Canada’s Immigration Minister Announces New Immigration Pathway
Immigration minister Sean Fraser delivered a speech in Toronto at the Empire Club of Canada today to announce a new federal immigration pathway.
New Pathway: Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot
Immigration minister Sean Fraser delivered a speech in Toronto at the Empire Club of Canada today to announce a new federal immigration pathway.
The new pathway will be under the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP) and is planned to begin this summer. The aim of this new pathway is to help employers to hire skilled refugees and other displaced individuals to fill labour shortages.
The IRCC states “The EMPP pairs skilled refugees and other qualified displaced individuals with Canadian employers who need to overcome labour shortages in key occupations. This allows Canada to welcome vulnerable people, while giving Canadian employers access to an untapped talent pool from which they can attract and retain employees with the skills they need to help grow our economy.”
The new federal pathway will give employers more opportunities to fill a wide range of in-demand jobs, including nurse aides, personal support workers, long-term care aides, software engineers, web designers, mechanical and electrical engineers and technicians, teachers, tourism and hospitality workers, and truck and delivery service drivers. The EMPP gives employers another avenue to address their labour market needs, while offering EMPP candidates an opportunity to restart their careers and their lives in safety with their families here in Canada.
In addition, the EMPP will now include a more flexible approach to eligibility by allowing other displaced people who lack a durable solution and are in need of international protection to apply.
As these individuals rebuild their lives and careers, they help fill gaps in our labour force, contribute to local economies, and enrich our communities. More information on the new federal pathway, including eligibility criteria, will be available on the dedicated IRCC EMPP webpage in the coming weeks.
Immigration Targets for 2023-2025
Critical labour market shortages have led many to turn to immigration as a path forward in addressing these severe shortages. The 2023-2025 plan embraces immigration as a strategy to help businesses find workers. It also aims to attract the skills required to fill key sectors, such as health care, skilled trades, manufacturing and technology. This will help to manage the social and economic challenges facing Canada in the decades ahead.
Over the next three years, Canada will increase the number of new immigrants to the country each year. This year, Canada will aim to welcome 465,000 new immigrants. The target will rise to 485,000 new immigrants in 2024. And it will again rise in 2025 to 500,000 new immigrants. Last year, Canada welcomed about 437,000. These ambitious immigration targets are largely aimed at reducing labour shortages across the country.
The new plan also aims to increase regional programs to address targeted local labour market needs, through the Provincial Nominee Program, the Atlantic Immigration Program, and the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot.
Learn more about your options to immigrate to Canada by completing our free online assessment form.
Free Immigration AssessmentDiscover your Canadian immigration options. Get your free assessment now!