Today, the new Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Minister Marc Miller, announced the first trades round for category-based selection in the Express Entry program will open this week. This focus on candidates with trades expertise—including carpentry, plumbing, and welding is expected to help Canada’s construction sector attract the skilled talent it needs across the country.
“It’s absolutely critical to address the shortage of skilled trades workers in our country, and part of the solution is helping the construction sector find and maintain the workers it needs. This round of category-based selection recognizes these skilled trades workers as essential, and I look forward to welcoming more of these talented individuals to Canada,” Miller said.
Express Entry is Canada’s flagship application management system for those seeking to immigrate permanently through the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Canadian Experience Class, the Federal Skilled Trades Program and a portion of the Provincial Nominee Program.
Last June, the federal government made changes to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act to allow for the selection of immigrants based on key attributes that support economic priorities, such as specific work experience or knowledge of French. Then on May 31, this year, Sean Fraser who was Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship at the time, announced the launch of category-based selection program.
The categories were determined following extensive consultations with provincial and territorial partners, stakeholders and the public, as well as a review of labour market needs.These category-based selection rounds will continue throughout the year, alongside general invitation rounds, and more details will be announced in the coming weeks.
From 2018 to 2022, admissions under the federal high skilled programs—including the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Canadian Experience Class and the Federal Skilled Trades Program—accounted for 34% to 40% of overall French-speaking admissions outside Quebec.
Under the Canada–Québec Accord, Quebec establishes its own immigration levels.
