Canada Immigration – 2019 Year In Review

From a stable year at the federal level to a tumultuous 365 days of scrapped applications and reversed program changes in Quebec, there has been plenty to talk about regarding Canada immigration during 2019.

Federally, it was one of the least eventful periods in recent years, with few major changes made by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

The further controversy surrounding the application process for the Parents and Grandparents Program and an overhaul of the caregiver immigration system were the two major federal hot topics of 2019.

Meanwhile, Quebec produced plenty of talking points.

The governing Coalition Avenir Quebec has lurched from scrapping 16,000 existing Quebec Skilled Worker applications to the start of invitations through Arrima, through introducing a Quebec values test, before introducing reforms to the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ), then promptly rolling them back two weeks later.

The CAQ, and Immigration Minister Simon Jolin-Barrette, endured a baptism of fire while trying to reduce immigration in a province where employers are desperate for increased immigration.

Elsewhere, Canada’s other provinces produced a few new programs of their own, including new Tech Draws in Ontario and a regional entrepreneur stream in British Columbia.

Here, immigration.ca looks back at 2019 developments in Canada immigration, and forward to what 2020 might have to offer.

Federal Express Entry

Canada’s Express Entry system saw its most stable year, with consistent draw sizes and a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score that edge up gradually throughout the year.

This was the first year since the system was introduced in 2015 that the total number of Invitations to Apply (ITA) did not set a new annual record.

Canada issued 85,300 ITAs during 2019, down from the 89,800 issued in 2018 and the 86,023 issued in 2017.

This is a sure signal that the system is maturing, with IRCC officials fully aware of how the ITAs it issues translate into permanent resident arrivals in Canada.

In previous years, IRCC has tinkered with the CRS by introducing fewer points for qualified job offers and more points for Canadian education, among other changes. In 2019 there were no such CRS changes, indicating the system was working exactly how IRCC intended.

It is logical that annual ITA totals will rise as Canada’s high skilled immigration targets increase, meaning the 2018 record will almost certainly be broken in the coming years.

Canada plans to welcome 85,800 new high skilled immigrants in 2020, up from 81,400 in 2019. More new arrivals must eventually mean more ITAs.

Federal High-Skilled Immigration Targets

2019: 81,400

2020: 85,800

2021: 88,800

Individual Draw ITA Record Stands

The record for the highest individual draw remains the 3,923 ITAs issued on April 13, 2017.

IRCC peaked at 3,900 ITAs, a total issued in four out of 25 draws, during 2019. The same largest draw size was recorded in 2018.

The preferred draw size in 2019 was 3,350 ITAs, issued in 10 draws, and 3,600 ITAs, issued in eight draws.

IRCC continued its preference for draws every two weeks in 2019, although it twice left three weeks between draws due to system maintenance.

The two Federal Skilled Trades Program-specific draws of 2019 produced a total of 1,000 ITAs.

It was notable that both of the all-program draws that followed program-specific draws saw a marked increase in the CRS score, due to a build-up of higher-scoring profiles.

Rising Minimum CRS Scores

One of the features of 2019, unwelcome for candidates with CRS scores in the low 400s, was the rising minimum CRS score.

Minimum CRS scores went from a low of 438 in the January 30 draw, to a high of 475 on October 30. The graph below shows that sharp increases happen when IRCC strays from the pattern of draws every two weeks.

Withdraws every two weeks, the CRS scores tend to edge down by a few points with each draw. However, when more than two weeks are left between draws, it rises sharply. This occurred four times during 2019:

• January 30 to February 20: Three weeks between draws, the CRS score rises from 438 to 457.
• May 1 to May 29: Four weeks between all-program draws (Skilled Trades draw in between), CRS score rises from 450 to 470.
• July 24 to August 12: Nearly three weeks between draws, the CRS score rises from 459 to 466.
• October 2 to October 30: Four weeks between all-program draws (Skilled Trades draw in between), the CRS score rises from 464 to 475.

Provincial Express Entry Streams

Canada’s provinces continued to innovate in 2019 with ways of using the Express Entry system to attract specific candidates.

The year saw Ontario begin Tech Draws through its Express Entry-linked Human Capital Priorities stream, following a similar initiative from British Columbia.

Nova Scotia, meanwhile, began a new Labour Market Priorities stream specifically for doctors.

New Brunswick also opened its Express Entry stream to candidates already living and working in the province, while also indicated it would occasionally issue invites to Express Entry candidates in response to labour market needs.

Saskatchewan also took the bold step of dramatically increasing the number of eligible occupations through its Express Entry stream, listing targeted NOC codes with each draw.

Express Entry In 2020

Stakeholders should expect more of the same from Express Entry during 2020. Canada’s re-elected minority Liberal government did not flag any intended changes either before or after the October election.

Previous changes to the CRS have been tabled well in advance, making further alterations in 2020 more unlikely.

One possible change that could impact Express Entry is the introduction of a Municipal Nominee Program.

The federal government intends to give Canada’s municipalities the power select 5,000 immigrants per year, with more details expected in 2020.

It is possible the new program could be linked to Express Entry.

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Quebec Immigration

The Coalition Avenir Quebec’s policies for Quebec immigration have produced some major talking points during 2019.

The controversy began at the back end of 2018, with Premier Francois Legault’s government following through on its promise to cut immigration. Targets for 2019 were set at 40,000 newcomers, down on the more than 52,000 targeted for 2018.

The move came despite Quebec businesses suffering from a chronic labour market shortage, which has seen record numbers of job vacancies and record low unemployment.

Next, the CAQ took aim at the Quebec Skilled Worker Program system.

The previous provincial government had launched the Quebec Expression of Interest system, known as Arrima, in August 2018, but there remained a backlog of 18,000 applications under the old system.

Looking for a clean start under the EOI system, the CAQ moved to scrap the backlog of applications, some of which had been in the system for more than a decade.

Furthermore, the CAQ tried to scrap the applications before Bill 9 – the piece of legislation dealing with the issue – had passed through the National Assembly.

An injunction was issued by the Quebec superior court forcing the CAQ to continue processing applications until Bill 9 became law, which eventually happened in June 2019.

After the backlog applications were scrapped, Quebec issued its first invitations through Arrima in July 2019, almost a year after the portal had opened for Expressions of Interest to be submitted.

Since July, a total of seven draws have taken place for candidates either with a job offer, or who were legally living and working in Quebec when their application under the old system was scrapped.

Quebec Values Test

Quebec will introduce a new Quebec Values Test from January 1, 2020.

A new regulation published in the Official Gazette on October 30, 2019 means candidates must pass the test before receiving a Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ).

According to the amendment, candidates and their family members “must obtain an attestation of learning about democratic values and the Quebec values expressed by the Charter of human rights and freedoms”.

Sample questions include:

1. Since March 27, 2019, Bill 21, the secularism of the state, says every new police officer cannot wear religious symbols on the job. True or false?”
2. Who is allowed to legally marry in Quebec? Circle the options: M/F, F/F, M/M
3. Men and women in Quebec have the same rights. True or false?
4. Identify the situation(s) where there could be discriminatory hiring practices: A woman who is pregnant, a person who doesn’t have the right qualifications or a person of colour.

Quebec Experience Program

The CAQ did not stop with the QSWP.

The latter part of 2019 saw a bungled attempt at overhauling the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ).

Provincial Immigration Minister Simon Jolin-Barrette introduced a swathe of changes that limited both the eligible degrees and diplomas under the graduate category of the program and the number of eligible NOCs under the skilled worker category.

The changes took effect on November 1, 2019.

They caused an uproar among thousands of candidates already in Quebec who were planning on applying to stay permanently through the PEQ. Suddenly, they no longer qualified due to the restrictions put in place by Jolin-Barrette and the CAQ.

Eventually, the CAQ moved to scrap the changes and reinstate the pre-November 1 PEQ requirements. Jolin-Barrette said he would consult stakeholders before producing new lists of eligible diplomas and NOC codes.

Quebec Immigrant Integration

During 2019, the CAQ also launched a number of initiatives aimed at improving immigrant integration.

The provincial government introduced better access to French classes for new immigrants in a $70.3 million plan.

It also introduced a new ‘Personalized Career Pathway’ for new immigrants, which sees candidates contacted before they arrive in the province to begin the process of integration.

The CAQ had also expanded the number of MIFI regional offices to help businesses and candidates in smaller areas.

Quebec Immigrant Investor Program

The Quebec Immigrant Investor Program was open for more than half of 2019 under the application window that initially opened in 2018, with new requirements.

As of November 1, 2019, intake has paused under the program until June 30, 2020. This offers candidates an opportunity to get their applications in order ready for the opening of a new window.

Applicants must have these qualifications:

• Legally acquired personal net worth of $2 million;
• Two years of suitable management or business experience within the five years preceding the application;
• Investment of $1.2 million into a passive government guaranteed investment for a period of five years bearing no interest;
• Intend to settle in the province of Quebec.

Quebec Immigration In 2020

Given the events of 2019, it is difficult to predict what will happen in Quebec immigration during 2020.

The year will start with the introduction of the Quebec Values Test on January 1, while the CAQ’s revised changes to the Quebec Experience Program are also expected earlier in the year.

The year should also see the start of general draws under Quebec Expression of Interest. Until now, the only invites to be issued have gone to candidates with job offers and those living in Quebec who have applications terminated under the previous system.

Meanwhile, the latest application window for the QIIP is expected to launch in July 2020.

The CAQ’s 2020 immigration levels plan targets an increase in 2019 levels. The immigration target is between 43,000 and 44,500 in 2020, compared to between 38,000 and 42,000 in 2019.

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Other Provincial Immigration Programs

British Columbia, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland & Labrador: Read full details HERE.

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Family Class Immigration

Developments in Family Class immigration during 2019 focused on the Parents and Grandparents Program.

The latest attempt to make the PGP application process fairer resulted in huge controversy when the online Interest to Sponsor form was available for just a few minutes on January 28, 2019.

IRCC says 100,000 people tried to access the form, with only 20,000 application places available.

Canada’s federal government awarded 70 places under the PGP to settle two lawsuits that said the online application system was unfair, according to a CBC report.

Ottawa said in December 2019 that details on its latest attempt to find the right way to accept applications would be published ‘soon’. In an update on December 30, IRCC said the expected PGP launch date of January 1, 2020 would be delayed as a new intake process is developed.

Meanwhile, Canada took steps to help victims of abuse with two initiatives, one a pilot allowing the sponsorship of undeclared family members, and the second allowing family abuse victims to qualify for Temporary Residence Permits.

Canada plans to admit 91,000 new permanent residents under the Family Class in 2020, 2,500 more than in 2019.

Family Class Immigration Levels Plan

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Caregiver Immigration

Canada’s caregiver immigration offering saw several updates in 2019.

Stakeholders began the year unsure of what the future would hold, with the existing caregiver pilots due to expire during 2019.

Two new caregiver pilots – the Home Child Care Provider Pilot and Home Support Worker Pilot – opened for applications in June 2019, replacing the old pilots.

Both offer a direct pathway to permanent residence and allow applicants to bring family members with them to Canada.

Each new pilot has a maximum of 2,750 principal applicants, for a total of 5,500 principal applicants per year, plus their immediate family.

The federal government also opened two application windows for a new Interim Pathway for Caregivers. The short-term pathway was aimed at caregivers who came to Canada as temporary foreign workers since 2014 but were unable to qualify for permanent residence through an existing program.

The Home Child Care Provider Pilot and Home Support Worker Pilot remain open. The Interim Pathway is now closed.

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Temporary Workers

Developments for temporary workers in 2019 were again focused around Quebec.

While the French-speaking province cut immigration levels in 2019, it pumped resources into accepting more temporary workers.

Stakeholders argue this represented a superficial fix to the current labour market shortage.

On the federal front, Canada’s Global Talent Stream continues to be a world leader for attracting tech talent. The flagship GTS, which boasts two-week processing, gives Canadian employers a crucial edge in the battle for foreign talent.

Other developments included a logjam of Labour Market Impact Assessment applications delaying work permit processing.

Ottawa also began allowing foreign workers facing abuse from their employers to switch to open work permits.

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International Students and Graduates

International students continue to be coveted, initially by educational institutions but also as ready-made new permanent residents of Canada after graduation.

Canada was home to more than 570,000 study permit holders at the end of 2018, with federal and provincial immigration authorities doing all they could in 2019 to attract and retain more students.

During 2019, the Student Direct Stream was expanded to offer expedited processing to students from Pakistan, Senegal and Morocco.

Universities in Atlantic Canada, meanwhile, reported a surge in numbers of international students.

With the current international student population dominated by Indian and Chinese students, Ottawa also announced plans to spend $148 million on attracting students from different countries.

There was also a focus on international students who were sanctioned for working more than their study permits allow.

Strict limitations are placed on how much a study permit holder can work in Canada, while the students argue they need to work more to afford the cost of their education.

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Canada Immigration in 2020

With a new federal immigration minister at the helm in the shape of former Crown Prosecutor Marco Mendicino, plenty of Canada immigration developments are expected in 2020.

The Liberal Party made a number of promises on immigration ahead of the October election, back up in Justin Trudeau’s mandate letter to Mendicino.

Mendicino must also be prepared his first immigration levels plan to submit to parliament.

Liberal Government Promises On Immigration

1) Continued managed immigration level increases

Given the consensus already mentioned between Canada’s main parties, a continuation of managed immigration increases under the Liberals can be expected.

The 2018 immigration levels plan saw numbers expected to rise to 350,000 newcomers per year by 2021.

2) Creation of a new Municipal Nominee Program

The Liberals have proposed a new Municipal Nominee Program to help smaller communities struggling with ageing populations and shrinking labour forces.

The MNP would operate alongside the existing Provincial Nominee Program, with a minimum allocation of 5,000 spaces per year.

3) Making the Atlantic Immigration Pilot permanent

The Atlantic Immigration Pilot is another program introduced by the Liberals aimed at bringing more immigrants to a region struggling with ageing populations and shrinking labour markets.

Initially introduced as a pilot, the Liberals propose to make it permanent.

4) Modernization of the Safe Third Country Agreement with the U.S.

The steady flow of asylum seekers crossing the border from the U.S. at unrecognized points has been contentious for Trudeau throughout his first term.

Those numbers increased beyond 2018 levels in the summer months, meaning it remains a major issue, particularly in Quebec as the province that receives 95 percent of border crossers.

5) Abolishing the citizenship application fee

Trudeau’s proposal to abolish the $630 citizenship application fee ($530 for processing and $100 ‘right of citizenship’ fee) is projected to cost taxpayers $100 million per year.

It is unclear where the other parties stand on this. The fee was significantly increased under the previous Conservative government.

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Meanwhile, further developments can be expected in Quebec, starting with the introduction of the Quebec values test on January 1, 2020.

The French-speaking province is also likely to have a second attempt at reforming the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ) after the botched effort at the end of 2019.

It promises to be an eventful year for immigration, and it will all be covered on our multiple platforms: immigration.ca, cimmigration.com, skilledworker.com and investmentimmigration.com.