Categories

Quebec Announces Biggest Arrima Draw of 2024, Inviting Over 1,300 Skilled Workers

Mar 27, 2024 | Blog, Immigrate to Canada, Immigration, Immigration Reform, In the News, New Laws

The Canadian province of Quebec has conducted its largest Arrima draw of 2024, inviting a significant number of skilled workers to apply for a Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ). This is a crucial step for obtaining permanent residency in Canada.

What is Arrima?

Arrima, which stands for “Arrivée en continu pour l’immigration au Québec” (Continuous Arrival for Immigration to Quebec), is an online system used by Quebec to manage applications for immigration through its selection programs. Skilled workers interested in immigrating to Quebec can create an Expression of Interest (EOI) profile in Arrima. This profile outlines their skills, experience, and education. MIFI, the Quebec Ministry of Immigration, then conducts regular draws from the pool of EOI profiles, inviting candidates who best meet Quebec’s immigration needs to apply for a CSQ.

Details of the Draw

The latest draw, conducted on March 21, 2024, saw MIFI inviting a record-breaking 1,357 candidates to apply for a CSQ. This surpasses the previous largest draw of 2024, which invited 1,136 candidates in March.

Selection Criteria

To be invited in this draw, candidates needed to meet specific criteria. They required:

• A minimum score of 596 points under the Quebec Experience Class (QEC) point system. This point system evaluates factors like education, work experience, language skills, and age.
• At least level 7 oral proficiency in French. Quebec prioritizes French-speaking immigrants to support the province’s French culture and language.
• A valid job offer outside the territory of the Montreal Metropolitan Community. Quebec aims to distribute skilled workers across the province and reduce pressure on major cities like Montreal.

Strong Demand for Skilled Workers

The high number of invitations in this draw reflects Quebec’s ongoing need for skilled workers. The province faces labor shortages in various sectors and actively seeks qualified immigrants to fill these gaps. This trend is expected to continue in 2024, with Quebec projecting to invite a significant number of skilled workers through Arrima draws.

What Happens Next?

The invited candidates now have 60 days to submit a complete application for a CSQ to MIFI. If successful, they will receive a CSQ, which allows them to apply for permanent residence with the federal government of Canada.

This news is encouraging for skilled workers seeking immigration opportunities in Quebec. The high number of invitations demonstrates the province’s openness to immigration and its commitment to attracting talented individuals to contribute to its economy.

Manitoba Invites Nearly 200 Ukrainians Through Provincial Nominee Program

Mar 27, 2024 | Blog, Immigrate to Canada, Immigration, Immigration Reform, In the News, New Laws

The Canadian province of Manitoba has continued its efforts to support Ukrainians seeking resettlement by holding a special draw through the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) specifically for Ukrainian candidates. This 24th draw, held on March 26, 2*024, invited 179 Ukrainians to apply for provincial nomination, putting them on a path to Canadian permanent residency.

What is the MPNP?

The Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) is a pathway for immigration to Canada established by the Manitoba provincial government. Unlike federal immigration programs, the MPNP allows the province to nominate individuals who possess the skills and experience they are looking for in their workforce and communities.

Eligibility for Ukrainian Candidates

To be eligible for the special MPNP draw for Ukrainians, applicants must meet several criteria:

• Ukrainian Citizenship: This program is specifically designed to assist Ukrainian nationals.
• Language Skills: Applicants must demonstrate a minimum level of English or French language proficiency, with a Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) score of 4 in each of the four language skills: reading, writing, listening, and speaking.
• Manitoba Connections: Having a close relative in Manitoba, prior work experience or education in the province, or established community ties can strengthen an application.
• Express of Interest (EOI) Points: The MPNP uses an Expression of Interest (EOI) system, where candidates create a profile and receive points based on factors like their work experience, education, and language skills. A minimum score of 60 points is required to be considered for a nomination invitation.
• Language Test: Applicants must provide a valid language test result from an approved institution to demonstrate their English or French proficiency.

Manitoba’s Support for Ukrainians

This draw brings the total number of Ukrainians invited to apply through the MPNP in 2024 to 451. This targeted approach reflects Manitoba’s dedication to supporting Ukrainians seeking to rebuild their lives in Canada. The province offers a welcoming environment with established Ukrainian communities and a robust network of settlement services to assist newcomers in integrating successfully.

By expediting applications from Ukrainians, Manitoba streamlines the immigration process and offers a path to permanent residency for those fleeing the war.

Breaking: Canada Announces Updates On Temporary Resident Levels and New Admission Targets

Mar 21, 2024 | Blog, Immigrate to Canada, Immigration, Immigration Reform, In the News, New Laws

Canadian Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship (IRCC) Minister Marc Miller today provided an update on temporary resident levels in Canada, announcing new reforms. He was joined by Employment Minister Randy Boissonnault for the announcement.

In a move to better match Canada’s workforce needs, the Immigration Minister has ordered a review of temporary foreign worker programs offered by the IRCC department. Additionally, Canada will be establishing yearly quotas for temporary residents, mirroring the existing system for permanent residents, starting this fall.

There are currently over 2.5 million temporary residents living in the country, accounting for 6.2% of the population. The government aims to reduce the temporary resident population to 5%, or about 2 million, “to reach an appropriate volume of temporary residents that Canada can welcome,” said Miller.

The plan is to reduce the number of temporary residents by approximately 20% over the next three years.

Miller also announced that there will be more invitations (draws) for inland immigration, meaning for those already in the country to become permanent residents.

With the measure, Canada will reduce 5% of temporary residents annually with the goal of making them permanent residents.

Changes to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) were also announced, including a reduction in the LMIA validity period to 6 months starting May 1, 2024, with certain exceptions.

All employers identified in the 2022 Workforce Solutions Plan will have a reduction from 30% to 20% of their workforce coming from the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, in the low-wage stream of the TFWP.

However, the health and construction sectors are exempt from the TFWP measures mentioned above.

Previously, Canada only set targets for permanent residents, aiming for about half a million annually.

Earlier this year, international student visas were reduced by 35%, and the government intends to stabilize permanent residency at half a million annually.

Key takeaways:

• Canada to reduce temporary resident population by 20% over 3 years
• More invitations for inland immigration to become permanent residents
• Changes to TFWP, including reduced LMIA validity period
• Health and construction sectors exempt from TFWP changes

Tax Filing for Newcomers to Canada

Mar 20, 2024 | Blog, Immigrate to Canada, Immigration, Immigration Reform, In the News, New Laws

Tax Filing for Newcomers to Canada: In Canada, everyone needs to file their taxes with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) by April 30th of each year. This includes income earned in the previous year. Your employer provides a T4 slip that details your income and tax info for the year.

There are two types of income tax in Canada: provincial and federal. The rates depend on your income level. Canada uses a marginal tax system, meaning you pay tax based on different brackets for your income. There are online calculators to help figure this out, but most salaried workers have taxes deducted automatically from their paychecks.

Who Should File a Tax Return?

Generally, you need to file a tax return in Canada if you are a resident of Canada for tax purposes, or if you meet any of the following criteria:

• Earned income: You earned employment income, self-employment income, or pension income in Canada.
• Investment income: You have investment income from Canada, such as interest, dividends, or capital gains.
• Owed taxes: You owe taxes to the Canadian government, even if you didn’t earn income in Canada.
• Claimed benefits: You want to claim a refund of taxes withheld at source or claim benefits like the GST/HST credit.

Important Note: Even if you don’t meet the above criteria, filing a return might be beneficial to get any refunds you may be entitled to.

Filing Your Tax Return

There are five ways to file your taxes in Canada:

• Certified Tax Software (electronic filing): This is the most popular method. The CRA approves various software programs that allow for electronic filing (NETFILE). It’s usually free, takes about two weeks to process, and can lead to a tax refund if you’ve overpaid.
• Authorize a Representative: You can have someone like an accountant or family member file your taxes for you. This involves authorizing them with the CRA. Costs vary depending on the agreement.
• Community Volunteer Tax Clinic: If your income is modest or your tax situation is simple, you may be able to use a free community tax clinic.
• Discounter/Tax Preparer: These individuals can file your return upfront and give you a discounted refund right away. It’s faster but comes with a fee.
• Paper Tax Return: While less common, you can still file a paper return. It’s free but takes longer to process (around 8 weeks).

How can I know whether I should pay tax or not?

The first step is to determine your residency status for tax purposes. This will determine which forms you need to file and how much tax you owe.

• Resident: You’re considered a resident if you spend 183 days (or more) in a calendar year in Canada, or have strong residential ties (like owning a home or having a spouse/common-law partner in Canada). Residents report their worldwide income on a T1 return.
• Non-resident: If you spend less than 183 days in Canada and lack strong residential ties, you’re a non-resident. You’ll only report income earned in Canada (employment income, pensions, rental income) on a non-resident return.

What do I need when filing my taxes?

Once you have determined your residency status, you will need to gather your documents. These include:

• Beyond the basics like your name and address, here’s what you might need to have on hand:

  • Social Insurance Number (SIN): This unique 9-digit number is required to work and access benefits in Canada. File your return anyway if you don’t have one yet, and explain why in a letter to avoid late filing penalties. Newcomers may need details of their income before arriving in Canada.
  • Dependents’ information: Include details for your spouse, children, or elderly parents you support.

  Depending on your situation, you might also need some of these documents:

  • T4 slips (if you worked in Canada): These are income statements from your employer for the past year.
  • Business income and expense records (for self-employed): Show your business income and expenses for the tax year.
  • Medical receipts (for claiming medical deductions): Keep receipts for medical expenses you or your dependents incurred if you plan to claim them on your return.
  • Foreign asset details (for newcomers): If you’re new to Canada and have foreign assets worth more than $100,000 CAD, you may need to declare them.
  • Childcare expense receipts (for claiming childcare benefits): Keep these receipts if you want to claim childcare benefits.

How can I file my taxes in Canada?

There are a few ways to file your return:

• Do it Yourself (DIY): The CRA’s My Account service allows online filing. Tax preparation software is also available. This route can save money, but requires some tax knowledge.
• Hire a Tax Preparer: A good option for complex situations or if you’re uncomfortable filing yourself. Consider Taxback or contacting a local tax professional for assistance.

The deadline to file is April 30th of the following year (e.g., April 30th, 2024 for 2023 taxes).

Remember:

• File on time: Avoid penalties and interest charges by filing by the deadline.
• Claim deductions and credits: You may be eligible for deductions (expenses you can deduct from your income) and credits (tax reductions). Explore the CRA website for details.
• Keep your records: Maintain copies of your tax return and supporting documents for at least six years.

For more information on this topic you can refer to the Canada Revenue Agency’s free guide to taxation for newcomers here