Dear Mr Brown,

I understand that Canada will soon start targeting immigration based on occupation. Do you know which occupations will be in demand? Do you know when the changes will begin?

—WB

Dear WB:

With regard to express entry, Canada will do targeted draws for skilled immigrants for the first time starting next year (early 2023).

This means that applicants will be cherry-picked based on:

•The most in-demand skills; and

•The regions of the country that most need workers.

Therefore, express entry will change from candidates being ranked based on language, education, work experience and other skills, to allowing Canada to filter for specific skills and sectors, or for people who will move to specific regions. I am emphasising that this is a very significant development.

Doctors and nurses

It is expected that doctors and nurses will be the initial focus, particularly for provinces that make it easier for health workers to validate their foreign credentials and allow them to start practising when they arrive. Canada’s public health-care system is straining under the weight of the novel coronavirus pandemic and a nursing shortage. However, the country has also struggled to accredit health-care workers once they arrive, meaning many foreign-trained doctors and nurses do not end up working in their field.

Construction

The government will also focus on welcoming more skilled construction workers to help build new housing supplies, and on selecting newcomers for areas with the absorptive capacity to take them.

Canada is struggling with a shortage of workers in general. The most recent job vacancy data showed there were 958,500 open roles in Canada in August and 1.0 million unemployed people.

The government has also stated that it will also boost immigration goals to bring in 1.45 million new permanent residents over the next three years.

Please visit JAMAICA2CANADA.COM for additional information on Canadian Permanent Residence programmes, including express entry, the study & work programme, visas or appeals, etc.

Antonn Brown, BA, (Hons), LLB, MSc, RCIC, is an immigration counsel and an accredited Canadian education agent of JAMAICA2CANADA.COM—a Canadian immigration & education firm in Kingston. Send questions/comments to documents.jamaica2canada@gmail.com