Why Canadian Employers Are Hiring More Foreign Workers
michael • Jan 12, 2024
Economic Growth & Demographic Shifts
In recent years, there has been a notable increase in Canadian employers hiring foreign workers. This shift doesn't mean fewer job opportunities for Canadians; instead, it signals positive growth in the country's job market and changing labour demographics. In this blog post, we'll explore the factors behind the rise in hiring foreign workers and the positive effects this trend has on Canada's economy.
High Rates of Retirement
Increased Job Vacancies
As Canada’s economy grows, so does demand for labour. According to Statistics Canada, 411,800 vacant jobs were available in Canada in June of 2015. By June 2023, there were 779,390 vacancies (an increase of 89%). In the same period, the percent of jobs going vacant rose from 2.6% to 4.3%.
Demographic Shifts
One of the primary drivers behind the surge in hiring foreign workers is the process of demographic shift occurring in Canada, particular in the populations’ average age. Approximately one third of Canadians are retired or nearing retirement (StatsCan, 2022). An aging population has led to a shortage of skilled labor as compared to demand for labour, particularly in industries that require rare and specialized skills and experience. As a result, employers are turning to the global talent pool to fill these gaps and ensure the continued growth of their businesses.
High Rates of Retirement
Canada is experiencing a wave of retirements as the baby boomer generation reaches retirement age. This mass departure from the workforce creates a vacuum of experienced professionals, particularly in fields where expertise is crucial. To maintain productivity and innovation, Canadian employers are increasingly seeking foreign workers with the necessary skills and qualifications to contribute to the growth of their organizations.
High Demand in Critical Specialized Positions
Certain industries, such as healthcare, technology, and engineering, are witnessing a surge in demand for skilled professionals. Canada's commitment to providing public and accessible healthcare services, for example, has resulted in a growing need for doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals. The shortage of local talent in these critical positions has led employers to cast a wider net and recruit foreign workers who can bring valuable expertise to the Canadian workforce.
Positive Impacts on Canada's Economy
Contrary to the misconception that hiring foreign workers negatively affects the job market for Canadians, the influx of global talent contributes significantly to the growth and resilience of Canada's economy. When companies are able to fill key positions with skilled individuals, they can expand their operations, innovate, and remain competitive on the global stage. This, in turn, fosters economic activity, creating a ripple effect that leads to the creation of more jobs across various sectors.
Hiring foreign workers isn't a challenge to local opportunities; it's a strategic move to fill the growing number of jobs in Canada’s economy.
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At Immigrate, our team is passionate about making immigration dreams come true. Today, we're thrilled to introduce Sales Associate Laika Luslos, who exemplifies that attitude. Read on to find out what makes Laika so passionate about making the journey to Canada accessible! Can you please introduce yourself and what you do here at Immigrate? Laika: My name is Laika. I'm from the Philippines, and I hold a Bachelor's Degree in Public Administration and have completed a certificate in a teaching program for secondary education. I'm part of the team here at Immigrate as an immigration Sales Associate. I have a strong passion for music, and I enjoy spending quality time with my family. What is your role like on a day-to-day basis? Laika: My role involves connecting with clients who are interested in immigrating to Canada, understanding their needs and goals, addressing their questions and concerns, and helping them navigate the complexities of immigration procedures. My favorite part is witnessing the excitement and relief on clients' faces when they receive approvals for their immigration applications. It's incredibly rewarding to be part of their journey and help make their aspirations a reality. How do we help clients overcome barriers to starting their new life in Canada? Laika: We offer a wide range of personalized immigration guidance and support, like access to resources, assistance with navigating complex paperwork and legal documents, and help with language barriers or unfamiliarity with the Canadian immigration system. Our team is here to support every step of the way. What makes Immigrate different from other immigration providers? Laika: What sets Immigrate apart is our commitment to providing a high chance of success through personalized recommendations and advice. Our team goes above and beyond to ensure the success of our clients' immigration journey. Plus, having our own unique software platform minimizes the likelihood of mistakes and streamlines the process. What’s a goal you have for the future? Laika: Looking ahead, a future goal of mine is to continue growing within the field of immigration and learning in my role at Immigrate. I'm passionate about helping people achieve their goals and aspirations and I look forward to making a positive impact on even more clients’ lives in the future. And I am really excited about embarking on the journey to fulfill my own Canadian dream alongside my family, combining personal aspirations with professional growth.
This article is written by Immigrate President and Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant, Dirk Propp (license #R417407). On March 14th, the Saskatchewan Government made changes to the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) Entrepreneur Category, affecting many international entrepreneurs considering starting a business in the province. These new changes affect those in the Expression of Interest Pool for future draws. Many of the applicants already in the pool will need to look for different options, or be able to meet the new criteria. The most important changes are: New minimum language requirement: Applicants must have a CBL 5 in English. Previously no English was required. Mandatory exploratory visits: Visits are required for five calendar days, when applicants should conduct comprehensive research for their proposed business plan. This will mean that applicants will need to obtain a visitor visa to visit Saskatchewan. Extended operation: Applicants must operate the business for a minimum of 12 months on their work permit prior to removing conditions to get a nomination for permanent residence. Business purchases: Applicants cannot buy a business that a previous SINP applicant has started for at least five years after its inception. New ineligible businesses: More business types are not considered for investment. New definition of eligible business investments: This change affects which investments are eligible to meet the minimum investment criteria in the business plan and in operations to remove the conditions and obtain the nomination for permanent residents. Applicant requirements: This restricts applicants to live within 50km of their business, and extends the boundary of major cities to include urban communities. New interview requirements: There is now a mandatory interview which must take place within 90 days of the request by the province. In conclusion, these changes will give international business investors a better chance to build a successful business. For example, the language requirement will help with integration into English-speaking communities and likely a higher chance of success in business operations. These changes will also help rural businesses thrive in Saskatchewan. Secondly, these changes will limit the amount of applications and increase opportunities in certain countries where English is more prominent. The interview gives the officers the discretion to refuse any applicant based on their opinion, which may be frustrating for some applicants. However, it should also give successful applicants a higher chance of success if approved. This change removes Saskatchewan as one of the last provinces to not require English testing to become business immigrants in Canada. If you would like to know more about the changes or get help setting up an exploratory visit, completing your business plan and SINP application, and meeting all other requirements, please contact me directly through sales@immigrate.biz so we can see if this may be the right fit for you and your family to make Saskatchewan your new home.