On Friday, March 7, 2025, the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (“IRCC”), announced the government’s intent to introduce a number of new measures to support Canada’s construction industry.

Because Canada is facing a housing shortage and uncertainty in the face of tariff threats, IRCC will immediately convene a tripartite advisory council comprised of federal government and union representatives, and industry leaders. This advisory council will work to identify on‑the‑ground labour needs and advise on the parameters for potential pathways that would bring in and retain the construction workers Canada needs for the long term, with robust protections against abuse and a strong wage threshold.

IRCC intends to create a pathway that would offer opportunities for undocumented migrants in the construction sector. These undocumented migrants are already living and working in Canada, and are contributing to the sector, and this pathway will keep them here legally so that they can continue to build the homes that Canada’s economy and Canadian communities need with the proper protections.

More information about these pathways will be shared in the near future as the new advisory council meets to develop these important policies.

Finally, to support foreign apprentices in construction programs and to address the current labour market needs in the construction sector, Canada is also introducing a temporary measure to allow foreign apprentices to complete their studies without a study permit, effective immediately. By removing this administrative barrier, apprentices will be able to gain the valuable skills they need to contribute to infrastructure projects more quickly.

On Thursday, February 27, 2025, the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship (“IRCC”) announced the 2025 Express Entry categories, which include a new education category, to align the selection of federal economic immigrants with Canada’s long-term labour shortages.  To meet Francophone immigration targets and meet the acute needs in health, trades and education, IRCC will conduct category-based invitation rounds in the following categories:

• strong French language skills, or
• work experience in the following fields:
  • health care and social services, such as family physicians, nurse practitioners, dentists, pharmacists, psychologists and chiropractors
  • trades, such as carpenters, plumbers and contractors
  • education, such as teachers, child care educators and instructors of persons with disabilities

Categories chosen for 2025

For 2025, the Government of Canada chose these categories:

1. French-language proficiency
2. Healthcare and social services occupations
3. Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) occupations
4. Trade occupations
5. Agriculture and agri-food occupations
6. Education occupations

Who is eligible

To be eligible for an invitation through a category-based round, the applicant must meet all of the requirements in the instructions for that round.

When the Government holds a category-based round of invitations, they will

• rank candidates in the pool who meet the category requirements and
• invite top-ranking candidates to apply for permanent residence

A.  Eligibility for the French-language proficiency category

To be eligible, you must

• have French-language test results that show a minimum score of 7 in all 4 language abilities on the Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens
• meet all of the requirements in the instructions for that round

B.  Eligibility for the healthcare occupations category

To be eligible, you must

• have accumulated, within the past 3 years, at least 6 months of continuous work experience (in Canada or abroad) in a single occupation listed, below
• meet all of the requirements in the instructions for that round

 

Full eligibility details will be available in the instructions for each round.

• Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians
• Audiologists and speech language pathologists
• Cardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists
• Chiropractors
• Dental hygienists and dental therapists
• Dentists
• Dieticians and nutritionists
• General practitioners and family physicians
• Licensed practical nurses
• Massage therapists
• Medical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations
• Medical laboratory technologists
• Medical radiation technologists
• Medical sonographers
• Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates
• Nurse practitioners
• Nursing co-ordinators and supervisors
• Occupational therapists
• Optometrists
• Other medical technologists and technicians
• Other professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating
• Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment
• Paramedical occupations
• Pharmacists
• Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants
• Pharmacy technicians
• Physician assistants, midwives and allied health professionals
• Physiotherapists
• Psychologists
• Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses
• Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists
• Social and community service workers
• Social workers
• Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine
• Specialists in surgery
• Therapists in counselling and related specialized therapies
• Veterinarians

C.  Eligibility for the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) occupations category

To be eligible, you must

• have accumulated, within the past 3 years, at least 6 months of continuous work experience (in Canada or abroad) in a single occupation listed, below
• meet all of the requirements in the instructions for that round

 

Full eligibility details will be available in the instructions for each round.

• Architecture and science managers
• Civil engineering technologists and technicians
• Civil Engineers
• Cybersecurity specialists
• Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians
• Electrical and electronics engineers
• Geological Engineers
• Industrial and manufacturing engineers
• Insurance agents and brokers
• Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians
• Mechanical Engineers

D.  Eligibility for the trade occupations category

To be eligible, you must

• have accumulated, within the past 3 years, at least 6 months of continuous work experience (in Canada or abroad) in a single occupation listed, below
• meet all of the requirements in the instructions for that round

 

Full eligibility details will be available in the instructions for each round.

• Contractors and supervisors, oil and gas drilling and services
• Floor covering installers
• Painters and decorators (except interior decorators)
• Roofers and shinglers
• Concrete finishers
• Other technical trades and related occupations
• Water well drillers
• Electrical mechanics
• Heating, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics
• Heavy-duty equipment mechanics
• Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics
• Bricklayers
• Cabinetmakers
• Carpenters
• Gas fitters
• Plumbers
• Industrial electricians
• Electricians (except industrial and power system)
• Welders and related machine operators
• Sheet metal workers
• Machinists and machining and tooling inspectors
• Home building and renovation managers
• Construction managers
• Cooks
• Construction estimators

E.  Eligibility for the agriculture and agri-food occupations category

To be eligible, you must

• have accumulated, within the past 3 years, at least 6 months of continuous work experience (in Canada or abroad) in a single occupation listed, below
• meet all of the requirements in the instructions for that round

 

Full eligibility details will be available in the instructions for each round.

• Butchers – retail and wholesale

F.  Eligibility for the education occupations category

To be eligible, you must

• have accumulated, within the past 3 years, at least 6 months of continuous work experience (in Canada or abroad) in a single occupation listed, below
• meet all of the requirements in the instructions for that round

 

Full eligibility details will be available in the instructions for each round.

• Elementary and secondary school teacher assistants
• Instructors of persons with disabilities
• Early childhood educators and assistants
• Elementary school and kindergarten teachers
• Secondary school teachers

 

On Tuesday, December 17, 2024, the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (“IRCC”) announced the removal of bonus points for Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) supported job offers under the Express Entry system.

Previously, applicants with LMIA supported job offers could receive up to 50 or 200 additional Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points, giving them a significant advantage in the competitive Express Entry pool.  As of December 18, 2024, these bonuses have been eliminated.

“This decision reflects our commitment to ensuring Canada’s immigration system is fair, transparent, and trustworthy,” Minister Miller stated. “By reducing avenues for fraud and abuse, we are reinforcing the integrity of our programs.”

Among the reasons behind Minister Miller’s decision are the following:

(a) Combatting Fraud

About 71,300 LMIAs were approved by the Government of Canada in the first quarter of this year, compared to 63,300 during the same period last year. Most applications were for farm workers, cooks, food-counter attendants, truck drivers and construction labourers.

Some groups, however, illegally sell LMIA approved jobs at extremely high rates to foreigners who are either outside the country or are already in Canada and are looking for ways to boost their immigration score in order to transition from temporary to permanent resident status

(b) Enhancing Integrity

Removing points for LMIA supported job offers promotes a fairer immigration process.  Candidates in specific fields, such as STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) or healthcare or those with French language skills, may still have an advantage in the CRS pool due to their high-demand skills and/or language abilities. For those outside of Canada without a job offer, the change could open up more opportunities, as the CRS cutoff is expected to drop to between 450 and 500 in the next six months, making it easier for ordinary candidates to be invited to apply

(c) Preventing Abuse

This change is intended to curb the practice of purchasing LMIAs to artificially boost CRS scores, undermining the system’s credibility.

Industry insiders say the demand for LMIAs has increased in recent years because recent changes to Canada’s points-based immigration system for skilled workers have made it tougher for prospective immigrants to qualify.

As such, LMIAs this year were reportedly sold at a higher price than before, ranging from $10,000 to as much as $70,000 in some cases.

Impact on Applicants

Without the LMIA points, candidates will need to prioritize other CRS factors, such as language proficiency, education, and Canadian work experience, to remain competitive in the pool.

If you are an existing client of Abrams & Krochak with an LMIA supported job offer and wish to discuss how this change might affect your eligibility, please send an e-mail to info@akcanada.com.

Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (“IRCC”) published the eligibility criteria for two new pathways to Canadian Permanent Residence in the official Canada Gazette on December 14, 2024.

These new pathways are the Rural Community Immigration Class (RCIC) and the Francophone Community Immigration Class (FCIC) and they are scheduled to take effect sometime in early 2025.

 

1. Rural Community Immigration Class (“RCIC”)

 

The Rural Community Immigration Class is designed for foreign nationals who can economically establish themselves in a designated rural community in Canada.

Applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements:

General Requirements

To qualify under RCIC, applicants must:

1. Intend to reside in a rural community located in a province or territory other than Quebec.
2. Maintain valid temporary resident status throughout the application process (if applying from within Canada).
   

Work Experience

Applicants must demonstrate relevant work experience for their occupation as per the National Occupational Classification (“NOC”).

The requirements are as follows:

1. Minimum Duration:
   • At least 1 year (1,560 hours) of continuous, full-time work experience or equivalent part-time work experience in the past three years.
2. Occupational Duties:
   • Work experience must align with the lead statement and substantial number of main duties described for the NOC occupation.
3. Authorized Work:
   • Any Canadian work experience must have been gained while holding valid temporary resident status.
   • Applicants must meet specific requirements for work experience within their NOC Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities (“TEER”) category.

International Graduates Exemption

Work experience requirements do not apply to international graduates who meet all of these conditions:

1. Program Completion: Earned a degree, diploma, certificate, or trade credential from a designated Canadian post-secondary institution within 18 months of applying.
2. Physical Presence:
   • Applicants for master’s/doctoral programs under two years in length must have studied full-time in the designated community.
   • For programs longer than two years, applicants must have spent at least 16 of the last 24 months in the community.
3. Eligible Programs: Programs must not:
   • Include more than 50% of credits in language studies (English/French).
   • Consist of over 50% distance learning.
   • Be tied to scholarships requiring the graduate to return to their home country.

 

2. Francophone Community Immigration Class (“FCIC”)

 

The FCIC is an initiative under Canada’s Francophone immigration policy, that allows French-speaking newcomers who have professional experience in in-demand occupations in a community outside of Quebec, to settle permanently in that community.

Newcomers admitted through this pathway must intend to reside in the community that nominates them.

The program involves three key stakeholders:

1. Designated communities: A Canadian community outside of Quebec that includes a minority Francophone population and that is included in the list of communities designated by the Immigration Minister as eligible to participate in the FCIC;
2. Economic development organizations: An organization that is invested in the local economy of the designated community, and chosen by the Immigration Minister to issue certificates of recommendation to eligible applicants; and
3. Designated employers: Employers that have been chosen by the economic development organization to participate in this program through the hiring of eligible applicants.

Candidates who receive an offer of employment for a priority occupation from a designated employer who operates in a designated community may be eligible to receive Permanent Residence under this new pathway.

Under the FCIC, economic development organizations must publish a list of priority occupations by March 31 of every year.

Language Proficiency

Applicants must:

1. Demonstrate advanced proficiency in French (CLB/NCLC 5 or higher) in each of the four language skills: reading, writing, speaking, and listening.

Certificate of Recommendation

To receive a certificate of recommendation applicants must

1. Have the required work experience relevant to the TEER level of the offered employment;
2. Have a genuine offer of employment in a designated occupation (as established by a designated organization), with wages within acceptable levels (as prescribed by Canada’s Job Bank, or the designated organization itself), and supported by supplementary documentation;
3. Possess the required French language proficiency;
4. Meet the education requirements; and
5. Intend to reside in the designated community they will be working in.

Certificates of recommendation are valid for six months from the date of issue.

Genuine Offer of Employment

An applicant must demonstrate that they have received a qualifying genuine offer of employment that is

1. for employment that they are qualified for, able to perform and are likely to accept and carry out, as indicated by their past work experience or education related to the lead statement and main duties of the occupation as set out in the occupational descriptions of the National Occupational Classification
2. from a designated employer;
3. for non-seasonal, full-time work for an indeterminate period;
4. for employment that is located in the designated community and where at least 75% of the work is to be performed within that designated community;
5. in an occupation for which they have attained the necessary recent work experience as stated below:
   • For TEER 0: Experience in TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3.
   • For TEER 1: Experience in TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3.
   • For TEER 2: Experience in TEER 1, 2, 3, or 4.
   • For TEER 3: Experience in TEER 2, 3, or 4.
   • For TEER 4: Experience in TEER 2, 3, or 4.
   • For TEER 5: Experience in the same NOC unit group.

Work Experience

To be eligible for this pathway, applicants must have work experience that

1. Was acquired over a continuous one-year period of full-time work, or the equivalent part-time work, in an occupation listed in the NOC;
2. Was acquired no earlier than three years prior to the day the applicant applied for Permanent Residence;
3. Involved the performance of duties of the role, as described in the NOC system (both in the lead statement and the occupation descriptions); and
4. Was performed under the employ of a third party (unless acquired as a legally licensed medical practitioner).

If the applicant’s work experience was gained in Canada, then the applicant must have been legally authorized to work in Canada.

The required level of an applicant’s work experience is also determined by the level of the occupation they are being hired for, as described in Canada’s TEER criteria:

• For TEER 0: Experience in TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3.
• For TEER 1: Experience in TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3.
• For TEER 2: Experience in TEER 1, 2, 3, or 4.
• For TEER 3: Experience in TEER 2, 3, or 4.
• For TEER 4: Experience in TEER 2, 3, or 4.
• For TEER 5: Experience in the same NOC unit group.

International graduates may be exempt from the work experience requirement for the FCIC, provided that

1. They maintained their full-time status throughout the duration of their program;
2. They obtained their credential within 18 months of their application for Permanent Residence through the FCIC;
3. For those in master’s or doctoral degree programs that were less than two years in length, the applicant was physically present in the designated community where they will be applying to settle in, for the duration of the program;
4. For other kinds of degrees that were less than two years in length, the applicant was physically present for 16 of the 24 months preceding the day they received their credential, in the designated community where they will be applying to settle in.

Educational Requirements

Applicants must have a Canadian credential of secondary school education or higher “OR” an equivalent Education Credential Assessment (ECA) for foreign credentials.

Participating Communities

IRCC has not released the list of designated communities (nor designated economic development organizations) participating in the FCIC.

Further information will be published on Abrams & Krochak website once it is made available by IRCC.