In a recent development, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted its inaugural Express Entry category-based draw for transport occupations. This initiative is a significant stride toward addressing critical employment gaps and shortages in Canada’s labor market.
The Choice of Transport Occupations in Express Entry
The six categories selected for Express Entry category-based selection encompass occupations strategically chosen based on sectors with significant labor shortages in Canada. The decision-making process involved consultations with government partners, provincial and territorial governments, and other stakeholders.
Notably, during these consultations, “trades, transport, equipment operations, and related occupations” were identified as the sector facing the most pressing labor shortages, as acknowledged by approximately 16% of respondents.
Eligible Transport Occupations for Category-Based Selection
Under Express Entry, the following ten transport-related occupations are eligible for the transport occupation category:
- Aircraft assemblers and aircraft assembly inspectors
- Transport truck drivers
- Railway traffic controllers and marine traffic regulators
- Engineer officers, water transport
- Deck officers, water transport
- Air traffic controllers and related occupations
- Air pilots, flight engineers, and flying instructors
- Aircraft mechanics and aircraft inspectors
- Railway car men/women
- Managers in transportation
- Immigration Options for Transport Workers
Apart from Express Entry category-based selection, transport workers can explore various immigration avenues to Canada:
Standard Express Entry Draw:
While category-based draws cater to individuals with work experience in transport occupations, transport workers are also eligible for immigration to Canada through standard Express Entry draws. These draws prioritize a candidate’s Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score over their specific employment experience.
They consider immigration applications from three economic immigration programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), and the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP). Eligible candidates can create a profile on the IRCC website and await a decision.
Standard Express Entry draws to use a points-based system to rank candidate profiles, with candidates above the draw cut-off receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence in Canada.
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) and More:
Provinces and territories across Canada operate Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), allowing local governments to select skilled workers who can help address local job market gaps. In the context of transport occupations, candidates applying to a PNP in a region with a substantial labor gap in this industry enhance their chances of being selected for immigration to Canada.
Other federal and provincial options, such as the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) and the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP), provide additional pathways for transport workers to immigrate.
Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP):
The AIP facilitates immigration to the four provinces comprising “Atlantic Canada”: Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Prince Edward Island. It assists local employers in finding foreign talent to fill labor market gaps while offering newcomers a well-structured settlement plan upon arrival in Canada.
Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP):
The RNIP is a “community-driven” immigration initiative currently involving 11 communities across Canada. Participating communities lead efforts to attract new immigrants, match them with local job vacancies, promote community integration, and connect newcomers with essential settlement services.
Quebec
Quebec offers several immigration pathways that transport workers can explore to settle in Canada’s only predominantly French-speaking region. These include Quebec’s Regular Skilled Workers Program (QSWP) and the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ). The QSWP invites immigration candidates to submit an expression of interest (EOI) form through an online portal, similar to Canada’s Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP).
The PEQ offers a fast-track option for foreign graduates and individuals with work experience in Quebec to obtain a Quebec selection certificate, a prerequisite for permanent residence in the province.
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