Canada's 2024 budget focuses on enhancing housing supply, dedicating $50 million over two years to the Foreign Credential Recognition Program.
Half is for the construction industry, with the rest aiding foreign credential recognition in healthcare. The budget aims to construct 3.87 million new homes by 2031 and make renting while saving for a first home easier.
The government plans to tackle the housing crisis with strategies such as a $4 billion Housing Accelerator Fund, the Affordable Housing and Groceries Act, and $20 billion in new financing for rental apartments. To meet the growing demand, Ottawa trains skilled trade workers and reviews temporary resident programs to align with labour market needs.
Recognizing a predicted construction industry shortage of over 60,000 workers by 2032, $100 million is allocated over two years, with the majority for the Apprenticeship Service and some for the Skilled Trades Awareness and Readiness Program.
#Budget_2024, #construction, #Construction_workers, #credential_recognition
On April 18, 2024, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) updated program delivery instructions, removing the language testing requirement for Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) non-Express Entry applications.
PNP applicants nominated under an Express Entry stream must still undergo language testing and report scores in their Express Entry profile.
Test results from recognized organizations like IELTS, CELPIP, PTE, TEF Canada, or TCF Canada are valid. Failure to provide valid test results will result in the application being considered incomplete and returned. #IRCC, #PTE_Core, #TCF, #TEF, #CELPIP, #IELTS #PNP #Express_Entry
The Canadian Government places a high emphasis on French-speaking economic immigrants, which sometimes results in the bypass of applicants with higher rankings.
With the recent overhaul of the Express Entry system, Ottawa has extended invitations for permanent residency to approximately 19,700 individuals, primarily based on their proficiency in French.
In addition, around 36,150 invitations were sent out to candidates chosen according to their point scores rather than specific qualities.
This approach may result in the selection of candidates with lower scores. Some critics express concern that this policy might not effectively foster economic growth and could limit the capacity to attract top talent.
#Francophone_immigration, #immigration_to_Canada, #EE, #express_Entry
Large numbers of immigration applications are submitted overseas by unauthorized representatives. In 2019, the government authorized a penalty system for violations in immigration and citizenship applications.
However, fines have yet to be imposed as the system is not in force.
Delays in implementing the system are partly due to the pandemic, which is expected to be in place by winter 2025.
Criticisms have been raised about the delay and the inability to monitor consultants practicing outside the country.
The situation has led to increased malpractice and fraud, with many applicants falling victim to scams. The lack of enforcement and oversight has been heavily criticized, with calls for immediate action to rectify the situation.
#Immigration_consultants, #Fraud, #unauthorized_representatives