March 10, 2023 – New Brunswick
The Forum of Ministers Responsible for Immigration recently held its annual meeting in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The ministers discussed a variety of topics related to immigration, including the government’s plan to welcome one million newcomers over three years and the need for more robust language training programs to help newcomers integrate into Canadian society.These include plans to reduce barriers for immigrants who are looking to come to Canada and measures to raise the number of international students studying in Canada. The ministers also discussed ways to support refugees and other vulnerable populations better.
The ministers agreed that Canada’s immigration system should change, focusing on attracting skilled workers, entrepreneurs, and family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents. The ministers also agreed to enhance language training programs for newcomers and improve settlement services to help immigrants successfully integrate into Canadian society.
The Federal-Provincial-Territorial Immigration Agreement also expands the multi-year Provincial Nominee Program and Atlantic Immigration Program Plan to help provinces, territories, and employers fill labour shortages and attract skilled immigrants to Canada. These programs provide a pathway for certain immigrants to gain permanent residence in Canada. This process allows applicants to receive a nomination from a province or territory and access faster processing times.
As Canada moves forward with its immigration goals, the government is taking steps to strengthen the system further. To this end, it is introducing the Federal-Provincial-Territorial Immigration (FTPI) Agreement, which allows provinces and territories more significant input into the immigrant selection process. The agreement also increases the number of applicants accepted through Express Entry, Canada’s online immigration system, and allows for increased allocations for certain provinces and territories.
The Federal-Provincial-Territorial Immigration Agreement is part of a more significant effort to ensure Canada’s immigration system is fair, efficient, and well-managed. By increasing provincial and territorial involvement in the selection process and increasing the number of applicants accepted through Express Entry, the government hopes to ensure that immigrants are selected based on their qualifications and ability to contribute to Canada’s economy.
By strengthening Canada’s immigration system, the government is taking steps to ensure that future immigrants can contribute to the Canadian economy and build a better life for themselves in Canada. Through initiatives such as the Federal-Provincial-Territorial Immigration Agreement, Global Skills Strategy, Provincial Nominee Program and Atlantic Immigration Program Plan, the government is shaping the future of immigration in Canada and ensuring that immigrants are welcomed and integrated into society.