Canada Immigration News Podcast #23 – Job Market Trends, BC PNP Draws, Ukrainian Arrivals, Afghan Refugees
In this episode, we cover the latest Provincial Nominee Program draws from British Columbia targeting in-demand sectors, provide an update on Ukrainian arrivals under the CUAET emergency travel measures, analyze promising job market trends from Statistics Canada, and discuss Canada’s progress in resettling Afghan refugees.
British Columbia’s Targeted PNP Draws Attract Top Talent
– On June 4, 2024, BC conducted new draws under the BC Provincial Nominee Program (BCPNP)
– Tech draw: 33 candidates invited with minimum 122 score
– Childcare draw: 8 invites for early childhood educators scoring 93+
– Healthcare draw: 13 invites for candidates scoring 100+
– Construction draw: 14 invitations issued
– Total of 68 ITAs issued across these targeted draws
– BC has invited 3,315 candidates through the BCPNP in 2024 so far
Update on Ukrainian Arrivals Under CUAET Program
– As of June 3, 2024, IRCC had received 1,189,320 applications under CUAET
– 962,612 applications from Ukrainian nationals approved
– July 15, 2023 was final day to apply for CUAET visitor visa outside Canada
– From March 2022 – April 2024, 298,128 Ukrainians arrived in Canada via CUAET
Promising Employment Growth & Declining Job Vacancies
– Employment rose by 51,400 (0.3%) in March according to Statistics Canada
– Gains across 11 of 20 sectors, led by healthcare/social assistance (+11,700 jobs)
– Over past year, educational services jobs grew by 31,600 (2.2%)
– Job vacancies fell 40,600 (6.2%) to 610,700 in March, lowest since pandemic
Canada Continues Afghan Refugee Resettlement
– As of June 4, 2024, Canada has welcomed 52,155 Afghan refugees
– Including 1,110 new arrivals since May 3rd
– 14,945 Afghans resettled under Special Immigration Measures program
– 23,595 admitted under Humanitarian program
– 3,735 through extended family pathway for former interpreters
Stay tuned for continued coverage and analysis of key Canadian immigration programs, policies and trends.
