Canada’s Economic Action Plan 2012 – Proposed changes to Canada’s Economic Immigration System

Immigration was featured prominently in the recent federal budget. Economic Action Plan 2012 highlighted a number of proposed changes to Canada’s economic immigration system to make it more proactive, targeted, fast and efficient in a way that will sustain Canada’s economic growth and deliver prosperity for the future. Minister Jason Kenney made several announcements in the days following the budget to expand on his vision for a system that is flexible enough to get Canada the skilled people our economy needs, where and when they are needed. To make progress on this vision, a number of necessary legislative amendements were recently introduced with the Budget Implementation Act.


Economic Action Plan 2012 initiatives include:


Eliminating the backlog of old applications in the federal skilled worker category. CIC plans to refund fees and close applications from nearly all those applicants who applied before new rules were brought in February 27, 2008. Eliminating the backlog of old applications will allow CIC to focus on applicants with skills and talents that our economy needs today. The goal is to move to a just-in-time system where immigrants with needed skills can be selected from a pre-qualified pool.
Reforming the federal skilled worker point system used to select immigrants to better reflect the importance of younger immigrants with Canadian work experience and better language skills.
Creating a new Federal Skilled Trades program, to make it easier for them to immigrate to Canada and fill labour market needs. The goal is to move to a just-in-time system where immigrants with needed skills can be selected from a pre-qualified pool.

Modifying the Canadian Experience Class to make it easier for highly skilled temporary foreign workers to transition to permanent residence.

Consulting with industry on a “start-up” visa for innovative entrepreneurs. The aim would be to attract immigrant entrepreneurs and link them with private sector organizations that have experience and expertise working with start-ups.

Strengthening the overseas verification of education credentials of applicants to the Federal Skilled Workers Program. An independent, third party assessment of their education before they arrive would let applicants know how their education credentials compare to Canadian credentials and how Canadian employers are likely to value their education. It will also help screen out people without proper education levels.

Consulting on possible reforms to the Immigrant Investor Program with stakeholders and provinces and territories.

Working with provinces, territories, and employers to create a just-in-time pool of skilled workers who are ready to begin employment in Canada.

Strengthening the Provincial Nominee Program by establishing minimum language requirements and ensuring an economic focus.