Canada creates new pathway for skilled refugees to address labour shortage

Toronto, Ontario

Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot to start in summer 2023

 

Charmaine Y. Rodriguez

To welcome vulnerable people and provide them a better future while giving Canadian employers access to an untapped talent pool, Canada will launch a new economic pathway this summer to hit two birds with one stone.

During a keynote speech to business and sector leaders, NGOs and civil society organizations in Toronto last week, Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, announced that Canada will launch a new economic pathway under the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP) to help employers hire skilled refugees and other displaced individuals.

The EMPP pairs skilled refugees and other qualified displaced individuals with Canadian employers who need to overcome labour shortages in key occupations. The list of in-demand jobs include nurse aides, personal support workers, long-term care aides, software engineers, web designers, mechanical and electrical engineers and technicians, teachers, tourism and hospitality workers, and truck and delivery service drivers.

“Canada is a global leader in helping skilled refugees connect with employers struggling to find workers in critical areas, while giving newcomers the opportunity to restart their careers and their lives here in Canada. Our government will continue to develop and scale innovative immigration measures to help employers address their critical labour shortages and provide refugees with the opportunity to live in safety while rebuilding their lives,” Fraser said in the gathering.

The Government of Canada is expanding the EMPP by creating a new federal pathway. The new pathway, which will complement existing EMPP pathways, will open this summer, the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) said in a press release.

The EMPP gives employers another avenue to address their labour market needs, while offering EMPP candidates an opportunity to restart their careers and their lives in safety with their families here in Canada, it added.

As these individuals rebuild their lives and careers, they help fill gaps in our labour force, contribute to local economies, and enrich our communities. More information on the new federal pathway, including eligibility criteria, will be available on the EMPP webpage in the coming weeks.

Lara Dyer, Canada Director of Talent Beyond Boundaries, said the new pathway will provide countless opportunities for skilled refugees and employers alike, ensuring that any employer can take advantage of the EMPP if they wish to do so.

“Since December 2021, TBB and our employer partners have had to pass on some 1,600 potential job matches in Canada, as there was not a suitable immigration pathway for refugees. Following the first ever Global Summit on Refugee Labour Mobility earlier this month, the potential for skilled refugees to address labour gaps has never been more apparent,” she said in an IRCC news release.

“We believe that the introduction of a new federal immigration pathway is a game changer for the EMPP. Simplifying the process and making it more accessible to employers across Canada is crucial to scaling up the program. At Jumpstart Refugee Talent, we are thrilled to support our employer partners in bridging their hiring needs and gaining access to much-­needed talent. This new immigration pathway will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in facilitating the integration of displaced talent and creating a more inclusive labour market in Canada,” said Bassel Ramli, Cofounder and Director, Economic Mobility, Jumpstart Refugee Talent

Through the EMPP, seven NGO partners will help skilled refugees overseas connect with employers who need to overcome critical labour shortages. Once candidates receive a job offer, they can apply to immigrate to Canada through existing regional economic programs. After the relevant province, territory or community approves the application, candidates can then apply to IRCC for permanent residence, using EMPP measures that remove barriers refugees may experience due to their displacement.

The application process for the new federal pathway will be easier and faster due to a standardized eligibility criteria and only one application needs to be submitted with a processing time of six months, so EMPP newcomers will be able to move to and start working in Canada immediately.

EMPP facilitation measures include waiving some fees, making it easier to validate work experience, and letting candidates use loans to fund travel costs, settlement needs, start-up costs and fees that cannot be waived. An NGO partner provides low-interest microloans to eligible EMPP candidates who do not have the minimum funds to meet settlement requirements.

The new pathway will build on ongoing measures to expand the pilot. In December 2022, IRCC announced new funding for partner organizations to build their capacity in key areas, for example by identifying qualified candidates overseas and supporting candidates and employers throughout the interview, hiring and immigration processes. Canada has also started rolling out a more flexible process with trusted partners to make it easier for qualified candidates to apply to the EMPP.

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