On March 18, 2024, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) introduced a temporary policy to facilitate applications under the H-1B open work permit measure launched on July 16, 2023.
It allows IRCC to process a limited number of applications received beyond the cap and submitted before the cap was reached on July 17, 2023.
The policy also waives study permit processing fees for minor children of H-1B holders. This aims to address issues some H-1B applicants face and supports the government's efforts to attract foreign talent to fill labour market shortages and skills gaps in Canada.
#H1B, #H_1B, #IRCC, #open_work_permits, #foreign_workers
Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau denied Quebec's request for full control over immigration, noting Quebec already has more power in this area to protect the French.
Despite a "constructive" conversation with Premier Francois Legault, Trudeau refrained from discussing who holds the power, focusing on improving the system.
The federal immigration department has previously overridden Quebec's cap for family reunification, showing Ottawa's willingness to intervene.
Legault had intended to request full immigration powers during a recent meeting with Trudeau, their first since December 2022.
Quebec has also increased its compensation request for managing asylum seekers to $1 billion, with Ottawa agreeing to $100 million.
#Quebec, #Francophone_Immigration, #Trudeau
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.
#Rural_immigration, #Francophone_Immigration, #Rural_Community_Immigration_Pilot, #Francophone_Community_Immigration_Pilot
On February 29, 2024, following Iran's response to protests sparked by the loss of Mahsa Amini, the Canadian Government extended special measures until February 28, 2025, to aid Iranian temporary residents in Canada and Canadian citizens and permanent residents residing in Iran.
Under these measures, Iranian nationals in Canada possessing valid temporary resident status can extend their stay for work, study, or family visits without any fees.
They also have the option to transition between temporary streams within Canada, free of charge. Moreover, Canadian citizens and permanent residents in Iran desiring to depart can continue applying for passports and travel documents at no cost.
#Iran, #Mahsa_Amini, #temporary_residents