How did Canada immigration fare in 2019?

The year 2019 was one of the least eventful periods for immigration in Canada with very few changes made by the IRCC. However, controversies surrounding the application process for the Parents and Grandparents Program and revisions in the caregiver immigration system were hot topics for discussion in the year.

 Let us see how popular immigration programs fared in 2019 and the outlook for 2020.

Express Entry System:

This immigration program saw a stable year. The size of the draws was consistent, and the CRS score increased gradually throughout the year.

Since the introduction of the Express Entry system in 2015, the previous year was the only year where the number of Invitations to Apply (ITAs) failed to set a record.

 The number of ITAs issued in 2019 was 85,300 which was down from 89,800 ITAs issued in 2018.

Outlook for2020:

Canada has set a target of 85, 800 highly skilled immigrants in 2020 compared to the target of 81,400 in 2019. So, 2020 will see the issue of more ITAs through the Express Entry System.

 Provincial Express Entry Streams:

Canada’s provinces used the Express Entry system in 2019 to attract candidates based on their need. British Columbia and Ontario provinces began their Express Entry-linked Human Capital Priorities stream, following a similar initiative from British Columbia.

Nova Scotia introduced a new Labour Market Priorities stream specifically aimed at doctors.

New Brunswick, on the other hand, opened the Express Entry stream to candidates already living and working in the province.

Saskatchewan increased the number of eligible occupations through its Express Entry stream.

Outlook for 2020:

 The federal government will probably introduce a Municipal Nominee Program. Under this program, Canada's municipalities in Canada will have the power to select 5,000 immigrants per year. This program could possibly be linked to the Express Entry program.

Quebec Immigration program:

Quebec reduced its targets for 2019 to 40,000 which was less compared to the 52,000-number target set for 2018.

This reduction came despite labour market shortage in the province and record rates of low unemployment in the province.

The province had launched the Quebec Expression of Interest system, known as Arrima, in August 2018, but this system had a backlog of 18,000 applications. The government decided to scrap the backlog of applications and attempted to make a fresh start in 2019.

Outlook for 2020:

Migrants looking to move to Quebec in 2020, will have to take a values test when applying for a PR visa. Candidates will have to get what the government terms as an Attestation of learning about democratic values and the Quebec values expressed by the Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms.

Every applicant to the Quebec Selection Certificate must pass the values test except those who are under the age of 18 and those with permanent physical and cognitive impairment.

 The values test applies to the following Quebec immigration programs:

• Quebec Skilled Worker Program
• Quebec Experience Program
• Entrepreneur Program
• Self-Employed Program
• Investor Program

The province plans to introduce general draws under Quebec Expression of Interest. Till last year only candidates with job offers were sent invites.

The immigration targets for 2020 have been set between 43,000 to 44,500 in 2020 whereas it was between 38,000 to 42,000 in 2019.

While Canada immigration was largely uneventful in 2019, it promises to be more positive and result-oriented in 2020. Stay tuned for the updates.