The launch of category-based selection draws for Express Entry candidates has been announced by Canada’s Immigration Minister, Sean Fraser.

This move by Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) aims to prioritize candidates who demonstrate a strong French language proficiency or possess relevant work experience in specific fields.

• Transport
• STEM – science, technology, engineering, and mathematics professions
• Trades, such as carpenters, plumbers, and contractors
• Healthcare
• Agriculture and agri-food

According to the minister, expanding IRCC’s ability to invite more skilled workers in specific professions aligns with Canada’s objective of welcoming high-demand professionals.

The introduction of new selection categories is anticipated to commence during the upcoming summer months.

What is Canada’s Express Entry?

In recognition of Canada’s’ changing employment landscape since its inception in 2015, Express Entry became a system set up for managing applications relating to immigration.

Three distinct streams fall under this umbrella scheme: The Federal Skilled Worker Programme (FSWP) the Federal Skilled Trades Programme (FSTP) and the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). The Comprehensive Ranking System(CRS) is applied to assess candidates participating in these programs against human capital factors such as language ability, work experience, occupation, and education.

Based on this evaluation, the highest overall CRS scores are accorded an Invitation for permanent residence.

What is the reason behind the new Express Entry categories?

Canada aims to tackle its labour shortage and promote the growth of the French language in minority communities via its new Express Entry categories targeted toward filling vacant positions across the country.

During discussions with business owners from various regions across Canada, Fraser heard many complaints regarding chronic labour shortages; thus these modifications were made in response.
While catering to economic priorities such as business growth and increased employment opportunities for skilled workers, among others like fostering a vibrant Francophone community outside Quebec through increased proficiency in the French language among migrants. This change makes perfect sense given today’s landscape, where every inch counts when it comes to finding ways which can drive greater progress forward.

June 2022’s legislative modifications under Immigration Commitment Act further allow ministers greater flexibility while selecting suitable immigrants who match fundamental attributes connected mostly with maximizing Canada’s economic potentialities, leading to prospective implementations through category-based draws starting soon.

How these categories were determined?

The Minister carried out extensive public consultations with various stakeholders which included provinces and territories respectively industry members such as unions, employers, and advocacy groups focused on workers.

Settlement providers alongside researchers and practitioners in immigration constituted other critical participants. These meetings took into account legislative provisions regarding category selection. Each year, IRCC reports to Parliament on the previous year’s categories that were chosen-outlining why they were chosen along with detailed instructions regarding establishing these categories as well as soliciting information on issued invitations per category.