Canada introduces new pilots for rural and Francophone communities
On March 6, 2024, Immigration Minister Marc Miller announced new immigration pilots for rural and Francophone minority communities. These include the Rural Community Immigration Pilot and the Francophone Community Immigration Pilot, launching in the fall of 2024. The rural pilot aims to address labour shortages in smaller communities, offering permanent residence pathways for newcomers. The Francophone pilot, based on the RNIP’s success, will increase the number of French-speaking newcomers in Francophone communities outside Quebec, aiding their economic development and demographic growth. The community application process opens this spring, with more details to follow.
Canada continues accepting Afghan refugees
On March 5, 2024, the Canadian government made an update regarding the Afghan refugees arriving in the country. The last update shows Canada has accepted 2,060 Afghan refugees since February 1, 2023. As of now, Canada has welcomed a total of 49,070 Afghan refugees. Canada received 20,550 Afghans and their families’ applications under the Special Immigration Measures Program for Afghans who had assisted the Government of Canada in Afghanistan. 14,140 Afghans arrived in Canada under that program, and 23,075 Afghan nationals came under the Humanitarian program. In addition, Canada admitted 3,355 applicants under the pathway for extended family members of former interpreters.
More CUAET applicants arrive in Canada
On March 5, 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 960,091 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 February 27, 2024, 248,726 Ukrainians arrived in Canada under the CUAET program.
Alberta invited healthcare professionals under the AAIP
On March 4, 2024, Alberta published an update on the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) inventory. According to the new update, there were around 4,956 Alberta Opportunity Stream applications, 1,602 Rural Renewal Stream applications, 871 Alberta Express Entry Stream applications, and 400 Tourism and Hospitality Stream applications. In addition, on February 20, 2024, the AAIP invited 33 candidates under the Dedicated Healthcare Pathway. The minimum score for this draw was 311 points. This year, Alberta invited 287 candidates through the AAIP streams.
