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Canada Express Entry Embarks on Category-Based Selection Approach
Canada’s Immigration Minister, Sean Fraser, has declared the initiation of category-focused selection rounds for Express Entry applicants. He envisions this step to boost the influx of specialized workers, helping Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) fulfil the country’s pledge to welcome professionals with high demand into various regions across the nation.
Targeted Professions for 2023 Selection Rounds
The forthcoming Express Entry rounds will primarily concentrate on candidates possessing robust French language skills or relevant experience in the ensuing sectors:
- Healthcare
- Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields
- Various trades like Carpentry, Plumbing, and Contracting
- Transport
- Agriculture and Agri-food
These Express Entry rounds under the new categories are projected to kickstart by late summer.
Rationale behind New Express Entry Categories
The new categories’ inception is aimed at filling the gap identified in Canada’s Occupation In-demand List. Immigration plays a vital role in mitigating labour shortages and fostering French language growth in French minority communities outside Quebec.
Fraser comments, “Employers from every corner of the country have been voicing their persistent labour shortages. These modifications to the Express Entry mechanism will guarantee the influx of skilled manpower they require to expand and flourish. Concurrently, we can bolster our economy, assist businesses facing labour shortages, and enhance the number of French-proficient applicants, thereby ensuring the survival of French-speaking communities. Simply put, Canada’s immigration system is now more attuned than ever to the nation’s social and economic requisites.”
Following the alterations to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act in June 2022, the commencement of category-based draws is anticipated this year, enabling the minister to select immigrants based on vital attributes that resonate with Canada’s economic ambitions.
Methodology of IRCC’s Category Selection and Reporting
The selection of categories by the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) relies on:
- Information and predictions of the labour market.
- Feedback from collaborators, including provinces and territories, and stakeholders across the nation.
Each year, they present a report to Parliament elaborating on:
- Categories chosen the previous year.
- Reasoning and methodology behind the selection.
- Directions to establish a category.
- The count of invitations dispatched for each category.
Additional tasks include:
- Incorporating information about category-based selection in the Express Entry Year-End Report.
- Regularly evaluating and monitoring categories.
The inception of Express Entry in 2015 was to cater to Canada’s fluctuating economic and job market prerequisites. It manages applications for three economic immigration programs: Federal Skilled Workers Program (FSWP), Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), and Canadian Experience Class (CEC).
These programs utilize a scoring scheme, known as the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), to assess candidates based on attributes such as work experience, language skills, profession, education, and more. Candidates with superior CRS scores have a higher probability of receiving an invitation to apply for Canada PR.
In conclusion
Canada’s revamped Express Entry system is a progressive step toward leveraging immigration for economic and social advancement. Through the introduction of category-based selection, the country aims to attract skilled professionals in critical sectors like Healthcare, STEM, Trades, Transport, and Agriculture. Prioritizing candidates with strong French language proficiency also promotes linguistic diversity. This strategy addresses labor shortages and boosts the vitality of French-speaking communities. With the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) at the helm, the new approach represents a more responsive immigration system, primed to align with Canada’s evolving social and economic needs. Ultimately, this is a win-win situation for both Canada and potential immigrants seeking to build a prosperous future.
