Trucking welcomed into Ontario immigration nominee program.

TORONTO, Ont. – The Ontario Trucking Association (OTA) is applauding the provincial government for welcoming the trucking industry into the Ontario Immigration Nominee Program, through the in-demand skills stream.

The 2019 budget reads: “To better reflect employer and labour market needs, the government will seek to expand the occupations eligible for the Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills Stream to include transport truck drivers and personal support workers.”

The change gives Ontario trucking companies the same access to foreign labor sources currently provided to the agriculture and construction industries.

“Ontario’s economic competitiveness is highly dependent on the trucking industry as the dominant mode of freight transportation in the province,” said David Carruth, chairman, Ontario Trucking Association. “Having access to this program provides trucking companies an avenue to recruit the talent they need to fill gaps in their workforces.”

Prospective truck drivers will have to go through Ontario’s mandatory entry-level training program and will require further in-house training by their employer.

“The industry is taking steps to help address its labor shortages – from increasing wages to better marketing the opportunities available in the industry – but these measures alone will not be able to meet the labor needs over the coming years without access to labour through immigration,” said Carruth. “Today’s budget announcement will provide assistance to our sector and by extension the Ontario economy.”

“Making sure this province stays open for business has been one of the (Premier Doug) Ford government’s guiding principles. The decision to allow trucking access to the OINP is a critical step in supporting that vision,” added OTA president Stephen Laskowski. “While the trucking industry does not expect immigration, on its own, could or should solve the industry’s labor shortage, it’s clear immigration and the recruitment of professional foreign truck drivers through programs like this one will need to play a larger role moving forward.”

The Ontario trucking industry will also be allowed to participate in a pilot program that will bring highly-skilled immigrants to smaller communities.

The budget also confirmed the government will maintain the tax exemption for natural gas used as a transportation fuel.

It will also allow electronic documentation for International Registration Plans, making it easier for truck drivers to confirm their credentials and reduce paperwork.

Source: https://www.trucknews.com/human-resources/trucking-welcomed-into-ontario-immigration-nominee-program/1003090780/

How to Open a Bank Account in Canada

For many newcomers, opening a bank account is one of the first things you do when landing in Canada. Between the Big 5 banks in Canada (RBC, TD, CIBC, BMO, and Scotiabank) and other financial institutions, many banks offer a specialized “newcomer banking package” that is designed for new immigrants. Arrive, powered by RBC Ventures Inc., a subsidiary of RBC, is here to help you learn about the Royal Bank of Canada Newcomer’s product offering.

For starters, when you open an account in Canada, you’ll typically get a chequing account and a credit card at the same time. In our overview titled Feel Safe and Secure Banking in Canada, we explore everything you need to know about setting up your finances, as well as learning about the Canadian banking system. One of the core areas we focus on is the importance of credit cards in Canada; they’re an essential means to building your credit profile and credit score, which helps you when it comes to renting/owning a home, leasing a car, and accessing other financial products in the future. Additionally, credit cards have the added convenience of allowing you to pay for things easily, without having to carry cash. Keep in mind that credit cards can carry very high-interest rates, and your balance should be managed and paid down promptly. Once you are approved for a credit card, get started by making payments for small expenses such as phone bills or groceries. This will help you gradually build your credit history.

Ensure you have one of the following pieces of identification to open an account:

• A driver’s license issued in Canada
• A Canadian or foreign passport
• Permanent Resident card
• Immigration Canada Form IMM 1000 or IMM 1442

Note: Permitted identification documents may vary with the province

Most financial institutions also offer other services, such as investments, mortgages, safety deposit boxes and general financial planning. Talk to a financial advisor about your specific goals and needs, or even get started by browsing through some of our past Arrive webinars, on finances covering a wide variety of topics for your financial wellbeing.

Helpful Tips: It’s helpful to make an appointment with a bank branch to have a dedicated advisor ready to address your questions and help you open a bank account. View the RBC Branch Locator from Canada’s largest bank*, Royal Bank of Canada (RBC), to find the closest branch near your community. You will need to know your local address or postal code to book an appointment. You can also visit the newly designed RBC Newcomer Branch at the Brampton Civic Centre, which was set up to help newcomers with all of their banking needs. Select “paper statements” for the first three to four months of your credit card billing, as these statements typically serve as proof of address while applying for health insurance. Note that for the delivery of paper statements, you will need to provide your permanent address. *Based on market capitalization.

Source: https://arrivein.com/finance/how-to-open-a-bank-account-in-canada/