Analysis: Factors that may affect Express Entry CRS scores An early analysis of the first all-program Express Entry draws in 2022. Canada has resumed all-program Express Entry draws as of July 6. Since then, the number of Invitations to Apply (ITAs) issued in each draw has grown by 250 each week, causing the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score requirements to go down. By Shelby Thevenot
Analysis: Canada’s provinces are seeking a new deal on immigration Canada's immigration system is entering a new era where the provinces want to have even more control than the federal government. On July 28, 2022, the Government of Saskatchewan released a statement that it is seeking greater control over its immigration system. By Kareem El-Assal
How can Canada avoid major immigration backlogs in the future? OPINION: Here are 6 recommendations to get Canada's immigration operations back on track. Earlier this month the Canadian Parliament’s Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration (CIMM) began a study on IRCC’s application processing times and backlogs. By Kareem El-Assal
How Canada can improve the Temporary Foreign Worker Program OPINION: The Temporary Foreign Worker Program is one of the strongest methods that Canada has to address the immediate shortage of labour—but there is room for improvement. A recent study from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business titled “Labour shortages are back with a vengeance” found that 54% of businesses could not find all the staff they need, with only 42% reporting being able to fully staff their operations. By Isaac Kinsella
Express Entry: IRCC aims to resume FSWP and CEC invitations this spring ANALYSIS: Minister's remarks on resuming skilled worker draws are in accord with backlog data and IRCC internal briefing notes. Immigration Minister Sean Fraser said in a recent interview that the immigration department was looking to resume Express Entry draws for skilled workers in the spring. By Shelby Thevenot
Canada’s decision to land over 400,000 immigrants in 2021 has come at a cost ANALYSIS: While the decision has helped many immigrants, it has also hurt many others. Here are some suggestions to get the immigration system back on track. The Canadian government entered 2021 with an ambitious immigration goal. By Kareem El-Assal
Canada to announce Immigration Levels Plan 2022-2024 by February ANALYSIS: This will be the first Immigration Levels Plan announcement since October 2020. It will be announced by February 14, 2022. The Canadian government will provide a major update by February when it announces its Immigration Levels Plan 2022-2024. By Kareem El-Assal
Nearly 80% of Express Entry candidates fall under FSWP ANALYSIS: IRCC's snapshot of the Express Entry pool shows most candidates are eligible for FSWP. CEC candidates also increasing due to pause in draws. The number of Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) and Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates in the Express Entry pool has swelled due to a lack of draws targeting these candidates. By Shelby Thevenot
A review of Canadian immigration in 2021 ANALYSIS: The coronavirus pandemic continued to influence the direction of Canada's immigration system in 2021. The onset of the coronavirus pandemic changed the course of Canada’s immigration system in 2020 and while things have stabilized, the pandemic caused IRCC to make major adjustments in 2021. By Kareem El-Assal