Canada to Pursue ‘Expression of Interest’ Immigration Model

English: Pic for WikiProject Political parties and politicians in Canada (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

In the future, Canada plans to adopt a new model of immigration known as the ‘Expression of Interest’ (EOI) system. The EOI system will be implemented with the intent of better targeting skilled immigrants to fill specific Canadian labour market needs. By more carefully selecting immigrants, it is expected that this system will better benefit both the Canadian economy and newcomers themselves.

Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) plans to implement the EOI system sometime in 2014. When that happens, it will mean significant change for a system that has been accused of rigidity and stagnation. However, with careful planning, CIC has expressed confidence that the transition to an EOI system will ultimately make Canada a leader in the global competition for the world’s most desirable immigrants.

What is an ‘EOI’ System?

Canada’s EOI model will be based on a system that was devised in New Zealand. A similar system was adopted by Australia in 2012 for its economic immigration programs.

Announcements made by CIC, as well as an analysis of the Australian system, give clues as to how an EOI model would function in Canada.

Under an EOI program, prospective immigrants first complete an online form which states their interest in becoming a permanent resident of Canada. It is important to note that an EOI is not an application for a permanent resident visa. Rather, it indicates an individual’s request to become a candidate for permanent residency.

The EOI form will include important information about the prospective applicant, such as work experience, assessed educational credentials, and proof of English/French language proficiency. In addition, EOI candidates will be ‘assigned a points score and ranked’. Not all individuals who submit an EOI application will be invited to apply for Canadian permanent residency, and not all those who are invited to apply will necessarily receive a visa.

In the Australian EOI system, prospective immigrants can be found and nominated by either an Australian employer or a state/territory government. It is likely that Canada will follow a similar route.

Speaking to the Globe and Mail newspaper, Canadian Citizenship and Immigration Minister Jason Kenney explained that candidates would go into a ‘pool’, from which the most desirable can be ‘fished out’ by employers and by Federal, Provincial, or Territorial governments.

Implementing the EOI System in Canada

Specific details as to how the EOI system will be implemented are forthcoming. However, it has already been announced that consultations have been held with key Federal, Provincial, and Territorial stakeholders about the system.

The EOI system has the potential to greatly assist provinces in addressing their specific labour market needs by providing their governing bodies with a range of eligible skilled professionals. This opportunity has been met with approval from many provincial stakeholders.

“Immigration is vital for economic growth and our system must be more competitive internationally,” said Stephen Khan, the Alberta Minister of Enterprise and Advanced Education. “On behalf of the provinces and territories, we look forward to continuing our work with theGovernment of Canada to transform the immigration system, making it faster and more responsive to provincial/territorial needs.”

No announcement has been made as to how an EOI system will interact with current immigration programs such as the Federal Skilled Worker, Quebec Skilled Worker, and Provincial Nominee programs. The Federal Skilled Worker program, currently the most popular for Canadian permanent residency, is expected to begin accepting applications on May 4th, 2013.

EOI Impact for Workers

If all goes as planned, an EOI system could greatly benefit both prospective immigrants and the Canadian economy as a whole.

Most importantly, those selected for permanent residency may arrive in Canada with employment in their field already secured. This, combined with fast processing times, is a great advantage to immigrants. Says Minister Kenney, “[immigrants] would arrive in Canada as permanent residents with prearranged jobs and literally be going to work at their skill level within a few days of arrival.”

Many prospective immigrants are intimidated by the prospect of finding employment in Canada when still living abroad. The EOI model could take this element out of the equation, instead letting Canadian employers do the work of contacting those candidates they deem qualified for a certain job.

The implementation of the EOI system will be one of the final steps in Canada’s immigration system transitioning from one of inflexibility to one that can quickly address the country’s needs. As Minister Kenney has said, “this is the future as opposed to the past.”

Source: http://www.cicnews.com/2013/02/canada-pursue-expression-interest-immigration-model-022314.html

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Engineering shortages lead Ontario job seekers to go where the action is

Randstad Nationalestraat Antwerpen (Photo credit: Gerard Stolk (vers le Midi-Carême))

TORONTO, March 5, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ - Job seekers in Ontario should focus their training and job searches towards the engineering field, according to Randstad Canada, the country's leading firm for staffing, recruitment, and HR services.

Given the importance of job creation for youth in Ontario, Randstad Canada believes it's essential to channel young people entering the workforce into fields such as engineering with high demand for talent.

"It makes sense to encourage youth in Ontario to consider engineering as a worthwhile career option," said Keith Wark, Vice President Central and Eastern Region, Randstad Engineering. "This is a sector that is clearly in need of seasoned professionals as older engineers retire. If we want to develop that pool of talent, we must hire and develop young engineers now."

The recently released study, Engineering Labour Market in Canada: Projections to 2020, commissioned by EngineersCanada and sponsored by Randstad Engineering, reveals that Canada is facing a short supply of engineers with more than 10 years of experience, and that supply and demand imbalances in the engineering sector are becoming more serious, specifically in Ontario:

Findings from the labour market report note that resource projects in the north and infrastructure upgrades in most regions drive job creation, and that steady improvements in manufacturing create supply pressures for industrial engineers. Additionally, it notes that resource and infrastructure projects add jobs and create significant supply pressures for mining and civil engineers, while steady improvements in manufacturing create supply pressures for industrial engineers.

Randstad Canada's own projections see a growing demand for engineers in Ontario's aerospace sector, which requires a highly skilled workforce to deal with aging commercial fleets that will soon need to be replaced. Demand is also growing for engineers in the construction sector, a result of new infrastructure projects. The growth in construction has resulted in an imbalance in the supply of engineers and other highly skilled workers.

Construction activity has been growing and is expected to plateau from 2014 to 2016 and grow moderately, while resource activity in mining and other areas contributes to overall gains for engineers. Expansion demand is gaining momentum and markets are tightening quickly in resource related areas.

While labour market conditions vary from region to region, Ontario in particular must find ways to strike a balance between retiring skilled engineers, and training incoming graduates and international candidates.

"We are encouraged by the provincial government's stated commitment to youth employment and its understanding of the needs of Ontario's labour market, " said Wark. ''New projects mean great prospects for young engineers, but employers will need to start hiring based on potential instead of just experience, as a way to counterbalance labour shortages."

About Randstad Engineering: Randstad Engineering is Canada's leading provider of customized staffing and recruitment solutions for engineering and technical talent. We cater to industries as diverse as natural resources, manufacturing, construction, consulting and architecture. Visit randstad.ca/engineering

About Randstad Canada: Randstad Canada is the Canadian leader for staffing, recruitment and HR Services. As the only fully integrated staffing company in the country, we understand the recruitment needs and demands of employers and job seekers across all levels and industries. Through our insightful knowledge of local markets, employment trends and global network of recruitment experts, we are shaping the Canadian world of work. Visit randstad.ca

SOURCE: RANDSTAD CANADA

For further information:

Mark Klein
Marie-Noelle Morency

Telephone
416.962.9578 x2317
514.350.5309 x233

Immigrants given free legal help to start own business

Italian-Immigrants-to-Canad (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

By: Nicholas Keung Immigration reporter, Published on Mon Mar 04 2013

Sanjay Pandrala, a horticulturist from India, hesitated to start his pest control and landscaping business because he didn’t know enough about Canadian commercial law.

Should he incorporate his firm? What is his liability if there is an industrial accident? What needs to be included in an employment contract?

While the lack of legal knowledge is a challenge, Pandrala said many small businesses simply can’t afford a corporate lawyer.

“You don’t want to learn about Canadian law the hard way, after a mistake is made,” said Pandrala, who came here in 2007 with a horticulture degree. “It is extremely important that we are aware of all these potential legal issues before we start our business.”

Photos.

Today, Pandrala is the proud owner of The Bug Man Inc. — which had modest sales of $80,000 last year — and a finalist in Connect Legal’s inaugural Promising Immigrant Entrepreneur Award.

Marion Annau, founder of Connect Legal, said the award is to celebrate the spirit of immigrant entrepreneurs.

“There is an economic shift underway. Self-employment and small businesses are becoming more important to the economy. Many immigrants are getting into self-employment as a way to get ahead,” said Annau, a former Bay St. lawyer.

“But they are not familiar with Canada’s legal system. The better understanding they have, the fewer problems they will have.”

Since its inception in 2010, Connect Legal, working with other community groups, has delivered workshops to more than 700 aspiring immigrant entrepreneurs.

Through its one-on-one lawyer-matching program, it has connected 32 pro-bono clients with its pool of 80 lawyers from six of Canada’s top law firms, including Blake, Cassels & Graydon, and McCarthy Tétrault.

Annau said the lawyers volunteer for less than 50 hours of work per client (jobs count toward the law firms’ billable hour target), offering advice from contract design and reviews to permit and licensing, business structuring, branding and trademarks.

Carolina Velez, owner of Colombia Exotic, an importer of exotic fruits and natural products, said the legal help she got from the clinic was invaluable.

“I did study business and law in university, but it’s Colombian law,” said Velez, another award finalist, who started her company last year, which imports one ton of yellow pitahaya (dragon fruit) a week to sell at Loblaws.

“The lawyer explained to me about my liability, how to protect my interests in the worst scenarios and let me see all the blind spots. There are just a lot of (legal) landmines in business.”

Other immigrant entrepreneur award finalists include: Vibhor Chhabra of Grand Travel Planners Ltd., Igor Chigrin of Win Global Partners and Hardik Kumar Dave of Uniglobe Consulting Inc. The winner will be announced Wednesday.

Source: http://www.thestar.com/news/immigration/2013/03/04/immigrants_given_free_legal_help_to_start_own_business.html