June 28, 2023 – Toronto – In a pioneering move, Canada has revamped its Express Entry system to specifically cater to professionals in the realm of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). This strategic move aims at channeling the ingenuity and inventive potential of these professionals into boosting Canada’s economic progression and technological supremacy.
- Canada’s Express Entry system has been revamped to specifically cater to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) professionals, in a bid to boost economic growth and technological advancement.
- This system is designed to address labor shortages in critical sectors across the country, with immigration being a key solution.
- New modifications to the Express Entry system have introduced a category-based selection to help meet labor needs that support identified economic goals.
- The category-based selection also aims to strengthen Francophone immigration, inviting candidates with specific work experience or language ability to apply for permanent residence.
- The inaugural STEM round for category-based selection will commence the week of July 5. The focus is on candidates with expertise in various STEM fields, to aid Canada’s scientific and technology sectors.
- The announcement underscores Canada’s commitment to attracting global talent, thereby fortifying its status as a leader in research, development, and innovation.
- Immigration is now the primary source of Canada’s labor force growth and it addresses labor shortages in key sectors.
- The Government of Canada recently launched the Tech Talent Attraction Strategy to further enhance their efforts to retain and recruit top candidates for STEM workforce challenges.
- Changes were made to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act in June 2022, allowing for the selection of immigrants based on key attributes that support economic priorities, like specific work experience or knowledge of French.
- The selection categories were determined following extensive consultations with provincial and territorial partners, stakeholders, and the public, as well as a review of labor market needs.
- Under the Canada–Québec Accord, Quebec sets its own immigration levels. From 2018 to 2022, the Federal High-Skilled program accounted for between 34% and 40% of overall French-speaking admissions outside Quebec.
Canada is witnessing a labor deficit in critical sectors, and immigration has become a key solution to this problem. Recently, Minister Fraser introduced new modifications to the Express Entry system, which now operates based on category-based selection. This novel approach not only helps cater to Canada’s economic needs but also bolsters Francophone immigration, inviting professionals with specific work or language proficiency to become permanent residents.
This week, Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, on behalf of Minister Sean Fraser, declared the inaugural STEM-specific round of category-based selection to commence on the week of July 5. The initiative aims to invite candidates with STEM expertise – such as data scientists, programmers, mathematicians, statisticians, actuaries, and electrical engineers – thereby supporting Canada’s scientific and technological sectors by recruiting the talent necessary for fostering innovation and stimulating growth.
This announcement marks a significant milestone in Canada’s determination to attract global talent and fortify its status as a leader in the fields of research, development, and innovation. By welcoming a greater number of professionals in these sectors, category-based selection endorses Canada’s commitment to integrating in-demand experts into communities across the nation. These category-specific selection rounds will run throughout the year, with more details set to be revealed in the coming weeks.
The announcement underscores the Government of Canada’s ongoing efforts to address workforce challenges in the STEM fields and builds upon the recent inauguration of the Tech Talent Attraction Strategy.
Express Entry, Canada’s premier application management system, helps immigrants looking for permanent residency through the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, the Canadian Experience Class, and a segment of the Provincial Nominee Program.
In 2022, changes were made to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, enabling the selection of immigrants based on characteristics that align with economic priorities, such as specific work experience or proficiency in French.
On May 31, 2023, Minister Fraser unveiled the first-ever category-based selection, a new process to welcome skilled immigrants with experience in priority occupations as permanent residents.
The categories were chosen after comprehensive consultations with provincial and territorial partners, stakeholders, the public, and a thorough review of labour market needs. A complete list of eligible jobs for the new categories can be found on our website.
Immigration is now the sole source of Canada’s labour force growth, addressing labour shortages in pivotal sectors.
Under the Canada–Québec Accord, Quebec sets its own immigration targets. Between 2018 to 2022, admissions under the Federal High-Skilled program accounted for between 34% and 40% of overall French-speaking admissions outside Quebec.
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