September 18, 2018 – A new study suggests Quebec immigrants are enjoying greater success in the labour market.
Unemployment among immigrants aged between 25 and 54 dropped to 6 per cent in August 2018, compared to 8.1 per cent in January.
This compares with an overall Quebec unemployment rate of 5.6 per cent, the Institut du Québec study shows.
The proportion of immigration working has also increased, the study, based on figures from Statistics Canada, shows.
Quebec’s immigrant employment rate is currently 77.8 per cent for 25 to 54-year-olds, an improvement of six percentage points in the last decade.
The figure brings the French-speaking province’s immigrant employment rate on a par with Ontario (78.4%) and British Columbia (80.1%).
Quebec is also performing better on immigrant retention.
The widely-held belief is that many immigrants landing in Quebec often depart for other provinces soon after.
But this latest study reveals nearly 85 per cent of immigrants landing in 2010 still lived in Quebec five years later. Go back 15 years, and Quebec’s retention rate was just 75 per cent.
Meanwhile, Ontario boasts a retention rate of 90.7 per cent.
The Institut’s study revealed some areas that still need work.
Unemployment Higher for New Immigrants
It found the unemployment rate among immigrants in Quebec for five years or less was high, at 14 per cent compared to 9.3 per cent in Ontario and 7.3 per cent in B.C.
These newly-arrived immigrants, however, have seen an increase in employment rate, from a 2007 figure of 57.8 per cent to 65.8 per cent in 2017.
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Two-Thirds of Residents Back Same or Increased Quebec Immigration Levels
The study also revealed how Quebec has an acute issue with the concentration of new immigrants in Montreal.
Of the more than 52,000 immigrants welcomed across all categories in 2017, 85 per cent settled in the province’s biggest city, while five per cent settled in Quebec City.
This left less than 10 per cent settling in other areas of the province, where labour shortages are a major issue.
The figures come with campaigning in full swing ahead of voting in Quebec’s provincial election on Monday, October 1. Immigration, as always, is a central and divisive issue among political parties.
Quebec has also made a significant change to how it welcomes skilled worker immigrants with the opening of Arrima, its new Expression of Interestimmigration system.
Much like the federal Express Entry system, Arrima will see candidates invited to apply based on the needs of the Quebec labour market.
Previously, candidates were considered on a first-come, first-served basis.
How Does Quebec Expression of Interest Work?
- Candidates submit an online expression of interest profile to the Quebec Ministry of Immigration, Diversity and Inclusion (MIDI).
- Profiles enter an Expression of Interest pool, where they are ranked against each other. A profile is valid for 12-months.
- The highest-ranking candidates will receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for a Quebec Certificate of Selection under the Quebec Skilled Worker Program.
- Quebec conducts periodic draws, inviting candidates to apply for a Quebec certificate of selection (CSQ).
- Candidates receiving an invitation have 90 days to submit a full application.
- Approved candidates who receive a nomination certificate (CSQ) may then apply for Canadian permanent residence.
Interested employers: Kindly contact us here to receive further information.
Interested candidates: Find out whether you qualify to Canada by completing our free on-line evaluation. We will provide you with our evaluation within 1-2 business days.
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