September 29, 2017 – Atlantic Canada is entering a critical phase during which it needs to dramatically increase the number of immigrants it attracts to the region to offset an aging population.

With the baby boomer generation already beginning to retire, the region’s workforce is set to decrease sharply if nothing is done to halt the slide over the next 20 years.

Already the region, which includes the provinces of Nova Scotia, Newfoundland & Labrador, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island, has a significantly older population than the rest of Canada.

In 2016, 19.5 per cent of the Atlantic Canada population was aged 65 or over, compare to a national average of 16.5 per cent, according to a Conference Board of Canada report. At the same time, deaths exceed births in all four Atlantic provinces.

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The immigrant population in the region is significantly lower than the rest of Canada. The 2011 census revealed Nova Scotia had the largest immigrant population in the region at 5.3 per cent. The Canada-wide immigrant population is 20.6 per cent.

The challenge is not just to attract new immigrants, but also to retain them. The region is also subject to a high out-migration rate to other Canadian provinces. It is also struggling with a low birth rate.

Immigrants are needed to spur economic growth, as healthcare costs begin to rise.

There are positives the region needs to highlight in order to attract and retain immigrants.

Immigrant unemployment and wage gaps are low, while those who stay in the region can expect to earn more than those who choose to leave.

The four provinces are starting to attract more immigrants, but rates remain far short of the level required to compensate for those exiting the workforce.

Key areas the provinces need to work on include helping skilled immigrants and their spouses find jobs in their fields, removing barriers to international student employment, and developing welcoming communities.

A key immigration tool developed by the federal government in partnership with the four provinces is the Atlantic Immigration Pilot.

The AIP aims to attract 2,000 extra immigrants per year to the region above existing quotas, a number that could rise if the demand exists.

Under the employer-driven AIP, candidates have their specific needs addressed with a settlement plan, and each job offer must come with a provincial endorsement.

The aim is to bring in newcomers who are equipped to stay in the region and settle with their families.

Atlantic Immigration Pilot: The Programs

1. Atlantic High-Skilled Program
2. Atlantic Intermediate-Skilled Program
3. Atlantic International Graduate Program

The work experience, education, and job offer a candidate needs depend on whether they are applying as a worker or an international student graduate. The other requirements are the same for both.

Work Experience

Workers

You must have worked for at least one year (1,560 hours total or 30 hours per week) within the last three years. It can be full-time, non-continuous, or part-time, as long as it adds up to 1,560 hours.

The work must be:

• In one occupation (but can be with different employers)
• Paid (volunteering or unpaid internships do not count)
• At skill type/level 0, A, B, or C of the National Occupational Classification (NOC)
• Under the Atlantic High-Skilled Program, workers need one year of experience at skill type/level 0, A, or B.
• Under the Atlantic Intermediate-Skilled Program, workers need one year of experience to be at the skill level C.
• The experience can be gained inside or outside Canada.

International Graduates

Candidates do not need work experience.

Education

Workers

Candidates must have:

• A Canadian secondary (high school) or post-secondary certificate, diploma or degree,

OR

• A foreign degree, diploma, certificate, or trade or apprenticeship education credential. Candidates need an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) to make sure it is valid and equal to a Canadian credential. The ECA must show your education is equal to a completed Canadian secondary (high school) or post-secondary certificate, diploma or degree. Your ECA must be less than five years old when you apply.

International Graduates

Candidates must have:

• A minimum two-year degree, diploma, certificate, or trade or apprenticeship credential from a recognized publicly-funded institution in an Atlantic province.
• Been a full-time student in Canada for at least two years.
• Graduated in the 12 months prior to the application date.
• Lived in one of the Atlantic provinces for at least 16 months in the last two years before graduation.
• Had a visa or permit to work, study or train in Canada.

A candidate does not qualify if their study or training included:

• English or French second language courses for more than half of the program.
• Distance learning undertaken for more than half of the program.

A candidate cannot apply if their scholarship or fellowship required them to return to their home country after graduation.

Note: Atlantic Immigration Pilot candidates are able to apply for a temporary work permit if the job needs to be filled urgently. If an employer wants a candidate to apply for a temporary work permit first, the candidate needs to commit to applying for permanent residence within 90 days of the temporary application being submitted.

Job Offer

Under the high-skilled, intermediate-skilled and international graduate programs, candidates must have a job offer that is:

1. From a designated employer in an Atlantic province.
2. Non-seasonal.
3. Reviewed by the province (See ‘Endorsement’ below)

Job offers for high-skilled workers must:

• Be skill type/level 0, A, or B
• Last at least one year

Job offers for intermediate-skilled workers must:

• Be skill type/level 0, A, B, or C
• Be indeterminate (permanent)

Job offers for international graduates must:

• Be skill type/level 0, A, B, or C
• Last at least one year

A candidate’s job offer does not need to be in the same occupation as past work experience. However, a candidate does need to meet employment requirements for the job, as listed in the NOC.

The employer does not need an LMIA. Each province will communicate a list of employers hiring under the Atlantic Immigration Pilot.

Language

Requirements applicable to all three programs

Candidates must:

1. Score at least a level 4 in the Canadian Language Benchmark exam in English or the Niveaux de Compétence Linguistique Canadiens in French.
2. Take an approved language test and meet the level for speaking, listening, reading and writing.

Results must be less than two years old on the date of application.

Proof of Funds

Requirements applicable to all three programs

Candidates need to show they have enough money to support themselves and their families after immigration. Amounts depend on the size of the family and includes family members a candidate supports that are not immigrating.

Proof is not required if a candidate is already living and working in Canada with a valid work permit.

Settlement Plan

A candidate must have a needs assessment before immigrating. After the assessment, a candidate will get a plan with information about the community they are moving to and where they can get help after arrival. To find out about the needs assessment, click here.

Endorsement

Employers must complete an Endorsement Application for each candidate able to fill an existing vacancy.

Candidates cannot apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada without an endorsement., which includes details of the job offer and settlement plan.

Interested employers: Kindly contact us here to receive further information.

Interested candidates: Find out whether you qualify to Canada by completing our free on-line evaluation. We will provide you with our evaluation within 1-2 business days.

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