Alberta Employment and Immigration and Immigrate to Alberta Information Service have announced that the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program - US Visa Holder Category will be assessed pursuant to a new Occupations Under Pressure List. The current list is significantly shorter than the previously listed Occupations Under Pressure (OUP) List for the US Visa Holder Category.
This change affects to all individuals who hold a US visa, such as an H1B, and who intend to apply for Canadian Permanent Residence through Alberta’s Provincial Nominee Program for US visa holders. While this program offers expedited processing, no English language examination requirement and limited conditions, this recent change in the OUP List renders it very exclusive. Applications submitted on or before May 19, 2009 will be assessed based on the previously posted list. Applications submitted after this date will be assessed based on the current list, which follows:
Management Occupations
NOC Code Description
0211 Engineering Managers
0212 Architecture and Science Managers
0213 Computer and Information Systems Managers
0611 Sales, Marketing and Advertising Managers
0621 Retail Trade Managers
0711 Construction Managers
0721 Facility Operation and Maintenance Mangers
0811 Primary Production Mgrs (Except Agric)
Business, Finance and Administration Occupations
NOC Code Description
1111 Financial Auditors
1235 Assessors, Valuators and Appraisers
Natural and Applied Sciences and Related Occupations
NOC Code Description
2111 Physicists and Astronomers
2112 Chemists
2113 Geologists, Geochemists and Geophysicists
2121 Biologists
As always, listed occupations are based on the National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. The NOC is the nationally accepted organizational framework of occupations in the Canadian labour market.
Opening residency to foreign student grads
By Edward C. Corrigan
Thursday, May 21, 2009
On Sept. 5, 2008, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Diane Finley announced that certain temporary foreign workers and students could apply for permanent residence under the newly created Canadian Experience Class (CEC) starting September 17, 2008.
The Canadian Experience Class is a new program of immigration for qualified temporary foreign workers and foreign student graduates with professional, managerial and skilled work experience in Canada.
Unlike other programs, the program allows an applicant’s experience in Canada to be considered a key selection factor when immigrating to Canada.
WHO CAN APPLY?
To apply for permanent residence under the Canadian Experience Class the minimum requirements are as follows:
*
plan to live outside the province of Quebec.
*
be either a temporary foreign worker with at least two years of full?time (or equivalent) skilled work experience in Canada, or a foreign graduate from a Canadian post?secondary institution with at least one year of full?time (or equivalent) skilled work experience in Canada
*
have gained their experience in Canada with the proper work or study authorization apply while working in Canada B or B within one year of leaving your job in Canada
There are two streams for the Canadian Experience Class:
TEMPORARY FOREIGN WORKER STREAM
Under this category an applicant must have two years of full-time equivalent, skilled-work experience at the National Occupational Classification (NOC) System O, A or B level. (i.e. managerial, professional, or skilled and technical) acquired in Canada within the three years preceding the date the application is submitted in a complete form.
Lower?skilled workers cannot apply under the Canadian Experience Class. However, Provincial Nominee Programs may be available to lower?skilled workers. These are workers in jobs classified at skill levels C and D under the NOC System.
Work experience gained in Canada while waiting for a decision on a refugee claim is not eligible for an application for permanent residence under the Canadian Experience Class
POST-GRADUATION STREAM
Requirements for graduates from a qualified Canadian educational institution.
There are two requirements specific to graduates:
* Work experience
* Education
WORK EXPERIENCE
As a graduate of a Canadian post?secondary educational institution, applicants must have one year of full?time (or equivalent) work experience in Canada after graduation. The work experience must be gained within two years of applying under the CEC program.
Co?op terms and apprenticeships completed before graduating do not count as skilled work experience as they are considered part of an educational program. Co?op terms and apprenticeships are counted as part of the minimum two?year educational program requirement.
Applicants can get qualified work experience by applying for the Post?Graduation Work Permit after graduation. Under this program Work Permits may be valid for up to three years with no restrictions on the type of work preformed. However, to qualify under the Canadian Experience Class for permanent residence, at least one year of work experience under the permit must be at Skill Type 0, or Skill Level A or B under the National Occupation Classification or (NOC). The work experience must be gained within two years of the time the application is made.
EDUCATION
Education is only assessed if you are applying as a graduate of a Canadian post?secondary educational institution under the Post-Graduation stream.
To qualify the applicant must be either a full?time Canadian post?secondary educational program of at least two years or a one?year Master’s program (certificates and diplomas cannot be counted) and an additional year of education, obtained in Canada, before admission into the one?year program (for a total of two years).
Applicants also must complete a required program of study in Canada and obtain a Canadian educational credential (e.g. a degree, diploma or certificate). Some categories of education are excluded from this program. These include English or French ESL studies; on-line programs completed outside Canada and studies in Canada taken under an award or scholarship program which stipulate return to their home country.
LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS
All applicants are required to be able to communicate and work in one or both of Canada’s official languages.
Applicants must prove their ability in English or French to qualify for permanent residence under the Canadian Experience Class.
The occupation category will determine the language abilities required to immigrate under the Canadian Experience Class. The requirements vary according to job classification under NOC.
The completed application will undergo a detailed review by a Visa Officer. The officer will consider all the information and documentation provided, and will assess it against current selection standards.
Unlike many other Canada Immigration programs there is no residency requirement for landing. If the applicant has temporary resident status when their application is approved, they can be landed in Canada at their local Citizenship and Immigration Canada Office. If the applicant is approved while outside of Canada they will present their visa at a Port of Entry and get landed through that office.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
On Sept. 5, 2008, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Diane Finley announced that certain temporary foreign workers and students could apply for permanent residence under the newly created Canadian Experience Class (CEC) starting September 17, 2008.
The Canadian Experience Class is a new program of immigration for qualified temporary foreign workers and foreign student graduates with professional, managerial and skilled work experience in Canada.
Unlike other programs, the program allows an applicant’s experience in Canada to be considered a key selection factor when immigrating to Canada.
WHO CAN APPLY?
To apply for permanent residence under the Canadian Experience Class the minimum requirements are as follows:
*
plan to live outside the province of Quebec.
*
be either a temporary foreign worker with at least two years of full?time (or equivalent) skilled work experience in Canada, or a foreign graduate from a Canadian post?secondary institution with at least one year of full?time (or equivalent) skilled work experience in Canada
*
have gained their experience in Canada with the proper work or study authorization apply while working in Canada B or B within one year of leaving your job in Canada
There are two streams for the Canadian Experience Class:
TEMPORARY FOREIGN WORKER STREAM
Under this category an applicant must have two years of full-time equivalent, skilled-work experience at the National Occupational Classification (NOC) System O, A or B level. (i.e. managerial, professional, or skilled and technical) acquired in Canada within the three years preceding the date the application is submitted in a complete form.
Lower?skilled workers cannot apply under the Canadian Experience Class. However, Provincial Nominee Programs may be available to lower?skilled workers. These are workers in jobs classified at skill levels C and D under the NOC System.
Work experience gained in Canada while waiting for a decision on a refugee claim is not eligible for an application for permanent residence under the Canadian Experience Class
POST-GRADUATION STREAM
Requirements for graduates from a qualified Canadian educational institution.
There are two requirements specific to graduates:
* Work experience
* Education
WORK EXPERIENCE
As a graduate of a Canadian post?secondary educational institution, applicants must have one year of full?time (or equivalent) work experience in Canada after graduation. The work experience must be gained within two years of applying under the CEC program.
Co?op terms and apprenticeships completed before graduating do not count as skilled work experience as they are considered part of an educational program. Co?op terms and apprenticeships are counted as part of the minimum two?year educational program requirement.
Applicants can get qualified work experience by applying for the Post?Graduation Work Permit after graduation. Under this program Work Permits may be valid for up to three years with no restrictions on the type of work preformed. However, to qualify under the Canadian Experience Class for permanent residence, at least one year of work experience under the permit must be at Skill Type 0, or Skill Level A or B under the National Occupation Classification or (NOC). The work experience must be gained within two years of the time the application is made.
EDUCATION
Education is only assessed if you are applying as a graduate of a Canadian post?secondary educational institution under the Post-Graduation stream.
To qualify the applicant must be either a full?time Canadian post?secondary educational program of at least two years or a one?year Master’s program (certificates and diplomas cannot be counted) and an additional year of education, obtained in Canada, before admission into the one?year program (for a total of two years).
Applicants also must complete a required program of study in Canada and obtain a Canadian educational credential (e.g. a degree, diploma or certificate). Some categories of education are excluded from this program. These include English or French ESL studies; on-line programs completed outside Canada and studies in Canada taken under an award or scholarship program which stipulate return to their home country.
LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS
All applicants are required to be able to communicate and work in one or both of Canada’s official languages.
Applicants must prove their ability in English or French to qualify for permanent residence under the Canadian Experience Class.
The occupation category will determine the language abilities required to immigrate under the Canadian Experience Class. The requirements vary according to job classification under NOC.
The completed application will undergo a detailed review by a Visa Officer. The officer will consider all the information and documentation provided, and will assess it against current selection standards.
Unlike many other Canada Immigration programs there is no residency requirement for landing. If the applicant has temporary resident status when their application is approved, they can be landed in Canada at their local Citizenship and Immigration Canada Office. If the applicant is approved while outside of Canada they will present their visa at a Port of Entry and get landed through that office.
Finding a job a challenge for immigrants, study reveals
By Meagan Fitzpatrick, CanWest News ServiceSeptember 24, 2008
OTTAWA — Canada lives up to the expectations of most immigrants, a new study reveals, but finding a job remains the biggest challenge for new residents.
Two reports released by Statistics Canada on Monday examine immigrants’ assessments of life in Canada and the difficulties they face here.
Four years after arriving in Canada, the majority of new immigrants — 84 per cent — were positive about their decision to come here.
The study, using data from 2005, asked whether life in Canada is better than expected, about what they had expected or worse than they had expected.
About two-thirds said that life in Canada has lived up to their expectations.
When asked what the single-most important reason for settling permanently in Canada was, quality of life was No. 1. Thirty-two per cent cited it as the most important factor, followed by the desire to be close to family and friends (20 per cent), the future prospects for their family in Canada (18 per cent) and the peaceful nature of the country (nine per cent).
While most immigrants are happy they came, it’s not all smooth sailing once they get here, the survey showed.
New immigrants were asked what had been their biggest difficulties since arriving in Canada and finding an adequate job was the biggest challenge for 46 per cent, followed by learning English or French (26 per cent).
The majority of job seekers reported that they experienced a problem, often more than one, when searching for employment.
“New immigrants often experienced multiple problems when looking for work. For example, almost two-thirds of job seekers who reported a language problem also reported that lack of work experience was a difficulty,” Statistics Canada said.
In addition to language barriers and lack of experience, foreign credential recognition is a big problem and a lack of contacts in the job market was another difficulty faced by immigrant job-seekers.
But the percentage of employed immigrants did grow substantially over time, the data showed. For example, the employment rate of immigrants aged 25 to 44, the prime working-age group, went from 51 per cent six months after arrival to 65 per cent two years after arrival. Four years after arrival, it had reached 75 per cent.
The ability to speak English or French is considered a huge asset in looking for a job, Statistics Canada said.
“More specifically, immigrant's whose self-reported level of spoken English was good or very good were more likely to have a high-skill job, a job in the intended field, a job similar to the one held before immigrating and a job related to training or education,” the report said. “They also had higher wages, compared to immigrants whose spoken English level was not as good. This was true six months, two years and four years after immigrants' arrival in Canada.”
It’s a different story in Quebec however, where the level of French spoken by immigrants was not found to be related to their chances of having an “appropriate” job.
The survey covered about 7,700 immigrants who were interviewed for a third time since arriving in Canada four years earlier.
© Copyright (c)
OTTAWA — Canada lives up to the expectations of most immigrants, a new study reveals, but finding a job remains the biggest challenge for new residents.
Two reports released by Statistics Canada on Monday examine immigrants’ assessments of life in Canada and the difficulties they face here.
Four years after arriving in Canada, the majority of new immigrants — 84 per cent — were positive about their decision to come here.
The study, using data from 2005, asked whether life in Canada is better than expected, about what they had expected or worse than they had expected.
About two-thirds said that life in Canada has lived up to their expectations.
When asked what the single-most important reason for settling permanently in Canada was, quality of life was No. 1. Thirty-two per cent cited it as the most important factor, followed by the desire to be close to family and friends (20 per cent), the future prospects for their family in Canada (18 per cent) and the peaceful nature of the country (nine per cent).
While most immigrants are happy they came, it’s not all smooth sailing once they get here, the survey showed.
New immigrants were asked what had been their biggest difficulties since arriving in Canada and finding an adequate job was the biggest challenge for 46 per cent, followed by learning English or French (26 per cent).
The majority of job seekers reported that they experienced a problem, often more than one, when searching for employment.
“New immigrants often experienced multiple problems when looking for work. For example, almost two-thirds of job seekers who reported a language problem also reported that lack of work experience was a difficulty,” Statistics Canada said.
In addition to language barriers and lack of experience, foreign credential recognition is a big problem and a lack of contacts in the job market was another difficulty faced by immigrant job-seekers.
But the percentage of employed immigrants did grow substantially over time, the data showed. For example, the employment rate of immigrants aged 25 to 44, the prime working-age group, went from 51 per cent six months after arrival to 65 per cent two years after arrival. Four years after arrival, it had reached 75 per cent.
The ability to speak English or French is considered a huge asset in looking for a job, Statistics Canada said.
“More specifically, immigrant's whose self-reported level of spoken English was good or very good were more likely to have a high-skill job, a job in the intended field, a job similar to the one held before immigrating and a job related to training or education,” the report said. “They also had higher wages, compared to immigrants whose spoken English level was not as good. This was true six months, two years and four years after immigrants' arrival in Canada.”
It’s a different story in Quebec however, where the level of French spoken by immigrants was not found to be related to their chances of having an “appropriate” job.
The survey covered about 7,700 immigrants who were interviewed for a third time since arriving in Canada four years earlier.
© Copyright (c)
New Brunswick urged to attract more immigrants. by Chris Fox
Senator Vivienne Poy says New Brunswick should welcome immigrants with open arms or face the consequence of losing one of its most valuable resources.
Poy, who became Canada's first Asian senator when she was appointed to the post by former Prime Minister Jean Chretien in 1998, made her remarks prior to a luncheon hosted by the Asian Heritage Society of New Brunswick recently.
The event was held in conjunction with Asian Heritage Month, an annual celebration of Asian culture that Poy helped pass into law in 2001.
"The province needs to be more accepting to immigrants," she said. "If they do that and they become more multicultural, immigrants will feel comfortable not just coming here, but they will stay and you need people who will stay.''
Poy, who is also the chancellor of the University of Toronto, said she has seen Canada take great strides in its acceptance of minorities since the country's first official Asian Heritage Month eight years ago.
But she said there are still areas that need improvement. She said public schools have a role to play in helping immigrants feel accepted.
"I call it intercultural education because we need to talk to everybody and it begins with curriculum. We must educate the young people of Canada on the fact that because of immigration the face of Canada has changed.''
The luncheon was held to discuss issues faced by New Brunswick's Asian population and how diversity can be better promoted in classrooms. Representatives from the Department of Education and various multicultural groups were on hand.
"We want to be an active part in policy making," said Madhu Verma, chairwoman of the New Brunswick Asian Heritage Society.
"The discussions and awareness shouldn't end after the month of May. We want to be able to continue on the theme of Asian Heritage Month in the schools and everywhere,'' Verma said. "The theme is the rich history of Asian Canadians we have right here in Canada, and celebrating their contributions because they have contributed to building our nation."
Barb Hillman, a social studies curriculum learning specialist at the Department of Education, attended the luncheon to get input into how the department could better promote diversity in its curriculum.
She said New Brunswick schools do well in educating children on multicultural issues and the different contributions made to the country by different cultural groups.
"I think if people would take a look at the curriculum they would actually be quite pleased and I do feel the department has done a very good job of addressing diversity."
Poy, who became Canada's first Asian senator when she was appointed to the post by former Prime Minister Jean Chretien in 1998, made her remarks prior to a luncheon hosted by the Asian Heritage Society of New Brunswick recently.
The event was held in conjunction with Asian Heritage Month, an annual celebration of Asian culture that Poy helped pass into law in 2001.
"The province needs to be more accepting to immigrants," she said. "If they do that and they become more multicultural, immigrants will feel comfortable not just coming here, but they will stay and you need people who will stay.''
Poy, who is also the chancellor of the University of Toronto, said she has seen Canada take great strides in its acceptance of minorities since the country's first official Asian Heritage Month eight years ago.
But she said there are still areas that need improvement. She said public schools have a role to play in helping immigrants feel accepted.
"I call it intercultural education because we need to talk to everybody and it begins with curriculum. We must educate the young people of Canada on the fact that because of immigration the face of Canada has changed.''
The luncheon was held to discuss issues faced by New Brunswick's Asian population and how diversity can be better promoted in classrooms. Representatives from the Department of Education and various multicultural groups were on hand.
"We want to be an active part in policy making," said Madhu Verma, chairwoman of the New Brunswick Asian Heritage Society.
"The discussions and awareness shouldn't end after the month of May. We want to be able to continue on the theme of Asian Heritage Month in the schools and everywhere,'' Verma said. "The theme is the rich history of Asian Canadians we have right here in Canada, and celebrating their contributions because they have contributed to building our nation."
Barb Hillman, a social studies curriculum learning specialist at the Department of Education, attended the luncheon to get input into how the department could better promote diversity in its curriculum.
She said New Brunswick schools do well in educating children on multicultural issues and the different contributions made to the country by different cultural groups.
"I think if people would take a look at the curriculum they would actually be quite pleased and I do feel the department has done a very good job of addressing diversity."
The Best Employer for New Immigrants in Canada
The Best Employers for New Canadians competition is funded by the Government of Canada's Foreign Credential Recognition Program.
2009 Winners:
(in alphabetical order, click for our editors' reasons for selection)
Bank of Montreal
Bell Aliant Regional Communications, LP
Business Development Bank of Canada
CAE Inc.
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce / CIBC
Christie Digital Systems Canada, Inc.
Deloitte & Touche LLP
Energy Resources Conservation Board
Focus Corporation Ltd., The
Fraser Milner Casgrain LLP
Halton, The Regional Municipality of
KPMG LLP
Manulife Financial Corporation
Maple Trade Finance Inc.
MDS Nordion Inc.
Nexen Inc.
Providence Health Care
Rescan Environmental Services Ltd.
SaskEnergy Incorporated
St. Michael's Hospital
TD Bank Financial Group
Toronto Community Housing Corporation
TransCanada Corporation
Vancouver Coastal Health Authority
Wardrop Engineering Inc.
2009 Winners:
(in alphabetical order, click for our editors' reasons for selection)
Bank of Montreal
Bell Aliant Regional Communications, LP
Business Development Bank of Canada
CAE Inc.
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce / CIBC
Christie Digital Systems Canada, Inc.
Deloitte & Touche LLP
Energy Resources Conservation Board
Focus Corporation Ltd., The
Fraser Milner Casgrain LLP
Halton, The Regional Municipality of
KPMG LLP
Manulife Financial Corporation
Maple Trade Finance Inc.
MDS Nordion Inc.
Nexen Inc.
Providence Health Care
Rescan Environmental Services Ltd.
SaskEnergy Incorporated
St. Michael's Hospital
TD Bank Financial Group
Toronto Community Housing Corporation
TransCanada Corporation
Vancouver Coastal Health Authority
Wardrop Engineering Inc.
Saskatchewan on recruitment blitz to fill jobs. by Michael McKiernan, National Post
Saskatchewan is backing up its Ontario recruitment drive with a cash inducement of $20,000.
The money will be available to university and college graduates who relocate to the province for at least seven years.
Next week a delegation led by Premier Brad Wall will descend on Toronto, where he will announce further details of the incentive program.
A group of about 25 politicians and business leaders from Saskatchewan, including Pat Fiacco, the Mayor of Regina, will try to sell their province and fill vacant jobs at a series of events on March 31 and April 1.
"It's fair to say there is no area where we aren't looking for people. In the financial sector, health care, construction, in engineering, anything you can think of," said Mr. Fiacco. "The growth in our province has been huge and we still need more people." Saskjobs.ca, a Web site run by the province's career and employment services department, lists more than 6,000 jobs currently available.
The visit comes hot on the heels of last week's tax-cutting surplus budget announcement in the province.
Finance Minister Rod Gantefoer bucked the national downward trend, projecting a surplus of $424.5-million for 2009-10 despite a 12% increase in government spending. Revenue from Saskatchewan's rich supply of natural resources has fueled the economic boom in the last few years.
While oil and gas revenues have taken a hit in the recent downturn, potash has filled the void. The province produces a third of the world's supply of the mineral, which is used to make fertilizer.
Donald Atchison, the Mayor of Saskatoon said he would play up the affordability of life in his city when he makes the trip next week. The average price of homes sold in his city in February was $281,681, $80,000 less than in Toronto, but the Mayor also emphasized that commutes of more than 15 minutes are rare in Saskatoon.
"I hear all the time from people who came out for two years for university or a job relocation and they've ended up staying for a lifetime," he said.
But the challenge of getting people to head west in the first place remains. The province, with a population of about one million, spent about $800,000 on recruitment efforts last year, including a similar mission to Toronto as recently as September, 2008.
Mr. Wall held a reception at the legislature in Regina earlier this month to welcome 86 new families who moved from Ontario since that campaign, but Mr. Atchison hopes the extra cash can tip the balance for those whom he failed to convince last time.
"I think people from Saskatchewan are too humble. They aren't vocal enough about what a great place this is to live. But now the rest of the world is beginning to find out. I think the Premier is doing a great job of promoting us," he said.
In Regina, Mr. Fiacco acknowledges Torontonians may fear losing the amenities of a big city, but he puts that down to ignorance, citing museums, a symphony and theatres he argues are cheaper to attend than in Toronto.
The money will be available to university and college graduates who relocate to the province for at least seven years.
Next week a delegation led by Premier Brad Wall will descend on Toronto, where he will announce further details of the incentive program.
A group of about 25 politicians and business leaders from Saskatchewan, including Pat Fiacco, the Mayor of Regina, will try to sell their province and fill vacant jobs at a series of events on March 31 and April 1.
"It's fair to say there is no area where we aren't looking for people. In the financial sector, health care, construction, in engineering, anything you can think of," said Mr. Fiacco. "The growth in our province has been huge and we still need more people." Saskjobs.ca, a Web site run by the province's career and employment services department, lists more than 6,000 jobs currently available.
The visit comes hot on the heels of last week's tax-cutting surplus budget announcement in the province.
Finance Minister Rod Gantefoer bucked the national downward trend, projecting a surplus of $424.5-million for 2009-10 despite a 12% increase in government spending. Revenue from Saskatchewan's rich supply of natural resources has fueled the economic boom in the last few years.
While oil and gas revenues have taken a hit in the recent downturn, potash has filled the void. The province produces a third of the world's supply of the mineral, which is used to make fertilizer.
Donald Atchison, the Mayor of Saskatoon said he would play up the affordability of life in his city when he makes the trip next week. The average price of homes sold in his city in February was $281,681, $80,000 less than in Toronto, but the Mayor also emphasized that commutes of more than 15 minutes are rare in Saskatoon.
"I hear all the time from people who came out for two years for university or a job relocation and they've ended up staying for a lifetime," he said.
But the challenge of getting people to head west in the first place remains. The province, with a population of about one million, spent about $800,000 on recruitment efforts last year, including a similar mission to Toronto as recently as September, 2008.
Mr. Wall held a reception at the legislature in Regina earlier this month to welcome 86 new families who moved from Ontario since that campaign, but Mr. Atchison hopes the extra cash can tip the balance for those whom he failed to convince last time.
"I think people from Saskatchewan are too humble. They aren't vocal enough about what a great place this is to live. But now the rest of the world is beginning to find out. I think the Premier is doing a great job of promoting us," he said.
In Regina, Mr. Fiacco acknowledges Torontonians may fear losing the amenities of a big city, but he puts that down to ignorance, citing museums, a symphony and theatres he argues are cheaper to attend than in Toronto.
Best Places in Canadian Provinces and Territories
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Overall
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Singles Mid-Career Families Empty-Nesters Retirees
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 Calgary Ottawa- Ottawa- Toronto Ottawa-
Gatineau Gatineau Gatineau
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 Iqaluit Calgary Toronto Ottawa- Toronto
Gatineau
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 Ottawa- Whitehorse Calgary Calgary Calgary
Gatineau
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
4 Victoria Yellowknife Fredericton Victoria Victoria
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
5 Yellowknife Iqaluit Yellowknife Canmore Montreal
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
6 Edmonton Edmonton Guelph Charlottetown Vancouver
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
7 Guelph Guelph Quebec City Vancouver Kingston
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
8 Canmore Victoria Kingston Montreal Quebec City
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
9 Whitehorse Toronto Hamilton Parksville Guelph
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
10 Montreal Montreal Montreal Kingston Halifax
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
(*) From Who's Your City? by Richard Florida
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Ottawa: favorite city in Canada?
Source:
Ottawa-Gatineau tops in list of favourite cities to live
By Krystle Chow, Ottawa Business Journal Staff
Thu, Apr 16, 2009 11:00 AM EST
Ottawa-Gatineau tops in list of favourite cities to live
By Krystle Chow, Ottawa Business Journal Staff
Thu, Apr 16, 2009 11:00 AM EST
Click to Enlarge
(Darren Brown)
Popular urban studies theorist Richard Florida has named Ottawa-Gatineau as the best city in Canada for mid-career people, families and retirees to live in, as well as one of the top three cities for singles and empty-nesters, in his latest book.
Mr. Florida – widely cited for his work on the effect of creative and artistic workers on a city's economic development – said in the Canadian edition of his new book, Who's Your City?, that Ottawa-Gatineau is the most attractive place to live in the country for young professionals and families with children, while Calgary gets top billing for singles and recent university graduates. The National Capital Region took third place for the singles category, after Iqaluit.
In the "empty-nesters" group, Toronto was chosen as the top destination, with Ottawa-Gatineau named as the second-best city for that demographic.
The ranking takes into account the percentage of the city's population that fits a particular life stage, the regional economic growth and climate for creativity, talent and tolerance, the amenities and quality of life factors such as arts and culture, and the specific cost of living.
Despite Ottawa-Gatineau's reputation for being a "boring ... bureaucratic town," the city ranked more highly overall than Canada's three largest urban hubs: Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver.
While Mr. Florida named Toronto as the best city for younger baby boomers whose children have left the family home, as well as the second-best place for families with children and retirees, the city was surprisingly left out of the top 10 best places for singles.
Meanwhile, Mr. Florida's book called Montreal and Vancouver "best buy" locations, with the former cited as the eighth-best city for empty-nesters and only the 10th-best destination for all the other life stages.
Vancouver made an appearance on two of the categories – empty-nesters and retirees – taking seventh and sixth place for each respective demographic. It was outshadowed by the provincial capital Victoria, which was named as the fourth-best location for singles, empty-nesters and retirees, and eighth-best for young professionals.
Canada working with the EU on labour mobility and foreign credential recognition
Wednesday, 01 April 2009
Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) Minister Diane Finley has signed three new agreements with her counterparts in the European Union to improve labour mobility between Canada and the EU. The goals of these agreements are to improve foreign credential recognition, facilitate international labour mobility, and strengthen the Canada-EU partnership.
Two of today's announced agreements focus on engineers and environmental professionals, seeking to align practices in the engineering field and to develop mutual certification frameworks for environmental workers in Canada and the EU. The third will help organize two roundtable discussions on foreign credential recognition and labour mobility, one in Europe this year and the other in Canada in 2010.
"The Government of Canada, through HRSDC, is again demonstrating leadership by investigating mechanisms to allow the Canadian environment sector to reach its full economic and employment potential in the global economy by funding a scoping project to document reciprocal mobility of competent workers between Canada and the European Union," said Grant Trump, of the Environmental Career Organization of Canada.
Source: canadavisa.com
Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) Minister Diane Finley has signed three new agreements with her counterparts in the European Union to improve labour mobility between Canada and the EU. The goals of these agreements are to improve foreign credential recognition, facilitate international labour mobility, and strengthen the Canada-EU partnership.
Two of today's announced agreements focus on engineers and environmental professionals, seeking to align practices in the engineering field and to develop mutual certification frameworks for environmental workers in Canada and the EU. The third will help organize two roundtable discussions on foreign credential recognition and labour mobility, one in Europe this year and the other in Canada in 2010.
"The Government of Canada, through HRSDC, is again demonstrating leadership by investigating mechanisms to allow the Canadian environment sector to reach its full economic and employment potential in the global economy by funding a scoping project to document reciprocal mobility of competent workers between Canada and the European Union," said Grant Trump, of the Environmental Career Organization of Canada.
Source: canadavisa.com
The 38 occupations in demand in Canada
With the new changes on the immigration laws after 2008, there are now a new list of the 38 most demanded occupations in Canada, here’s the list:
* 0111: Financial Managers
* 0213: Computer and Information Systems Managers
* 0311: Managers in Health Care
* 0631: Restaurant and Food Service Managers
* 0632: Accommodation Service Managers
* 0711: Construction Managers
* 1111: Financial Auditors and Accountants
* 2113: Geologists, Geochemists and Geophysicists
* 2143: Mining Engineers
* 2144: Geological Engineers
* 2145: Petroleum Engineers
* 3111: Specialist Physicians
* 3112: General Practitioners and Family Physicians
* 3141: Audiologists and Speech Language Pathologists
* 3143: Occupational Therapists
* 3142: Physiotherapists
* 3151: Head Nurses and Supervisors
* 3152: Registered Nurses
* 3215: Medical Radiation Technologists
* 3233: Licensed Practical Nurses
* 4121: University Professors
* 4131: College and Other Vocational Instructors
* 6241: Chefs
* 6242: Cooks
* 7213: Contractors and Supervisors, Pipefitting Trades
* 7215: Contractors and Supervisors, Carpentry Trades
* 7217: Contractors and Supervisors, Heavy Construction Equipment Crews
* 7241: Electricians (Except Industrial and Power System)
* 7242: Industrial Electricians
* 7251: Plumbers
* 7252: Steamfitters, Pipe fitters and Sprinkler System Installers
* 7265: Welders and Related Machine Operators
* 7312: Heavy-Duty Equipment Mechanics
* 7371: Crane Operators
* 7372: Drillers and Blasters – Surface Mining, Quarrying and Construction
* 8221: Supervisors, Mining and Quarrying
* 8222: Supervisors, Oil and Gas Drilling and Service
* 9212: Supervisors, Petroleum, Gas and Chemical Processing and Utilities
* 0111: Financial Managers
* 0213: Computer and Information Systems Managers
* 0311: Managers in Health Care
* 0631: Restaurant and Food Service Managers
* 0632: Accommodation Service Managers
* 0711: Construction Managers
* 1111: Financial Auditors and Accountants
* 2113: Geologists, Geochemists and Geophysicists
* 2143: Mining Engineers
* 2144: Geological Engineers
* 2145: Petroleum Engineers
* 3111: Specialist Physicians
* 3112: General Practitioners and Family Physicians
* 3141: Audiologists and Speech Language Pathologists
* 3143: Occupational Therapists
* 3142: Physiotherapists
* 3151: Head Nurses and Supervisors
* 3152: Registered Nurses
* 3215: Medical Radiation Technologists
* 3233: Licensed Practical Nurses
* 4121: University Professors
* 4131: College and Other Vocational Instructors
* 6241: Chefs
* 6242: Cooks
* 7213: Contractors and Supervisors, Pipefitting Trades
* 7215: Contractors and Supervisors, Carpentry Trades
* 7217: Contractors and Supervisors, Heavy Construction Equipment Crews
* 7241: Electricians (Except Industrial and Power System)
* 7242: Industrial Electricians
* 7251: Plumbers
* 7252: Steamfitters, Pipe fitters and Sprinkler System Installers
* 7265: Welders and Related Machine Operators
* 7312: Heavy-Duty Equipment Mechanics
* 7371: Crane Operators
* 7372: Drillers and Blasters – Surface Mining, Quarrying and Construction
* 8221: Supervisors, Mining and Quarrying
* 8222: Supervisors, Oil and Gas Drilling and Service
* 9212: Supervisors, Petroleum, Gas and Chemical Processing and Utilities
Credential Evaluation in Canada
Before you come to Canada, it is very crutial to have your academic documents such as diplomas, transcripts and certificates evaluated. As an immigrant, you may need to evaluate your credentials for the following purposes:
1- Immigration, for skilled or Economic categories.
2- Employment.
3- Licensing with Professional Association.
4- Entry to Apprenticeship training programs.
5- Higher Education and/or Continuing Education.
The process for getting your credential evaluated will depend on whether you want to enter a regulated or not regulated occupation., or pursue continuing education. As a general rule, if your chosen occupation is regulated, the recognition of qualifications will be determined by the appropriate provincial or territorial regulatory body, while for a non-regulated occupation, recognition is normally at the discretion of the employer.
You can find out more about the specific requirements for recognition of your qualifications in your profession/trade by doing the following:
- Contact the professional association governing your occupation in your own country to find out if there are any links with similar associations in Canada. Consult the publication entitled National Occupational Classification at the closest Canadian diplomatic mission to find out more about employment requirements for your occupation.
- Find out the name and address of the professional regulatory body governing your profession/trade in the province or territory where you intend to settle by enquiring with CICIC.
- Write to the regulatory body and ask about the specific requirements and costs for licensing, certification, or registration, as well as the recommended procedure for an assessment. The regulatory body will advise you concerning the required documentation and the fees for assessment.
You should be aware that the recognition process is different in each province and territory and for each profession/trade. It can be a costly and time-consuming process; so it is important that you obtain all the information you need to know about the process and specific requirements before undertaking an assessment.
Alberta
International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS)
Alberta Employment, Immigration and Industry
9th Floor, 108th Street Building
9942 - 108 Street
Edmonton, Alberta T5K 2J5 Canada
Tel.: +1 780 427-2655
Toll-free in Alberta: 310-0000 ask for 427-2655
Fax: +1 780 422-9734
Web site: http://employment.alberta.ca/cps/rde/xchg/hre/hs.xsl/4512.html
International Credential Evaluation Service (ICES)
3700, avenue Willingdon
Burnaby, British Columbia V5G 3H2 Canada
Tel.: +1 604 432-8800
Toll-Free within North America: +1-866-434-9197
Fax: +1 604 435-7033
Email: icesinfo@bcit.ca
Web site: http://www.bcit.ca/ices/
Academic Credentials Assessment Service - Manitoba (ACAS)
Manitoba Labour and Immigration
Settlement & Labour Market Services Branch
5th Floor, 213 Notre Dame Avenue
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B 1N3 Canada
Tel.: +1 204 945-6300
Toll-Free within North America: +1-800-665-8332
Fax: +1 204 948-2148
Web site: http://www.gov.mb.ca/labour/immigrate/work/recognition/acas.html
Comparative Education Service (CES)
University of Toronto
315 Bloor Street West
Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A3 Canada
Tel.: +1 416 978-2190
Fax: +1 416 978-7022
Site Web : http://www.adm.utoronto.ca/ces/
International Credential Assessment Service of Canada (ICAS)
Ontario AgriCentre
100 Stone Road West, Suite 303
Guelph, Ontario N1G 5L3 Canada
Tel: +1 519 763-7282
Toll-free: +1 800 321-6021
Fax: +1 519 763-6964
Email: info@icascanada.ca
Web site: http://www.icascanada.ca/
World Education Services-Canada (WES Canada)
45 Charles Street East, Suite 700
Toronto, Ontario M4Y 1S2 Canada
Tel.: +1 416 972-0070
Fax: +1 416 972-9004
Toll-free: +1 866 343-0070 (from outside the 416 area code)
Email: ontario@wes.org
Web site: http://www.wes.org/ca/
Centre d'expertise sur les formations acquises hors du Québec (CEFAHQ)
Ministère de l'Immigration et des Communautés culturelles
255, boulevard Crémazie Est, 8e étage
Montréal (Québec) H2M 1M2 Canada
Tel.: +1 514 864-9191
Elsewhere in Quebec (toll free): +1 877 264-6164
Fax: +1 514 873-8701
Email: renseignements@micc.gouv.qc.ca
Web site: http://www.immigration-quebec.gouv.qc.ca/en/education/comparative-evaluation/index.html
Saskatchewan
International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS)
Alberta Employment, Immigration and Industry
9th Floor, 108th Street Building
9942 - 108 Street
Edmonton, Alberta T5K 2J5 Canada
Tel.: +1 780 427-2655
Toll-free in Alberta: 310-0000 ask for 427-2655
Fax: +1 780 422-9734
Web site: http://employment.alberta.ca/cps/rde/xchg/hre/hs.xsl/4512.html
* The Government of Saskatchewan provides this service through an interprovincial agreement with the Government of Alberta.
Territoires du Nord-Ouest
International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS)
Alberta Employment, Immigration and Industry
9th Floor, 108th Street Building
9942 - 108 Street
Edmonton, Alberta T5K 2J5 Canada
Tel.: +1 780 427-2655
Toll-free in Alberta: 310-0000 ask for 427-2655
Fax: +1 780 422-9734
Web site: http://employment.alberta.ca/cps/rde/xchg/hre/hs.xsl/4512.html
* The Government of the Northwest Territories provides this service through an interprovincial agreement with the Government of Alberta.
The government’s Foreign Credentials Referral Office website (www.credentials.gc.ca) features a useful search engine called” Working in Canada”. You can type in your occupation and the search engine will bring up a comprehensive report that tells you whether this occupation is regulated in Canada and whether you need to be licensed by a regulatory body. Then it will tell you where in your region of choice you can get licensed.
Canadian Job Market
The Canadian Immigration system is designed to attract highly educated and skilled people to meet the economic demand of the society. But once newcomers arrive, they are confronted with a lot of challenges once they start looking for employment. Every year more than 250,000 new immigrants are in this situation. Those who work smart and hard can overcome the initial barriers.
The most common barriers for new immigrants in Canada are:
1- Language Skills in either English or French.
2- Accreditation of foreign diplomas and recognition of international experience.
3- Lack of social and business networks.
4- Competing with established Canadian.
5- Lack of Canadian experience in their field.
6- Need a Canadian licence to work in a regulate occupation.
These barriers are just some reasons why skilled immigrants such as doctor, engineers, lawyers and teachers may start working as taxi drivers or fast food cashiers. In most cases these are temporary survival jobs. For instance, a new immigrant might consider improving his skills by taking language and computer classes or enrolling in college to prepare for certification in a professional field.
If you want to immigrate to Canada, you will need to have a plan. Remember if you fail to plan, you plan to fail. I highly recommend these tips for success:
1- Learn, improve and practice the language.
2- Become computer literate.
3- Acreditate your credentials before coming to Canada.
4- Obtain an international driver’s licence.
5- Know the requirements of your occupation.
6- Understand the job market.
7- Email your resume to companies or online job board such as Monster.ca, Workopolis.com, nexus-jobs.com, etc.
Success will not come easy, but if you use the Canadian support system (government, businesses, online communities and settlement organizations), your chances for success will increase dramatically.
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