Here you will find summaries of recent articles about Canadian immigration and topics related to living in Canada. At the end of each news summary, you will have the option to click on a link to read the full offsite article. Please note that Canadian Visa Professionals does not have any association with these other websites and is not responsible for their content. This information is made available as a service to people who are interested in living and working in Canada and who want to learn more about Canadian immigration and relevant issues.
RANKING OF THE BEST PLACES TO LIVE IN CANADA FOR 2019
On August 8, 2019, the Canadian publication, Macleans, released its ranking of the best places to live in Canada for 2019. This annual evaluation examined 415 communities across Canada based on 10 factors: access to healthcare, affordability, amenities, commute, crime, culture, population growth, taxes, wealth and economy, and weather. According to this assessment, the community of Burlington in the province of Ontario is the #1 place to live in Canada this year and also the top spot to raise a family. Burlington was rated highest for it amenities, low crime rate, and culture. Ontario actually boasted nine of the top 10 best places to live in Canada for 2019. Second place went to Grimsby (Ontario), which was also rated as the best community for new immigrants to live in Canada. Grimsby received its highest marks for wealth and economy, culture and weather. The national capital of Canada, Ottawa (Ontario), came in third place. Ottawa’s highest ratings were for amenities, commute and access to healthcare. Other Canadian communities listed among the top 10 best places to live in Canada for 2019 include: #4 Oakville (Ontario); #5 New Tecumseth (Ontario); #6 Salmon Arm (British Columbia); #7 Brant (Ontario); #8 Niagara-on-the-Lake (Ontario); #9 Russell (Ontario); and #10 Tecumseh (Ontario). In addition to its overall ranking of 415 Canadian communities, Macleans also evaluated the best places to live in Canada for families, new immigrants, affordability, healthcare, weather, retirement, wealth, and the top locations in each region. To read more, click here!
TECHNOLOGY FIRMS AND WORKERS RELOCATE TO CANADA FOR OPPORTUNITIES
Several technology companies located in the United States are opening offices in Canada, because Canadian visa regulations make it easier and faster for them to hire the skilled foreign workers that they need. Furthermore, many technology professionals from around the world are also choosing to relocate to Canada rather than the USA for similar reasons. Applying for Canadian work visa programs is relatively simple and approval can be much quicker than going through the lengthy procedure to apply for a US work visa. Relocation to Canada is also more attractive to foreign technology workers since less time is required to become a Canadian citizen than in the United States. Both Canada and the USA are enjoying their lowest unemployment rates in four decades, but this has increased competition among technology companies on both sides of the border to find qualified workers. The ability of Canada to attract skilled foreign professionals and US-based high-tech companies gives it a key advantage over the US and helps the country to remain a global leader in technology and innovation. To read more, click here!
THOUSANDS OF TRADESPEOPLE NEEDED FOR HIGH-PAYING JOBS IN CANADA
There is a growing demand for qualified tradespeople to fill thousands of good-paying jobs in Canada that are vacant because of a shortage of skilled workers in the country. According to Statistics Canada, the government research agency, there were 60,170 Canadian jobs left unfilled in Red Seal trades during the first three months of 2019. This was a 14% increase in the number of Canadian job openings in skilled trades compared with the same time period in 2018. The Red Seal Program is a partnership among the Canadian national, provincial and territorial governments that cooperates with industry to establish common standards for people working in Canada’s skilled trades. The Canadian Apprenticeship Forum and Statistics Canada recently reported that 167,739 apprentices will be needed during the next five years in order to fill all of the Canadian job openings in the various skilled trades. Some of the high-demand jobs in Canada that have experienced incredible growth over the past five years include metal fabricators (41.6 percent), agricultural equipment technicians (32.8 percent), insulators (25.9 percent), and tilesetters (25.2 percent), among many others. Supply and demand is sending salaries soaring for many high-demand trades in Canada. For example, heavy duty equipment technicians earn an average yearly salary of $107,220 four years after receiving their Red Seal certification. Pipefitters and steamfitters working in Canada make an average annual income of $105,620 four years following Red Seal certification. To read the full article, click here!
CANADA CELEBRATES ITS 152ND BIRTHDAY WITH PARADES AND FIREWORKS
On July 1, 2019, Canadians celebrated their country’s 152nd birthday at various “Canada Day” events, which included picnics, bar-b-ques, parades, fireworks and Canadian citizenship ceremonies. At Canada Day festivities held on Parliament Hill in the capital Ottawa, a large crowd of 16,000 people dressed in red and white and waving Canadian flags gathered to listen to speeches by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Canadian actor Ryan Reynolds and others; watch a fly-by from the Snowbirds; and enjoy a fireworks spectacular in the evening sky. During his speech, Prime Minister Trudeau noted that one-million Canadian jobs have been created since 2017 and he expressed his support for diversity and pride in belonging to a country that embraces multiculturalism. At one of the Canada Day celebrations held in Toronto, a recent immigrant from Mexico said that she feels a part of her new country and declared, “I think it’s very easy to live here and be part of the culture and society because you have people from all around the world.” Many other Canada Day events took place across the country, including 42 ceremonies in which over 1,800 immigrants took the oath to become a Canadian citizen. To read the article and watch the videos, click here!
CANADIAN COMPANIES INVEST IN TRAINING AND WORKER WELL-BEING
More companies in Canada are increasing the amount of money they spend to train employees and to enhance worker satisfaction, according to a bi-annual report released on June 26, 2019. The report, Navigator: Made for the Future, surveyed decision-makers at 200 companies across Canada and found that 47% of the respondents said their business plans to boost spending for employee training. The survey also discovered that 42% of Canadian companies are planning to increase spending to promote the well-being and satisfaction of their employees. According to the director of skills and immigration policy at the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, there are around 500,000 vacant jobs in Canada because there are not enough workers available to fill them all. Thus, employers are spending more money to provide their employees with the jobs skills they need, as well as to improve the well-being of their workers so they can retain them. To read more, click here!
STUDY SAYS IMMIGRANTS WHO MAKE FRIENDS FAST EARN MORE MONEY
According to a study released by Statistics Canada in June 2019, immigrants who make friends quickly after they move to Canada tend to earn higher incomes over time than immigrants who did not establish new friendships soon after arrival in their new country. For example, the data shows that women who immigrate to Canada and make new friends within six months after arrival earn incomes that are $6,000-$8,000 higher than female immigrants who did not quickly establish new friendships following their Canadian relocation. The statistics also indicate that immigrants who have friends from diverse ethnic backgrounds while living in Canada make more money than immigrants whose friends tend to be from their same ethnic group. For example, men who immigrate to Canada and make friends with individuals from diverse ethnic backgrounds tend to earn income that is about $8,200 higher than male immigrants whose friends are from their same ethnic group. Apparently, the data suggests that immigrants who have a diverse pool of friends while living in Canada can access a greater range of Canadian employment opportunities. A co-author of the study declared, “The message here to new immigrants is to make friends as soon as you can, and also be open to making friends of different origins, because you’ll be able to learn much more than if your friends are of similar profiles as you.” To read the full article, click here!
IMMIGRANTS FROM INDIA SEEK BRIGHTER FUTURE LIVING IN CANADA
Canadian immigration is considered the preferred pathway toward a brighter future for thousands of immigrants from India. In the past, the United States was viewed as the prime destination for professionals and international students from India, but recent US policies have helped to make immigration to Canada a more attractive option. The United States has been increasing restrictions on immigration during the past few years. By contrast, the Canadian government wants one-million immigrants to move to Canada by 2021. More foreign students and immigrants choose Canada because of the high-quality education they can receive, Canadian job opportunities are plentiful and it is easier to become a permanent resident. Both immigrants and international students report feeling welcomed living in Canada, whose people are generally known for their friendliness. To read more, click here!
MIDDLE CLASS NIGERIANS IMMIGRATE TO CANADA FOR A BETTER LIFE
Thousands of middle-class families living in Nigeria are relocating to Canada in search of opportunities. Many Nigerians immigrate to Canada because they want a better life for their family in general and a high-quality education for their children in particular. Living in Canada as permanent residents allows Nigerians to give their children access to excellent educational opportunities for a relatively low cost and provides them and their children with incredible career options that are not currently available in Nigeria. A new immigrant from Nigeria recently said that moving to Canada will give her children “a chance to experience life in an environment that ‘works'”. Nigerian newlyweds from Lagos were able to immigrate to Canada through a skilled worker program in early 2019 and are enjoying living in Ottawa, Ontario. This young couple found Canadian employment after living in the country only two months and they believe that moving to Canada was the right choice. To read the full article, click here!
ONE-HUNDRED OF THE BEST CANADIAN JOBS FOR 2019
A new report was published on May 14, 2019, which includes information about the 100 best Canadian jobs for 2019 that may be of interest to anyone looking for work in Canada. The report contains details about each occupation’s ranking, median yearly salary, wage growth during the past five years, Canadian job growth for the last five years, and projected outlook for 2024. According to the evaluation, the top job in Canada for 2019 is a nurse practitioner, which has a median yearly salary of $104,000 CAD, enjoyed a 35% rise in wages during the past five years, and experienced a 75% increase of new jobs in Canada during the previous five years. The Canadian government also forecasts that by 2024, the number of openings for nurse practitioner jobs in Canada will be higher than the number of people seeking Canadian employment in this field. Some of the other top jobs in Canada for 2019 (along with their median annual salaries) include #2 dentist ($93,600), #3 utilities manager ($114,130), #4 power systems electrician ($85,758), #5 mining and quarrying supervisor ($83,200), #6 pipefitting supervisor ($81,120), #7 engineering manager ($105,997), #8 scientific research manager ($102,003), #9 public administration director ($109,533), and #10 construction manager ($83,200). To read more, click here!
ADDITIONAL 106,500 PEOPLE WORKING IN CANADA DURING APRIL 2019
Statistics Canada reported on May 10, 2019, that employers hired 106,500 additional workers during April 2019, which was the largest increase of new Canadian jobs for a single month since 1976. This record-breaking rise in Canadian employment included 73,000 full-time positions that were filled. The spectacular spike in Canadian job creation lowered the national unemployment rate to 5.7 percent. British Columbia continued to boast the lowest unemployment rate (only 4.6 percent) of any Canadian province or territory, followed by Quebec at 4.9 percent, Manitoba with 5.2 percent, Saskatchewan at 5.4 percent, and Ontario with 6.0 percent. Several cities in Canada have an extremely low unemployment rate. For example, the unemployment rate was just 3.1% in Victoria and 3.3% in Quebec City. By comparison, the unemployment rate was 4.4% in Vancouver, 4.5% in Regina, 5.1% in Halifax, 5.2% in Winnipeg, 5.4% in Montreal, and 5.5% in Ottawa – all below the national average. The data also revealed that 95.3% of women and 94.8% of men who are 25 years of age or older have jobs in Canada. To read the full article, click here!
IMMIGRANTS NEEDED TO REPLACE RETIRING CANADIAN WORKERS
The demand for skilled foreign workers to fill Canadian jobs continues to grow, according to a report published by the Conference Board of Canada on May 3, 2019. Even when new graduates and other demographic groups are taken into account, the study says there will not be enough workers for all of the available jobs in Canada without more immigrants. The Conference Board of Canada says that foreign workers are necessary for sustained economic growth, particularly as the number of Canadian workers who are retiring continues to rise. Right now, around 17% of the Canadian population is 65 or older, but that is forecast to climb to 25% by 2040. Thus, foreign workers will play a vital role in maintaining healthy economic growth in Canada as more “baby-boomers” retire from the labor force and new Canadian jobs are created. Statistics reveal that a larger percentage of foreign workers living in Canada have a university degree compared with Canadian-born workers, so immigrants will have many excellent career opportunities, especially for highly-skilled jobs in Canada. To read more, click here!
COMPANIES STARTED BY IMMIGRANTS CREATE MORE CANADIAN JOBS
New research released by Statistics Canada on April 24, 2019, says that businesses owned by immigrants produce more Canadian jobs than companies owned by people born in Canada. The report focused on a 10-year period between 2003 and 2013 and declared, “Based on the raw data, immigrant-owned firms had a higher level of net job creation per firm, and were more likely to be high-growth firms than those with Canadian-born owners.” A major reason why immigrant-owned businesses create more net jobs in Canada than companies owned by Canadian-born entrepreneurs is that firms owned by immigrants are newer and research indicates that new businesses tend to grow faster and generate more new jobs than older companies. The study found that over 75% of Canadian firms owned by immigrants were under 10 years old, compared with a little more than 50% of companies owned by individuals born in Canada. To read the full article, click here!
VANCOUVER ATTRACTS THOUSANDS OF IMMIGRANTS RELOCATING TO CANADA
An average of 30,000 people each year move to the Vancouver metropolitan area and 79% of these new arrivals are immigrants. The Vancouver region, located on Canada’s Pacific coast in the province of British Columbia, has much to offer individuals and families. Vancouver was ranked the #1 city in North America for quality of life (and rated #7 in the world) in the 2019 Mercer Quality of Life Index. For the past several years, Vancouver has also been named among the top 10 most livable cities in the world by The Economist. Thousands of people who immigrate to Canada choose to live in Vancouver because of its scenic location and the many outdoor activities available. Others are seeking Canadian employment opportunities in British Columbia’s booming economy. British Columbia has boasted one of the lowest unemployment rates in Canada (only 4.7% in March 2019) and many of the new jobs in Canada are being created in the Vancouver metropolitan area. Some immigrants enjoy the freedom they have, while some are attracted by the cultural diversity of the Vancouver region. One immigrant family originally from China decided to settle in the Vancouver metropolitan area because they wanted to live in a less stressful environment. To read more, click here!
NUMBER OF IMMIGRANTS MOVING TO CANADA INCREASES SIGNIFICANTLY
In March 2019, Statistics Canada reported that Canadian immigration has surged to its highest level in more than 100 years. During 2018, the number of immigrants moving to Canada increased significantly to 321,065. This was the most people to immigrate to Canada since back in 1913, when approximately 401,000 foreign nationals became new Canadian residents. It was also the fourth biggest influx of immigrants to move to Canada since 1852. Overall, the country’s population grew by 528,421 during 2018, with Canadian immigration accounting for 321,065 of these new residents and births adding another 207,356 individuals to the population. Furthermore, it was reported that immigrants are helping to boost Canadian employment. To read the full article, click here!
FIRST TWO MONTHS OF 2019 ENJOY BEST CANADIAN JOB GROWTH SINCE 1981
The Canadian economy is enjoying its best two-month job growth at the start of a new year since 1981. Statistics Canada reported on March 8, 2019, that 55,900 new Canadian jobs were filled in February 2019, which followed the creation of 66,800 jobs in Canada during January of this year. This was also the strongest two-month period of Canadian job growth since 2012. The majority of these 122,700 Canadian jobs that were filled in the first two months of 2019 were full-time positions. Ontario led the other Canadian provinces and territories in boosting Canadian employment by producing 36,900 new jobs in Canada during February. The Canadian provinces with the lowest unemployment rates in February 2019 were British Columbia (4.5 percent), Quebec (5.3 percent), Manitoba (5.3 percent), Ontario (5.7 percent), and Saskatchewan (5.8 percent). Thus far during 2019, the Canadian economy is maintaining a low national unemployment rate of only 5.8 percent. Additionally, people working in Canada saw their wages increase an average of 2.3% between February 2018 and February 2019. To read more, click here!
IMMIGRANTS MOVING TO CANADA’S NEW BRUNSWICK PROVINCE
New Brunswick has established a successful Canadian immigration strategy which is attracting thousands of skilled foreign workers to the province. Just in the past four years, over 4,500 new immigrants have settled in Moncton (the provincial capital) and the surrounding area. This includes around 1,800 new permanent residents of Canada who moved to Moncton during 2018. Skilled foreign workers and their families who immigrate to Canada enjoy living in the Moncton area, which has retained 77% of the permanent residents who settle there. Two key goals of the Canadian immigration strategy that Moncton has implemented are to attract more skilled foreign workers to the area and boost entrepreneurship, both of which stimulate the provincial economy. Local leaders are currently developing Moncton’s Canadian immigration strategy for 2019-2024. To read the full article, click here!
ECONOMY CREATED 66,800 NET JOBS IN CANADA DURING JANUARY 2019
The Canadian economy produced a net 66,800 new jobs in January 2019, according to data released by Statistics Canada (StatCan) on February 8, 2019. StatCan also reported that an additional 327,000 people were working in Canada in January 2019 compared with January 2018. Canada ended the first month of the New Year with an unemployment rate of only 5.8 percent, but several regions of the country were lower than the national average. British Columbia continued to boast the lowest unemployment rate (4.7 percent) of any Canadian province or territory, followed by Quebec (5.4 percent), Manitoba and Saskatchewan (both 5.5 percent), and Ontario (5.7 percent). Ontario and Quebec has the largest number of Canadian jobs filled in January 2019. To read more, click here!
CANADA INCREASES SPENDING FOR IMMIGRANT SETTLEMENT SERVICES
On January 3, 2019, Canadian Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen announced that the government will boost spending in order to help new immigrants find jobs in Canada. He said that 16 organizations will receive a total of $113 million in government funding through 2023 to provide immigrants with settlement services to make it easier for them to relocate to Canada. Some of the services available to new immigrants can be accessed before they actually immigrate to Canada. For example, Canadian employment services that are specific to a new immigrant’s career are offered, such as providing guidance to those who need to obtain a special license before they can work in Canada in their profession. This extra assistance can give new immigrants a head start on their relocation to Canada and increase their likelihood for a smooth transition in their new country. According to data released by Statistics Canada in December 2018, immigrants account for a growing percentage of all people working in Canada To read the full article, click here!
CANADIAN EDUCATION PROGRAMS ATTRACT MORE FOREIGN STUDENTS
The number of international students living in Canada keeps going up each year, rising 60% between 2015 and 2018, according to a report published in January 2019. For example, there were 350,130 foreign students attending Canadian educational institutions in 2015, but this surged to 410,400 during 2016, soared to 494,525 in 2017, and spiked to around 570,000 during 2018. Many international students choose to study in Canada because of its world-class educational institutions, the warm welcome given to people from other countries, the high standard of living in Canada, and employment opportunities available there, among other reasons. To read more, click here!
MANY REFUGEES FROM SYRIA READY TO APPLY FOR CANADIAN CITIZENSHIP
Some of the first Syrian refugees to relocate to Canada only three years ago have already satisfied the residency requirement to apply for Canadian citizenship. It was back on December 10, 2015, that Prime Minster Justin Trudeau, along with other officials and a large crowd of Canadian citizens, greeted the 163 Syrian refugees who arrived at Toronto’s international airport, welcoming them as new permanent residents of Canada. They were part of the first wave of 58,600 refugees fleeing the Syrian Civil War who would be welcomed to join the Canadian family over the next several months. Fast-forward to December 2018 and many of those immigrants have now been living in Canada for the three years required of permanent residents before they can apply for Canadian citizenship. To read more, click here!
HIGHEST PERCENTAGE OF PEOPLE WORKING IN CANADA SINCE 1976
The percentage of working age adults with jobs in Canada is now at the highest level in four decades, according to data released by Statistics Canada on December 7, 2018. In November 2018, Canada’s already low unemployment rate of 5.8% dropped down to just 5.6% after more than 94,000 Canadian jobs (89,900 full-time) were added to the world’s 10th largest economy. Quebec led the other provinces and territories in job creation with 26,000 new positions filled in November 2018, followed by Alberta with 24,000; Ontario with 20,000; and British Columbia which added 16,000 Canadian jobs to the country’s workforce. The Statistics Canada Labour Force Survey for November 2018 also reported that British Columbia had the lowest unemployment rate of any province or territory (4.4 percent), followed by Quebec (5.4 percent), then Saskatchewan (5.5 percent), Ontario (5.6 percent), Manitoba (5.7 percent), and Alberta (6.3 percent). To read the full article, click here!
MAJOR INCREASE PLANNED FOR CANADIAN IMMIGRATION ADMISSIONS
On October 31, 2018, the Canadian government announced a major increase in the number of people who will be authorized for immigration to Canada during the next three years. According to the updated Canadian immigration plan, approximately 330,800 people will be permitted to move to Canada as new permanent residents in 2019. This is much higher than the goal of 310,000 Canadian visas authorized for new permanent residents during 2018. The target set for immigration to Canada soars to 341,000 in 2020, and climbs even further to 350,000 Canadian visas for permanent residency in 2021. According to Canadian Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen, there is a growing hunger for workers who are needed to fill jobs in Canada left vacant due to an ongoing labor shortage. Consequently, most of the Canadian immigration visas will be granted to skilled foreign workers and their accompanying family members during the 2018-2021 time period. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Canadian Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen have both said that the thousands of skilled foreign workers who relocate to Canada each year give the country and its economy a big competitive advantage over other countries, like the United States. To read more, click here!
CANADIANS ARE AMONG THE MOST PROSPEROUS PEOPLE ON THE PLANET
The Credit Suisse Research Institute’s 2018 Global Wealth Report reveals that adults living in Canada are among the richest people in the world, with an average net worth of $288,260 USD. The report also says that Canada currently boasts 1.3 million millionaires in 2018, but that number is forecast to climb by 54% to almost two-million by 2023. Furthermore, the prosperity enjoyed by Canadians is rather widespread, with Credit Suisse reporting that the wealth of 46% of the adults living in Canada is between $100,000 and $1 million. There is also higher financial equality in Canada, compared to people living in other wealthy countries such as the United States. To read the full article, click here!
RANKING OF THE BEST JOBS IN CANADA FOR 2018
A report released in September 2018 by CanadianBusiness.com has information that may be of interest to people seeking work in Canada. Details are provided for the 100 best jobs in Canada for 2018, including their median salaries, job descriptions, qualifications required, and career opportunities. The #1 Canadian job listed for 2018 is utilities manager, which has a median salary of $114,000 per year. Engineering manager, with a median annual salary of $109,000, came in 2nd place in the ranking of top jobs in Canada. Although many of the best Canadian careers require a university education, several of the top jobs in Canada do not demand a degree. For example, pipefitting supervisor was named as the #3 best Canadian job for 2018, has a median yearly salary of $83,000, and usually requires a secondary school diploma, followed by an apprenticeship, trade certification and work experience. Pharmacist came in fourth place and pays a median salary of $104,000 per year, while public administration director was ranked as the #5 top job in Canada and has a median annual salary of $114,000. For more details about the best Canadian careers for 2018, click here!
CANADIAN CITIES INCLUDED IN 2018 LIST OF WORLD’S TOP PLACES TO LIVE
The Economist published its annual ranking of the world’s most livable cities in August 2018 and included Calgary, Vancouver and Toronto in its list of top 10 global cities for quality of life. There were 140 cities evaluated by the London-based Economist Intelligence Unit, which rated each city for its culture and environment, education, healthcare, infrastructure, and stability. The top 10 most livable cities in the world for 2018 are: #1 Vienna (Austria), #2 Melbourne (Australia), #3 Osaka (Japan), #4 Calgary (Canada), #5 Sydney (Australia), #6 Vancouver (Canada), Toronto (Canada) and Tokyo (Japan) tied for 7th place, #9 Copenhagen (Denmark), and #10 Adelaide (Australia). For the past several years, The Economist has included Calgary, Vancouver and Toronto in its list of the 10 best cities to live in the world. To read the full article, click here!
PERMANENT RESIDENCY OFFERED TO IMMIGRANT ENTREPRENEURS
Canada’s province of Newfoundland & Labrador recently added two new categories to its Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) intended to make it easier for immigrant entrepreneurs to apply for Canadian permanent resident status. For example, qualifying international students who graduate from university in Newfoundland & Labrador and launch a startup company in the province may be able to apply for Canadian permanent residency through the PNP after the new business has been operating for one year. Thousands of international students are attending university in Newfoundland & Labrador and provincial government officials want to retain this foreign talent to help stimulate the local economy and create new Canadian jobs there. To read more, click here!
THE BEST CANADIAN CITIES FOR NEW IMMIGRANTS
On July 31, 2018, MoneySense.ca released its list of the best places for new immigrants to live in Canada. This 2018 evaluation examined 415 Canadian cities based upon 10 factors: economy, affordability, health, weather, commute, crime, taxes, demographics, culture, and amenities. Ontario boasted six of the top 10 best cities for newcomers to live in Canada, including #1 Oakville, #2 Ottawa, #4 King, #5 Toronto, #6 Milton, and #10 Vaughan. The French-speaking province of Quebec had three of the top 10 best cities for immigrants to live in Canada: #3 Mont-Royal, #7 Brossard, and #9 Westmount. The city of Delta, a suburb of Vancouver in British Columbia, came in 8th place. If you are considering relocation to Canada and want to view the full list of 100 top Canadian cities for newcomers, click here!
IMMIGRATION TO CANADA PUSHES POPULATION PAST 37 MILLION
According to a report released by Statistics Canada on June 14, 2018, the population of Canada is now over 37 million people. The report revealed that the Canadian population hit 37,067,011 on April 1, 2018. The data indicated that it only took 14 months for Canada’s population to go from 36 million to 37 million, with most of the population growth coming from Canadian immigration. For example, during the first three months of 2018, Canada’s population increased by 103,157 residents, with Canadian immigration accounting for 88,120 (or 85 percent) of that total, which includes both permanent residents and temporary residents. To read more, click here!
PEOPLE WORKING IN CANADA DOING BETTER THAN U.S. COUNTERPARTS
A new study released in June 2018 says that the Canadian labor force has been in a better position overall than US workers during the past 18 years. The study conducted by Statistics Canada examined labor data about working-age Canadians and Americans since 2000, which included the periods of the Global Financial Crisis and the economic recovery which followed. According to the report, the Canadian employment rate increased overall from 80% to 82% during the past 18 years, while the US rate of employment dropped from 81% to 79% in the same time frame. The analysis of labor statistics from both countries also revealed that the average wages for people working in Canada increased 7% for men and 14% for women since 2000, while the average pay for American workers dropped 2% for men and grew 5% for women over the past 18 years. Furthermore, the Canadian construction and housing sectors were not affected by the Global Financial Crisis anywhere near the extent that occurred in the United States. To read the full article, click here!
CANADIAN JOB OPPORTUNITIES ON PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND
Business is booming on Prince Edward Island (PEI), Canada’s smallest province, where immigrants have found big opportunities for employment. Prince Edward Island is located in eastern Canada along its Atlantic coast and only has a population of around 150,000 residents. This scenic Canadian province, which is known for its beautiful golf courses and small-town charm, is enjoying strong economic growth and is creating many new Canadian jobs. A shortage of skilled workers on Prince Edward Island helped wages to rise 3.6% during the past year, which was the third highest pay increase of any Canadian province after British Columbia and Ontario. With new housing starts on P.E.I. soaring by 64% in 2017 (the national average in Canada was 11% last year), skilled tradespeople are in very high demand there. Much of the healthy economic growth taking place on Prince Edward Island has been attributed to a record expansion of exports from the tiny province, as well as an influx of immigrants (with approximately 2,350 permanent residents arriving there during 2017). To read more, click here!
CANADA’S 10 PROVINCES ALL HAD POSITIVE ECONOMIC GROWTH DURING 2017
Alberta led Canada’s 10 provinces with the highest percentage of GDP economic growth (4.9 percent) during 2017. This oil-rich Canadian province was not alone, however, as all 10 provinces in Canada experienced positive GDP growth last year. For example, British Columbia’s economy grew 3.9% in 2017, followed by Prince Edward Island with 3.2% and Quebec with 3.1% GDP growth. Canada’s prairie provinces of Manitoba and Saskatchewan both saw their economies grow by a healthy 2.9% during 2017, while the GDP of Ontario rose by an impressive 2.8 percent. Even Canada’s Atlantic Provinces performed well economically last year. For example, the GDP of Newfoundland & Labrador grew by 2.1 percent, the economy of New Brunswick expanded by 1.9 percent, and the GDP of Nova Scotia increased by 1.2 percent in 2017. This was the first time since 2011 that the economies of all 10 Canadian provinces had positive GDP growth in the same year. Overall, the Canadian economy expanded by a robust 3.3 percent in 2017 and created 394,200 full-time jobs in Canada. To read more, click here!
CANADIAN VISA PROGRAM SEEKS FOREIGN WORKERS FOR PROVINCES
There has been a steady increase in the number of skilled foreign workers who immigrate to Canada through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), according to a recent study. The report notes that 10% of all skilled foreign workers approved for Canadian immigration a decade ago arrived through the PNP, but today that has risen to over 25 percent. Furthermore, the study reveals that a growing number of economic immigrants who move to Canada through the PNP are settling in provinces and territories other than British Columbia, Ontario, or Quebec (the top three destinations for immigrants). The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) is one of several Canadian immigration programs and its goal is to attract qualified foreign workers whose skills are needed in different provinces or territories in Canada. Each province and territory that participates in the PNP has established its own criteria for applicants in cooperation with the national Canadian immigration agency which has the sole authority to issue a visa to Canada. In many cases, the eligibility requirements for the PNP are easier to meet than the criteria for other Canadian immigration programs for skilled foreign workers. For example, the study reports that 54% of foreign workers approved to immigrate to Canada through the PNP in 2010-2015 held a university degree, compared to 83% granted a Canadian visa through the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) during the same time period. To read more, click here!
FOREIGN WORKERS RECRUITED FOR JOBS IN QUEBEC
The French-speaking province of Quebec is experiencing a labor shortage, so a job fair was recently held in Montreal to recruit immigrants to the local workforce. Quebec has one of the lowest unemployment rates in Canada and its growing economy has been producing thousands of full-time jobs, but employers have been struggling to find enough qualified workers to fill all of the new positions. Statistics Canada reports that 149,900 full-time jobs in Quebec were created from March 2017 to March 2018. This was a 4.5% increase in full-time employment in Quebec and the highest percentage jump for full-time jobs in Canada of any province or territory during this 12-month period. To read the full article, click here!
IMMIGRANTS FEEL WELCOMED LIVING IN CANADA
A recent survey of 2,000 Canadians finds that the majority of people who live in Canada have a positive view of immigrants. The Environics Institute for Survey Research conducted the survey in February 2018 and also discovered that 80% of Canadians believe that immigrants are important for Canada’s economy. These favorable findings regarding Canadian immigration are consistent with positive attitudes toward immigrants maintained by people who live in Canada for the past several decades. Thus, while many countries have taken a negative view toward immigrants, Canadians continue to welcome newcomers with open arms, including thousands of skilled foreign workers and refugees. To read more, click here!
CANADA IS RANKED AS THE 4TH HAPPIEST COUNTRY FOR IMMIGRANTS
The 2018 World Happiness Report was released by the United Nations in March 2018 and Canada was rated as the 4th happiest country for immigrants to live and ranked as the 7th happiest country overall. Researchers evaluated 156 countries around the world based on such factors as the perceptions of happiness by people living in each country; the per person Gross Domestic Product (GDP); and healthy life expectancy. In regards to immigrants who live in Canada, the 2018 World Happiness Report found that Canadians are among the most accepting of newcomers. To read the full article, click here!
NEW CANADIAN CITIZENS THANKFUL TO LIVE IN CANADA
On February 28, 2018, fifty immigrants took the oath to become Canadian citizens at a special ceremony held in Canada’s Atlantic province of New Brunswick. Among these permanent residents to receive Canadian citizenship were immigrants from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Iraq, Nigeria and Ukraine. Many of the immigrants decided to immigrate to Canada to find safety, freedom and better opportunities. All of the immigrants who received their Canadian citizenship are thankful to live in Canada. Smiles and Canadian flags were everywhere at the ceremony that was held in Fredericton, New Brunswick. To read the full article, click here!
STANDARD OF LIVING IN CANADA IS THE BEST IN THE WORLD
Canada is considered to be the #1 country in the world for quality of life in 2018 and the #2 best country to live overall, according to the 2018 “Best Countries” report released on January 23, 2018, by US News & World Report, the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and BAV Consulting. A large survey of 21,000 people in 80 countries asked participants to rate countries on 65 country characteristics which were grouped into nine larger categories: adventure, citizenship, cultural influence, entrepreneurship, heritage, movers, open for business, power and quality of life. Scores based on responses from the 21,000 survey participants were calculated for each of these nine categories and the countries were ranked for each category and also rated overall. The “quality of life” category consisted of the following characteristics: affordability, economic stability, family friendly, good job market, income equality, political stability, safety, having a well-developed public education system, and possessing a well-developed public health system. Canada received high scores on all of these characteristics, placing it in the top position for quality of life. This was not the first time that Canada received high marks as a great place to live. Canada also came in 1st place for quality of life and 2nd place overall in the 2017 “Best Countries” report. To read more, click here!
CANADIAN EMPLOYMENT AT HIGHEST LEVEL IN OVER 40 YEARS!
Strong economic growth in Canada produced many benefits during 2017 for people who live and work in Canada. For example, there were 422,500 new jobs in Canada created in 2017 (394,200 of those new Canadian jobs were full-time positions). The services sector produced 290,300 new Canadian jobs in 2017, while goods-producers created 132,100 new jobs last year, and manufacturing jobs increased in 2017 by 85,700 (the strongest job creation for Canada’s manufacturing sector since 2002). The economy produced 193,400 new jobs in Canada just between September 2017 and December 2017, which is the largest three-month increase in Canadian employment since 1976. Thus, when 2017 came to an end, the unemployment rate in Canada had dropped to 5.7 percent, which is the lowest level in over 40 years! Furthermore, people who work in Canada saw their salaries increase an average of 2.9% during 2017. To read the full article, click here!
NOVA SCOTIA IS A GREAT PLACE FOR IMMIGRANTS TO LIVE IN CANADA
During 2017, over 4,000 new immigrants made their homes in Nova Scotia after moving to Canada. Nova Scotia is one of Canada’s Atlantic provinces and is located in eastern Canada along the Atlantic Ocean. It’s provincial capital and largest city is Halifax. The top three countries of origin for these new Nova Scotia residents were China, India and The Philippines, which also matches the top three source countries for people who immigrate to Canada. Immigrants who move to Canada and settle in Nova Scotia tend to be successful in terms of finding Canadian employment in their occupations and in regards to starting their own businesses. Nova Scotia residents appreciate the new immigrants and have given these new Canadian permanent residents a warm welcome when they arrive in the province. To read more, click here!
BOOMING CANADIAN JOB MARKET INCREASES CONSUMER CONFIDENCE
As 2017 came to an end, Canadian consumers were optimistic about prospects in the New Year. Canada’s economy is strong, the stock market has been going up, unemployment has been going down, and nearly 400,000 Canadian jobs were filled in the past 12 months. The Bloomberg Nanos Canadian Confidence Index reveals that optimism among consumers in Canada is at an eight-year high. Furthermore, a recent survey has found that the majority of people who work in Canada feel confident about their job security. This positive outlook about the strength of the economy and Canadian job market is being expressed through continued big spending by people who live in Canada. To read the full article, click here!
SURGE OF IMMIGRANTS APPLYING FOR CANADIAN CITIZENSHIP
There has been a surge in permanent residents applying for Canadian citizenship after new regulations recently made the process easier and faster. The new Canadian citizenship rules, which became effective on October 11, 2017, reduced the number of years that a permanent resident must live in Canada before he or she may apply to become a Canadian citizen. Before the changes, an immigrant had to live in Canada at least four years during a six year period, but under the new rules a permanent resident only needs to live in Canada for three years during a five year period before applying for Canadian citizenship. Another recent rule change allows Canadian permanent residents to count some of the time spent living in Canada as a temporary foreign worker or international student (if applicable) toward the requirement to live in Canada three years prior to applying for Canadian citizenship. Furthermore, permanent residents living in Canada who are over 54 years of age will not have to meet the language and knowledge criteria before applying for Canadian citizenship (under the old rules, this exemption did not start until age 64). During the six months before the easier Canadian citizenship rules went into effect, an average of 3,653 immigrants applied to become a Canadian citizen each week. In the week after the new regulations came into force, the number of applications for Canadian citizenship soared to 17,500. To read more, click here!
HIGHER EDUCATION BOOSTS SALARIES FOR CANADIAN WORKERS
More people who live in Canada are getting a post-secondary education (i.e., a university, college, or vocational school education) and as a result, they are earning higher salaries, according to 2016 Canadian census data. In fact, Canada is ranked #1 among the OECD countries for the percentage (54 percent) of workers between the ages of 24 and 65 who have a university or college degree. Furthermore, the 2016 census reveals that 40% of immigrants who live in Canada have a Bachelor’s Degree or higher credential, compared to 25% of Canadian-born citizens. The higher education possessed by people who work in Canada is paying off with larger salaries. For example, men who work in Canada and hold a Bachelor’s Degree earn a median salary of $82,082 CAD per year, while Canadian men who have an apprenticeship certificate in a skilled trade earn an annual median income of $72,955 CAD. To read the full article, click here!
CREATION OF FULL-TIME JOBS IN CANADA AT RECORD HIGH
During September and October 2017, the Canadian economy produced an impressive 200,700 full-time jobs in Canada, according to data released by Statistics Canada on November 3, 2017. There were 112,000 full-time Canadian jobs created in September 2017, followed by an additional 88,700 new full-time jobs in October 2017. This was a record high for new full-time jobs in Canada during a two-month period. Statistics Canada also reported a net increase of 35,300 new jobs added to the Canadian economy in October 2017, which was more than double the 15,000 new jobs forecast by analysts for that time period. Almost 400,000 new Canadian jobs have been produced during the last 12 months, as Canada’s economy continues its robust expansion. In further good economic news, the Canadian government also reported a substantial increase in wages for people who work in Canada. To read more, click here!
SIGNIFICANT INCREASE FOR CANADIAN IMMIGRATION PLANNED
On November 1, 2017, the Canadian government announced its three-year plan for immigration to Canada, which includes a goal to issue 980,000 Canadian visas to new immigrants between 2018 and 2020. The Canadian immigration target for 2016 and 2017 was 300,000 each year, but that number will increase to 310,000 permanent resident visas granted in 2018, 330,000 during 2019 and 340,000 in 2020. The majority of Canadian visas issued each year will be to skilled foreign workers who are approved for Express Entry immigration to Canada. During 2018, the new Canadian immigration plan seeks to grant permanent residency to 177,500 people through programs for “economic immigrants” (such as the Federal Skilled Worker Program), but that number will soar to 191,600 in 2019 and climb further to 195,800 during 2020. To read the full article, click here!
CANADIAN IMMIGRATION IS MAKING CANADA MORE MULTICULTURAL
According to data from the 2016 census, 21.9% of the 36 million people who live in Canada are immigrants. This is the highest percentage of immigrants to live in Canada since 1931 (85 years ago). By comparison, 19.8% of Canada’s population was foreign-born back in 2006. In addition to immigrants making up a larger proportion of the Canadian population, the 2016 census also reveals that Canada is becoming a more multicultural country in other ways. For example, the 2016 census reports that the majority of immigrants who move to Canada (60 percent) are from countries in Asia. The Philippines is currently the #1 country of origin for new immigrants who live in Canada, followed by #2 India, #3 China, #4 Iran, #5 Pakistan, #6 United States, #7 Syria, #8 United Kingdom, #9 France, and #10 South Korea. Nonetheless, thousands of immigrants also move to Canada from other parts of world. For example, countries in Africa are now the #2 source for Canadian immigration, accounting for 13.4% of new arrivals. Additionally, large numbers of immigrants move to Canada from Europe, Latin America and virtually every region of the planet. With Canada’s government approving approximately 300,000 people for Canadian immigration each year, it is very likely that Canada’s population will continue to become even more diverse in the future. To read more, click here!
NEW RULES MAKE IT EASIER TO BECOME A CANADIAN CITIZEN
It now takes less time for a permanent resident of Canada to become a Canadian citizen under new immigration regulations that went into effect on October 11, 2017. According to the new rules, permanent residents who live in Canada for three years (1,095 days) during a five-year time period and who meet all of the eligibility requirements may apply for Canadian citizenship. Previously, permanent residents had to live in Canada at least four years in the six years prior to applying for Canadian citizenship. To read the full article, click here!
CANADA HAS THE FASTEST GROWING ECONOMY OF THE G-7 COUNTRIES
Canada is leading the G-7 countries in economic growth, according to information provided by Statistics Canada on August 31, 2017. Boosted by the highest level of consumer spending in Canada since 2008, the Canadian Gross Domestic Product (GDP) soared in the second quarter of 2017 to an annual growth rate of 4.5 percent, outperforming the GDP growth rates of the USA, Japan, Germany, Italy, UK and France. Economists had forecast a robust GDP growth rate of 3.7% in Canada during the same time period. The Canadian economy is currently surging at its strongest level since 2011, creating thousands of jobs in Canada. To read more, click here!
CANADIAN CITIES OFFER HIGH QUALITY OF LIFE
Vancouver, Toronto and Calgary are listed among the top 10 most livable cities in the world, according to the ranking of cities published by The Economist in August 2017. The Economist Intelligence Unit measured the quality of life in 140 cities around the world, rating each city on: (1) infrastructure, (2) healthcare, (3) education, (4) stability, and (5) culture and environment. In its 2017 Global Liveability Report, the EIU ranked Vancouver #3, Toronto #4 and Calgary #5 (tied with Adelaide, Australia) for livability. Only two cities received a higher rating for quality of life than these three Canadian cities: Melbourne (Australia) came in 1st place, while Vienna (Austria) was named the #2 most livable city in the world for 2017. These and other incredible cities that lead the world in quality of life share some common characteristics, including: medium size, low population density (compared to larger cities) and being located in a wealthy country. To read the full article, click here!
SURVEY SAYS CANADA IS THE #2 BEST IMMIGRATION DESTINATION FOR 2017
On July 10, 2017, US News & World Report published the results of its survey of 21,000 individuals in 80 countries and ranked Canada the #2 best country for immigrants to live in 2017. The participants of this large global survey were asked to evaluate countries throughout the world based upon whether they would want to live in a particular country and taking into account each country’s economic stability, immigration policy, and labor market. According to the survey’s results, Sweden is considered the best country for immigrants to live, with Canada receiving the 2nd highest rating and Switzerland, Australia, Germany, Norway, the United States, The Netherlands, Finland, and Denmark also included in the world’s top ten immigration destinations. The survey also reported that people who live in Canada generally enjoy the best quality of life in the world (regardless of whether they were born in Canada or immigrants). To read more, click here!
WHERE TO LIVE WHEN YOU MOVE TO CANADA
Are you looking for the perfect place to live in Canada? In July 2017, Macleans published its evaluation of 417 Canadian cities and towns which were rated according to home affordability, robust economy, high wealth and income, low crime, health accessibility, nice weather, low taxes, arts and community, and being transit friendly. Ranked among the 10 best places to live in Canada for 2017 were: Ottawa (Ontario), Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures (Quebec), Oak Bay (British Columbia), North Saanich (British Columbia), Weyburn (Saskatchewan), Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville (Quebec), St. Albert (Alberta), Mont-Royal (Quebec), Burlington (Ontario), and Lévis (Quebec). Ottawa (population 974,701) is Canada’s capital city, has a median household income of $91,122 per year, and enjoys a low unemployment rate. To view the ranking and details for the 417 communities across Canada, click here!
CANADIAN EMPLOYMENT TRENDS FOR THE TOP 100 JOBS IN CANADA
Individuals who are looking for work in Canada can learn more about Canadian employment trends in a report posted May 29, 2017, on the CanadianBusiness.com website. The report lists 100 top jobs in Canada and contains details about each occupation’s median salary, 5-year trends for salaries and hiring, as well as each job’s outlook for the future. Information is provided for a variety of Canadian jobs in a range of business sectors, including the medical field, construction industry, information technology, engineering, finance, education, and natural resources. Examples of the median annual salaries for some of the best jobs in Canada listed in the report include: utilities manager ($112,320); director of public administration ($106,662); mining and forestry manager ($100,006); pharmacist ($102,398); university professor ($91,998); software engineer ($90,001); pipefitting supervisor ($89,398); financial manager ($86,236); secondary school teacher ($83,200); and registered nurse ($74,880). To view the full list and details for 100 top Canadian jobs, click here!
UNITED NATIONS GIVES CANADA HIGH MARKS FOR HAPPINESS
Individuals living in Canada are the 7th happiest people on the planet, according to the United Nations World Happiness Report which was released in March 2017. The UN assessed the happiness of people living in 155 countries, based upon their freedom to make life choices, healthy life expectancy at birth, real GDP per capita, diversity, perception of corruption, and generosity. Norway was named the world’s #1 happiest country, with people living in Denmark, Iceland, Switzerland, Finland, Netherlands, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and Sweden also included among the top 10 happiest countries. To read more, click here!