Canada’s Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, the Honourable Marc Miller, announced this week the first round of invitations for transport occupations through a newly revised Express Entry system.
This focus on transport roles, which includes commercial truck drivers, pilots, and aircraft assembly workers, aims to alleviate labor shortages and bolster the country’s economic growth.
Introduced in May by the Honourable Sean Fraser, the former Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, category-based selection prioritizes candidates based on specific work experience or language skills. This new selection approach was initiated after extensive consultations with provincial, territorial partners, stakeholders, and the public, as well as a comprehensive review of labor market needs. A complete list of eligible jobs can be found on the official website.
Miller expressed his optimism for the new system, stating, “As Canada grows its economy, we’re committed to improving transport and infrastructure to ensure the safe and efficient movement of goods and passengers across the country. Category-based selection helps us invite newcomers with experience in transport occupations to fill significant labor gaps.”
Canada’s Express Entry system is the country’s primary application management system for prospective immigrants. It caters to candidates seeking permanent residence under several federal programs, including the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Canadian Experience Class, and the Federal Skilled Trades Program. In June 2022, Canada updated its Immigration and Refugee Protection Act to permit the selection of immigrants based on attributes that support economic priorities.
The Honourable Pablo Rodriguez, Minister of Transport, also highlighted the importance of the new initiative, saying, “The transportation sector is crucial to our economy, and if we want to keep things moving, we need to invest in the people that move travelers and transport our goods. Filling vacancies in these professions will boost economic growth and create stronger and more resilient supply chains.”
The revised Express Entry will operate in tandem with existing general and program-specific invitation rounds and is part of Canada’s broader commitment to attract global talent and meet its labor market needs.
Under the Canada–Québec Accord, Quebec establishes its own immigration policies. Between 2018 and 2022, admissions under Canada’s federal high-skilled programs accounted for 34% to 40% of overall French-speaking admissions outside of Quebec.
