Saskatchewan is criticized for limiting immigration from only specific countries

Saskatchewan is being criticized for limiting immigration to workers from only eight countries in their latest Express Entry and Skilled Worker Occupations-In-Demand draws.

In mid-August, the province invited candidates from Ireland, India, Poland, Czechia, Germany, Lithuania, Slovakia, and Ukraine.

Public policy experts have raised concerns about Saskatchewan’s undermining of Canada’s points-based system.

The province defends that the country-specific pilot is an attempt to target newcomers who are most likely to stay in Saskatchewan, and the August draws were inspired by the province’s success in retaining Ukrainians who have arrived in the past year.

#Saskatchewan, #SINP, #EE, #PR

https://www.msn.com/en-ca/news/canada/new-sask-immigration-pilot-project-reserving-some-spots-to-people-from-specific-countries/ar-AA1govNG

https://regina.ctvnews.ca/sask-immigration-draws-based-on-specific-countries-of-origin-could-be-problematic-advocate-1.6549786

September 8, 2023

Canadian passport ranks higher as a desirable travel document

This year, the Canadian passport has moved from eighth to sixth place in the Henley Passport Index rankings.

The passport scored 186 points but has climbed higher rankings than other countries’ passports.

The Henley Passport Index compares 199 passports for 227 travel destinations, giving 104 rankings for the top ones.

Canada is known for having one of the world’s most powerful passports, offering visa-free access to 185 destinations.

The top-ranked passport is from Singapore, with a score of 193.

#Canadian_passport, #passport, #Henley_Passport_Index

September 8, 2023

Canada extended measures for PGWP distance learning

n September 1, 2023, the Government of Canada extended measures allowing international students using the distance learning option to pursue their higher education in Canada to be eligible for the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).

The measures introduced on October 6, 2022, and set to expire on August 31, 2023, have been extended to December 31, 2023.

Students who start their online study program between September 1, 2022, and December 31, 2023, will be able to count the time spent studying online outside of Canada until December 31, 2023, toward the overall length of the PGWP if it does not exceed 50% of the program.

#PGWP, #international_students, #work_permit, #Open_work_permit, #distance_learning

https://www.applyboard.com/blog/distance-learning-measures#:~:text=Distance%20learning%20measures%20have%20been%20officially%20extended%20to,program%20online%20without%20their%20PGWP%20eligibility%20being%20affected.

September 8, 2023

Quebec universities are against the proposed cap on the number of international students coming to Canada

Quebec universities rejected the federal housing minister's suggestion to cap international study permits to ease the housing shortage.

They argue that the cap would not solve the crisis and negatively affect university research and skilled immigrant access.

Some parties have even suggested that the housing shortage is unrelated to international students.

In 2022, Canada issued more than 540,000 new international study permits, up 24% from 2021.

The number of study permit holders in Canada has increased steadily since the mid-2000s, from a little over 200,000 in 2009 to 638,300 in 2019.

#Quebec, #international_students, #housing_shortage, #study_permits

September 1, 2023