Day: July 6, 2020

The relaxation on Coronavirus restrictions comes as a hopeful sign as the Canadian economy is heading towards a recovery phase. Earlier the Economists expected a job loss of over 500,000 with a record high of 13.7%. However, the report from Statistics Canada suggests that, Canada added 290,000 jobs to the economy and the country has regained 10.6% of the Coronavirus related losses from earlier this year.

The Canada’s result suggests the economic crisis due to Corona virus lasted for just two months and the initial signs of recovery are mildly encouraging. As lockdown restrictions ease further, many businesses that were closed are slowly opening up and are operating at a reduced capacity. According to Statistics Canada report, Quebec registered 80% increase that saw a significant gain of 231,000 workers. Ontario on the other hand is also showing signs of recovery. With most of the provinces showing signs of positive job gains, the trend will be closely watched by the experts.

Visa Application Centers Reopening
A select number of Canadian Visa Application centers are being reopened and are operating with all the safety measures with limited staff and operations. Visa application centers are primarily providing services for Biometric Collections for Biometric instruction letter holders only and return of decision envelopes to applicants.

Disclose detailed Quarantine plan and ARRIVECAN App

Canada still has a Ban on all non-essential travel and the rule to self- isolate still remains. Initially the travelers were screened at port of entry and the information related to 14 days quarantine plan were filled in a form and handed over to Border Service officer. Health Canada launched the ArriveCan mobile App, available on iOS and Android, giving travelers the opportunity to input the quarantine details. As per Health Canada the app was launched to reduce wait times at Canadian Ports of Entry and limit the point of physical contact with the Border Service Officer. The input on the app contains the following information:

• Flight details of travelers arriving by air
• Name DOB of each Traveler
• Traveler’s destination in Canada and the address at which the traveler will be staying for 14 days
• Travelers email address and telephone numbers.

Health Canada notes that the data obtained from the app will be used by the public Health Agency of Canada to administer and enforce legislation and keep Canadians safe and healthy. The data furnished on the app will be used by Border Services Officers and Quarantine officers to support the health screening protocols and generate the summary of traveler information.

Road to Recovery

While it is no doubt that the recovery has begun, the coming days would see a significant change in the Canadian job market. Canada depends on the immigrants to strengthen its economy, while it is unlikely that Canada will meet its 2020 immigration level plan of inviting 340,000 new permanent residents. But, the recent draws suggest that the government will continue to work towards meeting those targets and speed up the economic recovery.

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The H-1B visa allowed US employers to temporarily employ foreign workers. While this saw a significant flow of foreign workers into the American economy, the recent move by President Trump to extend the ban on H-1B visas until the end of 2020 was contradicted by industrial experts. The Department of Homeland Security in its recent press release revised the definition of specialty occupation to focus more on getting the best and brightest foreign nationals via H-1B visa program, and revised the definition of employment and employer-employee relationship to better protect US workers and wages.

The US move to protect jobs for American citizens at time of economic crisis is understandable, but harsh. This approach however is stopping the flow of skilled IT professionals, Engineers, researchers, doctors, entrepreneurs and future executives. Canada for long has a reputation for openness and diversity. Canadian Government introduced programs such as Global Talent Stream, which encouraged innovative companies to demonstrate the acceptance of specialized skills and fast-track the entry of foreign workers.

Sharp increase in Enquiries

Canadian recruiting firms reported a sharp increase in enquiries over the news of proposed suspension. The American companies which want to hold on to certain key employees whose status in US might be uncertain because of the visa conditions are considering the Canadian options. Several Silicon Valley start-ups may shift part of their engineering teams to Canada following the suspension of H-1B visa. Due to tough H-1B visa norms, many US firms opened offices in Canada last year and are expanding their operations.

Canada presents itself as an alternative for the ongoing uncertainty in the H-1b visa stream. Several small businesses have been receiving applications from Immigrants in the US to work at the Canadian office.

Immigration and work permits

Between January and April 2020 Canada issued 76,000 work permits and more than 341,000 immigrants were welcomed in 2019. 70% if the engineers on H-1B visas are either moving back to their home countries or Canada. For several US companies having centers in Canada and being able to offer a position in Canada adds to their value proposition and employees are also encouraged to work remotely from Canada. This has helped them to hold on to key talent or to fill roles that cannot be filled locally.

Diverse Cities

Canada has some of the diverse cities in the world and their economy is driven by newcomers. There is a broader consensus across the political spectrum that Canada benefits from immigration as much as immigrants do from being in Canada.

Shortly after the visa suspension was announced, Canada’s immigration minister Marco Mendicino said, “We believe that immigration will spring our recovery out of this pandemic. We have a plan in place that looks to leverage the best and the brightest from around the world. We’ve got pathways like the Express Entry program, and the Global Talent Stream, which will help to bring entrepreneurs, engineers, and innovators.” To conclude Canada has been welcoming people from all over the world including those who no longer feel welcomed in America.

To know more about Canadian immigration news and updates, get in touch with us.

Contact us on +966-547598555 / 966-569521000 / 966-541219841 or info@emigrantz.com