Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced a new effort to attract worldwide skilled workers. This initiative is part of the Strategic Immigration Review, which was published in October 2023. The information comes from an Access to Information Request (ATIP) acquired by CIC News.

The emphasis is on building skills missions overseas. These missions aim to attract international talent to Canada. They bring together IRCC workers with key stakeholders such as businesses and provincial or territorial officials. The idea is to find and engage with possible labour pools across many countries.

Skills missions are an important part of IRCC's strategy. They intend to speed up the process of importing highly skilled immigrants through Express entry or other visas to Canada. The IRCC intends to solve labour market gaps in Canada by travelling to nations with big pools of potential workers.

Target Countries and Occupations

The ATIP explains how IRCC plans to target specific countries for these missions. The countries selected are determined by the occupation or group in question. For regulated professions like healthcare and trades, the IRCC will look for nations that have similar training or accreditation standards to Canada. This strategy tries to shorten the time it takes for newcomers to become qualified to work in their fields.

For non-regulated professions, IRCC will work with other organizations to identify substantial labour pools. The agency will also look into current bilateral labour mobility and free-trade agreements.

Additionally, skill missions will help IRCC achieve its goal of expanding the number of French speakers outside of Quebec. The goal is to ensure that 6% of newcomers to Canada in 2024 are French speakers. Countries with Francophone populations will be a primary focus.

In terms of occupations, IRCC will rely on data from the Canadian Occupational Projection System. This method, created by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), estimates labour demand through 2031. It has identified gaps in healthcare, STEM sectors, and skilled crafts that will be addressed in missions.

In the long term, the missions will address both current job opportunities and broader regional needs. IRCC will finalize mission details after consulting with provincial and territorial governments, as well as industry experts. This includes selecting participating employers, planning trips, and offering a variety of services.

Missions will be overseen by the Chief International Talent Officer (CITO). This job is critical for coordinating immigration with labour market demands. The CITO will collect data on future skill requirements and guarantee that immigration policies fit the needs of Canada's labour market.

FAQS

What occupations are targeted by Skills Missions?

The Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS) has identified several high-demand occupations, including healthcare, STEM areas, and skilled trades. Specific jobs may change depending on area needs and cooperating employers.

What is the Chief International Talent Officer (CITO)'s involvement in this initiative?

The CITO oversees the Skills Missions and is in charge of ensuring that immigration meets labour market demands. This position entails obtaining information on future skill requirements and planning missions to satisfy Canada's labour market demands.