June 12, 2023 – Through the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP), Canada is tapping into talent that is too often overlooked by creating more opportunities for skilled refugees and other displaced individuals to immigrate and to use their education, training and experience to continue their careers in Canada.
The Federal Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, Sean Fraser, announced today that Canada has launched two new EMPP streams, fulfilling a commitment made on March 27, 2023. Candidates can also continue to apply through existing regional EMPP economic pathways.
These new immigration streams provide Canadian employers with the opportunity to access a talent pool of skilled refugees and other displaced people from around the world. This access allows Canada to not only increase its economic immigration and fill in-demand jobs, but also to complement its existing humanitarian commitments.
Of the two new streams announced today, one is tailored to candidates who have a job offer from a Canadian employer and the second is available to highly-skilled refugees without job offers.
Through the EMPP Federal Skills Job Offer Stream, Canadian employers can hire qualified candidates to fill a wide range of in-demand jobs, including nurse aides, personal support workers, long-term care aides, software engineers, web designers, mechanical and electrical engineers and technicians, logistics and warehouse workers, tourism and hospitality workers, and truck and delivery service drivers.
The EMPP Federal Skills Without a Job Offer Stream recognizes that certain candidates have skills that are in high enough demand that they will find work after they arrive in Canada.
Here is what some businesses are saying about how this initiative will help them meet their labour shortages:
“Walmart Canada welcomes this expanded government program and applauds the creation of further economic opportunities for new Canadians. Programs like EMPP are important in breaking down barriers to employment for newcomers and helping them find their footing in their new country. As one of Canada’s most diverse and inclusive companies, we look forward to providing even more newcomers with fulfilling, long-term employment opportunities with Walmart Canada through this collaboration with the Government of Canada.
– Patricio Dallan, Senior Vice President, Supply Chain, Walmart Canada
“Long-term care homes desperately need talent, and there are capable workers around the world who are ready to provide excellent care. It’s critical we open up the immigration pathways for them. By long-term care focusing on the EMPP and other new immigration opportunities, we are taking concrete steps to improve the care older Canadians will receive coast to coast.”
– Jodi Hall, CEO, Canadian Association of Long-Term Care
“Today’s announcement makes significant headway in aligning immigration policy with labour force needs to the benefit of both refugees and Canadian businesses. The inclusion of TEER 4 and 5 occupations in the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot will help hotels fill in-demand, year-round positions like housekeepers, while providing meaningful employment and stability to refugees. We are grateful to the Government of Canada for partnering with our industry to find innovative solutions to our labour crisis that work for everyone.”
– Susie Grynol, President and CEO, Hotel Association of Canada
“Similar to many industries in Canada, the mechanical contracting sector is facing acute labour shortages that have the potential to significantly hamper productivity and slow economic growth. Through the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot, the Government of Canada has provided employers with an important tool to address skilled worker shortages and to supplement our domestic training capacity with the permanent skilled workers we will need from abroad. As an association, we are excited about the innovative changes being introduced, which will create a more efficient and cost-effective means for employers to access a talented pool of workers.”
– Tania Johnston, CEO, Mechanical Contractors Association of Canada
“Canada’s construction industry confronts formidable labour market challenges due to shifting demographics and the imminent retirement of a substantial portion of its workforce in the coming years. To meet the long-term demands of the Canadian economy and to ensure the construction labour force can continue to respond effectively to increasing demands for construction services, employers must have improved access to the large global talent pool to help augment our domestic recruitment efforts. By expanding the EMPP, the industry gains improved access to skilled refugees, thereby supporting the enduring needs of the Canadian economy while upholding our unwavering humanitarian values.”
– Bill Ferreira, Executive Director, BuildForce Canada
QUICK FACTS:
- Canada continues to be a global leader in refugee resettlement and labour mobility. Last year, Canada resettled more than 46,500 refugees from over 80 countries.
- As a complementary pathway, the EMPP allows Canada to welcome more people in need of protection because those coming through the pilot enter as economic immigrants and not resettled refugees, leaving the resettlement spaces for those with greater vulnerability.
- Canadian employers can use the EMPP Federal Skills Job Offer Stream (job offer stream) to hire refugees and other displaced people who qualify under any National Occupation Classification 2021 category (TEER 0–5). NGO partners are available to help employers throughout the process—from finding and hiring qualified candidates, to supporting them through the immigration process, and finally welcoming newcomers to their new communities and workplaces. NGO partners may charge a fee for their services.
- Eligibility to apply for the EMPP under the new economic streams is based on a candidate’s work experience, education and language skills.
- To apply for the EMPP through the job offer stream, candidates must meet minimum requirements for language, past work experience and education. They do not need to show proof of an education credential assessment or proof of settlement funds.
- To apply for the EMPP through the EMPP Federal Skills Without a Job Offer Stream (no job offer stream), candidates must meet higher requirements for language, past work experience and education because they will need to find work after they arrive in Canada. They also need to show proof of an education credential assessment and have a certain amount of funds available to show that they are able to establish themselves in Canada.
- EMPP facilitation measures include waiving some fees, making it easier to validate work experience, and letting candidates use loans to fund travel costs, settlement needs, start-up costs and fees that can’t be waived.
