World Education Services (WES) is a non-profit social enterprise dedicated to helping international students, immigrants, and refugees achieve their educational and career goals in the United States and Canada. The weekly roundup includes research, stories, and events of interest to the Canadian immigration and settlement community. This content has been created by WES and is reproduced here with their permission, in partnership.
International students deserve to be treated as more than just a revenue stream (Globe and Mail)
For over a decade, the number of international students in Canada has grown exponentially. International students contribute approximately $21 billion annually to the Canadian economy through tuition, student fees and other related costs. At the same time, they are a significant and growing source of permanent residents to the country. The authors argue that if Canada aspires to be a world leader in offering high quality international education, then we need to treat international students with more respect and go beyond increasing enrollment numbers. Post-secondary institutions must recognize that international students require additional supports and resources that differ from their domestic counterparts. For example, greater investment in affordable and accessible housing is one way institutions can assist international students in Canada. Finally, supports in career development and finding employment is critical to their success as many international students struggle in securing meaningful work to support their livelihoods and studies.
Canada needs an edge – and immigrants can provide it (National Post)
Canada prides itself as a open, immigrant inclusive country and has been successful in attracting the most talented individuals from around the world. Immigration has positive effects on the country through boosting productivity and nation’s GDP. In light of this the Century Initiative suggest that, this ability is Canada’s opportunity to bring in the most brilliant, skilled, ambitious and entrepreneurial people from around the world to make Canada their new home. By creating a welcoming society with tools and resources that will support immigrants to thrive, innovate and grow, the country will prosper. However, much work needs to be done especially in the areas of affordable housing and modernization of the immigration system to ensure long term sustainable conditions for immigrants to truly succeed.
Statistics Canada released the latest labour force survey. The unemployment rate in Canada is now 5.1 percent, the lowest recorded point since comparable data became available in 1976. For the month of May, the economy gained 39,800 jobs - primarily in full-time jobs. Across all age groups and fields women were found to have led in job increases nationally. Statistics Canada Job Vacancy and Wage Survey data indicate that the ratio of unemployed individuals to job vacancies also reached an all-time low of 1.2. Canada continues to grapple with labour market shortages as more than 1 million vacancies were reported in the survey. This even greater pressure being placed on employers to attract and retain talent to fill gaps. According to several experts and advocates, immigration will be the driving source of 100% of Canada's workforce expansion within the next few years. With a target to admit 431,645 permanent residents, many being skilled immigrants, Canada is on track to meeting the demands of the labour market.
Ukrainians who paid for immigration medical exams in Manitoba will be reimbursed
Several provincial governments have announced programs and service to support Ukraine refugees settling in Canada under the CUAET. In Manitoba, Ukrainians who paid for medical exams as part of their asylum process will now be eligible for reimbursement. Typically, a medical examination is required for individuals coming to Canada to work in specific jobs through open work permits or who lived in a country on the designated list of countries including Ukraine. Through the CUAET, the requirement to obtain a pre-arrival medical exam had been waived - normally costing $350, allowing Ukrainians 90 days after their arrival to complete the exam.