In 2022, Canada achieved its target of 4.4% of French-speaking immigrants outside Quebec. This is a significant jump of 3.02% (from 1.38% to 4.4%) between 2006 and 2022. These Francophone newcomers contribute to the development of Canadian communities outside Quebec and to the diversity of our country’s cultural and linguistic landscape. They also help strengthen our economy. Francophone immigration outside …
On February 6, 2023, the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, announced that Canada is extending and expanding the open work permit program for eligible Hong Kong residents. Canada is extending the deadline to apply to February 7, 2025. It is also expanding eligibility to Hong Kong residents who have graduated within the past 10 years from …
The Alberta Government is updating the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) to attract more newcomers. AAIP is an economic immigration program that allows Alberta to nominate qualified workers for permanent residency. Alberta’s economy is facing a shortage of labour and currently has 100,000 job openings across all sectors. To address this issue, Alberta’s government is making changes to the AAIP …
In today’s English Idioms for Newcomers, let’s take a look at this expression: “cutting corners”. What does “cutting corners” mean? “Cutting corners” means: Doing something poorly in order to save time or money Examples: It is not a good idea to cut corners when making products that other people will use. His boss reminded him that cutting corners when completing this …
The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, has launched the 2023 International Experience Canada (IEC) Program with a 20% increase in the number of applicants who can apply. Applicants will be able to apply to the program starting on January 9, 2023. IEC is a reciprocal program that allows Canadian and international youth to work and travel in each other’s countries, …
Canada will begin extending work permits to family members of temporary foreign workers starting in January 2023 to help address labour shortages. This temporary 2-year measure will expand eligibility to work in Canada to spouses and working-age children through a phased approach for workers at all skill levels. It is estimated that family members of more than 200,000 foreign workers …
To support the work Alberta food banks and other civil service agencies do to help Alberta families, the Alberta government is providing $10 million over two years, with the first $5 million to be distributed in the coming weeks and the second $5 million allocated for use in the 2023-24 fiscal year. In addition to the aforementioned, Alberta’s government is …
Earlier this year, Alberta’s government invested $15 million to create the New Beginnings Bursary to support 1,000 low-income Albertans attending high-demand, qualified post-secondary programs, providing them with a $5,000 non-repayable support each year. The program quickly capped out for the 2022-23 academic year, which left about 700 eligible applicants without a bursary. To support these applicants with their education goals, …
In today’s English Idioms for Newcomers, let’s take a look at this expression: “hit the nail on the head.” What does “hit the nail on the head” mean? “Hit the nail on the head” means: Do or say something exactly right Examples: I think Maria hit the nail on the head with her comment about the impact of vacation on workers’ …
In today’s English Idioms for Newcomers, let’s take a look at this expression: “sit on the fence.” What does “sit on the fence” mean? “Sit on the fence” means: To avoid making a choice or decision between two or more possibilities Not to take sides in a dispute Examples: You can’t sit on the fence any longer—you need to choose whether you are staying in Nova Scotia …
