Your gateway to Canada

By Atty. Henry Moyal

CANADA OPENS NEW PROGRAM FOR TRADE WORKERS

For decades Canada’s Immigration system concentrated on skilled workers who were required to pass several educational and language thresholds in order to qualify. This often prejudiced trade workers since it was unlikely skilled trade persons completed a Bachelor Degree at a university with high proficiency in English. In addition, in the past interested applicants would be required to pass certain criteria regardless of occupation. For example, a cook would be required to have a high level of English when his work did not demand it. Or a welder was required to show he completed a university course when most trade workers have apprenticeship training or vocational diplomas in their field. The occupation list which published “in demand” occupations often comingled professionals with trades people and high skill with low skill. For example, prior lists included physicians and architects with welders and electricians. As of January 1, 2013 the Federal Minister has divided up the categories and has announced that as of today, trade workers are able to apply under the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP).

Effective immediately, the following trade occupations are eligible to apply for immigration to Canada:

Contractor and Supervisors (carpentry, electrical, construction. mechanic)
Carpenters
Machinists
Sheet Metal Workers
Ironworkers
Welders
Electricians
Cable Workers
Plumbers
Cooks
Chefs
Butchers
Bakers
Gas Fitters
Pipe Fitters
Heavy Duty Mechanic
Aircraft mechanics
Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanics
Drillers

Some important information under the FSWP is noteworthy:

1. There is no specific point system – it is simply on a pass/fail basis.
2. The English level required to qualify is quite low ( level of 5 on speaking/listening and only 4 for reading/writing).
3. Having a relative in Canada is not required and is not relevant in any way4. A spouse’s education or work is not required and not relevant in any way
5. An applicant must have at least 2 years of full time work experience in one of the listed 43 occupations in the last 5 years
6. A quota of 3000 per year will be accepted
7. Processing is approximately 12 months
8. Qualification of occupation to be approved by the province

For other applicants, who fall under the Federal Skilled Worker (for example: nurses, nursing assistants, physicians etc…) the Federal Minister has announced that intake will commence soon and in May 2013. Therefore, interested applicants who are either trade workers or federal skilled workers should starting collecting documentation in order to meet current regulatory criteria.

Attorney Henry Moyal is a certified and licensed immigration lawyer in Toronto, Ontario.The above article is general advice only and is not intended to act as a legal document.Send questions to Attorney Moyal by email canada@moyal.com or 416 733 3193