Minister of Immigration Sean Fraser spoke on Prime Asia TV Canada to address current immigration difficulties in Canada.
Sean Fraser, Canada's immigration minister, sat down with Prime Asia TV's business chief, Deepinder Singh, to discuss Canadian immigration.
The conversation covers a variety of subjects related to the pandemic's difficulties and potential future remedies. Fraser discussed his role, which includes supporting immigration channels for international students and temporary foreign workers, as well as the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP).
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Singh opened the interview by inquiring about the 1.8 million persons who are waiting for a decision from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada on their applications (IRCC). He stated that the pending applications are sufficient to exceed this year's immigration objectives. Canada is anticipated to welcome 411,000 newcomers this year, according to the Multi-year Immigration Levels Plan 2021-2023, though that number might alter once the new objectives are revealed in February.
The problem, according to Fraser, began with the epidemic. Canada had to land individuals who were already in the country in order to meet their objective of 401,000 arrivals by 2021, despite travel limitations. He also mentioned that the number of persons applying to come to Canada had increased. As a consequence, they ended up having two typical years' worth of applications in the inventory, but it does not rule out the possibility of fresh applications being considered by IRCC.
International students can participate in Express Entry drawings and initiatives.
People who would ordinarily be able to apply for immigration are having their temporary statuses expire due to the lack of Express Entry drawings for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) applicants since September, causing them to abandon their employment or risk losing their jobs.
Candidates for the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), which are mostly from the outlying areas, but also from the interior, haven't had a draw since December 2020.
Fraser did not disclose whether or not these candidates' work permits were being extended. He did make a reference to his mission letter, which directs him to create avenues for international students and temporary foreign employees to gain permanent residency. He stated that no final choices on the format of the various shows have been made.
The suspension of FSWP drawings is just temporary, according to Fraser, and Canada intends to restore them. He didn't provide a timetable.
He also expressed an interest in finding innovative methods to make it simpler for overseas students to use their degrees as a "springboard" to permanent residency in Canada.
Fraser said that there is a lot of work to be done, but he is committed to achieving that goal.
Backlogs in Express Entry
An internal document recently disclosed that certain Express Entry candidates may have to wait up to 20 months, or nearly three years, for a judgement on their application.
"To say everyone will be waiting three years is not a fair judgement," Fraser said in answer to Singh's inquiry on the subject.
Applicants for the FSWP might expect a processing time of around 20 months, while CEC candidates may expect a wait time of almost eight months, according to the document.
The government will continue to hold the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)-specific Express Entry drawings, according to Fraser.
The minister also stated that he wants to expand the number of entrants to Canada, both temporary and permanent residents, as well as making it simpler for temporary residents to achieve permanent residence status in the long run.
Immigrants are needed in Canada to help with labour shortages.
Fraser stated that Canada is short one million employees and that foreign migrant’s account for 100 per cent of the country's labour force growth.
One of the five topics addressed in Canada's $85 million budget to enhance the immigration system is the issue of sluggish work permit processing. Fraser also believes that the Trusted Employer Stream will lower obstacles for firms who have a history of recruiting overseas labour.
Programs for specific health-care workers
Fraser said that additional foreign health-care employees will be allowed to work in Canada. According to him, the issue is critical since there are now only three health-care employees for every senior in Canada, and the labour shortfall is expected to worsen.
He stated that Canada is prioritizing the processing of foreign health-care personnel, a programme that began during the epidemic.
PARENTS AND GRANDPARENTS PROGRAM
In addition to working with PNPs, Fraser stated that they should improve foreign credential recognition.
Fraser described the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) as his hardest problem as immigration minister.
This is one of the most challenging streams because of the high demand and the limited availability of spots, Fraser said.
According to the ministry of immigration, roughly 200,000 people enter the country each year.
There are 10,000 spots available, and candidates are vying for them.
The PGP was once again a lottery system in 2020 and 2021. Critics argue that the lottery mechanism is unjust to people who have waited for years in a pool of hopefuls. "While it may not work out for everyone," Fraser defended the lottery method, saying, "It does put everyone on an equal level."
Fraser said he's actively soliciting feedback from colleagues, but he didn't indicate if the approach for PGP submissions would change this year.
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