Misha Pelletier is an advocate for spousal sponsorship and runs the Facebook group Spousal Sponsorship Advocates (SSA). ITC News spoke to Misha back in July of 2020 about delays in Canadian spousal sponsorship and the implications it has on families. In August, her group, SSA, organized protests across Canada to pressure the government to expedite…
For the first time since April, the Canadian economy lost 63,000 jobs in December, but economists are optimistic about a 2021 recovery. The December 2020 Statistics Canada Labour Force Survey posted today shows the first net loss of jobs for the Canadian economy since April. In December, the Canadian economy lost 63,000 jobs, essentially nullifying…
British Columbia invites 168 candidates to their provincial nominee program (BC PNP) in the first PNP draw of 2021! January 5th BC PNP draw results: 168 invitations Express Entry BC categories (EEBC) minimum SIRS score: Skilled Worker: 99 International Graduate: 99 BC Skills Immigration categories minimum SIRS score: Skilled Worker: 95 International Graduate: 95 Entry…
In the closing days of the Trump presidency, his administration continues to curtail legal immigration while Canada opens the door to newcomers. Despite pleas from U.S. companies and immigration advocates, on Dec. 31, the Trump administration chose to extend the ban on most classes of work visas and green cards. The rationale for the immigration…
The majority of Canadians believe that temporary foreign workers have a positive impact on Canada’s agricultural sector and support permanent immigration options for them. The Nanos poll, commissioned by Canadian Senator Ratna Omidvar, highlights Canadians broad support of seasonal temporary workers in the agricultural sector. The poll is being used to push the government for…
The government has announced an extension to a temporary policy that grants additional time to Candidates in Canada who have expired visas. Visitors, students, and workers whose valid temporary status expired, or expires, between January 30, 2020, and May 31, 2021, will have until August 31, 2021, to restore their status. Granting additional time to…
Effective Jan. 7, all travellers to Canada will require the results of a negative COVID-19 test, taken within 72 hours from their departure. The Dec. 31 Transport Canada news release clarifies that the test results must be a COVID-19 molecular polymerase chain reaction (or PCR) test. The rule will come into force on Jan. 7…
Applicants applying for an ECA should only provide documents related to their highest level of education to claim points on their immigration application. Earlier this month, World Education Services (WES), a popular service to obtain Educational Credential Assessments (ECAs), announced new requirements for ECA applications. The company now advises candidates to only submit documents pertaining to…
Both Manitoba and BC conducted separate Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draws late in December and are likely the last PNP draws of the year. Despite ongoing international travel restrictions, and the holiday season, provincial immigration is still happening. Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) draw results On Dec. 17, MPNP invited a total of 419 candidates…
Dec. 18 marks International Migrants Day, a day to celebrate the contributions of newcomers to their new communities. We realize that 2020 has been a hard year everyone. The global COVID-19 pandemic has had far-reaching consequences for global mobility, public health, and immigration. But in spite of it all, there are glimmers of hope that…
Adam Pinsky