IRCC considers fast-track draws based on occupation and other categories

 IRCC considers fast-track draws based on occupation and other categories

Recent consultations have outlined the possibility of targeting Express Entry candidates with key attributes such as occupation, industry, temporary residence and French ability.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) recently consulted with the public and stakeholders to adjust the Express Entry application management system to better meet Canada's economic needs and labor shortages.

The department plans to do this by creating fast-track categories that target key attributes such as educational credentials, work experience or knowledge of official languages, rather than just high scores in the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS).

IRCC said it is considering inviting Express Entry candidates based on their occupational background, the economic sector in which there is a labor shortage, whether the candidate is residing in Canada as an international student or temporary foreign worker, and the candidate's French proficiency.

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 Express Entry is a system under which skilled workers can apply for permanent residence through one of three immigration pathways: the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Canadian Experience Class, and the Federal Skilled Trades Program.

Currently, qualified candidates applying for permanent residence through these programs will use the CRS to earn points. Those with the highest scores are the most likely to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA).

The consultations are based on the success of the same approach used to develop the annual Immigration Levels Plan, which sets Canada's annual immigration targets over a three-year period.

As the consultation process only recently concluded on January 8, 2023, the results of the consultations have not yet been published. However, IRCC said targeted draws could begin this spring. Once the minister decides on the categories, they will be announced before invitations are issued.

Possible Categories
Selection of candidates based on work experience in a specific occupation or sector 

 IRCC is considering creating a category that would include work experience in specific occupations or sectors with chronic labor shortages. As part of the consultation process, IRCC asked respondents to outline areas of chronic labor market shortage and to make recommendations on how immigrants could complement Canada's existing workforce.

The most common primary occupations among candidates invited to apply for permanent residence under Express Entry between 2019 and 2021 were:

• food service supervisors
• administrative assistants
• financial auditors and accountants
• retail sales supervisors
• software engineers and designers
• professional occupations in advertising, marketing and public relations
• cooks
• computer programmers and interactive media developers
• information systems analysts and consultants
• user support technicians
• restaurant and food service managers
• administrative officers

Transitioning international graduates to permanent residence

IRCC said the Express Entry Potential Selection category for international student graduates could more directly address critical shortages. For example, a new "fast-track" category might include graduates with a degree or diploma in a popular field from a designated institution of learning.

IRCC states that international student graduates are well-suited for permanent economic immigration because they are proficient in at least one official language and possess Canadian educational qualifications and work experience. They are often of core working age, which means they will be able to contribute to Canada's economy for years to come. 

In 2021, more than 88,000 international graduates transitioned to permanent residency through the Fast Track, an increase of 80% since 2017. However, for those in Canada on a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), obtaining permanent residency can be time-consuming and difficult.

Transitioning temporary foreign workers to permanent residence

As with international student graduates, IRCC is considering creating a category that would enable more temporary foreign workers to become permanent residents through Express Entry. During the consultation, stakeholders raised concerns that the current pathway to permanent residence cannot keep up with the supply of temporary foreign workers who can meet Canada's long-term labor needs. The Temporary Foreign Worker Program provides access to global talent and fosters economic growth while filling urgent job vacancies.

Overall, it has been found that immigrants with previous temporary work experience in Canada are better integrated into the labor market and are better able to transfer their skills when needed.

In 2021, approximately 168,600 people transitioned from temporary work status to permanent residence, representing 64 percent of economic immigration category arrivals. 
 Selecting Francophone and bilingual candidates

IRCC is also considering inviting candidates based on their French ability. This may entail inviting French-speaking and bilingual candidates.

In 2019, Canada launched a French-speaking immigration strategy, with the goal of 4.4% of new immigrants from outside Quebec speaking French by the end of 2023.

Of the 110,000 economic-class French-speaking immigrants who settled in Canada between 2017 and 2021, only 30,000 chose to settle outside of Quebec. By inviting more French-speaking candidates through the Fast Track, the government will be able to continue to strengthen Canada's bilingual character and fill workforce gaps in needy French-speaking communities.

Canada’s labour shortage

The fast-track changes are in response to Canada's aging population and one of the lowest birth rates in the world at 1.43 children per woman. As the population ages, the demand for social services increases and the tax base shrinks. Without increased immigration of skilled workers to support Canada's social systems, such as health care, it will face serious difficulties supporting the population.

As the global economy shifts toward a greener, digital economy and automation, some of the worst labor shortages are already evident. The shortage is partly due to increased skills gaps and job vacancies in key sectors such as construction, healthcare and professional, scientific and technical services. All of these sectors require long-term and specialized training. 

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Government mandate on immigration

In the most recent Ministerial Mandate Letter, a document outlining the Government's priorities, the Immigration Minister must address these objectives, which include: 

• address chronic labour market shortages and positioning for the future; and

• support Francophone immigration and economic growth in Francophone minority communities.

To help achieve these goals, Bill C-19 received Royal Assent on 23 June 2022. Under the Act, the Minister of Immigration can invite candidates for Express Entry based on key attributes that support economic priorities.

This does not mean that IRCC will no longer use the Express Entry Comprehensive Ranking System. Candidates meeting the criteria for a particular category will be ranked based on their CRS score and top ranked candidates will be invited to apply.

Category-based selection is only available to candidates eligible for the Fast Track Administration Program.

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