On May 31, Immigration Minister Sean Fraser announced the categories targeted in the category-based Express Entry draws expected to begin this summer. The categories include healthcare, STEM professions, trades, transport, agriculture, and agri-food. These categories were chosen to fill vacant positions throughout Canada, as immigration is seen as an integral way to reduce the labor shortage in the country.
Healthcare
Canada heavily relies on immigration to fill vacancies in the healthcare system. In the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2022, there were 143,695 job vacancies in the Healthcare and Social Assistance category. The job vacancies per province were highest in Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia.
STEM Professions
Occupations within Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) are growing in demand in Canada. The sector had 56,915 job vacancies in Q4 2022. The job vacancies per province were highest in Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia.
Trades
The trades category includes wholesale trades and retail trades. The total wholesale trades job vacancies were 30,930, while the total retail trades job vacancies were 108,795. The job vacancies per province were highest in Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia.
Transport
In the transportation and warehousing category, there were 43,700 job vacancies. Since the beginning of 2021, the job vacancy rate in transport has been declining. The job vacancies per province were highest in Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia.
Agriculture and Agri-Food
In Q4 2022, the Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing, and Hunting category had a job vacancy rate 10,535. Since 2021, the job vacancy rate in this area has been declining. The job vacancies per province were highest in Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia.
Minister Fraser has said that inviting more skilled workers in these professions will support Canada in admitting in-demand professionals into communities nationwide. The category-based draws are set to begin this summer, but an approximate date is yet to be available.
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