Canada to introduce new refugee pathway under Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot

author avatar
Kareem El-Assal
Published: March 27, 2023

IRCC Minister Sean Fraser has announced Canada will introduce a new immigration pathway that aims to connect employers in Canada with skilled refugees and displaced persons.

The pathway will be available under the federal Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP).

The minister made the announcement during a speech today in Toronto (the video link is available below).

The IRCC website states the new pathway under the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP) is set to launch this summer.

The EMPP exists to help employers hire skilled refugees and other displaced persons.

It pairs such individuals with Canadian employers who need to overcome labour shortages in key occupations.

The new pathway launching this summer will give employers more opportunities to address in-demand jobs such as nurse aids, personal support workers, long-term care aids, software engineers, web designers, mechanical and electrical engineers and technicians, teachers, tourism and hospitality workers, and truck and delivery service drivers.

Over the next few years, Canada is looking to expand the EMPP and welcome 2,000 qualified refugees and displaced persons to fill labour shortages via the EMPP.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is looking to welcome 465,000 new permanent residents this year.

Under the Immigration Levels Plan 2023-2025, this target is set to rise to 485,000 immigrants in 2024, and 500,000 immigrants in 2025.

Last year, Canada welcomed just over 437,000 immigrants.

Canada's record levels of immigration numbers, combined with record foreign student and worker admissions, resulted in the country's population growing by over one million people for the first time in history last year.

Canada's ambitious immigration targets are largely aimed at addressing the country's high number of labour shortages.

Canada offers more than 100 different economic class immigration pathways.

The leading economic class pathway is the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), which enables provinces and territories to identify candidates who meet their local economic needs.

The leading federal pathway is the Express Entry system.

Both pathways have been seeing a lot of activity recently.

Four provinces announced their latest PNP results over the past week.

Meanwhile, IRCC has held two major Express Entry draws over the past two weeks, inviting 14,000 candidates in total to apply for permanent residence.

Discover if You Are Eligible for Canadian Immigration

Share this article
Share your voice
Did you find this article helpful?
Thank you for your feedback.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Did you find this article helpful?
Please provide a response
Thank you for your helpful feedback
Please contact us if you would like to share additional feedback, have a question, or would like Canadian immigration assistance.
  • Do you need Canadian immigration assistance? Contact the Contact Cohen Immigration Law firm by completing our form
  • Send us your feedback or your non-legal assistance questions by emailing us at media@canadavisa.com
Related articles
Canada invites French-speaking Express Entry candidates to apply for PR
A shot of a beach in Vancouver, with people enjoying the day.
IRCC releases updated distribution of candidate scores in the Express Entry pool
Many people walking across a crosswalk in different directions.
Canadian Experience Class candidates invited to apply for permanent residence
A shot of the Vancouver City skyline, with mountains in the background and a Canadian flag in the foreground.
Submitting a Canadian citizenship by descent application? Double check these seven details first
Common mistakes can lead to a proof of Canadian citizenship application being returned
Top Stories
BREAKING: IRCC walks back current employee restriction on reciprocal employment work permits
Canada invites French-speaking Express Entry candidates to apply for PR
Temporary residence applicants see wait times increase
Join our free newsletter. Get Canada's top immigration stories delivered to your inbox.
Subscribe
More in Canada
Temporary residence applicants see wait times increase
People lined up against a wall, waiting, while reading papers or their laptop.
Immigration department finds PR pathway for self-employed persons “no longer fit for purpose”
An audience watching a performer on stage in a theater.
IRCC reports increased wait times for work permits and study permits
Many people waiting in a long line, to enter a building.
Canada opens third port of entry along Windsor-Detroit border
A shot of the Gordie Howe International Bridge.
Link copied to clipboard