A new system that’s speeding up the immigration process for tradespeople who want to come to Canada will solve “acute labour shortages” in the country’s construction sector, says Employment Minister Jason Kenney.
He said Canada will need hundreds of thousands of construction tradespeople in the next decade – particularly in the Alberta oilsands – and the only way to solve the problem is by bringing in foreign trades workers such as carpenters, plumbers and electricians.
“We see some of the most acute labour shortages in the construction trades in the Athabasca oilsands region,” Kenney said. “We simply do not have enough qualified tradespeople in Canada to fill those labour needs.”
He made the announcement in Calgary Friday while Immigration Minister Chris Alexander gave a similar talk in Toronto.
Both introduced skilled workers who are among the first to become permanent Canadian residents under the new federal skilled trades program.
“Our old immigration system was dysfunctional,” Kenney said. “It took us sometimes up to 10 years to process an application for someone to immigrate to Canada.”
By comparison, Paul Lyttle, an electrician from Ireland who is now working for a Calgary-based company, had his application for permanent residency processed in about three months under the new system.
“Now that I’ve gotten my permanent residency, it takes a big weight off my shoulders,” Lyttle said. “I can start looking at my long-term future here.”
Eric Byrne, a plumber who also came to Canada from Ireland, had his permanent residency application process completed quickly under the new program. He addressed the press Friday in Toronto.
“Canada is a great country and the people here have been exceptionally warm and welcoming,” Byrne said in a statement. “I am very pleased that I qualified for the Federal Skilled Trades Program as it recognizes the value of my skill set and has allowed me to stay in Canada and integrate seamlessly into my new status as a permanent resident.”
The pair is the first of a number of successful applicants hailing from a variety of countries including India, Lithuania, Latvia and Germany.
Kenney said the new stream is a “significant improvement” to Canada’s immigration system which “for too long had not been open to in-demand skilled workers.”
“Immigrants like Paul are set for success and I am pleased that this new program will enable him, and others like him, to contribute skills to our economy on a permanent basis,” he said.
Previously, skilled tradespeople had to apply through either the Canadian Experience Class, which welcomes those who studied in Canada or were already working here temporarily, or the Provincial Nominee Program, which allows provinces to select immigrants who meet local labour market needs.
Announced in budget 2012 and officially launched in January, the new immigration stream aims to facilitate immigration for skilled tradespeople. The government has earmarked about 3,000 spaces for such individuals.
Officials couldn’t say how many applications it has received for the stream so far. The government did note that the approval rate for the program is around 88 per cent.
To qualify, applicants must have a prearranged job offer in Canada or a certificate of qualification from a province or territory that proves they’ll be “job ready” when they arrive.
They must also meet a basic language requirement, have at least two years of work experience as a skilled tradesperson, and have the necessary skills and experience needed for the job.
Electricians, welders, heavy-duty equipment mechanics and pipe-fitters are among the occupations eligible for the new stream.