Myths about provincial immigration in Canada

Immigration is vital for Canada. Dealing with a low birth rate on one hand and an aging workforce on the other, there is an existing gap in the workforce. Immigration is looked upon as a part of the solution.

With a significant number of immigrants taking the Provincial Nominee Program [PNP] route to Canadian permanent residence, many have found their way into the smaller communities of Canada. Immigrant settlement in such communities throughout Canada has been responsible, to a certain extent, for shaping each of the provinces’ unique identity.

There are various myths about provincial immigration in Canada that are untrue and ought to be dispelled.

MYTH: Immigrants simply come to stay, not to work.

Fact – A majority of the immigrants come to Canada for work.

While a proportion of the newcomers to Canada might be coming either as dependents or for family reunification, most of the migrants that head towards Canada come for working abroad.

Canadian immigration policies have been specifically designed for attracting newcomers from a diverse background while addressing the shortfall in the local labour markets.

Each of the provinces that are a part of Canada’s PNP have their own nomination programs that have been tailor-made by the provincial government for meeting the specific needs and requirements of the local labour markets.

Quebec has the most authority over the immigration process where it comes to the induction of newcomers to the province. Quebec is not a part of the PNP of Canada.

Generally, while a job offer is not mandatory to be considered for the PNP, many of the PNP streams require a valid job offer. The province of Newfoundland and Labrador that is a part of the PNP as well as the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program [AIPP] requires immigrants to have a valid job offer [minimum 30 hours a week] from an employer within the province for both the NL PNP as well as the AIPP.

MYTH: International recruitment is difficult for the Canadian employers.

Fact – Assistance is provided.

Though commonly perceived to be difficult for local employers, hiring international skilled workers is quite a streamlined and easy process.

Due assistance is provided to the registered employers for the recruitment and hiring of internationally-trained workers across the different sectors.

MYTH: Internationally trained workers are not up to par.

Fact – Internationally trained workers are qualified and professional.

A common myth among the local population, especially employers, is that the internationally-trained workers are not up to the required Canadian standards expected from them.

Generally, internationally-trained workers that explore work overseas or migrate overseas options are professionals, educated and well-trained in their chosen field.

Moreover, foreign workers that plan on working in Canada in any of the regulated professions are required to first secure an accreditation by the Canadian assessment bodies before they can begin working in their professions in Canada.

MYTH: Migrants are a drain on the local economy.

Fact – Immigrants pay taxes. They are also entrepreneurial and innovative, leading to job creation.

Immigrants are significant contributors towards tax revenues, needed for ably supporting various social and economic programs in Canada. This fact, in turn, has an important role to play in helping to keep the cost of public services from rising.

Generally, immigrants tend to be innovative and with an entrepreneurial mind-set. It is these immigrants, especially those settling down in regional Canada and setting up companies or firms in comparatively smaller communities, that contribute to the local economy by paying taxes, creation of jobs and increasing export trade.

MYTH: Job opportunities for immigrants are limited in the provinces.

Fact – There is a demand for skilled workers across various sectors.

There continues to be a significant demand for foreign workers in various technical, specialized and other sectors requiring skilled workers.

Keeping in view the demand for foreign skilled labour for various occupations, Ontario immigration has expanded – as per a July 2, 2020 announcement – the scope of the popular OINP Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills Stream. Another 13 new eligible manufacturing occupations have been added to the existing 10, bringing the total to 23 occupations.

Occupations that come under the ambit of the Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills Stream fall into National Occupation Classification [NOC] Skill Level C or Skill Level D.

MYTH: Immigration programs are only suited to large enterprises.

Fact – All kinds of employers make use of provincial immigration programs.

Many small and medium-sized Canadian employers successfully use the various provincial immigration pathways available for addressing labour shortages that might be existing locally.

With almost 80 different immigration route available under Canada’s Provincial Nominee Program [PNP], there are many ways of hiring foreign workers, possessing the skills and with the most potential of thriving within the province.

MYTH: Immigrants take away jobs from the locals.

Fact – Many immigrants have set up new companies and firms in Canada, creating jobs for the locals.

For years, various immigrant-owned businesses in Canada have provided meaningful employment for many local residents as well as supplied quality goods and services in areas such as health care, food and accommodation etc.

Immigration is beneficial, both for the newcomer as well as the host country. While the immigrant gains through an exposure to a higher standard of life and better health care, the host country gets to call the best from around the world its own. A wide majority of immigrants tend to take up the citizenship of the host country eventually.

If you are looking to Study, Work, Visit, Invest or Migrate to Canada, talk to Y-Axis, the World’s No.1 Immigration & Visa Company.

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