Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) revealed an accumulation of 2.1 million applications for permanent residence, temporary residence permit and citizenship approvals - with 1.09 million exceeding the specified service standards.
IRCC is devoted to providing 80% of applications within the service standard, while 20% may require more time as complex cases need further assessment.
Currently, 56% of temporary residence requests - including ones for visiting, studying or working abroad and 55% of permanent residency applications have exceeded the established service standards.
#IRCC, #immigration_backlog, #service_standards, #application_processing_times, #backlog
January 10, 2023
For the next two years, non-Canadians are banned from purchasing homes unless they are permanent residents, international students, diplomats or consular officials.
In December 2022, the Government of Canada added new exemptions to the ban, formally known as the Prohibition on the Purchase of Residential Property by the Non-Canadians Act.
According to the update, refugee claimants who already have a temporary visa or have filed a refugee claim in Canada have also been banned from purchasing real estate in Canada.
The Act, which received royal assent on June 23, 2022, is in effect from January 1, 2023.
#Real_estate, #property_purchase_ban, #real_estate_ban
https://www.dentons.com/en/insights/articles/2022/october/12/canadian-government-enacts-a-two-year
https://www.deseret.com/u-s-world/2022/12/29/23531495/housing-market-canada-ban-home-buying-2023
January 10, 2023
British Columbia has unveiled a series of measures to bring more medical professionals into the province to address the growing physician shortage and reduce emergency department overcrowding.
Premier David Eby affirmed that by March 2024, the number of Practice Ready Assessment (PRA) program spots would be tripled from 32 to 96- ensuring access to high-quality health care for all residents.
In addition, the program provides the opportunity for family doctors who are educated abroad to become licensed in the province, adding more physicians to rural and urban communities via a three-year mandatory service obligation.
#PRA, #BC, #labour_shortage, #healthcare_workers, #physicians
January 3, 2023
As Baby Boomers retire from their respective positions, Canada desperately needs foreign nationals to take up the empty positions and fill the one million open jobs.
Housing and Diversity Inclusion Minister Ahmed Hussen insists on immigration as an essential resource for economic growth, citing skilled immigrants are needed to provide real solutions for businesses seeking workers in the building trades.
In response to Canadians' concerns that increased immigration leads to skyrocketing housing prices and shortages, Housing and Diversity and Inclusion Minister disagreed with this argument.
Despite the apprehension that new immigrants to Canada will inevitably raise housing prices, numerous studies have demonstrated this concern is unfounded.
Many believe immigration increases demand and bolster the economy, which drives house values.
#Housing, #vacancies, #Labour_shortage, #foreign_workers
https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/news/2022/01/skills-trade.html
January 3, 2023
