Canada eases immigration rules

By: Tina G. Santos - 10 years ago

Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz. 蜜桃工作室 FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines鈥擧ere鈥檚 good news for Filipinos wishing to work or permanently settle in Canada.

The Canadian government is forging ahead with a new immigration system that will offer 鈥渆xpress entry鈥� to qualified immigrants, according to Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz.

Citing a report from Leonida Romulo of the Philippine Overseas Labor Office in Toronto, Canada, Baldoz said that Canadian Citizenship and Immigration Minister Chris Alexander recently made an announcement regarding Canada鈥檚 active recruitment model for economic migration officially called 鈥淓xpress Entry,鈥� formerly referred to as 鈥淓xpression of Interest.鈥�

鈥淭his model is considered to be a major step forward in the transformation of Canada鈥檚 immigration system into one that is fast, flexible, and focused on meeting its economic and labor needs,鈥� Baldoz said.

Under the scheme, candidates who receive a valid job offer or nomination under Canada鈥檚 Provincial Nominee Program will be quickly invited to apply for permanent residency鈥攁 key distinction between Express Entry and the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, which is only used to fill temporary labor and skills shortages.

The immigration system is to be launched in January 2015.

On the other hand, Nova Scotia, one of Canada鈥檚 maritime provinces, recently introduced the New Nova Scotia Nominee Program鈥擱egional Labor Market Demand Stream, aimed at selecting individuals who meet the labor market needs, wish to join the labor market with full-time and permanent positions, and wish to live in Nova Scotia.

鈥淎pplicants are not required to have a job offer at the time of submitting their application. However, they must intend to pursue employment in an occupation that has been designated as 鈥榠n demand鈥� by the province,鈥� Romulo said in her report.

Currently, there are 43 occupations in the fields of engineering, health services (including nursing), skilled trades, and food service identified as in demand by the province.