Immigration Lawyer Michael Niren Quoted: Skilled Work Points Program Changes Go Into Effect In January

The changes have been coming for months, but it’s now official: changes to how the Government of Canada ranks foreign skilled workers who apply to come to Canada via the points program are coming into effect in January of 2013.

Skilled worker applicants must get 67 points out of 100, with more points given for language proficiency and credentials.

The changes to the skilled worker program will put more emphasis (re:points) on age, language proficiency and credentials, while work experience abroad will count for less.

I was quoted in this Yahoo Canada News article discussing the changes, most of which I find favourable but I do have a few concerns:

“The Canadian labour force has changed significantly over the last decade and our aging demographics will be in greater need of a young work force.”

However:

“When it comes to language, we are living in a global, multicultural economy and the narrow bias the government has towards English or French language proficiency is short sighted. I know many productive Canadians who do business strictly in Mandarin and in other languages. While English and French remain Canada’s official languages, our economy speaks many more.”

And I stand by those statements! Language proficiency in Canada isn’t so black and white, or so English and French.

Talented and qualified workers may not be as “qualified” to come to Canada, help boost the economy and benefit Canada with their skills because they are not as proficient in English or French or do not score well on a simple test. If you are planning on immigrating to Canada under the Federal Skilled worker program, speak to a licensed immigration lawyer for help ensuring your application is top-notch!