British Columbia invited more skilled professionals and tech workers
On June 4, 2024, the Government of British Columbia conducted new invitation draws under the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BCPNP). These draws are a part of the province’s effort to attract skilled professionals in various sectors. The program issued invitations to apply to qualified candidates in tech, healthcare, childcare, and construction occupations. In the tech draw, the province invited 33 candidates. The minimum score for candidates invited in this draw was 122 points. BC issued eight ITAs to candidates who scored 93 points under the childcare-targeted draw for early childhood educators (NOC 42202). In the Healthcare-targeted draw, British Columbia invited 13 candidates who scored 100 points. The province also issued 14 invitations to candidates working in the construction sector. British Columbia issued 68 ITAs in this draw. This year, the province has already invited up to 3,315 candidates.
IRCC published an update on arrivals to Canada under the CUAET program
On June 3, 2024, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) updated the number of Ukrainian newcomers arriving in Canada under the Canada-Ukraine authorization for emergency travel (CUAET). According to the latest update, IRCC received 1,189,320 applications under the CUAET. IRCC has approved 962,612 applications from Ukrainian nationals. July 15, 2023, was the last day to apply for a visitor visa outside Canada under the CUAET measures. From March 17, 2022, to April 1, 2024, 298,128 Ukrainians arrived in Canada under the CUAET program.
Employment raised in March as job vacancies dropped to the lowest level since COVID-19
According to the latest Statistics Canada data, workers landed more jobs in March, marking the second consecutive month of employment growth, as the number of vacant positions decreased. The Survey of Employment, Payrolls and Hours shows a rise of 51,400 employees, or 0.3%, in March. Employment gains were noted in 11 of 20 sectors, led by healthcare and social assistance, which added 11,700 jobs, a 0.5% increase. From March 2023 to March 2024, payroll employment in educational services rose by 31,600, or 2.2%. In March, manufacturing jobs increased by 7,300 (0.5%), construction by 2,600 (0.2%), and wholesale trade by 2,600 (0.3%). Retail trade was the only sector to lose jobs, with a decrease of 2,400 (0.1%). Regionally, job vacancies decreased in Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia, and Newfoundland and Labrador, while Prince Edward Island saw an increase of 600 vacancies (28.3%). Job vacancies remained unchanged in the other provinces. Job vacancies in Canada fell by 40,600 (6.2%) to 610,700 in March, the lowest level since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Canada welcomed over 1,000 Afghan refugees since last month
On June 4, 2024, the Canadian government made an update regarding the Afghan refugees arriving in the country. The last update shows Canada has accepted 1,110 Afghan refugees since May 3, 2024. As of now, Canada has welcomed a total of 52,155 Afghan refugees. Canada received 20,580 Afghans and their families’ applications under the Special Immigration Measures Program for Afghans who had assisted the Government of Canada in Afghanistan. 14,945 Afghans arrived in Canada under that program, and 23,595 Afghan nationals came under the Humanitarian program. In addition, Canada admitted 3,735 applicants under the pathway for extended family members of former interpreters.
