Immigration Canada

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/

Canadian Banking: How Newcomers Can Build Credit.

by Ivy Chiu

Moving to a new country presents a unique opportunity to create a life, home, career, and network in a new environment. By taking time to understand the financial system, newcomers to Canada can create a solid foundation that could mean the difference between surviving and thriving during the first few years. While most newcomers are aware that Canada’s banking system differs from that of their home country, they often do not know what those differences entail.

Keep reading to see tips on how to bank and build credit in Canada:

Open a Bank Account Even if You Do Not Have a Job Yet

Many newcomers are surprised to learn that they can open a bank account without having a job. In their home country, they might not have been allowed to do so without being employed with a steady income. However, in Canada, opening a bank account is one of the first things newcomers should do—even if no funds are deposited right away.

The main types of accounts in Canada are chequing and savings accounts:

A chequing account is designed for day-to-day banking. You will use the money in this account to make everyday purchases. With this account, you can deposit and withdraw at any time. This makes it a convenient and safe place to keep the money.
A savings account is ideal for setting aside money for larger costs, such as education or home furnishings. The balance in this account will earn interest and you can easily access your money when you need it.

When exploring options, ask about bill payments and the number of transactions that can be made every month without fees. Be sure to compare fees and interest rates for the different accounts, as well as features and offers. For example, RBC offers no monthly fees for newcomers for a period of time to help with settling in a new country. As long as you keep your account open for 90 days, there is no fee to close the account if your situation changes or you decide not to live in Canada permanently.

Start Building Credit Immediately

Many newcomers understand that building credit history is necessary to settle in Canada. But they may not know exactly how it works.

Credit history in Canada is a key factor to determine eligibility for a loan.

Canada’s central credit bureaus use credit history to provide a score that reflects creditworthiness. A credit score is built through financial transactions, such as the first time newcomers ask for a loan, set up utilities, or purchase a mobile plan—and it is built over time. The score is determined based on the evidence of how finances and repayment were managed. This is influenced, for example, by whether monthly bills are paid in a timely manner.

A good credit score helps newcomers qualify for loans and might lead to lower interest rates. This is helpful when buying a car, getting a mortgage, paying for school, and more.

Here are a few more important points about building and maintaining a credit score:

A credit score is tied to the individual. If the credit card, car loan, or mortgage is in your spouse’s name only, the activity associated would be tied to the spouse’s credit score. Each person should build their own credit history.
Pay your bills on time. Credit scores are maintained by credit reporting agencies and include whether bills are paid, including utilities, mobile phone, and credit card. This is why it is important to pay at least the minimum payment on time.
Regularly check your credit score. RBC personal banking clients can access their credit score right through the TransUnion CreditView Dashboard in their RBC online banking portal. Checking your credit score at least once a year helps detect any errors and protects against identity fraud by ensuring the information is accurate.

While every newcomer to Canada has its own set of distinct goals and circumstances, most are eager to learn how to navigate the Canadian financial language and landscape. Do not hesitate to ask your bank’s client advisors about any questions you may have.

Starting a new life in Canada will be easier with a solid understanding of how to manage finances and build credit history. A promising future awaits.

For assistance with getting a bank account, credit card, or mortgage in Canada, visit rbc.com/newcomers.

Source: WES Advisor Blog

What is the Job-Canada Platform for Immigrants?

To immigrate to Canada, a candidate should take into consideration all aspects of current legislation and immigration programs.

The most difficult thing about moving abroad is to find an employer who has LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment), a document allowing to hire a foreign worker. It is a document issued by Employment and Social Development Canada. It protects an employee after the contract with his employer has been signed.

If you have tried looking for an employer through AIPP, you probably know it is not easy. You have to find an employer, his position openings and then your actual position. You go through 2,000 employers which takes a lot of time. That is why we came up with an idea to help you and literally do this job for you: we take designated employers and gather their current position openings in every province from official and approved sources. We are also working on several Canada immigration programs.

Immigration to Canada: JobCanada platform advantages for candidates

JobCanada allows its clients to find and sign a contract with a Canadian employer who is confirmed to hire through immigration programs or LMIA.

The company website has many current job openings for foreign workers in different provinces of Canada.

After signing up at job-canada.org, a candidate needs to make a payment for the website subscription.

When it's done, a JobCanada search menu opens where a client can see different job openings from the largest Canadian platforms: indeed.ca, jobbank.gc.ca and so on.

You can make a selection of current open positions on the website. To do this you need to choose:

an immigration program;
a city or province where you are going to relocate;
a position and a company profile;
and a desired salary as well.

Preparing to find a Canadian employer

Immigration through work is the best choice for high-skilled employees and those who have no relatives living permanently in Canada. This kind of relocation can guarantee a job in a foreign country and a stable income.

Before a candidate immigrates and starts looking for a position, JobCanada specialists recommend:

to have a consistent CV following Canadian specialists' advice and to translate it into English or French;
to write a brief cover letter with all the necessary details for every position opening in an employer's language;
to buy a Canadian virtual phone number which can increase your chances to have an interview with your potential employer;

Thorough work on such programs as The BC PNP Tech Pilot, The Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program and Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot have allowed JobCanada to make a selection of positions with a shortlist of requirements for relocation.

For example, these programs are suitable for candidates who have low foreign language levels (English/French), who are middle-aged, have little work experience or finished a vocational school.

For more information, click the link below:

https://job-canada.org/partner-source/6

Immigrate to Altona/Rhineland, The Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP)

THE PROCESS

1. Employers interested in the pilot must contact SEED to arrange an employer pre-screening meeting

2. SEED ensures that the employer & job position meet the pilot eligibility criteria

3. SEED then uploads the approved job posting onto SEED’s website for applicants to review

4. Applicants must create a “candidate profile” on SEED’s website prior to applying to any job postings

5. The applicant applies to job postings that meet their past work experience and education and ensure they have the ability to carry out the job duties and responsibilities listed.

6. The applicant can create a candidate profile that offers the option to set up career alert(s) automatically notifying them by email of job opportunities matching their criteria, as they become available.

7. SEED forwards the applicant’s resume to the employer

8. The Employer then conducts normal hiring practices, such as reviewing the resume, conduct interview & reference checks

9. Upon satisfaction, the employer provides an Offer of Employment to the successful applicant & provides a copy of the offer to SEED

10. SEED will provide the applicant with Schedule 1 – Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot and Community Recommendation Questions documents to complete and upload online in “candidate profile” in addition to all supporting documents in order apply for community recommendation

11. SEED will verify the Offer of Employment & Community Recommendation Application documentation

12. Once SEED ensures all the documentation is in order, the Vetting Committee assesses the priority factors and the top-ranking candidates move onto further assessment including an applicant interview to ensure they intend to reside in the community.

13. SEED will provide the applicant who has received a positive assessment from the Vetting Committee with community recommendation

14. The applicant then submits a Permanent Residence application to IRCC & is assessed against federal selection criteria & admissibility requirements

15. Once IRCC confirms that the application is complete, the applicant and their family members (if applicable) can apply for a work permit and, if approved, may come to Canada while the application for permanent residence is being processed

16. The employer and community welcomes the applicant and provides services to support their settlement and integration

The Process for Assessing Applications

SEED will assess applications on a monthly basis and provide recommendations up to a maximum of 10% of the annual allocated by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. Applications that are not recommended will be held for six months and will be considered in each of those monthly assessment periods. At the end of six months, the application will no longer be under consideration. The employer who offered the qualifying position may wish to extend the job offer, or the candidate may secure a new job offer for another position posted on SEED’s website and submit an updated application for a recommendation.