Canada Express Entry Update: Prioritizes French Proficiency, In-Demand Fields in Immigration Selection

Canada’s Immigration Minister, Sean Fraser, has made an important announcement regarding the selection process for Express Entry candidates.

In an effort to further enhance the country’s immigration system, the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will now prioritize candidates with exceptional French language proficiency or relevant work experience in specific fields.

Candidates applying for Express Entry who have strong French language proficiency skills or work experience in the following fields will be prioritized by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC):

Healthcare science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) professions, trades, such as carpenters, plumbers and contractors, transport, agriculture and agri-food.

The new category draws are expected to begin later this summer to fill open positions across Canada.

The Minister said that by allowing IRCC to invite more skilled workers in these targeted professions, it will support Canada’s commitment to welcoming in-demand professionals into communities across the country.

 The Minister’s Speech

Immigration is regarded as a critical component in alleviating labour shortages and increasing the prominence of the French language in French minority communities outside of Quebec.

“Everywhere I go, I’ve heard loud and clear from employers across the country who are experiencing chronic labour shortages. These changes to the Express Entry system will ensure that they have the skilled workers they need to grow and succeed”.

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“We can also grow our economy and help businesses with labour shortages while also increasing the number of French-proficient candidates to help ensure the vitality of French-speaking communities. Simply put, Canada’s immigration system has never been more responsive to the country’s social or economic needs.”

In June 2022, significant amendments were made to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, paving the way for the implementation of category-based draws starting this year. These amendments grant the Immigration Minister the authority to select immigrants based on specific characteristics that align with Canada’s economic priorities.

How were the categories chosen

The process of determining the categories for selection was carried out through legislative mandates, involving extensive public consultations.

The Minister actively engaged with provinces and territories, industry representatives, unions, employers, workers, worker advocacy groups, settlement provider organizations, as well as immigration researchers and practitioners.

This inclusive approach ensured that a diverse range of perspectives and expertise was considered in shaping the categories. The aim was to create a selection framework that accurately reflects the evolving needs of the Canadian economy while also addressing the aspirations and concerns of various stakeholders involved in the immigration process.

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By involving key stakeholders and conducting thorough consultations, the government sought to achieve a balanced and informed decision-making process.

The insights gained from these consultations, combined with the Minister’s expertise and knowledge, helped in determining the most relevant categories for selection.

This approach enhances transparency and ensures that the immigration system remains responsive to the changing demands of the labour market and the broader economic landscape.

The introduction of category-based draws under the amended legislation marks a significant step towards a more efficient and targeted immigration system in Canada.

By aligning the selection process with economic priorities and engaging a wide range of voices, the government aims to facilitate the successful integration of immigrants who can contribute significantly to Canada’s economic growth and social development.

Each year, IRCC will report to parliament on:

The categories were chosen the previous year

Why and how they were chosen

The instructions to establish a category

The number of invitations issued for each category

About Express Entry

To address the shifting demands of Canada’s economy and labour market, Express Entry was established in 2015. The Express Entry is a system for managing applications for three types of economic immigration programs which are: the Federal Skilled Workers Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program and the Canadian Experience Class.

Candidates for these programs receive scores based on human capital factors like work experience, language proficiency, occupation, education, and more using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). The candidates with the highest overall CRS score were the most likely to receive an Invitation to Apply for permanent residence.