Temporary public policy to facilitate the granting of permanent residence for French-speaking foreign nationals in Canada, outside of Quebec, with recent Canadian work experience in essential occupations

Background

Supporting and assisting the development of minority official language communities in Canada is an objective of immigration. Efforts to increase Francophone immigration outside of Quebec are part of the Government’s plan for economic growth and long-term prosperity throughout the country. As a result of the pandemic, attention has been placed on the ongoing need to fill certain essential occupations. By granting permanent resident status to those with French language proficiency and experience in these occupations, Canada will be leveraging Francophone immigration outside of Quebec, to help stabilize this workforce both for pandemic recovery and into the future. In addition, these existing French-speaking temporary foreign workers have made a contribution to Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic and in some cases face difficulty in qualifying and applying for permanent residence. The public policy responds directly to this contribution and these challenges by implementing measures that create a temporary pathway to permanent residence. 

In November 2020, Canada announced a target of 401,000 admissions of new permanent residents in 2021 as part of its 2021-2023 Immigration Levels Plan. In light of the extended border closures and challenges in admitting new permanent residents from overseas, Canada has looked at temporary residents, including French-speaking temporary residents, currently in Canada who could contribute to economic immigration objectives. These foreign nationals are already employed in Canada and are contributing to the labour market, consistent with the goals of Canada’s economic immigration programming. In granting permanent residence to these individuals who have work experience in critical occupations, Canada will benefit from their skills and abilities over the long-term. By targeting French-speaking foreign nationals, not only are the economic objectives of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Act) upheld, but Canadians will also see the social and cultural fabric of Canada society enriched and strengthened, while respecting the bilingual character of Canada. In the absence of this public policy, Canada may not be in a position to welcome the ambitious level of French-speaking newcomers necessary to help support the country’s economic recovery and growth.

Public Policy Considerations

The pandemic has further highlighted the contribution of French-speaking foreign nationals, across all sectors and skill levels. During the global COVID-19 pandemic, there is an increased need to ensure that Canada has the necessary workforce to support the physical health and wellbeing of individuals, as well as economic recovery. Communities across Canada benefit from the economic, social and cultural spin-offs of the arrival of French-speaking newcomers. The public policy targets foreign nationals with French language proficiency and with at least one year of work experience in Canada in an essential occupation, in recognition of their economic contribution and in acknowledgement of the ongoing need that Canada has for French-speaking and bilingual professionals. In addition, the public policy helps retain French and French immersion teachers to address the shortage of French-language teachers in Canada outside of Quebec and by doing so, supports the Government of Canada’s objectives on official languages.

While applications for permanent residence have been accepted and processed throughout the pandemic, the global travel restrictions and capacity constraints have led to a shortfall in admissions, including in French-speaking admissions. The 401,000 new admissions announced for 2021 in the 2021-2023 Immigration Levels Plan are key to ensuring Canada has the workers, including French-speaking workers, it needs to fill key essential positions and remain competitive in attracting global talent.

As such, I hereby establish that, pursuant to my authority under section 25.2 of the Act, there are sufficient public policy considerations that justify the granting of permanent resident status or an exemption from certain requirements of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (Regulations) to foreign nationals who meet the conditions (eligibility requirements) listed below.

Conditions (eligibility requirements) applicable to the principal applicants

Based on public policy considerations, delegated officers may grant permanent resident status to foreign nationals who meet the following conditions.

The foreign national must:

  1. Have completed at least one (1) year of full-time work experience, or the equivalent in part-time experience (1,560 hours), in Canada, in an eligible occupation listed in Annex A or Annex B in the three (3) years preceding the date when the application for permanent residence is received. The one year of work experience must be obtained in one or more of the eligible occupations as follows:
    • Stream A: the one year of work experience must have been acquired in one or more occupations listed in Annex A. Experience cannot be combined with Annex B occupations.
    • Stream B: the one year of work experience must have been acquired in one or more occupations listed in Annex B, or in a combination of occupations in Annex A and B.
  2. Be employed in Canada in any occupation at the time that the application for permanent residence is received;
  3. The employment described in both a) and b) must meet the definition of work under subsection 73(2) of the Regulations, must have been authorized pursuant to the Act and Regulations and must not have been self-employment, unless working as a medical doctor in a fee-for-service arrangement with a health authority;
  4. Have attained a level of proficiency of at least benchmark 4 in French for each of the four language skill areas, as set out in the Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens, This must be demonstrated by the results of an evaluation by an organization or institution designated by the Minister for the purpose of evaluating language proficiency under subsection 74(3) of the Regulations; and the evaluation must be less than two (2) years old when the permanent residence application is received;
  5. Reside in Canada with valid temporary resident status (or be eligible to restore their status) and be physically present in Canada at the time the application for permanent residence is received and when the application is approved;
  6. Intend to reside in a province or territory other than Quebec;
  7. Have submitted an application for permanent residence using the forms provided by the Department for this public policy and which must include at the time of application all proof necessary to satisfy an officer that the applicant meets the conditions (eligibility requirements) of this public policy, except for evidence required to demonstrate physical presence in Canada at the time of application approval;
  8. Have submitted their application for permanent residence under this public policy using electronic means (apply online). Foreign nationals who, because of a disability are unable to meet the requirement to make an application, submit any document or provide a signature or information using electronic means may submit this application by any other means that is made available or specified by the Minister for that purpose; and
  9. The foreign national is not inadmissible under the Act and Regulations.

While all supporting documentation necessary to assess whether a foreign national meets the conditions of this public policy must be included at the time of application, officers retain discretion to request additional supporting documentation to confirm admissibility and eligibility throughout the processing of the application.

Conditions (eligibility requirements) applicable to family members in Canada:

In-Canada family members of a principal applicant who applies for permanent residence under this public policy are eligible to be granted permanent residence pursuant to this public policy if they meet the following conditions:

  1. the foreign national is in Canada;
  2. the foreign national has been included as an accompanying family member in an application for permanent residence by a principal applicant under this public policy;
  3. the foreign national meets the definition of a “family member” in subsection 1(3) of the Regulations;
  4. the foreign national is not inadmissible pursuant to the Act and Regulations; and
  5. a delegated officer has determined that the principal applicant meets all conditions (eligibility requirements) to receive permanent residence pursuant to this public policy.

Conditions (eligibility requirements) applicable to family members abroad:

Based on public policy considerations, when processing an application for a permanent resident visa, delegated officers may grant an exemption from the requirements of the Regulations identified below when a foreign national meets the following conditions:

  1. the foreign national residing overseas has been included as an accompanying family member in an application for permanent residence by a principal applicant under this public policy;
  2. the foreign national meets the definition of family member in subsection 1(3) of the Regulations;
  3. the foreign national is not inadmissible pursuant to the Act and Regulations; and
  4. a delegated officer has determined that the principal applicant meets all conditions (eligibility requirements) to receive permanent residence pursuant to this public policy.

Provisions of the Regulations for which an exemption may be granted to the family member abroad:

  1. paragraph 10(2)(c) of the Regulations – the requirement to indicate the class prescribed by these Regulations for which the application is made;
  2. paragraph 70(1)(a) of the Regulations – the requirement to apply for a permanent resident visa as a member of a class referred to in subsection 70(2) of the Regulations;
  3. paragraph 70(1)(c) of the Regulations – the requirement to be a member of an immigration class; and
  4. paragraph 70(1)(d) of the Regulations – the requirement to meet the selection criteria and other requirements applicable to that class.

Intake Cap

No cap will be applied to the public policy.

Fees

Any applicable fees, including fees for processing an application for permanent residence or for a permanent resident visa under subsection 25.2(1) of the Act, and the Right of Permanent Residence Fee, must be paid at the time of application.

Start and end dates

This public policy comes into effect on May 6, 2021 and will end on November 5, 2021. As with all public policies, this public policy may be revoked by the Minister, without prior notice.

Applications received pursuant to this public policy on or after May 6, 2021 up until November 5, 2021, or the date of revocation, if applicable, will be processed under this temporary public policy.

Marco Mendicino
Minister of Citizenship and Immigration
Dated at Ottawa, April 12, 2021

Annex A – Eligible Health-Related Occupations

Eligible health care occupations include all broad occupational category 3 occupations (Health occupations) from the National Occupational Classification (NOC) with the exception of Veterinarians (NOC 3114) and Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians (NOC 3213), as well as five occupations from broad occupational category 4 (Occupations in education, law and social, community and government services).

Eligible Occupations:

NOC Occupation
3011 Nursing co-ordinators and supervisors
3012 Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses
3111 Specialist physicians
3112 General practitioners and family physicians
3113 Dentists
3121 Optometrists
3122 Chiropractors
3124 Allied primary health practitioners
3125 Other professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating
3131 Pharmacists
3132 Dietitians and nutritionists
3141 Audiologists and speech-language pathologists
3142 Physiotherapists
3143 Occupational therapists
3144 Other professional occupations in therapy and assessment
3211 Medical laboratory technologists
3212 Medical laboratory technicians and pathologists' assistants
3214 Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists
3215 Medical radiation technologists
3216 Medical sonographers
3217 Cardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists, n.e.c.
3219 Other medical technologists and technicians (except dental health)
3221 Denturists
3222 Dental hygienists and dental therapists
3223 Dental technologists, technicians and laboratory assistants
3231 Opticians
3232 Practitioners of natural healing
3233 Licensed practical nurses
3234 Paramedical occupations
3236 Massage therapists
3237 Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment
3411 Dental assistants
3413 Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates
3414 Other assisting occupations in support of health services
4151 Psychologists
4152 Social workers
4153 Family, marriage and other related counsellors
4165 Health policy researchers, consultants and program officers
4212 Social and community service workers
4412 Home support workers, housekeepers and related occupations

Annex B – Other Eligible Essential Occupations

1. Major Unit Groups

Major Unit Group NOC Code Occupation
66 - Sales support occupations 6611 Cashiers
6621 Service station attendants
6622 Store shelf stockers, clerks and order fillers
6623 Other sales related occupations
72- Industrial, electrical and construction trades 7201 Contractors and supervisors, machining, metal forming, shaping and erecting trades and related occupations
7202 Contractors and supervisors, electrical trades and telecommunications occupations
7203 Contractors and supervisors, pipefitting trades
7204 Contractors and supervisors, carpentry trades
7205 Contractors and supervisors, other construction trades, installers, repairers and servicers
7231 Machinists and machining and tooling inspectors
7232 Tool and die makers
7233 Sheet metal workers
7234 Boilermakers
7235 Structural metal and platework fabricators and fitters
7236 Ironworkers
7237 Welders and related machine operators
7241 Electricians (except industrial and power system)
7242 Industrial electricians
7243 Power system electricians
7244 Electrical power line and cable workers
7245 Telecommunications line and cable workers
7246 Telecommunications installation and repair workers
7247 Cable television service and maintenance technicians
7251 Plumbers
7252 Steamfitters, pipefitters and sprinkler system installers
7253 Gas fitters
7271 Carpenters
7272 Cabinetmakers
7281 Bricklayers
7282 Concrete finishers
7283 Tilesetters
7284 Plasterers, drywall installers and finishers and lathers
7291 Roofers and shinglers
7292 Glaziers
7293 Insulators
7294 Painters and decorators (except interior decorators)
7295 Floor covering installers
74 - Other installers, repairers and servicers and material handlers 7441 Residential and commercial installers and servicers
7442 Waterworks and gas maintenance workers
7444 Pest controllers and fumigators
7445 Other repairers and servicers
7451 Longshore workers
7452 Material handlers
75 - Transport and heavy equipment operation and related maintenance occupations 7511 Transport truck drivers
7512 Bus drivers, subway operators and other transit operators
7513 Taxi and limousine drivers and chauffeurs
7514 Delivery and courier service drivers
7521 Heavy equipment operators (except crane)
7522 Public works maintenance equipment operators and related workers
7531 Railway yard and track maintenance workers
7532 Water transport deck and engine room crew
7533 Boat and cable ferry operators and related occupations
7534 Air transport ramp attendants
7535 Other automotive mechanical installers and servicers
76 - Trades helpers, construction labourers and related occupations 7611 Construction trades helpers and labourers
7612 Other trades helpers and labourers
7621 Public works and maintenance labourers
7622 Railway and motor transport labourers
86 - Harvesting, landscaping and natural resources labourers 8611 Harvesting labourers
8612 Landscaping and grounds maintenance labourers
8613 Aquaculture and marine harvest labourers
8614 Mine labourers
8615 Oil and gas drilling, servicing and related labourers
8616 Logging and forestry labourers

2. Minor Unit Groups

Minor Unit Group NOC Code Occupation
151 - Mail and message distribution occupations 1511 Mail, postal and related workers
1512 Letter carriers
1513 Couriers, messengers and door-to-door distributors
642 - Retail salesperson 6421 Retail salespersons
673 -  Cleaners 6731 Light duty cleaners
6732 Specialized cleaners
6733 Janitors, caretakers and building superintendents
843 - Agriculture and horticulture workers 8431 General farm workers
8432 Nursery and greenhouse workers
844 -  Other workers in fishing and trapping and hunting occupations 8441 Fishing vessel deckhands
8442 Trappers and hunters
946 - Machine operators and related workers in food, beverage and associated products processing 9461 Process control and machine operators, food and beverage processing
9462 Industrial butchers and meat cutters, poultry preparers and related workers
9463 Fish and seafood plant workers
9465 Testers and graders, food and beverage processing

3. Specific 4 digit unit groups

NOC Code Occupation
0821 Managers in agriculture
0822 Managers in horticulture
4031 French and French Immersion Secondary school teachers (language of instruction must be French
4032 French and French Immersion Elementary school and kindergarten teachers (language of instruction must be French)
4411 Home child care providers
4413 Elementary and secondary school teacher assistants
6331 Retail butchers
6523 Airline ticket and service agents
6524 Ground and water transport ticket agents, cargo service representatives and related clerks
6541 Security guards and related security service occupations
6551 Customer services representatives - financial institutions
6552 Other customer and information services representatives
8252 Agricultural service contractors, farm supervisors and specialized livestock workers
8255 Contractors and supervisors, landscaping, grounds maintenance and horticulture services
9617 Labourers in food and beverage processing
9618 Labourers in fish and seafood processing

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