Work in Canada
Canada Seeks Partners to Develop and Diversify the IEC Program
As immigration minister Sean Fraser revealed in January, the IEC admissions quotas for 2023 have increased to over 90,000 participants. However, the document explains how the IRCC arrived at that conclusion. Here’s everything you need to know about the program – International Experience Canada (IEC)
Know About the IEC Program
The International Experience Canada (IEC) is a program designed especially for young people between the ages of 18 and 35 who want to visit and see Canada while having the option to work to pay for their travels and get a local’s perspective on the country. Youth Mobility Arrangements (YMAs) with participating nations and organizations are managed by the IEC. Presently, Canada has YMAs in place with 36 countries and territories in the Americas, Europe, Oceania, and East Asia.
Where Partner Quota Did Not Reach Pre-Pandemic Levels, Global Quota Continues to Rise
IEC admissions in 2022 did not reach pre-pandemic levels. According to IRCC, the situation is caused by a number of things like more expensive travel, hesitation because of health hazards, and severe labour shortages in partner nations. The quotas for partners for 2023 should remain at levels from 2022 as a result of these factors, but the worldwide quota should be raised by 20% to 88,500.
Participants who meet the partner quota must submit their applications through a recognized organization from a partner nation. For individuals who apply directly to IRCC, there is a global quota. The possibility of bringing in more immigrants to Canada’s francophone areas is also made possible through expanding partnerships with other nations.
According to the department, increasing the global quota can assist reduce wastage This refers to young foreign nationals who obtain work permits but do not arrive in Canada to use them. The IRCC does not advise increasing partner quotas because it anticipates that partner nations and organizations won’t be in favour of the adjustments, especially in Europe, which is already dealing with problems brought on by the displaced Ukrainians.
IEC Countries Participation in Canada
France (14,000), Ireland (10,700), Japan (6,500), and the United Kingdom have the largest partner quotas (5,000). Almost 40% of IEC participants relocate to the lower mainland of British Columbia, followed by 19% who choose Ontario, 18% who choose Alberta, 14% who choose Quebec, and less than 5% who choose any of the other provinces or territories. As a result of the high number of IEC participants, Canada relies on IEC participants to fill labour shortages.
IEC participants frequently work in the service industry, including retail, lodging, and food services. According to the memo, a lot of employers, particularly those in the service industry, rely on IEC to meet their labour demands. Yet, many IEC permit holders decide against working while they are in Canada. 59% of participants had an average salary of little over $10,000, according to income tax forms submitted by participants between 2009 and 2017.
More About IEC
A work permit is available to IEC participants under one of three streams:
- The most well-known is the Working Holiday stream, which can give an Open Work Permit (OWP) for up to two years and allows holders to work for any employer.
- For young people who have a job offer and want to work for just one employer in Canada, the Young Professionals stream grants work permits that are employer-specific.
- The third stream is International Co-op Internship, which allows students from partner countries to work for a specific Canadian company.
