Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program Announces Sweeping Changes for 2014

Province of Saskatchewan in Canada
Province of Saskatchewan in Canada (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
The Government of Saskatchewan has announced that, in response to feedback from immigration stakeholders, the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) will be overhauled and streamlined in the New Year.

The SINP is Saskatchewan’s Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). Most Canadian provinces have dedicated PNPs, which allow them to nominate foreign nationals to the Federal government for Canadian Permanent Residency.

Changes to the SINP will become effective January 2, 2014. The program, which currently consists of nine immigration sub-categories, will see these sub-categories combined into three overarching categories. They will be as follows:
International Skilled Worker;
Saskatchewan Experience; and
Entrepreneur and Farm

In addition to changing the structure and content of the program, beginning in January all SINP applications will be submitted and processed electronically. By using an exclusively online system, the overall process will be made easier and more efficient for both applicants and visa officers.

A number of significant changes will be made to each of the three new immigration categories. Below is a brief summary of these changes, as well as a commentary on what applicants can expect from the new system.
International Skilled Worker Category
This category has been created for workers who wish to live and work in the Province of Saskatchewan. Applicants can be nominated by the SINP for immigration if they successfully demonstrate that they have the necessary experience, education, language and adaptability to thrive in the province.
The program will include the following criteria:
-A points system that assesses employment offers, education, work experience, language skills, family connections, and other factors. Family connection points have been increased and can now account for up to 20% of total points;
-Applicants must have language skills equivalent to or higher than Canadian Level Benchmark 4. These skills must be proven by submitting scores from an SINP-approved language exam;
-Applicants with work experience in a regulated profession (such as nursing or engineering) must obtain necessary provincial certification; and
-Applicants without a skilled job offer must submit a settlement plan and proof of settlement funds.

For 2014, a total of 250 applications will be accepted from applicants who do not have a job offer in Saskatchewan. Applicants’ occupations must be included on a designated list of occupations. This list, as well as more detailed guidelines on the points system and application procedures, will be made available in December 2013.

Saskatchewan Experience Category
This category is geared towards individuals who are currently living and working in the province. It will consist of the following five sub-categories:
-Existing Work Permit
-Health Professionals
-Hospitality Sector Pilot Project
-Long Haul Truck Drivers
-Students (see changes below)

These programs currently exist as part of the SINP. No changes will be made to the first four sub-categories. However, changes have been made to the Students sub-category. These changes include:
-The Post-Graduation Work Permit and Master’s and PhD Graduate sub-categories, which are currently operating under the SINP, will be combined to create one general Students sub-category;
-Graduates from a Saskatchewan school must have a skilled job offer in the province that is relevant to their education, or a job offer requiring a post-secondary education. They must work in the province for 6 months before applying; and
-Graduates from a school outside of Saskatchewan must have a skilled job offer in the province that is relevant to their education, and must work in Saskatchewan for two years before applying.

Until  December 31th, 2013, applications from an additional 250 out-of-province graduates and an additional 150 Saskatchewan graduates will be accepted for review.

Entrepreneur and Farm
This third category will consist of the following sub-categories, all of which already exist in the current SINP framework:
-Entrepreneur
-Farm Owners/Operators
-Young Farmers

 Source: cpdhouse.org

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Improving the Canadian Experience Class


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Ottawa, November 8, 2013 — Today, Citizenship and Immigration Minister Chris Alexander announced changes to improve the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) so that the program continues to attract top quality candidates.
“The Canadian Experience Class has allowed more than 25,000 people to stay in Canada permanently to contribute their skills and talents,” said Alexander. “The government is taking concrete action to reduce backlogs and processing times. By making these changes to the Canadian Experience Class, we are moving toward a more effective and efficient immigration system.”
In order to manage intake, maintain reasonable processing times and prevent a backlog from developing in the CEC, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) is introducing an annual cap on the number of new CEC applications. CIC will accept a maximum of 12,000 CEC applications from November 9, 2013, to October 31, 2014.
Despite the annual cap on applications, the department will admit approximately 15,000 individuals under the CEC in 2014.
CIC is also seeing an overrepresentation of certain occupations in the program. In order to bring in as diverse a skill set as possible, the department will introduce limits on the number of applications under certain occupations.
Effective November 9, 2013, CIC will introduce sub-caps of 200 applications each in certain skilled occupations. Also, six particular occupations will no longer be eligible for the CE
Between November 9, 2013 to October 31, 2014, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) will accept a maximum of 12,000 new applications under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).
Because of an overrepresentation in the CEC applications received to date, the following six occupations will no longer be eligible for the CEC starting November 9, 2013:
  • cooks (NOC code 6322);
  • food service supervisors (NOC 6311);
  • administrative officers (NOC 1221);
  • administrative assistants (NOC 1241);
  • accounting technicians and bookkeepers (NOC 1311); and
  • retail sales supervisors (NOC 6211).
CIC already has a large inventory of applications in these occupations and will continue processing them to a final decision.
In addition, CIC will establish sub-caps of 200 applications each for National Occupational Classification (NOC) B occupations. These are mostly technical and administrative jobs or those in the skilled trades. NOC 0 and A (managerial and professional) occupations will not be sub-capped, but they will be subject to the overall cap of 12,000 applications.
Finally, CIC will maintain the same language criteria for applicants but will verify them upfront as of November 9, 2013. The current language requirements are Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 for NOC 0 and A occupations, and CLB 5 for NOC B occupations. This new measure will ensure that applicants who do not meet the minimum language requirements are screened out earlier and processing resources can be concentrated on those who are more likely to qualify.
At the same time, this is more client-friendly, as applicants who do not have the required language proficiency will have their applications returned to them along with the processing fee.

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International Students: Bring Your Loved Ones with You to Canada

English: Confederation Building, St. John's, N...
English: Confederation Building, St. John's, Newfoundland (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Close to 100,000 international students from all over the world come to Canada each year to obtain a high-quality post-secondary education. Canada’s generous immigration policy allows the spouse and minor children of international students to accompany them to Canada to work and study. In this way, a student’s entire close family can benefit from a Canadian experience.Spouse or Common-Law Partner
The spouse or common-law partner of an international student may apply for an open work permit. The student must be studying full-time at:
  • A public post-secondary institution; or
  • A private post-secondary institution that operates under the same rules and regulations as a public institution and receives half of its overall operations budget from government grants; or
  • A private institution authorized by provincial statute to confer degrees.
An open work permit allows the holder to work for any employer in Canada, and does not require a Labour Market Opinion or job offer. The work permit will usually have the same period of validity as the study permit. However, the open work permit may exclude certain occupations in which the protection of public health is essential, unless the applicant undergoes an immigration medical examination.
In this way, not only can the spouses or partners of international students gain valuable Canadian work experience, but also can help support their families financially.
Minor Children
Any person under the age of majority is considered to be a minor child. The age of majority varies by province. In Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, and Saskatchewan, the age of majority is 18, while in British Columbia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Nunavut and Yukon it is 19.
Minor children who are already in Canada with at least one parent who is allowed to work or study in Canada do not require a study permit to attend school at the pre-school, primary, or secondary levels. However, once the child reaches the age of majority in their province, he or she must apply for a study permit to continue their studies in Canada.
The Application Process
An international student may bring his or her dependents to Canada by one of two routes.
One possible route is for the student and dependent family members to submit their visa applications concurrently. Another option is for the student to wait until he/she has received a study permit, and then submit applications for his or her accompanying dependents.
When applying for a study permit, information must be provided for all family members that will be accompanying the student to Canada. In order for their application to be approved, the student and his or her family will have to demonstrate that they have sufficient funds to support their stay in Canada. In addition, applicants may be required to undergo a medical examination and submit Police Clearance Certificates.
Depending on the applicants’ country of citizenship, a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) may be required in addition to any study or work permits. A full list of countries requiring a TRV to enter Canada can be found here.
A spouse or common-law partner who plans to work while in Canada has the option to apply for his or her Open Work Permit before entering the country, upon arrival to Canada, or after entering the country.
Oftentimes, minor children entering Canada may receive a visitor record, even if the child will be studying in Canada. This is because minor children in Canada may study at the pre-school, primary or secondary levels without needing to secure a study permit.
The Final Word
Canada’s commitment to family unification means that international students and their families have the opportunity to experience Canadian life together. Whether it is for a few months or for several years, international students will be comforted to know that their loved ones can be nearby as they pursue their dreams of obtaining a Canadian education.
“Canada is home to some of the most distinguished colleges and universities in the world,” said Attorney David Cohen. “Aside from putting money into the Canadian economy while studying, many international students remain in Canada after graduation and become valuable members of our workforce and general society. It is only natural that the Canadian Government has established generous laws that allow them to stay close to their families and feel welcome in their new home.”

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Quebec plans to take in less immigrants

Immigrants selon le pays de naissance, Québec,...
Immigrants selon le pays de naissance, Québec, 2001-2005 / Immigrants by country of origin, Québec, 2001-2005 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

QUEBEC - The Quebec government, in the midst of a heated debate about minority accommodation, says it will lower its immigration targets so it can better integrate newcomers and ensure they are able to function in French.
Immigration Minister Diane De Courcy announced the reductions as she made public the government's immigration plan for the coming year.
The previous Liberal government had already started to trim levels before the debate over the values charter, a still-unadopted plan to ban civil service employees from wearing obvious religious symbols such as the hijab.
About 55,000 immigrants came to Quebec in 2012, which the government of Premier Pauline Marois now believes is too many.
The target for 2014 has been set between 49,000 and 52,500 and will be reduced the following year to between 48,500 and 51,500 people.
The province struck a deal with the federal government decades ago to gain some control over its immigration programs.
More recently, the Charest Liberal government had planned to stabilize immigration levels around 50,000 new arrivals per year, a target that was regularly exceeded. It did close some valves leading to a decline in immgrants from Africa.
Now Quebec's fiscal and demographic pressures raise the question of whether the province might actually be taking in too few immigrants — not too many.
In recent years Quebec has actually been taking in a slightly higher share of immigrants to Canada — at 21.3 per cent last year, from a low of less than 13 per cent in the two years leading up to the 1995 referendum.
But that has not stopped the province's demographic clout from dropping within Canada.
The province has gone from having 29 per cent of the national population in 1951 to 24 per cent in 2011, as Quebec lagged behind some other provinces in population growth.
Quebec has also announced that it will spend an additional $13.5 million per year during the next three years to teach immigrants French.
De Courcy said the government wants to modernize the provincial Immigration Act, particularly to address the selection of applicants with the best chance of finding jobs.
A public consultation is planned to help revise guidelines and set desirable immigration levels for the future.
All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/the-canadian-press/131031/quebec-plans-take-less-immigrants

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Receiving an Engineering License in Canada – the Process

P1090020
P1090020 (Photo credit: d.molo)
Canada is looking for engineers of all kinds to help power its booming economy. These skilled workers, with expertise in a variety of disciplines, have knowledge that is vital to the operation of many public and private organizations.Engineers currently have a range of immigration options available to them, including the popular Federal Skilled Worker and Quebec Skilled Worker programs. Once in Canada, they can enjoy a welcoming labour market, high salaries, and an exceptional quality of life. However, an engineer cannot formally practice under the title Professional Engineer unless he/she has received the necessary licensing to do so by their chosen Canadian province or territory.
Engineering Regulations
Engineering is a regulated profession in Canada. Therefore, it is illegal to practice under the title of Professional Engineer (P. Eng.) without being properly licensed. However, an individual can work in the engineering field without a license provided he/she is supervised by a licensed engineer.
Regulation of engineering licenses is maintained by individual provinces and territories. One does not have to be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident in order to apply for a license to work in Canada. Prospective immigrants should make sure to apply for licensing in the province where they intend to settle and work upon arrival to Canada.
A list of the provincial and territorial bodies that regulate engineering certification can be found at the bottom of this article.
Each association offers two kinds of memberships: Engineer-in-Training and Professional Engineer. An Engineer-in-Training membership indicates that all academic requirements for a Professional Engineer license have been required, and that the applicant is in the process of completing additional requirements. A Professional Engineer license indicates that all outstanding requirements for membership have been completed, and allows an individual to practice engineering in their field and to use the title P. Eng after their name.
Applying for Professional Engineer Certification
The process of receiving the Professional Engineer certification can take over a year. Application details, as well as specific document requirements, vary from province to province. However, all successful applications must satisfy requirements in the following five fields:
Academic Assessment – All engineers must obtain a minimum level of education. This generally equates to at least a 4 year undergraduate degree in an engineering discipline or its equivalent. Holders of foreign academic credentials must have their credentials evaluated and given Canadian equivalency.
The provincial or territorial body to which an individual is applying may additionally require him/her to write examinations in any number of the following categories:
  • Basic studies examinations – testing ability in math, basic science, and engineering
  • Complementary studies examinations – testing knowledge of applied engineering
  • Discipline-specific examinations – testing knowledge in engineering science and design
Work Experience and References Assessment – A minimum of 4 years of work experience in an engineering discipline is required to receive licensing in Canada (except Quebec). This includes at least 1 year of supervised work experience in Canada.
It is important to note that it is not required to wait to submit an application until 1 year of Canadian experience has been obtained. Other memberships may be granted in the meantime, and additional steps like the Academic Assessment can be completed while the 1 year of Canadian work experience is in progress.
Language Competency Assessment – Engineers must demonstrate their ability to communicate in either English or French. Many prospective immigrants will already have documents that attest to their language abilities, as this is required by many immigration programs. However, they should check with their specific provincial engineering licensing body, as additional evidence may be required.
Character Assessment – A list of character references must be provided. These references must include Professional Engineers, at least one of whom is licensed to practice in Canada. All must be willing to attest to an applicant’s honesty, integrity, and general good character.
Professional Practice Examination – All Professional Engineer applicants must pass this examination. In order to take the exam, an application for licensing must be in process. The exam is held twice a year. There is often an option, depending on the province or territory to which one is applying, to take the exam while overseas.
Study guides are available through provincial licensing bodies.
In Conclusion
Canada has taken steps to make the Professional Engineering licensing process available to individuals both in Canada and abroad.
“Provinces and territories have many resources in place to help foreign-trained engineers obtain the certification they need to practice in Canada,” said Attorney David Cohen. “This highlights the fact that Canada is in need of these talented professionals, and that we are truly willing to go above and beyond so that they choose our country as their new home.”
Prospective immigrants with backgrounds in engineering are encouraged to begin their research and application process early so as to take advantage of the generous support Canada offers its future Professional Engineers.
To find out if you are eligible for one of over 60 Canadian immigration programs, please fill out afree online assessment today.

List of National, Provincial and Territorial Engineering Associations:
Engineers Canada (National Body)
  • Foreign Credential Recognition Program
  • 180 Elgin Street, Suite 1100
  • Ottawa ON K2P 2K3 Canada
  • Phone : 613-232-2474
  • Phone (alternate): 1-877-408-9273
  • Fax : 613-230-5759
  • Email : newcomers@engineerscanada.ca
  • http://www.engineerscanada.ca/e/
Alberta - Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA)
  • 1500 Scotia One, 10060 Jasper Avenue NW
  • Edmonton AB T5J 4A2 Canada
  • Phone : 780-426-3990
  • Phone (alternate): 1-800-661-7020
  • Fax : 780-426-1877
  • Email : email@apegga.org
  • http://www.apega.ca/
British Columbia - Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of British Columbia (APEGBC)
  • Suite 200, 4010 Regent Street
  • Burnaby BC V5C 6N2 Canada
  • Phone : 604-430-8035
  • Phone (alternate): 1-888-430-8035
  • Fax : 604-430-8085
  • Email : apeginfo@apeg.bc.ca
  • http://www.apeg.bc.ca/
Manitoba - Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Manitoba (APEGM)
  • 870 Pembina Highway
  • Winnipeg MB R3M 2M7 Canada
  • Phone : 204-474-2736
  • Phone (alternate): 1 (866) 227-9600
  • Fax : 204-474-5960
  • Email : apegm@apegm.mb.ca
  • http://www.apegm.mb.ca/
New Brunswick - Engineers and Geoscientists New Brunswick
  • 183 Hanwell Road
  • Fredericton NB E3B 2R2 Canada
  • Phone : 506-458-8083
  • Phone (alternate): 1-888-458-8083
  • Fax : 506-451-9629
  • Email : info@apegnb.com
  • http://www.apegnb.com/
Newfoundland and Labrador - Professional Engineers and Geoscientists Newfoundland and Labrador (PEGNL)
  • P.O. Box 21207
  • 10 Fort William Place, Suite 203
  • St. John’s NL A1A 5B2 Canada
  • Phone : 709-753-7714
  • Fax : 709-753-6131
  • Email : main@pegnl.ca
  • http://www.pegnl.ca/
Northwest Territories – Northwest Territories and Nunavut Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists
  • 201, 4817-49th Street
  • Yellowknife NT X1A 3S7 Canada
  • Phone : 867-920-4055
  • Fax : 867-873-4058
  • Email : napeg@napeg.nt.ca
  • http://www.napeg.nt.ca/
Nova Scotia – Engineers Nova Scotia
  • 1355 Barrington Street, P.O. Box 129
  • Halifax NS B3J 2M4 Canada
  • Phone : 902-429-2250
  • Phone (alternate): 1-888-802-7367
  • Fax : 902-423-9769
  • Email : info@engineersnovascotia.ca
  • http://www.engineersnovascotia.ca
Nunavut - Northwest Territories and Nunavut Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists
  • 201, 4817-49th Street
  • Yellowknife NT X1A 3S7 Canada
  • Phone : 867-920-4055
  • Fax : 867-873-4058
  • Email : napeg@napeg.nt.ca
  • http://www.napeg.nt.ca/
Ontario - Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO)
  • 40 Sheppard Avenue West, Suite 101
  • Toronto ON M2N 6K9 Canada
  • Phone : 416-224-1100
  • Phone (alternate): 1-800-339-3716
  • Fax : 416-224-8168
  • Fax (alternate): 1-800-268-0496
  • Email : MSaldanha@peo.on
  • http://www.peo.on.ca/
Prince Edward Island – Engineers PEI
  • 135 Water Street
  • Charlottetown PE C1A 1A8 Canada
  • Phone : 902-566-1268
  • Fax : 902-566-5551
  • Email : info@EngineersPEI.com
  • http://www.engineerspei.com/
Quebec - Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec (OIQ)
  • Gare Windsor, bureau 350
  • 1100, avenue des Canadiens-de-Montréal
  • Montréal QC H3B 2S2 Canada
  • Phone : 514-845-6141
  • Phone (alternate): 1-800-461-6141
  • Fax : 514-845-1833
  • Email : info@oiq.qc.ca
  • http://www.oiq.qc.ca/
Saskatchewan – Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Saskatchewan (APEGS)
  • 2255-13th Avenue, Suite 104
  • Regina SK S4P 0V6 Canada
  • Phone : 306-525-9547
  • Phone (alternate): 1-800-500-9547
  • Fax : 306-525-0851
  • Email : apegs@apegs.sk.ca
  • http://www.apegs.sk.ca/
Yukon – Association of Professional Engineers of Yukon (APEY)
  • 312B Hanson Street
  • Whitehorse YT Y1A 1Y6 Canada
  • Phone : 867-667-6727
  • Fax : 867-668-2142
  • Email : staff@apey.yk.ca
  • http://www.apey.yk.ca/

Source: http://www.cicnews.com/2013/10/receiving-engineering-license-canada-process-103015.html

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