Gunness & Assocaites | Canadian Immigration specialists in Ontario

  BC invited 185 skilled candidates in the new BC PNP draws On November 28, 2023, the Government of British Columbia held new invitation draws under the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) and issued invitations to apply to qualified candidates in healthcare, childcare, construction, and other priority occupations.  In the general draw, the province invited 80 candidates. The minimum score for candidates invited in this draw was 94-116 points.  Furthermore, BC issued 49 ITAs to candidates under the childcare-targeted draw for early childhood educators (NOC 42202).  In the Healthcare-targeted draw, BC British Columbia invited 29 candidates who scored 60 points. In addition, the province invited 27 candidates working in the construction sector.  In total, British Columbia issued 185 ITAs in this draw. This year, British Columbia has already invited 9,525 candidates. Eligibility Requirements for Construction Workers The following requirements must be fulfilled by construc

 Beware of False Claims: Canadian Work Permits for African Visitors – The Truth Unveiled Canada is known for its welcoming approach to immigrants and visitors alike, but it's crucial to be wary of misinformation circulating, especially when it comes to obtaining work permits. There have been rumors suggesting that African individuals can secure a Canada work permit while on a Visitor visa, but it's essential to debunk this misconception and understand the legitimate process for obtaining a work permit. Dispelling the Myth: Job Offer Requirement: One of the primary falsehoods is the claim that individuals can acquire a work permit without a valid job offer. In reality, a legitimate job offer from a Canadian employer is a crucial requirement for obtaining a work permit. Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) Necessity: A key aspect of a valid job offer is the requirement for the employer to possess a valid Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). An LMIA is a document that demo

  Ontario is raising the minimum wage for early childhood educators Ontario is increasing salaries for early childhood educators to alleviate labor shortages. Ontario is raising the minimum wage for early childhood educators (ECE) to $23.86 per hour in 2023, up from the initially planned $20 to address staff shortages.  This was part of the childcare workforce strategy released by Education Minister Stephen Lecce in November. This increase is expected to position Ontario's starting wages for ECEs among Canada's highest from being one of the lowest. The province aims to create 86,000 new spaces by 2026 under the national childcare system, despite warnings of a potential shortage of 8,500 ECEs by then. An agreement Ontario signed with the federal government to participate in the $10-a-day program included a wage floor of $18 per hour in 2022, with annual increases of $1 to $25. Education Minister Stephen Lecce's new plan calls for raising the floor to $23.86 per hour the foll

Edmonton will accept over 30,000 newcomers this year According to the Conference Board of Canada, Edmonton is set to welcome approximately 30,000 immigrants this year. This follows last year's trend, which saw over 33,000 newcomers. Despite an expected decrease in the coming years, the numbers will continue to surpass the 20-year average.  The director of economic forecasting, Ted Mallett, attributes this trend to the federal government's expedited immigration, higher wages, affordable housing in Prairie cities, and Alberta's robust economy. However, this growth necessitates adequate real estate development and infrastructure improvements.  The second State of Immigration and Settlement Report also highlighted immigrants' challenges, underscoring the need for an updated immigration policy. The report proposed inclusive education, anti-racism training, and authentic relationships with immigrants. The city council is now considering policy revisions. Immigration targets s

Canada announced a $7 million investment for asylum seekers Facing increased asylum claims and shelter pressure, Canada announced a $7 million investment for a new reception center in the Peel Region. Operated in partnership with community organizations, this center will offer services and additional shelter for asylum claimants.  The government has provided nearly $700 million to provinces and municipalities since 2017 through the Interim Housing Assistance Program (IHAP), which was extended with an additional $212 million. The federal government has procured temporary accommodations to alleviate local shelter pressure, currently housing over 7,000 asylum claimants across Canada. The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship stated: "We recognize the significant challenges that provinces and municipalities, such as Peel Region, are facing as a result of the increase in asylum claims, and we will continue to work closely with them to find solutions.

  Which Express Entry candidates are most likely to receive an Invitation to Apply? The Canadian Government released data on Express Entry candidates who most often have received an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence. The data, covering January to September 2023, showed 53,455 ITAs issued. Express Entry manages applications for the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program, Canadian Experience Class, and part of the Provincial Nominee Program.  Important Factors for the Express Entry Candidates Factors considered for express entry candidates included ITAs by program, province, score, age, and occupation. Most successful were Canadian Experience Class applicants in their 20s, often software engineers planning to live in Ontario. By program, 45% of ITAs went to the CEC, 30% to FSWP, and 26% to the PNP. Almost half of all ITA recipients planned to reside in Ontario, followed by British Columbia, Alberta, and Nova Scotia. Program: When the number of cand