there is a growing hunger for workers who are needed to fill jobs in Canada left vacant due to an ongoing labor shortage. Consequently, most of the Canadian immigration visas will be granted to skilled foreign workers and their accompanying family members during the 2018-2021 time period. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Canadian Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen have both said that the thousands of skilled foreign workers who relocate to Canada each year give the country and its economy a big competitive advantage over other countries, like the United States. To read more, click here!

 

CANADIANS ARE AMONG THE MOST PROSPEROUS PEOPLE ON THE PLANET

The Credit Suisse Research Institute’s 2018 Global Wealth Report reveals that adults living in Canada are among the richest people in the world, with an average net worth of $288,260 USD. The report also says that Canada currently boasts 1.3 million millionaires in 2018, but that number is forecast to climb by 54% to almost two-million by 2023. Furthermore, the prosperity enjoyed by Canadians is rather widespread, with Credit Suisse reporting that the wealth of 46% of the adults living in Canada is between $100,000 and $1 million. There is also higher financial equality in Canada, compared to people living in other wealthy countries such as the United States. To read the full article, click here!

 

RANKING OF THE BEST JOBS IN CANADA FOR 2018

A report released in September 2018 by CanadianBusiness.com has information that may be of interest to people seeking work in Canada. Details are provided for the 100 best jobs in Canada for 2018, including their median salaries, job descriptions, qualifications required, and career opportunities. The #1 Canadian job listed for 2018 is utilities manager, which has a median salary of $114,000 per year. Engineering manager, with a median annual salary of $109,000, came in 2nd place in the ranking of top jobs in Canada. Although many of the best Canadian careers require a university education, several of the top jobs in Canada do not demand a degree. For example, pipefitting supervisor was named as the #3 best Canadian job for 2018, has a median yearly salary of $83,000, and usually requires a secondary school diploma, followed by an apprenticeship, trade certification and work experience. Pharmacist came in fourth place and pays a median salary of $104,000 per year, while public administration director was ranked as the #5 top job in Canada and has a median annual salary of $114,000. For more details about the best Canadian careers for 2018, click here!

 

CANADIAN CITIES INCLUDED IN 2018 LIST OF WORLD’S TOP PLACES TO LIVE

The Economist published its annual ranking of the world’s most livable cities in August 2018 and included Calgary, Vancouver and Toronto in its list of top 10 global cities for quality of life. There were 140 cities evaluated by the London-based Economist Intelligence Unit, which rated each city for its culture and environment, education, healthcare, infrastructure, and stability. The top 10 most livable cities in the world for 2018 are: #1 Vienna (Austria), #2 Melbourne (Australia), #3 Osaka (Japan), #4 Calgary (Canada), #5 Sydney (Australia), #6 Vancouver (Canada), Toronto (Canada) and Tokyo (Japan) tied for 7th place, #9 Copenhagen (Denmark), and #10 Adelaide (Australia). For the past several years, The Economist has included Calgary, Vancouver and Toronto in its list of the 10 best cities to live in the world. To read the full article, click here!

 

PERMANENT RESIDENCY OFFERED TO IMMIGRANT ENTREPRENEURS

Canada’s province of Newfoundland & Labrador recently added two new categories to its Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) intended to make it easier for immigrant entrepreneurs to apply for Canadian permanent resident status. For example, qualifying international students who graduate from university in Newfoundland & Labrador and launch a startup company in the province may be able to apply for Canadian permanent residency through the PNP after the new business has been operating for one year. Thousands of international students are attending university in Newfoundland & Labrador and provincial government officials want to retain this foreign talent to help stimulate the local economy and create new Canadian jobs there. To read more, click here!

 

THE BEST CANADIAN CITIES FOR NEW IMMIGRANTS 

On July 31, 2018, MoneySense.ca released its list of the best places for new immigrants to live in Canada. This 2018 evaluation examined 415 Canadian cities based upon 10 factors: economy, affordability, health, weather, commute, crime, taxes, demographics, culture, and amenities. Ontario boasted six of the top 10 best cities for newcomers to live in Canada, including #1 Oakville, #2 Ottawa, #4 King, #5 Toronto, #6 Milton, and #10 Vaughan. The French-speaking province of Quebec had three of the top 10 best cities for immigrants to live in Canada: #3  Mont-Royal, #7 Brossard, and #9 Westmount.  The city of Delta, a suburb of Vancouver in British Columbia, came in 8th place. If you are considering relocation to Canada and want to view the full list of 100 top Canadian cities for newcomers, click here!

 

IMMIGRATION TO CANADA PUSHES POPULATION PAST 37 MILLION

According to a report released by Statistics Canada on June 14, 2018, the population of Canada is now over 37 million people. The report revealed that the Canadian population hit 37,067,011 on April 1, 2018. The data indicated that it only took 14 months for Canada’s population to go from 36 million to 37 million, with most of the population growth coming from Canadian immigration. For example, during the first three months of 2018, Canada’s population increased by 103,157 residents, with Canadian immigration accounting for 88,120 (or 85 percent) of that total, which includes both permanent residents and temporary residents. To read more, click here!

 

PEOPLE WORKING IN CANADA DOING BETTER THAN U.S. COUNTERPARTS

A new study released in June 2018 says that the Canadian labor force has been in a better position overall than US workers during the past 18 years. The study conducted by Statistics Canada examined labor data about working-age Canadians and Americans since 2000, which included the periods of the Global Financial Crisis and the economic recovery which followed. According to the report, the Canadian employment rate increased overall from 80% to 82% during the past 18 years, while the US rate of employment dropped from 81% to 79% in the same time frame. The analysis of labor statistics from both countries also revealed that the average wages for people working in Canada increased 7% for men and 14% for women since 2000, while the average pay for American workers dropped 2% for men and grew 5% for women over the past 18 years. Furthermore, the Canadian construction and housing sectors were not affected by the Global Financial Crisis anywhere near the extent that occurred in the United States. To read the full article, click here!

 

CANADIAN JOB OPPORTUNITIES ON PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND

Business is booming on Prince Edward Island (PEI), Canada’s smallest province, where immigrants have found big opportunities for employment. Prince Edward Island is located in eastern Canada along its Atlantic coast and only has a population of around 150,000 residents. This scenic Canadian province, which is known for its beautiful golf courses and small-town charm, is enjoying strong economic growth and is creating many new Canadian jobs. A shortage of skilled workers on Prince Edward Island helped wages to rise 3.6% during the past year, which was the third highest pay increase of any Canadian province after British Columbia and Ontario. With new housing starts on P.E.I. soaring by 64% in 2017 (the national average in Canada was 11% last year), skilled tradespeople are in very high demand there. Much of the healthy economic growth taking place on Prince Edward Island has been attributed to a record expansion of exports from the tiny province, as well as an influx of immigrants (with approximately 2,350 permanent residents arriving there during 2017). To read more, click here!

 

CANADA’S 10 PROVINCES ALL HAD POSITIVE ECONOMIC GROWTH DURING 2017

Alberta led Canada’s 10 provinces with the highest percentage of GDP economic growth (4.9 percent) during 2017. This oil-rich Canadian province was not alone, however, as all 10 provinces in Canada experienced positive GDP growth last year. For example, British Columbia’s economy grew 3.9% in 2017, followed by Prince Edward Island with 3.2% and Quebec with 3.1% GDP growth. Canada’s prairie provinces of Manitoba and Saskatchewan both saw their economies grow by a healthy 2.9% during 2017, while the GDP of Ontario rose by an impressive 2.8 percent. Even Canada’s Atlantic Provinces performed well economically last year. For example, the GDP of Newfoundland & Labrador grew by 2.1 percent, the economy of New Brunswick expanded by 1.9 percent, and the GDP of Nova Scotia increased by 1.2 percent in 2017. This was the first time since 2011 that the economies of all 10 Canadian provinces had positive GDP growth in the same year. Overall, the Canadian economy expanded by a robust 3.3 percent in 2017 and created 394,200 full-time jobs in Canada. To read more, click here!

 

CANADIAN VISA PROGRAM SEEKS FOREIGN WORKERS FOR PROVINCES

There has been a steady increase in the number of skilled foreign workers who immigrate to Canada through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), according to a recent study. The report notes that 10% of all skilled foreign workers approved for Canadian immigration a decade ago arrived through the PNP, but today that has risen to over 25 percent. Furthermore, the study reveals that a growing number of economic immigrants who move to Canada through the PNP are settling in provinces and territories other than British Columbia, Ontario, or Quebec (the top three destinations for immigrants). The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) is one of several Canadian immigration programs and its goal is to attract qualified foreign workers whose skills are needed in different provinces or territories in Canada. Each province and territory that participates in the PNP has established its own criteria for applicants in cooperation with the national Canadian immigration agency which has the sole authority to issue a visa to Canada. In many cases, the eligibility requirements for the PNP are easier to meet than the criteria for other Canadian immigration programs for skilled foreign workers. For example, the study reports that 54% of foreign workers approved to immigrate to Canada through the PNP in 2010-2015 held a university degree, compared to 83% granted a Canadian visa through the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) during the same time period. To read more, click here!

 

FOREIGN WORKERS RECRUITED FOR JOBS IN QUEBEC

The French-speaking province of Quebec is experiencing a labor shortage, so a job fair was recently held in Montreal to recruit immigrants to the local workforce. Quebec has one of the lowest unemployment rates in Canada and its growing economy has been producing thousands of full-time jobs, but employers have been struggling to find enough qualified workers to fill all of the new positions. Statistics Canada reports that 149,900 full-time jobs in Quebec were created from March 2017 to March 2018. This was a 4.5% increase in full-time employment in Quebec and the highest percentage jump for full-time jobs in Canada of any province or territory during this 12-month period. To read the full article, click here!

 

IMMIGRANTS FEEL WELCOMED LIVING IN CANADA

A recent survey of 2,000 Canadians finds that the majority of people who live in Canada have a positive view of immigrants. The Environics Institute for Survey Research conducted the survey in February 2018 and also discovered that 80% of Canadians believe that immigrants are important for Canada’s economy. These favorable findings regarding Canadian immigration are consistent with positive attitudes toward immigrants maintained by people who live in Canada for the past several decades. Thus, while many countries have taken a negative view toward immigrants, Canadians continue to welcome newcomers with open arms, including thousands of skilled foreign workers and refugees. To read more, click here!

 

CANADA IS RANKED AS THE 4TH HAPPIEST COUNTRY FOR IMMIGRANTS

The 2018 World Happiness Report was released by the United Nations in March 2018 and Canada was rated as the 4th happiest country for immigrants to live and ranked as the 7th happiest country overall. Researchers evaluated 156 countries around the world based on such factors as the perceptions of happiness by people living in each country; the per person Gross Domestic Product (GDP); and healthy life expectancy. In regards to immigrants who live in Canada, the 2018 World Happiness Report found that Canadians are among the most accepting of newcomers. To read the full article, click here!

 

NEW CANADIAN CITIZENS THANKFUL TO LIVE IN CANADA

On February 28, 2018, fifty immigrants took the oath to become Canadian citizens at a special ceremony held in Canada’s Atlantic province of New Brunswick. Among these permanent residents to receive Canadian citizenship were immigrants from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Iraq, Nigeria and Ukraine. Many of the immigrants decided to immigrate to Canada to find safety, freedom and better opportunities. All of the immigrants who received their Canadian citizenship are thankful to live in Canada. Smiles and Canadian flags were everywhere at the ceremony that was held in Fredericton, New Brunswick. To read the full article, click here!

 

STANDARD OF LIVING IN CANADA IS THE BEST IN THE WORLD

Canada is considered to be the #1 country in the world for quality of life in 2018 and the #2 best country to live overall, according to the 2018 “Best Countries” report released on January 23, 2018, by US News & World Report, the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and BAV Consulting. A large survey of 21,000 people in 80 countries asked participants to rate countries on 65 country characteristics which were grouped into nine larger categories: adventure, citizenship, cultural influence, entrepreneurship, heritage, movers, open for business, power and quality of life. Scores based on responses from the 21,000 survey participants were calculated for each of these nine categories and the countries were ranked for each category and also rated overall. The “quality of life” category consisted of the following characteristics: affordability, economic stability, family friendly, good job market, income equality, political stability, safety, having a well-developed public education system, and possessing a well-developed public health system. Canada received high scores on all of these characteristics, placing it in the top position for quality of life. This was not the first time that Canada received high marks as a great place to live. Canada also came in 1st place for quality of life and 2nd place overall in the 2017 “Best Countries” report. To read more, click here!

 

CANADIAN EMPLOYMENT AT HIGHEST LEVEL IN OVER 40 YEARS!

Strong economic growth in Canada produced many benefits during 2017 for people who live and work in Canada. For example, there were 422,500 new jobs in Canada created in 2017 (394,200 of those new Canadian jobs were full-time positions).  The services sector produced 290,300 new Canadian jobs in 2017, while goods-producers created 132,100 new jobs last year, and manufacturing jobs increased in 2017 by 85,700 (the strongest job creation for Canada’s manufacturing sector since 2002). The economy produced 193,400 new jobs in Canada just between September 2017 and December 2017, which is the largest three-month increase in Canadian employment since 1976. Thus, when 2017 came to an end, the unemployment rate in Canada had dropped to 5.7 percent, which is the lowest level in over 40 years! Furthermore, people who work in Canada saw their salaries increase an average of 2.9% during 2017. To read the full article, click here!

 

NOVA SCOTIA IS A GREAT PLACE FOR IMMIGRANTS TO LIVE IN CANADA

During 2017, over 4,000 new immigrants made their homes in Nova Scotia after moving to Canada. Nova Scotia is one of Canada’s Atlantic provinces and is located in eastern Canada along the Atlantic Ocean. It’s provincial capital and largest city is Halifax. The top three countries of origin for these new Nova Scotia residents were China, India and The Philippines, which also matches the top three source countries for people who immigrate to Canada. Immigrants who move to Canada and settle in Nova Scotia tend to be successful in terms of finding Canadian employment in their occupations and in regards to starting their own businesses. Nova Scotia residents appreciate the new immigrants and have given these new Canadian permanent residents a warm welcome when they arrive in the province. To read more, click here!

 

BOOMING CANADIAN JOB MARKET INCREASES CONSUMER CONFIDENCE

As 2017 came to an end, Canadian consumers were optimistic about prospects in the New Year. Canada’s economy is strong, the stock market has been going up, unemployment has been going down, and nearly 400,000 Canadian jobs were filled in the past 12 months. The Bloomberg Nanos Canadian Confidence Index reveals that optimism among consumers in Canada is at an eight-year high. Furthermore, a recent survey has found that the majority of people who work in Canada feel confident about their job security. This positive outlook about the strength of the economy and Canadian job market is being expressed through continued big spending by people who live in Canada. To read the full article, click here!

 

SURGE OF IMMIGRANTS APPLYING FOR CANADIAN CITIZENSHIP  

There has been a surge in permanent residents applying for Canadian citizenship after new regulations recently made the process easier and faster. The new Canadian citizenship rules, which became effective on October 11, 2017, reduced the number of years that a permanent resident must live in Canada before he or she may apply to become a Canadian citizen. Before the changes, an immigrant had to live in Canada at least four years during a six year period, but under the new rules a permanent resident only needs to live in Canada for three years during a five year period before applying for Canadian citizenship. Another recent rule change allows Canadian permanent residents to count some of the time spent living in Canada as a temporary foreign worker or international student (if applicable) toward the requirement to live in Canada three years prior to applying for Canadian citizenship. Furthermore, permanent residents living in Canada who are over 54 years of age will not have to meet the language and knowledge criteria before applying for Canadian citizenship (under the old rules, this exemption did not start until age 64). During the six months before the easier Canadian citizenship rules went into effect, an average of  3,653 immigrants applied to become a Canadian citizen each week. In the week after the new regulations came into force, the number of applications for Canadian citizenship soared to 17,500. To read more, click here!

 

HIGHER EDUCATION BOOSTS SALARIES FOR CANADIAN WORKERS 

More people who live in Canada are getting a post-secondary education (i.e., a university, college, or vocational school education) and as a result, they are earning higher salaries, according to 2016 Canadian census data. In fact, Canada is ranked #1 among the OECD countries for the percentage (54 percent) of workers between the ages of 24 and 65 who have a university or college degree. Furthermore, the 2016 census reveals that 40% of immigrants who live in Canada have a Bachelor’s Degree or higher credential, compared to 25% of Canadian-born citizens. The higher education possessed by people who work in Canada is paying off with larger salaries. For example, men who work in Canada and hold a Bachelor’s Degree earn a median salary of $82,082 CAD per year, while Canadian men who have an apprenticeship certificate in a skilled trade earn an annual median income of $72,955 CAD. To read the full article, click here!

 

CREATION OF FULL-TIME JOBS IN CANADA AT RECORD HIGH

During September and October 2017, the Canadian economy produced an impressive 200,700 full-time jobs in Canada, according to data released by Statistics Canada on November 3, 2017. There were 112,000 full-time Canadian jobs created in September 2017, followed by an additional 88,700 new full-time jobs in October 2017. This was a record high for new full-time jobs in Canada during a two-month period. Statistics Canada also reported a net increase of 35,300 new jobs added to the Canadian economy in October 2017, which was more than double the 15,000 new jobs forecast by analysts for that time period. Almost 400,000 new Canadian jobs have been produced during the last 12 months, as Canada’s economy continues its robust expansion. In further good economic news, the Canadian government also reported a substantial increase in wages for people who work in Canada. To read more, click here!

 

SIGNIFICANT INCREASE FOR CANADIAN IMMIGRATION PLANNED

On November 1, 2017, the Canadian government announced its three-year plan for immigration to Canada, which includes a goal to issue 980,000 Canadian visas to new immigrants between 2018 and 2020. The Canadian immigration target for 2016 and 2017 was 300,000 each year, but that number will increase to 310,000 permanent resident visas granted in 2018, 330,000 during 2019 and 340,000 in 2020. The majority of Canadian visas issued each year will be to skilled foreign workers who are approved for Express Entry immigration to Canada. During 2018, the new Canadian immigration plan seeks to grant permanent residency to 177,500 people through programs for “economic immigrants” (such as the Federal Skilled Worker Program), but that number will soar to 191,600 in 2019 and climb further to 195,800 during 2020. To read the full article, click here!

 

CANADIAN IMMIGRATION IS MAKING CANADA MORE MULTICULTURAL

According to data from the 2016 census, 21.9% of the 36 million people who live in Canada are immigrants. This is the highest percentage of immigrants to live in Canada since 1931 (85 years ago). By comparison, 19.8% of Canada’s population was foreign-born back in 2006. In addition to immigrants making up a larger proportion of the Canadian population, the 2016 census also reveals that Canada is becoming a more multicultural country in other ways. For example, the 2016 census reports that the majority of immigrants who move to Canada (60 percent) are from countries in Asia. The Philippines is currently the #1 country of origin for new immigrants who live in Canada, followed by #2 India, #3 China, #4 Iran, #5 Pakistan, #6 United States, #7 Syria, #8 United Kingdom, #9 France, and #10 South Korea. Nonetheless, thousands of immigrants also move to Canada from other parts of world. For example, countries in Africa are now the #2 source for Canadian immigration, accounting for 13.4% of new arrivals. Additionally, large numbers of immigrants move to Canada from Europe, Latin America and virtually every region of the planet. With Canada’s government approving approximately 300,000 people for Canadian immigration each year, it is very likely that Canada’s population will continue to become even more diverse in the future. To read more, click here!

 

NEW RULES MAKE IT EASIER TO BECOME A CANADIAN CITIZEN

It now takes less time for a permanent resident of Canada to become a Canadian citizen under new immigration regulations that went into effect on October 11, 2017. According to the new rules, permanent residents who live in Canada for three years (1,095 days) during a five-year time period and who meet all of the eligibility requirements may apply for Canadian citizenship. Previously, permanent residents had to live in Canada at least four years in the six years prior to applying for Canadian citizenship. To read the full article, click here!

 

CANADA HAS THE FASTEST GROWING ECONOMY OF THE G-7 COUNTRIES

Canada is leading the G-7 countries in economic growth, according to information provided by Statistics Canada on August 31, 2017. Boosted by the highest level of consumer spending in Canada since 2008, the Canadian Gross Domestic Product (GDP) soared in the second quarter of 2017 to an annual growth rate of 4.5 percent, outperforming the GDP growth rates of the USA, Japan, Germany, Italy, UK and France. Economists had forecast a robust GDP growth rate of 3.7% in Canada during the same time period. The Canadian economy is currently surging at its strongest level since 2011, creating thousands of jobs in Canada. To read more, click here!

 

CANADIAN CITIES OFFER HIGH QUALITY OF LIFE

Vancouver, Toronto and Calgary are listed among the top 10 most livable cities in the world, according to the ranking of cities published by The Economist in August 2017. The Economist Intelligence Unit measured the quality of life in 140 cities around the world, rating each city on: (1) infrastructure, (2) healthcare, (3) education, (4) stability, and (5) culture and environment. In its 2017 Global Liveability Report, the EIU ranked Vancouver #3, Toronto #4 and Calgary #5 (tied with Adelaide, Australia) for livability. Only two cities received a higher rating for quality of life than these three Canadian cities: Melbourne (Australia) came in 1st place, while Vienna (Austria) was named the #2 most livable city in the world for 2017. These and other incredible cities that lead the world in quality of life share some common characteristics, including: medium size, low population density (compared to larger cities) and being located in a wealthy country. To read the full article, click here!

 

SURVEY SAYS CANADA IS THE #2 BEST IMMIGRATION DESTINATION FOR 2017

On July 10, 2017, US News & World Report published the results of its survey of 21,000 individuals in 80 countries and ranked Canada the #2 best country for immigrants to live in 2017. The participants of this large global survey were asked to evaluate countries throughout the world based upon whether they would want to live in a particular country and taking into account each country’s economic stability, immigration policy, and labor market. According to the survey’s results, Sweden is considered the best country for immigrants to live, with Canada receiving the 2nd highest rating and Switzerland, Australia, Germany, Norway, the United States, The Netherlands, Finland, and Denmark also included in the world’s top ten immigration destinations. The survey also reported that people who live in Canada generally enjoy the best quality of life in the world (regardless of whether they were born in Canada or immigrants). To read more, click here!

 

WHERE TO LIVE WHEN YOU MOVE TO CANADA

Are you looking for the perfect place to live in Canada? In July 2017, Macleans published its evaluation of 417 Canadian cities and towns which were rated according to home affordability, robust economy, high wealth and income, low crime, health accessibility, nice weather, low taxes, arts and community, and being transit friendly. Ranked among the 10 best places to live in Canada for 2017 were: Ottawa (Ontario), Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures (Quebec), Oak Bay (British Columbia), North Saanich (British Columbia),  Weyburn (Saskatchewan), Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville (Quebec), St. Albert (Alberta), Mont-Royal (Quebec), Burlington (Ontario), and Lévis (Quebec). Ottawa (population 974,701) is Canada’s capital city, has a median household income of $91,122 per year, and enjoys a low unemployment rate. To view the ranking and details for the 417 communities across Canada, click here!

 

CANADIAN EMPLOYMENT TRENDS FOR THE TOP 100 JOBS IN CANADA

Individuals who are looking for work in Canada can learn more about Canadian employment trends in a report posted May 29, 2017, on the CanadianBusiness.com website. The report lists 100 top jobs in Canada and contains details about each occupation’s median salary, 5-year trends for salaries and hiring, as well as each job’s outlook for the future. Information is provided for a variety of Canadian jobs in a range of business sectors, including the medical field, construction industry, information technology, engineering, finance, education, and natural resources. Examples of the median annual salaries for some of the best jobs in Canada listed in the report include: utilities manager ($112,320); director of public administration ($106,662); mining and forestry manager ($100,006); pharmacist ($102,398); university professor ($91,998); software engineer ($90,001); pipefitting supervisor ($89,398); financial manager ($86,236); secondary school teacher ($83,200); and registered nurse ($74,880). To view the full list and details for 100 top Canadian jobs, click here!

 

UNITED NATIONS GIVES CANADA HIGH MARKS FOR HAPPINESS

Individuals living in Canada are the 7th happiest people on the planet, according to the United Nations World Happiness Report which was released in March 2017. The UN assessed the happiness of people living in 155 countries, based upon their freedom to make life choices, healthy life expectancy at birth, real GDP per capita, diversity, perception of corruption, and generosity. Norway was named the world’s #1 happiest country, with people living in Denmark, Iceland, Switzerland, Finland, Netherlands, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and Sweden also included among the top 10 happiest countries. To read more, click here!