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Category Archives: News

Canada’s unemployment rate hit record low in November

Canada’s unemployment rate reached a record low in November, according to Statistics Canada’s monthly Labour Force Survey released on December 07, 2018. Employment rose by 94,000 in November, driven by gains in full-time work. The unemployment rate decreased 0.2 percentage points to 5.6%, the lowest since comparable data became available in 1976. Nearly 19 million people were employed in Canada in November, an increase of 0.5 per cent over the previous month. Six provinces saw employment increase in November, with Quebec and Alberta posting the highest gains. Ontario also saw employment rise with 20,000 more people employed in November. British Columbia also saw employment increase in November, with 16,000 more people employed than the previous month. At 4.4 per cent, the province’s unemployment remained among the lowest in Canada, despite a slight increase in November. The Prairie provinces of Saskatchewan and Manitoba also posted employment gains in November of 5,500 and 2,600, respectively.

In terms of industries, Statistics Canada said the most significant employment gains in November occurred in professional, scientific and technical services, which saw an increase of 26,000, with most of the growth in Ontario and Quebec. Employment in health care and social assistance was also up in November, with a gain of 19,000. Non-medicinal cannabis became legal in Canada on October 17, 2018. The number of people employed in cannabis-related jobs in November was 10,400, an increase of 7,500 (+266%) from 12 months earlier.

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Saskatchewan issued new invitations to express entry, occupation in-demand candidates

Saskatchewan issued 743 new invitations to candidates on December 06, 2018 in its occupation in-demand and express entry immigration sub-categories. Express Entry candidates who receive a provincial nomination are awarded an additional 600 points toward their express entry ranking profile, which assures an invitation (ITA) from IRCC to apply for permanent residence. In order to be eligible for the Saskatchewan’s express entry sub-category, express entry candidates must have work experience in a high-skilled occupation found on the province’s In-Demand Occupations List, among other criteria. A job offer from a Saskatchewan employer is not required. This also applies to the occupation in-demand sub-category for non-express entry candidates.

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BC PNP invited express entry and skills immigration candidates

The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC-PNP) issued 387 invitations to apply (ITA) for a provincial nomination to skills immigration and express entry candidates on December 05, 2018. A provincial nomination issued under the BC-PNP Express Entry BC category results in an additional 600 Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points. The additional points will move Express Entry candidates to the front line for an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Canadian permanent residence in a subsequent federal draw. Candidates nominated under BC-PNP Skills Immigration Stream can apply for Canadian permanent residency through paper-based application.

Candidates interested in applying for immigration to Canada through BC-PNP must first create an online profile using the BC-PNP’s online registration system (skills immigration registration system) and submit a completed form. Candidate profiles are assessed and assigned a score based on various factors (e.g. education, work experience, offered wage, regional district of employment, English proficiency etc.)

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