Caregivers to Benefit from Reduced Work Experience Requirements and Pathways to Permanent Residence in Canada

Lejia Feng Citizenship & Immigration, Newcomer Information

On February 10, 2023, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced significant changes to the caregiver program. Effective April 30, 2023, the amount of work experience required in Canada for a caregiver to qualify for permanent residence will be reduced from 24 months to 12 months, and some spaces in the program will be reserved for caregivers who have prior …

Changes to the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program Will Attract Global Talent

Nicole H. Citizenship & Immigration, Employment, Newcomer Information, Settlement & Community News, Settlement News, Updates

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 …

Cutting corners

Nicole H. Daily Life, Fun Facts, Newcomer Information

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 …

Government of Canada Announces Expansion and Opening of the International Experience Canada (IEC) Program

Lejia Feng Citizenship & Immigration, Employment, Newcomer Information

On January 9, 2023, the Government of Canada announced the International Experience Canada (IEC) program is now accepting applications from international youth interested in coming to Canada to gain work and travel experiences. International youth bring valuable and diverse skills to Canada’s economy through the IEC program, while Canadian youth also benefit from gaining international experience through working and traveling …

Canada Welcomes Record Number of Newcomers in 2022

Lejia Feng Citizenship & Immigration, Newcomer Information

On January 3, 2023, the Government of Canada announced it welcomed 431,645 new permanent residents in 2022, representing the largest number of people ever welcomed in a year, in Canadian history. Canada has experienced one of the fastest recoveries from the pandemic, thanks in large part to its approach to immigration. Newcomers enrich our communities, and contribute to our economy …

Canada Expands Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP) Program to Help More Skilled Refugees

Lejia Feng Citizenship & Immigration, Newcomer Information, Settlement & Community News, Settlement News

On December 13, 2022, the Government of Canada announced new funding for partner organizations to help expand Canada’s Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP) to more skilled refugees. Over the next few years, Canada is aiming to work with employers and communities across the country to expand the pilot and welcome 2,000 skilled refugees to fill specific labour shortages in high-demand …

More International Youth will be Allowed to Work and Travel in Canada

Nicole H. Citizenship & Immigration, Settlement & Community News, Settlement News

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, …

Family Work Permits to be Extended to Temporary Workers’ Spouses and Working-Age Children

Nicole H. Citizenship & Immigration, Employment, Settlement & Community News, Settlement News

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 …

Canada’s New Interim Dental Benefit Now Open for applications

Lejia Feng Community, Daily Life, Health and wellness, Settlement News

On December 1, 2022, the Government of Canada announced a new dental benefit program to help those who need it most access dental care. The interim Canada Dental Benefit is intended to help lower dental costs for eligible families earning less than $90,000 per year. Parents and guardians can apply if the child receiving dental care is under 12 years …

Alberta’s government is taking action to support food security

Nicole H. Community, Updates

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 …