Canada immigration news 2017

Here are some key Canada immigration news stories from 2017:

Express Entry System Changes

• In January 2017, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) introduced changes to the Express Entry system, including a new "Comprehensive Ranking System" (CRS) that prioritizes candidates with higher language proficiency, education, and work experience.
• The changes aimed to reduce processing times and increase the number of invitations to apply for permanent residence.

New Immigration Levels Plan

• In June 2017, the Canadian government announced its new Immigration Levels Plan, which aimed to welcome 300,000 new permanent residents in 2017, up from 259,000 in 2016.
• The plan included a focus on attracting skilled workers, family reunification, and refugees.

LGBTQ+ Immigration

• In June 2017, Canada became the first country to include gender identity and expression as a protected ground under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.
• This change aimed to ensure that LGBTQ+ individuals are protected from discrimination in the immigration process.

Refugee Resettlement

• In 2017, Canada welcomed over 25,000 refugees, including 11,000 government-assisted refugees and 14,000 privately-sponsored refugees.
• The government also launched the "Lifeline" initiative, which aimed to resettle an additional 3,000 refugees from Syria and other countries.

Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)

• In 2017, several Canadian provinces launched new Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) to attract skilled workers and entrepreneurs.
• Examples include the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program, the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program, and the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program.

Express Entry Draws

• In 2017, IRCC held 34 Express Entry draws, issuing a total of 64,000 invitations to apply for permanent residence.
• The draws were held every two weeks, with the lowest CRS score required to receive an invitation being 441.

Temporary Foreign Worker Program

• In 2017, the Canadian government introduced changes to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, including a new "Labour Market Impact Assessment" (LMIA) process to ensure that foreign workers are not displacing Canadian workers.
• The changes aimed to improve the program's integrity and protect Canadian jobs.

Immigration Detention Reform

• In 2017, the Canadian government announced reforms to the immigration detention system, including a focus on releasing detainees on bail and improving conditions in detention centers.
• The reforms aimed to reduce the use of immigration detention and promote more humane treatment of migrants.

These are just a few of the key Canada immigration news stories from 2017. If you have any specific questions or would like more information, feel free to ask!