Immigration highlights from Canada’s 2017 budget

Canada’s recent 2017 budget allotted $7.8 million over two years to fund the Global Talent Stream under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program. This stream is designed to support companies that need foreign talent to help and fast-track investments that create jobs and growth for Canadians.
Under the stream, skilled foreign workers hired by qualifying companies will have their visas and work permits processed within two weeks. There will also be a work permit exemption for visiting foreign experts, people on brief academic stays, and workers on short-term, inter-company work exchanges. The stream will open on June 12, 2017.
The Budget also stated that changes to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act may be coming to ensure that Express Entry is attracting the people who are most likely to succeed in the Canadian labour market.
Express Entry draw delayed
The anticipated Express Entry draw on March 15, 2017 was delayed until March 24, 2017. When the draw finally happened, 3,749 people were invited to apply for permanent residence and the minimum score was 441.
Newfoundland and Labrador to increase immigration levels
The provincial government of Newfoundland and Labrador released a five-year plan that will see a 50 per cent increase in immigration and accept approximately 1,700 immigrants annually by 2022. Further details have not been released.
Kerry Molitor
Kerry Molitor is a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant based in Toronto, Canada. Through her company, Kelen Immigration Services, Kerry helps people come to Canada and stay here once they have arrived.