Mr. Sean Fraser, the immigration minister of Canada, recently introduced a new selection category for the Express Entry Program.

This means that IRCC will hold category-based selection draws for the candidates of Express Entry Candidates.

With this launch, IRCC intends to focus on Express Entry candidates with a command of the French language or work experience in particular fields, such as:

  • Transport;
  • Healthcare;
  • Agriculture or agri-food;
  • Trades, including plumbers, carpenters, and contractors;
  • STEM professions (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics)

According to the Minister, inviting an increased number of skilled workers in these specified fields will help Canada to accomplish its goal of inviting in-demand professionals nationwide.

The Minister further mentions that the new category draws are anticipated to begin this year later in the summer.

Why has IRCC launched the new Express Entry Categories?

IRCC has launched new categories with the goal of filling vacant job positions throughout the nation.

In Canada, immigration is a valuable way of overcoming the labor shortage and increasing the dominance of the French language in the French minority regions throughout Canada other than Quebec.

Minister said that wherever he goes around the country, he discovers the extreme labor shortages. The changes in the Express Entry stream will make sure that the employers have talented workers they need to develop and advance.

The Minister further mentions that with these changes, we can improve the county’s economy, reduce labor shortages, as well as increase the French-speaking population in the country.

After the modifications to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act made in June 2022, the new category-based draws were anticipated to start this year.

With these modifications, the Minister is authorized to select the immigrants on the basis of qualities that support the economic priorities of Canada.

What were the measures used to select the new categories?

IRCC selected the new categories based on the legislative requirements that the Minister discovered in general discussions with the provinces and territories, industry members, employers, workers, unions, worker advocacy, groups, settlement provider communities, and immigration researchers and practitioners.

Every year, the IRCC has to notify the Parliament about the following:

  • The categories selected last year
  • Why and how were the categories selected
  • What were the rules for establishing a category
  • Total invitations issued for each category

Understanding the Express Entry Stream.

In response to varying economic and labor market demands, IRCC launched the Express Entry Stream in 2015.

EE is an application management system that manages the following three economic programs:

  • The Federal Skilled Workers Program;
  • The Federal Skilled Trades Program; and
  • The Canadian Experience Class.

All the programs employ the Comprehensive Ranking System or CRS to evaluate candidates on the basis of various factors, including education, occupation, work experience, language ability, and more. Applicants with the highest CRS score will most likely obtain an Invitation to Apply or ITA for Canadian PR.