Weekly Digest | June 30, 2024

Key Highlights:

Recent Immigration Case Law
2024 Express Entry Consultations
Funding for Arts in Montréal
Penalties for TFW Program Non-Compliance
Certificates for LINC Learners
Home Child Care Provider and Home Support Worker Pilots
DLI Regulatory Amendments
Alberta’s New Law Enforcement Pathway
Working Opportunities Program Launch in NFL
Ontario New Mandatory Certification for Towing Industry
Quebec’s New Rules for Family Reunification
Recent PNP Draws

Recent Case Law

Permanent Residence: In Akinokun, 2024 FC 980, the Federal Court dismissed the judicial review of the applicant’s permanent residence application. IRCC denied the application for not providing a Provincial Nomination Certificate (PNC), despite requests and a deadline. The applicant claimed non-receipt of the PNC and argued IRCC could verify it independently. The court ruled IRCC’s request reasonable and the process fair, noting the applicant had received the PNC via email, contrary to her claims. The court also rejected the applicant’s argument that IRCC should have verified the certificate with the Province of Ontario, highlighting IRCC’s statutory authority to request documents directly from applicants. Read more

IRCC News Updates

2024 Express Entry Consultations: Running from June 27 to July 28, 2024, these consultations invite feedback on refining category-based selection within Express Entry to better address Canada’s economic priorities. The focus includes addressing long-term shortages in STEM, healthcare, and Francophone immigration outside Quebec, as well as emerging labour needs in key industries. Emerging labour needs include significant growth in natural resources, biotechnology, biomanufacturing, quantum technologies, and clean technology. Read more

Funding for Arts in Montréal: On June 26, 2024, Minister Marc Miller announced a $31 million investment from Budget 2024 into the Canada Arts Presentation Fund, with $800,000 dedicated to TOHU and the Festival Montréal Complètement Cirque. This funding supports the vibrant local arts scene, boosting tourism and employment. Read more

ESDC News Updates

Penalties for TFW Program Non-Compliance: Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) announced increased penalties for non-compliant employers in the Temporary Foreign Worker Program. Last fiscal year, $2.1 million in Administrative Monetary Penalties were issued, marking a 36% increase. Additionally, 12 employers were banned, highlighting stricter enforcement. ESDC also continues to strengthen worker protections with a $48 million investment to enhance compliance efforts, including more inspectors and an improved tip line. This commitment aims to ensure the safety and fair treatment of temporary foreign workers in Canada. Read more Backgrounder: Read more

Program Delivery Updates

Certificates for LINC Learners: On June 28, 2024, IRCC updated the procedure for issuing certificates to Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) learners. The new guideline mandates that the organization name on the issued LINC certificates must match the one in the Grants and Contributions System to ensure the certificates’ authenticity. Read more

Home Child Care Provider and Home Support Worker Pilots: On June 24, 2024, IRCC amended ministerial instructions for the Home Child Care Provider Pilot and Home Support Worker Pilot. Key changes include reducing the work experience requirement from 12 to 6 months, accepting work experience gained outside Canada and up to 36 months before application. Additionally, work experience can be counted from the application submission date until the experience is verified. Applicants now have only one opportunity to submit work experience for permanent residence application consideration. These amendments impact pending applications. Read more Canada Gazette, Part I, Volume 158, Number 26: Read more / Read more

Canada Gazette Update

DLI Regulatory Amendments: The Department of Citizenship and Immigration has opened a 30-day consultation on proposed regulatory changes for Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs), ending July 29, 2024. The amendments address issues such as DLIs’ failure to report student statuses and enforce compliance, impacting the integrity of the International Student Program. Proposed changes include stricter reporting requirements, the ability to suspend non-compliant DLIs, and an increase in allowed off-campus work hours for international students from 20 to 24 hours weekly. These changes aim to enhance program integrity and support students in managing living costs in Canada. Read more

Provincial Government News

Alberta’s New Law Enforcement Pathway: On June 25, 2024, the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program is introducing a new pathway effective June 25, 2024, to assist Alberta police services in addressing crime and meeting recruitment objectives. Eligible employers include members of the Alberta Association of Chiefs of Police. The pathway targets commissioned and non-commissioned police officers, investigators, and other specialized law enforcement occupations. Candidates must have a job offer from an Association member and satisfy all Express Entry criteria. Read more News Release: Read more

Working Opportunities Program Launch in NFL: On June 26, 2024, Newfoundland and Labrador’s Government began accepting applications for the new Working Opportunities Program, part of the Poverty Reduction Plan announced in November 2023. This initiative provides $3.5 million in financial supports to non-Employment Insurance (EI) individuals for training to facilitate access to stable employment and post-secondary education. Participants can attend full-time programs lasting from 12 weeks to three years at approved institutions across the province. Read more

Ontario’s New Mandatory Certification for Towing Industry: Starting July 1, 2024, Ontario requires certification for tow truck drivers and vehicle storage operators, enhancing safety and combating fraud in the towing industry. This new mandate allows consumers to choose their towing service and ensures operators provide a rate list and travel directly to the desired destination. Operators must undergo mandatory training and criminal checks. Non-compliance could lead to fines, impoundment, and certification issues. Read more

Quebec’s New Rules for Family Reunification: From June 26, 2024, to June 25, 2026, Quebec will accept 13,000 family reunification applications. Of these, 10,400 will be for spouses, common-law or conjugal partners, or dependent children aged 18 or over, and 2,600 for parents, grandparents, or other listed relatives. Applications are first-come, first-served. Exemptions include sponsors of dependent children under 18, adoptive minors, orphaned minor relatives, and dependent adult children with disabilities. These can apply anytime within the period without caps. Read more

Provincial Nominee Program Draws

Important Upcoming Dates

July 1, 2024: International Credentials Recognition Act in British Columbia takes effect, simplifying credential recognition for 29 professions, including engineers and teachers. Read more

July 2, 2024: Extension of Temporary Public Policy for Out-of-Status Construction Workers in GTA ends. Read more

July 2, 2024: Economic development organizations interested in supporting growth in rural and Francophone minority communities must submit their applications using IRCC’s questionnaire by this deadline. Read more

July 8, 2024: Nova Scotia launches free skilled trades camps for youth aged 12 to 15 to boost careers in construction, manufacturing, and cooking. Read more

July 11, 2024: Upcoming draws for the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) Entrepreneur Category. Read more

July 15, 2024: Consultation on amending Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations to streamline cancellation of temporary resident documents concludes. Read more

July 31, 2024: Deadline for Ukrainians with CUAET visa approvals to arrive in Canada and receive fee-exempt study and work permits. Read more Temporary Policy: Read more

July 31, 2024: Deadline for community recommendations under the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP), now a permanent program supporting skilled foreign workers in remote communities. Read more