According to new reports, Canada's borders are likely to remain closed until at least October 21. The impact of COVID on Canada's economy has resulted in a loss of jobs, increased government spending and small and large businesses. Canada's economic growth depends on attracting skilled, educated and motivated immigrants to fill the need left by an aging Canadian workforce. Canada's government set the goal of attracting 1 million newcomers from 2020 -2022, but due to the pandemic restrictions Canada is experiencing its slowest growth since 2015 and 170,000 fewer permanent residents will enter Canada 2020 than the 341,000 planned.
Marco Mendicino, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship (IRCC), told the Canadian Club of Toronto on February 28 that the future of Canada “hinges on immigration.”
A recent article in The Globe and Mail by Goldy Hyder, the president & chief executive officer of the Business Council of Canada, outlines the severe impact COVID can have on Canada business immigration, plus some alternatives and opportunities to help Canadian business owners recruit the skilled immigrant workforce needed to boost the Canadian economy.
Virtual Immigration and Other Business Immigration Issues
1. Anna Triandafyllidou, the Canada Excellence Research Chair in Migration and Integration at Ryerson University, proposes introducing "digital work permits and temporary SINs that would allow these “virtual immigrants” to start working remotely for their Canadian employers while they wait for the health emergency to abate."
2. Canada has introduced a one-time pathway to permanent residency for refugee claimants who are working in front-line COVID health and long-term care jobs.
3. Raise the immigration targets for 2022 and beyond to increase "economic-class newcomers – those admitted through Express Entry programs, the Provincial Nominee Program, Quebec’s programs, and other federal streams such as the Atlantic Immigration Pilot."
4. A new IRCC temporary policy so that visitors to Canada who have a valid job offer can apply for a work permit without the normal requirement to leave the country.
5. Foreign students in Canada are a vital resource for Canadian employers. IRCC has issued temporary updates to Canada international student requirements that support distance, online learning for foreign students who cannot travel to Canada and PGWP students who are in Canada.
COVID Business Immigration Solutions
COVID's impact on Canada business immigration has affected big corporations and small business owners. For more information and solutions for crossing borders seamlessly to work in Canada or the United States and other business immigration solutions during COVID, contact Ackah Business Immigration Law today at (587) 324-2232 Ext. 100 or 1-800-932-1190 or email us directly.
