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Join Attorney Colin Singer’s Facebook Live on March 2nd @ 11:00 AM (Eastern Time/ Toronto Time).

Place: https://www.facebook.com/immigrationca/

Topic: “Federal Skilled Worker Program Eligible Occupations Under Express Entry Immigration”

Questions: Submit your questions on our Facebook Page (Event Post on Facebook)

February 3, 2017 – Technology companies have placed themselves at the forefront of the battle against Donald Trump’s crackdown on U.S. immigration.

Canada looks set to be the chief beneficiary – with the possibility of major firms like Amazon and Google moving large parts of their operations here as immigration worries continue south of the border.

And Canada’s homegrown technology industry – including household names like Shopify and Hootsuite – are also set to benefit from a swathe of the best and brightest talent looking to move from the U.S., or switching their focus away from America because of Trump’s controversial policies.

Read More

• Canada Needs Stronger Response to Trump’s US Immigration Ban
• Managing the U.S. Immigration Travel Ban
• Trump’s NAFTA Threat Could Drive Technology Talent To Canada
• Canada’s Tech Sector Ready to Gain From Trump and Brexit
• Canada Outlines Fast-Track Visa For Technology Talent
• Solving Canada’s Technology Talent Shortage with New Immigration Policies

Already, Amazon is doing what it can to help the legal battle against the Trump administration, while Google took the step of recalling its staff from all over the world in the wake of the immigration crackdown.

While Canada’s politicians, notably Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and new Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen, have been strong with words since Trump signed his executive order, there has been little in the way of policy.

The federal government is cautious because of the looming renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which Trump wants to rewrite in favour of the U.S.

Thousands of Canadian technology companies signed an open letter to the Canadian government urging them to create a special visa specifically aimed at high-skilled immigrants from the seven countries Trump has banned.

The good news is that a directly applicable program is already on the way in the shape of the Global Skills Visa, aimed at bringing in high-skilled foreign workers with just a two-week processing time.

The planned visa will also see the creation of a 30-day work permit that can be spread across a year, meaning companies can bring in workers for short stints without the need to apply for new paperwork each time.

Trump signed an executive order on Friday, January 27 2017 that placed a temporary ban on entry to the U.S. for citizens of Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen. The 90-day ban expires on April 27, 2017 with a view to giving time for the Trump administration to set up its ‘extreme vetting’ procedure.

The order also blocked all refugees from entering the U.S. for 120 days, and blocked the entry of refugees from Syria indefinitely. It cut by more than half the number of refugees the U.S. plans to accept in 2017, from 110,000 to 50,000. The order excluded officials with diplomatic credentials.

Trudeau led Canada’s reaction, prompting headlines around the world with a tweet which read: “To those fleeing persecution, terror & war, Canadians will welcome you, regardless of your faith. Diversity is our strength #WelcometoCanada.”

Then Hussen said those stranded at the Canadian border would be given temporary residence.

Canada’s mayors and provincial politicians have been outspoken in their criticism.

Canadian technology executives say foreign talent is now far more likely to look to Canada over the U.S., with some saying they are already fielding calls from individuals looking to move north.

Individuals are not the only ones looking to move. Major international corporations are now considering Canada as a better place to grow their businesses instead of the U.S.

The uncertainty created by Trump has these companies looking for a more stable base for their business.

Microsoft already has a significant presence in Vancouver, built because of the ongoing struggle to bring in foreign workers under the U.S. immigration process.

Major technology and medical research firms were already seriously looking here before the Trump ban – now they are on the verge of making the move.

Canada is already home to established bases for several of the major U.S. Silicon Valley giants.

Google has a staff of 900, up from 40 in 2006, the majority comprising of engineers.

Amazon is also always growing its Canadian software development wing, with 500 staff in Vancouver and 400 in Toronto, not to mention a recently-opened Ottawa office.

As recently as October, Thomson Reuters revealed its plan to create 400 high-skilled positions in Toronto with a new downtown technology centre.

In terms of bold policy action against the U.S. and Trump, Canada appears to have its hands tied because of NAFTA. But there appear to be immigration policy-driven ways it can not only help those stranded by the immigration ban, but also benefit its own business community.

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.

Read more news about Canada Immigration by clicking here.

February 1, 2017 – The Federal government plans to enact regulatory changes to Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP).  The details will be announced when the federal government delivers its budget, expected in late February or early March.

Policymakers say the government is trying to strike a balance on reforms recommended in a September 2016 Standing Committee report, which made 21 suggestions on how the TFWP should be changed.

It is expected that modifications will include quicker issuance of work permits for high-skilled workers and improved protection for low-skilled workers in Canada under the TFWP.

TFWP: Expected New Changes

• Revised Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) requirements on transition plans to train Canadians
• Introduction of fast-track visas for certain highly-skilled workers
• New 12-month multi use visa for workers covered under International Mobility Program

The government moved in December 2016 to abolished the cumulative duration (or four-in, four-out) rule, which limited to four years the length of time a temporary worker could stay in Canada under the program.

December also saw the introduction of a workforce cap of 10 per cent for employers who began using the TFWP after June 20, 2014. Those who have been using the program since before then were capped at 20 per cent.

TFWP: Changes Made In December

• Four-in, four-out rule abolished
• Caps of 10 per cent and 20 per cent depending how long employers have used program
• Cap exemption for seasonal industries extended

An exemption on this cap for seasonal industries seeking temporary foreign workers for up to 180 days during the 2017 calendar year was extended until December 31, 2017.

The government also plans to put further measures in place to ensure TFWs are not taking jobs away from Canadians.

TFWP: Changes Announced, But Not Implemented

• Low-wage jobs must be advertised to under-represented groups.

Low-wage employers will be required to advertise positions to under-represented groups including young people, those with disabilities, Indigenous people and new immigrants. This change is yet to be implemented.

Unions and employers have welcomed the abolition of the cumulative duration rule, that forced many people to leave the country or become illegal.

The United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW), plus Canada-wide businesses in a variety of sectors, say the rule change will help improve worker rights and assist companies in getting the staff they need to operate at full capacity.

Read More

• Canadian Immigration Year-In-Review Part II: Temporary Residence
• Temporary Foreign Workers: Find Out If You Can Re-Apply For A Work Permit
• TFWP Changes Welcomed By Unions And Employers
• Temporary Foreign Worker Program: Four-In, Four-Out Rule Abolished
• Parliamentary Committee Recommends 21 Changes to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program: What Difference Will They Make?

“Our union is encouraged by the announced changes to the TFWP, and we will continue advocating for further improvements to the program and our immigration system, motivated by our belief that if you are good enough to work in Canada, you are good enough to stay,” Paul Meinema, national president of UFCW Canada, said in December 2016.

In Alberta, businesses including meat processing plants and hotels, say the change means they will be able to hold on to trusted members of staff, and bring back others who had to return home under the old rules.

Previously, when the four years were up, employers had to begin the process of bringing in a new TFW all over again, including applying for a LMIA and also training new staff members from scratch once they arrived.

The planned changes are part of a policy pendulum swing by the federal government away from the restrictive rules imposed by the former government.  The government’s new measures come on the heals of tougher immigration policies in the United States and will favour Canadian technology companies.

Conservative estimates suggest Canada will have 182,000 vacancies in the technology sector by 2019. The growing sector is driving the economy, with 71,000 companies employing 5.6 per cent of the workforce and responsible for 7 per cent of the country’s output.

More people are employed in technology than a combination of oil and gas, mining and forestry – a startling indication the Canadian economy is undergoing a significant transition, meaning it needs workers with the right expertise.

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.

Read more news about Canada Immigration by clicking here.

February 1, 2017 – The following is a summary on the affect of the recently implemented U.S. administration’s executive order, banning immigration and travel to the United States for millions of individuals from seven majority Muslim countries.

1) Trump’s Executive Order

Trump signed an executive order on Friday, January 27 2017 that placed a temporary ban on entry to the U.S. for citizens of seven Muslim nations: Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen. The 90-day ban expires on April 27, 2017 with a view to giving time for the Trump administration to set up its ‘extreme vetting’ procedure.

The order also blocked all refugees from entering the U.S. for 120 days, and blocked the entry of refugees from Syria indefinitely. It cut by more than half the number of refugees the U.S. plans to accept in 2017, from 110,000 to 50,000.

The order excluded officials with diplomatic credentials.

2) Confusion on Scope of Application to Dual Citizens

The order appeared to come with little guidance on implementation, and significant ambiguity about who it covered and who it did not. At best it can be described as poorly thought out, at worst a panic-inducing disaster.

Both citizens of the seven countries and refugees were already on flights to the U.S. These people, thought to number in the hundreds, were detained at airports when they arrived. News quickly spread of the detentions, making airports the focal point of protests in the U.S.

Authorities began stopping visa holders and green card holders from boarding flights. Initially, it seemed even permanent residents of the U.S. who happened to be out of the country would not be allowed to return. Both visa holders and green card holders have already been through extensive background checks before getting their documents. In the fallout, one of the many clarifications stated that green card holders would be allowed entry, but not visa holders.

Dual passport holders were also banned, but since Friday several countries have been made exempt from this. Canada was the first, followed by Britain and Australia. People who hold passports from these countries and one of the seven banned countries can still enter the U.S., provided certain conditions are met.

Canadian permanent residents are also understood to be exempt from the travel ban, although total clarity is difficult to obtain.

Individuals with ties to any of the seven countries can expect intensive questioning and long delays during pre-clearance interviews.  All individuals intending to enter the U.S. must also be mindful that border agents have authority to request access to mobile phones and devices for inspection.

The ban could still be extended to include other countries. Once the ‘extreme vetting’ procedure has been drawn up, citizens of countries who do not provide the required information within 60 days will be banned.

3) What To Do if You Are Stranded

Hundreds of people were initially left stranded at U.S. airports after the ban. The American legal system swept into action, issuing orders preventing border officials deporting people. Those with valid refugee or visa status are being help by the American Civil Liberties Union.

Canada’s Immigration Minister, Ahmed Hussen, quickly issued a directive saying anyone stranded at the Canadian border would be given temporary residence. There are more than 35,000 Canadians with dual citizenship from one of the affected countries.

New Canadian Citizens From 7 Banned Countries

Source: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
*Data for January to September only

Permanent Resident Admissions To Canada From 7 Banned Countries

Source: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
*Data for January to September only

There have been several calls for Canada to offer temporary residence to all those stranded in the U.S., as these individuals have already completed a reliable vetting process.  Further vetting could be concluded quickly by Canadian immigration officials. Also, under the Safe Third Country Agreement, refugees denied access to the U.S. cannot just seek asylum in Canada. Since Trump’s ban, campaigners have called on Canada to suspend the agreement, but that is unlikely.

4) The Authority of the Presidential Executive Order

Once signed, a presidential executive order becomes law, but it is open to legal challenge in the U.S. Judges have already found against the Trump administration in terms of preventing it from deporting people, but that is only a small part of the order.

For the whole order to be overturned, the issue centres around the U.S. constitution, which prevents discrimination on the basis of religion. This is why Trump’s staff have continuously pointed out that the ban covers only seven of the world’s Muslim countries. They say this shows they are targeting countries, not a whole religion. When America’s most senior lawyer, acting attorney general Sally Yates, instructed Department of Justice prosecutors not to defend the ban, Trump fired her. The state of Washington is also suing Trump over the order.

The U.S. Congress could also move to overturn the ban, but Trump’s majority in the House of Representatives and the Senate makes this unlikely.

5) How Canada Reacted

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau led Canada’s reaction, prompting headlines around the world with a tweet which read: “To those fleeing persecution, terror & war, Canadians will welcome you, regardless of your faith. Diversity is our strength #WelcometoCanada.”

Then Immigration Minister Hussen said those stranded at the Canadian border would be given temporary residence.

Canada’s mayors and provincial politicians have been outspoken in their criticism.

A stronger response from Canada against the U.S. seems unlikely to emerge because of upcoming negotiations concerning the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which Trump has threatened to renegotiate.

6) Reaction from the Business Community

Technology companies across the U.S. have widely condemned the order, with Google recalling staff and Amazon promising to help with legal challenges. Canadian tech companies have joined in the condemnation, although there is a belief they could benefit from the ban by attracting a swathe of new talent north of the border. Starbucks, meanwhile, said it would open 10,000 vacancies all over the world for refugees.

7) Future Travel Plans

Non-Canadians who are affected individuals on non-immigrant status in the U.S. should avoid leaving the U.S. for the duration of the ban; while those wishing to travel to the U.S. should delay such plans until such time as this ban has concluded.  Dual Nationals affected by the ban may strongly consider travelling to the U.S. via Canada where pre-clearance inspection can be conducted. Canadians with any ties to the listed countries, wishing to enter the U.S. should expect to undergo enhanced questioning resulting in long delays.

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.

Read more news about Canada Immigration by clicking here.