Two Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot communities now accepting applications.

Canada’s anticipated Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot is finally opening to applications.

Once fully operational, the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) will allow employers in 11 participating communities in Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia to recruit eligible foreign workers.

Candidates who are recommended by a participating community will be able to apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for Canadian permanent residence.

The first local websites dedicated to the pilot came online November 15 in the following communities:

• Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
• Thunder Bay, Ontario
• Altona/Rhineland, Manitoba

Sault Ste. Marie and Altona/Rhineland are now accepting applications from candidates with an eligible offer of genuine*, full-time, permanent employment from a local employer.

Thunder Bay is currently only accepting inquiries from local employers who would like to participate in the pilot and says approved employers will be able to post job vacancies on the website beginning December 1, 2019.

Thunder Bay will begin accepting applications from candidates on January 2, 2020.

The websites for the remaining eight participating communities are “coming soon,” according to IRCC.

Application process

The first step in the immigration process through the RNIP is to obtain an eligible job offer from an approved employer in one of the participating communities.

Candidates with an eligible job offer then apply for a community recommendation and, if approved, submit an application for Canadian permanent residence from IRCC.

Each community will have a set number of recommendations that it can make each year. Peter Liang, a spokesperson for IRCC, told CIC News that an average of approximately 100 principal applicants and their immediate family members could be welcomed in each participating community, “but this will vary by community.”

“The number of permanent residents coming to Canada through the pilot will depend on the needs of the participating communities and the number of newcomers they can welcome,” Liang said.

In total, the pilot could approve as many as 2,750 principal applicants and their families for permanent residence annually.

Eligibility

Beyond the mandatory job offer, candidates must meet both federal requirements and community criteria that vary from one municipality to another.

Both Sault Ste. Marie and Altona/Rhineland are using their own points-based systems to prioritize candidates for recommendation.

Candidates applying to Sault Ste. Marie, for example, will have to obtain a minimum score based on the following requirements:

• a job offer in one of 22 priority occupations
• at least two years of work experience in that occupation
• the applicant’s age (18 to 47 only)
• at least one year of full-time work experience in Sault Ste. Marie
• at least a year of post-secondary studies in Sault Ste. Marie
• the applicant is already a resident of Sault Ste. Marie
• personal ties to established members of the Sault Ste. Marie community
  • immediate family (parent, sibling or child who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident)
  • extended family member (grandparent, uncle, aunt, cousin, niece or nephew), a friend or a representative of an established community organization who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
• a visit to Sault Ste. Marie of at least five nights within the past three years that included meetings with at least two employers in the applicant’s line of work
• authentic knowledge of and interest in a “recreational, cultural, or lifestyle activity” in Sault Ste. Marie

Candidates with a spouse or common-law partner will also receive points for the following:

• spouse or common-law partner with a valid job offer in a priority occupation OR at least two years of full-time, continuous work experience in a priority occupation
• spouse or common-law partner with a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) of 5 in each category (writing, reading, oral and listening)

Sault Ste. Marie says an applicant’s score determines the likelihood that they will be able to contribute to “an urgent or emerging need in the local economy,” build strong ties with community members and enjoy the city’s “unique lifestyle and cultural offerings.”

“We believe that applicants with high scores have a better chance of integrating into community life and staying in Sault Ste. Marie for the long-term,” the city explains on its dedicated RNIP website.

Altona/Rhineland requires interested candidates to create and register an online profile using a platform operated by its local economic development corporation, SEED.

The platform allows users to search job postings and apply for those that match their qualifications. Users can also set up automatic alerts that will notify them when jobs are posted that match their work experience.

Users can also upload their CV, which is vetted by SEED personnel and passed along to local employers if it matches their employment needs.

As of last week, SEED reported that nearly 2,000 profiles had already been created.

Source: https://www.cicnews.com/2019/11/two-rural-and-northern-immigration-pilot-communities-now-accepting-applications-1113194.html?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter-20191120#gs.he30jj

Are There Benefits to Attending French Universities in Canada?

by Aliyyah Nazeem

Many people who are hoping to move to Canada begin by improving their English-language skills. That is because you have to pass an English exam to immigrate via Express Entry.

But did you know that mastering French can also help you qualify for Express Entry?

French is one of the nation’s two official languages, but it is less common. Therefore, although you must be proficient in English, you will earn bonus points if you also know French.

Plus, Canadian employers might prefer to hire someone who speaks French. Securing employment is helpful, because work experience also counts toward Express Entry.

To improve your language skills, you can choose to attend a college or university where the courses are taught in French. Immersion programs allow you to practice your French while pursuing an unrelated major. Graduating from a French immersion program could help you stand out when applying for jobs.

Below, learn more about the advantages of speaking French as an international newcomer in Canada. You will also find an overview of colleges and universities that offer programs in French.

The Advantages of Speaking French for Canadian Immigrants

As either a primary or secondary language, it is valuable for Canadian residents to know French. You can become fluent by enrolling in either a fully immersive (all-French) or bilingual (French-English) program. These are offered across several provinces, so you will be able to choose the environment, location, and program type that sounds right to you.

Here are two of the ways that French can contribute to your successful immigration journey:

Gain Work Experience in Canada

After graduating from a post-secondary degree program, you can earn points toward Express Entry by gaining work experience in Canada. (This falls under the Canadian Experience Class.)

Just remember, you must first obtain a post-graduation work permit. Then, be sure to promote your French-language skills on your résumé and in your cover letter when applying for jobs.

Many employers seek skilled immigrants who can speak French. Improve your chances of landing a job by using your time at school to work on your French.

Qualify for the Provincial Nominee Program

In addition to Express Entry, immigrant hopefuls can look into the Provincial Nominee Program.

This program allows the provinces and territories to nominate individuals for immigration to Canada. If you have attended school in a certain province, participated in the local community, found work in the area (or shown value as a future employee), and demonstrated cultural interest—such as learning French—it might improve your chances of earning this special nomination.

The Provincial Nominee Program does, however, presume that you will settle in that particular area once you have received your visa. If this is your aim, it is important to choose where you study and work carefully. Be sure it is somewhere you could see yourself living for many years.

French Universities and Colleges in Canada

French immersion programs can improve your chances of immigrating after graduation.

If French is your native language, or your skills are very advanced, you might want to choose a complete immersion program. If French is a secondary language, or one you are still working on, another option is to attend a bilingual program.

Although not exhaustive, the list below demonstrates the kinds of French-language programs that you can find across Canada—organized by province.

British Columbia

Simon Fraser University is located in scenic Burnaby, British Columbia. Students can study in French (or English) within the school of Arts and Social Sciences and the school of Education. At Simon Fraser, international students make up about 19 percent of the student population. Many of those who participate in French programs further their language development skills by taking advantage of the school’s partnerships and studying abroad in Europe and Quebec.

Manitoba

In Winnipeg, Manitoba, l’Université de Sainte-Boniface is the only fully immersive French-language university in the province and is located in the French Quarter. The university provides a range of undergraduate programs—from business administration to translation and social work. It also offers master’s degrees in education and in arts.

Ontario

French is the language of instruction at Hearst University’s three campuses in picturesque Northeastern Ontario. Also known as Université de Hearst, it offers the best of both worlds: low tuition fees and high-quality education. Hearst is known throughout the region for its Franco-Ontarian pride.

Sudbury, the home of the Big Nickel, also hosts the Laurentian University/Université Laurentienne, which is fully bilingual. There are 800 course sections that are entirely taught in French; with these courses alone, you can graduate with one of 150 possible degrees in 43 disciplines.

If you would like a smaller campus but still want the feel of a city, then fully bilingual York University – Glendon Campus in Toronto might be the best option for you. Not only can you to practice your language skills in both English and French, you will also benefit from a culturally diverse staff hailing from over 100 countries.

Ontario also has two French-language colleges–Collège Boréal and La Cité. Both offer a variety of programs. La Cité has a second campus in Ottawa.

In the nation’s capital, you will also find the University of Ottawa. At this prestigious institution, you can study in French, English, or both.

New Brunswick

The University of Moncton is the largest French-language institution in Canada, outside of Quebec. Situated in New Brunswick, one of Canada’s Atlantic provinces, the university offers more than 160 programs of study. They include law, nursing, science, and social work. Students enjoy the local beaches, parks, and hiking trails.

Another option is Collège communautaire du Nouveau-Brunswick, New Brunswick’s French language community college. Its programs of study include arts and culture, natural sciences, and community services.

Preparing for Your Immigration Journey

Whether you want to join a French-language program at a large university or cozy college, in a big city or small town, you have plenty of options to choose from in Canada. Consider which academic environment will best meet your needs, as well as which province you might find appealing to live and work in once you graduate.

You can learn more about your options through the Association des Collèges et Universités de la Francophonie Canadienne, an organization supported by the government of Canada.

Regardless of where you study, it will take more than strong language skills to call the Great White North a permanent home. Research Canada’s immigration processes and policies carefully, so that you can take advantage of every opportunity and be prepared in case of potential setbacks. Be sure that you thoroughly understand your options before planning your education and post-graduate journey.

It is a good idea to start this research early. However, it is undeniable that reading, writing, and speaking French will be a valuable asset along the way.

Source: WES

Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program inviting francophones for exploratory visits

Manitoba is opening its doors to help prospective immigrants build stronger ties to francophone communities in the province.

The Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) is accepting requests from bilingual francophone candidates interested in conducting a pre-arranged, “exploratory” visit to the province.

These visits allow potential Skilled Worker applicants to research employment opportunities and communities in the province in order to make an informed decision on immigrating to Manitoba.

Skilled Worker candidates do not require a connection to Manitoba in order to be considered and all exploratory visits include an MPNP interview that could result in an invitation to apply for a provincial nomination for Canadian permanent residence.

Manitoba has one of Canada’s largest francophone populations outside of Quebec, though the number has declined in recent years. Canada’s 2016 census found 46,000 people in the province who listed French as their mother tongue, a decline of 3.6 percent from 2011.

The MPNP is organizing the visits in association with the Conseil de développement économique des municipalités bilingues du Manitoba (CDEM), which supports economic development in the province’s bilingual communities.

“As immigration is critical to our economic growth, we are strengthening our partnership with CDEM to support the economic and cultural vitality of our francophone communities and Manitoba as a whole,” Ralph Eichler, Manitoba’s Economic Development and Training Minister, said in a news release.

“Our renewed partnership aligns with Manitoba’s Growing Through Immigration Strategy as it will help increase the size and diversity of the talent pool available to Manitoba industry.”

CDEM’s participation ” will help prospective francophone immigrants build stronger ties to francophone communities in Manitoba and local economic opportunities,” the news release says.

The MPNP has updated its candidate screening guidelines to help facilitate the exploratory visit application process and selection criteria.

The Government of Manitoba and CDEM will be participating in a forum in Europe to connect Canadian employers with skilled francophone candidates.

The Destination Canada Mobility Forum is from Nov. 15 to 17 in Paris, France, and will be in Brussels, Belgium on Nov. 18.

The MPNP said it nominated 235 francophone immigrants at Destination Canada in 2018, totaling 4.5 percent of the year’s nominations.

Source: https://www.cicnews.com/2019/11/manitoba-provincial-nominee-program-inviting-francophones-for-exploratory-visits-1113188.html?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter-20191120#gs.he31pu

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/